Jackie's South Bay Weekend Guide

For those of you that missed it, Redondo Beach Patch.com ran a profile article on me and my website earlier this week. They were very kind and I appreciate their help in getting the word out on what my website is all about. You can read it here. You know I always appreciate feedback, so by all means, tell me what you think in the comments section at the end of the article.

File this under: YOU DIDN’T HEAR IT FROM ME! The America’s Cup Trophy – yes, that America’s Cup Trophy – will be visiting the King Harbor Yacht Club on Friday, May 3. There is going to be a special presentation starting at 3 p.m. This event is not open to the public – only members of the KHYC and guests of members will be admitted. So, if you know a member, you need to give them acall and sweet-talk your way into an invitation to see the Oldest Trophy in All Sports!

The Norris Center for the Performing Arts presents the west coast premiere of Real Men Sing Show Tunes…and Play with Puppets! – A New Musical Comedy for Guys Who Hate Musicals and the Women Who Love Them.  This new, adult musical comedy about men is a madcap and hilarious romp through the many stages of manhood. Featuring 29 original songs, the musical pays homage to all things male, lampooning such issues as fatherhood, mid-life crisis, dating, marriage, aging, sex…and the lack thereof. This hysterically funny show makes clever use of puppetry to fill out the cast of zany characters and the puppets are not always G-rated, so audiences should be prepared for some adult humor. The show will run from April 26 through May 12 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $38 per person. The Norris Theater is located at 27570 Norris Center Drive in Rolling Hills Estates. Free parking is available adjacent to the theatre and the facility is wheelchair accessible. For more information and ticket purchase, visit the website at www.norriscenter.com or call (310) 544-0403.

The Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce presents the fifteenth annual Women in Business Conference on Friday, May 3 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Manhattan Beach Marriot. This theme for this year’s conference is Starting, Supporting, Succeeding and aims to educate, empower and inspire female professionals. Breakout Sessions will cover topics such as ‘Succeeding in Male Dominated Industries’, ‘Expanding Your Business with Social Media’ and ‘Branding: You and Your Business’. A dynamic line-up of speakers include Rachel Mumford, Founder of Barry’s Bootcamp; Lindsay Rhodes, Anchor and host of the NFL Network and Kathy Thompson, President and COO of the LA Times among others. A portion of the proceeds from the conference go directly to scholarships for local female high school seniors who are planning to pursue a career in business. For more information and ticket purchase, visit the website at http://www.mbwib.com/. The Manhattan Beach Marriott is located at 1400 Parkview Avenue in Manhattan Beach.

Join the Vanguard crew on Sunday, May 5 for a Cinco De Skate Jam! The event gets underway at 11 a.m. and runs through 6 p.m. and will feature open  sessions, contests, prizes, raffles, giveaways, piñatas and music by DJ Runaway provided by Sol Republic. The first contest will feature groms 10 and under. Anyone that wants to compete should arrive early to enter. Wee Man’s Chronic Tacos will be on site offering food for purchase and will sponsor a taco eating contest. The Vanguard mini ramp/half pipe will be open and skaters will be stoked by the special guests and mystery judges! Waivers are required for all who plan to skate. Make sure you have a waiver on file at the shop or fill one out when you arrive. If you are under eighteen, it needs to be signed by a parent or guardian. Vanguard Surf & Skate Shop is located at 5205 Pacific Coast Highway in Torrance. For additional information, visit the website at http://www.vanguard-sss.com/.

The inaugural Tour de Pier brings one of the hottest indoor fitness activities – stationary cycling – to the Pacific Ocean to raise funds for cancer and children’s charities on Sunday, May 19. Up to 400 stationary bikes will be in front of the Manhattan Beach Pier for this four hour event featuring celebrity athletes and cyclists of all levels. Top instructors from the South Bay’s Spectrum and Fit On Studios will guide riders through one or more 50 minute sessions with energizing music and loads of excitement. The event features Olympic Cyclist Tony Cruz and other top athletes for a fun and philanthropic ride in the sun. In addition to cycling, the event is intended to promote healthy living through a Health & Fitness Expo with food, beverage and product samples and a Kids Fun Zone with games and activities. There are only two days left to register for this unique event. For more information and registration, visit the website at www.tourdepier.com.

Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach offers a Wine Academy the third Thursday of every month but did you know they also offer Wine Academy Extra Credit? Whenever a world-class vintner rolls into town, Shade Hotel owner, Michael Zislis, arranges a special wine tasting. The first of these Extra Credit events takes place Tuesday, May 7, on the rooftop deck from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and will be hosted by Mark Theis, winemaker for Kendall-Jackson; Master Sommelier Larry O’Brien and Shade’s acclaimed Executive Chef Chris Garasic. Presale tickets are $25, at the door, $35. Mix and mingle under the stars as you taste fabulous wines, sample delicious small bites and improve your viticulture knowledge. In addition to racking up those extra credits, guests are invited to join the winemaker for an intimate three-course dinner paired with wines after the Academy for $75, exclusive of tax and gratuity. This special dinner is limited to 18 guests, so if you want in on this, make your reservations now. For more information, visit Zinc’s Facebook page. To make reservations, call 310-469-3466. Shade Hotel is located at 1221 North Valley Drive in Manhattan Beach.

It’s never too early to begin planning for your financial future and you’ll want experienced professionals with a proven track record and flawless reputation on your team. Brigante, Cameron, Watters & Strong, Certified Public Accountants and Consultants, is the largest full-service accounting firm in the South Bay.  BCWS is dedicated to providing professional services of the highest quality and is offering a special promotion for our audience. Mention The South Bay Show or South Bay by Jackie and receive a 10% discount on tax services (new clients only). Give them a call at 310-542-0011 or visit the website at www.bcws.com. April 15 may have come and gone but there’s always next year! 

As always, check the calendar links and ‘Things to Do’ page on my website, www.southbaybyjackie.com, for details on these and other events throughout the South Bay.

On The South Bay Show this morning, Heath Gregory, Craig Hummer and Kristin Conforti filled us in on the Tour de Pier event taking place at the Manhattan Beach Pier on Sunday, May 19. Don’t worry, if you missed it, you can listen to it here: http://southbaybyjackie.com/may-2-2013-heath-gregory-tour-de-pier/.

Have a great South Bay weekend!

Jackie

www.southbaybyjackie.com