📽️ Film tax incentives, DineLA, and skinny jeans.

Welcome to your weekly Valley update! Today is Thursday, January 30, 2025.

In this week’s NoHo Nick:

• 📽️ Film tax incentives

• 📱 NoHo app

• 🌑 Lunar New Year

• ☕️ Korean coffee shop

“NO PETS. Service animals only.”

My Ralphs has a new sign on the door.

Last week, I watched a chihuahua poop near the Oreos.

The owner picked it up. But she carried the dog poop bag while she finished shopping.

I’m no snitch, but I need us to do better.

Here’s what’s happening this week:

💵 Dodgers owner donates $100 million to wildfire relief: Mark Walter and family pledged to rebuild Southern California communities devastated by fires. The donations are part of the LA Rises initiative, partially led by Walter, Magic Johnson, and Casey Wasserman, to ensure equitable recovery across the city. (Dodgers Nation)

🚗 Waymo on LA freeways: The autonomous vehicle company Waymo is testing cars on the 10 and 405. Waymo is allowing employees to test rides first. Then, the public. The company wants to shorten travel times. Right now, Waymo cars only drive on city streets. (TechCrunch)

📞 MyLA311 reports grew: Over 1.4 million local service requests were made to 311 last year, up 5% from 2023: trash removal, graffiti, etc. Half of the requests were for bulky item pick-ups. Van Nuys had the most reports in the Valley. (Crosstown LA)

🎬 Film workers push for relief: Film and TV workers urge lawmakers to uncap tax incentives for production in LA for three years. #StayinLA says that more tax incentives will encourage studios to produce content here and boost the economy by supporting local businesses and talent. The goal is to increase LA-based production by 10%. Sign the petition.

🏢 (California News) Homeless campus in Sacramento: 13 acres of shelter, health services, safe parking, and employment aid for unhoused residents. Expected to open in 2026. It aims to serve 18,000 people over 15 years and significantly reduce costs associated with homelessness. (Sacramento County)

This is Eaton Canyon Falls by Jason Wise.

💳️ NoHo Discount Card (North Hollywood): North Hollywood has a “loyalty app.” It’s free. It’s designed to stimulate business in the Arts District. Get discounts at local restaurants, acting schools, grooming services, and more. It’s about 10-15% off at most businesses.

🖤 1920’s Skeleton Spookeasy (North Hollywood): Step into the Roaring 20s with a macabre twist. This Gothic debauchery has DJs spinning goth, deathrock, and darkwave. Plus, there will be tarot readings and a vintage-themed raffle supporting the CAL Fire Foundation and Pasadena Humane Society. 21+. Free. Thursday, January 30, at 9 PM.

🎶 Hotel Cafe Benefit Concert (Hollywood): Full night of music supporting wildfire relief for musicians. Ingrid Michaelson, Johnnyswim, Rozzi, and Margaret Cho. Proceeds support MusiCares, a music non-profit. $40. Friday, January 31 at 6:30 PM.

🌿 LA River Cleanup Hike + Picnic (Lewis MacAdams Riverfront Park): Join a group hike and cleanup along the LA River. Then, enjoy a picnic with pizza, games, and giveaways from Liquid Death. Bring water and comfy shoes. Free. Saturday, February 1. Meet at 8 AM, and the hike starts at 8:30 AM.

🐾 Dog Adoption and Donations (Studio City): Day of dog adoptions at St. Bark’s private dog park. Bring your dog to hang out. They’ll have local dog treat vendors, Valentine’s photos, and food. They’re raising money for animal shelters. Hang out and maybe make a new best friend. Saturday, February 1 at 11 AM.

🌳 TreePeople Planting Days (San Fernando): Join TreePeople to help green the neighborhood by planting trees—volunteer on February 1, 8, or 22 from 9 AM to 12 PM. 

🌙 818 Night Market (Mission Hills): Mission Hills’ weekly night market (near San Fernando) is back. Food trucks, art, fashion, and music. Shoutout to the smoked wings and BBQ sliders from Mecha BBQ. Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 5 to 10 PM.

❤️ Love Letters to LA (Los Angeles): Celebrate the beauty of Los Angeles by sharing a love letter to your neighborhood. Submissions, whether voice memos, videos, art, or written letters, will be featured on KCRW’s radio, social media, and newsletters.

🐉 Lunar New Year Festivals (LA County Parks): Celebrate the Year of the Snake with vibrant lion and dragon dances, cultural performances, traditional snacks, and heritage demonstrations around the city. Find a park celebration near you. Until Saturday, February 8.

🎤 Open Mic Night Tuesdays (Canoga Park): Show off your talent every other Tuesday at 818 Brewing. This is an open mic for poetry, music, and comedy. The next event is on February 11. Sign-ups start at 7 PM. 

🎸 Blues Jam Night (Valley Village): Pat's Off Laurel has live music every Wednesday. It's an open mic and blues jam. Free entry. Wednesdays at 9 PM.

🍽️ DineLA Restaurant Celebration: DineLA is an annual food festival supporting local restaurants. It features city-wide restaurant deals, special menu items, and donations to wildfire relief. LA Tourism will donate $5 per reservation to The American Red Cross. Explore hundreds of local restaurants participating until February 7.

☕ Gong Gan Coffee Shop (Silver Lake): NYC’s cute Korean coffee shop is now open in LA. Try the Honey Bee (cinnamon, honeycomb, cream, espresso). Open Friday through Monday. WiFi and is dog-friendly.

🌮 Pozoleria Doña Ana (North Hollywood): This family-owned spot offers authentic Nayarit flavors, handmade tortillas, locally sourced meats, and cozy seating. Try the pozole, obviously—experience Mexican cuisine as a celebration of life.

🐢 A 100-lb tortoise survived the fires by hiding in a hole in the owner’s backyard.

🗺️ Google agrees to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

🎥 Connecticut officials want movie theaters to post when movies start, not when trailers begin.

📺️ I just saw this short sour cream commercial. Are people really putting sour cream on strawberries?

🎤 This is the most outstanding live performance by a rock band ever.

❓️What year did L.A. get its first post office?

Last week’s question: New York City is about 304 square miles in size. Approximately how big is the city of Los Angeles?

Answer: The City of Los Angeles is 469 square miles. LA County is 4,000 square miles.

Thanks for reading, and see you next week!

PS I saw some youths wearing skinny jeans this week. Are skinny jeans cool again?

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