It looks like the weather is going to cooperate this weekend - just in time for all the fabulous events scheduled over the next few days! These community events are a perfect opportunity to take a break from all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and spend a little quality time with family and friends. That’s how we roll, here in the South Bay.
Taking place for over 40 years, the Sleepy Hollow Christmas Lights Extravaganza (also known as Candy Cane Lane) in Torrance is one of the largest holiday decoration displays in the country. You can walk or drive through the neighborhood reveling in the sights, sounds and scents of the season. It’s a wonderful way to spend the evening and one the entire family will enjoy and remember for years to come. The wildly extravagant decorations are on display from December 1 through January 1 from about 6 to 10 p.m. For more information and directions, visit the Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sleepy-Hollow-Christmas-Lights-Extravaganza/214158315880.
Celebrate the season at the sparkling holiday musical, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas December 6 through December 15 at the Norris Center for the Performing Arts. Based on the beloved 1954 film, this lavish Broadway romantic comedy is an all-singing, all-dancing evening of theatre that includes some of the greatest songs ever written, and even a live snowfall on stage and visits with Santa at matinee performances. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Ticket prices are $45 for adults and $25 for children. Group discounts are available. To purchase tickets, call 310-544-0403 or visit www.norriscenter.com. The Norris Theatre is located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula at 27570 Norris Center Drive in Rolling Hills Estates.
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The North Manhattan Beach Business District invites you to celebrate the season the South Bay way. Gather a few friends and head to North Manhattan Beach for the annual Holiday Open House & Walkabout taking place tonight, Thursday, December 12 from 5 to 9 p.m. Participating shops, businesses and restaurants along Highland Avenue from 32 Street to 42 Street will stay open late for an evening of music, shopping, dining and entertainment. Merchants will be offering discounts, samples, snacks and libations making for a thoroughly enjoyable shopping experience. The kids will enjoy balloon art, face painting, artists, popcorn and more. The area restaurants are sure to be busy, busy, busy, so reservations are highly recommended. Santa Claus will be making the rounds aboard his float, so be sure to bring your wish list and camera!
The Hermosa Beach Firefighters Foundation is proud to host Santa at the Station on Friday, December 13! Join local firefighters from 5 to 7:30 p.m. for some yummy hot cocoa, cookie decorating and a raffle drawing. The event benefits the Beach Cities Toy Drive. Santa will be in attendance on his sleigh and guests are invited to take a few pictures with him. Musical entertainment will be provided by Jeremy Buck. In keeping with the spirit of the holiday season, guests are asked to bring an unwrapped toy for a child in need. For additional information, visit the website at http://hbfirefighters.org/. The Hermosa Beach Fire Station is located at the corner of Pier Avenue and Bard Street in Hermosa Beach.
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The Palos Verdes Art Center is proud to host the Peninsula’s first Yappy Hour - a free evening to welcome guests and their dogs to the Palos Verdes Art Center on Friday, December 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. The event will feature pet-related vendors, a live auction of dog houses, Bowser Beer and free gifts! Yappy Hour is an extension of the I Love My Dog exhibition on display through January 5. Bring your dog and browse pet-related vendor booths offering the latest in services and products, and then purchase dinner from several food trucks options. Don’t forget to get free Bowser Beer for your dog, sponsored by Rock & Brews, or pick up a one-of–a-kind dog house designed and built by Los Angeles Harbor College students and faculty at the live auction. One free Kong Toy will be provided to the first 200 families in attendance. For additional information call 310-541-2479 or visit the website at www.pvartcenter.org. The Palos Verdes Art Center is located at 5504 West Crestridge Road in Rancho Palos Verdes.
The City of Torrance Community Services Department hosts Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 14 from 9 a.m. to noon. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, fruit, juice, milk and coffee. The event features a puppet show by Jim Gamble Puppet Productions and music by DJ Ozzie. Additional activities include cookie decorating, holiday carols, a picture with Santa, gift and special treat. Tickets are $20 per person. Reservations can be made by phone at 310-618-2930. Only checks will be accepted the day of the event. Seating is limited and baby carriages and strollers are not allowed in the dining room. Children under 10 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. For additional information, visit the website at https://classschedule.torranceca.gov/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/wbsplash.html?wbsi=a0acc72f-f18d-a3af-e311-674a6a5df61c. The Torrance Cultural Arts Center is located at 3330 Civic Center Drive in Torrance.
Due to the nasty weather we experienced last weekend, this event has been rescheduled. Ruby’s Diner presents the 6 Annual Cruise at the Beach Christmas Car Show on Saturday, December 14. The Christmas edition of Cruise at the Beach is a South Bay tradition that keeps automobile aficionados returning year after year. The show runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Ruby’s parking lot. Take a stroll among some of the finest examples of the Southern California car culture and marvel at this amazing collection of classic automobiles. Enthusiasts are encouraged to bring their hot rods, street rods and muscle cars and strut their stuff. Judging begins at 9 a.m. with the trophy presentation at 2 p.m. In keeping with the spirit of the season, please bring an unwrapped toy to benefit the Cheer for Children Christmas Toy Drive. THIS JUST IN! The first 300 folks to bring an unwrapped gift for the kids can pick out a product of their choice, while each supply lasts, from SLIME or FIX-A-FLAT!!!! (Tire repair kits, tire inflators, tire gauges, etc.) If you wish to display a car or require more information, contact Larry Neville at 310-962-7438. Registration is $20. Ruby’s Diner is located at 245 North Harbor Drive in Redondo Beach.
We’ve been talking about this for weeks and the big day is just about here! The King Harbor Yacht Club presents the 22 Annual King Harbor Holiday Boat Parade on Saturday, December 14. A longtime favorite of locals and visitors to the area, this hugely popular South Bay event gets under way at 4:15 p.m. in the main channel of King Harbor. Stand up paddle boarders will be featured before the boats light up the night at 5:30. As always, the Body Glove yacht Disappearance will lead off the parade. In a special tribute to the late, great Bob Meistrell, his wife Patty and sons Randy, Robbie and Ronnie will be the Grand Marshalls. This year’s theme is Dive into the Season and boats participating in the parade will be judged by vessel type in several different categories. Awards will be given for Best Costumes, Best Lighting, Best Animation, Best Execution of Theme, Best in Fleet and the Overall Winner. If you plan to observe from shore, you can do so from any number of vantage points in King Harbor, from the Redondo Beach Marina, Redondo Pier and several restaurants with harbor views. The Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club, a parade sponsor, wants to remind everyone that the Portofino Lobby Lounge will be fully staffed and offering the full BALEENkitchen menu along with appetizers, cocktails, complimentary hot chocolate and the best view of the parade from the lobby. In addition, The South Bay Show will be airing a live, two hour simulcast of the Holiday Boat Parade from KHYC beginning at 5 p.m. at http://BoatParadeRadio.TheSouthBayShow.com that attendees can listen to on a smart phone or tablet. If you are unable to attend the Parade, you can watch a live video feed via Google Hangout at http://BoatParadeTV.TheSouthBayShow.com. All boats and SUPs are encouraged to participate and there is still time to register! To register, visit the website at www.KHYC.org or www.KHBF.org. For additional information, contact Joan Smith at JsmithRPV@aol.com. Proceeds from the event benefit the King Harbor Youth Foundation, Sea Scouts Ship #618 and a charity of choice of the Grand Marshall.
As always, check the calendar links and ‘Things to Do’ page on my website, www.southbaybyjackie.com, for details on these and other events throughout the South Bay.
On The South Bay Show this morning, we chatted with Harry Ashikian of the North Manhattan Beach Business Improvement District. He told us all about the Holiday Open House & Walkabout taking place tonight in North Manhattan Beach. Don’t worry, if you missed it, you can listen to it here: http://southbaybyjackie.com/december-12-2013-steve-scharelain-north-mb-business-district/.
Have a fabulous South Bay weekend!
Jackie
