Rancho Palos Verdes To Host Free Lecture Series Beginning Wednesday

RANCHO PALOS VERDES —The Peninsula Seniors Bohannon Lecture Series returns to Hesse Park in Rancho Palos Verdes this week for the first in a series of weekly lectures exploring topics like: art, history, music, science and the military.

At 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, author Geraldine Knatz, the former director of the Port of Los Angeles, will speak about her book "Port of Los Angeles: Conflict, Commerce, and the Fight for Control." The lectures, which take place at 29301 Hawthorne Blvd., are free and no longer will be on Zoom.

According to organizers, Knatz will discuss the history of the Port of Los Angeles, the nation's largest seaport, and talk about her book.

"With years of research, Geraldine Knatz shapes an insightful story of the famous port, from its early entrepreneurs to the city's business and political leadership, and the inevitable conflicts that arose between them," said organizers of the event.

Future lectures include:

• July 13: Dr. David Meyer, president and CEO of the Lundquist Institution, which champions biomedical research and innovation, will present a lecture titled "Why We Need Vaccines Now."
• July 20: Derek Gable, an internationally known inventor, will discuss the early days of the modern toy industry and the birth of Barbie and Hot Wheels in a lecture titled "Mattel —The Glory Days."
• July 27: Stephanie Sampson, director of communications for Los Angeles International Airport Development Projects, will offer an update about the LAX terminals revitalization program.

All lectures begin at 10:30 a.m. More information is available at 310-377-3003.