About Town Redondo: Revisiting free parking, Kiwanis Fair Saturday

Vietnam POW to speak at Veterans Day ceremony

The annual Redondo Beach Veterans’ Day ceremony will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at Veterans’ Park, with keynote speaker Colonel Kenneth Hughey, a retired Air Force pilot who spent six years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

The event features music by the 562nd Air National Guard Band of the West Coast, Channel Islands Air National Guard Base, Ventura County. 

Congressman Ted Lieu (CA-36) and other elected officials, veterans and military dignitaries will also participate. A barbecue follows at the Redondo Beach Elks Lodge.

Council to revisit free parking during holidays

Metered parking may not be free during the holidays next year in Riviera Village and the Pier after a city council vote to consider a pause in the tradition.

Councilmember Paige Kaluderovic brought up the item Tuesday, Nov. 7, talking about “wants vs. needs” in inflationary times –- while she looked out on a city council chamber packed with union employees who had just picketed out front for long-sought raises.

“I think our residents would be happy to pay $1.50 an hour to park, to have employees happy to work in Redondo,” Kaluderovic said, proposing that the city lift the free parking this year.

Estimated cost to the city is $255,000 for shutting down the meters in Riviera Village and Pier Plaza each December. 

“It’s predominantly a feel-good item for all parties involved,” City Manager Mike Witzansky said.

Ideas bandied about in a council discussion included a shorter time period for the free parking such as two weeks, instead of Dec. 2 – Jan. 1.

In the end, the council voted 4-1 to keep the free parking this year, and include the item in next spring’s budget talks.

Third annual Kiwanis fair is Saturday

The Redondo Beach Kiwanis will hold its free community fair Saturday, Nov. 11 at Anderson Park in North Redondo Beach from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The event features live music by Carol & the Time Travelers, activity booths, a science show by Mad Science, appearances by Redondo Beach firefighter/paramedics and police. 

“Kiwanis is extremely happy to create the community fair for the third year. It is great to put smiles on children’s faces and give back to the community,” said Jeff Emdee, Community Fair chair. “While kids ages 4 to 10 will have the most fun, everyone is welcome.”

The fair is supported by SoCal Gas, California Water, Beach Cities Health District and The UPS Store. The Redondo Beach Kiwanis chapter was formed in 2018. ER