🌱 Unusual Soil Erosion On Branford + Best Carne Asada Tacos In L.A.

Hey, neighbors! Today, we indulge a little on National Dark Chocolate Day. It's Wednesday in Los Angeles, and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know that's happening in the community, including news on:

• 🏗️ Studio City mudslides
• 💰 Grants for microbusinesses
• 🎶 The HARD Summer music festival

💗 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:

Mostly sunny. High: 65 Low: 44.

Are you tired of blending in with all the other real estate agents in Los Angeles? Stand out with a premium sponsorship in our newsletter. Gain valuable exposure for yourself to our highly engaged local readership. Click here to learn more about this exclusive opportunity.

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

• Conserv Fuel at 3625 Temple Blvd., $4.09
• Thrifty at 4406 W Adams Blvd., $4.09
• 7-Eleven at 1302 E Slauson Ave., $4.09

⏰ Daylight Saving Time Poll! 🤔
Daylight saving time begins on March 12. According to history, we can thank entomologist George Hudson for coming up with the idea in 1895. Implementation took place in 1918 to save resources and extend the work day during wartime. In 1966, daylight saving time became the law of the land, but states could opt out. So far, only Hawaii and Arizona have done so. Now, there are dueling studies pointing to the successes and failures of the practice. Where do you stand on the issue?

📰 Here are the top stories today in Los Angeles:

1. When utility workers were busy excavating close to the Pacoima Diversion flood control channel at 13215 West Branford Street, they noticed unusual soil erosion on Monday. They called the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), which took no risks and closed “a quarter-mile stretch of Branford Street between Arleta Avenue and Beachy Avenue” to prevent problems while Public Works could take a look. After the LAFD left, it was up to the L.A. Department of Transportation to decide on a reopening time. (LAFD)
2. Why didn’t the L.A. Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) protect Studio City residents from mudslides? That’s the question residents asked on Monday. They say that contractors “dumped tons of loose dirt down the hillside” for three years. Residents alerted LADBS to the potential hazard the dirt piles presented. On January 10, their worries became reality when mud slid down the hillside toward Fredonia Drive and Wrightwood Lane. And while the LADBS issued some orders to the builders, it didn’t enforce them. LADBS says that mudslides in December 2021 and January 2023 aren’t related. (NBC)
3. Do you run one of the city’s microbusinesses? You know, the little backroom or garage companies with fewer than five employees and less than $50,000 in annual revenue? You can now apply for a relief grant starting at $2,500 to “recover, stabilize, and grow.” (County of LA)
4. Who serves up the best carne asada tacos in Los Angeles? Insiders taste-tested their way through 13 eateries, and crowned the top restaurant! El Ruso at 3140 Sunset Boulevard won top honors. Sure, it’s a taco trailer that moves around, but the owner keeps guests up to date on Instagram. Insiders wax poetically of the “Sonoran oasis” that serves up “supple, handmade flour tortillas” and “hulking tacos.” (L.A. Taco)
5. For the first time in a decade, the HARD Summer music festival is coming back to the city! It’ll take over three venues: the L.A. Memorial Coliseum, Exposition Park and the recently renamed BMO Stadium. If you’re not sure whether house and techno music are your thing, you have until August 5 to find out. Though a lineup isn't posted yet, ticket sales start Friday. (KTLA)

📆 Today in Los Angeles:

• Los Angeles eCommerce Summit takes place at The Westin Bonaventure (8 AM)
• Archdiocese of Los Angeles Career Fair at Calvary Cemetery & Mortuary (9 AM)
• Global Youth Leadership Conference meets at The Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (10 AM)
• "The First Deep Breath" West Coast premiere at the Gil Cates Theater (7:30 PM)
• Melissa Villaseñor and Friends perform at Largo at the Coronet (8 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Who's ready for Baseball season? Mark your calendars, opening day is March 30th against the Diamondbacks.📍 Dodgers Stadium 🎥" (Los Angeles, California via Instagram)
• "The City of Los Angeles invites your interest for Assistant General Manager of the Department of Cultural Affairs. Visit tiny.cc/LACityExec for more information about this exempt career opportunity." (City of Los Angeles - Jobs via Instagram)
• "Students: Become the 2023-24 STUDENT BOARD MEMBER! Be the voice of all Los Angeles Unified students! Apply by Feb. 24 at https://bit.ly/3WW4nwJ." (Los Angeles Unified via Instagram)
• "PSA if you haven’t tried the churros on Eagle Rock Blvd in front of Glassell Target you definitely should. - Fresh made to order and definable worth their price, 6 churros for $5." (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• [Free Masterclass] Increase Your Website Sales & Leads Using SEO (February 11)
• Conscious Life Expo 2023 'Messages for 2023' Channeled by Psychic Riz Mirza (February 12)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Free self-guided, goal-setting worksheet for 2023 (Details)
• Add your announcement

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

• Median Listing Home Price $999K
• Median Listing Home Price/Square Foot $644
• Median Sold Home Price $905K

Check out more Los Angeles real estate information!

You're all caught up for today! I'll see you around.

— 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