Your weekly “wait, that’s happening?” digest
Before we get into the week ahead, we wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the heaviness so many families are feeling right now.
A lot of children are picking up on what’s happening in the world, even if they don’t fully understand the headlines. As parents, it’s natural to want to protect them, but it’s also important to help them process what they’re feeling in a way that feels safe and supportive.
We put together a few simple, grounding practices to help kids (and ourselves) when things feel scary or confusing. These are tools you can return to anytime — not just this week.
Taking care of our kids (and ourselves!) is part of how we stay grounded as a community.
With that in mind, we hope your week is off to a great start. Here’s what’s happening around Venice and the Westside:
🧧 Year of the Horse: Lunar New Year in LA
Lunar New Year 2026 is almost here! We did the homework for you—from the history of how it became an official California holiday to a list of the best parades, festivals, and family activities across the city.
Read the full guide here
🌸 Spring Break Survival Mode
It feels early, but those camp spots fly fast. We’ve mapped out the best Spring Break camps on the Westside to keep the kids busy while you keep your sanity.
Check out the survival guide
Jan 25–31, 2026
Weekly Picks
Skateboarding at Venice Boardwalk: This Parks & Rec program is affordable and awesome for kids. There were only 6 spots left as of this morning, so move fast! Grab a spot here.
Kids Bollywood Dance (Ages 3-8): Get the little ones moving and grooving. Details here.
Art Explorations @ Village Well (Jan 26): Creative vibes at one of our favorite local bookshops. Check it out.
Track & Field Skills @ Penmar Rec (Jan 28): Perfect for burning off that mid-week energy. Register here.
Mar Vista Farmers Market Kids Art: A Sunday staple. Grab your veggies and let the kids get crafty. More info.
The only thing more authentic than this sandwich is my relief that I don't have to drive 40 minutes for it. PS - NOT AN AD :)
Neighbor Spotlight: Lokal Sandwich Shop
The Westside has a lot going for it. We've got tacos. We've got acai bowls. We've got approximately 47 places to get an overpriced grain bowl. But authentic Vietnamese sandwiches? Crispy baguette, pickled daikon & that perfect cilantro-jalapeño kick? Sure, you could drive to Westminster or make the trek out to SGV (sometimes you should, it's worth it). But for those chaotic Tuesday afternoons when you need something delicious, fast, and close? We've been left wanting.
But we are happy to report! Friends, neighbors, fellow parents running on caffeine and questionable amounts of sleep, let us introduce you to Lokal Sandwich Shop + Burger Bar on Lincoln. And more specifically, to their surprisingly phenomenal banh mi. I KNOW. You're probably thinking, "Why would I get a Vietnamese sandwich from a place with burger in the name?"
Lokal isn't trying to be a Vietnamese restaurant. They're a neighborhood spot that takes their sandwiches seriously. And somewhere along the way, they decided to absolutely nail the banh mi :)
It's worth noting that Lokal's whole menu is solid. Their burgers are legit and they've got other sandwich options that are worth exploring. But once you try that banh mi, you might have a hard time ordering anything else.
Lokal Sandwich Shop + Burger Bar
701 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA
lokalsandwichshop.com
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