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As travelers rethink relaxation, the Andaz West Hollywood-a Hyatt Hotel-embodies fresh trends in luxury, wellness, and nostalgia. This urban oasis offers the perfect balance of convenience and leisure, with a rooftop pool, pet-friendly amenities, and a prime Sunset Strip location. Blending Urban Wellness Escapes, Nostalgic Urban Stays, and Pet-Friendly City Retreats, the Andaz invites guests to rediscover iconic LA with comfort and sophistication. If you're looking for a...

Ask Rusty – Have I Saved Social Security Money by Claiming at 62? Dear Rusty: I had to start collecting Social Security at 62, and I am 75 now. I believe that in the last 13 years I have saved Social Security money, so I do not know why I cannot draw my full benefits now. If I had started drawing at 65 at $1,200 per month, then I would have drawn $16,400 per year. Instead, I got $680 per month from 62 to 75, or $8,160 per year, or about $106,000 over 13 years. Compare that t...

California banned the sale of flavored tobacco in late 2022 in an attempt to combat the rising use of tobacco products and e-cigarettes, especially among young people. While cigarette sales have declined, this hasn't stopped some people from smoking menthol cigarettes. From May to June 2023, market research firm WSPM Group conducted a discarded cigarette pack audit that gathered data from ten major California cities. It was found that 14.1% of the packs were menthol, and...

The Visual Snow Initiative (VSI) has successfully completed the final phase of its mission to secure the first-ever official and designated ICD codes for both Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS) and Visual Snow (VS). Led by Founder Sierra Domb, VSI collaborated closely with Dr. Peter Goadsby and Dr. Owen White to advocate for the inclusion of VSS and VS in the latest edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), maintained by the World Health Organization (WHO)....

Ask Rusty – About How Medicare Premiums Are Determined Dear Rusty: Please explain the Medicare premium increase based on income reported to Social Security? For those of us that waited to draw Social Security until age 70, and who are still working - drawing a salary, and planning to retire at age 75 after RMDs kick in at age 73 - how do we make sure that Social Security reports our earnings accurately, so we don't wind up with increased Medicare premiums? Why not charge i...

The ONLY charitable place left in SM to buy a tree! (Very hard to find a vacant lot now!) Help a Troop 2 Santa Monica Boy Scout go to camp who would otherwise not be able to! This summer, they are trying to go to the Amazon rain forest, to work with an indigenous tribe on conservation efforts. It's an amazing, once in a lifetime learning opportunity for the Scouts, but expensive. Everyone who works at the lot are volunteers, so 100% of the money earned (after expenses) goes...

LOS ANGELES - The County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) will waive all late penalties and field enforcement fees for pet owners purchasing or renewing pet licenses between December 1, 2024, and February 28, 2025. Pet owners are required to have a valid pet license and their pet must be spayed/neutered and microchipped if they reside in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. This requirement also applies to residents of cities that contract...

Ask Rusty - Was Your IRMAA Article Incorrect? Dear Rusty: In a recent article about Medicare's "Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount" (IRMAA) and how IRMAA affects Social Security taxes, you described which income gets included in the IRMAA calculation. You said it is "your combined income from all sources, including 50 % of the SS benefits you receive." That 50% number might be true in some cases, but I think a more accurate, general answer is that "your taxable SS...

Bristol is the perfect place for a winter break – a place where everyone's welcome! Bristol transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season with a kaleidoscope of activities that cater to everyone's festive spirit. Whether hunting for unique gifts, marveling at dazzling light displays, or diving into immersive experiences, this vibrant city has something for every holiday lover. Here's a closer look at how you can make the most of Christmas in Bristol this year....

The magic of the holidays returns to The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage as Westside Ballet of Santa Monica presents its 51st annual production of The Nutcracker from November 30 to December 8. This cherished holiday tradition, Southern California's longest-running Nutcracker, features more than 130 pre-professional student dancers bringing 236 stunning costumes to life, accompanied by the live Santa Monica College Symphony Orchestra. Included are a remarkable 37 Santa Monica...

November 19, DALLAS – GasBuddy, the leading fuel savings platform saving North American drivers the most money on gas, today released the findings of its 2024 annual Thanksgiving Travel Survey, revealing that 72% of Americans plan to take a road trip over the holiday. This is a 75% increase from the 41% that planned to take a trip by car in 2023, amidst gasoline prices that have fallen to multi-year lows, including 29 states where average prices are currently below $3 per g...

Ask Rusty - When Should My Wife Claim Social Security Benefits? Dear Rusty: I turned 64 in July and my wife turned 62 in August. My wife has not worked for approximately 15 years but does qualify for Social Security on her prior work record. My wife is having some physical issues and would like to not return to work. Since she is eligible to collect Social Security, that would be an option to provide additional income, so she doesn't have to work. My question is how would it a...

Los Angeles, CA – August 27, 2024 – Pilates instructor and author Myra Valley has released her debut children's book, Flying Mats and Acrobats, an inspiring story for children ages 4 and up that combines action-packed adventures with lessons in kindness and the joy of movement. This origin story introduces readers to Evie and her friends, a group of young acrobats who, with the help of magical flying mats, take on exciting quests to help others and spread positivity. Evie lead...

Ask Rusty -- Older Veteran Asks about Special Social Security Credit for Military Service Dear Rusty: I served in the U S Army from January 1958 to Feb 1961. What increase should I receive for those years and who do I call and at what phone number? Signed: Proud Veteran Dear Proud Veteran: First, thank you for your military service! I expect you are referring to the "special extra credits for military service" which are available to some who served in in the US Military in...

Ask Rusty – Why Does the Government Raid Social Security? Dear Rusty: The Social Security program is funded by employees and their employers. The federal government does not contribute to the program, right? So why does the federal government feel they have the right to raid the fund? All the money sent to Ukraine and other unnecessary programs could have been used to pay back what they owe to Social Security. Signed: Disgruntled Senior Dear Disgruntled Senior: You are correct...

A comet, C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, is making its grand return to Earth's skies, marking the brightest comet visible since 2006. Starting October 12, you'll be able to catch it around twilight until the end of the month. Where to Watch It If you're on the West Coast, you've got a prime seat for this cosmic event. But there's one catch: light pollution. According to Bill Cooke from NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office, your best bet is to find the darkest possible location. In...

Located on Ocean Avenue in the heart of Santa Monica, Shore Hotel will expand its culinary offerings with the anticipated opening of Shoreside, a modern lifestyle restaurant and bar opening this November. Soon-to-be Santa Monica's newest hotspot and "outdoor living room," the 76-seat restaurant will combine Southern California's charm with exceptional dining and breathtaking views just steps away from the iconic Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade. "We are thrilled...

Surge! An Electrifying Luxury Gifting Lounge Experience by The Craig + Merritt + Ash Entertainment Group was on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at Luxe Sunset Blvd Hotel, 11461 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles,90049 from 1-5 pm , with mini sound bath, aura photography, affirmation jewelry , and loungewear handpicked by esteemed brands, Caribbean music by DJ Alex, tasty Mimosas served from their brunch bar, surrounded by Emmy nominees, actors, producers, writers , and industry...

9/28/24: On National Dance Day, 36 ballerinas from Westside Ballet swapped pointe shoes for gloves and bags, dedicating their Saturday morning to environmental stewardship at Santa Monica's Coastal Cleanup Day. Joining forces with over a thousand volunteers, including divers from the Eco Dive Center, the dancers helped remove more than 400 pounds of trash from the shores, including unusual finds like electric scooters and even wedding dresses. Martine Harley, Westside...

Ask Rusty - Will my Wife's Survivor Benefit Less if she Claimed Her Social Security Early? Dear Rusty: I claimed Social Security at 70. My wife claimed her own SS at 62, and her earnings were significantly lower than mine. I understand my wife will be eligible to claim my benefit if I pass before she does, but will Social Security reduce that benefit because she didn't wait until age 65 to claim hers? Signed: Concerned Husband Dear Concerned: Your wife's benefit as your...

Kitten season is still going strong and the shelters are incredibly full. We have primarily been rescuing cats and dogs from San Bernardino the past few months since we got our Intervention Program back up and running. The city shelter there is overflowing with animals - so much so that cats are now housed in an empty school and small dogs are kept in cat cages. We are doing our best to rescue as many animals as possible and find them loving homes. We rescued Eloise last week...

Actress Erin Gavin seen celebrating her standing ovation at the Laemmle Theater in Santa Monica. The stunning Scottish import was in attendance for the theatrical release of her short movie 'Gaming For Love" which was a part of the 'Shorts By The Sea' event. The heart wrenching award winning short movie received a terrific unanimous audience reception. Talented Erin wrote, produced, directed and acted in the movie and also created the set design. Her recent hit record release...

Renowned filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist Yi Zhou announces the release of her latest literary work, The Art of Triumph: Trauma, Sex, and Art, now available at Barnes & Noble. In this deeply personal book, Zhou explores the transformative power of trauma and love through the lens of contemporary art and culture. Her compelling narrative weaves together elements of vulnerability, healing, and creative expression, offering readers an intimate look into how pain and...

Ask Rusty – Should my Husband File and then Suspend His Benefits? Dear Rusty: My financial advisor used a computer program which told my husband to take his SS at age 68, then suspend it after a few months. What I understood was if my husband started and then stopped taking distributions, he would earn delayed retirement credits and thus get more at age 70. I know waiting increases SS amounts, by 8% a year, but does purposely starting and then stopping SS increase distribution...

August 29, 2024 - Do you want your child to learn about his or her Jewish roots, to know what it means to be Jewish? Want him or to have a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, but are ambivalent about joining a synagogue? Or maybe there are other issues that preclude a 'normal' religious school. On the other hand, you may simply be looking for a more creative and meaningful Jewish experience for your children. Then BAYIT is the place for you. The brain child of Masha Savitz, a veteran educator...