Enjoy Palos Verdes Library District’s Stay At Home Opportunities!

22 hours ago • Community Events, Community Information, Senior Information, Things To Do In Palos Verdes

Enjoy Palos Verdes Library District’s Stay At Home Opportunities!

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).

Some of the wonderful programs the Library is currently offering are:

Overdrive – you can borrow bestselling ebooks and audiobooks using OverDrive on your iPad, iPhone, Android device ,or Kindle Reader. Hoopla – you can borrow free digital movies, tv, music, ebooks, comics and audio books with your library card. Brainfuse – children and learners of all ages can get one-on-one homework help and tutoring from 1:00 pm to 10 p.m. every day. Kanopy – you can stream over 26,000 films from hundreds of popular sources such as The Criterion Collection, The Great Courses, and PBS, as well as thousands of independent filmmakers. Flipster Magazines – you can access popular digital magazines on your mobile device with Flipster, the digital magazine newsstand. Magazines can be downloaded to phones and tablets, or read online. Rosetta Stone – is said to be the best way to learn a foreign language. The award winning language solution combines proven learning methods with the world’s best speech recognition technology. Tumble Books – has databases that are easy to use, and feature unlimited access from home. Your kids can read as many books as they want, when they want, on any device. There are no checkouts, holds, or downloads. Books are available instantly.

There are many opportunities for children to participate in. There is the Kids Activities section, Young Artist’s & Author’s At Home where kids can work on projects and submit to the library for its website, and Tumble Book Library that offers lots of fun reading for children of all ages.

For more information regarding any of the programs, call (310) 377-9584, and leave your message and someone will return the call.

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

Photo courtesy of the Palos Verdes Library District

Palos Verdes Bulky Trash & E-Waste Pick Up Scheduled For April 25, 2020 Has Been Cancelled!

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

Palos Verdes Bulky Trash & E-Waste Pick Up Scheduled For April 25, 2020 Has Been Cancelled!

Palos Verdes Estates Annual Bulky Trash & E-Waste Pick Up on April 25, 2020, has been cancelled due to the Coronavirus. After checking again with Athens Service this morning, they said it was cancelled and not yet rescheduled. Palos Verdes Estates Annual Bulky Trash Pick Up information can be found at www.AthenServices.com or you can call (888) 336-6100.

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. The City of Rancho Palos Verdes has rescheduled their Household Hazards & Electronic Waste Disposal to Saturday, May 2, 2020, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Rancho Palos Verdes Civic Center located at 30940 Hawthorne Blvd, Rancho Palos Verdes. All peninsula residents are welcome to this free event.

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, you can 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 information on the prior Palos Verdes Annual Bulky Trash Pick Up click here.

Photo courtesy of Athens Services

Enjoy Free Garden Day At South Coast Botanic Garden Tuesday, March 17, 2020!

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

Enjoy Free Garden Day At South Coast Botanic Garden Tuesday, March 17, 2020!

Our community is trying to adjust to the news of the COVID-19 virus. Events on the Peninsula such as the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy’s Hikes & Trails, Free Films at the Library, Easter Egg hunts, Yoga & Chi classes and many other events that we bring to you monthly on our blog, have all been cancelled. We have schools closed, restaurants asking diners to take out only, children’s after school events cancelled, gym’s closing and many more events cancelled.

The South Coast Botanic Garden at this time is still allowing admission to the gardens. This is a great time to just get out and wander through the many different garden areas that exist. Tuesday, March 17th, 2020, is free garden day. Once a month on the third Tuesday the garden opens its door to the public for free. You can take advantage of this offer and enjoy a peaceful outdoor adventure. The Cherry Blossoms are in bloom and many believe that this symbolizes the beauty of life. They are the symbolic national flower of Japan and are said to be an omen of good fortune and an emblem of love and affection.

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. For more information go to 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 to confirm the event at (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 Whale Of A Day 2020 Celebration!

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

Palos Verdes Whale Of A Day 2020 Celebration!

The Whale Of A Day 2020 festival will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity for Palos Verdes homes owners and their neighbors throughout the South Bay to celebrate these monumental marine mammals. This annual event is co-sponsored by the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and the docents of Los Serenos de Point Vicente. This festival celebrates the migration of the Pacific Gray Whale from its summer feeding grounds in the Bering and Chukchi Seas in Alaska, to its winter breeding and calving grounds in Baja. The whale counting season starts on December 1st and goes through May 25th. As of March 12, 2020, the season count from the Point Vicente Interpretive Center is 1,003 whale sightings which is less than this time last year. If you are looking for a great adventure for the whole family, stop by the Point Vicente Interpretive Center and participate in the free “Whale Of A Day” activities.

Whale Of A Day will include whale watching from the shore and the museum. The lighthouse is now open for viewing and tours, after being renovated. At the festival, children will enjoy related marine exhibits, arts & crafts, fun zone, face painting, US Coast Guard tours, displays and games – all at no charge. This event always has great live music and animal exhibits throughout the day. Some of the past participants have included The Aquarium of the Pacific with its Aquarium on Wheels, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, George F Canyon Nature Center, Save the Manatee, National Marine Fisheries, Heal the Bay, Marine Mammal Care Center, South Bay Wildlife Rehab with their rescued hawks and raptors, Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, California Native Plant Society, and Las Candalistas. There will be multiple food booths on location to buy snacks throughout the day. In case of rain it will be moved to April 25, 2020. Also, because of the recent corona virus activity, they recommend you call them at 310-544-5260 for updates to confirm the event.

To read my prior article on Whale of a Day click here.

There is free parking and even a shuttle to drive you to and from the event. Park at the Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall at 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard, Rancho Palos Verdes. For more information call (310) 544-5260 (Point Vicente Interpretive Center).

Photo courtesy of the city of Rancho Palos Verdes

Palos Verdes Enjoys 2020 Easter Egg Hunt!

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

Palos Verdes Enjoys 2020 Easter Egg Hunt!

Easter Bunny courtesy of Arvin Design

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes will be sponsoring the Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza at Ladera Linda Community Center. At this popular event, children from 1 to 8 years of age can join Mr. Rabbit and find Easter eggs to fill their basket. This event will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The fee is $15 per child for children 1 – 8 years of age, and there will be a limited number of participants. Online registration is taking place right now, and remember this event does fill up so make sure you register ahead of time by going to apm.activecommunities.com/rpv or call (310) 544-5260 and get your name on the list. The deadline for signups is Monday, April 6, 2020, however, it most likely will be full by then. Remember to bring your Easter basket, and of course your camera because there will be lots of photo opportunities that you won’t want to miss.

The Ladera Linda Community Center is located on 32201 Forrestal Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes.

To read my last article on Easter Events click here.

Photo courtesy of Arvin Design

Join The Cherry Blossom Hunt At South Coast Botanic Garden!

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

Join The Cherry Blossom Hunt At South Coast Botanic Garden!

The Cherry Blossoms are beginning to bloom and the Cherry Blossom Hunt has started for Palos Verdes homes owners to see these beautiful blossoms at the South Coast Botanic Garden. As they have a short blooming season, many believe that cherry blossoms symbolize the fleeting beauty of life. Cherry Blossoms are the symbolic national flower of Japan and are said to be an omen of good fortune and an emblem of love and affection. This is the closest location for us to see the beauty and color of these trees and this reminds us that Spring is just around the corner.

Starting on March 1, 2020, the Garden will be coming to life with color for this Spring season. When you enter the Garden you will grab a map and search on foot for colorful cherry, rose and poppy blossoms throughout the Garden. You will also learn about the history, significance and story behind these sensational blooms. Blossoms are seasonal, weather dependent and vary from year to year. This year they feel that cherry and stone fruit blossoms will range from February to late March, poppies in March and April, and roses in April, May and even June.

Another fun event this month taking place at the Garden is Sip & Paint: Cherries & Mimosas which will take place on March 7, 2020. Paint the Cherry Blossoms of Spring in watercolors at South Coast Botanic Garden with local Art Educator and Artist Teresa Venturo. This 75 minute watercolor class is welcome to all experience levels! Take home your very own 9”x12” Cherry Blossom watercolor Masterpiece! Class includes all art supplies, instruction and a mimosa. Space is limited, advanced registration required. Participants must be 21+ for alcohol with valid ID. There will be two sessions starting at 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. The cost is $44/member, and $55/non-member.

The 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. For more information go to or to purchase admission tickets click here. The South Coast Botanic Garden is located at 26300 Crenshaw Boulevard, Palos Verdes Peninsula. For more information call (310) 544-1948.

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

Photo is the courtesy of the South Coast Botanic Garden

Palos Verdes Art Center 2020 Homes Tour

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

Palos Verdes Art Center 2020 Homes Tour

The Palos Verdes Art Center will be presenting its 34th Annual Homes Tour, Celebrate Extraordinary, on Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Tour will feature three homes and a breathtaking garden paradise – revel in the beauty of a Mediterranean masterpiece, a whitewater view property with exotic garden and koi ponds, a relaxed yet stylish eclectic sanctuary, and a lush succulent garden showcase as a bonus.

Paramount Palos Verdes (above left)- is a grand Italianate estate which showcases incredible craftsmanship and attention to detail. It has three stories and 11,000 square feet of inviting Tuscan warmth and comfort. It showcases the owners magnificent collections from over the world, especially the plein art paintings and a variety of American Indian art. Outdoors is a sparkling pool and fountains, lush gardens and even a secret garden room. An Abode of Asian Abundance (above right) – has sweeping Pacific views wherever you look in this house. Highlighting the owner’s Chinese heritage, the interior is packed with precious treasures in ivory and jade of every imaginable hue, a custom designed Nepalese wool hanging over 40 feet, and a gigantic Taiwanese carving of 38 water buffalo that dominates the family room. The gardens feature two landscaped ponds, 50 year old koi, bonsai, and unusual fruit trees which cover the hillside terraces.

Sublime Serene Sanctuary (above left) – is a 3200 sq.ft. English farmhouse created six years ago by its owners who reveal their real estate and design skills they honed renovating their five previous Palos Verdes homes. Learning that comfortable furniture, heated bathroom floors and kitchens that have as much living space as work space top their list. Adding 1,000 square feet to their 1956 ranch house, they raised the roof and added defined rustic beams while creating a home that provides them sanctuary and a cozy, comfortable place to shed workday woes and simply relax. Spectacular Succulent Showcase (above right) – colorful succulents always in bloom on this one third acre created from 40 years of labor and love by a retired physician. The verdant landscape features hundreds of varieties of mature plants that have been engineered by the owner through deliberate cross fertilization and careful cultivation. The property also includes 1300 potted succulents and cacti (in various pots and organic materials).

This year there will be no shuttle buses and you can use your own car to set your own pace. You will be able to tour in the morning or the afternoon. Take a break from the tours and enjoy the included luncheon from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Art Center where you can shop for fresh decorating ideas, collectibles, designer boutiques, and original local art.

Tour ticket prices for this memorable event are $65. To purchase tickets, or for more information about the event go to www.pvhomestour.org, or visit the Palos Verdes Art Center located at 5504 W. Crestridge, Rancho Palos Verdes.

To read my last article on the Palos Verdes Art Center annual homes tour click here.

Photos courtesy of the Palos Verdes Art Center

Enjoy Palos Verdes Library District’s March 2020 Free Movies!

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

Enjoy Palos Verdes Library District’s March 2020 Free Movies!

The Palos Verdes Library District has some great free movies that they will be showing during the month of March 2020. Each month they offer a different selection of foreign movies, “latest” releases, and classic cinema. Most of the screenings will have some post film discussion which adds an opportunity to socialize with others in the community. In March, the following movies will be presented:

Classic Movies at Noon, which shows films from the 1930’s through the 1990’s usually on the first Tuesday of the month, will be screening this month on a Monday, March 16, 2020, at noon, MADAME CURIE (1943) in the Peninsula Center Library. The story shows that despite himself, accomplished physicist and avowed bachelor Pierre Curie falls for brilliant student Marie and together they embark on the discovery of radium.

The Multiplex film series will be screening ON THE BASIS OF SEX (2018) on Thursday, March 19, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. in the Peninsula Center Library Community Room. This is a true story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg struggles for equal rights and the early cases of a historic career that led to her nomination and confirmation as U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice.

All of the film screenings this month will take place at the Peninsula Center Library Community Room located at 701 Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills Estates. For more information regarding any of the films, call 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 2020 Whale Watching Has Begun!

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

Palos Verdes 2020 Whale Watching Has Begun!

Point Vicente Interpretive Center has started counting whales for the 2019/2020 Whale Watching season. This famous landmark gives Palos Verdes homes owners a local center where they can go and watch these massive mammals off our coastline. This season officially started December 1, 2019, and according to the Point Vicente Interpretive Center, as of today, there have been 399 gray whales counted going south. Most of the whales are traveling south to Baja and the concern in the last several months has been that they are swimming in the large container ship paths.

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). 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 at Sunday at 1:00 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 $25 for adults and $15 for children 5 to 12 years of age. 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.

Redondo Beach Whale Watch has begun their tours and will run them through April. Tour times on Saturday & Sunday are 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The cost is $35 for adults and children 5 to 12 are $25. Reservations are 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

Palos Verdes High Schools’ 2020 Booster Club Fundraisers

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

Palos Verdes High Schools’ 2020 Booster Club Fundraisers

Both Palos Verdes high schools will be sponsoring their annual 2020 Booster Club’s fundraisers during the month of March.

Palos Verdes High School will be sponsoring their 2020 Booster Club’s CATCH THE WAVE fundraiser on Saturday, March 14, 2020. The theme is “Denim & Diamonds” and will feature an amazing night of food, dancing, silent auction, and live auction. Get a group of friends and plan an evening of fun on Saturday, March 14, 2020, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m for $125.00 per person. This year’s event will be held at the Palos Verdes Golf Club located at 3301 Via Campesina, Palos Verdes Estates.

For more information about this event or to purchase tickets go to http://pvboosterclub.com.

Palos Verdes Peninsula High School will be sponsoring this year’s annual Booster Club BLACK AND GOLD AFFAIR fundraiser on Saturday, March 7, 2020. This event will feature food, dancing, silent auction, and live auctions beginning at 6:00 p.m, for $135.00 per person. Online registration closes on Friday, February 28, 2020. This event will be held at the Palos Verdes Golf Club located at 3301 Via Campesina, Palos Verdes Estates.

For more information about the event or to purchase tickets go to http:pvhsabc.com.

You don’t have to be a parent of a school child to enjoy these events. The purpose of these high school fundraisers is to raise money for academics, arts, and athletic programs. These fundraisers provide a large percentage of the Booster Club’s contribution for the much needed supplemental funding.

Booster Club Supporters take our high schools to a whole new level of excellence. The contributions help to subsidize so much at our local high schools. They help with academics by bringing in Tutors, Link Crew, Technology Upgrades, Digital Database, Speech & Debate Advisories, and Academic Decathlons. In the Arts Department, they help with the drama productions, video production, choral and color guard, musical equipment for the band, and more. The Athletics Department also gets help with turf maintenance, athletic trainers, athletic equipment, and maintenance for the athletic facilities.

They need and appreciate all your support to ensure the success of all Palos Verdes High School students. Historically, our district receives far less money per student due to state funding inequities. Bond initiatives, parcel taxes, PEF, and PTSA have all helped, but the additional funds from the Booster Clubs are necessary for our student needs.

To read my last article on Palos Verdes High Schools’ Booster Club Fundraisers click here.

Above photos courtesy of PVUSD