Kiwanis Christmas tree lot
For the 25th straight year, the Hermosa Beach Kiwanis Club Christmas Tree Lot will open to the public for the holiday season at the corner of Pier Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway on Friday, Nov. 23. It will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The lot will be stocked with more than 2,000 premium trees, wreaths, garlands and door swags. The lot is regularly stocked from growers throughout the season, and the trees can be fireproofed and delivered to homes. All proceeds go toward community charities. Purchases are tax-deductable. For more information, phone (310) 466-0960.
“Better come early,” said Hermosa Kiwanis Club President Jeff Maxwell. “Last year we sold out way ahead of schedule.”
Chase branch opens
Chase Bank opened its branch office in the former Bijou Building on Friday, Nov. 16. The official grand opening will be all day on Friday, Nov. 30. The ribbon-cutting ceremony with local officials will take place Thursday, Nov. 29 at 5:30 p.m.
The Hermosa Historical Society required that much of the interior be preserved, said Branch Manager Don Inman.
“It is probably one of the most unique branches that Chase has in southern California if not the country because it’s all the old, historical Bijou Theatre built in 1923,” Inman said. “It looks beautiful.”
Music and Mystery
The Hermosa Beach Sister City Association is accepting applications for the 2013 student exchange program offered to the families of 7th and 8th grade students from the cities of Hermosa, Manhattan, and Redondo Beach. Applications are available on line at, hb-sistercity.org. Students would spend a week over spring break in the city of Loreto, Baja California, Mexico. Students stay in homes with families and participate in field trips and other chaperoned activities. In the summer, Loreto students visit Hermosa Beach for a week.
For additional information contact George Barks, Student Exchange Director at 310-714-6907, or e-mail him at barkstmracing@aol.com.
Socks for Seniors
Socks for Seniors is looking for sock donations as well as area coordinators to collect them. The national program seeks socks and not cash donations. Local area coordinators would provide a location for a drop-off box and bring the socks to a nursing home, assisted living facility or senior community. For more information, visit socksforseniors.com.
Sandpipers Home Tour
The 20th annual Sandpipers Home Tour will view distinctive homes in Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach from Friday, Nov. 30 through Sunday, Dec. 2. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Proceeds benefits more than 60 local charities as well as families and individuals in need of financial help. Sandpipers is a volunteer organization that for 81 years has served the South Bay through charitable and philanthropic programs.
Beach Cities Toy Drive
To donate items for the 20th Annual Beach Cities Toy Drive, drop off toys at the Hermosa Beach fire Station, 540 Pier Ave. The toy drive is a cooperative effort between the cities of Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach, and the toys benefit children of local charities. The toy-wrapping party is set for Dec. 15 at the Joslyn Center, 1601 N. Valley Drive, Manhattan Beach. For more information, phone Sam Edgerton at (310) 937-2066.
