South Bay by Jackie Weekend Guide Pandemic Survival April 16

If you had signed up for AlertSB, you’ve probably noticed no new alerts have been issued since last week. (Every time I receive one, I think, oh geez, what are they closing now?) So, I guess that’s good news… but now we’re in a holding pattern, waiting for the go-ahead from the powers that be to pick up the pieces of our lives and livelihoods. It can be confusing trying to figure out which government entity we should comply with – the feds say one thing, county says another and locals say something else. While the President and Governors debate over who’s in charge of re-opening the country and getting the economy back on track, I’m leaning toward those decisions being made on a hyper-local level. Every community is unique – what works for one, won’t work for another – and some politician sitting in Washington DC or Sacramento is clueless as to the consequences their decrees will have. Can our local city councils make decisions in the best interest of their communities without reprisal from the feds or state? I have no idea… but in this specific case, it makes more sense to have those decisions come from the bottom up. Think about it…. at this point, every savvy business owner has had a month to figure out how to reopen while keeping staff and customers safe and making enough of a profit to pay rent, salaries and other bills. Maybe it’s time for our local government representatives to sit down with business owners and figure out a template to make it work.
The City of Hermosa Beach will host a Virtual Swearing in Ceremony & Community Watch Party today, Thursday, April 16 at 10 a.m. Due to the current Stay at Home orders, this is the best way to welcome Hermosa Beach’s new Chief of Police. To view the Watch Party, visit the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/225281665224689/.
The Point will host The Beatbuds Cyber Jam today, Thursday, April 16 from 11 to 11:40 a.m. on Instagram. With children stuck at home, and schools across the nation closed, amid the coronavirus pandemic, The Point in El Segundo has transformed its extremely popular outdoor Kids Club to a cyber jam with The Beatbuds. With hopes of inspiring and entertaining one another during this crisis, The Point will host a free Instagram live takeover and kids of all ages are invited to tune in for a forty-minute jam session with The Beatbuds. The Beatbuds, who are signed by Justin Biebers’ manager Scooter Braun, create children’s music with a contemporary sound that the whole family can enjoy. Through their catchy tunes and interactive performance, the ‘Buds create a musical universe that guarantees children an educational and entertaining introduction to music! Leading up to the Live Virtual Kids Club, families will have a chance to WIN a $100 Rabbit Ladders Gift Card by posting the flyer and tagging @ThePointSB on their Instagram account. One lucky winner will be selected and announced at 11:30 a.m. during the live cyber jam out. For additional information, visit the website at https://thepointsb.com/2020/02/06/the-beatbuds-cyber-jam/. Tune in at The Point Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/thepoint_sb/.
Assembly Member Al Muratsuchi will host a Virtual Town Hall today, Thursday, April 16 at 2 p.m. on Facebook. During this unprecedented time, South Bay leaders believe it is important that you hear from them and provide you with the information and access to resources. To assist the constituents of the South Bay, Congressman Ted Lieu, Senator Ben Allen, and Assembly Member Al Muratsuchi are hosting a Virtual Town Hall on Thursday, April 16, at 2 p.m. They want to make sure you have an opportunity hear from your state and federal leaders and have your questions answered. The Town Hall will be hosted on the Assembly Member’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Muratsuchi. You do not need a Facebook account to view the Town Hall.
The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Virtual Business Forum today, Thursday, April 16 from 2 to 3 p.m. Designed to assist small businesses impacted by COVID-19, this virtual forum features representatives from federal, county and city providing the most up to date information. Forum Panelists include:
• City of Torrance – Fran Fulton, Economic Development Manager
• Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation – Judy Kruger, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, Barbara Levine, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives
• South Bay Workforce Investment Board – Chris Cagle, Regional Affairs Manager, Catherine Blaylock, Contract Manager & Rapid Response Coordinator, Robert Chavez, Operations Manager
• El Camino College Small Business Development Center – Starleen Van Buren, Director
• US Chamber of Commerce – Vartan Djihanian, Manager, Western Region, Congressional and Public Affairs Division
• Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce – Donna Duperron, President & CEO, Commerce
This forum is limited to the first 100 attendees to register. To register, visit the website at http://www.TorranceChamber.com/Forum4Biz. A Zoom link will be sent out the day of the forum.

Classical Crossroads presents a Streamed-as-Live Concert with Trio Zadig on Saturday, April 18 at 3 p.m. Founded in 2014, Trio Zadig gained critical praise for their impressive 11 international competition prizes, including First Prize at the FNAPEC Competition and Second Prize at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition in the U.S. The Zadig Trio is currently in-residence at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Belgium. Friendship is at the core of the Zadig Trio’s strength and authenticity. Violinist Boris Borgolotto and cellist Marc Girard Garcia are childhood friends who studied together at the Paris Conservatoire National de Musique and at the University of Music in Vienna. Upon their return to France, they crossed paths with Ian Barber, an American pianist from the renowned studio of André Watts at the University of Indiana. With a strong desire to unite their talents, they found the Zadig Trio. To watch the live stream, visit https://vimeo.com/361378944.
Brian Evans, Certified Business Coach will host Monday Morning Java, a weekly, hour-long, facilitated, open-forum-style offering for entrepreneurs, business owners and nonprofit leaders from 9 to 10 a.m. every Monday (April 20) via Zoom. Participants will talk business strategies, networking/partnerships, and inspiration for any industry – and for any business large or small – in a fun, casual, lightly-structured virtual lounge setting. No RSVP is required, simply drop in and receive the support you need (and/or offer your support to others.) Live via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/2132807371. Please circulate the invitation to others in your networks – especially those who might be feeling a bit uncertain how to survive this crisis!
Beach Cities Health District, South Bay Families Connected and the Thelma McMillen Center will host Online Families Connected Parent Chat every Monday (April 20) from 9:50 to 10:50 a.m. via Zoom. All South Bay parents are welcome to attend this free, virtual, parent support group. No registration is required. For additional information, visit the website at https://www.southbayfamiliesconnected.org.
Looking to stay active and healthy from the comfort of your home? Beach Cities Health District’s Center for Health & Fitness is offering FREE Virtual Exercise Classes Monday through Friday for the entire month of April via Zoom. For the full schedule, visit the website at https://www.beachcitiesgym.org/classes. To learn how to join a virtual group exercise class, visit https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-Meeting.
Don’t forget about The Great American Take-Out, locally referred to as Take-Out Tuesdays! America’s restaurants are in crisis. The coronavirus poses a significant threat to the future of an industry that employs more than 15 million Americans. Everyone is encouraged to support local restaurants and their employees by ordering at least one delivery or pick-up meal each week. (I know so many people that are doing way more than that! They’re ordering delivery or take-out almost every night! Kudos to those who use their ovens for storage and stove tops as display areas! You know who you are!)
Like most non-profit arts organizations, the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation (TOCA) has been hit pretty hard by the current Covid-19 pandemic. They had to postpone nine (9) performances and the annual fundraising event is in question leaving them to have to scramble for other possible fundraising events… then they had an idea. As you probably know by now, one of TOCA’s favorite events is South Bay’s Got Talent. For the last 6 years, young performers would audition for their chance to win a scholarship to the World Championships of the Performing Arts. Just last year, they added an additional cash prize to the top three performers… not to mention the Judge’s Favorite Awards that are given out by the amazing panel of judges. While TOCA still plans to hold the annual South Bay’s Got Talent event during the 2020/2021 season, they thought that since there are so many folks at home, that it might be a nice diversion to have a virtual edition of the event. Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the Virtual SBGT Audition. They are asking performers of all ages to submit a video of them performing their routine/song/number. They will put them up on the website so people can vote for their favorite. The three performers with the most votes will move on to the live performance and their chance to win up to $500. For details on how it works and to submit a video, visit https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/virtual-south-bays-got-talent-2/.
The Torrance Art Museum doors may be closed to the public at the moment, but they’re busy with several special projects on the website and social media to keep you entertained, educated and engaged in the weeks ahead. Check out the artsy options at https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/torrance-art-museum-online-projects/.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy wants you to honor Earth Day’s 50th Anniversary (April 22) with these five ways to make the world a greener place.
• Switch from using plastic straws and disposable bottles. Get a reusable straw in stainless steel, glass, or bamboo to use instead of wasteful plastic straws. Invest in a water filter and reusable water bottle(s). Extra bonus: it’s cheaper in the long run.
• Plants indigenous to the Palos Verdes Peninsula use a minimum of water and need no pesticides or herbicides. In your home garden they will help provide food, shelter, and nesting areas for local pollinators. This will help to increase biodiversity providing important functions for the environment such as cleaning the air and controlling erosion.
• Save Water in a Rain Barrel. Conserve water and reduce runoff by installing a rain barrel. It is one of the simplest and most effective methods of helping our planet. It can help save money on municipal water bills and also reduce erosion and flooding caused by turbulent stormwater runoff. The captured water can be used for the garden or houseplants and much more.
• Share Your Love of Nature. Volunteers help improve the quality of habitat to better support wildlife by engaging in habitat restoration projects which include seeding and planting native species along with invasive plant control. Ongoing solo and family volunteers can “Adopt-a-Plot” for the stewardship of independent restoration projects even during this time of social distancing.
• Take Action & Challenge your friends. Do your part to get your friends involved in Earth Day activities by issuing a challenge. Suggest sharing eco-friendly tips, this wish list of needed supplies or fund raise online to help the Conservancy preserve and restore precious coastal lands in the South Bay.
Here’s a HEADS-UP on a few events you’ll want to plan for now!
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/state-of-the-state/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/free-virtual-parent-workshop-families-connected-speaker-series/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/beachlife-speakeasy-live-stream/
MORE LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS!
• The Hook & Plow in Redondo is giving away a FREE roll of toilet paper with every take-out offer.
• Bella Beach Kids has relaunched their website and is offering store curb-side pick-up, shipping to anywhere in the US, Virtual Face Time shopping appointments, and local free delivery. They are also currently running a 20% coupon – use the code LOVE20 - and they've just started carrying Kids and Adult washable face masks on the website. The kids come in 2 sizes (3-6 years and 6+) and one Adult size.
If you feel like taking a drive, stop by the Homechella & Stagecouch installations in El Segundo. The installation is presented by LAB Creative Designs to brighten your day! *DRIVE BY ONLY* They say to drive by at night because it’s lit up and looks really cool! Stay safe and enjoy! Located in the 100 block of Virginia Street near Chevron in El Segundo.
Last week The Easy Reader laid off the entire staff but continues to publish the free weekly paper. They will publish a limited run each week available only at certain locations. There will be no home delivery. Locations where the paper will be delivered are posted at https://easyreadernews.com/.
The City of Redondo Beach has enacted Mask Requirements due to COVID-19. The Redondo Beach City Manager has issued the attached order effective midnight on April 10 and is summarized as follows.
1. Workers at establishments including supermarkets, pharmacies, dry cleaners and other retail establishments must wear face coverings that cover their noses and mouths while performing work.
2. Workers who provide services including delivery, maintenance, construction and other services must wear face coverings that cover their noses and mouths while performing work in the company of others.
3. All customers and visitors to stores, business and services must wear face coverings while at the store or business or while receiving these services.
The face coverings are not required to be medical grade masks and they may be fabric coverings including bandanas and scarves. This order shall remain in effect until April 24, 2020 at 12 a.m. The face covering requirements are subject to further extension if conditions warrant. (This is the first notice I’ve received but I imagine other cities will follow suit.)

In response to small businesses affected by COVID-19, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has created the Small Business Recovery Loan Program, administered by the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA). For details, visit https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/la-county-launches-new-small-business-recovery-loan-program/.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the lead agency for the COVID-19, is testing at the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach. These tests are free of charge. To determine eligibility and schedule a COVID-19 test, visit the website at https://lacovidprod.service-now.com/rrs.
UPDATED LINKS: The following are South Bay city websites offering information and updates on operations and procedures regarding COVID-19.
• 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/ (This is a temporary website.)
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!
Apologies for the duplicate information. Likewise, as mentioned last week, most events are still being planned only days in advance, but we’re posting all event info to the website as soon as we receive it.
Stay well, be safe and take care. #SouthBayStrong
Jackie
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/