South Bay Weekend Guide November 24, 2016

I’ve mentioned before that Thanksgiving and the 4th of July are my favorite holidays….. maybe, because they’re uniquely American; maybe, because they revolve around family, friends and food; maybe, because it’s not about how much we spend; maybe, because I only cook a whole turkey and fried chicken once each year; maybe, because they both exemplify our desire for independence and freedom; maybe, because they remind us how much we have to be grateful for? It’s all of that….AND, it’s a four day weekend! Today, we give thanks.

You still have time to get out there…..The City of Torrance presents the annual Torrance Turkey Trot today, Thursday, November 24. 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 – including mountain bikes! – 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. For additional information and to obtain an entry form, visit the website at http://www.torranceca.gov/Parks/20996.htm. Sam’s Club is located at 2601 Skypark Drive in Torrance.

The City of Hermosa Beach once again welcomes visitors throughout Southern California to enjoy the beachside community’s shops, restaurants and downtown area as the City announces the return of the FREE Holiday Parking Program. From November 25 through December 25, free parking will be offered at parking meters located in downtown Hermosa. The City of Hermosa Beach is pleased to offer residents and visitors the ability to park free of charge during the specified time frame at the designated meters for up to the posted time limit. Meters that are included in the program will be clearly marked with festive red Holiday bags. This marks the seventh consecutive year that Hermosa Beach has provided free parking to both residents and visitors throughout the holidays. The Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau has updated the website http://www.TrulyHermosa.com with a walking map of Downtown Hermosa Beach that features retail, hospitality and service locations throughout the central business district.

Manhattan Village kicks off the holiday season with Santa’s Arrival Parade on Friday, November 25 beginning at 9 a.m.Everyone is invited to march along with Santa and his friends during the parade as he makes his way to his new Beach Hut in Center Court. The free event features holiday arts and crafts, face painting, balloon twisting and a special appearance by Mrs. Claus and other special guests. Photos ops will be available at Santa’s Beach Hut. For additional information and to register for the event, call 310-546-5555 or visit the website at http://www.shopmanhattanvillage.com/event/santas-arrival-parade/. Manhattan Village is located at 3200 Sepulveda Boulevard in Manhattan Beach.

November 26 is Small Business Saturday! With the holidays just around the corner, this is a great 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 team sports to infrastructure improvements. The South Bay has numerous downtown areas which are home to a vast assortment of shops, services and dining establishments. 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….and if you use your American Express card, you get 2x the points! (Pre-enrollment is required at https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/shop-small/?extlink=SBS2016_Shopper_PaidSearch_Google.)

{pages} is celebrating Independent Bookstore Day and Small Business Saturday with an all-day Book Signing event on November 26 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. These amazing authors will sign their books and recommend some of their own favorites! If you were a fan of Breaking Bad, you don’t want to miss this!

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Barney Saltzberg, children’s author

1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Jade Chang, The Wangs vs. the World

3 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Colin Cowherd, author & sports radio star

3 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Bryan Cranston, A Life in Parts, author, TV actor

5 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Craig Peterson & Kevin Naughton, The Perfect Wave

Refreshments will be served all day and any purchase made on an American Express card will get 2x the points (pre-enrollment is required at https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/shop-small/?extlink=SBS2016_Shopper_PaidSearch_Google.) To RSVP, call 310-318-0900. For additional information, visit the website at http://www.pagesabookstore.com. {pages} is located at 904 Manhattan Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.

For when the leftovers are finished..... Join the Athleta crew for a FREE workout taught by local instructors on the grass at The Point on Sunday, November 27. This week’s workout is a Sculpting Class with Brand Ambassador Nicole from 10 to 11 a.m. She will guide you through a muscle sculpting, and muscle targeting workout to start your week feeling strong and sore. Get ready to get your sweat on and feel the burn during these fun workouts! All you need to bring is your mat, water and a friend! For additional information and schedule, visit the website at http://stores.athleta.net/store-7091/. Athleta is located at 830 Sepulveda Boulevard, El Segundo, CA, 90245 at The Point.

Maria Sharapova will host a Meet & Greet/ Autograph Signingon Sunday, November 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tabula Rasa Essentials Gift Shop in Manhattan Beach. Entrepreneur and international tennis sensation Maria Sharapova, will be kicking off this year’s holiday shopping season as she supports one of her favorite hometown retailers, Tabula Rasa Essentials, with a celebration of her premium candy collection, Sugarpova, for fans and holiday shoppers. In addition to the Sugarpova premium gummy line, Maria will be highlighting the latest product in the Sugarpova assortment – Sugarpova Premium Chocolates. The decadent collection is comprised of 100g chocolate bars in Dark, Milk, Dark with Toasted Coconut and Milk with Strawberry. The unique product is Non-GMO, Certified Kosher, Halal and made with natural ingredients. For additional information, visit the website at http://www.sugarpova.com. Tabula Rasa Essentials is located at 919 Manhattan Avenue Suite A, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.

The City of Lawndale Community Services Department is proud to present the annual ###strong on Monday, November 28. All the fun gets underway at 4 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza and will run through 8 p.m. This fun-filled, family-friendly event includes arts and crafts, train rides, music, entertainment and refreshments. The local weather report calls for sunshine, warm temperatures and a chance of…..snow? Guests are invited to do a little snow sledding and who knows, maybe incite a snowball fight! Of course, that jolly guy in the red suit, Santa Claus, will be on hand for photo ops. In keeping with the spirit of the season, a donation of a canned food item is requested. It’s time to put on the hats, scarves and mittens! For additional information, contact the Community Services Department at ###a href="tel:310-973-3270" value="+13109733270" target="_blank">310-973-3270 or visit the website at www.lawndalecity.org. Civic Center Plaza is located at 14700 Burin Avenue in Lawndale.

It’s that time of year again! Santa and his reindeer are gearing up and getting ready for the holiday season. Once again, the Torrance Police Officers’ Association (TPOA) will escort the Torrance Santa Float as it make its rounds throughout the City of Torrance starting Monday, November 28 and running through Monday, December 19. The Santa Float was started in 1969 and is sponsored by the TPOA. The float will leave the station promptly at 5:00 p.m. except on November 28, December 5 and December 19 when the float will leave at 4:00 p.m. In the event of rain, the float may be cancelled and rescheduled to a different date. In the event of a cancellation, they will post the make-up date on all their social media platforms. To view the float schedule, visit the website at http://torrancepoa.com/images/PDFs/2016TPOA_Santa_Float_Schedule.pdf. If you would like to make a donation to the TPOA Santa Float, visit http://torrancepoa.com/events/santa-float1/santa-float-schedule.

The Manhattan Beach Santa Float will be making the rounds over the next couple of weeks! Santa will work his way through Manhattan Beach neighborhoods from November 28 through December 15. Sponsored by Kiwanis of Manhattan Beach and escorted by the Manhattan Beach Police Reserves, the float will stop in the middle of each block for photo ops and lists. To view the route map and schedule, visit the website at https://www.manhattanbeachsantafloat.com/routes/.

The Torrance Police and Fire Departments are teaming up once again for the annual Holiday Toy Drive. The donated toys will go to families in need in the City of Torrance. Requesting families may fill out the Annual Holiday Family Assistance Program Application at the Torrance Police Department located at 3300 Civic Center Drive or at Torrance Fire Station #1 located at 1701 Crenshaw Boulevard. They will begin collecting toys on Monday, November 28. If you would like to donate a new unwrapped toy (please, no used toys or stuffed animals), or a gift card/certificate, you may do so at the following locations: Torrance Police Department at 3300 Civic Center Drive

Torrance Fire Stations:

#1 – 1701 Crenshaw Blvd.

#2 – 25135 Robinson Way

#3 – 3535 W. 182nd St.

#4 – 5205 Calle Mayor

#5 – 3940 Del Amo Blvd.

#6 – 21401 Del Amo Circle Dr.

In addition to toys for younger children, they also need items for children ages 11-16 years, such as sports equipment (balls/frisbees/gloves), art supplies, and age-appropriate board games. For additional information, visit the website at http://www.Police.TorranceCA.Gov.

South Bay Galleria and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, along with DreamWorks Animation, are pleased to present a FREE Movie Screening of two favorite holiday classics, Frosty the Snowman and Kung Fu Panda Holiday, on Wednesday, November 29 starting at 6:00 p.m. For additional information about the screening, visit the website at http://www.southbaygalleria.com/events/ or contact Tricia Granger, Director of Marketing at 310.371.7196. South Bay Galleria is located at 1815 Hawthorne Boulevard, Redondo Beach, CA. The screening will take place on Level 3 in the Food Court.

Torrance Memorial presents the annual Holiday Festival from November 29 through December 6. The Holiday Festival is a one-of-a-kind holiday event that includes beautifully decorated trees, holiday gifts, entertainment, children’s activities, a food court, Santa photos, opportunity drawing, live and online auctions and special events featuring a fashion show, dinner gala and lunch with Santa. The Holiday Festival is an important tradition at Torrance Memorial and a cornerstone in fundraising efforts. This signature event is vital in helping Torrance maintain high quality medical services for all residents of the South Bay. Tickets for the public exhibit can be purchased at the door. General Admission is $5 and children 5 and under will be admitted free. Seniors receive free admission on November 30 and December 1. Reservations and ticket purchase are required for the special events.

Festival Fashion Show: November 29, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Festival Gala: December 2, 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM

Lunch with Santa: December 4, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

For additional information and ticket purchase, visit the website at http://www.torrancememorial.org/Giving/Foundation_Events/Holiday_Festival/Events_and_Activities.aspx. The Holiday Festival events take place in the parking lot at Medical Center Drive and Skypark Drive in Torrance.

Join Grace Giovannetti, Primo Italia’s own sommelier, and her special guest, Master Sommelier Peter Neptune, for a Signature Wine Dinner on Wednesday, November 30 at 7 p.m. Guests will take a delicious journey through the vineyards of Sicily while dining on authentic Italian cuisine. Explore a myriad of indigenous grapes paired with Chef Michelangelo’s bespoke menu. This will be an evening of taste, exploration and restoration as a percentage of purchases of these wines will go to restore Italian antiquities. The featured wines will be offered for purchase at the end of the evening. The five courses with wine pairings is $90 per person (tax & gratuity not included). It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn from one of only 230 master sommeliers in the world! For additional information and reservations, contact Grace Giovannetti at 310-739-5926 or via email at grace@eatprimo.com. Primo Italia is located at 24590 Hawthorne Boulevard, Torrance, CA. (To get you in the mood, check out Master Sommelier Peter Neptune’s recent project, Somm, ###/emhttp://www.southbaybyjackie.com/primo-italia-signature-wine-dinner/.)

El Segundo Museum of Art is preparing Experience 27: ELSEGUNDISSIMO and needs your input! ESMoA is planning for El Segundo’s Centennial and needs your help! ELSEGUNDISSIMO will be a crowd-sourced Experience, based on your feedback. – What could be done better in El Segundo? – What are the sore spots, the sticking points, the areas that need improvement? – How can we strengthen the connection between the east and west sides of Sepulveda? Your ideas will be addressed by artists, designers, and architects in Experience 27: ELSEGUNDISSIMO! The deadline to submit your ideas is December 31. Please send your suggestions, locations, sketches and photos to elsegundissimo@artlab21.org by December 31, 2016.

Here’s a heads-up on a few events you’ll want to plan for now!

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/riviera-village-holiday-stroll/

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/sleepy-hollow-christmas-lights-extravaganza/

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/el-segundo-holiday-tree-lighting/

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/sandpipers-holiday-homes-tour/

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/fishtivities-sea-lab/

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/sea-salt-workshops-terranea/

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/palos-verdes-peninsula-holiday-parade-of-lights/

These are just a few of the events taking place, so be sure to check the Ongoing Events page and Daily Blog on my website at http://www.southbaybyjackie.com for details on these and other events happening throughout the South Bay.

Joe and I are taking a holiday break this week and will be airing previously recorded episodes of The South Bay Show.

Yesterday morning on The South Bay Show: Redondo Beach - More to Sea, our guest was Christina Wennstrom, founder/owner/maker of Soap Seas, an all-natural soap and bath product business inspired by the sea and her beachy lifestyle! You can listen to yesterday’s show via podcast here: http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/christina-wennstrom-soap-seas-encore/. There’s ‘More to Sea’ every Wednesday morning at 8 a.m.!

This morning on The South Bay Show: South Bay Spotlight, our guest is Lou Giovannetti. Lou recently opened a new restaurant in Torrance, Primo Italia and we’re going to hear all about it…. and get the backstory on how Lou got back in the restaurant game. Don’t worry, if you missed the program, you can listen to it via podcast here: http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/lou-giovannetti-primo-italia-2/. Tune in every Thursday at 8 a.m. to keep up with what’s going down in the South Bay!

Tomorrow morning on The South Bay Show: Manhattan Beach 360, our guests will be Steven Carvel, a Manhattan Beach-based estate planning attorney and member of the Manhattan Beach Kiwanis Club. He’s going to give us some insight as to what it takes to pull together the popular Manhattan Beach Santa Float tour each year. You can listen to the program via podcast here: http://www.southbaybyjackie.com/steven-carvel-manhattan-beach-santa-float-encore8/. Tune in every Friday morning for the latest from Manhattan Beach!

Happy Thanksgiving and have a fabulous South Bay weekend!

Jackie

http://www.southbaybyjackie.com