We Need to Talk About Kevin: Merry Christmas no ho ho [MOVIE REVIEW]
We Need to Talk About Kevin is the stocking of coal hanging at the chimney on Christmas morning. It’s high class, multi-faceted coal, but coal nonetheless and is sure to darken the holiday mood, a darkness that is enhanced by cinematographer Seamus McGarvey’s dark palette. Briefly, for the story is brief, Eva, happily married to […]
Young Adult: Charlize Theron shines as an aging prom queen hellbent on homewrecking [MOVIE REVIEW]
What if high school really was the best time of your life? In the case of “Yong Adult,” directed by Jason Reitman and written by Diablo Cody, the beautiful Mavis Gary, ghost writer of a successful young adult book series, plays out those halcyon years in print, book after book after book. Except now the […]
Redondo Beach Christmas tree lighting ceremony [PHOTOS]
The 31st Annual Redondo Beach Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Civic Center was sponsored by the Beautification Committee, the Redondo Beach Round Table and the City of Redondo Beach and was hosted by Rick Dickert, KTTV and Mayor Mike Gin.
Oh La La Bistro [RESTAURANT REVIEW]
Snails don’t have a huge amount of flavor – they’re usually an excuse to eat large quantities of garlic butter – and we were interested in seeing how they worked with the creamy béchamel Years ago, the most authentic French restaurant in the South Bay was located in an unassuming building on Pacific Coast Highway. […]
Chef Jack Witherspoon’s Stuffed Mushrooms
You won’t be able to resist these stuffed mushrooms. I made them for both of my Cooking Up Dreams fund-raising events, and each bite is a morsel of cheesy, garlicky, herby bread crumbs in a baked mushroom cap. This might be my all-time favorite appetizer. Makes about 35 stuffed mushrooms; serves 10 as an appetizer […]
Twist It Up: Chef Jack Witherspoon cooks his way through a battle with leukemia
Aspiring chef Jack Witherspoon has overcome leukemia three times in his 11 years. And now he’s written a cookbook. Jack Witherspoon was feeling an uncharacteristic lack of appetite as Thanksgiving approached this year. In fact, he had to force himself to eat, something that was particularly concerning to his family. Jack is 11 years old. […]
Tasting Success: Calorie-cutting chef and author Devin Alexander
Calorie-cutting chef and author Devin Alexander lost 70 pounds and now helps others do the same At 15, Devin Alexander weighed nearly 200 pounds. Wanting to lose weight, she tried dieting, but was unsuccessful. Many of her nights included coming home from school after being bullied and crying on the couch in her small-town, Pennsylvania […]
Rescued beagle finds love and care
Tobey Maguire, a four-year-old Beagle that spent his whole life in an animal testing lab, sat shyly in the corner of his new foster home on Tuesday afternoon. He’s missing half of his right ear and recoils when strangers approach him – even those bearing heart-shaped doggie treats.
Manhattan Beach passes tattoo ordinance
On Tuesday, the Manhattan Beach City Council unanimously approved an ordinance regulating tattoo studios.
AVP parent suing city for trademark infringement
The company that bought the Association of Volleyball Professionals out of bankruptcy, DFA PVA II Partners, LLC, is suing the organizers of this year’s Manhattan Beach Open and the city of Manhattan Beach for trademark infringement, false advertising and unfair competition.
Bartender of the Week: Jan-Maree at Naja’s Place
Bartender of the Week: Jan-Maree at Naja’s Place. She has earned this honor for her longevity in the business, loyalty, and knowledge. Able to guide you through your 88 choices by asking: Dark or light? Sweet or bitter? Big or small? Jan-Marie turns a potentially intimidating experience into a simple one. Although I anticipated a […]