👋 Welcome to Northridge Now — Issue #0015
Good afternoon, Northridge! ☀️
It’s been an active week across the Northwest San Fernando Valley. Federal authorities have increased the reward to $1,000,000 for information leading to the arrest of a fugitive linked to a 2019 Sylmar barber shop killing 🚨, and investigators say the suspect may be hiding in Mexico.
At the same time, a developing story tied to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is drawing attention. Pressure is mounting on LA28 chairman Casey Wasserman 🏅 after renewed scrutiny over past connections to Ghislaine Maxwell, prompting calls from some political leaders for him to step down.
The community is also being asked to step up in a meaningful way. Organizers are currently seeking volunteers for “The Wall That Heals” traveling Vietnam veterans memorial 🇺🇸 coming to Woodland Hills, honoring the more than 58,000 service members who lost their lives during the Vietnam War.
On the brighter side, CSUN basketball continues its Big West Tournament run 🏀, and the Valley has plenty happening this weekend — from the Kingdom of Stories Festival in Northridge 📚 and live music at The Soraya 🎻 to a St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl in Woodland Hills 🍻 and Granada Hills Grubfest 🌮 tonight.
In today’s edition:
🚨 $1,000,000 Reward Offered for Fugitive Linked to Sylmar Barber Shop Killing
🏅 Pressure Grows on LA28 Chairman Casey Wasserman
🇺🇸 Volunteers Needed for “The Wall That Heals” Vietnam Memorial
🏀 CSUN Advances to Big West Semifinals
📚 Kingdom of Stories Festival in Northridge
🎻 Villalobos Brothers at The Soraya
🍻 Pub Crawl Coming to Woodland Hills
🌮 Granada Hills Grubfest — Friday Night Tradition
Let’s get into it 👇
📰 Neighbor City News
🚨 $1,000,000 Reward Offered for Fugitive Linked to Sylmar Barber Shop Killing
Federal authorities have dramatically increased the reward in the search for Omar Alexander Cardenas, who is accused of killing Jabali Dumas at a Sylmar barber shop on August 15, 2019.
The FBI has raised the reward to $1 million for information leading to his arrest. Cardenas, an alleged San Fernando Valley gang member, was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in 2022 and is considered armed and dangerous.
Investigators believe the 30-year-old may be hiding in Mexico.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts can contact the FBI anonymously at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
👉 Watch the full news report below for additional details and updates on the investigation.
🏅 Pressure Grows on LA28 Chairman Casey Wasserman
Pressure is mounting on Casey Wasserman, chairman of the organizing committee for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, as several political leaders call for his resignation following renewed scrutiny over past connections to Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted associate of Jeffrey Epstein.
📧 Reports highlight emails Wasserman exchanged with Maxwell in 2003, years before her criminal activities became public. Despite that timeline, critics say the association raises concerns about leadership for the upcoming Games.
🏛️ Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and several Southern California political leaders have publicly urged Wasserman to step down, arguing the controversy could distract from preparations for the LA28 Olympics.
🛡️ Wasserman has apologized for the past contact and says he had no knowledge of Maxwell’s crimes at the time. The LA28 organizing committee’s executive board reviewed the situation and continues to support his leadership.
🎯 With the 2028 Olympics approaching, the debate over Wasserman’s role continues as officials weigh whether the issue could impact the city’s preparations for hosting the world’s largest sporting event.
🕯️ Volunteers for Veterans
🇺🇸 The Wall That Heals Coming to Woodland Hills — Volunteers Needed
A powerful traveling memorial honoring Vietnam veterans, The Wall That Heals, will be coming to Woodland Hills in 2026, and organizers are calling on the community to step up and help make the event possible.
🕊️ The Wall That Heals is a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. and travels across the country so communities can experience the memorial closer to home. It includes the names of more than 58,000 service members who lost their lives or remain missing from the Vietnam War.
🤝 Local organizers are now seeking volunteers to help with a variety of roles, including:
• Assisting with event setup and breakdown
• Helping guide visitors through the memorial
• Supporting information tables and guest services
• Helping with security and overnight watch shifts
• Assisting with ceremonies and community programs
🇺🇸 Volunteers are essential to ensuring the memorial runs smoothly and that visitors can experience the tribute in a respectful and meaningful way.
📅 The event will bring together veterans, families, and community members from across the San Fernando Valley to honor those who served and sacrificed.
🙏 If you would like to support the event and give back to the veteran community, organizers encourage you to sign up and learn more.
👉 More info: The Wall That Heals 2026
🤝 CSUN SPORTS
🏀 CSUN Advances to Big West Semifinals After Clutch Performance
The CSUN Matadors are moving on in the Big West Tournament after a strong win over UC San Diego on Thursday night.
🔥 Larry Hughes II led the way, scoring key points down the stretch to help CSUN secure the victory and advance to the conference semifinals.
📈 The Matadors used a balanced offensive effort and timely defense to pull ahead late in the game, keeping UC San Diego from mounting a comeback.
🎯 With the win, CSUN keeps its postseason hopes alive and moves one step closer to a potential NCAA Tournament berth.
👀 The Matadors will now face their next opponent in the Big West Tournament semifinals as they continue their push for the championship.
📅 Events & Things To Do
🌮 Granada Hills Grubfest — Happening Tonight
Looking for something easy and fun tonight? Granada Hills Grubfest is back this evening, turning Chatsworth Street into one of the San Fernando Valley’s best Friday night food spots.
Neighbors, families, and food lovers gather every week for a relaxed outdoor night filled with great food and community energy.
📍 Tonight’s Event
Granada Hills Grubfest — Food Truck Night
📅 Tonight (Friday)
⏰ 5:00–10:00 PM
📍 Chatsworth St — Between White Oak Ave & Zelzah Ave
🍔 Expect 30+ rotating food trucks serving everything from tacos and BBQ to loaded fries, specialty fusion dishes, and sweet desserts.
🐶 The event is family-friendly, dog-friendly, and perfect for a casual night out with friends or neighbors.
🏘️ Why Locals Love It
• 🌮 Huge food variety every week
• 👋 A great place to run into neighbors and friends
• 🐶 Easy, casual outing for families and dogs
• 🍔 Supports local food vendors across the Valley
📚 Northridge Now: Kingdom of Stories Festival Coming to the Valley
Families across the Valley are invited to step into a world of imagination this weekend at the Kingdom of Stories Festival at the The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.
The festival takes place Saturday, March 14 from 11 AM – 4 PM at the museum located at 18904 Nordhoff St. in Northridge. The family-friendly event is designed for kids and young readers and celebrates storytelling, creativity, and books.
👑 What to expect:
📖 Story-inspired activities and family entertainment
🎭 Kids encouraged to dress as their favorite fairytale characters
🎨 Art vendors and creative booths
🎁 Book giveaways, contests, and awards
🍔 Food and community vendors
The event is free for children under 12, while adults can attend for a $2 donation or free by bringing a gently used children’s book to donate. Free parking will also be available nearby.
The museum regularly hosts cultural and community events focused on the history, arts, and culture of the San Fernando Valley, making it a unique local gathering place for residents and families.
📍 Location:
The Museum of the San Fernando Valley
18904 Nordhoff St., Northridge
🎻 Grammy-Winning Villalobos Brothers Bringing Latin Energy to CSUN’s Soraya
Music fans in the Valley have something special to look forward to as the internationally acclaimed Villalobos Brothers bring their vibrant blend of Mexican folk, jazz, and classical music to The Soraya in Northridge.
The trio — brothers Ernesto, Alberto, and Luis Villalobos — are known for their electrifying performances that fuse traditional Mexican music with modern influences. Their sound blends virtuoso violin playing, rich harmonies, and storytelling rooted in Mexican culture and history.
The Villalobos Brothers have performed around the world and have shared the stage with major artists and orchestras. Their work celebrates the cultural traditions of Mexico while pushing the boundaries of contemporary Latin music.
Their upcoming performance at California State University Northridge offers Valley residents a rare opportunity to see the Grammy-winning group live in an intimate theater setting right here in Northridge.
The concert is part of The Soraya’s ongoing lineup of internationally recognized artists and cultural performances.
🍻 Pub Crawl Coming to Woodland Hills This Weekend
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are kicking off across Los Angeles, and Woodland Hills is getting in on the action with a festive bar crawl this weekend.
Participants will hop between local bars enjoying drink specials, themed cocktails, and St. Paddy’s Day parties as part of a multi-venue celebration happening across the area.
📅 Saturday, March 14
⏰ Afternoon into evening
📍 Bars around Woodland Hills
What to expect:
🍀 St. Patrick’s drink specials at participating bars
🍻 Bar-to-bar pub crawl experience with wristband access
🎶 Live music and DJs at select venues
📸 Festive crowds dressed in green celebrating the holiday
These crawls typically include free entry to participating bars, drink deals, and an after-party, creating a walkable nightlife experience for people celebrating the holiday.
👀 What’s Coming Next
More local business spotlights
Short, relevant Northridge news
Events, deals, and community updates worth paying attention to
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