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  • The Daily Brief: Music Icons Gather To Celebrate Grand Opening of Blue Note on Sunset, Culver City Business Looks to Aid Fire Victims, and more.

The Daily Brief: Music Icons Gather To Celebrate Grand Opening of Blue Note on Sunset, Culver City Business Looks to Aid Fire Victims, and more.

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Author

Gary Smith
August 15, 2025

Good Afternoon! It’s Friday, August 15.

Cloudy conditions covered much of Los Angeles on Friday, with the sun shining through at times, with temperatures peaking at a high of 82°. As we head into the weekend, sunny skies are expected to return, with highs tomorrow expected to hold steady at 82°.

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Legendary Blue Note Jazz Club Opens in Hollywood with Star-Studded Celebration

After decades of hosting jazz greats in New York and around the world, the iconic Blue Note has arrived in Los Angeles with a dazzling debut on Sunset Boulevard. The Hollywood opening featured Grammy-winning headliner Robert Glasper alongside surprise performances from Terrace Martin, Ledisi, and Lalah Hathaway, drawing music royalty including Dr. Dre. The new venue boasts intimate cabaret-style seating, two performance spaces, and a full menu, with singer-songwriter Alex Isley set to take the stage this weekend.

Walk Your Plans LA Helps Wildfire Victims Rebuild Faster

In the wake of the Eaton and Palisades fires, Culver City’s Walk Your Plans LA is offering discounted full-scale floor plan projections to affected families. Founded by Kim and Chay Lapin, the studio allows homeowners to “walk through” their future homes before construction begins—helping them make faster, better decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and cut months off the rebuilding process.

Palisades-Malibu YMCA to Rebuild as Lowe Family YMCA After Fire

After being destroyed in the Palisades Fire, the Palisades-Malibu YMCA is making a $25 million comeback as the Lowe Family YMCA, featuring two campuses in Pacific Palisades. Backed by major contributions from LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and philanthropist Bob Lowe, the rebuilt facilities will expand programs, offer new indoor-outdoor spaces, and serve as a renewed hub for community connection and well-being.

Secret Service Cracks Rome Fake Hotel Scam Targeting U.S. Tourists

More than 200 American travelers were duped into booking nonexistent luxury hotels in Rome, only to find no rooms — or buildings — upon arrival. The elaborate cyber scam funneled victims’ credit card details to nearly two dozen criminals, who used the stolen funds to live lavishly in real five-star hotels. The U.S. Secret Service and Italy’s Polizia di Stato dismantled the ring, with suspects set to stand trial next month.

Ask Chris: Why So Much Empty Land Surrounds LAX

When jet noise overwhelmed neighborhoods around LAX in the 1960s, lawsuits and city buyouts emptied entire communities like Surfridge and Manchester Square. Today, the ghost streets have been repurposed as a rental car hub, Metro station, and wildlife preserve—home to the endangered El Segundo Blue Butterfly.

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Trump and Putin begin talks on possible deal to end Russia-Ukraine war

The two shook hands warmly before heading into discussions that could reshape the war in Ukraine and relations between Moscow and Washington.

Topanga welcomes rare new neighbors: Mama black bear and 3 cubs

A 175-pound mama black bear and her three fuzzy cubs have made a rare home in the Santa Monica Mountains near Topanga Canyon.

Magnitude-3.6 earthquake near Idyllwild shakes parts of Riverside County

Some earthquakes are followed by a larger earthquake, in which case the first quake would then be called a foreshock.

Former OC Supervisor Andrew Do turns himself in, begins 5-year federal prison term

The U.S. attorney handling the case called Do a "Robin Hood in reverse" for stealing money from the poor to enrich himself.

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