Weekender #169

🤔 Brainteaser of the day: Two men were born in the same year, on the same day, in the same city, and they have the same parents. However, they are not twins. How is this possible?

Click here to see the answer.

✅ Today’s Checklist: 

• Joanna shares ways to help amidst LA fires
• Binge this Billy Bob Thornton drama
• Pet of the week: Meet Dusty

💵 Six smart ways to boost your financial wellness and develop healthier money habits.

📚 15 books we can’t wait to read—here are the most anticipated releases of 2025.

🏡 Maximize efficiency with these work-from-home productivity tools.

🎨 Get inspired by these creative vision board ideas for setting your 2025 goals.

On Tuesday morning, I turned a meeting into a walking call. A few minutes in, I noticed massive billows of smoke rising from the Palisades area. Initially, I assumed it was a wildfire that would be contained within hours—unaware it would become one of the most destructive fires in Los Angeles history.

Witnessing the relentless advance of the flames from my rooftop was surreal. Even now, three days later, I’m grappling with a whirlwind of emotions: heartbreak for those who lost their homes and memories, helplessness in the face of such destruction, and disbelief at the obliteration of cherished areas like Pacific Palisades and the devastation wrought by the Eaton Fire in Pasadena and Altadena. This city, the place I’ve called home my whole life, has been profoundly scarred.

Adding to the turmoil is a deep-seated anger. Outrage toward Polymarket for taking bets on how long these fires will last, and others seeking to profit from this disaster. Individuals exacerbating the chaos through acts of arson—which ignited the Kenneth Fire, consuming nearly 1,000 acres—looting homes, and politicizing the tragedy instead of focusing on community support.

In response, I’m channeling my energy into proactive measures. With the support of my team and friends, we’ve compiled a list of ways you can assist, no matter where you’re located:

• Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation: Directly support firefighters at supportlafd.org.
• The People’s Struggle San Fernando Valley: Donate via Venmo to @peoplesstrugglefv to support gas, water, masks, and other supplies for fire-affected individuals.
• California Fire Foundation: Donate online to the Wildfire and Disaster Relief Fund at cafirefoundation.org.
• Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund: Support long-term recovery efforts at calfund.org/funds/wildfire-recovery-fund.
• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles: Help rebuild homes at habitatla.org/support-us.
• World Central Kitchen: Provide meals to disaster-impacted communities at wck.org/news/first-alert-ca-fires-jan25.
• Pasadena Humane Society: Support rescue efforts and provide care for animals affected by the fires at pasadenahumane.org.

• Canine Rescue Club: Foster displaced pets at caninerescue.club/foster.
• Volunteer County of Los Angeles: Support disaster response efforts at volunteer.lacounty.gov.
• American Red Cross Los Angeles Region: Volunteer for disaster shelter support at redcross.org/local/california/los-angeles/volunteer.
• MySafe:LA: Partner with the LA Fire Department to enhance community resilience at mysafela.org/volunteer.

• Los Angeles Fire Department: Get updates at LAFD.org/alerts.
• Watch Duty App: Access real-time updates and maps via the app.
• Ready LA County: Sign up for phone, email, and text alerts at ready.lacounty.gov/emergency-notifications.
• National Weather Service (NWS): Download the app for weather alerts.

• Access an up-to-date spreadsheet of resources, including donation centers and shelters, here.
• Human Evacuation Shelters:
  • Westwood Recreation Center: 1350 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
  • El Camino Real Charter High School: 5440 Valley Circle Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
  • Pasadena Convention Center: 300 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101
• Donation Drop-Off Centers:
  • Westchester Family YMCA: 8015 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
  • Anderson-Munger Family YMCA: 4301 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90020
  • Koreatown YMCA Center: 433 Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Together, we can support our community and help rebuild what’s been lost.

Joanna Ericta (TA Co-Founder)

When emergencies strike, effective communication and collaboration are critical. Whether you’re coordinating safety updates, sharing essential resources, or keeping projects on track amidst the chaos, these tools are here to help.

1. Slack: The Instant Lifeline

With real-time messaging and customizable alerts, Slack is your team’s emergency hub. Create channels specifically for updates, safety resources, or team check-ins. Add integrations to automate fire alerts or share evacuation maps instantly. When speed is key, Slack delivers.

2. monday.com: Stay Organized Under Pressure

monday.com keeps your team’s tasks and priorities in line, even when things feel chaotic. Create a centralized board for tracking critical updates, safety protocols, and shifting deadlines. Automated alerts ensure no one misses a beat, whether it’s a project pivot or an all-clear notification.

3. Notion: The Knowledge Vault

Think of Notion as your team’s survival manual. Use it to centralize resources like evacuation plans, emergency contacts, and status updates. Its collaborative workspace means everyone can add and access the information they need—no bottlenecks, no confusion. It’s visually organized, which keeps the stress level down.

4. Zoho: The All-in-One Solution

Zoho offers a suite of tools to handle everything from communication to resource sharing. Use Zoho Connect for internal updates, and Zoho Desk to manage inquiries. It’s an all-in-one platform for efficient collaboration in challenging times.

5. Wrike: Simplify Complex Coordination

Wrike excels at managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders. Use it to assign tasks, set deadlines, and share progress updates in real-time. Its robust dashboards and

📚 Read: Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten

Ina Garten proves once again that preparation is everything. Part memoir, part motivational pep talk, this book is packed with her signature warmth and wisdom. Perfect for anyone ready to turn “what if” into “heck yes.”

📺 Watch: Landman

Billy Bob Thornton takes on oil, power, and small-town drama in Landman. It’s gritty, intense, and full of twists—like Yellowstone, but with a hard hat.

🎧 Listen: gloria by Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar and SZA? Say no more. Gloria hits with sharp lyricism and soulful vibes that’ll have you feeling all the feels and ready to conquer the world.

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Say hello to our gentle giant, Dusty! This part Maine Coon spends his day chasing his girlfriend Sage around the house and his nights snuggling up on our necks. Dusty is a baby at heart, he brings big love and even bigger purrs to our home.

🐾 Got a cute fur baby? Submit them to be our pet of the week in an upcoming issue.

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