Local News
Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe to open at LA’s Universal CityWalk – NBC Los Angeles
What to Know
- The Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe and the Sanrio Smile Shop open Friday at Universal CityWalk
- The Sanrio-themed cafe is the first of its kind in Los Angeles
- The cafe’s menu features grab-and-go Hello Kitty sweet treats and specialty beverages
- A new line of curated merchandise will be available at the Sanrio Smile Shop
- Fans can also strike a pose with an in-store photo op inside the Sanrio Smile Shop
Get ready to roll out the pink carpet because Hello Kitty is soon to become a permanent fixture at Universal Studios Hollywood.
The Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe and the Sanrio Smile Shop both open to the public Friday at Universal CityWalk.
The Sanrio-themed cafe — the first of its kind in Los Angeles — is a can’t miss attraction with Hello Kitty’s giant signature bow signage greeting guests upon entry. The sweet treats and specialty beverages on the menu include the Hello Kitty mousse dome, signature birthday cake, a macaron set and more.
The half a dozen beverages are named after Hello Kitty and her friends: the Hello Kitty strawberry green iced tea, the My Melody lemonade, the Kuromi berry iced tea, the Tuxedosam lemonade, the Keroppi matcha latte and the Chococat frozen mocha.
Guests can grab any of the options above and go, or take advantage of the outdoor seating available at one of the umbrella-covered tables complete with hot pink chairs.
Next door to the cafe, the Sanrio Smile Shop features a wide selection of Hello Kitty and Friends merchandise. A new line of merchandise inspired by the cafe will allow guests to bring a piece home with them (apron, anyone?).
An in-store photo op is also available at the Sanrio Smile Shop. The Hello Kitty and Friends mural and mini statue of Hello Kitty driving a convertible make for a supercute picture.
This storefront is in addition to the Animation Studio Store, which also sells Hello Kitty themed merchandise and is located within Universal Studios Hollywood.
The debut of the Hello Kitty Friends Cafe and Sanrio Smile Shop are the purr-fect way to ring in the global pop icon’s 50th anniversary. Fans can expect Hello Kitty and Friends themed treats, beverages and merch, a meet and greet with Hello Kitty, and a special gift for the first 50 guests at Friday’s grand opening at 11 a.m.
Universal Studios and NBC Owned TV Stations operate under the same parent company NBCUniversal.
Local News
How to add California driver’s license to iPhone, Apple Watch – NBC Los Angeles
California driver’s license holders can now add their state ID to Apple Wallet on their IPhone and Apple Watch, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday.
The digital IDs will be accepted at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) check points, including Los Angeles International Airport and San Francisco Airport, as well as select businesses.
“With this new integration, we’re working to better serve the people of California in the 21st Century,” Newsom said in a statement.
Here’s how to add your ID to Apple Wallet
- Go to Apple Wallet
- Click the + button on the top right-hand corner
- Under the “Add to Wallet” section, tap “Driver’s License or State ID” to select “California mDL Pilot.
- Scan the front and back sides of your California ID
- Scan your face
- Take a picture
- Wait for verification from the California DMV.
But there’s a catch
The mobile driver’s license (mDL) pilot program is currently only limited to 1.5 million participants.
If your license is expired or suspended, your mDL will be rejected.
Other factors that could impact your mDL applications are:
- Wearing headwear
- Not using plain background
- Lack of consistent lighting
- Other faces in the frame
- Wearing sunglasses
More tips can be found here.
Last month, the state announced the DMV addition of Google Wallet as an option to hold driver’s licenses and identification cards.
Local News
New LA City Council president begins leadership role – NBC Los Angeles
Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian will hand over the position Friday to Council President Pro Tem Marqueece Harris-Dawson in a leadership shakeup for the 15-member panel.
First elected to in 2015, the 54-year-old Harris-Dawson represents Council District 8, where he won his first election with 62-percent of the vote in an area that includes Baldwin Hills, Chesterfield Square, Crenshaw, Jefferson Park and other communities.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Harris-Dawson won his bid for the top council post in May and vowed to focus on the city’s homeless crisis. The chair of the city’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee co-authored Prop HHH, which was a $1.2 million bond measure to provide permanent supportive housing.
The council voted 14-0 to name Harris-Dawson as Krekorian’s successor as president.
As president, Harris-Dawson will preside as chair over council meetings, have the power to assign council committees and handle parliamentary duties such as ruling motions in or out of order. He was elected president pro tempore to replace Curren Price, who stepped down after he was charged in June 2023 with embezzlement, perjury and conflict of interest.
Harris-Dawson is expected to serve as president through mid-December. Following November’s election and once new council members assume their offices, another election will be held to elect a council president for a new term.
Krekorian received an ovation Thursday at his final meeting as council president. The Council District 2 representative will leave the body in December due to term limits. Councilman Bob Blumenfield unveiled plans to rename two sites in honor of Krekorian — the Victory Valley Child Care Center at 6451 Saint Clair Ave., and the Valley Plaza Sports Fields at 6980 Whitsett Ave. in North Hollywood.
Krekorian, whose district includes east San Fernando Valley neighborhoods, was first elected to the council in late 2009. He was elected council president in the wake of a leaked audio recording of colleagues, including then-President Nury Martinez, that shook City Hall.
Martinez resigned in 2022 after being heard in a recorded racially charged conversation with two other council members and a county labor official discussing the council’s redistricting process. The recorded conversation included racist comments about a colleague’s young Black adopted son.
Krekorian stepped into the council presidency during the tumultuous time at City Hall.
“I couldn’t do the work for the next 79 days and I couldn’t do the work as council president, and I couldn’t have done the work as an Assembly member or anything else without the support, guidance and love that I’ve received from my wife, Tamar, for the last quarter of the century almost,” Krekorian said.
He also thanked his staff.
“To all my staff, I hope you noticed that a number of members of this council specifically recognized you and that’s because you do extraordinary work — not only for me, our constituents, but for the entire city of Los Angeles,” Krekorian said.
Local News
Find Riverside County Airport Fire recovery assistance – NBC Los Angeles
Residents impacted by the Airport Fire in Riverside County can visit a local assistance center in Lake Elsinore.
Residents seeking assistance with food, health care support and more are welcomed to visit the one-stop resource center located at the Lake Community Center. The center will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
The Riverside County Department of Public Social Services, Public Health, Housing & Workforce Solutions and other local agencies will be joined by representatives from the California Office of Emergency Services and several nonprofit organizations to provide information on how to get financial, medical and related aid.
Residents seeking help also can click here.
On Tuesday, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved an emergency declaration, enabling the county to seek state and federal allocations for infrastructure repairs or improvements and general recovery of expenses stemming from the blaze.
As of Thursday, the Airport Fire was 41% contained at more than 23,500 acres in Orange and Riverside counties.
For information about Orange County recovery resources, click here.
-
News8 months ago
6 Ways To Attract a Rich Girl of Your Dream
-
Finance7 months ago
Which credit card is best for small businesses?
-
Finance7 months ago
Best Business Credit Cards With 0% APR – February 2024
-
Finance7 months ago
How To Apply For A Chase Business Credit Card
-
Finance8 months ago
Lowe’s Credit Card: New Discounts on Lowe’s Purchases
-
Finance7 months ago
Limited Time: Sign up for Chase Freedom Unlimited for a Year of Unlimited Cash Back!
-
Entertainment9 months ago
Netflix Schedule January 2024
-
Tech8 months ago
Apple Vision Pro: $3,499 headset finally has a release date