🌱 DTLA Gets 0.89 Inches Rain + Hilltop Coffee & Kitchen Pop-Up Opens

Hello, Los Angeles! It’s National Chocolate-Covered Nut Day, and we snack along. I'm here in your inbox per usual to get you up to speed on everything you need to know that's going on around town. In today's issue, you'll find news about:

• 🔥 A commercial building fire on Lankershim
• 🏡 The city’s latest historic monument
• 💰 Rental costs in L.A.

💗 Please help us grow! Send a friend or neighbor this link, so they can be in the know, like you!

⛈️ But first, today's weather:

Periods of rain and a t-storm. High: 49 Low: 40.

📢 I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Los Angeles who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations in the City of Los Angeles

• 76 at 1307 W 6th St., $4.29
• Berri Brothers at 3860 E 3rd St., $4.35
• Sinclair at 924 N Virgil Ave., $4.49

🍰 Spring Dessert Poll! 🍓
The first day of spring is March 20! Among the things we look forward to in spring are refreshing desserts. Which is your favorite spring dessert? So far, …

• 23.8% voted to write in Key lime pie
• 23.7% chose peach cobbler
• 18.4% opted for lemon bars
• 15.8% selected ambrosia salad
• 10.5% liked fruit tarts
• 2.6% loved mixed berry buckle
• 2.6% picked strawberry icebox cake
• 2.6% wrote in ice cream or coconut cream pie

📰 Here are the top stories in Los Angeles today:

1. On Friday, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) responded to a blaze at 6669 North Lankershim Boulevard. The fire was in a one-story commercial building that sat vacant. A total of 34 firefighters spent 24 minutes battling the flames and protecting nearby structures. We have no word yet on what caused the fire. (LAFD)
2. So, how much rain are we getting? Friday’s rainfall totals — measured in inches — show that downtown L.A. got 0.89". Woodland Hills received 2.62", and Lompoc got 4.05". When comparing snowfall, Mountain High received 16" and the Tejon Pass had 10". And it's not over.(ABC)
3. Los Angeles’ newest historic monument is the former Standard Oil Company Service Station. Thursday’s report highlights that the 100-year-old structure used to be downtown until 1931, when it was moved to Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock. Council member Kevin de León stated, “this is a great day for Eagle Rock and for the preservation of our city’s history.” (KTLA)
4. Are you sitting down? We have the latest rental market trend for L.A., and it’s a doozy. As of Thursday, average rent for a studio apartment is $2,276; a one-bedroom rents for $2,763, and a two-bedroom apartment costs an average monthly rent of $3,830. Costs for renting a one-bedroom apartment rose by 31% in Macarthur Park and 30% in Sawtelle. Beverly Grove remained unchanged, and rents in Silicon Beach actually went down 5%. If you’re looking for bargains, head to Pico Union or Crenshaw. If money’s no object, check out Playa Vista or Miracle Mile. (Rent)
5. We learned on Friday that Hilltop Coffee & Kitchen expanded to 718 South Hill Street in downtown as a pop-up. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. through 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. The pop-up experience will likely run through the summer, provide 279 seats inside, and offer 30 seats on the patio. And yes, you can reserve a private meeting space. (Forbes/paywall)

📆 Today in Los Angeles:

• It's time for Green Haven LA's 2nd Annual Black Cannabis Festival (12 PM)
• Take the kids to see "The Lion King" at the Pantages Theatre (2 PM)
• The Fred Kavli Theatre hosts Culture Club & Berlin (7 PM)
• The USC School of Cinematic Arts presents the USC Comedy Festival, Vol. 6 (7:30 PM)
• Alberto Pedraza & Grupo Ensamble play Salon Lazaro's (9 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "The City of Los Angeles is now accepting applications for Customer Service Specialist! Salary $56,981 - $91,767 - Closes: March 9, 2023 - Visit https://governmentjobs.com/car... for more information on this opportunity!" (City of Los Angeles - Jobs via Instagram)
• "Update - 2023 WFPA Opening Day Postponed due to inclement weather; the LACoFD Women’s Fire Prep Academy (WFPA) scheduled to begin on 2.25.23 has been postponed. The new WFPA Opening Day is 3.4.23." (Los Angeles County Fire Dept. via Instagram)
• "The City of Los Angeles is now accepting applications for Mechanical Helper! Salary $47,397 - $93,834 - Closes: March 9, 2023 - Visit https://governmentjobs.com/car... for more information on this opportunity!" (City of Los Angeles - Jobs via Instagram)
• "We would like to remind our county’s residents to hold off on any hiking activities in our local mountains until the storm has passed." (Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department via Facebook)
• "*UPDATED* Due to inclement weather conditions throughout LA County, check the listed parks that will be closed on Saturday, February 25. Stay safe out there, LA!" (County of Los Angeles Department of Parks & Recreation via Facebook)

🏡 What are homes selling for these days in Los Angeles?

• Median Listing Home Price $1.1M
• Median Listing Home Price/Square Foot $658
• Median Sold Home Price $885K

Check out more Los Angeles real estate information!

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Real Estate basic Training Boot Camp (February 25)
• Torrance Antique Street Faire (February 26)
• Love to Celebrate Women Party for Sweet Kids, Moms, and Talented Adults (March 4)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Los Angeles Patch newsletter? Contact me at losangeles@patch.com