Posts by Kevin Cody
Realtor: Donald McVicar
What makes Donald McVicar a good negotiator is the eight years he spent negotiating shipping fees for a Japanese fishing company. What makes him a good Realtor, he said, is his institutional knowledge and personal commitment that comes from having grown up in the beach cities.
Read MoreHospital: Torrance Memorial
Amid widespread consolidation in the medical industry, Torrance Memorial Medical Center has remained independent and locally governed. But that hasn’t stopped it from remaining a leader in its field.
Read MoreReal Estate office: 3 Leaf Realty
3 Leaf Realty broker Jerry Carew has a simple explanation for why home sales are picking up. It’s March.
“In good years and bad, the cycle is the same. Home sales are slow in January and rise to a peak in May or June. Last year it was May. The previous four years it was June,” he said.
Read MoreBest Chiropractor: Derek Levy, DC
Unlike most doctors, Chiropractor Derek Levy describes his patients as generally healthy. “People at the beach lead a healthy lifestyle. So when they come to see me it’s usually for minor aches and pains that are easy to take care of. I deal with neck and lower back pain all day long.
Read MoreBest dive shop: Dive N’ Surf
Maria Kazankova is Russian sports psychologist, actress and world champion free diver, which is more than enough to qualify her a a dive instructor at the South Bay’s best dive shop.
Read MorePolice Beat in Redondo Beach: Late night chase and neighborhood watch
Late-night stolen vehicle pursuit Redondo Beach police arrested a man following a stolen vehicle pursuit early Tuesday morning. Around 12:30 a.m. on March 8, police were called to the area of Catalina Avenue and Sapphire Street to investigate a disturbance call involving a pickup truck. After identifying the truck in question, officers attempted to…
Read MoreBest of the Beach 2016, Best Neighborhood Shopping Center: Riviera Village
Redondo Beach’s Jeff Ginsburg, District 1 City Councilman, couldn’t have been any less surprised that his district’s Riviera Village has a Best of the Beach award to call its own. “Of course it did! Where else would you want to go shopping?” he said. Riviera Village is filled with clothing boutiques, dining options, art stores,…
Read MoreBest of the Beach 2016, Best Golf Course: Lakes at El Segundo
A municipal golf course owned by the City of El Segundo and falling under the umbrella of the City’s Parks and Recreation department, the 9-hole Lakes at El Segundo offers numerous ways for members of the public to relax, knock a few balls around, and enjoy a day outside. Lakes at El Segundo, 400…
Read MoreBest of the Beach 2016, Best Health Club: Bay Club
Last year, Northern California’s Bay Club purchased Spectrum Health Clubs, and though signage has changed, the quality of the three South Bay-area clubs has remained, while vast upgrades are in progress. Locations in El Segundo, Rolling Hills Estates and along the Redondo Beach waterfront are still high-quality fitness centers with reams of classes and amenities…
Read MoreBest of the Beach 2016, Best Martial Arts Center: Elite Training Center
Six years ago, LOTAR Self-Defense became Elite Training Center, expanding its curriculum and making it more palatable for the average, everyday person. “Before, you could come in as a soccer mom, stepping on the mat with special forces,” said Sean Derhammer, an instructor at Elite. “It was intimidating.” And intimidation isn’t the goal — it’s…
Read MoreBest of the Beach 2016, Best Private School: Rolling Hills Prep
The South Bay is a cradle of excellent educational institutions, with multiple districts being named among the best in California and the United States at large. That’s why Peter McCormack, Rolling Hills Prep’s Head of School, considers this acknowledgement by our readers to be such an honor. “It provides great affirmation for us regarding the…
Read MoreBest of the Beach 2016, Best Door and Window Shop: Cook’s Doors and Windows
Cook’s understands fixtures. Not only regarding a home’s doors, windows and mouldings, either; Cook’s is a fixture of our Best of the Beach awards, and a fixture of the South Bay itself. “It’s a great compliment for us,” said Aimee Cook, whose great-grandfather Bert opened the store as Cook’s Lumber, in 1923. She recently stepped…
Read MoreBest of the Beach 2016, Best Women’s Boutique: Papillon
Papillon’s purpose isn’t just to sell clothing; it’s to help women style themselves in a way that actually contributes to their lives, said owner Krushenka Cevallos. “I want customers to look beautiful; when you look good, you feel good,” she said. Her shop, which carries everything from work outfits to party attire, makes a point…
Read MoreBest of the Beach 2016, Best Pet Store: Petco
Petco is a ubiquitous brand in the United States; never mind the L.A. metro area, Petco is everywhere. But that doesn’t mean each store doesn’t have its quirks. Petco manager Vincent Smith came to Redondo from one of the smallest, strongest Petcos in Southern California a few months ago, and he’s seeing a lot of…
Read MoreBest of the Beach 2016, Best Domestic Auto Repair: Ocean Tire
Two things keep Ocean Tire manager Steve Save coming into work each day: working at shop that’s only few blocks down from the beach, and dealing with locals — and very often, it’s people that keep coming back to Ocean Tire, time and time again for their repair work and fair pricing. “People aren’t coming…
Read MoreBest of the Beach 2016, Best Foreign Auto Repair: Independent Repair
Mike Grady, Independent’s general manager, has been with the company for more than 30 years, working his way up the ranks after starting as a service technician in 1985. During that time he’s dealt with hundreds of customers — some of whom are still bringing in cars that they’ve put more than 500,000 miles…
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