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Speed Limits Changing On Many Los Angeles Streets

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has announced that 71 streets throughout Los Angeles will be getting new, enforceable speed limits. Of those, 26 (94.32 miles) will see increased speed limits, while 45 streets (52.63 miles) will see limits decreased, according to the Mayor’s office. Garcetti said these new limits will “help slow drivers down, [and] help LAPD enforcement step up to remind Angelenos the rules of the road.”

The new limits are part of Vision Zero, an initiative that aims to eliminate traffic fatalities in L.A. by 2025. Vision Zero identified a High Injury Network, or roadways where serious crashes most often occur. New speed limits have been put in place on 98.4% of those roads (or 68% of all L.A. roads).  The city hopes to have enforceable limits on all L.A. streets by the end of 2018.

You might be wondering how allowing motorists to go faster makes streets safer. Well, that’s all tied up in California law.

Police are only allowed to enforce speed limits on roads where a speed survey has been conducted in the last five to 10 years. Speed studies take into account residential and business density, collision history, pedestrian and cyclist safety, and the average speed of drivers in low traffic. Los Angeles’ speed surveys fell to the wayside during the Recession, meaning police were unable to issue citations.

According to Curbed LA, state law also determines the speed limit in all California cities using the 85th percentile rule. Essentially, the speed limit must be set to whatever speed at which 85% of motorists are driving. So if 85% of drivers are going faster than a city might like, the city still has to set the speed limit at that number.

“The reasoning is that 85% of people drive reasonably and 15% do not,” David Roseman, a city traffic engineer for Long Beach, told the L.A. Times in 2005. “So we should be designing our speeds to accommodate reasonable drivers.”

Curbed notes that State Assemblymember Laura Friedman is attempting to change that, but for now, those are the rules.

The good news is that police can now ticket motorists who exceed that limit, and they’re bumping up enforcement. The LAPD has set aside $1.5 million in overtime funds for that purpose.

Below is a map of the affected streets.

Story by We Like LA.

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Rodeo Realty’s Beverly Hills agent Michele Martin sells 103 condos at Wilshire Regent

Michele Martin of Rodeo Realty Beverly Hills has been in real estate for more than 30 years. Since 1986, she has worked with clients in Los Angeles, specializing in Westside homes and Wilshire Corridor condominiums. Each year, Michele gets recognized for her outstanding sales record—and this year, she is also being recognized for achieving something many real estate agents may never be able to accomplish—selling more than 100 condominiums in one building alone.

Michele has now sold 103 condos at the Wilshire Regent on the Wilshire Corridor in Los Angeles, California.

“I moved into the Wilshire Regent over 17 years ago,” said Michele. “As time went by, the homeowners realized that having an agent who knows the territory and who genuinely cares about her clients and their representation was primary. I fight to get the best prices and the best end results for my buyers and sellers, constantly focusing on their individual needs.”

In addition to the Wilshire Regent, she’s also sold in almost all of the Wilshire Corridor buildings. Michele just completed a sale, which marks the highest price ever for the building, and she’s done the same with her sales at the Blair House.

Congratulations Michele on your accomplishments!

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Economic update for the week ending March 3, 2018

Stock markets drop sharply in the last week of February and first two days of March – Stock markets dropped in four out of five sessions in volatile trading this week. The week began with Federal Reserve Chairman, Jerome Powell’s testimony to Congress. In his first congressional update he stated that he would raise short-term interest rates at a faster pace than his predecessor. He testified that the economy was strong and inflation was tame, but stated that historical low interest rates were not needed to stimulate an already robust economy. Investors sold stocks in fears that higher interest rates will increase borrowing costs and cut into corporate profits. Later in the week, President Trump announced that he planned to place tariffs on steel and aluminum imports in an effort to help U.S. metal companies. That sparked another sell off as many U.S. companies purchase imported steel and aluminum. Their costs will be increased, which will increase the cost of their products, which include: cars, trucks, soda cans, building materials, etc. Another fear is that although the U.S. has a huge trade deficit, we still are among the biggest exporters of goods in the world. It is feared that other countries may retaliate and place tariffs on U.S. goods. That would hurt many industries. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 24,538.06, down sharply from last week’s close of 25,309.99. It is down 0.7% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,691.25, down from 2,747.30 last week. It’s up 0.7% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed at 7,257.87, down from 7,337.39 last week. It is up 4.7% year-to-date.

Treasury Bond Yields –  The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 2.86%, down slightly from 2.88% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 3.14%, down slightly from 3.16% last week. We watch bond rates because mortgage rates follow bond rates.

Mortgage Rates slightly higher this week – The March 1, 2018 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 4.43%, up slightly from last week’s 4.40%. The 15-year fixed was 3.90%, up from 3.85% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.62%, down from 3.65% last week.

U.S. Pending Home Sales Index drops 4.7% – The National Association of Realtors announced that it’s pending home sale index, which is based on the number of contracts signed in January for existing home purchases, dropped 4.7% from December. It was the lowest number of pending sales since October 2014. Year-over-year existing home sales were 3.8% lower than last January. Extremely low housing inventory was blamed on the drop in sales. The number of active listings were down 9.5% in January from the number of listings in January 2017. The number of existing homes listed for sale in the U.S. was the lowest ever recorded in January.

Southern California median price increased 11.4% in January – CoreLogic/DataQuick announced that the median price paid for a home in the six county region increased 11.4% in January from one year ago. The median price was $507,000 in January. It was the highest year-over-year increase in the median price in 44 months.

The February jobs report will be released next Friday. Wage gains will be the most pertinent part of the report. Interest rates rose after January’s report showed that average hourly wages rose at the fastest rate since 2010 in January. That caused investors to fear higher inflation was on the way. The February report will show if January’s wage increase was an outlier, or the start of a trend after years of stagnant wages.

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Cool Things to do This March in LA

Need stuff to do this month in Los Angeles? We looked ahead on our calendar to focus in on some of the best events happening in March around Los Angeles that you should probably have on your radar. After all, better to get your tickets now than wait till the last minute and find out your favorite event is sold out.

March 2018 event highlights include an IPA Festival, Art Night Pasadena, the Sierra Madre Wistaria Festival, Bach in the Subways, the Redondo Beach Kite Festival, and lots more.

A complete rundown starts after the jump. Enjoy!

1. Food Book Fair L.A. at the Ace Hotel (March 2-4)

The first annual Food Book Fair hits the Act Hotel in Downtown L.A. March 2-4 for a delicious weekend of events for foodies and food publishing. -> More information

2. Art Inspired by Song Lyrics: ‘Lyrics to Life’ in DTLA (March 2-5)

Lyrics to Life,’ a FREE four-day pop-up exhibition featuring art inspired by song lyrics from the likes of The Notorious B.I.G., Radiohead, Nicki Minaj and The Weeknd, comes to Downtown Los Angeles from March 2-5. -> More information

3. The Pasadena Museum of History Goes Sci-Fi (March 3)

The Pasadena Museum of History’s new exhibit, “Dreaming the Universe: The Intersection of Science, Fiction, and Southern California” opens on March 3. To celebrate they’re hosting a day of family-friendly activities and free admission. -> More information

4 The 5th Annual Los Angeles IPA Festival at Mohawk Bend in Echo Park (March 3-4)

The 5th Annual Los Angeles IPA Festival returns to Mohawk Bend in Echo Park on March 3-4! Mohawk will be tapping 60 IPAs, all brewed by Golden State breweries. -> More information

5. Mai Tais on the Moon at the Tonga Hut Tiki Lounge in North Hollywood (March 4)

Highlights of Mai Tais on the Moon at the Tonga Hut Tiki Lounge in North Hollywood include Tonga Tom spinning tunes outside, Durango’s Tacos, delicious Mai Tais, plus a chance to create Tikiyaki song-based art. -> More information

6. All-Star Chef Classic at L.A. LIVE (March 7-10)

All-Star Chef Classic at L.A. Live in DTL, from March 7-10, will feature dinners made by top chefs like Ludo Lefebvre, Michael Voltaggo, Jose Andres, Nyesha Arrington & Jose Garces. -> More information – Discount tickets

7. Art Night Pasadena (March 9)

19 Pasadena cultural institutions will participate in a night of free art, music, and entertainment. There are even FREE shuttles to transport guests to their next destination. Venues include the Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena Museum of California Art, Kidspace Children’s Museum, and more. -> More information

8. Metro Art Presents: Josh Nelson & The Discovery Project at Union Station (March 9)

Visit Downtown L.A.’s Union Station on March 9 when Metro Arts plays host to Josh Nelson & The Discovery Project as the jazz group brings “a multimedia love letter to Los Angeles” combining video, light & live music to the iconic train station. -> More information

9. Smorgasburg’s 2nd Annual Popup on the Pier in Santa Monica (March 10)

Westside foodies rejoice! Smorgasburg’s 2nd Annual Popup comes to the Pier in Santa Monica on Saturday March 10 for a one-day affair that will satisfy your tastebuds . -> More information

10. ‘Buffy’ Prom with ‘Buffering the Vampire Slayer’ at the Ace Hotel in DTLA (March 10)

Buffering The Vampire Slayer Presents: The Prom at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles on March 10 for a night of dancing and fun dedicated to the classic 90s television show “Buffy The Vampire Slayer.” -> More information

11. 44th Annual Redondo Beach Kite Festival (March 12)

The 44th Annual Redondo Beach Kite Festival returns to the Redondo Beach Pier on March 12 for an all-ages free afternoon of kite-flying and fun. -> More information

12. Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop Celebration at California African American Museum (March 14)

CAAM in Los Angeles is hosting a celebration in honor of five new exhibit openings featuring exhibit tours, DJ sets and food trucks. Entrance to the event is free! -> More information

13. The Other Art Fair is Coming to Downtown L.A. (March 15-18)

Hosted at the Majestic Downtown, the Other Art Fair, a one-of-a-kind art fair, will feature artwork by emerging local & international artists. -> More information – Discount tickets

14. Venice Art Crawl Returns with First of Four Events in 2018 (March 15)

The Venice Art Crawl is a free community event to showcase local artists and vendors. The March 15 Art Crawl will take place on Windward Avenue. -> More information

15. Arcade Expo 2018 at the Museum of Pinball (March 16-18)

PAC-MAN and Donkey Kong fans rejoice because the Arcade Expo is returning the Museum of Pinball in Banning from March 16-18 with some 1,100 retro and modern arcade games and pinball machines. -> More information

16. PaleyFest LA at the Dolby Theatre (March 16-25)

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. -> More information – Discount tickets

17. L.A. Nature Fest at The Natural History Museum L.A. (March 17-18)

L.A. Nature Fest comes to The Natural History Museum L.A. (NHMLA) March 17-18 for a special visit with some of our coolest animal neighbors! -> More information

18. Sierra Madre Wistaria Festival (March 17-18)

This year’s Sierra Madre Wistaria Festival features two days of fun . On Saturday, March 17 there will be a green living expo, beer garden, and music. Sunday, March 18 features the vine tours (free to enter, but a shuttle ticket is extra). Note that Sunday is the only day you’ll actually be able to view the vine. -> More information

19. Enjoy Free Music During Bach in the Subways (March 21-25)

In honor of J.S. Bach’s birthday, Bach in the Subways returns to L.A. 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. -> More information

20. The Mermaid Museum Comes to Goya Studios (March 22-25)

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. Free to attend! -> More information

21. Latin Food Fest at Santa Monica Beach (March 23-24)

Highlights of the 2018 Latin Food Fest Celebration in Santa Monica include food, beer & wine booths, demos by celebrity chefs, Latin rock band, Sonsoles, a michelada bar, a spirits expo, and more! -> More information

22. Waffles & Beer Festival at Pershing Square in DTLA(March 24-25)

Waffles and Beer Festival comes to Pershing Square in Downtown L.A. March 24-25 to celebrate the Swedish Tradition known as Waffle Day. -> More information

23. LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes Celebrates César Chávez Day (March 25)

This free celebration features educational, interactive workshops, Xipe Totec Aztec Dance Group, The César Chávez Foundation and much more. -> More information

24. Cherry Blossom Festivals (various dates)

Numerous Cherry Blossom festivals will pop up around Los Angeles this March, including at Descanso Gardens (all month long), Torrance, South Coast Botanic Garden, Huntington Beach, and West Covina. -> More information

Schedule courtesy of We Like LA.

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Free Museum Days in Los Angeles For March

The intent of this schedule is to denote specific free days in any given month where Los Angeles museums that normally charge an admission waive their entry fees (not including parking).

For this post we’re detailing the month of March, 2018. One special call-out for this month: The Getty is hosting a free family festival on March 10 as part of their ongoing 20th anniversary celebraton.

As always please keep in mind there are over two dozen museums in and around Los Angeles that offer free admission ALL the time which are not listed here.

Enjoy!

Free Museum Days in Los Angeles – March 2018

[MAR 1] Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[MAR 1] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[MAR 1] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[MAR 1] Huntington Library (note that you have to reserve passes for the free day in advance, and it books up fast. For this reason we’d suggest you take a look at the free day for April and start planning when you need to be online to grab the tix)

[MAR 1] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[MAR 1] USC Pacific Asian Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[MAR 2] Norton Simon Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[MAR 2] Pasadena Museum of California Art (noon to 5 pm)

[MAR 2] Long Beach Museum of Art (11 a.m to 5 p.m.)

[MAR 3] The Pasadena Museum of History is launching a new Sci-Fi exibit and offering day of festivities with free admission to mark the opening (noon to 5 p.m.)

[MAR 6] ] Kidspace Children’s Museum (from 4 to 8 p.m.)

[MAR 6] Natural History Museum

[MAR 6] Page Museum at La Brea Tarpits

[MAR 8] Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[MAR 8] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[MAR 8] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[MAR 8] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[MAR 8] USC Pacific Asian Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[MAR 9] Long Beach Museum of Art (11 a.m to 5 p.m.)

[MAR 11] Museum of Latin American Art

[MAR 11] ] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[MAR 13] Los Angeles County Museum of Art (also free for L.A. County residents with valid I.D. after 3 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays all month long)

[MAR 13] Autry Museum of the American West

[MAR 15] Japanese American National Museum (all day)

[MAR 15] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[MAR 15] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[MAR 15] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[MAR 15] Pasadena Museum of California Art (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[MAR 15] USC Pacific Asian Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[MAR 16] Long Beach Museum of Art (11 a.m to 5 p.m.)

[MAR 18] Museum of Latin American Art

[MAR 18] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[MAR 20] Los Angeles County Arboretum

[MAR 20] South Coast Botanic Garden

[MAR 20] Descanso Gardens

[MAR 22] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[MAR 22] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[MAR 22] Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[MAR 22] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m,)

[MAR 22] USC Pacific Asian Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[MAR 23] Long Beach Museum of Art (11 a.m to 5 p.m.)

[MAR 25] Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)

[MAR 25] Museum of Latin American Art

[MAR 29] Japanese American National Museum (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[MAR 29] MOCA Grand & MOCA Geffen (from 5 to 8 p.m.)

[MAR 29] Skirball Cultural Center (noon to 5 p.m.)

[MAR 29] Long Beach Museum of Art (3 to 8 p.m.)

[MAR 29] USC Pacific Asian Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)

[MAR 30] Long Beach Museum of Art (11 a.m to 5 p.m.)

Schedule provided by We Like LA.

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Weekend Events: March 2 – 4

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 2-4) includes Lyrics to Life, Food Book Fair, International Women’s Day March, Cherry Blossom Festival, Air + Style, IPA Festival, a Sweet Experience Expo and MUCH more!

Enjoy!

Friday March 2nd, 2018

1. ‘Lyrics to Life,’ a FREE four-day pop-up exhibition featuring art inspired by song lyrics from the likes of The Notorious B.I.G., Radiohead, Nicki Minaj and The Weeknd, comes to Downtown Los Angeles from March 2-5.

2. First Fridays return to the Natural History Museum this Friday. The event will explore L.A. inventiveness, capped with live music from Mondo Cozmo, Superet and Shannon Lay.

3. The first annual Food Book Fair, headquartered at the Ace Hotel, hits Downtown Los Angeles March 2-4 for a delicious weekend of events for foodies and food publishing.

4. In honor of Women’s History Month, Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz and Brockus Project Dance present L.A. Dance Festival 2018 in Century City from March 1-3. The event features Women Rising performances that celebrate the many contributions from female-led companies and art through the female perspective.

5. The Classic Auto Show returns to the L.A. Convention Center March 2-4 for the largest three-day indoor classic car show in the United States. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. (DISCOUNTED) via Goldstar

6. The Japanese Food Festival takes over the InterContinental in Downtown for two days (March 2-3) of food, sake, and travel exhibitions from over 50 participants.

7. Greenbar Distillery will open up their facility for a tour of their organic distillery. The tour is one hour long and guests will have a chance to learn about the process of spirit making and taste some of the Greenbar portfolio.

8. Dine Out Long Beach Restaurant Week 2.0 will host specially priced prix fixe lunches and dinners at some of the city’s best restaurants. From February 25 through March 3, dozens of Long Beach restaurants will offer two-course brunch and lunch menus for $10, 15, or $20 per person, and three-course dinners for $20, $30, $40 and $50 per person.

9. The Groundlings Theatre presents their latest main stage show, Sweet Valley Groundlingsperforming this Friday. (DISCOUNTED) via Goldstar

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. 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.

12. Free admission at: Norton Simon Museum (5 to 8 p.m.), Pasadena Museum of California Art (noon to 5 p.m.) and Long Beach Museum of Art.

Saturday March 3rd, 2018

13. The International Women’s Day March and Rally kicks off in Downtown L.A. on Saturday. Join in a spirited walk through the city for a great cause. Hosted by AF3IRM Los Angeles, the motto of the march is “Uprising: Forward to a Feminist Future.” Convened and led by transnational/women of color, this march is inclusive of all people. There will be speakers, poets, and musicians throughout the day.

14. The Cherry Blossom Festival comes to the South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes Peninsula this Saturday featuring hula and ukulele performances, gardens for a “hanami” (a.k.a. cherry blossom viewing), a picnic on the Amphitheater Lawn and more.

15. Air + Style is March 3-4 at Expo Park in Downtown L.A. Hosted by Shaun White, Air + Style features prominent artists, skateboarders and snowboarders,  sports competitions, special guests and live performances by Phoenix, ZEDD, Cut Copy, Phantogram, Tinashe and more. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. (DISCOUNTED) via Goldstar

16. The Pasadena Museum of History is launching a new Sci-Fi exhibit and opening day offers day of festivities with free admission to mark the opening this Saturday. “Dreaming the Universe: The Intersection of Science, Fiction, and Southern California” will run through September 2. FREE

17. Treat Yourself LA, a new food festival, will takeover the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, with all-you-can-eat samples of Southern California’s most drool-worthy treats, both savory and sweet. You can savor hot fried chicken, crispy waffles on a stick, the meltiest grilled cheese sandwich and more. Participating restaurants include The Pie Hole, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Cheezus, Ridges Churro Bar, Rollin’ Creamery and many more.

18. The 5th Annual Los Angeles IPA Festival returns to Mohawk Bend in Echo Park on March 3-4 tapping 60 IPAs this weekend, all made by Golden State breweries.

19. Esoteric Bus presents Echo Park Book of the Dead a four hour tour of notorious crime scenes that include Edward Hickman’s kidnapping of Marion Parker, the “Man in the Attic” love nest slaying and much more. (DISCOUNTED) via Goldstar

20. Pasadena’s beautiful Storrier Stearns Garden is hosting A Taste of Japan dinner and fundraiser where guests will sample delicious treats from various food and drink stations. Savor Okonomi-yaki provided by Otafuku Foods,  Japanese dishes from The Kitchen for Exploring Foods, and creative onigiri will be available.  Whiskies by Beam Suntory, different local sakes and Nigori Sake Sayuri by Hakutsuru Sake of America Inc., and iced Japanese teas will also be on hand.

21. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group presents Writer-Director Sharon Yablon’s evening of three new short plays focused on disturbing stories of Angelinos who find themselves in the desert.

22. The San Fernando cocktail bar in Glendale welcomes burlesque troupe ‘The Dollface Dames’ with music from Lounge-O-Rama, hot fire acts, smooth crooners and more! Check for discounted ticketsbefore making your purchase. (DISCOUNTED) via Goldstar

23. There’s a Year Of The Dog art exhibition at Giant Robot 2 (GR2) debuting this Saturday.

24. Join Viva Balance, Selectively Spiritual, Good Saint, and Shanti Kitchen at Mystic Journey Yoga for a day of guided meditation, healing, and nourishing food.

25. Take a Downtown Los Angeles foodie walking tour and savor what the bustling neighborhood has to offer. The tour is three hours long, participants will stop at six popular spots to eat and the tour guide will take folks through the history of DTLA. Happening Saturday and Sunday. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)

Sunday March 4th, 2018

26. The Tongo Hut in North Hollywood is hosting the ultimate tiki party in honor of an amazing 60 years in service! From 2 to 10 p.m., Mai Tai-lovers will have a chance to celebrate with live music, drinks and shopping. Highlights include Tonga Tom spinning tunes outside, Durango’s Tacos, an art show, and a chance to create art based on a Tikiyaki song. Entrance to the event is free, but drinks and food are available for purchase.

27. The second annual Sweet Experience Expo returns to the South Bay with a dessert and pastry expo featuring hundreds of local dessert and pastry chefs showcasing their offerings and serving up samples.

28. Head to historic Filipinotown for MARCH FORTH! a block party and fundraiser for put on by Los Angeles Walks. The annual party advocates for safe, accessible, fun, and equitable walking for all! From noon to 3 p.m. a free block party for all ages will take place on Vendome St. between Council St. and Beverly Blvd featuring games, magicians, face paint, bike lessons and more. From 2 to 5 p.m. a ticketed fundraiser party with food, drinks, music, art and a guided Mural Art Alley Tour will take place.

29. Food Book Fair’s Foodieodicals is coming to Smorgasburg LA this Sunday. Part festival, part conference, it’s dubbed as the “Coachella of writing about eating”, starring food magazines, journals, periodicals and zines from Mexico City to Tokyo. FREE

30. Stories Books & Cafe purrrrsent a free night of cat themed entertainment benefiting Eastside LA’s Luxe Paws Cat Rescue. Festivities include music by Nana The Cat Lady, Psychic Pet Readings by Shana Leilani, amazing but true stories of “History’s Greatest Feline Heroes,” a lecture by Dr. Paul Koudounaris, a silent auction and more.

31. Friendship Buddies is a weekly stand-up comedy show at the Verdugo Bar in Glassell Park. Come hangout in the back patio, enjoy a cocktail, and LOL to outstanding stand-up comedians in Los Angeles. FREE

32. The Great Rock and Roll Flea Market will take over The Regent Theater in DTLA with an impressive selection of vintage collectors, antiquities dealers, vintage clothing, jewelry makers, music memorabilia, vinyl, local food vendors, food trucks, craftsmen and used musical instruments dealers. FREE

Schedule provided by We Like LA.

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Every New TV Show and Movie Coming To Hulu in March

Hulu is doing fine work in the movie department as it continues to compete with the likes of Netflix and Amazon for streaming supremacy. If you want to explore the catalog in more depth, the new month brings dozens of fresh titles to the platform. Binge away!

Highlights

Dirty Dancing (available 3/1)
Nobody puts Dirty Dancing in a corner — 30 years after its release, this Patrick Swayze starmaker remains a cultural touchstone for generations of kids who hated going on family vacation. The ultimate fantasy combines wish fulfillment on several levels: escaping your family’s grasp; rebelling against a stuffy, conservative society; and achieving a personal-sexual awakening in the process. It’s all captured in Swayze’s dance instructor Johnny Castle and Jennifer Grey’s 17-year-old Baby Houseman, who engage in a fraught relationship that centers around — you guessed it — dancing during the Housemans’ vacation in a Catskills resort. Plenty of Swayze hip thrusts ensue.

I’m Gonna Git You Sucka (available 3/1)
Featuring one of the greatest movie props of all time, this Keenen Ivory Wayans-led blaxpoitation sendup is wildly funny, incisive, and has remarkable staying power three decades later. Catch it while you can.

Force Majeure (available 3/12)
We learn the truth about ourselves in times of crisis. In Swedish director Ruben Östlund’s hysterical, biting character study, a husband and wife, on vacation at a skiing lodge with their two young daughters, begin to breakdown after a controlled avalanche comes dangerously close to wiping out their lodge. The woman grabs the kids. The man runs for his life. The aftermath is brutal.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (available 3/24)
Looking back, it’s sort of unbelievable that someone green-lit a hybrid live-action-animated movie inspired by 1940s film noir. It’s also unbelievable how great it is. If you haven’t watched Roger Rabbit in years, you probably just remember the sultry Jessica Rabbit number. But queue it up again, and you’ll get reintroduced to that foulmouthed diva Baby Herman, some fantastic old-timey slang, and one of the best bartenders in all of cinema.

KINGPIN | METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER

Everything else:

Available 3/1
Ask This Old House Complete Season 11-12
This Old House Complete Seasons 30 & 38
Veni Vidi Vici Complete Season 1
1984 (1985)
A Feast at Midnight (1997)
A Guy Thing (2003)
A Mermaid’s Tale (2016)
A Stork’s Journey (2017)
A View to Kill (1985)
All the Wild Horses (2017)
Antitrust (2001)
Bad Influence (1990)
Bad News Bears (2005)
Billy the Kid (2013)
Body of Evidence (1993)
Boots on the Ground (2017)
Boulevard (2014)
Branded (2010)
Breakdown (1997)
Captivity (2007)
Carriers (2009)
Chaplin (1992)
Chicago (2002)
Criminal Law (1989)
Die Another Day (2002)
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004)
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)
Dream House Nightmare (2017)
Earth Girls are Easy (1988)
F/X (1986)
F/X 2 (1991)
Fatal Instinct (1993)
Finder’s Fee (2003)
Fire with Fire (2012)
Fluke (1995)
For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Forces of Nature (1999)
Goldeneye (1995)
Gordy (1995)
Hackers (1995)
Hanoi Hilton (1987)
Happythankyoumoreplease (2010)
Hart’s War (2002)
Hesher (2010)
High School (2010)
Home of the Brave (2006)
I’m Gonna Git You Sucka (1988)
I’m So Excited! (2013)
Ill Manors (2012)
Imagine That (2009)
Jack Goes Boating (2010)
Jeff Who Lives at Home (2012)
Jennifer 8 (1992)
Kingpin (1996)
Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man (2005)
License to Kill (1989)
Love Crimes (1992)
Moonraker (1979)
Mr. Majesty (1974)
National Lampoon’s Dirty Movie (2011)
National Lampoon’s Dorm Daze 2: College @ Sea (2006)
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
Pudsey the Dog: The Movie (2014)
Regarding Henry (1991)
Southie (1998)
Sprung (1997)
Stuart Little (1999)
Stuart Little 2 (2002)
Tales of the Grim Sleeper (2014)
The Accused (1988)
The Devil Inside (2012)
The Doors (1991)
The Glass Shield (1994)
The Living Daylights (1987)
The Million Dollar Hotel (2001)
The Music Never Stopped (2011)
The Secret of N.I.M.H. (1982)
The Square (2017)
The World is Not Enough (1999)
Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
Twenty Twenty Four (2017)
We Blew It (2017)
Where the Skin Lies (2017)
Who Killed Nancy? (2008)
XXX (2002)
XXX: State of the Union (2005)
Young Adult (2011)

JOHN Q | NEW LINE CINEMA

Available 3/2
Showtime at the Apollo Series Premiere

Available 3/3
MasterChef Junior Season 6 Premiere

Available 3/4
K.C. Undercover Complete Season 3
Traitor (2008)

Available 3/5
Amazing World of Gumball Complete Season 5
The 90th Oscars Special
The 90th Oscars: Live From the Red Carpet Special
The Real Housewives of New York City Complete Season 9
Everything Beautiful is Far Away (2017)
The New Radical (2017)

Available 3/6
Crash (2005)
Fantasia 2000 (2000)

Available 3/7
Hard Sun Complete Season 1 Premiere Hulu Original Series
Living Soul (2016)

Available 3/8
Aftermath (2017)
Knock Knock (2015)

Available 3/9
Champions Series Premiere
Power Rangers (2017)

Available 3/10
Angie Tribeca Complete Season 3

Available 3/12
American Idol Series Premiere
American Ninja Warrior Season 9 Premiere
Deception Series Premiere
Timeless Season 2 Premiere
Force Majeure (2014)
Wolf Warrior 2 (2017)

Available 3/13
Food Wars! Complete Season 2 Dubs
Bitter Harvest (2017)

Available 3/14
For the People Series Premiere
Rise Series Premiere
Tommy’s Honour (2017)

Available 3/15
The Bridge Complete Season 4
The Son Complete Season 1
4 Lovers (2012)
Blade of the Immortal (2017)
Four Rooms (1995)
Hello I Must Be Going (2012)
LOL (2012)
October Country (2009)
River of Grass (1994)
The Englishman Who Went Up A Hill But Came Down A Mountain (1995)
The Fog (2005)
The Forgotten (2004)
The Kill Team (2013)

Available 3/16
John Q (2002)

Available 3/18
Almost Friends (2017)

Available 3/19
Genius Jr. Series Premiere
Little Big Shots: Season 3 Premiere
Life Itself (2014)
Love and Saucers (2017)

Available 3/23
Station 19 Series Premiere
March of of the Penguins 2: The Next Step (2017) Hulu Original Documentary

Available 3/24
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

Available 3/27
The Little Hours (2017)

Available 3/28
Roseanne Series Premiere
Splitting Up Together Series Premiere

Available 3/30
Alex, Inc. Series Premiere
Shadowhunters Season 3 Premiere
Siren Series Premiere

Available 3/31
Closing Gambit (2018)
EuroTrump (2017)
The Ghoul (2016)
Habit (2017)
Project Eden (2017)

Article by Thrillist. 

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Oscars 2018 Street Closures in Hollywood

The 90th Academy Awards Ceremony will take place on March 4 this year. As any Hollywood denizen knows, the annual event results in numerous week-long street closures surrounding the Dolby Theater. The full list of closures, plus maps, can be found here. Below are the highlights:

From Monday, February 26 through March 7 at 6 a.m., Hollywood Boulevard will be closed between Highland Ave. and Orange Drive.

On Sunday, March 4 through Wednesday, March 7, the following streets will be closed:
Hollywood Boulevard between La Brea and Cahuenga avenues
Orchid Alley between Highland Boulevard and Las Palmas Avenue
Hawthorn Avenue between Orange Drive and McCadden Place
Selma Avenue between Highland Boulevard and McCadden Place
Orange Drive between Hollywood Boulevard and Hawthorn Avenue
Highland Avenue between Franklin Avenue and Sunset Boulevard
Wilcox Avenue between Franklin Avenue and Sunset Boulevard

Sunday, March 4, From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Wednesday, March 7, there will be no parking or stopping on either side of Hollywood Blvd. or Hawthorn Ave. between Highland and Orange. The L.A. Department of Transportation has warned that if you park there, you’ll be towed, City News Service reports.

There will also be no parking or stopping on Sunday, March 4 from 6 a.m. to midnight on the following streets:
Franklin Avenue between La Brea and Highland avenues;
The north side of Hollywood Boulevard between Cahuenga Boulevard
and Vine Street
Hollywood Blvd between Highland Avenue and Cahuenga Boulevard
Hollywood Blvd between Highland and La Brea avenues
Highland Avenue between Franklin Avenue and Sunset Boulevard
Hawthorn Avenue between La Brea and Highland avenues
Orange Avenue between Hollywood and Sunset boulevards
Sunset Boulevard between Detroit and Vine streets
Wilcox Avenue between Franklin and Fountain avenues
McCadden Place between Yucca Street and Hollywood Boulevard
Yucca Street between Highland and Las Palmas avenues
The east side of Highland Avenue between Santa Monica and Sunset
boulevards
Outpost Drive between Franklin Avenue and La Presa Drive
Outpost Circle between Outpost Drive and Hillside Avenue
El Cerrito Place between Outpost Drive and Hillside Avenue
Fountain Avenue between Wilcox and Cole avenues
Cole Avenue between Fountain Avenue and Cahuenga Boulevard
De Longpre Avenue between Cahuenga Boulevard and Wilcox Avenue
Hawthorn Avenue between Highland Avenue and McCadden Place
Selma Avenue between Highland Avenue and McCadden Place
Cherokee Avenue between Hollywood Boulevard and Selma Avenue

On Sunday, March 4 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., there will be no parking or stopping on these streets:
The north side of Santa Monica Boulevard between Highland Avenue
McCadden Place
The south side of Santa Monica Boulevard between Highland and
Mansfield avenues
The north side of Santa Monica Boulevard between Vine Street and
Lillian Way
Highland Avenue between Sunset Boulevard and De Longpre Avenue
The east side of Highland Avenue between De Longpre Avenue and
Santa Monica Boulevard
Cahuenga Boulevard between Hollywood and Sunset boulevards
The west side of Cahuenga Boulevard between the northbound
Hollywood (101) Freeway off ramp and Hollywood Boulevard
The west side of Vine Street between the southbound Hollywood
Freeway off ramp and Sunset Boulevard;
The west side of Vine Street between Homewood and Fountain avenues
The west side of Vine Street between Lexington Avenue and Santa
Monica Boulevard
The north side Fountain Avenue between Highland Avenue and Vine Street
La Brea Avenue between Franklin Avenue and Sunset Boulevard
La Brea Avenue between Lexington Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard

For transit users:

The Metro Red Line train will skip the Hollywood and Highland station on March 3 after 6 a.m. until March 5 at 6 p.m., according to Metro’s The Source. Metro advises using the Hollywood/Vine station instead.

Also, there will be detours for Metro Bus Lines 212, 217, 222 and 780 in Hollywood through Tuesday, March 6 at 6 a.m. Check out Metro’s Service Advisories page for details.

There will also be sidewalk closures on March 4, including Hollywood Blvd. near Highland Ave., save a pedestrian access point on the south sidewalk. More details via the Oscars here.

Story courtesy of We Like LA. 

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Condo listed by Rodeo Realty’s Studio City agent Genevieve Mishlen featured on Curbed

Featured on Curbed is a West Hollywood condo listed by Genevieve Mishlen of Rodeo Realty Studio City.

The completely remodeled residence was one of five homes and condos that Curbed explored for their ‘Curbed Comparisons: What $1M buys around LA.’

“This very outgoing West Hollywood condo is located in the Leland Bryant-designed Granville Towers, which has an illustrious list of former residents that includes David Bowie and Rock Hudson,” said Curbed.

The 1,100-square foot unit with two bedrooms and one bathroom was compared to a Silver Lake Craftsman, a midcentury home in Glendale, a loft in Santa Monica, and a home in the Hollywood Riviera neighborhood of Torrance.

Built in 1930, the home also has a large living room, a formal dining room, a master with a walk-in closet, and a second bedroom that can be used as a guest room or office.

“Building amenities include a pool and landscaped grounds perfect for luxuriating,” said Curbed.

The condo is currently being offered at $999,000. For more details on this property, click HERE.

To read the ‘Curbed Comparisons’ article, click HERE.

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Economic update for the week ending February 24, 2018

Stocks close higher for the week – Stock markets closed higher again this week despite volatility, which caused major swings each day.  By week’s end, markets rebounded for a second week in a row to make up much of the losses suffered in the previous two weeks as stocks moved closer to record highs just one month ago.  Most companies reported higher profits for the fourth quarter of 2017 and issued positive guidance–Walmart did not. Their online sales rose less than expected in the fourth quarter, causing the stock to drop about 13%. The  Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 25,309.99, up from last week’s close of 25,219.38. It is up 2.4% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,747.30, up from 2,732.22 last week.  It’s up 2.8% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed at 7,337.39, up from 7,239.47 last week. It is up 6.3% year-to-date.

Treasury Bond Yields – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 2.88%,  almost unchanged from 2.86% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 3.16%, up slightly from 3.13% last week. We watch bond rates because mortgage rates follow bond rates.

Mortgage Rates stabilize this week – The February 22, 2018 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 4.40%, up slightly from last week’s 4.38%. The 15-year fixed was 3.85%, up slightly from 3.84% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.65%, slightly up from 3.63% last week.

Existing home sales nationwide decline 3.2% in January – The National Association of Realtors reported that total existing home sales dropped 3.2% in January from December’s home sales rate. The median price paid for a home in January was 5.8% higher than January 2017, the 71st straight month of year-over-year increases. The number of homes for sale represented a 3.4 month supply, down from 3.6 months last January. Existing home inventory in January was  down 9.5% from January 2017.  Extremely tight inventory has caused prices to increase and has begun to cause fewer sales. 
 
Have a great weekend,
Syd Leibovitch
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