🌱 Ballona Wetlands’ Fiji Trail Opens + MacArthur Park Reopens

Happy Friday, people of Los Angeles, and happy National Clam Chowder Day! Here's everything you need to know to start today off on an informed note.

You can now visit the Fiji Trail. Also, you can go to MacArthur Park again after extensive and expensive renovations. Finally, LAUSD’s COVID-19 testing continues for now.

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 66 Low: 44.

Here are the top five stories today in Los Angeles:

1. When was the last time that you visited the Ballona Wetlands State Ecological Reserve? Earlier this month, officials opened Fiji Way gates to allow visitors to access some portions. On Thursday, Westside L.A. Councilmember Mike Bonin announced that the “Fiji Trail is open Wednesday through Saturday, 8AM-1PM.” Access it “by the gateway across Fisherman's Village & the Ballona Bike path.” (Patch, @MikeBoninLA)
2. Councilmember Gil Cedillo announced Thursday that he “spent $1.5 million in park improvements to MacArthur Park Lakeside including landscaping, clearing trash, upgrading lights and irrigation systems, and repaving the parking lot.” This ends a months-long closure and the resettling of 290 individuals who were living in the park. To prevent encampments from returning, he explained that “outreach teams will walk the park to connect unhoused to resources and housing.” (@gilcedillo, NBC)
3. The LAUSD announced Thursday that weekly COVID-19 testing continues, which extends “a program that had been scheduled to end next week.” Rather than committing to another end date, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho explained that “testing will continue for now.” (Patch)
4. City Attorney Mike Feuer blames the owner of the apartment building on the 13000 block of Vanowen Street for allowing the North Hollywood Locos “to practically control and ‘terrorize’ the area.” The city is now suing the landlord and wants the court to “order the landlord to live at the property.” The city had previously taken the landlord to court over a Baldwin Hills property, “which the city alleges was taken over by the Black P-Stones gang.” (Fox 11)
5. Do you eat dried plums? Do you shop at Costco? We learned Thursday that there is a recall of dried plum snacks “sold by Alli & Rose LLC under the brand name Snak Yard via Costco stores across California.” The problem is a “potential presence of lead.” The product has been on the shelves from April 2021 to February 2022. (Patch)

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Today in Los Angeles:

• VICA Congressional Breakfast at the Hilton Universal City (8:30 AM)
• The Grammy Museum features Motown! (12 PM)
• The Crossroads: An Augmented Reality Concert at the Art Share L.A. (3 PM)
• The Laemmle Royal Movie Theater shows The Automat (6:45 PM)
• Grupo Niche at The Mayan (8 PM)
  

From my notebook:

• Our Beverly Grove Fairfax neighbor is rehoming a sweet, playful, beautiful cat. (Nextdoor)
• A Silver Lake Reservoir neighbor is looking for a trustworthy housecleaner. Would love local recommendations! (Nextdoor)
• A Wilshire Vista West neighbor announces that Rite Aid at 5575 Wilshire, corner of Ridgeway, is permanently closing March 8. Several items are 75% off. Nail polish, normally $10 is $2. (Nextdoor)
• Our neighbor in the Carthay Square area is wondering if anyone is selling Girl Scout cookies in the mid-city area? (Nextdoor)
• Come join Rampart Senior Lead Officers at the Ross parking lot located at 2021 W Pico Bl to have your license plate deterrent screws put on your vehicle and discuss community concerns. (Nextdoor)

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Events:

• 41st Annual CARSplus Convention : Networking for Success and Best Practices (February 25)
• The Crossroads: An Augmented Reality Concert (February 25)
• A Romantic Play, Wine and Chocolate! (February 25)
• Manhattan Beach Cars and Coffee (February 26)
• Estate Planning for Your Loved Ones - Webinar w/ Live Chat Q&A (February 26)
• [Free Masterclass] Increase Your Website Sales & Leads Using SEO (February 26)
• Torrance Antique Street Faire (February 27)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (February 28)
• Learn How To Reduce Your Risk For Heart Disease During American Heart Month (February 28)
• Estate Planning for Your Loved Ones - Webinar w/ Live Chat Q&A (March 2)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar 3/8 & 3/9 (March 8)
• Estate Planning Webinar (March 9)
• Independent Opera Presents Little Red Riding Hood and Puss in Boots (March 11)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Free self-guided, goal-setting worksheet for 2022 (Details)
• Add your announcement

Gigs & services:

• Security Guard Services (Details)
• Add your gig or service

Loving the Los Angeles Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link, so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at losangeles@patch.com

You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow for another update.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Best Fiends (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.