Dr. Martin Luther king, Jr. was a visionary, a fearless leader and someone whose personal involvement changed the course of our history.

These are the words of his most famous speech, still relevant today: 

Jobs and Unemployment (from the New York Times): U.S. Added 216,000 Jobs in December, Outpacing Forecasts-Hiring has throttled back from 2021 and 2022, but last year’s growth was still impressive by longer-term standards.

The U.S. labor market ended 2023 with a bang, gaining more jobs than experts had expected and buoying hopes that the economy can settle into a solid, sustainable level of growth rather than fall into a recession.

The California Legislature has enacted several new laws that will impact the workplace in 2024.  In addition to changes among various state labor and employment laws, the minimum wage will increase.

This alert provides a brief summary of select employment laws that go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, unless stated otherwise.

It has been a very interesting and confusing year. We were told to expect a recession, but it seems we spent ourselves out of it. Prices rose, and fell, and rose and fell. Interest rates climbed, then settled out and seem to be falling again now. AND consumers keep spending. 

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ON TECHNOLOGY AND THE INTERNET-Readers’ gripes include Ring doorbell cameras, self-checkout kiosks and digital billboards.
by BRIAN MERCHANT

Well, goodbye to all that .

Now that 2023 is drawing to a close, and it’s time that we begin to look to the new year, why don’t we spend a minute clearing our closets and minds of all the tech we don’t need? The better to start fresh, and to steel ourselves for the AI-drenched year ahead .

Here is what's happening ant everyone's favorite comedy club, THE ICE HOUSE:

Sunday, Dec. 31st:

Pasadena was is the subject of an Insiders Guide in Vogue. 

Several Pasadena Chamber members are mentioned. 

Read why Santa Anita Park, Vroman's Bookstore, Arroyo Chop House, Agnes Restaurant and Cheesery, Bone Kettle, Pie 'n Burger and so many others are worth a visit (or repeat visits). 

The owners of the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden in Pasadena are reaching out to friends and supporters and asking them to contribute to the Garden’s preservation and maintenance.

Dear Pasadena Business Owner,