Jackie's South Bay Weekend Guide

And here I thought things would quiet down now that the holidays are behind us. Silly me....

Restaurant Week is back and it’s time to dineLA! dineLA Restaurant Week is a bi-annual dining event established to introduce diners to the extensive assortment of restaurants in neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles County. dineLA Winter Restaurant Week takes place over 12 consecutive days and runs from January 21 through February 1. Local foodies and visitors to the area will have the opportunity to enjoy a selection of specially priced prix fixe menus from some of LA’s best restaurants during this this period. It should come as no surprise that a variety of restaurants throughout the South Bay will be participating in this culinary event: BALEENKitchen, Gaetano's, Gonpachi, Il Fornaio, Rock 'n Fish, The Strand House and Zinc@Shade among others. Some of the restaurants will feature lunch, some will offer dinner and some will present both so be sure to check the website. Diners may make a reservation online at opentable.com  or contact the restaurant directly. Due to the popularity of this event, advance reservations are strongly recommended. Walk-ins are welcome but there is no guarantee they can be accommodated. This is a great opportunity to sample something different and it’s sure to whet your appetite without emptying your wallet!

Use your powers for good and become a volunteer with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy. You can make a difference by joining the PVPLC for a Volunteer Orientation on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Ladera Linda Community Center located at 32201 Forrestal Drive in Rancho Palos Verdes. Everyone is welcome to attend and learn about the different volunteer opportunities. Bring a friend and be entered in a raffle to win a prize. A light breakfast is included and an optional special docent-guided nature hike will be offered afterwards. For all the details, visit my website or call 310-541-7613.

Sheryl Nakano is a local community leader, a member of the Public Art Commission, the Sister Cities program and a popular local artist. Her apartment on the Esplanade was destroyed by fire last December, along with all her possessions. The Woman’s Club of Redondo Beach is hosting a fundraiser on Saturday to help Sheryl get back on her feet. The event runs from 11 a.m. through 5 p.m. and will feature the work of local artists who are donating their work for the cause. A variety of pieces will be offered at unbeatable prices with Sheryl receiving 100 percent of the proceeds. There will be tables with art priced at $25, $50, etc. Pick what you like, take it home and remember that you helped someone out every time you look at that art on your wall. This is what it’s all about – locals helping locals. For more information, call 310-316-9766. The Woman’s Club of Redondo Beach is located at 400 South Broadway in Redondo Beach.

If you’re a fan of coach built automobiles you don’t want to miss this event! The Automobile Driving Museum presents Morgans at the Museum on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Morgan Motor Company owners and enthusiasts are encouraged to join the ADM for a Morgan specific Cruise-In. There will be two Morgans from the collection on display as well as the new 2013 Morgan Three Wheeler from Dennis Glavis of Morgan West. While you’re there, take a curator led tour of the museum or a ride in one of the cars from the collection. Lunch will be available but you must register beforehand at theadm.org. The event is free with a suggested donation of $5 for entry to the museum. This is an automobile enthusiast’s idea of a perfect Sunday afternoon! The Automobile Driving Museum is located at 610 L’airport St. in El Segundo. For more information, visit the website at automobiledrivingmuseum.org or call 310-909-0950.

In celebration of their opening, Pitfire Artisan Pizza invites everyone to join them for a special Community Day at Metlox Plaza on Wednesday. Join them for lunch or dinner from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 100 percent of the net proceeds will be donated to Walk With Sally, a non-profit organization that provides mentoring support for children with parents or siblings with cancer. Manhattan Beach is the newest location for this Venice anti-chain that won the American Institute of Architects Restaurant Design Award in 2011. The Pitfire Tribe hails from around the globe and pride themselves on working together to create a transcendent experience for the communities they serve. For more information, visit the website at pitfirepizza.com or call 310-598-2070. Pitfire Artisan Pizza is located at 401 Manhattan Beach Blvd. in Manhattan Beach.

Bank of Manhattan presents LA Networking Matters’ fourth annual networking for a cause event Network Your Heart Out…It Matters! at the Manhattan Country Club on Feb. 20. Networking Matters’ mission is to bring together influential business leaders from the South Bay and Palos Verdes Peninsula in a fun, networking environment to raise money and awareness for meaningful charities in the communities they serve. Each year, the Networking Matters Committee selects two local charities that will benefit from the event proceeds. This year’s beneficiaries are the Toberman Neighborhood Center and Peninsula Seniors. This year also introduces a new partnership with LA Networking Matters and the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce. In addition to supporting the two non-profit organizations, LA Networking Matters will also be donating a portion of the proceeds to the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce’s High School Scholarship Fund. It’s a terrific opportunity to meet, mix and mingle with like-minded individuals and local business owners. You’ll also have an opportunity to take part in the popular raffle. Corporate sponsors and local businesses provide an array of amazing items for the drawing including hotel stays, gift certificates for restaurants, shops and services and merchandise from local retailers. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event runs until 8:30 p.m. Pre-order tickets by Feb. 18 and receive a discounted rate of only $30 per person. Tickets at the door will be $35. Price includes heavy appetizers, pasta bar, one glass of beer or wine and unlimited networking opportunities! For more information and ticket purchase, visit the website at lanetworkingmatters.com or contact Julane Whalen at 310-370-0555. The Manhattan Country Club is located at 1330 Parkview Ave. in Manhattan Beach.

If you have not been to Tapas & Vino yet, you are in for a treat! Our newest advertiser is currently running a Not Just Tapas & Vino Campaign exclusively for our audience! Mention The South Bay Show or South Bay by Jackie and receive 25 percent off a lunch or brunch entrée. Or just tell them Jackie sent you! Tapas & Vino is located at 1729 South Catalina Ave. in Redondo Beach. For more information, visit the website at tapasyvino.com or call 310-791-8200. Just a friendly reminder—it’s time to start thinking about Valentine’s Day reservations—you don’t want to be left out in the cold!

As always, check the calendar links and ‘Things to Do’ page on my website, southbaybyjackie.com, for details on these and other events throughout the South Bay.

On The South Bay Show this morning, our guest was Manhattan Beach Mayor Wayne Powell. Wayne is running for the Manhattan Beach City Council again in March. Don’t worry, if you missed it, you can listen to it here.

 Have a great South Bay weekend!

Jackie

southbaybyjackie.com