Category: Los Angeles

As August comes to a close and Labor Day weekend begins, there are plenty of fun things to do around town. Close out summer with a bevy of activities from around the city. From Star Wars in Concert to parades and food fest, we have you covered. Read on below for your weekly dose of weekend fun!

Los Angeles Weekend Events | Labor Day Weekend 2023 Edition

Star Wars in Concert

When: September 1 – September 2

Where: Hollywood Bowl

What: Experience a journey to a distant galaxy with the L.A. Phil’s live performance of the Star Wars: Return of the Jedi score. While some might argue it’s not the strongest installment in the original trilogy, it undoubtedly shines with the musical moments from the Ewok and Jabba’s palace scenes.

West Adams Block Party

When: September 3 

Where: West Adams

What: This Labor Day, Delicious Vinyl, the indie hip-hop label behind hits like Young MC’s “Bust A Move”, hosts a celebration of West Adams’ culture at Delicious Pizza’s parking lot. Expect live music from big names like Arrested Development and Rakim, local vendors, kids’ activities, and a surprise hip-hop legend. Swing by for pizza, diverse tunes, games, and community bonding.

Jenny Holzer: Ready For You When You Are

When: Until October 21

Where: West Hollywood

What: Renowned for her luminous text-based displays, Jenny Holzer presents three kinetic pieces, along with her latest paintings and modern interpretations of Greco-Roman curse tablets, at Hauser & Wirth’s West Hollywood gallery.

Westside and Beach Communities Weekend Events | Labor Day Weekend 2023 Edition

Cinecon Classic Film Festival

When: Until September 4

Where: El Segundo

What: Attention movie enthusiasts! Dive into a hidden gem of a festival that’s been celebrating classic cinema for over 50 years. Join a five-day showcase of unique silent films and shorts at the Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo.

2023 Western Regional Innovation Summit

When: September 1 – September 4

Where: Culver City

What: The National Urban League Young Professionals make their way to the West Coast for this year’s Western Regional Innovation Summit. This transformative three-day event is designed to uplift young professionals in all industries, including entertainment, finance, and tech. Prepare for a powerful experience that fosters growth, leadership, empowerment, and civic action.

Making Scents of the Ancient World: Rome

When: Until September 30 

Where: Getty Villa

What: Join a complimentary perfume-making workshop where attendees craft Roman-inspired fragrances using age-old ingredients. Delve into spices and oils once cherished by the ancient Romans, some still popular today, and discover their timeless appeal.

San Fernando Valley Weekend Events | Labor Day Weekend 2023 Edition

Electric Dusk Drive-In Presents: The Wedding Singer

When: September 1 

Where: Glendale

What: Experience LA’s premier Pop-Up Drive-In now in Glendale! Enjoy films from the comfort of your car or under the stars, paired with tasty treats. Don’t miss out at Electric Dusk Drive-In located at Glendale’s Old Sears Parking Lot. This Friday, see ‘The Wedding Singer (1998). Join Robbie, a singer, and Julia, a waitress, as fate leads them away from their mismatched engagements and towards one another.

SoCal Etsy Guild Market Burbank

When: September 2

Where: Burbank 

What: Get ready for a thrilling experience! Dive into a world of creativity with handpicked artisan vendors, masterful artists, mouth-watering foods, engaging DIY activities, dynamic live art demonstrations, exciting giveaways, and so much more!

Sepulveda Basin River Kayak Tour

When: September 3

Where: Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve

What: Discover the ultimate kayak tours and deals on the LA River! Embark on an iconic urban kayaking adventure that’s become a must-do on every Los Angeles bucket list. Dive into refreshing summer fun as you paddle through the LA River. From rafting to virtual safaris, it’s the go-to outdoor activity in LA. Perfect for both locals and tourists!

Conejo Valley Weekend Events | Labor Day Weekend 2023 Edition

41st Annual Malibu Chili Cook-Off and Carnival

When: September 2 

Where: 23575 Civic Center Way, Malibu

What: The 41st Annual Malibu Chili Cook-Off will take place on Labor Day weekend, September 1-4, 2023, at 23575 Civic Center Way. Hosted by the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu. The fair is offering advance rocket sales ONLY. Tickets will not be sold on-site. Carnival tickets will be sold separately.

Summer Days Festival

When: Until September 4

Where: Simi Valley Town Center

What: The Simi Valley Town Center is hosting a Summer Days Festival over Labor Day weekend, featuring carnival rides and food, live nightly music at 7 p.m., a beer and wine garden at 5 p.m., and more. Carnival hours are 5-10 PM Friday, noon to 10 PM Sat/Sun, and noon to 9 pm Monday.

Santa Paula Labor Day Parade

When: September 4

Where: 7th and Main Street, Santa Paula

What: Hosted by the Santa Paula Labor Day Parade Committee, Rotary Club of Santa Paula, and the City of Santa Paula, this parade invites participants embodying the Labor Day theme, from walking groups to equestrians. The procession kicks off at 7th and Main Street and concludes at the Gazebo at Santa Barbara and Mill.

Traveling is a joy, but leaving behind your luxury property can be a source of anxiety. How can you ensure that your magnificent home stays just as you left it? Here are top-notch security measures and practices you should consider for keeping your home secure.

1. Invest in a High-End Security System

Not all security systems are created equal. Look for systems that offer a mix of surveillance cameras, motion detectors, window and door sensors, and smart locks. Ensure that they come with a 24/7 monitoring service and can be controlled remotely via a smartphone app.

2. Hire Security Personnel

For larger estates or properties in particularly secluded areas, consider hiring security personnel to stay secure. They can patrol your property, ensuring no unauthorized individuals gain access.

3. Smart Lighting Systems

Burglars often target homes that appear empty. Install smart lighting systems that allow you to control your home’s lights remotely, creating the impression that someone’s home. Even better, some systems can be programmed to mimic natural lighting patterns.

4. Mail and Deliveries

A build-up of mail or packages can be a clear sign that no one’s home. Either pause your mail service while you’re away or ask a trusted neighbor or friend to pick up your deliveries.

5. Inform Your Neighbors

Let your neighbors know you’ll be away, especially if you’re in a tight-knit community. They can keep an eye on your property and report any suspicious activity.

6. Lock Away Valuables

Even if someone does breach your home, you can minimize potential losses. Use a high-quality safe to secure valuable items, important documents, and jewelry.

7. Check All Entry Points

Before you leave, do a walk-through of your home. While most will make sure to lock windows and doors, upper floors tend to be forgotten.

8. Limit Social Media Announcements

While it’s tempting to share your travels in real-time on social media, it’s wise to wait until you’re back home. This way, potential burglars won’t be clued into your absence.

9. Remote Monitoring

With the advancement of technology, you can keep an eye on your property from anywhere in the world. Invest in good-quality security cameras that offer clear images and live-streaming capabilities.

10. Landscaping

Believe it or not, your landscaping can affect how secure your home is. Trim any overgrown trees or bushes that might provide cover for potential intruders.

11. Backup Power

In case of a power outage, ensure your security system has a backup power source. In the case of a main power cut, your home remains protected.

12. Regular Maintenance Checks

If you’re traveling for an extended period, hire a trusted professional or ask a friend to do regular checks on your property. This not only deters potential burglars but also ensures your home is maintained.

In Conclusion

Your luxury home is a sanctuary. Likewise, you should never compromise the safety and security of your home. By implementing these measures, you can jet-set around the world with peace of mind, knowing your property is well-protected and secure. Safe travels!

It’s time to dive into another week of the leading tech news. From Pixar in the Metaverse to Affordable Nothing and more! Read on for our weekly round-up of what’s happening across the world wide web.

Apple Takes a Chance on Pixar Tech for its Metaverse

In June, Apple unveiled its much-anticipated Vision Pro headset, a high-end device offering immersive 3D experiences. However, the creation of these 3D worlds is labor-intensive, necessitating collaboration between Apple and developers to create suitable applications. To facilitate the process, Apple formed an alliance with prominent 3D tech companies, including Pixar, Adobe, Autodesk, and Nvidia, to promote and standardize Universal Scene Description (USD) technology, originally created by Pixar. This technology, now known as OpenUSD, provides a common language for various applications in the 3D creation process, enabling seamless collaboration and data transfer. The widespread adoption of OpenUSD could give Apple a competitive edge in the VR/AR market, particularly with its Vision Pro headset and potential future augmented reality products.

Google Now Offers Alerts When Your Personal Contact Information Surfaces Online

Google is launching a new feature that proactively notifies users when their personal contact information appears in search results, thereby simplifying the process of tracking and removing such data. Users can monitor these notifications through the “results about you” dashboard on mobile and the web, which automatically identifies webpages featuring the user’s contact information. Once identified, users can review these pages and request the removal of their personal data. However, removal from Google’s results does not mean the data is erased from the web, and there are some limitations on which results can be removed. Initially available in English, Google is working to expand this feature to other languages and countries.

IRS Set to Enable Online Tax Filing for Most Americans Next Year

Beginning next year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will enable most US taxpayers to file their taxes digitally, a significant step toward its goal of complete paperless processing by 2025. The switch to digital is expected to halve tax processing times and save 200 million sheets of paper annually. Although the IRS does not intend to replace existing tax preparation services, the move to paperless filings could expedite refund times by several weeks. It is anticipated that over 94 percent of taxpayers will no longer need to mail paper documents after this transition. Funded by the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, the technology to facilitate this shift will also support the scanning of existing paper archives and the digital processing of non-tax forms by the 2026 filing season.

Nothing Introduces a New, More Budget-Friendly Sub-Brand

Nothing, a relatively new startup, is launching a more affordable sub-brand, “CMF by Nothing,” aimed at providing better design accessibility. CEO Carl Pei announced that the initial products under this brand would be a pair of earbuds and a smartwatch, set to debut later this year. The “CMF” in the brand’s name stands for “Color, Material, and Finish,” reflecting the brand’s commitment to clean, accessible design. While the main Nothing brand concentrates on premium, innovative design, the CMF sub-brand ensures trusted quality at more affordable prices. Pei, with previous experience launching economical sub-brands at OnePlus, has expressed interest in collaborating with other companies to co-develop products and overcome design, supply chain, and engineering challenges.

Hasbro Offloads eOne to Lionsgate for $500 Million

Hasbro has sold eOne to Lionsgate, including a dedicated team of employees, a content library with approximately 6,500 titles, ongoing productions for non-Hasbro owned franchises like The Rookie, Yellowjackets, and Naked and Afraid, and eOne’s unscripted business. As Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks stated, the company is retaining IP that promotes toy sales, such as Transformers. He emphasized the importance of keeping those capabilities that contribute to their core business, including live-action movies and children’s animated TV shows. In contrast, he pointed out that franchises like Naked and Afraid and Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris are unlikely to generate significant toy-related business opportunities.

Summer is synonymous with longer days, warmer weather, and a general sense of rejuvenation, making it the perfect time to give your home a fresh, new look. With some simple changes to your décor, you can bring that vibrant summer energy into your living space, making it feel lighter, brighter, and breezier. Here are some ideas to help you revamp your summer home décor for the summer:

1. Lighten Up Your Color Palette

One of the simplest ways to give your home a summer makeover is by introducing a lighter color palette. Think about switching darker elements for lighter, more summery hues. Soft whites, pastel colors, and vibrant blues can instantly lift a room and evoke feelings of calm, freshness, and relaxation. You can incorporate these colors through new throw pillows, rugs, or even a fresh coat of paint on the walls.

2. Introduce Patterns and Textures to Your Summer Home Decor

Patterns and textures can add a fun, lively element to your décor. Consider floral or botanical prints, nautical stripes, or geometric patterns for your curtains, cushions, or bed linen. As for texture, materials like rattan, wicker, or light woods can bring a natural, beachy vibe into your home.

3. Use Lighter Fabrics

Summer calls for fabrics that are light and airy. Swap out heavy drapes for sheer, flowy curtains that let natural light flood in. Replace thick throws and blankets with lighter materials like cotton or linen. A simple change in the fabric can transform your space and make it feel cool and inviting.

4. Bring the Outdoors In

Nothing says summer like lush, green plants. Houseplants not only purify the air and bring life to a room, but they can also serve as stunning natural décor. Opt for low-maintenance plants like snake plants, spider plants, or peace lilies. Or bring a touch of color with flowering plants like begonias or African violets.

5. Create a Summer Home Decor Centerpiece

Your dining or coffee table is an excellent place to make a summer statement. A glass bowl filled with shells and sand, a vase of bright sunflowers, or a tray with fresh lemons can serve as a beautiful and simple summer centerpiece.

6. Decorate with Artwork

Updating the artwork in your home can instantly change its mood. Consider hanging artwork that reflects the summer vibe you’re going for. It could be a vibrant beach scene, a serene landscape, or abstract works in bright, bold colors.

7. Update Summer Home Decor Outdoor Spaces

Don’t forget about your patio or balcony. Make it a perfect spot for enjoying the summer weather with comfortable seating, colorful cushions, and a variety of outdoor plants. String up some fairy lights for a magical touch in the evenings.

Revamping your summer home decor doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With these simple tips, you can easily transform your space into a bright, airy, and inviting haven where you can relax, unwind, and truly soak up the season.