Hey y’all!

Today is the first of March, and it’s hard to believe we are 1/6 of the way through 2026. Wasn’t it just New Years Eve? Phew!

We didn’t send a newsletter last week because we were enjoying our Bachelor[ette] trips with our friends. It was an absolute blast, but required a bit of recovery ;)

We hope you are all doing well and are ready for a brand new newsletter.

Let’s get into it!

Stories that caught our eye.

Free March Events Across Southern California Spring into fun with free festivals, art walks, farm tours, and cultural celebrations happening throughout SoCal this month, from Riverside to Long Beach.

Torrance Secures Partnership with Taipei Olympic Team for 2028 Games The city will provide training facilities at discounted rates to Chinese Taipei athletes from July 3-31, 2028, expecting economic benefits including hotel stays and community engagement opportunities.

Dodgers Stars Get 130-Foot Tribute in Torrance World-renowned muralist Robert Vargas will paint Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki on the DoubleTree by Hilton, celebrating the city's Japanese American heritage. The massive mural, titled "Samurai of the Diamond," begins Sunday and unveils March 24.

Manhattan Beach Council Approves Roundhouse Aquarium Funding, Tables Police Deputy Chief Proposal The city council greenlit $80,000 annually for three years to support the iconic pier aquarium's maintenance needs, while postponing a decision on adding a deputy police chief position amid concerns about administrative overhead versus street-level staffing.

Hermosa Beach's 30th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade Returns March 14 What started as friends gathering has become a beloved community tradition featuring local nonprofits, unique vehicles, and live entertainment at Pier Plaza afterward.

Manhattan Beach Schools Face Severe Budget Crisis The district projects deficits of $6.77 million next year and $14.35 million the following year, with emergency reserves dangerously low at 7 percent. The board will consider 31 layoffs Wednesday as officials cite California's funding formula, surging special education costs, and a failed 2022 parcel tax measure as key factors in the crisis.

El Segundo Names Ryan Allee as New Fire Chief Division Chief Ryan Allee, a 25-year department veteran, will lead the El Segundo Fire Department following Chief George Avery's October retirement. His official start date and salary are being finalized.

The Butchery Brings Dual Concept to Manhattan Beach This high-end butcher shop and provisions spot serves up hefty sandwiches alongside premium cuts, combining two popular culinary trends in one location.

Former Congressional Candidate Sentenced for Campaign Fraud Omar Navarro, who ran against Rep. Maxine Waters four times, received a four-year prison sentence for embezzling $250,000 in campaign funds for personal expenses including Vegas trips and legal fees.

Things to do this week. Follow us on Instagram and on TikTok for more :)

Tuesday, March 3: National Pancake Day Get a shortstack of pancakes, completely for free! Donations are being collected for Feeding America; $1 equals 10 meals. (Read more)

Friday-Sunday, March 6-8: Dana Point’s 55th Annual Festival of Whales A parade, live music, carnival rides, and lots of whale watching! (Read more)

Saturday, March 7: Art After Dark Charity Fundraiser Buying a ticket gets you into: Garage 77’s classic car collection, an open bar, tacos, a live DJ, 360 photobooth, silent auction, and more! (Read more)

Sunday, March 8: Redondo Pier Kite Festival From 12pm-5pm! (Read more)

Urbane Cafe 409 N Pacific Coast Hwy #110, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Urbane Cafe is the new lunch spot that must be on your radar! They’ve got a casual yet refined menu built around scratch-made focaccia bread. They use fresh ingredients that make their food sing with flavor.

The Redondo location just opened in the Redondo Shores Shopping Plaza, but the brand was founded 23 years ago in Ventura. There’s also a location in RPV!

While the menu has a ton of tasty options, we highly recommend their Chimichurri Steak sandwich, Crunchy Peanut Salad, and Seared Ahi Tuna bowl. ALSO - not skip the cookies! They are freshly baked and served warm, making them a standout treat.

(Website)

Color Me Mine 730 S Allied Way Suite F, El Segundo, CA 90245

If you’re looking for a creative, feel-good activity in El Segundo, Color Me Mine is a fun little escape. This locally owned franchise studio (part of the national brand founded in 1991) lets you paint your own pottery!

You choose from shelves lined with blank ceramics like mugs, plates, bowls, piggy banks, holiday décor, keepsake gifts…and then, pick your colors and start painting! The staff is happy to offer design tips, stencils, and technique ideas, so it’s approachable even if you haven’t picked up a paintbrush since elementary school ;)

Once you’re done painting your piece, their team will glaze and kiln-fire for a glossy finish and it’s typically ready within a week.

Pricing includes a studio fee (around $10-$12 per painter) plus the cost of your ceramic piece, which generally ranges from $20-$60.

Hit this place up for a date night, team bonding, birthday parties, or a solo creative afternoon…and leave with something you love and will actually use!

(Website)

We start the week with classic South Bay commitment issues. Monday through Wednesday hang out in the mid-60s with the usual morning marine layer pretending it has authority. It’s the kind of weather where you bring a hoodie, take it off at noon, then put it back on by dinner.

Then Thursday flips the switch. Mid-70s. Friday stays warm. Saturday goes full show-off mode and touches 80. Suddenly everyone’s texting, “Beach?” like we weren’t just mildly chilly three days ago.

Sunday stays solid and sunny before Monday cools things back down into the upper 60s like nothing happened.

Long story short:
Early week = responsible adult temperatures.
Late week = summer beta test.

Question of the Week: Which South Bay pier caught on fire in 1988?

A. Manhattan Beach Pier

B. Hermosa Beach Pier

C. Redondo Beach Pier

D. El Segundo Pier

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

Last week’s Question: Which South Bay High School did the original members of The Beach Boys attend? Answer: B. Hawthorne High School

Sign of the Times by Harry Styles (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