South Bay By Jackie Weekend Guide December 31, 2015

It’s the last day of 2015…..time to reflect on the year past and time to plan for the year ahead. The South Bay experienced several major events this year – The Point opened for business; the new bike path was installed on Harbor Drive; the redevelopment of Del Amo Fashion Center completed; Manhattan Beach has a fabulous new library; local Host Towns welcomed Special Olympics athletes with open arms; Hermosa Beach said a resounding HELL NO! to oil drilling and Gardena Municipal Bus Lines now has all gasoline/electric hybrid buses. Of course, it wasn’t all good news…. but who wants to dwell on that? 2015 was a game changer for me and I’m looking forward to an exciting, busy 2016!

Tonight is your last chance to catch the Sleepy Hollow Christmas Lights Extravaganza! You can walk or drive through the neighborhood reveling in the sights, sounds and scents of the season. It’s a wonderful way to spend the evening and one the entire family will enjoy and remember for years to come. The wildly extravagant decorations are on display from about 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. If you miss it, you’ll have to wait until next year! For additional information and directions, visit the website at http://www.yelp.com/biz/sleepy-hollow-christmas-lights-torrance.

Last chance here, too…..The 1200 block of East Acacia Avenue in El Segundo magically transforms into Candy Cane Lane every holiday season since 1919. The homes are festooned with lights and decorations beginning the second Saturday of December and stay up through New Year’s weekend. For additional information, visit the Facebook page athttps://www.facebook.com/El-Segundo-Candy-Cane-Lane-1200-Block-East-Acacia-Opens-12-12-7-pm-583239865139034/?fref=ts. The 1200 block of East Acacia Avenue is located west of Sepulveda and south of Imperial Highway in El Segundo.

And I’m just going to list tonight’s festivities one more time…..

Pier Plaza is the place to be this New Year’s Eve so gather your family and friends and head to Hermosa Beach to ring in the New Year the South Bay way! The Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau present a New Year’s Eve Extravaganza at Pier Plaza on Thursday, December 31 beginning at 8 p.m. The event is open to the public and admission is free. The fabulous Lou Giovannetti and His Big Band Orchestra will be performing standards from the big band era, so be sure to wear your dancin’ shoes! A live telecast of the Times Square ball drop will play on a 9 x 12 video screen at 9 p.m. A replay will be shown at midnight for the west coast count down. This is a very popular event and if you plan to have dinner at one of the many area restaurants, reservations are highly recommended. Be sure to bring your party hats and noise makers! For more information, call 310-376-0951 or visit the website athttp://business.hbchamber.net/events/details/new-years-eve-extravaganza-3148. Pier Plaza is located at the western-most end of Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach.

Berry Bly is proud to present New Year’s Eve Gala 2016 at the Portofino Hotel on Thursday, December 31! Celebrate New Year’s Eve with one of the South Bay’s most celebrated party producers for a night of Las Vegas style and Hollywood elegance. Guests will countdown to 2015 on multiple dance floors featuring a host of beats from LA’s hottest DJs including Charles Feelgood, DJ DIK, DJ Jimbo, Troy Doram and DJ Daddy D. The party starts at 9 and goes until 2 a.m. with all types of grooves including hip-hop, old-school, Electro and more. The night beams away into visual bliss as laser shows, special lighting effects and visuals entertain party-goers throughout the evening. Premium liquors, wine, champagne and beer will be served at multiple bars. It’s a night that routinely sells out, so be sure to buy your tickets early! The Portofino Hotel is located at 260 Portofino Way in Redondo Beach. For additional information and ticket purchase, visit the website at http://www.portofinonye.com/.

Shade Hotel will channel the Roaring Twenties at a Great Gatsby-inspired New Year’s Eve Celebration on Thursday, December 31, beginning at 8 p.m. The evening of excitement and fun will feature burlesque dancers, a DJ and gaming tables including blackjack, poker, roulette and craps. Guests will be treated to passed hors d’oeuvres and a dessert bar throughout the event, as well as a champagne toast at midnight. Shade will also have an exclusive VIP area available for bottle service reservations starting at a 2 bottle minimum. Upon arrival, attendees receive $100 in gaming chips, which may be used at the game tables to win tickets for entry into a raffle for prizes. Guests and locals aged 21 and over are welcome to attend, and 1920s attire is highly encouraged. Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased online athttp://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-gatsby-new-years-eve-celebration-tickets-19912561006. For guests looking to extend the celebration, Shade is offering an exclusive New Year’s Eve package for the night of December 31, with reservations including tickets to the gala. Rates begin at $649 and include 2 tickets. For additional information, visit the website athttp://www.shadehotel.com or call the front desk at (310) 546-4995. Better brush up on your Charleston! Shade Hotel is located at 1221 North Valley Drive in Manhattan Beach.

Terranea Resort will countdown to 2016 at Terranea’s annual Club Countdown New Year’s Eve Celebration on Thursday, December 31. The event runs from 9 p.m. through 2 a.m. This year’s party includes music by a celebrity DJ, open bar and a late night buffet from 10 p.m. through 12:30 a.m. The buffet features a slider station, pasta station, taco bar, dim sum station and a dessert station. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options will be available. Tickets are $184.50. Online ticket ordering deadline is Wednesday, December 30, all prices are not inclusive of tax or gratuity. Tax and gratuity will be automatically added on to your order during the checkout process. Paper tickets will not be mailed. Email confirmation will be sent after purchase has been processed. Multiple single tickets may be purchased using the shopping cart function. All guests/tickets must be accounted for on the final checkout page. VIP tables are available and advance reservations are required by calling 310-265-2836. Guests must be 21 years or older. Tickets can be purchased online at http://terranea.pinnaclecart.com/special-events/2015-new-years-eve-countdown-celebration/?_ga=1.68224209.1741257773.1446839970. For additional information, call (310) 265-2766 or visit the website athttp://www.terranea.com. Terranea Resort is located at 100 Terranea Way in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Gene Simmons of KISS and co-founder of Rock & Brews will be hosting a New Year’s Day celebration at Rock & Brews in El Segundo with a Naughty or Nice Resolution Contest on January 1 from 7 to 9 p.m. Simmons will be take photos with fans and select winning naughty or nice resolutions for prizes. The winner of the most rockin’ resolution will receive a $100 gift card and three runners up will receive Rock & Brews t-shirts. For additional information, visit the website athttp://www.rockandbrews.com/location/el-segundo/. Rock & Brews is located at 143 Main Street, El Segundo, CA 90245.

Here’s a head’s up on a few future events you’ll want to plan for now!

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/redondo-beach-waterfront-deir-workshop/

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/bchd-center-for-health-fitness-open-house/

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/drawn-to-you-a-speed-dating-event/

These are just a few of the events taking place, so be sure to check the Calendar links, Things to Do page and Daily Blog on my website http://www.southbaybyjackie.com for details on these and other events happening throughout the South Bay.

Joe and I are taking this week off and will be airing re-runs of some of the recent, most popular shows. The shows are already posted to my website here: http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/blog-talk-radio.php. Take a moment and catch up with what’s going down in the South Bay!

Happy New Year everybody and have a fabulous South Bay weekend!

Jackie

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com