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LA & Valley Eats: Plant Based Burgers 

With Carl’s Jr. offering a Beyond Burger and Umami and Fat Burger advertising the Impossible Burger, vegans have a large amount of options when it comes to burgers. Whether you just want an alternative on Meatless Monday or you like your summer sandwich meaty, beany, or tasting of vegetables, there’s a grill near you, ready to serve.

Monty’s Good Burger 

Located at: 516 S Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90020 

The menu in this tiny Koreatown grill is as simple an In-N-Out Burger’s, but everything here is plant-based. Get a double or single Impossible Burger, a side of tater tots with your choice of dipping sauces, a coconut-based shake and a hearty chopped kale Caesar salad to balance it all out.

Burger Lords 

Located at: 943 N. Broadway, Los Angeles 90012

Get a vegan cheeseburger or make it a double. This Chinatown walk-up – which recently opened a Highland Park location – makes their own delectable patty with mushrooms, eggplant, cashews, barley, garbanzo beans, celery, leeks and a top secret spice blend, topped with Follow Your Heart vegan American Cheese. Shoestring fries, tofu nuggets and a Topo Chico make it a meal worth sharing.

Fred 62 

Located at: 1850 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles 90027

This Los Feliz staple has long offered their tasty, grainy No Animal Burger—order it without the Thousand Island dressing and voila, it’s vegan. Jalapeño pickles, avocado and the potato bun make for a mouthwatering, messy mouthful. 

Follow Your Heart Cafe

Located at: 21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park 91303

Opened in 1970, this small market/café is internationally known as the company that created the Vegenaise ® brand of eggless condiments and vegan cheese products. They have many variations of burgers, while their “beet burger” remaining one of the most popular. 

O’cado Restaurant

Located at: 14568 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks 91403

Plant-based fusion with sustainable wine, craft beer, and fresh cocktails is the name of the game at this Ventura Boulevard restaurant/bar featuring Latin, Mediterranean, and American flavors. This spot has an impossible burger that will blow your mind! 

Sun Cafe Organic

Located at: 10820 Ventura Blvd, Studio City 91604

Located in a former 1920s house, the ambiance at SunCafe Organic is as big a draw as the menu. Co-owners Ron Russell (also a chef) and Rebecca Smith retained the building’s architectural integrity complete with a glorious front patio perfect for a date or gathering. Because they are one of the original vegan cafe’s in the valley, their burger is one of the most refined and classic out there. 

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Weekend Events: Oct 16 – Oct 18 

Spice up your weekend, and check out this weekend’s events digital and throughout. From Comedy to the Food & Wine Festival, we have you covered!

Comedy Crossing

When: Friday Oct 16th 7PM-830PM

Where: DIGITAL 

RSVP: http://comedycrossing.eventbrite.com 

It’s the world’s first-ever Animal Crossing standup comedy show. And yes, ANYONE can watch this show online (in the world’s CUTEST ZOOM MEETING) even if you do NOT play Animal Crossing. (I mean…anyone means anyone over 18 years old. This is STILL a grownup’s comedy show) #ComedyCrossing is a free online standup comedy show held inside Animal Crossing, the world’s cutest and most gentle video game.

Hosted by Jenny Yang @jennyyangtv, one of Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch” for 2020, writer for Fox’s hit sitcom Last Man Standing, and former writer and performer for E!s late-night talk show Busy Tonight. 

So Cal Etsy Guild Market 

When: Oct 16 – Oct 18

Where: Northridge Fashion Center 

RSVP: N/A 

This is a three day event taking place at the Northridge Fashion Center in Northridge Southern California featuring handmade artisan vendors, artist, food, DIY activities, live art, give aways and much more! Please exercise caution when attending any live event + please social distance.

LA Westside Food Wine & Spirits Festival 

When: Sunday Oct 18th 2PM – 6PM 

Where: DIGITAL 

The 6th Edition of the VirtuWestside Food, Wine & Spirits festival benefiting Westside Food Bank. Live Music, Entertainment, giveaways, etc

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Streaming: The Mandalorian Season 2

Without a doubt, the most anticipated streaming series of the year—  “The Mandalorian” will be returning with its second season on October 30th to Disney+. To gear up for the release, we suggest you not only watch the first season (if you have not already), and watch these other Star Wars spin-offs to get you even more excited for the new season releasing incredibly soon! 

Mandalorian Season 1 

Where to Watch: Disney+ 

A lone gunfighter makes his way through the outer reaches of the galaxy, far from the authority of the New Republic. While on his way, he encounters enemies and unlikely allies. 

Solo: A Star Wars Story 

Where to Watch: Disney+ 

Young Han Solo finds adventure when he joins forces with a gang of galactic smugglers and a 190-year-old Wookie named Chewbacca. Indebted to the gangster Dryden Vos, the crew devises a daring plan to travel to the mining planet Kessel to steal a batch of valuable coaxium. In need of a fast ship, Solo meets Lando Calrissian, the suave owner of the perfect vessel for the dangerous mission — the Millennium Falcon.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 

Where to Watch: Disney+ 

Set just before A New Hope, Rogue One is the first of the spinoff movies. It tells the story of a group of rebels on a risky mission to steal the plans for the Galactic Empire’s super-weapon, the Death Star.

Original Star Wars Trilogy

Where to Watch: Disney+ 

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)

The first Star Wars movie ever made, A New Hope follows Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi on their journey to free Princess Leia, the leader of the Rebellion, and destroy the Death Star.

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

The second installment of the classic trilogy, The Empire Strikes Back, focuses on the Galactic Empire’s pursuit of Luke Skywalker and the Rebel Alliance. Set three years after the events of A New Hope, the movie follows Luke as he studies the Force under the guidance of Jedi Master Yoda.

Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)

Taking place one year after the second movie, Return of the Jedi focuses on the Galactic Empire’s attempt to build a second Death Star and the Rebel Fleet’s plan to foil it.

Second Set of Star Wars Trilogy

Where to Watch: Disney+ 

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)

Set 32 years before the first Star Wars movie, The Phantom Menace tells the story of how Qui-Gon Jinn, the Jedi Master, and Obi-Wan Kenobi, his apprentice, protected Queen Amidala in an attempt to end the interplanetary trade dispute peacefully.

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)

Taking place 10 years after the events of The Phantom Menace, this movie follows Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padmé Amidala as the trio witness the onset of the Clone Wars.

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Set three years after the events of Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith follows Obi-Wan Kenobi in his journey to eliminate the leader of the Separatist army, General Grievous.

Last Installment of the Star Wars Trilogy

Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)

The first of the sequel trilogy, The Force Awakens, is set 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi. It follows Finn, Han Solo, Poe Dameron and Rey in their search for Luke Skywalker. The movie introduces a new antagonist, Kylo Ren.

Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)

Taking place right after the events of The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi follows Rey as she seeks Luke Skywalker’s help to defeat Kylo Ren and the First Order. Meanwhile, Finn, General Leia Organa and Poe Dameron try to fend off an attack on the Resistance. This movie features the first posthumous performance by Carrie Fisher and honors her memory.

Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) 

The final installment of the sequel trilogy, The Rise of Skywalker, is set shortly after the events of The Last Jedi. It follows Finn, Poe Dameron and Rey as they lead the fight against Kylo Ren. Although this movie isn’t yet available on Disney+, you can expect to see it on the service by the end of the year.

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Home Tips: Fall Harvest Decor Ideas

When summer fades, many of us are ready to welcome the fall season. Pumpkins, gourds, and other decorative squashed are in abundance this time of year! Why not use them as inspiration for your fall harvest decorating project?

Wheat Wreath with Wooden Beads

A wreath is a lovely way to welcome guests into your home. This wild wonder owes its elegant good looks to the natural materials that embellish its standard straw base. We added wheat stalks laced with wooden beads and sculptural bleached seedpods.

Wheat Centerpiece

Summer flowers may have wilted with the changing of seasons, but wheat stalks – with their delicate, golden form – are long-lasting. Arrange an armful of tall stalks into a vase, cropping the ends and fluffing the tops, and display your glorious autumnal bouquet.

Hanging Basket of Fall Flowers

Assorted pinecones, pods, acorns, and other natural decorations all make for a wilt-proof wall hanging. Treat them with a few coats of golden yellow paint, then hot-glue them to dried twigs gathered from the yard.

Tabletop Baskets

Baskets are good for more than bearing fruit! Make use of them on the dinner table as centerpieces, salt, and pepper cellars, or and added touch to your guest’s place settings. For each place card, cinch a napkin with a waxed cord and tie the ends around the basket’s handle.

Cornucopia

For the piece de resistance of your fall harvest décor, why not consider the universal symbol of bounty? The cornucopia, that is. This raffia cornucopia lined with a bed of dried wheat stalks holds an abundance of golden squashes, apples, and pears. This is a natural Thanksgiving decoration that radiates good fortune!

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Economic update for the week ending October 10, 2020

Stock markets had their best week in three months – It was a strange week on Wall Street. Stocks opened the week higher as Treasury Secretary  Mnuchin has begun to bridge the gap between democrats and republicans on another round of stimulus. Stocks dropped midweek after President Trump announced that there would not be a stimulus bill passed until after the election. The following day he announced that a deal was close, and the White House increased their stimulus package from $1.6 trillion to $1.8 trillion. The House had approved a package for $2.2 trillion. Investors feel that a deal is close and stocks rallied on the prospect of approximately $2 trillion added to the economy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 28,586.90, up 3.3% from 27,681.71 last week. It’s down 0.2% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 3,477.13, up 3.8% from 3,384.44 last week. It’s up 7.6% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed the week at 11,579.94, up 4.6% from 11,075.02 last week. It’s up 29.1% year-to-date.

U.S. Treasury bond yields – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 0.79%, up from 0.70% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 1.58%, up from 1.48% last week.

Mortgage rates – The October 8,  2020, Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as follows: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 2.87%, unchanged from 2.88% last week. The 15-year fixed was 2.37%, unchanged from 2.36% last week. The 5-year ARM was 2.89%, unchanged from 2.90% last week.

September home sales figures should be released either at the end of next week or the beginning of the following week. Those results will appear in upcoming updates.

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LA & Valley Eats: Wine + Cheese

Wine and cheese prove to be an unstoppable food pairing. Check out our favorite wine bars with delicious snacks to pick up from for a fun quarantine pod picnic at home!

Mirabelle Wine Bar

Located: 12518 Burbank Blvd, Valley Village, CA 91607

This cozy but stellar wine bar has settled nicely into sleepy Valley Village. There’s cheese and charcuterie for those needing something light to pair with beers and wine, and the grilled cheese sandwich makes for a heftier bite late into the night. Make a reservation before going!

Buvette

Location: 15005 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

An incredible wine bar that the locals love with snacks and food that complement the wine parings perfectly! Make a reservation before going since there is plenty of outdoor space to sit.

Canyon Bistro & Wine Bar

Location: 120 N Topanga Canyon Blvd #119, Topanga, CA 90290

French-style cuisine, boutique wines & live jazz highlight this chic, art-filled cafe with a patio.

Tabula Rasa

Location: 5125 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Bestia vets Zach Negin and Daniel Flores operate this quaint wine bar in Thai Town. With dark, moody lighting and plenty of approachable wines by the glass, it’s the perfect kind of neighborhood spot.

Bar Covell

Location: 4628 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Dustin Lancaster and Matthew Kaner’s Bar Covell is the definitive Los Angeles wine bar. The bar’s incredibly knowledgeable staff helps guide customers through its constantly changing selection of roughly 150 labels spanning 24 countries. The food selection includes a solid selection of cheese and charcuterie options, as well as some assorted small plates.

Esters Wine Shop & Bar

(Image Credit: Lindsey Huttrer)

Location: 1314 7th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Kathryn Coker’s sophisticated wine bar boasts an extensive selection that leans heavily toward import and small-batch labels. Chef Jessica Liu-He oversees Esters’ food menu, which includes bar snacks like lavender almonds and heartier small plates like a sausage with pickles and beer mustard.

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Weekend Events: Oct 9th – Oct 11

There is plenty to do out and about in Los Angeles and the Valley socially distant. Check out our round-up of some events perfect to attend or celebrate with your quarantine pod!

The Magic Castle

When: Friday, October 9-Sunday October 11

Where: The Magic Castle (Hollywood)

Cost: $125 per car for up to 5 people

There’s so little live comedy right now in LA that this bi-weekly drive-in series at the Magic Castle almost seems like a miracle. This weekend’s lineup includes a slew of Improv/Comedy Store regulars including Sarah Tiana, Preacher Lawson, Jamie Kennedy, and a ton more. There’s food available to order, too, including fried chicken sandwiches and burgers from the Magic Castle kitchen.

Screamfest Screenings

When: Tuesday, October 6-Thursday, October 15

Where: The Regency Van Nuys 

Cost: Varies

The longest-running horror film festival in the U.S. is back again, with in-person drive-in screenings at the Regency Theaters in Van Nuys. Screenings include a bunch of new low-budget horror shorts and features, as well as some of the classic “Halloween” films and a free screening of the new Steven King thriller, “Mr. Mercedes.”

Celebrate Filipino American History Month

When: Saturday, October 10

Where: Your Home!

Cost: $20-90

October is Filipino American History Month, and the Filipina-owned gin bar Genever has teamed with HiFi kitchen for a one-off dinner/cocktail/show extravaganza, featuring a traditional Kamayan feast (Chicken adobo/saltado/sisig/fixings), a cocktail by Genever’s Jesse Smith, and the hosts of This Filipino American Life podcast schooling viewers on Filipino history. Food is available for pickup or delivery for an additional fee.

Golden Road’s Oktoberfest Pop Up

When: Saturday, October 10-Sunday October 11

Where: 1300 Glendale Ave, Echo Park

Cost: $40-$75

Raucous Oktoberfest parties may be off the menu this year, but that’s not stopping beloved local-gone-national brewery Golden Road from celebrating the season: in addition to a new Oktoberfest Bier, they’ve collaborated with ultra-colorful clothing brand The Quiet Life on a capsule collection. Order any of the clothes to pick up at their popup this weekend (ranging from a logo-heavy hat to tie-dye shirts) and they’ll throw in a 6-pack of the new beer as well as a limited edition tote.

West Adams Ballot Party

When: Sunday, October 11

Where: Delicious Pizza (West Adams)

Cost: Free

Hip-hop inspired, party-hearty pie-slinger Delicious Pizza is getting civically involved with this socially-distant get-out-the-vote event. Bring your ballot by for a pop-up photo booth, voter guides to help you figure out how/who you’re going to vote for, and DJs all day.

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Streaming: Classic Rom-Coms

For decades, romantic comedies were derided as unserious “chick flicks,” as if that was a bad thing. But in recent years, the moviegoing public and critics alike have finally come around to celebrate the rom-com in all its frothy, silly, heartwarming glory. Check out some of our favorite classic Rom-Coms on Netflix!

My Best Friend’s Wedding

Julia Roberts was the perfect casting choice for ’90s rom-coms like My Best Friend’s Wedding because her bubbly personality and giant smile helped conceal the fact that her character is kind of a jerk (see also: Runaway Bride, which is unfortunately not available to stream anywhere).

10 Things I Hate About You

10 Things I Hate About You is one of the best entries in the teen-rom-com-based-on-classic-literature genre (see also: Clueless, She’s The Man). Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger star as Kat and Patrick, high school versions of the sparring couple in Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, with Larisa Oleynik (aka Nickelodeon’s Alex Mack) co-starring as Kat’s younger sister Bianca, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt new student Cameron who’s smitten with her.

13 Going On 30

Were one to claim that 13 Going on 30 is the best romantic comedy ever made, there’d be slim argument against it. The movie is a charm on all fronts, from its cast — the winning Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo — to its premise, which involves Garner’s 13-year-old self wishing to become “30 and flirty and thriving” is magically granted.

Crazy, Stupid, Love

Steve Carell’s kicked off his post-The Office career by playing the leading man in two rom-coms: Crazy, Stupid, Love and Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. The former sees Carell as a recently divorced dad navigating the dating scene with the help of a smooth-talking Ryan Gosling.

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Home Tips: Pumpkin Painting Ideas

It’s time to get into the Halloween spirit! A fun family activity (that is less messy than carving pumpkins) is painting pumpkins! Check out these creative ways to paint pumpkins for the interior and exterior of your home this season.

Chalk-Painted Pumpkins

The chalk paint trend is ever strong, has inspired us to create a set of these elegant floral pumpkins. We love the combination of a matte chalk finish and these large stencil designs! Thy match any fall décor perfectly.

Glittered Pumpkins

There’s no denying it – everything is better with glitter. Both pumpkins are coated in a fine sprinkling of shimmer – gold and copper, respectively – and one is polka-dotted while the other is crafted with the visual effect of dripping in luxury.

Falling Leaves Pumpkin

Autumn-inspired silhouettes add simple charm. To paint this pumpkin, adhere the leaf stencil to the pumpkin and pounce the inside of the stencil with white craft paint. Slowly, peel off the stencil and re-adhere it to a new spot on the pumpkin. Repeat this method until the pumpkin’s entire rounded surface is covered in leaves.

Abstract Expressionist Art Pumpkins

Abstract Expressionist artists – Pollock, Rothko, and Franz Kline – all use sophisticated designs. Similarly, the trio of pumpkins pictured here is inspired by some of the greatest artists of our time.

Skeleton Pumpkin

A skeleton with a devilish grin like this is just the thing your front porch needs this Halloween. Kids will love to help come up with their own spooky, silly, up-to-no-good expressions.

Content Sourced from: Martha Stewart Living
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Economic update for the week ending October 3, 2020

 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 27,682.71, up 1.9% from 27,173.96 last week. It’s down 3.0% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 3,348.44, up 1.5% from 3,298.96 last week. It’s up 3.6% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed the week at 11,075.02, up 1.5% from 10,913.56 last week. It’s up 23.4% year-to-date.

U.S. Treasury bond yields – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 0.70%, up slightly from 0.66% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 1.48%, up from 1.40% last week.

Mortgage rates – The October 1, 2020 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as follows: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 2.88%, down slightly from 2.90% last week. The 15-year fixed was 2.36%, down from 2.40% last week. The 5-year ARM was 2.90%, unchanged from 2.90% last week.

The U.S. economy added 661,000 jobs in September – The Department of Labor Statistics reported that employers added 661,000 jobs in September. Analysts expected 800,000 new jobs, so this number was quite a bit below expectations. This represented a slowing in the pace of the jobs recovery, as over 1.3 million jobs were added in August. Th e unemployment rate dropped to 7.9% in September. It was 8.4% in August.