Hi, neighbors!

Happy August, the month it (finally) gets hot enough to fry eggs on Hermosa Pier and complaining about the heat becomes our official local sport….at least the sunsets are Instagram gold.

While we all put our hoodies in the back of the closet and pack up a cooler to head to the beach, consider this week's newsletter your personal beach umbrella: a shady spot full of cool local news, sizzling events, and enough humor to distract you from your electric bill.

Let's dive into this week in the South Bay!

Stories that caught our eye.

School District Budget Changes Manhattan Beach Unified School District adopted its budget and cut 31 employee positions. (Read more)

New Hermosa Beach Chief of Police Landon Phillips handed out Nerf guns to his fellow officers and asked them to send bullets his way every time he said “I,” “me,” or “mine,” during his address. The goal was to emphasize leadership, and it worked. (Read more)

MB 6-Man Tournament Brings Costumes, Camaraderie, Crowds Spirited volleyball players participated in this 50-year tradition. (Read more)

Things for you to participate in this week.

Little Sister 830 South Pacific Coast Hwy Suite 100, El Segundo, CA 90245

Tucked into The Point shopping center, Little Sister serves up elevated Vietnamese cuisine that'll make your taste buds do a happy dance. This isn't just your typical pho joint; think "what happens when Southeast Asian flavors crash into French techniques and decide to throw a party."

The vibe here is stylish but welcoming. It's like being invited into Chef Tin Vuong's home; killer cocktails and an even better soundtrack. Additionally, they have indoor and outdoor seating (with blankets and heat lamps for chilly nights).

The must-tries here are the legendary Shaky Shaky Beef and the Spicy Lemongrass Chicken. The Shaky Shaky Beef comes with watercress, baby tomatoes, burnt butter soy, and the most amazing tomato garlic fried rice that'll blow your mind (seriously…people are ordering extra bowls of just the rice!).

Weekend brunch lovers, rejoice! Little Sister serves brunch Saturday and Sunday from 11am-3pm, and the dishes are equally as creative and delicious.

You’re not near El Segundo? No worries! Little Sister has sister (ha, pun intended) locations in Redondo Beach and Irvine, and rumors say that a 4th location is coming!

Pro tip: Come hungry and/or ready to share, because the family-style portions are generous and the flavors are even bigger!

(Website)

Mom-preneur highlight incoming!

KLC Architecture is a dynamic architecture firm based in the South Bay and founded by Kristin Larson-Cifuentes, AIA, NCARB. KLC specializes in single family residential, multi-family residential, and light commercial projects, and is licensed in multiple states—bringing extensive experience across various jurisdictions and a wide range of project types.

Kristin was born and raised in Manhattan Beach - she lived in central California, the East Coast, San Francisco, and then life brought her back home to the South Bay where she started her own architecture business. Kristin is also a proud mom and is deeply invested in the community she designs for.

KLC believes architecture should seamlessly integrate with its surroundings, with the client’s goals serving as the foundation for every project. By blending functionality with timeless design, KLC creates environments that are both inspiring and enduring, providing elegant backdrops for the daily rituals of life.

Go to www.KLCarchitecture.com or Instagram to find out more.

The forecast this week is basically the same playlist again, but someone finally nudged the volume up a little. Morning clouds? Still here. Sunny afternoons? Always. But temps are slowly creeping up like your neighbor trying to sneak into your backyard cookout. We’re starting the week in the low 70s, but by Friday and Saturday we’re flirting with a scandalous 78°F. That’s right, the coast is heating up… slowly and awkwardly, like someone trying to dance at a wedding without spilling their drink.

Whether you’re in Hermosa, Manhattan, Redondo, El Segundo, or deep in Torrance trying to pretend you don’t miss the ocean breeze…expect your hoodie to become more of a morning accessory than a full-time necessity. Afternoons will feel a little warmer, a little toastier, and a little more like summer finally remembered we exist. So swap the hot coffee for iced, toss the hoodie by noon, and enjoy the South Bay’s first version of a heat wave this year: slightly above average and still breezy enough to feel smug about.

Today (August 3) is National Watermelon Day! Where do watermelons originate from?

A. South America

B. Western Europe

C. Northern Africa

D. Australia

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

Last week’s Question: What does “vintage” mean on a wine barrel? Answer: B. It comes from a single year’s harvest

Shoutout to Lauren’s Spotify Discover Weekly for showing us this one.

Easy Does It by GoldFord (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!

See you around town.

Your neighbors,

Sam & Lauren