🌎 Earth Day, Sound Baths, and Coachella

Welcome to your weekly San Fernando Valley update: April 16–22, 2026.

In this week’s NoHo Nick:

• 💰️ Finances

• 📗 Book Festival

• 🌎️ Earth Day

• 🪴 Plant Swap

Last week, I asked SFV residents how they felt about their personal finances.

192 people responded anonymously. Here are some interesting takeaways:

• Half of the households making $100K–$150K are saving $0 for retirement

• 73% of respondents are stressed about money

• Financial stress skyrockets when housing costs exceed 25% of a household's income

Thanks for contributing to the Valley Personal Finance Survey! I included all of the data, too, if you’d like to explore your own trends.

👶 LAUSD Teachers Win Paid Parental Leave. Under a tentative deal, UTLA members will receive four weeks of district-paid leave to bond with a new child. The union represents 35,000 educators. (LAist)

🚲 LA Considers Banning E-Bikes On Trails. A city committee approved the proposal on Tuesday and requested a report on income-based fines. Similar restrictions are in Orange County. (LAist)

In honor of Earth Day…

Did you know that there’s an eco-friendly events map in LA?

It’s called Climate Map.

Volunteering, gardening, community discussions, bike rides, and more.

Ongoing

🚶‍♀️ SFV Girls Who Walk (Lake Balboa): Weekly walks around the Valley. Easy pace, social vibes. Their next one is around Lake Balboa. Free. Sunday, April 19, from 9 to 10:30 AM at Lake Balboa (6331 Woodley Ave.).

Thursday, April 16

🖼️ Knight Shift Figure Drawing (Burbank): Sketch along to a themed playlist at this cheeky drawing night featuring Ren Faire favorite Mornyng Knight. No experience required. $15–$25. Thursday, April 16, from 7:30 to 9:30 PM at Geeky Teas (900 W Alameda Ave.).

🎤 Live Band Karaoke (Canoga Park): Take the stage backed by a full live band while enjoying craft beer and hand-tossed pizza at 8one8 Brewing. Free. Thursday, April 16, from 7:30 to 10:30 PM at 8one8 Brewing (8953 De Soto Ave.).

Friday, April 17

📚 Encino Tarzana Library Book Sale (Tarzana): Great deals on gently used books, DVDs, and CDs. Most books are $2. Friday, April 17, from 10:30 AM to 4 PM at Encino Tarzana Library (18231 Ventura Blvd.).

🎨 Rock Painting (Burbank): Paint rocks to honor loved ones or celebrate spring at this monthly workshop. Supplies provided. $25. Friday, April 17, from 6:30 to 9 PM at Secret Forest LA (3412 W Magnolia Blvd.).

🎭 The Owl and the Pussycat (North Hollywood): Bill Manhoff's two-character comedy about an uptight writer and a spirited neighbor opens at Rosalie Theatre. $35. Friday, April 17, starting at 8 PM at Theatre 68 Arts Complex (5112 Lankershim Blvd.).

🎸 Princess Superstar Album Signing (Studio City): Meet the cult-favorite rapper and DJ at this fan event celebrating the 25th anniversary of her breakout album Princess Superstar Is, pressed on limited-edition pink marbled wax. $49. Friday, April 17, from 6 to 8 PM at Licorice Pizza (12230 Ventura Blvd.).

🎭 Love's Labour's Lost (North Hollywood): Bardfly Theatre Co. performs Shakespeare's comedy in the tap room. Local beers and a food truck on-site. $10–$20. Friday, April 17, starting at 7:15 PM at Lawless Brewing Co. (5275 Craner Ave.).

Saturday, April 18

🌱 Community Plant Swap (Panorama City): Bring plants, cuttings, or something to share at this welcoming swap event at Cottonwood Urban Farm. Exotic or common varieties welcome. Free. Saturday, April 18, from 10 AM to 1 PM at Cottonwood Urban Farm (8380 Ventura Canyon Ave.).

⛸️ Roller Disco (Burbank): Skate to post-punk and dark '80s vibes at Skate Oddity's themed roller disco. Photo ops and vegan food. $23. Saturday, April 18, from 6 to 10 PM at the LA Kings Burbank Sports Center (3211 W Victory Blvd.).

🔊 Ostara Soundbath (North Hollywood): Shake off the doldrums at this wellness event featuring floral essential oils, Lakshmi chants, and a soundbath. $33. Saturday, April 18, from 3 to 4:30 PM at Swan Movement Arts (5116 Lankershim Blvd.).

✍️ Creative Writing Workshop (Lake View Terrace): Bring a short story or essay for supportive feedback at this Writer's Circle. Free. Saturday, April 18, from 11:30 AM to 1 PM at Lake View Terrace Library (12002 Osborne St.).

🐕 Dog Adoption Fundraiser (Burbank): Shop local vendors, meet adorable adoptable dogs, and support Maison Sure Foundation. Free. Saturday, April 18, from 12 to 2 PM at Tandy Leather (2120 West Magnolia Blvd.).

🎖️ History of Girl Scouts (Burbank): Girl Scout Ambassador Tess Doty presents an hour-long history presentation at the Burbank Historical Society. Cookies, too. Free. Saturday, April 18, from 2 to 3 PM at Gordon R Howard Museum (1100 West Clark Ave.).

Sunday, April 19

🌍 Earth Day Celebration (North Hollywood): Free clothing swap, mending station, gem station, community mural, live music, and vegan bites at Refill Bodega. Free. Sunday, April 19, from 10 AM to 4 PM at Refill Bodega (5153 Strohm Ave.).

🧘 Release and Recharge (Woodland Hills): Soul Verge hosts a women's wellness gathering featuring icebreakers, one-on-one conversations, and a sound bath. Bring a blanket. Free. Sunday, April 19, from 11:15 AM to 12:45 PM at Warner Center Park (5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd.).

✍️ Writer's Group (North Hollywood): Establish a regular writing practice at this casual meetup hosted by true crime writer Anne Choi. Free. Sunday, April 19, from 2 to 4 PM at Moby's Coffee and Tea (10513 Burbank Blvd.).

🎤 Live Comedy Taping (Burbank): Top comedians bring fresh material to a live taping for an upcoming comedy special. 18+. $29. Sunday, April 19, from 7:30 to 9 PM at Flappers Comedy Club (102 E. Magnolia Blvd.).

👗 God's Closet Free Clothing (Tujunga): Free gently used clothing for children from newborn to teen. Free. Sunday, April 19, from 12 to 3 PM at Mountain View Church (7156 Valmont St.).

Happening Soon

🌱 Yelp’s Earth Day Celebration (North Hollywood): Yelp SFV and Refill Bodega host an Earth Day celebration with live music, tacos, refreshments, and activities. RSVP required. Free. Wednesday, April 22, from 6 to 8 PM at Refill Bodega (5153 Strohm Ave.).

🍽️ “Girl Dinner” (Sylmar): Women-owned food vendors serve up sweet and savory treats, including vegan nachos, mini pancakes, and fresas con crema. Polaroid photobooth and flower bar on-site. Free. Saturday, April 18, from 5 to 8 PM at Tía Chucha's (12677 Glenoaks Blvd.).

🍷 San Fernando Valley Food & Wine Festival (Sylmar): Mediterranean dishes inspired by Greece. Paired with curated wines from event partners. Vegan options available. 21+ to drink. $99. Saturday, April 18, from 3 to 7 PM at Los Angeles Mission College Main Quad (13356 Eldridge Ave.).

📚 L.A. Times Festival of Books (USC): The country's biggest book festival returns to the USC campus with 500+ authors and celebrities, 200+ author events, and nearly 100 panel conversations. Paid ticketed events include Sarah Jessica Parker and Larry David. Free GA. Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19, at USC.

🤠 Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival (Newhall): Two days of cowboy culture across three stages with 15+ entertainers and a dance contest. Free GA. Ticketed events. Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19, from 10 AM to 6 PM at William S. Hart Park (24151 Newhall Ave.).

🎪 Springtime At The Pier (Santa Monica): Two stages of live music, a spring art mart, salsa dancing, and a "Save the Pier!" play. Free. Thursday, April 16, from 3:30 to 10 PM at Santa Monica Pier (200 Santa Monica Pier).

⚽ Pre-register for a two-day World Cup viewing party in Burbank. LED screens, street fair, food vendors, family games, and live entertainment. Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, in Downtown Burbank.

🏜️ In 2025, approximately 60% of general admission attendees at Coachella bought their tickets using a payment plan.

🦍 The world’s oldest gorilla in captivity celebrated her 69th birthday with a feast of beets, tomatoes, leeks, and lettuce.

❓️ What is the San Fernando Valley’s oldest brewery?

Hint: It opened in 1954.

Last week’s question: Gelson’s Markets was founded in 1951 in Los Angeles. Where was the first Gelson’s located?

Answer: The first Gelson’s Market opened in Burbank in July 1951 on the corner of Victory Blvd. and Hollywood Way. There’s a Petco there today.

Thanks for reading! See you next week.

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