Calender 10/24-10/31
The 23rd annual World Famous Pumpkin Race rolls its pumpkin racecars just above Manhattan Beach Pier starting at noon on Sunday.
Thursday, Oct. 24
SB Ostomy group
This fourth Thursday, monthly group meets in room B at 7:30 p.m. at the Torrance Memorial West Tower building connected to the parking structure on the 2nd floor. The guest speaker is from Coloplast, and all ostomates, friends or family members are welcome. Info: 310-378-5331 or Anne Marie 310-548-8558.
Walk w/ for BC
Doma Kitchen is hosting an evening for Breast Cancer Awareness with Walk With Sally from 6 – 9 p.m. where guests can enjoy drinks, live music, silent art auction, and delicious food. Artists will donate a portion of their earnings to walk With Sally. And there is varying food options for purchase, including a Pink Ribbon Pastry in which 100% of the profits will benefit the fund. $10 suggested donation. Tix, info:https://www.eventbrite.com/event/8744199135. 420 N PCH, Redondo Beach.
Saturday, Oct. 26
HowlOween Hoedown
Pooches On Parade will do just that, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., at the Redondo Beach Dog Park where there will be a doggy costume parade, and prizes, at noon. Get your pooch’s pic at the fun photo booth for $5 donation. Enjoy the silent auction, vendors, food, demos, and more! 200 Flagler Lane.
Del Amo Spooktacular
Little ghouls, goblins and boo’tiful princesses are invited to a spooktacular Kidgits, 10 a.m. – noon, in JoAnn’s Court at Del Amo Fashion Center, 3525 W. Carson St. and remember to take a peek into 21573 Madrona Avenue, with a pumpkin patch, bounce house, petting zoo, pony rides and pumpkins of all shapes and sizes.
Homebuyers workshop
Kinecta Federal Credit Union hosts a free “How to Succeed in Today’s Competitive Homebuyers Market, 2 – 3 p.m., at Torrance Crossroads Members Service Center, 24329 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance. Light refreshments and a raffle. RSVPs are great, but walk-ins also welcome. 866-347-6143 or hbrsvp@kinecta.org.
Take Action workshop
Set your course, take charge, and move ahead with three free dynamic, hands-on sessions led by Carol Jacoby, Gail Rosenthal and Madrienne Hampton. 11 a.m. – to 4:30 p.m. Bring a lunch; water and cookies on us. El Segundo Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave. Limited seating! RSVP: speakersbureauworkshops@gmail.com or https://takeactionworkshopoct2013.eventbrite.com.
Halloween Carnival
Towers Elementary School Halloween Carnival offers food, games, a costume contest, a picture booth, Halloween zumba and more, from 2 – 5 p.m. Open to the public, bring your friends! 5600 Towers Street, Torrance.
Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum hosts its annual contest from 1 – 3 p.m. as the Rancho gets in the spirit of the fun-filled season for the whole family. Pumpkins will be judge on age groups, and prizes awarded for most color and creativity in addition to a costume pradem scary stories and light refreshments. Tools will be supplied to participants. Free, but donations appreciated to help fund the museum programs and events. Info: dominguezrancho.org.
Sunday, Oct. 27
Skechers Pier to Pier
Peer non, Skechers Mike Greenberg hosts special guests Jimmy Kimmel, Tommy Lasorda, Brooke Burke-Charvet and Jacqueline Lauria at the opening ceremony for the 2013 Friendship Walk, an annual event benefiting children with special needs and education, including The Friendship Circle. An estimated 10,000 (!) participants are expected this year with a fundraising goal of $1 million. Yes, in this economy! Opening ceremonies begins at 9 a.m. and the walk, at 10 a.m., is 3.4 miles from the Manhattan Pier to the Hermosa Pier and back. Do walk in! Info: gotfriends.com. Foot of Manhattan Beach Blvd. and the Strand, Manhattan Beach.
MB Pumpkin Racecars
Community tradition runs strong all over Halloween weekend in the South Bay as the 23rd annual World Famous Pumpkin Race rolls its Pumpkin Racecars just above Manhattan Beach Pier starting at noon. It’s a unique event that combines love for competition, creativity, and community and an epic, single elimination battle of self-styled pumpkins equipped only with two axels and two wheels. Creative carvings and pumpkin costumes are left to artistic interpretation. Although these squash-like fruit are by no means aerodynamic, last year at least 9,000 spectators were on hand to watch these world famous pumpkins scream downhill toward a smashing finish. Manhattan Beach Blvd. culminating at the Pier. Info: WorldFamousPumpkinRace.com.
FARE Walk
Join Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach staff, patients and the families of So Cal’s only Pediatric Food Allergy Center for a family-friendly, two-mile FARE Walk for Food Allergy awareness in Long Beach beginning at 11 a.m. There’s fun activities for the entire family, live music, a bounce house, cartoon characters, giveaways and vendor booths Register at foodallergywalk.org. Marina Green Park, 386 E. Shoreline Dr.
An evening of POEtry…
From Torrance to Transylvania, Redondo to Romania, you are all invited to participate in an evening of POEtry – selected readings thereof: Edgar Allan Poe. This hauntingly different event encourages optional costumes and begins at 5 p.m. at the Torrance Historical Society & Museum, 1345 Post Ave. Tap tap tap upon the door…
Monday, Oct. 28
Happy Hats for Kids
This wonderful nonprofit invites the community to a 3-day open house and Happy Hats heartwarming programs which serve hospitalized children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Please RSVP today! Open houses are today, 1- 2:30 p.m., Tues., Oct. 29, 5-6:30 p.m., and Sat., Nov. 2, 10-11:30 a.m. Refreshments will be provided.923 Van Ness Ave., Torrance. 310-787-0970 or happyhatsforkids.org.
Sugar Skulls workshop
Savoir Faire Language Inst. invites the family to a fun event: makibg calaveritas (sugar skulls) today, from 5L30 – 6:30 p.m. Kids are certainly welcome. A $5 donatio is suggested. RSVP: 310-379-1086. 117 W Torrance Blvd., Redondo Beach.
Mural #4 Sneak Peek
The community is invited to meet the artist Steve Shriver, and get a sneak peek of Hermosa’s 4th historical mural at the Rockefeller Artisan Gastropub (and a happy hour get together), 6 – 8 p.m. $10 donation includes entry and a raffle ticket; a $25 donation includes a year member of the Murals Project AND a raffle ticket. Info: hermosamurals.org. 418 Upper Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach.
Tuesday, Oct. 29
Basketball 4 Boobs
This great Breast Cancer Awareness charity event shoots off tonight with former LA Clippers Coach Don Casey, Mike Casey and more during the Lakers vs Clippers season opener at Game Changers, 1220 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach. It will benefit local breasts cancer charities with a silent auction, raffle, giveaways, and basketball and Nike gear. $10 donation at the door includes 2-for-1 drink specials. Raffle tix are $1 or $20/35! And raffles include Lakers tix, Nikes basketball shoes and much, much more. RSVP: 310-308-4326. Space is limited! Action: not!
Wednesday, Oct. 30
SBG Kids Spooktastic!
Join the South Bay Galleria Kid’s Club for a Spooktastic Halloween Puppet Party! 10:30 a.m. 1815 Hawthorne Blvd., Redondo Beach.
Mac Users meet
All Mac users, beginners or advanced, and potential users are invited to the free monthly meetings of MacEnthusiasts at the Lomita VFW Hall, 1865 Lomita Blvd, starting at 6:30 p.m. For info: 310-644-3315 or info@sbamug.com.
Thursday, Oct. 31
IHOP Halloween Pancakes
No trick here! IHOP in El Segundo is offering up treats, not tricks, with a free Scary Face Pancake for trick-or-treaters 12 and under, in a safe place to enjoy the day with the family! 755 N Sepulveda Blvd. (No costumes needed!)
Riviera V Family Halloween
The Riviera Village in Redondo Beach runs all types of seasonal holiday events and this year the Village will be a mecca for families looking to score some solid trick or treating space. Ghosts and goblins will mix with princesses and super heroes as it hosts the annual Halloween Trick or Treat. Catalina Avenue will be closed to traffic from Avenue I to Palos Verdes Blvd., and the shops will hand out candy and treats from 4 – 6 p.m. Dress in your costume: be part of the fun! (And grab at bite at one of the fun family restaurants while you’re there!)
BalOween Party Time!
Celebrate along the wonderful waterfront at the Portofino’s Baleen kitchen with a costume contest (and grand prizes), a DJ and drink specials, 9 a.m. – 1 a.m. 1st place winner gets an overnight stay at the Hotel & Yacht Club, and dinner for two. Second place: $50 certificate for dinner. No cover! 260 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach. 310-372-1202.
Saint Rocke Zombie Prom
Celebrating the Class of 198-DIE, it’s the Saint Rocke Halloween Zombie Prom – Muahahahaha! Drink specials, costume contests, and giveaways. Crowning of the 2013 Zombie Prom King and Queen at midnight. All costumes welcome. (Only zombies will survive.) Show time 9 p.m. with The Spazmatics and Run Swim Run. $15 cover, 21 & over. 142 Pacific Coast Hwy, Hermosa Beach. 310-372-0035. www.saintrocke.com.
Sharkeez Hermosa Havoc
Join if you dare for the most insane party of the year! Dress up in your best costume for a chance to win a real hearse filled with cash and prizes. RSVP at least 24 hours ahead – it’s gonna be packed! 310-318-0004. 52 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. More: sharkeeze.net.