February 18, 2021
This July, we’ll celebrate the 10th anniversary of the South Bay by Jackie.com website – but today, we celebrate the 500th edition of the Weekend Guide. Yep, for 500 weeks in a row, we’ve been issuing it and you’ve been reading it! While there were a few times the Weekend Guide was delivered later in the day than usual (tech issues, of course), I’m proud of the fact we’ve never missed a week. When the pandemic struck, my initial thought was to shutter the website. Since its event based and EVERY SINGLE THING was cancelled, I knew there wouldn’t be anything to share with you….. but then the alerts started pouring in. So, we pivoted to act as a clearing house – for news from every level of government and the various health agencies – and worked like mad to distribute that avalanche of information within minutes of receiving it. (For the first couple of months, the number of alerts we received each day was just astounding.) I hope you find the information we’ve been providing helpful. Since the vaccines have begun rolling out, we’ve been sharing updates and information on eligibility and where you can get it. (There’s some important news and updates on that below.) While local businesses and organizations have jumped through any number of hoops to stay open and afloat, I believe it will still be a few more months before some of the most onerous mandates will be lifted. My hope is that by the start of summer, many of our annual OUTDOOR events will reemerge – concerts on the pier, movies in the parks, car shows, festivals, art walks, parades, art exhibitions, holiday celebrations and fundraisers. I don’t believe things will return to ‘normal’ anytime soon – many people will continue to avoid crowds and masks will be omnipresent for a long time to come…. but I am hopeful! I look forward to the day when you open this Weekend Guide and can once again read about all the fabulous things to do, places to go and people to know, right here in the South Bay!
The Redondo Beach Police Department presents K9 Meredith’s Scavenger Hunt taking place from February 1 through February 28. Meredith the super dog has been working from home and she and her handler Sharon Rose have been busy painting rocks in preparation for this Scavenger Hunt. They’ve hidden painted rocks throughout the city. When you find one, take a photo of you with the painted rock and post it on Instagram, tag @K9Meredith or email the photo to [email protected] to win a prize. They will hide 5 to 6 rocks every Monday throughout February and will post clues on the RBPD Instagram and Facebook pages to the rocks’ location the same Monday. (I posted the clue for this week in the Daily Blog.) Only one prize per rock and the winner will be contacted for delivery of the prize. Happy hunting!
The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce will host a virtual State of the Region on Friday, February 19 at 8:30 a.m. via Zoom. Hear from the Congressional representatives in this annual address. The event features Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Congressman Ted Lieu. Chamber members will hear relevant information pertaining to business at the federal level. This event is FREE to join but registration is required. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. For additional information and registration, visit the website at https://www.torrancechamber.com/event/stateofregion2021/.
The City of Hermosa Beach invites the community for Virtual Coffee with the Mayor on Saturday, February 20 at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Mayor Massey will be discussing the City’s latest initiatives, including the COVID-19 response, and will be taking questions from participants. RSVP required. Space is limited. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event.
For additional information and to register, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cr-6dRGwRMieSc1b-RWn8A.
PPE Unite is coming to the South Bay on Saturday, February 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Del Amo Fashion Center. PPE Unite has partnered with the Torrance Chamber of Commerce to provide a drive-up PPE pick-up location at the Sears at Del Amo Fashion Center. All businesses must have signed up with a booking confirmation to receive their supplies. Sign up for your PPE! All eligible small businesses can easily sign up to the PPE Unite™ program and book an appointment for pick up or delivery of your PPE supplies. For additional information and to sign up, visit the website at https://www.ppeunite.org/bookings-checkout/ppe-pick-up-south-bay-ppe-up-on-2-20?referral=service_list_widget. The event will take place at Sears Del Amo Mall Lot (corner of Sepulveda & Del Amo Circle) located at 3501 Sepulveda Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90505. Enter pickup parking lot on Del Amo Circle and exit on Sepulveda.
Grab a Leash! The South Coast Botanic Garden has scheduled Dog Walking Hours for the new year! Are you looking for more space and time for you and your four-legged friend to take a stroll? The special dog walking hours will allow you to enjoy the Garden with your best furry friend. The Dog Walking Hours will be from 9am to 5pm on the third Sunday of the month. Members are free! General Ticket Prices: $15/adult, $11/senior, $5/child. All Dogs: $5 each. Advance reservations are still required, so be sure to get them before they sell out! The dog-walking hours will take place February 21, March 21, April 18 and May 16. Be sure to secure your reservation early. These days will be popular! All guests must wear face coverings while onsite and practice physical distancing. All dogs must be on leashes while on Garden property, including the parking lot. For additional information, ticket purchase and to schedule a reservation, visit the website at https://southcoastbotanicgarden.org/dog-walking-hours/. The South Coast Botanic Garden is located at 26300 Crenshaw Boulevard, Palos Verdes, CA 90247.
The Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce presents the annual State of the City Address on Tuesday, February 23 from 11:30 to 1:30 a.m. via Zoom. Kelly Stroman, President/CEO of the MBCC, will moderate the event. Registration is now open to the public and is free of charge. Please register in advance to receive the zoom link. Speakers include:
● Mayor Suzanne Hadley
● Bruce Moe, City Manager
● Mark Leyman, Parks and Recreation Director
● Steve Charelian, Finance Director
● Carrie Tai, Community Development Director and Acting Public Works Director
● Chief Derrick Abell, Manhattan Beach Police Department
The speakers will share updates on current city activities, future projects, and the status of the local economy. The event will allow for a Q&A towards the end of each presentation. People interested in joining the event can register on the Manhattan Beach Chamber website where a zoom link will be provided and attendees can submit questions in advance. For additional information and registration, visit the website at https://business.manhattanbeachchamber.com/events/details/state-of-the-city-2021-10083.
The South Bay Business Women’s Association will host a Virtual Let’s Connect Mixer on Tuesday, February 23 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. via Zoom. The Featured Guest Speaker is Sheila Miller-Nelson, CEO of Midian Consulting, LLC. Sheila, founder of Midian Consulting, LLC., empowers people to create connections in all communication settings, producing efficient results while enhancing effectiveness and confidence. Connection helps solidify your internal and external network across all levels. This enhances deals, future business, promotion, support, team building, relationships and leaves a lasting impression on company culture.
Topic: Using Critical Thinking to Stop Being so Self-Critical
• Why do we so easily choose negative self-talk?
• How can we shift our thinking to be more realistic?
• What benefits does critical thinking bring to us, our family, our business, and our environment?
Suggested donation is $5.
For additional information and ticket purchase, visit the website at https://www.sbbwa.com/.
Here’s a HEADS-UP on a few events you’ll want to plan for now!
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/virtual-wine-tasting-fundraiser-2/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/south-bay-legislative-meet-greet-2/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/florana-international-drive-in-film-festival/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/torrance-antique-street-faire-3/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/pvplc-events-activities/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/the-next-step-movie-premiere/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/the-village-market/
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/sbccog-general-assembly-virtual-conference/
The Roadium Open Air Market presents Drive-In at the Roadium. The Roadium has revived its classic 1950’s drive-in for a one-of-a-kind movie-going experience. On select nights, guests can enjoy a great film in this throwback retro setting, along with food trucks, concessions, and more. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. with the movie starting at sundown. Admission is $25 per car. For additional information, visit the website at http://roadium.com/. For ticket purchase, visit the Eventbrite page at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-friday-drive-in-at-the-roadium-grease-tickets-61667943479. The Roadium Open Air Market is located at 2500 West Redondo Beach Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90504.
LA Arts Society presents Pop Up Drive-In Movie Screenings at the Gardena Cinema back lot. Since its founding, Los Angeles Arts Society has hosted several successful film screenings and has several others in the works. For 2020, they have established LA Arts Society Pop-Up Drive-In Cinema at the Gardena Cinema back lot. The aim is the bring some of the best curated cinema to Los Angeles in a safe, entertaining and enjoyable setting. The schedule is constantly being updated, so check the Eventbrite page. Tickets are $20 per car/truck/SUV, regardless of number of people in your vehicle. Gates will open at 7 p.m. sharp. Arrive early for priority drive-in spots. For additional information and ticket purchase, visit the Eventbrite page at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jurassic-park-drive-in-cinema-friday-tickets-115661906877?aff=erelexpmlt. Gardena Cinema is located at 14948 Crenshaw Boulevard, Gardena, CA 90249.
Be sure to check out these Art Exhibitions currently on display online:
• MBAC – Pierspective Community Art Exhibition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il_49jKOSVQ&feature=youtu.be.
• Torrance Art Museum – Fall Exhibitions
http://www.torranceartmuseum.com/
• ESMoA – Experience #47: FREESTATE
https://esmoa.org/
• Destination: Art – On the Bright Side
https://www.destination-art.net/
• Palos Verdes Art Center – All Exhibitions
https://pvartcenter.org/
On January 25, 2021, the Regional Stay at Home Order ended as a result of improvement of ICU projections throughout California. To read the order in its entirety, visit the website at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Regional-Stay-at-Home-Order-.aspx.
Los Angeles County has opened up COVID-19 Appointments for Residents 65+. Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Hilda Solis signed an executive order on Monday, January 18, making COVID-19 vaccine appointments available to residents aged 65 and older. Adults 65+ can visit the county’s website to make an appointment starting January 20. Please be patient if there are no available appointments when you first visit the county’s website. Appointments are continually being added and more vaccination sites are scheduled to open in the coming weeks. If you do not have internet access to sign up for an appointment, you may call the county’s call center at 833-540-0473.
Tips to make your vaccine appointment:
• Check the county’s website early in the morning as it seems like appointments are released sometime during the night, or check periodically throughout the day.
• Appointments are continually being added, so be vigilant, especially if you are hoping to get vaccinated at a specific location.
• You do not need to go back to the same location to receive your second dose. Just make sure you are receiving the same type of vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna).
• Some locations have phone numbers to call if you have specific questions about disability parking or any other needs. You should make the appointment and confirm it, then call to see if you can get your questions answered.
Tips for vaccination locations:
• The closest county megapod is The Forum, 3900 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90305.
• Crenshaw Clinic: Parking is not available on W 79th (it is blocked off). Drive up Normandie and park on the street (Vermont has testing site traffic, this location is doing testing and vaccinations).
• Dodger Stadium: This is a drive through location, where you remain in your vehicle. There are usually lots of appointments available here.
To sign up, visit the website at http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/ncorona2019/vaccine/hcwsignup/.
On February 11, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control updated their guidance for individuals who have been fully vaccinated. Individuals who have both vaccine doses will no longer be required to quarantine following exposure to someone with COVID-19, including travel quarantine requirements in the United States if they meet the following criteria:
• Are fully vaccinated (i.e., ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine).
• Are within 3 months following receipt of the last dose in the series
• Have remained asymptomatic since the current COVID-19 exposure
*Although the CDC recently updated guidance for individuals who have been fully vaccinated regarding quarantine and travel, the State of California and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health have not updated quarantine and travel guidance. Please be sure to continue following local Health Orders. Quarantine after travel and exposure is still required in LA County for ten days.
VACCINE INFORMATION AND ALLOCATION
Vaccines continue to be extremely limited and allocation distribution in California and LA County remains very low. If you are eligible to make an appointment PLEASE only make ONE appointment. Do not make multiple appointments as the vaccines are held for each appointment slot. This results in many people unable to get appointments and potentially wasted vaccine. If you are unable to make your appointment, please cancel the appointment to allow for others to make appointments. Vaccines are made available, sometimes at a moment’s notice. Please take a moment to register for the LA County newsletter to get notified of available appointments at http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/vaccine/index.htm.
VACCINE ALLOCATION
The allocations for each county come from the State. Once a week, the federal government announces anticipated allocation figures for each State. The number of allocated doses provided by the federal government is a projection and subject to change. Local providers must place their orders, which the State reviews and submits to the federal government. The federal government then authorizes the order and submits the request to the manufacturer. The manufacturer or central distributor ships the vaccine directly to local providers. It can take a week or longer for allocation by the federal government to arrive. Unfortunately, we are dealing with unpredictable vaccine allocations, as vaccine supply is limited at the Federal level. We don’t get much advance notification on how may doses we will receive on a week-to-week basis.
VACCINATION SITES (AS OF 2/12/21)
The following LA County vaccine sites remain open for those 65 yrs and older and healthcare workers due for second doses at these specific sites only:
• Pomona Fairplex (Pfizer)
• The Forum (Pfizer)
• Cal State Northridge (Pfizer)
• Magic Mountain (Pfizer)
• LA County Office of Education (Pfizer)
• Balboa Sports Complex (Moderna)
• El Sereno Recreation Center (Moderna)
LA COUNTY IS STILL IN TIER 1A AND TIER 1B WHICH INCLUDES:
• Healthcare workers (HCWs) at high and moderate risk exposure to the COVID-19 virus through their work in any role in health care or long-term care settings. High and moderate risk means the HCW has direct or indirect contact with patients or infectious materials (Phase 1A)
• Long-term care facility residents (Phase 1A)
• Persons age 65 and over (Phase 1B Tier 1)
You can make an appointment to be vaccinated by visiting http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/ncorona2019/vaccine/hcwsignup/ if you are in one of the groups listed above. Residents who don’t have computer access may call (833) 540-0473 between 8 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. or 2-1-1 for assistance with appointments. DO NOT REGISTER FOR AN APPOINTMENT IF YOU ARE NOT IN AN ELIGIBLE GROUP. Doing so will take an appointment slot away from those at the highest risk, and you will be turned away without proper documentation of your eligibility. To find out when you will be eligible for a vaccine appointment, visit https://covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/#When-can-I-get-vaccinated.
The California Dept. of Public Health has updated the Vaccine Prioritization as the vaccine supply allows.
1) Currently, vaccines may be distributed to populations identified in Phase 1A and Phase 1B, Tier 1.
2) Beginning March 15, healthcare providers may use their clinical judgement to vaccinate individuals age 16-64 who are deemed to be at the very highest risk for morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 as a direct result of one or more of the following severe health conditions:
• Cancer, current with debilitated or immunocompromised state
• Chronic kidney disease, stage 4 or above
• Chronic pulmonary disease, oxygen dependent
• Down syndrome
• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease
• Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies (excludes hypertension)
• Severe obesity (Body Mass Index ≥ 40 kg/m2)
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hemoglobin A1c level greater than 7.5%
OR
If as a result of a developmental or other severe high-risk disability one or more of the following applies:
• The individual is likely to develop severe life-threatening illness or death from COVID-19 infection
• Acquiring COVID-19 will limit the individual’s ability to receive ongoing care or services vital to their well-being and survival
• Providing adequate and timely COVID care will be particularly challenging as a result of the individual’s disability
The list of eligible conditions is subject to change as additional scientific evidence is published and as CDPH obtains and analyzes additional state-specific data.
Same day COVID-19 Tests are available for all LA County residents. The Los Angeles County COVID-19 Test Site is located on the campus of Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) at 514 North Prospect Avenue in Redondo Beach. L.A. County residents can schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 test by visiting the Los Angeles County website at https://covid19.lacounty.gov/testing/. Appointments have been filling up quickly. Residents are encouraged to continue to check the site for availability at the Redondo Beach location or make an appointment at another LA County site.
CITY LINKS: The following are South Bay city websites offering information and updates on operations and procedures regarding COVID-19. New updates are being issued by individual cities regarding re-opening plans and new closures.
• El Segundo:
https://www.elsegundo.org/our-city/emergency-management/corononavirus-updates
• Gardena:
https://www.cityofgardena.org/coronavirus-covid-19/
• Hawthorne:
https://www.cityofhawthorne.org/covid-19-home
• Hermosa Beach:
https://www.hermosabeach.gov/our-community/quick-links/coronavirus-updates-from-the-cdc
• Lawndale:
http://lawndaleca.hosted.civiclive.com/cms/One.aspx?portalId=16676137&pageId=17352338
• Lomita:
https://lomitacoronavirus.info/
• Manhattan Beach:
https://www.citymb.info/services/learn-about/coronavirus
• Palos Verdes Estates:
https://www.pvestates.org/community/information-on-coronavirus
• Rancho Palos Verdes:
https://www.rpvca.gov/1277/Information-on-Coronavirus-COVID-19
• Redondo Beach:
https://www.redondo.org/depts/city_manager/coronavirus_update.asp
• Rolling Hills Estates:
https://www.ci.rolling-hills-estates.ca.us/community/advanced-components/news-list
• Torrance:
https://www.cityoftorranceca.com/
Vietnam Veterans of America South Bay Chapter 53 is proud to announce the Annual Scholarship Program for graduating high school students. Since 1995 the VVA South Bay Chapter 53 has been awarding scholarships to graduating seniors from local South Bay area high schools. In addition to encouraging and supporting continued education, they are trying to heighten awareness of the Vietnam War, the men and women who served during that period, and the huge impact it has made on the United States, both then and now. This year, Chapter 53 will again award scholarships of $1,000 to selected college or technical school bound South Bay area high school seniors. Applicants must submit an essay on a Vietnam Era Veteran, defined as any Veteran who served in the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty, for other than training purposes, either 1) in the Republic of Vietnam between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975 or 2) in any duty location between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975. For additional information, call 310-540-8820 or visit the website at http://www.vva53.org/. Entries must be received before 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 18, 2021.
Take care and stay well – we will get through this! #SouthBayStrong
Jackie
https://www.southbaybyjackie.com/