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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.

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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. 

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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.

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From the New Apple Watch to Google Privacy Updates and More! | Tech News

It’s time for another week of tech news! From all around the globe, we are rounding up the latest headlines you want to know. From the New Apple Watch to Google Privacy Updates and more, read on for this week’s technology news.

Google’s making it even easier to remove your personal info from search

Google is starting to roll out to some users its “Results about you” tool The tool lets you easily file a request to remove results containing your phone number, email, or home address. Google’s previous tool for personal information, along with a host of other types of potentially dangerous or damaging information, wasn’t necessarily the easiest to access or use. The new tool allows you to make a request from the search page directly. If there is a search result linking to a page with your info on it, you can tap the three-dotted button next to it to access the “About this result” panel, which will have a “Remove result” option. You can submit a request to have that result removed at this point. According to Google, there’s also a “Results about you” screen that you can get to by tapping your profile picture in the Google app. This lets you track the information removal requests you’ve made and see their status.

Apple Refreshes Product Lines, Introduces New Ultra Watch

At Apple’s recent online event, the company refreshed its iPhone, Watch, and Air Pods product lines. Likewise, this meant introducing a new Ultra watch for activity in challenging environments. The new Apple Watch Ultra is designed to operate in extreme cold and hot environments. In addition, the watch can be under 130 feet of water without issue. It has a rugged titanium case, and its face is made of tough sapphire crystal. The Ultra will sell for US$799 and will be available Sept. 23. The Series 8 will be available Sept. 16. The GPS version is priced at $399, and the cellular version at $499.

Smart shopping-cart startup Veeve’s new device gives regular carts a high-tech upgrade

Seattle company Veeve is expanding its checkout-free, smart shopping-cart technology from grocery stores to big-box retailers. The company’s new attachment effectively turns regular shopping carts into smart carts. The Veeve technology detects and scans items as they’re put into a cart and keeps a running tally on a built-in display, with a payment system that lets shoppers avoid checkout lines without using a separate app. Veeve says it has found customers using its carts buy twice as much as those using self-checkout stations. According to Veeve, its smart carts are currently in four retail chains in six U.S. states, with multiple stores at each chain, averaging about 10-15 carts per store.

Co-founder of Archer Working on All-purpose Humanoid Robot

As the quest to build the perfect humanoid robot continues, one start-up is taking the next big step. Figure, a startup Archer Co-Founder Brett Adcock developing a multi-purpose bipedal ‘bot it plans to pilot in 2024. The company hopes to succeed where other tech companies have failed. As CEO, Ardock is not only overseeing operations but also funding them with a $100 million boost. According to a report by TechCrunch, the robot rendering is close in style to that of Tesla’s Optimos bot. Figure has brought on the likes of research scientist Jerry Pratt as CTO and former Boston Dynamics/Apple/Arrival engineer Michael Rose. In addition, Google/Boston Dynamics roboticist Gabe Nelson is filling the role of chief scientist.

Nothing Releases Teaser for New Ear Buds

Something to look forward to is Nothing’s unveiling of its latest Ear Stick. The second pair of truly wireless earbuds, Nothing’s second ear drop, features a cylindrical charging case. Set to launch later this year, Nothing’s PR manager Lewis Hopkins confirmed that the Ear Stick is more than just a new charging case for the company’s existing earbuds. “The Ear Stick is an entirely new product. New charging case and new bud,” tells Hopkins. Fans of the tech firm’s products can expect a design that is “feather-light” with a “supremely comfortable ergonomic design” that’s “molded to your ears.”

New Turntable Can Play Music Directly to a Sonos System

If you ever feel like playing DJ at home with your Sonos system, now is your chance. Victrola has dropped its latest turntable, the Stream Carbon, which can easily connect via the Sonos app. According to a press release, Stream Carbon “requires no additional equipment for connecting to a Sonos ecosystem, allowing effortless setup and easy control.” Listeners can send music from the record player to your Sonos Speaker, all from a mobile device. The Stream Carbon turntable has an official Works With Sonos certification. Victrola CEO Scott Hagen said his team has collaborated with Sonos on a “multi-year journey”, so fans can surely expect more out of this new partnership.

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Weekend Events | September 23 – September 25

Fall into autumn fun with this weekend’s round-up of local happenings. While it’s not officially fall, this weekend’s events will be sure to put you in the fall spirit. Read on and enjoy a range of fun this September 23 through September 25 weekend!

LOS ANGELES WEEKEND EVENTS | SEPTEMBER 23 – SEPTEMBER 25

L.A. River Fest

When: September 25 

Where: Chinatown 

What: Make your way to L.A. State Historic Park for an open-air screening of short films about the L.A. River. LA’s famed urban waterway has been featured in a plethora of large to small-scale films. Don’t miss this sampling of cinema brought to you by the Friends of the L.A. River.

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride

When: September 23 – October 31 

Where: Griffith Park

What: Griffith Park’s famed haunted hayride arrives early to bring frights and haunts to Angeleno’s. Make your way to the fictitious 80’s town of Midnight Falls if you dare.

L.A. Times Food Bowl: Night Market

When: September 23 – September 25

Where: Hollywood

What: Fancy a foodie-approved weekend? You are in luck because L.A. Times Food Bowl is back with a night market you won’t want to miss. Enjoy a showcasing of the city’s top restaurants and appearances by the likes of Duff Goldman of Ace of Cakes and L.A. barbecue legend Kevin Bludso.

 

WESTSIDE AND BEACH COMMUNITIES WEEKEND EVENTS | SEPTEMBER 23 – SEPTEMBER 25

The Other Art Fair

When: September 22 – September 25 

Where: Santa Monica

What: Head over to Barker Hanger this weekend to see works of art from over 140 up-and-coming artists. The weekend-long art fest has been curated for collectors and fans of varying budgets.

Loss, Life & Love

When: September 24 

Where: Leimert Park Plaza | South LA

What: It’s not as morbid as it sounds. This weekend’s Leimert Park event invites attendees to ponder life itself for a three-day series of talks and workshops. The in-person street fair will feature comedians, speakers, and musicians.

Americana in the Park

When: September 4 – September 25 

Where: Gandara Park | Santa Monica

What: Enjoy music in the park at this Sunday afternoon concert for the community. All through September, Gandara Park will explore the roots of Americana via tunes.

 

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY WEEKEND EVENTS | SEPTEMBER 23 – SEPTEMBER 25

Home Composting & Urban Gardening Workshop

When: September 24 

Where: Lopez Canyon Environmental Center | Sylmar

What: Learn how to create your own urban garden and at-home composting. This weekend’s workshop will teach you all the basics taught by the LA Sanitation & Environment green waste specialists. In addition, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power will be there to offer water conservation tips and rebate information.

Halloween Horror Nights

When: September 8 – October 31 

Where: Universal Studios | Universal City

What: There’s no running or hiding because Halloween Horror Nights is back and haunting now through October 31. Get your spook on with haunted houses and mazes inspired by the Weekend, Halloween, The Black Phone, Freak, and the classic Universal Monsters.

Valley Relics Museum Experience

When: Every Saturday and Sunday

Where: 16781 Stagg Street Hangar C3 & C4 | Van Nuys

What: Visit the Valley’s beloved museum of Pop Culture this weekend! The Valley Relics Museum invites you to join them for a day full of nostalgia and fun. Their one-of-a-kind museum.

 

CONEJO VALLEY WEEKEND EVENTS | SEPTEMBER 23 – SEPTEMBER 25

Movies in the Park

When: September 23 

Where: Arroyo Vista Community Park | Moorpark

What: Food trucks, photo ops, and more! This weekend’s Moorpark Movie night features more than just a film screening. Enjoy an evening under the stars while viewing the cult-classic film Napoleon Dynamite. 

29th Annual California Lemon Festival

When: September 24 – September 25 

Where: Goleta

What: Be sure to stop by Girsh Park in Goleta for the 29th Annual California Lemon Festival. Likewise, the event will feature yummy lemon food, a great family atmosphere, and a cornucopia of entertainment and activities.

Hispanic Heritage Month at Stagecoach Inn

When: September 24 

Where: Stagecoach Inn Museum | Newbury Park

What: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the Stagecoach Inn Museum. “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation” invites the public to learn what life was like at the ranchos in the early 1800s. In addition, the Inn will feature Caballero and Fiesta costuming.

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Getting Your Home Fall-Ready this Season | Home Tips

Fall is right around the corner. Is your home fall-ready for this transition from summer to autumn? Well, there are lots of steps you can take to keep your home cozy and efficient in the fall season. These are easy and affordable everyday activities you can do as part of your annual home inspection. They include:

1. Clean, Organize, and De-clutter to get it Fall-Ready

Cleaning, organizing, and de-cluttering your home gives it a tranquil and simplified ambiance into fall. To get fall-ready, start by scrubbing all surfaces, including windows, doors, floors, and home appliances. Next, empty and organize your fridge, pantry, and storage areas. Here, check the expiration dates of your food supplies. Throw expired food, and donate the foodstuffs that won’t make it to the fall season. Third, de-clutter and donate your summer clothes and shoes. Also, clean and replace your bedding, towels, and linens.

2. Decorate Your Home

Did you know that installing cozy wallpaper or adding a vintage runner to your entryways can warm up your home for fall? And you can use your pottery and glassware to accessorize and create a fun centerpiece as a focal point in your living room. Donate your unused items in the store and turn the extra space into a hideaway room complete with accented lighting, a reading table, a lamp, a bed, and cozy pillows and blankets. Hang your woven baskets and add some fresh fall flowers for a tasteful look.

3. Make Sure Your Installations are Fall-Ready

Not only should your home be clean and attractive, but it should also be functional. That’s why you should inspect your installations to confirm that they are in tip-top shape and fall-ready. Now is the best time to scrutinize and clean the filter furnace and change the humidifier filter too. Next, check the air quality in the attic. Here, you want to confirm that the insulation is working; all the air vents are clean, dry, and mold-free. Seal any air leakages into the attic to prevent ice dams from forming in winter. Finally, check for cracks in and outside your home. Call a professional to assess and repair any rift at least an eighth of an inch wide.

4. Carry Out Preventive Maintenance

Preventive maintenance will save you unnecessary utility bills and repair costs when getting fall-ready. Have the gutters clean, and debris-free, with water flowing freely through them. Add a drain spout extension to divert water away from the foundation. Ideally, you want water to drain 4 to 6 feet away from your home. Next, inspect and repair any visible damage on your windows, door frames, and surrounding drywall. The weather-stripping should be secure to prevent drafts responsible for escalating heating bills. Test and replace fire alarms and carbon monoxide detector batteries. And reverse the ceiling fan to push the heat down from the ceiling to the floor.

5. Work With a Professional

Some areas around your home require professional handling only to get fall-ready. For example, ask a professional to clean your chimney. And contact an HVAC professional to check the ductwork and tune up your heating system. Then, as a rule of thumb, call an expert to address any concerns you have after inspecting your home.

A savvy homeowner is proactive in preparing their home for fall. Then, use the tips above to enjoy a comfortable, safe, and cost-efficient transition into the cooler season ahead.

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Weekend Events | September 16 – September 18

We’re diving right into mid-September with a bevy of local fun! There are plenty of great ways to spend your weekend around town, and we have you covered. Read on for our weekend round-up of events!

Los Angeles Weekend Events | September 16 – September 18 

Museum Day

When: September 17 

Where: Various L.A. Museums

What: Hosted by Smithsonian magazine, Museum Day invites you to check out LA’s top museums for FREE. This year you can enjoy the day at the GRAMMY Museum, Japanese American National Museum, Museum of Latin American Art, CAAM, and more!

LUMINEX 2.0: Projected Realities

When: September 17

Where: DTLA

What: Downtown LA comes to life with dazzling lights for one night only this Saturday. The site-specific light-installation project will be staging augmented reality installations and more, all for free, around DTLA.

LA Beer Fest

When: September 17

Where: Westlake

What: The LA Beer Fest is back and brewing up pours from over 80 breweries. Make your way to this one-day beer fest and enjoy food trucks, live music, and more. 

Westside and Beach Communities Weekend Events | September 16 – September 18

Oaktoberfest

When: September 17

Where: Venice

What: While it’s not yet October, you can kick off this famed fall fest early at Firestone Walker Brewery this Saturday. The one-day event, named after the brewery’s signature lager, will feature food, music, and more. In addition, there will be three German-inspired beers and special package options. 

BeachLife Ranch

When: September 16 – 18 

Where: Redondo Beach

What: BeachLife Festival goes country for this weekend’s music line-up. Make your way to Redondo Beach for music from The Lumineers, Hall & Oates, Brandi Carlile, Dierks Bentley, Wilco, and Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real.

Malibu Triathalon

When: September 17 – September 18

Where: Malibu

What: Even if you are not participating in the Malibu Triathlon, you can still cheer on Saturday’s participants. See competitors swim, bike, and run their way along Zuma Beach and PCH at this weekend’s Olympic distance race. Funds raised will go towards Children’s Hospital Los Angeles’s Pediatric Cancer Research Program.

San Fernando Valley Weekend Events | September 16 – September 18

Eat | See | Hear

When: Until October 29 

Where: North Hollywood

What: With stops at different locations around town, Eat|See|Hear brings the fun to the best local destinations. See cult flicks, enjoy delicious food and hear the sounds of L.A.’s top local bands.

Halloween Horror Nights

When: September 8 – October 31 

Where: Universal Studios | Universal City

What: There’s no running or hiding because Halloween Horror Nights is back and haunting now through October 31. Get your spook on with haunted houses and mazes inspired by the Weekend, Halloween, The Black Phone, Freak, and the classic Universal Monsters.

All-Age Skate Night

When: Every Saturday

Where: Moonlight Rollerway | Glendale

What: Get your roll on this Saturday at Moonlight Rollerway’s All-age skate night. The Saturday night skate will be for all ages from 8 PM to 11 PM, with tickets required for entry.

Conejo Valley Weekend Events | September 16 – September 18

38th Annual Ventura County Coastal Cleanup Day

When: September 17

Where: Throughout Ventura County

What: Help keep the coast clean by participating in this Saturday’s annual California Coastal Cleanup Day. From 9 am to noon, you can help remove trash and plastic pollution in the Ventura County area. Let’s help ensure our local beaches stay beautiful!@vccoastcleanupday to remove trash and plastic pollution that has been accumulating in our County since the last Coastal Cleanup Day.

805 Night Market 

When: September 17 – 18

Where: The Oaks | Thousand Oaks

What: Inspired by open-air night markets, 805 Night Market invites you to venture out this weekend. Eat, drink, socialize, and be entertained at this fun festival, open to all ages. 

21st Annual Thousand Oaks Rotary Wine & Beer Festival

When: September 17 

Where: Hyatt Regency Westlake | Westlake Village

What: Join the Thousand Oaks Rotary Foundation for an evening of wine, beer, and bites. Since its inception, the event, for adults ages 21 and up, has raised over $550,000 to benefit the Ventura County Special Olympics and the Thousand Oaks Rotary Foundation. Both help support many local charities and provide student educational scholarships.

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From Patagonia Donating All-Profits to Ethereum Going Green and More! | Tech News

From Patagonia Donating All Profits to Ethereum Going Green and more, connect with the latest happening in the world of tech. Read on for our weekly round-up of the world’s biggest headlines in bite-size form.

TikTok Unveils New BeReal Style Feature

As the latest app to hop on the BeReal trend, TikTok has launched a new feature similar to the competitor app. The company announced the feature in a blog post published this week.  With a dual camera feature called Now, users will be able to post in-the-moment content when notified. “We’re expanding our suite of creation tools as we continue to foster authentic and spontaneous connections on TikTok,” the company says in the post. In addition to images, users will also be able to post 10-second videos. While the feature is only being tested at this time, only time will tell if it can truly compete with BeReal’s surging popularity.

Patagonia Announces Plan to Donate All Company Profits Toward Climate Change 

Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia founder, his spouse, and two adult children have announced they are giving away ownership of the company to fight climate change. Worth $3 billion, the company will donate all profits to projects and organizations that protect wild land and biodiversity. Published on the Patagonia website on Wednesday, Chouinard said the following: “While we’re doing our best to address the environmental crisis, it’s not enough. We needed to find a way to put more money into fighting the crisis while keeping the company’s values intact…So, we created our own.”

Snapchat for Web is Now Available for All Browsers

Announced in June, Snapchat has finally debuted its web-supported version to all subscribers. This will be the first time that the popular app is available beyond mobile. In addition to the desktop offering, there are also a number of new features being announced for the app. Regarding Snapchat for the web, users can chat and video call with friends, with conversations syncing between devices. The web version will give users more surface space to chat and video call friends. Currently, one hundred million users currently use the app calling feature every month. This move to a desktop version will, of course, allow the company to expand to more users around the world!

Ethereum, the World’s Second Largest Crypto, Goes Green

Considered the second most valuable cryptocurrency in the world, Ethereum has officially gone green. It’s long-awaited revamp, “The Merge,” completed a massive software upgrade this week which will slash its carbon footprint. The upgrade will reduce Ethereum’s energy consumption by nearly 99.95%, according to the Ethereum Foundation. The Merge refers to the original Ethereum Mainnet merging with a separate … blockchain called the Beacon Chain,” it added. The merger moves Ethereum to a mechanism called “proof-of-stake,” which is much more energy efficient. 

Uber Brings Upscale Electric Car Service to More Cities

This past May, Uber launched its Comfort Electric service in a small portion of cities. The launch brought premium EVs like Tesla, Polestar, and Ford Mustang Mach-E to users in eligible areas. With the success of the launch, the company has announced it will widen its expansion to include 14 additional cities in North America. The Comfort Electric option will now be available in the following cities: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore-Maryland, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Connecticut, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New Jersey, NYC Suburbs, Philadelphia, Portland, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St Louis, Vancouver (Canada), Washington, DC. Likewise, this recent change coincides with the company’s mission to become a zero-emissions company by 2030.

 

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Top New Restaurants to Try Around Town | L.A. Eats

In LA, there are always plenty of new restaurants popping up around town. Rather than stick to your regular routine, step out and try something new. In this week’s LA Eats blog, we’re dishing the top new places to grab a bite and a beverage!

Capri Club

A popular new spot in Eagle Rock, Capri Club, dishes out delicious Italian bites and exquisite pours. For a new restaurant worthy of your time, we recommend Capri Club for a weekend night out with friends. 

Workshop Kitchen & Bar

When it comes to new restaurants with a modern flair, Workshop Kitchen & Bar goes the distance and succeeds.  Experience minimalist modern aesthetic and French-inflected, elegant market fare from chef Michael Beckman, this La Brea eatery. Just make sure you come hungry enough to indulge in the restaurant’s five-course tasting menu and experience inventive cocktails.

Dunsmoor 

For new restaurants in the Glassell Park area, look no further than Dunsmoor. Cooking up Rustic American cuisine, Dunsmoor is a woodsy setting with a welcoming ambiance. Expect fire-kissed meats, pristine raw seafood, and more at Chef Dunsmoor’s latest outpost.

Mes Amis

For a chic Hollywood hangout, head to Chef Lincoln Carson’s Mes Amis. The former Bon Temps chef serves up brasserie food with a bit of flair along one of the city’s busiest new restaurant blocks. Dessert is also a must-try at Mes Amis.

Vamos Vamos

One of Main Street Santa Monica’s new restaurants to try is Vamos Vamos. Enjoy this casual dining spot that offers menu items like fish tacos and green chile-topped cheeseburgers. For libations, they have Seven different margaritas, ranging from watermelon to hibiscus, all but guarantee Vamos Vamos is going to be a good time.

Tail o’ the Pup

Restored and back in business, one of LA’s most famous food landmarks is back. Tail ’o the Pup, a famed hot dog and bun-shaped walk-up stand, returned to West Hollywood and is ready to serve you. Enjoy various hot dogs and sides in the heart of West Hollywood. Stop by for some nostalgia and mouth-watering bites.

Konbi

The tri-cut Japanese-style sandwiches and expertly prepared French pastries at Konbi are worth a trip to Culver City. Bite into a superlative ham-and-cheese croissant and enjoy something sweet with its more extensive selection of gelato-style ice cream. 

Emmy Squared

Tucked into a suburban part of Santa Monica, Emmy Squared brings its beloved pizza squares from the East to the West. At this square-pie palace, diners can score pints of Santa Monica Brew Works beer alongside pepperoni-heavy, extra-cheesy pizzas. Yum!

KazuNori 

For new restaurants in Studio City, KazuNori brings its deliciously warm and crispy handrolls to the Valley. In 30-minutes or less, you’ll be able to enjoy freshly wrapped temaki, and an array of cut rolls. 

Curry Zone

With the name Curry Zone, you can expect to find a variety of curry options at Valley Village’s latest joint. This new Indian spot in Valley Village also has various biryanis, tandoori platters, and kathi rolls to indulge your tastebuds.

Casita 

A new Mexican restaurant in Sherman Oaks, Casita, will make you feel right at home. From wagyu steak taco to chipotle-slathered street corn, the menu is extraordinary. We recommend also trying “flaming” slab of panela cheese set alight with mezcal, chiles rellenos stuffed with sauteed squash, and a whole snapper topped with charred citrus.

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How to Conserve Energy | Home Tips

With the recent West Coast heat waves, conserving energy has taken center stage. While it may be harder to turn down the AC during hotter months, there are a number of ways to conserve. Get ahead of the next flex alert and do your part to conserve energy at home with the helpful tips listed below.

Replace your light bulbs

It may seem minimal, but the types of lightbulbs you use can go a long way in energy conservation. Traditional incandescent light bulbs consume mass amounts of electricity and must be replaced often. Energy-efficient alternatives, like halogen incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), and light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs), use less energy and last 3 to 25 times longer than traditional bulbs.

Use energy-efficient appliances

Did you know that appliances are responsible for roughly 13% of total household energy use? When it comes to the appliances in your home, there are two things to keep in mind. Before your next buy, consider the initial purchase price and the annual operating cost. While energy-efficient appliances have higher upfront purchase prices, the operating costs are often 9-25% lower than conventional models.

Replace your air filters

The filters in your home should be replaced regularly. Replacing your air filters helps you avoid repairs and helps to save money. In fact, The Department of Energy released a report saying that replacing dirty filters regularly can reduce household energy consumption by up to 15%. 

Upgrade your HVAC system

If you are in an older home, chances are your HVAC system is in need of TLC. An HVAC system is composed of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment. Heating alone is responsible for more than 40% of home energy use. Air conditioning also plays a factor in energy use, with over 6% of the average, typical total energy consumption. You can reduce your energy consumption with proper insulation and maintenance of your ventilation system.

Let In Natural Light

Replacing your lightbulbs is not the only way to conserve energy. By letting natural light into your home and flipping the switch off, sunlight can save tons. For instance, having north and south-facing windows instead of east and west can help. Creating energy from the sun and conserving energy with natural light can significantly reduce your household consumption and cost.

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