When it's time to bid adieu to many of the items around your house that are no longer needed, it's important to know what is considered hazardous waste and can't simply be tossed in the garbage.

You might be surprised at what typical items are considered hazardous waste that you use regularly around the house, yard and garage. Not only is it illegal to discard these items improperly, but our communities and the environment are in danger when products are simply disposed of in the garbage, sink or storm drain. According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, Household Hazardous Waste is any product labeled toxic, poison, combustible, corrosive, flammable or irritant.

Below are the three general categories of waste, with links to more thorough lists from the Los Angeles DPW:

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW):
Lawn and garden products, paint and related products, beauty products and medicines, household cleaners, automotive fluids.

Electronic Waste (e-waste):
Computer, monitors, printers, network equipment, cables, telephones, cell phones, video game equipment.

Universal Waste (u-waste):
Household batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, electronic devices, and mercury thermostats.

If you're unsure what to do, the South Bay communities have two permanent drop-off locations nearby, the Hyperion Treatment Plant S.A.F.E. Collection Center and the Harbor Area S.A.F.E. Collection Center. The DPW also has a calendar of free waste collection events.

The county also has free permanent drop-off centers for used motor oil, and Redondo Beach has several certified collection centers.  

For more information, call 1(888) CLEAN LA
the Redondo Beach Recycling Hotline (310- 318-0613)
the Manhattan Beach Fire Department
Fire Prevention (310-802-5200) or visit http://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/cleanla/

South Bay has a little something to offer for everyone.  Whether you are new in town or want to explore your own city, here is a list of 10 things you must do while in the South Bay area.

1) The Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach
Opened in 1978, this place is known as a “Shrine to Comedy”.  Such comics like Ray Romano, Jerry Seinfeld, and Daniel Tosh from Tosh.0 have all hosted and called this place home.  Jay Leno is a frequent of The Comedy and Magic Club every Sunday night at 7pm.

2) Manhattan Beach Post Restaurant
World-renowned chef, David LeFevre, serves up some of the best-reviewed culinary cuisine in the area, located just one block from the Manhattan Beach Pier.  The rustic menu consists of small-shared plates and handcrafted cocktails.  From the Bacon Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits to the Truffle Honey Laced Fried Chicken you will not leave hungry or disappointed.

3) South Bay Farmers Markets
Purchase the freshest produce from local farmers six days out of the week.  You can find farmers markets all over the South Bay area, check out which location is closest to you. Farmers Market Schedule

4) K1 Go Kart Racing
Located in the heart of South Bay, K1 Go Kart Racing offers you an adrenalin rush on their indoor racecourse.  Compete head to head with family and friends on their electric go-karts taking you up to speeds of 60mph.

5) Abigaile Restaurant & Brewery
Once a church then turned rehearsal space for punk/hardcore bands, now restaurant and brewery.  Abigaile is a communal gastropub in Hermosa.  Offering up a unique and delicious cuisine with home brewed beer, this place still pays homage to its past with its eclectic rock n roll bar décor.

6) Point Vicente Lighthouse & Interpretive Center
The second Saturday of every month the Lighthouse is open to the public with free admission.  Climb the Lighthouse for 360 views or pack a picnic to enjoy next to the ocean.

7) Hang Gliding at the Beach
At the Dockweiler State Beach in El Segundo you can meet with Joe Greblo of Windsports to learn the art of hang gliding.  Just after 20 min of instruction you will be airborne with an instructor at your side the whole time to see views of South Bay.

8) Terranea Resort 
Whether it's just to feel like you are away from it all on this lush coastline resort setting, get a round of golf in on its oceanfront fairways or to take in the culinary variety at its numerous restaurants, Terranea Resort is a lovely place to spend the day.

9) Frascati Trail
Check out this fun easy hiking trail just off Palos Verdes Drive East.  Get in touch with your adventurous side and explore the small waterfall just off the Frascati trail.

10) Catalina Island
Take the Catalina Express from Long Beach to Catalina Island for a fun day trip.  With 30 daily departures, explore the shops and restaurants on this rocky island with just an hour long boat ride from Long Beach.

Whether you're looking for a quiet escape with your partner or a fun family day out, a picnic could be just the ticket! Take in the day and find a nice place to rest, spend some time with those you love, and eat some good packed food while you’re at it. Once you've got your basket packed, consider these three prime spots to lay your checkered blanket in Manhattan Beach: Polliwog Park, the Manhattan Beach Pier, and Bruce’s Beach.

Polliwog Park
Polliwog Park offers many fun activities and diverse areas to lay your blanket down.  Find a place by the pond and feed some of the roaming ducks, or find a spot in the ampitheater or playground area.  Stretch out on the grass and be able to breathe in this safe environment.  Outdoor BBQ grills are also available if you’re feeling more fancy.  During the summer, people opt for a picnic dinner as they watch a performance by Shakespeare by the Sea or enjoy one of the Concerts in the Park.

Features of Polliwog Park:
- three gazebos
- ampitheater
- picnic area with BBQ’s
- pool
- playground (includes one for older and three for smaller children)
- botanical garden
- 9-hole disc golf course
- dog run
- curbside parking is available along Redondo Avenue and Manhattan Beach Boulevard

Location:
Corner of Redondo Ave. and Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Manhattan Beach & Pier
The actual beach of Manhattan Beach offers an expansive view of the ocean, and a lot of space to find a place to picnic.  If you’re not feeling like making food yourself, you can grab some to-go from one of the many restaurants located along Manhattan Beach Boulevard (the street going down to the pier) or on any of the off-shoot streets.  The beach offers an ocean to cool down in on a hot day, a terrific sunset view for a romantic dinner, or a place to play volleyball and other games on the sand with your family and friends.  You can also bike and enjoy a ride on the strand or, if driving, you can find one of the spots at the many parking meters nearby.

Location:
400-500 The Strand
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 399-8471

Bruce’s Beach
Bruce’s “Beach” is technically a park that is situated on the sloping grassy hillside leading down to Manhattan’s beach area.  The oldest park site in Manhattan Beach, it includes park benches, a small basketball half-court, and a lot of trees and shady areas to enjoy the view that you’ll be facing.  It’s one of the prime spots to watch a South Bay sunset.

Location:
Highland and 27th Street
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

The way your display your photography at home can be just as creative as the art that is actually in the frames. Instead of the same boring methods, get creative with hanging your pictures. Make use of symmetry, colors (or lack thereof), textures and depth to feature your pictures rather than just fill space on walls. Need some ideas? Here are a few:

1. Install narrow black wall shelves evenly in three rows. If you have room, try off-setting the middle shelf to create imbalance. Pick a simple style of frame in different sizes all in one color – such as black – and place black & white photos in the largest frames in back.  Using the same style frame but in a much smaller size, place color photos  in front of each shelf, overlapping the larger frames. The use of shelves and frames will create depth and texture. Example from Pinterest

2. If wall space isn't an issue, create two or three rows of four identical square frames (in both size and color). Chose a theme for the set, either eight or 12 total, such as a favorite city, members of your family, local nature or places you have visited. Depending on your theme, you could even try chronological order. Print all of the photos in black & white, with the exception of one color photo in each row. Not only will the wall have a symmetrical feel, but the color photos will draw the eye as the set tells a story. Example from Pinterest.

3. If you have a high resolution photo you particularly love, use it to create a feature wall with multi-panel canvas prints. Try three or four equal sized panels in horizontal or vertical lines, or create a large square shape with four equal sized square panels. With the right photo, it creates a dramatic presentation and is a great idea for landscapes and city scenes. Example from Pinterest

4. Install a curtain rod at the top of a wall, or use a thick metal wire that is secured at each end by stoppers, like those from IKEA. Using different lengths of thin wire (or twine for a different look), alternate the lengths of wire across the wall, hanging a photo at the bottom of each. Use all matching frames, or mismatched but complementary frames, depending on the look you're going for.  Take it one step farther by hanging multiple frames on the same wires. Example from Pinterest

If an upscale dining experience is in your future, South Bay residents have a number of options that come in all shapes and sizes. 

Whether your wish lists starts with an amazing ocean view, impeccable service, the best seafood in town or an intimate setting for a special occasion, the best of the best in South Bay have a lot to offer. Looking for the local hot spot with the best dining experience everyone seems to be talking about? Here are four suggestions that span from Manhattan Beach to Palos Verdes:

MB Post
This popular local Manhattan Beach hot spot has earned a 4.5-star rating on nearly 850 Yelp reviews, putting it among the favorite destinations in South Bay. Advertised as an artisan menu of small shared plates, an interesting and eclectic menu that changes often compliments an atmosphere that strikes a balance between laid back and upscale. The brunch menu is immensely popular at MB Post, as are the bacon cheddar buttermilk biscuits.

1142 Manhattan Ave
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
310-545-5405
www.eatmbpost.com


Chef Melba’s Bistro
The quaint and intimate setting at Chef Melba’s Bistro is highlighted by an open-air kitchen that shares its aromas with the cozy dining area. With a fine lineup of seafood that includes Dungeness Crab Clusters, natural sea scallops and three varieties of wild Alaskan Halibut, it was voted best seafood in South Bay by The Beach Reporter in 2012. Yelpers agree, giving Chef Melba’s Bistro a four-star rating in more than 150 reviews, raving in particular about the signature dark chocolate bag on the dessert menu.

1501 Hermosa Ave
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
310-376-2084
www.chefmelbasbistro.com


Japonica Dining
Considered by many to be the home of the best sushi and sashimi in South Bay, Japonica Dining offers a cool, casual ambiance. The intimate setting might be unexpected, as bamboo shades give tables a private feel to enjoy monthly specials and an extensive two-page Sake list. An Izakaya restaurant, the food is served in tapas-style portions so you can enjoy many different foods with your drinks. “The food here is delicious –  it reminded me of being back in Japan,” said one Yelp review. “The sashimi is probably the best I have tasted in the States.”

1304 1/2 S Pacific Coast Hwy
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
310-316-9477
www.japonicadining.com


Mar’sel
Located at the Terranea Resort, the first thing to notice about Mar’sel are the stunning views overlooking the Pacific Ocean that create an elegant setting. Not to be outdone, Chef Rebecca Merhej has created a seasonally rotating menu that features locally-sourced ingredients, including herbs from their own extensive garden. The menu isn’t extensive but changes daily, and might include items like baked orecchiette, Mediterranean branzino or roasted California duck breast. For a burger that has been voted among the best in America, go off-menu for the down low burger.

100 Terranea Way
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
310-265-2701
www.terranea.com

Who wouldn’t want a gourmet kitchen that was the envy of every chef? Here are 10 kitchen upgrades to transform your kitchen into a professional chef’s dream:

The Gourmet Kitchen Triad – Start with these must-haves for any restaurant-inspired kitchen: a dual oven, six-burner gas stove and oversized fridge, laid out in an ergonomic triangle arrangement.

Smart Storage – Include function-specific storage for things like baking sheets and small appliances, as well as an oversized pantry.

Indoor Grill – Barbecue in the middle of winter? No problem with an indoor grill! Look for a model that includes a downdraft ventilation system to clear away the sizzle quickly.

Warming Drawer – A warming drawer warms plates and keeps side dishes and sauces on standby while you're cooking the main course.

Kitchen Island with Eating Bar – An oversized kitchen island with eating bar is perfect for casual entertaining, letting the chef interact with guests while getting dinner together.

Stainless Steel Prep Area – Design your prep area to include an oversized, integrated sink, making it ideal for messy prep work.

Hanging Pot Rack – A hanging pot rack over the stove area is a style statement and a way to keep everything you need close at hand.

Pot Filler Tap – This wall-mounted tap, located by the stovetop, makes filling soup and stock pots a snap and eliminates the need to carry heavy, full pots across the kitchen.

Comfortable Flooring – Make your work area more foot-friendly with a softer alternative flooring material like cork, linoleum orrubber.

Layered Lighting – Add recessed fixtures for the work surfaces, pendant lights over the island, and under-cabinet task lighting for the countertops.


Re-published with permission of Dan Wurtz, Mortgage Consultant, Charter Pacific Lending Corp. Visit Dan's web site here: www.danwurtz.com