Posts by Special Contributor
Letters 2/04/16
Island in the shopping center Dear ER: “Pen-in-su-la (noun): a piece of land almost surrounded by water or projecting into a body of water.” What does that mean to us? Since we live in Redondo Beach, at the base of the Palos Verdes peninsula, it means that for just about anyone to get to the…
Read MoreBarreled in Hermosa Beach. Video by John DeTemple
Filmmaker John De Temple, of d.inc design, captures the Tuesday, January 12 swell at 16th Street in Hermosa Beach, a day local surfers are calling one of the best days of surf in Hermosa Beach, ever. For more of De Temple’s films and photography visit dincdesign.com.
Read MoreTime To Come Home: The Southern California Slack Key Festival brings Hawai’i to the mainland through hula and ki ho’alu
When Kawika Kahiapo sings, it is the depth in his voice you notice first. Not the song. Not the slack key guitar. Not even the ocean playing in the background. Kahiapo’s first notes usher a prayer into the world. This is not an unusual occurrence for a singer/songwriter, but unusual enough in the ki ho’alu…
Read MoreBeach people passings 2015
2015 saw the passing of local surfing pioneers as well important civic and business leaders.
Read MoreScott McFarlane strikes again with “A Manhattan Beach Christmas” [VIDEO]
Scott McFarlane, the videographer whose “Manhattan Beach From Above” captured global attention earlier this year, has done it again. His short but sweet “A Manhattan Beach Christmas” features overhead, underwater, surfing, sweet Strand cycling, and fireworks shots, documenting the uniquely MB Christmas vibe. The video was produced for smFILMS A Manhattan Beach Christmas Tis the…
Read MoreDickens celebrates Christmas past, Franklin to celebrate 310th B’day
The holiday classic A Christmas Carol, featuring author Charles Dickens and his most popular characters, including Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Fagan and the Artful Dodger, appeared two weekends ago at International Printing Museum’s Heritage Theater. The performances included caroling and a lunch of English bangers, gingerbread and punch. Benjamin Franklin’s 310th birthday will be celebrated at…
Read MoreUnchallenged ECC incumbents reappointed to district board
Because they had no challengers on the recent November ballot, El Camino Community College District Board of Trustees incumbents Kenneth Brown, William Beverly and Mary Combs were reappointed to four year terms at the board’s December 14 meeting. Brown represents District 1, in the northeast section of the district, with 110,000 residents. Beverly represents District…
Read MoreEndless Session, Day 123: Surf’s up, SJ!
Sometimes the ocean needs a break. Even just thinking about the vast amount of energy expended by the great sea is enough make anyone tired. Knowing that the South Bay Boardriders surf contest was cancelled today, I met my favorite mermaid SJ and her awesome dad Jose Bacallo at Topaz St. in Redondo Beach,…
Read MoreMOVIE REVIEW – “Life in a Walk,” directed by by Yogi Roth
by George Schmeltzer There are as many reasons to walk The Camino as there are pilgrimage trails leading to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. For Yogi Roth, author, athlete, ESPN commentator, world traveler, motivational speaker, former Hermosa Beach resident and, now, filmmaker, the reason to undertake the demanding 240 kilometer walk along the Caminho Portugués from…
Read MoreHolt, Smith advance to US Junior Open finals
Palos Verdes High tennis player plays center court on tennis’ biggest stage Brandon Holt and Riley Smith made people forget who their tennis noteworthy parents are, and made names for themselves at this year’s U.S. Open. Holt, 17, a Palos Verdes High, is the son of tennis legend and Hall of Famer Tracy Austin and…
Read MoreCozen-designed Manhattan Beach home picked for Modern Home Tour
While it’s standard for architects to ask clients about their needs before any hammers are involved, Carol Beth Cozen has an inquiry process that delves exceptionally deep. She asks clients where they put their mail after retrieving it from a mailbox. She learns if they want privacy, away from their children. She learns what foods they like and how often they entertain.
Read MoreCreate your own FYF Fest
by Lina McDermott The 12th FYF Fest is this weekend in downtown LA. With over 50 acts, you can’t see everyone. You have to create your own playlist. Of course, there are the bigger names: Frank Ocean, Morrissey, Flume, Bloc Party, etc. I’m here to tell you about some artists you might not know about.…
Read MoreGrand Prize Writing: “Tasting Class”
“It’s not the age of wine that matters,” Jack my wine tasting teacher was saying. “It’s how it ages. I bought all these Cabs back in ’84, a fine year for Napa. Some of these vintages will be accessible, and some will be . . . geriatric.”
Read MoreThe Redondo Beach Mermaid in Fiji: Swimming with Sharks
photos and words by Tessa Ptacek As one of the many perks of working for the best company in the world, Dive N’ Surf and Body Glove, recently I was able to check one of my bucket trips off my list when I was able to go to Fiji for 17 days. I went to…
Read MoreGary “Rockstar” Parks lived on the Hermosa streets, sang like an angel
God used Gary to break open our hearts to the homeless of Hermosa Beach.
Read More“Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life” author William Finnegan comes to Manhattan Beach
You probably know Eustace Tilley, even if the name doesn’t sound familiar. He’s the mascot of the New Yorker magazine, decked out in gloves and top hat, studying a butterfly through a monocle. In a small history of the famous lepidopterist, one writer observed that it was not clear whether readers of the storied magazine…
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