🌱 Emergency At Van Nuys Middle School + CicLAvia Rolls This Sunday

Good morning, Los Angeles! Today, we eat well on National Fritters Day! It's Sylvia, your host of the Daily. Keep reading to find out the most important things going on these days in town, including:

• 🧂 L.A. Eater’s restaurant of the year
• 🐶 Missing East L.A. dog Charlie
• 🤝 First Thursdays in Westwood

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🌧️ But first, today's weather:

A little rain, mainly early. High: 61 Low: 51.

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

• Sinclair at 1004 S La Cienega Blvd., $4.49
• Valero at 500 S Alameda St., $4.59
• Unico at 4072 Verdugo Rd., $4.69

🍪 Holiday Treats Poll! 🎄
December is the month for holiday treats and goodies. Which is your favorite? So far, 50% love See’s Candies, while 25% look forward to King Cake. Peppermint bark and eggnog appeal to 12.5% each.

📰 Here are the top stories in Los Angeles today:

1) On Thursday morning, just after 10:30 a.m., first responders from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) arrived at the Van Nuys Middle School in Sherman Oaks. Authorities have not released the nature of the medical call, but we know that six students were hospitalized and four were being evaluated by lunchtime. Authorities said the “10 patients at the school were treated for mild symptoms.” “Authorities are investigating the possibility that drugs may have been a factor, but the overdose symptoms are mild and do not involve fentanyl,” the LAFD captain explained. Scuttlebutt heard on KFI radio suggests the drugs might have been edibles. (CBS, Patch)

2) Pijja Palace at 2711 Sunset Boulevard is L.A. Eater’s Restaurant of the Year. The publication bestowed this honor on Thursday, mentioning the “all-American pub fare done up Desi-style” that this Indian sports bar brings to the table. Look forward to “hot wings served with curry leaf ranch, nihari lamb ladled over house-made pasta shells, and aloo tikki hash sliders layered with Amul cheese” while sitting in a minimalist version of a gourmet dive bar. (L.A. Eater)

3) East L.A. dog Charlie is missing. He was seen on Friday with someone holding a “for sale” sign “in front of Footlocker on Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue.” The owner is offering a $5,000 reward for the person returning Charlie to its home. If you recognize the person who stole the dog, you might be $5K richer if you drop a dime. (East Los Angeles 90022)

4) UCLA and Westwood businesses launched First Thursdays. Head over to Broxton Avenue for live music, vendors and ways that UCLA is looking to connect with the community. Music students are on hand to provide the tunes. They value the real-world experience of practicing their craft. The program, which began initially in March, has revitalized Westwood by bringing additional foot traffic to the tune of 30,000 prospective shoppers. Businesses, like Prince of Venice, like what they’re seeing — and hearing. (Spectrum News1)

5) CicLAvia will roll through South L.A. on Sunday! The event goes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and takes place on parts of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (Vermont to Central) and Central Avenue (to 1st and 3rd streets). There will be limited crossing points for cars, and street closures may begin as early as 6 a.m. Participants can walk, skate or bike along to various hubs and booths. There’ll be FREE bike repair and FREE pedicabs. (CicLAvia)

📆 Today in Los Angeles:

• Improv Spots are open at Fourth Wall Cafe (11 AM until closing)
• Holiday Blowout Book Sale at the John C. Fremont Branch Library (12 PM)
• Echo Park Farmers Market at Sunset and Logan (3 PM)
• Alan Walker performs at The Hollywood Palladium (8 PM)
• Malaa is at the Shrine Expo Hall (9 PM)

📓 From my notebook:

• "Thank you to everyone who sent their prayers and condolences to the family and friends of Fire Captain Arn Tretsven." (Los Angeles County Fire Dept. via Instagram)
• "Your LAFD Chief was honored to join Lollipop Theater in sharing with children across the country. We hope they enjoyed it as much as we did." (LAFD via Instagram)
• "L.A.'s new ATSAC Control Center — which synchronizes 4,800 traffic signals across L.A., celebrates new upgrades to ensure that ATSAC is a system that works to move trains, buses, bikes, pedestrians, and more — not just cars." (Mayor Eric Garcetti via Instagram)
• "The City of Los Angeles is now accepting applications for Refuse Collection Truck Operator! Salary: $62,138 - $85,273 - Closes: December 15, 2022 - Visit https://governmentjobs.com/car... for more information on this opportunity!" (City of Los Angeles - Jobs via Instagram)
• "Happy 150th birthday, Los Angeles Public Library! L.A. founded its public library in December 1872 and has grown bigger and better through the years. We'll be celebrating our 150th birthday by looking back on our history." (Los Angeles Public Library via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Estate Planning for Your Loved Ones - Webinar (December 3)
• The Nutcracker, presented by Degas Dance Studio (December 4)
• Holiday Book Sale (December 9)
• Add your event

That's it 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.

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