Life + Culture

Weathering Life with Grace

KTLA Meteorologist Vera Jimenez on Loss, Humility, Faith, and Building a Life She Loves in Redondo Beach. Article by Lesley A. Rollo | Photography by Provided Vera Jimenez lights up a room the way she lights up the set—with energy, warmth, and electricity. The longtime KTLA meteorologist forecasts Southern California weather, but off camera, she embraces challenges, invests time in her community, and moves through life with grace. The youngest of six children, Vera learned early what strength...

Local Services

Women Build The South Bay

Readers Pick Their Favorite South Bay Female Entrepreneurs. Article by Lesley A. Rollo | Photography by Provided Clients, friends, and fellow businesses flooded us with Instagram nominations for inspiring female business owners. While we couldn’t feature every nominee, these women represent the passion and perseverance shaping the South Bay every day. We asked them: What does building something in the South Bay mean to you?   Ali Gold “What building something in the South Bay means to me...

Life + Culture

Love Notes to Moms

Local Middle Schoolers Share Heartfelt Thoughts About the Women Who Shape Their World. Article by Lesley A. Rollo | Photography by Provided For our May “Ladies” issue, we wanted to hear from a group whose perspective on the women in their lives is refreshingly honest: kids. We asked students at Richardson Middle School to anonymously write down one thing they love about their moms. No overthinking, no editing — just a few handwritten words straight from the heart. The responses were sweet...

Arts + Culture

Finding Her Voice

Fitz and the Tantrums’ Noelle Scaggs on Self-love and Expanding Music Industry Access. Article by Lesley A. Rollo | Photography by Provided When Fitz and the Tantrums take the stage at Redondo Beach’s BeachLife Festival on Friday, May 1, co-lead singer Noelle Scaggs returns to a place that feels like home. The band performed at BeachLife in September 2021 when the festival resumed after the pandemic. Though she now lives in Nashville, Southern California holds a strong sense of belonging for...

Finance + Legal Services

Mastering the Long Game

How Vahram “V.” Amayakyan Brings Discipline, Focus, and Commitment to Every Client. Article by Lesley A. Rollo | Photography by Provided Before Vahram Amayakyan—known simply as “V.” to his clients—ever analyzed tax returns or structured complex loans, he learned how to prepare, how to focus, and how to show up—day after day—on a basketball court. “I used to sleep with my basketball,” he said. “It was my escape.” That level of devotion carried him far beyond local gyms. As a player for...

Entertainment

Investing in the Next Generation

How Springfest Empowers Students and Creates Memories that Last for Generations. Article by Lesley A. Rollo | Photography by Joy Daunis Spring has always been a season of renewal, and in Redondo Beach, that renewal arrives each year in the form of Springfest — a carnival that has grown into one of the community’s anticipated traditions. As the primary fundraiser for the North Redondo Beach Business Association (NRBBA), the event blends classic carnival fun with a mission: supporting students...

Finance + Legal Services

Protecting Your Greatest Investment

Managing Estate Planning Up and Down the Family Tree. Article by Lesley A. Rollo | Photography by Provided Estate planning isn’t just about documents — it’s about protecting the people and life you’ve worked hard to build. Estate planning attorney Seth Bier helps families move forward with a clear, compassionate approach. Here’s what everyone should know now to safeguard their future.   REDONDO BEACH CITY LIFESTYLE: Many people delay estate planning. How do you help clients move past that...

Home + Design

The View from Above

Local Artist Kerry Stitt Turns Coastline Perspectives into Art for the Home. Article by Lesley A. Rollo | Photography by Kerry Stitt Hovering hundreds of feet in the air, Kerry Stitt’s drone reveals a version of the coastline most of us never see—water saturated with color, waves caught mid-motion, and quiet stretches of shoreline sometimes hidden from footpaths below. “I was just hooked to see the ocean from a different perspective. I just fell in love with photography again.” That...

Real Estate

More Than a Listing

Rae Lord and Mike McCabe on Friendship, Partnership, and Building Something that Lasts. Article by Lesley A. Rollo | Photography by Provided Home isn’t just where you live—it’s who you trust, who shows up, and who’s willing to walk the long road with you. Sitting down over a morning cup of coffee with Rae Lord and Mike McCabe, you can see that their connection is immediate. While they are respected real estate partners, what’s even more apparent is their friendship—and a shared belief that...

Home Services

Protecting the Place You Call Home

Oscar Sanchez, Owner of Coastal Beach Cities Restoration, Shares Essential Tips Every Homeowner Should Know. Article by Lesley A. Rollo | Photography by Provided When water damage strikes, the stress can feel overwhelming. That’s where trusted expert Oscar Sanchez steps in, bringing technical expertise and a genuine desire to help homeowners. He has built a career around turning chaos into calm and shares what homeowners need to know about coastal risks, certified restoration, and protecting...