South Bay by Jackie Pandemic Survival Guide May 14, 2020

This week, we have a bit of good news, bad news, more bad news, and some potentially really bad news. This is getting old. I am SO looking forward to the day when I can once again fill these pages with fun, community events.
GOOD NEWS…. Some retail stores opened last week (with restrictions) for the first time in months. Some restaurants are preparing to open for dining service (with restrictions). All county beaches opened on Wednesday (with restrictions). Companies are making plans to get employees back into their offices (with restrictions). LAX announced this week, that all people traveling through L.A. International Airport must wear face coverings. (They’re just getting around to this now???)
BAD NEWS…. No one is discussing it aloud yet, but I can’t imagine there will be any official fireworks this Fourth of July. The beaches, according to the phased plan, should be fully re-opened by then with the usual horde descending on the South Bay, social distancing be damned. Without official firework displays, you know there will be even more illegal pyrotechnics than usual. It is said, nature abhors a vacuum…. well, so does human nature. Remember Newton’s third law of motion? For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction…. and drastic actions produce drastic consequences. Bearing that in mind, maybe government officials at all levels should be required to take a physics class.
MORE BAD NEWS…. I read an Easy Reader article earlier this week that said the beaches should be open for Memorial Day weekend but may be closed for the Fourth of July. (Read the last sentence in the article.) Do the authorities really believe they can keep people off the beaches on the Fourth of July? Can you imagine the show of force it would take to accomplish that? Bearcats on the Esplanade would NOT be a good visual. Should they attempt to enforce such an reckless notion, mark my words, there will be riots. Then again, when you read the REALLY BAD NEWS below, you may decide a revolution is just the thing.
REALLY BAD NEWS…. LA County Public Health Director Dr. Ferrer said the county’s stay-at-home health orders will “with all certainty” be extended for the next 3 months. If any government official believes the citizenry will stand for this, they’ve truly lost their minds. There are already campaigns all over social media encouraging people to ignore the overreaching mandates, open up their businesses and get back to work. I’m aware of a few acts of civil disobedience that may happen as soon as this weekend. (Before any of you shoot me an email declaring I’m instigating civil unrest, let me be clear – that is not my intention. I’m exposing the very possible outcomes and the sentiment behind it.)
Over the course of this week, I went from being happy about the limited good news, to being bummed about not having fireworks, to being shocked about beach closures on the Fourth, to being freaked out about the three-month extension. Then I think about all the seniors that won’t get to go to the prom or experience a graduation ceremony and it just makes me sad. It’s been a rough week. Oh, and today is my birthday. Wow, the hits just keep coming!
One other thing I want to mention….. Beach Cities Health District is providing an invaluable service to our community during this crisis. BCHD has an army of volunteers performing outreach at an unprecedented level. They offer a wide variety of workshops, support groups, physical and mental wellness programs, meal and medicine delivery and more, at no cost to residents. If this current situation has you feeling overwhelmed, please visit the website at https://www.bchd.org/. They are here to help!
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Beach Cities Health District, in partnership with its Student Mental Health Provider Task Force and South Bay Families Connected, is launching the virtual Talk About It Small Group Parent Workshop Series. This series will support families at home as they navigate distance learning and help create balance for students and parents. All workshops will take place on Thursdays from 1 to 2 p.m. Attend one or all of the workshops. This series is FREE and all are welcome.• May 14 -Facilitating Family Connection through Physical Activity• May 21 – Mindfulness for the Family While Safer at Home• May 28 Managing Family Conflict & Creating Balance at HomeFor additional information and registration, visit the website at https://www.bchd.org/beach-cities-community-calendar.
Style on the Spot will host a Happier Hour for Dress for Success on Thursday, May 14 from 4 to 7 p.m. Style on the Spot is excited to partner with Dress for Success to host their first ever virtual fundraiser. It’s going to be a wonderful night with a surprise celebrity guest, amazing speakers, live music, and special activities. There are lots the fabulous giveaways lined up! Attendees will receive a Happier Hour menu the day of the event that will include all the special details of the event and the password to join! Help make an impact by getting together from the safety of our homes. More than 57% of the women Dress for Success serves those who have lost their jobs and are in jeopardy of losing their homes. Help them by getting together online for an evening to make a difference. All proceeds raised from this event will go towards the Dress for Success Moving Forward campaign to help all the women who have been impacted by COVID-19 get back on their feet. Let’s come together to drink, laugh and be happy! Tickets are $10. For additional information and ticket purchase, visit the Eventbrite page at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sos-happier-hour-tickets-103382732536.
El Segundo Museum of Art presents a Virtual Just Draw every Friday in May from 10 to 11 a.m. via Zoom. Join Barbara Boehm for a one-hour workshop designed for adults of all skill levels. Every week there will be a different art challenge.• May 8: Clouds Creature – transform random doodles into magical cloud creatures. You will need paper, a pencil and something to color with, such as a marker, crayon, pastel, etc.• May 15: Cube hosted by artist Helena Park• May 22 and May 29: Collage workshop – make different collages of fantasy interiors, magical creatures, urban landscapes and more. No experience needed. You will need paper, a pencil, scissors, a glue stick or tape, old magazines, newspapers or other printed materials.Join via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/632542879. Share your artwork at @esmoaorg and #JUSTDRAWatESMoA.

The Pregnancy Help Center presents the Virtual Walk for Life South Bay on Saturday, May 16 at 8:30 a.m. THESE ARE CRAA-ZY TIMES! SO THE WALK FOR LIFE SOUTH BAY IS GOING CRAA-ZY AND VIRTUAL! TAKE THE CHALLENGE – 500 CRAZY STEPS FOR LIFE! Since the total cost of care for one woman at the clinic is $500, take 500 Crazy Steps for Life, and submit a one or two-minute video of your best moves. If you’ve raised a minimum of $50, your video will be entered into a contest and a prize winner will be announced on May 16th at 8:30 a.m. at our virtual event. For all the details, visit https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/walk-life-south-bay/.
The Tiger Squadron, wanting to continue their tradition of flying over the Armed Forces Day Parade route, will take to the skies on Saturday, May 16 at 1 p.m. and fly over parts of Torrance. Saturday would have been Torrance’s 61st annual Armed Forces Day Parade and even though the Coronavirus crunched the Parade plans, Military Equipment Exhibits, Armed Forces Day 5K for Freedom, and the Friday-night Military Band Concert, it won’t stop us from showing off our patriotism. Be sure to bring out the flags and let them fly this weekend! They will also fly over Providence Little Company of Mary and Torrance Memorial to pay respect to our Hospital Heroes. Tiger Squadron is a precision Formation Flying Team and Aircraft Display Team based in Torrance. To learn more, visit the website at http://www.tigersquadron.com/.
ShockBoxx will host Not an Art Fair on Saturday, May 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. via Zoom. Every artist dreams of making it big at Art Basel Miami, or Frieze, or LA Art Fair, or The Other Art Fair, or The Start-Up Art Fair, or the SUPERFANCY Art Fair, or the STREET ART Fair, or the Fair Trade Art Fair, or The Art Fair Art Fair, but have you ever been presented with an opportunity to get fired up about attending the first ever, NOT AN ART FAIR? This event is FREE and all are welcome! ZOOM ID: 479-922-3403 Password: 006346. For details, visit the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/201323154278670/.
A Virtual Tour de Pier will take place on Sunday, May 17 from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. via Facebook Live and Zoom. Although the eighth annual Tour de Pier stationary cycling fundraiser (originally scheduled for May 17th) has been postponed to a later date due to COVID-19, the Tour de Pier organizers and its highly motivated supporters will continue the fight to raise money and awareness for cancer research. For the first time, the Tour de Pier will live stream the virtual commemorative show, Fight and Flight hosted by sports broadcaster and Tour de Pier celebrity ambassador, Chris “Geeter” McGee to memorialize the award-winning fundraiser that draws nearly 10,000 in attendance annually. Simultaneously streaming on Facebook Live and Zoom, the virtual show will highlight favorite Tour de Pier moments while celebrating its riders and supporters, and honoring those who have lost the battle to cancer and patients still fighting. Fight and Flight will feature the hit song, “Don’t Give Up on Me” (from the film “Five Feet Apart”) recorded by singer, songwriter and producer Andy Grammer who will make a special appearance. A crowd-pleaser, Fight and Flight will conclude with Tour de Pier’s favorite and most inspirational attraction, a live, choreographed flyover of the iconic Manhattan Beach Pier and Strand by the Tiger Squadron, a precision-formatted flying team of nine aircraft of skilled pilots flying vintage warbirds, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Donations will be accepted on the Tour de Pier’s website, http://www.TourdePier.com that will benefit three cancer charities: the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research; the Cancer Support Community Redondo Beach and the Uncle Kory Foundation for Brain Cancer Research. Since the Tour de Pier’s debut in 2013, it has raised more than $7.3 million for cancer research and public resources. Stay tuned, the Tour de Pier will ride again. Live Stream on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TourDePier/live_videos/ and Zoom at https://bit.ly/TDPFightANDFlight.
Beach Cities Health District, South Bay Families Connected and the Thelma McMillen Center will host Online Families Connected Parent Chat every Monday in May from 9:50 to 10:50 a.m. via Zoom. All South Bay parents are welcome to attend this free, virtual, parent support group. The session will be led by a licensed professional from the Thelma McMillen Center at Torrance Memorial Medical Center and provides an opportunity to discuss shared parenting challenges. No registration is required. For additional information, visit the website at https://www.southbayfamiliesconnected.org.
The Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce will host a Virtual Brunch & Learn on Wednesday, May 20 at 10:30 a.m. Robyn Stein, Director of Business Development at BAMit, will talk about tools that business owners can use to help market their business in the current economy. This event is FREE! ZOOM link will be sent after registration. For additional information and registration, visit the website at https://business.manhattanbeachchamber.com/events/details/virtual-brunch-learn-with-bamit-9735.
Women’s Voices in Tech will host the Women in Tech Virtual Networking on Wednesday, May 20 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! The Special Guest is Venture capital firm, Upfront Ventures. As a startup, connecting with a potential investors is invaluable. If you have a startup and are seeking capital, make plans to attend this special Women’s Voices in Tech event. If you are looking for funding for your project, talk directly with Alice Cheng, Associate at Upfront Ventures. Get the inside scoop on:• What projects Upfront funds• What you need to do to be considered for funding• Investing in these uncertain times• Opportunities for investment post Covid-19• And more!Attendees will be contacted with the Zoom URL for this meeting approximately 1 hour prior to this event. This event is FREE! For additional information and registration, visit the Eventbrite page at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-in-tech-networking-with-special-guest-upfront-ventures-tickets-104168769594.

Here’s a HEADS-UP on a few events you’ll want to plan for now!
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/manhattan-virtual-wine-auction/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/powerful-tools-caregivers-workshop/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/virtual-mindfulness-drop/
A message from Assembly Member Al Muratsuchi…..
Dear South Bay Graduate,
The heartache of knowing that you are not able to have the in-person graduation you deserve is one that no graduating senior or college graduate could ever imagine. Please know that it is devastating to me and to those who lead our coveted school systems as well- your respective school boards and superintendents. I know they are working hard to recognize you and your classmates’ achievements. I trust their judgment when handling academic affairs. I know you recognize that this global pandemic requires many sacrifices. However, we would like to publicly honor your achievements, and celebrate with you. You are invited to join my office’s online hashtag campaign #SouthBayGrad2020. Please share with others. I look forward to celebrating you and your many accomplishments in the weeks to come.
Sincerely, Al Muratsuchi, Assembly Member, 66th District
Business Relief Grant applications will be accepted Wednesday, May 13 at noon until Thursday, May 14 at noon. Businesses with 5 or fewer employees are eligible for up to $5,000. If you own a business with FIVE or fewer employees, you might be eligible for a NEW Small Business Relief Grant Program. The program is offered to small businesses located in Los Angeles County District 4, Supervisor Janice Hahn. Details:• Businesses with FIVE or fewer employees are eligible for up to $5,000!• Business must be located within the District 4 boundaries.• District 4 covers Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and more.• Criteria and required documents will be available when the application opens on Wednesday, May 13th at noon.• Application portal closes, Thursday May 14th at noon.Learn more at http://grants.lacda.org/.
The Manhattan Beach Certified Farmers’ Market re-opened this week and will be open for business every Tuesday hereafter from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Expect so much abundance with spring crops, cherries, berries, citrus, avocados, fresh cut flowers, sustainably raised meats and seafood, dozens and dozens farm fresh eggs, locally pollinated honey, sprouted nuts, nut butters, microgreens, freshly baked breads, pastries, yogurts, quiches, first of the season peaches too! Preorders are available, so visit the website for a complete list and contact info at https://www.downtownmanhattanbeach.com/manhattan-beach-farmers-market. Please note they will be operating a modified market with market hours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For a complete breakdown of safety protocols, visit https://mcusercontent.com/9d2152e7abe1eac6c8b39f364/files/5cc8ae12-99e7-4c4f-98bf-06f12a64d2bb/Safety_Guidelines_MBCFM_.pdf. Market entrance will be at the corner of 13th and Morningside with cloth face coverings required for entry (cloth masks, bandanas, scarfs all work).
Clarification on Open Palos Verdes Trails:• The City of Rolling Hills Estates will allow public access to the hiking trails starting Saturday, May 9. Face coverings and 6-feet social/physical distancing are required.• The City of LA will reopen White Point Nature Preserve trails also on Saturday, May 9. Visitors must adhere to the posted signs and guidelines. Non-compliance may result in trail closures by the City. Check for updates at https://www.laparks.org/park/white-point. The Nature Centers at both locations remain closed until further notice.• All City of Rancho Palos Verdes trails, Nature Preserve areas, and beaches remain CLOSED. The City is finalizing a reopening plan addressing public safety and maintenance actions for trails and beaches with the goal of reopening as soon as possible. For updates, visit http://www.rpvca.gov/1007/Trail-Conditions-Alerts.

Local girl gets some buzz! This piece ran a couple of weeks ago in Buzz Magazine, just in case you missed it! https://www.buzzla.com/interview/meet-jackie-balestra-of-south-bay-by-jackie/?fbclid=IwAR0sE1e5y5mM44EyrHfB80pSo5rqR_XwvpE84B0AlL6K6C1htzpAy-Rh3cs.
Same day COVID-19 Tests are available for all LA County residents (you don’t have to have symptoms). For details, visit https://covid19.lacounty.gov/testing/.
Exer Urgent Care is 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 https://exerurgentcare.com/virtualcare.
CITY UPDATES LINKS: The following are South Bay city websites offering information and updates on operations and procedures regarding COVID-19. (New updates are being issued by individual cities regarding extensions and re-opening plans.)• El Segundo: https://www.elsegundo.org/our-city/emergency-management/corononavirus-updates• 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/
This morning on The South Bay Show: South Bay Spotlight, we have a returning guest, Kerianne Lawson, Chief Programs Officer for Beach Cities Health District, and we’re going to discuss the many programs BCHD is offering in response to the coronavirus pandemic and how this world-wide crisis is affecting our collective mental health. Listen to the program live at 8 a.m. or at your leisure at https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/kerianne-lawson-bchd-chief-programs-officer-2/.
Tomorrow morning on The South Bay Show: Manhattan Beach Chamber 360, our guest will be Robyn Stein, Director of Business Development at BAMit. BAMit is a powerful, free app that brings new business to businesses, great deals and promotions to consumers, and income opportunities for everyone, all with no up-front costs or hidden fees and we’re going to learn a bit more about this local start up. Listen to the program live at 8 a.m. or at your leisure at https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/robyn-stein-bamit/.
Stay well, be safe and take care. #SouthBayStrong

Jackie

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