🦸 Superman, LEGO, and Indian Food

Welcome to your weekly San Fernando Valley update: July 31–August 6, 2025.

In this week’s NoHo Nick:

• 🌊 Tsunami

• 🎸 Rolling Stones

• 🍛 Indian food

• 🧱 LEGO

Sometimes, I fantasize about what life would be like if I lived on the other side of the hill.

The coffee shops I’d walk to. The concerts I’d see.

This week, I was in Hollywood visiting a friend. The cooler air felt nice, and I caught myself daydreaming again.

As I drove home, I snapped back to reality.

I watched a man chase a Coco food delivery robot down Cahuenga Blvd.

He caught up to it and forcibly stopped it. Then, he dropped his trousers, pooped on the lid, got down on all fours, and scurried away like a crab.

The robot didn’t move for two more light cycles. It seemed as stunned as I was.

It’s moments like this that I’m grateful to live in the Valley, and why this newsletter is called NoHo Nick.

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Here’s what’s happening this week:

🚫 The city removed DIY crosswalks. After the city ignored their requests, locals painted unofficial crosswalks near Stoner Park in West L.A. with help from activist group Crosswalk Collective. But just three days later, the city removed them. (LA Magazine)

🌊 Tsunami misses SoCal. The tsunami advisory issued after a massive earthquake near Russia was lifted. Mild waves hit LA beaches. Experts warn that the next disaster could come with little notice. Pack a go-bag and know your tsunami evacuation routes (at least 100 feet above sea level). (LAist)

These are my favorite upcoming events:

General

🏊 Cheap Swimming Pool (Pacoima): Kids get in for $1, adults for $4. The Hansen Dam swimming area is open daily from 11 AM to 6 PM. There are water slides and a fake beach, too.

Friday, August 1

🎬 Media Job Fair (Burbank): Connect with industry pros, attend panels and workshops, and explore job opportunities in entertainment. Free. Friday, August 1, from 10 AM to 2 PM at Woodbury University.

🍽️ Dinner with Strangers (Thousand Oaks): A cozy micro-dinner for 4–6 people where strangers meet for good food and better conversation. No apps, no pressure. The location is revealed after signing up. $12. Friday, August 1, from 7 PM to 10 PM.

🛼 Ozzy Osbourne Tribute Skate Night (Glendale): Skate, scream, and celebrate the Prince of Darkness with loud music, flashing lights, and all of Ozzy’s greatest hits. Heavy metal roller disco. $23. Friday, August 1, from 8 PM to 11 PM at Moonlight Rollerway.

🚶‍♂️ Community Walk Around Sherman Oaks + Happy Hour (Sherman Oaks): Join a 4–5 mile social walk through city streets and residential areas. Happy hour at Tipsy Cow afterwards. Free. August 1 at 7 PM at 4949 Tyrone Ave.

Saturday, August 2

🧱 LEGO Building Contest (North Hollywood): LEGO building competition with roulette-style bricks, door prizes, and happy hour. $10. Limited to 20 spots. Saturday, August 2, at 1 PM at Idle Hour.

🕰️ Back to the Future Party (Van Nuys): Celebrate four decades of Hill Valley with cast appearances, live music by The Flux Capacitors, movie cars, props, and a live performance of “Earth Angel” by Marvin Berry himself. GA starts at $55. Saturday, August 2, from 6 PM to 11 PM at Valley Relics Museum.

🧘‍♀️ Matcha + Pilates (Calabasas): A wellness event blending pilates, matcha, and community. Choose between two classes. Goodie bags, snacks, a flower bar, and a photo booth. $48. Saturday, August 2, from 3 PM to 5 PM at V Studios & Pilates Studios.

🎸 Rolling Stones Tribute Concert (North Hollywood): High-energy Rolling Stones tribute band. The night also features emerging pop-rock act Tonight’s Sunshine, known for their theatrical stage presence. Live at NoHo Summer Nights. Free. Saturday, August 2, from 7 PM to 9:30 PM.

🍕 Pickleball and Pizza (Calabasas): Play pickleball and eat gourmet pizza with celebrity chef Jet Tila. Includes dinner, dessert, drinks, and court time. $87. Saturday, August 2, at 6 PM at the Calabasas Pickleball Club.

Sunday, August 3

📚 Local Book Sale (Pasadena): Vroman’s Bookstore is offering up to 75% off sticker prices and an extra 40% off at the register during its annual sale. Located upstairs in the Vroman’s Event Space. Free. Until August 3.

🍳 Brunch at & Waffles (Woodland Hills): Join the San Fernando Valley Brunch Club for a casual meetup at & Waffles. Sunday, August 3, from 10 AM to 12 PM.

Next Week

🎮 Super Smash Bros Tournament (North Hollywood): Free-for-all chaos, drinking rules, prizes, and commentary at this casual Smash Ultimate tournament. Free. Wednesday, August 6, at 7 PM at Brews Brothers.

☕ Kavat Coffee with Serj Tankian (Calabasas, Pasadena): Meet the System of a Down vocalist and founder of Kavat Coffee during two signing events with free coffee tastings and signed bags. Wednesday, August 7, and Sunday, August 11.

🎨 Afterglow Makers Market: DIY Night (North Hollywood): Try ceramics, cyanotype, jewelry making, and more with hands-on workshops and 25+ small businesses. Free. Friday, August 8, from 5 PM to 10 PM at Lawless Brewing.

🦁 Manifesting Workshop (Burbank): A guided meditation and intention-setting workshop hosted by Fantasma Witch. Candles, journaling prompts, and a welcoming community vibe. $15. Friday, August 8, 7 PM at Three Sisters Coffee & Tea.

🕊️ In Memory: Bill’s Burgers (Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks): Beloved Valley icon Bill Elwell (1926–2025) passed away. Known for serving the community for decades and continuing to work into his 90s, he leaves behind a legacy of dedication and great hamburgers.

🎉 Vegetarian Indian Restaurant (New—Winnetka): Desi Vibes is a new Indian fast food spot—fast-casual Indian street food like pani puri, chaat, dosa, and lassi.

🥨 West Coast Pretzels Pop-Up (North Hollywood): East-coast style soft pretzels are back for a North Hollywood drop on Saturday, August 2. Preorder by 10:30 AM on Friday, August 1.

🍽️ DineLA Restaurant Week (San Fernando Valley): Lunch and dinner menus at special prix-fixe prices from local favorites across the Valley. The event runs twice a year. $15 to $65+. Reservations are recommended. Until Friday, August 8.

🐸 RiverFest 2025 (Chinatown): An outdoor festival celebrating the LA River with music, food, and eco-friendly activities. Open to all who care about art, climate, and community. Free. Sunday, August 3.

Vinh Loi Tofu (Reseda) is a vegan Vietnamese restaurant specializing in house-made tofu.

They offer soups, bowls, fried rice, spring rolls, and vegan banh mi.

🤖 Neighbors say, “Living next to the Tesla Diner in Hollywood is absolute hell.”

🥪 Cole’s French Dip closing date is extended to mid-September, not August 3,

🍕 A Chuck E. Cheese mascot was arrested in Florida for credit card fraud.

🏡 U.S. homes aren’t selling, but prices keep rising. (NY Times)

❓️ Originally, beach volleyball was played with teams of six. In what year did “Pablo” Johnson of the Santa Monica Athletic Club invent “two-man” beach volleyball?

Last week’s question: Griffith Park is named after a famous Angeleno. Mr. Griffith made his fortune as a gold miner and ostrich farmer. What was his first name?

Answer: Mr. Griffith’s first name was also Griffith. — Griffith J. Griffith.

Thank you for reading. See you next week!

PS I paid $12 for a coffee this week. $7 for the latte, $1 for the oat milk, $1 for the ice, $1 for tax, and $2 for the tip. Sorry, Lucille Bluth.

PPS I saw Superman! It’s a good summer popcorn movie. The effects looked great.

I love hearing from you. Let me know what you’d like to see more of in NoHo Nick. 👇️

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