The Ocean Side of Neighborhood Church

The former Haggerty mansion, and a church since the '30s, is one of favorite wedding places in Palos Verdes. My dearest friend Annie, whom I've been friends for 40 years!!!, was married at this church 26 years ago, on October 11, 1985.

Take a peak on the inside of the original mansion by clicking: PV Library - Local History Sets - Haggerty House.

Powerful Sky (Skywatch Friday)

Somewhere on Montemalaga Road.

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Back-to-School ... for Parents

A few weeks ago, Peninsula High School held "Back-to-School Night" for parents to meet the teachers and get an understanding of the class curriculum. The kids are really fortunate to have such excellent teachers.

'M' is for Misty Midnight (abc Wednesday)

The many foggy PV nights with mood lighting.

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School-day Morning

The intersection of Silver Spur and Hawthorne Blvd, the location of Peninsula High School, is extremely busy between 7:30 and 7:55 in the morning.

An Afternoon in Manhattan Beach (4)

On a warm fall day, this was the view from Manhattan Beach pier. The brightly painted art panels on the lifeguard stations will be coming off at the end of the month.

A Perfect 10

This beauty was parked at Torrance Airport on the east side of the hangers. The view extends to Los Angeles downtown, and the buildings were lit-up at sunset.

Happy 10-10-10 day!

Pen

PV Peninsula HS is the larger of the two high schools hill. For a few years in the '80s and early '90s, it was the only high school here as enrollment dropped due to an older population. In the mid-90's, the demographics shifted and the previously closed schools reopened. Today, Pen has about 3,500 students.

Clearing (SkyWatch Friday & Weekend Reflections)

At St. Francis Episcopal church, Palos Verdes Estates, which is surrounded by pine trees and an eucalyptus grove (some of which are the original trees planted in PVE during the early development days in 1920's).

Wild Sunflowers with Background Noise - Madrona Marsh, Torrance, CA

Madrona Marsh is a hidden gem in the midst of busy city streets of Torrance. The marsh comes to life during spring, but is still beautiful with the fall colors.

From Friends of Madrona Marsh site:
History of the Marsh
When the Palos Verdes Peninsula was geologically uplifted, it blocked off the Los Angeles River . The natural drainage to the sea was halted and created a large inland drainage area as the river proceeded to shift to the east to its existing course. Historians say that during the early 1800s when the Gabrielino Indians inhabited the South Bay area, Torrance was part of the extensive marshlands north of the San Pedro and Long Beach area. ...

The Madrona Marsh, although geologically relatively young, is reminiscent of the natural state of much of the South Bay area. The Marsh preserve is a remnant of once extensive natural systems that existed along the coastal plain and coastal terraces of Southern California . The preserve is situated on land that has been in oil production since 1924. This is why it was never developed as commercial or residential uses. While the area had gone unnoticed to many there have been some citizens who have been actively aware of the area for many years, For example, the local Audubon Society has used the area since 1967 in their annual bird census, and for years bird watchers parked along nearby streets and watched the area through the fence for their recreation. Biologists teach at El Camino College have used the site as a resource to botany, zoology and geography classes for over 30 years.

'L' is for Library - Malaga Cove Plaza Historic Library

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Libraries, my favorite places in Palos Verdes and elsewhere. This one is very special.

An Afternoon in Manhattan Beach (3) - FOCUS & Focused

FOCUS (self-explanatory) with an unfocused view of the beach looking south toward Palos Verdes

I watched the little girl for a bit and during that time she was totally focused on her task.

An Afternoon in Manhattan Beach (2) - A Kiss

From the pier, on the pier.

An Afternoon in Manhattan Beach (1) - Reflected

A jumble of images from an art store window on Manhattan Beach Blvd., which extends to the pier seen in the painting. I like the painting a lot, with the view of the Manhattan pier and Palos Verdes in the background (artist's name to follow...).

Today, a Bit of Rain

In Palos Verdes Estates, among the pepper trees.