🇺🇸 July 4th, Groceries, and Harry Potter

Welcome to your weekly San Fernando Valley update: July 3–9, 2025.

In this week’s NoHo Nick:

• 🎆 Fireworks

• 🏃 Running clubs

• 🥕 Grocery donations

• 🪄 Harry Potter

With everything going on, some of our neighbors are afraid to go grocery shopping.

These organizations deliver groceries to immigrants in need and are requesting donations:

• Angelinos of Hope

• YMCA of LA

They need:

• 🥕 Groceries: Non-perishables, produce, snacks, eggs, water.

• 🧼 Hygiene: Soap, toothpaste, feminine products, diapers.

• 👶 Household: Cleaning products, baby formula, bottles, books.

• 💳️ Gift Cards: Grocery store gift cards.

Anonymous dropoff and pickup.

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Fleet Feet is a locally owned, full-service running store.

They’re running (pun intended) a July 4th sale all weekend on select shoes and clothes.

Also, check out their free weekly running and walking clubs:

• 🏃 Running: Lincoln Beer Co. (Burbank). Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.

• 🏃 Running: Surly Goat (Encino). Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.

• 👟 Walking: Fleet Feet (Burbank). Mondays at 6:30 PM

• 🏃 Running: Fleet Feet (Burbank). Saturdays at 8:30 AM.

Here’s what’s happening this week:

🚆 Metrolink slashes fares—introduces a new $5 day pass. Metrolink commuter rail is trying to boost ridership with a new $5 Day Pass for unlimited rides between eight LA stations like Union Station, Burbank Downtown, and Glendale. A $15 SoCal Day Pass offers unlimited rides across six counties. View the train map. (Metrolink)

🏙️ Tinder co-founder buys Hollywood retail center. Justin Mateen purchased the Hollywood Galaxy shopping center, located near the TCL Chinese Theatre, for $69 million. The vision includes attracting brands such as Nintendo or Nike to anchor the site. (Real Deal)

⚖️ Trump administration sues LA over sanctuary city policies. The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles. It alleges LA’s sanctuary city laws obstruct federal immigration enforcement and discriminate against federal agencies. The suit targets Mayor Karen Bass and city officials. (NBC)

These are official events scheduled for July 4, 2025, in the Los Angeles area.

🎆 ⭐️ Woodland Hills: Warner Park’s July 4th Extravaganza. Holds thousands of people. Food trucks and a The Doors cover band. Free. 6 PM to 9:30 PM.

🎆 ⭐️ Santa Monica: Early morning parade through Main Street. Showcases the creativity of local businesses and residents. Free. 9:30 AM.

🛸 Burbank: July 4th Concert & Drone Show. Drone “fireworks display.” You can see it anywhere close to McCambridge Park. Live music from The Ultimate Rock Band and Bruno and the Hooligans. Sold out. 9 PM.

🏊️ Calabasas: 4th Of July Spectacular. Fun runs, pet shows, and a pool party during the day. Free.

🎆 La Crescenta-Montrose: 4th of July Fireworks at Crescenta Elementary School: Food trucks and live music. $10. 4 PM to dark.

🎆 Los Angeles: Dodgers vs. Astros & Fireworks Night. $75 to $350.

🎆 Pacific Palisades: July 4th Run, Parade & Fireworks. Open to locals and those who lost their homes in the fire only. Free.

🎆 Porter Ranch: Food trucks, kids zone, and a fireworks show. July 4th Fireworks at Shepherd Church. Free. 5 PM to 9 PM.

🛸 San Fernando: Live music, carnival, watermelon eating contest, and drone “fireworks display.” San Fernando Drone Show. Free. 6 PM to 10 PM.

🎆 Santa Clarita: Fireworks at Six Flags. $25 to $50. 9:15 PM.

🎆 Thousand Oaks: Enjoy community events such as pancake breakfasts in the park, pool days, a car show, and fireworks viewing from local shopping centers.

💪 Venice Beach: Annual “Mr. and Mrs. Beach Competition.” Muscle contests on the beach. Free. 10 AM to 1 PM.

These are my favorite events happening this week:

🥞 July 4th Pancake Run (Burbank): Join a 4-mile run starting at the Fleet Feet running store. Then, enjoy pancakes in the parking lot. Free. Friday, July 4 at 8:30 AM at Fleet Feet Burbank.

🐕️ July 4th Dog Walk (North Hollywood): Bring your dog and join a festive morning walk around Toluca Lake. Hosted by NOHO GYM, a new gym in the area. Meet your neighbors. Free. Friday, July 4 at 10 AM at NOHO GYM.

🎯 Bash the Fash (San Fernando): Midnight Hour Records is hosting an Anti-4th Piñata Bash. July 4 at 5 PM.

🎬 Movies on the Roof: Top Gun (Sherman Oaks): Bean bag chairs, skyline views, and free popcorn at this open-air rooftop screening of the original Top Gun. Bring a date or just your inner Maverick. $10. Saturday, July 5 at 7:30 PM at Westfield Fashion Square.

🎲 Weekend Board Games (Burbank): Board games, snacks, and comic books. No need to stay the whole time. Swing by and join a table. Free ($5 purchase suggested). Sunday, July 6, from 2 PM to 6 PM at Paper Hero’s.

🔫 LA Techies Lazer Tag Meetup (Sherman Oaks): A casual get-together for tech folks who want to socialize outside of Slack. Grab a laser blaster and battle it out. Free. Sunday, July 6, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Ultrazone.

💘 50:50 Singles Party (21+) (Studio City): Meet 100+ local singles at this intentionally balanced singles night at a brewpub. 50% men and 50% women. A laid-back setting for mingling, flirting, and maybe finding a spark. $12.50. Monday, July 7 at 7 PM at Pour Decisions.

✨ Harry Potter Movie Marathon (San Fernando). All eight films are screening through July, accompanied by cold beer and free popcorn. Grab your wands and DM them for a table reservation. Free. Multiple dates: July 9, 12, 16, 17, 20, 23, and double features on July 27 at San Fernando Brewing Company.

🎭 Summer Playwrights Festival #16 (North Hollywood): The Road Theatre Company presents the 16th Annual Summer Playwrights Festival. 24 new play readings over 10 days at the Magnolia Theatre. 200 playwrights, directors, and actors. July 11-20.

🍻 Hoppy Tonk Fest (North Hollywood): Three days of food, beer, and summer vibes. BBQ, wings, and deli sandwich food trucks on rotation. Drink specials include red & blue slushies, surprise Jell-O shots, and $6 Sunday-only Micheladas and mocktails. Free. July 4 to 6 at Lawless Brewing.

🧘‍♀️ Yoga & Wine (North Hollywood): Unwind with a Friday night combo of gentle yoga and curated wines. Start with a yoga session at Swan Movement Arts, then walk over to Haley’s Wines for a tasting flight—limited space. RSVP early. $30 for both the class and the glass. Friday, July 25 at 6 PM.

🌲 Free California Park Access for Burbank Residents (California): Burbank residents can now check out a California State Parks Pass from their local library for free admission to over 200 state parks. Use your library card, hang the pass in your car, and enjoy nature without the parking fees. This is already available to anyone with an LA County Library card.

🍔 Tournament of Cheeseburgers (DTLA): Smorgasburg and LAist are teaming up for a burger showdown. Taste LA’s top burger spots and food trucks like Bartz Barbecue and Softie’s Burger. Vegan and meat options. RSVP required. Free. Sunday, July 20, from 10 AM to 4 PM at ROW DTLA.

🏎️ Fast & Furious 11 has a release date: April 2027. (Gizmodo)

🧘 Lululemon is suing Costco for copying its designs. (CBS)

🖥️ Find out how much ChatGPT knows about you.

❓️ How many helicopters does LAPD have?

Last week’s question: In what year did Los Angeles have its first African American mayor?

Answer: Los Angeles had its first African American mayor in 1973. Tom Bradley made history when he was elected mayor, serving from 1973 to 1993.

Thank you for reading. See you next week!

PS I was on a podcast! I talk about my favorite hidden gems in the Valley with The Real House Guest of North Hollywood in their 50th episode.

ICYMI: 🥕 Top Farmers Markets in the San Fernando Valley

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