Media Relations

October 12, 2017

64-Story Condo Tower Next to FIGat7th could get underway by 2019

In June—on the very same day the 73-story Wilshire Grand opened to the public—developer Brookfield Properties filed plans to construct a new 64-story skyscraper right across the street.

Now, the Los Angeles Department of City Planning has released an initial study that offers new details about the project and gives an idea of when we can expect to see it rise. According to preliminary plans, construction on the tower would get underway in 2019 and wrap up in 2023.

The huge new development would be built at 945 West Eight Street, immediately west of the FIGat7th shopping center. It’s set to include 781 residential condos, plus 6,700 square feet of retail space. The tower would sit atop an 11-floor podium, which would be partially underground and would include commercial space and parking for 831 cars and 867 bikes.

Marmol-Radziner and Large Architecture are designing the project, which would have a neatly contemporary design with walls of glass and plenty of balcony space for residents. Planned amenities include a swimming pool, a fitness room, “indoor and outdoor recreational space,” and a community room.

In addition to these private amenities, the project would also incorporate publicly accessible open space, including an outdoor plaza that could include seating for a possible restaurant.

The development may not be the only new tower popping up in the area. On the other side of Figueroa Street, developer Mitsui Fudosan America plans to construct a 43-story high-rise with 436 rental units and 10,000 square feet of commercial space.

Rendering courtesy Brookfield

Story by Curbed.

October 11, 2017

Joseph ‘Bud’ Mauro & Neal Adler elected for the SRAR 2018 Board of Directors

Congratulations to Joseph ‘Bud’ Mauro and Neal Adler! The two Rodeo Realty agents have been elected for the Southland Regional Association of REALTORS® 2018 Board of Directors.

The election started September 25 and ended October 10. Members were able to go online and vote for the candidate of their choice.

During the voting process, Syd Leibovitch, president of Rodeo Realty, recommended both candidates.

“It would be good for us to have them representing us,” said Syd Leibovitch.

Congrats again to Bud and Neal! It’s great to have two of our own on the leadership team of Southland Regional Association of REALTORS®!

The following is a brief explanation of their qualifications:

Joseph Bud Mauro has served Rodeo Realty at just about every level. He has been president of the association, he has been on the board of directors, and has also served at just about every other level at the Association. He also served at The California Association of Realtors.

Neal has served on various committees, including MLS, Government Affairs, Grievance, and Professional Standards. He was a CAR director and a CAR Professional Standards trainer.

October 10, 2017

Paint & Sip & Help This Thursday At The Grove

On Thursday, October 12, enjoy an unforgettable night with Derek Hough and his mom, Marriann, to benefit Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

The painting party, ‘Paint & Sip & Help,’ will take place at The Grove in the park and begins at 6 p.m. Canvas, paint, and brushes will provided.

Guests will receive instruction from Mariann on how to paint a beautiful landscape while also enjoying small bites, wine and cocktails.

Tickets are on sale and begin at $50. VIP Admission is $150. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite, HERE.

100% of ticket proceeds will benefit Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

October 7, 2017

Economic update for the week ending October 7, 2017

U.S economy loses 33,000 jobs in September – Unemployment rate drops to 4.2% – Wages rise – The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the economy lost 33,000 jobs in September, which marked the first month in seven years that the U.S. lost jobs. The unemployment rate dropped to 4.2%, from 4.4% in August. Wages grew 2.9% from one year earlier. Analysts discounted the report, and it had little effect on the markets, because they felt that September’s hurricanes and storms skewed the numbers. According to experts, jobs lost due to hurricanes were lower paying jobs, so unfortunately, wages up nearly 3% was not a reliable figure. They expect wage growth to be closer to 2.5% next month. They also expect the number of new jobs to rebound next month, as employers resume hiring, which they delayed due to weather concerns. Workers also had temporarily stopped their job search, which made the unemployment figure appear lower.

Markets hit record highs again this week – Stocks were up this week as encouraging economic data showed upward trends in the manufacturing and services sectors. Auto sales were also higher. While Friday’s September employment report was weak, experts felt that the impact from recent hurricanes skewed the numbers. They expect the economy to remain healthy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the week at 22,773.67, up from 22,405.09 last week. It’s up 15.2% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,549.33, up from its close last week of 2,519.36. The S&P is up 13.9% YTD. The NASDAQ closed the week at 6,590.19, up from its last week’s close of 6,495.96. It’s up 22.4% year-to-date.

Bond yields rise – The 10-year Treasury bond closed the week at 2.37%, up from 2.33% last week. The 30-year treasury yield ended the week at 2.91%, up from 2.86% last week. Mortgage rates follow treasury bond yields so we watch bond yields carefully.

Mortgage Rates just slightly higher this week – The October 5, 2017 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 3.85%, almost unchanged from 3.83% last week. The 15-year fixed was 3.15%, almost unchanged from 3.13% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.18%, almost unchanged from 3.20% last week.

Home sales figures for September should be available next week.

Have a great weekend!

Syd

October 6, 2017

World Cup May Come To The U.S. In 2026

Soccer fever came in waves in L.A. during the 1990s, when the Rose Bowl hosted the men’s World Cup final in 1994, and the women’s World Cup final in 1999. And now there’s a chance that the men’s World Cup will make a return to the Southland in 2026, and may even pass through other U.S. cities like Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington D.C.

This comes as part of a joint bid put forth by the soccer federations in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Basically, all three countries are teaming up to be one big hosting site for the 2026 World Cup (we imagine that the travel would be grueling for players, but whatever). Currently, Morocco is the only other country to have submitted a bid, reports the L.A. Times. The winner is expected to announced in June 2018.

According to Starsandstripes FC, a fan site for the U.S. men’s national team, 25 American cities are currently listed in the bid. They include the usual names like Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., the Bay Area, and the New York/New Jersey area. Other intriguing contenders include Nashville and Atlanta (which is apparently super into soccer). Meanwhile four cities from Canada and three from Mexico are also included in the list.

According to the Times, those names are expected to be trimmed down to 12 or less in the final process of the bid. And, if the bid goes through, the matches will be played at those 12 or so venues spread across the three countries. This seems kind of insane, but one thing to take into consideration is that FIFA, or the International Federation of Association Football, intends to expand the competition pool to 48 participating nations, which would make the 2026 World Cup the largest in the tournament’s history.

Certainly, if the World Cup does return to L.A., we’ll have a wide number of venues to select from. Aside from favorites like the Rose Bowl and the Coliseum, we’ll also have the upcoming Inglewood stadium that’s slated to host both the Rams and the Chargers. And could Dodger Stadium be a sleeper pick? NYCFC, one of New York’s teams in Major League Soccer, plays at Yankee Stadium, so maybe the idea isn’t quite as outlandish as it sounds. Though Dodger Stadium wouldn’t be able to pack in as many people as the other stadiums, so the chances are probably nil.

The next World Cups will be played in Russia (2018) and Qatar (2022).

Story by LAist.

October 6, 2017

Hikes in Los Angeles with amazing endings

Los Angeles’s wealth of outdoors activities is no secret, and now that fall is here, it should be cool enough to enjoy being outside the house during the day.

Hiking is a great, cheap way to enjoy the fresh air and fantastic weather, but for those more reluctant hikers—folks who need a little carrot to dangle in front of them as they trudge up a hill—we’ve compiled a list of Los Angeles-area hikes that all come with spectacular sights along the way or at the end: waterfalls, stunning views, unique leftovers from heydays as a filming site. So bribe friends and family by promising them a cool dip in a waterfall or a selfie with some leftovers of a M*A*S*H episode, and hit the trails.

Even though it’s technically fall, it’s still a good idea to be on the lookout for rattlesnakes and pack more water than you anticipate needing. This list of hiking essentials is a good way to prepare for even the shortest of walks in the wilderness.

Now, time to hit the trail!

1. Malibu Creek State Park

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Hikes in Malibu Creek State Park have Hollywood connections, as the park includes areas that were used to shoot M*A*S*H and South Pacific. There are some rusted Army Jeeps and other signs of filming here, and it seems like every hiker who passes through stops to have her picture taken with one of the rusty relics.

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The hike to this point and back is under 5 miles round-trip and gains less than 200 feet of elevation, making it a pretty good trip for families with kids who can be coerced onto the trail.

Heads up: You will have to pay the $12 entrance fee to park in the lot if you want to start the hike at Crags Road; the trailheads for South Grassland Trail and Cistern Trail are both close to free parking. Hikespeak offers good directions with pictures here.

2. Echo Mountain

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Want to have a picnic among some picturesque ruins? The trail to Altadena’s Echo Mountain will make you work for it. Beginning at the very top of Lake Avenue and through a big, beautiful gate, the 5-mile (round-trip) trail is all steep-ish switchbacks and little shade, but it is very well-maintained. It’s also peopled enough that a solo hiker can feel secure.

The reward is a dynamic history exhibit and shaded, very spread-out picnic space left over from the resort that used to be on the site.

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There are also large pieces of the dismantled Mt. Lowe Railroad that once brought resort-bound vacationers here, and an old metal echo phone; yell into it and have your words bounce off the mountains back to you. Amazing! Click over to SoCal Hiker for image-heavy directions.

3. Wildwood Canyon

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Burbank’s Wildwood Canyon offers an easy-to-moderate 2-mile loop, with a peak providing sweaty explorers some amazing city views and a permanent reclining chair/memorial on which to kick back and relax until it’s time to carry on.

There are picnic grounds, restrooms, and drinking water off of Wildwood Canyon Road, too, so you can compare photos and munch post-hike snacks while you sit down and cool off. Get there early, though: The park closes at sundown.

4. Eaton Canyon

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Eaton Canyon’s lower waterfall is looking fairly robust right now, likely thanks to snowmelt. (The upper falls are closed indefinitely.) The hike to the falls is relatively shady and relatively flat—the roughly 3-mile round-trip hike only gains about 375 feet.

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Start hiking from the nature center, where there are restrooms, water, and people to talk to about the trails. This is a really nice novice hike or ideal for a day when you don’t feel like being in pain later.

5. Murphy Ranch

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By now, a lot of people know about Murphy Ranch—the compound built by 1930s Nazi sympathizers in Malibu’s Rustic Canyon that was eventually supposed to have enough self-contained infrastructure to provide for a small town’s worth of people. But who has really gone through the trouble of seeing the place for themselves?

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This generally flat hike comes in at just under 4 miles and starts only a few miles from the 405. The grounds are graffiti-covered but the structures that were built are still mostly in one piece (or in discernible pieces), and there are staircases and gates still standing, too. It was rumored last year that the buildings were being torn down, but photos show that it remains a really well-preserved site in a beautiful setting. Hikespeak provides detailed directions from the start of the trail.

6. Mount Wilson

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If all of the trails above seem too tame, there’s always the hike from Sierra Madre’s Chantry Flat to Mt. Wilson, which is a punishing but beautiful trail about 7 miles up with a 4,200-foot gain in elevation. Lots of people do this hike as conditioning, to work up to bigger peaks.

One great reward at the end—if you’re up for it by then—is the Mount Wilson Observatory’s weekend tours, which run through the end of November. Tours start promptly at 1 p.m. and offer visitors a chance to see the 100-inch telescope. You can catch it if you start the hike early enough, a good idea anyway because the parking at Chantry Flat fills up fast.

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Added bonuses for visiting the Observatory are the snack shack (also open through November), which offers cold drinks and food you might buy at a local softball game—chili dogs, Fritos, etc.—and restrooms. Plus, at the parking lot right below the Observatory, some kind soul might be waiting in a car to take your tired bones home.

The lot is about 30 minutes north of La Cañada. Cars parked in the lot will need a $5 day-use Adventure Pass, available for purchase at multiple locations.

Hikers could also continue back down for an approximately 14-mile hike, if desired. Detailed directions here.

7. Solstice Canyon

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Solstice Canyon is a popular hike and with good reason: The trail takes hikers past waterfalls, the ruins of a burned-out Paul R. Williams mansion called Tropical Terrace, and the remains of what was once believed to be the oldest building in Malibu.

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The National Park Service maintains a great website with directions to the trailhead and a downloadable map. If you go up the Rising Sun Trail and down the Solstice Canyon Trail to the TRW Trail, as suggested by Robert Stone in his book Day Hikes Around Los Angeles, it’s about 6 miles total. ModernHiker takes a slightly different route.

8. Cucamonga Peak via Icehouse Canyon

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This Inland Empire hike is a strenuous but beautiful 12-mile roundtrip climb that offers vistas and glimpses of streams. A word of caution: At this elevation, you’re high enough to get some snow, but this hike isn’t a good idea if there’s snow on the ground.

The first part of the trek, up the trail through Icehouse Canyon, is well traveled and easy to follow. After Icehouse Saddle, the trail to Cucamonga Peak becomes “rugged, unkempt, and solitary,” Modern Hikernotes. The final leg of the trail serves up great views of the “Baldy Bowl,” the carved-out valley ringed by Mt. Baldy and neighboring mountains.

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At the very top of Cucamonga Peak, there are Inland Empire views as far as the eye can see and the knowledge that you gained 3,800 feet in elevation. (Or maybe the real reward is a burger and a beer at the Mt. Baldy Lodge? Either way!)

Modern Hiker notes that an Adventure Pass is required to park at the trailhead to this hike, and a wilderness permit is required for traveling through the Cucamonga Wilderness. Inquire about both at the Mt. Baldy Visitor Center.

Article courtesy of Curbed.

October 5, 2017

Weekend Events: October 6 – 8

Los Angeles provides no limit of things to do, some awesome and some not so awesome.

Since time is precious in this fast paced city we curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles for every weekend that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).

This weekend (October 6 – October 8) includes the L.A. Greek Festival, a Moon Festival in Chinatown, a Filipino Food Festival, CicLAvia: Heart of the City, the Fresh Coat Mural Festival, and MUCH more.

Enjoy!

Friday October 6th, 2017

1. Multi-sensory, walk-through experience Creep LA returns to the Music Box in DTLA Oct. 5 through Nov. 12. Inspired by the Amazon Prime Exclusive Series Lore the experience is fully engaging, multi-sensory and super-scary, featuring some of pop culture’s most legendary horror myths, including vampires, changelings, werewolves, séances and possessed dolls. Happening Thursday through Sunday.

2. Eat|See|Hear returns with Front Porch Cinema, a free movie night below the stars every Friday on Santa Monica Pier from Sept. 29 through Oct. 27. This fall film series will also feature music, drinks, and bites before each screening. Guests have the option to rent old-timey lawn chairs on site or bring their own gear. The series continues with a screening of The Princess Bride. FREE

3. The L.A. Greek Festival returns Oct. 6 -8 for a big fat block party featuring delicious Greek food, live music, dancing and more. Now in its 19th year, the event is a popular one, drawing over 15,000 each year. This year honorary chairs and co hosts are Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson.

4. Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch at Platform LA happening Oct. 6-30 in DTLA features a fun spooky space for families to celebrate Halloween featuring an interactive pumpkin village, straw maze, a giant rocking horse ride, Mr. Bones’ Super Slide, A Jumpin’ Pumpkin and much more.

5. It’s Oktoberfest at the Pomona Fairplex! Oom-pah music, the Chicken Dance, authentic German brats and brews such as wheat beers flown directly from Germany will be on hand to help you party in Bavarian style. Happening Friday and Saturday. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

6. Silent Classic Horror Festival will kick of their month long fright fest with the 1920 film Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde at Old Town Music Hall located in El Segundo.

7. Knott’s Scary Farm is back with their signature haunted attractions, mazes and thousands of monsters ready to scare the living day light out of you and your crew. Be sure to check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

8. The Griffith Observatory hosts a monthly forum where some of the most amazing phenomena in the known universe are explained and discussed. It’s called All Space Considered and it takes place on the first Friday of every month. FREE

9. Get ready to shriek, because Urban Death: Tour of Terror is back at Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group in North Hollywood. This haunted theater attraction features a terrifying performance and a maze of inexplicable horrors, unfathomable monstrosities, and the disturbing spirits that walk among us. The organizers have been creating versions of Urban Death for 12 years and the theatre group is known for creating boundary-pushing live progressive theater. Happening every Friday and Saturday this month. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

10. The 10th annual IndieCade gaming festival is coming to Little Tokyo in DTLA from Oct. 6 through 8 featuring 200+ innovative indie games. Test out games, attend talks, network, and meet both new creators and industry legends.

11. Back for its 8th year, Wicked Lit is a spooky immersive theatre experience that takes classic and unique horror literature and turns them into plays at the Mountain View Mausoleum & Cemetery every Thursday through Sunday starting Sep 28 and running through Nov. 9. Check for discounted ticketsbefore making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

12. Head over to Torrance for one of the most celebrated Oktoberfest events in the L.A. area! Alpine Village Oktoberfest runs Sept. 8 through Oct 28 every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy traditional Bavarian food, beer, dancing, and more.

13. Boo at the L.A. Zoo returns for a spooktacular season this year with a new “Nocturnal Adventure” maze and favorites like the Zoo’s “Animals and Boo” creepy crawler encounters, pumpkin-carving demos and other family-oriented fun. Weekend tickets will feature “Fearsome feedings,” during which carnivores will devour their favorite carcasses and bones.

14. The ultimate NSFW traveling showcase returns to Think Tank Gallery in DTLA on Oct. 6-7. I Didn’t Ask For This: A Lifetime of Dick Pics features a tongue-in-cheek approach to dick pics. However, it’s not just all show and tell. The event also features various panels and discussions on gender inequality and consent in the digital age. There will also be celebrity panelists on-site, including Garbage front woman Shirley Manson, Sovereign Syre (author and feminist pornstar) and Tristan Taormino (sex educator and author).

15. Now in its 6th year, the L.A. Podcast Festival happening October 6-8 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles will feature industry panels, parties, a DIY podcast lab, and a special stand-up comedy show on Saturday featuring Marc Maron and appearances by shows My Favorite Murder, Doug Loves Movies, Jackie & Laurie Show, Dork Forest and many more.

16. There’s a Musical Parody of Hocus Pocus at Los Angeles’ Rockwell Table & Stage. The 1993 family comedy starred Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker as three witches looking to feed on the youth of the world on Halloween. Only two teens, a young girl and a once-human cat can stop them. In this version expect powerhouse songs and lots of jokes. Happening all weekend. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

17. Celebrate the art of the music video during the 7th Annual Los Angeles Music Video Festival, taking place over seven nights from October 1 to 7 at various L.A. locations. This grassroots festival is the largest music video event in the country and includes video screenings, speakers, a juried competition, musical performances, and more. Be sure to check out the discount ticket options available for this event. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

18. Beyond Fest returns from Sept. 29 through Oct. 10 with 12 days of special screenings from around the globe at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

19. Pacific Standard Time LA/LA is in full swing with a four-month-long exploration of Latin American and Latino art in relation to the City of Angels. Led by The Getty the high profile event is a collaborative effort with dozens of art institutions across the city. Check out our top highlights here.

20. Since its the first Friday of the month check out all the cool events happening around town including block parties and art walks for First Fridays.

Saturday October 7th, 2017

21. dublab is throwing itself a 18th Anniversary Block Party in Frogtown happening next to the LA River at Zebulon, Salazar and Altamirano Records.

22. Drive down memory lane during Classic Car Show & Drive-In Movie at Paramount Ranch. Explore the grounds during a move history tour followed by a screening of Back to the Future! FREE

23. There’s a brand-new Los Angeles Arts District block party happening this Saturday called Fresh Coat Mural Festival. The daylong event features nationally acclaimed street artists painting new murals and music by RJD2, Peanut Butter Wolf, The Hood Internet, Beat Junkies, Viceroy, and Poolside.FREE

24. Cal Jam 17, a 12-hour musical celebration at Glen Helen Regional Park in San Bernardino have bands like Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Cage The Elephant, The Kills, Japandroids and more on the bill. But the fun doesn’t stop there, water park, carnival rides, attractions, a mobile recording studio and much more.

25. The Kings of Leon will take to the stage this Saturday at the Hollywood Bowl with Dawes to open the concert. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

26. 50 Paella chefs from California, Baja and Spain will be at’ Pershing Square for the 3rd Annual Paella Wine and Beer Festival. Featuring unlimited paella tastings, the largest paella ever cooked in California with dozens of local wineries and breweries offering unlimited tastings. Tickets cost $30 to $90.

27. Tombstone Cinema presents a ghoulishly fun double feature — Ghostbusters and Hotel Transylvania — at Evergreen Memorial Historic Cemetery in Riverside on October 7. The final resting place for over 27,000 souls, Evergreen was established over 130 years ago!

28. Los Angeles’ first Filipino food festival EAT. PLAY. MOVE. will feature 20 food vendors and trucks serving up Filipino eats, from traditional to trendy, during the fest at Eagle Rock Plaza. Admission is free, so come savor ube, adobo, pandan, and turon from the likes of Ninong’s, Hopia Like It, Grill City, Johnny Pacific LA, Eat Bolo and many more.

29. L.A.’s only live animated comedy show Picture This! is back with a free show on Saturday at The Virgil where the bar will be fully stalked and a taco truck will be parked outside for your dining pleasure. FREE

30. The Library Foundation of Los Angeles will present a demonstration and tasting of moles sauceswith Rocio Camacho at the Sylmar Branch Library this Saturday afternoon. The event is part of the on going series Visualizing Language: Oaxaca in L.A. FREE

31. The 79th Annual Mid-Autumn Moon Festival in Chinatown includes sampling mooncakes and other pastries, a culinary stage, live music, a Far Bazaar and lots more. FREE

32. A Hot Wings & Craft Beer Festival will take over Santa Anita Park in Arcadia for a day of wing eating and beer tasting. If you plan to attend, be sure to check out the discount ticket optionsavailable, while supplies last. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

33. The 8th Annual Eagle Rock Music Festival is a free and all-ages event featuring six music stages, visual artists, food trucks, arts & crafts, vendors, and more. FREE

34. Time to get in the Halloween spirit. The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride returns to The Old Zoo in Griffith Park from September 29 to October 31. This years theme is “Clown” and features four different freaky zones, a slew of demonic clowns, a corn maze and more. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

35. Street Food Cinema will host two screenings this Saturday. Batman (1989 version) at Victory Park Pasadena and Halloween at L.A. Historic State Park.

36. Enjoy a Saturday afternoon of art during the Culver City Art Walk located on the strip of Washington and La Cienega where the city’s arts district resides. This event is free and open to all-ages. FREE

37. The Brunch Crawl kicks off its inaugural event in DTLA this Saturday with four resturants and four convenient start times perfect for early birds and hangovers. Tickets cost $15 ticket and gets you a customized Brunch Crawl cup, $2 to $6 drink and brunch specials at participating restaurants Pez Cantina, Le Petit Paris, Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken and Màs Malo. Crawlers are advised to bring cash so stop at the ATM!

38. 45th Annual Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair taking place on Oct. 7-8 at Live Oak Park South Field is a free fair with games, arts & crafts, food, beer & wine gardens, live entertainment, and more. FREE

39. There’s a Great Pumpkin Hunt happening at the South Coast Botanic Garden from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 everyday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. featuring an imaginative scavenger hunt, light hiking, a pumpkin shop and access to the gorgeous 87-acre grounds. Great for families. Halloween costumes are welcome.

40. King Harbor Brewing is throwing an Oktoberfest! Head to Redondo Beach this Saturday and get your hands on a stein and play some beer games. Tickets cost $30 and includes a stein with four fills and access to compete.

41. There’s a Los Angeles Dragonboat Festival happening at Legg Lake Park in Whittier. Compete and dress up in a crazy costume or watch the race on the side lines for free.

42. The folks at Rooftop Cinema Club are back with two screenings at their rooftop locations. Goodfellas at LEVEL in Downtown Los Angeles and Selma at Montalban in Hollywood.

43. The city of El Segundo celebrates its centennial with a fireworks spectacular telling the story of the city’s history. The show will feature an original orchestral score by Jason & Nolan Livesay (X-Men, Maze Runner) and narration by Ellen Dubin. Free and open to the public, folks can reserve vip guaranteed seating for a special fee.

44. The Actors Gang in Culver City will open their season with Captain Greedy’s Carnival, a musical satire mocking greed, humbug, corruption and predatory capitalism. Follow the story of four innocents who get tricked by a legendary con man. From there on they’ll encounter freaks, illusion, terrifying exhibitions and more. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

Sunday October 8th, 2017

45. The Harvest Festival returns to the Skirball Cultural Center on Sunday for a grand celebration of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. This daylong festival will feature live music, dancing, a socially conscious market offering produce, locally sourced fare, home goods, craft beer, and more. FREE

46. Walk, bike or skate your way through Downtown LA when Ciclavia: Heart of LA returns on October 8. Six miles of streets branching out to Echo Park, Boyle Heights, and Chinatown will be car free, encouraging vibrant public spaces, physical activity, and community connection! FREE

47. The 5th Annual Vegan Chili Cook Off at Tony’s Darts Away will take place this Sunday with delicious chili tastings, judging and more. The judging panel includes celebrated Chef Tal Ronnen, VegNews editor Ryan Ritchie and Chef Caroline Concha.

48. The Wallis’ 2017/18 Season Opening Day, will feature a family-friendly day of free dance, music and theater programming. Join Debbie Allen as she leads a Salsa Sunday outdoor dance class. Story Pirates will also be on hand to perform a Greatest Hits Show celebrating the words and ideas of the kids of L.A. and lastly enjoy a performance by soul and hiphop big band Urban Renewal Project. FREE

49. The Big Draw LA returns with the 8th Annual Make Your Mark in the Park taking place at Grand Park in DTLA. Come draw or learn how to draw, instructors will be on hand to help, the event is free and open to all-ages. FREE

50. The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor will transform into a seaport of the damned this Halloween season with terrifying mazes and monsters at every turn like the Iron Master and Graceful Gale. This year they’ll reveal their newest member of the crew, his name is Chef and he’s got a carnivorous kitchen staff with a big appetite. Happening Thursday and through the weekend. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

51. The Brunch Crawl continues on the westside this Sunday with four resturants and four convenient start times perfect for early birds and hangovers. Tickets cost $15 ticket and gets you a customized Brunch Crawl cup, $2 to $6 drink and brunch specials at participating restaurants Ashland Hill, Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern, O+O Sicilian Kitchen & Bar, Plan Check Santa Monica and Cabo Cantina 3rd St Promenade. Crawlers are advised to bring cash so stop at the ATM!

52. Halloween Horror Nights taking place at Universal Studios Hollywood will immerse guests in a three-dimensional world of terror featuring a new slate of mazes, scare zones and a newly designed “Terror Tram” experience. Themes include American Horror Story, The Shining, SAW, Insidious and more.

Article by We Like LA.

October 4, 2017

Fun Things To Do For Halloween In Los Angeles

Being both woke and in need of escapism seems to be a recurring theme for 2017, making Halloween even more necessary than usual this year.

As the holiday falls on a Tuesday this year, the weekend preceding is absolutely JAM-PACKED with spookily-themed offerings. And that doesn’t even account for all the great Halloween-ish events leading up to the end of the month.

Whether you’d like to check out favorites like Griffith Park’s Haunted Hayride, Knott’s Scary Farm or the Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, or party at a velvet painting museum, watch a vintage film with an audience or try to commune with the departed at a seance, our list below gives you plenty of options, creepy and otherwise.

Halloween Ideas and Other Creepily Fun Activities for 2017

1. Haunted Hayride at the Old Zoo in Griffith Park with discount tickets available through Goldstar (now through Oct. 31)

2. Boo at the LA Zoo (now through Oct. 31)

3. Knotts Scary Farm (now through Oct. 31)

4. Reign of Terror Haunted House in Thousand Oaks (now through Oct. 31)

5. Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor (now through Nov. 1)

6. Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios (now through Nov. 4)

7. Wicked Lit 2017 at Mountain View Mausoleum with discount tickets available through Goldstar (through Nov. 11)

8. CreepLA: Lore (through Nov. 12)

9. Paramount After Dark Tours: Tales from the Other Side with discount tickets available through Goldstar (through Nov. 18)

10. Classic Horror Tuesday Matinees at LACMA (Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31)

11. Silent Classic Horror Festival at Old Town Music Hall (Oct. 6-29)

12. Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch at Platform LA (Oct. 6-30)

13. Urban Death: Tour of Terror with discount tickets available through Goldstar (Oct. 6-31)

14. All-Night Horror Show at New Beverly Cinema (Oct. 7)

15. The Damn Devillez: Horror Cosplay Burlesque at Three Clubs with discount tickets available through Goldstar (Oct. 13)

16. Friday the 13th on Friday the 13th at Vista Theatre (Oct. 13)

17. 17th Annual Ghost Train in Griffith Park (Oct. 13-31)

18. Beware the Dark Realm: An award-winning haunted house in Santa Clarita. (Oct. 14, 20, 21, 27, & 28) FREE

19. Italo Horror Disco in Highland Park (Oct. 18)

20. The Nightmare Before Christmas with 4-D Effects at El Capitan Theatre with discount tickets available through Goldstar (Oct. 20-31)

21. 34th Annual Hollywood Forever Cemetery Walking Tour (Oct. 21)

22. Halloween & Mourning Movie Night at Heritage Square (Oct. 21)

23. Halloween Film Festival at Los Feliz 3 Cinema (Oct. 21) FREE

24. Night of 1000 Devils (Oct. 21)

25. Monster Tour at Descanso Gardens (Oct. 21, 22, 28, 29)

26. Lucha VaVOOM: The Smell of Fear — A Halloween Spectacle (Oct. 25-26)

27. Double Feature: Brides of Dracula & Hollywood Scares at Alex Theatre in Glendale (Oct. 26)

28. Scare-amount Ranch in Agoura Hills (Oct. 27) FREE

29. Halloween Party With Rolling Stones Tribute ‘The Ultimate Stones’ at The Rose in Pasadena with discount tickets available through Goldstar (Oct. 28)

30. Project Club LA’s Project Halloween with discount tickets available through Goldstar (Oct. 28)

31. Velveteeria’s Hollywood Halloween at Velveteeria: Museum of Velvet Paintings (Oct. 28)

32. All Night Horrorthon at Santa Monica’s Aero Theatre (Oct. 28)

33. L.A.’s Day of the Dead at Hollywood Forever Cemetery (Oct. 28)

34. Spanish-Language Screening of Dracula (1931) at Linwood Dunn Theatre (Oct. 28)

35. KCRW Masquerade Ball in DTLA (Oct. 28)

36. Angels & Demons: LA Halloween Costume Ball (Oct. 28)

37. Tales From the Crypt + Tribute to a Haunted Mansion at Bob Baker Marionette Theater (Oct. 28-29)

38. 14th Annual Halloween & Mourning Tours at Heritage Tour Museum (Oct. 28-29)

39. The Haunt with No Name in Tarzana (Oct. 28-31)

40. The House on Haunted Hill in Woodland Hills (Oct. 28-31)

41. The Haunted Shack 20th Year in Torrance (Oct. 28, 31) FREE

42. Part Time Punks Annual Goth Ball at The Echo (Oct. 29)

43. Halloween Seance in Echo Park (Oct. 29)

44. Ghostbusters (1984) Screening at Egyptian Theatre (Oct. 29)

45. Harry Houdini Halloween Vigil at Dearly Departed Tours (Oct. 31)

46. West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval (Oct. 31) FREE

47. Nightmare on Hollywood Boulevard with discount tickets available through Goldstar (Oct. 31)

48. Carnival of Souls at Aero Theatre (Oct. 31)

49. Halloween Screening: Dawn of the Dead at Armand Hammer Museum (Oct. 31) FREE

50. Phantom of the Opera (1925) Screening with Organ at Walt Disney Concert Hall (Oct. 31)

51. Haunted Hollywood Walk of Fame Tour (ongoing)

52. Dearly Departed Tours (ongoing)

Events provided by We Like LA.

September 30, 2017

Economic update for the month ending September 30, 2017 & The week ending September, 30 2017

Stock markets end September at record highs – Stock market indexes closed the week at record levels. Stocks have soared as investors were encouraged by the prospects of lower corporate tax rates. The White House released its proposed tax plan, which would cut the corporate tax rates from 35% to 20%. Oil also rose to just over $51 per barrel, which bolstered energy stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the month at 22,405.09, up from its August 31 close of 21,948.10. The Dow is up over 13.4% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the month at 2,519.36, up from its August close of 2,471.65. The S&P is up 12.5% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed the month at 6,495.26, up from last month’s close of 6,428.66. It’s up 20.5% year-to-date.

Treasury Bond yields higher in September – The 10-year Treasury bond closed on September 29, 2017 at 2.33%, up from 2.17% at the end of August. The 30-year treasury yield ended the month at 2.86%, up from 2.73% last month.

Mortgage Rates remain near historic lows – The 30-year fixed mortgage rate remained under 4% in September. The September 28, 2017 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 3.83%, almost unchanged from 3.82% on August 31, 2017. The 15-year fixed was 3.13%, unchanged from last month’s close of 3.12%. The 5-year ARM was 3.20%, up from 3.14% on August 31, 2017.

Employers add 157,000 new jobs in August – The Labor Department reported that The U.S. Economy added 157,000 non-farm jobs in August. Economists had expected a gain of 180,000 new jobs. The unemployment rate grew to 4.4% from 4.3% in July. Wage growth also stalled growing just .1% over July and up just 2.5% from last August. The September figures will be out next Friday. September figures will be included on the monthly economic post card and email.

Consumer Prices rise in August – The Labor Department reported that its Consumer Price Index rose 0.4 percent in August after edging up just 0.1 percent in July. August’s gain was the largest in seven months and lifted the year-on-year increase in the CPI to 1.9 percent from 1.7 percent in July. Economists had forecast the CPI rising 0.3 percent in August and climbing 1.8 percent year-on-year. Gasoline prices surged 6.8% for consumers as refineries shut down due to hurricanes. This should just be a temporary spike and added to the CPI increase. The Core CPI, which strips out volatile food and energy, increased 0.2% in August. Year-over-year Core CPI has increased 1.7%. Inflation, while a little higher in August, is still below the Fed’s target level. We watch inflation because higher inflation drives interest rates up. Low inflation keeps rates tame.

California home sales and prices continue to rise in August – The California Association of Realtors released its August Sales and Price Report. Despite tight inventory existing, single family home sales totaled 427,630 in August on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate. That represented a 1.5% increase month-over-month from July and a 1.3% increase from last August. The Los Angeles region registered a 4.4% gain in the number of sales year-over-year. The median price paid for a home in California was $565,330, up 2.9% from July and 7.2% from August 2016. C.A.R.’s Unsold Inventory Index fell to a 2.9-month supply of housing in August, down from 3.2 months in July, as there were too few new listings to keep up with strong sales growth.

U.S. Existing home sales slightly lower in August – Existing home sales data released by The National Association of Realtors showed that existing-home sales dropped 1.7% on a seasonally adjusted annual rate in August from July’s sales levels, as tight inventory has affected home sales. For the year, the number of existing homes sold on a seasonally adjusted annual rate in August was 0.2% above last August’s sales pace. Prices continue to rise nationally. The median price aid for a home in August was 5.6% higher than one year ago. Housing inventory continued to decline. The number of homes for sale declined 6.5% from August 2016. The 27th straight month of year-over-year declines in inventory levels. The unsold inventory index dropped to a 4.2 month supply, down from 4.5 months one year ago.

Economic update for the week ending September 30, 2017

Markets close the week again at record highs – Stock market indexes closed the week at record levels. Stocks have soared as investors were encouraged by the prospects of lower corporate tax rates. The White House released its proposed tax plan, which would cut the corporate tax rates from 35% to 20%. Oil also rose to just over $51 per barrel which bolstered energy stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the week at 22,405.09, up from 22,349.59 last week. It’s up 13.4% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,519.36, up from its close last week of 2,502.22. The S&P is up 12.5% YTD. The NASDAQ closed the week at 6,495.96, a record high, up from its last week’s close of 6,426.22. It’s up 20.7% year-to-date.

Bond yields higher this week – The 10-year Treasury bond closed the week at 2.33, up from 2.26% last week. The 30-year treasury yield ended the week at 2.86%, up from 2.80% last week. Mortgage rates follow treasury bond yields so we watch bond yields carefully.

Mortgage Rates unchanged this week – The September 28, 2017 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 3.83%, unchanged from 3.83% last week. The 15-year fixed was 3.13%, unchanged from 3.13% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.20%, up from 3.17% last week.

Have a great weekend!
Syd