Todays issue is rolling out with a little extra community energy - including our special edition Mother’s Day Guide packed with Valley brunch spots, events, and weekend ideas 🌷 plus a recap from Thursday night’s packed Valley Referral Network mixer at LA Popular. Great momentum building locally right now.

🔥 Inside today’s issue:

Happy Friday, and Happy Mother’s Day weekend to all the Valley moms out there 💐

Let’s get into it 👇

Thursday night’s Valley Referral Network mixer at LA Popular brought together more than 30 local professionals, business owners, and entrepreneurs for an energetic evening focused on connections, referrals, and conversation around the future of business in the San Fernando Valley.

From marketing and real estate to financial services, wellness, trades, and creative industries, the room stayed active all night with people exchanging ideas, building relationships, and discussing ways to support one another locally.

The growing momentum around the group was hard to miss.

As part of the larger LeTip International network, Valley Referral Network continues expanding throughout the SFV and is actively looking for additional professionals to claim exclusive category spots within the chapter. Only one business per profession is allowed, creating a strong referral structure designed to help members grow through trusted relationships rather than cold leads.

Organizers say more mixers and guest events are already in the works as the chapter continues building one of the Valley’s fastest-growing local business communities.

👉 For More Group Info : [email protected] (Add Subject: Valley Referral Network)

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A suspected member of a South American theft crew has been arrested after LAPD tied him to 25 burglaries across Los Angeles — including 14 connected to the San Fernando Valley.

🔥 What happened:

📍Why it matters locally:

The same burglary pattern has been showing up across Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Encino, and Sherman Oaks in recent months.

Residents continue reporting:

💡 NNN Take:

One arrest helps — but LAPD says the larger network may still be active.

Visible cameras, motion lights, alarms, dogs, and alert neighbors are still some of the biggest deterrents right now.

👉 Full story: Fox LA

CSUN students were locked out of Canvas Thursday after a major cybersecurity breach hit the learning platform used by thousands of schools nationwide.

🔥 What happened:

📍Why it matters locally:

The outage hit during the final week before CSUN finals — leaving many students scrambling over assignments, projects, and exam prep.

Canvas parent company Instructure says passwords and financial data were not exposed, but names, emails, and messages may have been affected.

👉 Full story: Sundial

A new mobile classroom and family resource center is now rolling into the City of San Fernando through a partnership with UCLA Head Start.

🔥 What’s inside:

📍 Why it matters locally:

Instead of families needing to travel for services, the program brings educational and support resources directly into neighborhoods throughout the northeast Valley.

City leaders say the goal is to make early childhood education more accessible for working families and parents with limited transportation.

👉 Full story: San Fernando Sun

Mother's Day weekend is here (May 9–10), and the San Fernando Valley is delivering. From hard-to-book brunches in Sherman Oaks to free community festivals, garden strolls, and one very photogenic ranch in Chatsworth - here's our roundup of the best ways to spoil mom this weekend, all within or just outside the Valley.

Casaléna - Woodland Hills
Yelp's #1 Mother's Day brunch in the SFV. Mediterranean elegance in a 8,000-square-foot space with indoor, patio, and rooftop seating. Brunch service Sunday 10am–2:30pm. À la carte. Dress code enforced. Reservations required and going fast.

The Odyssey - Granada Hills
A Valley classic with panoramic hillside views and a full Mother’s Day buffet brunch experience. Expect carving stations, seafood, breakfast favorites, desserts, and bottomless mimosas in one of the SFV’s longtime special-occasion spots. Reservations strongly recommended.

The Castaway - Burbank Hills
The classic Mother's Day pick: panoramic views over the Valley and a three-course prix-fixe brunch ($115 adult / $35 child, plus $32 bottomless mimosas). Lobster Benedict, French toast, chicken and waffles. Book on OpenTable.

Daisy Margarita Bar - Sherman Oaks
The hot ticket. From the team behind Mírate in Los Feliz, Daisy serves modern Mexican brunch (chilaquiles rojos, ceviche de pescado, pan frances) Saturday and Sunday 11am–3pm. Adults-only energy - book on Resy.

Petit Trois Le Valley - Sherman Oaks
Ludo Lefebvre's larger SFV outpost of his celebrated French bistro. Escargots, omelettes, steak frites - Parisian-cafe vibes for the mom who appreciates a perfectly executed classic.

The Front Yard at The Garland - North Hollywood
A Mother's Day buffet on a garden patio. Locally sourced, family-friendly, and one of the calmer hotel-restaurant settings in the Valley.

Marmalade Cafe - SFV locations
The reliable mid-range pick. Broad menu, easier reservations, charming atmosphere. Great if you're booking last-minute or wrangling a multigenerational table.

Mother's Day on the Farm - Shaylin Ranch, Chatsworth
Sunday 10am–1pm. Quiches, savory danishes, lemon tea cakes, and time with farm animals on a 7-acre ranch. Tickets ~$95. Memorable for the nature-loving mom.

MOMentum Place - Theatricum Botanicum, Topanga
The annual outdoor variety show featuring aerialists, dancers, and circus performers in a fantastical canyon setting. Just over the hill from the Valley.

5th Annual PACE Autism Shero Run - Woodley Park, Van Nuys
Saturday morning. 5K, 10K, and 1K Kids Fun Run with a live DJ, bounce houses, food trucks, and live performances. Mother's Day weekend community event supporting the autism community.

4th Annual Valley Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Festival - Woodland Hills
Saturday. Free local festival celebrating AAPI heritage with food, performances, and vendors.

World of Birds Show - Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Park
Saturday at noon. Up-close bird show, easy SFV-adjacent outing. Pair with a Griffith Park picnic.

Lake Balboa Rose Garden - Encino
Pack flowers, pastries, and coffee. The lake and gardens are gorgeous in May.

Fryman Canyon or Wilacre Park - Studio City
Easy SFV hikes with valley views. Pair with brunch in Studio City after.

Weekly Farmers Market at The Vineyards - Sunday morning

The Vineyards at Porter Ranch · Fresh produce, artisan foods, local vendors. Mother's-Day-meets-fresh-flowers energy — perfect plus-one for Mom.

Studio City Farmers Market - Sunday morning
One of LA's best farmers markets. Flowers, pastries, live music, and a low-key Mother's Day morning.

Whatever you choose, book now - most reservations close out by Friday afternoon. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms in the Valley. 💐

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