All posts by LosAdmin

LA City Joins CENIC

Infrastructure, ,

los-angelesThe City of Los Angeles recently joined up with CENIC – the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California.  The 100 Gbps research and education network is the provider of high speed access to California’s schools, colleges and universities.

This move will be instrumental in advancing California’s infrastructure.   Currently, California can access Los Angeles Open Data (datasets on the city services, economy, safety, budget, transportation, parks and more) and Los Angeles GeoHub (location-based open data on business, health, recreation, safety, and more), with this move, according to a recent article in BusinessWire, “educational institutions and researchers will now have 1,000 times faster access to those resources.”

This sentiment was echoed by Associate VP for IT Services at Stanford University and CENIC Board of Directors Chair, William Clebsch who said:

“This peering partnership between CENIC and the City of Los Angeles represents a unique opportunity to pair the sophisticated research and analysis being done at California’s great universities with the massive data being generated in one of our country’s most progressive Smart Cities, Los Angeles. This will lead to advances in urban living that have not been possible before.”

While this is indeed a great first step – increased access is always welcome – it seems that California still has what to do on infrastructure enhancements.  Some examples include: a) promotion of P3, b) bolstering of competitive bidding and c) a reduction in the amount of PLAs.

Hopefully with the City of LA’s new connection to the CNEIC, infrastructure will benefit, in part due to its Iaas (infrastructure as a service) cloud component for its member institutions.

Venture Capital Funds

Economy, , , , ,

According to the SEC filing, $10.5 million has been raised for Culver City’s Troy Carter’s Cross Culture Ventures fund. Various investments have been made such as the acquisition of early stakes in Gimlet Media (the podcast producer company), Mayvenn Inc. (the online hair extension merchant) LandStreet (a financial and technological services company) and Thrive Market (the online health food store).

It was last year that Cross Culture Ventures began this fundraising.  It is currently looking for investors.  Its focus is making early stage investments in consumer goods and services companies.  According to Marlon Nichols, a Partner at the firm, Cross Culture Ventures is “studying consumer behaviors and consumer purchasing habits in over 180 countries, and we are looking for trends.  From that we pull out themes and we start to invest in those themes.”

One example of companies the firm is helping is LandStreet. Jerry Nemorin, company CEO just pointed out that its additional funding would enable it to “help more consumers restructure their debt and reclaim their financial health…[Further, it can] begin scaling out loan portfolio and expand our customer pipeline.”

New Netflix Series: Dear White People

Entertainment, , , , , ,

movie-1209089_640Following the success of Dear White People – the Indie hit released in the summer of 2014 by The Exchange – Netflix is turning it into 10 half-hour episodes for TV viewing. This debut Indie film (written by Justin Siemen, produced by Roadside Attractions and worked on by many at The Exchange including Jeff Bowler and Brian O’Shea) received the US dramatic special jury award for breakthrough talent at Sundance as well as the San Francisco audience award.

The Netflix series will start filming later on this year. The debut is anticipated for 2017. Lionsgate – the sister company of Roadside Attractions – will be producing the series.

Netflix executives are “excited” about this venture. According to the company’s VP of Original Content, Cindy Holland, “Justin is a gifted storyteller whose bold, unique vision is perfectly suited to Netflix. His original film Dear White People announced the arrival of a fresh, creative voice that had everyone talking, and we’re excited to have Justin create this new series for our members worldwide.”

Los Angeles: Job Creation Firms

Employment, , , , ,

airportLAX has always been great for the economy of Los Angeles.  But a recent report by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) has shown that it has created 620,610 local jobs.  In addition, with its continuing capital-improvement program, each year it is anticipated that it will generate 121,640 jobs.  As Mayor Eric Garcetti enthused: “LAX is powering an economic resurgence across our city, and we are investing billions to make it even stronger. The LAEDC report confirms that this generational investment in our airport is paying off with hundreds of thousands of jobs for Angelenos and billions added to our local economy.”

Generating many jobs is also good for the actual company, vis-à-vis tax credits.  Indeed, last year, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development awarded various companies with state tax credits for their efforts in this area. Some of these were:

  1. Katie May (wedding designer)
  2. Boom! Payments Inc. (electronic payments provider)
  3. Center Corp. (healthcare IT firm)
  4. Planet Earth Los Angeles (recycled packaging maker)
  5. DMF Lighting (Custom Lighting Supplier)
  6. Pacific Steel Group (steel reinforcement supplier)
  7. NerdWallet Inc. (online personal financial services)
  8. CreditKarma Inc. (online personal financial services)
  9. International Business Machines Corporation (IT services)
  10. CHC Consulting LLC (Engineering and Telecommunications services)
  11. Cerner Corporation (Healthcare IT and Revenue Management)
  12. Orbital ATK Inc. (Aerospace Component Manufacturing)
  13. Stripe Inc. (Online Payment Processing)
  14. TriWest Healthcare Alliance Corp (healthcare admin)
  15. FineLite Inc.

Activity from LAX generated $37.3 billion in labor income, $126.6 billion in business revenues state and local taxes: $6.2 billion and $8.7 billion in federal tax revenues in 2016. And as for the LAX Modernization Program (that is due to be completed by 2023), a further 121,640 jobs per year will be created.

Optimism Around LA Economy

Economy, ,

economyHow do people in Los Angeles feel the economy is faring? Many economists in the area believe growth is imminent, despite the increasing cost of living and housing affordability. The Forecast LA study conducted by Beacon Economics LLC in conjunction with Loyola Marymount University indicated that LA in 2017 will encounter continued growth throughout the region, California and indeed the entire nation. Plus, in the early part of next year, unemployment will decrease up to 5 percent throughout America.

For the rest of this year it is predicted that the economy in California will encounter a faster growth rate than the rest of the nation. This year, it was predicted that Californians would experience an upswing of 3.6 percent in their personal income, but this is less than the 4.5 percent average they enjoyed last year.  UCLA economist Jerry Nickelsburg said:

“The fact that we are getting close to full employment means we should be growing at a slower rate, unless there is a faster growth in innovation and capital accumulation.”

The Mayor of LA gave a speech recently in which he took credit for the city’s improving economy. At the same time, he feels that civic health matters have been addressed too.

Food Glorious Food

News, ,

coffee-shop-673789_640Can sometimes be so much more than food. And the price is indicative of that too. At least that’s what most people will feel when they come across the 24-karat gold doughnut. Described as “the fanciest doughnut ever,” creator Chef Jason Harley (of Birdies LA) explained how they “just wanted to give something a little bit different for the people to try.”   Well, $100 a doughnut sure is different. And the $1,000 “deal” for a dozen is something to talk about too.

But perhaps you are one of those in LA where you couldn’t even afford a 99cent doughnut. In that case you might want to join the fight for LA becoming $15 minimum wage. But in more recent news, California’s Fight for $15 campaign is shifting its focus – to unionizing. A recent strike by thousands of workers with lower wages (often those in the service industry) took part in this rally. According to the Service Employees International Union, over 300 cities in America and 40 countries worldwide. And where did they march to? None other than famous eatery McDonalds…offering foods at a somewhat more reasonable price than the golden doughnut.

And then there are those who are helping those in need get proper nutrition, while enjoying their food. Starbucks is addressing domestic hunger. How? By recycling. Yes, Starbucks is going to be donating all its leftover food to charity, with the ultimate goal of providing close to 5 million meals to food banks around the world from its 7,600 outlets. And, within the next five years, it is hoped that number will reach 50 million meals annually. As Brand Manager Jane Maly explained: “When we thought about our vast store footprint across the U.S. and the impact we could make, it put a fire under us to figure out how to donate this food instead of throwing it away. The challenge was finding a way to preserve the food’s quality during delivery.”

Estimates from the federal government have indicated that over 48 million Americans live in what “food-insecure households,” whereby hunger is a constant worry. Meanwhile, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, America disposes of close to 35 million tons of food annually.

Clearly someone needs to be the matchmaker in these cases and perhaps the golden doughnut makers can do something to help as well.

How LA’s Wealthy Chill

Entertainment, , , , ,

With a job as stressful as being a surgeon, it’s no wonder some of LA’s top doctors need an outlet. And that is exactly what four of them are getting as they rock out in the evenings.

It sounds like the start of a joke, but three LA plastic surgeons – Robert Kang, Phuong Nguyen and Jason Roostaeian, and oral surgeon Solomon Poyourow – after a long shift doing surgery get together to jam in their band – Help the Doctor that they launched back in 2011. Already boasting one album – Angeles – that can be found on Spotify and iTunes, this group of surgeons finds jamming together to be a great release after a long day. They met during their Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center residencies, started jamming together and “kind of clicked.” They first performed at West Hollywood’s Troubadour and the rest as they say is history.

Of course if rocking out isn’t quite your thing, there’s always In-Trinity – the “euphoric new workout from the inventor of Spinning.” Jonathan “Johnny G” Goldberg developed this workout which is something completely different as it combines all-body stretching, strengthening and balancing exercises that are done sitting down, lying down, leaning or standing on an hourglass-shaped slant board. And if that isn’t relaxing enough, while you’re dong this, New Age, or other mellow music is playing in the background, “flecked with sounds of gurgling brooks, cackling dolphins and birds in flight.” Classes are currently taught at LA’s LifeFit Center, at Cal State Long Beach campus.

LA: The Business of Dogs

new businesses, , , , , ,

LA is a very pet-friendly city.  In dogsfact, latest news is having veterinarians in the city even push medical marijuana to ease any pain encountered by their four-legged friends. Dr. Tim Shu was behind the creation of VETCBD (that uses cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive extract of marijuana, so pets get relief but not high) and even before that, Southern California Collective’s retail manager, Dre Arriola, was a big proponent of the CBD-infused dog and cat biscuits from Gem Stonz Botanicals; in particular their “Woof It” and “Me Ow It” CBD treats.

In other words if you have the money, anything is possible.  And that extends to other amenities too. Indeed, the first sentence of Kavita Dawsani’s recent article in The Los Angeles Times read “Downtown [LA] has gone to the dogs.”  But this was said with a positive connotation.  Dawsani went on to explain how:

“Apartments and condos in the heart of Los Angeles are boasting amenities for pets that would make most humans drool: free treats, spas, concierge services and dog-friendly on-site parks and rooftop decks.”

More testament to how “money buys love” for pets anyway, at least in LA.  New things propping up include: a dog park with bathing and grooming facilities, tunnels for play, a dog den (featuring a dog wash with drying station, gated rooftop area for socialization for dogs and owners, water bowls and treats).

And now there is the first dog café, just opened in Silver Lake.  Owner Sarah Wolfgang initially launched it as a pop-up in downtown LA but now – the Dog Cafe – has a permanent home at its own storefront.  For $10 people can come in and play with dogs (from the South LA Animal Shelter and are up for adoption) for 55 minutes and at the same time get a beverage from the café that is attached next door. Wolfgang is hoping that this will give potential dog owners an opportunity to get to know the “true selves” of the dogs.

And then of course there are the pet-friendly hotels in LA that offer doggy beds and/or pet sitting services, treats and great amenities such as: the Fairmont Miramar (in Santa Monica), Le Meridien Delfina, Le Merigot,  Marina del Rey’s Ritz-Carlton and The Standard Downtown LA, the Sheraton Universal, Warner Center Marriott Hotel, Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows (offering engraved treats, pink tennis balls and more) and the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites  These include: the  Culver City Dog Park, Hermon Dog Park, Lake Hollywood Park, Laurel Canyon Dog Park, Redondo Beach Park, Sepulveda Basin Off-Leash Dog Park, Silverlake Recreation Ara and Dog Park, Westminster Off-Leash Dog Park and the Westridge Canyonback Park.

So, perhaps in LA there is no business like dog business.

Great News for LA Job Seekers

Employment,

job-appThere has been a drop in unemployment rate in the LA county region.  In fact at the recorded rate of 5.6 percent for February, according to the LA Employment Development Department, this is the lowest it has been since November 2007, with an additional 45,000 new jobs including an expansion of LA’s labor force by 15,000.

Perhaps technology has played a part in this.  The new app – JOBSLA – was just officially launched by LA’s Mayor, Eric Garcetti, at the Northeast San Fernando Valley WorkSource Center, Pacoima. He said: “Right now in L.A. County there are 150,000 jobs that are waiting for people, so there’s no excuse. If you’re looking for a job we can find the job that’s right for you,” Garcetti said. You can register, we’ll help you with your education, your resume and it’s all free.”  Employers can also gain from this: they can search the app for possible job candidates.

Tomorrow, a job fair is being held as well.  The 16th Annual Diversity Employment Day Career Fair is taking place at the the Doubletree LA Westside (6161 W Centinela, Culver City, CA 90230) between 11 am and 3 pm.  This fair is an integral part of the goal to “Get America Back To Work in 2016.”  Job seekers will be able to meet up with recruiters and staffing managers from LA County Fire Department, UCLA, California Army National Guard and other major employers representing hundreds of jobs and careers from entry to professional level.

Boosting LA’s Economy

News,

comicPotential good news for the economy of Los Angeles.  As WonderCon begins its gathering at the LA Convention Center, officials are predicting that $20 million will be spent over the three day event.  This money will be used for hotels, restaurants and the actual event.  But there is more.  A further $16 million is predicted to be spent during the time the people spend visiting the State.

There is so much on which to spend money in LA.  As Mayor Eric Garcetti pointed out: “Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world and a city that captures the imagination.”  What better place to host WonderCon, than the City of Angels?

Gary Toeben, President and CEO of the LA Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed this event.  He said: “A conference of this size, with the ever-growing popularity of WonderCon, will certainly mean great economic benefit, not only for the downtown area, but also for the entire region.”