Stock markets end September at record highs – Stock market indexes closed the week at record levels. Stocks have soared as investors were encouraged by the prospects of lower corporate tax rates. The White House released its proposed tax plan, which would cut the corporate tax rates from 35% to 20%. Oil also rose to just over $51 per barrel, which bolstered energy stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the month at 22,405.09, up from its August 31 close of 21,948.10. The Dow is up over 13.4% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the month at 2,519.36, up from its August close of 2,471.65. The S&P is up 12.5% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed the month at 6,495.26, up from last month’s close of 6,428.66. It’s up 20.5% year-to-date.  
Treasury Bond yields higher in September – The 10-year Treasury bond closed on September 29, 2017 at 2.33%, up from 2.17% at the end of August. The 30-year treasury yield ended the month at 2.86%, up from 2.73% last month.
Mortgage Rates remain near historic lows – The 30-year fixed mortgage rate remained under 4% in September. The September 28, 2017 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 3.83%, almost unchanged from 3.82% on August 31, 2017. The 15-year fixed was 3.13%, unchanged from last month’s close of 3.12%. The 5-year ARM was 3.20%, up from 3.14% on August 31, 2017. 
Employers add 157,000 new jobs in August – The Labor Department reported that The U.S. Economy added 157,000 non-farm jobs in August. Economists had expected a gain of 180,000 new jobs. The unemployment rate grew to 4.4% from 4.3% in July. Wage growth also stalled growing just .1% over July and up just 2.5% from last August. The September figures will be out next Friday. September figures will be included on the monthly economic post card and email.
Consumer Prices rise in August – The Labor Department reported that its Consumer Price Index rose 0.4 percent in August after edging up just 0.1 percent in July. August’s gain was the largest in seven months and lifted the year-on-year increase in the CPI to 1.9 percent from 1.7 percent in July. Economists had forecast the CPI rising 0.3 percent in August and climbing 1.8 percent year-on-year. Gasoline prices surged 6.8% for consumers as refineries shut down due to hurricanes. This should just be a temporary spike and added to the CPI increase. The Core CPI, which strips out volatile food and energy, increased 0.2% in August. Year-over-year Core CPI has increased 1.7%. Inflation, while a little higher in August, is still below the Fed’s target level. We watch inflation because higher inflation drives interest rates up. Low inflation keeps rates tame.
California home sales and prices continue to rise in August – The California Association of Realtors released its August Sales and Price Report. Despite tight inventory existing, single family home sales totaled 427,630 in August on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate. That represented a 1.5% increase month-over-month from July and a 1.3% increase from last August. The Los Angeles region registered a 4.4% gain in the number of sales year-over-year. The median price paid for a home in California was $565,330, up 2.9% from July and 7.2% from August 2016. C.A.R.’s Unsold Inventory Index fell to a 2.9-month supply of housing in August, down from 3.2 months in July, as there were too few new listings to keep up with strong sales growth. 
U.S. Existing home sales slightly lower in August – Existing home sales data released by The National Association of Realtors showed that existing-home sales dropped 1.7% on a seasonally adjusted annual rate in August from July’s sales levels, as tight inventory has affected home sales. For the year, the number of existing homes sold on a seasonally adjusted annual rate in August was 0.2% above last August’s sales pace. Prices continue to rise nationally. The median price aid for a home in August was 5.6% higher than one year ago. Housing inventory continued to decline. The number of homes for sale declined 6.5% from August 2016. The 27th straight month of year-over-year declines in inventory levels. The unsold inventory index dropped to a 4.2 month supply, down from 4.5 months one year ago.
Economic update for the week ending September 30, 2017
Markets close the week again at record highs – Stock market indexes closed the week at record levels. Stocks have soared as investors were encouraged by the prospects of lower corporate tax rates. The White House released its proposed tax plan, which would cut the corporate tax rates from 35% to 20%. Oil also rose to just over $51 per barrel which bolstered energy stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the week at 22,405.09, up from 22,349.59 last week. It’s up 13.4% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,519.36, up from its close last week of 2,502.22. The S&P is up 12.5% YTD. The NASDAQ closed the week at 6,495.96, a record high, up from its last week’s close of 6,426.22. It’s up 20.7% year-to-date. 
Bond yields higher this week – The 10-year Treasury bond closed the week at 2.33, up from 2.26% last week. The 30-year treasury yield ended the week at 2.86%, up from 2.80% last week. Mortgage rates follow treasury bond yields so we watch bond yields carefully.
Mortgage Rates unchanged this week – The September 28, 2017 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 3.83%, unchanged from 3.83% last week. The 15-year fixed was 3.13%, unchanged from 3.13% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.20%, up from 3.17% last week. 
Author,
Syd Leibovitch

A bike share pilot is coming to Echo Park next week, just in time for a CicLAvia event ceding the normally car-clogged streets to cyclists.
The pilot program is bringing a kiosk and 19 bikes to Echo Park and Park Avenues on October 5, just before the October 8 cycling event.
Metro spokesman Dave Sotero told LAist that the pilot will remain in place indefinitely, “until we’ve collected sufficient feedback and ridership metrics.” The pilot is the latest extension of the ridership agency’s bike share program, which began downtown in 2016 and has since expanded to the Port of L.A., Pasadena, and Venice. The whole system now has more than 1,400 bikes, according to a press release from the city.
Metro is considering expanding to more than 20 parts of L.A. County, Sotero says, including Hollywood, MacArthur Park, Koreatown, Burbank, East LA, Glendale, Culver City and Palms.
“There are a lot of different factors involved in a decision to install bike share,” Sotero says. “Density within a geographic area, the city’s ability to work with Metro, the bicycle infrastructure already present in that area, what things people can access using bike share.”
Ridership metrics in Echo Park will help the ridership agency decide on the feasibility of setting up a permanent bike share near the lake.
Story courtesy of LAist. ​

Los Angeles provides no limit of things to do, some awesome and some not so awesome.
Since time is precious in this fast paced city we curate a list of things to do in Los Angeles for every weekend that’ll help you decide how you want to spend your limited supply of attention (not to mention dollars!).
This weekend (September 29 – October 1) includes Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival, LA Beer Fest, Boo at the L.A. Zoo, Los Angeles Chocolate Salon, an open streets fest in Santa Monica, Music Taste Good, Halloween Horror Nights, Crawfish for Cancer and LOTS more.
Enjoy!
Friday September 29th, 20171. UnSilent Cinema at FIGat7th (Sept. 28-29) is a two-day showcase of classic silent films enlivened by contemporary live scores. The back-to-back evenings will feature a happy hour in the TASTE courtyard, a DJ at the FIGat7th plaza, plus screenings of The Goddess scored by Juana Molina on Thursday and The Passion of Joan of Arc scored by Julia Holteron on Friday. FREE
2. Back for its 8th year, Wicked Lit is a spooky immersive theatre experience that takes classic and unique horror literature and turns them into plays at the Mountain View Mausoleum & Cemetery every Thursday through Sunday starting Sep 28 and running through Nov. 9. Check for discounted ticketsbefore making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
3. Eat|See|Hear returns with Front Porch Cinema, a free movie night below the stars every Friday on Santa Monica Pier from Sept. 29 through Oct. 27. This fall film series will also feature music, drinks, and bites before each screening. Guests have the option to rent old-timey lawn chairs on site or bring their own gear. The series kicks off with a screening of La La Land. FREE
4. Downtown Dark Nights at L.A. LIVE will feature $5 food and drink menus, live music, street performers, and a marketplace featuring eclectic goods from local artisans and vendors.
5. Time to get in the Halloween spirit. The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride returns to The Old Zoo in Griffith Park from September 29 to October 31. This years theme is “Clown” and features four different freaky zones, a slew of demonic clowns, a corn maze and more. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
6. Always Legal To Laugh (Sept. 28-29) is a new comedy series taking place at Hollywood’s historic Montalbán Theatre. The live shows will include material from classic The Second City archives, original sketches about modern cannabis culture, and The Second City’s world-famous improvisation. Be sure to check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
7. Head over to Torrance for one of the most well-known Oktoberfest celebrations in the L.A. area! Alpine Village Oktoberfest runs Sept. 8 through Oct 28 every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy traditional Bavarian food, beer, dancing, and more.
8. Halloween Horror Nights taking place at Universal Studios Hollywood will immerse guests in a three-dimensional world of terror featuring a new slate of mazes, scare zones and a newly designed “Terror Tram” experience. Themes include American Horror Story, The Shining, SAW, Insidious and more.
9. Beyond Fest returns from Sept. 29 through Oct. 10 with 12 days of special screenings from around the globe at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.
10. LA City Councilwoman Nury Martinez and CHAMPION CITY present the very first Van Nuys Arts Festival. Highlights include live musical performances, dublab DJ sets, live art murals, a classic car exhibit with a nod to the Van Nuys car culture, family arts and crafts, a silent disco, craft beer garden and food trucks. FREE
11.  Pacific Standard Time LA/LA is in full swing with a four-month-long exploration of Latin American and Latino art in relation to the City of Angels. Led by The Getty the high profile event is a collaborative effort with dozens of art institutions across the city. Check out our top highlights here.
12. California Market Center in Downtown Los Angeles’ Garment District, will open its doors to the public for a big sample sale this Friday. Score fantastic bargains on current styles for women, men and kids. Keep in mind that most showrooms accept cash only, and that you’ll want to bring your own bags.
13. The Actors Gang in Culver City will open their season with Captain Greedy’s Carnival, a musical satire mocking greed, humbug, corruption and predatory capitalism. Follow the story of four innocents who get tricked by a legendary con man. From there on they’ll encounter freaks, illusion, terrifying exhibitions and more. Happening Friday and Saturday. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
14. The folks at Rooftop Cinema Club are back with two screenings at their rooftop locations. Wonder Woman at LEVEL in Downtown Los Angeles and Armageddon at Montalban in Hollywood.
15. LACMA’s award winning Department of Music Program provides hundreds of free concerts and musical events every year for Angelenos to enjoy. This Friday their jazz series continues at the BP Grand Entrance.
Saturday September 30th, 201716. The 36th Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival will unite all cultures through music, dance and interactive performances including a Yoruba ground blessing and drum circles. There will also be free guided tours at the historical Watts Towers Arts Center and vendors selling food and arts and crafts. Open to all ages! FREE
17. Crawfish for Cancer is part festival and part fundraiser that takes place around the country. They’ll head to the Santa Monica Pier for their first L.A. event this Saturday with a full day of unlimited crawfish and all the fixings, an open bar and live music to provide an authentic Cajun crawfish experience.
18. It’s Oktoberfest time at Santa Anita Park, enjoy horse racing alongside steins of delicious German beer, a costume contest, a stein-holding competition, German “oompah” music from Bavarian Wunderband and more. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
19. Music Tastes Good comes to Marina Green Park in Long Beach on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 for two days of music, food, and art with music by Peaches, Sleater-Kinney and more.
20. The Pain is Love Tour hits The Microsoft Theater for a night of hip hop featuring Ludacris, Ashanti, Fat Joe, Foxy Brown, Lloyd, Da Brat, Lil’ Mo and more. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
21. The heat is not going anywhere here in L.A. so 1886 Bar at The Raymond in Pasadena will host an Endless Summer Mezcal Party this Saturday. The event will feature one-of-a-kind mezcal tastings, signature 1886 mezcal cocktails, food prepared by The Raymond’s Executive Chef, and beats by DJ Ces.
22. Join firefighting grill masters from around the city as they compete for the ultimate BBQ bragging rights during the Second Annual Fire It Up! BBQ Competition. The day will feature four hours of taste-testing some of the best BBQ in town, grilling celebrities, local firefighters and more. Hosted at the Fire Family Foundation headquarters.
23. Street Food Cinema this Saturday will host an overnight camping event with a special screen of The Lost Boys to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the film. The event will take place at King Gillette Ranch in Malibu.
24. Los Angeles Beer Fest returns for their fall edition at L.A. Center Studios with unlimited beers, live music and food trucks.
25. Celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month at Angel City Brewery this Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m. where $1 of every SaazBerry pint sold will go to Keep A Breast, a nonprofit organization aimed at empowering young people around the globe to get educated in breast health. The event will also have DJ Kreature spining tunes and the Wheel of Boobies where guests can spin for a chance to win prizes.
26. Get a taste of Whittier’s local flavor during the Uptown Food Festival. This food tasting event will feature unlimited food samples from dozens of local restaurants.
27. The folks at Rooftop Cinema Club are back with two screenings at their rooftop locations. Get Out at LEVEL in Downtown Los Angeles and The Fifth Element at Montalban in Hollywood.
Sunday October 1st, 201728. Boo at the L.A. Zoo returns for a spooktacular season this year with a new “Nocturnal Adventure” maze and favorites like the Zoo’s “Animals and Boo” creepy crawler encounters, a puppet show, pumpkin-carving demos, special animal feedings and other family-oriented fun. Weekends will feature “Fearsome feedings,” during which carnivores will devour their favorite meal – carcasses and bones.
29. Get a taste of a beloved Mexican dish when La Feria de los Moles heads to Grand Park in DTLA. The event will feature special presentations on the origin of mole, representatives from Puebla and Oaxaca and various mole tastings. There will also be delicious pastries prepared and paired with the moles. Entrance is free, while the food is available for purchase.
30. The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor will transform into a seaport of the damned this Halloween season with terrifying mazes and monsters at every turn like the Iron Master and Graceful Gale. This year they’ll reveal their newest member of the crew, his name is Chef and he’s got a carnivorous kitchen staff with a big appetite. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
31. Come celebrate culture, jazz and community at the 41st Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival. A free day filled with live jazz music, guided tours and art. The event opens with a Yoruba ground blessing followed by performances of various jazz styles from traditional to spontaneous. There will also be free guided tours at the historical Watts Towers Arts Center and vendors selling food and arts and crafts. Open to all ages! FREE
32. The city of Santa Monica presents COAST an annual open-streets event encouraging the community to walk, bike, skate, and scoot through two miles of activated streets. Expect live music and performances, local food, art installations, promotions near the Pier, and more. This free event covers Ocean Avenue from Wilshire Boulevard to Tongva Park and Main Street from Colorado to Pier Avenues. FREE
33. The Angel City Jazz Festival returns to the Ford Amphitheatres in Hollywood honoring the centennial of Thelonious Monk with a tribute to the influential pianist and composer.
34. The Los Angeles Chocolate Salon returns to the Pasadena Center featuring a curated selection of fine artisan, gourmet and premium chocolates. Guests can enjoy chocolate tastings, demonstrations, chef talks, author interviews and an augmented reality (AR) experience.
35. Celebrate the art of the music video during the 7th Annual Los Angeles Music Video Festival, taking place over seven nights from October 1 to 7 at various L.A. locations. This grassroots festival is the largest music video event in the country and includes video screenings, speakers, a juried competition, musical performances, and more.
36. There’s a Sustainable Seafood Expo 2017 happening at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro this Sunday. The expo will educate people on how to limit their marine foot print and sample food from sustainable seafood companies.
37. The Moth is returning to the Broad Stage in Santa Monica for a one-night show titled Leap of Faithon Sunday.
38. Knott’s Scary Farm is back with their signature haunted attractions, mazes and thousands of monsters ready to scare the living day light out of you and your crew. Be sure to check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
39. The third annual SlutWalk hosted by Amber Rose will take place at Pershing Square in DTLA. Join fellow activist for an afternoon of unity.
40. The Great Rock and Roll Flea Market will take over The Regent Theater in DTLA with an impressive selection of vintage clothing, jewelry  and music memorabilia. FREE
Article courtesy of We Like LA.

The film academy on Wednesday drummed up excitement for its forthcoming museum on the Miracle Mile, releasing a batch of new renderings, giving the press a tour of the construction site next to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and announcing a $50 million donation from philanthropists Cheryl and Haim Saban.
That donation brings the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences close to three-quarters of its new fundraising goal of $388 million. In honor of the Sabans, the museum’s main building—the old May Company at Fairfax and Wilshire—will be renamed in their honor.
Pritzker-Prize winner Renzo Piano and architecture firm Gensler are restoring and reworking the Streamline Moderne-style department store built in 1939 to house a 288-seat cinematheque and spaces for exhibitions, an entire floor devoted to an “Oscars experience,” restaurants, and special events.
The Saban Building will connect via three glass bridges to an eye-catching, 130-foot tall sphere, the bottom of which will hop be encased in panels of precast concrete and house a swanky theater. The top will be sheathed in glass and serve as an observation deck looking out over the Hollywood Hills.
When it opens in 2019, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will finally give Los Angeles a permanent museum to celebrate and explore the history and art of films and filmmaking. The collection includes millions of photographs and hundreds of thousands of films, screenplays, posters, and production and costume design drawings.
Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucas Film, said Wednesday that it was unbelievable that Los Angeles doesn’t already have a motion picture museum.
“We should have the world’s most preeminent motion picture museum, and now we have the opportunity to have that,” she said.
For the new renderings, scroll down.

Stocks hit record highs again this week – Stocks were slightly higher this week following large gains the previous week. The Federal Reserve announced that it would begin its balance sheet normalization program next month. They will slowly sell off bonds and mortgage securities they purchased during the recession to help the housing market, lower long term rates, and add liquidity to the economy. They also announced that they would keep the federal funds rate between 1% and 1.25%, which was good news to investors. They said that while the labor market’s strong inflation is below 2%, which is lower than the Fed target rate. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the week at 22,349.59, up from 22,268.34 last week. It’s up 13.1% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,50.22, up from its close last week of 2,500.23. The S&P is up 11.8% YTD. The NASDAQ closed the week at 6,426.22, down slightly from its all time high at last week’s close of 6,448.37. It’s up 19.4% year-to-date. 
Bond yields higher this week – The 10-year Treasury bond closed the week at 2.26%, up from 2.20% last week. The 30-year treasury yield ended the week at 2.80%, up from 2.77% last week. Mortgage rates follow treasury bond yields so we watch bond yields carefully.
Mortgage Rates rise this week – The September 21, 2017 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 3.83%, up from 3.78% last week. The 15-year fixed was 3.13%, up from 3.08% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.17%, up from 3.13% last week. Rates were a little higher at the end of the week so next week’s survey rates could be higher. 
California home sales and prices continue to rise in August – The California Association of Realtors released its August Sales and Price Report. Despite tight inventory existing, single family home sales totaled 427,630 in August on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate. That represented a 1.5% increase month-over-month from July and a 1.3% increase from last August. The Los Angeles region registered a 4.4% gain in the number of sales year-over-year. The median price paid for a home in California was $565,330, up 2.9% from July and 7.2% from August 2016. C.A.R.’s Unsold Inventory Index fell to a 2.9 month supply of housing in August, down from 3.2 months in July, as there were too few new listings to keep up with strong sales growth. 
Author,
Syd Leibovitch

​This weekend (September 22-24) includes Museum Day Live!, Dino Fest at Natural History Museum, Time Out’s Battle of the Burger, a 90’s Secret Arcade Party hosted by Playboy, the Abbot Kinney Community Fest, a Bloody Mary Festival and LOTS more.
Enjoy!
 Friday September 22nd, 2017
1. The 22nd Annual Redondo Beach Lobster Festival happening Sept. 22 to 24 will bring 27,000 fresh Maine lobsters to the South Bay for mouth-watering dishes, alongside an impressive music line-up all weekend! Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
2. An official Burning Man regional event, the Venice Afterburn comes to Venice Beach’s Windward Plaza on Sept. 22 and 23 offering a less hectic — not to mention less dusty — place to continue enjoying art and creativity after two days on the playa. Open to burners and non-burners alike the event is put on by the folks behind the Venice Art Crawl.
3. The Actors Gang in Culver City will open their season with Captain Greedy’s Carnival, a musical satire mocking greed, humbug, corruption and predatory capitalism. Follow the story of four innocents who get tricked by a legendary con man. From there on they’ll encounter freaks, illusion, terrifying exhibitions and more. Happening Friday and Saturday. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
4. Cheer on the Dodgers as they go up against the San Francisco Giants. Spend an evening at iconic Dodger Stadium and dine on the newly revamped menu as you watch the boys in blue. The night will end with a spectacular fire works show. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
5. Black Rabbit Rose, part theater for magic and variety acts and part craft cocktail bar, takes you into their retro-style cabaret shows set in an intimate and mysterious setting. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
6. The folks at Rooftop Cinema Club are back with two screenings at their rooftop locations. LA Confidential at LEVEL in Downtown Los Angeles and Dirty Dancing at Montalban in Hollywood.
7. Pacific Standard Time LA/LA is in full swing with a four-month-long exploration of Latin American and Latino art in relation to the City of Angels. Led by The Getty the high profile event is a collaborative effort with dozens of art institutions across the city. Check out our top highlights here.
8. The LA County Fair takes over the Fairplex in Pomona from Sept. 1 to 24 with fair-style foods, live musical performances, carnival-style games, rides, and unique attractions such as an expanded farm section (over five acres) featuring tons of interactive agricultural experiences for guests to enjoy. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
9. Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes is hosting the fourth annual Celebration of Food and Wine (Sept. 22-23) The two day party includes an intimate champagne reception, breakfast on the beach, a cocktail competition, a farm-driven grand tasting dinner, live entertainment, and much more.
10. Movie Under The Stars at Malibu Wines will screen Mama Mia! Admission is free but they suggest each party purchase a bottle of wine. Cheers!
11. The Pasadena Greek Fest happening Sept. 22 to 24 will feature classic Greek dishes, drinks, dancing, kid friendly activities and much more.
12. The Groundlings: The Completely Different Late Show is a hilarious improv show by the cast of the Groundlings’ Main Company. Audience shout suggestions throughout the night for improvisational scenes performed by some of the best in the business. It’s also a testing ground for brand new material for the Groundlings’ main show. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
13. The Alchemist’s Lab is an escape room experience putting you right in the shoes of a junior detective at Scotland Yard in the 19th century. Do you have what it takes to uncover the devious plans of the alchemist? Happening throughout the weekend. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
14. Sip wine perched on a iconic L.A. hill that’s also home to an architectural gem at The Barnsdall Art Park’s annual Wine Tasting Nights. Now in its ninth year, the series feature tastings of boutique artisanal wines, along with food trucks, amazing food pop-ups and this Friday includes music from KCRW DJ Marion Hodges.
15. LACMA’s award winning Department of Music Program provides hundreds of free concerts and musical events every year for Angelenos to enjoy. This Friday their jazz series continues at the BP Grand Entrance.
16. Free admission day: Long Beach Museum of Art.
Saturday September 23rd, 2017
17. Museum Day Live!, is a special day where participating museums across the country will offer free admission to any and all guests presenting a free online voucher. Locally, there will be 10 museums in L.A. County who will be participating! FREE 
18. Eat|See|Hear is having a FREE screening of The Goonies at ROW DTLA. FREE
19. For the first time ever, the Bloody Mary Festival will land in L.A. this Saturday. Taking place at Candela the festival will feature some of the best Bloody Marys around town. Some creations will be unique, innovative and some will be old school, attendees will have a chance to taste them all before voting for their favorite.
20. PROUD Movie Night at Grand Park comes to Downtown Los Angeles showcasing short films reflecting the diversity and freshness of creators from the Outfest Fusion Festival. FREE
21. The 2nd annual Dino Fest returns to NHMLA this Sept. 23 to 24 for a weekend of celebrating the prehistoric giants that once ruled the earth. 
22. ROW DTLA Block Party is two days (Sept 23-24) of awesome street fair vibes, retail activations, craft workshops, live art installations, yoga, cocktails, food, a free outdoor movie screening of The Goonies, DJ sets and much more! FREE
23. Playboy’s Hidden Arcade event returns this Saturday at Think Tank Gallery for a throwback 90’s Playboy party with classic arcade games, a DJ, drinks and bunnies of course.
24. Head to the Santa Monica Pier and sample wine while catching a live screening of LA Opera’s Carmen. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
25. Stay cool while learning the Winter Olympics sport of curling! Beginner and pros are all welcome. The lesson will feature an excellent introduction to the basics, including sliding stones, sweeping, and game strategy. All equipment is provided. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
26. Los Angeles Green Festival Expo (Sept. 23-24) is a sustainable festival featuring over 200 exhibitors, 50 inspirational speakers and hands-on activities.
27. Cocktails in the City heads to the Los Angeles’ Majestic in Downtown for what they claim as “the largest cocktail festival in California.” Expect 30 bars ready to give guest the unique bar culture LA is recognized for. Each bar is assigned to craft a signature cocktail thats only attainable at the event. Other highlights include a bar school, a craft spirits discovery room, food vendors, live music, and entertainers.
28. Knott’s Scary Farm is back with their signature haunted attractions, mazes and thousands of monsters ready to scare the living day light out of you and your crew. Be sure to check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
29. Street Food Cinema this Saturday they will screen Edward Scissorhands at Syd Kronenthal Park in Culver City. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
30. Hosted by the Emerson Avenue Community Garden, the Westchester Arts & Music (WAM) Block Party returns for a fun filled day of celebration featuring live music and dance, art, food and much more. The garden will also be open for tours and will host kid’s art activities. FREE
31. Descanso Gardens presents Wet & Wonderful: A Celebration of Water. This daylong symposium centers on ways to create beautiful gardens and save our water supply. The educational day of programming is suitable for all ages.
32. There’s an opening reception for a new solo exhibition by street artist D*Face taking place at the Corey Helford Gallery. Flyer and images attached. The theme of his solo show is resurrection of romance in the modern era. During the reception the artist will perform a real marriage ceremony in front of a chapel installation inside the gallery. Open to the public from 7 – 11 p.m. FREE
33. The 2nd annual Next Night Block Party taking place on South Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills, will host a night of fun and partying with highlights that include: live music, food trucks, restaurant specials, a beer & wine garden and pop-up shops.
34. Shop for a great cause! Visit The Humane Society of the United States for a pop-up shop featuring clothing donated by Hollywood celebrities like Zooey Deschanel, Channing Tatum, Kate Mara, Ruby Rose and Jenna Dewan-Tatum. Refreshments and light plant-based bites will be served.
35. Produced by the art collective 11:11 the Reseda Rising Artwalk & Night Market is a special night of art installations, live art, a beer garden, a market featuring artists’ work for sale, a drawing workshop, food trucks, live music and a zine fest. This is a family friendley event as well. FREE
36. The Surf City Dog Competition heads to Huntington Beach for a day of fun in the sun where dogs will catch a few waves before the summer weather is over.
37. The folks at Rooftop Cinema Club are back with two screenings at their rooftop locations. La La Land at LEVEL in Downtown Los Angeles and Wonder Woman at Montalban in Hollywood.
38. Get spooked during Paramount Pictures After Dark Tour: Tales From The Other Side where you’ll hear scandals of yesteryear and the lost souls who haunt the studio lot by moonlight. The tour starts at dusk with champagne as you head into the studio lot where you’ll weave in and out of sound stages and the darkest corners of the infamous backlot. You’ll end the night next door at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
39. Mt. Washington Made is a local craft fair organized by parents at Mt. Washington Elementary School. The annual modern maker marketplace features a variety of local artists, designers, and much more. Event proceeds go toward school programming.
40. UniCon is the first mini convention for “Unicorn Moms” focused on empowering moms to embrace their individuality. Taking place at Sofitel Hotel the day will feature mommy panelists, lifestyle vendors, entertainment, and more.
Sunday September 24th, 2017
41. Help Time Out LA crown the winning champion of the best burger in town during their Battle of the Burger this Sunday. Taking place at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes the burger filled day will feature tastings, Guinness Blonde, friendly competition, music and more. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
42. The 33rd Annual Abbot Kinney Community Festival will feature over 300 vendors, food trucks, rides, games for kids, four music stages and three beer gardens. FREE
43. It’s Fried Chicken Day at Smorgasburg LA this Sunday! Celebrate National Fried Chicken Month by getting your hands on some of the best fried chicken Los Angeles has to offer. Participants include: Hot Star, Rooster Republic, The Nomad Truck serving a fried chicken burger collaboration with Suzanne Goin, BOLO’s fried chicken sandwich in a Hong Kong style pineapple topped butter bun and Baldoria serving their fried chicken and waffle cone.
44. The American Youth Symphony is hosting a FREE concert at UCLA’s Royce Hall this Sunday. FREE
45. Free museum days: Museum of Latin American Art and Craft and Folk Art Museum (pay what you can)
Scedule provided by We Like LA.

The Los Angeles City Planning Commission gave its approval Thursday to a massive mixed use project set to rise across the street from LA Live.
The project, proposed by developer Shenzhen Hazens, would replace the existing Luxe City Center Hotel on Figueroa Street with a pair of towers rising from a flashy podium structure. Previous plans called for three towers, but the developer recently unveiled an alternative design consolidating the project into two structures.
The taller tower, designed by Steinberg Architects, would rise 49 stories and include 435 units of housing. The other structure, designed by Gensler, would be a 29-story hotel tower operated by W Hotels. It would have 300 rooms (significantly more than the 178 offered at Luxe City Center).
The two buildings would be connected by a three to five-level podium adorned with digital signs—in keeping with plans for many of the new projects planned for the Figueroa Corridor.
In addition to the hotel rooms and housing units, the project would also feature a total of 58,959 square feet of commercial space, including shops, bars, and restaurants. A total of 738 parking spaces for cars and 654 spots for bikes would be found in a four-level subterranean parking lot.
A pair of public plazas would be located at the base of the development, intended to provide a pedestrian connection to the project along Figueroa Street and at the corner of Figueroa and Olympic Boulevard.
Now approved by the planning commission, the project will next go before the city council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee.

​Article courtesy of Curbed. 

Stock market indexes hit record highs – Markets closed the week at record highs as news that an outline of a tax reform plan would be released later this month. Recent compromise on other issues had investors feeling that tax cuts or tax reform could improve prospects for growth in the coming years. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the week at 22,268.34, up from 21,797.79 last week. It’s up 12.7% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,500.23, up from its close last week of 2,461.43. The S&P is up 11.7% YTD. The NASDAQ closed the week at 6,448.37, up from last week’s close of 6,360.19. It’s up 19.8% year-to-date. 
Bond yields higher this week – The 10-year Treasury bond closed the week at 2.20%, up from 2.06% last week. The 30-year treasury yield ended the week at 2.77%, up from 2.67% last week. Mortgage rates follow treasury bond yields so we watch bond yields carefully.
Mortgage Rates unchanged last week – but higher by week’s end – The September 14, 2017 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 3.78%, unchanged from 3.78% last week. The 15-year fixed was 3.08%, unchanged from 3.08% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.13%, down slightly from 3.15% last week. Rates rise at the end of the week and are now slightly higher. 
Consumer Prices rise in August – The Labor Department reported that its Consumer Price Index rose 0.4 percent in August after edging up just 0.1 percent in July. August’s gain was the largest in seven months and lifted the year-on-year increase in the CPI to 1.9 percent from 1.7 percent in July. Economists had forecast the CPI rising 0.3 percent in August and climbing 1.8 percent year-on-year. Gasoline prices surged 6.8% for consumers as refineries shut down due to hurricanes. This should just be a temporary spike and added to the CPI increase. The Core CPI, which strips out volatile food and energy, increased 0.2% in August. Year-over-year Core CPI has increased 1.7%. Inflation, while a little higher in August, is still below the Fed’s target level. 
Author,
Syd Leibovitch

The International Olympic Committee voted unanimously on Wednesday to name Los Angeles as host for the 2028 Summer Olympics. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti signed the host city contract in Lima, Peru shortly thereafter, officially locking in L.A.’s plans to host the Olympics for a third time. L.A. previously hosted the games in 1984 and 1932. The city of Paris was awarded the 2024 games, which L.A. had previously been vying for. 
The success of L.A.’s bid had been all but a done deal since July 31, when L.A. reached an agreement with the IOC after weeks of negotiations. “It has been certainly a roller coaster,” L.A. bid chairman Casey Wasserman told the L.A. Times at the time.
“This is a momentous day for the people of Los Angeles and the United States. For the first time in a generation, we are bringing the Games back to the City of Angels,” Garcetti said Wednesday, according to City News Service. “L.A. loves the Olympics because the Games have lifted up our city twice before. But to us, the Games have always represented an even brighter future and the chance to harness the power of sport and the Olympic Movement again to inspire the next generation—for the next 11 years and beyond.”
L.A. City Council approved bringing the Olympics to L.A. in 2028 in a unanimous vote last month, despite not yet having an approved budget for the new bid. Meanwhile, a growing coalition of local activists known as NOlympics LA has been protesting the forthcoming games, which they argue will bring increased displacement and police militarization to the city. “Despite the fact that the IOC has awarded LA the bid to host the 2028 Summer Olympics, the fight isn’t over,” NOlympics organizers said in a statement released late Tuesday night.
Article by LAist. 

​Need something to do this weekend? Check out the schedule below!Friday September 15th, 20171. Pacific Standard Time LA/LA kicks off this weekend! Enjoy a four-month-long exploration of Latin American and Latino art in relation to the City of Angels. Dozens of art institutions across the city will be participating, and we’ve listed specific openings, receptions, and special events for this weekend throughout our article below.
2. Los Angeles Central Library’s Mark Taper Auditorium will host Lost & Found at the Movies: Stories from Latino L.A. This new series will celebrate the art of cinema and how we both lose ourselves and find ourselves at the movies. In addition, Edward James Olmos and Academy film archivist Alejandra Espasande-Bouza will make a special appearance! This free event is part of Pacific Standard Time: L.A./L.A.  FREE
3. Roaring Nights at the LA Zoo concludes their summer series with a themed night of 80s vs. 90’s music. Activities for the evening include live bands, DJs, pop-up zoo keeper talks, special animal encounters, food trucks, lawn games and more. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
4. George Lopez and Cedric the Entertainer will join Yvette Nicole Brown in conversation following a premiere screening of BET series Comedy Get Down at the Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles. Guests will enjoy a pre-screening reception with appetizers and beverages. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
5. Los Angeles Anime Film Festival celebrates 100 years of anime films during its three-day event September 15-17 at Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE.
6. Circles and Circuits opens this Friday at CAAM (California African American Museum) in Downtown Los Angeles’s Exposition Park. The presentation will trace the history of Chinese Caribbean art from the 1930s through the period of the region’s independence movements, showcasing the contributions of artists little known in the Unites States. FREE
7. Movie Under The Stars at Malibu Wines will screen 1985 flick Clue. Admission is free but they suggest each party purchase a bottle of wine. Cheers!
8. Garbage Pail Groundlings is the latest main stage show at the renowned LA theater. The show is filled with sketch comedy, improv and a cast of growing comedians who’ve made appearances in movies like Ted and television shoes like Workaholics. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
9. Odd Nights At The Autry feature a collection of over 200 vendors from 20 gourmet food trucks, a beer garden, custom handmade treasures and live local bands.
10. Sip wine perched on a iconic L.A. hill that’s also home to an architectural gem at The Barnsdall Art Park’s annual Wine Tasting Nights. Now in its ninth year, the series feature tastings of boutique artisanal wines, along with food trucks, amazing food pop-ups and this Friday includes music from KCRW DJ Marion Hodges.
11. The LA County Fair takes over the Fairplex in Pomona from Sep. 1-24 with fair-style foods, live musical performances, carnival-style games, rides, and unique attractions such as an expanded farm section (over five acres) featuring tons of interactive agricultural experiences for guests to enjoy. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
12. Get a peek into the Fall TV season during the 11th annual PaleyFest Fall TV Previews Sept. 6-16. Located in Beverly Hills The Paley Center for Media will play host to the ten-day festival featuring some of the most anticipated shows both new and old, as well as star-studded panel discussions with series cast and creatives.
13. Start the Halloween fun this Friday during Son of Monsterpalooza 2017 Sept. 15-17 happening at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank. The convention if full of horror themed shopping like costumes, apparel, toys and special appearances by celebrities and artists in the horror world.
14. LACMA’s award winning Department of Music Program provides hundreds of free concerts and musical events every year for Angelenos to enjoy. This Friday their jazz series continues at the BP Grand Entrance.
15. The folks at Rooftop Cinema Club are back with two screenings at their rooftop locations. Dirty Dancing at LEVEL in Downtown Los Angeles and The Terminator at Montalban in Hollywood.
16. Free admission day at the Long Beach Museum of Art. FREE
Saturday September 16th, 201717. The Hammer Museum is kicking off their Radical Women exhibition with a late-night party this Saturday. Radical Women: Latin American Art, 1960–1985 will highlight over 100 exceptional Latin American women artists from 15 countries. This event is free, open to the public and part of Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA. FREE
18. The 15th annual Tarfest is back for 2017 with a FREE showcase of music, dance, live artwork, a biergarten and wine Bar,and installations, all at the iconic La Brea Tar Pits. FREE
19. The “Ghosts” of Paramount’s Past will return to Paramount Ranch this weekend for a night of spooky stories at the historic movie ranch and learn the answers to what ghosts haunt the ranch? Why did the racetrack shut down a year after it opened? Why were witches hiding in the nearby woods? The event is free. Bring a flashlight and your courage. FREE
20. The L.A. Public Library will host a free party this Saturday for a new Oaxacan art exhibition titled Visualizing Language: Oaxaca in L.A., an exhibition celebrating the rich social fabric of Los Angeles through the lens of our city’s vibrant Oaxacan community. Saturday’s opening festivities will feature a performance from Grupo Folklórico Guish Bac and la Banda Grandeza Oaxaqueña, a stencil workshop with the exhibition artists, plus special exhibition tours and refreshments. FREE
21. Esotouric Bus Adventures hosts a four-hour luxury coach tour of Downtown LA featuring tales of hotel horrors and main street vice. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
22. The Open Arts & Music Festival returns to Downtown Glendale with music from Run River North and DUCKWRTH plus craft beers, kiddie fun, $1 vinyl, and more. FREE
23. The California Vegetarian Food Festival returns to Raleigh Studios in Hollywood on Sept. 16 and 17, with animal friendley eats, speakers, and entertainment. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
24. Angel City Brewery’s Saaztoberfest, a new spin on Oktoberfest, is coming on September 16 and 17 with the launch of their new SazzBerry brew. SaazBerry is a new violet-colored ale, created by the brewmasters of Angel City Brewery. Expect music from The Munich Boom-Steiners, along with fun contests, SaazBerry-inspired art, Saazberry beer cocktails, and a sweet treat-themed Beer Bazaar. The event is 21+ and free to attend.
25. Eat|See|Hear is back with a screening of Amelie at Santa Monica High. Check for discounted tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
26. The 2nd Annual Monrovia Station Beer, Wine & Music Festival heads to Station Square Park in Monrovia for a fun filled day of brews, vino and tunes. Sample over 30+ beers and wine, participating vendors include: Modern Times, Hop Secret, Wine of the Month Club members and more.
27. 5th Annual Long Beach Folk Revival Festival heads to Rainbow Lagoon Park for a day of 17 folk and roots acts, local beers and food trucks, a mustache/beard contest, a Polly’s Pies pie-eating contest, a kid-friendly pumpkin patch and more.
28. Street Food Cinema this Saturday features two screenings on Saturday: The Princess Bride 30th Anniversary at Brand Library Park Glendale and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind at Poinsettia Rec Park West Hollywood. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
29. The Autry presents a photographic archive of La Raza, the Los Angeles newspaper essential to the Chicano Rights Movement in the 1960s and 1970s. This event is part of Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA.
30. Get a taste of Downey during the Downey International Food & Music Festival. There will be live entertainment, a beer & wine garden, festival attractions and plenty of grub from local restaurants, food trucks and more. There will be an outdoor movie screening in the evening as well.
31. Rockabilly festival Horton’s Hayride returns for the fourth year in a row at San Pedro for an all-day music fest with Reverend Horton Heat, The Bouncing Souls, and more. In addition there will be food, classic cars, and pinup models for your viewing pleasure.
32. The folks at Rooftop Cinema Club are back with two screenings at their rooftop locations. Top Gun at LEVEL in Downtown Los Angeles and A Space Odyssey at Montalban in Hollywood.
Sunday September 17th, 201733. As part of the launch for Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA over 50 SoCal museums will offer free admission this Sunday! 
34. Love house music? Head to Sunday Sessions Gets Deep in Grand Park to celebrate DEEP-LA. Hear sets from three DEEP-LA DJs, hang out at the 21+ Cocktail Garden and bid adieu to summer. This event is open to all ages. FREE
35. Find out what’s good to drink in the DTLA Arts District during Art Share L.A.’s bar crawl. This community event will kick off at Art Share L.A., where guests can enjoy a vodka tasting. Attendees will then move onto additional participating bars and resturants including Bar 82, Angel City Brewery, Edibol and more.
36. The Central Library in Glendale is hosting a conversation between Bill Esparza and Gustavo Arellano. Esparza is an acclaimed food journalist who has covered L.A.’s Mexican-food culture including profiles of local chefs and vendors, neighborhood guides and traditional and modern recipes. FREE
37. There’s an opening reception for Afro-Cuban painter Harmonia Rosales known for her re-imaging of Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam,” replacing Adam and God as black women. Covered by BuzzFeed, BET.com, The NY Post, The Huffington Post and more, this show will be the first time, the artist is exhibiting her work in a gallery setting. Happening at the Simard Bilodeau Contemporary in Downtown Los Angeles. FREE
38. The Roaring Twenties Street Jam returns to the historic Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round where the park will host a lawn party by day and a merry-go-round dance party by night. Dress in your best vintage and enjoy lawn games, live music, dance lessons and exhibitions, food trucks, vendors and more. Check for discount tickets before making your purchase. DISCOUNTED (via Goldstar)
39. Get a tasty history of the soda fountain when Vintage Ice Cream Man Cary Farnsworth brings his illustrated presentation to the Egyptian in Hollywood. The presentation will be followed by silent classic SPEEDY. The event also includes an ice cream social in the courtyard!
40. The Spider Pavilion at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County will open this Sunday in a new whole new outdoor pavilion. The special exhibit will run through November 26.
41. Take in a few laughs at the end of the weekend at Cool Beans Comedy at the Ice House in Pasadena. FREE
Schedule provided by We Like LA.