South Bay by Jackie Pandemic Survival Guide

I’ve always been a glass half full, look on the bright side, accentuate the positive, type of person…. but it’s tough to be optimistic considering the current state of affairs.
The LA Department of Public Health is advising that all public events should be cancelled through the end of the year. They don’t have the authority to enforce it, but that department holds a lot of sway with politicians, staff and advisors at all levels of government. Governor Newsom is now talking about getting back to work in the coming weeks, but he agrees on the suspension of all public events.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had conversations with local government officials, chambers of commerce, event planners, business owners, non-profit orgs and others, and most will comply with the LADPH advisory due to the liability issue. Nobody wants their event to be the cause of a COVID-19 resurgence or contend with potential lawsuits.
We’ve all been holding our breath, waiting for the ‘Stay at Home’ order to be lifted, but it keeps being extended. Maybe some of the restrictions will soon be relaxed and some businesses may begin to re-open (FYI, our local chambers of commerce are doing a herculean job providing resources and assistance to local businesses), but at this point, pretty much every public event – fundraisers, concerts, movies, festivals, fairs, car shows, holiday fireworks – scheduled for the summer has been cancelled, postponed or rescheduled until 2021. Those that haven’t announced an outright cancellation yet are waiting to see if circumstances will change.
Several people I’ve spoken with are attempting to salvage events by creating a virtual or live stream version, similar to pay-per-view. Over the last few weeks, there have been a number of free virtual events scheduled and posted to my website, but I keep track of the analytics and the numbers just aren’t there – meaning, there’s not a lot of interest – and everyone I spoke with concurs. If people aren’t interested in free virtual events, I can’t imagine many would pay for one. Others are trying to reformat events – instead of having 500 people mingling in one space, allow entry to only 50 mask-wearing, socially distanced individuals at a time. The whole point of special events is to experience something together, as a community, and having to socially distance pretty much defeats the purpose. Then there’s always the risk, especially when alcohol is involved, that some people will disregard the safety precautions. We’ll have to wait and see how this all pans out, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed these ideas will work, because every local non-profit org, school and service group depend on those events to fund their efforts. These events also play an enormous role in our local economy, supporting South Bay businesses large and small.
I’m having trouble imagining a South Bay summer without concerts and movies on the beach, in the parks, on the pier; vacations; fairs; art shows; 6-man; and block parties. Our best chance to salvage events scheduled later in the year (and our sanity, and our livelihoods, and our economy) is a vaccine, because right now, I cannot envision the entire holiday season being cancelled. For the last seven weeks, we’ve been waiting for the green light to resume our lives, but from what I’m hearing, we’re just settling in for the long haul. I know we’ll do what we must for the foreseeable future to get on the other side of this, but it won’t be easy. It will most definitely suck.
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Assembly Member Al Muratsuchi will host a Virtual Town Hall for Non-Profits today, Thursday, April 30 at 3 p.m. Do you run a nonprofit? Do you need assistance with information during this COVID-19 pandemic? Then please join me for a virtual Town Hall specifically for non-profits. For this event, Congressman Ted Lieu and I will be joined by Jan Masaoka, CEO, and Lucy Salcido Carter, Public Policy Director, from CalNonprofits. They’ll be answering your questions and giving an update on what help is available for nonprofits. The Town Hall will be hosted on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Murat.... You do not need a Facebook account to view the Town Hall. I hope you can join us. Sincerely, Al Muratsuchi, Assemblymember, 66th District
Join Beach Cities Health District and South Bay Families Connected for The Journey – A Conversation About Mental Health in New, Uncertain Times today, Thursday, April 30 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. via Zoom. Special guests include professional surfer Alex Gray and local clinician Kevin Sousa, MFT. The event is FREE but you must register at https://www.southbayfamiliesconnected.org. The Zoom meeting information will be directly emailed to registered participants.

Calling all undergraduate students! Are you interested in learning what it’s like to work for an art nonprofit? Would you like to know more about career opportunities in the arts? ESMoA is seeking two summer interns as part of the Getty Marrow Undergraduate Internship Program. Interns will work for a ten-week work period between July and September 2020, with a stipend of $6,000. The internships are for a Communications and Digital Media Intern and an Education and Public Programs Intern. Deadline to apply is May 1, 2020. For details, visit https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/getty-marrow-undergraduate-internships-esmoa/.
BeachLife Festival presents the Speakeasy Live Stream Event on Friday, May 1 from 3 to 8 p.m. The crew at BeachLife has decided that, in the true spirit of live music, the show must go on! So they’re bringing us the SpeakEasy line-up via a FREE Live Stream Event on May 1, the original BeachLife Festival date. The event features performances by Chris Shiflett of Foo Fighters, Jim Lindberg of Pennywise, Trever Keith of Face to Face, Jason Cruz of Strung Out, Jason Devore of Authority Zero, LAW, and more. During the event they’ll be raising awareness and donations for music industry relief and several other worthy causes helping those in need. So tune in, jam out, and do some good at the same time! Want to be involved? Email info@thebeachlifefestival.com. For additional information, visit the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/682771765616738/.
NextStep presents the Quarantine Poker Tournament on Friday, May 1 at 5 p.m. via Poker Stars. For all the details, visit https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/nextstep-quarantine-poker-tournament/.
Assembly Member Muratsuchi will host a Virtual Town Hall for Small Business Owners on Friday, May 1 at 5:30 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/Muratsuchi.You do not need a Facebook account to view the Town Hall. In order to answer as many questions as possible, please submit your questions on my website at https://a66.asmdc.org/your-questions-about-covid-19-05-01-20 by Noon on Thursday, April 30. I hope you can join us. Sincerely, Al Muratsuchi, Assembly-member, 66th District
Stand Up Records presents a Live Stream of comic Dave Williamson’s Trying My Hardest on Friday, May 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. via Facebook. He’s a dad. He’s a monster. He’s technically a pilot. Hell, he might still be a member of the Scorpions south of 184th Street. He’s doing his best. Dave Williamson is back with his second release from Stand Up! Records, Trying My Hardest, having saved all the best tales of life as a road comic, doting father, and Florida childhood for us. There’s no politicking or misogyny, no aching for a youthful life of physical contact, drugs, and rock-n-roll, Williamson is genuinely joyful as he takes down capitalist Christmas traditions, waxes poetic about learning that good moms are all secret Gs, and wonders if there’s anything more frightening than a gargoyle perched on your toilet, commanding from the darkness, “Wipe. My. Heinie!” He’s left the safety patrol life behind, becoming the try-hard dad who brings orange slices to his own pick-up basketball games and doles out the hard life lessons (for example, it doesn’t matter who you are: if you behave like a six-year-old racist, you’re done having nice things). Yeah, sometimes even when you win, you lose, but from where we’re standing, everything’s coming up Dave Williamson. To watch, visit the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/278221716527982/.
Women’s Voices in Tech will host the Women in Tech Virtual Networking Mixer on Monday, May 4 from 4 to 5 p.m. via Zoom. As with all Women’s Voices in Tech events, this virtual event will bring together some of the most successful, influential, and inspiring women entrepreneurs, and techies in Los Angeles. It’s a great opportunity to expand your professional network. Effective communication in the workplace is of critical importance to your professional image, your contribution to the greater strategy of your company, being recognized for your efforts, and your subsequent advancements and promotions in your industry. Special guest, Gina Razón, Voice and Speech Coach and founder of GROW Voice, will help you get a start at communicating with confidence and conviction. Attendees will be contacted with the Zoom URL for this meeting approximately one hour prior to this event. This event is FREE to attend! For additional information and registration, visit the Eventbrite page at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-in-tech-networking-virtual-learn-to-connect-with-your-shero-voice-tickets-103614331254.
#GivingTuesday, the groundbreaking global generosity movement, announced #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving and unity, will take place on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. #GivingTuesdayNow will mobilize GivingTuesday’s global network of leaders, partners, communities and generous individuals. For all the details, visit https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/givingtuesdaynow-global-day-unity/.

The Torrance Chamber of Commerce will host a Virtual State of Education Address on Wednesday, May 6 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. via Zoom. The event features guest speakers Dr. George Mannon, Superintendent, Torrance Unified School District; Dr. Dena Maloney, Superintendent/President, El Camino College; and Dr. Thomas A. Parham, President, California State University Dominguez Hills. Those who register will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. For additional information and registration, visit the website at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsf–uqjwrHNSbewN2O3wXYhsna7VjOZoP.
Here’s a HEADS-UP on a few events you’ll want to plan for now!
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/walk-life-south-bay/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/not-art-fair/
LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS
• Native Harvest Farmers’ Market now offers FREE delivery in the South Bay. The all new Native Harvest Online Farmers Market features many great items from their local farmers market. They have teamed up with vendors to make this amazing amenity available. Their farm boxes are delivered within 30 hours of being picked at the farm. They strive to get the freshest produce to you as fast as they can. They still encourage everyone to shop at the markets however, they know that during this Pandemic it’s hard for some people to get out and shop. Place all orders by Monday and receive FREE delivery on orders of $30 or more within a 20-mile radius of Torrance. They deliver Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning. To shop and order, visit the website at https://www.nativeharvestevents.com/welcome-to-our-store.
• Riviera Seafood Club continues to offer one pound of fresh, wild caught tuna through April 30. Next month, they’re planning to offer a complimentary pound of Canadian Salmon. YUM! Order $65 worth of items and receive FREE shipping. Visit the website at https://rivieraseafoodclub.com/.
• See’s Candy is now selling online! You can phone-in your orders and pick-up curbside in Torrance at 22724 Hawthorne Boulevard. Call 310-465-1199. Pickup is from noon to 5 p.m.
The City of Torrance now has a vacancy within the City Council. If you are interested in applying to fill this vacancy, please fill out an application at https://files.constantcontact.com/63310378001/e4fa033e-7584-479a-b309-1f99257a3280.pdf. Prior to filling out the application, applicants are advised to review the candidate’s qualifications at https://files.constantcontact.com/63310378001/0ae2e831-0033-405a-967f-a765ad3b599b.pdf.
The Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce is asking the business community to take part in a COVID-19 Business Recovery Survey. Please take time to answer these questions so they can look at and collectively address the most pressing needs of our South Bay businesses and organizations. A significant number of businesses across sectors and industries have been impacted by COVID-19 and banding together to weather the storm and identify collective solutions can have a more meaningful effect. Recovery will not happen all at once or by a specific date, it will come in phases. We have the opportunity now to start planning recovery and coming up with ideas, solutions and best practices that will help our community of businesses and organizations to be ready when the State and County directives to reopen are rolled out. To take the survey, visit https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/covid-19-business-recovery-survey/ and click on the link for the survey.
Award-winning director and philanthropist Elizabeth Blake-Thomas will provide up to 350 jobs to freelance gig workers in the film industry after raising funds for her Project Phoenix pledge campaign, a collaboration with Elizabeth’s film production company, Mother & Daughter Entertainment, with the crowdfunding site Seed & Spark. The campaign will officially launch May 1st, 2020 and will run for 30 days to raise funds. For all the details, visit https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/project-phoenix-provides-new-l-film-jobs/.
Northrop Grumman is pre-screening and hiring United States veterans. The pre-screenings will be by virtual appointment only. The dates to participate in a virtual appointment are Monday, May 4th through Friday May 8th. Candidates should register as soon as possible. Candidates should clearly indicate they are United States veterans on their resume. To register, visit https://ngc.avature.net/events/.

I received this from the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation earlier this week….
Dear TOCA Patron,
For over 25 years, the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation has been proud to bring quality cultural and entertainment events to the South Bay. Events like our Studio Cabaret, Dancing with the South Bay Stars, South Bay’s Got Talent, concerts and special presentations have been entertaining and enlightening local audiences for years. More recently, our South Bay Festival of the Arts has been bringing the arts to families and young people. At a recent Torrance City Council meeting, faced with some very difficult decisions, the council discussed how to remedy their budget shortfall due to the COVID 19 pandemic. One option that has been proposed is to end funding of TOCA. We are very aware of the difficulties they face. Our concern: We, like most local arts organizations live a bare bone existence. Losing our City funding for just one year will mean we can no longer exist. If you would like TOCA to continue its mission, we ask that you let the Torrance City Council know. Tell them how much TOCA means to you and the city, ask them to continue funding TOCA. For contact information, visit https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/toca-funding-risk/.
Same day COVID-19 Tests are now available for all LA County residents showing symptoms. For details, visit https://lacovidprod.service-now.com/rrs.
Exer Urgent Care is now offering an FDA-authorized COVID-19 Antibody Test. They are doing everything possible to meet the needs of the community and now offer an FDA-authorized COVID-19 Antibody Test with results in 24-48 hours at all 16 Exer locations. Get screened today at one of the clinics or online at VirtualCare by Exer at http://exerurgentcare.com/virtualcare-2-2/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoqP9zeqO6QIVkiCtBh39KwC6EAAYASAAEgInYPD_BwE
UPDATED LINKS: The following are South Bay city websites offering information and updates on operations and procedures regarding COVID-19. (I swear, this will be the last week I post these links, so you may want to copy and save them.)
• El Segundo:
https://www.elsegundo.org/our-city/emergency-management/coronavirus-updates-for-the-el-segundo
• Gardena:
https://www.cityofgardena.org/coronavirus-covid-19/
• Hawthorne:
http://www.cityofhawthorne.org/coronavirus
• Hermosa Beach:
https://www.hermosabeach.gov/our-community/quick-links/coronavirus-updates-from-the-cdc
• Lawndale:
http://www.lawndalecity.org/HTML/Coronavirus.html
• Lomita:
https://lomitacoronavirus.info/
• Manhattan Beach:
https://www.citymb.info/services/learn-about/coronavirus
• Palos Verdes Estates:
https://www.pvestates.org/community/information-on-coronavirus
• Rancho Palos Verdes:
https://www.rpvca.gov/1277/Information-on-Coronavirus-COVID-19
• Redondo Beach:
https://www.redondo.org/depts/city_manager/coronavirus_update.asp
• Rolling Hills Estates:
https://www.ci.rolling-hills-estates.ca.us/community/advanced-components/news-list
• Torrance: https://www.cityoftorranceca.com/
The South Bay Show podcast will continue to keep the phones lines open for community members to share information and we encourage everyone to tune in for the latest local news. If you have information you’d like to share, call in to the show at 714-242-5288 every Thursday morning between 8 and 9 a.m. and we’ll get you on the air! Listen to the program live at 8 a.m. or at your leisure at https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/south-bay-news-covid-19-updates-week-7/.
Tomorrow morning on The South Bay Show: Manhattan Beach Chamber 360, our guests will be Ego Alpay and Tom Cocking from Unita Club, a co-working creative workspace, and we’ll discuss the co-working space concept and Project South Bay, a video project the tenants of Unita Clubs in Hermosa, Manhattan Beach, and El Segundo have created as a result of the pandemic. Listen to the program live at 8 a.m. or at your leisure at https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/unita-club-ego-alpay-tom-cocking/.
Stay well, be safe and take care. #SouthBayStrong
Jackie

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