Category: Los Angeles

With the summer heat wave rolling in, it’s important to cool off. Check out these different affordable and easy-to-install patio misters for your backyard cooling solution this summer! With record-breaking heat, finding an energy-efficient mist cooling system for your open-air festivities will help you lower the surrounding temperatures. Versatility, energy efficiency, low-cost pricing, and effectiveness remained pivotal in our top picks. Here we go!

1. Geek Aire Battery Operated Fan

If you are a homeowner with a small patio, the Geek Aire misting fan, a cordless misting fan, remains the top pick. This 7pound fan gives you the freedom to move the patio thanks to the garden hose connector. With a fan speed of around 1,500 CFM, your visitors can enjoy a cool evening for at least 10hours. When it comes to patio misters, this is a great pick.

2. 12 Gallon Misting Fan

Check out this high-performance portable misting fan you can use by plugging it into the nearest power outlet on the patio. You’ll get outstanding cooling performance in your backyard thanks to the fan’s oscillating head, which is 26 inches. Your visitors can sit 40 feet away from the 12 Gallon tank and still the cooling effect for at least 12 hours. For patio misters that last through a hot summer afternoon, this lands at the top of our list.

3. Koonie Misting Fan

If you are looking for a clip-on fan, then you should check out this battery-operated misting fan. This cooling device has at least three-speed modes and two mist modes for homeowners to enjoy small area misting. Clip-on the fan to a chair while working outdoors and enjoy up to 3hours of optimal cooling from the Koonie Misting Fan, powered by a 10000mAh battery.

4. HandFan Misting Fan

Enjoy up to 13 hours of personalized misting using the HandFan. This misting system remains one of the most sought-after handheld devices that offer homeowners a wide array of adjustable settings. Besides, you can use the fan’s metal clip to attach it to versatile surfaces.

5. Lasko 7050 Misto

This portable outdoor misting fan is popular for being compact. Made from ABS plastic, the Lasko 7050 Misto remains free from the occasional knock. Homeowners can enjoy low temperatures in hot summers by adjusting the device to at least 3 speeds.

6. HydroMist Misting Fan

Homeowners that prefer wall mounted misting fan for their patio can consider buying the HydroMist. With a remarkable 5,100 CFM output, it directs cooling air to the desired direction. Adjust the fan speed to at least three modes and enjoy a cooling effect with minimal obstructions.

7. Landgarden Patio misting System

This cooling system comes with up to 12 nozzles for cooling your backyard patio. Landgarden is an easy-to-install misting device that features a wide range of models.

8. NewAir AF-600

If you are looking for a misting system with a high level of safety features, you should choose the NewAir AF-600. Enjoy up to 2,800 CFM airflow from an oscillating fan head made from durable steel. Its built-in GFCI protects you from shock in case of an electric fault.

Stay current on the latest in Tech News, from viral apps to new frontiers in travel. For the week of July 5, we are breaking down all things Twitter, Amazon, and more. Read on for the leading stories in technology this week!

Twitter Tests Exclusive Friends List Tweeting Option

In this week’s news, Twitter has shared early design concepts for changing how you tweet. While it’s not quite the edit button we wanted, you may be able to single out your tweets to an exclusive friends list. One of three early design concepts for new features that Twitter is considering includes a “Trusted Friends” list. The feature would let users limit the audience for select tweets to a smaller circle of close friends. Consider it similar to how Instagram lets you select “Close Friends” for IG Story, but without an expiration date. The other feature being tested is “Facets”. This feature will let you categorize your tweets when you send them. The company has stated that these ideas are in their early stages and none are currently in active development.

NASA Seeks to Reshape Travel with Quiet Supersonic Airplane

NASA has joined with Lockheed Martin to design a supersonic aircraft so quiet, you’ll hardly notice it zooming by in the sky. The X-59 aircraft was designed by the duo to fly faster than the speed of sound without generating an explosive sonic boom. As most familiar with supersonic aircrafts, the sonic boom has been a deterrent for the plane becoming a pilar of modern travel. A traditional supersonic aircraft creates a sonic boom in excess of 100 decibels when it flies. With the X-59, NASA has stated its aircraft is at 75 decibels, about as loud as a car door slamming down the street. If NASA’s can succeed, flying faster than the speed of sound may return for the first time since the Concorde was retired in 2003.

TikTok Debuts New Job Resume Feature

In a move that should surprise no one, TikTok is staking its claim on hiring practices of the future and it is the most Gen-Z thing you will learn about today. This week the social media app debuted #TikTokResumes and it is exactly how it sounds, albeit with a very 2021 twist. The pilot program will allow for job seekers to post their video resumes to TikTok for positions with partner companies like Chipotle, Target and Shopify. The company says the feature is designed to let candidates “creatively and authentically showcase their skillsets and experiences.” The Resumes feature can be found in the TikTok app via the #TikTokResumes hashtag, and at www.tiktokresumes.com. Resumes can be submitted to the app now through July 31.

Lamborghini Debuts Final Iteration of Aventador Ultimae

When the Lamborghini Aventador debuted, it signified a landmark model for the Italian supercar maker. This is of course because it featured the first brand-new V12 engine design since the company’s founding in 1963. The University of Washington even helped to develop tube was developed with the help of the University of Washington. In short, the development of the Aventador was a huge deal at the time of its launch in 2011. Now, 10 years later, the super luxurious sports car will get its final iteration, as Lamborghini announced on Wednesday. When it comes to a final bow, this one deserves an encore.

A New CEO has Arrived at Amazon

On July 5, the baton was passed for the first time since Amazon’s founding. Andy Jassy officially will be taking over as Amazon CEO from Jeff Bezos. Jeff Bezos, served as the CEO of Amazon since July 5th, 1994. New Amazon CEO, Andy Jassy will preside after previously having run Amazon Web Services since 2003. Bezos will stay on with the company as Executive Chair. It was under the leadership of Bezos that the company survived the dot-com bubble burst of the late 90s. Currently dominating online commerce, Amazon serves as a backbone to much of the modern web thanks to Amazon Web Services. 

Universal and DreamWorks will Exclusively hit Peacock within a few months of theatrical release

For movie-going fans, good news arrived this week from Universal and DreamWorks. The film companies announced that beginning next year, Universal theatrical releases will head to Peacock as exclusives. This will occur no later than four months after premiering in cinemas. The new multi-year deal will also allow for films from DreamWorks, Illumination, and Focus Films to stream early as well.  “Films will head to Peacock for the first four months as well as the last four months of the traditional 18-month pay-one window”, the companies announced Tuesday. 

Stay current in your area with this week’s area news for Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Studio City, and Newbury Park.

Los Angeles News

LACMA Puts It’s Modern Art Collection Back on Display

Fans of LACMA’s modern art collection can now rejoice. This week the museum reopened its beloved exhibition for public display in a temporary new home.  Back in 2019 (ages ago), the museum closed much of its permanent collections to begin preparation for its planned remodel. As we all know and can see, that remodel is still underway, with an opening date of 2024. Since most of the property is now a dirt pit, collections have slowly made their way to the western half of the property. This move now includes LACMA’s modern art collection, freshly arranged and re-curated. The new set-up will reside on the third floor of the Broad Contemporary Art Museum until LACMA’s remodel is complete.

Westside & Beach Community News

Santa Monica Extends Outdoor Dining for Continued Recovery

Ahead of this week’s statewide re-opening, restauranteurs in Santa Monica received additional helpful news. Following a city council vote on June 9, Santa Monica will continue to allow for outdoor dining accommodations through the rest of the year. The pandemic era extension is meant to support Santa Monica’s continued economic recovery. The one-year pilot – “Santa Monica Outdoors” – will allow continued use of parklets, streets, sidewalks, and public spaces. This includes the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade and private property for outdoor dining, retail, and fitness. Additionally, fees will be waived through the rest of 2021. “Santa Monica’s small, local businesses need continued support from all of us, and your City is here to expedite our economic recovery in all the ways we can,” said Mayor Sue Himmelrich.

San Fernando Valley News

Studio City brothers Repair Unwanted Items to Donate to People in Need

When the pandemic slimmed back the community service opportunities for two Studio City brothers, their pair found another way to give back. Due to covid restrictions, Ben and Sam Volokh were unable to continue volunteering at their local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Instead of sitting idle, the brothers decided to continue collecting donations. Picking up any items that were being thrown away, the brothers took their activism one step further. Along with picking up items in the community, the Volokh brothers also cleaned and repaired the items before donating them to Habitat. They began their repurposing project in November of 2020 and have even created a website where neighbors can schedule a pick-up. In an interview with KTLA, Sam Volokh shared the following, “We just think it’s really important to give back to our community and do what we can to make life easier for some people.”

Conejo Valley News

Newbury Park Startup Joins with Biotech Firm on Treatment for ALS

A Newbury Park-based startup, Capsida Biotherapeutics, is partnering with a high-profile biotech company to develop a treatment for ALS. The announcement came after the startup was able to raise $140 million in Series A funding. Capisda will be working with Swiss firm CRISPR Therapeutics on therapies for the neurodegenerative disease. CRISPR, a publicly traded company, valued at $9 billion, will focus on Friedreich’s ataxia, with Capside leading the ALS program. Depending on the success of the projects, the companies would equally share the research, development, and commercialization costs and profits. This would be worldwide and related to the collaboration product, according to a joint press release statement.

Keep current in your city with the latest news and city Updates for the LA, the Westside, and the Valley.

Los Angeles News

LAUSD Looking to Provide Affordable Housing for Employees

The LAUSD announced a new initiative this week that seeks to offer housing for employees to reside near the schools they work. The plan would provide 2,000 units of affordable housing using underutilized LAUSD-owned properties. According to the L.A. Daily News, the goal is to attract and retain employees by allowing them to live in communities where they teach and work. The school board held a vote this week to explore a program that would survey employee interest and appraise properties. Superintendent Austin Beutner said that a starting salary for a teacher is around $50,000 a year with the initiative meant to relieve the cost burden and provide the option of shorter commutes. 

Westside and Beach Community News

New Hotel and Apartment Complex Being Planned for Sunset Strip

The Sunset Strip is continuing to bustle with new developments after the news of a new planned complex on Harper Ave. Developer A.J. Khair has submitted his plans for The Harper on Sunset. Likewise, the proposal includes a 172-room hotel, 46 mixed-income apartments above ground-floor retail. According to a notice of the proposal, The Harper on Sunset would be located at 8240 Sunset Boulevard on West Hollywood’s northeast city limits. Renderings for the project show a nine- and a seven-story building. One of the buildings features a curved façade and a digital billboard. In addition, the ground floor retail space would include courtyard space and outdoor dining space. In the same vein, there has not been any statement regarding when The Harper will break ground once approved. 

SFV and Conejo Valley News

Nonprofit Veterinary Clinic Providing Medical Services for Pet Owners in Need

For some good news, Free Animal Doctor, a non-profit veterinary clinic has been providing care to pets in need. Above all, the clinic offers medical services for pet owners free of charge. “Our mission is to raise money to pay the unexpected medical expenses for sick and injured animals whose owners can’t afford that,” said Sam Bernardo, President of Free Animal Doctor. The non-profit, which operates out of a donated bus, has also received its own helping hand recently. When seeking a permanent spot for the free clinic, staff found a home at Santa Anita Park, free of charge. A representative for the park Dan Cirimele said in a statement that Santa Anita Park is always looking for ways that they can help out the community.

Get your weekly dose of tech news in this week’s blog. This week we are talking all about the Facebook Smartwatch, folding smartphones, and more!

Tesla Launches First Underground Loop in Las Vegas

Elon Musk’s Boring Company unveiled its first underground loop this week in Las Vegas. The Loop, which runs beneath the Las Vegas Convention Center, takes vehicles (Tesla’s only for now) underground to avoid above-ground traffic. The 1.7-mile Vegas Loop has three passenger stations, connected by stretches of 12-foot-wide tunnels. Once inside the Loop, you’ll find a fleet of 62 Teslas available for picking up and dropping off passengers. This is not the first underground tunnel from Musk’s Boring Company, but it is the first Loop that’s fully operational and open to the public. The company has plans to eventually extend the Loop from downtown Las Vegas, through the strip, and out to the city’s stadium and McCarran airport. 

New Robot That Can Kill Weeds by Zapping Them with Electricity

Because why not, a trio of robots developed by Small Robot Company is ridding yards of weeds one electrical zap at a time. The robots — named Tom, Dick, and Harry — were developed to rid the land of unwanted weeds with minimal use of chemicals and heavy machinery. The startup began working on its autonomous weed killers in 2017. Currently, the other robots are still in the prototype stage, undergoing testing, and are targeted specifically for farmers. Small Robot Company, hopes that once the system becomes fully operational, it will help to reduce chemical use by 95%. The company’s overall goal along with reducing chemical usage is to improve soil quality and biodiversity. “If you treat a living environment like an industrial process, then you are ignoring the complexity of it,” Scott-Robinson says. “We have to change farming now, otherwise there won’t be anything to farm.”

Facebook Set to Release New Smartwatch Next Year

Facebook has plans to join the smartwatch game, according to new reports. In a recent report by The Verge, the social network smartwatch would include two cameras, as well as health features like a heart rate monitor. This report was released Wednesday and cites two people familiar with the project. The company’s first iteration of their smartwatch would be set for summer 2022 and cost around $400. While the company declined to comment on the news, they did point to two tweets from VP of AR and VR, Andrew Bosworth. “We’ve said we want AR glasses to be truly useful — we’re investing in technologies across the board that will make that interaction feel more natural and intuitive,” Bosworth said in a tweet Wednesday responding to the report. “This includes research like EMG, haptics, adaptive interfaces that could come together in a wrist-based form factor.”

NASA Has Its Eyes on Asteroid Psyche’s Metal Rich Surface

Chances are that you have not heard of asteroid 16 Psyche. While relatively unknown the hefty price tag attached to the space rock is sure to pique your interest. The iron-rich asteroid has a current estimated value of $10,000 quadrillion. First discovered in 1852, 16 Psyche is believed to be 82.5% metal with a much lower density than thought according to a report published by The Planetary Science Journal. NASA has said Psyche “appears to be the exposed nickel-iron core of an early planet, one of the building blocks of our solar system.” NASA will launch a mission in July 2022 with SpaceX signed on to launch the Psyche spacecraft for the targeted takeoff.

GM Expands OnStar Guardian Service to Anyone with a Smartphone

The exclusive Cadillac service OnStar will be coming to a smartphone near you as soon as you download the app. The OnStar app debuted last year, but it was this week that GM opened up to all smartphone users in the U.S. and Canada. The OnStar Guardian app is available for both Android and iPhone. For valuable services like a crash response and roadside assistance users can pay $14.99 per month for the basic plan. The services packages range from there with $49.99 per month for the Premium plan. You also have the option to pay a yearly fee for the Premium plan ($549.99) at a small discount.

Google’s First Folding Pixel Set for Release Later This Year

If you miss the joy that your flip phone brought you, Google has heard your calls. The company will be moving forward with the launch of its first folding Pixel phone later this year. Samsung will begin production of folding OLED panels this October. The panels will be for Google’s upcoming folding phone, which will reportedly be revealed late this year. The phone will have a single 7.6-inch panel that folds inward with other details not yet provided.