A Happy (virtual) Holiday Season to all at the Beach

The Roundhouse Aquarium Teaching Center holds a fundraising holiday lighting contest for homes and businesses. Photo

Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach firefighters, police and city officials gathered last December at the Hermosa Beach firehouse for the 27th Annual Beach Cities Toy Drive.  Photo

Beach Cities Toy Drive unWrapping party
The 28th Annual Beach Cities Toy drive is underway and will continue through December 19. Residents are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the Hermosa Beach or Manhattan Beach police and fire departments. Or to the toy drive-thru in the Hermosa Beach City Hall Parking lot between Dec. 5 and Dec. 12, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The traditional Beach Cities Toy Drive gift wrapping party has been cancelled because of the pandemic. Toys are left at the Hermosa and Manhattan Beach fire and police stations will be distributed to local charities, including the Richstone Family Center, St. Cross 1736 Crisis Center, the Salvation Army and the Harbor UCLA Child Crisis Center. Hermosa Cyclery donates two dozen bicycles each year in memory of their founder Harold “Schu” Schumaker. For more information email BeachCitiesToyDrive@gmail.com

The Roundhouse Aquarium Teaching Center holds a fundraising holiday lighting contest for homes and businesses. Photo

Roundhouse Aquarium Holiday Lights contest
A holiday lights, home and business decorating contest is being sponsored by the Roundhouse Aquarium Teaching Center. Prizes will be awarded for Best Business, Holly Jolly Residence, Best Jingle Jangle Wheels (any type of vehicle), Magical Winterland, Holiday Whimsy, and Best Lights. $30 to enter. Entry deadline December 10 at 5 p.m. $10 donation to vote. Vote Dec. 13 through 19. Winners to be announced Monday, Dec. 21. For entry form and voting, visit RoundHouseAquarium.org.

There will be real Sand Santas, but virtual contest entries this Holiday Season in Hermosa Beach. Photo

Sand Santa Clause contest in Hermosa Beach
Hermosa Beach’s annual Mr. Sandman and Mrs. Sandwoman contest will be held online this holiday season beginning, Nov. 30 and continuing through Dec. 14. Families are invited to build their own Sandman or Sandwoman at home or on the beach and submit photos of their creations to the Hermosa Beach Parks and Recreation Department. Winners will receive a holiday gift basket and a $50 gift certificate to the Kiwanis Tree Lot. Email submissions to  korta@hermosabeach.gov.

Clauses to arrive by fire engine for Hermosa Tree lighting
Hermosa Beach’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting will be held Saturday, Dec. 5 at 5:30. But instead of gathering to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus when they arrive on their fire engine, children and their families are asked to watch as Mr. and Mrs. Claus light up the Christmas tree on line on the Hermosa Beach Chamber’s Facebook page. The Hermosa View School Band will perform and the winners of the Holiday Window and Holiday Dining Deck decorating contests will be announced. 

Father Joe of Our lady of Guadalupe celebrates the Blessing of the Trees at the Kiwanis Tree lot in 2017. This year’s blessing is Friday, Nov. 27 at 8:30 a.m.

Hermosa Kiwanis Blessing of the Trees
The Hermosa Beach Lot returns to the Hermosa Beach Community Center lawn on Friday, Nov. 27. The occasion will be celebrated with a Blessing of the Trees at 8:30 a.m. Proceeds go to local charities.

Mira Costa Baseball Annual Holiday Tree sale
Trees ranging in price from $60 to $125 may be ordered now. Raffle tickets for a $1,000 cash prize are also available. Trees may be picked up on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Kinecta Federal union parking lot at 1440 Rosecrans Ave., Manhattan Beach. To order trees and raffle tickets visit mbx-foundation-8.square.site.

Santa framed
Over the past decade, Gum Tree in downtown Hermosa Beach has raised over $70,000 for the Hermosa Beach Education Foundation by hosting family photos with Santa. This holiday season, due to the pandemic, families are invited to submit their photos placed within a frame held by Santa. Ann Marie Crotty of AM Photo Company will create the illusion of families visiting Santa for a $20 donation to the Ed Foundation. The link to pay and upload your photos is at HBEF.org.  Submit photos by Nov. 25 receive your family with Santa photo back by December 5.

Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt
The Hermosa Beach’s Downtown Business Association’s annual Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt continues through Friday, Nov. 27. Families are invited to visit participating businesses, write down the names of the businesses’ elves on postcards and submit their postcards at Spyder, Gum Tree or Sol Baby for a chance to win a basket of gift cards from Hermosa businesses. 

Rodney Davidson strung over 3,000 lights in the Hermosa Cyclery windows last Holiday season. Photo

Hermosa Holiday window  contests, sales
Other Hermosa Beach holiday festivities include a Holiday Storefront Window & Dining Deck Decoration Contest, Black Friday Specials on November 27, and Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28. For residents who prefer to shop from home, Hermosa businesses are offering  Cyber Monday sales on Nov. 30, including delivery.

Hermosa Beach Sidewalk Sale
The Chamber’s annual Holiday Sidewalk sale will be Saturday, Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The city will do its part to support local businesses by putting red bags over the parking meters on Nov. 27 and keeping the meters bagged through Christmas Day. 

Sea puppies at Marine Mammal Center Holiday Boutique 
The Marine Mammal Care Center invites families to visit their sea puppy patients and support them by shopping at their Holiday Boutique on Saturday, Dec. 5. Tickets entitle supporters to a visit with Santa and Santa’s elves, candy bags, boutique gift shopping, include wreaths and toys for Tots collections box.  Remember to wear a festive mask and keep everyone safe by socially distancing. Choose your time and purchase tickets ($20) at bit.ly/MMCCHoliday.com.

Print Museum Holiday Fair
The Los Angeles Printers Fair at The International Printing Museum in Carson goes virtual for its 12th annual holiday celebration. The Los Angeles Printers Fair brings together thousands of visitors and over 60 vendors and practitioners of letterpress and the book arts. It is a unique gathering of graphic artists, hobbyists, print history enthusiasts and appreciators of great art. The 2020 Virtual Los Angeles Printers Fair, while not in person, will offer online learning opportunities, and shopping selections for prints, cards, letterpress supplies, and printing presses. The 2020 Virtual Los Angeles Printers Fair runs through November. By visiting the museum’s new website, visitors will have the chance to shop the online vendor marketplace. Visitors will also enjoy videos, tours, at home tutorials, and printable keepsakes. For more information email sara@printmuseum, call (310) 515-7166 or visitVisit PrinterFair.com. ER

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