2023 | December | No. 43
Julia Parton Citizen of the Year
April Showers & Afro Unicorn Sharing Holiday Magic
palosverdesmagazine.com
A LEGACY OF CARE Our lives are defined in many ways, some which reflect the level of our accomplishments. But for those with a deeper interest, few qualities endure longer than the expression of our love—whether it’s aimed toward our family, our community or the thousands of lives we help transform along the way. Your support and contributions, of any amount, help expert community care thrive for years to come. Learn more about starting your own legacy at TMLegacy.org
IN THIS ISSUE Issue No. 43
16
community+locale
Around town
28 Holiday Gift Guide Check out some of these creative local finds for holiday gifts
33 Vistas for Children Moonlight Masquerade
32 Terranea Resort’s Gingerbread Lounge
30 34 Gift Ideas for Teens Peninsula Symphony Fundraiser Our Junior Contributor Aidan Shen helps answer the hard question: what to get Special Children’s League Annual Benefit at PVGC your teenager for Christmas?
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22
PV PROFILE
16 April Showers This PV resident makes history with her Afro Unicorn brand 20 Julia Parton Winning Citizen of the Year highlights Parton’s giving heart
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11
35 PV Chamber of Commerce Salutes Local Businesses 36 Sip and Support to Keep Kids in Sight Event
pv history
22 Christmases of PV Past A glimpse back at how the Peninsula has celebrated Christmas
pv calendar
11 December Highlights Peninsula fun for everyone
pv palate
45 Lisa Boyd A delicious taste of the holidays is Lisa’s baked brie recipe
Peninsula Seniors Celebrates 40th Anniversary 37 Diwali Celebration at the Peninsula Center Library NCL Peninsula Chapter Holiday Events 38 Peninsula High Robotics Team Helps Mobility-challenged Kids PEF Major Donor Reception 39 Annual Upside of Aging Event PVE Foundation Hosts the Crime Deterrent Initiative 2023 | December | PVMagazine | 09
16 | PVMagazine | December | 2023
April Showers & Afro Unicorn Make History, Empower Dreams, and Inspire Many Written by Kristin B o rd e n | P h o t o s b y B re n d a C a s h
In the dynamic realm of entrepreneurship, April Showers emerges as a unique and steadfast force, turning dreams into reality with her Afro Unicorn brand. This Palos Verdes resident has made history by becoming the first blackwoman-owned brand to secure a full license for a character brand in major retail stores. In less than two years, April has transformed Afro Unicorn into a global phenomenon, with products gracing the shelves of Walmart, Target, JCPenney, Kohl’s, and Amazon. This is the inspiring story of a woman who blends creativity, determination, execution and a touch of magic to realize her dreams. Meeting April Showers at her Rancho Palos Verdes home, we were privileged to learn more about the woman behind the groundbreaking Afro Unicorn brand. Just before her appearance on CBS Mornings with Gayle King, where she discussed her Afro Unicorn Little Golden Book Series deal with Random House Publishing, April shared insights into her journey. April attributes her success to her supportive upbringing, citing her loving parents who instilled in her a strong work ethic and a kind, Christian background. Despite growing up in South Central Los Angeles, her mother ensured she explored diversely different areas of Los Angeles which ultimately fostered a drive for success and a different lifestyle. April, a highenergy executor, previously managed a real estate and insurance business and still owns a Farmers Insurance office in Long Beach. Her dedication to supporting long-time employees still at her office in Long Beach showcases her generosity and genuine character.
2023 | December | PVMagazine | 17
PV profile
Magic
From Manifestation to
PV Christmas Past...
Over the last century, Peninsula residents have been enjoying celebrating the Holiday Season. This year we have taken a glimpse into “Christmas Past” to see how residents have celebrated over the decades. Remember today’s celebrations will one day be looked back on by future generations, so make it a merry and bright one! Images brought to you from the Palos Verdes Library District, Local History Center. For more information visit pvld.org/localhistory and/or the digital repository palosverdeshistory.org. Have questions about local history? Do you have a treasured memory of your Christmas or other event? Contact the Local History Center: localhistory@pvld.org
Top: a 1960’s family photo from the Alessandra family which was generously shared with the PVLD Local History Center Right: a group of children from the school play, “Tommy Murphy’s Christmas,” performed for Christmas on the auditorium stage of Malaga Cove School on December 17, 1927. The children are dressed in fairy costumes, playing with toys in a plywood interior stage set. Santa Claus was played by James Woosley, Chief of Police of Palos Verdes Estates from 1924-1942.
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PV history
Cockwise from top left: From Palos Verdes Bulletin Volume 2, January 1926, La Venta Inn Notes and PV Christmas Eve Tradition; Palos Verdes Bulletin Volume 3 December 1927, Christmas Ships Carol; photo from PV Peninsula News 1992 showing The Shops at Palos Verdes in Rolling Hills Estates; clipping from 1952-1953 Palos Verdes Woman’s Club Scrapbook
2023 | November | PVMagazine | 23
AROUND TOWN
Terranea Resort Elevates Holiday Offerings with Gingerbread Experience On the evening of Saturday, November 25, Terranea Resort hosted its annual Celebration of the Season:Tree Lighting ceremony, turning the occasion into a joyous celebration. Guests immersed themselves in the festive atmosphere, seizing opportunities for photos with Santa, engaging in a delightful Build-A-Bear station, reveling in a mesmerizing Nutcracker ballet performance, and enjoying a scenic train ride around a portion of the resort’s vast property. Adding an extra layer of holiday cheer, Terranea went above and beyond this year by debuting a captivating Gingerbread Lounge. A gathering of delighted attendees marveled at the impressive resilience of gingerbread bricks that supported the roof of a towering structure. The ingenuity was not only in crafting these oversized bricks from essentially cookie materials but also in embellishing the roof with vibrant red shingles made from house-made gingerbread. The ephemeral delight, known as the Gingerbread Lounge, was just one facet of the delectable revelry unfolding at Terranea’s annual Tree Lighting event. Traditionally, Pierino “Perry” Jermonti, the resort’s executive pastry chef, has showcased grand gingerbread creations. However, this year, the culinary team aimed for new heights to enhance the overall experience. The walk-up bar’s foundation itself was constructed from the spiced biscuit-like substance. This family-friendly haven featured a walk-up gingerbread bar, where patrons could indulge in an array of treats, from cocktails and mocktails to hot cocoa, candied apples, and festive cookies—essentially every sugar plum imaginable. The lounge was complemented by a charming gingerbread village adorned with gumdrops, peppermints, and frosting snow. In the spirit of generosity, Saturday’s festivities were open to the public, with complimentary admission granted in exchange for unwrapped donations to Toys for Tots. The holiday spirit lingered beyond the Gingerbread Lounge, turning the celebration into a heartwarming kickoff for the festive season. Gingerbread Lounge open daily, Monday-Friday 4:00p.m.-10:00p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 2:00p.m.-10:00p.m. For more information, visit terranea.com/traditions.
Gingerbread Lounge team makes spirits bright
Terranea Resort annual Tree Lighting
Nicholas Unterman, Terranea Resort Manager, welcoming guests
Joanna Medawar Nachef Singers caroled for the festive event
Children can send postcards to the North Pole
Gingerbread Village featuring Polar Express Train
Specialty cocktail, Baby it’s Gold Outside
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Caitlyn Piercy, Public Relations & Communications Manager with Pierino Jermonti, Executive Pastry Chef
Holiday cocktail, the Yule Log
To see more photos of any of these events, scan the QR code!
Vistas for Children Moonlight Masquerade
AROUND TOWN
Vistas for Children recently celebrated its 45th anniversary with a gala at Shade Hotel in Redondo Beach. The event aimed to raise funds for special needs children and their families in the South Bay. The gala had a Moonlight Masquerade theme, with many attendees wearing masks and elegant ballgowns. Under the leadership of Marcia August, Vistas for Children has had a successful year, thanks to a thriving and active board. The fall fundraiser, organized by Robyn Peacock and Cheryl Medina, was a labor-intensive effort. Their hard work paid off, as the event became highly talked about and successful in raising funds. These funds will be distributed in 2024 through grants to over 23 charities and organizations that serve children in the South Bay.
Antonia Lavender, Marcia August, President, and Cheryl Medina, Co-Chair
Dr. Monica Desai and Chetan Desai from Children’s Community Health
Mark and Julie Hellmers and Mark Radcliff from Ride to Fly
Robyn, Co-Chair, Al Peacock, Shari Coale and Jeff Heisler
Christa Kennedy, Vanessa Duncan, Bridgette Hoffman, Maili Bergman, Kristin Tortorice, Leila Parsa
Presidents Past, Present and Future/ Eileen Krock, Cindy Percz, Nadine Bobit, Marcia August, Rene Mizuguchi, Nadia Elgraby
Salma and Chris Bruno and Claudia and Tim Dickins
Vanessa Duncan and Nick Kerkhove
Vistas Members Vistas for Children Board of Directors
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