🎊 NYE, Hanukkah, and the Fast and Furious.

Welcome to your weekly Valley update! Today is Thursday, December 26, 2024.

In this week’s NoHo Nick:

• 🫖 A new tea shop

• 🥂 New Year’s 2025

• 🚗 The Fast and the Furious

I had to go to the dentist this week. Not my favorite thing to do…

But they have TVs above all the chairs now. So, I can distract myself while I’m there.

When I walked into my exam room, my TV was already on.

The Fast and the Furious was playing.

“Oh, I love these movies,” I tell my dentist.

His face lights up.

He asks, “Have you ever seen Dominic Toretto’s house? It’s near Dodgers Stadium!”

He opened his phone to show me pictures of his visits. (Yes, visits.)

First, he went by himself. To make sure the house was still there.

Then, he took his cousin to visit the house a few days later. They made a day trip out of it and went to Malibu, too—to eat at Neptune’s Net—another landmark from the film.

This all made the dentist feel a little less scary. He kinda felt like a friend.

And then I remembered something important:

"I don't have friends; I got family." - Dom

Here’s what’s happening this week:

LA News

🪩 Free Metro rides on NYE. Don’t drink and drive. Take the bus, rail, Metro Micro, or bike share for free on New Year’s Eve. All fare gates will be unlatched. Get home safely. (KTLA) If you see me out dancing on New Year’s Eve…no, you didn’t. I’m watching Anderson Cooper get drunk on television and passing out at 11:35.

🚇 LA Metro celebrates 2 years of growth. 26 million boardings in the last 24 months, which is about 88% of pre-pandemic levels. Weekend ridership is at 103% of pre-pandemic levels. Bus routes saw a bigger jump in ridership than trains. (Metro Magazine) Plus, they just rolled out some new train cars.

🐦 First human case of bird flu in LA. Public health officials are investigating LA’s first bird flu case, involving a worker exposed to infected livestock. The individual is recovering at home. No additional cases have been identified. The risk to the public remains low. (ABC7)

🏡 Renters face rent hikes starting February 2025. LA lifted COVID-era rent freezes in February 2024. This allowed landlords to resume raising rents up to 6% annually. Many tenants say these increases are unaffordable. The City Council acknowledged that LA’s rent control policies are outdated. But they have not yet announced plans to address concerns before next year’s increases. (LAist) Should landlords have to improve their properties by 6% each year, too?

Valley Weekend Weather

It might be smoggy, but at least it’s also humid.

Food and Drinks

☕ New Tea Shop (Eagle Rock): Cozy new hidden gem. A retro-inspired tea shop serving delicious chai lattes alongside vintage goods. Opened by the creators of Flowerhead Tea. Great spot to sip and shop.

🤡 Candy Pain Cold Brew (North Hollywood): Horror Vibes Coffee has a limited edition peppermint and white mocha drink topped with whipped cream called Candy Pain Cold Brew. Inspired by Terrifier 3 and Art the Clown. December 27.

🫔 Veracruz Tamales (North Hollywood): Mi Ranchito Veracruz serves great tamales, burritos, and chilaquiles. e.g. Jalapeño and cheese tamales and the chorizo breakfast burrito. Vegetarian-friendly.

Things to Do

🍿 Pub Movie Night Mondays (Van Nuys): Pair your pints with iconic films at MacLeod Ale Brewing Co every Monday! With matinee showings at 5 PM and second screenings at 8 PM. This week, they’re playing Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Casablanca. Buy a beer, get some popcorn, and enjoy classic movies. Free. Monday, December 30.

🌹 2025 Rose Parade (Pasadena): Usher in the New Year with a big parade. Vibrant floats, horses, and spirited marching bands at the Rose Parade. The festivities kick off along Colorado Boulevard. Arrive early for the best views, or grab reserved grandstand seats. Wednesday, January 1, 2025, from 8 AM to 10 AM

🧘 New Year’s All-Level Yoga + Sound Healing (North Hollywood): Start 2025 with intention at Yoga NoHo’s all-level flow class. A 70-minute session with gentle movement and sound healing to bring in the New Year with balance and light. Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at 12 PM.

🕎 Public Menorah lighting (Burbank): Burbank’s largest Chanukah festival with the world’s tallest menorah flames, live music, a gelt drop, latkes & donuts, and family-friendly activities like a petting zoo, racecar rides, face painting, and balloon art. Monday, January 1, 2025, from 3 PM to 6 PM.

🎥 Tarantino: Pulp Rock (Hollywood): Dive into Quentin Tarantino’s cinematic universe with a live concert in a boutique theater. It blends a rock show, immersive theater, and iconic storytelling. Reimagined soundtracks and unforgettable dialogue from Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and more. Approximately $100/person. January 21 to February 16, 2025. 

💎 Balinese Imports + Waterfalls (Topanga): Jalan Jalan is a hidden gem in Topanga. It is a unique shop with crystals, jewelry, and Balinese furniture. Curated indoor/outdoor space next to a natural waterfall. Over the last ten years, they’ve expanded into astrology readings, moon ritual kits, and more. It’s a cute way to spend an afternoon.

🎭 Whose Line is it Anyway? (Live) (Thousand Oaks): Laugh out loud with the stars of the hit improv comedy show Whose Line is it Anyway? Hilarious songs and sketch comedy. With Greg Proops, Ryan Stiles, Jeff Davis, and Joel Murray. $75. February 20, 2025.

Events Calendar

Never miss an event!

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

Local Photo Spotlight

From the Christmas Eve Toluca Lake Holiday Parade on Tuesday, December 24.

Photo credit: @leslie.m.granger

Featured Pet Adoption

This is Brodie, and he’s looking for a home.

He’s between 3 to 5 years old and is a German Shepherd.

LA Animal Services’ shelters are full. And they’re looking for new homes for a few hundred dogs.

Looking for a new furry friend? Consider fostering or adopting a dog or cat.

Cue the Sarah McLachlan song.

Cute Home Alert

🏡 Charming Glendale Home: 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with plank flooring, central heating and air, and a functional layout. The cozy kitchen includes a laundry area, and the spacious backyard is ideal for future expansion. Comes with a detached 2-car garage. $929,000

Random

🗾 Kyle Mooney, SNL alum, shares his guide to Eagle Rock. (The Infatuation)

Trivia

Last week’s question: What came first, McDonald’s or In-N-Out? In-N-Out was founded in 1948.

Answer: McDonald’s! McDonald’s opened in 1940, and the first In-N-Out opened in 1948.

Thanks for reading, and see you next week!

PS Happy New Year!

PPS In 2025, should we do a “Fast and Furious” movie tour around LA and visit all the landmarks?

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