Palos Verdes Hosts Tracy Austin’s 42nd Annual Tennis Tournament

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

Palos Verdes Hosts Tracy Austin’s 42nd Annual Tennis Tournament

Tennis players from Palos Verdes and South Bay are getting ready for the 42nd Annual Tracy Austin Doubles Tennis Tournament, which will be held on November 12 to 14, 2021. Finals will be held at the Jack Kramer Club. This tournament is named in honor of our own local tennis celebrity, Tracy Austin, and proceeds from the event benefit the Pepper Tree Foundation which contributes to the maintenance and development of parks, trails and open space in the Rolling Hills Estates community.

This is one of the few tennis tournaments that welcomes players in all ages and skill levels. Competition will be in Women’s Doubles, Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles. Junior players can play in any level or division of the tournament. Classifications include Open and USYA NTRP Divisions. Players are allowed to enter in up to two divisions.

The tournament takes place at the Rolling Hills Estates Tennis Club (located at Ernie Howlett Park), The Jack Kramer Club and the South Bay Tennis Club. The registration fee is $30.50. Entrants will receive a Tournament T-Shirt and complimentary gift bag. There is a $2,000 cash prize fund to be divided among the top finishers in the Open Division. Entry forms are available at the Rolling Hills Estates City Hall and local tennis clubs, or go to www.TracyAustinTennis.com for more information or to register online.

For more information, call Bob Krueger, Tennis Pro & Tournament Director at the Rolling Hills Estates Tennis Club, at (310) 541-4585, or the City of Rolling Hills Estates, (310) 377-1577, ext 110. You can also contact Daniel A-Haja, Community Services Coordinator at DanielA@Rolling HillsEstatesCA,gov.

Ernie Howlett Park is located at 25851 Hawthorne Boulevard, Rolling Hills Estates, and The Jack Kramer Club is located at 11 Monticello Drive, Rolling Hills Estates. The South Bay Tennis Club is located at 25924 Rolling Hills Road, Torrance.

To read my previous article about the Tracy Austin Doubles Tennis Tournament click here.

Photo courtesy of The Jack Kramer Club

Palos Verdes Fall Festival & Carnival Coming Soon!

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

Palos Verdes Fall Festival & Carnival Coming Soon!

Palos Verdes Fall Festival & Carnival will take place on Friday, October 29, through Sunday, October 31, 2021. The Fair will have its “Friday Fun Night” with the opening of the carnival on Friday, October 29, 2021, from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Local youth can enjoy a fun-filled night with pre-purchased unlimited ride discount tickets of $30 or $35 at the gate. The Fair will have something for everyone with its marketplace and carnival rides.

The Palos Verdes Fall Festival & Carnival is located at Norris Center & Deep Valley Drive (501 Deep Valley Drive, Rolling Hills Estates). The Palos Verdes Festival Marketplace hours are Saturday, October 30, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 31, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. There will be a Health & Wellness Fair on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

On Saturday there will also be a Pumpkin Decorating Contest from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You can bring your decorated pumpkin to the Chamber Information Booth and fair goers will vote for their favorites. The winners will be selected at 2:00 p.m. and you do not need to be present. During the day there will also be entertainment on the stage from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Saturday evening schedule has not been announced.

On Sunday, October 31, 2021, there will be a costume contest on the stage at 2:00 p.m. with four age groups: Pre-K, K, 1st – 2nd, and 3rd – 5th. The Sunday entertainment schedule has not been announced.

The carnival hours are Friday, from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m., and Saturday & Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Festival Marketplace hours are mentioned above) Parking is available at the Promenade parking structure at Drybank Drive and Silver Spur Road. There will also be parking at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School.

For more information or to purchase wristbands for carnival rides, contact the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce at (310) 377-8111 or visit them at www.palosverdeschamber.com.

Click here to read my previous article about a prior Palos Verdes Street Fair & Music Festival.

Photo courtesy of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

Enjoy 2021 Halloween Fun In Palos Verdes!

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

Enjoy 2021 Halloween Fun In Palos Verdes!

Halloween is just around the corner and many Palos Verdes homes owners are looking for fun activities for families to participate in. Here is a great event for families to enjoy this coming weekend.

At the Peninsula Shopping Center on Sunday, October 17, 2021, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m., Halloween Spooktacular will offer Halloween themed activities, music, entertainment, trick or treat candy stations, costumed characters and more. All families are invited and encouraged to wear their spookiest costume. This event is free and open to the public. This year there will not be any trick or treating in the shopping center.

The event will take place in the lower parking lot near the Bay Club parking structure. Guests are being asked to comply with all state and local COVID safety recommendations, and masks are strongly encouraged for everyone 2 years and older.

The Peninsula Center is located at 67 Peninsula Center, Rolling Hills Estates (corner of Hawthorne Blvd & Silver Spur).

To read my last article on Halloween fun click here.

Photo courtesy of the Peninsula Shopping Center

Skechers Friendship 2021 Walk Benefits Peninsula Education Foundation

3 weeks ago • Children's Events, Community Events, Community Information, School Information

Skechers Friendship 2021 Walk Benefits Peninsula Education Foundation

Palos Verdes homes owners can get out and walk this year in support of the Peninsula Education Foundation with the Skechers Friendship Walk, which is seeking donations to support our local Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District. The primary source of income for most public school districts in California, including the PVPUSD, is from the State. However, State support has declined since 2007-08. The most stable and reliable funding source in recent years has been local revenue from the Peninsula Education Foundation. This year the foundation will be celebrating over 40 years of assisting our schools. A lot has changed in the past years, but the income from Peninsula Education Foundation has allowed PVPUSD to continue providing students the programs and services needed for their success in college and/or the workplace.

As in prior years, a large portion of the pledge money has been allocated to saving teachers’ jobs, with the remaining pledge balance supporting elementary choral and instrumental music; library aides; PE for grades K- 5; STEM for elementary grades 4-5, intermediate & high school safe schools counselors, College Career Center staff and STEM programs for robotics and engineering (called PVIT and SMERT).

Palos Verdes homes owners have a wonderful opportunity to support our schools by registering for The Pier To Pier Friendship Walk which will be held Sunday, October 24, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. (check-in is at 8:00 a.m.). Early check in for the walk takes place on Friday, October 22, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, October 23rd, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at any of the local Skechers stores located in Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach South Bay Galleria, Torrance Del Amo Mall or the Promenade on the Peninsula (across from the fountain). The cost of the walk is $30 for early check in, or $35 on the day of the walk with the entire fee going directly to our schools. This 3.5 mile walk begins at Manhattan Beach Pier and you can sign up either as walker or “virtual walker” and designate Palos Verdes Education Foundation as your charity of choice. This yearit is live & virtual and they hope to have more participants and increase the money going to our schools. Every participant receives a tee shirt and gift bag. It’s easy to register online at www.skechersfriendshipwalk.com and click on the “register to walk button.”

Please register your entire family to join in the fun and support PEF and our schools. This is a win-win. Our Palos Verdes schools will receive additional funding and you and your family can enjoy a beautiful morning at the beach!

To read my last article on Skechers Friendship Walk click here.

Photo courtesy of Skechers Friendship Walk

Palos Verdes Bulky Trash & E-Waste Pick Up October 23, 2021

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

Palos Verdes Bulky Trash & E-Waste Pick Up October 23, 2021

Palos Verdes Estates Annual Bulky Trash & E-Waste Pick Up will take place on October 23, 2021. In order to have your items picked up they must be curbside by 6:00 a.m. This is a great opportunity to get rid of extras that may be cluttering your home before the holidays. The City’s waste hauler will pick up furniture, appliances, water heaters, refrigerators (doors removed), stoves, sinks, lawn furniture and more. They will not pick up construction waste, green waste, automotive fluids, pool chemicals and cleaning products. However, you may contact Athens Service directly if you have construction waste that you need to have removed at any time by ordering a temporary debris container. On October 23, 2021, you can also dispose of E-Waste items such as TV’s, printers, DVD players, computers, etc. Athens Services is also scheduling a door-to-door Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on Saturday, November 6, 2021. You must schedule a collection by calling Athens Services at (888)336-6100.

Palos Verdes Estates residents can also join in the Free Compost give away on Saturday, October 9, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at the Palos Verdes City Hall parking lot, located at 340 Palos Verdes Drive West, Palos Verdes Estates. Athen’s compost is a blend of organics material including a mix of green waste, wood waste, and food scraps. This is a self service event and sturdy containers are required, with availability while supplies last. Masks, gloves and eye protection are recommended.

The city of Rancho Palos Verdes uses EDCO for their Convenient Bulky Item Pick-up. Single family residents have the opportunity to schedule bulky item pick up service for large items such as water heaters, appliances, furniture, televisions, etc. (except for household hazardous waste) up to four times per year for FREE. These pickups must be scheduled ahead of time. To make arrangements you must call (310) 540-2977.

Rolling Hills Estates residents are serviced by Waste Management and are able to have both E-Waste and Bulky Items picked up at their residences for FREE four times a year also. They must notify Customer Services at least 24 hours prior to pick up to arrange for that service. To set up an appointment, call (800) 774-0222.

For year round Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Waste Disposal, go to the Gaffey Safe Center located at 1400 N. Gaffey Street, San Pedro. They are open on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

For more information regarding Palos Verdes Estates Bulky Trash, Free Compost & E-Waste information click here.

For information on the prior Palos Verdes Annual Bulky Trash Pick Up click here.

Photo courtesy of Athens Services

South Coast Botanic Garden Presents SOAR: Monarch Migration!

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

South Coast Botanic Garden Presents SOAR: Monarch Migration!

Palos Verdes homes owners can enjoy some family fun by visiting the South Coast Botanic Garden for their SOAR: Monarch Migration opening on Friday, October 1, 2021, through November 30, 2021.

Monarchs are one of only a few of the butterfly species that migrate. At the exhibit, you can learn why, how, and where they travel. The immersive pavilion will showcase monarchs and mimics (other butterflies that may look like a monarch but aren’t actually). The SOAR guides will help you become a butterfly detective, while the host and nectar garden will be planted with everything the western monarchs love, including milkweed, which helps repopulate this very special butterfly.

Monarchs have a very important story to tell. While they may be the most well-known butterfly, their population is on a steep decline. The exhibit will also touch on what YOU can do to help.

Timed ticket reservations will be required for all visitors due to social distancing. If you are not a member, the price for admission is $18/adult, $18/senior, $18/students, $12/children 5-12, and $7/toddler 2-4. (Children under 2 are free). Advanced reservations are still required, so make sure you get them before they sell out. 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 our current situation, they recommend that you contact the garden early to make your reservations as there are a limited number of tickets.

To read my prior article about the Garden click here.

Photo courtesy of the South Coast Botanic Garden

Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Events October 2021

1 month ago • Children's Events, Community Events, Community Information, Trails and Hikes

Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Events October 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

The Olmsted Legancy: Bringing Nature to the City – Join the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy and the Palos Verdes Homes Association on October 7, 2021, at 7:00 p.m., to experience an illustrated virtual presentation by writer, public historian and filmmaker Laurence Cotton on Frederick Law Olmsted’s life, career and legacy. A renaissance man, Olmsted’s philosophy, writings and designs are still relevant today along with the landscapes of North America designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr, his two sons and the Olmsted Brothers Landscape Architecture Firm. RSVP by clicking here.

Nature Walk at George F Canyon will take place on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. This walk will have you wandering along a willow filled canyon stream with restored coastal sage scrub habitat. You will be able to look down on the Peninsula’s rare Catalina Schist from one of the few places you can see the rock exposed. This walk is considered easy to moderate and you can sign up at https://pvplc.org.

Virtual Family Nature Club will be discussing Creatures of the Night on Saturday, October 23, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. You can join the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy as they creep into the exciting topic of nocturnal animals. Learn about animals that come out at night and do a spooky craft. To sign up click here.

Volunteer Activities

Outdoor Volunteer Day at Abalone Cove Reserve will take place on Saturday’s October 2nd & October 30th, 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.

Outdoor Volunteer Day at Alta Vicente Reserve will take place on Saturday, October, 9, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. You will help restore the native habitat. Sign up at www.pvplc.volunteerhub.com. Alta Vicente Reserve is located at 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes.

Outdoor Volunteer Day at White Point Nature Preserve will take place on October 16, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Join and make a difference by helping the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy remove invasive grasses to restore the natural lands on the Peninsula. Sign up at www.pvplc.volunteerhub.com. White Point Nature Preserve is located at 1600 W. Paseo del Mar, San Pedro.

Wildlife Tracking Workshop is welcoming volunteers to help monitor wildlife on the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, such as the elusive gray fox and other mammals. You will become adept at reading signs of many common and not so common mammals that live within the Preserve and provide data for conservation plans. After attending a two day training workshop on October 16th & 23rd, 2021, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (both required) volunteers will conduct weekly surveys on a designated route from October to March and provide their reports via email. To sign up go to www.pvplc.volunteerhub.com

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. You 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 courtesy of Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy

Palos Verdes Enjoys Movie Night Under the Stars!

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

Palos Verdes Enjoys Movie Night Under the Stars!

Palos Verdes homes owners know that summer is almost gone and outdoor movies will be coming to an end soon. However, this Saturday, September 25, 2021, at Malaga Cove School’s lower field you have an opportunity to enjoy a movie night under the stars. Raya and the Last Dragon will be presented for all to enjoy with picnicking starting at 6:00 p.m. and the movie starting at 7:00 p.m. The Palos Verdes Estates Foundation will be sponsoring this event and all you need to do is bring your low back chairs, blankets, and warm clothing.

Movie Night Information:

Parking is available in the lower school lot, lot outside the Beach Club, or on the street. Be respectful when parking in the neighborhood and if possible consider carpooling or walking.
Blankets and low chairs can be set up on the day of the event at 6:00pm.
Respect social distancing but don’t take more space than you’ll need. Bring a picnic dinner or snacks to enjoy. Malaga Cove Ranch Market, Lunada Market and The Yellow Vase are great local options to shop.
Be ready for a cool evening and bring a hot beverage.
Be ready for the dark with a flashlight to get to your home or vehicle.
Restrooms will be open on the school grounds.
Remember this locations is a PVPUSD school property, and does not allow alcohol, smoking, or pets. Masks will be required when not eating.

Malaga Cove School is located at 375 Via Almar, Palos Verdes Estates.

For more information click here.

To read my prior article on summer movies click here.

Photo courtesy of the Palos Verdes Estates Foundation

Palos Verdes Performing Arts Launches 2021-2022 Season!

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

Palos Verdes Performing Arts Launches 2021-2022 Season!

Palos Verdes homes owners are looking forward to the new 2021-2022 season of the Palos Verdes Performing Arts series. This is the 38th year that Palos Verdes Performing Arts will be presenting world class, professional entertainment at the Norris Theatre. They will be featuring top name entertainment with musicians and theater entertainers. Below are just a few of the special performances in the 2021-2022 series:

Opening the 2021-2022 season on Saturday, September 24, 2021, will be the Top Of The World. Playing under the stars in the outdoor Pavilion Amphitheater with the incomparable music of the Carpenters, this 8 piece Tribute Band brings the authentic versions of the Carpenters.

The Texas Tenors kicks off on December 4 & 5, 2021, and this tremendous trio is back with their Holiday Show. Playing favorites from “American’s Got Talent: The Champions,” they’ll wow you with down home charm and powerful singing ranging from opera to musical theater to pop music adding their holiday music to make this the perfect show.

Bravo Amici will be performing on January 15, 2022. With fans ranging from Sir Elton John to Queen Elizabeth, these acclaimed international tenors and stunning sopranos perform an uplifting collection of well know classical and contemporary songs.

Mike Super the “America’s Got Talent” finalist and “America’s Favorite Mystifier” will perform live on stage on January 29, 2022. Mike takes the audience on a journey of emotions, from laughter and intrigue, to anticipation and wonder. Don’t miss this amazing mystifier!

The McCartney Years will take place on February 26, 2022, with the ultimate Paul McCartney Concert Experience! Hailed by the original Beatles promoter as “Best on the Scene,” The McCartney Years is a period true, technically stunning ,and explosive live concert show that performs the music of Paul McCartney spanning two decades from The Beatles to Wings.

Closing out the series will be The Doobie Others on March 26, 2022, paying tribute to the iconic Dobie Brothers, blazing through a sizzling set of memorable classic hits and some deep album cuts with stunning accuracy and passion. So get your groove on and just “Listen to the Music” of the legendary California Band in their prime.

PVPA is a not for Profit 501c3, and its Norris Theatre has been a vital arts organization for the Peninsula for 38 years. From professional theatrical offerings, to rock and roll legends and tribute bands, to chamber orchestra and jazz concerts, to dance acts and magic, PVPA’s Norris Theatre has created a home for the arts in our community. PVPA with its three operations – the Norris Theatre, the Harlyne J. Norris Pavilion, and the Conservatory for our youth was built for our community, by our community.

Flexible, custom season subscriptions, and individual tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at the box office or by calling (310) 544-0403, ext. 221. For complete show descriptions, dates and prices, visit online at www.palosverdesperformingarts.com.

To read my last article on Palos Verdes Performing Arts click here.

Palos Verdes Performing Arts and its Norris Theatre venue are located at 27570 Norris Center Drive, Rolling Hills Estates

Photo courtesty of Palos Verdes Performing Arts

Palos Verdes Homes Owners Join 2021 International Coastal Cleanup Day!

2 months 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