Posts by Mark McDermott
Sousaphone Colossus
It’s hard to keep a good tuba player down. Phillip “Tuba” Frazier, stalwart sousaphonist for the Rebirth Brass Band, was kept off the stage for the first time in a quarter century after suffering a stroke in December of 2008. He and his brother, bass drummer Keith Frazier, first began playing with the band back…
Read MoreHarbor zoning will go on November ballot
Following a Superior Court decision and two contentious council meetings in the space of five days, the City Council crafted a ballot measure Tuesday night that will put new proposed harbor zoning before voters at the Nov. 2 election.
Read MoreAspel returns to the dais after surgery
Councilman Steve Aspel had only been out of the hospital 48 hours following a ten day stay that included major cancer surgery and a nasty little bout with E. Coli bacteria when he made the mistake of turning on Channel 8. The City Council was going at it. Aspel had barely worn clothes in 12…
Read MoreFor whom the bell tolls
How the Taplin Bell was won, and lost, in the one of the greatest lifeguard races of all time If there was any doubts what the South Bay Section was up against, they were dispelled in the waves off Avenue C on Friday night by a swimmer named Kicker. The Bud Stevenson Lifeguard Intracrew Medley…
Read MoreSierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars
They spent a decade in exile, moving from camp to camp. Now they travel the world, playing songs of loss, hope, peace, and love. They are the true rolling stones.
City faces harbor zoning conundrum
The City Council has a difficult determination to make in the wake of the city’s loss in court to Building a Better Redondo over a public vote on harbor zoning: figuring out what exactly the current zoning is.
Read MoreBuilding a Better Redondo wins lawsuit against city, forcing harbor zoning vote
A Superior Court judge last week ruled in favor of citizens group Building a Better Redondo in its lawsuit against the city with a strongly worded ruling that will force a public vote on harbor area zoning changes.
Read More2010 Steel Drum Championship Gold Medalists Silver Birds Steel Orchestra performs at the Hermosa Beach Pier Plaza on August 1st.
July gloom devastates local businesses
“What is worse than having a bar and restaurant on the beach when it is cold, overcast, and drizzly every day?” asks Paul Hennessey. “You know what is worse? Having 10 of them.”
Read MoreKinky Rides Again
Texas gubernatorial candidate, author, columnist, cigar-maker, animal rescuer, and the famed leader of the Texas Jewboys, Kinky Friedman returns to California for the first time in two decades.
Ed foundation saves two teachers’ jobs
The Redondo Beach Education Foundation saves the jobs of two teachers.
5,500 residents walk 3.1 million steps to claim 2nd walking title
For the second year in a row, the beach cities placed first in a nationwide challenge to walk 70,000 steps in seven days. The Steppin’ Out challenge is issued each year by the Medical Fitness Association. Locally, it has been organized by the Beach Cities Health District (BCHD). Skechers Shape-ups was this year’s beach cities…
Read MoreFour goofyfooter CEO’s battle off Rosecrans along with pro surfers Julian Wilson, Yadin Nicol, Dane Zaun, and Alex Gray….
Harbor plan unveiled amid criticism
The city has unveiled a business plan for the harbor area, but several longtime business owners say existing businesses and their concerns have been ignored.
Read MoreSolar-powered movies debut at Seaside Lagoon
The first-ever outdoor solar powered movies come to Redondo at the launch of Seaside Cinema Friday night.
City will not consider AES downzoning
Councilman Bill Brand finds no support for a potentially litigious rezoning of the AES power plant site.
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