🏈 Super Bowl, libraries, and the flu.

Welcome to your weekly Valley update! Today is Thursday, February 6, 2025.

In this week’s NoHo Nick:

• 🏈 Super Bowl bars

• 📚️ Libraries

• 🎸 Bob Dylan

• 💉 Flu

• 🍻 Beer passport

This week, LA native Kendrick Lamar won 5 Grammy awards for his song “Not Like Us.”

The song is a scathing and funny diss track about Canadian rapper Drake.

During Lamar’s acceptance speech for Record of the Year, he dedicated the award to the city of Los Angeles and gave a special shout-out to the Valley! (Specifically, Pacoima).

He also took another jab at Drake by accepting the award in head-to-toe denim—a Canadian tuxedo.

And on Sunday, he’ll perform the song for 100 million viewers at the Super Bowl halftime show.

At this rate, he’ll be lighting the Olympic torch in 2028.

Here’s what’s happening this week:

🌍 LA Public Library Ranked #1: For the second year in a row, the LA Public Library was the most popular in the World. In 2024, Angelenos borrowed 14 million books from Overdrive/Libby, the digital library app. That’s more than any other library on the platform. (LA Public Library) Does Fourth Wing count as one book or four?

🔥 4.5 Million Tons of Wildfire Waste: Recent wildfires scorched nearly 50,000 acres and burned 16,000+ structures. The cleanup has already generated half of LA County’s typical annual waste output. Crews are dealing with building materials, asbestos, and lead while removing debris. (NBC LA)

🤧 California Flu Levels Surge: Flu activity across California has hit a multi-year high, leading to hundreds of serious illnesses and deaths. Stay safe—wear a mask, get vaccinated, and avoid large gatherings during flu season (Until approximately the end of May). (SF Chronicle)

This week, someone vandalized The Tolucan Times’ newspaper box.

But that didn’t stop them from distributing their latest edition.

Support local journalism if you live in the neighborhood.

🍅 Free Produce Boxes for Fire-Affected Locals (Topanga): Impacted by the fires? The Topanga Farmers Market is giving out free produce boxes. Sourced from eight local farms and supported by World Central Kitchen. Friday, February 7 at 10 AM.

📚 Library Love Book Drive (Studio City): St. Matthew’s Parish School Library burned down in the Palisades Fire. Annabelle’s Book Club has a book drive with treats, games, and Build-A-Bear. Bring new or gently used books for K-8 students. Saturday, February 8, from 11 AM to 3 PM.

👗 Clothing Swap (Pasadena): Refresh your wardrobe for free. Bring up to 30 clean items—no kids’ clothes, socks, or jewelry. No swapping is required to participate. All sizes and genders are welcome. This is a fun and eco-friendly way to update your closet. Saturday, February 8, from 6 PM to 9 PM.

🍓 Hot Jamn! (Sherman Oaks): Stock up on seasonal jams and preserves. These farm-direct goodies with organic ingredients are available at Steve’s Coffee Roaster. Saturday, February 8, from 9 AM to 1 PM.

🟡 This secret ‘The Simpsons’ shop has unofficial gifts for true fans.

🎨 Student Art Showcase (Burbank): For creative Burbank students. Submit original artwork showcasing sustainable transportation to win a $30 gift card. The virtual art showcase encourages youth to express their vision for a green future. Deadline is February 10.

🎤 Tight Five & Wine Comedy Night (North Hollywood): Sip wine and laugh at Haley's Wines monthly comedy night. It’s a featured comedy night with open mic spots, too. First come, first serve. Free. Monday, February 10 at 8 PM.

📽️ Free Filmmaking Materials (Glendale): EcoSet recycles props, furniture, and wardrobes from major productions. Its materials are free to use. However, you need an appointment to visit. Find unique things for your next film or creative project. You’ll get 30 minutes to browse and take what you need.

💃 Valentine’s Day Senior Dinner Dance (West Hills): Celebrate love with dinner and dancing. The West Hills Neighborhood Council and Councilmember John Lee host it. Free food from Los Toros, a Conga line, raffles, and more. Free. RSVP by February 12. Event is February 14, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM.

🎭 Apply to Hollywood Fringe Festival (Hollywood): LA’s largest performing arts festival returns this summer. Last year, 62,000 people attended hundreds of shows across Hollywood. All proceeds go to artists, and no idea is too small or silly. Registration for new works begins February 1.

🎸 10th Anniversary Outlaw Music Fest (Hollywood Bowl): Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Billy Strings, and Sierra Hull are returning to the Hollywood Bowl for a special concert as part of the Outlaw Music Festival’s 10th anniversary tour. Presale tickets open on February 7 at 10 AM, and the concert is on May 16th.

🍺 2025 Beer Passport: Explore LA’s breweries. For $30, you can get a pocket-sized guide to the city’s beer culture. Get one beer at 30 of LA’s top breweries included in your purchase. Get a stamp when you grab a drink to fill up your passport.

💖 Vegan Valentine’s Day Dinner (Canoga Park): Celebrate with a four-course vegan menu at Follow Your Heart Cafe. Beetroot and apple soup, organic greens, blood orange salad, heart-shaped pizza, and a white chocolate and Meyer lemon tart. $65 per person. February 14. RSVP.

🛒 New Meat and Seafood Market (Encino): Wild Fork opened its 11th store in Encino. Over 700 local and foreign products. Premium Wagyu, gourmet cuts, and exotic meats. Prices compare to Gelson’s.

🚀 AI Vending Machines (North Hollywood): VenHub might be the future of retail—modular, AI-powered vending machines. Robot arms grab groceries automatically. See LA’s first grocery store vending machine in North Hollywood.

🎶 Vinyl Coffee Shop Vibes (Melrose): Established Today is a new coffee shop where coffee meets music. It's a cozy cafe with curated vinyl playlists. Sip on their Thai tea latte while discovering new music or watching a show. It's suitable for a chill day or a blast of creative inspiration.

🌮 Tacos 1986 (Northridge): In late March, Tacos 1986 will bring its vibe and signature marinated adobo meats to Northridge. The popular LA chain continues to grow, and this is its eighth location.

The Super Bowl is on Sunday, February 9. It starts at 3:30 PM Pacific Time.

Here are some SFV bars hosting the Super Bowl.

1. Thirsty Merchant (Valley Village/NoHo): Spacious outdoor area, plenty of TVs.

2. The Brickyard Pub (North Hollywood): Laid-back pool hall and many beers.

3. Woodman (Sherman Oaks): Popular with sports fans. Numerous TVs.

4. The Oaks Tavern (Sherman Oaks): Cozy sports bar with pub grub.

5. Blue Dog Beer Tavern (Sherman Oaks): Cozy tavern. They have a big beer list.

6. Game Changer Brew House (Sherman Oaks): Good food. Many TVs. Family-friendly.

7. Springbok (Van Nuys): International sports bar.

8. Best Ball (Van Nuys): Located at Woodley Lakes Golf Course. Huge sports bar.

9. 818 Brewing (Canoga Park): Great pizza and fries.

10. Brewz (Canoga Park): This is a popular local spot.

11. Pickwick Pub (Woodland Hills): English-style pub.

12. The Local Peasant (Woodland Hills) Craft cocktails and farm-to-table food.

13. Taps (Devonshire Reseda): Breakfast burritos all day.

14. Hand Brewed Beer (Chatsworth): Classic brewery with personal pizzas.

❓️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?

Last week’s question: What year did L.A. get its first post office?

Answer: The first federal building in Los Angeles was the Federal Courthouse and Post Office in 1892.

Thanks for reading, and see you next week!

PS Here are more vegan restaurants for Valentine’s Day.

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