🚌 School’s Almost Out & Summer’s Right Around the Corner

The official start to Summer isn't until June 20th, but we've already had a few days of heat advisories. While I'm not looking forward to triple digit heat starting in earnest, LAUSD's last day of school is next Wednesday so we have a couple months of lighter morning commutes that I'm looking forward to. That and the Farmer's Markets and grocery stores will be full of in-season fruits and vegetables (Leona Valley cherries get a mention below).What are the things you most look forward to in Summer in the Valley? Send me an email and let me know!I

In today's edition we'll talk a little bit more about school ending and how to keep kids occupied through the Summer, if you have them. And if you don't, we'll talk about some activities anyone can enjoy. The Hollywood Bowl is making it more convenient for Valley residents to attend a show, Leona Valley has some sweet fruit to pick, Discovery Cube has a new and exciting exhibit, and Trader Joe’s has a new location opening. And as always, I'll close it out with events and other fun happenings.

Did You Know - In it’s 44 years of operation (1947-1992) the GM plant in Van Nuys manufactured 6.3 million cars. Years after its closure, the site was converted into a shopping center still in operation to this day, aptly named The Plant.

🚧 LAUSD Classes End Next Week

Tuesday, June 10th is the last day of classes, because who doesn’t like ending the school year on a Tuesday? You can leave the house a few minutes later in the morning if you have a commute. Now comes the hard part of keeping the kids entertained and occupied for the next two months.

There’s no shortage of Summer Camps to choose from in and around the Valley, with themes ranging from science, robotics, music, art, theatre, etc. But boy oh boy, the price of some of these camps is astounding. Thankfully, the Parks and Recreation department has some more affordable options ranging from $25 to $60 per week. While the quality and selection isn’t quite what you get when you’re forking over an arm and leg to a private company, it’s nice to know these cheaper, and probably just as fun, options exist. Sign up soon, though! They’re going to start filling up fast once parents have the “Oh crap” moment next Monday and they realize school ends in a couple days.

Another option is LAUSD’s Summer of Learning program. It’s kind of like school in the Summer, but there’s a little less of an academic focus. You can also sign your kid up to get free breakfast and lunch. But hurry! The deadline to register online is tomorrow (June 6th), registering after tomorrow will need to be done in person.

Something else to be aware of - if you want to request bus service for your kid, they extended the deadline to request service to tomorrow. You’re not guaranteed to get service, but it’s worth a shot if it means a bit less driving for you.

Click here to locate a park near you that has Summer camps available.
Click here to learn more about LAUSD’s Summer of Learning.
Click here to log in to the LAUSD Parent Portal to request bus service.

🍒 Cherry Season Is Here

Great news for fruit lovers—cherry picking season is officially here! Leona Valley, a small valley community nestled about 40 miles north of the SFV in the last ridge of the mountains before you get to Lancaster, is home to several family owned cherry orchards. Villa del Sol is the first orchard I’m aware of who’s officially announced their opening day.

The orchard gates swing open on Friday, June 6, 8am to 3pm then Saturday and Sunday 7am to 3pm. After that, the orchard expects to be open daily until the cherries are gone. And they go fast! Cherry season only lasts through about the end of June.

Right now, the Brooks cherries—a fan favorite—are ripe and ready. These large, oval beauties range from bright red to deep purple and are bursting with flavor.

The cherry stand is being stocked with freshly bottled local honey and cold water (or bring your own). Just a heads-up: no picnicking in the orchard, but there are nearby parks perfect for a pre- or post-pick snack.

Pro tips:

• There are several other orchards in the area that don’t advertise or manage a website quite like Villa del Sol does. Considering how crowded it can get, it might be worth calling around to see what other orchards have to offer. The cherries taste just as sweet.

• Don’t eat the cherries while you pick! This is how the farm makes their money and they only sell U-Pick. You’ll probably want to wash them anyway.

• Wear comfy walking shoes. There’s a lot of bare soil and there are some slopes to clamber.

• Don’t expect to get a great deal. Cherries from the grocery store are almost always going to be cheaper, but like any other fruit, you’ll never taste better than picked straight from the tree.

• It’s easy to pick a lot, so if you’re on a budget, take your time. If I had a luggage scale I’d bring it - I tend to pick waaaay more than I was planning.

• Villa del Sol has a $10 minimum per person.

• Buckets and bags are provided.

• No dogs, so keep your fur baby at home! No one wants to step in a pile while picking cherries, and besides, while the flesh is ok for them to eat, the pits, stems, and leave of cherries contain cyanide and can be deadly to your four legged friend.

• Check upickcherries.com or call the Cherry Hotline: 661-270-1356 for updates (refresh the website often for the latest!)

Get ready to pick some of the sweetest cherries in the Valley!

🎈 Trader Joe’s New Sherman Oaks Location Grand Opening Friday

The new Sherman Oaks location, which is oddly located across the street from an existing location, is having its grand opening this Friday morning, June 6th. I haven’t driven by this location yet, so I’m not sure what the parking situation will be like. Hopefully an improvement from their location across the street!

🅿️ New Park and Ride Location for The Hollywood Bowl in Sylmar

Did you know the Hollywood Bowl is run by Parks & Rec and programmed by the LA Phil? Yep, your tax dollars and your taste in music finally teamed up.

New this year: a Park & Ride spot in Sylmar at the Metrolink station. Because if you’ve ever tried to park at the Bowl, you know it’s basically a $45 anxiety simulator.

The Park & Ride? Just $8 if you book ahead ($12–15 if you’re a day-of decider). You’ll ride in comfort with other concert-goers, avoid stacked parking purgatory, and possibly make a new best friend named Carol who also loves King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard.

Downside? No sneaking out early. Upside? Your blood pressure stays below 200.

Here’s where you can catch the bus from the Valley:

• Burbank Metrolink - 100 S. Flower St., Burbank, CA 91502. One of the official Bowl Shuttle locations.

• Studio City - 10801 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604. The other official Bowl Shuttle location in the Valley.

• Chatsworth - 10046 Old Depot Plaza Rd., Chatsworth, CA 91311

• Sherman Oaks - 12901 Burbank Blvd., Valley Glen, CA 91401

• New! Sylmar - 12219 Frank Modugno Dr. , Los Angeles CA 91340

The Bowl’s Season open’s this Saturday, June 7th with Hugh Jackman (Wolverine can sing!) and this Summer is packed with shows so you’re sure to find something you can get into.

Click here for the season’s shows and details on the shuttles and park and ride.

🚨 Rescue Me! New Exhibit at Discovery Cube Brings the Action

Ever wonder if you’ve got what it takes to be a real-life hero? Now’s your chance to find out—without actually having to jump out of a helicopter. The brand new Rescue Exhibition at Discovery Cube Los Angeles is like an action movie you get to star in... minus the explosions and insurance liability.

Strap in for an all-ages thrill ride through land, sea, and air rescues. You’ll fly a full-size helicopter simulator, steer a jet ski in search of imaginary drowning victims, and even battle digital infernos (your eyebrows are safe, we promise). This isn’t just playtime—it’s STEM in sneakers.

🔍 Use infrared cameras to hunt for heat signals
🧗 Conquer the 360° Vertical Rescue Wall
🔥 Crawl through a fake-burning building like a fire-fighting ninja
🚁 Drop flotation devices with a drone like a beachside Batman
🎥 Star in your own breaking news disaster report (finally, your moment!)

For the kids—and kids-at-heart—there are rescue uniforms to try on, dramatic footage to gasp at, and survival tricks to pick up just in case your next beach day takes a turn.

The Rescue Exhibition is packed with hands-on experiences, adrenaline, and just enough science to make you feel smarter than your average action hero. It’s open now, so grab your family and prepare to save the day (or at least pretend to).

Click here to learn more about the exhibit and to get tickets to the Discovery Cube.

🧳 Nearcation Corner

Being a suburb of Los Angeles, we’ve got so many things to do nearby. I think it would be worthwhile to have a recurring feature where I can share ideas on how Valley residents can get away without going very far. So let’s imagine our first nearcation.

🍒 Leona Valley Cherry Picking Weekend Itinerary

Local adventure, fresh air, and sweet rewards.

Friday Night – Laugh It Off in the Valley

😆 Comedy Chateau – North Hollywood
Kick off the weekend with laughs at this cozy comedy club. Shows start around 7:30pm. Grab a bite beforehand at Fat Dog or head straight to the show for drinks and snacks.

Saturday Afternoon – Rock Out (Literally) in Santa Clarita

🥾 Vasquez Rocks Natural Area
Explore the iconic, jagged rock formations with easy-to-moderate hiking trails. It’s scenic, cinematic, and great for photos. Pack water and a hat!

🍝 Lunch Stop: Piccola Trattoria in Canyon Country—authentic Italian and rarely crowded.

Saturday Evening – Chill in Valencia

🧖 The Ivy Day Spa
Wind down with a massage or steam session at this relaxing spot in the heart of Valencia.

🍽️ Dinner: Salt Creek Grille Valencia – relaxed yet refined, perfect for steaks, seafood, or cocktails.

🛏️ Overnight: Stay at Holiday Inn Express Valencia or a quiet Airbnb near Agua Dulce for a more rural vibe close to Sunday’s orchard.

Sunday Morning – 🍒 Cherry Picking in Leona Valley

🌄 Villa del Sol Sweet Cherry Farms
Arrive early (opens at 7am on Sundays) to beat the heat and the crowds. Brooks cherries are typically ripe and plentiful. Buckets provided, but feel free to bring your own.

☕ Brunch Stop: Jackie’s Café in Lancaster for a hearty, homestyle meal.

😻 Pet of the Week

This is Nana, our tuxedo cat. We adopted her from the Pet Adoption Fund in Canoga Park a few years ago. She walked right up to us and meowed hello… and she hasn’t stopped meowing at us since! She’s sweet and protective, always wants to know what’s going on outside and really enjoys when the whole family is together. If you want your pet included in a future issue, email me a picture and anything you want to share about the creature(s) you love. Nana will keep showing up until we get someone else to share.

😆 Comedy

The Wrong Key: Comedy & Music w/Nick Stargu & Chad Opitz, Thursday June 5th, 8pm at The Roguelike Tavern, 259 N Pass Ave Burbank

Retro Comedy Friday June 6th at 8pm HaHa Comedy Club, 4712 Lankershim Blvd

Pablo Francisco, Chaunte Wayans, Richard Villa, Nick Guerra, Mark Serritella Saturday June 7th at 10pm HaHa Comedy Club, 4712 Lankershim Blvd

Pauly Shore And Friends Sat Jun 7th 7:30pm, Flappers Comedy Club Burbank - Main Room

🎭️ Theatre and Performing Arts

Bill W and Dr. Bob Saturday June 7 2025, 8:00 PM | 2hrs Theatre 68 Arts Complex - The Beckett Theatre (Main Space) 5112 Lankershim Blvd

The Wedding Singer Musical Comedy, Opening Night Saturday June 7th at 8pm, The Colony Theatre, 555 N 3rd St, Burbank

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (Broadway Version), Weekends at the Wisteria Theater, 7061 Vineland Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91605

📽️ Movies

Saturday, June 7th - The Studio City Neighborhood Council free movie night - How to Train Your Dragon at Walter Reed Middle School Field. Movie starts at 7:45pm, some free refreshments available while supplies last starting at 6pm. Bring beach chairs and blankets.

Hey You Guys! Saturday, June 7th - The Los Angeles Equestrian Center, Street Food Cinema is hosting a 40th anniversary screening of The Goonies. Doors 6:00pm | Band 7:00pm | Movie 8:30pm. Food trucks

Sunday, June 8th - San Fernando Brewing Company is screening the original Karate Kid. Free entry, free popcorn, tasty brews! Call ahead to reserve a table, kids welcome. 4pm-7pm. 425 Park Ave San Fernando

🎵 Music

Garage Madness: The Ultra 4 @ 9pm, Los Tres Murcielagos @ 10pm, The Unclaimed @ 11pm, The Automatic Knives @ 12am. Friday, June 6th - Maui Sugar Mill Saloon, 18389 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana

Code Blue @ 9pm, The Furys @ 10pm, The Glimmer Stars @ 11pm. Saturday, June 7th - Maui Sugar Mill Saloon, 18389 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana

Other

DC PRIDE 2025 Signing with Josh Trujillo, Maya Houston, Derek Charm. Saturday, June 7th - Collector’s Paradise NoHo - 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Community Clothing Swap - Date: June 7, 2025 Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Location: Brand Studios 1601 West Mountain Street Glendale, California 91201

❌ If You’re Heading To The Beach…

⚠️ BEACH AREA WARNINGS:

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

• Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu - 100 yards up and down the coast from the Lagoon.

• Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach. Santa Monica South Tower 20 - 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.

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

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

• 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.

• Windward storm drain at Venice Beach - 100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.

• Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro - Entire swim area.

That’s it for this week!