The Ralph Primo Sr. memorial will be at the shop

2918 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064 
Saturday the 25th from 9am to 12pm.

Buttermilk bites will be given out.


LOS ANGELES - Ralph Primo Sr., co-founder of the popular Primo's Donuts in the Sawtelle neighborhood and often referred to by fans as "the Westside's doughnut master," has died at age 93.

The Primo family announced his death on Instagram and said he died in his sleep Thursday. The news was first reported by la.eater.com.

"It is with great sadness that we report that Ralph Primo Sr., founder and original baker of Primo's Donuts, passed away peacefully [Thursday]," relatives said in the post. "It cannot be overstated how much of an impact the one and only Mr. Primo had during his long life, not only as the creator of Primo's Donuts and as the head of the Primo family, but even as a devoted and involved member of the Los Angeles community.

"To this day customers come in and share stories with us of how he and Mrs. Primo welcomed them into their shop, offering kindness and wonderful treats to them and their families. Whether it was baking a beautifully made donut, performing a neat little magic trick, or telling a corny grandpa joke, Mr. Primo always had a smile on his face with customers. And he was dedicated to giving them an exceptional experience with his hand-made donuts."

Primo and his wife, Celia, opened the shop in 1956 at 2918 Sawtelle Blvd., where it remains to this day -- still owned by the Primo family.

In 2021, a second shop opened on Weyburn Avenue near the UCLA campus. Primo's also sells doughnuts nationwide on Goldbelly.com.

According to family lore, Primo's was born after then 3-year-old Ralph Primo Jr. noticed a giant plywood doughnut sitting atop a nondescript strip- mall storefront as the family drove along Sawtelle Boulevard and shouted "Doughnut, Doughnut!"

His father, who was then taking night classes, pulled over and asked the shop's owner about part-time work. The owner said he didn't need any help because he was planning to sell the business after only six months behind the counter.

"For how much?" Primo remembered asking. "Two thousand dollars," the owner said.

Primo returned to his car with a bag of doughnuts and a new shop he planned to operate for about a year before selling it and buying a home for his family.

Sunday, Ralph Jr. runs Primo's along with his siblings and their children.

The shop is especially noted for its sports-themed doughnuts, most notably its Dodger Doughnuts, covered in white icing with brown stripes made to resemble the stitching on a baseball and the familiar blue "LA" logo.

"Without a doubt, the most famous offering at Primo's was the buttermilk doughnut, a glorious mound of glazed cake fritter touched with a hint of tang," la.eater.com said in its tribute. "Dedicated fans knew the shop would fry doughnuts throughout the day, and even later in the afternoons, something of a rarity among the city's doughnut shops. Biting into one was often so satisfying that it could induce a mild euphoria."

For More Stories, please click on the link:

Ralph Primo, First President of the NWNA Talks About Our Neighborhood
By Joan Winters – NWNA Secretary – November, 2015

https://www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2023/12/2/jeffersontrail

Please join CD11 and Friends of Ballona Wetlands on December 2nd to help us plant 1,000 local native plants to restore this area for wildlife, nature lovers, bird watchers, and school field trips. This is an all-hands-on-deck, one-time event! Click here to learn more!

Veterans Resource Fair on Thursday, December 7th from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at the New Directions for Veterans building on the VA campus. We will have free grocery gift cards, food, and living essentials, as well as access to all sorts of resources and information for all veterans. 

For any questions, please email Michael Amster at michael.amster@lacity.org 

RENT RELIEF PROGRAMS
Los Angeles

Eligibility requirements for the United Los Angeles Emergency Renters Assistance Program:

• To verify if you live in the City of Los Angeles, go to neighborhoodla.org.
• One or more individuals within the household have experienced a loss of employment
• Reduction in household income
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• Experienced other financial hardship between March 2020 and now
• Have unpaid rent due to their current landlord for any month(s) between April 1, 2020, through now
• The current household income is at or below 80% of the area median income

To apply, click here.

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Eligibility requirements for the LA Rental Assistance Program:

• Head of household identifies as a woman.
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• Have dependents of any age living in the same household
• Lived in their homes for a minimum of three months
• Has received or anticipate receiving a pay or quit notice from landlord or management company.
• Demonstrate family is facing an unexpected financial hardship that is preventing them from paying rent and have a plan to maintain housing after assistance.
• Live in one of the four designated zip codes of 90004, 90028, 90029, or 90038.

To apply, click here.

Los Angeles

Eligibility requirements for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance ​Program:

• Pay your heating or cooling bills, even if you use wood, propane, or oil
• In an emergency or energy crisis, such as a utility disconnection
• LIHEAP services can vary depending on income, household size, place of residence, and other factors

To apply, click here.

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Eligibility requirements for the The Home Energy Assistance Program:

• A current original electric bill
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• Copies of all household income for the past 30 days for all adults 18 years or older
• Signed affidavits for all household members age 18 or older who do not have any source of income
• A copy of your valid California driver’s license or other valid California picture ID
• Applicant’s Social Security number

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We had a fun day at the Mar Vista's Farmers Market last week. Although it was warm, the crowds were present and At-Large Director April Peterson met many members of our community.