🧶 Valentine's Day, Joann's Bankrupt, and Mardis Gras

Welcome to your weekly Valley update! Today is Thursday, February 13, 2025.

In this week’s NoHo Nick:

• 🩲 Underwear Run

• 💘 Valentine’s Day

• 💄 Selena Gomez

• 🧶 Joann Fabric Bankruptcy

My yoga studio has posters on the wall to help you ease into your yoga practice.

“Be gentle. Be kind. Namaste.”

“You are enough. Namaste.”

“No cell phones. Namaste.”

It has me wondering—what else would benefit from a “Namaste?”

“Speed Limit 45. Namaste.”

“No dogs allowed in Ralphs. Namaste.”

“Go away, Elon. Namaste.”

Here’s what’s happening this week:

🇩🇰 Denmark Wants to Buy California: In response to Trump’s interest in buying Greenland, Danish citizens have launched a campaign to purchase Califørnia. Will Disneyland be rebranded for Hans Christian Andersen? Nearly 200,000 have signed on already. (Denmarkification)

🛒 Wildfire-Affected Residents Can Apply for Food Benefits: L.A. residents impacted by recent wildfires can now apply for temporary CalFresh food benefits. Eligible households can receive up to $975 in assistance. Apply by phone or in person through February 19. (California Department of Social Services).

📢 ‘Red Cards’ Help Immigrants Understand Their Rights (San Fernando Valley): Some community members are printing and leaving “Red Cards” inside local businesses. They have information in English and Spanish about what to do during conversations with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Want to help? Print and distribute your own. (Immigrant Legal Resource Center).

Two of my readers, Jess and Jon, just published the first issue of their new indie comic book, Sharpest Sword.

“It’s a hand-drawn, black-and-white fantasy adventure about a guy and a sword!”

You can check out the first issue online or at Galaxy of Comics in Van Nuys.

🎨 Palentine’s Sketch Meetup (Koreatown): Celebrate platonic love with a creative night of drawing Valentine’s cards for your friends. Bring your sketching tools. It's a laid-back, artsy evening. Free. Thursday, February 13, from 7 PM to 10 PM.

💄 Selena Gomez Pop-Up & Valentine’s Shop (Fairfax): Rare Beauty, Selena Gomez’s brand, is celebrating five years in business with an exclusive pop-up at Complex LA. Limited-edition merch, cosmetics, and music—all proceeds go toward wildfire relief. Free. February 14 to 16, from 11 AM to 7 PM.

💘 Valley Times Day (San Fernando): Celebrate love and community. A day of local vendors, a kissing booth, and the grand opening of Museo Del Valle, a people’s history museum for the Valley. All inside Cry Baby’s Rodeo vintage shop. Plus, sweets and fresh flowers. Check out the activities. Free. Friday, February 14, from 12 PM to 7 PM.

🌳 Echo Park Tree Tour (Echo Park): Take a tree tour of Echo Park Lake. Learn about local trees, meet fellow nature lovers, and maybe even befriend a palm tree. $25. Or, pay-what-you-want. Saturday, February 15 at 10 AM.

🏃‍♂️ Cupid’s Undie Run (Santa Monica): Strip down (or dress up) for a mile-long charity fun run. Raise money for neurofibromatosis research. Starts at Mom’s Bar in Sawtelle. Drinks, running, dancing, and good vibes for a great cause. Saturday, February 15, from 12 PM to 4 PM (Run at 2 PM).

🎾 Tennis Valentine’s Mixer (Burbank): Love isn’t just a score. Join this part-tennis-clinic, part-singles mixer for a fun night on a tennis court. Cookies, drinks, meeting your match. Open to all skill levels (21+). $20. Saturday, February 15, from 7 PM to 8 PM.

🎩 Magic Night and Beer (North Hollywood): Back again. Michael Rangel brings a night of mind-blowing magic, mentalism, and storytelling to Brews Brothers pub. Grab a drink, settle in, and watch jaw-dropping illusions. $28. Saturday, February 15 at 8 PM. They’re not tricks. They’re illusions.

🎷 Jazz in the Park (Alhambra): Bring a picnic and a blanket and unwind with live jazz at El Sereno Park. A laid-back afternoon of music, good vibes, and community connection. Free. Sunday, February 16, from 1 PM to 4 PM.

🎭 Mardi Gras Murder Mystery Party (Topanga): Step into a night of intrigue. Solve a New Orleans-themed whodunit murder. Three-hour event. Plus, cocktails, Cajun cuisine, and party souvenirs. Limited spots. RSVP here. Friday, February 21 at 8 PM. $75 per person.

🐶 Puppy Yoga (North Hollywood): Flow through a relaxing yoga session with adorable, adoptable puppies. After class, enjoy a complimentary sip from Halfday, a gut-healthy iced tea. Spots are limited. $30. Sunday, February 23, at 11 AM or 1 PM.

📖 LA Times Festival of Books (USC): Mark your calendars for the 30th anniversary of the LA Times Festival of Books. The literary celebration returns to the USC campus. Author meet-and-greets, awards, book readings, and deals. April 26th and 27th.

🍷 Casaléna (Woodland Hills): West Valley’s Mediterranean escape. This is a newish restaurant with coastal Mediterranean flavors and a dreamy ambiance. Dine on the sunken patio, sip late-night cocktails, and feel transported across the Atlantic. Good for date nights.

🍜 Spice Season (Studio City): Family-owned Thai fusion spot. I ate here last week. Old flavors blend Thai recipes with California ingredients. Try the Drunken Noodle (flat noodles, tofu, onions, bell peppers, green beans, tomatoes, and basil, stir-fried with spicy Khee-Mao sauce). The Glendale location has beer and wine.

🌮 Crab & Shrimp Enchiladas at Casa Vega (Sherman Oaks): A Valley institution for nearly 70 years and a James Beard winner, Casa Vega serves up old-school Mexican classics. Their crab and shrimp enchiladas are popular—buried under melted Monterey Jack and salsa verde.

🧶 Joann Fabrics filed for bankruptcy. They're closing some stores in LA and are restructuring their business model.

🌍️ Disneyland added another verse to ‘It’s a Small World’ after the original composer, who passed away in 2024, left behind a hidden final verse.

❓️Pam breaks up with her fiancé Roy in Season 3, Episode 19 of The Office. The scene was filmed at a North Hollywood diner. Which one?

Hint: The diner opened in 1940, and they’re known for their chicken and waffles.

Last week’s question: The LA River is 51 miles long and begins in the San Fernando Valley. Which local high school is next to the start of the river?

Answer: Canoga Park High School overlooks the LA River.

Thanks for reading, and see you next week! Namaste.

PS Some music industry veterans started a TikTok called ‘Save the Dogs.’ They share LA shelter dogs looking for forever homes. Their mission is to empty LA’s pet shelters. They’ve already helped nearly a dozen dogs find homes.

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