South Bay Community Calendar 11-28-19
Beach Cities Toy Drive
Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach firefighters, police and city officials gathered Saturday morning at the Hermosa Beach firehouse for the 27th Annual Beach Cities Toy Drive. 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. The Hermosa Chamber donates toys it collects as admission to its annual holiday mixer, prior to the Hermosa Tree Lighting. This year’s tree lighting is Sat., Dec. 7 on Pier Plaza at 6 p.m.
The Beach Cities Toy Drive gift wrapping part is Saturday, Dec. 21 from 10 a.m. ‘til the toys are wrapped at the Community Center basketball gym, at Pier Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway. If possible, bring scissors, tape and wrapping paper. For more information email BeachCitiesToyDrive@gmail.com. Photo
Thanksgiving, November 28
Mama Liz Thanksgiving
The 36th annual Mama Liz Absolutely Free Thanksgiving Dinner musical concert and variety show offers fun, food and fellowship. 12 – 4 p.m. Hermosa Kiwanis Hall, 2525 Valley Drive, Hermosa Beach. Free and open to everyone.
Alumni reunion
The alumni of Palos Verdes High School holds an All Alumni Reunion Weekend through Sunday, Dec. 1. All Alumni, faculty, administrators of PVHS and their families are welcome to attend the free events on campus including live entertainment, student performances, athletic events and games, campus tours, class and faculty meet-ups, career networking, unveiling of the Jim Kinney Memorial, and a memorabilia display, at Palos Verdes High School, 600 Cloyden Road, Palos Verdes Estates. For more information or to RSVP see pvboosterclub.com/alumni-friends.
Friday, November 29
Drive-in movie
The Roadium is reviving its classic 1950s drive-in movies on select Friday nights, complete with food trucks and concessions. Tonight, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (the original). Roadium Open Air Market, 2500 W. Redondo Beach Blvd., Torrance. Admission is $20 per car. For more information see roadium.com.
Saturday, November 30
Tall ship sail
Los Angeles Maritime Institute, with the support of the state Coastal Commission, holds a coastal awareness educational experience and three-hour sail on a tall ship. The ship departs from the San Pedro Ports O’ Call harbor, sails around the harbor and coastline and returns. The goal is to raise environmental awareness that leads to personal action to reduce marine plastic pollution and human impacts to our local coastline and its marine life, with bilingual (Spanish) materials and trained bilingual docents. On-board hands-on and scientific activities. Minors must be accompanied by an adult and children must be 10 years or older. Sign up. First sail is Nov. 30, then once-a-month afterwards on Saturdays. RSVP at (310) 833-6055. For more see lamitopsail.org.
Volunteer for nature
Outdoor Volunteer Day at Alta Vicente Reserve, with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, offers a chance to help care for a restoration area that is home to many threatened and endangered wildlife species, with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean. 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Sign up at pvplc.volunteerhub.com.
Sunday, December 1
Senior comedy afternoon
Senior Comedy Afternoons presents “Happy Jolly Holidays” a comedy show and luncheon at the newly renovated Proud Bird Restaurant, 11022 Aviation Blvd., Los Angeles, near LAX. Doors open at 12 p.m. A three-course served luncheon starts at 12:30 p.m. Show starts at 1:30 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to wear red, green, blue and silver if desired. Inclusive tickets are $75, including taxes and tips. Show-only seats $40. Tickets available at seniorcomedyafternoons.com or by calling (714) 914-2565. For more information and for future shows see seniorcomedyafternoons.com.
Spiritual celebration
Join in the celebration and sharing the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda, which are expressed by his direct disciple, Swami Kriyananda. Chanting, meditation, prayers, music, readings from both the Bible and the Bhagavad Gita, and an inspirational talk. The Festival of Light starts at 11 a.m. Come early at 10 a.m. to attend the Fire and Purification ceremonies. Ananda South Bay, 800 Torrance Blvd. #109, Redondo Beach. Ananda services are nonsectarian. Visit anandasouthbay.org.
Special Santa visit
Individuals with all spectrums of special needs and their families are invited to a private photo session in cooperation with Autism Speaks. Extra care is taken to support sensory, physical and other developmental needs for a magical holiday experience. Admission is free, but reservations are required. While there is no admission charge, photo packages that capture holiday memories will be available for purchase. 9 – 11 a.m. South Bay Galleria, Center Court – Level 1 (Please use the West entry near Forever 21), 1815 Hawthorne Blvd., Redondo Beach. RSVP at https://bit.ly/2K5cF2q.
Pedro holiday parade
The annual Spirit of San Pedro Holiday Parade in downtown features marching bands, drill teams, floats and Santa Claus, 1 – 4 p.m., starting at 13th Street and Pacific Avenue, hanging a right on 6th Street and ending at 6th and Palos Verdes streets. Free admission. For information call the Chamber at (310) 832-7272 or see sanpedrochamber.com/events/details/39th-annual-spirit-of-san-pedro-holiday-parade-3520.
Nature film
The Biggest Little Farm, a movie about the immense complexity of nature, follows two dreamers and a dog on an odyssey to bring harmony to both their lives and the land. Shows 5 p.m. Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro. $10 adult. Free for youth 18 and younger. For ticket purchase visit pvplc.org/_events/Ticketsfilmseries.asp. For questions call (310) 541-7613.
Holiday pancake breakfast
The Kiwanis Club of Manhattan Beach annual pancake breakfast, raising money for Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, features pancakes, DJ Rob Christie, games and face painting for the kids, and a Letter to Santa table. The Manhattan Beach Santa Float will be available for photos for your holiday cards. Presale tickets $10 (day-of $12). Children under 5 are free. 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. Joslyn Community Center, 1601 N. Valley Drive, Hermosa Beach. For tickets see Eventbrite/MB Kiwanis Annual Pancake Breakfast with Santa.
Monday, December 2
Santa hits the streets
Santa cruises Manhattan Beach over the next couple of weeks, usually beginning around 4:45 p.m. Visit manhattanbeachsantafloat.com/routes/ to see what time he will be passing by. Santa will be cruising for 15 nights (excluding weekends), ending Dec. 20. Download the live Santa tracker at manhattanbeachsantafloat.com/santa-tracker.
Taste of Taiko
Learn to play the Japanese Taiko Drums. Single class $24, 6:30 p.m. The Grand Annex, 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro. (M-F, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) For more information call Grand Vision at (310) 833-4813. RSVP at facebook.com/events/grand-vision-the-grand-annex/taste-of-taiko/405716370065686.
Tuesday, December 3
Torrance Memorial festival
The Torrance Memorial Holiday Festival runs through Sunday, December 8, presented by Las Amigas, features children’s activities, shopping in the holiday boutique, a food court, fashion show, and a gala and lunch with Santa. Torrance Memorial, 3330 Lomita Blvd., Torrance. For questions call (310) 517-4703. For public hours, activities see torrancememorialfoundation.org/public-hours-activities.
Holiday fun run
Anyone can join the Sleepy Hollow Runfit, a fun walk/run with friends through the Sleepy Hollow area of Torrance, noted for its seasonal lights. Meet 6:30 p.m. at Starbucks, 5035 Pacific Coast Hwy., Torrance. Free.
Wednesday, December 4
Senior open house
Peninsula Seniors is having a catered Holiday Open House from 2 – 4 p.m. Free and open to the public, new members, and prospective members who wish to learn more about the programs and activities. Peninsula Seniors Scriba Family Center, 602 Deep Valley Drive, Suite 310, Rolling Hills Estates. Between the PV Library and the Promenade on the Peninsula. For more information contact Ryan Delane at (310) 808-3584.
Mindfulness sessions
Take 30 minutes to downshift from the holiday buzz and practice mindfulness techniques with free sessions on the first Wednesday of the month from 5:30 – 6 p.m. The sessions are led by trained Beach Cities Health District staff. No prior experience with meditation or mindfulness is required. Doors open at 5 p.m. For questions call Tiana Rideout at (310) 374-3426, ext. 139.
Vaping meeting
A Town Hall meeting regarding vaping and your teens will be 6 – 8 p.m. at North High School, 3620 W. 182nd St., Torrance. Free. No rsvp required. For questions call (310) 972-6500.