A Nowruz celebration, Bark & Brews at the Arboretum, the ultimate latte art throwdown, Dana Point hosts the Festival of Whales and more of the best things to do this weekend.
Highlights:
The Farhang Foundation is marking 15 years of celebrating the Iranian New Year, Nowruz, at UCLA with musical performances, children's activities, arts and crafts, dancers, traditional musicians, stilt walkers and more.
See what inspired muralist Andrew Wyland’s paintings of humpbacks, catch a glimpse of the gentle giants from a whale watching cruise, party at the Festival of Whales carnival, or eat your way through the chowder cookoff as Dana Point hosts the 54th annual Festival of Whales.
Yasmina Reza’s 2008 play about family politics, God of Carnage, takes over Studio City library for a staged reading with Interact Theater Company.
Say hi to all the cute pups (and bring your own!) and watch them bound through the agility course, plus wander the gardens and support L.A. wildfire relief efforts with Bark & Brews at the Arboretum.
And, think you’ve got what it takes to make the perfect tulip like your local coffee shop does? Put your skills to the test at Menotti’s in Culver City for the ultimate latte art competition.
Plus, I am excited about the opening of a new dessert spot in Koreatown from Catherine Zhang – Tucha L.A. The Australian chef made her name on a Netflix baking show called Zumbo’s Just Desserts (that I’m pretty sure I’m the only one who watched), but there’s sure to be some pastry magic in action when it opens on Sunday.
For more to explore, head to LAist.com where you can learn who is eligible for the new PCH pass and plan your weekend viewing with the full list of Oscar winners. Plus, our friends at KCRW are hosting their annual Family Day on Saturday.
Events
Sunday, March 9, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Nowruz celebration UCLA 10745 Dickson Court Westwood COST: FREE; MORE INFO
(
Courtesy Farhang Foundation
)
The Farhang Foundation is marking 15 years of celebrating the Iranian New Year, Nowruz, at UCLA with musical performances, children's activities, arts and crafts, dancers, traditional musicians, stilt walkers and more. There are also tickets available for the 6 p.m. concert featuring the Iranshahr Orchestra under the direction of Shahab Paranj, plus vocalist Mahdieh Mohammadkhani and countertenor Cameron Shahbazi.
Saturday, March 8, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Narcissus Quagliata Forest Lawn Museum 1712 S. Glendale Ave. Glendale COST: FREE; MORE INFO
(
Courtesy Narcissus Quagliata via Forest Lawn Museum
)
Glass artist Narcissus Quagliata will be on hand for the closing reception of his show at Forest Lawn, Narcissus Quagliata: Archetypes and Visions in Light and Glass. It’s your last chance to check out the exhibit, which demonstrates how Quagliata’s technical advances in glass fusing and radical stylistic innovations helped move glass art into the contemporary public art world. Narcissus also has the unique moniker of the only living person to work on a Michelangelo building, with his massive "Divinity of Light" dome at Michelangelo's Roman Basilica.
March 7-9 54th Annual Dana Point Festival of Whales Multiple locations in Dana Point COST: VARIOUS FREE AND TICKETED EVENTS; MORE INFO
Humpback whale seen during Captain Dave's Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari in Dana Point.
(
Craig DeWitt
/
Capt. Dave's Dolphin & Whale Safari
)
See what inspired muralist Andrew Wyland’s paintings of humpbacks, catch a glimpse of the gentle giants from a whale watching cruise, party at the Festival of Whales carnival, or eat your way through the chowder cookoff as Dana Point hosts the 54th annual Festival of Whales.
Sunday, March 9, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Barks & Brews Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden 301 North Baldwin Ave. Arcadia COST: $15 PER PERSON, $10 PER DOG; MORE INFO
(
Marlyn Woo
/
Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
)
Say hi to all the cute pups and watch them bound through the agility course, plus wander the gardens and support L.A. wildfire relief efforts with Bark & Brews at the Arboretum. Proceeds benefit Pasadena Humane and the Arboretum Foundation. You can bring your own dog, too!
March 7-9 Tuna Canyon Detention Station Exhibit Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Drive La Cañada Flintridge COST: INCLUDED IN $15 ADMISSION; MORE INFO
(
Courtesy Descanso Gardens
)
It’s hard to imagine that five miles from where Descasco Gardens now hosts joyous light and art shows and beautiful gardens, the Tuna Canyon Detention Station held more than 2,000 Japanese, German, Italian and Japanese Peruvian immigrants during World War II. The Tuna Canyon Detention Station Coalition hosts a powerful exhibit at the gardens this weekend, shedding light on this lesser-known chapter of history honoring the people who were unjustly detained in Los Angeles between 1941 and 1943.
March 9-10 L.A. County Science & Engineering Fair Public Viewing Shrine Auditorium 665 W. Jefferson Blvd. University Park COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Budding scientists take center stage at the 75th annual Los Angeles County Science & Engineering Fair’s public viewing. See the top student exhibits from middle and high school students around the county or sign up to volunteer.
Saturday, March 8, 2 p.m. God of Carnage Studio City Branch Library 12311 Moorpark St. Studio City COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Yasmina Reza’s 2008 play about family politics, God of Carnage, takes over Studio City library for a staged reading with Interact Theater Company. This series is always so fun, great actors, a unique space, and a low-key way to experience a classic play.
Outdoor Pick
Sunday, March 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteer training with Surfrider Foundation Santa Monica Beach Exact location given after RSVP COST: FREE; MORE INFO
A ity of Los Angeles Sanitation worker walks past pulverized fire debris at Topanga State Beach in Malibu on February 21, 2025.
(
Christina House
/
L.A. Times via Getty Images
)
All that fire debris isn’t going to clean itself up. Lead the charge to get our beaches cleaned up for summer and train as a captain with Surfrider Foundation. They are leading weekly trainings. Make sure to wear sunscreen and closed-toe shoes!
Viewing Pick
March 9-30 Oscar winner screenings Academy Museum 6067 Wilshire Blvd. Miracle Mile COST: $5 to $10; MORE INFO
Mark Eydelshteyn as Ivan and Mikey Madison as Ani in 'Anora.'
(
NEON
)
The Oscars may be over, but movies are forever. If you didn’t catch the winners on the big screen before the ceremony, head to the Academy Museum for their annual series of winning films at the David Geffen Theater. The Documentary Feature Film winner No Other Land screens on March 8, the International Feature Film winner from Brazil, I’m Still Here, screens on March 9, the Animated Feature Film winner, Latvia’s Flow, screens on March 15, and Best Picture winner Anora from director Sean Baker screens on March 16. Plus, a surprise wildcard selection will screen on March 30.
Dine & Drink Deals
Saturday, March 8, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Baja Cantina's 50th Anniversary Baja Cantina 311 Washington Blvd. Marina del Rey COST: VARIES, MORE INFO
Live music, tequila tastings, food and drink specials and more are on tap to celebrate 50 years of Baja Cantina on the Venice-Marina border. Olé!
Saturday, March 8, 6 p.m. Latte art competition Menotti’s 12430 Washington Blvd. Culver City COST: $15; MORE INFO
(
Sutthiwat Srikhrueadam / EyeEm
/
Getty Images
)
Think you’ve got what it takes to make the perfect tulip out of foam like your local coffee hop? Take your skills to the test at Menotti’s in Culver City for the ultimate latte art competition.
Saturday, March 8, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pouring for a Purpose Wally’s Santa Monica 214 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica COST: $500; MORE INFO
Jorge "Coqui" H. Rodriguez speaks at a press conference outside Dodger Stadium on Wednesady to demand the Dodgers not visit the White House following their 2025 World Series win.
(
J.W. Hendricks
/
The LA Local
)
Topline:
Less than 24 hours before season opener, longtime Dodgers fans demand the team divest from immigration detention centers and decline the White House visit.
More details: More than 30 people joined Richard Santillan on Wednesday morning for a press conference held near 1000 Vin Scully Drive to convey a message directly to the team. “We are demanding that the Dodgers stop participating in funding of inhumane treatment of families and do not go to the White House to celebrate with the criminal in chief,” Evelyn Escatiola told the crowd. “Together we have the power to make a change.”
Since 1977, Richard Santillan has been to every Opening Day game at Dodger Stadium.
“The tradition goes from my father, to me, to my children and grandchildren. Some of my best memories are with my father and children here at Dodger Stadium,” Santillan told The LA Local, smiling under the shade of palm trees near the entrance to the ballpark Wednesday morning. He was there to protest the team less than 24 hours before Opening Day.
Santillan, like countless other loyal Dodgers fans, is grappling with his fan identity over the team’s decision to accept an invitation to the White House and owner Mark Walter’s ties to ICE detention facilities.
More than 30 people joined Santillan on Wednesday morning for a press conference held near 1000 Vin Scully Drive to convey a message directly to the team.
“We are demanding the Dodgers stop participating in funding of inhumane treatment of families and do not go to the White House to celebrate with the criminal in chief,” Evelyn Escatiola told the crowd. “Together, we have the power to make a change.”
Escatiola, a former dean of East Los Angeles College and longtime community organizer, urged fans to flex their economic power by “letting the Dodgers know that we do not support repression.”
Jorge “Coqui” Rodriguez, a lifelong Dodgers fan, spoke to the crowd and called on Dodgers ownership to divest from immigration detention centers owned and operated by GEO Group and CoreCivic.
Jorge Coqui H Rodriguez speaks at a press conference outside Dodger Stadium on March 25, 2026, to demand the Dodgers not to visit the White House following their 2025 World Series win.
(
J.W. Hendricks
/
The LA Local
)
In a phone interview a day before the protest, Rodriguez told The LA Local he did not want the Dodgers using his “cheve” or beer money to fund detention centers.
“They can’t take our parking money, our cacahuate money, our cheve money, our Dodger Dog money and invest those funds into corporations that are imprisoning people. It’s wrong,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez considers the Dodgers one of the most racially diverse teams and said the players need to support fans at a time when heightened immigration enforcement has become more common across L.A.
The team’s 2025’s visit to the White House drew ire from the largely Latino fan base, citing the Trump administration’s ongoing attacks on immigrants.
The team again came under fire after not releasing a statement on the impacts of ICE raids on its mostly Latino fan base at the height of immigration enforcement last summer. The team later agreed to invest $1 million to support families affected by immigration enforcement.
When he learned the Dodgers were pledging only $1 million to families in need, Rodriguez called the amount a “slap in the face.”
“These guys just bought the Lakers for billions of dollars and they give a million dollars to fight for legal services? That’s a joke,” Rodriguez said. “They need to have a moral backbone and not be investing in those companies.”
According to reporting from the Los Angeles Times, former Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershawsaid last week that he is looking forward to the trip.
“I went when President [Joe] Biden was in office. I’m going to go when President [Donald] Trump is in office,” Kershaw said. “To me, it’s just about getting to go to the White House. You don’t get that opportunity every day, so I’m excited to go.”
The Dodgers have yet to announce when their planned visit will take place.
Santillan sometimes laments his decision to give up his season tickets in protest of the team. His connection to the stadium and the memories he has made there with family and friends will last a lifetime, he said. On Thursday, he will uphold his tradition and be there for the first pitch of the season, but with a heavy heart.
“It’s a family tradition, but the Dodgers have a lot of work to do,” he said.
Destiny Torres
is LAist's general assignment reporter and brings you the top news you need for the day.
Published March 25, 2026 3:38 PM
The warmer weather and high water flow are causing an early outbreak of black flies in the San Gabriel Valley.
(
Courtesy SGV Mosquito and Vector Control District
)
Topline:
The warmer weather and high water flow are causing an early outbreak of black flies in the San Gabriel Valley, according to officials.
What are black flies? Black flies are tiny, pesky insects that often get mistaken for mosquitoes. The biting flies breed near foothill communities like Altadena, Azusa, San Dimas and Glendora. They also thrive near flowing water.
What you need to know: Black flies fly in large numbers and long distances. When they bite both humans and pets, they aim around the eyes and the neck. While the bites can be painful, they don’t transmit diseases in L.A. County.
A population spike: Anais Medina Diaz, director of communications at the SGV Mosquito and Vector Control District, told LAist that at this time last year, surveillance traps had single-digit counts of adult black flies, but this year those traps are collecting counts above 500.
So, why is the population growing? Diaz said the surge is unusual for this time of year.
“We are experiencing them now because of the warmer temperatures we've been having,” Diaz said. “And of course, all the water that's going down through the river, we have a high flow of water that is not typical for this time of year.”
What officials are doing: Officials say teams are identifying and treating public sources where black flies can thrive, but that many of these sites are influenced by natural or infrastructure conditions outside their control.
How to protect yourself: Black flies can be hard to avoid outside in dense vegetation, but you can reduce the chance of a bite by:
Wearing loose-fitted clothing that covers the entire body.
Wearing a hat with netting on top.
Spraying on repellent, but check the label. For a repellent to be effective, it needs to have at least 15% DEET, the only active ingredient that works against black flies.
Turning off any water features like fountains for at least 24 hours, especially in foothill communities.
See an uptick in black flies in your area? Here's how to report it
SGV Mosquito and Vector Control District Submit a tip here You can also send a tip to district@sgvmosquito.org (626) 814-9466
Greater Los Angeles Vector Control District Submit a service request here You can also send a service request to info@GLAmosquito.org (562) 944-9656
Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control Submit a report here You can also send a report to ocvcd@ocvector.org (714) 971-2421 or (949) 654-2421
Keep up with LAist.
If you're enjoying this article, you'll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less.
Robert Garrova
explores the weird and secret bits of SoCal that would excite even the most jaded Angelenos. He also covers mental health.
Published March 25, 2026 3:28 PM
Jeremy Kaplan and Florence at READ Books in Eagle Rock.
(
Courtesy Jeremy Kaplan
)
Topline:
Local favorite mom and pop shop READ Books in Eagle Rock is facing displacement due to a steep rent hike. The owners say they’re just one of several small businesses along Eagle Rock Boulevard struggling to keep up with lease increases.
The backstory: Over the past 19 years, many in the neighborhood have come to love READ Books for its eclectic collection of used titles and their shop dog Florence.
What happened? The building where Kaplan and his wife Debbie rent was recently sold and the rent increased by more than 130% to $2,805 a month, Kaplan said. He told LAist it was an increase his small business simply could not absorb.
What's next? While he looks for a new spot, Kaplan says he’s forming a coalition of local businesses and activist groups to see what can be done to help other small businesses facing similar displacement. He wants to address the displacement issue for businesses like his, which have made Eagle Rock the distinctive neighborhood that it is today.
Read on... for what small businesses can do.
A local favorite mom-and-pop bookshop in Eagle Rock is facing displacement due to a steep rent hike. The owners say theirs is just one of several small businesses along Eagle Rock Boulevard struggling to keep up with lease increases.
Over the past 19 years, many in the neighborhood have come to love READ Books for its eclectic collection of used titles and shop dog Florence.
Co-owner Jeremy Kaplan said it’s been a delight to grow with the community over the years.
“Like seeing kids come back in, who were in grade school and now they’re in college,” Kaplan said.
But the building where Kaplan and wife Debbie rent was recently sold, and the rent increased by more than 130% to $2,805 a month, Kaplan said. He told LAist it was an increase his small business simply could not absorb.
Kaplan said he originally was given 30 days notice of the rent increase. After some research, assistance from Councilmember Ysabel Jurado’s office and some pro-bono legal help, Kaplan said he pushed back and got the 90-day notice he’s afforded by state law.
California Senate Bill 1103 requires landlords to give businesses with five or less employees 90 days’ notice for rent increases exceeding 10%, among other protections.
Systems Real Estate, the property management company, did not immediately respond to LAist’s request for comment.
What can small businesses do?
Nadia Segura, directing attorney of the Small Business Program at pro bono legal aid non-profit Bet Tzedek said California law does not currently allow for rent control for commercial tenancies.
Outside of the protections under SB 1103, Segura said small businesses like READ Books don’t have much other recourse. And even then, commercial landlords are not required to inform their tenants of their protections under the law.
“There’s still a lot of people that don’t know about SB 1103. And then it’s very sad that they tell them they have these rent increases and within a month they have to leave,” Segura said.
She said her group is seeing steep rent hikes like this for commercial tenants across the city.
“We are seeing this even more with the World Cup coming up, the Olympics coming up. And I will say it was very sad to see that also after the wildfires,” Segura said.
Part of Bet Tzedek’s ongoing work is to advocate for small businesses, working with landlords who are increasing rents to see if they are willing to give business owners longer leases that lock in rents.
While he looks for a new spot, Kaplan says he’s forming a coalition of local businesses and activist groups to see what can be done to help other small businesses facing similar displacement. He wants to address the displacement issue for businesses like his, which have made Eagle Rock the distinctive neighborhood that it is today.
Owl Talk, a longtime Eagle Rock staple selling clothing and accessories in a unit in the same building as READ Books, is facing a “more than double” rent increase, according to a post on their Instagram account.
Kaplan said he’s been in touch with the office of state Assemblywoman Jessica Caloza and wants to explore the possibility of introducing legislation to set up protections for small businesses like his, including rent-control measures or a vacancy tax for landlords. Kaplan said he also reached out to the office of state Sen. Maria Durazo.
By his count, Kaplan said there are about a dozen businesses within surrounding blocks that are at risk of closing their doors or have shuttered due to rent increases or other struggles.
When READ Books was founded during the Great Recession, Kaplan said he knew it was a longshot to open a bookstore at the same time so many were struggling to stay in business.
“It was kind of interesting to be doing something that neighborhoods needed. That was important to me growing up, that was important to my children, that was important to my wife growing up,” Kaplan said.
“And then somebody comes in and says, ‘We’re gonna over double your rent.”
Kavish Harjai
writes about infrastructure that's meant to help us move about the region.
Published March 25, 2026 3:12 PM
A field team member of the Bureau of Street Lighting installs a solar-powered light in Filipinotown.
(
Mayor Bass Communications Office
)
Topline:
The Los Angeles City Council approved a plan in a 13-1 vote on Tuesday to send ballots to more than half a million property owners asking if they are willing to pay more per year to fortify the city’s streetlight repair budget, most of which has essentially been frozen since the 1990s. The item still requires L.A. Mayor Karen Bass’ signature, but her office confirmed to LAist on Wednesday that she’ll approve it.
Frozen budget: Most of the city’s Bureau of Street Lighting budget comes from an assessment that people who own property illuminated by lights pay on their county property tax bill. The amount people pay depends on the kind of property they own and how much they benefit from lighting. A typical single-family home currently pays $53 annually, and in total, the assessments bring in about $45 million annually for the city to repair and maintain streetlights. Changing the amount the Bureau of Street Lighting gets from the assessment requires a vote among property owners who benefit from the lights.
Ballots: L.A. City Council’s vote gives city staff the green light to prepare and send out those ballots. Miguel Sangalang, who oversees the bureau, said at a committee meeting earlier this month that he expects to send out ballots by April 17. Notices about the ballots will be sent out prior to the ballots themselves.
Near unanimous vote: L.A.City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez was the only “No” vote on Tuesday, saying she wanted to see a more current strategic plan for the bureau. Sangalang said the bureau developed a plan in 2022 that lays out how money will be spent. Councilmember Imelda Padilla was absent for the vote.
Vote count: Votes will be weighted according to the assessment amount. Basically, the more you’re asked to pay yearly to maintain streetlights, the more your vote will count. Ballots received before June 2 will be tabulated by the L.A. City Clerk.
How much more money: According to a report, the amount needed in assessments from property owners to meet the repair and maintenance needs of the city’s streetlighting in the next fiscal year is nearly $112 million.
Use of the money: Sangalang said at a March 11 committee meeting that the extra funds would be used to double the number of staff to handle repairs and procure solar streetlights, which don’t face the threat of copper wire theft. That would all potentially reduce the time it takes to repair simple fixes down to a week. Currently, city residents wait for months to see broken streetlights repaired.The assessment would come with a three-year auditing mechanism.
Topline:
The Los Angeles City Council approved a plan in a 13-1 vote Tuesday to send ballots to more than a half-million property owners asking if they are willing to pay more per year to fortify the city’s streetlight repair budget, most of which essentially has been frozen since the 1990s. The item still requires L.A. Mayor Karen Bass’ signature, but her office confirmed to LAist on Wednesday that she’ll approve it.
Frozen budget: Most of the city’s Bureau of Street Lighting budget comes from an assessment that people who own property illuminated by lights pay on their county property tax bill. The amount people pay depends on the kind of property they own and how much they benefit from lighting. A typical single-family home currently pays $53 annually, and in total, the assessments bring in about $45 million annually for the city to repair and maintain streetlights. Changing the amount the Bureau of Street Lighting gets from the assessment requires a vote among property owners who benefit from the lights.
Ballots: L.A. City Council’s vote gives city staff the green light to prepare and send out those ballots. Miguel Sangalang, who oversees the bureau, said at a committee meeting earlier this month that he expects to send out ballots by April 17. Notices about the ballots will be sent out prior to the ballots themselves.
Near unanimous vote: L.A.City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez was the only “No” vote Tuesday, saying she wanted to see a more current strategic plan for the bureau. Sangalang said the bureau developed a plan in 2022 that lays out how money will be spent. Councilmember Imelda Padilla was absent for the vote.
Vote count: Votes will be weighted according to the assessment amount. Basically, the more you’re asked to pay yearly to maintain streetlights, the more your vote will count. Ballots received before June 2 will be tabulated by the L.A. City Clerk.
How much more money: According to a report, the amount needed in assessments from property owners to meet the repair and maintenance needs of the city’s streetlighting in the next fiscal year is nearly $112 million.
Use of the money: Sangalang said at a March 11 committee meeting that the extra funds would be used to double the number of staff to handle repairs and procure solar streetlights, which don’t face the threat of copper wire theft. That would all potentially reduce the time it takes to repair simple fixes down to a week. Currently, city residents wait for months to see broken streetlights repaired. The assessment would come with a three-year auditing mechanism.
