Hey neighbors!

This week has been a blast! Sam started posting on our South Bay TikTok, and it’s been so fun seeing the community come together in the comments! We will start putting this content on our Instagram account as well.

Shoutout to the person who we saw on Aviation & Prospect - it was our first time being recognized as the newsletter people…and it literally made our whole week. Meeting more of our neighbors was our whole goal in creating TSBN, and it’s working :)

Let’s jump into what’s good this week!

Stories that caught our eye.

Lineup Released for 2026 BeachLife Festival The 7th Annual BeachLife Festival is returning to Redondo Beach from May 1-3, 2026.

In-N-Out Owner Leads Charity Car Cruise in Redondo Beach The Cruisin' 2 Freedom event raised over $587,000 for anti-trafficking efforts through Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson's Slaves 2 Nothing Foundation.

Hermosa Beach Celebrates 119th Birthday Mayor Rob Saemann delivered an emotional address featuring local businesses, civic pride, and acknowledgment of infrastructure challenges.

Library Volunteers Earn Water Conservation Grant Hermosa Beach Friends of the Library received $1,750 from West Basin Municipal Water District for helping distribute 175 rain barrels to South Bay residents.

Hopkins Wilderness Park Gets Native Plant Makeover Nearly 850 California native plants were planted by volunteers to restore pollinator habitats in Redondo Beach's largest park.

Hermosa Beach Parking Garage Repairs Hit Major Snag Construction costs jumped by $240,000 after crews discovered compromised structural tendons, forcing full closure of the three-level facility.

2028 LA Olympics Ticket Registration Opens Fans can register starting Wednesday for a chance to buy tickets, but organizers won't reveal pricing details for specific events.

E-Bike Crash Leaves Rider Critical A man in his 50s was struck by a Toyota Camry on Pacific Coast Highway in Hermosa Beach Monday evening and remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Two Proposals Emerge for Honoring WWII Hero Torrance council members present competing plans to honor Medal of Honor recipient Ted T. Tanouye through park naming and creation.

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

January 19: Free Entry to State Parks California State Parks are offering free entry on MLK Day tomorrow. (Read more)

January 24: Surf Competition in Torrance Go to Torrance Beach to watch the “Saved by the Swell” competition, hosted by Dive n’ Surf. (Read more)

January 24: Dockweiler Beach Clean-up Meet at Tower 53 from 10am-12pm. (Read more)

January 24-25: PV Horse-riding Events A beautiful trail ride followed by painting, drinks (alcoholic and nonalcoholic), and snacks! (Read more)

Juicy Dumpling Factory 1760 Aviation Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278

Juicy Dumpling Factory just opened in Redondo Beach! Serving Chinese cuisine with an elevated casual twist, they are rivaling Din Tai Fung’s famous food — think juicy xiao long bao (soup dumplings), wontons, and noodle or stir-fry dishes.

The vibe is comfy and friendly, with enough crowd buzz to suggest it’s become a go-to for comfort classics right here in the South Bay.

Most popular menu items you have to try:

Get ready to wait your turn, because we were 23rd in line when we got there for dinner! And…this isn’t the only dumpling around! There are sister locations in Cypress and Huntington Beach.

(Website)

Pages Bookstore 904 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

If you’re a book lover, Pages is a dream come true. It is the quintessential (locally-owned) bookshop that everyone wishes they had in their hometown. Founded in 2010 by three passionate local bibliophiles, Patty, Linda, and Margot, it was born from a dream to bring a cozy, community-centered bookstore to the South Bay.

What makes Pages so beloved? It’s more than the well-curated shelves of fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, cookbooks, and beach reads — it’s the vibe. The staff greets you like an old friend, they know their books, and they are ready to help you find what you want (and the some)! They also sell puzzles, coffee table books, notebooks…and every book purchase earns you a free bookmark :)

Additionally, there’s always something lively happening inside: book club meetings, author events and book signings, weekly children’s story times, and more.

Next time you’re strolling MB, make sure to stop into Pages. You won’t regret it.

(Website)

While the rest of the country is shivering into (at least) week three of “where are my gloves,” here in the South Bay we’re casually weathering January like it’s an extended autumn fling.

Expect a whole lot of dry, mild, mostly sunny days with highs in the mid-60s to low-70s. Overnight lows will dip into the 50s, so you can rock the hoodie… if only briefly before the sun laughs in its face.

Fog and low clouds will make their classic morning cameo (because of course they will), but the sun tends to muscle them aside by midday most days. There’s no dramatic rain or storms in the forecast — just the perfect January weather we all pay the big bucks for.

Question of the Week: Which major professional sports team has been in Los Angeles the longest?

A. LA Lakers

B. LA Dodgers

C. LA Rams

D. LA Chargers

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

Last week’s Question: Which notorious surf gang was founded in the 1960s in the South Bay? Answer: A. Lunada Bay Boys

2016 is having a resurgence now that it was 10 years ago (how can this be true?). So, here is one of the top songs of 2016:

One Dance by Drake (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