The heat is once again upon us. A heat advisory will be in effect through Sunday, after which hopefully it cools down for at least a few weeks (yeah right, but a man can hope, right?). I hope you all stay cool and make the most of all there is to do!

Did You Know - The San Fernando Valley has an observatory? CSUN’s San Fernando Observatory, originally built in the 1960s to support NASA’s space program, has been actively capturing full-disk photometric images of the Sun—using the same two telescopes—for nearly four decades, creating one of the longest continuous ground-based solar data sets in the U.S. Check out some of the pictures here.

♟️ Glendale to Host 2025 Southern California Open Chess Tournament

Glendale will host the California State Open Chess Tournament for the first time this Labor Day weekend, August 29 – September 1, 2025, at the Embassy Suites. Nearly 500 top players from across the nation will compete in this prestigious event, marking a milestone for the city’s growing chess community. The total prize fund is $50,000 so there are sure to be some nail-biting moments. Organized by the American Chess Academy, California Chess Federation, and dot818, the tournament is open to all skill levels and aligns perfectly with Glendale’s commitment to education, strategy, and innovation. If you’ve got what it takes, register to play.

Road Theatre Company2025/2026 Season Announced

The Road Theatre Company is kicking off its 2025–2026 season in North Hollywood with three exciting world premieres—OTHERKIN by N.T. Vandecar (Sept 26–Nov 2, 2025), LIFELINE by Robert Axelrod (opening Jan 23, 2026), and HELL MOUTH by Tom Jacobson (from April 17, 2026)—alongside a new "From Page to Stage" workshop event where audiences can witness new plays evolve live. All performances take place at the Road Theatre in the NoHo Senior Arts Colony. www.RoadTheatre.org

Comedy Sportz Returns to the LA Connection in September

Los Angeles’ longest-running—and most uproarious—live comedy experience returns! Since its LA debut in 1988, ComedySportz® has been thrilling audiences with its one-of-a-kind improv “matches,” where two teams of professional performers go head‑to‑head for laughs, points, and audience glory. Complete with a referee, uniforms, artificial turf, a pennant‑waving organist, and even the National Anthem, each show is wildly interactive, squeaky‑clean, and entirely ad‑lib. Expect unexpected fouls (including groan-worthy puns requiring on‑the‑spot apologies!), games picked by the audience, and no two shows ever the same. Whether you're a comedy fan or a business group, this is an evening you won’t forget.

🎦 Burbank International Film Fest Sneak Preview

All attendees will receive a free ticket to either one of the festival's feature film screenings or one of the short film screening blocks. You’ll also get to rub elbows with some of the filmmakers whose work will be featured at this year’s festival in September.

☀️ Tierra del Sol Foundation Fundraiser

The Tierra del Sol Foundation in Sunland empowers people with developmental disabilities to discover their potential and share their talents with the community. With six locations in the Valley participating, you’re sure to find a location near you. I recommend the fish tacos plate with rice and beans. I think I know where I’ll be Friday night!

🦋 Another Milkweed Giveaway - Save the Monarchs!

I went to the last giveaway at the Tarzana Community and Cultural Center and got six plants. Two of them had little Monarch caterpillars that quickly grew and almost ate my small plants into extinction. The plants are doing better now, one of the caterpillars ran off to who knows where, and the other one is now in its chrysalis and will hopefully soon fly away. Who knows, maybe it’ll land on the plants you pick up!

😆 Comedy

• Don’t Tell Comedy - Friday August 22nd 7 p.m. Doors open @ 6:30 p.m. Specific location is announced the morning of the event, but it will be in a studio in Sherman Oaks

🎭️Theatre and Performing Arts

• Dylan F. Thomas Actor’s Showcase - Saturday August 23, 2025 @ 2pm St. Martin of the Fields Church 7136 Winnetka Ave, Canoga Park, CA 91306, Admission: FREE ($15 suggested donation)

• Murder Behind the Mic Old Time Radio Show - Friday, August 22 · 7:30 - 9pm, The Victory Theatre Center 3326 West Victory Boulevard Burbank

• Conundrum Theatre New Works Festival - August 29th-31st 7pm on Friday and Saturday, 3pm on Sunday, The Victory Theatre Center 3326 W Victory Blvd, Burbank

📽️ Film

• Total Grotesque Live - Top 10 Horror Movie Experience - Multiple Dates starting Friday, Doors open at 11:00 AM – Last entry into the exhibit is at 7:30 PM, Mystic Museum 3204 West Magnolia Boulevard Burbank

• Miss Congeniality (25th Anniversary) - Aug 23, 2025 Doors at 6:00 PM, Band at 7:00 PM, Movie at 8:30 PM The Autry Museum - Griffith Park, 4700 Western Heritage Way

• Free Movie (Moana 2) and Food Trucks - Saturday 8/23, food trucks at 7pm, movie at 7:30pm, North Hollywood Park, 11430 Chandler Blvd, North Hollywood

• Starlight on Tour - Footloose (1984) & The Remotes - The Remotes will kick things off with throwback TV theme hits starting at 5:00pm, movie starts at sunset. Johnny Carson Park 400 Bob Hope Dr., Burbank

• Free Moview Night LILO & STITCH - Thursday, August 28 7:30 PM Valley Plaza Park 12240 Archwood Street, North Hollywood

🎵 Music

• LOCKED OUT OF HEAVEN - The Freshest Bruno Mars Tribute with Emerging Artist Bella Brown & The Jealous Lovers - These guys put on a great show! Sun, Aug 24, 5:30pm - 8:30pm Warner Park 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd. Woodland Hills

• Seth MacFarlane and his Chamber Orchestra Sunday, August 24, 2025 6:00 PM Vibrato Grill Jazz, 2930 Beverly Glen Circle, Bel Air

• Tarzana Music Night - Friday August 29th, 7pm-10pm, Tarzana Community and Cultural Center 19130 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana

🤷 Other

• LEGO Challenge - Date: Thursday, August 21 Time: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Van Nuys Library 6250 Sylmar Ave., Van Nuys

• Free Community Pancake Breakfast - More than just pancakes, there’s music and activities for all ages. Saturday 9:00am-11:30am August 23, Van Nuys Fire Station 39, 14615 Oxnard St, Van Nuys

• Toluca Lake Art Fair - Saturday, August 23rd, 11 AM – 3 PM, 10120 Riverside Drive, Toluca Lake

• addLOVE Summer Tennis Bash - August 23 5:00-7:00 PM Lanark Park 21816 Lanark St, Canoga Park, CA 91304

• The Market hosted by Bespoke Art Society - Sunday Aug 24 and 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Malibu Wines & Beer Garden 23130 Sherman Way, West Hills

• Topanga Vintage Flea Market - Sunday August 24th 7am-2pm, Victory Blvd at Mason Ave, Woodland Hills

• MEND Job Fair - Tuesday, August 26, 2025, 9:30am – 12:30pm 10641 San Fernando Rd. Pacoima, CA 91331

• Honoring Women's Suffrage - A conversation on rights, representation, and the road ahead. August 26, 2025 7 pm Cahuenga General Store, 5510 Cahuenga Blvd, North Hollywood

⚠️ BEACH AREA WARNINGS:

• Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.

• The Bel Air Bay Club at Will Rogers State Beach 100 yards up and down the coast from the club border fence.

• Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey Entire swim area.

• Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach 100 yards up and down the coast from the public access steps.

• Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

• Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.