👋 Welcome to Northridge Now - Issue #0035
Hello Northridge Neighbors ☀️
A mix of real local movement and some heavier headlines today. One room in Porter Ranch is helping businesses grow the right way — and a few stories across the Valley are worth paying attention to.
🔥 In this issue:
🤝 Valley Referral Network Spotlight — Porter Ranch (right room, right people — worth a look)
🕊️ Panorama City Tragedy — Cause of Death Revealed
🚨 Granada Hills Bar Stabbing — Suspect Still at Large
🐕 Pacoima Dog Attack — Officer Bitten, Dog Killed
🏠 Panorama City Burglary Update — Family Threatened
🍔 New Habit Burger Opens in Reseda
🎬 CSUN Film Showcase Hits the Academy TONIGHT
🏟️ CSUN Sports + This Week’s Local Events
Let’s get into it 👇
📰 Valley Spotlight
🤝 LeTip International Spotlight: Valley Referral Network (Porter Ranch)
🤝 Local Business Spotlight: Porter Ranch Hosts Valley Referral Network
There’s a room in Porter Ranch where local professionals meet every week with one goal: grow each other’s business through real referrals. Not surface-level networking—this is structured, consistent, and built on trust. It’s part of LeTip International, and the Valley Referral Network chapter is quickly becoming one of those “right room, right people” environments.
And even if you’re not a business owner… someone probably just came to mind. A friend, a client, a family member trying to grow. This is the kind of group they should at least see once.
🔥 What’s happening:
🤝 Weekly meetings focused on qualified referrals
🚫 One business per category—no competition inside
📈 Members actively helping each other grow
🧠 Structured, efficient, and results-driven
🌱 A strong mix of local professionals
📍 When & where:
🗓 Thursdays at 7:00 AM
📍 The Vineyards, Porter Ranch
👀 Worth checking out (or sharing):
If someone came to mind—send this to them.
Or check it out yourself here:
📰 Valley News
🕊️ Panorama City Tragedy — Cause of Death Revealed for 5-Year-Old Found in Dumpster
A heartbreaking case out of Panorama City has taken a major step forward. Authorities have now confirmed the cause of death for 5-year-old Elyjah Hearn, whose body was found in a dumpster earlier this month — a story that shook the entire Valley.
🔥 What’s happening:
🕯️ The victim has been identified as 5-year-old Elyjah Hearn
🗑️ His body was discovered in a dumpster in Panorama City earlier this month
🧪 The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide
⚠️ Cause of death: blunt force trauma
👮♂️ The case remains under active investigation by Los Angeles Police Department
🚔 No additional suspect details have been publicly confirmed as of now
📍 Why it matters locally:
This isn’t just another headline — it’s the kind of case that hits deep across the Valley. Panorama City, like much of the SFV, is full of families, and something involving a child raises immediate concern and emotion.
Incidents like this remind residents to stay aware, connected, and engaged with what’s happening nearby — especially when investigations are ongoing.
🧠 NNN Take:
This one’s heavy. When something like this happens close to home, it’s not about fear — it’s about awareness. If you saw anything unusual in the area around the time this occurred, even small details can matter. These cases move faster when the community speaks up.
👉 Full story: ABC7 Los Angeles
🚨 Granada Hills Bar Brawl at Sugar Suite Ends in Sidewalk Stabbing
A Thursday-morning fight inside Sugar Suite cocktail bar on Balboa Blvd spilled out onto the sidewalk and ended with a man hospitalized. LAPD says the stabbing happened just after midnight, the suspect took off, and detectives are still working to identify him.
🔥 What's happening:
🕛 Police were called around 12:20 AM Thursday
📍 Location: Sugar Suite, 11800 block of Balboa Blvd, Granada Hills
🍸 The fight started inside the bar, then moved out to the sidewalk where the stabbing occurred
🚑 The victim was loaded into an LAFD ambulance and was alert at the scene
👤 The suspect — described as a male adult — fled before officers arrived and remains at large
📍 Why it matters locally:
Sugar Suite is a familiar Granada Hills spot. Most weekends roll without incident, but a stabbing on the sidewalk is the kind of thing folks heading out for a nightcap on Balboa want to know about. LAPD Devonshire is asking for any video from nearby businesses.
NNN Take: If you were on Balboa late Wednesday into Thursday and saw anything, the tip line is your friend. The faster the ID, the faster this closes.
👉 Full story: CBS Los Angeles
🚨 Pacoima Dog Attack — LAPD Officer Bitten, Dog Killed
A chaotic situation in Pacoima ended with two people injured — including a police officer — and the dog involved dying after being shot.
🔥 What’s happening:
🐕 A dog attacked two individuals in Pacoima
👮♂️ One of the victims was an on-duty officer with the Los Angeles Police Department
🚑 Both victims suffered bite injuries and were treated at the scene
🔫 The dog was shot by officers and later died
📍 Incident happened in a residential neighborhood in Pacoima
🐾 Animal control responded and secured the scene
🧾 Investigation is ongoing into what led up to the attack
📍 Why it matters locally:
This is the kind of situation that escalates fast — and ends with serious consequences on all sides. It underscores how critical proper pet control and awareness are in dense neighborhoods across the Valley.
🧠 NNN Take:
Tough outcome all around. When a situation reaches the point where force is used, it’s already gone too far. Prevention — on the front end — is what avoids moments like this.
👉 Full story: ABC7 Los Angeles
🚨 Panorama City Burglary Update — Suspects Threatened Family During Break-In
That Panorama City home invasion we covered earlier just got more intense. New details reveal how serious — and personal — the situation became for the family inside.
🔥 What’s happening:
🏠 Burglary took place at a Panorama City home while the family was inside
😡 Suspects confronted the victims directly during the break-in
🔫 The family says they were threatened with being shot
👨👩👧👦 Multiple family members, including children, were present
🚔 Case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department
🧾 No confirmed arrests or suspect identities released (as of latest update)
📍 Why it matters locally:
This isn’t just another burglary — it crossed into something much more dangerous. When suspects are willing to confront and threaten families inside their own homes, it raises the stakes for everyone in the area.
Panorama City and surrounding neighborhoods have already been dealing with a wave of break-ins — this adds a new level of urgency.
🧠 NNN Take:
This is the shift people worry about — when property crime turns into direct threats. Staying aware, securing your home, and watching out for your neighbors matters more right now.
👉 Full story: ABC7 Los Angeles
🎙️ Side note — I have been personally using Wispr Flow lately… makes turning thoughts into text ridiculously easy.
PRDs by voice. Bug reports by voice. Ship faster.
Dictate acceptance criteria and reproductions inside Cursor or Warp. Wispr Flow auto-tags file names, preserves syntax, and gives you paste-ready text in seconds. 4x faster than typing.
🏙️ Valley Growth Watch
🍔 Habit Burger Just Opened on Victory Blvd in Reseda
Reseda just got a Charburger. The Habit Burger Grill quietly cut the ribbon Monday on a brand-new restaurant at 19339 Victory Blvd, planting their California flag right in the heart of our coverage area. Char-grilled patties, hand-breaded onion rings, the whole bit.
🔥 What's happening:
🗓️ Opened Monday, April 27, 2026
📍 Address: 19339 Victory Blvd, Suite 100, Reseda
🥩 Full menu: Charburgers, Charsalads, Charsandwiches, hand-breaded onion rings, tempura green beans
🍓 Seasonal Strawberry Lemonade currently on the drink menu
🏪 Habit was founded in Santa Barbara in 1969 and now runs 400+ locations
📍 Why it matters locally:
A new sit-down quick-serve on Victory Blvd is a small but real win for Reseda's commercial corridor — fresh build-out, new jobs, new lunch option. The closest existing Habit was a haul; this one's a five-minute drive from CSUN.
NNN Take: Welcome to the Valley. We'll see you at the drive-thru — extra crispy onion rings, please.
👉 Full story: GlobeNewswire
🏅 CSUN News
🎬 CSUN Senior Filmmakers Screen at the Academy TONIGHT
The 35th Annual CSUN Senior Film Showcase rolls into the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre tonight — yes, the actual Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences theater in Beverly Hills. CSUN's graduating film and TV seniors get the big screen, the red-carpet feel, and a packed reception with The Tim Russ Band right after.
🔥 What's happening:
🗓️ Wednesday, April 29 — 7:30 PM screening
📍 Samuel Goldwyn Theatre, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Beverly Hills)
🎟️ Free and open to the public — tickets required (CSUN reserves the rest of the room for seniors and faculty)
🎤 Host: Oscar-nominated producer Michael Grillo
🎶 After-party: reception with live music from The Tim Russ Band
📍 Why it matters locally:
CSUN's Mike Curb College pumps out a serious chunk of LA's working below-the-line and creative talent. The Senior Showcase is the year's main moment to see the next class before they hit IMDB.
NNN Take: A free ticket to the Goldwyn Theatre is one of the most underrated nights in LA. If you can grab one — go.
👉 Full story: CSUN Newsroom
🏅 CSUN Sports
🏟️ Cal Poly Series Closes, Matadors Stack Awards, Fresno State Tonight
Spring sports are in their final laps and the Matadors are running. Baseball wrapped a long road weekend, men's soccer landed a Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and beach volleyball plus women's golf both pulled All-Big West nods. And tonight? Lights on at Hiegert Field.
⚾ Baseball — series finale at Cal Poly:
📉 Sunday, April 26: CSUN dropped the finale 5-2 at Baggett Stadium in San Luis Obispo
🏏 Matthew Thomas, Matthew Pena and Trent Abel each had two hits
🔥 James Voorhies tossed 2.2 shutout relief innings
🧨 Tying run came to the plate in the ninth on back-to-back singles before Cal Poly's closer slammed the door
⚽ Men's Soccer — Ryan Chu, Scholar-Athlete of the Year:
🏆 Sophomore goalkeeper Ryan Chu was named a Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year at the Varsity N Awards
📚 Chu is double-majoring in accounting and finance and runs CSUN's 80-member Consulting and Advising Association
🤝 Mentors community-college students about careers in professional services
🏐 Beach Volleyball — All-Big West honors:
🥇 Dylan Hall (1st team), Hannah Heflin (2nd team), Maleya Miles (2nd team), Ava Rogers (HM + All-Freshman)
🤝 Hall & Rogers won 12 of their final 16 dual matches at the No. 3 spot
📊 17 pairs wins led the Matadors
⛳ Women's Golf — Piar & Turgut on the All-Big West list:
🏌️♀️ Senior Gracie Piar (2nd team) and Kim Turgut (HM)
📈 Piar's 73.33 stroke average was a career best with six top-10s
🔥 Turgut's 3-under 213 at Big West was the best Matador score at the tourney since 2004
🆕 Baseball — Fresno State at Hiegert TONIGHT:
🕔 First pitch 5 PM, Wednesday, April 29 at Robert J. Hiegert Field
🆚 CSUN (22-20) vs. Fresno State — rematch from a March 17 11-9 Matador win in Fresno
🚌 Friday: heads to No. 6 Oregon State for a non-conference series in Corvallis
NNN Take: Hiegert under the lights on a Wednesday in April — chef's kiss. If you've never grabbed a $5 dog and posted up behind the plate, tonight's the night.
👉 Box scores & recaps: Baseball Finale · Chu Award · Beach VB · Golf · Tonight Preview
📅 Events & Things To Do
🍻 Thursday Trivia at Paragon Bar & Grill
📅 Thursday, April 30 · 📍 Paragon Bar & Grill, Northridge
Classic pub-style trivia. Easy night out, low-key vibe. More info →
🍔 Granada Hills Grubfest
When: (Fri, May 1st) · 5–10 p.m.
Chatsworth St. between White Oak Ave & Zelzah Ave, Granada Hills
Weekly 30+ food truck night, dog-friendly, super-casual. Your go-to Friday plan. More info →
🎭 The Addams Family Musical @ CSUN Theatre
📅 Saturday, May 2 (run continues into next week)
📍 CSUN Campus Theatre, Nordhoff St
Student-staged musical from the CSUN Department of Theatre. Familiar story, big personality, campus prices. Event details
🍇 Farmers Market at The Vineyards at Porter Ranch
Sun, May 3 · 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
The Vineyards at Porter Ranch
Fresh produce, artisan foods, local vendors. Our favorite Sunday-morning routine. More info →
— CSUN Events —
⚾ CSUN Baseball vs. Fresno State
📅 Wednesday, April 29 (TONIGHT) · ⏰ 5:00 PM · 📍 Robert J. Hiegert Field, CSUN, 18111 Nordhoff St
Penultimate midweek of the season. Matadors look for the second win of the season series before heading up to No. 6 Oregon State. Game preview
🎬 CSUN 35th Annual Senior Film Showcase
📅 Wednesday, April 29 (TONIGHT) · ⏰ 7:30 PM · 📍 Samuel Goldwyn Theatre, Beverly Hills
Free, ticketed, hosted by Oscar-nominated producer Michael Grillo. Reception with The Tim Russ Band after. Event details
🎺 CSUN Wind Ensemble: A Celebration of Our Nation's 250th
📅 Saturday, May 2 · ⏰ 2:30 PM · 📍 The Soraya, 18111 Nordhoff St
Conductor Dr. Lawrence Stoffel leads an all-American program featuring Aaron Copland. Family-friendly and a great Soraya entry point. Tickets
🎻 CSUN Youth Symphony Spring Concert
📅 Sunday, May 3 · ⏰ 3:00 PM · 📍 The Soraya, 18111 Nordhoff St
Camerata Strings, Symphony, and Philharmonic ensembles take the Soraya stage. Mother's Day-week-perfect outing. Tickets
⚾ CSUN Baseball vs. California Baptist
📅 Tuesday, May 5 · ⏰ 6:00 PM (TBA) · 📍 Robert J. Hiegert Field, CSUN
Final midweek of the regular season. Cinco de Mayo evening at the ballpark. Schedule
🎼 CSUN Symphony Orchestra: Shostakovich "Leningrad"
📅 Wednesday, May 6 · ⏰ 7:30 PM · 📍 The Soraya, 18111 Nordhoff St
Conductor John Roscigno leads the CSUN Symphony in Shostakovich's epic Symphony No. 7. Tickets $10–$22. Tickets
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