“Life of Pi” – sliced and delivered
The young man and the sea “Life of Pi” in L.A. and Costa Mesa by Bondo Wyszpolski The novel by Yann Martel won the 2002 Mann Booker Prize, the film by Ang Lee won four Academy Awards, and the play adaptation by Lolita Chakrabarti picked up three Tony Awards, so clearly “Life of Pi” has […]
Loyola High student Braun Levi celebrated at Manhattan Beach paddleout
Several hundred friends and family members gathered at 1st Street in Manhattan Beach Sunday morning for a paddleout in celebration of the life of Braun Levi, the 18-year-old Loyola High star athlete and student who lost his life to an alleged drunk driver on May 4. But if the occasion for the gathering was tragic, […]
Hermosa Beach City Manager resigns, council left to mend cultural divide
by Kevin Cody During a late January Hermosa Beach City Council meeting, City Manager Suja Lowenthal interrupted an exchange between Mayor Dean Francois and Councilmember Rob Saemann about the proposed new civic center. “Would it be okay if I addressed some concerns Mayor Pro Tem Saemann raised….? Perhaps I can just add some perspective,” Lowenthal […]
TIME CAPSULE: Manhattan Beach Middle School Tidal Wave yearbook earns national honor
by Hibah Samad The yearbook program at Manhattan Beach Middle School has evolved into a nationally recognized powerhouse of student journalism. The 2024 edition of Tidal Wave, designed and produced entirely by students under the guidance of MBMS teacher and Yearbook Advisor David Levy, was recently honored by Jostens, one of the most respected names […]
Mira Costa swim team makes history at the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championships
by Mark McDermott The Mira Costa High School co-ed swim team, after an undefeated season in which the Mustangs claimed their fourth straight Bay League crown, secured a place in school history on Saturday. Competing at the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championships at San Antonio College, the girls team finished second and the boys […]
SPOTLIGHT ON ART: A step into alternative worlds VEFA’s Surreality 101″
VEFA’s “Surreality 101” is on view through May 24 and Gallery of Hermosa’s “The Spirit of Omiode Yokocho (Memory Lane)” is up through May 10 at local galleries. Photos by Bondo Wyszpolski
Spotlight on Culture: Black Heritage History Month Hosted by Palos Verdes Friends of the Library
The Peninsula Friends of the Library’s Celebrating Our Similarities event for Black Heritage took place on February 21st. The “Friends” worked with local families to provide a spectacular celebration that was both informative and moving. The wide variety of performances included Makinto, representing the non-profit Amahoro International, sharing the thrilling history of Black culture through […]
Spotlight on Music: LA Philharmonic committee collaborates with Artists
The Peninsula Committee of the Los Angeles Philharmonic (PCLAP) hosted 100 guests for an evening of music, art, and fine wine at VEFA Gallery on Friday, March 14. The event featured Emmanuel Ceysson, principal harpist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, performing music from France and Spain, concluding with “Fireworks” by Gabriel Fauré. A tour of […]
Baywatch Community Calendar 5-15-25
Spotlight: Saturday, May 17 Greg Browning paddleout Pro surfer and filmmaker Greg Browning will be remembered during a paddle out at 16th Street, Hermosa Beach. Browning learned to surf and to film surfing at 16th Street. He passed away last month, from ALS, just short of his 50th birthday. Come honor his life and legacy […]
Ask Dr. Allen: Can kids find their freedom?
Do our youth need more activities? A survey completed a few years ago, found that 55% of Palos Verdes teens had 5 to 9 extra activities they participated in, not including school and homework. That’s a lot of stress. They included sports, lessons, practices, service, and training among other things to do. That is too […]
Peninsula Montessori Dedicates ‘Deary Hall’ to Local Composer After Surprise $25K Gift
by Chelsea Sektnan Peninsula Montessori School in Palos Verdes has named its auditorium “Deary Hall” in honor of composer and Peninsula Montessori parent Jeffrey Deary, a local composer and parent, following his surprise $25,000 donation. The gift will help fund cultural assemblies and global enrichment programs for students. “I was completely floored,” said Deary, who […]
Spotlight on Art: Palos Verdes Art Center Collected Treasures Estate Sale Fundraising by The Circle
The Palos Verdes Art Center hosted a VIP reception for their “Treasures Collected Just for You” 4-day, annual sale on March 20. This hugely popular event gathers curated, one-of-a-kind items from estates that are then donated to the center. Families who are downsizing and are removing items from their homes, donated, and also residents who […]
Spotlight on History: Daughters of the American Revolution 58th Annual Colonial Luncheon
The Daughters of the American Revolution enjoyed a patriotic luncheon at St. Francis Episcopal Church on April 12, followed by high tea. There was a raucous raffle, a silent auction, and a spring fling fashion show on the red carpet. DAR is a national society, lineage-based membership service organization for women directly descended from a […]
Spotlight on Charity: Tropical Splendor Palos Verdes Junior’s Spring Gala
The Palos Verdes Junior Women’s Club, now in its 67th year, hosted its annual spring fundraiser, “Tropical Splendor Gala,” on April 29 at the Torrance Marriott. Over 200 guests attended the black-tie event, which featured an elegant evening of dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions, and traditional Hawaiian dance performances. Auction highlights included VIP Dodgers […]
Spotlight on Medicine: Las Madrecitas and Las Niñas Raise Funds for Children’s Hospital
Las Madrecitas and Las Niñas hosted their annual Mother-Daughter tea to benefit the Luskin Orthopedic Institute for Children (LOIC) on March 30. This year’s theme was “LoveSpringFancy.” Guests dressed in their favorite spring splendor and floral styles. Los Verdes Golf Club served up a chef-prepared brunch, and then guests were treated to a festive fashion […]
Spotlight on Nature: Go Wild for the Peninsula at the Major Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Donor Event
On March 30th, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (PVPLC) held an event celebrating the successful completion of the Go Wild for the Peninsula Campaign, creating a 96-acre wildlife corridor. The event was hosted by Campaign Co-Chairs Steve and Chris Tight at their beautiful Palos Verdes Estates home, with catering by Lunada Market. Major donors […]