There’s Something in the Air The Peninsula Celebrates the Holiday Season with the Annual Parade of Lights By Photographer and Contributor Steve Tabor
The spirit of the holiday season filled the air as youngsters and those young at heart gathered along Silver Spur Road and Deep Valley Drive to watch as State Assemblymember, Al Muratsuchi, joined by city, county, and other officials kicked off the holiday season with the Annual Palos Verdes Peninsula Holiday Parade of Lights.
This year’s Grand Marshal was Peninsula resident and four-time Grammy nominated contemporary jazz pianist and composer, David Benoit. Over his forty-year career, Benoit has made forty solo recordings. Among his other credits include composing scores and songs for a variety of television and film productions.
Benoit also has accepted the conductor’s baton for a variety of national and international philharmonic and symphony orchestras, such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, London Symphony and the Nuremburg Symphony. Locally, Benoit serves as the conductor for the Asia America Symphony Orchestra.
Benoit often attributes his inspiration for becoming a jazz pianist to San Francisco born jazz pianist, Vince Guaraldi. Guaraldi is undoubtably known as the creator of the musical scores for many of the Charlie Brown seasonal holiday specials. Benoit states that after hearing Guaraldi, he wanted to pursue a career as a pianist. Following the passing of Guaraldi, Benoit was asked to continue in Guaraldi’s footsteps and for a period of ten years, composed the other musical scores for Charlie Brown television specials.
When asked, “What does Christmas mean to you?” Benoit responded, “My philosophy is similar to Charlie Brown’s. It is not about the commercial aspects of the season like presents, decorations, or the lights. To me, it is about doing good things for people, and reaching out to and spending time with friends and family.”
This year’s Hometown Grand Marshal is retiring Councilmember Steve Zuckerman. Zuckerman has served on the Council for the City of Rolling Hills Estates since November 1997. During his tenure he served as mayor on five occasions. During his time on the Council, Zuckerman worked on the development of the Clean Power Alliance and served as an Executive Board member. Additionally, he served as a delegate for the City of Rolling Estates and the Chairperson for the Regional Contract Law and Peninsula Public Safety Committee. Other delegate assignments include PV Transit, the South Bay Cities Council of Governments, Southern California Associations of Governments, the Los Angeles County Sanitation District and West Vector Control.
Derek Gable was selected as the Palos Verdes Peninsula Community Grand Marshal. Gable is an internationally known inventor and credited with creating Mattel trademark items like Barbie and Hot Wheels. Also, he is responsible for creating and managing Masters of the Universe and other hits. Over the past seven years, Gable as been a major figure in the four-month long Young Entrepreneurs Program sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce.
Benoit, Zuckerman, and Gable were joined along the parade route by bands representing high schools and middle schools in the South Bay and other parts of the Southern California region. Parade goers were also entertained by precision dance groups, folkloric dancers, and drum corps. Other participants included local scouting groups, the local 4-H Club, and other community groups.
Of course, the parade would not be complete without the visit of the evening’s most special guest, all the way from the North Pole, Santa Claus. In a street legal sleigh pulled by two white steeds, Santa made his way along Silver Spur Road and Deep Valley Drive before departing with in a voice that could be heard across the Peninsula, “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!”
Pre-Parade Gathering
Before the parade, officials from the Cities of Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, and Rolling Hills Estates along with Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, Palos Verdes Library District, and other city and Los Angeles County officials gathered at El Pollo Inka at The Promenade on the Peninsula for the introduction of the Parade’s Grand Marshal, Hometown Grand Marshall, and Palos Verdes Peninsula Community Grand Marshal. Santa also took sometime out of his busy schedule to the join the festivities and, of course, take time to listen to a few Christmas wishes.
Steve Tabor Bio
This South Bay native’s photographic journey began after receiving his first 35 mm film camera upon earning his Bachelor of Arts degree. Steve began with photographing coastal landscapes and marine life. As a classroom teacher he used photography to share the world and his experiences with his students. Steve has expanded his photographic talents to include portraits and group photography, special event photography as well as live performance and athletics. Steve serves as a volunteer ranger for the Catalina Island Conservancy and uses this opportunity to document the flora and fauna of the island’s interior as well as photograph special events and activities.
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