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Welcome to The Los Angeles Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Paramount Global, Skydance Media agree to merge in $8 billion deal

• Upcoming Los Angeles Football Club match

• A deep dive into the life of Aldous Huxley

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“Go as far as you can see; when you get there, you’ll be able to see further.”

—Thomas Carlyle

Sponsored

Yes, this platform’s 77% return is an outlier – but the rest may surprise you

The news is true: Masterworks’ 15th sale just weeks ago returned an impressive 77% to investors. While such a high return is an outlier for the blue-chip art investing platform, you might be wondering what their prior sales delivered. Glad you asked… 

Every one of their sales has returned a profit to investors, with 12 of them delivering double-digit returns, and 1 delivering triple-digit annualized returns. 

In full, Masterworks has over 300 paintings and their 16 exits have delivered: 32%, 39.3%, 36.2%, 27.3%, 9.2%, 33.1%, 21.5%, 17.8%, 13.9%, 35%, 10.4%, 325.5%, 4.1%, 17.6%, 77.3%, and 13.4% net annualized returns. 

Every sale but one outperformed the stock market in the period from when it was offered to when it was sold. 

With performance like that, offerings on the platform can sell out in minutes. However, Local News Newsletter readers can skip the waitlist to join with this exclusive link.

Los Angeles Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

Which Los Angeles university is renowned for its film school, the oldest in the United States?

A) University of Southern California (USC)

B) University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

C) California State University, Los Angeles

D) Loyola Marymount University

Answer to Last Week’s Trivia:

The Los Angeles cultural landmark known for its outdoor farmers' market and shopping complex is A) The Grove.

The Best Stories of the Week

💼 Business

Apartment rents reach record high in L.A. County despite rising vacancy. (Link)

Mr. Pickle's Sandwich Shop opens first restaurant in Los Angeles. (Link)

🏒 Sports

Dodgers’ Bobby Miller has worst start of career in loss to Phillies. (Link)

Dodgers’ Blake Treinen didn’t let time away shake his confidence. (Link)

🏦 Finance

Paramount Global, Skydance Media agree to merge in $8 billion deal. (Link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

⚽ Columbus Crew at Los Angeles Football Club
BMO Stadium, Los Angeles
Saturday, Jul. 13th | (More info)

🏀 Seattle Storm at Los Angeles Sparks
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
Tuesday, Jul. 16th | (More info)

Music & Performances

🎵 Missy Elliott
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
Thursday, Jul. 11th | (More info)

🎵 Duke Dumont
Red Studios Hollywood, Los Angeles
Saturday, Jul. 13th | (More info)

Family Friendly events

🧘 Family Wellness Workshop Cleanse
129 South Bonnie Beach Place, Los Angeles
Sunday, Jul. 14th | (More info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “Futuristic Los Angeles with a focus on sustainability and renewable energy” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

Los Angeles History

1869: The completion of the Los Angeles to San Pedro Railroad.

In 1869, the completion of the Los Angeles to San Pedro Railroad marked a significant milestone in Southern California's transportation history. The 21-mile line, built from 1868 to 1869, connected the bustling city of Los Angeles with the vital shipping harbor of San Pedro. This railroad, the brainchild of Phineas Banning, was Southern California's first railroad and began operations on October 26, 1869. Its primary purpose was to transport freight from the port to the city, laying the groundwork for future economic development and trade in the region.

The completion of the Los Angeles to San Pedro Railroad was a pivotal moment that greatly influenced the development of Los Angeles as an economic hub. Phineas Banning's vision and the construction of this railroad played a crucial role in positioning Los Angeles to become the economic center of the American Southwest. The railroad's completion in 1869 coincided with the national transcontinental railroad, marking an important first step in the region's transportation infrastructure and economic growth.

Phineas Banning's legacy and the impact of the Los Angeles to San Pedro Railroad are still felt today, as the railroad's completion set in motion a series of large-scale improvements that greatly influenced the region's development. The completion of this railroad also played a role in the decision to choose San Pedro as the Port of Los Angeles, further solidifying its significance in the history of Southern California's transportation and trade.

Famous People From Los Angeles

Aldous Huxley (1894–1963): Writer and philosopher.

Aldous Leonard Huxley (1894-1963) was a prominent English writer and intellectual known for his contributions to literature, philosophy, and social commentary. He authored numerous novels, essays, and screenplays, but he is best known for his dystopian novel Brave New World, published in 1932. Huxley was born in Godalming, England, on July 26, 1894, the grandson of a famous biologist. He was educated at Eton and at Balliol College, Oxford University (B.A., 1916).

Early Life and Education (1894-1916)

Aldous Leonard Huxley was born in Surrey, England, on July 26, 1894, to Leonard Huxley and Julia Arnold. His father, Leonard, was a schoolmaster and editor. Huxley's early life was marked by a passion for literature and a keen interest in the sciences. He attended Balliol College, Oxford University, where he pursued his studies in literature and philosophy, laying the foundation for his future career as a writer and thinker.

Literary Career and Brave New World (1917-1932)

Huxley's literary career took off in the early 20th century, with the publication of his early works such as Crome Yellow (1921) and Point Counter Point (1928). However, it was his groundbreaking dystopian novel Brave New World, published in 1932, that solidified his reputation as a visionary writer. The novel explored themes of technology, conformity, and the human condition, earning Huxley widespread acclaim and establishing him as a leading voice in speculative fiction.

Philosophical Contributions and The Perennial Philosophy (1933-1945)

In the years following the publication of Brave New World, Huxley delved into philosophical inquiry, exploring the nature of spirituality, consciousness, and the pursuit of meaning in a rapidly changing world. His seminal work The Perennial Philosophy (1945) offered a comprehensive examination of mystical and spiritual traditions, drawing from diverse religious and philosophical sources to present a unifying vision of human experience and transcendence.

Life in Los Angeles and Later Works (1946-1963)

In 1937, Huxley moved to the United States, eventually settling in Los Angeles, California. It was in Los Angeles that he continued his prolific literary output, writing essays, screenplays, and further exploring themes of spirituality and human potential. His later works, including The Doors of Perception (1954) and Heaven and Hell (1956), pioneered discussions on the relationship between drug experience and mysticism, reflecting his ongoing exploration of consciousness and transcendence.

Legacy and Influence (Post-1963)

Aldous Huxley passed away on November 22, 1963, in Los Angeles, California, leaving behind a legacy of literary innovation and philosophical insight. His works continue to inspire readers and thinkers, offering profound reflections on the human condition, the nature of reality, and the pursuit of a more just and enlightened world. In an age marked by uncertainty and upheaval, the vision of Aldous Huxley remains as relevant and urgent as ever, offering a beacon of hope and wisdom in a world adrift.

Key Achievements of Aldous Huxley:

• Author of the groundbreaking dystopian novel Brave New World, which established him as a leading voice in speculative fiction.

• Published The Perennial Philosophy, a comprehensive examination of mystical and spiritual traditions, offering a unifying vision of human experience and transcendence.

• Pioneered discussions on the relationship between drug experience and mysticism in works such as The Doors of Perception and Heaven and Hell.

• Left behind a legacy of literary innovation and philosophical insight, inspiring readers and thinkers with profound reflections on the human condition and the pursuit of a more just and enlightened world.

• Aldous Huxley's life and work continue to resonate with audiences, offering timeless wisdom and a call to explore the depths of human experience and potential."

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-Matthew Larsen

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