🍉 Watermelon, Nerds, and Mission Impossible

Welcome to your weekly San Fernando Valley update: May 29–June 4, 2025.

In this week’s NoHo Nick:

• ⚔️ LARPing

• ☕️ New coffee shops

• 🧑‍🎨 Burbank Art Festival

I used my AMC A-List membership to see Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning last weekend. The theater was packed.

In the film, Tom Cruise fights AI.

He shows off his abs underwater.

He uses his karate skills to steal a 1940s biplane mid-flight.

And he tries to save the world from ChatGPT “The Entity.”

Before the film begins, Cruise personally thanks audiences for supporting filmmakers and movie theaters.

Over 2,500 crew members worked on the production, and thousands of others supported behind the scenes (accountants, lawyers, scouts, and craft services folks).

I hope you’ll go to the movies this summer and help put food on the table for thousands of creators.

And to feed a very fit Tom Cruise.

Here’s what’s happening this week:

🛑 Coyotes in Santa Monica: There’s been an uptick in coyote sightings on the Westside. Multiple coyote sightings and pet attacks are likely driven by habitat loss from the Palisades fire. Reports describe a pack of coyotes roaming even in daylight. Stay alert, especially with small pets. (Canyon News)

🚆 Metro Approves $9.4B Budget for 2026: LA Metro will add 400 new jobs, including security and cleaning staff, as part of its newly approved $9.4 billion budget. Riders can expect shorter wait times, “smart” ADA-accessible restrooms, expanded tap-to-exit fare systems, and upgraded lighting and escalators. (KTLA)

📚 Homeless Student Population Surges: California schools reported a 9.3% increase in homeless students for this school year, nearly 20,000 more than the previous year. The number of students experiencing homelessness has risen 37% over the past decade. (LAist)

🧙 Spellbound is a new immersive game shop that is a haven for LARPers and tabletop gamers in North Hollywood.

It offers tools, costumes, and campaign resources.

These are my Top 10 favorite events happening this week:

🥋 Senior Self-Defense Clinic (North Hollywood): Councilmember Adrin Nazarian and Bright Star Martial Arts host a self-defense workshop for seniors. Learn simple techniques to stay safe and confident. Free. Friday, May 30, from 11 AM to 1 PM at Bright Star Martial Arts in North Hollywood.

🎶 Local Music Night (Tarzana): Outdoor evening of live performances from a full lineup of local musicians (folk, rock). Held in the garden of the community center. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase. $5. Friday, May 30 at 7 PM at the Topanga Community Center.

☕ Coffee Rave Pop-Up (San Fernando): DJs will spin house music at the San Fernando Coffee Company. Sunshine, dancing, and caffeine-fueled fun. This pop-up promotes a sober party experience during the daytime hours. Free. Saturday, May 31, from 10 AM to 4 PM at 1240 Truman St.

🌊 Oceanic Literacy Day (Topanga): A day of ocean education and storytelling for kids and families. Jess Keating will read her book Shark Lady, followed by a marine biology Q&A session. Free. Saturday, May 31, at 2:30 PM at The Open Book, Topanga.

📚 Summer Reading Kickoff Party (Burbank): Celebrate the start of summer reading with games, free activities, and prize drawings at Lincoln Park beside the Buena Vista Branch Library. The Jazz Cartel will also perform a live set to excite everyone about reading. Free. Saturday, May 31, from 3 PM to 4:30 PM.

🎨 Downtown Burbank Arts Festival (Burbank): Browse work from over 170 local artisans offering indie goods, art, fashion, decor, and more along San Fernando Blvd. This family-friendly event features food, music, and handmade creations. Free. Saturday and Sunday, May 31–June 1, from 11 AM to 6 PM.

🔫 Firearms Training for Entertainment Professionals (Studio City): Hands-on workshop for actors, directors, and producers. Four hours of training in firearm safety and realism. Replica pistols and simulators. $43.99. Sunday, June 1, from 10 AM to 2 PM.

🎤 “Fun Hats” Sunday Open Mic (Burbank): Step into the Brick Room at Urban Press Winery for an afternoon of music, wine, and expressive hats. Guests are encouraged to wear bold, fun hats while enjoying live performances and open mic sets. $10. Sunday, June 1, from 2 PM to 5 PM.

🏐 Volleyball Sundays at the Park (North Hollywood): All skill levels are welcome at this casual community volleyball meetup in North Hollywood Park. It's a low-pressure way to play outdoors, make new friends, and stay active. Free. Sunday, June 1, from 3 PM to 8 PM.

🍉 California Watermelon Festival (San Fernando): Celebrate summer with watermelon-inspired dishes, live music, art, carnival rides, and a raffle with 10 chances to win each day. Kids’ activities, a costume contest, photo ops, and more. $18. Saturday and Sunday, June 7–8, from 10 AM to 10 PM.

☕ Community Hangout Café (New—Northridge): Yellow House is a cozy Korean café offering a welcoming space for students and locals to gather, relax, and connect. Its mission is rooted in community care and local outreach. Plus, it serves popcorn shrimp and French fries. Open daily from 8 AM to 7:30 PM.

☕️ San Fernando Coffee Company (New—Burbank): One of the Valley's favorite coffee shops has a new location in Burbank—signature snacks and drinks like s'mores lattes, traditional Mexican coffee, and Nutella crepes. Open daily from 7 AM to 3 PM.

🍹 Daisy Margarita Bar (New—Sherman Oaks): Upscale cocktail bar and Mexican restaurant in Sherman Oaks. "From the award-winning team behind Mírate in Los Feliz, Daisy is reinventing the modern-day cantina.” The fire-roasted peppers on silky cashew mole caught my eye.

🍕 Bub & Grandma’s Pizza Opening (Coming soon—Highland Park): Bub & Grandma’s is launching a pizza joint focused on NY/NJ/CT-style slices and is hiring a head chef. They’re seeking an experienced, high-standard industry vet to lead the kitchen. The restaurant will open in summer 2025.

🏄 Surf Night at Malibu Music (Malibu): Catch live surf rock from Phantom Noir, Par Avion, Wretched Edsels, and Generic Surf Band at Malibu Music’s first Surf Night. The show is part of their Second Saturdays series. Free. Saturday, June 14 at 6 PM.

🍔 Vote in LAist’s poll for the best SoCal cheeseburger.

🦠 Stanford researchers detected a new COVID variant in California after it surged in China.

👕 K-12 students are invited to design a vintage-style T-shirt that captures the spirit of the San Fernando Valley for the Valley Cultural Foundation. $250 prize.

❓️What is the highest point in the city of Los Angeles?

Hint: It’s located a few miles northeast of Burbank.

Last week’s question: Built in 1909 by banker Rollin Lane, this iconic Hollywood mansion became a hotspot for psychics, séances, and the supernatural in 1963 when it opened to the public. Which home is this?

Answer: The Magic Castle opened its doors on January 2, 1963.

Thanks for reading, and see you next week!

PS If you go to the movies often, the AMC A-List is a great deal. For $28, you can see 16 movies per month in any format (Dolby, IMAX, 3D, or regular).

PPS I enjoyed this Ezra Klein interview, which discusses his writing and research processes and AI in journalism. It's worth a listen.

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