This week’s newsletter is sponsored by Pasta Sisters:

🍝 Local scratch-made pasta and sauces at Gelson’s.

Pasta Sisters is a family-owned Italian restaurant in LA. They recently launched their scratch-made pasta and sauces at all Gelson's locations in SoCal.

Founded in 2015 by the Da Re-Sinatra family, Pasta Sisters cooks with generational Northern Italian recipes, imported Italian flour, and slow-simmered sauces. Made from scratch daily.

Spaghetti, tagliatelle, tortellini, meat lasagna, or Bolognese sauce ($9.95–$14.95). Delicious and ready in minutes.

Pick up in-store at Gelson’s. Check out Pasta Sisters →

🎭 August Arts Festival (North Hollywood): Festival with theatre, comedy, dance, film, drag, and more. View schedule. From $15. Through August 23 at Theatre 68 Arts Complex (5112 Lankershim Blvd.).

🎤 Peasant's Punchline (Woodland Hills): A new stand-up comedy night from a Valley gastropub. $20. Thursday, August 13, from 8 to 9:30 PM at The Local Peasant (22901 Ventura Blvd.).

✨ Afterglow Makers Market (North Hollywood): Shop 25+ local artists with wine slushies, eats, and activities. Pet- and family-friendly. Free. Friday, August 14, from 5 to 10 PM at Lawless Brewing (5275 Craner Ave.).

🎭 This Friday Comedy Show (North Hollywood): A monthly stand-up show in a private venue with a DJ and free parking. Presale includes a cocktail. 21+. $15. Friday, August 14, starting at 7:30 PM at 11950 Erwin St.

🍹 Waterworld Tiki Night (Studio City): A themed tiki night with aquatic vibes and a special menu tipping a naval cap to the cult movie “Waterworld.” Special drink menu. Saturday, August 15, from 4 PM to 12 AM at The Last Canteen (10964 Ventura Blvd.).

🎈 “A Family Affair” Festival (Canoga Park): The GR818ers host their annual family-friendly afternoon at the park with activities and entertainment. Celebrating 16 years. Free. Saturday, August 15, starting at 12 PM at Lanark Park.

🃏 Learn to Play Riftbound (Sherman Oaks): Curious about the League of Legends trading card game? No experience required. $10. Saturday, August 15, starting at 1 PM at GeekyGlamorous (13634 Burbank Blvd.).

📝 Middle School Success Workshop (Woodland Hills): An interactive two-hour workshop covering organization, study skills, and time management for grades 6-8. $50. Saturday, August 15, from 10 AM to 12 PM at 6262 Glade Ave.

🛒 The Backyard Flea (Encino): A backyard market with local artists, live music, and an open pool. Handmade jewelry, ceramics, crochet goods, tarot, and flash tattoos. Free. Saturday, August 15, from 12 to 5 PM at 5056 Newcastle Ave.

👑 ICE Is A Drag Bingo (Burbank): Drag performances between rounds of bingo, with raffle prizes, treats, and a DJ. Proceeds support Valley families impacted by ICE. Free. Saturday, August 15, starting at 6 PM at ATB Studios (157 W Providencia Ave.).

💃 Naughty IRL: Los Angeles (Burbank): A fun, empowering dance fitness class with energetic routines guided by experienced instructors. $29. Saturday, August 15, from 10:30 to 11:30 AM at The Corner Studios (1220 W Magnolia Blvd.).

🎶 Concerts in the Park (San Fernando): A free Maná tribute concert kicking off the summer concert series, with wood-fired pizza from Fresh Pizza on Wheels. Free. Saturday, August 15, from 7 to 9 PM at Pioneer Park (828 Harding Ave.).

😂 The Fifth Avatar 2 (North Hollywood): A comedy variety show about Avatar. Stand-up and live music. Karaoke follows. From $10. Saturday, August 15, from 7 to 9 PM at The Good Nite (10721 Burbank Blvd.).

🌿 CSUN Garden Walk (Northridge): A morning stroll through the CSUN campus garden. Free. Sunday, August 16, from 9 to 10 AM at 9556 Lindley Ave.

🌱 Backyard Farm Food Series (Reseda): Hands-on workshop on plant-based fertilizer, fermented plant juice, and compost tea. Free. Sunday, August 16, from 10 to 11:30 AM at 7625 Wilbur Ave.

🧚 Alchemist's LAB: Fairy House Workshop (Burbank): Kids and teens take the lead while an adult helps them build a whimsical fairy house. $40. Sunday, August 16, from 11 AM to 1 PM at Secret Forest (3412 W Magnolia Blvd.).

🎷 Super Soul Groove (Woodland Hills): Disco, funk, classic soul, and R&B at Warner Park. Presented by the Valley Cultural Foundation. Free. Sunday, August 16, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM at Warner Park (5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd.).

🚗 818 Valley Car Show (Mission Hills): A community car show with music, beautiful cars, and local vendors. Free. Sunday, August 16, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM at 15174 San Fernando Mission Blvd.

😂 Sundays With Jeff Garlin (Burbank): The Curb Your Enthusiasm star brings his stand-up to the Burbank Comedy Festival. $35. Sunday, August 16, starting at 7:30 PM at Flappers Comedy Club (102 E Magnolia Blvd.).

🍝 Italian Festival (Culver City): Italian street festival with Pasta Sisters, live music, a beer garden, gelato tastings, and a Vespa parade. Free. Saturday, August 15, from 1 to 6 PM at Helms Design District (8800 Venice Blvd.).

🎵 Love Letter to the Valley Festival (Winnetka): Live music, vendors, food, and local art. All ages. Free admission, $20 suggested donation. Tuesday, August 18, from 3 to 8 PM at Cupid's Hot Dogs (20030 Vanowen St.).

🎬 Made-in-the-818 Shorts (North Hollywood): The Valley Film Festival hosts free screenings of sci-fi, drama, dark comedy, thriller, horror, and musical shorts. Free. Tuesday, August 18, from 5 to 7:10 PM at Laemmle NoHo 7 (5240 Lankershim Blvd.).

🎉 818 Day at CityWalk (Universal City): The official 818 Day celebration with prizes, music, shopping, movies, and restaurants. $10 parking after 5 PM. Free. Tuesday, August 18, from 6 to 9 PM at Universal CityWalk (100 Universal City Plaza).

🧀 Tea & Vegan Cheese (Pasadena): A guided tasting of four teas paired with handcrafted vegan cheeses from Callisto Tea House and Made With Rye. $35. Sunday, August 16, from 10 to 11 AM at Callisto Tea House (1359 N Altadena Dr.).

🥪 Sandwich Maker: Hy Mart Sandwiches (North Hollywood) is hiring a sandwich maker to prep, build sandwiches, restock, and keep the shop clean. $20/hour. Part-time. On-site.

Hiring or looking for work? Check out the SFV job board with more local job postings.

🥃 Liquor delivery in California is going away soon. (CalMatters)

🏡 84 tiny homes (208 beds) were just opened in Sun Valley for unhoused people. (NBCLA)

🚗 California’s Uber and Lyft drivers win union recognition. (California Gig Workers Union)

🎬 Costume Garage Sale (Valley Village): Hollywood's costume department clears out its closets at garage-sale prices. Free. Sunday, August 16, from 10 AM to 4 PM at 5127 Laurel Canyon Blvd.

Hosting a sale? Add your garage, yard, or estate sale to the calendar →

❓️ The 1982 film “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” takes place at a fictional school. But the filming location is in the Valley. Which Valley high school played Ridgemont on the outside?

Last week’s question: Two Lockheed employees opened this Burbank restaurant at the end of WWII across from Warner Bros. It shows up in “La La Land,” and people drive across the county for one specific item on the menu. What’s the restaurant? What’s the food item?

Answer: The Smoke House, and the item is their famous garlic bread.