South Bay by Jackie Weekend Guide December 20, 2018

I’ve been curating my website for almost eight years and in that time, I’ve identified several recurring social patterns. The most discernable is that the big, community, holiday events are pretty much concluded by December 15 (with the exception of the Hawthorne Winter Wonderland Spectacular tonight). The ten days before Christmas are all about travelling, shopping, cooking, decorating, private parties, being with family and friends. With the obvious exceptions of retail and catering, most businesses experience a respite in the day-to-day workload as well. With only five days to go, it’s time to buckle down. My husband and I bought and decorated the tree last weekend but haven’t had time to put up the outdoor lights - I hope to get that done tomorrow. Since my family lives back east, I finished shopping, wrapping and shipping their gifts weeks ago, so that’s taken care of….. but there’s a pile of gifts stashed in the closet and under the bed that need to be wrapped. We’ll be having Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner at friend’s homes, so no kitchen duty for me - but I can get a little obsessed finding the perfect hostess gifts (if any of you have unique ideas, I’m all ears). Yep, there’s still plenty to accomplish over the next few days…. and it’s so worth the effort! Here’s to a very, merry Christmas!
The City of Hawthorne celebrates the season at the Winter Wonderland Spectacular tonight, Thursday, December 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Memorial Park. It’s a Santa Claus is Coming to Town Countdown! Attendees will enjoy a snow slide and winter play area, carnival games and prizes, inflatables for kids AND adults, photo ops with Santa, hot cocoa and more! The cost is $5 for kids 1 – 11 years old and $7 for kids 12 years and older. For additional information and registration, visit the website at http://www.cityofhawthorne.org/latest-news/. Memorial Park is located at 3901 West El Segundo Boulevard in Hawthorne.
Head to PV Bowl for The Cooler Classix tonight, Thursday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m. Members of The Coolerz and The Classix, two South Bay classic rock bands, will join forces as one band, The Cooler Classix, for one night only. Plan on lots of favorite tunes and dance songs. No cover charge, 21 and over, with a 2-drink minimum. Tons of free parking. For additional information, visit the Facebook event page athttps://www.facebook.com/events/1126399577509400/. PV Bowl Cove Bar is located at 24600 Crenshaw Blvd in Torrance.
The City of Hermosa Beach Parks and Recreation Department presentCommunity Movie Night on Friday, December 21 at 6 p.m. at the Community Theater. Celebrate the start of winter break with a special holiday movie screening of Home Alone starring McCauley Culkin. Rated PG. Light refreshments will be provided. After the movie, take a picture with Santa! Tickets are $10 for 18 and older, $5 for 18 and under. For additional information and ticket purchase, visit the website athttp://www.hermosabch.org/index.aspx?page=20&recordid=5815. The Community Theater is located at 710 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.

Dance West Dance Studio and the Metropolitan Ballet Company presentThe Nutcracker on Saturday, December 22 and Sunday, December 23 at the James Armstrong Theater. There will be two shows daily at 2 and 7 p.m. Relive the classic story of Clara and Fritz as they dream of a land of magic. Revolving around Clara’s broken, and then magically repaired nutcracker, an evening of delight and ballet ensue with familiar favorites brought to life by this special company of dancers. Tickets are $17.50 and $19.50. For additional information, call 310-781-7171 or visit the website at https://torrancearts.org/. The James Armstrong Theater is located at 3330 Civic Center Drive in Torrance.
The Manhattan Beach Glowtide 5K takes place on Saturday, December 22 at 5:30 p.m. beneath the lights of the Manhattan Beach Pier. Run, walk, or baby jog along the sea under the FULL MOON! Celebrate the holidays at the most unusual running event in LA. The entire course will be lit by glow sticks to guide you. Bring the whole family, then stay and play at the many fine bars and restaurants in downtown Manhattan Beach. You won’t find anything else like it! Kids can do the 5K or compete in the Little Elves Dash after the 5K. Adults have a chance to watch the youngsters race up and down at age appropriate distances. Cool awards and a chance to stand on the podium to the top five in the following divisions: 2 and under, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12. Glow necklaces and beachy t-shirts are guaranteed to all pre-registered runners and to late registrants while supplies last. Unique Wooly Hat Awards will go to the top 5 and a chance to stand on the podium in all 28 age divisions. The kid’s races have the same cool awards as the adults! The schedule is as follows:
5K Run/Walk starts at 5:30pm (all ages)
Elves Dash 1K 6:20pm (age 7-12)
Little Elves 400m 6:25pm (age 3-6)
Crawlers 50m 6:30pm (age 2 and under)
Packet pick up and late registration is Friday, December 21 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Village Runner located at 1840 Sepulveda Boulevard, Manhattan Beach, 90266 and from 3 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. at the Manhattan Pier on race day. Registration is $40 for the 5K and $30 for the kid’s races. For additional information and registration, visit the website athttps://racewire.com/register.php?id=9942. The event starts underneath the Manhattan Beach Pier at the end of Manhattan Beach Boulevard.
Smokin’ Smitty & the Masters of Music are celebrating the season with aChristmas Jam on Saturday, December 22 starting at 9 p.m. at the Bull Pen. The Masters of Music is an all-star band of musicians who have played or recorded with, some of the top acts in the music business including Earth Wind & Fire, The Commodores, Ike & Tina Turner, James Brown, Bo Diddly, Robert Daltry, George Clinton and many more. They’ll keep you on your feet all night long, so be sure to wear your dancin’ shoes! For additional information, visit the website athttp://www.thebullpenredondo.com/. The Bull Pen is located at 314 Avenue I in Redondo Beach.
The monthly Torrance Antique Street Faire takes place on Sunday, December 23 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event features 200+ sellers offering antiques, collectibles, vintage clothes, jewelry, LP’s, toys, tools, plants, home decor and more. Have your antiques appraised for only $3, enjoy a free crafting activity with Karen’s Krafts 4 Kids and live music. Rain or shine, free admission and pet friendly! For additional information, call (310) 328-6107 or visit the website at http://www.torranceantiquefaire.com/. The Torrance Antique Street Faire is located at 1317 Sartori Avenue in downtown Torrance.

The Rotary Clubs of Torrance-Del Amo, South Bay Sunrise and West Torrance are sponsoring a Blood Drive on Sunday, December 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the YMCA of Torrance. Did you know that one pint of blood can save three lives?!? Give the gift of life this holiday season. You can stop by or register at http://www.redcrossblood.org. The YMCA is located at 2900 Sepulveda Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90505.
Here’s a HEADS-UP on a few events you’ll want to plan for now!
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/midnight-in-macau/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/countdown-to-carnival/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/hermosa-beach-new-years-eve-celebration/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/new-years-eve-hey-19/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/new-years-eve-ball/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/first-fridays/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/fishtivities-sea-lab/
This event listing is current as of yesterday, but new events are posted EVERY DAY! Check the website for updates athttp://www.southbaybyjackie.co... for details on these and other events happening throughout the South Bay.
With the exception of the Lomita/PV Santa Sleigh Tour, I believe all the others have concluded, but there may be a couple of make-up nights due to the rain, so check with the host organization. Click on the links to view the Santa Float/Sleigh schedules.
Redondo Beach: https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/redondo-beach-santa-sleigh-tour-2/
Torrance: https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/torrance-santa-float-schedule/
Manhattan Beach: https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/manhattan-beach-santa-float-schedule/
Hermosa Beach: https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/hermosa-beach-santa-sleigh-ride-schedule/
Lomita/Palos Verdes: https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/lomita-and-rancho-palos-verdes-santa-sleigh-tour/
Free Holiday Parking:
Hermosa Beach: November 27 - December 25
Manhattan Beach: November 28 - December 26
Riviera Village: December 8 – January 1
Redondo Pier: December 8 - January 1

If you've never had a Ragin Cajun deep fried turkey, you don't know what you're missing. We ordered one for Thanksgiving and it was the best we've ever had!

The City of Redondo Beach wants your input for the General Plan Land Use Survey! Over the past year, the City’s General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) has been working hard reviewing materials and discussing various issues related to the General Plan Update. 27 GPAC members were appointed by the Mayor and City Council and represent a diverse spectrum of community interests. The GPAC’s role is to review background information and other materials and provide guidance to City staff and the General Plan consultant team related to potential changes to the General Plan document on behalf of the community. As a critical component of the General Plan Update process input is needed from the community. For example, prior community surveys have asked for feedback on topics such as the Draft 2040 General Plan Vision Statement, Parks and Open Space, and Hazard Mitigation. The GPAC needs to hear from the community again! The GPAC wants feedback from the public concerning the future plan options of key focus areas of the City. This survey identifies the areas that the GPAC would like more input on before they make official recommendations to decision makers about proposed changes. The survey you are about to take is advisory in nature. Any decisions related to land use and the General Plan will be reviewed and determined during future public hearings with the Planning Commission and City Council and will ultimately require a public vote for adoption after action by City Council [Measure DD/ Article 27 of the City’s Charter]. This survey will remain open until January 17, 2019. You can opine athttps://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RBlanduse.
This morning on The South Bay Show: South Bay Spotlight, our guests are Jeffrey Scott, Judith Burke, Julie Donovan and Wendy Metcalf. Some of you will recognize these names because, beginning thirty years ago, several of our guests had shops in Riviera Village next door to each other on Catalina Avenue. Do you remember Mixt and Jeffrey Scott and Wrapsody? Well, THEY’RE BACK! They’ve migrated to Palos Verdes and are now known as The Collective at Malaga Cove. So, this morning, we’re going to catch up with old friends and learn what’s in store! Don’t worry, if you missed the show, you can listen anytime athttps://www.southbaybyjackie.com/collective-malaga-cove/. Tune in every Thursday at 8 a.m. to keep up with what’s going down throughout in the South Bay!
Tomorrow morning on The South Bay Show: Manhattan Beach Chamber 360, our guests will be Richard Ely and his daughter Heather Ely Miller. Richard Ely and his partner Tim Smartt have owned the plot of land at 10th Street & Sepulveda Boulevard in Manhattan Beach for 75 years. To commemorate their 75th anniversary, Richard and Tim recently commissioned artist Kevin Anderson, to paint a beautiful mural on the north facing side of the building. The mural depicts the Manhattan Beach Pier and captures the essence of life in Manhattan Beach. So, we’re going to have a little local history lesson and learn about the mural which was celebrated with a Ribbon Cutting this past Wednesday, December 19. Listen to the podcast live at 8 a.m. or anytime athttps://www.southbaybyjackie.com/sepulveda-mural/. Tune in every Friday morning and discover what’s happening in Manhattan Beach!
Merry Christmas everybody and have a fabulous South Bay weekend!
Jackie
http://www.southbaybyjackie.com