🌱 Sky Says 'Good Riddance' + The Murphy Site + Tackling Antisemitism

Hello again, everybody! Here with your new edition of the Los Angeles Patch newsletter. Here's all the local news you need to know right now, including:

• An unwalled oil drilling site proves caustic to nearby, underserved communities 🚨
• Why did L.A. skies say 'Good Riddance' on Thursday? ✈️
• Local and international officials meet to discuss L.A.'s antisemitism plague 📈

But first, today's weather: ☁️ Low clouds, fog breaking. High: 58 Low: 45.

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🗞 Here are the top stories in Los Angeles today:

1. An active oil drill site in the center of a neighborhood is threatening Black and Latino communities. Boarded by apartment buildings, retirement homes, and within 1,000 feet from three schools sits the Murphy Site, operated by E&B Natural Resources, an oil well in Jefferson Park which taps the La Cienegas Oil Field. A 2021 study found that residents of the area, largely Black and Latino, display “significantly higher prevalence of wheezing, eye and nose irritation and dizziness,” as well as reduced lung capacity. Climate and social advocates are fighting for stricter environmental and health regulation of the Murphy Site — one of the few oil drilling areas not enclosed by barrier walls that work to contain toxin chemicals and emissions. (Capital and Main)

2. How to tackle the rising tide of antisemitism in L.A.: local officials gather to discuss. The shootings of two Jews in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood last month weighed heavy in at City Hall on Thursday, where local and international Jewish leaders gathered to tackle issues of antisemitism in Los Angeles, a city home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the nation. Participants at Thursday's roundtable talked about ways to forging solidarity between diverse groups, how to provide training to teachers, coaches, and law enforcement, the need for stronger mental health support, easy gun access, and other measures that can be taken against anti-Jewish hate in the city. (The Pasadena Star-News)

3. The real reason planes wrote 'Good Riddance' in L.A. skies: On Thursday, residents took to Twitter with reports of a vague message in the sky — 'Good Riddance' could be seen in a number of Southern California cities from Santa Monica to Downtown L.A. to Pasadena. According to the Pasadena Star, all signs point to Gracie Abrams’ debut album "Good Riddance," released Feb. 24 and approaching its one-week anniversary. Abrams herself took to Instagram with a picture of the sky written message, and loyal fans have been tagging the artist in similar posts. (The Pasadena Star-News)

4. An artist's new book looks back at 40 years of L.A. paintings. Karla Klarin's "L.A. Painter: The City I Know, The City I See" will be published on March 14 via Angel City Press. Klarin, who's lived in L.A. since 1975, said that her new book weaves together paintings from her 40-year body of work and accompanying personal anecdotes in the form of essays. "L.A. Painter" explores Klarin's life in the 1980s as an emerging artist — like many others, she gravitated towards the downtown art scene, inspired by the skyscrapers and geometric landscapes that surrounded her. (LA Daily News)

📆 Today in Los Angeles:

• 👽 AlienCon 2023 is coming to the Convention Center in Pasadena (8:30 AM)
• 💚 It's Beautification Day in West Hollywood for 2023's MLK Day of Service (9:00 AM)
• 🎟 Don't miss Dustin Lynch, Chris Lane, Tyler Hubbard at BOOTS IN THE PARK today at Central Park in Santa Clarita (12:00 PM)
• 🏆 The 5th Annual 'The Best You' Awards Ceremony and Charity Gala is happening at the Sheraton Grand on Hope Street (6:30 PM)
• 🎶 Rolling Loud international hip hop festival is happening this weekend at SoFi Stadium (Sat. & Sun)

🖋 From my notebook:

• "Despite California experiencing a slight decline in population over the past several years, a large portion of the nation said they would like to call Los Angeles home. A new nationwide survey by HomeBay, a website that offers analysis and tips about real estate, found that 1 in 5 people surveyed would like to live in L.A., assuming money wasn’t an issue."(KTLA Los Angeles)
• 📚🚒 "Read Across America Day! L.A. County Fire Department firefighters from Fire Station 85 in Glendora celebrate Read Across America Day! Each year, our team members join classrooms around L.A. County to promote reading books that celebrate diversity." (Los Angeles County Fire Dept. via Instagram)
• "In celebration of National Strawberry Day, Oishii and Awan's Scoop Shop teamed up to create a special menu featuring a range of unique Oishii flavors on their menu with Omakase Berry-topped scoops. Scoops will be priced at $12 and topped with an Oishii Omakase Berry until supplies last. Pints will be sold at the shop for $30. Shirts will be priced at $60 and will include a free scoop of Awan and will be available until they sell out" This and more from Uncover L.A.'s weekend roundup. (Uncover LA)

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• Love to Party for Good...Good for You + Community Too! Come Celebrate Women! (March 4)
• 5th Annual The Best You Awards Ceremony and Charity Gala (March 4)
• Hollywood Burlesque Festival (March 17)
• Liddy Clark at The Peppermint Club (March 25)
• 2023 Los Angeles International Flamenco Festival (April 1)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday. Stay safe L.A. 💚

— Carlie Houser

About me: I'm a recent grad based in Brooklyn, NY. I love to write, run, read, and find new restaurants and venues around the city.

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