Before we start today’s newsletter …In these final days of 2023, think about what it means for you to have a reliable source of news in your inbox each morning. And think about how much you'll be relying on this newsletter in 2024 to keep you informed and connected to your community. Take a moment right now to put a dollar value on this service that you get for free, and make a tax-deductible gift now so that we can keep going in the new year. Your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar today, so you can have twice the impact on the service you use. We can't do it without your partnership, thank you!
And now back to our regularly scheduled morning news!
Today is the last Food Friday of 2023. Can you believe it? I can’t. And it’s only fitting that we are talking all about New Year’s Eve eats and traditions, plus some of my favorite food stories this year!
As I put together this newsletter and read this story, I started thinking about my very superstitious Filipino family and wondered, “Do we have any good luck foods we eat to guarantee good fortune in the new year?” The answer is: no food, but I have been told to wear polka dots for good luck and to jump at midnight to grow taller.
This is the web version of our How To LA newsletter. Sign up here to get this newsletter sent to your inbox each weekday morning
But, a lot of cultures do have food traditions to ensure a lucky new year. By "good luck," we mean money, because most of these foods will supposedly bring you wealth. And most of the foods in the list are very tasty and I may have to grab a few to eat to ring in 2024. See the list here!
… and some bonus myth-debunking: The jumping did not help with my height.
More food content:
Even more food content: Visit LAist.com to see all things Food Friday! Or, check out all of our food-related stories right here!
Have a great and safe New Year’s Day, friends. There’s more news below - just keep reading.
(After you stop hitting snooze)
*At LAist we will always bring you the news freely, but occasionally we do include links to other publications that may be behind a paywall. Thank you for understanding!
As the year ends, I’ve decided that instead of resolutions, I’m making a giant bucket list of all the things I want to do in 2024. And one of the things I’m adding is to go on more adventures in SoCal and do a little more traveling. I know I’ve written about the Rose Parade a lot this week, but I’ve actually never gone to the parade. But I have gone to one of its pre-events, Bandfest. You get to watch performances from all the marching bands — local, nationwide, and even some international — before they walk the parade route on New Year’s Day. It’s definitely worth experiencing.
If the Rose Parade is not your thing, here are some event picks to ring in 2024! See the full list here.
And we have some cool upcoming LAist events in the new year you should totally join.
Wishing you all a safe and amazing new year! Oh, before I forget, the newsletter will be taking a break on Monday, Jan. 1 and will be back on Tuesday.
Got something you’ve always wanted to know about Southern California and the people who call it home? Is there an issue you want us to cover? Ask us anything.
Have a tip about news on which we should dig deeper? Let us know.