Hermosa Beach Celebrates 22nd Annual Surfers Walk of Fame, Honors Five Inductees
Hermosa Beach Mayor Mike Detoy will preside over the city’s 22nd annual Surfers Walk of Fame weekend, April 24-26, honoring five individuals whose contributions to surfing and South Bay culture span decades — from pioneering women’s competition to the creation of one of the most iconic images in American pop culture.
This year’s inductees cross several categories. Laurie Wilson, inducted as Female Legend, was a top AAA competitor and trailblazer for women’s surfing in the South Bay. Lonnie Argabright, South Bay Legend, is a founding member and current president of Haggerty’s Surfing Club who at 14 became the inspiration for Rick Griffin’s iconic “Murphy” cartoon character in Surfer Magazine. Tyler Hatzikian, also a South Bay Legend, is a respected longboard shaper who starred in the surf film Single Fin Yellow, in which a board he shaped was passed around the world from surfer to surfer.
Cultural Legend Pat Rawson is a prolific surfboard shaper who helped develop a low-tolerance blank board with Clark Foam that saved thousands of liters of potential waste from surfboard production — an environmental innovation as much as a design one. Cultural Legend John Van Hamersveld is best known as the creator of The Endless Summer poster, the image that introduced surf culture to a global audience, and whose subsequent work includes record jacket art for the Beatles and the Beach Boys.
The Induction Ceremony takes place Saturday, April 25 at 11 a.m. on Pier Plaza, followed by the Spyder Surf Fest with vendor activations and live music at 1 p.m.
The weekend opens Friday, April 24, with the Surfers Walk of Fame Kickoff Event and South Bay Surf Awards at the Hermosa Beach Community Center and closes Sunday, April 26, with the South Bay Boardriders Club Surf Series south of the Pier from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
“The Surfers Walk of Fame is a special Hermosa tradition, and this year’s class is one we can all be proud of,” Detoy said. “South Bay locals, surfers, shapers and artists who collectively pushed their sport, surf culture and our community forward.”
More information at https://www.hermosabeach.gov/.
Rancho Palos Verdes Brings Back Whale of a Day Festival April 25
The 41st annual Whale of a Day Festival returns to Rancho Palos Verdes on Saturday, April 25 — rescheduled to a new date this year — with a full day of family activities, live music and cliff-side Pacific gray whale watching at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center, 31501 Palos Verdes Drive West, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The festival celebrates the annual migration of the Pacific gray whale from Arctic waters to the warm lagoons of Baja California. This year marks an extra milestone: the Point Vicente Lighthouse turns 100, with tours of the grounds available throughout the day.
Activities include children’s games, crafts and inflatables, face painting, a coastal-inspired vendor fair by Dreamer’s Market, food trucks, beer and wine, a raffle and, as always, sweeping ocean views and some of the best whale-watching vantage points on the Southern California coast.
Free parking and shuttle service are available at the Ken Dyda Civic Center, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd. Parking is not available at the event site. More information at https://www.whaleofaday.com/.
Lancaster and Habitat for Humanity LA Team Up on Mobilehome Rehab Program
The City of Lancaster is partnering with Habitat for Humanity LA to offer up to $150,000 in loans to eligible mobilehome owners for necessary home repairs — and hosting an informational session Saturday, April 25 to walk residents through the process.
“Lancaster thrives when our neighborhoods are strong, and that starts with safe, well-maintained homes,” said Mayor R. Rex Parris. “Working alongside Habitat for Humanity LA, we are proud to offer this lifeline to our mobile home residents.”
To qualify, applicants must own and occupy a mobile or manufactured home within Lancaster city limits as their primary residence, meet low-income guidelines at or below 80% of Area Median Income, and carry homeowner’s insurance. The loan carries 0% interest with deferred payments. For mobile homes on non-permanent foundations in a mobile home park, the loan is forgivable — beginning at 10% annually in year 11 and fully forgiven after 20 years of occupancy.
The session runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lancaster Community Center, 44611 Yucca Avenue. Habitat for Humanity LA staff will guide attendees through eligibility requirements, the application process and home assessments.
Residents with questions can contact Habitat LA at tevans@habitatla.org or 310-323-4663, ext. 714.
South Bay Students Get an Inside Look at Drone Technology at FlightWave Aerospace
Thirty-two high school pre-apprentices from South and Torrance High Schools got a firsthand look at the future of aerospace last week, touring FlightWave Aerospace in Torrance as part of the South Bay Workforce Investment Board’s Aero-Flex Pre-Apprenticeship program.
FlightWave, a Torrance-based leader in unmanned aircraft systems, specializes in long-endurance drones used in defense, border surveillance, disaster response and infrastructure inspection. During the day-long visit, students rotated through technical stations covering new product introduction, prototype assembly, avionics integration and live flight testing. They also examined infrared imaging systems and observed how modeling software evolves into fully functional drones.
The visit was hosted by FlightWave President Shawn Webb, who also serves on the SBWIB Board of Directors. “These kinds of opportunities help students bring their classroom learning to life in a meaningful and inspiring way,” said SBWIB Executive Director Jan Vogel. “As they engage with professionals in high-demand industries, they are inspired to explore future career pathways in aerospace and advanced manufacturing.”
Student feedback captured the impact. “I really enjoyed seeing a more intimate-sized aerospace company and getting an in-depth understanding of all the little aspects,” wrote Lilly Mueck. “I hope to be able to intern at your company one day.”
SBWIB’s current pre-apprenticeship offerings include programs in aerospace, space economy, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing and water infrastructure.
Students interested in aerospace and other pre-apprenticeship pathways can learn more about SBWIB’s no-cost programs at sbwib.org.
El Monte and YMCA Offer Free Citizenship Application Assistance
The City of El Monte, in partnership with the YMCA, is offering free assistance with U.S. citizenship applications — including support with fee waivers for qualifying residents.
Appointments are required. Residents can call 323-244-9077 to schedule a session at the El Monte Aquatics Center.
