Enjoy Special Dog Walking Hours At the South Coast Botanic Garden!

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

Enjoy Special Dog Walking Hours At the South Coast Botanic Garden!

Palos Verdes homes owners have a unique opportunity to enjoy a great place to walk your dog while getting a little exercise. By popular demand, South Coast Botanic Garden has brought back special dog walking hours twice a month, on the second and fourth Wednesdays, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. You can walk the Garden’s 87 acres with your four legged friend, plus you can bring the whole family to enjoy the outdoors.

On Wednesdays, August 12th & 26th, 2020, you can make it a fun night for all. All guests are required to wear face coverings while on site, and all dogs must be kept on leashes while on Garden property including the parking lot. This is a transactionless entry, since advanced tickets are required. They have reduced maximum occupancy in order to support physical distancing. There will be water stations for both visitors and “fur babies.”

The price for admission for this special event is $15/adult, $11/senior, $5/child and $4 for your dog. For more information or to purchase admission tickets click here.

The South Coast Botanic Garden is located at 26300 Crenshaw Boulevard, Palos Verdes Peninsula. If you have any questions please call (310) 544-1948.

To read my prior article on the South Coast Botanic Garden click here.

Photo courtesy of the South Coast Botanic Garden

Palos Verdes Hikes & Trails Events August 2020

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

Palos Verdes Hikes & Trails Events August 2020

Special Events:

Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy is slowly opening up its trails & hikes for all to enjoy. This is exciting to hear since we have been unable to enjoy all of the great outdoor opportunities the Conservancy has to offer.

The Nature Walk for families will take place at Vicente Bluffs Reserve, on Saturday, August 8, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. The nature walk leaders will be giving an overview of the unique nature, wildlife and botanical highlights of the area. Then you set off for a self guided walk from the bluff top at Point Vicente to Oceanfront Estates and observe the endangered El Segundo blue butterfly during its flight season along restored coastal sage scrub habitat. RSVP at www.pvplc.org,Events & Activities. The Reserve stretches around the bluffs of Lower Point Vicente (6 acres), the Pelican Cove property (9 acres), and the habitat areas within the Oceanfront Estates project (69 acres). The area contains rare coastal bluff scrub habitat and unique geological formations including dramatic hexagonal shaped columns of rock formed from black basalt. Trail reconstruction and native plant restoration activities are supported by a California Coastal Conservancy grant with the goal to reduce sedimentation along the state coastline. Monitoring of the Reserve resulted in the discovery of exciting and unexpected colonies of the endangered El Segundo blue butterfly.

The Docent Zoom Orientation will take place on Sunday, August 30, 2020, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. This is a great opportunity to become a Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Docent, where you can share your love of nature with the community. The orientation will introduce you to the different opportunities available. These opportunities include volunteering in the Nature Centers and engaging with visitors, helping with native plant sales, supporting the new Nature Club for Families and/or leading Nature Walks. Docents can also sign up to teach local 3rd graders about the natural history of the Peninsula. They will provide all the training, lesson activities, and materials. As a volunteer you can also enjoy enrichment activities as part of the friendly Docent Community. For more information sign up at www.pvplc.volunteerhub.com. For questions about the program please contact the Education Program Manager, Holly Gray, at hgray@pvplc.org.

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

Photo of the El Segundo blue butterfly courtesy of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy

Enjoy Palos Verdes Library District’s Film Fest in August!

3 weeks ago • Community Events, Community Information, Senior Information, Things To Do In Palos Verdes

Enjoy Palos Verdes Library District’s Film Fest in August!

The Palos Verdes Library District has some great opportunities for children and adults. Even though the library is closed for visitors, it offers many fun & interesting things to participate in. No matter what your age, there is something for all of us here to enjoy. The Palos Verdes Library District is dedicated to providing online services to the community during the COVID-19 virus. The wonderful thing about these programs is that many of the digital resources can be accessed 24/7 with your library card. If you don’t currently have a library card, you can sign up online and it will be emailed back to you within 48 hours (click here for link).

During the month of August the library will have a Friday Film Fest discussion to enjoy on Zoom. You will be able to watch these films from home, then get together on Fridays, August 7, 14, 21, and 28 @ 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. The films are available either through Hoopla or Kanopy, and some also have DVD’s in the catalog available for checkout and picked up through the Curbside Holds process. Register for the Film Fest once and you will be able to access the Zoom meeting each week. To register click here.

The Lineup for the films is:

August 7th, “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” (2019, Rated R) – Drama – available on Kanopy or DVD

August 24th, “Faces Places” (French – 2018, Rated PG) – Documentary – available on Kanopy or DVD

August 21st, “Driveways” (2019, Not Rated) Drama – Hoopla, DVD

August 28th, “Abe” (2019, Not Rated) Comedy – Hoopla, DVD

For more information regarding this program, call (310) 377-9584, or contact Laura Ishizaka via email at Lishizaka@pvld.org.

To read my prior article on the Palos Verdes Library District click here.

Photo courtesy of the Palos Verdes Library District

Palos Verdes Art Center 2020 Online Summer Show!

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

Palos Verdes Art Center 2020 Online Summer Show!

The Palos Verdes Art Center had to change it’s schedule this year like so many other programs. They were not able to finish their Spring Term Classes, and the Summer Classes have been canceled due to the public health concerns. However, they have been able to put together “The Summer Show” which will show submissions from the Palos Verdes Art Center’s eight active artists groups.

The Summer Show will take place from July 20, 2020, through August 22, 2020, and images of all exhibition artwork will be online from their gallery on July 20. The virtual exhibition can be viewed by going to pvartcenter.org.

The Fall Term of classes is scheduled to start on September 14, 2020, and will run through November 20, 2020. When the Art Center is able to open, it will follow strict social distancing and sanitizing guidelines. At this time, they are hoping to re-open soon and look forward to being able to announce a date. The fall registration is not yet open, but soon they will list the classes that are offered and give a full description of each class and time on the website at www.pvartcenter.org. Once the online registration opens, you can go online, or if you prefer to go in person do so at the Palos Verdes Art Center’s Entrance Lobby at 5504 West Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes. For more information call (310) 541-2479.

To read my prior article on the Palos Verdes Art Center click here.

Photo courtesy of the Palos Verdes Art Center

Palos Verdes Enjoys Outdoor Summer Movie at the Promenade on the Peninsula!

1 month ago • Children's Events, Community Events, Community Information

Palos Verdes Enjoys Outdoor Summer Movie at the Promenade on the Peninsula!

Family Movie Night featuring “La La Land” will be shown on Saturday, June 27, 2020, on the roof of the Promenade on the Peninsula located at 550 Deep Valley Drve, Rolling Hills Estates. The event will be held on the roof top parking lot for an unique outdoor summer experience while social distancing. For this special evening, the gate will open at 7:00 p.m., and the movie starts at 8 p.m. You can enter the Promenade parking lot off Indian Peak Road and go to the top level. Enjoy the old fashioned experience of watching a movie from your car, while waving to your friends across the parking lot. There is an admission charge of $25 per car. The funds will benefit the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, a program that helps local teens launch businesses.

There will be take out food options at the location. You can purchase tickets at the gate or in advance from the Palos Verdes Chamber’s website palosverdeschamber.com/events, or by calling (310) 377-8111.

“La La Land” is set in the 1950’s in Hollywood, filled with music, and dancing. It is always fun to join the other viewers and wear your 1950 style clothing.

Click here to read my last article about outdoor movies.

Palos Verdes Businesses Want To Remind You To “Shop Local First”

2 months ago • 0 comments • Community Events, Community Information, Homeowner Information, Things To Do In Palos Verdes

Palos Verdes Businesses Want To Remind You To “Shop Local First”

Palos Verdes business owners are hoping that as businesses start to open, you remember to continue to help our community by “Shopping Local First.” The Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is reminding us of its “Local First” initiative to assist our local economy and is showing Palos Verdes homes owners all the benefits that our community receives by supporting local businesses. We have been staying “safer at home” for several months, and are now able to get out and run our own errands as we did in the past. However, we must remember that our local restaurants, retail stores, dance studios, music stores and gyms have seen a tremendous downside recently. As we look around the local shopping centers now, retail stores have re-opened up in the shopping centers and some restaurants are even allowing limited sit down dining. So if you are going to start stepping out, please remember the following list of Top 10 Reasons To Shop, Dine and Do Business Locally First.

1. Significantly More Money Re-circulates in the Local Community

2. Unique Businesses are an Integral Part of our Distinctive Character

3. Put your Taxes to Good Use

4. Customer Service is Better

5. Most New Jobs are Provided by Local Businesses

6. Local Business Owners Invest in our Community

7. Competition and Diversity Leads to More Consumer Choices

8. Environmental Impact is Reduced

9. Non Profits Receive Greater Support

10. A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.

To read my last article on “Shopping Local First” click here.

Photo of the Promenade on the Peninsula courtesy of Arvin Design

Palos Verdes 2020 Whale Watching Has Resumed!

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

Palos Verdes 2020 Whale Watching Has Resumed!

Point Vicente Interpretive Center had to stop its whale counting this year in March because of the corona virus. This famous landmark gives Palos Verdes homes owners a local center where they can go and watch these massive mammals off our coastline. The season officially started on December 1, 2019, with most of the whales traveling south to Baja. To see these magnificent creatures, there are several different local options to choose from. Point Vicente Interpretive Center located at 31501 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes, welcomes visitors to this premier whale watching site for viewing (bring binoculars). Currently the park grounds are open, as well as the restrooms and walking trails. The museum and gift store are closed at this time due to the virus. For more information, call (310)-377-5370.

If you want to get a closer look at the whales, there are two companies that have whale watching tours for a fee. San Pedro Spirit Cruises is offering their tours on Saturday & Sunday at 1:30 p.m. You can go online to purchase tickets, however, they recommend that you contact them the day before to make sure that there are no weather problems. The cost for the tour is $15, and one child is free with each paid adult. San Pedro Spirit Cruises is located at 77 Berth, San Pedro. For more information and to make future reservations, go to www.spiritmarine.com or call (310) 548-8080.

Harbor Breeze is offering their cruises everyday at 12:00 noon & 3:00 p.m. This is a two hour excursion into the Pacific Ocean to search for whales, dolphins, sea lions, and other marine life including marine birds. The cost for this cruise is $35/prepaid or $45 for walk ups. Children 3-11 are $30. Harbor Breeze is located at 100 Aquarium Way, Dock #2, Long Beach. For more information and reservations go to https://2seewhales.com, or call (562) 432-4900.

At this time the Redondo Beach Whale Watch tours have not begun. They are hoping to open their facility later this month. Reservations will be required for weekend tours. Redondo Beach Whale Watch is located at 140 International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach. For more information, go to www.rbwhales.com or call (310) 372-2111 for reservations.

To read my last article on whale watching click here.

Photo courtesy of Spirit Cruises

Enjoy Free Garden Day At South Coast Botanic Garden Tuesday, June 16, 2020!

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

Enjoy Free Garden Day At South Coast Botanic Garden Tuesday, June 16, 2020!

Palos Verdes homes owners have a great opportunity to enjoy one of the few locations that is still open for exercise on the Peninsula. The South Coast Botanic Garden, “The Jewel of the Peninsula,” is located here on the beautiful Palos Verdes Peninsula and has 87-acres of more than 2,500 different species of plants from as far away as Australia, the Mediterranean, and southern Africa. Popular features include a small lake, Mediterranean Garden, AARS Rose Garden, Water-Wise Garden, Garden for the Senses, Cactus Garden, Children’s Garden, Fuchsia Garden, Dahlia Garden, Herb Garden, and Japanese Garden. There is an attractive Wedding Lawn and two Gazebos, Events Meadow, and Frances Young Auditorium available for events.

On Tuesday, June 16, 2020, you can enjoy the Free Garden Day at the SCBG, but must make an advance reservation and follow the covid rules by wearing protective face masks, and follow safe physical distancing.

If you can’t make it for the free day, the normal price for admission to the South Coast Botanic Garden is: adults $15, seniors $11, students with I.D. $11, children 5 to 12 $5, and children 4 and under are free. Currently, you must make advance reservations for the date/time you wish to visit the Gardens. For more information or to purchase admission tickets click here. The South Coast Botanic Garden is located at 26300 Crenshaw Boulevard, Palos Verdes Peninsula. Due to the current situation, it is recommended that you contact the garden early to make your reservation because it does fill up. To make your reservation for June 16,2020, call (310) 544-1948.

To read my prior article on the Cherry Blossom Festival click here.

Photo courtesy of the South Coast Botanic Garden

Palos Verdes Library District’s Announces Curbside Pickup!

2 months ago • Community Events, Community Information, Senior Information, Things To Do In Palos Verdes

Palos Verdes Library District’s Announces Curbside Pickup!

The Palos Verdes Library District will be starting its new Curbside Pickup tomorrow, June 2, 2020, at one of the Palas Verdes libraries. You can now place, cancel, suspend and pickup holds. In order to participate, first check your account at www.pvld.org, and if your current holds are available for pickup it will say “Ready for Pickup.” You are also able to cancel any holds you no longer need and place new holds.

Beginning tomorrow, you can drive up to either Peninsula Center, Miraleste or Malaga Cove Library branches to pick up holds. The hold pickup hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

At the Peninsula Center Library, you will enter the roof parking lot at 650 Deep Valley Drive, and follow the signage. In order to speed things up, please have your library card ready, your face covering on, and pop your trunk when instructed.

Both Malaga Cove & Miraleste branches will allow you to park and pick up your hold. Malaga Cove parking lot entrance off of Via Pinale will allow for parking and pick up. Miraleste Library parking lot will be open and services will be provided at the front entrance. You must wear a face covering at all times.

Book drops will be opening on June 8, 2020. All current items are checked out until June 30, 2020. All items will be quarantined and cleaned upon return. There will be a 72 hour delay before returned items are checked in to the library system, due to these quarantine procedures. No overdue fines will be charged for this delay.

At this time, no other in-person services are available and the buildings are closed. The libraries are not accepting any book donations at this time.

For more information, you can contact the Palos Verdes Library District at (310) 377-9584.

To read my prior article on the Palos Verdes Library District click here.

Photo courtesy of the Palos Verdes Library District

Palos Verdes Summer Concerts Cancelled!

2 months ago • Community Events, Community Information, Things To Do In Palos Verdes

Palos Verdes Summer Concerts Cancelled!

Palos Verdes homes owners will have to wait another year to enjoy the Palos Verdes Summer Concerts due to the Covid-19 virus. The summer normally brings blankets, music and fun, however, this summer large crowds will not be happening in our area.

The Malaga Cove concert series which has been going on for years, and normally takes place on eight Wednesday’s following the Fourth of July, has now been cancelled due to social distancing. The Malaga Cove Business and Professional Association put out a notification that this year it would be unable to continue the series.

Lunada Bay Homeowners Association is cancelling their summer concerts this year also. They are hoping to be able to bring back some music in September and October.

The Neighborhood Church will not be enjoying any summer concerts this year. They have been cancelling all large group functions at to this time.

St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church has also announced that they will not be holding their outdoor concerts this summer. We look forward to the return of the Palos Verdes Summer Concerts next year.

To read my prior article on the Malaga Cove Concert Series click here.

Photo above is of a Lunada Bay concert