Escapes: We can make you an Instagram star
Happy Halloween. We have a ton of stuff that will soothe you, not scare you. We’ll teach you how to become an Instagram star, tell you where to catch the first L.A. visit of the legendary Polar Express, share some good news about Global Entry and explain why you should pay attention to your intuition…
Why car rental bills are so high: taxes and sneaky fees
If you’re renting a car in Las Vegas any time soon, be warned: The base rate might seem low, but taxes and fees may add a significant amount to your bill. This warning comes from the rental car comparison site Autoslash.com, which did a state-by-state comparison earlier this year and concluded that Nevada had the…
On a weekend trip to Santa Fe, rounds of margaritas and musical motels
Santa Fe, N.M., has many charms: its historic downtown plaza, Native American crafts and jewelry, centuries-old churches, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and the Canyon Road arts district. My husband and I visited those spots but also spent a fair amount of time exploring the Railyard District, Santa Fe’s hippest neighborhood, repurposed and expanded into an…
Trump administration shifts course on weakening auto standards
The Trump administration is planning to require automakers to modestly bolster fuel economy and pare tailpipe emissions after 2020, a reversal from its earlier proposal to freeze requirements through 2026. Administration officials have tentatively agreed to the change, according to a person familiar with the matter who asked for anonymity because the deliberations are private.…
China offers 5G discounts in race to scale up world's biggest network
China’s phone carriers offered discounts to subscribers after switching on the world’s largest 5G network Thursday, seeking to spur growth for an ultra-fast wireless system that’s key to technology supremacy. The country’s three wireless operators need to attract users to help pay for infrastructure they’ve spent more than $43 billion on in this year alone.…
HGTV’s 'Fixer to Fabulous' revives old houses in Walmart's hometown
Sam Walton’s 1950 five-and-dime variety store still stands in Bentonville, Ark. — the city that’s now headquarters for Walton’s Walmart chain, the world’s largest retailer, which he launched in 1962. “When times are good people shop at Walmart, but when times are bad they shop at Walmart more,” said Dave Marrs, who with wife, Jenny,…
Manhattan Beach House Hunt: Which Strand home is superior?
In the high-caliber housing market of Los Angeles County, every neighborhood has a distinct style, offering a list of pros and cons that can leave even the surest of buyers second-guessing. Better views lead to longer commutes. Living closer to the action may mean sacrificing space. This series digs into these differences, pitting properties against…
Feeling homesick? The right L.A. sports bar can transport fans back to Philly or Foxborough
In the beginning, God took a fistful of diamonds and hurled them at the world. Those, of course, became our sports bars. Some sparkled, some didn’t. But in L.A. the very best became hangouts for transplants who gathered to follow their teams from back home. These days, SoCal boasts hometown sanctuaries for cheeseheads and chowderheads,…
Was I looking for love, or was I looking for an excuse?
For a queer woman, the dating pool is limited no matter how large of a city you live in. It can be difficult to find a potential date who is not your best friend’s ex, let alone park your car without bumping into an ex-girlfriend. While I wouldn’t say that I moved from Seattle to…
Stylish composer Ludwig Göransson is adding his musical touch to 'Star Wars.' Are you ready?
With his sidekick, a goldendoodle named Barbara, nearby, Ludwig Göransson sat in his recording studio in Glendale on a morning last month. The 35-year-old Oscar- and Grammy-winning composer was explaining how he came up with the epic sounds for his forthcoming project, Disney+’s “Star Wars” series, “The Mandalorian.” On a large screen near him, scenes…