Redondo Beach mayor’s race: candidates differentiate at old library forum
by Garth Meyer The first Easy Reader/BeachLife/presented by South Bay Boardriders Redondo Beach candidates forum got underway at sunset Feb. 20 at the old library at Veterans Park, with a standing-room crowd. Moderator Marcus “Goodie” Goodloe quizzed mayoral candidates last. He began with a question about pickleball courts, then about the five candidates’ visions for […]
Obagi, Jr., U.S. Attorney reach agreement to defer prosecution
by Garth Meyer Redondo Beach City Councilman Zein Obagi, Jr., has reached a deferred prosecution agreement with a California U.S. Attorney’s office following a felony criminal probe into his actions with a former client, which previously led to a two-year ban from practicing law. The Feb. 6 U.S. Attorney’s Office of Central California agreement stipulates […]
Redondo Beach election: five candidates seek the mayor’s seat
by Garth Meyer Five candidates vie for mayor of Redondo Beach in the March 4 election: the current appointed mayor, an eight-year city councilman, a former three-year councilman, a former arts commissioner, and the founder of “Keep the Esplanade Beautiful”. Mayor Jim Light was appointed last February, in a 3-2 vote, to complete the term […]
Ben Allen: Past and Future
State Senator Ben Allen looks to the future as he nears the end of his third and final term representing Beach Cities by Garth Meyer Four years at Harvard, two years in Cambridge, two years at Berkeley, and a four hour-dinner with Bill Brand at Captain Kidd’s. All part of the education of State […]
Redondo Pier skate park dedicated
by Garth Meyer The Redondo Beach Skate Park was officially dedicated – along with its new mural – in a small ceremony at the Pier Jan. 29. The park opened in 2023. Its 90 x 18-foot mural was painted in October and November, called “Skate Waves” by Andy Jenkins. The park was a long-sought project, […]
The City of Redondo Beach Considers Electronic Sign for Waterfront
by Garth Meyer Should the city allow an electronic sign at the waterfront? That was the question before the city council Tuesday night, Feb. 4, and it voted 5-0 to move ahead on the potential addition to the tall “Redondo Beach Waterfront” sign near Captain Kidd’s. The previous city council voted to fund the sign […]
Park confirmed for Redondo Beach land near AES power plant
by Garth Meyer After two years of design and planning, a two-and-a-half-acre park of native plants is coming to the land under the powerlines just up from the AES plant, on the hill where city officials held a ceremony to mark the shutdown of the power plant on New Year’s Eve, 2023. “I was ecstatic […]
About Town Redondo: Super Bowl 10k/5k, sandbags, mayoral forum
Super Bowl Sunday 10K/5K returns to waterfront The annual Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce Super Bowl Sunday 10 K/5K Run/Walk returns Feb. 9, starting and finishing on Harbor Drive at the Redondo Beach waterfront. The 10k race begins at 7:30 a.m. followed by the 5K at 8:15. Other races include the Kids 1K Fun Run, […]
Riviera Village office fronts draw scrutiny
by Garth Meyer Prohibition may soon return to Riviera Village for ground-floor office space. Reinstatement of an earlier zoning ban on office tenants at street-level is under consideration by the Redondo Beach city council. The matter stems from the council’s current Strategic Plan, which aims to bring new businesses to the city and cut regulatory […]
Redondo Beach treasurer to city council: “You’ve done nothing” for revenue-producing programs
by Garth Meyer Redondo Beach Treasurer Eugene Solomon has called for action from the city council, to “stop delaying” revenue-producing programs. “Hope is not a plan,” he said from the podium at the Jan. 21 council meeting, during public input on non-agenda items. “… At least discuss the (programs).” “You talk about being a business-friendly […]
About Town Redondo: Ocean bacteria warning, Metro surveying, RUHS new student enrollment
Ocean bacteria advisory issued after rainfall A Los Angeles County Department of Public Health advisory is in effect for bacteria in ocean waters in Redondo Beach, through Thursday, subject to extension if rain continues. The warning advises swimmers that current conditions may affect their health. “Bacteria levels can increase significantly during and after rainstorms, as […]
Easy Reader’s (slightly delayed) Top 10 Songs of 2024
By Michael Kraxenberger and Garth Meyer Easy Reader’s possibly-biased, possibly-opinionated, possibly obscure, possibly not obscure-enough, never-made-it-into-print Top 10 Songs of 2024: Meyer— 1. “Please Please Please” – Sabrina Carpenter Of the three elements that make up a lasting song, this delivers all three; distinct sound, melody and lyrics. Its airy, at-ease, focused-casual execution […]
Redondo Beach councilmembers look to limit smoke shops
by Garth Meyer Easier permitting standards to open a new business may be coming to Redondo Beach – and harder standards for smoke shops. The city council discussed the matter Tuesday night, Jan. 21, part of its Strategic Plan goal to attract new businesses and cut down on regulatory barriers. Part of this also is […]
City cannabis stores’ final ordinances near
by Garth Meyer The Redondo Beach city council voted 4-1 Tuesday night, Jan. 21, to take another step toward a final set of ordinances to open retail cannabis shops in town. The council took in testimony on some last particulars. “I kind of feel like we’re getting to the point of perfect is the enemy […]
About Town Redondo: Metro surveying, new RUHS classes, DEI “Footsteps to Freedom”
Redondo Union H.S. to add four classes Four new classes will be offered at RUHS next year. They are AP Microeconomics, Unified P.E. – in which mentor students work with developmentally disabled kids – “Project Lead the Way” Aerospace Engineering, and Advanced Digital (media) Production Two. The Redondo Unified School board approved the four classes […]
RBFD in “demoralizing” fight to save homes in Palisades
by Garth Meyer When the fire broke out in Pacific Palisades the morning of Jan. 7, two engine crews were quickly summoned from Redondo Beach. Captain Kenny Campos and three fellow RBFD firefighters were assigned to Sunset Boulevard, which runs the length of the town, north to south. When they turned onto Sunset, from […]