🌱 RIP Pharoah Sanders + Westchester Park Safe Parking Program Ends

Hey, everybody, and happy National Quesadilla Day! It's Sunday in Los Angeles and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town. In today's issue, you'll find updates on...

• 🐘 Billy the Elephant
• 🤔 What Council members Mike Bonin, Paul Koretz, and Bob Blumenfield have been up to
• 😸 An adoptable cat

☀️ But first, today's weather:

Sunny and very warm. High: 91 Low: 69.

⛽ Three Of The Cheapest Gas Stations In Los Angeles

• Arco at 3949 Dennison St., $5.01
• 76 at 1465 Glendale Blvd., $5.15
• Unico at 4072 Verdugo Rd., $5.19

🤔 Aggressive Urban Coyotes or Regular L.A. County Wildlife? Poll!

We live with raccoons and opossums. Do coyotes fall into the same category? They don’t need open space, have no problems building dens close to humans, and are becoming more and more visible on our neighborhood streets. What do you think? So far, 65.9% think we need to learn to live with them, 31.7% want them gone, and 2.4% don’t care one way or the other.

📰 Here are the top stories in Los Angeles today:

1) The country lost a great tenor saxophonist. Jazz legend Pharoah Sanders died on Saturday in L.A. at age 81. He’s been on the music scene since the 60s, when he worked with John Coltrane. You might also know him from his two-part song “The Creator Has a Master Plan,” which plays for a combined 33 minutes. (Spectrum News 1)

2) Although championed by Council member Mike Bonin, the Safe Parking program at Westchester Park will sunset on October 2. A Los Angeles Recreation and Park (RAP) commissioner explained that they will not look to “approve a new location or program.” Reasons included information inconsistencies and “significant public input and pushback.” While residents say that ending the program allows “kids to feel safer on the ball fields and the park,” they are keeping a weary eye on the lot next to the Westchester Senior Center. (Westside Current)

3) On Saturday morning, runners supporting Homeboy Industries closed the streets of DTLA for the 13th Annual Homeboy 5K Run/Walk. Founder Father Greg Boyle says “there are 120,000 gang members in L.A. County and 1,100 gangs.” He believes that at some point, each one received one of Homeboy Industry’s services. (KTLA)

4) LADOT announced on Saturday that it made improvements to Central Avenue. Identifying it as part of “the city's High Injury Network,” there are now a new “traffic signal and upgraded crosswalks.” Critics responded that this is the bare minimum, which is “now an improvement.” (LADOT)

5) Council member Paul Koretz wants Billy the Elephant to go to a sanctuary, we learned on Friday. Right now, the Asian bull elephant is at the Los Angeles Zoo, where it has been for the last three decades. Council member Bob Blumenfield seconded the motion. However, the Zoo “vehemently disagreed with the characterization of the care and wellbeing of our Asian elephants and our entire elephant management program as referenced in the motion.” (Patch)

6) Mark your calendars! The LAPD is hosting a “Sworn & Civilian Hiring Fair on Saturday, October 8th at LA Valley College.” (LAPD HQ)

📆 Today in Los Angeles:

• 45th Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival at 1727 E 107th St (10 AM)
• Yoga Flow at the California African American Museum (11 AM)
• ACFC vs. Racing Louisville FC (FanFest and Street Closure) at Christmas Tree Lane East & S. Coliseum Drive (2 PM)
• Ohana Sunday Afternoon of Family Ukulele Fun at the Grand Annex (2 PM)
• Free Theatre in the Parks: The Romantics at Kings Road Park (3 PM)

📓 From my notebook:

• At 2:15PM on September 23, 2022, the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to a reported auto fire on the SB 170 FY x Burbank Bl in North Hollywood. Firefighters quickly extinguished a non-injury auto fire. (LAFD via Instagram)
• September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month! Suicide prevention begins with all of us. It’s ok to ask for help. If you or someone you love is struggling, please call 9-8-8 to talk to someone. (Los Angeles County Fire Dept. via Instagram)
• Accessible healthcare is a matter of human dignity. We celebrated Saban Community Clinic's new Mobile Health Clinic which will bring trusted medical and dental care directly to unhoused Angelenos. Thank you for the work you do. (Mayor Eric Garcetti via Instagram)
• Come out us for Augustus Hawkins Movie Night!! 🎥🍿🎞️ On October 7, 2022 from 5pm-8pm! 🎟️FREE ADMISSION! 🍬FREE SNACKS! ***Be sure to bring a blanket/chair! (LA City Recreation & Parks via Instagram)
• For the week of September 5 through September 11, -175- new coronavirus infections were reported for North Hollywood to L.A. Country Department of Public Health. Per US..." (Nextdoor)

😸 Adoptable Cat of the Week at the East Valley Shelter

🛒 More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• International Children's Academy — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Torrance Antique Street Faire (September 25)
• Nefesh High Holy Days Services 5783/2022 (September 25)
• Shofar In The Park (September 26)
• A Taste of Paradise - Celebrating the Legacy of Meat Loaf & Jim Steinman (September 27)
• Estate Planning for Your Loved Ones - Webinar (September 28)
• Nurse Hiring Day (September 29)
• Witch! (September 30)
• Add your event

Job listings:

• Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center Job Fair! (Details)
• Add your job listing

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Sunday off right! See you Tuesday 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