Even if you’ve been around the South Bay a long time like I have (1968 as a 12 year old …. ok, fine … do the math) you realize there’s still a lot to learn about the South Bay.

I would like to introduce you to Jackie … she has a wonderful blog that is full of South Bay events.  It’s a fun read and I promise you, you will come away from her site saying, “…hmm, I didn’t know that!…”

I received this email from Jackie today and thought I would share it with y’all … why not give her blog a try.  I think you will like it.  I especially liked her comments on the PVLC… who knows, maybe I will see you out on the trails! 

Then when you’re done reading her blog, you also might find yourself wishing, “…Hmmm, I wish lived over in the _______ area instead of where I do now…”  When THAT thought happens, you know what to do.  Follow the link in the yellow tab at the bottom of this article … ENJOY!

So what are you doing this weekend?

I’m looking forward to playing in the Hermosa Beach Firefighters Poker Tournament this Saturday night. I was knocked out of the competition by a four-of-a-kind hand at last year’s event and I really need to redeem myself! Wish me luck!

• The Space Shuttle Endeavour will be making its final journey through the streets of Los Angeles on the way to its new home at the California Science Center. Endeavour will leave LAX on Friday, October 12, for a two day road trip, arriving at the Science Center on Saturday, October 13. If you want to witness this historic and epic passage, you’ll need to figure out when and where to be and how to get there. I’ve listed road closures on my website here: http://southbaybyjackie.com/space-shuttle-endeavor-departs-lax-october-12-13-2012/.
• The Redondo Beach Art Group presents their annual art show, IMAGINE. The exhibit runs from October 12 through October 21 and can be viewed at two galleries simultaneously. IMAGINE ART will be displayed at 608 North Gallery and IMAGINE NO BOUNDARIES will be shown at Cannery Row Studios. The opening reception will take place at both galleries on Saturday, October 13 from 7 to 10 p.m. The event is open to the public and everyone is invited to stop by, meet the artists and view the works on display. Cannery Row Studios is located at 604 North Francesca and 608 North Gallery is located next door at 608 North Francesca in Redondo Beach. Exhibit hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit the websites at http://www.canneryrowstudios.com/ and http://www.608north.com/.
• Are you ready to put your poker face to the test? The Hermosa Beach Firefighters Association presents the 4th Annual Poker & Casino Night charity event on Saturday, October 13. The fundraiser takes place at American Junkie Restaurant located at 68 Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach with the action getting under way at 5:30 p.m. The evening features a silent auction along with hors d’oeuvres, music and a no-host bar. Prizes will be raffled off along with additional prizes for the finalists in the poker tournament. A Casino Night ticket (non-poker player) is $45 per person or two for $85. A seat at the poker table costs $95 and its all tax deductible. For more information and ticket purchase, visit the website at www.hbfirefighters.org.
• It’s time for Octoberfest – a seasonal observance showcasing the miracle of fermented barley, hops, malt and yeast. Celebrate Octoberfest at Terrenea Resort on Saturday, October 13 from 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday, October 14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nelson’s at Terranea celebrates Oktoberfest with a special menu featuring an authentic German spread that includes Munich Sausage Salad, Munich Weiss Wurst, Obazda (a traditional Bavarian cheese spread served with sweet onion rings), Crispy Roasted Pork Shank, Tradition Wiener Schnitzel and Munich-style Sauerbraten. The event will also feature live music on Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. By all means, wear your lederhosen! Terrenea Resort is located at 100 Terranea Way in Rancho Palos Verdes. For more information, visit the website at http://www.terranea.com/events/10132012-oktoberfest-at-nelsons.
• The Redondo Beach Pier Association presents the 3rd Annual Taste of the Pier on Sunday, October 14 from 12 to 4 p.m. Attendance is free but if you want to sample the fabulous food, tasting tickets are priced at $1 each. Receive one raffle entry to win a prize when you purchase 10 tickets. Each restaurant will feature a different menu item and non-food retailers will offer special discounts. There will be plenty of live music on the stage at the end of the pier over the water as well as free balloons, face painting and arts & crafts at the new SoCal City Kids Zone. The event benefits the Cancer Support Community and the Redondo Beach Educational Foundation. So take a few hours this weekend to stroll the Pier, savor small bites, listen to some live music and maybe spot a few blue whales. The Redondo Beach Pier is located at 100 Fisherman’s Wharf in Redondo Beach. Tickets are available for purchase at the event. For more information, visit the website at http://www.redondopier.com/event/2nd-annual-taste-of-the-pier-2-2/ or send inquiries to info@redondopier.com.
• This event doesn’t happen until next week but I wanted to give you a heads up. Join millions of people who will drop, cover and hold at 10:18 a.m. on October 18 in the 2012 Great California ShakeOut. Last year more than 12.5 million people were registered in ShakeOut drills worldwide. The Great California ShakeOut is an annual opportunity to practice how to be safer and better prepared before, during and after big earthquakes. The ShakeOut has been organized to encourage individuals, families, communities, schools, businesses and organizations to review and update emergency preparedness plans and supplies and to secure structures in order to prevent damage and injuries. It’s time to get ready. To register, visit the website at http://www.shakeout.org/california/.
• The South Bay is world-renowned for its miles of delightful beaches and coastline – but did you know there are also hundreds of acres of woodlands, meadows and trails just waiting to be explored? One of the South Bay’s best kept secrets is the surprising amount of natural habitat to be found in the area and it is the mission of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy to “preserve land and restore habitat for the enjoyment and education of all.” They host a full calendar of popular activities, volunteer workdays, training programs and special events throughout the year including:

•Nature walks, bird walks, and night hikes on the preserves

•Special topic events and workshops

•Volunteer workdays on the trails and at the nursery

•Trail crew training for outdoor volunteers

•Environmental education programs at the White Point Nature Education Center

•Family activities at the George F. Canyon Nature Center

Since its founding in 1988, the Conservancy has successfully preserved 1,600 acres of open space on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. It’s time to put on your hiking boots and explore the wild side of theSouth Bay. For more information and a full calendar of events, visit the website at http://www.pvplc.org/.

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 spoke with local hotel and restaurant impresario Michael Zislis He told us all about Rocktoberfest, his joint venture with Gene Simmons and Wolfgang Puck, which takes place all next week at LA LIVE. Don’t worry – if you missed it, you can listen to it here: http://southbaybyjackie.com/october-11-2012-mike-zislis-the-zislis-group-gene-simmons-kiss/.

The South Bay Show presents Preparing for Disaster in the South Bay. This very instructive program airs every Friday morning on Blog Talk Radio at 7:00 a.m. Our guest tomorrow morning is Diana Feinberg, Chair of the Beach Cities Joint CERT Organizations Great ShakeOut Drill which takes place in Palos Verdes this year. It will be an interesting and informative hour so tune in! You can listen to it live or at your leisure here: http://southbaybyjackie.com/october-12-2012-diana-feinberg-chair-bcjcos-great-shakeout-drill/.

Have a great South Bay weekend!

Jackie