Thursday, April 25
Ocean-Friendly Garden opens
The public is invited to the ribbon cutting for the new ocean-friendly, water-wise garden at the Manhattan Beach Strand at the Pier at 10 a.m. Reps from the West Basin Municipal Water District will share information on making your own landscape more water efficient, and the use of California-friendly plants. Info: 310-660-6211.
Ostomates Support Group
All ostomates, friends and family are welcome at the monthly support group meeting with guest speaker Gale Crandell at Torrance Memorial Medical Center (off Lomita Blvd. in the 3300 block – turn on Earl at the traffic light and enter the hospital grounds and proceed to the West Tower building connected to the parking structure). 2nd floor in building B, the meeting starts at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 26
Buzzed @ a B17 ride?
The public is invited to a 3-day ‘Salute to Veterans’ Tour 2013 – EAA B-17 presenting the “Flying Fortress” bomber at Torrance Airport General Aviation Center, April 26 – 28 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tix and reservations for rides: www.b17.org or 800-359-6217. Tickets for self-guided ground tours are available from 2 – 5 p.m. for a donation. Free parking at the AviationCenter and Robinson Helicopter Company. No general admission required, there are B-17 bomber souvenirs and a great barbecue available! Buzz on in! 3301 Airport Dr.
Lady of Guadalupe fiesta
Join the 3-day festivities of live music, carnival rides, games, Mexican foods, a beer and margarita garden, and much more, today, tomorrow and Sunday. Grand prize raffle of $5,000 plus a silent auction, cakes, cookies, pieces. Today, 5 -10 p.m., Sat. noon – 10 p.m., and Sun. 11a.m. – 6 p.m. 320 Massey Ave., Hermosa Beach. Info: ourladyofguadalupechurch.org
Saturday, April 27
March for Babies LA Walk
Join Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach benefiting the March of Dimes NICU Signature Program at Miller Children’s and funding research to help prevent premature birth. New teammates are welcome! To join the Miller Children’s team visit MillerChildrens.org/events. Start time at 8:30 a.m. Exposition Park, 700 Exposition Park Dr. For Info to join: 562-933-8117.
Organ, Tissue Donor Run/Walk
Join Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach 11th annual (and largest in the USA) Donate Life Run/Walk in Fullerton beginning at 7 a.m. The event was created to educate and inspire the community about organ and tissue donation while benefiting the OneLegacy Foundation. Registration begins at 7 a.m. at the CSU Fullerton campus, Intramural Field. 800 State College Blvd. Info: 213-356-5210 or khostert@onelegacy.org.
MB School eWaste/recycle/shred
Manhattan Beach residents, businesses and the surrounding areas are invited to recycle and dispose of e-Waste and confidential documents in an environmentally safe manner. On-site document shredding: MB residents: 2 boxes free (10x12x15”); $5 each additional box. Non residents: $5/box. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., MB Middle School parking lot, 1501 N. Redondo Ave.
YMCA Healthy Kids Day
Get a jump on summer from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Torrance-South Bay YMCA’s free, annual Healthy Kids Day to help kids and their parents focus on the importance of keeping our kids active and healthy this summer. Lots of fun activities, performances and giveaways for family and friends. 2900 W. Sepulveda Blvd., Torrance. 310-325-5885.
24-hr Torrance Relay 4 Life
Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back! There is no finish line until we find a cure… and The Relay for Life is an annual Sat/Sun, 9 a.m. – 9 a.m., 24-hour event, joins the community with the American Cancer Society in the fight against cancer. Details: relayforlife.org/torranceca. Join the hearties for any length of time, and cheer ‘em on! South High, 4801 Pacific Coast Hwy, Torrance.
Free practice SATs
From 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., at Redondo Beach Main Library, Kaplan offers a free practice SAT test, a perfect way to experience it without stress and anxiety. Monday, May 6, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., a Kaplan rep will return to deliver the test score and offer ways to improve and study for the real test. A free program, prior registration is required. Call 310-318-0675 option 5 or stop by the library before today. 303 Pacific Coast Hwy., 2nd floor.
Unwanted Rx disposal
Take Back Event for Unwanted Prescription Drugs 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. as the Manhattan Beach PD and DEA give the public its sixth opportunity in three years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Disposal is free, anonymous, and no questions asked. The collection site will is on the south side of the PD, along 13 St. between Valley and Morningside.
Walk Together Earth Week awards
During the Manhattan Beach celebration of Earth Day, and in partnership with Beach Cities Health District, the Blue Zones Project awards prizes at 11:15 a.m. to participants who participated in the Walk Together Week, April 22-27. Community members found simple ways to add more steps to their day with friends (hosting walking meetings with coworkers, challenging friends and family to walking competitions or simply parking farther away from their destinations). PolliwogPark, Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Mojave Primitive 50th Anniversary
Whether you were a Mojave Primitive camper, MISC, or adult, join other MPE Girl Scouts and alumni to share old memories and create new ones at the landmark Mojave Primitive Encampment’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, 3 – 9 p.m. $4 a person; $10, family. Bring a picnic dinner, blanket, photos and old swaps to display. Come prepared, and find out more at mojaveprimitiveencampment.org; username is Mojave; password is primitive. T-shirts, patches and more for sale. El Ranchito, 4040 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach.
Students Art Show for CLU
Green Roast Coffee presents a photography show 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., the work of the children of the Center for Learning Unlimited, a non-profit organization for children with learning disabilities, and physical and mental challenges. The school’s students are extremely talented photographers. Everything on the menu will be 20% off during exhibition hours. Please stop by if you are in town, and come support these amazing kids.
Peter Zippi Animal Fund
Abrakadabra’s popular Latin/Contemporary Jazz sounds will fill Suzy’s Bar & Grill from 8 p.m. to midnight in an effort to collect donations for the important, local Peter Zippi Fund for Animals. 1141 Aviation Blvd., Hermosa Beach, 310-379-6171. abrakadabramusic.com.
Mama Mia! ABBAMANIA
The Torrance Arts Foundation rounds out this season with ABBAMANIA, a rock musical that takes you back to the disco era and one of the best pop bands in history, ABBA, featuring nine musicians and singers performing the hits of this iconic group, costume changes, choreography, a live band, back-up singers and big studio sound. 8 p.m., James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Dr. Tix, info: 310-781-7171 or torrancearts.org.
Sunday, April 28
Dig 4 Jimmy Invitational
The annual (and first-ever) Surf N Turf Invitational is back again today with two of most famous South Bay activities – surfing & volleyball – non-profit foundations founded by MCHS high school friends, Jimmy Miller and Eric Fonoimoana. Heads up: You have to register by Friday, April 26, at 4 p.m. ($45): http://www.jimmymillerfoundation.org. This is a one-of-kind team format bringing friends, families and foundations together. Dig 4 Jimmy golden rules: whining, complaining and any super-aggressive win at all costs attitudes are not welcome. Surf portion format: 8 – 11:30 a.m.; volleyball portion format, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prizes for best surfing team, best VB team, and other fun and creative categories. 8 a.m., south side of Manhattan Beach Pier.
PVP Garden Tour
Temple Beth El Sisterhood presents a third extraordinary private tour of five gardens around the Palos Verdes Peninsula, 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Experts will also share tips on container gardening, plant propagation, succulents, orchids, fruit trees, and vegetable growing, and lunch will also be served in the garden, from 11:30-2 p.m. Tix $30 in advance, $38 at the door; lunch is $12, and RSVPs required: GardentourPV@yahoo.com or 310-377-3043.
For Our Children festival
Enjoy the Honda For Our Children Food and Wine annual Festival, and the opportunity to win a 2013 Honda Insight EX Hybrid with nav, and proceeds benefiting TrinityKids Care, a Providence TrinityCare Hospice Foundation and Sandpipers philanthropic program. This 1:30p.m. happenin’ includes ninety restaurants and fine wineries, silent and live auctions (and opportunity tix for Honda drawing are available for $25 or 5/$100). Event tix: $150 or $175 at the door. Info, tix: 4Rchildren.net, or 310-316-2837.
Russian Cabaret benefits homeless
A Russian Cabaret features the Firebird Balalaika Quartet, talented dancers and vocalists and unique and authentic Russian foods – and exciting auctions. Tix are $150, (or $200 for seating on the dance floor). RSVP: 310-377-7334. Proceeds will provide funds for qualified service providers to assist the homeless and those on the verge of homelessness. Help the Homeless Help Themselves efforts are focused on individuals who are working toward economic independence. 5 p.m., Norris Pavilion, 501 Indian Peak Rd, Rolling Hills Estates.
Soul on Fire Concert
Temple Menorah of Redondo Beach presents the South Bay Community 2nd annual Cantors’ Concert, beginning at 6 p.m. (social hour begins at 5 p.m.). $36, adults; $8 ages 2 – 12; $72 patron. RSVP: templemenorah.org or call Paola at 310 316-8444. General admission available at door, 1101 Camino Real.
Monday, April 29
New to the community?
If you’re new to the beach cities – Hermosa, Redondo, Manhattan beaches – you’re invited to attend an orientation to learn the story and the services of the BCHD, what it offers you, its mission, core values, key services and opportunities. (Evening orientations available.) Beach Cities Health District, board room, 3rd floor, 514 N Prospect Ave., Redondo each. 310-374-3426 x128.
Tuesday, April 30
YWCA Eliminate Racism breakfast
The YWCA National Day of Commitment to Eliminate Racism (and free) Breakfast presents Congresswoman Janice Hahn and a panel of speakers addressing Comprehensive Immigration Reform and the Racial Justice and how it affects our community, directly and indirectly; how and why the current immigration system is broken; and what can be done to improve it. 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. RSVP: YWCA 310-547-0831 or margie@ywcaharbor.org, or 310-347-5101 by Fri., Apr. 26. YWCA, 437 W. 9 St., San Pedro. Y/our voice is needed.
High School Art Competition
Each spring, since 1982, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. The Manhattan Beach Creative Arts Center is pleased to continue this tradition as part of the 33rd District. Winners will be recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. where winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol. The public is invited to the 7 – 7 p.m. opening reception (the exhibit on display through May 16), at 1560 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Visiting Israel?
Have you ever wanted to go Israel? Travelogue’s Stella Leontsini will be sharing her traveling experiences, tips, answer your questions, and offer a taste of the history and culture of Israel 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided 2nd floor, Redondo Beach Library, 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy. Free underground parking.
Weight loss, wellness program
Torrance Memorial’s Weight Loss & Wellness Program will show you how you can begin your journey to good health, run by medical professionals, at free classes today, 4 – 6 p.m. The next Scale Down program begins in two weeks on Tues., May 14, at 6 p.m. Info and RSVP: 310-517-4711. 3105 Lomita Blvd, Torrance. View program videos at torrancememorial.org/video_center.
Wednesday, May 1
MCHS ‘’Miss Representative’ screening
The MCHS P.A.C.E. Class and Gabby Crusader present Miss Representation, an Oprah Winfrey Network-owned documentary examining the pressures teens face because of today’s media, their peers and their parents. This no-holds-barred discussion addressing the constant conflicts kids face, the inner struggles those conflicts create and strategies to overcome them. And if you are a parent that doesn’t know what a thigh gap is, you are going to want to hear this. Every attendee will receive a raffle ticket and a chance to win an iPad. Students who bring a friend or family member also get an additional raffle ticket for each person they bring! You must be present to win. Students free with ID. $5 donation suggested for all others. 6 p.m., MiraCostaHigh School Auditorium, Peck and Artesia blvds., Manhattan Beach.
Thursday, May 2
Do you know your purpose?
The Blue Zones Project and Beach Cities Health District will host a Purpose Workshop on Thursday, May 2, from 10 a.m. – noon. It’s felt that people who have a sense of “purpose,” of their gifts and strengths, and use them daily, have increased well-being and tend to live about seven years longer than those who do not. One of the goals of the Blue Zones Project is to help people discover a clear definition of their gifts or deepen their sense of purpose. $15. bzppowerofpurpose.eventbrite.com. WashingtonElem.School, 1100 Lilienthal Lane, Redondo Beach.
Pediatric Therapy Network event
The Marriott Torrance South Bay presents Cinco de Mayo benefiting Pediatric Therapy Network, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Zen Lounge (complimentary self-parking). Tix are $20 pre-sale and $25 at the door and include two drink tickets, delicious street tacos, assorted tray-passed tapas, and musical entertainment by Caro & Jer. A portion of the proceeds benefit the noprofit, an early child development and therapy center committed to providing quality services for children with special needs and at risk for developmental issues. Fun event! 310-320-0276 or PediatricTherapyNetwork.org.
Friday, May 3
MB Women in Business Conference
The Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce presents its important, 15th annual conference, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., at the Manhattan Marriott, filled with dynamic speakers, a business expo, a sophisticated silent auction – and exciting energy. Special guest speakers areRachel Mumford, Lindsay Rhodes, Kathy Thomson, Debbie Goldberg, Kim Komick, Jeff Morris, and Laura Bruno. Details, tix, cost, RSVPs: mbwib.com.
1736 House Gala anniversary
The 1736 Family Crisis Center’s 40th Anniversary Gala Celebration “Honoring the Past, Strengthening the Future, Supporting Families” begins at 7 p.m. at the Bel-Air Bay Club, 16801 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades. The event recognizes courageous survivors and advocates who have made a world of difference in the lives of families in need and encourage others to join us in our effort to creating a future without violence. No host bar. Info, reservations (needed by April 26!): 1736fcc.org or 323-737-3900, x207.
Saturday, May 4
Robi Hutas, John Post
Icons or Legends? A photographic exhibit of these two great South Bay photographers opens this evening at the new kid on the block – 608 North art gallery, from 5 – 9 p.m. Join the throngs for the opening reception. The exhibit will hang through June 2. 608 N Francisca Ave., Redondo Beach, just west off Catalina. 310-376-5777.
May 10
South Bay Women of the Year Awards Luncheon
Switzer Learning Center
310-328-3611
Friday, May 10 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Torrance – South Bay 21333 Hawthorne Blvd Torrance, CA 90503
Honoring Jean Adelsman, Dorothy Courtney, Christi Edelbrock and Patricia Kromka. Emcee Carolin Keith Wade.
For sponsorship information, to purchase individual tickets ($75 each), and to indicate entree choice (beef, chicken or vegetarian) please contact Robin Overstreet at (310) 328-3611
South Bay Women of the Year Awards Luncheon
Host:
Switzer Learning Center
Phone:
310-328-3611
When:
Friday, May 10 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Where:
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Torrance – South Bay 21333 Hawthorne Blvd Torrance, CA 90503
Honoring Jean Adelsman, Dorothy Courtney, Christi Edelbrock and Patricia Kromka. Emcee Carolin Keith Wade.
For sponsorship information, to purchase individual tickets ($75 each), and to indicate entree choice (beef, chicken or vegetarian) please contact Robin Overstreet at (310) 328-3611