🎄 Christmas, bookstores, and LEGO sets.

Welcome to your weekly Valley update! Today is Thursday, December 19, 2024.

In this week’s NoHo Nick:

• 📖 Books, books, books

• 🟡 LEGO

• 🍃 Cannabis cafes in 2025

• 👻 Horror-themed bodega

Did you see the recent high-speed car chase in North Hollywood?

I know the one you’re thinking of.

Not that one.

This one.

It was near my house.

On Monday, a man wanted for a reckless DUI entered a vehicle chase with the cops.

He was driving the wrong way on the 210 freeway. Then, he side-swiped some cars and had near-misses with people in the crosswalks.

The 20-minute chase ended when he crashed into the median on Vineland near Lankershim.

Then, he refused to exit the vehicle for another 90 minutes.

I was trying to take a nap while all of this happened.

Luckily, the LAPD kept calm and left the helicopters at the airport immediately dispatched five helicopters to the scene.

And more news helicopters followed close behind.

It woke me up.

Did you know there’s an average of two police chases daily in Los Angeles?

And that the LAPD fly at least two helicopters for 20 hours per day, every day of the year?

Don’t they know I need my beauty rest?

Here’s what’s happening this week:

LA News

🏡 LA rents are high, but not the highest. California cities are among the most expensive rental markets in the US. The average rent in LA is $2,983/mo, while the statewide median is $2,800. For reference, New Yorkers pay an average of $3,500/mo for an apartment (Santa Monica Mirror). Real talk, are better bagels worth an extra $500/mo?

🚗 EPA says California can ban new gas cars by 2035. California wants to phase out new gas-powered cars by 2035. California’s stricter emissions rules could impact 40% of the U.S. auto market. Despite these rules, car companies were already prepping for an EV-dominated future. (Washington Post) In The Jetsons, a TV show set in 2062, people lived in space and had jetpacks. Are we still on track for jetpacks?

💊 LA wipes out $500M in medical debt. One in ten people in L.A. has medical debt. Thanks to a pilot program, 150,000 residents will have their medical debt erased. The county is spending $5M to buy “bad debt” worth $500M. Then, they’re canceling the debt. No application is required. In January, residents will receive a letter notifying them if their debt was canceled. (ABC 7)

📰 LA Times tightens “Trump” rules: LA Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong has reportedly enforced new restrictions in editorial columns. Negative stories about Donald Trump will require pro-Trump counter-pieces. Staffers are concerned, and many are resigning. (The Guardian)

🍃 Cannabis cafes are coming in 2025. Starting Jan. 1, California will allow “entertainment zones” where you can sip drinks on public streets. Another new law paves the way for Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes, where you can enjoy food, coffee, and live music alongside legal cannabis. Critics are concerned about secondhand smoke. Advocates say this could boost foot traffic and revitalize local businesses. (Times of San Diego) Weed and restaurants go together like peanut butter and jelly on a fresh baguette at Cheba Hut.

Valley Weekend Weather

You’ll only need a light jacket for the weekend.

Meanwhile, it’s cold enough for Santa to ski Big Bear on Saturday before his big flight.

Food and Drinks

🍻 Craft Beer and Pizza Happy Hour (Canoga Park): Thirsty Thursdays are better at 818 Brewing. $5 craft beers. $5 off pizza from Osborne Pizza Kitchen. Every Thursday, from 3 PM to 5 PM.

👻 Horror Boodega (Burbank): Magnolia Park's new horror-themed bodega has opened. It features spooky and nostalgic treats like Halloween Buldak ramen and zombie Takis. The shop is packed with creative art inspired by horror movies, nostalgia, and hidden interactive buttons. Events are coming soon.

🍔 Retro Vibes, Modern Eats (Burbank). The New Deal is a family-owned gem serving American classics with a 1930s twist. Chef Kerry Krull-Meadows brings decades of experience: award-winning burgers, gooey grilled cheese, vegan sloppy joes, and a seasonal drink menu.

Things to Do

📗 Massive New Bookstore (North Hollywood). The Last Bookstore’s new 10,000-square-foot bookstore on Lankershim Boulevard features exposed brick, Zen vibes, and 500,000 books. Owners Josh and Jenna Spencer transformed their Northridge warehouse stock into a literary haven. Plans include outdoor events, monthly book sales, and even film screenings.

🌞 Winter Solstice Ceremony (Topanga): Transformative half-day retreat at Butterfly Mountain. Kundalini yoga, guided meditation, sound healing with crystal bowls, journaling, and a fire ceremony. Release the old, align with your light, and embrace your highest potential. $111. Saturday, December 21, from 1 PM to 6 PM.

🖼️ March April Holiday Party (North Hollywood): March April, a community arts center, is hosting a holiday party: food, drinks, and live music. Get a sneak peek of their 2025 creative plans. Artists, writers, and educators run this community space. Events and workshops on writing, drawing, painting, and more. Year-round studio and co-working hours. Free. Saturday, December 21, from 6 PM to 10 PM.

🎄 South Pasadena Flea Market (Pasadena): Shop handcrafted goods, vintage clothing, vinyl, antiques, and more. Saturday, December 21, from 9 AM to 3 PM.

📚 Studio City Library Book Sale (Studio City): The Studio City Library hosts its last monthly book sale for 2024. Saturday, December 28, from 9:30 AM to 12 PM.

🥂 New Year’s Eve Dinner Party (Burbank): Celebrate the start of 2025 in style at Palma Ristorante with oysters, steak, and pasta. Live music starts at 9 PM, and a champagne toast and gourmet pizza bar at midnight. A kids' menu is available for little ones. December 31 at 6 PM ($250 per person) and 8:30 PM ($300 per person).

Events Calendar

Never miss an event!

I made an events calendar with an ongoing list of things to do in the San Fernando Valley.

Holiday Gift Guide

Are you trying to find small businesses to support this holiday?

There’s a new LEGO resale store in Burbank called Bricks and Minifigs.

Rebuild, reuse, and reimagine.

Shop for retired LEGO sets and bulk LEGO pieces.

Sell or trade your old collections, too!

Volunteer Opportunity

Looking for ways to make a direct impact in your community?

Make sandwiches for L.A. Family Housing.

Make and donate sandwiches to aid unhoused neighbors.

You can prepare PB&J, ham, and turkey sandwiches at home and then drop them off at the volunteer center.

Cute Home Alert

🏡 Reseda Home with Potential: 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom home with 1,240 sqft of open living space. Drought-resistant landscaping, dual-pane windows, hardwood floors, and a spacious family room with a patio.

Big kitchen cabinets, a pantry, and a newer dishwasher. Plus, newer HVAC and copper plumbing. Close to parks, schools, shopping, and dining. $725,000

Random

🎬 2025 summer internships at The Television Academy. 40+ paid internships in animation, directing, editing, and more.

🌯 McDonald’s Snack Wrap returns. After nine years, McDonald’s is bringing back the fan-favorite snack wrap in 2025.

Trivia

❓️What came first, McDonald’s or In-N-Out?

Hint: In-N-Out was founded in 1948.

Last week’s question: Seven companies own 3% of all land in California. Which company is the largest non-governmental landowner in the state?

Answer: Sierra Pacific Industries, a lumber producer, is the largest private landowner in California. They own 1.7% of the state's land.

Thanks for reading, and see you next week!

PS Happy holidays! Stay safe, have fun, and be kind.

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