🌱 P-22 Statue + Classical Music Annoys + No-Vending Zones Challenged

Hello all! It’s St. Patrick’s Day; did you know that it celebrates a 5th-century Christian missionary? I'm back in your inbox this morning with your new edition of the Los Angeles Patch newsletter. Here are all the things you need to know about what's happening locally, including:

• 🔐 Possible school closures next week
• 🎶 Westlake/MacArthur station music
• ✂️ San Fernando Road improvements

💗 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:

Clouds giving way to some sun. High: 65 Low: 48.

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

• Valero at 500 S Alameda St., $4.49
• Sinaco Oil at 11305 Santa Monica Blvd., $4.49
• Shell at 7360 La Tijera Ave., $4.49

😋 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, 30.6% love funnel cake, 22.4% look forward to candy apples, 14.2% munch on corndogs, and 6.1% reach for guacamole. 4.1% each either eat cotton candy, tri-tip sandwiches, or cheesecake. Finally, 2% each favor guacamole with cheese, fried cheese curds, turkey legs, a deep-fried bacon-wrapped pickle, cinnamon rolls, or pork chop on a stick. The rest have the willpower to stay away from fair food.

📰 Here are the top stories today in Los Angeles:

1. Unless the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 99 come to a meeting of the minds, you’ll have your kids home next week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. At a Wednesday Grand Park rally, the union announced its intent to strike. United Teachers Los Angeles already went on record that its members wouldn’t cross picket lines. “SEIU officials are asking for a 30% wage increase across the board.” (Patch)
2. Metro officials are trying something new to rid the Westlake/MacArthur station of drug dealers and anyone seeking shelter: classical music. “The idea is to create an atmosphere that is comfortable for spending short amounts of time transiting through our station, but not conducive to hours-long loitering,” officials explained. The next time you step off the Red or Purple line, you’re bound to hear it. (Head Topics)
3. Los Angeles street vendors are challenging the no-vending zones the city set up in specific areas. For example, they can’t come within 500 feet of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Vendors say they’ve paid for permits. The city says vending could make overcrowding and traffic congestion worse in some areas. The court rejected the city’s motion to dismiss the vendors’ lawsuit because of a technicality. (KTLA)
4. On Monday, Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez cut the ribbon for safety improvements at the intersection of Paddock, Oro Grande and Astoria streets. They represent just one of several improvements on San Fernando Road. In collaboration with the Sylmar Neighborhood Council and Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural, you’ll notice that the marked crosswalk features colors and “high visibility symbols of ‘Xochitl’, meaning flower and ‘Ollin’, meaning movement.” Next up will be art installations and lighting. (Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez)
5. Speaking of Councilwoman Rodriguez, she proposed a P-22 memorial during Wednesday’s City Council meeting. The installation would honor the big cat in Griffith Park. Possible options include a statue that could be placed near the Griffith Observatory on the Tom LaBonge Panorama Trail. The proverbial ball is now in the Neighborhood and Community Enrichment Committee’s court. (Patch)

📆 Today in Los Angeles:

• Dare to join the Hood Tour that meets at 8825 S. Sepulveda Blvd (2 PM)
• Learn at the Praise N Worship Workshop at 4394 W. Washington Blvd (6:30 PM)
• The Hollywood Palladium presents Flogging Molly (6:30 PM)
• Participate at a St. Patrick's Day Board Game Night at Village Well Books & Coffee (7 PM)
• Laugh and party at a Half Jewish, Half Canadian St. Patrick's Day Comedy Show at The Dudes' Brewing Company (8 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "The City of Los Angeles is now accepting applications for Administrative Clerk! Salary $42,678 - $72,474 - Closes: March 30, 2023 - Visit https://governmentjobs.com/car... for more information on this opportunity!" (City of Los Angeles - Jobs via Instagram)
• "Expand your horizons 💫 Did you know LACMA is free for L.A. County residents during weekdays after 3 pm with a valid ID? Discover works of art from new and unexpected points of view, informed by the region’s rich cultural heritage." (LA County Museum of Art via Instagram)
• "The City of Los Angeles is now accepting applications for Cement Finisher Worker! Salary $52,847 - $77,256 - Closes: March 30, 2023 - Visit https://governmentjobs.com/car... for more information on this opportunity!" (City of Los Angeles - Jobs via Instagram)
• "Did you know at-home COVID tests can still be used past the expiration date? If the control “C” line appears, it’s still good to use. If the "C" line is absent or discolored, the test has expired." (County of Los Angeles via Instagram)
• "We’d like to thank LA City Recreation and Parks staff as well as LA City Construction staff for allowing us to put on a fire extinguisher training. Why is fire extinguisher training important? The most important reason for fire extinguisher training is safety. Fires are extremely dangerous, so it is important to ensure the safety of anyone nearby. Making sure someone is equipped to handle a fire extinguisher and safely put out the fire also ensures the safety of everyone present." (Los Angeles City Park Rangers via Instagram)

🏡 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:

• Hollywood Burlesque Festival (March 17)
• Estate Planning for Your Loved Ones - Webinar (March 18)
• What To Do When a Loved One Dies - Webinar Series (March 18)
• Hop to It! Pet Photos With Bunny Returns to Del Amo Fashion Center for Easter (March 19)
• Liddy Clark at The Peppermint Club (March 25)
• 2023 Los Angeles International Flamenco Festival (April 1)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with a new 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