🌱 Fire On Dickens St + New Ruby Fruit Is The Only Sapphic Bar In L.A.

Good morning, everybody! Today we celebrate a Nintendo icon on National Mario Day. It's Sylvia, your host of the Los Angeles Patch newsletter — here to impart everything you need to know that's happening in town. Including news about:

• ⚠️ The search for a second stabbing suspect
• 🤔 A lack of paramedic equipment
• 🤝 A possible strike affecting the school district

❤️ Loving the Los Angeles Daily? Tell a friend and send them this link, so they can subscribe!

🌧️ But first, today's weather:

Cooler with rain. High: 56 Low: 53.

🏘️ Looking to differentiate yourself from other real estate agents in Los Angeles? Partner with the Los Angeles Patch and gain access to a targeted, engaged audience through our premium newsletter sponsorships. Click here to learn more.

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

• ARCO at 7370 La Tijera Blvd., $4.45
• Costco at 3560 W Century Blvd., $4.45
• Sinaco Oil at 11305 Santa Monica Blvd., $4.53

😋 Fair Food Poll!
Fair food is the ultimate cheat meal. Although we all know it’s unhealthy, everyone has a guilty pleasure. Which is your favorite? So far, 37% admit to loving funnel cake, and 14.8% love candy apples. 11.1% each reach for guacamole and corndogs, while 7.4% each order cheesecake and tri-tip sandwiches. 3.7% each favor fried cheese curds, guacamole with cheese, and cotton candy.

📰 Here are the top stories in Los Angeles today:

1. On Wednesday, police officers arrested a 32-year-old man who is a suspect in the unprovoked stabbings of a 17-year-old student and a 33-year-old man. The suspect was taken into custody after barricading himself in his 2300 block of Westmont Drive home before surrendering. On Thursday, we learned that the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is looking for a second suspect. He’s identified as “a male who was a passenger in a vehicle used by (the suspect) to leave the scenes of the stabbings.” (The Eastsider LA)
2. On Thursday, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) battled a fire at 14120 West Dickens Street. Reportedly, it was “caused by a roofing operation atop a two-story residential building.” The fire then went through the roof and into the walls. The 20 firefighters on the scene opened the walls, extinguished the flames, and attempted to salvage belongings. The operation took about 34 minutes. (LAFD)
3. How well equipped are LAFD paramedics? Insiders said Wednesday that they’re trading equipment between ambulances and fire stations. “We fall below the minimum standards every single day.” LA City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez stated that the department received full funding, so these situations shouldn’t crop up. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley appears to acknowledge the problem but points to a national shortage of supplies. Meanwhile, paramedics say that they’re giving expired medications to patients because they have nothing else to work with. (Fox)
4. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is looking at a possible labor dispute. The Service Employees International Union Local 99 warned of a possible contract cancellation and walkout by an estimated 30,000 workers. The warning involves “cafeteria workers, bus drivers, custodians, special education assistants and other workers.” The union asserts “poverty wages” while the district claims an offer of “a 5% wage increase retroactive to July 2021, another 5% increase retroactive to July 2022 and another 5% increase effective July 2023.” (ABC)
5. In January, we talked about Eszett’s closure at 510 Sunset Boulevard. We learned then that it would become a wine bar called The Ruby Fruit. On Tuesday, we discovered that the new establishment is “explicitly for members of the lesbian community,” making it the first “sapphic” bar in L.A. since 2017. The place has now been operating for a couple of weeks.
   (Patch, Marketplace)

📆 Today in Los Angeles:

• Kristin Chenoweth performs at the Segerstrom Center For The Arts (8 PM)
• Bring the family to see Disney's "The Lion King" at the Pantages (8 PM)
• Salvatore Ganacci plays a gig at 1720 (9 PM)
• It's time for Punk Rock Karaoke at The Bourbon Room (9 PM)
• Celebrate Holi at the Globe Theatre (10 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Congratulations to our 33 LACoFD probationary firefighters from Recruit Academy 169 on their graduation!" (Los Angeles County Fire Dept. via Instagram)
• "Our prayers are with the LAPD Headquarters and their families tonight. Being a Peace Officer is a noble and dangerous profession. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Deputies are here to assist LAPD and provide additional resources." (Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department via Facebook)
• "Explore career opportunities at The Department of Public Works! Connect with employers, learn about the various careers in Public Works, how to apply and gain insight information on City employment opportunities!" (City of Los Angeles - Jobs via Instagram)
• "If you happen to drive along 400 North Carmelina Avenue in Brentwood, this is all you'll see left of a notable example of Modernist residential architecture. Before it was demolished several weeks ago, it had been a one-story, nearly 3,000 sq. ft. residence, designed by Emiel Becksy in 1950 while he was working within Craig Ellwood's office." (Los Angeles Conservancy via Facebook)
• "LA County Parks is proud to introduce our Spring 2023 Parks After Dark edition, happening from March 23 to April 15. Enjoy spring break at your local park on Thursday and Saturday nights from 6-9 pm." (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 $669
• Median Sold Home Price $900K

Check out more Los Angeles real estate information!

🐶 See adorable adoptable Pets Of The Week in the Los Angeles Area!

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Vintage Bicycle Show & Swap Meet, plus BBQ - Over Town Brewing, Monrovia (March 11)
• Stunt courses (March 11)
• Hollywood Burlesque Festival (March 17)
• Liddy Clark at The Peppermint Club (March 25)
• 2023 Los Angeles International Flamenco Festival (April 1)
• Add your event

Featured job listings:

• Personal Assistant for Older New Yorkers in Manhattan, NYC (Details)
• Add your job listing

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at losangeles@patch.com