South Bay Community Calendar 12-13-18
PV BalletNutcracker Sunday, Dec. 16. 1 p.m. & 5 p.m. Tickets are $38 for adults and $28 for children. Call (310-544-0403 or visit palosverdesballet.org.
Thursday, December 13
Tableside Melodies
The Admiral Risty Restaurant presents the Los Cancioneros Master Chorale Ensemble who will perform Christmas and Chanukah favorites tableside for the enjoyment of dining guests. Admiral Risty, 31250 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes. Reservations recommended, call (310) 377-0050 or visit admiralristy.com.
Ugly sweater party
The 3rd Ugly Sweater Party at Shade Hotel Manhattan Beach. Wear your ugliest/best Christmas attire. No cover charge. Winter drink specials, bites, DJ, and ugly sweater competition. 7 – 11:30 p.m. Shade Hotel, 1221 N. Valley Drive, Manhattan Beach. Call (310) 469-3466 for questions and or reservations.
For the animals
Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles Annual Holiday Donation Drive. A fun-filled family day with story time, holiday gift shopping, live music by the award winning duo Andy & Renee, and, most importantly, the chance to be a big part of helping injured seals and sea lions by bringing wish-list supplies or cash donations. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Marine Mammal Care Center, 3601 S. Gaffey St. #8, San Pedro. For more information about the work done by Marine Mammal Care Center, visit marinemammalcare.org. Free admission and parking.
Let’s make something
After School Craft Activity for Children. Activities support STEAM learning. STEAM means Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. Free. Ages 4 and up. 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Redondo Beach Library, Main Library 2nd floor Meeting Room, 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach.
Storytime talk
Award-winning author Mathieu Cailler tells the tale of a beetle, Humphrey Hawley, who, more than anything, wants to be adored by humans the way ladybugs are. However, after time spent pretending to be something he is not, he learns to love his world and, most importantly, himself.
Books will be available for purchase after the storytime. 1 – 1:30 p.m. Redondo Beach Library, North Branch, 2000 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach. For questions call the children’s information desk at (310) 318-0675 option 6.
Friday, December 14
Mindfulness Sleep
Cancer Support Community Redondo Beach (CSCRB) will host Corina Gheorghiu, DDS, a Marriage Family Therapist and a sleep and well-being coach. The holiday season can be chaotic, overwhelming and stressful. Gheorghiu will present tools to destress, relax, sleep better and enjoy the holidays. A nutritious lunch will be provided by The Spot Restaurant in Hermosa Beach from 12:30 – 1 p.m. Advance registration is required. 1 – 2:30 p.m. 109 West Torrance Blvd., Redondo Beach. Call (310) 376-3550 or visit cancersupportredondobeach.org.
Food decorating
Learn the art of food decorating, using fresh fruits and vegetables. Galin will provide hands on instruction on how to make fruit and vegetable decorations, design and present the platter. Participants may keep their work. Food decorating opens great opportunities for creativity and imagination. Simple garnishes can help transform long-familiar dishes into works of art that will impress guests. $5 per person. 12 noon – 1 p.m. Hermosa Five-0 Activity Center, 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. RSVP to Galina at fooddecorating@gmail.com. Visit Galina’s website at fooddecoration.info/ to see what you will learn.
Saturday, December 15
Free for all
The City of Hermosa Beach once again welcomes visitors throughout Southern California to enjoy the beach community’s shops, restaurants and downtown area with free holiday parking. From now until Dec. 25, free parking will be offered at meters located in downtown Hermosa. Meters that are included in the program will be clearly marked with festive red Holiday bags.
And in Manhattan
Free two-hour holiday parking in downtown Manhattan Beach through Dec. 26. Meters included in the program will be clearly marked with festive holiday bags or a display reading, “Happy Holidays — Free Parking.” All other restrictions will be enforced.
Candy cane lane
The 1200 block of E. Acacia Avenue in El Segundo magically transforms into Candy Cane Lane every holiday season since 1919. The homes are festooned with lights and decorations and Santa’s sleigh stops for a visit on certain nights. The street will be closed to through traffic through Christmas night, and most houses will still have their lights up through New Year’s weekend. The lights are generally on until about 10 p.m. The 1200 block of East Acacia Avenue is located west of Sepulveda and south of Imperial Highway in El Segundo.
Cozy time
Warm feelings and winter will be celebrated with family storytime followed by seasonal card making. For children and families. 3 – 4 p.m. Hermosa Beach Library, 550 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. Free. For questions call (310) 379-8475.
Bard Street Bookstore
The Bard Street Bookstore has turned out to be the permanent location for Hermosa Beach Friends of the Library, after plans to relocate out of the security fence zone ground to a halt. So here they sit and they are having a book sale! Most hardcover books: $1, paperbacks 50 cents, children’s books half price. Used CD’s, DVD’s, LP’s and audiobooks at bargain rates. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Hermosa Beach Friends of the Library, 1309 Bard St., Hermosa Beach. Access is now via the gate on 11th Place.
There is an exit-only pedestrian gate at the north end of the block on Pier Ave. The gate will be open on sale days from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Anyone with cartons or bags of book donations can deliver them by vehicle through the 11th Place gate during these open hours. Donations of books at other times must be left at the Hermosa Beach Library. Parking is available in the lot behind City Hall and the library.
Winter wonderland
Bring the whole family to the Dockweiler Youth Center for this free holiday event and enjoy bouncers, winter activities, and real snow at the beach! Free. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Dockweiler Youth Center, 12505 Vista Del Mar, Los Angeles. Call (310) 726-4128 for more information. RSVP for faster check-in at Eventbrite/2018 Beach Winter Wonderland.
Starlight Train Ride
The 4th annual Starlight night run at Wilson Park in Torrance. Under darkening skies, the mini-train departs the station at the eastern end of the park and makes a slow round-trip through holiday displays and lights. Boarding tickets for the fundraiser are $7 per rider for one ride on the evening of the event, or $5 in advance during regular run days. 5 – 8 p.m. Wilson Park, 2290 Washington Ave., Torrance. Southerncalifornialivesteamers.org.
PV Ballet Nutcracker
The magic is back! Palos Verdes Ballet students from various South Bay area schools will be sharing the roles of the main character, Marie, throughout the performance. Marie enters a moonlit living room in desperate search of her Nutcracker. To purchase tickets visit palosverdesballet.org. 7 p.m. Additional show on Sunday, Dec. 16, 1 and 5 p.m. Tickets are $38 for adults and $28 for children. Call (310) 544-0403 or visit palosverdesballet.org.
Do you mind
Mindfulness is paying attention in the here and now with a quality of openness, curiosity and kindness. Being mindful isn’t about achieving a particular feeling or removing specific thoughts. It’s about paying attention to your present moment experience. At first, when you practice mindfulness and meditation you might not immediately feel its impact or know how it will benefit you. However, over time and with practice, many find that through mindfulness they gain more clarity about circumstances in their life and they are better able to handle stressors at home and in the workplace. Workshop 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Redondo Beach Main Library, 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach. Free. No rsvp required.
Another Nutcracker
The nationally known South Bay Ballet delivers a holiday confection for savvy ballet audiences who are looking for impeccably trained artists and a creative, accessible interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s classic. Grandmother Clara tells the story of a young girl on Christmas Eve, dreaming of her faithful Nutcracker Prince escorting her to the Kingdom of Sweets, where she becomes a beautiful, grown-up ballerina. 2 p.m. Marsee Auditorium, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance. Tickets $36 Adults /$24. To purchase tickets online visit elcaminotickets.universitytickets.com/w/default.aspx. For additional information call Center for the Arts at (310) 329-5345 or 1-(800) 832-ARTS (toll-free) or email artstickets@elcamino.edu. Ticket office opens one hour before scheduled showtimes.
Sunday, December 16
Met Opera Tenor Aaron Blake
Renowned Metropolitan Opera tenor Aaron Blake joins the Los Cancioneros Master Chorale for an evening of classic holiday favorites, including Robert Shaw’s “Many Moods of Christmas” with orchestra. 7 p.m. General admission $25/students $15. To purchase tickets call Diana at (310) 779-3072 or buy from the Armstrong Theatre Box Office at (310) 781-7171. Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. LCMasterChorale.com.
The Nutcracker
Los Angeles Ballet’s The Nutcracker, set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, is set in 1912 Los Angeles. Clara and her beloved Nutcracker battle a most memorable Mouse King, encounter dancing Snowflakes and travel to the Palace of the Dolls. 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo beach. Questions call (310) 998-7782. Purchase tickets at losangelesballet.org/the-nutcracker.
Monday, December 17
Coloring Club
An after school fun hour of coloring for children and teens, with coloring sheets and crayons provided. Ages 4 and up. Free. 3 – 4 p.m. Redondo Beach Library, Main Library 2nd floor Meeting Room, 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach. For questions call the children’s Information Desk at (310) 318-0675 option 6.
Dance and move
A great way to engage your children. Free. 11 – 11:30 a.m. Redondo Beach Library, Main Library 2nd floor Meeting Room, 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach. For questions call the children’s Information Desk at (310) 318-0675 option 6.
Tuesday, December 18
Storytime
Take a break from all the holiday hurrying for fun renditions of favorite holiday stories performed by Bill Barke. This is a free program for the entire family. 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Redondo Beach Main Library, Children’s Storytime Room, 1st Floor, 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach. For questions contact the Children’s Information Desk at (310) 318-0675 option 6.
The big, big band
JGLG Productions and Primo present Lou Giovannetti & The Big, Big Band Holiday Show, favorite tunes performed by a 20-piece orchestra live on stage. A Bronx, New York transplant, Giovannetti, known for his unique and engaging vocal style, has graced the Broadway stage, screen and TV and now lives and entertains in the South Bay. 8 p.m. James Armstrong Theater, 3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance. Tickets $40 – $109. For information call (310) 781-7171 or visit torrancearts.org.