Hey neighbors!

‘Twas the Sunday before Christmas; 10 days left in the year…The South Bay Newsletter is here to spread you some cheer!

We got to see the Los Angeles Ballet perform The Nutcracker this weekend at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood. It was so magical that it made Sam ask Santa for some ballet slippers of his own.

We are so excited for the New Year - there is a lot to look forward to with this community!

Now let’s get into a new week :)

Stories that caught our eye.

Organized Crime Drives SoCal Cargo Heists Thieves are using digital tools and fake identities to steal millions in freight across the region.

Torrance Parade Returns to Historic Route After public pushback, the 2026 Armed Forces Day Parade will remain on Torrance Boulevard.

Hawthorne Treasurer Faces Federal Fraud Charges Marie Poindexter-Hornback is set for trial in May, accused of misusing over $200,000 from a former employer.

Redondo Waterfront Advocate Steps Down After 25 Years The long-running car show and its dedicated organizer are saying farewell to the Redondo Beach waterfront.

World Cup Rental Options on the Horizon Manhattan Beach may allow temporary short-term rentals during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Torrance Sets New Rules for E-Bike Riders The city council approved stricter e-bike regulations, focusing on safety and limiting sidewalk riding.

Centennial Logo Unveiled for Iconic Lighthouse Rancho Palos Verdes will mark 100 years of the Point Vicente Lighthouse with a new commemorative logo.

Things for you to participate in. Follow us on Instagram and on TikTok for more :)

LIMITED TIME ONLY: Creamy Boys is serving Gingerbread Ice Cream! (Read more)

December 22: The Grinch is at Proudly Serving Come see your favorite grumpy green guy from 12-2pm in Redondo, and from 3-5pm in Hermosa. (Read more)

December 26: The Fleuria’s Book Swap At Scholb in Torrance from 4-7:30pm. (Read more)

December 27: Snow at The Point Experience Snow Showers from 6-8pm next Saturday. (Read more)

Saint & Second 3160 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite S100, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

If you’re cruising Manhattan Village and feel like treating yourself, Saint & Second is the spot for elevated yet totally approachable American eats. Expect chef-driven seasonal dishes (think Steak Frites, Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice, and Porkchop served in a smoke dome), craft cocktails, hundreds of whiskies, and a vibe that’s equal parts stylish and beachy-relaxed. Folks rave about the outdoor patio with fire pit and the lively social hour scene.

This location just opened in July 2025, bringing Saint & Second’s signature creative comfort food to South Bay diners.   It’s the newest outpost of a small but growing Southern California family-owned restaurant group that started in Belmont Shore (Long Beach) and now has another location in Woodland Hills as well.

Whether you’re there for weekend brunch, dinner with friends, or a weekend nightcap, the atmosphere is warm and inviting — fun without feeling try-hard. Just be sure to snag a reservation because this cozy corner hangout fills up fast!

(Website)

Swell Press 1264 W. 15th St., San Pedro, CA 90731

Swell Press is a boutique letterpress and design studio based in Redondo Beach, California. Known for its handcrafted wedding stationery and paper goods, the studio combines vintage printing methods with contemporary design to create tactile, personalized pieces. Its approach blends artistry, precision, and sustainability, earning recognition among couples and creatives seeking distinctive paper craftsmanship.

Swell Press started out as Britt Junod’s passion project, and evolved into a full-scale creative business in 2014. The studio emphasizes a “slow design” philosophy—prioritizing detail, texture, and the physical impression of letterpress over mass production. Its process involves hand-mixing inks, custom plate-making, and meticulous printing to achieve rich, layered results.

Operating from its Redondo Beach studio (behind The Boy and the Bear), Swell Press has grown to serve over a hundred clients annually while maintaining its artisanal roots. The business has cultivated a reputation for exceptional quality and innovation within modern letterpress, bridging the gap between timeless craftsmanship and contemporary visual storytelling.

(Website)

Brace yourself…this week’s weather looks like someone let winter in the front door but it wandered straight back out to get tacos. You’ll still wake up to classic marine layer and low clouds most mornings, but then daytime highs stay cool-but-not-cold in the 60s (think brisk beach stroll weather with maybe a Santa hat).

Tuesday through Christmas Day, we’re actually seeing showers and some heavy rain risks, so pull out those umbrellas and make sure your inflatable reindeer is secure. Roads might be slow, the beach with be soggy, and puddle splashes could be your new ugly-Christmas-sweater contest.

By the end of the week, things mellow out, cloudy skies Thursday and Friday with temps still chill in the high-60s, and then sunny skies returning Sunday to wrap up the year with a mild, almost-spring-feeling endcap.

QUESTION: Where was Gingerbread first invented?

A. Egypt

B. Germany

C. Greece

D. Poland

Need to phone a friend? Send this newsletter to them! (Here’s the link)

Last week’s Question: About how many real Christmas trees are sold annual in the US? Answer: D. 25-30 million

The Nutcracker Symphony by Tchaikovsky (Listen here)

That’s all for now, folks. It’s a new week in the greatest place on earth; don’t take it for granted!

Share this newsletter & we’ll see you around town.

Your neighbors,

Sam & Lauren