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Easy Water Conservation Tips | Home Tips

Californians are no stranger to water conservation. In an ever-changing climate, we as Angelenos can do our part to beat the drought by forming water conservation best practices. Since 2020, water usage has increased by 17.6%. That is a lot of water! While most should know water conservation hacks like we know there will be traffic on the 405 during rush hour, an occasional refresher course is needed. Read on for helpful tips on conserving water.

Indoor Conservation Tips

When it comes to inside your home there are a number of easy and practical water conservation practices you can adopt. From quick maintenance fixes to better personal practices, below are some easy-to-remember tips.

  • Fix leaks, including leaky toilets
  • Install high-efficiency toilets, aerators on bathroom faucets, and water-efficient shower heads
  • Take shorter (5-minute) showers
  • Track your water bill and meter to curtail water use
  • Turn off the water when brushing teeth or shaving
  • Use dishwashers and washing machines with full loads only

Outdoor Conservation Tips

The outdoors is just as important if not more than your indoor water conservation efforts. Everything from the plants you grow to how you clean and maintain your outdoor area matters. Make your efforts count with a few of the helpful tips listed below.

  • Plant drought-tolerant/resistant plants and trees
  • Recycle indoor water to use on plants
  • Refrain from watering your home landscape when it rains
  • Replace your grass/turf with water-wise plants
  • Use a broom to clean driveways, patios, and sidewalks instead of water from a hose
  • Water your outdoor landscape earlier in the day when temperatures are cooler
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Economic update for the month ending June 30, 2022

Stock markets slid in June – Stock markets closed the first half of 2022 with their largest losses in 50-years – June was a tumultuous month for the stock markets. Stocks, bond yields, and mortgage rates stabilized in May. That was because economic data showed inflation moderating in April. For example, the CPI in March was 8.5%, the highest rate since 1982. In April, the CPI dropped to 8.3% leaving investors feeling that rate hikes and other tightening measures the Fed enacted were working. In the second week of June May’s CPI reading of 8.6%, the highest rate of inflation since 1981, was released. Stocks immediately began to sink and treasury bond yields and mortgage rates rose, as the economy had not slowed in a way to tame inflation as previously hoped. In a response to the May CPI report the Federal Reserve increased its key rates by .75%, the highest single meeting increase in decades. Consumer confidence also slipped to the lowest level in forty years as consumers are feeling the impact of higher prices. The June CPI report will be released on July 13. Other data over the last week of June points to some moderating of inflation. If that data turns out to be correct, stocks may recover some of their losses. Bond yields and mortgage rates dropped significantly in the final days of the month based on expectations that a slowing economy will tamper information. If the CPI stays at 8.6% or increases, we would expect stocks to fall further and bond yields and mortgage rates to increase. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the month at 30,776.43, down 6.7% from 32,990.12 on May 30. It’s down 15.3% year-to-date. That is the worst performance for the Dow for the first half of a year since 1962. The S&P 500 closed the month at 3,785.39, down 8.4% from 4,132.15 last month. The S&P is down 20.6% year-to-date. This marked the worst performance for the S&P over the first half of a year since 1970. The NASDAQ closed the month at 11,028.74, down 8.3% from 12,081.39 last month. It is down 29.5%, year-to-date. It was the worst first half of a year ever for the NASDAQ.

U.S. Treasury bond yields – The 10-year treasury bond closed the month yielding 2.98%, up from 2.85% last month. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the month at 3.14%, up from 3.07% last month. We watch bond yields because mortgage rates often follow treasury bond yields. Bond yields dropped sharply over the last week of the month. The 30-year peaked at 3.45%, and the ten-year hit 3.49% in the middle of June.

Mortgage rates – The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that mortgage rates as of June 30, 2022 for the most popular loan products were as follows: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 5.70%, up from 5.09% at the end of May. The 15-year fixed was 4.83% up from 4.31% last month. The 5-year ARM was 4.50%, up from 4.20% last month. Rates dropped quite a bit on Wednesday and Thursday. Currently the 30-year is under 4.5%. Next week’s survey rates will be back down in that range.

The June jobs report will be released on Friday June 8. This is the May report

The U.S. economy added 390,000 new jobs in May – The Department of Labor and Statistics reported that 390,000 new jobs were added in May. The unemployment rate held steady at 3.6%. The labor-force participation rate (the share of workers with a job or actively looking for a job) increased to 62.4% in May, up from 62.2% in April. It is well below the 63.6% level before the pandemic. Average hourly wages increased 5.2% from May 2021, down from a 5.5% year-over-year increase in April which is another sign that inflation may be moderating.

Home sales figures are released in the third week of the month for the previous month. These are May’s results.

U.S. existing-home sales – The National Association of Realtors reported that existing-home sales totaled 5.41 million units on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate in May, down 3.4% month-over-month from the annualized number of sales in April. Year-over-year sales were down 8.6% from the annualized rate of 5.92 million in May 2021. The median price of a home in the U.S. in April was $407,600, up 14.8% from $355,000 one year ago. May marked a record 123 consecutive month of year-over-year increases in the median price. Inventory levels increased 12.6% from April, but are still 4.1% below the amount of homes for sale in May 2021. There was a 2.6-month supply of homes for sale in May, up slightly from a 2.5 month supply last May. First-time buyers accounted for 27% of all sales. Investors and second-home purchases accounted for 16% of all sales. All-cash purchases accounted for 25% of all sales. Foreclosure and short-sales accounted for less than 1% of all sales remaining at a historic low.

California home sales drastically declined while prices continued to surge in May – The California Association of Realtors reported that existing-home sales totaled 377,790 on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate in May, down 9.8% from April, and down 15.2% from last May. Existing-home sales year-to-date through May are down 8.9% from the number of homes sold in the first five months of 2021. The statewide median price paid for a home in May was $898,980, up 1.9% from April, and up 9.9% from May 2021. There was a 2.1-month supply of homes for sale in May, up from a 1.8-month supply of homes for sale in April, and a 1.8-month supply in May 2021. While up slightly a 2.1-month supply is still a historic low level. A normal market has a 5-6 month supply of homes on the market. Pending sales which represent new contracts signed declined 30.6% in May. That’s an alarming drop which is similar to what we saw in the first month of the pandemic when the shutdown was announced. We watch pending sales to forecast sales 30-60 days later. This is due to a shortage of homes for sale, increasing interest rates, lower affordability, and some erosion of confidence, but it’s impossible to say which of these factors are most impactful, especially with prices climbing at such a accelerated rate.

The graph below shows regional figures by county in Southern California.

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From Android Automotive in BMW to Snapchat + and more! | Tech News

We have the latest bite-sized round-up of the tech news you want to know. From Android Automotive in BMW to Snapchat + and more! Read this week’s blog and stay connected with the tech news happening around the world!

Android Automotive Comes to BMW

With the recent success of Google’s Android Automotive, another big automaker is bringing its tech to a car near you. BMW has announced it will adopt the platform in future vehicle models. Likewise, the company will develop its BMW Operating System software using Android Automotive beginning in March 2023. BMW Group’s lead developer for the digital driving experience, Stephan Durach, said it’s about having a second technological approach. “We are integrating the best aspects of all worlds — that could be our own in-house developments, Open Source or commercial software products, depending on what the specific solution looks like,” said Durach.

Robot Umpires May Come to Major League Baseball by 2024

The MLB has announced its plans to introduce robot umpires to its fields by 2024. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred told ESPN this week that they view it as a way to speed up games. The “Automated Ball-Strike System” (robot umpires) will work one of two ways. One is the fully automated version, in which the AI-powered system calls every pitch a ball or a strike and relays the call to the umpire. Or the MLB could decide to use the AI as a review system, like VAR in soccer or the Hawk-Eye system used in professional tennis. Likewise, each side gets a certain number of challenges, which are then adjudicated by the automated system. 

Paid Subscription Lands on Snapchat for Power Users

This week, Snapchat kicked off its latest endeavor, a paid subscription service. Snapchat Plus will unlock exclusive and early access features for users starting at $3.99 a month. Snapchat + is geared toward “the people who spend most of their time communicating with their closest friends on Snap.” This statement comes courtesy of the company’s SVP of Product, Jacob Andreou. The project marks the social media platforms’ first time making money outside of advertising, though Andreou says there aren’t expectations for Plus to become a “material new revenue source.”

Facebook Groups Gets a Revamp with a Discord Aesthetic

Social media giant, Facebook has announced that its FB Groups service will be getting a new design. The style of Facebook Groups brings with it a new left-aligned sidebar and channels list for Groups. In addition, Meta has also added a new sidebar that lists your groups with rounded square icons. Like with Discord and Slack, you’ll be able to pin groups so that they show up first on the list. Individual groups will have a new menu that seems lifted right from Discord. The menu organizes things like channels, Messenger conversations, and events one after another. 

Wayfair to Have Products Delivered by Self-Driving Truck Waymo

The autonomous vehicle company Waymo will soon be offering its service to eCommerce home goods retailer Wayfair. Waymo will deliver home goods for Wayfair using its fleet of autonomous semi-trailer trucks, the company announced Tuesday. Deliveries will take place in a pilot program conducted by Waymo and JB Hunt Transport Services to test out self-driving trucks along certain shipping routes in Texas. The trucks will operate autonomously with supervision from two Waymo employees, a commercially licensed driver, and a software engineer, from the cab of the vehicle.

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Weekend Events: July 4th 2022 Edition

Celebrate July 4th 2022 locally with fun things to do in your neighborhood! We’re rounding up the best events happening this July 1 – July 4!

LOS ANGELES JULY 4th 2022 WEEKEND

First Fridays at the Natural History Museum

When: March 4-July 1, 2022

Where: USC/Exposition Park

What: First Fridays are back at the Natural History Museum. Enjoy Dino’s and DJs every month from March through July at this KCRW-presented evening of music. Every month will offer a different lineup of musical guests and DJs, guided tours, and scientist-led talks.

July 4th Fireworks Spectacular at the Hollywood Bowl

 

When: July 2 – July 4 

Where: The Hollywood Bowl

What: Celebrate America’s birthday at the Hollywood Bowl! Enjoy a fireworks-filled summer bash with Steve Martin and Martin Short under the stars.

Anime Expo

When: July 1 – July 4 

Where: South Park

What: Make your way over to the Los Angeles Convention Center for the annual Anime Expo! Enjoy four days of panels, special events, and plenty of cosplay as thousands of fans come to celebrate the quirky art and culture of anime.

 

WESTSIDE AND BEACH COMMUNITIES JULY 4th 2022 WEEKEND

Huntington Beach Fourth of July Celebration

When: July 4

Where: Huntington Beach

What: Huntington Beach goes big for its annual Independence Day blowout! The weekend festivities will kick off with a 5K run and fitness expo. The Huntington Beach Pier festival includes live entertainment, family activities, and all-American eats. 

Fourth of July in Long Beach

When: July 4

Where: Long Beach

What: The Long Beach July 4th, 2022 event is the place to be to catch fireworks over the sea. Enjoy a free pyro show over Queensway Bay as you celebrate all things red, white, and blue!

Poolside Cinema at the Fairmont Miramar

When: until September 4

Where: Santa Monica

What: Enjoy a seaside flick at the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica. Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, fun film flicks are back at the Santa Monica hotel’s luxurious pool. Every Saturday night during the summer, you can catch a film while enjoying the sunset and delicious bites. 

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY JULY 4th 2022 WEEKEND

Movies on the Roof

When: July 1 – July 3 

Where: Westfield Fashion Square | Sherman Oaks

What: Westfield Fashion Square invites you to a joy-filled alfresco film series this summer. Catch flicks like Rocky and Captain America for a July 4th 2022 edition of this fun film screening. Ticket sales support Hope of the Valley.

Celebrate Independence Day at Universal Studios

When: July 2 – July 4 

Where: Universal Studios

What: What better way to celebrate July 4th than with endless fun at Universal Studios?! Catch dazzling fireworks across three straight nights (July 2, 3, and 4th) with music, fun, and more.

Burbank 4th of July Fireworks Display

When: July 4th

Where: Starlight Bowl | Burbank

What: Head to Burbank for an entire day of July 4th festivities! Starting with a flyover, a color guard presentation, and then performances by the Company Men and the Soul of Broadway. Likewise, there will also be fireworks kicking off at 9pm.

CONEJO VALLEY JULY 4th 2022 WEEKEND

All-American Dinner and Movie

When: July 1, 6pm – 10pm

Where: Stagecoach Inn Museum Newbury Park

What: Begin your July 4th celebration early at the Stagecoach Inn Museum! Enjoy an All-American dinner followed by a screening of the original Yankee Doodle Dandy movie. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets for comfortable seating during the movie. 

Star-Spangled Rock ‘N Country Jam & Fireworks Celebration 

When: July 2

Where: 5005 E Los Angeles Ave, Simi Valley

What: Kiwanis Club of Simi Valley presents the Star-Spangled Rock ‘N Country Jam and Fireworks Celebration. Enjoy music all day, a large dance floor, food, beer and wine, shopping, and a free Fun Zone. And of course, fireworks!

 

4th of July Electric Boat Parade at Channel Islands Harbor

When: July 4 

Where: Channel Islands Yacht Club, 4100 Harbor Blvd, Oxnard

What: Central Coast Electric Boats and Channel Islands Yacht Club present their annual 4th of July Electric Boat Parade. The event takes place around the east and west channels of Channel Islands Harbor with more than 50 patriotic-themed electric boats participating. 

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Top Summer Herbs to Plant This Season | Home Tips

With its Mediterranean-like climate, Southern California is ideal for growing many herbs that thrive in seaside countries like Italy, Greece, and France–herbs that are popularly used in many popular recipes. You can enhance your summertime feasts with fresh summer herbs from your summer garden. The following are some of the top summer herbs that are likely to thrive in our setting. In fact, with their relatively sparse watering needs, these herbs are ideal for Southwestern inland and coastal gardens.

Oregano

A popular herb used in many culinary traditions ranging from Italy and Greece to Mexico and Turkey, oregano is a versatile plant that is easy to grow and may even offer medicinal properties, including improved digestion and blood sugar regulation. Many Southern California gardeners grow oregano to flavor sauces, soups, and stews. You can grow this plant directly in your summer herb garden, grow it in raised beds, or install it in a pot on your patio or terrace. To care for your oregano plants, avoid overwatering them and either water in the early morning or evening. If your garden soil is compacted, amend it with sand to ensure optimum growing conditions for oregano.

Rosemary

With its slightly pungent flavor, rosemary is a great addition to stews, meat dishes, and oily fish dishes. It pairs particularly well with vegetables like potatoes as well as meats and poultry. Rosemary thrives in sunshine and prefers a slightly loamy soil. Well-draining soil is a must, and you should also avoid overwatering these summer herbs. You can also grow rosemary in a pot placed in a sunny window of your home. Rosemary seldom needs to be fertilized.

Mint

Add minty flavor to your maridades, pestos, or even your cocktails right from your summer herb garden. Mint thrives in sunshine but will also grow in partial shade. Be sure your plants have plenty of space for good air circulation in order to avoid mildew. These herbs prefer a light, well-draining soil that’s slightly loamy. Unlike the previous two herbs mentioned above with their drought-tolerant properties, mint is less forgiving if kept dry. Be sure to water your mint plants early in the morning or evening.

Sage

Not only is sage a lovely summer herb for any garden, it is extremely useful as a kitchen herb. Especially popular in holiday recipes, sage is easy to dry for use in the winter. To grow sage, choose a sunny site with well-draining soil. After these summer herbs flower in the summer, you should cut them back so they don’t become woody and to encourage new plant growth. Mexican sage is popularly grown in Southern Californian herb gardens. Not only is it great for cooking, but can also be burned in your fire pit to keep mosquitos away.

Lavender

Lavender may not be as useful in the kitchen as the above herbs, but it is a lovely addition to pasties and teas. Plus, it boasts beautiful small blooms that will add fragrance to your garden and floral displays. Lavender prefers a sunny, dry location and requires minimum care. It also repels pests like flies and mosquitoes. In addition, Lavender is drought-tolerant, so don’t overwater this lovely herb.

These summer garden herbs are perfect to grow year after year. You can use them fresh from your garden or dry them for use all year long.

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Economic Update for Week Ending June 25, 2022

Stock markets soared to rebound from three straight weeks of steep losses – Stocks markets jumped again on Friday and posted their second best week of the year. Comments from Federal Reserve officials and testimony by Fed Chairman Powell to Congress this week led sinvestors to believe that future rate hikes would not be as severe as previously thought. Powell also testified that he felt that even if there were to be a recession, which he felt could be avoided, it would be mild. He quoted many reasons for his belief in the strength of the economy which included: the strong position of U.S. banks, the strength of labor markets, the strength of the housing market and home equity, and a strong dollar. A key inflation index showed that commodity prices have fallen as recession fears have grown, indicating that the rate hikes are working and that inflation may be moderating. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 31,500.68 up 5.4% from 29,888.78 last week. It is down 13.3% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 3,911.74, up 6.5% from 3,674.84 last week. The S&P is down 18.0% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed the week at 11,609.62, down 7.6% from 10,789.35 last week. It is down 25.8% year-to-date.

U.S. Treasury bond yields – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 3.13%, down from 3.25% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 3.26%, down from 3.30% 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 as of June 23, 2022, for the most popular loan products, were as follows: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 5.81%, up from 5.78% last week. The 15-year fixed was 4.92%, up from 4.81% last week. The 5-year ARM was 4.41%, up from 4.33% last week.

U.S. existing-home sales – The National Association of Realtors reported that existing-home sales totaled 5.41 million units on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate in May, down 3.4% month-over-month from the annualized number of sales in April. Year-over-year sales were down 8.6% from the annualized rate of 5.92 million in May 2021. The median price of a home in the U.S. in April was $407,600, up 14.8% from $355,000 one year ago. May marked a record 123 consecutive months of year-over-year increases in the median price. Inventory levels increased 12.6% from April, but are still 4.1% below the number of homes for sale in May 2021. There was a 2.6-month supply of homes for sale in May, up slightly from a 2.5-month supply last May. First-time buyers accounted for 27% of all sales. Investors and second-home purchases accounted for 16% of all sales. All-cash purchases accounted for 25% of all sales. Foreclosure and short-sales accounted for less than 1% of all sales remaining at a historic low.

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From new AI on IG to Updates at FedEx and More! | Tech News

Another week, another round-up of the leading tech news across the world wide web. In this week’s weekly write-up, we’re talking about a new AI tool from IG, major updates with FedEx, and more! Read on and stay connected with the world of tech!!

Google News Unveils Personalized Desktop Redesign

In honor of its 20th birthday, Google News has unveiled a revamped version of its desktop design. The latest version gives more prominence to local news and personalized content. Likewise, with the latest update, users will be able to customize topics to better fit their search. In addition, users can also add multiple locations to the “Local News” section through their settings button. This change marks Google’s latest effort to become more user-friendly with a series of platform updates in the past two quarters. Of course, the biggest change is that various categories of news like world, business, and science will be more accessible. 

New AI tool being tested at Instagram can Verify Your Age through Facial Scan

A new AI tool is in the works at Instagram. The social media platform is currently testing a tool that can verify age via facial scan. Built by a third-party company, Yoti, the tool is Instagram’s latest attempt at providing a safer space for users 13 and older. Likewise, the tools are meant to aid with privacy and child safety across all users of the platform. Approved for use in the UK and Germany, Yoti is well–established in the field of the online age and ID verification. Users can even try out Yoti’s age verifying tool now directly on the company site if interested in seeing how the potential IG tool may work.

Gene-editing Technology CRISPR may be able to help combat climate change

The technology behind CRISPR and its ability to create new crops may be able to help fight climate change. Researchers recently received $11 million in funding from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to aid in the efforts. Likewise, the funds will go towards enhancing plants like rice and soil. The technology would be able to better trap carbon dioxide emitted through sourcing the crop. CRISPR, which was founded by Nobel laureate and co-inventor Jennifer Doudna, is led by the Innovative Genomics Institute. “[Jennifer] and I saw eye to eye on climate and how big of a problem it is in the world. And we just didn’t want to sit on the sidelines anymore,” says Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI) executive director Brad Ringeisen.

FedEx to soon Photograph Packages as Proof of Delivery

If you have ever had an issue locating a delivered package from FedEx, you may soon have a solution. The company is working on creating its own tool to provide proof of delivery via photo in instances where a signature is not required. “This is something e-commerce merchants and customers have been asking for, and we are proud to be the first to announce this service will be available to residential customers,” Brie Carere, FedEx’s chief customer officer, said in a press release announcing the program this week. Likewise, the service will be free and available for FedEx Express and FedEx Ground delivery customers. The service will also serve as a good form of protection for FedEx, in instances where a package is reportedly lost. The tool will be available in select markets first before launching in the US and Canada.

Twitter to Create built-in Notes feature

Character limits may be coming to an end on Twitter. The company is currently developing a tool for long-form blogging on the popular social media platform. Aptly name Twitter Notes, the company confirmed the new tool via tweet this week. Currently only available to select users in the US, UK, Canada, and Ghana, users will be able to read notes on and off Twitter. The company showcased how the tool will work through two separate GIFs in its tweet announcement. The tool will allow users to embed a Note into their tweet for a long-form post option. Likewise, users can also mix in images and videos to the long-form posts. 

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Weekend Events | June 24 – June 26

The weekend is around the corner and the time for fun is almost here. If you are looking for fun things to do from June 24 through June 26, we’ve got you covered! Read on for our weekend roundup of local happenings around town.

LOS ANGELES | WEEKEND EVENTS JUNE 24 – JUNE 26

Viva! L.A. Music Festival

When: Jun 25, 2022

Where: Echo Park

What: Homegrown fest Viva L.A. is getting an upgrade to a full-blown stadium-caliber lineup this summer. J Balvin, Daddy Yankee, Kali Uchis and Becky G top the lineup for the 10th edition of Viva L.A. Music Festival on June 25 at Dodger Stadium.

Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival

When: June 25 – June 26 

Where: The Hollywood Bowl

What: Groove along to the jazz beats of past and present at this weekend’s Hollywood Bow Jazz Festival. The two-day concert will feature musical performances from the Roots, Tower of Power, Gordon Goodwin, and more!

Latino USA: Live in L.A.

When: June 26 

Where: Downtown Historic Core

What: Journalist Maria Hinojosa interviews actor and taquero Danny Trejo at this weekend’s live edition of Latino USA. The KPCC-presented event will also feature a stand-up set from Marcella Arguello.

 

WESTSIDE AND BEACH COMMUNITIES | WEEKEND EVENTS JUNE 24 – JUNE 26

The Venice Fest

When: June 25 

Where: Mar Vista

What: Support and celebrate local businesses in Mar Vista for this weekend’s Venice Fest. There will be over 100 vendors to check out along with artisans, food, and DJs!

SaMo PRIDE

When: Until June 26 

Where: Downtown Santa Monica

What: For the last weekend of Pride, make your way to the Third Street Promenade! The weekend celebration showcases 15 local LGBTQ+ vendors, along with DJ sets and more!

Poolside Cinema at the Fairmont Miramar

When: until September 4

Where: Santa Monica

What: Enjoy a seaside flick at the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica. Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, fun film flicks are back at the Santa Monica hotel’s luxurious pool. Every Saturday night during the summer, you can catch a film while enjoying the sunset and delicious bites. 

 

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY | WEEKEND EVENTS JUNE 24 – JUNE 26

Movies on the Roof

When: June 24 

Where: Westfield Fashion Square | Sherman Oaks

What: Westfield Fashion Square invites you to a joy-filled alfresco film series this summer. Catch flicks like Back to the Future and La La Land, with ticket sales, support Hope of the Valley.

Getty 25 Festivals

When: June 25 & June 26 

Where: Pacoima

What: The Getty Center continues its 25 years celebration this weekend with a two-day art fair in Pacoima. Likewise, the event will include music, workshops, food, and of course art!

 

Barefoot in the Park presented by Dig Deep Theatre

When: June 24 – June 26 

Where: The MAIN | Santa Clarita

What: Enjoy this Neil Simon classic presented by Dig Deep Theatre! Barefoot in the Park tells the story of newlyweds Corie, a free spirit, and Paul Bratter, an uptight lawyer, live together in a sixth-floor apartment in New York. Soon after their marriage, Corie sets up her mother, Ethel, with neighbor Victor. Inappropriate behavior on a double date causes conflict and Corie and Paul consider divorce.

 

CONEJO VALLEY | WEEKEND EVENTS JUNE 24 – JUNE 26

Ventura County Greek Festival in Camarillo

When: June 24 – June 26 

Where: Camarillo Airport

What: It’s time for the 43rd annual Ventura County Greek Festival! Presented by St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church the event features live Greek music, folk dancing, food, delicious pastries and baklava, vendors, and a kids’ play area.

Summer Art & Music Event at Harley’s Valley Bowl

When: June 25

Where: 5255 Cochran St | Simi Valley

What: Live music, visual artists, vendors, and bowling! This is what you can expect to find and more at this weekend’s Summer Art & Music event. Free all day for all ages, you’ll love this summer festival of fun!

101st Midsummer Festival 

When: June 26 

Where: Vasa Park |  Agoura Hills.

What: The Swedish American Central Association of Southern California invites you to its 101st Midsummer Festival this Sunday. The festival will of course include stage performances, dancing, and delicious food.

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Best Free Outdoor Music this Summer | Out & About

Do you crave live outdoor music? If you love outdoor concerts and other live entertainment, check out the available live events and activities happening in your area!

Grand Performances

Enjoy free outdoor music concerts every Saturday until Sept 24 at the California Plaza stage in DTLA. It features live performances by a diverse mix of bands from around the world. Expect world-class and jaw-dropping music, dance, and more. Likewise, everyone is welcome at this free concert — no age limit!

Getty 25 Festivals

Celebrate with Getty Center as it turns 25 years this year! They are hosting a series of free live outdoor music festivals across Los Angeles, collaborating with the local community and artists. From May to August, prepare for some live music and performances, workshops, and photo booths all for free and no reservations are required!

Expect a family-friendly weekend filled with music, dance, art, and food! And there’s more! Apart from the free outdoor music, you get to also enjoy interactive workshops, skateboard demonstrations, marching bands, art-making, and an astonishing digital experience of Getty collections!

Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles

It’s that time of the year when free live music comes swelling all over the city. Enjoy free shows on the weekends featuring a mix of local arts from ska to cumbia and EDM. The free live outdoor music is available from the months of June, July, August, and September! It’s going to be a fun-filled summer for everyone!

SaMo PRIDE

Watch out for free live outdoor music events on Third Street Promenade from June 17 to 19 including DJ sets, an outdoor market, and an episode of Mortified Podcast. There are events held every day from Monday to Sunday, and all of them are for free!

If you love live DJ spinning, join them every Saturday and Sunday from 2 pm to 5 pm at Center Plaza listening to your favorite beats while soaking up the Santa Monica sun.

In addition, apart from the live music, everyone is invited to see family-friendly displays and activities at Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Place, and Downtown Santa Monica in collaboration with over 15 LGBTQIA+ artisans and makers. Sustainable clothing, jewelry, handmade pottery, beautiful weavings, and Ecuadorian textiles are available.

Jazz at LACMA

Do you love jazz music? Enjoy free live music at LACMA featuring jazz legends. In addition, you get to also enjoy a self-guided music experience inspired by music from McQueen’s runway shows. If you love creative writing, feel free to join the writing workshops featuring a series of prompts exploring popular culture, power, and advertising.

Are You Ready for Summer?

There are loads of free music and other events in Southern California. Feel free to join most of them if you have a lot of time to kill. Contact us if you have further questions.

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Tips for Keeping Your Home Cool this Summer | Home Tips

Keeping your home cool during the summer months in Southern California can be tricky but worth the time to review a few tips. Use these helpful tips to keep your home cool this summer without heavily relying on your AC so that you can prevent your household from becoming a heavy contributor to greenhouse gases.

Keep Your Blinds Shut

One of the easiest ways to keep your home cool on a hot summer day is simply to close your blinds. Blinds are a great way to reduce the amount of heat that is able to build up inside of your home, and the simplest way to lower the temperature by a few degrees immediately if you keep them shut at night into the daytime hours. Blinds located on the north and west side of your home are the most effective, but every window helps.

Consider Other Ways to Block the Heat

Blinds are not the only way that you can block heat from coming into your home, awnings and large plants on the exterior of your home can also help reduce the amount of sunlight that is able to come in. Plan for the long term and plant some deciduous trees so that they block the sunlight during the summer months but allow heat to drift in naturally during the winter months.

Fully Utilize Ceiling Fans

During the summer you need to set your fans to rotate in a counter-clockwise position otherwise they will just be pushing hot air around your home. This simple change allows air to be pushed down which will actually create a cooling effect. Then when the winter months come switch the direction clockwise so that cool air is once again pulled upwards.

Entertain in the Evenings

Take advantage of the cooler weather during the evening hours and choose to entertain outdoors so that you can enjoy the natural cool of the day and avoid the urge to turn up the AC to please your guests. Plus, grilling dinner outdoors is a great way to avoid the uncomfortable task of cooking dinner in a semi-warm kitchen.

Depending on what part of summer it is, you can also open up the windows in your home during the evening hours to help cooler air circulate throughout your home. If your home is properly sealed, you can trap the cooler air in the morning by closing up your home and keeping your home temperature moderately controlled throughout the day without using your AC.

Optimize Your Lightbulbs

If your home still feels warm, you might want to check your lightbulbs. Incandescent lightbulbs actually produce heat, so if you are using these instead of energy-saving bulbs it might be time to make the switch

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