Photo via Fiesta Hermosa

Ready to kick off the summer in style? Head on over to Fiesta Hermosa for a weekend of food, crafts, games, and music.

The festival, now in its 40th year, takes place over the three-day Memorial Day weekend (May 26, 27, and 28) from 10 am to 6 pm each day. As the largest arts and crafts fair in Southern California, Fiesta Hermosa will feature more than 270 artists and crafters in downtown Hermosa Beach.

This year, the festival will go “green”: The buses and generators will be fueld with clean-burning biodiesel, made from used vegetable oil donated by local restaurants Patrick Molloy’s, Sangria, and Café Boogaloo. Glass and plastic containers will be recycled by Consolidated Disposal, and the food court vendors will be using compostible plates and cutlery. Extra bonus: If you ride your bike, you can take advantage of the free “bike valet” service run by Hermosa Cyclery, in the sand just south of the Hermosa Pier. While you enjoy the festival, they’ll check the air in your tires and run on-site diagnostic check-ups.

For adults, the popular Charity Beer & Wine Garden features drinks served by town “celebrities”, including the mayor, city council members. For kids, there will be a a 30 foot slide, mechanical rides, rock climbing wall and bungee jump, pony rides, a petting zoo, facepainters, and games. Live bands will be playing throughout the weekend; you can view the full schedule here.

Fiesta Hermosa, May 26-28; 10am to 6 pm. Contact: Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau at 310-376-0951

The parade begins at 10:00 am at Pacific School and continues down Manhattan Beach Blvd. to Polliwog Park. The picnic begins at noon at Polliwog Park and features food trucks that will sell lunch between noon and 3:00 pm. Featured food trucks (scheduled) include DogTown Dogs, Kogi , Gastrobus, PNUT Butter Bar, and FryTruck.  Continue celebrating throughout the afternoon with family games, an art exhibit, tours of the botanical garden and historic house.

And at 1:45, don’t miss the most important part of any birthday party – the birthday cake. Happy birthday, Manhattan Beach!

What’s vegan food? Vegans avoid any food derived from animal products. So vegan food means no meat, poultry, eggs or dairy products - but plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as beans, legumes, nuts, and soy products. Vegan beer is beer that is made without any animal ingredients, additives, or processing agents. (Believe it or not, animal products are commonly used to stabilize, clarify, and filter regular beers.)

Festival tickets are $60 for VIP admission, $50 for general admission, and $25 for non-drinking. Extra bonus: If you check out our CBS Los Angeles story you’ll find a special discount of $5 off the ticket price (limited to the first 50 readers), so get those tickets now!

L.A. Vegan Beer and Food Fest, Roxy Theater, 9009 West Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069. (310) 278-9457 

Burke Williams: Three choices of spa packages are available through May 13: Moms can “Relax” with a Spa Pedicure and choice of a 50-minute Burke Williams Massage or a 50-minute Spa Style Facial with peel for only $145 ($180 value). A second choice is to “Escape” with a Spa Pedicure, a 50-minute Burke Williams Massage and a 50-minute Spa Style Facial with peel, all for $245 ($310 value). Mothers and daughters can share a relaxing experience “For Two” and each enjoy a Spa Pedicure with choice of a 50-minute Burke Williams Massage or a 50-minute Spa Style Facial with peel for just $275 ($360 value). 2733 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance. 310-803-5550 (also at other Burke Williams locations in Southern California).

Elegance Boutique Spa: Champagne brunch and gardening workshop by Home Grown Edible Landscapes. This  informational workshop will uncover the health and beauty benefits of many of your favorite plants and their hidden aromatherapy qualities. Attendees also receive a spa goodie bag and 15 percent off on pre-paid spa treatments. Featuring brunch from Four Daughters Kitchen. 10:30 am to 1:00 pm. $30. Register online. Elegance Boutique Spa, 3516 Highland Avenue, Manhattan Beach. 310-546-5610.

Fleming’s Steakhouse & Wine Bar: Mother’s Day brunch. From 11:30 am to 3:00 pm, enjoy brunch for the whole family with a special three-course brunch menu (and additional kids’ brunch menu). Extra bonus: Mom gets a $25 gift card toward a future meal. $34.95 per guest. 2301 Rosecrans Avenue, El Segundo. 310-643-6911.

Paciugo Gelato: Free gelato for Mom. Bring your mom to Paciugo in Hermosa Beach on Mother’s Day and get a free Piccolo gelato for Mom – and pick up one of these cool Mom/gelato-spoon tattoos while you’re at it. 1034 Hermosa Avenue, Hermosa Beach. 310-379-2525.

Portofino Hotel: Mother’s Day Brunch at the Ocean.  Starting at 10:00 am, enjoy free-flowing sparkling wine, extensive brunch options, a “Bloody Mary Buffet,” and ocean views. $52/person for adults; $24/person for kids ages 5 to 12; kids under 5 eat free. 260 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach. Call for reservations: 310-798-5874.

South Coast Botanic Garden: Bring your own picnic and enjoy Mother’s Day at the South Coast Botanic Garden with the whole family. The upper and lower meadow areas will be open for picnicking just for the day. Tram tours are available at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm for $4/person. From 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm the Palos Verdes Symphonic Band will play a “big band” concert. Regular garden admission rates apply. 26300 Crenshaw Boulevard, Palos Verdes Peninsula. (310) 544-1948.

Shade Hotel: Shade presents “The Mother of All Brunches.” Seating from 9:00 am until 3:30 pm (last seating). $45 per person, includes free mimosa for Mom; $25 per person for kids 10 and under. 1221 N. Valley Drive, Manhattan Beach. Call Shaunna to reserve: 310-406-6801.

Terranea: Mother’s Day brunch. Terranea’s wide-ranging brunch menu includes omelets and eggs, pancakes, Asian selections, seafood, charcuterie, cheeses and meats. A special kids’ buffet features pasta, chicken fingers, mac and cheese, and an extensive sundae bar. 10:00 am, 10:30 am, 1:00 pm, 1:30 pm; Adults $85 inclusive (includes sparkling wine); kids ages 5 to 10 eat for $40; kids under age 5 eat for free. Register online. 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes. 310-265-2800.

Whale & Ale: Mother’s Day Brunch in San Pedro. Enjoy selections from a wide-ranging British-themed brunch menu; every mother gets a complimentary glass of Champagne. 327 W. 7th Street, San Pedro. Call for reservations: 310-832-0363.

Last but not least, for those who have lost their mother but wish to honor her, Torrance Memorial Medical Center is hosting a “Memories of Mother” celebratory tea on Saturday, May 12, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. The event (for ages 14 and over) will include small group discussions, refreshments and musical performances. Guests are invited to bring photos and mementos; guests are also invited to wear a hat in the tradition of teatime. Donations are welcome, with proceeds to benefit Torrance Memorial Hospice. The event is free but reservations are required. 3330 Lomita Blvd., Torrance, CA. (310) 517-4694.

Chimpanzee is a true-life adventure deep in the forests of Africa, featuring an adorable young chimpanzee named Oscar and his chimpanzee community. Oscar’s playful curiosity and zest for discovery showcase the intelligence and ingenuity of some of the most extraordinary personalities in the animal kingdom. When Oscar’s family is confronted by a rival band of chimpanzees, he is left to fend for himself — until a surprising ally steps in and changes his life forever.

Directed by Alastair Fothergill (African Cats and Earth) and Mark Linfield (Earth), the footage is both astonishing and heartwarming. Somehow the filmmakers managed to capture this incredible story as it unfolded in the jungle, and, as narrated by Tim Allen, it’s an engaging story for all ages.

Being one of those people who loves to read movie-making trivia, we were fascinated to learn more about the filming process. (While you’re watching it, you feel so much like you’re in the moment that you forget that there were filmmakers and cameras involved.) Some fun facts about the filming include:

• Making Chimpanzee took more than 700 days of filming.
• Getting to the forest where the chimpanzee tribe lived took two days, including a 14-hour drive along bumpy dirt roads where the car would frequently break down miles away from the nearest village. The crew would then carry all the equipment on an hour-long walk to camp.
• Before filming, the crew had to spend eight days in quarantine to ensure that they did not bring diseases into the forest that could be transmitted to the chimpanzees. They wore masks while filming.
• While filming, the crew had to stay at least 23 feet away from the chimpanzees.  If a chimpanzee looked at them, it meant they were too close.
• During filming, the crew suffered bee stings, ant bites, a lightning strike, and the constant threat of snakes and predators.

Photo via Sprinkles Mobile

You know we love gourmet food trucks, right? So what could be better than an afternoon’s worth of food trucks and an opportunity to get a meal for free?

To celebrate the grand opening of The Row at 360 South Bay, William Lyon Homes will be hosting five of LA’s hottest food trucks (Sprinkles Mobile, Nom Nom, Grill ‘em All, Ludo Truck, All American Gourmet Grill), plus live entertainment, on April 21 from 12 to 4 p.m. While noshing on tasty treats, you can tour model homes and check out the 360 community.  The first few hundred people to register for the event online can get “buzz bucks,” which are redeemable for a free menu item and beverage from the truck of their choice. Here’s a quick breakdown of the event:

Grand Opening of The Row at 360 South Bay

5428 Strand, Hawthorne, CA 90250 

Saturday, April 21 from 12-4 p.m.

Photo via Ludo Truck

Featuring: Sprinkles Mobile, Nom Nom, Grill ‘em All, Ludo Truck, The Grilled Cheese Truck

Get a buzz buck for a free menu item and beverage while supplies last by registering at www.therow360.com. Make sure to arrive at the event early to get your truck choice– there are limited buzz bucks per truck. Even if you are unable to register before the buzz bucks are all claimed, the event is open to all (bring some cash as many of the trucks don’t take cards).

Now here’s the fun part: South Bay Sparkle is giving away two free “buzz bucks” worth a meal and a drink, and you don’t have to register. Just leave a comment below and we’ll pick two winners on Monday, April 16. To get an extra entry, “like” South Bay Sparkle on Facebook or follow South Bay Sparkle on Twitter (and leave an extra comment letting us know you’ve done so). Yum!

A nighttime crowd gathers at the shark lagoon

You may have admired the beautiful sea creatures at Aquarium of the Pacific during the day time, but have you experienced the aquarium at night? The aquarium has a whole different look and feel – and when you’re seeing the fish at night, you start to feel like you’re a little closer to being right there in the ocean with them.

Moon jellies, under the moon

Happily, the aquarium has plenty of opportunities for you to check out the fish after normal hours. The “Late Nights” series offers discounted admission from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm approximately twice per week through April (and then weekly on Sunday nights beginning in June). The entire aquarium is open except for the lorikeet forest on those nights. Adults can get in for $14.95 and children for $13.95. You can view the whole late night schedule here.

A giant stingray in the shark lagoon, under the stars

On Shark Lagoon nights (Friday nights), the shark lagoon (only) is open for free from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Standing face-to-face with the sharks while you’re both in the dark is both thrilling and fascinating – or possibly creepy, depending on how you feel about sharks swimming right toward you in the dark. You can view the Shark Lagoon night schedule here.

The aquarium also offers plenty of special events with late-night festivities. Last week we had a chance to visit Noche de Estrellas, a party featuring Latin music and food. Upcoming nighttime events include Aquatic Academy courses and documentary screenings. For a full list of events and festivals – both day and night – visit the Aquarium’s events page.

Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA. (562) 590-3100. Parking is $8.

When you walk in to the cavernous building, there are plenty of play areas to choose from. You’ve got the main trampoline area, a basketball court, two dodgeball courts, and a massive foam-cube pit.

Each area is well-staffed with employees who make sure that everyone keeps a safe distance from each other. So for example, if you’re jumping on the main trampoline or playing dodgeball, you stay on your own square. And if you’re vaulting into the foam-cube pit, you wait in line behind a series of launching points. It’s all clean and well-run — and you can feel confident that even your littlest kids will be safe.

We enjoyed free play during open jump time, but Sky Zone is also going to offer Sky-Robics classes, dodgeball tournaments, and a SkyCamp. Plus you can have a birthday party at Sky Zone, with party packages starting at $18/person.

Ready to jump? Open play costs $10 for 30 minutes and $14 for an hour. Reservations are recommended; you can reserve your spot ahead of time at http://torrance.skyzonepsorts.com. Hint: Fill out the waiver online before you arrive, so that when you arrive you’re ready to jump into action.

Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, 1625 West 190th St., Gardena (Off the 405 at Western Ave.) 310-323-4500.

Blogger disclosure: My family was treated to a morning at Sky Zone; I did not receive compensation for this post.

The garden at mar'sel, designed by Home Grown Edible Landscapes

Mar’sel has collaborated in a unique partnership with Home Grown Edible Landscapes, a sustainable garden and landscaping company run by local master gardener Geri Miller. Working closely with Miller on seasonal gardening, mar’sel Chef Michael Fiorelli is able to take the freshest herbs and greens of the season and bring them just ten steps into the kitchen before they arrive on your plate.

Recently we had the opportunity to attend an on-site gardening class and luncheon at mar’sel – learning about the art of growing edibles at home, and then tasting some of Chef Fiorelli’s freshest creations.

Miller’s central philosophy is keeping gardens natural, sustainable, and local; and Fiorelli is completely on board with that mantra. “I source based on relationships rather than organics,” said Fiorelli. “An organic peach that came from Peru in February – that doesn’t really make sense.”

A stack of panini, with a spectacular ocean backdrop

After participating in the seasonal spring planting (vegetables, herbs, and flowers) out front, our group reconvened on the oceanfront patio to savor a colorful salad of little gem lettuce, watermelon radish, ruby grapefruit, California olive oil, and sea salt. Next we enjoyed a stack of fresh-pressed panini with Italian meats, aged provolone, and pickled vegetables.

“Did you bake the bread yourself?” one guest called out to Fiorelli. “Of course – always!” he answered, and then deadpanned, “Wait – you can buy bread?”

Following lunch we took a tour of the kitchen and watched the staff prep for a busy Saturday night ahead. Fiorelli noted that the restaurant’s name – mar, Spanish for sea; and sel, French for salt – turns out to be a perfect fit for the restaurant’s setting and dining aesthetic.

Photo via mar'sel

Of course it’s a given that the panoramic ocean view at mar’sel is a major draw, but watching the moon rise over the ocean is an especially spectacular sight. Don’t miss mar’sel’s special moon-themed menu, offered once a month on the night of a full moon. The restaurant keeps its own full moon calendar here.

mar’sel, 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes. Open 5:30 to 10:00 PM, Wednesday through Sunday. Reservations: 310-265-2836

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