Around and About May 2018 Peninsula
Fritz Coleman. Photo by Dana Graham
Fritz Coleman’s Special Engagement in Palos Verdes
Local celebrity weatherman Fritz Coleman joined Peninsula Seniors Lecture Series, their weekly entertaining presentations at Hesse Park on March 28th. The presentations are weekly at 10 AM and free to the public.
Coleman has been on television as the weekday weatherman since 1984. In addition, he is a comedian, writer, philanthropist, former disc jockey and radio personality. Coleman has been named best weatherman by the Orange County Register, LA Daily News and San Bernardino Sun. He speaks to many non-profit groups, like Peninsula Seniors, without charging any speaking fees.
“I have a great day job,” said Coleman as he laughed when asked about why he does not charge for any of his speaking engagements.
For more information about the Peninsula Senior Lecture Series at Hesse Park, please visit www.pvseniors.org or call 310-377-3003.
About Peninsula Seniors
Peninsula Seniors is a non-profit tax exempt 501 (c) (3) organization and is governed by a Volunteer Board of Directors serving the senior adult community on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and in surrounding areas. For more information, please visit www.pvseniors.org or call 310-377-3003.
Brian Henry Seo.
Eagle Scout Earns Achievement in Court of Honor
Brian Henry Seo, age 18, attends New York University, College of Arts and Science. His proud parents are David and Cynthia Seo of Rancho Palos Verdes. Brian started Cub Scouts in 2006. He has been an active member of Boy Scout Troop 378 since 2010. Brian’s past leadership positions include Senior Patrol Leader and Den Chief. Along the way, he earned 38 merit badges and numerous scouting awards.
Brian’s Eagle project involved designing and building a raised garden for educational purposes and paving stones in a parking lot area at Pediatric Therapy Network in Torrance, CA. His project involved the installation of over 4,000 pounds of raw material. He was able to fund his project through local restaurant fundraisers, pasta sales fundraising, personal donations and from his personal savings. Brian had 56 project volunteers, including scouts, adult volunteers, and friends who put in over 396.5 hours to complete the project. Brian is very grateful for everyone who contributed their time and energy to make his Eagle Project a great success for the community.
Nikhil Sean Emde. Photo by Laura Behenna
Eagle Scout Status Awarded to Palos Verdes Senior
Boy Scout Troop 276 has awarded the rank of Eagle Scout to Nikhil Sean Emde at an Eagle Court of Honor on March 3, 2018 at Hesse Park Community Center. Nikhil is currently a senior at Peninsula High School.
As a Boy Scout, Nikhil earned 31 merit badges and served the troop in a variety of leadership roles. In addition, he earned the 7 League Boot Award for hiking over 700 miles with the Troop.
For his Eagle project, Nikhil replaced mud and grass with pavers in the 4th grade work area at Montemalaga Elementary School. The project was a great success and took over 200 man hours to complete.
Troop 276 is a high adventure troop that backpacks the trails of Southern California mountain ranges, Joshua Tree National Park, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Troop is based in Palos Verdes Estates and meets at Palos Verdes Intermediate School.
Photo by Laura Behenna
Cristina Martel, Payton Chi, Nicole Hay, Samantha Spanjol, Anna Chang, Kelly Van Boxtel and Kathryn Shirley.
Assisteens Recognized for Exceptional Volunteer Service
The Assisteens® South Bay celebrated their 53rd Annual Recognition Ball for the Class of 2018. Representing two high schools from the community: Palos Verdes High School and Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, the Class of 2018 donated over 4,150 hours of volunteer service throughout San Pedro and the South Bay communities. The group included six altruistic young ladies and the first young gentleman to be recognized and to receive a medallion. All danced a traditional waltz with their parents to the Disney classic, “Beauty and the Beast.” The ceremony was held in the Crystal Ballroom at the LA Millennium Biltmore Hotel. To learn more about joining visit assisteensmembershipsp@gmail.com.
Photo by Nathan Worden
Support the Palos Verdes Land Conservancy
ADOPT A GOAT
In mid-May the Conservancy will deploy a herd of 300 goats to graze overgrown brush in Lunada Canyon, part of the Agua Amarga Reserve located in Rancho Palos Verdes. Goats effectively remove invasive weeds including fennel, ice plant and other non-native plants. This method of weeding by goat grazing is considered an environmentally friendly and economically efficient approach to prepare land for native plant restoration. According to Executive Director Andrea Vona, “The goats are the most popular weeders because they make very little noise and leave no trash behind.” Since 2009, the goats have been helping the Conservancy clear invasive plants for restoration from its lands. Goats can clear an entire acre in a single day, which takes a crew two to three days to normally accomplish. The indiscriminately eat every plant, and therefore require an electric fence to keep them from grazing on native plants and nearby resident gardens. Their droppings provide natural fertilizer that replenish the topsoil. The goats will also be at several other sites on the Peninsula eating weeds as part of the “fuel abatement program” for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Goat adopters who donate $100 plus will be invited to a reception in spring 2018, where benefactors will receive a photograph with “their” goat. If donating in honor or in memory of someone, please be sure to provide the PVPLC with the appropriate name and mailing address (not an email address) so that they can send an acknowledgement card. Visit www.pvplc.org to learn more about the program and be part of the party!
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Heather Fitzgerald, hostess with Simone Wellness Consulting, showing some of the latest painted mandela stone creations.
Mandalas and Margaritas Sunday Afternoon by the Sea
Terranea along with Elizabeth Simone from Simone Wellness Consulting, hosted a special afternoon of wellness and libations outside on the patio overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Simone, an experienced spiritual wellness coach, created this event whereby guests were able to reflect on their life journey while painting their own unique mandala stone which can be later taken home for decoration and/or used as a meditation tool. Heather Fitzgerald with Simone Wellness explained eloquently how the circle shape of the stone symbolizes wholeness, continuity, connection and unity. Fitzgerald further explained that the whole is representative of the entire cycle of life. These special stones are believed to help individuals focus inward. The guests enjoyed the Spring Sunday amongst many new Palos Verdes friends painting and drinking margaritas with a generous spread of buffet style hors d’oeuvres.
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Judge J. Stephen Czuleger
Judge Receives Fulbright Specialist Award
The U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board are pleased to announce that Palos Verdes resident Judge J. Stephen Czuleger of the Los Angeles Superior Court has received a Fulbright Specialist Program award. Over a three-week period in May, Judge Czuleger will present intensive lectures, meetings and discussions with Albanian judges and prosecutors as well as law school faculty and students.
Judge Czuleger is one of over 400 U.S. citizens who will share expertise with host institutions abroad through the Fulbright Specialist Program in 2018. Recipients of Fulbright Specialist awards are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement, demonstrated leadership in their field, and their potential to foster long-term cooperation between institutions in the U.S. and abroad.
Marifrances Trivelli Museum Director and organizer of the event.
Shipbuilding Contest at the Port of San Pedro
The Los Angeles Maritime Museum, San Pedro, hosted its second annual Lego Shipbuilding Contest on Saturday, April 14. Shipbuilders of all ages competed in two categories: “build at home” or “build on site”. Prizes were awarded by age group, and approximately 450 shipbuilders of all ages participated. The entries ranged from traditional classics such as “Titanic” and “Queen Mary” alongside fanciful creations including “Nixon Boat” and “Party Ship Egg Hatching”. In addition to the contest, shipbuilders could test their skills in the non-competitive drydock category, assembling Lego naval ships using kits with pre-printed instructions supplied by the Museum. The Los Angeles Maritime Museum is open Tuesday-Sunday 10-5; and offers free educational school tours year-round focusing on the history of the Port of Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.lamaritimemuseum.org or call 310-548-7618.
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