Posts

Posted on

WEEKEND EVENTS | October 14 – October 16

We may be halfway through October, but there is still plenty of fall fun to be had this season. From Halloween-centric happenings to local art fest and more, read on for exciting things to do this October 14 through October 16.

LOS ANGELES WEEKEND EVENTS | October 14 – October 16

Florence and the Machine

When: October 14 – October 15

Where: Hollywood Bowl

What: Catch the eccentric British band Florence and the Machine this weekend only at the Hollywood Bowl. With an otherworldly voice underneath the stars, what could make for a better way to spend your weekend?!

Beyond the Streets Print Bazaar

When: October 15 

Where: La Brea

What: The Beyond the Streets Print Bazaar brings zines, prints, books, and more. Don’t miss this eclectic art market curated by Ozzie Juarez of South L.A. gallery Tlaloc Studios. The event is free and will feature three dozen artists and vendors, plus food from Monty’s Good Burger and live music.

Witches Houses 3 Trail

When: Until October 31

Where: Various Locations

What: From Tujunga to Beverly Hills, take a tour of storybook homes with a spooky twist. Friends of Residential Treasures: Los Angeles returns for a trail of homes that are October approved. 

 

WESTSIDE & BEACH COMMUNITIES WEEKEND EVENTS | October 14 – October 16

Beverly Hills Art Show

When: October 15 – October 16 

Where: Beverly Hills

What: The beloved Beverly Hills Art Show returns this weekend to Beverly Gardens Park. See a showcase of art from over 325 artists along four blocks from Santa Monica Blvd to Rexford Drive. The event will also include free kids’ activities, food trucks, and beer and wine gardens with live music.

Shaqtoberfest

When: Until October 31 

Where: Long Beach

What: Lakers legend, DJ, and haunted house MC Shaquille O’Neal is providing a hauntingly good time this October. Don’t miss Shaqtoberfest, which will take over the grounds outside of the Queen Mary from late September through Halloween. A mix of family-friendly attractions and after-dark haunts, the fest will likewise all be narrated by Shaq.

Rooftop Cinema Club

When: Until October 31 

Where: El Segundo

What: This weekend’s Rooftop Cinema Club is full of spooky delight, from showings of The Conjuring to The Mummy. Looking for family-friendly? They have that, too, with a Sunday afternoon showing of Coco. Make your way to the Westside’s favorite al fresco outdoor cinema!

 

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY WEEKEND EVENTS | October 14 – October 16 

Electric Dusk Drive-In Presents: Double Feature Night

When: October 8 

Where: Glendale

What: Is there a better era of Horror flicks than the 1980s? We’ll let you be the judge with this weekend’s double showing of cult classic hits. Check into Hotel Transylvania or take a trip to Egypt with The Mummy for this weekends October approved features! Electric Dusk Drive-In is LA’s longest-running pop-up drive-in and invites you to Glendale to enjoy film, food, and fun!

80’s OKTOBERFEST

When: October 15, 2022

Where: Burbank Town Center

What: Join Burbank Town Center and My Valley Pass on October 15 from 4pm to 8pm as we bring back you an 80’s Oktoberfest!

Spooktacular @ Reptacular

When: October 16, 2022

Where: Reptacular Animals Ranch | Sylmar

What: Don’t miss out on this spooktacular event! Meet and pet a range of friendly animal ambassadors, buy some fun crafts, and possibly ride a camel at Reptacular Animals Ranch!

 

CONEJO VALLEY WEEKEND EVENTS | October 14 – October 16

Ghostwalk in Santa Paula

When: October 14, 2022

Where: Santa Paula Airport 

What:  GHOSTWALK is Ventura County’s original Halloween street theater presentation. Now in its 28th year, GhostWalk is presented in a different historic Santa Paula location each year. Flashlight in hand, walkers will be led along a route where they hear ghosts tell their tales of how they met their untimely ends. Some of the stories are true and based on history, and others are made up. You decide which is which!

Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival

When: October 15, 2022 

Where: Harbor Way, Santa Barbara

What: Santa Barbara is known for many things, including its range of delicious and fresh seafood. This weekend the Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival lures seafood lovers of all ages to Santa Barbara’s thriving harbor for one of the community’s most beloved and flavorful events. 

Annual Ojai Day Street Fair Event

When: October 15 

Where: Downtown Ojai

What: The annual downtown street fair returns to Ojai this Saturday! Hosted by the Recreation Department, Ojai Day Street Fair is a cultural explosion. Enjoy art, food, spiritual incantations, multi-ethnic celebrations and good old fashion fun and games. 

 

Posted on

From Meta’s Quest VR Pro to the Netflix Basic Plan and more! | Tech News

Stay connected in the world of tech and science! In this week’s tech news blog, we are breaking down the major headlines you want to know via bite-sized versions of the facts that matter. From Meta’s Quest Pro to the Netflix Basic Plan and more, we have you covered with technology news!

Meta Debuts High-End VR Set Quest VR Pro

Eager VR fans are finally getting more details on Meta’s high-end version of its Quest VR glasses. The Quest VR Pro, which has been priced at $1499, brings massive changes to the popular VR set. With an upgraded processor and better ergonomics, the Quest VR Pro is both faster and more comfortable than its predecessor. In addition, the gear has added eye tracking and high-resolution color for its video feed. Likewise, the latter makes the line between virtual and augmented reality more blurred. “This is the highest-end VR device — for enthusiasts, the prosumer, the sort of people who are trying to get work done,” said Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Amazon is Primed to Launch its Prototype Satellites Early Next Year

As part of its Project Kuiper satellite internet constellation, Amazon is readying to launch two satellites early next year. The test satellites were built to compete with services like SpaceX Starlink and OneWeb. The company put out a release this week stating that the prototypes Kuipersat-1 and Kuipersat-2, will be riding into orbit on a Vulcan Centaur rocket from the United Launch Alliance (ULA) in early 2023. The company says the launch will let it perform tests on its satellite network technology with data from space and that the data will “help finalize the design, deployment, and operational plans for our commercial satellite system.”

Netflix Begins this November Rollout for Basic Plan with Ads

Beginning in November, Netflix will rollout out its Basic plan to users in a select number of countries. The plan will be available to users in the US, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Spain, and the UK. The Basic with Ads tier will launch at $6.99 a month in exchange for having to watch four to five ads per hour. In addition, the package will give users access to a large amount of Netflix’s content but not its full catalog. Basic with Ads subscribers will also not be able to download content onto their devices, and video quality is capped at 720p / HD.

Microsoft Launches Microsoft Places for Better Hybrid Team Connectivity

A new workplace app is being launched by Microsoft to assist with the challenges of hybrid working. Called Microsoft Places, the app is currently in beta and set to launch soon. The app will track what percentage of team members will be in the office on a given day. In addition to tracking team members’ locations, the app also works to keep workflow organized by giving “insights and guidance.” Places are also designed to help managers plan office use and how much space might be needed in the future.

Roku Partners with Wyze and Walmart for New Smart Home Gear

Streaming device company Roku is entering the smart home field. The company has debuted a range of smart home gadgets in partnership with Wyze and Walmart. The gadgets include lighting, plugs, and cameras. Likewise, at launch, users will be able to view a video feed from the Roku video doorbell via the Roku TV operating system. Roku also says the lineup will be compatible with Google Assistant and Roku Voice. A Roku Smart Home mobile app will be available on iOS and Android for managing smart devices.

 

Posted on

The Best Fall Museum Exhibits | Out & About

With the arrival of autumn, consider visiting some of Southern California‘s best-loved museums to check out their fall exhibits. The region boasts many acclaimed museums and galleries that are sure to please a diverse range of tastes. When you’re searching for something to do, consider visiting one of the following area exhibitions this season.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art Fall Exhibits

Located on Wilshire Boulevard in LA, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is featuring several temporary exhibits this fall that are already drawing crowds. LACMA is known for its eclectic collections and unique exhibitions. When planning your visit, you’ll want to spend time seeing the following exhibits:

  • Scandinavian Design and the United States 1890-1980
  • The Space Between: Modern Korean Art
  • Yassi Mazandi: Language of Birds
  • Objects of Desire: Photography and the Language of Advertising
  • Art and Imagination in Spanish America (1500-1800)

The Broad Fall Exhibits

A contemporary art museum, The Broad is a well-known LA venue that houses various art collections and hosts many special events. This fall, visitors will want to check out what’s currently on display. The Broad’s latest exhibits include:

  • Expansive Presentation of Andy Warhol
  • Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Rooms
  • Expansive Presentation of Kara Walker
  • Expansive Presentation of Roy Lichtenstein
  • Expansive Presentation of Jean-Michel Basquiat

The Academy Museum Fall Exhibits

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is a popular area attraction for visitors of all ages. The museum features both permanent and temporary exhibitions throughout the year. This season, film lovers can witness exhibits that include:

  • Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971
  • Isaac Julien: Baltimore

California African American Museum Autumn Exhibits

California African American Museum, CAAM, is located in LA’s Exposition Park and features a wide range of programming, including lectures, workshops, and special exhibits. This fall, CAAM is offering exhibits that include:

  • For Race and Country: Buffalo Soldiers in California
  • Chloe Bass: #Sky #Nofilter: Hindsight for a Future America
  • Justin Leroy: Lay Me Down in Praise

J. Paul Getty Museum Fall Exhibits

Head to LA’s Brentwood neighborhood to visit the illustrious J. Paul Getty Museum. The art museum is famous for its collections of art from all over the world. In addition to enjoying it’s paintings by Old World masters, check out the following current exhibits:

  • Eighteenth Century Pastels
  • Reinventing the Americas
  • Cy Twombly: Making Past Present
  • Unshuttered: Reconnecting with Our Surroundings

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles Autumn Exhibits

Discover the marvelous collections at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. In addition to its permanent exhibits of dinosaur bones and gardens, the museum always features special temporary exhibits that are popular with visitors of all ages. This fall, you won’t want to miss:

  • Spider Pavilion
  • LA Underwater
  • Scanning Electron Microscope Lab
  • Spiky, Hairy, Shiny: Insects of LA

Fill your free time with these exciting exhibits. But visit soon! Most of these exhibits will be replaced with new ones before the year’s end!

Posted on

Economic update for the week ending October 8, 2022

The U.S. economy added 263,000 new jobs in September – The unemployment rate dropped to a 52-year low – The Department of Labor and Statistics reported that 263,000 new jobs were added in September. The unemployment rate dropped to 3.5%, a 52-year low, from 3.7% in August. The labor-force participation rate (the share of workers with a job or actively looking for a job) increased slightly to 62.3%. It was 62.4% in August, 62.1% in July, and 63.6% before the pandemic. Average hourly wages increased 5% from one year ago. More open jobs than workers looking for work is pushing wages up at a higher pace than we have seen in decades because businesses have to compete for workers rather than workers competing for jobs. In September, there were 1.7 job openings for every applicant, down from 2.1 jobs for every applicant last month. The unexpected drop in the unemployment rate, and wages continuing to rise led to a sell-off in stock markets after the report was released.

Stock markets were higher this week despite a steep sell-off on Friday – Stock markets had a huge rally to begin the week. They ended the week higher even though the Dow fell 630 points or 2.1%, the S&P fell 2.8% and the NASDAQ fell 3.8% on Friday after another hot jobs report was announced. With unemployment at a 52-year low investors fear another .75% rate hike at the next Fed meeting. The Fed has made cooling the overheated job market a priority because people with no fear of becoming unemployed shop and spend money. Consumer spending accounts for nearly 70% of the U.S. economy. More people spending leads to higher prices, which fuels inflation. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 29,296.79, up 1.9% from 28,725.51 last week. It is down 19.4% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 3,639.66, up 1.5% from 3,585.23 last week. The S&P is down 23.6% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed the week at 10,652.79, up 0.7% from 10,575.62 last week. It is down 32% year-to-date.

U.S. Treasury bond yields – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week, yielding 3.89%, up from 3.69% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 3.86%, up from 3.61% last week. We watch bond yields because mortgage rates often follow treasury bond yields.

Mortgage rates – The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as of October 6, 2022, were as follows: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.66%, almost unchanged from 6.70% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.90%, down from 5.96% last week. The 5-year ARM was 5.36%, up from 5.30% last week. Rates were higher at the end of the week. Next week’s rates will be higher.

Posted on

Weekend Events | October 7 – October 9

The weekend has arrived, and this is plenty of fun things to do this October. From festivals to art installations and a batch of pre-Halloween fun, we have you covered. Read on for the best happenings this October 7 through October 9!

Los Angeles Weekend Events | October 7 – October 9 

Family Style Fest

When: October 9

Where: Fairfax

What: When food and streetwear combine, you get ‘Family Style Fest.’ Expect brands like Nike and Gallery Dept alongside local chefs like Kato’s Jon Yao and Mother Wolf’s Evan Funke at this weekend’s event. Attendees will be able to sample bites from dozens of restaurants and popular concepts like Mr. Charlie’s and Happy Ice.

CicLAvia: Heart of L.A.

When: October 9 – December 4

Where: DTLA

What: Get your pedal on at CicLAvia! The annual ride allows participants to bike through DTLA, Echo Park, Chinatown, and Boyle Heights, car-free! Enjoy seven miles of vehicle-less road while you take in city sites.

Grand Park’s 10th Anniversary Celebration

When: October 8 – October 9 

Where: Grand Park | Downtown LA

What: Grand Park offers more than just a flora-rich public space. The DTLA park is a hub of programs and culture. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of its unveiling, Grand Park will host an evening concert this weekend. Stop by on Friday for music to delight, and then make your way back on Saturday for a family festival of fun.

Westside and Beach Communities Weekend Events | October 7 – October 9 

Ohana Encore

When: Until October 9 

Where: Orange County

What: If you missed Ohana Festival last week, you are in luck! The encore presentation returns this weekend for two days of great sets. Catch Eddie Vedder, Alanis Morissette, and the Roots on Friday, October 8. Return back on Saturday, October 9, to close out the fest with the Black Keys, HAIM, and Band of Horses.

Ever Present

When: Until October 9 

Where: The Getty | Westside

What: Experience ephemeral performances during this experimental series presented by The Getty. This October, ‘Ever Present’ will bring dance performances led by Milka Djordjevich and wearable artworks from Victoria Fu and Matt Rich.

Shaqtoberfest

When: Until October 31 

Where: Long Beach

What: Lakers legend, DJ, and haunted house MC Shaquille O’Neal is providing a hauntingly good time this October. Don’t miss Shaqtoberfest, which will take over the grounds outside of the Queen Mary from late September through Halloween. A mix of family-friendly attractions and after-dark haunts, the fest will likewise all be narrated by Shaq.

 

San Fernando Valley Weekend Events | October 7 – October 9 

Electric Dusk Drive-In Presents: Double Feature Night- Child’s Play & Gremlins

When: October 8 

Where: Glendale

What: Is there a better era of Horror flicks than the 1980s? We’ll let you be the judge with this weekend’s double showing of cult classic hits. Catch Child’s Play and Gremlins at Electric Dusk Drive-In. LA’s longest-running pop-up drive-in invites you to Glendale to enjoy film, food, and fun!

Vegan Street Fair Nights 2022

When: October 8 – October 9 

Where: North Hollywood

What: After a two-year hiatus, Vegan Street Fair returns to NoHo! Free entry for all, this beloved street fest brings 200+ vendors for an evening of community fun and food. Enjoy music, games, entertainment, and more at this festival of vegan-friendly bites.

The 22nd Annual Los Angeles Pottery Show

When: October 8 – October 9 

Where: Glendale Civic Auditorium | Glendale

What: The Los Angeles Pottery Show returns this October for two days of pottery goodness. Head to Glendale’s Civic Auditorium to see a range of fine art pottery, ceramics, tile, and decorative art.

Conejo Valley Weekend Events | October 7 – October 9, 2022 

Nights of the Jack

When: September 30 – October 31

Where: Santa Monica Mountains

What: The scenic King Gillette Ranch and Santa Monica Mountains will be illuminated once again this October for Nights of Jack. Enjoy an on-foot, mile-long trail with food trucks, a Spookeasy, trick-or-treating (October 28-31), and more. Timed tickets are required each night; expect to spend an hour to an hour and a half there.

Haunt’oween LA

When: September 30 – October 31

Where: Woodland Hills 

What: Hatched out of the hunger for car-friendly trick-or-treating options, this former Halloween drive-through is back again in Woodland Hills as an on-foot adventure. Haunt’oween will celebrate the spooky season with a walkthrough that features tons of pumpkins, a trick-or-treating–filled town, and an illuminated carnival, plus face painting, performances, games, and food trucks.

Fall Harvest Festival at Underwood Farms – Friends of the Farm Weekend

When: October 1 – October 31 

Where: Underwood Farms | Moorpark

What: The 25th Annual Fall Harvest Festival returns at Underwood Family Farms this October. The farm will transform into a giant Pumpkin Patch, Pick Your Own & Fall Harvest experience filled with games, rides, photo ops, live entertainment, themed weekends, bands, and more.

 

Posted on

From Twitter’s Edit Button to Peloton Row and More! | Tech News

As October speeds on, we are speeding through this week’s tech news to give you the latest. Read on for a bite-sized version of major headlines happening across the web. From Twitter’s edit button to the Peloton Row and more, we have you covered!

Over the Counter Hearing Aids will Soon be Available

The USDA has announced it had finalized a rule that will allow hearing aids to be sold over the counter. The move will allow buyers to purchase a hearing aid without a prescription. Federal health officials are hopeful the change will allow people to have more affordable access and convenience in purchasing a hearing aid. With hearing loss varying based on the person, the FDA has set the device to be for a certain level of hearing loss. The OTC hearing aids will be for adults with “perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment.” This is according to Tricia Ashby-Scabis, senior director of audiology practices at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Of course, what this means is that it will more than likely be for consumers who are just now noticing a change in hearing. 

Peloton Launches New Rowing Machine for At-Home Fitness

With products like the Peloton Bike and Peloton Tread, it should come as no surprise that the company is expanding its range of products. This month, Peloton launched the Peloton Row. The smart rowing machine, which was announced in May, has now begun taking pre-orders. The basic Peloton Row package will cost you $3,195 USD. The company hopes the device will help even users at a beginner level to become better rowers. 

Scientists Look to Laughing Gas as New Sign of Life Indicator on Other Planets

As scientists seek out biosignatures as indicators for life outside our solar system, oxygen and methane have been the main focus. A team of astrobiologists has proposed looking for nitrous oxide as another biosignature indicator. “There’s been a lot of thought put into oxygen and methane as biosignatures. Fewer researchers have seriously considered nitrous oxide, but we think that may be a mistake,” said astrobiologist Eddie Schwieterman in a University of California, Riverside statement on Tuesday. The researchers suggest observatories like the James Webb Space Telescope for observation. this is because the telescope has the ability to study exoplanet atmospheres and could be used to search for nitrous oxide.

Google Unveils Google Pixel 7 Pro at Made by Google Event

The Pixel 7 Pro has officially been unveiled at this month’s Made by Google event. The new Pro phone comes preloaded with the Android 13 operating system and is powered by Google’s new Tensor G2 chip. Consumers will be able to choose from three colors that include a polished aluminum camera bar. In addition to selfies, Pixel 7 Pro’s front-facing camera can be used to unlock your phone using facial recognition technology. You will also be able to unlock your phone using the under-display fingerprint reader.

CES 2023 Expected to Drawn Over 100,000 AttendeesWith 2023 around the corner, the Consumer Technology Association is forecasting large crowds for CES 2023. Kicking off on January 5 in Las Vegas, this would be the largest crowd the conference has seen since pre-pandemic. “We are optimistic we can hit our attendance goal of 100,000, which would make it the largest independently audited post-pandemic tech event,” Gary Shapiro, president, and CEO of the CTA, said in a statement. CES is the tech industry’s largest in-person annual trade event. Thousands of companies every year descend upon the 2.5 million-square-foot Las Vegas Convention Center for the annual trade show. 

Twitter Rolls Out Edit Button for Paid Subscribers

If you have been eager to edit your tweets…you’ll need Twitter Blue. The popular social media app has finally begun its rollout of the edit button in the US for paid subscribers. The launch began in countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand before finally becoming accessible to US users. When a paid subscriber finally gets the rollout, the feature will be accessible in the apps Labs section. Of course, not all tweets can be redone, as the feature will not be available for replies, retweets, and polls. Likewise, since the feature is still in testing mode, some changes can be expected in the coming weeks and months. 

Posted on

The Best Autumn Home Decor Ideas | Home Tips

Embrace the fall season with chic autumn home decor. From magnificent fall colors and minimalist aesthetics, there is a fall decor idea for every type of home. Here are a few autumn home decor ideas to get you started.

Fall Tea Light Display

Are you crafty? Then maybe a fall tea light display may interest you. Carve out the center of a small half-log. then place pine cones and tea lights in an alternating pattern on the log. This autumn decor idea is perfect for an entranceway or coffee table.

 

Front Porch Decor

Bring a smile to the faces of friends and family alike with autumn decor for your front porch. Try arranging pumpkins, both regular-sized and mini, orange and white, with various gourds around your porch chairs and tables. Intersperse them with orange mums for an especially seasonal look.

 

Autumn Corn Wreath

Many people display evergreen wreaths during the holidays but consider an autumn wreath as well. Autumn wreaths that are beautiful and reflective of the season include corn wreaths of varying colors and wreaths made of wheat or dried flowers.

 

A Cornucopia Centerpiece

The cornucopia, the symbol of plenty and of a bountiful harvest, serves as a perfect fall home decor centerpiece. Consider stuffing it with wheat stalk, small gourds of varying types, and apples and pears for a colorful and attractive presentation.

 

Framed Leaves

As summer becomes fall, green leaves explode into reds and oranges and yellows, hinting at endings and new beginnings. For an autumn wall decoration, consider framing leaves of different sizes and colors in mismatched frames for an exquisite gallery of fall leaves.

 

A Seasonal Bar Cart

Keep the fall theme going throughout your home with rolling bar carts. Arrange wheat stalks, pine cones, pumpkins, and gourds around your normal bar cart fare for an autumn mantel on wheels feel. A great and simple way to bring fall home decor to any room.

Posted on

September 30 – October 2, 2022 | Weekend Events

Say goodbye to September and hello to October (aka Spooky season) this weekend! From Pup-o-ween to Shaqtoberfest and more, there’s is tons of joy and even scares to be had around town. Read on for our weekend round-up of happenings this September 30 through October 2. 

LOS ANGELES WEEKEND EVENTS | September 30 – October 2, 2022

The Magical Films of LAIKA

When: Throughout October

Where: The Academy Museum | Miracle Mile

What: See 4K remasters of the magic of LAIKA’s magical stop motion movies all through October. This family-friendly screening series includes such classics as Coraline, Paranorman, and more! In addition to the screening, Q&A sessions with filmmakers like Chris Butler and Arianne Sutner will also be available.

Jamie xx

When: September 30 

Where: Hollywood Bowl

What: Jamie Smith (aka Jamie xx) takes his talents toward the dance floor with his latest solo record. Head to the Hollywood Bowl for a stripped-down mix of shuffling kicks and snares, drum melodies, and more. Joining the lively lineup will be Caribou.

Pup-O-Ween

When: October 2 

Where: Chinatown

What: Spooky season takes a turn for the adorable this weekend at Pup-o-ween! Take your pup for a day of fun at this Halloween-themed dog-friendly fest at L.A. State Historic Park. Festivities will include pup massages, professional portrait sessions, and a costume contest, of course!

 

WESTSIDE & BEACH COMMUNITIES WEEKEND EVENTS | September 30 – October 2, 2022

Ohana Festival

When: September 30 – October 9 

Where: Orange County

What: Eddie Vedder’s Ohana Festival heads back to Doheny State Beach this weekend through October 9. Catch an incredible line-up that includes Stevie Nicks, Eddie Vedder (of course), Jack White, and P!nk. The rest of the lineup includes the likes of Khruangbin, St. Vincent, Brittany Howard, and more.

 

Shaqtoberfest

When: Until October 31 

Where: Long Beach

What: Lakers legend, DJ, and haunted house MC Shaquille O’Neal is providing a hauntingly good time this October. Don’t miss Shaqtoberfest, which will take over the grounds outside of the Queen Mary from late September through Halloween. A mix of family-friendly attractions and after-dark haunts, the fest will likewise all be narrated by Shaq.

Rooftop Cinema Club

When: Until October 31 

Where: El Segundo 

What: It’s just a bunch of Hocus Pocus and a lot of fun at El Segundo’s favorite al fresco movie night. Join the Sanderson Sisters for this weekend’s Rooftop Cinema Club showing of Hocus Pocus. Feeling a little less Dinsey, they’ll be showing the OG Scream too. 

 

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY WEEKEND EVENTS | September 30 – October 2, 2022

CatCon

When: October 1 – October 2

Where: Pasadena Convention Center

What: Hey there, Cat-lovers, this ones for you! CatCon takes over the Pasadena Convention Center this weekend for a feline-friendly festival. The two-event will include speakers, meet and greets, furniture, art, toys, and clothing. Expect a panel of feline-friendly speakers as well as meet and greets. 

Electric Dusk Drive-In Presents: 1984 Double Feature Night – Ghostbusters and Nightmare on Elm Street

When: October 1

Where: Glendale

What: Is there a better era of Horror flicks than the 1980s? We’ll let you be the judge with this weekend’s double showing of cult classic hits. Catch Ghostbusters and Nightmare on Elm Street circa 1984 at Electric Dusk Drive-In. LA’s longest-running pop-up drive-in invites you to Glendale to enjoy film, food, and fun!

JONATHAN KARRANT & THE JOE ALTERMAN TRIO

When: October 1

Where: Feinstein’s at Vitello’s | Studio City

What: Acclaimed artists, singer Jonathan Karrant and pianist Joe Alterman team up for an evening of music on Saturday, October 1st, at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s. Don’t miss this one-night-only collaboration!

 

CONEJO VALLEY EVENTS WEEKEND EVENTS | September 30 – October 2, 2022

Nights of the Jack

When: September 30 – October 31

Where: Santa Monica Mountains

What: The scenic King Gillette Ranch and Santa Monica Mountains will be illuminated once again this October for Nights of Jack. Enjoy an on-foot, mile-long trail with food trucks, a Spookeasy, trick-or-treating (October 28-31) and more. Timed tickets are required each night; expect to spend an hour to an hour and a half there.

 

Haunt’oween LA

When: September 30 – October 31

Where: Woodland Hills 

What: Hatched out of the hunger for car-friendly trick-or-treating options, this former Halloween drive-through is back again in Woodland Hills as an on-foot adventure. Haunt’oween will celebrate spooky season with a walkthrough that features tons of pumpkins, a trick-or-treating–filled town, and an illuminated carnival, plus face painting, performances, games, and food trucks.

Fall Harvest Festival at Underwood Farms – Friends of the Farm Weekend

When: October 1 – October 31 

Where: Underwood Farms | Moorpark

What: The 25th Annual Fall Harvest Festival returns at Underwood Family Farms this October. The farm will transform into a giant Pumpkin Patch, Pick Your Own & Fall Harvest experience filled with games, rides, photo ops, live entertainment, themed weekends, bands, and more.

Posted on

From the NASA Dart Mission to Amazon Scribe and more | Tech News

As the week and the month of September end, we are diving into a new batch of technology news. From the NASA Dart Mission to Amazon Scribe and more, read on and stay connected with the world of technology and science!

McDonald’s Unveils Happy Meal for Adults – The Cactus Plant Flea Market Box

For an optimal dose of nostalgia given a modern twist, Mcdonald’s has unveiled its Happy Meals for adults box lunch. The Cactus Plant Flea Market Box is a collab between the fashion brand of the same name. Inspired by the childhood joy of Happy Meals, the adult-focused box lunch will be available at participating McDonald’s while supplies last. For those eager to try the Cactus Plant Flea Market Happy Meal, you’ll have a choice between a Big Mac or 10-piece McNugget meal. Likewise, each box comes with an artsy take on Happy Meal toys. The four collectible figurines will be abstract takes on McDonald’s characters like Grimace, Hamburgler, and Birdie, the Early Bird.

Meta Launches Make-A-Video, AI-Generating Tool

Facebook parent company Meta has launched its latest social media feature. Make-A-video is a new artificial intelligence system and Meta’s latest research foray in technology that can create content from text prompts. In addition, to images, the technology can also create videos from images or similar videos. Meta believes its research into “generative AI” has the potential to open new opportunities for artists and creators. Of course, other companies have been exploring this side of technology as well. OpenAI, the company behind the service Dall-E, has also been experimenting with text prompts to create visual art. In fact, just this week, the tool was opened to everyone. In addition, Google also launched its AI program this past May. 

Instacart Goes Healthy with Latest Business Model

In an effort to make healthy food more accessible, Instacart is launching a new business model. The initiative will focus on increasing food security and nutrition. Called Instacart Health, the new model will embrace “food as medicine.” This concept will focus on the health benefits of certain types of food as it applies to health care. The model includes Care Carts, a new Instacart product the company says will enable health care providers and caregivers to order groceries on behalf of someone else. In addition, there will also be Fresh Funds, a service that will allow health organizations, an employer, or insurance companies to give people funds for buying food via Instacart. 

NASA Telescope Captures Successful DART Mission

As millions watched around the world, NASA completed a successful mission of crashing its DART spacecraft into an asteroid. NASA deliberately crashed the DART spacecraft into the asteroid as a part of a planetary defense mission. Since the spacecraft crashed into the asteroid, it’s not clear how big of a dent it left on the rocky surface. The ATLAS project, which takes advantage of telescopes across the world, grabbed a great video of the moment of impact, which occurred about 7 million miles from Earth. The DART mission is a test to see if we can knock space rocks off course, should they ever be headed our way.

Amazon Unveils E-Ink Tablet for Writing and Reading

A new kindle has arrived, and this time it’s re-writing what you thought about Kindle…literally. The Kind Scribe is Amazon’s latest reading device. With a 10.2-inch E Ink screen, a stylus that attaches to the side of the device, and a bunch of new software, the $339.99 Scribe packs a lot into one device. The Scribe is available for preorder today, and Amazon promises it’ll be out before the holidays. The e-commerce giant hopes this latest iteration of its Kindle Reader will make it a bigger competitor with other smart tablet devices. Likewise, only time and consumers will tell. 

Posted on

Economic update for the week ending September 24, 2022

Stock markets drop to their lowest levels in two years after another disastrous week – The Fed increased their key rates by another .75% on Wednesday. They also said that they expect to increase rates by another 1.25% by the end of the year. Stocks slid, and bond yields and mortgage rates increased dramatically for the second consecutive week. Much of this week’s drop is because investors have lost confidence in the Fed. That is not good for the financial system. In 2021 when the economy was very robust and the jobs and real estate market were overheated, they left their key rates at near 0%. They also continued to hold and purchase mortgage securities, keeping mortgage rates at historic lows. This March, they acknowledged that they had made a mistake and began raising rates and selling off their bond and mortgage portfolio to reduce their balance sheet. Both short-term and long-term rates have risen at a rate never seen before. Experts now think the Fed has overcorrected and is moving too quickly without giving the increases and other tightening measures enough time to see the effects. We are already seeing the impact on the real estate market. Rates have more than doubled in the last five months. Home sales have declined dramatically and prices have dropped off their record highs that were hit earlier this year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 29,590.41, down 4% from 30,822.42 last week. It is down 18.6% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 3,693.23, down 4.6% from 3,873.33 last week. The S&P is down 18.7% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed the week at 10,867.94, down 5.1% from 11,448.40 last week. It is down 31.7% year-to-date.

U.S. Treasury bond yields – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 3.69% up from 3.45% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 3.61%, up from 3.52% last week. We watch bond yields because mortgage rates often follow treasury bond yields.

Mortgage rates – The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as of September 22, 2022, were as follows: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.29%, up from 6.02% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.44%, up from 5.21% last week. The 5-year ARM was 4.97%, up from 4.93% last week. Rates were higher at the end of the week. Next week’s rates will be higher.

U.S. existing-home sales – The National Association of Realtors reported that existing-home sales totaled 4.80 million units on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate in August, down 0.4% month-over-month from the annualized number of sales in July. Year-over-year sales were down 19.9% from an annualized rate of 5.99 million in August 2021. The median price for a home in the U.S. in August was $389,950, up 7.7% from $361,500 one year ago. Month-over-month the median price dropped in July and August from the all-time high of $413,800 in June. August marked a record 126 consecutive months of year-over-year increases in the median price. There was a 3.2-month supply of homes for sale in August, up from a 2.6-month supply last August. First-time buyers accounted for 29% of all sales. Investors and second-home purchases accounted for 16% of all sales. All-cash purchases accounted for 24% of all sales. Foreclosure and short sales accounted for less than 1% of all sales, remaining at a historic low.

Proudly powered by WordPress