🥕 New grocery store, Christmas, gondolas.

Welcome to your weekly Valley update! Today is Thursday, November 14, 2024.

In this week’s NoHo Nick:

• 🎡 Ferris wheels

• 🥕 Sprouts grocery store

• 🎄 Holiday pop-ups

I’m upset.

About you know what.

And you know who.

About what happens next.

And what we might have to do.

But I know there’s something special.

About this place that we’ve got.

Because of who we are as people.

And the things we are not.

Here’s what’s happening this week:

LA News

⚖️ Newsom tries to ‘Trump-proof’ California. California Governor Gavin Newsom called a special legislative session in early December to fortify the state against some anticipated policies from President Donald Trump—abortion access, electric vehicle standards, climate change goals, and other CA priorities. (Politico)

🚡 Proposed Dodger Stadium gondola. This week, the public weighed in on a proposed aerial tram from Union Station to Dodger Stadium; It could ease game-day traffic. Locals worry it could speed up gentrification and give views into homes. A decision will follow soon. (LAist). Coming soon: NoHo Nick’s gondola celebrity home tours.

🏢 More affordable housing planned near transit (Van Nuys). A six-story affordable housing complex with 97 units will replace a 1940s home near the Van Nuys Metrolink station. The project will use density bonuses and eliminate parking requirements to unblock construction. There will be a future light rail stop on Van Nuys Blvd. (Urbanize LA) All I want for Christmas is housing and transit.

🎡 A giant Ferris wheel is planned for San Pedro (San Pedro). A 150-foot Ferris wheel, 50% taller than Santa Monica’s Pacific Wheel, will open as part of the West Harbor redevelopment—Views of the Port of LA, Vincent Thomas Bridge, and USS Iowa. Carnival rides, a beer garden, and a racquet sports complex. (KTLA) It’ll be tall enough to wave to the people on the gondolas.

🎨 New Fernando Valenzuela mural (Boyle Heights) Robert Vargas unveiled a new mural of Dodgers icon Fernando Valenzuela. Set near Mariachi Plaza in Downtown, the mural holds deep meaning, honoring Valenzuela as an athlete and a cultural hero. The mural is a tribute to family ties and the shared love of Dodgers baseball. (LAist)

Valley Weekend Weather

It's finally time to dust off my UGG boots.

Food and Drinks

☕ $2 Coffee at Valley Grounds (Sherman Oaks): $2 drip coffee all day at Valley Grounds every Tuesday. Catch up on emails, journal, or unwind in a cozy setting. Good coffee. Good vibes. Every Tuesday from 8 AM to 3 PM.

🎉 Lincoln Beer Company’s 7th Anniversary (Burbank): Celebrate seven years with Lincoln Beer Company brewery. Live music from The Wannabees and The Woodland Thrills. Food from Soprano's Deli, Mr. Pop Up Chef Fish Tacos, and two new beers on tap. Family-friendly and dog-friendly. Saturday, November 16, from 12 PM to 10 PM.

🍷 Bar Etoile (East Hollywood): A new French wine bar opened last week. Perfect for wine lovers and small groups, with cozy European charm. Outdoor seating and plenty of nearby parking. Reservations required.

🍟 Beef Fat French Fries (Studio City): Starting November 7, popular gastropub Laurel Tavern will fry their french fries in beef fat for extra flavor. Vegetarian options are still available on request.

Things to Do

🌱 Sprouts Grocery Store Grand Opening (Studio City): Celebrate a new Sprouts organic grocery store on Ventura Blvd. Giveaways, games, tastings, and live music. The first 100 shoppers receive a free reusable goodie bag. Friday, November 15, from 7 AM to 10 PM.

🎄 Holiday in the Park (Burbank): Burbank’s annual holiday celebration. Photos with Santa, caramel apples, and a 48-foot Ferris wheel. Over 100 stores, exhibitors, food trucks, live music, a kid zone, a car show, and more holiday fun. Friday, November 22, from 5 PM to 9 PM.

🐾 Animal Rescue Donations (North Hollywood): Support local animal rescues by donating pet supplies at Fluffology. They’re collecting food, bedding, cleaning supplies, and more to help needy pets around LA. Make a difference for animals waiting for a second chance. Until Saturday, November 16.

🎶 The Midnight Hour Vinyl Shop (Burbank): Part record store, part creative hub. A creative space that hosts DJ nights, live shows, and community gatherings. Support them by buying a record, spreading the word, or attending an after-hours event.

🎬 Zed Fest Film Festival (North Hollywood): Celebrate indie horror, sci-fi, and art-house films at the 15th annual Zed Fest. Feature films, shorts, and student projects from around the world. Zed Fest champions independent filmmakers. Tickets start at $15. Through Sunday, November 17.

🎄 Emo Christmas Bar (Hollywood): Holiday pop-up with nostalgic emo throwbacks every week. Sing to classic jams and sip on themed cocktails like the “Death Cab for Coquito” and “Snow-hi-o Is for Lovers.” It's less merry and a lot more moody. DJ nights, trivia, and karaoke are starting in November. $18 per person. November 21 to December 29.

Election Results

Curious how your neighbors voted?

View presidential election results by neighborhood. (LA Times [Paid Article])

Not all votes have been counted yet.

Did you know? Over-the-counter birth control and “morning after” pills are available locally at Costco and dozens of drug stores. No prescription is required; both products have an approximately 4-year shelf life.

Volunteer Opportunity

Looking for ways to make a direct impact in your community?

The North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry is seeking volunteers.

You can pack food into boxes, create brown-bag lunch kits, make deliveries to food-insecure individuals, or organize a food drive.

Cute Home Alert

🏡 Charming Large Home (Van Nuys) Spacious 3-bedroom, 1.75-bathroom with 1,690 square feet of living space. Built in 1950. Cozy den, dedicated dining room, and central air. The 2-car attached garage adds convenience. Easy access to the 405 Freeway. Lots of opportunities for upgrades. $775,000.

Official Guide to Burbank

The Burbank Chamber of Commerce released its annual Official Guide to Burbank. It features a retrospective of community and business-focused events in 2024.

It also showcased Burbank’s largest employers. The links go to their current job openings.

Random

🎎 Toy maker Mattel released new Wicked dolls ahead of the upcoming film. Unfortunately, they misprinted the movie’s URL on the box. Instead of wickedmovie.com, they accidentally printed a porn website. You figure it out.

🔨 How many Lowe’s could Rob Lowe rob if Rob Lowe could rob Lowe’s?

Trivia

❓️ How many abandoned Prohibition-era tunnels are still underneath Los Angeles? In the 1920s, they were used to move alcohol between speakeasies and unlawful bars.

Last week’s question: There’s an urban legend in the Valley. Have you ever noticed handprints on dusty car windows around town? Do you know where they come from?

Answer: As a spooky legend has it, a school bus lost control on Gravity Hill in Pasadena, and everyone on board died. Now, children's ghosts help push cars uphill around the Valley.

See you next week!

NoHo Nick

Do you have a suggestion of something I should feature? Submit it.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up to get it.

Want to advertise?

Are you a local business looking to reach people in Los Angeles?

Contact [email protected] about powerful ways to reach LA locals.