South Bay Weekend Guide for July 16, 2015

It’s the middle of July and the summer season is in full swing. Free outdoor concerts and movies, world class dining, fundraisers, art, theater, sports and fitness and spectacular sunsets…..the South Bay has got it all. Repeat after me: you can never have too much fun!

Restaurant Week is back and it’s time to dineLA! dineLA Restaurant Week is a bi-annual dining event established to introduce diners to the extensive assortment of restaurants in neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles County. Local foodies and visitors to the area will have the opportunity to enjoy a selection of specially priced prix fixe menus from some of LA’s best restaurants during this this period. It should come as no surprise that a variety of restaurants throughout the South Bay will be participating in this culinary event. Some of the restaurants will feature lunch, some will offer dinner and some will present both so be sure to check the website at http://discoverlosangeles.com/restaurantweekv2/. dineLA Summer Restaurant Week takes place over 12 consecutive days and runs from July 13 through July 26. Make a reservation online or contact the restaurant directly. Due to the popularity of this event, advance reservations are strongly recommended. Walk-ins are welcome but there is no guarantee they can be accommodated. This is a great opportunity to sample something different and it’s sure to whet your appetite without emptying your wallet!

The Palos Verdes Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Laid Back Summer Evening Mixer on Thursday, July 16 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Chamber offices. Attendees are encouraged to leave the business attire at home and dress in comfy backyard BBQ clothes, and bring something reminiscent of a favorite vacation location or bucket list activity, to be entered to win a prize. The bar will feature Margaritas and Mai Tais in addition to beer, wine and soft drinks. The event is free for Chamber members and $25 for guests and prospective members and includes a complimentary drink ticket. To RSVP, visit the website athttp://www.palosverdeschamber.com. For additional information, contact the Chamber at 310-377-8111 or via email atoffice@palosverdeschamber.com. The Chamber offices are located at 707 Silver Spur Road, Suite 200 in Rolling Hills Estates.

The community is invited to celebrate art in El Segundo on the third Thursday evenings of the summer months. Located in the Downtown and Smoky Hollow districts, the El Segundo Art Walkincludes over 20 local creative businesses displaying the work of dozens of local artists. The evening features fine art, live music, great food and studio tours. It’s fun and it’s FREE! El Segundo Art Walk will take place on Thursday, July 16 from 5 to 9 p.m. NOTE: I went to this event last month and it was FANTASTIC! I’ll be heading there again tonight! For additional information, visit the website at http://www.elsegundoartwalk.com/.

The 562nd Air Force Band Patriots in Blue Jazz Ensemble will be playing at the Redondo Beach Pier this Saturday, July 18 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The Women’s Council of Realtors South Bay Network presents the fifth annual Taste of Summer on Thursday, July 16 at South Coast Botanic Garden. Taste of Summer is a food, wine and craft beer festival that takes place each year in a picturesque South Bay location. This year features a Vintage Aloha theme and live music by The Lucky Ones. The event takes place from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.and features tasty bites from a variety of South Bay restaurants, beer, wine, live music and silent auction. The Women’s Council of Realtors-South Bay Chapter is a non-profit organization advancing women as professionals and leaders. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the non-profit organization Be The Change International. Tickets are $45 per person or $400 for a table of ten and are available at EventBrite here:http://www.eventbrite.com/e/taste-of-summer-2015-tickets-17170895611. For additional information, visit the website athttp://www.wcrsouthbay.org. The South Coast Botanic Garden is located at 26300 Crenshaw Boulevard on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Custom Design & Construction is hosting a Wine Tasting to raise funds for Special Olympics World Games Host Town Hermosa Beach on Thursday, July 16 at 6 p.m. This summer, Hermosa Beach will be hosting athletes and coaches from Belize and Belgium before the launch of the Special Olympics in July. Custom Design & Construction has volunteered to support and help staff these events. This wine tasting kickoff event features Quintessential Wines. Guests will enjoy wines from around the world provided by Quintessential Wines while supporting a great cause! All interested parties will have an opportunity to purchase wine at a discounted rate. A suggested donation of $20 per person or $30 per couple may be paid via cash or check at the event. All proceeds from the event will be donated to support the pre-Special Olympics events hosted by Hermosa Beach. An RSVP is required to guarantee a seat. For additional information and to make a reservation, call 310-815-4815. Custom Design & Construction is located at 2001 East Mariposa Avenue in El Segundo.

The City of Manhattan Beach and South Bay Ford present the 48 annual Manhattan Beach Open Tennis Tournament July 16 through July 19. All the action takes place at the Live Oak Park Tennis Facility and Mira Costa High School. From Men’s and Women’s Open Singles and Doubles Divisions to Amateur Divisions, the tournament is sure to provide a fun-filled weekend of competition at its finest. For all the details, visit the website athttp://www.citymb.info/city-officials/parks-and-recreation/tennis/2014-manhattan-beach-open-tennis-tournament. Live Oak Park is located at 1601 Valley Drive in Manhattan Beach. Mira Coast High School is located at 1401 Artesia Boulevard in Manhattan Beach. Manhattan Country Club is located at 1330 Parkview Avenue in Manhattan Beach.

The Palos Verdes Chamber of Commerce presents Dine Around the Peninsula beginning July 17 and running through July 28 at select area restaurants. Dine Around the Peninsula is the culinary event of the year, with area chefs showcasing their creativity and restaurants offering carefully curated, specially priced prix fixe menus. Visit some of the finest restaurants on the Peninsula as master chefs serve up innovative menus featuring tantalizing culinary creations. Simply dine out at any of the participating restaurants. No tickets, passes or coupons are required. Advance reservations are recommended. Participating restaurants may be offering special menus for breakfast, lunch or dinner during this ten day dining event. It’s a great way to try a new restaurant or enjoy an old favorite. With over 20 participating restaurants, this inaugural Dine Around the Peninsula promises to be an exciting culinary adventure! The event introduces new customers to restaurants and promotes the economic vitality of the Peninsula and surrounding areas. For additional information and a list of participating restaurants, visit the website athttp://www.dinepeninsula.com or contact the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce via email atoffice@palosverdeschamber.com or call 310-377-8111.

Local musician Kevin Sousa will be playing Live at Nelson’s onFriday, July 17 from 5 to 9 p.m. with special guest Jeff Nisen. Bring the entire family, as kids and pets are welcome at this South Bay gem, and enjoy an evening of music as the sun sets. For additional information, visit the Facebook event page athttps://www.facebook.com/events/449338258560973/. Nelson’s is located at Terranea Resort, 100 Terranea Way in Rancho Palos Verdes.

The South Coast Botanic Garden is hosting the first Sing-A-Long/Movie Night at the Garden on Friday, July 17 on the beautiful upper meadow. The family friendly event features a sing-a-long and screening of the movie Frozen. Gates open at 7 p.m.and the sing-a-long and movie begins at 8 p.m. Attendees should bring a blanket and/or chairs. Food will be available for purchase. Family-Plus Membership levels and above are invited to arrive at the Koi Pond at 6:30 p.m. for the Frozen VIP Lounge. Guests will enjoy cookies from Becker’s Bakery, refreshments, and meet Elsa herself, in addition to a complementally photo with Elsa. All Family-Plus Membership levels and above receive preferred seating for this event. The event is FREE for members and $5 for non-members. The Garden usually closes at 5 p.m. so this will be a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy the Garden after hours on a gorgeous summer night! For additional information, visit the website at http://southcoastbotanicgarden.org/. The South Coast Botanic Garden is located at 26300 Crenshaw Boulevard on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Get lit with the Fly Buddha! Cancer Support Community-Redondo Beach (CSC-RB) will team up with the Redondo Beach Pier Association, Fly Buddha and The Green Yogi to present Yoga in the Octagon on Saturday, July 18. These free classes will take place the third Saturday of every month, are an hour long and begin at 10 a.m. in the octagon below Kincaid’s. The Fly Buddha, an inspirational lifestyle brand founded by cancer survivor Sara Krish, is partnering with The Green Yogi for an awesome yoga experience. Instructors will lead a 60 minute all level yoga class while DJ Gadachy fills the air with motivating beats. All levels from beginner to yoga aficionados are welcome. Participants should bring a yoga mat, towel and water. The public is encouraged to invite a friend and join the fun to down dog, down shift and donate all in the name of CSC-RB’s mission of support, education and hope for cancer patients and their families. CSC-RB celebrates 28 years of free support, education and hope for cancer patients and their families. For additional information, call 310-465-9154. The Redondo Beach Pier is located at 100 Fisherman’s Wharf in Redondo Beach.

Whole Foods El Segundo regularly hosts special events in store. OnSaturday, July 18 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. guests and their children can scoop up some knowledge at July’s Kids Club. Learn how to make coffee tin ice cream - a yummy, home-made treat the whole family will enjoy…..and it’s FREE! For additional information, visit the website at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/elsegundo. Whole Foods is located at 760 South Sepulveda Boulevard in Plaza El Segundo.

White Light White Night is dedicated to raising funds and friends through a majestic experience of light, love and laughter. The event will be held on July 18 on The Rooftop of The Plaza at Continental Park beginning at 5 p.m. and ending at 11 p.m. The evening benefits non-profit Walk With Sally, an organization dedicated to providing free mentoring support programs to children of parents or siblings with cancer – one child at a time, one heart at a time. In addition to a live concert by Super Diamond [The Neil Diamond Tribute], red carpet and VIP experience, guests will enjoy gourmet bites from over 20 restaurants during the Taste of Los Angeles. Restaurants include Doma Kitchen, Strand House, Coni’ Seafood, Pitfire Grill, Simmzy’s and many others. The festivities will also include beverages and specialty cocktails from local craft breweries and boutique wineries. The Beacon of Light Award honors individuals who go above and beyond, year after year to help grow Walk With Sally’s mission. This year, the award will be presented to Todd Klawin of Our Media Group, LLC and South Bay Magazine for his hard work and support throughout the years. Why wear white? While growing up, Nick Arquette, founder of Walk With Sallys’ mother, Sally, was diagnosed with cancer and believed in the healing spirit of the color white. Throughout the world the symbolism of the color white claims to stimulate a person’s own divine nature into healing one’s self, known as the “White Light of Healing and Protection”. In honor of that belief, Walk With Sally invites guests to come together on a beautiful summer night to celebrate hope, healing, and everyone that has come to battle cancer. General admission tickets to the ninth annual White Light White Night event are $200. VIP tickets are priced at $400 and include access to VIP food and beverages along with an exclusive gift bag and special seating area. For additional information and ticket purchase, visit the website at http://www.whitelightwhitenight.org or http://www.walkwithsally.org. The Plaza at Continental Park is located at 870 South Nash Street in El Segundo. I HEAR THERE ARE ONLY 50 TICKETS LEFT!

The Young and Brave Foundation will host Surfing 4 A Cure & After Party on Sunday, July 19. This event is a surfing relay where members from each team will spend one hour at a time in the water surfing to raise money for pediatric cancer research. Everyone is invited to stop by the beach and cheer the teams on. The surf relay will take place from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Torrance Beach followed by an After Party. Ortega 120 will host the after party from 3 to 6 p.m. which will include a raffle /silent auction with some amazing prizes. There will also be plenty of food and drink specials. All proceeds from the event will be granted back to The Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles Research Facility. For additional information, call 310-792-4120 or visit the website athttp://www.ortega120.com/. If you plan to attend the After Party, visit the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/surfing4acure?fref=ts. Ortega 120 is located at 1814 South Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach.

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

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/picnic-park-july-23-2015/

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/point-grand-opening-events-july-31-august-1-2015/

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/esmoa-life-drawing-course-august-2-2015/

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/tequila-university-ortega-120-first-tuesday-of-every-month/

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

Yesterday morning on The South Bay Show: Redondo Beach – More to Sea, our guests were Dr. Keller, Dinah Lary and Lisa Rodriguez - all recipients of this year’s Community Awards! You can listen to yesterday’s show here: http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/redondo-beach-community-award-recipients/. There’s more to sea every Wednesday morning at 8 a.m.!

This morning on The South Bay Show: South Bay Spotlight, our guests were Mario del Pero, Co-Founder of Mendocino Farms, Collette Navarette of Federal Realty and Zoe Kasiske from SoulCycle. We discussed the Grand Opening of The Point, which will take place over several days beginning Thursday, July 30. Don’t worry, if you missed the program, you can listen to it here: http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/point-grand-opening/. Tune in every Thursday at 8 a.m. to keep up with what’s going down in the South Bay!

Have a fabulous South Bay Weekend!

Jackie

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com