South Bay by Jackie Weekend Guide November 28, 2019

Doesn’t it feel like 2019 is flying by? Here we are celebrating Thanksgiving and I’m thinking, weren’t we all just at BeachLife Festival, like, a couple of months ago??? That’s the thing – here in the South Bay, we move through the seasons delighting and participating in our annual traditions and community events, and before you know it, POOF, a whole new year is upon us. I want to wish each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving and hope you get to celebrate this most wonderful American holiday surrounded by those you hold close. Let the feasting begin!!!

This is where EVERYBODY will be this morning….. The City of Torrance presents the annual Torrance Turkey Trot today, Thursday, November 28. A time-honored tradition here in the South Bay, the annual Harry Sutter Memorial Thanksgiving Day 3 Mile Fun Run – aka Turkey Trot – gets under way at 8 a.m. at Sam’s Club in Torrance. All registered participants will receive a commemorative Turkey Trot shirt. The Village Runner and other sponsors will be providing great prizes for the after-race raffle. The City of Torrance invites runners and spectators to bring a can of food for a special Thanksgiving Food Drive. While you run or watch, the canned foods will be distributed to people in need throughout the South Bay. Registration is $25/$30/$35 and all runners must be registered. For additional information and registration, visit the website at https://www.torranceca.gov/our-city/citywide-special-events/turkeytrot. Sam’s Club is located at 2601 Skypark Drive in Torrance.
Several years ago, REI decided spending time outdoors is more important than spending time shopping on Black Friday, so they give their employees the day off to #OptOutside. We spend the majority of our time staring at screens… heck, you’re on one right now. But what if we looked up rather than down? Felt the cool breeze rustling through the trees rather than the cold slickness of our screens? More and more studies show the value of spending time outside. Not necessarily major excursions, but small jaunts to your local park, beach or wilderness area. The South Bay has miles of beach and hiking trails and there are all sorts of ways to get on the water: paddle boarding, sailing, kayaking, surfing, outrigging, pedal boating and more! To learn more about the benefits of being outdoors, visit the REI website at https://www.rei.com/blog/news/a-dose-of-the-outdoors.
If you have family or friends visiting for the holiday, enjoy some leftovers and then treat them to this fun, nostalgic excursion….. The Roadium Open Air Market presents Drive-In Movie Nights this fall and winter. The Roadium is reviving its classic 1950’s drive-in for a one-of-a-kind movie-going experience. On select Friday nights, guests can enjoy a great film in this throwback retro setting, along with food trucks, concessions, and more. The schedule is as follows:11/29/19 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (original)12/10/19 Elf12/27/19 The Karate Kid01/31/20 Toy Story 102/28/20 UpGates open at 6:30 p.m. with the movie starting at sundown. Admission is $20 per car. For additional information, visit the website at http://roadium.com/. The Roadium Open Air Market is located at 2500 West Redondo Beach Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90504.

Saturday, November 30 is Small Business Saturday! With the holidays just around the corner, this is the perfect opportunity to make a dent in that shopping list while supporting local merchants. Approximately 83 cents of every dollar spent locally stays within the community and supports everything from school sports to infrastructure improvements. The South Bay has numerous retail districts which are home to a vast assortment of shops, services and dining establishments, including Riviera Village, Downtown El Segundo, Downtown Manhattan Beach, Artesia Boulevard, Downtown Hermosa, El Porto and more. You really can find everything you need right around the corner! This season, shop local and keep those all-important tax dollars in the neighborhood!
Stop by Common Space Brewery for Small Business Saturday on Saturday, November 30 from noon to 6 p.m. The event features 15 local vendors. Shop small. Shop local. Get all your holiday shopping done while sipping a beer – or two. This event is FREE to attend and family friendly! For additional information, visit the website at https://www.commonspace.la/events/shop-small. Common Space Brewery is located at 3411 West El Segundo Boulevard, Hawthorne, CA 90250.
The Manhattan Beach Kiwanis will host the annual Breakfast with Santa on Sunday, December 1 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Joslyn Center. This is a great opportunity to get your Holiday photos with Santa on the famous Manhattan Beach Santa Float. You can either take your own photos or use the services of professional photographers. Either way, Christmas is just around the corner and Kiwanis MB wants to help you start checking things off of your list. In addition to a yummy pancake breakfast and DJ Rob Christie, there will be games and face painting for the kids, a ‘Letters to Santa’ table and the Manhattan Beach Santa Float will be available to take photos for your holiday cards. Don’t miss this great family kick-off to the holiday season! Presale tickets are $10, day of $12 – children under 5 eat for free. For additional information and ticket purchase, visit the Eventbrite page at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mb-kiwanis-annual-pancake-breakfast-with-santa-tickets-80616067829?aff=eac2. The Joslyn Center is located at 1601 North Valley Drive in Manhattan Beach.
Senior Comedy Afternoons presents Happy Jolly Holidays on Sunday, December 1 at the Proud Bird. This show is for anyone looking for a great afternoon full of laughs, a delightful lunch and a chance to socialize. Doors open at noon, a 3-course served luncheon starts at 12:30 and the show starts at 1:30. Post show plane tours will take place at 3:15 p.m. The lineup includes comedians Danny Villapando, Jann Karam and Mark Schiff. The event also features music and dancers, a senior mini-expo, free parking, birthday celebrations and surprises. Tickets are $75 and include the lunch, the show, taxes and tip. Show only tickets are $40. Senior Comedy Afternoons loves celebrating birthdays so don’t’ forget to mention it when purchasing tickets. Tickets are available online at http://www.seniorcomedyafternoons.com or by calling 714.914.2565. Buy a table of 8 get a group discount of $5 off each ticket. For additional information, contact Bonnie Barchichat at 714-914-2565 or via email at bonnie@seniorcomedyafternoons.com. The Proud Bird is located at 11022 Aviation Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
You can walk, bike, scoot or drive through the neighborhood, but be prepared to have your patience tested. Car traffic is controlled at the entry points and the back up can be tedious….. Taking place for over 40 years, the Sleepy Hollow Christmas Lights Extravaganza (also known as Candy Cane Lane) is one of the largest holiday decorations displays in the country. Revel in the sights, sounds and scents of the season. It’s a wonderful way to spend the evening and one the entire family will enjoy and remember for years to come. The wildly extravagant decorations are on display from December 1 through January 1 from about 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Insider Tip: Plan to arrive at sunset on a weeknight, enjoy dinner at one of the nearby restaurants, like Hey 19, and then go see the decorations. You don’t want to miss this! For additional information and directions, visit the website at http://www.yelp.com/biz/sleepy-hollow-christmas-lights-torrance.

Monday, December 2 is Cyber Monday and if you do any shopping online, this is the day to take advantage of incredible savings. Most sites will be offering FREE shipping and all sorts of discounts – 40%, 50%, 60% and more off merchandise. This could be the day we BREAK THE INTERNET!!!
The Manhattan Beach Santa Float will be making the rounds of Manhattan Beach over the next couple of weeks! The neighborhood routes generally start at 4:45 p.m., but check the times at the link below as there are some variations. The sleigh will tour a different neighborhood for fifteen nights (excluding weekends), from Monday, December 2 through Friday, December 20. Santa should be able to complete each nightly route before the kiddies go to bed, so get those lists ready! The Manhattan Beach Santa Float is led by the Kiwanis Club of Manhattan Beach, and is staffed each night by a different community organization. There is no charge to visit the Santa Float on its nightly routes. You can see where the float is in real time by viewing the LIVE SANTA TRACKER at http://www.manhattanbeachsantafloat.com/santa-tracker/. To view the route map, visit https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/manhattan-beach-santa-float-schedule/.
Tuesday, December 3 is Giving Tuesday, a day recognized around the world to giving back. On this day families, businesses, community groups and students will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give. It’s a simple idea. Just find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization to come together to give something more. Then tell everyone you can about how you are giving. Be part of the global celebration of a new tradition of generosity! The South Bay has so many incredible service and non-profit organizations that can use your help, so let’s keep it local! TIP: The Volunteer Center in Torrance works with numerous local non-profits that can use your help. Visit the website at https://www.volcenter.org/. For additional information, visit the website at http://www.givingtuesday.org/.
Torrance Memorial Medical Center presents the annual Holiday Festival Tuesday, December 3 through Sunday, December 8. The event features themed, decorated trees, live entertainment, holiday boutique, opportunity drawing, children’s activities, food court and special ticketed events: Fashion Show $150 (12/3), Festival Gala $325 (12/6) and Lunch with Santa $20 (12/8). The hospital invites seniors and those with special needs to view the trees in a relaxed environment free of charge from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, and Thursday, Dec. 5. During those hours a Senior Marketplace will offer stocking stuffers mostly under $5. Non-profit and community service group members are invited to the Festival at a special admission price of $2 in honor of their service on Thursday, Dec. 5, from 4 to 9 p.m. On this day, community service group members are asked to show their pride and wear apparel representing their organization. On Saturday, Dec 7, the Torrance Fire and Police Department will be collecting unwrapped new toys at the tent for the Toys for Tots Drive. Anyone bringing a toy with a value of $5 or more will be given free admission between 2 to 6 p.m. Fire trucks and police vehicles will also be on hand for kids to climb on and sit inside. The community is invited to have Lunch with Santa on Sunday, December 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. where they can enjoy face painting, crafts, elves and photos with Santa (bring your own camera). Attendees also receive admission to the Holiday Festival tent. Lunch with Santa will take place at the Hoffman Health Conference Center. Admission is $20 and a reservation is required. Proceeds from the event benefit construction of the Hunt Cancer Center, a two-story facility that will host all of Torrance Memorial’s existing cancer treatment services in one location, in addition to clinical research trials in partnership with Cedars-Sinai. Attendance during any of the public exhibit hours contributes to the event’s fundraising goals. General admission is $5. Children age 5 and under are free. For additional information and ticket purchase, call 310-517-4606 or visit the website at https://www.torrancememorialfoundation.org/holiday-festival. The Holiday Festival events take place in the parking lot at Medical Center Drive and Skypark Drive in Torrance.

The City of Gardena presents the annual Winter Wonderland & Tree Lighting on Tuesday, December 3 from 4 to 9 p.m. at City Hall Plaza. The community is invited to put on mittens and scarves and play in the snow park! Take pictures with Santa, enjoy a snack bar, arts and crafts, s’mores, hot chocolate and more. The tree lighting will take place at 6 p.m. with a very special guest. For additional information, visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Gardena-Events-164559780259812/. City Hall Plaza is located at 1670 West 162 Street, Gardena, CA 90247.
Everyone is invited to the annual Sleepy Hollow Christmas Lights Fun Run on Tuesday, December 3 at 6:30 p.m. Runners will meet up at the nearby Starbucks. It’s a great opportunity to get in the holiday spirit while burning a few calories! The group will run through the Sleepy Hollow neighborhood of Torrance to view the Christmas Lights Extravaganza. There will be hundreds of cars along the route taking in the wildly extravagant decorations so participants should take precautions and wear something reflective, or better yet, maybe a strand or two of flashing lights! Bring the holiday cheer and don’t forget the camera. This is a FREE event and no registration is required. Just show up! For additional information, visit https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/sleepy-hollow-christmas-lights-fun-run/. Starbucks is located at 5035 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance, CA 90505 (PCH & Calle Mayor).
Here’s a HEADS-UP on a few events you’ll want to plan for now!
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/el-segundo-holiday-open-house/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/el-segundo-chamber-holiday-mixer/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/lomita-and-rancho-palos-verdes-santa-sleigh-tour/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/riviera-village-holiday-stroll-redondo-beach/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/holiday-aesthetics-event/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/women-in-tech/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/sandpipers-holiday-homes-tour/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/lawndale-angel-tree-lighting/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/lomita-holiday-tree-lighting/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/riviera-village-first-friday/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/john-tesh-acoustic-christmas/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/peninsula-cars-coffee-2/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/seaside-heroes-park-community-beautification-event/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/first-saturday-sweep/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/sounds-of-the-season-2/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/tam-special-exhibitions/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/christmas-boutique/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/gingerbread-house-workshop-scbg/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/el-segundo-holiday-parade/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/manhattan-beach-holiday-fireworks/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/holiday-tree-lighting-terranea/
This event listing is current as of yesterday, but new events are posted EVERY DAY! Check the website for updates at http://www.southbaybyjackie.com for details on these and other events happening throughout the South Bay.

To help you stay local and enjoy all of the festive events Hermosa Beach has to offer, the City of Hermosa Beach is offering FREE On-Street Parking in the commercial areas (at marked meters). This year’s holiday parking program began Wednesday, November 27 and will last through Wednesday, December 25. Shop, eat and entertain locally in Hermosa Beach with family and friends this holiday season!
The Redondo Beach Library offers a variety of activities for all ages including music, writing, dance, language, reading, crafts and more. A few require registration but all of them are FREE! Check out what’s on tap for December at https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/redondo-beach-library-activities-2/. For updated information, visit the website at http://www.redondo.org/library.
The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy offers a calendar full of special activities and monthly events. One of the South Bay’s best kept secrets is the surprising amount of natural habitat to be found in the area and it is the mission of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy to “preserve land and restore habitat for the enjoyment and education of all.” Take a look at what’s happening in December at https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/palos-verdes-peninsula-land-conservancy-activities/. For additional information and registration, visit the website at https://pvplc.org/ or call (310) 541-7613.
The South Bay Show is on hiatus this week for the holiday but we’ll be airing reruns of some of the most recent podcasts. It’s a terrific opportunity to catch up on the latest and greatest happenings in the South Bay! You can listen to the archived podcasts at https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/blog-talk-radio.php.
Happy Thanksgiving everybody and have a fabulous South Bay weekend!
Jackie

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