1642 is hep, happening and hidden from weekday swarm. Away from the pomp and cheeseballery of Sunset Boulevard, the unassuming venue at 1642 Temple Street is a neighborhood bar cushioned between Echo Park and Historic Filipinotown (HiFi). more ›

A 20-food-wide sinkhole developed in Historic Filipinotown this morning after a water main broke, reports the LA Times. At 12:48 a.m., an eight-inch cast iron pipe broke, cutting off service to about 30 homes, near Council and North Park View streets in HiFi. Water was shut off at 2 a.m. There are no reports of damage and crews hope to have everything fixed soon. more ›

Don’t be ashamed if when you hear the term Hi Fi you still think of a 1980s stereo playing R.E.O. Speedwagon. But it’s a new millennium and going forward Hi Fi is now short for Historic Filipinotown. In August of 2002, Los Angeles designated the neighborhood south of the 101 Freeway and north of Beverly Boulevard, between Glendale Boulevard and Virgil Avenue, as Historic Filipinotown. It’s Echo Park adjacent. more ›

Howard Astorga, 25, an alleged gang member, was arrested for the Monday shooting death of 4-year-old Robert Lopez. Astorga "is a recently paroled convict who has served prison time for firearms, narcotics and other offenses," Deputy Chief Sergio Diaz said, per the Associated Press. On Tuesday, Lopez was walking just two doors from his house between Echo Park and downtown with his sister when a bullet meant for another alleged gang member fatally hit him in the chest. Police announced the capture of somebody Thursday night in preparation of this morning's early press conference, but rumors spread that multiple suspects had been arrested. Also: If you like to make a donation to help the Lopez family out, check with the Echo Park Chamber of Commerce. more ›