South Bay Weekend Guide June 30, 2016

I always look forward to Memorial Day Weekend and the start of the summer season. So when the Fourth of July rolls around, I panic and think, “Oh no! Summer is halfway over!” Not true. Independence Day is just the beginning of a season that usually lasts well into October. As it happens, September is my favorite time to go to the beach. So let’s kick back and relax – summertime is just getting started……

Today is the last day to show our Hermosa Beach Firefighters some love! Join them for a No-Host Lunch on Thursday, June 30 at Baja Sharkeez from noon to 1:30 p.m. They drive a firetruck onto Pier Avenue and park right in front of Baja Sharkeez! The Hermosa Beach Firefighters Foundation also accepts donations. For additional information, visit the website athttp://hbfirefighters.org/. Baja Sharkeez is located at 52 Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach.

The Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce will hostNetworking in the Evening tonight, Thursday, June 30 from5:30 to 7:30 at Trina Turk. The event offers a great opportunity to grow your business network and get to know the local movers and shakers while browsing the merchandise of Trina Turk. Refreshments will be provided by Tin Roof Bistro. The cost is $15 for Members and $25 for non-Members. For additional information, visit the website at http://www.manhattanbeachchamber.com/. Trina Turk is located at 333 Manhattan Beach Boulevard in Manhattan Beach.

Cruise at the Beach takes place at Ruby’s Diner this Friday night and the Mattel Hot Wheels crew will be there! Open to the public, this free event happens every Friday night through October and features a gathering of vintage automobiles on display in the Ruby’s Diner parking lot from 4 to 8 p.m. Enthusiasts are encouraged to bring their hot rods, street rods and muscle cars and strut their stuff. A favorite with local car enthusiasts, this popular event has grown tremendously over the years and features vintage and classic cars from all over Southern California. The evening also features music, trivia, trophies and raffle. Take a stroll before or after dinner and marvel at this fine collection of classic automobiles. If you wish to display a car or require more information, contact Larry Neville at 310-962-7438. Ruby’s Diner is located at 245 North Harbor Drive in Redondo Beach.

Monkey Toes presents Poetry Night on Friday, July 1 at Smoky Hollow Studios in El Segundo. This is an Open Mic event, so bring your poetry and be prepared to share! Doors open at 7:30 p.m.with the show starting at 8 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. For additional information, visit the Twitter page at https://twitter.com/SmokyHollowCA. Smoky Hollow Studios is located at 567 Ease El Segundo Boulevard, El Segundo, CA 90245.

The South Coast Botanic Garden presents Movie Night on Friday, July 1 from 6 to 10 p.m. in the Upper Meadow. Kick off your 4th of July weekend at the Garden! Bring a date or group of friends and unwind in the Upper Meadow with some pre-show music, drinks from the bar and snacks from the food trucks, and sing-along toPitch Perfect under the stars. (Additional fee for food and drinks.) Additional parking will be available at Promenade on the Peninsula (550 Deep Valley Dr, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274) with complimentary shuttle service running from 5:30pm to 10:30pm. No registration required. General admission tickets are $5 (Members get in FREE), VIP tickets are $10.

Upgrade your ticket to VIP status and get:

-VIP parking

-Early access to bar and food trucks (starting at 5:30 pm)

-One complimentary drink ticket

-Movie snacks

-VIP seating for the movie

For additional information, visit the website at http://www.southcoastbotanicgarden.org. The South Coast Botanic Garden is located at 26300 Crenshaw Boulevard, Palos Verdes Peninsula, California 90274.

El Segundo Museum of Art presents a screening of Dark Progressivism: On Rupture and Rebellion on Saturday, July 2nd from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The community is invited to this special screening of this award-winning film followed by a Q & A with director Rodrigo Ribera d’Ebre and featured artists. Filmed partly at ESMoA, Dark Progressivism is a documentary about life and art on the streets of LA that was born during the urban upheavals of the 1980’s and 90’s. It reveals the creative and social forces behind some of LA’s most important artists, many of whom contributed to Experience 11: SCRATCH at ESMoA. Guests will enjoy free popcorn and soft drinks, and chairs and cushions will be provided – or feel free to bring your own. As always, admission is FREE! For additional information, visit the ESMoA website athttp://www.ESMoA.org or call 424-277-1020. ESMoA is located at 208 Main Street in El Segundo.

The Redondo Beach Pier Association presents the Summer of Music Concert Series every Thursday and Saturday evening from6 to 8 p.m. starting July 2 and running through September 3. These concerts are free to the public, so grab a few beach chairs and gather your family, friends and neighbors for a casual, relaxing evening of entertainment the South Bay way. Concerts on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays will take place at the Octagon where the pier meets the International Boardwalk below Kincaid’s - all other concerts will take place at the end of the pier. For additional information, directions and concert schedule, visit the website athttp://www.redondopier.com/event/2016-summer-of-music/. The Redondo Beach Pier is located at 100 Fisherman’s Wharf in Redondo Beach.

Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach will host the Summer Pool Partyon Sunday, July 3 on the rooftop Skydeck beginning at 1 p.m. and concluding at dusk. The Summer Pool Party will take place the firstSunday of each month: June 5, July 3 and August 7. There is no admission fee for this classic summer pastime! Mix, mingle and make new friends, poolside! The event features hand crafted cocktails, food specials, DJs, never-ending views and good times. For additional information, visit the website atwww.shadehotel.com. Shade Hotel is located at 1221 North Valley Drive in Manhattan Beach.

The City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission, together with the Manhattan Beach City Council are proud to present the annual Salute to the Troops Picnic and Concert onSunday, July 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Polliwog Park Amphitheater. The event honors and thanks the military service, and South Bay men and women in uniform and their families, who have served and sacrificed on behalf of our country. This FREE event is open to the public and will be a fun evening for the entire family. Pack up the beach chairs, blanket and picnic basket for a music-filled evening with family, friends and community. For additional information, visit the website at http://www.citymb.info/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/45782/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook. Polliwog Park Amphitheater is located at 1601 Manhattan Beach Boulevard in Manhattan Beach.

The Village Runner presents the annual Fourth of July 5K Run/Walk & Firecracker Dash sponsored by UCLA Health. This very popular local event gets underway at 8 a.m. on Monday, July 4 in front of the Village Runner store in Riviera Village. The route starts on Catalina Avenue and heads north three blocks to Avenue I for a left turn west to the Esplanade. The course continues north to Torrance Boulevard for a U-turn to retrace the route back to the finish line. There will be chip timing, water stations, sponsored refreshments, age division awards and cash prizes to the top three overall male and female runners in the 5K and all participants will receive a 4th of July Run t-shirt. For additional information and registration, call 310-375-2626 or visit the website athttp://www.villagerunner.com/4th-of-july-5k/. The Village Runner is located at 1811-A South Catalina Avenue in Riviera Village in Redondo Beach.

G.I. Joe Boot Camp hosts the annual Push-Up Challenge onMonday, July 4 in Riviera Village during the Fourth of July 5K Run/Walk. The event is free to enter and will begin at 9:15 a.m.G.I. Joe, aka Joe Charles, challenges all participants – men, women and adolescents – to perform his “One Push-Up” for a $1,000 cash prize. The last man, woman or child standing, will get paid! For additional information, visit the website athttp://www.mbbootcamp.com/push-up-challenge.html. The Village Runner Shoe Store is located at 1811-A South Catalina, Redondo Beach 90277.

The City of Palos Verdes Estates proudly presents An Old-Fashioned Fourth of July on Monday, July 4 beginning at 9:30 a.m. Now in its 55th year, this free community event is a favorite with locals and visitors alike. Pack a picnic basket and plan to make a day of it. Enjoy family games, face painting, the Jim Gamble All-American Puppet Show, patriotic music, food and more. Children are encouraged to decorate their bicycles in red, white and blue and participate in the Patriotic Bicycle Parade. If you plan to take part in the Apple Pie Contest, you should arrive early to submit your entry. For additional information, visit the website athttp://www.pvjuly4.org/index.php. All activities take place on the playing fields of Malaga Cove School located at 300 Paseo Del Mar in Palos Verdes Estates.

The El Segundo Recreation & Parks Department proudly presents the 4th of July Community Celebration and Fireworks Spectacular on Monday, July 4. The celebration is an all-day event with activities for the entire family and takes place in Recreation Park. The fun gets underway at 10 a.m. with a Hula Hoop contest, water balloon toss, sack races and more. The El Segundo Kiwanis Club is sponsoring a pie eating contest at 1:30 p.m. followed by a watermelon eating contest at 2:15 p.m. sponsored by the El Segundo Rotary Club. Proceeds from the food and snack booths will benefit local community and school groups. Enjoy live music at the softball field from 5 to 7 p.m. The music continues at Stevenson Field from 7 to 9 p.m. The fireworks show sponsored by Chevron blasts off at 9 p.m. with expanded seating opportunities including general admission, senior citizen and resident priority seating. For additional information, call 310-524-2700 or visit the website at http://elsegundo.org/depts/recreation/special_events/default.asp. Recreation Park is located at 401 East Sheldon Street in El Segundo.

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes presents the annual 4th of JulyCelebration on Monday, July 4, 2016. This year’s event features live entertainment, food booths, kiddie carnival rides, games, arts and crafts, pie eating contest, a hula hoop contest and much, much more! The event will take place at Point Vicente Park and RPV Civic Center and runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and complimentary shuttle service along Hawthorne Boulevard will be provided. On-site parking will be available for $5. For additional information, call 310-544-5260 or visit the website athttp://www.rpvca.gov. Point Vicente Park and RPV Civic Center are located at 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard in Rancho Palos Verdes.

The community is invited to celebrate our nation’s birthday at the annual Redondo Beach 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular at Seaside Lagoon. This family friendly special event will feature first come, first serve seating throughout the Seaside Lagoon. Bring your beach chairs, blankets and umbrellas (tents are not permitted). Gates open at 2 p.m. and lifeguards will be on duty. All day fun for the kids includes swimming with family in the warm water lagoon, inflatable slides, arts & crafts, party music with a live DJ, and a special menu of food and beverages from Ruby’s Diner. Attendees are also welcome to bring prepared foods and drinks. The event will be alcohol free; no alcohol sales inside the lagoon and no outside alcohol will be permitted. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $12 for children. Parking at the Marina lot is $15 and guests MUST arrive by 3:30 p.m. for a guaranteed space in the lot. Redondo Beach 4th of July Family Fireworks Spectacular offers a safe, family-friendly atmosphere to celebrate the 4th of July! For additional information, visit the website athttp://redondofireworks.com/. Seaside Lagoon is located at 200 Portofino Way in Redondo Beach.

The City of Gardena will host the annual 4th of July Celebrationat Rowley Park on Monday, July 4 beginning at 4 p.m. The event features fireworks and food trucks. Attendees should bring their own blankets, lawn chairs and umbrellas for an evening in the park. The fireworks show will begin at dusk. Personal fireworks are not permitted. For additional information, call 310-217-9537 or visit the website at http://www.ci.gardena.ca.us/Departments/Recreation/specialevents.html. Rowley Park is located at 13220 South Van Ness Avenue in Gardena.

The City of Torrance is pleased to announce that the Fourth of July Fireworks Show will return to the City for the first time since 2010. The 2016 show will take place Monday, July 4 at 9 p.m.The 20-minute show will feature a patriotic soundtrack to complement the more than 1,000 shells being fired. The internal Civic Center parking lot will be closed for the launching of the fireworks, however surrounding parking lots will be open for the general public to view the show. In addition, the Toyota Sports Complex and a portion of the Courthouse parking lot will be open for public viewing. Tickets will be required to enter the Toyota Sports Complex viewing area. These free tickets are available now, and must be picked up in advance from either the Cultural Arts Center Box office at the James Armstrong Theatre (3330 Civic Center Drive) or from the Community Services Department located in the West Annex of City Hall (3031 Torrance Blvd). Box Office hours are Tuesday-Friday, from 1 to 8 p.m. and Saturday fromnoon to 8 p.m. The Community Services Department will be open to distribute tickets today through Friday, July 1, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There are a limited number of tickets available for access to the Toyota Sports complex. All other areas will be available on a first come, first served basis. There are a lot of prohibited items – the list is available on my website here:http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/torrance-4th-july-fireworks-show/. Staff will be posted at the entrance to ensure that prohibited items do not enter the facility. The City recommends that bags not be brought into the facility, and reserves the right to conduct bag checks. Torrance CitiCABLE will broadcast the show live on Time Warner Cable Channel 3, Frontier FiOS Channel 31, over the air on KNET 25.2 and online athttp://www.TorranceCA.Gov/CableTV/15747.htm. Gates to the Toyota Sports Complex will open at 7 p.m., and will close 30 minutes after the show ends. In an effort to protect the synthetic turf field, no food or drinks (excluding bottled water) will be allowed into the complex, and only chairs with rounded bottoms such as beach chairs will be allowed. For additional information, visit the website at http://torranceca.gov/29872.htm. The LA County Courthouse parking lot is located at Maple Avenue, north of Torrance Blvd. The Toyota Sports Complex is located at 555 Maple Avenue.

Every Independence Day, a local resident has provided a spectacular 4th of July Fireworks Show from a barge off Torrance Beach. Jackie Briles had been arranging and picking up the tab for this fireworks display for many years, much to the delight of the locals. The fireworks were originally part of a birthday celebration that eventually turned into an annual neighborhood event. Sadly, Jackie died recently, but the family will do one more fireworks show in her honor. This show has never been advertised, but when the City of Torrance cancelled the annual fireworks show at Wilson Park several years ago, all the displaced revelers headed west. Now, thousands of people gather on the beach and Esplanade to enjoy the show. If you plan to attend this year, please be patient. The City takes drastic traffic measures and blocks off most of the residential streets, so getting in and out of the area can be frustrating. After the show, the surrounding area is a parking lot and it can take up to two hours just to get to PCH. If at all possible, leave the car at home and walk or bike to the beach. Thank you to Jackie and the Briles family for the years of great shows!

The Point will host Concerts in The Point Plaza every Wednesdaynight from July 6 through August 31. As the sun begins to set on the day, head to The Point every Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m.throughout July & August to ring in summer nights. Spread out a blanket, snuggle up and rock out to a different genre of music every week! From R&B to Smooth Jazz, the South Bay’s Living Room is sure to become a part of your weekly summer routine! In addition to the music, The Point’s merchants and restaurants are sure to make those summer nights that much more memorable. Curb your hunger with a delicious meal or happy hour at one of The Point’s esteemed restaurants, including True Food Kitchen, Hopdoddy Burger Bar, North Italia, Mendocino Farms, Superba Food + Bread and ShopHouse. ShopHouse will be offering vouchers for FREE bowls every Wednesday night for the first 50 guests to arrive! Enjoy happy hour at Superba Food + Bread with extended hours every Wednesday from 4:00PM to 8:00PM, choosing from wines by the glass, beers on tap and kegged cocktails starting at $6, plus various food options at a discounted price. Occupy your time prior to the music by entertaining your inner fashionista at Kendra Scott, who will be having a flash sale every Wednesday, offering 15% off a variety of styles, with something different being highlighted each week. And satisfy your sweet tooth at Smitten or Sugarfina to grab some made-to-order ice cream or gourmet high-end sweets to enjoy before, after or during the show! It’s a fun and relaxing way to spend a Wednesday evening, so grab a few friends, a couple of blankets and beach chairs and get to The Point! For additional information, visit the website athttp://www.thepointsb.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=34. The Point is located at 850 South Sepulveda Blvd in El Segundo.

Be sure to check out the new So Bae page on my website, Facebook and Twitter, and discover what’s going on for kids this summer: http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/so-bae-events.php

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

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/manhattan-beach-open-tennis-tournament/

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/free-womens-self-defense-seminar/

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/collector-car-appreciation-day-cruise/

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/jayo-invitational-art-at-the-beach/

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/bite-at-the-beach/

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/erotic-city-a-tribute-to-prince/

These are just a few of the events taking place, so be sure to check the Ongoing Events page and Daily Blog on my website athttp://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 guest was Kate Talbot from Klick Communications, the new PR firm for the Redondo Chamber Tourist Committee. We learned what Kate is working on locally, in addition to hearing more about the new Redondo Weddings website. You can listen to yesterday’s show via podcast here:http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/kate-talbot-klick-communications/. There’s ‘More to Sea’ every Wednesday morning at 8 a.m.!

This morning on The South Bay Show: South Bay Spotlight, our guests are Lisa Coffi, Suzanne Dean and Patrick Vest from Shakespeare by the Sea. This season, Shakespeare by the Sea presents two brand new productions staged at venues throughout the South Bay. Performances of Cymbeline and Othello will take place during July and August. Don’t worry, if you missed the program, you can listen to it via podcast here:http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/shakespeare-by-the-sea/. Tune in every Thursday at 8 a.m. to keep up with what’s going down in the South Bay!

Tomorrow morning on The South Bay Show: Manhattan Beach 360, we’ll be speaking with Michael Hudak and Idris Jassim Al-Oboudi and they’re going to tell us about the upcoming Manhattan Beach Open Tennis Open. Presented by the City of Manhattan Beach and Skechers, the Manhattan Beach Open Tennis Open will take place July 7 through July 10. You can listen to the program live at 8 a.m. or anytime via podcast here:http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/manhattan-beach-open-tennis-open/. Tune in every Friday morning for the latest from Manhattan Beach!

Happy Fourth of July and have a fabulous South Bay weekend!

Jackie

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com