Welcome to The Los Angeles Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• West Ranch boys volleyball beats league foe Valencia to win first CIF-SS title

• Upcoming Anitta concert

• A deep dive into the life of Robert Mitchum

• And more…

Quote of the Week

"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be."

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Los Angeles Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

What is the name of the famous Los Angeles road known for its luxury homes and views of the city?

A) Sunset Boulevard

B) Mulholland Drive

C) Rodeo Drive

D) Wilshire Boulevard

Answer to Last Week’s Trivia:

The oldest private research university in California, founded in 1880, is C) University of Southern California (USC).

The Best Stories of the Week

💼 Business

Graffitied skyscraper in downtown Los Angeles poised for sale. (Link)

IMF chief calls U.S. debt load ‘mind bogglingind-boggling,’ Musk warns about AI at Milken conference. (Link)

Dick Rutan, co-pilot of around-the-world flight, dies at 85.(Link)

🏦 Finance

Developer JPI to build 270 apartments in downtown Long Beach. (Link)

Nail salon Townhouse using new Beverly Hills site to launch US expansion. (Link)

Selvin's Restaurant and Lounge to open at Palm Garden Hotel in Thousand Oaks. (Link)

🏒 Sports

West Ranch boys volleyball beats league foe Valencia to win first CIF-SS title. (Link)

Alexander: If only the Lakers could do this with LeBron James. (Link)

The Audible: On Dodgers’ success, Clippers’ failure and Sparks’ hopes. (Link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

⚽ Loudoun United FC at Los Angeles Football Club
BMO Stadium, Los Angeles
Tuesday, May 21st | (More info)

⚾ Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
Wednesday, May 22nd | (More info)

⚽ San Diego Wave FC at Angel City FC
BMO Stadium, Los Angeles
Thursday, May 23rd | (More info)

Music & Performances

🎶 Anitta
The Wiltern, Los Angeles
Tuesday, May 21st | (More info)

🎶 Kraftwerk
Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles
Wednesday, May 22nd | (More info)

🎶 Wisp
El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles
Thursday, May 23rd | (More info)

Family Friendly events

🧶 Wooly Wonders Knitting Group
1900 North San Fernando Road, Los Angeles
Friday, May 24th | (More info)

🎥 Spirit Rangers Screening + Panel
1770 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles
Saturday, May 25th | (More info)

🎨 Family Clay Day!
2130 Lincoln Boulevard, Los Angeles
Sunday, May 26th | (More info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “Los Angeles illuminated entirely by bioluminescent plants and structures” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

Los Angeles History

1850: Los Angeles is incorporated as a city.

In 1850, a significant milestone in the history of Los Angeles was reached as the city was officially incorporated. This pivotal moment marked the formal establishment of Los Angeles as a city, solidifying its status as a growing urban center in the state of California. The incorporation of Los Angeles brought about a new era of governance, infrastructure development, and civic organization, laying the foundation for the city's future growth and prosperity.

With its incorporation, Los Angeles gained the ability to establish local government institutions, enact laws, and provide essential services to its residents. This marked a crucial step in the city's evolution from a small pueblo to a bustling metropolis. The incorporation also reflected the increasing population and economic activity in the region, signaling Los Angeles' emergence as a key hub of commerce, culture, and community life in the American West.

The year 1850 stands as a pivotal moment in the history of Los Angeles, symbolizing the city's transition from a Mexican-era pueblo to a formally recognized American city. The incorporation of Los Angeles set the stage for the city's continued development, shaping its identity as a diverse, dynamic, and influential urban center with a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant community spirit.

Famous People From Los Angeles

Robert Mitchum (1917–1997):

Film actor, author, and composer:

Robert Mitchum, born on August 6, 1917, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and passing away on July 1, 1997, in Santa Barbara County, California, was an American film star known for his roles as a cool, cynical loner. His notorious personal life and sardonic, relaxed style created a durable screen image as a fatalistic tough guy.

Robert Charles Durman Mitchum:

Robert Charles Durman Mitchum, also known as Robert Mitchum, was an American actor known for his antihero roles and film noir appearances. He received nominations for an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award. In 1984, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 1992, he was honored with the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award.

Early Life and Career Beginnings:

Robert Mitchum's family moved to Long Beach, California, in 1936, where he began his journey in the entertainment industry. His early life experiences and the influence of the Los Angeles entertainment scene shaped his future career as an actor and composer.

Film Stardom and Notable Roles:

Mitchum's film career took off with his iconic roles as a monosyllabic, devil-may-care tough guy. His lizard-lidded eyelids and unique screen presence made him a memorable figure in Hollywood. His performances in various films solidified his status as a durable movie star for over 40 years.

Personal Life and Contradictions:

Despite his on-screen persona, Robert Mitchum was known for his contradictions. He was a bad boy who was expelled from school, hopped freight trains at a young age, and wandered the country as a depression-era hobo. His personal life was full of mischief, yet he was also described as a nice guy by those who knew him.

Legacy and Archetypal American Male:

Robert Mitchum passed away on July 1, 1997, leaving behind a legacy as an archetypal American male. His unique screen presence and enduring image as a fatalistic tough guy continue to be celebrated, paying homage to a peculiarly American male archetype.

Key Achievements of Robert Mitchum:

• Known for his antihero roles and film noir appearances.

• Received nominations for an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award.

• Honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1984.

• Received the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award in 1992.

• Remembered as an archetypal American male with a durable screen image as a fatalistic tough guy.

Robert Mitchum's story is one of enduring stardom, personal contradictions, and a lasting legacy as an iconic American male figure. His impact on Hollywood and the entertainment industry remains significant and enduring.

Connect With Me

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I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Matthew Larsen

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/matthewblarsen 

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