? Reported Drowning At MacArthur Park Lake + P-22 Mural On Melrose

Hey, everybody; today, we celebrate Christmas Day, when it’s perfectly acceptable to eat candy out of socks! I’m here right on time with your fresh copy of the Los Angeles Daily. Keep reading to find out all the most important things happening locally, including news on…

• ? A strip mall fire
• ? Suicide prevention training
• ? Japanese New Year’s celebrations

? 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:

Sunny. High: 82 Low: 55.

? If you’re a real estate agent in Los Angeles, of course you’re looking for a way to stand out from the crowd and attract new clients. We can help you do that with an exclusive sponsorship in the Los Angeles Patch newsletter. Click here to learn more.

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

⏰ New Year’s Resolutions Poll! ?
According to Forbes, only 8% of people making New Year’s resolutions actually achieve them. Even so, the experts suggest making resolutions because they encourage intentionality, optimism, and a positive effect on others. So, what are your resolutions for 2023? So far, 18.2% intend to meet new people or interact more with current friends. Letting go of negativity is the goal for 13.6%, and 9.1% want to travel or experience something new. Another 36.4% want to live healthier, and the final 22.7% plan to embrace change.

? Here are the top stories today in Los Angeles:

1. First responders arrived at 2032 West Wilshire Boulevard in the MacArthur Park area for a possible drowning Friday afternoon. A witness reported that “they saw someone enter the lake and not come out.” An hour later, divers from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) entered the water and began searching. So far, there’s no update. (Wow Media)
2. On Saturday, in the early morning, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) arrived at 8900 South Sepulveda Westway to fight a commercial fire. A large strip mall with a partial roof collapse and walls without exterior access made it challenging to battle the blaze. “Firefighters were able to work some sections in the offensive mode, while other portions remained defensive.” Eighty specialists worked hard for more than 90 minutes, but hotspots remained that required an ongoing presence. “No injuries reported. Cause and $ loss TBD.” (LAFD)
3. The Little Tokyo Service Center intends to “offer suicide prevention training sessions virtually, in-person at the Terasaki Budokan and at schools and churches around L.A. starting early 2023.” The program coordinators explained that even though Asian Americans “have fairly high needs for mental health services, (they) tend to underutilize them.” The goal is to provide the training to anyone who wants it. (LAist)
4. If you’re thinking of celebrating the new year Japanese-style, head to Little Tokyo on January 1. Festivities kick off at 10 a.m. and take place at Weller Court and the Japanese Village Plaza. “The event will include cultural activities such as mochimaki, a kimono fashion show, shamisen show, kompo and more.” (Rafu)
5. Artist Corie Mattie made a mural of P-22, L.A.’s most famous mountain lion to memorialize his passing. You will remember that the big cat was euthanized recently due to severe health problems. See the work of art at 7753 Melrose Avenue, across from Fairfax High School. You can also see a mural honoring P-22 that she did last year, which is on Hyperion Avenue close to Griffith Park Boulevard. (Corie Mattie)

? Today in Los Angeles:

• Christmas Mass at Our Lady of the Angels (8 AM/10 AM/12:30 PM )
• Christmas Brunch at Caldo Verde (1 PM)
• Christmas Sunday Worship at the New City Church (2 PM)
• Killer Kimchi’s Secret at The Pack Theater (8 PM)
• Santasia at the Whitefire Theatre (8 PM)

? From my notebook:

• “‘Tis the season of giving ?????️ The LA Co FD was proud to partner with the Rams and ABC 7 for the Spark of Love Event at SoFi Stadium on December 22nd. Approximately 300 children participated.” (Los Angeles County Fire Dept. via Instagram)
• “May Your Days Be Merry & Bright! From all of us at the Los Angeles County Fire Department to all of you… Have a happy and safe holiday, making memories and celebrating this festive season with your loved ones!” (Los Angeles County Fire Dept. via Instagram)
• “Happy Holidays from the Los Angeles Public Library! ? Reminder: all libraries will be closed for the December 25th holiday.” (Los Angeles Public Library via Facebook)
• Our Leimert Park-Cherrywood neighbor warns of a “coyote sighting in the 3900 block of Cherrywood at 4:55pm. – FYI – While walking, I spotted a scrawny looking coyote roaming down Cherrywood northbound toward 39th Street.” (Nextdoor)