February lectures sponsored by the Peninsula Seniors give Palos Verdes homes owners an opportunity to learn more about different interesting topics, and allow them to meet other local residents. These lectures take place at Hesse Park, located at 29301 Hawthorne Blvd, Rancho Palos Verdes, in the Fireside Room on Wednesday’s from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

On February 8, 2012, the community will learn about the development of the Peninsula from two women who wrote a book about the early days.  Written by Betty Lukas, and edited by Marjeanne Blinn, “Peninsula Past: the Complicated Birth of Paradise” debuted December 8, and consists of 31 essays and archived photos which had appeared in the Palos Verdes Peninsula News.  As many of you know Betty is a docent in the Local History Room at the Peninsula Center Library, and Marjeanne is an adult services librarian there.  They will be bringing books for sale for local history buffs.

On February 15, the speaker will be Ms. Dina Aryan-Zahler who is a staff engineer for the Port of Los Angeles.  She will talk about development ideas and the plans that will create a world class harbor and an active community attraction here in our own backyard.  Some of these plans for the Port will include U.S.S. IOWA, an artist and craftsman center, an international marine research and technology center, Ports’O'Call Village, and a downtown water attraction.

On February 22, Coleen Sass and volunteer Alan Cook will talk about the Community Helpline and how it has been providing support and crisis intervention services to the Peninsula for the last 40 years. They will talk about the six week training course that is involved for all the volunteers, and how the Helpline became became such a benefit to our community. This should be an interesting topic for those who are not aware of some of the services our Peninsula offers residents.

On February 29, Don Nose, president of the Go For Broke National Education Center in Torrance, and Directors Ken Akune and James Ogawa, will talk about how in WWII, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team was the most highly decorated unity in the history of the United States.  It was made up of 442nd and 100th Battalions that were entirely Japanese-American volunteers, whose families had been sent to relocation camps at the start of the war. There will be a presentation showing detailing how this famous combat unit fought in two wars.

Photo courtesy of the Peninsula Seniors

Palos Verdes homes owners love to see whales off their coast and the Whale Watching season is upon us.  It officially started December 1, 2011 and according to the Point Vicente Interpretive Center,  559 whales have been spotted to date.  This is a higher number than normal and 5 whales were spotted just this morning!   Most of the whales are traveling south to Baja but seven were spotted going north.

There is something so exciting about seeing these magnificent creatures.  You have several options.  Point Vicente Interpretive Center located at  31501 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes 90275 welcomes visitors to this premier whale watching site for viewing (bring binoculars).  For more information, call 310-377-5370.   If you want to see the whales up closer, there are two companies that have whale watching tours for a fee.  San Pedro Spirit Cruises (310) 548-8080 has tours on Saturdays at 1:00 p.m., and Sundays at 12:00 p.m. Voyager Excursions in Redondo Beach (310) 944-1219 has daily whale watching tours.

Photo courtesy of Voyager Excursions

Palos Verdes homes owners are able to enjoy and learn more about their beautiful Peninsula by taking nature hikes on the first Saturday of every month.  This Saturday, February 4, 2012, the George F. Canyon Preserve & Nature Center will not only offer their morning Bird Walk, but you also can enjoy the afternoon First Saturday Walk through the Canyon.

The Bird Walks are from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., and Naturalist Loretta Rose is happy to guide you through a few of the riparian habitats on the Peninsula.  You will learn about the canyon’s willow trees and other plants which make up the habitat for our local bird species.  Most of the focus is on the natural history of our local bird species and how the canyon plays an integral part to their existence.  This is a very slow and quiet walk (so the birds are not frightened) and remember to bring your binoculars.  You must call ahead to make reservations and binoculars are available if needed.

The First Saturday Walk will take place in the afternoon from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Your expert guide will introduce you to a new world of discovery in the canyon.  Your guide will not only teach you about the habitat, geology, drainage, wildlife and folklore, but will be able to answer your questions about what makes these canyons so popular and important to our local wildlife.

These hikes will be starting at the George F. Nature Center at 7306 Palos Verdes Drive East, Rolling Hills Estates.  For more information about these activities, or to make reservations, please call (310) 547-0862.

Photo courtesy of PVPLC

On Saturday, February 4, 2012, the Peninsula Seniors will sponsor Coffee & Cars at the Peninsula Shopping Center (off Silver Spur Road and Hawthorne Boulevard in Rolling Hills Estates).  A group of car enthusiasts will bring their Hot Rod, Custom, Muscle Car, Sports Car, Antique, and other special interest vehicles, to the Peninsula Shopping Center parking lot where you can admire the cars, meet the owners and ask them questions.

This free event gives Palos Verdes homes owners an opportunity to meet and socialize with Peninsula Seniors members, their guests, and other South Bay area car lovers.  If you are not over 55 and would like to bring your favorite car to show, you can get an honorary car or a “senior-in-training” badge to cover you for the event.

Coffee & Cars is held the first Saturday of every month in the parking area near Starbucks and Rite Aid in the Peninsula Shopping Center. Each month, a different type of car is features and for the month of February, Italian Cars will be shown.  For a fun morning activity put on your comfortable shoes and enjoy the outdoors with other car buffs.

For more information contact Peninsula Seniors at (310) 377-3003.

Photo courtesy of Arvin Design

It is time again for owners of  Palos Verdes homes (and/or tenants) who will have children entering Kindergarten in the Fall of 2012 to be planning for Kindergarten Roundup (Registration).   This is an important event if you have Kindergarten age children because some Palos Verdes elementary schools are impacted.  California Law (SB 1381) relating to the age requirement for Kindergarten enrollment was changed.  The new law requires a child be five years old on or before November 1st.  The cutoff date under the old law was December 2nd.  All interested parents are encouraged to attend one of the scheduled Kindergarten Orientation meetings and learn more about this change, the application process and the application deadline. The meetings will be held on:

.  Monday, February 6th (7:00 p.m.) – Vista Grande Elementary School, 7032 Purpleridge Drive,   Rancho Palos Verdes, (310) 377-6066.

.  Tuesday, February 7th (7:00 p.m.) – Dapplegray Elementary School, 3022 Palos Verdes Drive North, Rolling Hills Estates, (310) 541-3706.

Photo courtesy of PVPUSD

In a prior article, “How Did 2011 Palos Verdes Homes Sales Compare?”, I gave preliminary statistics for the entire Palos Verdes Peninsula.  Now we will look at those final numbers as well as the individual neighborhoods.  The chart above can be enlarged by clicking on it or go to the “Statistics” tab above and scroll to bottom.

561 single family Palos Verdes homes sold in 2011 compared to 530 homes sold in 2010 – a 6% increase.  Average sales price for single family Palos Verdes houses sold in 2011 increased slightly from 2010 – $1,358,845 in 2011 compared to $1,350,120 in 2010 – a .6% increase.  Average square foot price for Palos Verdes houses sold in 2011 was $476 compared to $488 in 2010 – a 2.4% decrease.  Some areas of the country do not use square foot prices as they are not always a reliable number as smaller homes sell for more per square foot, there is not additional valuation for extra land and the house may actually be larger/smaller than the square footage shown.

The city of Rolling Hills posted the largest gain in average sales price – $3,112,778 for 2011 compared to $2,036, 336 in 2010.  The Monte Malaga, Malaga Cove, Palos Verdes Drive North, Palos Verdes Drive East, Mira Catalina and Palos Verdes Drive South neighborhoods also showed small gains in average sales price.   The Silver Spur neighborhood posted the largest decrease in average sales price – $837,146 for 2011 compared to $956,856 in 2010.

Mira Catalina posted the largest gain in average square foot price for Palos Verdes homes sold – a 12% increase from $401 in 2011 compared to $448 in 2010.  Rolling Hills, Palos Verdes Drive South, and Peninsula Center also showed gains in square footage price.  Silver Spur showed the largest decrease in square foot price (12.2%) from $493 in 2011 compared to $433 in 2010.

Lunada Bay/Margate posted the largest number of Palos Verdes homes sold in 2011 – 70 houses (62 houses in 2010).  Palos Verdes Drive East posted the biggest gain in home sales – 58 in 2011 compared to 36 in 2010.  Malaga Cove, Palos Verdes Drive South, West Palos Verdes, Country Club, Silver Spur and Eastview RPV also had an increase in number of homes sold in 2011 compared to 2010.

2011 information on median price for Palos Verdes homes sold as well as total valuation of Palos Verdes real estate and highest/lowest home sales can be obtained by clicking here or going to my prior post, “How Did 2011 Palos Verdes Homes Sales Compare?”.

The Palos Verdes Library District is giving Palos Verdes homes owners the opportunity to return overdue library books on Fridays during the month of January, 2012, with a waiver of fees.  This “get out of jail free” card will be available only this month and can be utilized by visiting a library service desk at any of the three Palos Verdes libraries.  This extends to overdue and expired hold fees, with a maximum of $50 per library card.

There are certain fees that are excluded.  They are video/audio rental fees and replacement fees for lost items. The amnesty program includes all books returned in person,  but does not include phone privileges.

The library wants to give its patrons a fresh start this year and feels that the most efficient way is to encourage those with overdue fines to come back to the library.  For more information call (310) 377-9584, ext 602.

Photo courtesy of the Palos Verdes Residents Handbook

Did you start the New Year promising to be more organized and de-clutter this year?  Well here is the perfect opportunity to get rid of all those old electronic devices you don’t use and start de-cluttering your home or office.  Palos Verdes homes owners have the opportunity to recycle their old TV’s, computers, phones and other electrical devices and help the Palos Verdes public schools at the same time.  Waste Management is offering this one time opportunity to unload your E-waste items and 100% of the proceeds will be given to the Peninsula Education Foundation.  This is a win-win for everyone.

Volunteers will be on hand at 3 drive through locations to help you recycle your E-waste items.  On Friday, January 20, 2012, from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., and on Saturday, January 21, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00p.m., you can drop off at Palos Verdes High School located at 600 Cloyden Road, Palos Verdes Estates, or Palos Verdes Peninsula High School located at 27118 Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills Estates.  Miraleste Intermediate School will be accepting donations on Saturday only at 29323 Palos Verdes Drive East, Rancho Palos Verdes from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

They will accept old VCR’s, fax machines, TV’s, computers & monitors, printers, print cartridges, cell phones, video games, iPods, MP3 players, DVD players, gps devices, PDA’s, laptops DVD’s & players, scanners, digital cameras, copiers and power supplies.  For more information contact (310) 378-2278.

Photo courtesy of  Peninsula Education Foundation

Attention parents of eighth grade students!  Palos Verdes High School and Peninsula High School will be hosting their annual Eighth Grade Open Houses at their respective schools for children of Palos Verdes homes owners (and tenants).  Current eight graders must select their high school of choice by Friday, February 17, 2012.  Students who do not return their enrollment forms by 4:30 p.m on February 17, will be enrolled into a high school by the district based on available space at either school.

Palos Verdes Peninsula High School will be welcoming prospective students and their parents on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, at 5:30 p.m.  This is a chance to learn about the different academic, extracurricular and the athletic programs at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School.  You will also be able to meet students, teachers and other parents and ask your specific questions.  Palos Verdes Peninsula High School is located at 27118 Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills Estates 90274.  For more information call (310) 377-4888.

Palos Verdes High School will host it’s annual Eighth Grade Open House on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at 5:00 p.m.  Students can learn about clubs and activities in Senior Park followed by an information session for student athletes in the Multi Purpose Room.  There will be a general session for students and parents in the gym, and then there will be a “Walk Around Campus” to find out about specific programs being offered.  Palos Verdes High School is located at 600 Cloyden Road, Palos Verdes Estates 90274.  For more information call (310)-378-8471.

The Peninsula Seniors Lecture Series is once again giving Palos Verdes homes owners an excellent opportunity to hear special speakers lecture on current topics.  The lectures are held this month at Point Vicente Interpretive Center because remodeling projects are underway at Hesse Park.  The Point Vicente Interpretive Center is located at 31501 Palos Verdes Drive West, in Rancho Palos Verdes.  The series are always held on Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

On January 19th, 2012, Nadine Bobit, named as “The Healthiest Person I Know” in an article in PULSE magazine from the Torrance Memorial Foundation, will be talking about the lessons she’s learned and how mental toughness, diet, preparation and training are keys to success and fulfillment.  She is a credentialed K-12 educator, a Pilates instructor, a community activist and hard core mountain climber.  She has climbed Mt. Illimani in Bolivia, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Elbrus in Russia, and Mt. Whitney.  This should be an interesting lecture and will take place in the Sunset Room of PVIC.

On January 25, 2012, Rafael Capiro, from Truth Fitness and Health located in the Peninsula Center area, will talk about fitness for the older adult.  This should be an informative program regarding exercise and its effect on aging, and the type of exercise that is appropriate for seniors.  As it is important to take precautions to minimize risk of injury, knowing the variables which changes with age, strength and capacity are important to help improve one’s quality of life.  This will be held in the Sunset Room of PVIC.

Photo courtesy of Peninsula Seniors