🍷 Wine, Movies, and Country Music

Welcome to your weekly San Fernando Valley update: May 15–21, 2025.

In this week’s NoHo Nick:

• 🕹️ Chuck E. Cheese

• 🎥 Movie club

• ❤️‍🩹 Public health

• 🍷 Wine festivals

“Tap your credit card to pay.”

I’m going to be honest—I still don’t know where to tap.

Is it on the little icon? The screen? The icon on the screen?

Swiping seemed to work just fine.

And those credit card imprinters were fun.

God help me if we have to start using Bitcoin.

Here’s what’s happening this week.

🍷 Public Drinking Approved on Santa Monica Promenade. Santa Monica’s city council has approved a plan to allow open-container drinking on the Third Street Promenade in designated zones. Officials hope it revitalizes tourism and business. Some locals worry it could attract crime and deter families. (NBC4)

💉 HIV Funding Cuts Threaten Progress. LA County ended contracts with 39 community health providers after losing $19 million in federal HIV funding. Advocates warn this could reverse decades of public health gains and affect vulnerable people who may not seek treatment or prevention. (LA Public Press)

🎉 Chuck E. Cheese Burbank Reopens. The Chuck E. Cheese on San Fernando Blvd. has reopened with a $100,000 renovation featuring new arcade games and attractions. Local officials and superfans celebrated the revamp. (myBurbank)

🩺 Free Health Vending Machines Launch. LA County is rolling out 100 health vending machines that offer free Narcan, condoms, COVID tests, and fentanyl strips to improve access in underserved areas. The self-serve stations aim to prevent overdoses and promote public health without requiring personal interaction. (ABC7)

House Roots Coffee is a new cafe and roastery in Northridge that opened last weekend.

House Roots already has several cafes around the Valley offering breakfast and a selection of coffees, including pour-overs and lattes.

Check out their new shop or take home a bag of their Valley Blend coffee beans.

🎬 Movie Meetup Club (Burbank/Sherman Oaks): Silver Screen Society (Discord) is a casual movie group for movie lovers. Cinephiles meet weekly to watch new movies and cult classics. Most members have AMC A-List. Check out the Reddit thread for more details. Free. Ongoing, weekly meetups.

🚶 Sherman Oaks Walk & Happy Hour (Sherman Oaks): Social walk around the neighborhood. Meet the neighbors and get your steps in. Bring comfy shoes, water, and a sweater (it might get cool this weekend). Head to Tipsy Cow bar afterwards. Free. Friday, May 16 at 7 PM at Van Nuys Aquatic Center.

🌲 Party at Yes Baby Vintage (Burbank): Immersive after-hours party at Secret Forest LA and Yes Baby Vintage. Expect retro arcade fun, an art installation, vintage clothes and merch, dreamy photo ops, and a tea bar with snacks and mocktails. $20. Friday, May 16, from 7 PM to 10 PM at Yes Baby Vintage.

👢 Line Dancing Class (Encino): Upbeat line dancing sessions that combine music, movement, and social fun. No experience is needed, and all levels are welcome. $23. Friday, May 16, from 7:30 PM to 9 PM at Balboa Sports Center.

🌵 Spring Cactus Sale (Tarzana): Shop unique cacti and succulents at the Los Angeles Cactus and Succulent Society’s seasonal plant sale. Vendors and growers will be on-site. Free. Saturday, May 17, from 9 AM to 3 PM at Tarzana Community & Cultural Center.

🎶 Topanga Blues Festival (Topanga): 42nd annual blues fest. Celebrate the blues with live performances by Rod Piazza, Nora Jean Bruso, and more. Food, drinks, and soulful music make it a full-day experience in the canyon. $55. Saturday, May 17, from 10 AM to 4 PM at Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum.

🎷 Jazz on Fire Benefit Concert (Westlake Village): Outdoor jazz concert with wine, snacks, and a raffle supporting L.A. County Fire Station #144. Your contribution goes toward community emergency preparedness. $80. Saturday, May 17 at 7:30 PM in Westlake Village.

🪁 Kite Festival (Downtown LA): Fly kites, make art, and join a celebration of community and culture. Family-friendly day includes live music, workshops, and a massive kite competition. Free. Saturday, May 17, from 2 PM to 6 PM at Los Angeles State Historic Park.

🎨 Spring Beverly Hills Art Show (Beverly Hills): Beverly Hills Art Show is back, featuring 235 juried artists in painting, sculpture, jewelry, and more. Enjoy food trucks, beer gardens, wine tastings, and artist talks. Free. May 17 and 18, from 10 AM to 6 PM at Beverly Gardens Park.

🖌️ “Joint” Painting Experience (Sherman Oaks): Laid-back, “smoky” painting session with good vibes, music, and a “special” goodie bag for all painters. For beginners and seasoned artists. 21+. $45. Sunday, May 18, from 3 to 5 PM at The Green Room.

🎲 Roll for Jokes Comedy Show (Glendale): Comedians perform stand-up and then roll a 20-sided die to deliver spontaneous jokes based on audience suggestions. Featuring Dylan Adler, Pallavi Gunalan, and Ray Lau. $21. Sunday, May 18 at 7:30 PM at The Glendale Room.

🪕 Topanga Banjo & Fiddle Folk Festival (Calabasas): This long-running folk music tradition returns: contests, live performances, and family fun. Hear bands like Hogslop String Band, Crying Uncle, Two Runner, and many more across multiple stages. $20. Sunday, May 18. Contests at 9 AM. Music all day after 12 PM at King Gillette Ranch.

🐶 Dog-Friendly Comedy Night (Studio City): Laughs Unleashed returns with a full comedy lineup including Nishy Acsell, Sav Lobel, and more. Dogs are welcome with prior evaluation, and members get in free. $5 for non-members. Friday, May 30, doors at 6 PM at St. Barks Dog Park.

🍷 Pours for Paws Wine Festival (Lake Balboa): Sip wines from local vendors at this first annual fundraiser benefiting animals in need. Tastings and live music. Free. VIP tickets are $40. Saturday, May 17, from 2 PM to 6 PM at Vintage Wine & Spirits.

🌮 New Mexican Restaurant (Canoga Park): Maíz y Fuego is a new authentic Mexican restaurant in the West Valley. Juicy pastor, asada, and chicken tacos. Pickup and delivery only. Taco Tuesdays are two tacos for $5.50.

🎉 Beer Prom Night (North Hollywood): Nostalgic adult prom night with dancing, photos, raffle prizes, and plenty of craft beer. Dress in your fanciest clothes and enjoy all the fun of prom without the teenage drama. 21+. Free. Saturday, May 24 at 5 PM at Hop Merchants.

🌮 LA has more taco trucks than gas stations. Approximately twice as many.

🚁 LAPD is requesting two new helicopters in the latest budget.

📰 The Los Angeles Times lost $50 million and 10% of its subscribers in 2024.

🚗 A 98-year-old man crushes a Tesla with a tank.

❓️How many times larger is Griffith Park than Central Park in New York?

Hint: Central Park is 840 acres.

A) 3x
B) 5x
C) 7x
D) 10x

Last week’s question: Which of these celebrities did not grow up in the San Fernando Valley? Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Sherman Oaks), Blake Lively (Tarzana), Val Kilmer (Chatsworth), or Kirsten Dunst?

Answer: Kirsten Dunst was born and raised in Point Pleasant, New Jersey.

Thanks for reading, and see you next week!

PS Who wants to go to Chuck E. Cheese?

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