STUDIO CITY - For some reason, our only experience at the Sportsman's Lodge was Yom Kippur services, so we don't know much about the food, wine or amenities. But frequent commenter Carter lets us know that the hotel has just been sold: Just read in the Sherman Oaks Sun in Ellen Vukovich's column on page 8 that the Sportsmen's Lodge was sold and that about 300,000 sq. ft. of retail development will be added while retaining the hotel. Can hear the homeowners talk about congestion now!!!" The issue is not yet available online so we'll just have to take Carter's word for now. [CurbedWire Inbox]
FROGTOWN - Another reader writes in to let us know a) he actually bikes along the LA River and b) he is documenting Frogtown, the strange little hamlet between Glassel Park and Silverlake, known for its amphibian population and building murals painted to look like a French village. C'est Bonne! [CurbedWire Inbox]
LOS ANGELES - Tesco goes green! Yet another reason for our obsessive Tesco reportage. A reader directs us to the Press-Enterprise article highlighting the ways Tesco's is incorporating environmentally friendly technologies into its distribution strategy. "Those include what the retailer calls a "hybrid refrigeration" unit that minimizes diesel fuel needed to safely cool and transport products. Refrigeration units will shut off automatically when optimum temperature is reached inside the cooling chamber, and electrical stand-by technology will cool trucks while they're parked at the distribution center." Additionally, the trucks are designed to reduce noise and drivers have committed to a "zero noise" policy while unloading. [CurbedWire Inbox/PE.com]