Palos Verdes Homes Owners Join 2021 International Coastal Cleanup Day!

3 days ago • Children's Events, Community Events, Community Information, Things To Do In Palos Verdes

Palos Verdes Homes Owners Join 2021 International Coastal Cleanup Day!

Palos Verdes Homes owners can participate in the annual Coastal Cleanup Day which is a worldwide beach clean up program that has the largest number of volunteers on the planet. California Coastal Cleanup Day was started in 1985 by the California Coastal Commission. Last year it is said that over half a million volunteers removed almost 18.3 million pounds of trash and debris from beaches, rivers and lakes throughout the state.

Coastal Cleanup Day has gained importance as debris has washed up on our coastline not only from old storm waste, but also our own local waste. Our local annual Coastal Cleanup Day is scheduled for Saturday, September 18,2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park. Los Angeles County alone has more than 60 sites participating in this clean up. Los Serenos de Point Vicente and The City of Rancho Palos Verdes will combine efforts to help improve the health and safety of our coastline.

Palos Verdes homes owners have some of the cleanest beaches and we can all do our part to keep them this way. Heal the Bay is again reporting that Palos Verdes beaches and coves are in the current top Honor Roll 2020-2021 list for California. This means that our local waters have received grades of A and A+ throughout the year. Heal the Bay assigns weekly grades to more than 500 sites along the West Coast for summer dry-weather water quality and to another 60 locations that are on year round monitoring. Heal the Bay is a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to making Southern California coastal waters and watersheds safe, healthy and clean. They use science, education, community action and advocacy to pursue their mission.

Come and join neighbors and friends at Abalone Cove and be a part of the largest volunteer day. You can participate in this worldwide event by volunteering right here in your own backyard while enjoying our beautiful coast at the same time. This year, event organizers are promoting zero waste and are asking participants to bring their own reusable gloves and buckets. Disposal bags will be provided to hold recyclables and trash. No RSVP is needed. All volunteers are required to sign a waiver and volunteers under the age of 18 must have the appropriate liability waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian before they can participate.

Abalone Cove is located at 5970 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes. For more information call (310) 544-5260, or go to www.LosSerenos.org. There is free parking for the event 30 minutes before and after the cleanup.

To read my prior article on the City of Rancho Palos Verdes Abalone Cove Coastal Cleanup Day click here.

Photo of Hopkin’s Rose Nudibranch courtesy of Los Serenos de Point Vicente

Rolling Hills Estates 64th Annual City Celebration!

6 days ago • Children's Events, Community Events, Community Information, Things To Do In Palos Verdes

Rolling Hills Estates 64th Annual City Celebration!

Palos Verdes home owners appreciate local activities to enjoy with their families. On Saturday, September 25, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the City of Rolling Hills Estates will celebrate 64 years of incorporation and the event will take place at the Empty Saddle Club. This event has free admission and visitors are able to join in hay rides, pony rides, petting zoos, stickers and stick races. There will also be equestrian competitions and a poker chip ride available for equestrians.

You will be able to purchase food from vendors while enjoying the equestrian activities that will be entertaining the crowd. The events fundraising will go towards the Pepper Tree Foundation which helps to maintain local parks and open spaces with trees, benches and green care. For more information click here, or call Daniel A-Haja, Community Services Coordinator at (310) 377-1577 ext. 110.

The Empty Saddle Club is located at 39 Empty Saddle Lane, Rolling Hills Estates.

Photo courtesy of the City of Rolling Hills Estates

Palos Verdes Library District September 2021 Activities!

2 weeks ago • Children's Events, Community Information, Things To Do In Palos Verdes

Palos Verdes Library District September 2021 Activities!

Palos Verdes homes owners are happy that the Palos Verdes Library District has expanded its hours. Now that the kids are back to school, the library will be returning to regular hours for our students also.

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!

To celebrate, Kids, Teens, and Adults can sign up for a library card and get a raffle ticket. Pick up a raffle ticket all month long at any of the service desks. Prizes will be announced in the first week of October.

How to Enter:

Sign up for a library card inside the library or at www.pvld.org. Kids age 13 and under can sign up with their parent’s permission and get a small prize. 2. Show at any desk that you have downloaded the PVLD app. (The App is available in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store). 3. Take your library card selfie. Tag @palosverdeslibrary with a photo of your card on Social Media. The PVLD App has lots of great features like checking your online account, searching the catalog and managing holds, renewing items, seeing events, and much more. it can also be used as your library card. Just sign into the app and your barcode will be saved under “My Barcode.”

2021 Annual Community Art Show – Art Show Applications opened September 1, 2021.

Each fall, the Palos Verdes Library District holds their Annual Community Art Show inviting local artists, professional and amateurs alike, to participate. This year, they are excited to host the Community Art Show at the Peninsula Center Library as their first in-person event since March 2020. Submissions will be accepted via paper and online from September 1 to 25, 2021. For more information click here.

Frank A. Vanderlip and WWI: the impact of the war on the local harbor community.

This event will take place on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Online registration is required. Join for a local history lecture about Frank A. Vanderlip, a founder of the PV Peninsula community and a “Renaissance Man.” This presentation will briefly outline his wartime activities as well as efforts towards post-war reconstruction. Also included will be his wartime naval construction initiative which had implications for San Pedro’s expanding shipyards. This virtual program is free, but you can register by clicking here.

Veteran’s Voices 2021

Everyone has a story and they want to capture yours! The Palos Verdes Library District invites you to share stories of your military service in radio style interview. Stories can range from recognizing or remember fellow service members or particular events of your service. Your story will become part of a program to show appreciation for veterans and their families at a later date. Bring photos or other materials related to your service and they will make those part of the project too. They will be recording throughout the month of September at the Peninsula Center Library (and virtually).

To view the 2019 Veterans’ Voices project, visit www.pvld.org/honoringveterans.

History of Hispanic Heritage Month

Each year September 15th through October 15th marks National Hispanic Heritage month. During this celebratory month, they honor stories, cultures, and contributions of those of Central and South American, Mexican, Spanish, and Caribbean ancestry. President Lyndon B. Johnson first introduced the observation of Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 and it was later expanded to a month long celebration in 1989 under President Ronald Reagan.

Virtual Book Club

Tuesday, September 7, 2021 @ 11:00 a.m. on Zoom
The September meeting will read “The Mexican Flyboy” by Alfredo Vea Jr.
Each month, read a book with a different theme! More Info and Registration.

Miraleste Virtual Book Club

Saturday, September 11, 2021 @ 1:00 pm on Zoom
“The Only Woman in the Room” will be the book of the month.

Each month read a different book! More info and Registration

Below are the new library expansion hours:

Peninsula Center Library
Sunday hours return: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday open until 8:00 p.m.

All Locations
Saturday hours open until 5:00 p.m.

Malaga Cove & Miraleste Libraries
Tues/Wed/Thurs open until 5:00 p.m.

For more information about any of the above activities, visit www.pvld.org or call (310) 377-9584

To read my prior article on Palos Verdes Library District

Photo courtesy of the Palos Verdes Library District

Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Events September 2021

2 weeks ago • Children's Events, Community Events, Community Information, Trails and Hikes

Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Events September 2021

Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy is opening its trails for all to enjoy. This is also a great time to consider volunteer opportunities to help maintain the beauty of our wonderful Peninsula.

Special Activities

Virtual Family Nature Club will take place on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. You can join the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy as they creep into the exciting topic of lizards. Learn about local lizards on the Peninsula, how to observe them and enjoy a fun lizard craft. To sign up click here.

Nature Walk at Ocean Trails Reserve will take place on Saturday, September 11, 2021, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. You can walk through impressive restored habitat on top of an ancient slide area with spectacular bluff top ocean views that are well worth the visit. This walk is considered easy and you can sign up at https://pvplc.org.

National Public Lands Day will be celebrated on Saturday, September 25, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at White Point Nature Preserve. You can assist when you volunteer in a beautifully restored California native plant demonstration garden by watering native plants, mulching, eradicating invasive weeds or repairing trails that will help maintain and protect this precious public land resource. Sign up at www.pvplc.volunteerhub.com.

Volunteer Activities

Team Leader Training will take place at White Point Nature Preserve on Saturday, September 4, 2021, at 9:00 a.m to 12:00 noon. Team Leaders provide support and oversight during events. If you love restoring habitat and working with others, this program is for you. All applicants must be at least 16 years of age and have gone to at least 2 volunteer events before attending the workshop. You must come prepared to work outdoors with sturdy closed toed shoes. Sign up at www.pvplc.volunteerhub.com. White Point Nature Center is located at 1600 W. Paseo del Mar, San Pedro.

Adopt a Plot Weed Warrior Training will take place on Saturday, September 4, 2021, at 12:30 p.m. The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy will teach you everything you need to know about noxious invasive species at the White Point Nature Preserve. You will be ready to volunteer on your schedule at a designated location on the preserves. This training is recommended for 18 years of age older. Sign up at www.pvplc.volunteerhub.com

Outdoor Volunteer Day at Abalone Cove Reserve will take place on Saturday, September 18, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. You can volunteer at the newest restoration site on a breathtaking coastal reserve by helping eradicate invasive weeds to protect native species. Sign up at www.pvplc.volunteerhub.com. Abalone Cove Reserve is located at 5970 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes.

Rapid Response Team will take place on Fridays & Saturdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. You will work alongside conservancy staff protecting important wildlife habitat by closing unauthorized trails. The tasks include trail maintenance, building fences, installing signage, and more. No experience is needed and volunteers can be 15 years of age and up. They will be working at various locations and you can volunteer by going to www.pvplc.volunteerhub.com.

To read my prior article on Palos Verdes Hikes and Trails, click here.

Photo of Ocean Trails Reserve courtesy of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy

Join The 12th Annual “Conquer the Bridge” Vincent Thomas Bridge Race!

3 weeks ago • Children's Events, Community Events, Community Information, Things To Do In Palos Verdes

Join The 12th Annual “Conquer the Bridge” Vincent Thomas Bridge Race!

Palos Verdes homes owners have a great opportunity to run/walk on the Vincent Thomas Bridge this coming Labor Day for a 5.3 mile celebration. This race is part of this year’s smaller 2021 L.A. Fleet Week events at the Port of Los Angeles. The race attracts thousands of runners every year. Participants are encouraged to register in advance on Active.com (go to Conquer the Bridge) and pay just $55 or $60 the day of the race. Road Runner Sports, located at 25359 Crenshaw Boulevard, Torrance, will host a three day pre-race pickup from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 3, & Saturday, September 4, and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 5, 2021. You can reach the store by calling 310-326-8530 for more race information.

As there is a limited amount of time to keep the bridge open for foot traffic, the race starts promptly at 7:00 a.m. and must be completed by 9:00 a.m. The bridge then reopens at 10:00 a.m. for traffic. Even walking the course is said to be challenging and there is water and first aid stations at many locations along the race venue. The course will start and finish at 5th Street & Harbor Blvd and will include two trips over the bridge.

Proceeds go to benefit the Los Angeles Police Department Harbor Area Cadet Program. The Cadet Program supports youth programs in San Pedro and the Harbor Area of Los Angeles.

Click here to read my last article on Conquer the Bridge.

Photo is courtesy of the Conquer the Bridge race

Palos Verdes Beaches On 2021 Honor Roll List Again!

3 weeks ago • Children's Events, Community Information, Palos Verdes, Things To Do In Palos Verdes

Palos Verdes Beaches On 2021 Honor Roll List Again!

Palos Verdes home owners are lucky to have some of the cleanest beaches in California for our families to enjoy. At the beginning of the year, some of the local beaches were closed due to covid restrictions. We are grateful that our beaches have been open the entire summer.

Every year the beach water is reported through the Heal the Bay reporting system. Once again Heal the Bay has reported that Palos Verdes beaches and coves are in the current top Honor Roll 2020-2021 list for California. This means that our local waters have received grades of A & A+ during the summer dry part of the year. Because of the wet weather this year, one of our beaches received a B report because of trail outlets. However, year round wet weather averages went back up. Heal the Bay assigns weekly grades to more than 500 sites along the West Coast for summer dry-weather water quality and to another 65 locations that are on year round monitoring. Heal the Bay is a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to making Southern California coastal waters and watersheds safe, healthy and clean. They use science, education, community action and advocacy to pursue their mission. Mexico has also joined the monitoring with three of their beaches located in Tijuana. They are El Faro, El Vigia & Playa Blanca.

Heal the Bay published their first Beach Report Card in 1990 and covered about 60 locations in Los Angeles County. At that time, beach goers knew little about the health risks of the water around them. Since that time, there has been a great deal more information to help keep pollution and sewage spills off our local beaches.

The Beach Report Card (BRC) is based on the routine monitoring of beaches by local health agencies. They collect water samples checking for bacteria that indicate pollution. The better the grade on the beach means the lower the risk of illness to beach goers.

The Beach Report Card program is funded from grants from different foundations. Volunteer groups such as Nothing But Sand, and Coastal Clean Ups are constantly needed to help ensure this program continues to minimize the pollution of our beaches. This year, because of the Coronavirus, many of the local Coastal Volunteer Days were cancelled. However, at this time, the Coastal Cleanup Month is September, and on Saturday, September 18, 2021, participants can help by volunteering from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. If you are interested in participating in Heal the Bay’s event, click here. Our local organizations such as Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy and Los Serenos de Point Vicente offer residents additional opportunities to help clean our local beaches. Funding is always welcome to help Heal the Bay pay for the monitoring of our beautiful beaches.

To read more about Heal the Bay’s Beach Report Card program click here.

To read my prior article on Heal the Bay beach report card click here.

Photo courtesy of Heal the Bay

Palos Verdes 63rd Annual Portuguese Bend Horse Show

4 weeks ago • Children's Events, Community Events, Community Information, Things To Do In Palos Verdes

Palos Verdes 63rd Annual Portuguese Bend Horse Show

Palos Verdes homes owners are invited to enjoy the annual Portuguese Bend National Horse Show held at Ernie Howlett Park, beginning on Friday, September 10, through Sunday, September 12, 2021. This is the 63rd year that this A-rated event offers three full days of a wide variety of special equestrian events. Activities will be scheduled in both riding rings including the prestigious Pacific Coast Horse Association Horsemanship Medal Finals for riders 14 and under, 18 – 34, and the PCHA Victor Hugo Vidal Adult Horsemanship Class for riders 35 and over. In addition, the $10,000 Harman Family Jr-A/O Jumper Classic and the $15,000 Seahorse Open Jumper Classic promise to challenge some of the West Coast’s finest Jumper riders over a difficult and exciting course.

This show is the most popular three day event of its kind in the Western United States. Palos Verdes residents will enjoy the feel of an old fashioned hometown fair with food booths, boutiques, puppet shows, pony rides, animal shows, games, moon bounce and face painting. The Children’s Area is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday & Sunday, and 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. This event is sponsored by The Peninsula Committee Children’s Hospital to benefit The Associates Chair in Endocrinology and The Associates Chair in Transplant Surgery at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Riding events will begin at 8:00 a.m. each day. On Friday admission is free all day, but on Saturday and Sunday, general admission will be $5 and children under 12 are free. Parking is free and is located directly across from the event, with free shuttle services. You can also reserve ringside tables. Each day’s special event schedule and shows can be found at www.pcch.net, or call (310)-318-8258.

There is a special Saturday Night Supper with music by Boomer McLennon & The Rthymn Rangers. The Supper goes from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and tickets are $75 if purchased by August 27 and $95 if purchased after August 27, 2021. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets for Saturday Night Supper.

To view my prior article on the Portuguese Bend National Horse Show click here.

Ernie Howlett Park is located at 25851 Hawthorne Boulevard, Rolling Hills Estates.

Photo courtesy of the Portuguese Bend National Horse Show

Malaga Cove 2021 Art Shows Have Returned!

1 month ago • Community Events, Community Information, Things To Do In Palos Verdes

Malaga Cove 2021 Art Shows Have Returned!

Palos Verdes homes owners enjoy Malaga Cove Art Shows where you can meet with local artists and art collectors in a family friendly outdoor environment. The next show will be on Saturday, August 21st, and Sunday, August 22, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The show will then return on Saturday, September 18, and Sunday, September 22, 2021, during the same hours.

The Palos Verdes Art Center invites the community to meet with talented local artists from seven different art groups affiliated with the Center. These groups are Artists Open Group (AOG), Pacific Arts Group, Paletteers, Palos Verdes Painters, Peninsula Artists, Photographic and Digital Artists (PADA), Third Dimension, and The Artists’ Studio (TAS). These artists will be exhibiting not only paintings, but also photographs, ceramic goods, jewelry, wearable art and more. This is all made possible by the support of the City of Palos Verdes Estates. The shows have been a tradition in the community for over 79 years.

Malaga Cove Plaza is located on Palos Verdes Drive West between Via Corta and Via Chico in Palos Verdes Estates. While there, you can take in the historical architecture and landmarks, visit the local gift shop and enjoy lunch at one of three local restaurants.

To read my prior article on the Malaga Cove Plaza Art Shows click here.

Photo courtesy of the Palos Verdes Art Center.

Palos Verdes Promenade Ice Chalet Reopens!

1 month ago • Children's Events, Community Events, Community Information, Things To Do In Palos Verdes

Palos Verdes Promenade Ice Chalet Reopens With New Owners!

Palos Verdes Promenade Ice Chalet was a great place to visit, and we were all saddened when closed last year. The ice chalet opened in 1981 and had some of figure skating’s biggest names showcasing their talents on its rink including Olympic gold medalist Dorothy Hamill and Torrance native Michelle Kwan, who won Olympic silver and bronze medals during her career.

Now this popular 40 year old community skating rink is set to reopen next month under the management of American Sports Entertainment Company and the Los Angeles Kings. The LA Kings and American Sports Entertainment Company officials have said that a five year lease agreement was signed with the owners of the Promenade on the Peninsula shopping center. The agreement has two additional five year options.

Currently, the rink is undergoing an approximately $200,000 remodel. The remodel will include upgrading the technology system, adding interior and exterior branding, repairing the cold floor pipe system, improving the lighting and sound equipment, new scoreboard and offering high speed internet access. It is expected to open on September 7, 2021, and will be rebranded the LA Kings Ice at Promenade on the Peninsula. The facility will offer public skating, figure skating, hockey classes and clinics, and youth and adult hockey leagues. The Kings will also be hosting various events at the location. Lucky for us the Kings have a strong connection to the South Bay with many of the professional hockey players living in the area.

The LA Kings Ice at Promenade on the Peninsula is located at 550 Deep Valley Drive #107, Rolling Hills Estates.

To read my last article on Promenade Ice Chalet click here.

Photos courtesy of LA Kings

Palos Verdes Lunada Bay Summer Concert Series 2021

1 month ago • Children's Events, Community Events, Community Information, Things To Do In Palos Verdes

Palos Verdes Lunada Bay Summer Concert Series 2021

Lunada Bay Summer Concerts Series 2021, hosted by the Lunada Bay Homeowners Association, takes place at Lunada Bay Park in Palos Verdes Estates. This is a great opportunity for Palos Verdes homes owners to enjoy the summer weather, grab a picnic dinner, bring a low back beach chair or blanket, and enjoy some music outdoors with your neighbors. This year’s series will welcome back local artists to the program, plus a variety of food and beverages which will be available for purchase in support of LBHOA and the local businesses.

The summer concerts are from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will be held on the following Sundays: August 8 and August 22, 2021. The concert series this year will feature Hawaiian music and country western.

LBHOA has assembled another great season of music, dance, and fellowship for their 2021 Summer Concert Series.

August 8, 2021 – Island Jams (Hawaiian Music)

August 22, 2021 – Tenn West – Country Western

Lunada Bay Park is located on the corner of Palos Verdes Drive West and Via Carrillo in Palos Verdes Estates.

Click here to read my last article on Lunada Bay concerts.

Photo courtesy of Lunada Bay Homeowners Association