Community Spotlight

Is It Safe to Live in Manhattan Beach?

Renowned as one of the safest cities in America, the Manhattan Beach community has not only captured the hearts of residents with its breathtaking ocean views but also earned their trust through its commitment to safety. In this guide, we delve into what makes Manhattan Beach a beacon of security, with a particular focus on the preventable property crimes that shape its reputation as a highly desirable place to call home.

The Safest City in America

Manhattan Beach consistently ranks as one of the safest cities in the nation, and the statistics speak for themselves. The city boasts a low crime rate, with an emphasis on maintaining public safety and a close-knit community spirit. The dedication of the local law enforcement and community engagement initiatives plays a pivotal role in ensuring that Manhattan Beach remains a tranquil and secure place to live.

Preventable Property Crimes

When it comes to crime, Manhattan Beach predominantly experiences preventable property crimes. These include incidents such as burglary, theft, and vandalism, which are not only manageable but also largely avoidable with the right precautions. The collaborative efforts of residents, local law enforcement, and community programs contribute to a proactive approach that minimizes these property crimes, creating a safe environment for families, professionals, and beach enthusiasts alike.

Community Vigilance and Policing

Manhattan Beach's commitment to safety extends beyond just the numbers. The community actively participates in neighborhood watch programs, fostering a culture of vigilance and mutual support. Residents take pride in looking out for one another, creating a sense of security that goes beyond statistics....

Leadership Manhattan Beach

Leadership Manhattan Beach's LogoLeadership Manhattan Beach is a local organization that helps train community members for leadership roles. They believe that “leadership is not holding an organizational position; it is taking action to benefit the community.”

Vince Lombardi, arguably one of the most successful coaches in NFL history, once said “leaders aren't born, they are made. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal which is worthwhile.” Few other coaches knew leadership as intimately as Lombardi did, leading the Green Bay Packers to win two Super Bowls and five NFL championships in a span of seven years.

So, how are leaders made? Leadership Manhattan Beach thinks they have the answer, and we agree. Our very own Greg Geilman is a 2012 alumnus and he currently sits on the Board of Directors as the Director of Technology.

Founded in 1992, Leadership MB has trained 400 area residents who have gone on to become service organization officers, commission members, city council members and mayors.

About Leadership Manhattan Beach

The leadership program is nine months in duration and is held once a year. Attendees are introduced to Manhattan Beach’s community services and programs. The program emphasizes results and teamwork among the 25 to 30 adults that participate every year.

The high point of the program every year is the class project which is something all the members work on that benefits the Manhattan Beach Community. Greg’s class took on the water-guzzling landscaping at the post office on 15th Street, with a stated mission “To educate the Manhattan Beach community in environmentally-friendly landscaping...

Are You Renovating Your Manhattan Beach Home?

Fixtures hanging in Lightopia

If you’re thinking about renovating your home in Manhattan Beach and need to purchase new lighting, Lightopia is a great local business you can support with your purchase!

Lightopia is a full service lighting retailer that represents some of the most unique and celebrated lighting designers from all over the world. They also focus on architectural lighting design for new home and remodel projects, helping clients lay out all types of lighting and educating them on the advantages of lighting's new darling technology, LED.

The owner’s interest in lighting started by being introduced to a cousin Greg Kay, who started Tech Lighting and has owned a showroom in Chicago for over 25 years. Something about the relationship between art and technology and the physics of light is what drew them in.  Also, the green part of promoting energy efficient lighting and educating the public on benefits of this technology is also great.

Fixtures in Manhattan Beach Location

Owner Kenneth Vick moved to Hermosa Beach in 1997 and worked at Sangria restaurant on the weekends while working full time at Morgan Stanley in Manhattan Beach. Their first store opened in Laguna Beach and proved to them that a smaller beach community with a clientele focused on quality lighting would work.

Lightopia is a proud member of the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce and helps support all of the great projects to promote the city and business.

What the owner’s love most about their business is working with people and...

Community Spotlight: Amenzone Fitness in Manhattan Beach

Several people planking on large tires in Amenzone

With summer right around the corner, we thought we’d feature a local business that focuses on fitness and getting into shape. Little did we know what we got ourselves into!

Amenzone Fitness in Manhattan Beach is the ultimate boot camp/boutique workout studio that's unlike any we’ve ever experienced. The workouts incorporate tires and body weight to build muscle and burn fat…yup, TIRES!

Amenzone’s journey, growth and community outreach is truly awe-inspiriting. We sat down with Grand Trainer Tommy Cassano to learn more. (There’s a special discount for our readers if you read through the blog!). 

Q: How would describe Amenzone? 
A: "Amenzone Fitness is a back-to-basics training zone tailored for athletically minded people. Our style of training promotes a natural workout that uses clean tires and one’s own body strength and movement to stay fit."Amenzone Manhattan Beach

Q: How’d the idea of the workout get started?
A: "The inception of the primal workouts started with Amen Iseghohi our Founder and CEO of Amenzone Fitness. When Amen was 8 years old and living in Africa, his grandmother lead workouts for Amen and the family. The workouts used the natural environment, which happened to include tires. They not only used tires as an extension of the body, but also as a representation of life, to keep moving and progressing."

Q: Why Manhattan Beach? What do you love most about Manhattan Beach? 
A: "The community!!!...

Community Spotlight: Angles & Arches In Manhattan Beach

Angles & Arches

With the clutter of countless salons in the area, we wanted to sit down with a business that was doing something quite different from the rest. Angles & Arches Beauty Bar in Manhattan Beach was founded by RonAnn Myers, a makeup artist and brow architect! We sat down with her to learn a little more about what Angles & Arches is all about.

Q: How would you describe your business and what you do
A: Angles and Arches is a beauty bar focusing on eyebrow shaping and makeup application. For clients who are needing extra attention to their over-tweezed and uneven brows, we have a “Brow Rehab” program helping them reclaim the brow they deserve.  Each of the staff is trained in the proper techniques for waxing, tweezing and makeup artistry.

Q: Can you explain the meaning and inspiration behind the name?
A: The story behind the name, Angles and Arches Beauty Bar, is very dear to me.  Early in my career, I would travel with a hairstylist friend to Northern California once a month. We were such a good fit to the salon because eyebrows and hair go hand in hand. Our clients encouraged us to open a salon together naming it Angles and Arches. That name stuck with me over the past 5 years. When I decided to open the salon in Manhattan Beach, I called my now celebrity hairstylist friend to tell him about my idea. He was thrilled. Also, the name symbolizes the eyebrow shape.  You have an “Angle” and an “Arch” to every brow we create.

Q: How did you initially get started in the beauty industry?
A: I began my career 15 years ago in Beverly Hills at a small boutique eyebrow and makeup studio. I was always passionate about makeup but didn’t realize the importance of a properly shaped...

Community Spotlight: Barsha Wine & Spirits in Manhattan Beach

Owners Lenora and Adnen If you’re from Manhattan Beach or the South Bay area in general, you’ve probably already heard the raving reviews about Barsha Wines & Spirits. Being unable to resist all of the buzz that seemed to surround the tasting room, we thought it was time for us to experience what Barsha was all about.

Before sitting down with one of the owners Lenora, we went in for a wine tasting experience which quickly turned into a cheese tasting, bruschetta eating and “let me see how much more wine I have room for” evening.

To say the experience was different would be the understatement of the century. Entering their shop and tasting room feels like you’re walking into Lenora and Adnens home and they’re your gracious hosts (Lenora and Adnen pictured to the left with their daughter Pash). The room was filled with both private parties and groups of people mingling with one another. If you’re still trying to figure out how to spend your evening, this should definitely be at the top of your list!

Q: Tell me a bit about your business.
A: Barsha is your neighborhood Wine & Spirits shop that is also a Tasting Room. We love small producers and really appreciate their amazing product. Therefore, that’s our niche at Barsha, small production wines, beers, spirits, cheeses & food products. We feature wines from all over the world, we also have a farm fresh menu with a hint of Tunisian influence. We aim to make your experience as personal and approachable as possible. Why does wine have to be intimidating?

Q: What’s it like working as a husband and wife team? What are the greatest challenges?
A: There are definitely just as many...

Community Spotlight: Formula Pilates + Juice

Aimee and Jasmine of Formula Pilates and Juice

Now that we’re a few weeks removed from the New Year, it may be the perfect time to think about trying something new. Pilates gained popularity several years ago but Formula Pilates + Juice has revamped the traditional Pilates studio by adding a juice bar for its members.

We sat down with one of the owner, Jasmine Sharp to learn more about the studio.

Q: Tell me a bit about your business.
A: Formula is a lifestyle that combines fueling ones’ body with nutrient dense organic cold-pressed juice and keeping it fit by exercising Pilates Reformer machines designed by formula owner.

Q: How did your interest in Pilates initially start?
A: I was in Real Estate Acquisitions and my lender asked me to join her in a class of a newly opened studio in Palm Springs where I used to live. Needless to say one thing led to another and after assisting in the launch of 8 other studios I finally took the next step in designing my own machine and opening a studio in Seattle then another here in Manhattan Beach.

Formula Group Class

Q: How’d the idea of Pilates and a juice bar get started?
A: If you ever have worked with a nutritionist or trainer, they will always tell you “You Can’t Out Train Your Diet.” Fueling the body correctly with high net nutrition is more important than those weekend warriors busting their buns to break even from pizza and beer. We’ve created the formula for you, so you don’t...

Community Spotlight: Manhattan Beach's Roundhouse Aquarium

Manhattan Beach Roundhouse Aquarium

The Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab and Aquarium is a non-profit focused on teaching visitors about marine life, the environment and our oceans. Situated at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier, its prime location has allowed it to serve as a staple in the city.  

We sat down with Valerie Hill, Administrative Director & Educational Co-Director, to learn more about the aquarium and its services.

Q: How long have you been working at the aquarium?
A: “I’ve bee with the aquarium for 10 years now. “

Q: Wow. How’d you initially hear about the aquarium?
A: “I first started as a volunteer while I was in college. I’ve been with them ever since.”

Q: What’s the most important benefit of the aquarium?
A: “I think the fact that it’s free and open to the public. People aren’t restricted by cost or time because they can spend as must time here as they’d want.”

Q: What do you love most about working at the aquarium?
A: “I love our staff and other volunteers. It’s a good group of people, both paid and unpaid. Can’t beat the view, who else can say they have the view we do? I also love the animals and teaching people about new things every day.”

Q: What’s the funniest story you can remember about your students?
A: “When kids come into the aquarium for their field trips, we have them hold the live animals. Sea stars, sea cucumbers, etc. One kid from each class gets to kiss the sea cucumber for seven years of good look. That’s the most entertaining part because of the different reactions we get...