✊ Protests, Father's Day, and Juneteenth Parties

Welcome to your weekly San Fernando Valley update: June 12–18, 2025.

In this week’s NoHo Nick:

• 💜 Juneteenth

• 📆 Father’s Day

• 🧑‍🎨 Chalk festival

• 🧊 Icy conditions

It’s a stressful time in L.A.

So I’ll say this—

Civil disobedience is honorable.

Violence is unacceptable.

And silence in this moment is what they want. Let’s not give it to them.

Planning on protesting soon?

Here are some tips to keep yourself safe:

📍 Plan Ahead: Let a trusted contact know where you’ll be, how you'll get there, and when you’ll check in. Download offline maps in case you lose service.

🎒 Pack Smart: Bring water, snacks, a face covering, and basic first aid. Avoid contact lenses and oil-based products (they worsen chemical irritants). Carry cash and a backup battery for your phone.

🧠 Know Your Rights: Understand local laws and what to do if detained. The ACLU's Know Your Rights guide is a good place to start.

🧯Be Ready to De-escalate: Stay calm, avoid provocation, and don’t engage with agitators. If a situation escalates, walk away when possible and help others do the same.

👁️ Practice 360° Awareness: Always observe your surroundings—watch crowd movements, police behavior, and signs of tension. Use the “OODA Loop”: observe, Orient, Decide, and Act.

Sources: Human Rights Campaign and ACLU SoCal:

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Here’s what’s happening this week:

🚨 Mass Arrests and Curfews: Nearly 400 people were arrested after immigration raids sparked protests across LA. Mayor Bass called it a “national experiment” in overriding local power. Over 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines are now deployed. (BBC)

🏡 Valley Home Sales Climb: Home sales in the Valley rebounded in April, a 14.9% increase from last year. Condo sales dipped slightly, and home inventory surged. Listings for homes and condos are up 50%. Prices softened slightly, signaling economic headwinds. (Valley News Group)

🛹 Skate Culture Rebounds: Sheldon Skate Park in Sun Valley has become a youth-driven community hub thanks to the nonprofit GR818ERS. Their mentorship programs, free skate classes, and cultural events like the Shell City Skate Fest have transformed the park into a safer space for young skaters. (San Fernando Valley Sun)

World Empanadas is a family-owned and operated business in Burbank that offers savory, sweet, and vegan empanadas.

These are my favorite events happening this week:

✏️ How to Draw Superheroes (Sylmar): Animation pro Evan Burse, known for Teen Titans and Scooby-Doo, will teach kids ages 5–12 how to draw their own superheroes. Supplies provided. Free. Thursday, June 12, from 4 PM to 5 PM at Sylmar Library.

🎥 Movie Night: Nightmare on Elm Street (San Fernando): Join The VHS Society for a special PrideMonth celebration with a screening of A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge plus three queer horror shorts, vendors, snacks, photo ops, and more. ’80s gear encouraged! $15. Friday, June 13 at 7 PM at The Midnight Hour Records.

🛑 Nationwide Protest (Various): Nationwide “No Kings” protests this weekend. The marches are designed to tell elected officials to “uphold the Constitution and rein in overreach by the Executive Branch.” Protests are planned in Studio City, Woodland Hills, and Glendale. Saturday, June 14 at 11 AM at various locations.

🎉 Fluffology Turns 2 Paw-ty (North Hollywood): Celebrate Fluffology’s second birthday with a dog-friendly bash featuring burgers, drinks, ice cream, and giveaways. Bring your pup and enjoy a community celebration packed with treats and prizes. Free. Saturday, June 14, from 12 PM to 3 PM at Fluffology.

🎶 Juneteenth at El Cariso Park (Sylmar): Celebrate culture, community, and freedom with LA County Parks. Live music, food tastings, workshops, youth zones, and more—all family-friendly. Free. Friday, June 14, from 2–6 PM at El Cariso Park.

👨‍👧 Father’s Day Coding Open House (Northridge): Code Ninjas hosts a hands-on celebration for kids and dads with raffles, snacks, and Father’s Day STEM projects. Visit four activity stations for a chance to win a grand raffle. Free. Friday, June 14, from 4–7 PM at Code Ninjas Northridge.

🎮️ Dad Games at Dave & Buster’s (Northridge): Celebrate Father’s Day with food, fun, and a shot at arcade glory. Dads get unlimited video game play all day and can compete for a chance to win a year of free games. Buffet-style lunch includes sliders, pizza, chicken bites, and more. $35. Sunday, June 15, from 12 PM to 2 PM.

🎬 Movie Night: Beetlejuice (Van Nuys): My Valley Pass and Regency Theatres bring a retro movie night featuring Beetlejuice. Experience the newly renovated theater with reclining seats. $12.50. Wednesday, June 18, from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM at Van Nuys Plant 16 & REX.

🤠 Brews & Boots Line Dancing (San Fernando): San Fernando Brewing Co. is bringing honky-tonk energy to their patio with instructor-led line dancing, DJ jams, and plenty of cold beer. Western wear encouraged, but all are welcome to join. Free. Thursday, June 19, from 7 PM to 10 PM.

🤝 Valley Business Mixer (Van Nuys): Connect with 300+ professionals from 10 San Fernando Valley Chambers of Commerce at the region’s largest business networking event. Beer from Anheuser-Busch and lite bites from local restaurants. Limited space. $50. Thursday, June 26, from 5 PM to 8 PM.

🎨 Pasadena Chalk Festival (Pasadena): Watch hundreds of artists turn pavement into massive chalk murals at this family-friendly festival at The Paseo.

200 chalk murals and over 500 artists.

Enjoy art, silent auctions, live music, and more.

Free. Saturday & Sunday, June 14–15, from 10 AM to 7 PM at 300 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena.

🥃 Luxury Scotch Tasting & Bottle Engraving (Lake Balboa): Try premium Scotch whiskies and personalize a bottle with complimentary engraving at this Father’s Day-themed experience hosted by Vintage Wine & Spirits. Free. Limited space. Friday, June 13, from 4 PM to 7 PM at Vintage Wine and Spirits.

🎉 Juneteenth Community Celebration (Woodland Hills): Family-style Juneteenth bash with live music, 50+ vendors, food, games, and performances. There are essay scholarships and community awards. Free. Friday, June 14, from 1–6 PM at Rocky Young Park at Pierce College.

🧁 Badash Bakes Grand Opening (New—Pasadena): TikTok-famous pastry chef Ashley Cunningham brings her viral cinnamon rolls and cookies to her new storefront on Colorado Blvd: ceremonial matcha rolls, red velvet cake, and a rotating cookie case.

🌅 Aeirloom Bakery (Toluca Lake): This brunch gem is known for fresh, flavorful New American fare: sliced salmon, omelets, and vegan-friendly and gluten-free breakfast options in a cozy, upscale-casual setting.

It is open daily for breakfast and brunch.

🎭 Hollywood Fringe Festival 2025 (Hollywood): The 15th-annual eclectic Hollywood Fringe Theater Festival is underway! This uncurated festival has 400 performances—musicals, dances, immersive experiences, solo performances, and more. The festival runs from June 12 to 29. Most shows are $10-15.

These are my top Fringe picks:

🦚 Peacock in the Rubble (Solo Show): A one-woman show about overcoming OCD and recovering after losing everything in the LA fires. 50% of ticket sales go to fire recovery efforts.

👨‍🎤 Just to Be Close to You (Comedy): A “1970s lounge singer” tries to sing one of his newest songs. Unfortunately, the equipment, sound guy, and circumstances won’t cooperate.

🦠 Soft Animal (Comedy): A “psychedelic clown odyssey” through the entire history of life on Earth.

👶 The most popular baby girl name in 2025 is “Mia.”

🌯 Temporary tattoos are available at Chipotle for Friday the 13th. “Get tattooed like a Chipotle bag” in LA.

🎙️ John Fogerty re-recorded a whole album of Creedence Clearwater Revival songs after being inspired by Taylor Swift.

❓️Approximately how many car accidents happen daily in LA?

Last week’s question: How many active airports are in LA County?

Answer: There are 15 airports within LA County.

Thanks for reading, and see you next week!

PS Happy Father’s Day.

PPS Here’s a list of the best Farmers’ Markets in SFV.

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