Palos Verdes Source

Owners and residents of Palos Verdes homes live longer according to a recent Daily Breeze article – their average life span is 82.5 years.   The article goes on to say, “The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health compiled a report that shows a stark disparity between ethnicity, and rich and poor….The report showed that the biggest indicators of a long life are gender, ethnicity and city of residence.”  Click here to read full article.

In the South Bay, Manhattan Beach residents lived the longest (83.2 years) and Inglewood residents had the shortest life span (77 years).  The LA County Public Health Department only looked at Rancho Palos Verdes (may have to do with number of residents in that city) but we can presume the 3 other cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula would have a similar ranking.  Click here for access to download full report.

We are blessed to be living in such a beautiful and supportive community.  ”Much of what determines our quality of life and how long we live is rooted in the social and cultural fabrics of our communities,” according to the Report.

Photo courtesy of  Arvin Design

Not only were owners of Palos Verdes real estate eagerly awaiting the opening of our first hotel, Terranea, which is a world class resort, but most area residents were curious about the building on the old Marineland site which I chronicled on this blog.  Over a year has passed since the grand opening and I have only had fabulous experiences at Terranea.

As a guest at a Terrenea casitas looking out at the ocean, bays and coves, I could imagine myself in Hawaii, Italy or the south of France – no need to get on an airplane.  As a matter of fact, a friend with 4 preschoolers decided not to get on a plane with the little ones and changed her plans from Hawaii to Terranea.  The accommodations at Terranea were deluxe and the stay relaxing.

I have dined at 4 of the 7 Terranea Restuarants.  Dinners at Mar’sel have been fabulous.  The food is delicious and the view is unbeatable.  I love their beet salad!  Lunches at Catalina Kitchen have also be delicious and I love their chocolate cake and the outdoor seating – it’s all about the views.  I had one lunch at Terranea Grill which was just okay – I am not moved to return.  I have also enjoyed the Sea Bean for salad, sandwiches, gelato and desserts.  I am still waiting for Terranea to offer high tea service in the afternoons.

I have not yet enjoyed the Spa but plan to do so this Fall.  Non-Resort Guests can use the Spa facilities including the pool on Monday – Thursday for a $40 fee.  On weekends non-resort guests can access the Spa area with the purchase of a spa treatment (click here for more info).   I am eyeing their “Recover From Summer Spa Sampler” which includes two treatments (choose from 30 minute facial, 30 minute massage and/or 45 minute spa pedicure) for $150 Monday thru Thursday until October 15, 2010.

I have both given and received Terranea Gift Cards which can be used for food, hotel stays, spa treatments, golf, and merchandise.  It really is the perfect gift.  There are public walking trails along the bluff and down to the beach.  There is also public parking just to the left as you enter the resort property.  During my many visits, it appears that everyone is welcomed at the property.  The staff is very gracious whether you are coming to dine or to walk along the bluff.

Photos courtesy of Terranea Resort and Arvin Design

Palos Verdes residents were treated to a recent visit by the magnificent blue whale spotted off the coast of Rancho Palos Verdes.  According to an article in the Peninsula News, “The 75-foot long blue whale was seen swimming about four miles off the coast of Trump National Golf Club…..There have been about 200 whale sightings since May, according to Capt. Dan Salas of RPV, who leads whale-watching exursions on his high speed catamaran, Christopher. ”  Click here to read the entire story in the Peninsula News.

The blue whale is the largest animal on the planet and is endangered.  It is estimated that 2,000 of the whales exist today.

The Aquarium Of The Pacific offers  Blue Whale and Sea Life Cruises twice daily for a fee.  Click here for more information or call 562-590-3100. 

Photo courtesy of Tom Underhill, Peninsula News

Owners of Palos Verdes real estate have mixed feelings about bees.  Some appreciate the great job the bees do in pollinating our home gardens while others are afraid of bees.  Well, how would you feel about a beehive in your attic?  According to the Peninsula News, one resident, Donna Tarr,  had a hive of 15,000 honeybees in her attic and a decision to make.

According to the Peninsula News, the resident “called Walter of Backyard Bees to relocate the hive for two reasons – because she knew their importance and she didn’t want an exterminator filling her home with poisons and leaving honeycombs, which never spoil, sitting in her attic, possibly attracting mice.”  Also, honeybees have been experiencing challenges in nature and their population has dipped so saving a hive is advantageous to all of us. 

Relocating the hive was a project.   “it took Walter several hours and a trip to Home Depot to extract the colony.  He had to make a hole in the wall to get to the bees, and put tarps up so none of the bees would escape, Tarr said.  He had to take the honeycomb out carefully and meticulously, and then he had frames with screens to put each honeycomb (within) it, she said. “It fit like slots and he easily carried them away.”

Kudos to Donna Tarr for finding a creative, natural way to solve this problem.  I will look at honeybees differently now, acknowledging their contribution (honeybees are directly responsible for one-third of the food we eat according to Walter) and recognizing that according to Walter, honeybees are really gentle animals.  Click here to read entire article.  Click here to see additional photos.

Photo courtesy of Thomas Underhill, Peninsula News

“Newsweek has recently identified the best high schools in the nati0n ‘based on how hard school staffs work to challenge students with advanced placement college-level courses and tests.’” according to a press release from the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District (excerpt continues below).

Peninsula High School is #178 in the nation and Palos Verdes High School is #239.  Among California high schools on the list, Peninsula is #18 and Palos Verdes High is #26.  According to Newsweek, “just over 1600 schools, only 5% of the public schools in the United States made the list.”  The Newsweek list includes many academies, charter schools, and specialized magnet schools.

District success is not accidental.  Both Palos Verdes and Peninsula High schools receive high rankings in the Newsweek rating system because of their open door policy to college level courses.  Students at both high schools are encouraged to stretch themselves and enroll in high level courses. In 2010, over 3400 AP tests were taken in PVPUSD.  2010 test results will be received in August, but in the past the passage rate was approximately 75%.

The entire Newsweek list can be accessed by clicking here.

Photo courtesy of PVUSD

Free 2010 summer fun  in Palos Verdes Peninsula is not just for owners of Palos Verdes real estate, but is open to all. Here are some of the events to chose from this summer:

The Lunada Bay Homeowners Association will be hosting “Summer Concerts in the Park” at Lunada Bay Park, Palos Verdes Estates.   It is recommended that you bring low beach chairs or blankets and a picnic dinner and enjoy the music for the three concerts this summer on the following Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  They are:

     .  07/15 – Marti Harris & Friends (jazz, blues & funk)

     .  7/22 – Mike Stocksdale Band (folk, rock alternative country music)

     .  8/12 – Prima Divas – (broadway, classical & cabaret)

The Malaga Cove Business & Professional Association in cooperation the The Palos Verdes Police Officer’s Association presents “Summer Concerts in the Park” at Farnham Martin’s Park next to the Malaga Cove Library in Palos Verdes Estates on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. in July and August. You may bring your blankets at 3:00 p.m to save a spot. Here are the performers that will be showcasing this summer:

     .   7/07 – Pat Chartrand & Friends  (jazz/big band standards)

     .   7/14 – Marc Massey Trio (jazz/pop)

     .   7/21 – Bad Haggis

     .   7/28 – Brice Martin (flute) & Natalie Dalschaert (piano)

     .   8/4 – Brenda Lynn – (vocalist)

     .  8/11 – Sarkis (classical & flamenco)

     .  8/18 – Jim Sutterly & the Heart Surgeons

     .  8/25 – The Cody Bryant Band (real cowboy)

Beginning Sunday, July 18^th, the South Coast Botanic Gardens will present their first concert; the PV Symphonic Band “Pops Concert” at 6:00 p.m. (outdoors on the lawn).  On August 22^nd they will have “Razzle Bam Boom” at 4:30 p.m. produced by Bubble Rock Productions. September 6^th the PV Symphonic Band will be  presenting a “Labor Day Concert” at 5:00 p.m. (outdoors on the lawn). Pack your picnics and bring your beach chairs & blankets…Free parking

 Shakespeare by the Sea presents..”Julius Caesar” on Wednesday, July 7th at 7 p.m. at the Terranea Resort.  Bring your beach chairs and blankets. $5 Parking..No outside food..Cash bar & Picnic Cuisine available for purchase. “Twelfth Night” – Sunday, July 18th at 7 p.m. at Fred Hesse Jr. Community Park.  Bring your picnic and beach chairs & blankets.  Plenty of parking.

For more information regarding summer fun go to: http://palosverdeschamber.com/Site/ThingstoSeeandDo.aspx.  Also you can visit http://palosverdeschamber.com/Site/PlacestoVisit.aspx to revisit local points of interest here on the Peninsula.

Photo courtesy of LBHOA

Fourth of July on the Palos Verdes Peninsula will be celebrated at two special public events. There will also be several local firework displays in the evening.

In 2010, Palos Verdes Estates will be holding their 48th Annual Independence Day Celebration at Malaga Cove School, 300 Paseo del Mar. The festivities are free to the public and will begin at 9:45 a.m. with entries into the Apple Pie Contest followed by the Children’s Decorated Bike/Scooter Parade at 10:00 a.m. There will be music and family games for all ages. Everyone is welcome to bring picnics to enjoy on the lawn. This year’s guest speaker is Tommy Lasorda.

Rancho Palos Verdes will be hosting their 34th Annual Independence Day Celebration at Point Vicente Park/Civic Center at 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There will be Rides & Games, Arts & Crafts Booths, Music, Pie Eating Contest & Hula Hoop Contest, Petting Zoo and Helicopter Rides. Admission is free, on-site parking is $4 per vehicle and free shuttle service is provided along Hawthorne Blvd.

Fireworks can be seen in the evening at the Redondo Beach Pier/Seaside Lagoon at 9:30 p.m., at Torrance’s Charles Wilson Park at 9:00 p.m., the Barge off the Coast of Torrance Beach at 9:00 p.m., and at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro at 9:00 p.m.

Palos Verdes Estates was originally designed to be a gated city and a gatehouse was built to guard its northern entrance.  It is located on Via Valmonte at the Torrance border.  It was called the Mirlo Gate Lodge Tower.

A stone plaque on the site states, “The ‘Stone Tower’ was built by the Palos Verdes Homes Association in 1926 from the plans of the architect Clarence E. Howard submitted in Nov. 1925.  Intended for a gated entrance located on parkland, it was deeded to Palos Verdes Estates in 1939 and has been occupied by various tenants to maintain and preserve the tower.”

Yes, that’s right.  It is “tenant occupied”.  It does not come up for rent very often.  According to the City, the current tenant has been there for twenty years.  It looks very small – maybe 300 square feet – and so very quaint.

The 23rd Annual Palos Verdes Street Fair and Music Festival will take place Saturday, June 12 (10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) and Sunday, June 13 (10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.).   Teen Fun Night will be held Friday evening, June 11 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with the opening of the carnival rides.

The Palos Verdes Street Fair will feature 2 days of events ands live music, approximately 200 Quality Arts and Crafts Booths (click here for a list of vendors), continuous live entertainment, a free children’s petting zoo and pony rides, an International Food Court, Green Street – a showcase of environmental friendly products and energy conservation education, Rides and Attractions for adults and children, a “Top Dog” dog show and more.   Every year, I find something new at the Fair.   It promises to be a good time for all. 

The Palos Verdes Street Fair attracts about 30,000 fair goers.  The Fair is located on Crossfield Drive in Rolling Hills Estates between The Promenade on the Peninsula and Peninsula Center Shopping Center.  There is free parking at the Promenade parking structure (enter on Indian Peak Road) and at Peninsula High School.  (Click here for a map and parking information)  I suggest arriving at the Fair between 10:00 and 11:00 because the parking is easier and it’s a bit cooler before the mid-day sun.

Photo courtesy of pvstreetfair.com

Last week, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District posted their proposed school calendar for 2010-2011 (click here to view).  It’s about time!  As a parent, it is difficult to plan vacations, appointments, etc. without knowing when our children will be in or out of school.  On this proposed schedule, school will start Tuesday, August 31, 2010 (the week before Labor Day) and the school year will be shortened by 4 or 5 days due to a budget shortfall.  New to the school calendar is a week’s vacation beginning February 21st.

Palos Verdes homes owners will be pleased to know that Palos Verdes schools have received a grant for Language Instruction, according to a recent PVPUSD publication.   The school district will receive $300,000 a year for the next five years “to promote the instruction of Mandarin Chinese.”  Currently all students at Lunada Bay and Point Vicente Elementary Schools have Chinese language instruction that starts at Kindergarten and Monte Malaga and Cornerstone Elementary Schools will be added in the future.  Currently our two high schools and Palos Verdes Intermediate offer Chinese language instruction as an elective and those courses will be expanded to include the other two intermediate schools.  Our great schools contribute to our children’s development and to our strong Palos Verdes home values!