🏆️ Trains, free museums, and the Oscars.

Welcome to your weekly Valley update! Today is Thursday, February 27, 2025.

In this week’s NoHo Nick:

• 🚆 Train Updates

• 🖼️ Free Museums

• 🦜 Bird Walk

• 🍻 Beer Events

While driving laps around the Burbank Costco, looking for a parking spot, something caught my eye.

An all-black tinted SUV.

A woman hopped out of the passenger side and came to open the back hatch.

As the door rose, two completely naked toddlers stared back at me.

They were sitting on miniature porcelain toilets doing their business.

The toilets were part of a larger all-white en-suite bathroom in the back of their GMC Yukon.

There was also a sink.

I assume they opened the door to get rid of the smell.

I left without parking.

Here’s what’s happening this week:

🚄 California High-Speed Rail Faces Cuts. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called CA’s high-speed rail a “boondoggle.” He emphasized federal funding cuts. $16B spent over 17 years. 171 miles of construction. Supporters point to economic boosts and future potential. Critics say there are no “popular” routes yet. (KMPH)

🚉 Van Nuys Light Rail Work. Utility work began on the East San Fernando Valley light rail. Barriers are up on Van Nuys Blvd from Ventura Blvd. to Pacoima through fall. The $3.6B project will be finished by 2031. 11 new light rail stations will connect G Line, Metrolink, and Amtrak. (Urbanize)

🚇 More Restrooms at Metro Stations: More public restrooms have arrived. Check out the updated station maps.

🚶‍♂️L.A.’s Biggest Pedestrian Plaza (UCLA) Car-free Broxton Plaza is now open. Transforming city streets into accessible community spaces with outdoor seating, events, and activities like giant chess. (Westwood Village) There’s a flea market next week.

🔥 Mayor Bass Fires LAFD Chief Crowley. LA Mayor Karen Bass removed Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, citing fire response failures, refusal to provide reports, and sending 1,000 firefighters home during wildfires. The firing sparked backlash. The Firefighters Union says Crowley is a scapegoat and claims about her insubordination are untrue. An independent investigation is underway. (CBS)

💰️ Newsom Seeks $40B for Fire Relief. Governor Gavin Newsom asked Congress for ~$40 billion for wildfire recovery. It could be the most expensive U.S. disaster ever. (NBC)

Metropolitan Pit Stop has been restoring Nash Metropolitan cars, the original “compact car,” for 50 years. They have a museum in North Hollywood.

🏛 Free Museum Day: Over 30 museums across SoCal offer free admission on Sunday, March 16. Explore art, history, film, and natural sciences at LACMA, The Getty, The Broad, and MOCA. Metro TAP cardholders get discounts at museum shops.

🧘‍♂️ New Pilates Studio (North Hollywood): Bodies and Pilates is a new boutique studio offering small-group and private sessions. The classes focus on strength, flexibility, and mind-body balance. First class is $25.

🧘 Feel Good Friday (Toluca Lake): Join a drop-in mindfulness meditation group led by UCLA-trained facilitator Madelyne Schermer. Learn meditation. Cultivate calm and focus. $20. Friday, February 28, from 9 AM to 10 AM.

🎸 Live Acoustic Night (NoHo): An intimate live acoustic covers session at Brews Brothers. Grab a drink and enjoy an unplugged performance from Fantasy Band Camp. Friday, February 28, from 10 PM to close.

🎬 Movie Day: Here (Sherman Oaks): Free screening of Here at Sherman Oaks Library—Robert Zemeckis directs Tom Hanks and Robin Wright in this PG-13 drama. Free. Saturday, March 1, from 12 PM to 2 PM.

🎸 Rock and Roll Show (Valley Glen): Kick off St. Paddy’s countdown with maximum rock & roll. The Long Shadows, a British Invasion rock band, take the stage at Ireland’s 32 pub to play classic hits from the 60s, 70s, and 80s . Free. Saturday, March 1 at 9 PM.

🦜 Bird Walk (Van Nuys): Connect with nature this Sunday morning on a guided bird walk focused on mental wellness. The guided birding session, hosted by E.A.R.T.H., will include breathing exercises and nature journaling. It's free, but RSVP is required. Sunday, March 2, at 9 AM.

🌈 Rainbow Vision: Family Workshop (Getty Center): Dive into the art and science of light—family-friendly workshop. Build a spectroscope, explore prisms, and watch white light transform into a rainbow! Free. Sunday, March 2, from 11 AM to 3 PM.

🎬 Valley Oscars Watch Party (Canoga Park): Roll out the red carpet at 818 Brewing. Oscars watch party. Bites from Osborne Pizza Kitchen. Sunday, March 2, from 4 PM - 7 PM.

🎭 Free Improv Workshop (Hollywood): Learn the art of spontaneous theatre with Turbine Arts, a creative non-profit. This is an intro class for actors, improv pros, and anyone looking for a laugh. Free. Monday, March 3, at 7:30 PM.

☕ Coffee with Chief of Police (San Fernando): Concerns or questions about the city of San Fernando? Chief Fabian Valdez will sit down for coffee and conversation. Monday, March 3, from 10 AM to 12 PM.

🛍️ LA Kids Consignment Spring Sale (Burbank): Huge pop-up sale with clothes, toys, and gear for babies to teens. Featuring 500 consignors. $10 to $35. March 6—9. March 9th is 50% off.

🍽️ New Opening: Prose Kitchen (Woodland Hills): Experience California’s seasonal bounty and global flavors. Elegant and welcoming spot on Ventura Blvd. Food like Citrus-Cured Hamachi, a 34-oz Tomahawk Ribeye, and inventive non-alcoholic cocktails. Try the happy hour of small plates and drinks. Tuesday to Sunday, from 3:30 PM to 5 PM.

☕ Coffee Pop-up (Altadena): Unincorporated Coffee is temporarily setting up shop on Lincoln, right in front of their store. While they’re waiting to reopen after the fires, you can grab hot coffee, pastries, and beans at their limited pop-up. Thursday to Sunday. 7 AM - 11 AM

🎭 Vegan Mardi Gras (Hawthorne): Ninth anniversary. Vegan food, craft beer, and live Mardi Gras jazz from New Orleans. Mardis Gras royalty crowning. Plus, sustainable beads. Free. Dog-friendly. Saturday, March 1.

🏡 Updated Home (North Hollywood) 2 beds, 1 bath, and 1,057 sqft on a tree-lined street. The modern kitchen features quartzite countertops, crisp cabinets, and new appliances. Spacious living area. Hardwood floors and coved ceilings. Private backyard with fruit trees, a fire pit, and a covered seating area. AC, updated electrical, and a garage. $875,000

🥗 SFV Mutual Aid Volunteers (North Hollywood & Van Nuys): Help distribute meals to unhoused neighbors. Saturdays at 1 PM. Or drop off pre-made meals.

🛑 February 28 ‘Economic Blackout’ calls for a nationwide spending halt. Organized by People’s Union. No Amazon, Walmart, Nestlé, gas, fast food, etc. for 24 hours to protest corporate political control. (USA Today)

💰 $5,000 Microgrants for Nonprofits (San Fernando Valley): Sign up for Pacoima Beautiful’s Recovery Hub. Complete eight spring and summer classes on budgeting, grant writing, and engaging with elected officials. Then, receive a $5,000 grant. Apply by March 14.

❓️Which public park in Burbank used to be a Warner Bros. backlot?

Last week’s question: The oldest living tree in the San Fernando Valley is at West Hills’ Orcutt Ranch—how old is it?

Answer: Approximately 700 years old.

Thanks for reading, and see you next week!

PS I’m watching Severance. I want to hear theories. What are they doing at Lumon?

PPS I think Wicked will win “Best Picture” at the Oscars.

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