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New Spot in Silver Lake Offers Food, Coffee, and Local Goods

Silver Lake’s new cafe Scout is both a breakfast/lunch spot and a one-stop shop for creating a Los Angeles care package. You can find Scout in the space formerly occupied by Clover Juice, nestled in between sibling restaurants Kettle Black and Sawyer. The tiny shop—it’s only 240 square feet—still sells the cold-pressed juice brand, along with other familiar bottled beverages, including Better Booch and Matcha Bar.

That same local emphasis persists throughout the rest of Scout’s shop component. There’s pasta sauce from Kettle Black, jam from Sqirl, cookbooks from L.A. restaurants like Mozza and Gjelina, breads from Friends and Family, and a curated selection of vinyl via Dangerbird Records. These items co-exist with other general store staples, including chips, soda, cheese, and charcuterie. You can also pick up local and California wine and beer, the latter of which can be mix-and-matched into a six pack.

Of course, Scout is also a cafe. They serve smoothies, tea, and coffee and espresso courtesy of Portland’s Heart Roasters. They’ve got bright, fresh salads, bowls and sandwiches, as well as breakfast burritos and toasts.

Scout’s spicy chicken sandwich. Photo: Juliet Bennett Rylah

The spicy fried chicken sandwich with pickles is a solid choice, and so is the turkey sandwich with lemon thyme aioli, sprouts, and cheddar. For something lighter, they offer a refreshing take on a Cobb salad with soppressata, provolone and a tangy oregano vinaigrette. Prices hover between $9 and $14.

Though the narrow shop itself has no seating, there are a few tables and chairs set up on the sidewalk. Or, customers can use the free wi-fi and hang out inside Sawyer before Sawyer officially opens at 4 p.m. Scout is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Scout is located at 3707 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90026

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Economic update for the week ending March 24, 2018

Stocks drop 6% in the worst week since January 2016 – U.S. stock markets fell 6% this week as investors feared that new tarriffs on imports could start a global trade war. The Federal Reserve also raised their benchmark interest rates. This was expected just a few weeks ago, but many experts felt the Fed would hold off on an increase because stocks have been so volatile in the last couple of weeks. Stocks have dropped 10% in just a month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 23,533.20, down from last week’s close of 24,946.51. It is down 4.8% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,588.26, down from 2,752.01 last week. It’s down 3.2% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed at 6,992.67, down from 7,484.99 last week. It is up 1.3% year-to-date.

Treasury Bond Yields –  Bond yields lower this week – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 2.82%, down from 2.85% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 3.06%, down from 3.08% last week. We watch bond rates because mortgage rates follow bond rates.

Mortgage Rates stable this week – The March 22, 2018 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 4.45%, unchanged from last week’s 4.44%. The 15-year fixed was 3.91%, unchanged from 3.90% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.68%, unchanged from 3.67% last week.

California existing home sales pick up in February – The California Association of Realtors announced that existing home sales totaled 422,910 on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate in February. That represented a 3.3% increase from the number of sales in January, and a 5.4% increase from last February’s number of sales. Prices also increased with the statewide median price $522,440, an increase of 8.8% from one year ago. After hitting a 14 year low in December, the number of homes for sale increased for a second straight month. The unsold inventory index rose to a 3.9 month supply of homes in February, up from a 3.6 month supply in January. There was a 4 month supply of homes for sale in February 2017.

Have a great weekend!

Syd

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Rodeo Realty's Beverly Hills agent Wayne Saks sells longtime home of late ‘Let’s Make A Deal’ host Monty Hall

The longtime home of the legendary Monty Hall, a Canadian-American producer, philanthropist, best known as the game show host for ‘Let’s Make a Deal,’ has sold for $6.409 million–$10,000 over the asking price. Wayne Saks of Rodeo Realty Beverly Hills was the listing agent and also represented the buyer, according to reports. The home made headlines is various publications and online sites including the Los Angeles Times, NBC, American Luxury, and Curbed.

The Arden Drive residence was put for sale by the children of Hall and his late wife Marilyn, an Emmy-winning TV writer-producer.

The 1920s understated, yet elegant property, sits on an almost 10,000 sq. ft. lot. The classic Mediterranean home in the Flats of Beverly Hills comes with four bedrooms, five bathrooms, separate quarters, and a beautiful swimmers pool.

The home was the center of the family’s lives—hosting countless celebrities, foreign dignitaries, charitable events, and most importantly, family brunch for more than 55 years.

Monty Hall was not only the face and co-creator of ‘Let’s Make a Deal,’ but he was also known for devoting his time to charitable giving, spending much of his life raising money for charity and being honored for his efforts. The noted TV icon passed away last year at the age of 96.

His wife of 70 years, Marilyn Hall, had producer credits on two Emmy winners: ‘A Woman Called Golda’ and ‘Do You Remember Love?’ The Canadian native passed away at the age of 90, almost four months before Monty. Together, the couple raised more than $1 billion for charitable causes.

To read more on this property, click on the links below.

Los Angeles Time
Curbed
American Luxury 
NBC

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Weekend Events: March 23 – 25

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 in L.A. (March 23-25) includes Bach in the Subways, a Mermaid Museum, Santa Monica Airport ArtWalk, Waffles and Beer Festival, Torrance Cherry Blossom Festival, The Return Of Vaudeville, César Chávez Day and MUCH more.

Enjoy!

Friday March 23rd, 2018

1. In honor of J.S. Bach’s birthday, Bach in th te Subways returns to L.A. March 21-25 with free performances at Union Station, North Hollywood, Glendale, and other public venues. The events are highlighted by a 10-hour Bach Marathon at Union Station on March 24.

2. The Siren-inspired POPSUGAR x Freeform Mermaid Museum will feature a photo spot that allows guests to look as though they’re floating in an underwater garden plus a 360-degree animated underwater projection and soundscape. It’s free to attend and runs March 22-25.

3. The VOID’s virtual reality experience Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire is now open in the Glendale Galleria. The “hyper-reality” experience puts players in a 360 virtual world allowing them to touch, smell, and sensing their surroundings.

4. Premiere TV festival PaleyFest LA returns to Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre March 16-25 for another year of cutting-edge programs and panels connecting television fans with the stars of their favorite shows. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

5. WonderCon returns to Anaheim Convention Center March 23-25 for the ultimate comic book convention weekend that also focuses on TV, film, animation, and more.

6. The 2018 Latin Food Fest is two days of food, beer & wine booths, celebrity chef demos, a michelada bar, a spirits expo, live performances and more. Happening in Santa Monica March 23-24.

7. Movie Under The Guns is a movie night aboard the Battleship Iowa in San Pedro. Free to the public they’ll screen 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. FREE

8. There’s a Milk Bar Pop-Up at Night + Market Sahm in Venice this Friday from 7 to 11 p.m. Treat yourself to an after-dinner bite of b’day truffles, cookies, crack pie and more.

9. A free, interactive Ready Player One pop-up maze lands in Hollywood March 18 to April 1. The pop-up is part of the promotional run-up to Stephen Spielberg’s Ready Player One movie. Taking place at Hollywood and Vine the experience is a “choose-your-own adventure” maze with audio/visual installations, interactive displays, video games, film props, actors, music, and set replicas. Keep in mind the reservations are booked full but they are accepting walk ups and have a stand by line. FREE

10. The grand opening of ART Up! will take place at Beyond The Lines Gallery and Event Space in Downtown Los Angeles. The pop-up art show will host four shows in a row, live music, food, drinks and comedy shows.

11. Step inside The Museum of Illusions in Hollywood and find yourself in a classic painting, part of a cartoon, part of current events, inside movies and much more. Highlights include watching the Titanic go down, “climbing” a sheer cliff and other eye popping visuals. Happening all weekend.  (DISCOUNTED) via Goldstar

12. Palm Desert Food & Wine returns to the El Paseo shopping district in Palm Desert for three days of tastings from leading chefs, breweries, and wineries; live cooking demonstrations; celebrity chef appearances; and other dining experiences.

13. The Museum of Failure returns at a new location on Hollywood and Highland with new exhibits and products that include Juicero, Facebook Gifts, RCA SelectaVision, Pets.com, and Google Wave. There’s also an entire section dedicated to Hollywood with some of the industry’s biggest fails. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

14. 260 LA will host a Rent The Runway sample sale at their Beverly Hills location from March 20-25.

15. 4th Fridays on 4th Street activates the “Retro Road” business district in Long Beach on the fourth Friday of every month from 6 to 9 p.m. through extended hours, dining specials, discounted merchandise, pop up shops, art shows, live music, double decker bus rides and more.

16. There’s a Blues Brothers screening in 35mm at the Vista this Friday.

17. Greenbar Distillery has teamed up with The Burrito Project and a select list of local bars and restaurants, to provide thousands of burritos to those in need in the Los Angeles area. Simply go to a bar on the list and order a CITY Bright gin cocktail from there Greenbar Distillery will donate a burrito to The Burrito Project. Get more info here.

18. The Groundlings: The Completely Different Late Show is a hilarious improv show by the cast of the Groundlings’ Main Company. Audience shout suggestions throughout the night for improvisational scenes performed by some of the best in the business. It’s also a testing ground for brand new material for the Groundlings’ main show. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

Saturday March 24th, 2018

19. 12th Annual Santa Monica Airport ArtWalk will host art exhibits and demonstrations, alongside various theatre and music workshops. The ArtWalk is free and open for all ages. FREE

20. The Norton Simon Museum celebrates French artist Edgar Degas with a night of interactive workshops like sculpting and drawing, live entertainment including harp and cello performances and more.

21. The new Waffles and Beer Festival debuts at Pershing Square in Downtown Los Angeles March 24-25 to celebrate the Swedish tradition known as Waffle Day. The festival will offer a wide variety of savory and sweet waffles and an array of craft beers for sale along with live music and more.

22. Esotouric Bus Adventures presents Pasadena Confidential a four-hour luxury coach tour in the City of Roses. From the Sphinx murder at Masonic Hall to the strange death of Eraserhead star Jack Nance the tour will make your toe’s curl with it’s shocking stories about the beautiful and seemingly normal town. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

23. adidas teams up with Na-kel Smith for 3 Rooms, a multi-sensory shopping experience taking place at HNYPT in Downtown Los Angeles. The one-day pop-up will feature limited releases and exclusive collaborations in three distinctive, unpredictable environments, all of which were conceptualized by Na-kel.

24. Pasadena Heritage presents the Better Homes and Gardens Spring Home Tour. Inspired by the magazine, Pasadena Heritage’s BH&G tour invites guests to learn about the area’s noteworthy architecture and landscape design going back more than 130 years.

25. 7th Annual Winner’s Circle BBQ Championship at Santa Anita Park is a delicious competition featuring BBQ from local and national restaurants, chefs and grillmasters. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

26. NewFilmmakers is hosting the Los Angeles Women Directors & Narratives Film Festival a celebration of independent cinema in spotlighting female filmmakers and stories. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

27. Brennan’s will host a Hula Hoop Dance Class with Tika Moini at 9 a.m. this Saturday and Yoga with Maha on Sunday. Both classes are $15 and includes a beverage of your choice after class when brunch starts.

28. There’s a free presentation at the Studio City branch of the Los Angeles Public Library with Historian Mary Mallory about the 1938 flood and its aftermath in Studio City. FREE

29. It’s opening night for All’s Well That Ends Well performed by The Independent Shakespeare Co. at Atwater Crossing Arts + Innovation Complex.

30. The city of Whittier will host an Eggxtravaganza this Saturday at Parnell Park. This free event will include a helicopter egg drop at noon, pictures with the Easter bunny, train rides, a family fair, and more. FREE

31. An All-Girl Car Show & Vintage Fashion Exchange comes to the El Segundo’s Automobile Driving Museum this Saturday.

32. Checkout Balanced Delirium the first Los Angeles solo exhibition by abstract art and graffiti artist Smurfo Udirty at de Plume Gallery. Exhibit runs till April 19.

Sunday March 25th, 2018

33. Target is hosting The Ultimate Family Festival at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena this Sunday. The free concert will feature chart topping acts like One Republic, Charlie Puth, DJ Questlove, Charli XCX, and Troye Sivan. Though all of the free tickets are booked up, festival organizers tell us interested parties can still sign up for the waitlist. Should additional tickets become available, guests will be removed from the waitlist and notified via email. FREE

34. Torrance Cherry Blossom Cultural Festival is a free day of cultural performances, crafts by local artisans, food vendors and more at Columbia Park. FREE 

35. What’s the weirdest thing you can do this weekend in L.A.? Exercise your inner demons at L.A.’s creepiest sound bath. Dark Ambient Sound Bath includes primal screaming and an ‘exorcism’ theme. Yikes!

36. Relive the glory days of vaudeville with The Return Of Vaudeville at The Wiltern. This glamorous soiree will offer Prohibition-style cocktails and a vintage variety show brimming with classic acts like aerial acrobatics, burlesque, comedy, snake charming, and live music. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

37. LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes celebrates César Chávez Day with a day of educational and interactive workshops, Xipe Totec Aztec Dance Group, The César Chávez Foundation and much more this Sunday. FREE

38. La Carretera is a unique vintage car and music gathering harkening back to the La Carrera Panamericana races in Mexico of the ’50s. Taking place in Downtown Los Angeles’ Arts District the event will feature gorgeous vehicles from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s in a retro party atmosphere.

39. Vegan Street Fair returns to North Hollywood for another year of plant-based eats from Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, the Bay area, and as far as Chicago and New York. Entrance is free.

40. Trashfish will collaborate with Imperfect Produce for an Elevating Underloved Foods dinner party at Feastly in Venice. The evening will celebrate the seafood and produce that often get overlooked. See the full menu here.

41. There’s a staged play reading of “The Last Seder” followed by a dinner prepared by Chef, Dan Cincis at Ebell of Los Angeles, LA’s oldest women’s club located in Hancock Park.

Schedule provided by We Like LA. 

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Disneyland Hosting Late-Night Star Wars Event In May

What’s the perfect way to ring in May 4, otherwise known as Star Wars Day? Possibly by checking out Disneyland After Dark’s special late-night Star Wars event on Thursday, May 3.

According to Disney Parks Blog, Star Wars Night is the park’s second Disneyland After Dark. Guests will buy a special ticket for the after-hours event, which grants them access as early as 6 p.m. By 9 p.m., however, the Star Wars will be in full effect until 1 a.m.

Star Wars elements of the evening include a “galactic dance party,” immersive photo backdrops with unlimited PhotoPass downloads, Star Wars-themed merchandise and food, and a souvenir lanyard. Guests may also take a spin on Hyperspace Mountain (that’s the Star Wars version of Space Mountain), witness Captain Phasma leading the First Order through Tomorrowland, and meet Rey at the Star Wars Launch Bay (the park character, not Daisy Ridley).

The park also dangles another tempting carrot: shorter wait times for non-Star Wars attractions including Jungle Cruise and It’s a Small World.

Tickets are $99, parking not included. Disneyland annual pass holders can purchase them starting March 29, while the rest of us will have to wait until March 29. Costumed are encouraged. More info here.

For those wanting to immerse themselves in a galaxy far, far away without taking the trip to Anaheim, there’s always The VOID’s Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire.

Story by We Like LA.

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Melrose Rooftop Theatre Coming to E.P. & L.P.

E.P. & L.P. in West Hollywood is one of the prettiest patios if you’re looking for a cocktail and a view, so it’s only fitting that they host a rooftop cinema series. Melrose Rooftop Theatre comes to E.P. & L.P.  starting on May 1 with a screening of Pretty Woman.

MRT will take place every Sunday through Thursday from May 1 through November 15, screening over 100 different films, with a mix of genres, including cult classics and new-ish releases. There’s comedy (10 Things I Hate About You), horror (IT), drama (Moonlight), sci-fi (Blade Runner 2049), and romance (The Notebook). You can catch something like Coming to America or Pulp Fiction, or a more modern film like Black Panther or Star Wars: The Last Jedi. And if you missed the most recent Academy Award contenders, they’ll be screening some of those too. For instance, Best Picture She Shape of Water is on June 25.

Guests will head up to the rooftop, where they’ll grab a cushy bean bag seat and a pair of wireless, noise-canceling headsets. Differing this year from previous iterations is that all 100 seats are “VIP” bean bag chairs.

Tickets for just the film are $27.50. Or, for $65, guests will receive not only a ticket to the film, but a three-course, Southeast Asian meal at E.P. beforehand. (That price also includes tax and tip.) Dinner starts at 6 p.m., while the films start at sundown. Concession-style snacks, including popcorn and candy, and cocktails are available during every screening. Check out the full schedule and tickets here.

Also, if rooftop movies are your jam, you may consider Rooftop Cinema Club, which is back for its fourth season in Los Angeles starting in April.

Story by We Like LA.

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Fun Things to do this Spring in Los Angeles

The first day of spring is here, and there’s no better time to start making plans in the city of angels! This season you’ll have the chance to visit a mermaid museum, put yourself in the shoes of a drug kingpin or a CIA recruit, sketch like Degas, watch classic films outdoors or in 1920s Hollywood movie palaces, or steer a swan boat. Also on the docket: Attend a food festival inside the Rose Bowl, see Flying Lotus at the Hollywood Bowl, or participate in a hyper-reality Star Wars experience.

This list of some of the best spring events in Los Angeles will remind you of why this city is such a great place to live.

1. Visit the Mermaid Museum – The interactive, Insta-worthy pop-up Mermaid Museum is coming to Hollywood from March 22-25 as part of a promotion of Freeform’s new series, Siren. -> More information

2. Suit Up for The VOID’s Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire – This hyper-reality experience combines virtual reality with physical environments to simulate a rebel mission to infiltrate a secret Imperial base. Now at the Glendale Galleria. -> More information

3. See What’s it Like to Work for a Drug Kingpin – Los Angeles’ newest escape room, Stash House, will allow you and your friends to get actively involved in a crime drama — with zero chance of going to prison. -> More information

4. Learn Degas’ Artistic Technique – During the Norton Simon Museum’s Night in Focus: Degas on March 24, view Taking Shape: Degas as Sculptor, sketch dancers in the style of Degas while surrounded by his work, and more.  -> More information

5. Drink a Bunch of Beer – During the 9th Annual LA Beer Fest on April 7, sip a variety of unlimited samples of 200 beers from 80 different breweries. -> More information

6. Savor Delectable Food While Helping to Fight Homelessness – At Masters of Taste, taking place on the field of the Rose Bowl on May 7, some of the city’s best restaurants, bars, wineries and more will offer up handcrafted cocktails, exquisite bites, decadent desserts, fine wines and more, with 100% of the proceeds helping the homeless. -> More information

7. Take to the Streets – The latest CicLAvia event, Heart of the Foothills, will close certain streets to traffic on April 22, allowing Angelenos to bike, walk, and explore the off-the-beaten-path streets of San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, and Claremont. -> More information

8. Spend Time with Grunions – Go to Cabrillo Beach to watch a grunion run, attend the Grunion Fish-tival, or go to a Meet the Grunions event on various dates during spring 2018. -> More information

9. Improve Your Health – Check out Clean Made L.A. on April 21-22 for a vast marketplace, numerous speakers, yoga, a meditation hut and much more to help you create a healthier lifestyle. -> More information

10. Celebrate Bach’s 333rd Birthday – Visit Union Station on March 24 for a ten-hour marathon celebrating the music of the German baroque master — and enjoy free Starbuck’s coffee if you arrive early enough. -> More information

11. Fill up on Pancakes, Booze, & Art – When the Los Angeles Pancakes & Booze Art Show returns on April 28, check out the work of over 150 artists, listen to music, dine at the pancake bar, and sip some hooch. -> More information

12. Check out Art in Grand Park – At the Our L.A. Voices Arts Festival in DTLA, enjoy dance, music, theater, and visual art during a free public event April 27-29. -> More information

13. Celebrate The Dude – Watch a The Big Lebowski screening at the Wiltern or attend a Lebowski-inspired Bowling Party in Fountain Valley during Lebowskifest on May 25-26. -> More information

14. Party Like It’s 1977 – At the new immersive theater show Safehouse ’77, taking place at a Los Feliz bungalow until April 1, attend a “party” that’s actually a CIA recruitment. -> More information

15. Watch a Movie From a Rooftop – Rooftop Cinema Club is back in April, with screenings of both recent releases (Get Out, The Shape of Water) and enduring classics (Casablanca, All About Eve) atop the Montalban in Hollywood or LEVEL in DTLA. -> More information

16. Listen to Stories From a Secret Society of Women – Every month on the night of the full moon, the Secret Society of the Sisterhood (whose members include Pamela Des Barres and Mara Wilson) comes to the Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery to share their most personal stories. -> More information 

17. Watch Classic Films at Hollywood Movie Palaces – The TCM Classic Film Festival returns to the Chinese Theater, the Egyptian Theater, the Cinerama Dome, and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel April 26-29 for four days of classic films, talks with the likes of Martin Scorcese and Mel Brooks, rare nitrate film screenings, and other events perfect for the classic film nerd. -> More information

18. See Neil Young, Jack White, Belle & Sebastian, Pretenders & More in Pasadena – Arroyo Seco Weekend returns to Pasadena June 23-24 for two days of live performances from some of the greatest bands of the past few decades. -> More information

19. Save the World (Virtually) – Visit Virtual Room in Hollywood for a group VR adventure in which you’ll go back in time to ensure a better future. -> More information

20. Ride a Swan in Echo Park – Savor the simple charm of steering a swan-shaped paddle boat around Echo Park Lake. -> More information

21. Enjoy the Return of Street Food Cinema – Listen to live music, dine from food trucks, and watch a movie screening outdoors when Street Food Cinema returns to parks all across the city. -> More information 

22. (Finally) Visit Candytopia – After a months-long delay, Candytopia finally brought its immersive, oh-so-sweet Insta-friendly experience to Santa Monica, where it will remain till July 4. -> More information

23. View Cherry Blossoms – Celebrate spring’s fragrant beauty during Los Angeles’ various cherry festivals. -> More information

24. Shop at an Immersive Pop-Up – Get stimulated during Na-Kel Smith’s multi-sensory adidas shopping experience in Downtown Los Angeles on March 24. -> More information 

25. Watch a Vintage Fashion Show as You Genteelly Sip Tea – Heritage Square Museum in Montecito Heights will host a Victorian tea and fashion show spotlighting 300 years of fashion history on April 14. -> More information

26. Decompress at a Sound Bath – Get bathed in healing sounds at Mystic Journey Crystals in Venice. -> More information

27. Purchase Limited-Edition Vinyl at Record Store Day – Buy limited-edition vinyl and more created especially for Record Store Day, an annual “holiday” for lovers of vinyl and indie record stores. -> More information

28. Visit a Shrine to Epic Fails – The Museum of Failure enjoyed a successful run in Downtown L.A. and has now made its way to Hollywood & Highland, where it will continue to celebrate such flops as Trump: The Game, Colgate brand lasagna, and Google Glass. -> More information

29. Step Back in Time to the Vaudeville Era – Watch a show featuring burlesque, snake charming, comedy, and aerial acrobatics, follow by a Speakeasy After Party, during The Return of Vaudeville at The Wiltern. -> More information

30. Stand up for Science – Support the environment, healthcare and scientific facts during The March for Science, returning to Downtown Los Angeles on April 14. -> More information

31. Listen to World Music at the Hollywood Bowl – KCRW is hosting six events making up the World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl this spring (and summer). The first event, on June 17, will feature Flying Lotus, Little Dragon, and another act to be announced. -> More information

Article courtesy of We Like LA.

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Economic update for the week ending March 17, 2018

Stocks down in another volatile week – Uncertainty led to another volatile week in U.S. stock markets. Volatility has caused the S&P 500 to lose or gain 1% or more in 9 out of the first 11 weeks of 2018. In comparison, the S&P 500 lost or gained 1% or more in just 13 weeks in all of 2017. Along with political uncertainty, fears of consequences from tariffs, and possible retaliation from other countries against our exports, led to the drops this week. For example, Boeing’s stock dropped nearly 10% this week based on increased steel and aluminum costs, and a possiblity of tariffs being place on Boeing jets by other governments. 

 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 24,946.51, down from last week’s close of 25,335.74.  It is up 0.9% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,752.01, down from 2,786.57 last week.  It’s up 2.9% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed at 7,484.99, down from 7,596.81 last week. It is up 8.4% year-to-date.

 

Treasury Bond Yields –  Bond yields lower this week – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 2.85%, down from 2.90% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 3.08%, down from 3.16% last week. We watch bond rates because mortgage rates follow bond rates.

 

Mortgage Rates slightly lower this week – The March 15, 2018 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 4.44%, down slightly from last week’s 4.46%. The 15-year fixed was 3.90%, down  from 3.94% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.67%, up from 3.63% last week.

Next week’s report will include both housing sales data for February and the results of the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee meeting, where it is expecting that The Fed will increase short term interest rates.

 

Have a great weekend,
Syd
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Rodeo Realty's Josh Flagg and Ben Bacal among Variety's 'Showbiz Real Estate Elite 2018'

Variety’s annual ‘Showbiz Real Estate Elite 2018’ has been announced! Every year the magazine names some of the entertainment industry’s go-to agents, not just in Hollywood, but also on the East Coast, in Miami and event in Europe, Latin America and Asia.

This year, two Rodeo Realty agents made the elite list: Josh Flagg and Ben Bacal.

“Their clients come from all over the glove,” said Variety. “Not surprisingly, however, these high-flying negotiators mostly work the properties in the Beverly Hills and Bel-Air hot zone.”

As a star of Bravo’s popular show “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles, ” there’s no doubt that Josh Flagg is one of the entertainment industry’s go-to agents.

His recent Beverly Hills sales range in the $10 million-$16 million range. Some of his current listings mentioned by Variety include 815 N. Whittier Dr. for $11.49 million and 811 Hillcrest for $8.49 million. He also recently closed escrow on $20 million property.

“The market is “very, very strong,” said Josh to Variety. “High-end properties will continue to stay steady. I don’t see a massive increase in prices, but I also don’t see a tremendous potential of property value going down.”

Significant sales mentioned for Ben Bacal: 1006 Lexington Dr. for $26.75 million, 1218 Benedict Canyon for $11.995 million and 1895 Rising Glen Road for $15.95 million. His current listings included 830 Birchwood Dr. at $15.9 million and 6250 Hollywood Blvd. at $9.75 million.

“The high-end market is on fire in L.A,” said Ben to Variety. “Almost everything that has class and style is trading. L.A. isn’t built vertically, there is limited land and some of the most incredible luxury estates are being born here every month. I think L.A. is extremely undervalued.”

Congratulations to both agents for making Variety’s Showbiz Real Estate Elite 2018!

To read more on this, click HERE.

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Disneyland's Pixar Pier Will Have Revamped Coaster, Carousel and Eateries

A lot of changes are coming to Disneyland, including the transition of California Adventure’s Paradise Pier to Pixar Pier. This is on top of alterations to the Pirates of the Caribbean Ride as well as the forthcoming Star Wars land.

Let’s start with Pixar Pier. The attraction officially opens June 23, coating the long-standing pier in a warm Pixar veneer. According to Disney Parks Blog, this includes the addition of the Monsters, Inc.-inspired Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats stand, where, most importantly, you can get lemon dole whip. Elsewhere, the Toy Story Toon: Small Fry-inspired eatery Poultry Palace will serve turkey legs, while Señor Buzz Churro Stand will offer, well, churros. Fittingly, Poultry Palace renderings depict some of that California-classic programmatic architecture in the form of a building that looks like a takeout container with an attached juice box. Meanwhile, Angry Dogs—themed for Inside Out—will serve hot dogs.

Poultry Palace. Photo: Disney Parks

Also opening on June 23 is the The Incredicoaster, a refresh of the existing California Screamin’ coaster. According to the OC Register, the revamp includes minor engineering upgrades, but more significantly, will incorporate a story and characters from The Incredibles. As the narrative goes, the family is being honored for their good deeds with this very roller coaster. However, the family’s youngest child, Jack-Jack, is not tall enough to ride. Jack-Jack finds his way onto the coaster anyhow, and the rest of the family spends the ride trying to catch up to him.

Pixar Pier is also getting a new gastropub, Lamplight Lounge, where guests can enjoy a plate of lobster nachos—a holdover from the restaurant’s former identity, Cove Bar—and a cocktail with a view of the park. Guests who wish to say goodbye to Cove Bar will have a window between March 16 and May 28.

Coming to Pixar Pier in 2019 is Jessie’s Critter Carousel, which will replace King Triton’s Carousel. The ride features Toy Story 2‘s cowgirl Jessie and swaps out sea creatures for 56 woodland and desert friends.

Renderings for Jessie’s Critter Carousel, opening 2019. Photo: Disney Parks

Over at Disneyland, the much-anticipated Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is slowly coming together. Drone footage released on Disney Parks’ social media channels gives a glimpse of the sprawling attraction, albeit covered in scaffolding.

Additionally, the long-standing Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland will close on April 23 for a brief makeover, the OC Register reports. The changes will see the removal of the controversial ‘bride auction,’ in which a group of pirates auction a line of bound women off to the highest bidder, including a redhead in a scarlet dress posing for potential buyers. In this new version of the ride, the same redhead will be a pirate herself and will instead be auctioning off loot.

Story courtesy of We Like LA.

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