The Best Travel Destinations For Singles

tasting
COGNAC, FRANCE | NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
BARRON RIVER, FLORIDA | FOTOLUMINATE LLC/SHUTTERSTOCK
Central Coast of California Big Sur
CENTRAL COAST OF CALIFORNIA | CANADASTOCK/SHUTTERSTOCK
montreal
OLD PORT MONTREAL | ALINA REYNBAKH/SHUTTERSTOCK
budapest hungary
SZECHENYI BATHS IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY | IZABELA23/SHUTTERSTOCK
Colorado Monument Landscape
COLORADO MONUMENT LANDSCAPE | WELCOMIA/SHUTTERSTOCK
england
COPPA CLUB TOWER BRIDGE, LONDON | ZEYNEP COSKUN/SHUTTERSTOCK
Renew
RENEW
scotland
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE, SCOTLAND | PECOLD/SHUTTERSTOCK
Island Spa Sauna
ISLAND SPA & SAUNA
cheese single
MERCATO CENTRALE MARKET IN FLORENCE | TUPUNGATO/SHUTTERSTOCK
Ayahuasca Peru Etnikas
AYAHUASCA PERU – ETNIKAS
beach
PUERTO ESCONDIDO, MEXICO | LMSPENCER/SHUTTERSTOCK
Museum of Broken Relationships
MUSEUM OF BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS
Ogunquit Maine
OGUNQUIT, MAINE | ARTHUR VILLATOR/SHUTTERSTOCK
cruise
GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE IN SOUTHEAST ALASKA | LEMB/SHUTTERSTOCK
brewing
FIGUEROA MOUNTAIN BREWING FEST | FIGUEROA MOUNTAIN BREWING/SHUTTERSTOCK
bermuda
RUSS HAMILTON/SHUTTERSTOCK

Economic update for the week ending September 15, 2018

New York Stock Exchange
Stock markets end the week near record highs – Stock markets surged this week to near record levels rebounding from a 1% drop the prior week. Investors feel that the longest bull market in history will last well into 2019 based on strong fundamentals in the economy. Those include: unemployment at a 40 year low, rising wages, the strongest consumer confidence level in 18 years, lower tax rates for corporations, a higher GDP, and less regulations. The only drag is the back and forth on trade and tariffs, which investors feel are mostly threats for negotiations and higher interest rates. With the last core inflation rate at just 2.2%, investors feel that rates won’t get much higher. They do expect another increase by the Fed at the end of this month and are waiting to see if higher wages in August causes upcoming inflation rates to rise. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 26,151.67, up from 25,916.53 last week. It is up 5.8% year-to-date.  The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,904.98, up from 2,861.78 last week. It’s up 8.7% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed the week at 8,010.04, up from 7,992.54 last week. It’s up 16% year-to-date.

 

Treasury Bond Yields  higher –  The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 2.99%, up from 2.94% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 3.13%, up  slightly from 3.11% last week. We watch treasury bond yields because mortgage rates follow bond yields.

 

Mortgage rates higher this week – The September 13, 2018 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 4.60%, up from 4.54%  last week. The 15-year fixed was 4.06%,  up  from 3.99%  last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.93%, unchanged from 3.93% last week.

 

We should begin to see August housing sales numbers around the end of next week.

 

Have a great weekend!

The Most Binge-Worthy TV Shows On Hulu

30 rock
NBC
adventure time
CARTOON NETWORK
alone together freeform
FREEFORM
best tv shows on hulu - arrested development
FOX
Atlanta fx
FX
baskets
FX
best tv shows on hulu - battlestar galactica
SYFY
bob's burgers
FOX
the bold type
FREEFORM
broad city abbi jacobson ilana glazer
COMEDY CENTRAL
the best shows on hulu - buffy the vampire slayer
WARNER BROS. TV
castle rock
HULU
casual
HULU
the best tv shows on hulu - cheers
NBC
daria
MTV
deutschland 83 best tv shows on hulu
SUNDANCE TV
difficult people best tv shows on hulu
NBC
drunk history
COMEDY CENTRAL
best tv shows on hulu - empire
FOX
the eric andre show
ADULT SWIM
the exorcist
FOX
best tv shows on hulu - fargo
FX
futurama
FOX
the best tv shows on hulu - the good wife
CBS
the handmaids tale
HULU
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HULU
inside amy schumer
COMEDY CENTRAL
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FX
key and peele
COMEDY CENTRAL
lost
ABC
my so called life
ABC
nathan for you
COMEDY CENTRAL
the oc best tv shows on hulu
FOX
the office u.k.
BBC TWO
party down
STARZ
preacher amc
AMC
prime suspect helen mirren
BBC
rick and morty
ADULT SWIM
runaways hulu
HULU
saturday night live
NBC
seinfeld best tv shows on hulu
NBC
the best tv shows on hulu - the shield
FX
south park
COMEDY CENTRAL
taboo
FX
best tv shows on hulu - top chef
BRAVO
best tv shows in hulu - the twilight zone
CBS
best tv shows on hulu - twin peaks
ABC
best tv shows on hulu - x-files
FOX
younger tv show
TV LAND

Downtown LA Restaurants You Should Try

BAVEL
REDBIRD
ROSSOBLU
DAMA
THE NOMAD
GUERILLA TACOS
NICK & STEF’S
OTIUM

Where To Eat Fried Chicken In LA

Fried chicken is having its moment in Los Angeles. New joints dedicated to battered, deep-fried versions of the bird seem like they’re springing up all over the place. Although the practice of breading fowl and submerging it in hot oil might have come from the Scots, the dish became an American tradition when African slaves incorporated spices like paprika and chili pepper into the process. Chefs with Japanese, Singaporean, Korean, Indian and other culinary backgrounds have put their spin on the dish, turning a staple of Southern plantations into a multicultural culinary exchange.

The beauty lies in the differences between every method. Even Johnny Ray Zone, the chef-owner of Howlin’ Rays, the hottest (literally and metaphorically) fried chicken restaurant in town, has trouble ranking them. “Every bird and every chicken shack does things differently,” he says. “It’s hard for me to say one is better. It’s all a celebration of fried bird.” Fortunately, we’ve got our pick. From SoCal classics to nouveau options, they could only come together in a place like L.A.

A diner eats at Tokyo Fried Chicken Co. (Photo by Jennifer Chong for Tokyo Fried Chicken Co.)

Tokyo Fried Chicken Co.
In a green, Monterey Park strip mall with a faux-Chinese glazed tile roof, you’ll find Tokyo Fried Chicken’s flavorful hybrid of Japanese karaage and Southern fried chicken. Each bird is marinated overnight in soy, garlic and ginger before it’s dredged, fried to a delicate crisp in rice bran oil then dusted with the house seasoning. Prepare to feast with a plastic glove on one hand and chopsticks in the other — it’s just what you do here. Sweet, spicy ponzu sauce (in adorable honey bear bottles) makes a great dipping sauce. Curry creamed corn, tempura-battered potato chips and fried brussels sprouts with goat cheese round out the meal.
122 S. Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park. 626-282-9829.

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Honey’s Kettle
Vincent William offers casual Southern comfort at Honey’s Kettle, a Culver City staple since 2005. Fried in peanut oil, his technique produces drumsticks, wings and thighs with a supremely crunchy exterior and supple meat. Hot sauce and, of course, honey are available for drizzling and dipping. The buttery biscuits are a must. They’re so good, you can buy the batter and bake them at home.
9537 Culver Blvd., Culver City. 310-202-5453.

A meal of fried chicken, macaroni and cheese and collard greens at Gus’s Fried Chicken. (Photo via Gus’s Fried Chicken/Facebook)

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
A top contender for Best Memphis Import To Los Angeles, Gus’s chicken has just enough cayenne to pack a tingle in every bite. The golden breading is the perfect thickness and the birds are always succulent. Plus, the prices are great and there’s no wait time to get seated — something that almost never happens at the non-L.A. locations. Fried okra is the only standout side. That’s fine because it leaves room for a slice of the fine chess pie.
1262 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles. 323-402-0232.
509 S Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank. 747-231-3990.

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Howlin’ Rays
It’s hard to know what Howlin’ Rays is more famous for: Their insanely long lines or their insanely delicious fried chicken. This is one of the very few places where the former is worth the latter. (Stay abreast of the wait times via Twitter.) That’s because they serve the best version of Nashville hot chicken in Los Angeles. Heed the descriptions of their six levels of heat. The hottest, Howlin’, comes with a pair of rubber gloves to prevent the spices from seeping into your skin. The chicken isn’t just hot, it’s damn tasty with the perfect, just-oily-enough crunch protecting the ultra juicy, brined flesh. No matter the level of heat, don’t accidentally rub your eyes or spread any of that garlicky, peppery seasoning on your extremities because the only place where it hurts so good is your mouth.
727 N. Broadway #128, Chinatown. 213-935-8399.

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Jim Dandy Fried Chicken
The birds at Jim Dandy’s are beyond crisp and and served from behind a bulletproof glass window — and they’re absolutely worth it. Each bite into a crisp, spicy piece reveals tender insides with a no-nonsense flavor. No secret brine or hyped up batter here. Just simple, flavorful fried chicken. We recommend the spicy, which is manageable, and a side of fried corn fritters dusted in powdered sugar. Make sure you bring cash to this stand, one of the last two remnants of a popular 1970s chain.
11328 Vermont Ave., Westmont. 323-779-5567.

The Prince
It’s easy to see why this vintage bar, with its circular, red leather booths and fading glamour, still attracts crowds. Located in the base of a Tudor Revival-style apartment building in Koreatown,The Prince has been around since the 1920s, when it was a French restaurant. You might’ve seen it as a backdrop in Mad Men, Chinatown, Thank You For Smoking or a number of other productions. It’s also home to Heo Ja-hwa’s twice-fried, salt-and-pepper seasoned chicken. Juicy on the inside and with a heat that expands the more you eat it, the chicken comes with coleslaw, pickled radish and hot sauce. Order a plate of kimchi fried rice or dukbokki (spicy rice cakes) to go with it. Half-price drinks during happy hour (from 4 to 8 p.m.) are the perfect liquid pairing.
3198 7th St., Koreatown. 213-389-1586.

Chicken karaage at Karayama. (Photo courtesy of Karayama)

Karayama
The Japanese chain has more than 50 outposts around Asia but the first United States location just landed, in Little Tokyo, two weeks ago. That’s a reason to celebrate. Why? Chicken karaage, those nuggets of fried, boneless glory. The menu offers distractions, like the chicken sandwich, but it’s all about the karaage at Karayama. You can thank the secret, fermented marinade and potato starch batter for the flavor and texture. If you don’t want it straight, try a donburi bowl with egg, onion and a light soy broth. Dipping options include goku-dare with garlic and sesame, sweet and salty shio-goku-dare, wasabi mayo, sweet chili and a red hot sauce.
136 S. Central Ave., downtown L.A. 213-265-7358.

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Lucky Bird
Chef-owner Chris Dane, a Providence and Connie & Ted’s alumn, has opened a small, 12-seat fried chicken stand in Grand Central Market. The outside layer of his fried bird is fluffy yet crunchy, giving way to a tender, citrus-brined center. Saddle up with savory sweet and sour coleslaw, fried chicken skins and buttermilk biscuits served with whipped honey butter. The best way to start a meal at Lucky Bird? Order one of the craft beers on tap.
317 S. Broadway, downtown L.A.

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The Crack Shack
Westfield Mall in Century City just welcomed the fourth location of chef Richard Blais’s San Diego fried chicken chain. The menu features no less than eight fried chicken sandwiches as well as five and ten-piece chicken dinners, for the purists. The chicken, always Jidori, yields succulent meat with a crunchy coating. The twist comes courtesy of eight dippers including Baja hot sauce and curry mustard. Craft beer taps and a lots of patio space make this a great gathering spot for groups. Another Crack Shack will opens this fall, in Pasadena.
10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City. 424-320-0046.

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A.O.C.
Suzanne Goin has effectively made her Spanish fried chicken an L.A. icon, which is no small feat — but neither is a 16-year run of successful restaurants. Dusted with aleppo pepper, paprika, coriander and cumin, her garlic-marinated masterpieces are available for brunches, power lunches and candle-lit dinners on A.O.C’s patio. Romesco aioli adds a creamy touch and a bit more spice to the butter-basted fried chicken, which is served on a cast iron skillet. Pair it with one of the restaurants wines, chosen by Caroline Styne, for a perfect meal.
8700 W. 3rd St., Mid-City West. 310-859-9859.


Article courtesy of LAist. 

L.A. Eats of the week

With as many restaurants as there are Bird scooters, we’ve decided to simplify your options of the week by dishing out the best places to grab a bite from power lunches to elegant fare. Read below for our nosh worthy suggestions.

“Breakfast is the most important deal of the day…”

Steve Benjamin, Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Deden Putra, Richard Archuleta

With a name as cinematic as its location-The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker serves a mouthful of a title and menu selection.  A perfect mix of cafe chic and Californian cuisine. Have your pick between their delectable Ricotta Pancakes or opt for a perfectly seasoned 28 day aged Steak paired with organic eggs and accoutrements. Nestled in the iconic Sunset Plaza, the BBCM serves it fresh 8am-10pm M-Su.

Nestling into its first year with a Forbes rating under its belt, Jean Georges of The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills provides a fine dining approach to your breakfast routine. For those on the go, JG provides the ease of simple selections like their famed Sunny Side Up Frittata or house baked pastries. Or if you have time to indulge chose between the decadent Caviar Scramble or Organic Stone Fruit Toast with Elderflower Glaze.  Reservations are available as early as 7am M-Su.

Lunch, Brunch, 2nd Breakfast!

When the lunch clock hits, Avra of Beverly Hills has successfully figured out how to serve. Offering a 3 course pre-fixe menu for the ideal midday price of under $30, patrons can choose from a range of Mediterranean fare. This bounty of greek goodness includes the freshest selection of seafood one can feast their eyes on(literally, they have the fish on display) to options fitting any foodie–meat eater’s and vegetarian’s rejoice! The fixed course menu is available M-Fri 11:30am-4:30pm. Reservations are strongly encouraged.

Elephante
Elephante

Offering ocean views and rooftop vibes essential to any L.A. seaside eatery; Elephante is an ideal spot for those wishing to lunch through the week and brunch through weekend. Boasting food that punches well above it’s weight class and a whose who of clientele, Santa Monica’s newest hot spot is on point and trend. With a terrific array of wood-fired pizzas, house extruded pastas, and seasonal salads that should please just about any palate–reservations are available M-Fri at 12pm and S-Su at 10am. 

“What’s for dinner?”

Say bonjour to L.A.’s newest Parisian delight–Tesse. Located atop  the Sunset Strip; Chef Bill Chait returns to Lalaland with his take on French-Californian fare. Offering a Charcuterie centric selection from saucisse de Lyon to foie gras terrine with figs and Armagnac, one will feel as if their taste-buds drifted to Europe and back. The appetizers and mains equally please with selections such as crispy veal sweetbreads and a 34 ounce dry-aged ribeye, ending blissfully on a sweet note with their duck egg crème brûlée with almond tuile. Your diner rendezvous is served daily 6-10:30pm.

Tucked away amongst the bungalows of the Chateau Marmont is Chateau Hanare-a japanese fine dining restaurant that has built up shop on the lush L.A. property. This exclusive see or be seen hidden gem provides a range of delicacies from a Kaiseki tasting menu, in-house freshly made tofu, and  unique menu highlights such as the chef’s recommended Uni Ice cream. There is something for everyone to be found in Hollywood’s best kept secret. Reservations are available Su-Th 6pm-11pm and Fri-S 6pm-12am.

Chateau Hanare
Chateau Hanare

 

Weekend Events: Sept. 14th-16th

Nautica Malibu Triathlon
By: Samira Murphy

Los Angeles is a limitless playground of fun for all ages. Since time is of the essence (outside our famed traffic jams!)—we break through the hustle and bustle to bring you a curated list of this weekends top activities happening throughout L.A.

Discover your inner Angeleno!

Limited engagements taking place this Sept. 14th-16th features highlights from the art collection of the beloved late comedian Robin Williams to the return of L.A.’s scariest fall attraction Halloween Horror Nights. Read below for a breakdown of the weekend events.

Friday Sept. 14th
Robin Williams Archive @ Sotheby's Century City
Robin Williams Archive @ Sotheby’s Century City
  • View highlight pieces from the personal collection of beloved actor and Comedian-the late Robin Williams and wife Marsha Garces Williams. Sothebys will showcase more than 30 items. These include scripts, props, and awards that belonged to America’s favorite funnyman. Admission is free and the exhibit is located at: 2029 Century Park E. Suite 2950
  • Looking to jumpstart your scare season? Look no further than the return of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios. The park-wide attraction opens opens up Sept. 14th and provides unlimited frights until Nov. 3rd 7pm-2am nightly. New to this year’s fear-inducing line-up is a Stranger Things’ maze. Joining a list of fan favorites from Poltergeist to the Terror Tram. Tickets range in price and can be purchased at: Tickets
  • Roar into the weekend with L.A. Zoo’s final installment of their summer concert series Roaring Nights. Guest 21 and up are invited on a exploration of art, music and wildlife . All happening as an after-hours adventure through the landmark Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens. There’s everything to offer from unique animal interactions, crafted cocktails and favorite food trucks. 6pm-10:30pm. Tickets are $21 and can be purchased in person or online at: Tickets
Saturday Sept. 15th
Nautica Malibu Triathlon
Nautica Malibu Triathlon
  • Humor yourself at Don’t Tell Comedy‘s secret pop-up show in the heart of Hollywood at 8pm. Featuring a mix of celebrity headliners, that in the past has included comedians like Ali Wong and Iliza Shlesinger.  A sure way to spice up your weekend. The lineup is a secret to attendees until the show starts. But this 200th installment of laughter for a cause is likely to bring a range of surprises and special guest. Location is revealed via email at noon the day of the show and tickets ranging in price can be purchased at: Tickets
  • In celebration of its 40th anniversary Galerie Michael will have amongst it’s walls a plethora of works by modernist pioneer Marc Chagall. Glance at pieces ranging from color etchings to lithographs by the famed artist. All of which have yet to be seen by the public eye. Admission is free and the exhibit is located in the Golden Triangle on 224 N. Rodeo Dr. M-Sa 10a-7p; Su 11a-5p.
  • For the early athletic birds, the 32nd annual Nautica Triathalon returns to Zuma beach in Malibu at 7am with registration beginning at 5am. Athletes, celebrities, and philanthropists are among those who turn out to swim, bike and run.  All proceeds going to benefit the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles pediatric cancer research program. Truly a great experience for the entire family! This two-day event even includes a Nautica Kids Run and Tot trot. For information on registration and prices go to: More info
Sunday Sept. 16th
L.A. Rams
L.A. Rams
  • Close out your weekend with sounds by America’s most culturally diverse orchestra The Southeast Symphony. Celebrating their final concert of the 2017-18 season, they undertake a grand retrospective and compelling narrative about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his influence on 20th Century America. “Revolution/Resurrection”, will be performed at 6pm in UCLA’s Royce Hall under the baton of Music Director Anthony Parnther with a complimentary post concert reception provided by Urth Caffe. Tickets range in price and can be purchased at: Tickets
  • Bringing relevant laughter to the conversation, SNL Alum Alison Sweeney debuts her one woman show I, AS WELL . With a focus on the movements of the modern era, Sweeney aims to reflect through her own humorous stories, jokes, and musings. As an actress, comedian and author best known for her time on Saturday Night Live, she returns to her comedic roots at The Groundlings at 6pm with limited dates through the fall. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at: Tickets
  • With football season kicking off our Los Angeles Rams host the Arizona Cardinals for their 2018 home opener. Spend your afternoon at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum–the only venue to host two Summer Olympics and soon to be a third(hello 2028!)–and watch the Ram’s lead L.A. to NFL victory. Tickets and seating information are available via Ticketmaster at: Tickets

 

Economic update for the month ending August 31, 2018

New York Stock Exchange

Stocks end August at record highs – Second quarter corporate earnings lifted stock markets to record highs after most companies reported double digit gains in profits. The bull market exceeded the 1990’s bull market of 3,449 days in the last week of August and is now the longest bull market in history. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the month at 25,964, up from 25,306 on July 31, 2018. The Dow is up 5% year to date.   The S&P 500 closed the month of July at 2,901, up from 2,802 at the end of July. It is up 8.5% year to date. The NASDAQ closed the month at 8,109, up from 7,640 at the end of July. It’s up 17.5% year to date.

S. Wages grew at highest pace since 2009 – 201,000 new jobs created in August – The Labor Department reported that the U.S. economy added 201,000 new jobs in August. That number beat analysts expectations and marked the 95th conservative month of job growth. The unemployment rate held steady at 3.9%, a 50 year low.The highlight of the report was that wages grew 2.9% in August from one year ago. That was the highest wage growth since 2009. Wages have been rising at just 2.6% -2.7% for many years.

California Employers add 46,700 jobs in July – The Employment Development Department reported that 46,700 new jobs were added in July. The unemployment rate held at a record low of 4.2%. The number of job gains exceeded expectations, but average hourly wages in California rose just 2.2% in California from one year ago.

Treasury Bond Yields almost unchanged in August – The 10-year treasury bond closed the month yielding 2.86%, unchanged from 2.85% on July 31, 2018. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the month at 3.02%, up from 2.98% on July 31.  We watch bond rates because mortgage rates follow bond rates.

Mortgage Rates drop in August –  The August 30, 2018 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 4.52%, down from 4.60% on August 2. The 15-year fixed was 3.97% down from 4.08% on August 2, 2018.  The 5-year ARM was 3.85%, down from 3.93% on August 2.

New home sales dip in July – The Commerce Department reported that sales of new homes dropped to the weakest pace in nine months in July. New home sales fell 1.7% in July from June’s levels to an annualized rate of 627,000 sales. Analysts expected the number to be closer to a rate of 645,000 sales. Prices increased just 1.8% from last July’s levels. Inventory of new homes for sale also increased to a 5.9 month supply in July. That was up from 5.7 months in June.

July U.S. Total existing home sales – The National Association of Realtors reported that the number of sales of previously owned homes fell for a fourth straight month in July. Existing home sales which include single-family homes, town-homes, condominiums, and co-ops fell 0.7% in July from June. Year over year sales were 1.5% below last July’s sales pace. That marked the fifth straight month of year over year declines in sales and the slowest pace since 2016. It should be noted that the number of existing- home sales in 2017 was a record number. Home prices continued to increase. The median price paid for an existing-home in July was 4.5% higher than last July. That marked the 77th straight month of year over year price increases. Nationally, housing inventory decreased 0.5% in July. The unsold inventory index stood at a 4.3 month supply, unchanged from last July’s level.

California existing home sales slow for third straight month in July – Prices higher – The California Association of Realtors reported that existing single family home sales totaled 406,920 in July on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis. That was down 0.9% from June and 3.4% below last July’s level when home sales totaled 421,460 on an annualized basis. The state-wide median price paid for a home was $591,460 in July, up 7.6% from last July. On a regional level prices in Los Angeles County rose 5.5%, Orange County prices rose 5.6%, and Ventura County prices rose just 2.1% from July 2017.  Inventory levels continued to increase. The unsold inventory index ticked up to a 3.3 month supply in July, up from 3.2% last July.  Active listings increased for a fourth consecutive month after 33 months of declines, increasing 11.9% from last July.

Housing affordability drops to a 10-year low in the second quarter – The California Association of Realtors reported that only 26% of California households could afford to purchase a median priced home in California. That was down sharply from 31% in the first quarter it 2018. It was also down from 29% in the second quarter of 2017. Rising home prices, higher interest rates and stagnant wage gains have driven affordable down.

Economic update for the week ending September 8, 2018

New York Stock Exchange
Wages grew at highest pace since 2009 – 201,000 new jobs created in August – The Labor Department reported that the U.S. economy added 201,000 new jobs in August. That number beat analysts expectations and marked the 95th conservative month of job growth. The unemployment rate held steady at 3.9%, a 50 year low. The highlight of the report was that wages grew 2.9% in August from one year ago. That was the highest wage growth since 2009. Wages have been rising at just 2.6% – 2.7% for many years. Usually when unemployment is at historic low rates, more competition for workers drives wages up. Until August, that has not happened. Experts have been baffled at how stubborn wage growth has been with such robust job gains. In January, it appeared that wages were finally moving higher, but wages dropped back to rising just 2.6% – 2.7% year-over-year in the following months until August. In the coming months we will see if this is a trend to higher wages or just a unique one month reading like we saw in January.
Stocks drop this week – Renewed trade and tariff talk weighed on stocks this week. A robust job and wage growth report did not cause a rally. With consumer spending accounting for nearly 70% of the economy one would think that higher wages and consumer confidence at a 18 year high would be encouraging. On the other hand if consumer spending picks up that could cause inflation, which is very low to pick up. Higher inflation would lead to higher interest rates and increase borrowing costs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 25,916.53, down from 25,964.82 last week. It is up 4.8% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,861.78, down from 2,901.52 last week.  It’s up 7.4% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed the week at 7,992.54, down from 8,109.64 last week. It’s up 14.5% year-to-date.
Treasury Bond Yields  higher – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 2.94%, up from 2.86% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 3.11%, up from 3.02% last week. We watch treasury bond yields because mortgage rates follow bond yields.
Mortgage rates almost unchanged in September 6 survey, but rates rose after jobs report. Next week’s rates will be higher. The September 6, 2018 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 4.54%, almost unchanged from 4.52% last week. The 15-year fixed was 3.99%, up  from 3.97% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.93%, up from 3.85% last week.
Have a great weekend!

Weekend Events: September 8 – 10

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, from Friday, September 7 to Sunday, September 9, featuresThe Original Long Beach Lobster Festival, Frankenstein 200 Group Art Show, L.A. Food Fest, Long Beach Comic Con, the Bergamot Station Fall Open and MUCH more.

Enjoy!

Friday September 7th, 2018

1. The Original Long Beach Lobster Festival returns for the 22nd year in a row (September 7-9) with live entertainment, activities, and boat loads of fresh Maine lobster. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

2. See Annenberg Space for Photography’s current exhibit, Not an Ostrich, after hours, along with live music, and a special documentary screening. FREE

3. LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes’s 4th annual Summer of Salsa concert comes to a close this Friday with Conjunto Costazul, led by salsa scene veterans Freddie and Johnny Crespo, bringing the sounds of swing and salsa with booming horns and percussion. FREE

4. Alpine Village Oktoberfest celebrates 50 years! The fun kicks off this Friday with traditional Bavarian fun like Oom Pah Pah party bands, German fare, and delicious cold German beers. Oktoberfest runs Fridays and Saturdays September 7 through October 27.

5. PaleyFest kicks off this Thursday at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills. Check out panels and screenings of the most hotly anticipated new fall TV shows from September 6-16. The fest will feature talents like Nathan Fillion (The Rookie), Aaron Paul and Alison Brie (BoJack Horseman), Jennifer Jason Leigh (Atypical) and plenty more.

6. The LA County Fair is open this Labor Day! Head to the Pomona Fairplex for an enormous assortment of activities, musical performances, carnival style food and more. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

7Westfield Topanga Restaurant Week kicks off on September 7 for a 10-day dining event across the Westfield Topanga properties, highlighting a diverse selection of choices and flavors, from fine dining steakhouses to good old Southern BBQ. The best part? Guests can expect savings of up to 20% off on uniquely crafted prix-fixe menus.

8. The Roadium in Torrance presents Classic Drive-in Movies. The family-friendly event features classic films projected on the screen tower. Closing out the series is a screening of On Any Sunday.

9. The Music Center’s annual Dance DTLA series is back for 2018 with a series of Friday-night events at Grand Park. The last installment is a 90’s theme dance night. FREE

10. 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

11. Rooftop Cinema Club returns to the rooftops of LEVEL in DTLA and NeueHouse in Hollywood with multiple screenings this week that include Clueless, The Greatest Showman and more.

12. Are you a Chase bank customer? Got a freebie you might want to know about. Coolhaus is teaming with the Forum and Chase to hand out free ice cream sandwiches to Chase customers on Fridays all summer long. Locations will change every Friday, and the offer is ice cream sandwich per cardholder. Get more info here.

13. The 10th Annual Burbank International Film Festival September 5-9 will feature 200 films by up-and-coming filmmakers.

14. 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 September 8th, 2018

15. Celebrate the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein at Corey Helford Gallery’s opening reception and month-long exhibition of Frankenstein 200 a group art show featuring over 100 artist. On view now through October 13. FREE

16. The 9th Annual L.A. Food Fest returns to Santa Anita Park for a tasting experience of signature bites from 100+ exhibitors. On top of that, there will be craft beer garden, craft cocktail bars, a tequila tasting, iced coffee lounge and an ice cream social.

17. Grand Park + Outfest Present PROUD Picnic + Movie Night inviting the LGBTQ and ally community to Grand Park for a night showcasing short films from Outfest Fusion Festival, coupled with a feature length presentation. FREE

18. Santa Monica’s Bergamot Station will host their annual fall open featuring a dozen galleries and artist receptions in one night. FREE

19. Buskerfest in Downtown Long Beach will feature four flatbed trucks serving as stages for local and regional bands to perform throughout the day while guests dance in the streets. FREE

20. Crawfish for Cancer is part festival and part fundraiser that takes place around the country. They’ll head to the Santa Monica Pier for their first L.A. event this Saturday with a full day of unlimited crawfish and all the fixings, an open bar and live music to provide an authentic Cajun crawfish experience.

21. Long Beach Comic Con (September 8-9) returns for two-days of cosplay, panels, a space expo, screenings, and a behind the scenes look at the comic industry. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

22. Trancas Country Market will celebrate their unveiling of a new BumblebeeLovesYou installation with Endless Summer Satruday a fun filled day of free massages, a yoga class, Vintage Grocers BBQ, live music by Blu Juice, a Malibu Beach House Cornhole Tournament, crafts for the kids and much more.

23. Street Food Cinema returns this weekend with a screenings of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist at Central Park in Glendale and La La Land at Marriott Golf Course in Manhattan Beach. Select screenings are discounted via Goldstar. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

24. Saunter through charming Claremont Village tasting wine and food from more than 40 locations during this year’s Claremont Village Wine Walk.

25. The Hammer Museum Family Day: Kids for Peace is a free annual festival featuring storytelling, art making, music making, dancing, puppetry and much more. FREE

26. The Silent Treatment Film Series taking place at The Autry will screen 3 Bad Men. Directed by John Ford, this epic Western will be shown in 35mm on the big screen at the Wells Fargo Theater, with live musical accompaniment from Cliff Retallick.

27. Celebrate the Institute of Contemporary Art Los Angeles’ first anniversary in DTLA with the return of their Incognito art sale where over 400 works of art from a range of upcoming, established and local artists will be available for sale.

28. Eat|See|Hear returns for 2018 with a screening of Boogie Nights at LA State Historic Park. Check for discounted tickets at select screenings. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

29. Nude Art LA is back for another year of pushing the artistic envelope through a show with 65+ artists from around the globe and live entertainment such as interactive exhibits, live semi-nude sketching, painting demonstrations both on canvas and the body, burlesque, live music and much more. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

30.. The Silverlake Flea-Night Market taking place every Saturday from 5-10 p.m. all summer long features a plethora of local, independent sellers that offer vintage clothing, art, rare vinyl, crafts, and much more.

Sunday September 9th, 2018

31. Challenge yourself with a 75-minute yoga class while enjoying views of the DTLA skyline during Flow + Flavor: Rooftop Yoga at Smorgasburg x ROW DTLA.

32. Returning for its 29th year, the Belmont Shore Car Show boasts over 500 classic, custom and novelty vehicles parked on over 14 blocks in Downtown Long Beach. Guests get to peruse, take pictures with, and sometimes, even get inside some of the cars. FREE

33. Swing Night At The Wiltern will jump, jive and wail on the dance floor all night long. The night will start off with an hour long swing dancing lesson then a live band will play 20’s through 40’s tunes. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

34. L.A. Dragon Studios located in the valley is a all you can play gaming center with VR, Escape Rooms, and an Arcade all for a flat fee of $10. Open seven days a week.

35. A Dog Day Afternoon returns to The Lincoln in Venice featuring specialty cocktails, discounted Rosé bottles, dog treats, professional dog portraits, games, prizes, free hot dogs, adoption, and more. All dogs are welcomed!

36. Modern Southwestern eatery Panxa Cocina in Long Beach just rolled out an impressive Hatch Chile Menu for the month of September. Highlights include a Wild Prawn and Hatch Relleno and Wagyu Chicken Fried Steak smothered in hatch chile gravy.

37. E.P. & L.P. in West Hollywood continues their stylish cinema series Melrose Rooftop Theatre with a screening of Top Gin this Sunday.

38. There’s two new hyper-realistic VR experience at The VOID in Glendale a Ghostbusters themed experience and a scarier Nicodemus: Demon of Evanishment experience. Experiences run on different days, be sure to check their schedule.

39. A Yeti Village has been constructed on Hollywood and Vine in anticipation for the movie SMALLFOOT. Designed to look like winter, visitors of all ages can dance in a blizzard, swing on a cloud, ride a 20-foot slide, play in a snowball pit, sing karaoke, do arts and crafts and more. The family-friendly experience is free to attend and runs through September 14, 2018. FREE

40. Outdoor theater Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, located in Topanga Canyon summer 2018 season begins on June 2 with a performance of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

Schedule courtesy of We Like LA.