Morning Brief: Boyle Heights’ First Pride, Grasshoppers, And The Bridge To Nowhere

Good morning, L.A. It’s June 25.

For the first time in the neighborhood’s history, Boyle Heights will host its own Pride event, honoring the LGBTQ+ community in the area.

My colleague Chris Greenspon reports that Orgullo Fest is being organized by folks within the Boyle Heights community, including Luis Octavio, co-owner of the Noa Noa Place bar.

"Even in Southern California where there are a ton of Latinos, our Pride events that we have still give us a small stage,” Octavio said. “We're never a part of the bigger stage. And so for that reason we decided to start Orgullo Fest."

The festival will take place on Saturday, June 26 along First Street in Boyle Heights, and will last all day. It will include a tribute to Boyle Heights’ LGBTQ+ history, and feature music and a performance by drag queen Melissa Befierce.

Long Beach also hosted its own Pride event this year. L.A.’s massive Pride celebration was held virtually because of the pandemic. L.A. Pride announced in 2020 that it would be moving on from its traditional location in West Hollywood, but it’s not clear where next year’s event will take place.

Keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A., and stay safe out there.

What Else You Need To Know Today

• A federal discrimination lawsuit has been filed against Mike Nijjar, the landlord behind the rental empire that was the subject of an award-winning LAist investigation last year.
• California’s punishing multiyear drought has brought fires and dried up waterways. Now, a plague of grasshoppers could be heading our way.
• L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti has a new interim Chief of Staff after Ana Guerrero was placed on administrative leave for offensive social media comments.
• After two Kmarts close in August, California will have just one outpost remaining.
• An orphaned mountain lion bounded back into the wild this week.

Weekend Reads

There's a lot going on in the world right now, and it’s hard enough to keep up with our day-to-day lives, let alone to stay current on the news. But if you have some time this weekend, here’s what you may have missed:

After violent interactions with police or security guards, more than 400,000 people have needed emergency care around the country since 2015. (L.A. Watts Times)

The government’s REAL ID rollout has been a bit confusing. We broke it down. (LAist)

The Homestead Act of 1862 transformed the American West, enticing small farmers and ranchers to fulfill the country's dubious policy of Manifest Destiny. (LAist)

$80 for under-10-minute Uber rides? Here’s why. (KCRW)

College students have learned a lot of new pandemic-era vocabulary, but one term reflects a particular frustration: “Ghost professor.” (LAist)

The Threemile House was an infamous den of iniquity in 1890s L.A. (LAist)

Arturo Soto, an immigrant from Tuxpan, Michoacán and a career dishwasher, shares the wisdom he’s gained over the years. (L.A. Taco)

LAist contributor Flor Arellano reflects on growing up “Mexidorian” in L.A. (LAist)

Before You Go ... This Week's Outdoor Pick: Bridge To Nowhere

The hike to the Bridge to Nowhere is located about 20 miles north of Azusa.

(anarchosyn, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0)

This nearly 10-mile out-and-back trail is located in the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Azusa. Hike through canyons, valleys and over streams until you get to a lonely, abandoned bridge that was originally built in 1936 to connect the SGV to Wrightwood. For an extra adventure, Bungee America offers jumps off the structure. Start at the East Fork trailhead.

Or, you could: Catch Questlove’s debut music doc. Attend a craft beer and music fest. Celebrate Pride at screenings, pop-ups and after hours. Nosh on Hainan chicken rice, pintxos, fried chicken and boozy sorbets. Watch a classic concert film under the stars. And more.