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“DIVERSEartLA” Will Return to LA Art Show With a Compelling Retrospective That Highlights Diversity and Inclusion
LA Art Show, LA’s largest art fair, returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 19 to 23, 2025 in celebration of its 30th anniversary. In honor of this significant milestone, the show’s educational, non-commercial platform DIVERSEartLA, curated by Marisa Caichiolo, will be back with a compelling retrospective, reflecting its transformative journey over the past eight years.
DIVERSEartLA was born out of a necessity to amplify marginalized perspectives and the upcoming exhibition emphasizes the importance of diverse representation and continued advocacy for inclusivity in the arts. The 2025 retrospective serves as a mirror reflecting the evolution of the platform’s curatorial vision with each piece representing a significant milestone that challenges the status quo and encourages critical conversations around race, gender, and the complexities of modern existence. It is also a sobering reminder that people must stay active in securing and sustaining their rights.
The 2025 iteration showcases all the projects undertaken by various museums and arts institutions affiliated with DIVERSEartLA since its inception. “This retrospective, which feels particularly important right now, honors the creative contributions of our partners while emphasizing the vibrant evolution of DIVERSE as a vital presence in the art community,” states Marisa Caichiolo. “Visitors can look forward to an engaging display that highlights pivotal moments from each year through installations and videos of performances.”
DIVERSEartLA 2025 will showcase eight installations along with a catalog and a timeline, presenting performances and videos from previous years. A selection of artists & institutions featuring include:
Celebrating Diversity By Chiachio & Giannone
Curated by Gabriela Urtiaga, Chief Curator at MOLAA and presented by MOLAA- The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) presents a special installation about diversity and pride in collaboration with world-known Argentinian artistic duo, Leo Chiachio & Daniel Giannone. Artworks featured were created by the artists at MOLAA with more than 3,000 members of the Los Angeles community collaborating in the creation of the flag. In 2019, the banner was carried by over 100 volunteers at the Long Beach Pride Parade.
Dactiloscopia Rosa: Video Art and QUEER Constructions
Curated by Nestor Prieto and presented by Museo La Neomudejar (Madrid, Spain)- The exhibition is a chronology of the movement of sexual liberation / LGTBQ in Spain (1970-2016), featuring materials and teachings from the transfeminist/Queer archive of the Museum, showcasing the constructions of social movements in the 70s, 80s and 90s under Franco Dictatorship.
Carlos Martiel | Cauce/Riverbed
Curated by Marisa Caichiolo- In his work “Cauce/Riverbed,” the artist exposes the significant challenges faced by immigrants in California and the U.S. Martiel digs deep into the nature of undocumented immigration and shows how it impacts the lives of some eleven million individuals and their families in the world’s most powerful nation. His performance is a window to the human tragedy that can affect immigrants who come to the United States in search of the “American Dream,” risking their lives in the process.
Viktor Freso’s breathtaking 30-foot Bear Sculpture presented by Danubiana Museum (Slovakia) will be located at the entrance for DIVERSEartLA. The Bear is a symbol of power and resilience, setting the tone for the event as bigger, braver and more ambitious than ever before. Tickets are available at www.laartshow.com with 15% of proceeds being donated to the life-saving mission of American Heart Association’s Life is WhyTM campaign.
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64% of Gen Z Prioritizes Sustainability on Black Friday – Hostinger Research
Gen Z stands out for its environmental awareness, with 64.4% of respondents indicating that sustainability is an important factor in purchasing decisions. This drops to 44.7% for Millennials, 35.7% for Gen X, and 29.0% for Baby Boomers. Regardless of age, most respondents are not willing to pay significantly more for eco-friendly products. This willingness decreases with age, showing that younger consumers are more motivated by sustainability than their older counterparts.Hostinger, a leading provider of website-building and hosting solutions, has released a new report revealing key insights into U.S. consumer behavior ahead of Black Friday 2024. Based on responses from 1,000 American consumers, the study captures trends in spending, shopping preferences, and the influence of digital marketing in the lead-up to the season’s biggest shopping event. Hostinger also investigated the differences in consumer behavior across genders and generations.As Black Friday continues to be a cornerstone of the global shopping calendar, understanding shifting shopper habits is key for retailers to make the most of this massive sales season. This research offers businesses ways to refine their focus and strategies to capitalize on this event’s hype.
“This Black Friday, retailers must navigate the evolving consumer landscape characterized by speed, convenience, and complex shopping journeys.”, said Justina Nemaniutė, Lead of Sales at Hostinger. “By leveraging technology and data-driven insights, businesses can tailor their offerings to meet shoppers’ needs at every stage of their decision-making process, from research to purchase.”
Key findings reveal that 31% of Americans plan to spend more this year than in 2023, with men particularly inclined to increase their Black Friday budgets. While Gen Z remains enthusiastic, their spending power is lower than that of older generations, with many planning to keep purchases within the $100–$299 range.
Additionally, 30% of consumers plan to shop exclusively online this year, underscoring the need for retailers to create seamless eCommerce experiences. Mobile shopping has also grown, with 46% preferring mobile devices, especially among younger shoppers. However, 44.85% of Americans still prefer their desktops/laptops to shop online.
Unsurprisingly, price is the top consideration for 62% of shoppers. Retailers offering deep discounts stand to attract the most attention. Moreover, email remains the most influential marketing channel, with 59.2% of respondents stating it impacts their buying decisions.
The study also reveals that women are the most impulsive gender in unplanned shopping, and Gen Z is the most impulsive generation.
Hostinger also found that Gen Z stands out for its environmental awareness, with 64.4% of respondents indicating that sustainability is an important factor in purchasing decisions. This drops to 44.7% for Millennials, 35.7% for Gen X, and 29.0% for Baby Boomers.
This year’s Black Friday promises dynamic shifts as Gen Z demands speed, Millennials focus on quality, and Baby Boomers prioritize convenience. Our insights equip businesses with data to refine their Black Friday strategies and capture a larger share of the market.
Hostinger is one of the top 3 web hosting brands worldwide. With world-class products and a team of around 900 curious and high-spirited professionals, we help over three million clients in more than 150 countries achieve their online goals.
Hostinger has been ranked among the fastest-growing companies in Europe for four consecutive years in the Financial Times’ annual FT 1000 list.
All reported statistics reflect responses to a Hostinger survey from October 2024, designed by Hostinger and administered using Pollfish. The audience comprises 1000 respondents from the US who shop during Black Friday and/or Cyber Monday events.
Hyperlink credit to https://www.hostinger.com or
https://www.hostinger.com/ blog/black-friday-statistics -
Carrera Slot Cars
I have never played with slot cars and understood the hype until I checked out the MarioKart GO! Carrera-Revell of America playset! They are the leading producer of slot car racing sets and their toys are sold on Amazon as well as their own website. The technology of slot cars requires 4 D batteries. We took some time to assemble the track and place the banners along the side. It was very exciting to see it come to life as we followed the easy instructions to get it built. It was way bigger than I thought it would be and the speed made it thrilling and fun for Niko! He will be 6 in just a few weeks so this was definitely a huge upgrade from his Hotwheel tracks. First, we learned to control the speed of the cars, then we place the ramps and made the cars jump!
We loved how detailed the cars look and since we just rewatched the Super Mario movie last week, it was so much fun! Even though it was a school night, we were way too excited to receive this in the mail and built it. Once we finished building it we realized our D batteries were not working and went to the store in my pajamas to buy some. We got Energizer batteries over the generic store brand to give it the maximum oomph and power. Niko was so excited and loved this toy so much that he woke up early to play again before school started. If you are looking for a gift for the holidays that is fun for the entire family, add it to your Amazon wish list!
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MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART PRESENTS LANDMARK EXHIBITION SURVEYING THE ISLAMIC ARTISTIC TRADITIONS OF MOROCCO
The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) unveiled Splendours of the Atlas: A Voyage Through Morocco’s Heritage, on view until 8 March 2025. Organized as part of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, the exhibition presents around 200 objects to tell a multifaceted story of Moroccan history, society, artistic expressions, and how they continue to animate the nation’s cultures today. The opening reception was attended by Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Chairperson of Qatar Museums and the Years of Culture initiative, and Princess Lalla Hasna of Morocco.
Splendours of the Atlas includes loans from Moroccan institutions including the National Foundation of Museums and the National Library of Rabat that have never before been shown in Qatar. Previously unseen works from the collections of Qatar Museums, MIA, and the future Lusail Museum are also on display. Splendours of the Atlas is curated by Dr. Mounia Chekhab-Abudaya, MIA Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs.
Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani said, “We are extraordinarily fortunate to partner with institutions across Morocco for our Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, which will greatly expand the ability of Qataris and those living in Qatar to gain insight into the grand Islamic traditions of our neighbor in North Africa. Our shared commitment to scholarship, scientific discovery, and artistic excellence has created a fertile basis for this year’s rich Year of Culture program.”
Years of Culture spearheads long-lasting cultural partnerships between Qatar and other nations. It exists to promote respect and understanding among diverse cultures.
Splendours of the Atlas is organized thematically:
- “Faces of Morocco: Landscapes and Society” will immerse visitors in a mosaic of photographs by Bruno Barbey, Irving Penn, Lalla Essaydi, Mous Lamrabat, and Mounir Raji.
- “The Soul of Morocco: Kings, Saints, and Scholars” delves into Moroccan dynastic history.
- “Threads of Tradition: Morocco’s Artisanal Mastery” explores the pivotal role of crafts in Morocco’s many cultures.
- “Traditional Sounds of Morocco” presents musical instruments that are used to create everything from the Andalusian melodies of the cities to the gnawa music of the South.
- The final section is an ode to contemporary Moroccan craftsmanship. If features seven commissioned works by Moroccan artist Noureddine Amir, which respond to traditional crafts while reinventing them as new abstract works that hang from the gallery’s ceiling.
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ARIA Supports Easyside’s Mission to Empower Artists and Feed Communities
This year ARIA Property Services is thankful for the opportunity to support Easyside, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing opportunities to artists in the form of studios and exhibitions, and offering resources to the local community through a bi-monthly food pantry and community-focused events.
Easyside’s facility on Lancaster Ave in the Meadowbrook neighborhood of Fort Worth is home to seven artist studios and an on-site micro-gallery. Easyside has also fostered curatorial partnerships with local galleries and institutions, most recently Arts Fort Worth.
The bi-monthly food pantry is hosted on-site in the facility, featuring locally grown organic food from partner farms and community organizers. Easyside hosts regular community events with the goal of connecting neighbors with the arts, and artists with each other.
Easyside’s mission is to “Seek alternative methods of creation and care to better equip artists and feed communities in East Fort Worth.”
ARIA is proud to help bolster the efforts of Easyside through the holidays and beyond. The nonprofit’s commitment to alternative, creative methods to address age-old issues reflects the core ethos of ARIA – to empower, recognize and innovate.
GP Hind, President and Co-founder at ARIA weighs in, “We have been looking for the right community partners for some time. Having visited Easyside numerous times and met with board members and resident artists I knew ARIA was dealing with a set of great people with enormous talent and warm hearts. Having got to know the way Easyside operates there is clearly a strong synergy between ARIA and Easyside. We are looking forward to a long, rewarding working partnership in support of a vital community resource.”
The initial donation from ARIA to Easyside is set to create a long-term relationship between the burgeoning real estate investment business and a vital community resource. Funds donated by ARIA will enable the artists in residence to commit even more of their time to delivering vital food bank and community-focused support through Thanksgiving and the Holidays.
The culmination of the hard work and commitment by the Eaysiders is their end of year Deck the Hallways event. This event perfectly showcases the blend of arts and community that drives Easyside and delivers on their sound body, sound mind ethos.
New work from resident artists and the wider DFW artist community will be available to view and buy. Food security resources will be available and Easyside board members will be on hand to chat, advise and educate. Santa will be dropping by, too.
It all goes down December 145, 2024, between 2pm and 7 pm, at 3715 E Lancaster Ave #120, Fort Worth, TX 76103. On street parking is readily available.
For more information on the Easyside programs and Deck the Hallways specifically please email info@easyside.org
If you are a Texas-born nonprofit that shares the ARIA ethos and would like to discuss partnerships, you can access the President directly.
Equally, if you are looking to advance your real estate career or have skills that match a growing company that does things a little differently check out the ARIA careers page – https://ariapropertyservices.
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Spilling the Tea with The Old Farmer’s Almanac!
Peace, happiness, and joy are possible during the time I drink my tea.”– Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Zen Master
Next to water, tea is the most widely consumed drink in the world – 3.7 billion cups daily in one recent year. There are basic reasons for this. Tea quenches our thirst. We like the taste. It warms us up on a cold day and refreshes us on a scorcher. We brew a cup of Irish breakfast to get going in the A.M. and a mug of soothing chamomile before bed. Just the act of making a “cuppa” can be restorative. This is especially true in the UK, according to anthropologist Kate Fox: “Whenever the English feel awkward or uncomfortable in a situation (that is, almost all the time), they make tea.”Tea has been around for two millennia or so; in 2016, archaeologists discovered tea in a Chinese emperor’s tomb dating from 141 B.C., well past its “best by” date. One of the world’s oldest and most popular drinks, tea is also one of the best for your health.A Drink A DayA translated ancient Chinese proverb posits that “drinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecary.” In fact, tea was probably first imbibed as a medicine. Lu Yu, the Chinese author of Ch’a Ching, or “The Classic of Tea,” promoted its healthfulness in the 8th century. In 1657, Garraway’s Coffee House in London became the first business to sell tea in England, advertising that it “maketh the Body active and lusty . . . helpeth the Headache . . . removeth the Obstructions of the Spleen” and was “good against Lipitude Distillations.” Quaint language aside (“lippitude” refers to bleary eyes), Garraway’s was onto something. We know today that the caffeine in tea can alleviate a headache and may speed up the action of a pain reliever.Caffeine is just one component of tea that can be beneficial. Catechins – a type of polyphenols, or plant chemicals with antioxidant properties – are also being studied for their preventative and curative powers. Here’s a sampling of some of the more promising findings.-
A 2020 meta-analysis of an array of studies found that drinking two to three cups of black or green tea a day was associated with a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease and a lower risk of cardiac events and stroke. Other studies have suggested related cardiovascular benefits, such as the potential to lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
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A 2021 review of research into green tea found that it has potential as a flu-fighter and may ward off the common cold.
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According to a 2022 article in Molecules, the catechins in green and black tea may have prophylactic and therapeutic effects on Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
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A study published in 2023 showed that drinking tea may lower the risk of osteoporosis and hip fractures. This is encouraging news, given that osteoporosis affects millions and is difficult to treat.
The 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac is available wherever books and magazines are sold. Support local booksellers whenever possible! A full list of stores that carry The Old Farmer’s Almanac is available at Almanac.com/WheretoBuy. Print and digital copies of The 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac are also available online at Almanac.com/Shop and on Amazon.The Old Farmer’s Almanac—with its iconic yellow cover and classic corner hole—originates from Yankee Publishing Inc., a 100% employee-owned company in Dublin, New Hampshire. The Almanac’s editors also produce their annual Garden Guide, digital monthly magazine EXTRA!, The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids (Vol. 10 now available), and a collection of wall and desk calendars, including The Old Farmer’s Almanac Planner. Also available is their online garden-design tool, the Garden Planner.They also publish a collection of gardening titles, such as the Container Gardener’s Handbook (released in Spring 2024), the Flower Gardener’s Handbook, and the Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook (now in its seventh printing!).Daily Almanac wit and wisdom are available through Almanac.com, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, and the Amazon Echo voice assistant. -
