Fun Things To Do

Poise Fitness To Host Walk With Sally Fundraiser

Image of Trainers At Poise Fitness

Poise Fitness in Manhattan Beach is hosting a fundraiser/beach workout this Saturday, October 11th. Proceeds from the event will benefit Walk With Sally, a local non-profit organization.

The event is an hour long beach workout that’s open to all ages. Justin Roth is the owner of Poise Fitness and he recently sat down with us and spoke further about the event and his passion for giving back.  

What’s Walk With Sally?

Walk With Sally is a non-profit organization that is focused on providing services for individuals that have family members with cancer. This organization is unique in the fact that its mission is to provide counseling and services for those that know someone with cancer. For example, Walk With Sally helps children, who have parents battling cancer, better understand what’s going on. They also help support the families of those affected via various counseling services.

Justin Roth has been in the health and fitness industry for 15 years. His younger brother is autistic, which in a sense is how he got started in the non-profit world by working with children with disabilities. He initially began doing fitness classes for children at the local YMCA and throughout the years he has transitioned into owning his own fitness studio, Poise Fitness in Manhattan Beach.

About Poise Fitness

Poise Fitness is trying to shift the paradigm of typical gyms by taking the ego out of the fitness experience. He wants every member to have a truly unique experience that’s catered to their body and their strengths.

The studio also provides movement classes for adults with disabilities....

Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair

Crowd at the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair

The 42nd Annual Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair is in town this weekend! It’s come a long way since the first parade down Manhattan Beach Boulevard and the few vendors and games it had in 1972. In those days it was known as the “Old” Hometown Fair and, although the word “old” has been dropped, there are still old-time fair traditions that stand to this day.

One long-standing tradition is the parade that kicks off the weekend celebration. This year it starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday and ends at South Stage, in front of the Scout House. The Mira Costa High School Marching Band leads the parade and you’ll also get to see the many cool antique cars that turn out for it every year.

Saturday morning also sees the kickoff of the Battle of the Bands on the Main stage. There are six groups this year, performing 20-minute sets. The final band takes the stage at 1:30 and the winner will be announced from 1:45 to 2 p.m. This year’s battling bands include:

  • Blak Reign
  • Intensity
  • Allie Kay Band
  • Lemon Kicks
  • Echo
  • Charlotte Sabina

The fair still celebrates our Manhattan Beach artists, as well, and there will be displays of local artwork at the Joslyn Center.

Stuff for the Kids To Do At The Manhattan Beach Fair

Kid Country is back again this year and the little ones can take a pony ride, pet the animals at the petting zoo, bounce to their hearts content in two different bounce houses and ride the 50-foot slide....

Tour de Pier in Manhattan Beach

Tour de Pier Logo

The Tour De Pier is back in Manhattan Beach! The upcoming May 18th event marks its second year since the inaugural event back in May of last year. The Tour De Pier is a fundraiser geared towards raising funds for the cancer community.

The event that was held last year raised $339,000 for charities and was immediately approved for the following year. The fundraiser is a spin/bike event that’s held at the Manhattan Beach Pier. Jon Hirshberg and Heath Gregory, both from Manhattan Beach, were the brainchildren behind the event that has been such an astounding success. Thanks to the events popularity, NYC is also hosting its own Tour De Pier this coming June. The event held in New York will be considerably smaller but it’s a great stepping stone to growing the events notoriety throughout the country.

To date, $367,191 of this years $500,000 goal has been raised. All proceeds are going to The Hirshberg Foundatino for Pancreatic Cancer Research, the LiveSTRONG Foundation and the Cancer Support Community. There will be over 700 participants riding in place during the four riding sessions throughout the day. There will even be a children’s cardio zone sponsored by Spectrum.  Several sponsors and exhibits will be set up throughout the area, ensuring plenty to see and explore.

If you haven’t yet registered, there’s still time and space to do so. You can also find teams to sponsor and donate to on the event website. It costs $500 minimum for all four sessions with the bike. You can either donate all $500 on your own or ride as a team, switching off team members...

Top 5 Restaurants in Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach

With seemingly endless new restaurants around the city, we thought we’d try to compile a list of the top 5 restaurants in Manhattan Beach. If you’re a Manhattan Beach local, you’ve probably been to a few from our list but we also made sure to include some lesser-known restaurants as well.

Manhattan Beach Post - What good is a restaurant list without the mention of Manhattan Beach Post? Chef and local South Bay resident David LeFevre has created an awe-inspiring social atmosphere at his restaurant. Their website describes how the restaurant was designed to maintain some of the integrity from the 1960’s post office that used to call the location home. If you’re looking for a dinning experience focused on aiding social interaction while bringing worldly dishes to the table, Manhattan Beach Post is the spot.

MB Post Food

Tin Roof Bistro - Located in the Manhattan Village shopping center, Tin Roof Bistro was established to reflect wine country for local diners. Whether you’re looking for everyday comfort foods or innovative, international dishes, Chef Anne will not disappoint. With ample patio seating, Tin Roof Bistro is the perfect lunch destination for a beautiful summer day.

Second Story Restaurant - Many locals haven’t heard about Second Story Restaurant in Manhattan Beach. Located within the Belamar Hotel, Second Story is not your everyday hotel restaurant. Executive Chef Vania Almeida uses organic produce and sustainable...

Top 5 Bars To Watch The Super Bowl in Manhattan Beach

Super Bowl Sunday Logo

Like many others, we’re sure you’re starting to think about where you’ll be spending Super Bowl Sunday. Because there are an overwhelming number of bars and restaurants to choose from in Manhattan Beach, we decided to put together the Top 5 places to watch the Super Bowl this Sunday, February 2nd

We’ve gone ahead and done the legwork for you by calling all of our top picks and making sure they’ll be airing the game!

Grunions Sports Bar & Grill – Tucked away on Sepulveda, this hidden Manhattan Beach dive bar has been around since the 70’s. Originally bought by two Philadelphia natives, Danny and Pat, Grunions has served locals through the decades. They’ll be having an All You Can Eat and drink event all day…yes you read right! $60 will get you into Grunions for all the food and drinks you can stomach throughout the day. Doors open at 9am for breakfast and will stay open until the last of the crowds filter out after the game.

OB’s Pub & Grill – Established back in 1985, OB’s has been serving the Manhattan Beach community for OBs Pub & Grillover 25 years. They’ll be airing the game and crowds are sure to be flocking to this local staple. If you’re planning on being in El Porto, we suggest heading down to OB’s early to secure a great spot!

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New Year's Eve Dinner Events in Manhattan Beach

New Years Eve Manhattan BeachWith New Year’s Eve right around the corner, we thought we’d highlight a few local restaurants that are hosting special New Year’s Eve events and dinners in Manhattan Beach.

Being in Manhattan Beach, we have the privilege of being surrounded by some incredible restaurants that have gained not only local notoriety but national attention as well. It’s exciting to see some of our favorite restaurants on the list!

Circa, Roaring Twenties New Year’s Eve Party – Circa in Manhattan Beach will be hosting a special dinner to help ring in the New Year.  Dinner is from 6pm – 12am. There will be a DJ and a dance floor until 2am. The theme is Roaring Twenties so be prepared to be whisked away to a different era as you celebrate the new year. Each ticket includes party favors and a champagne toast as well.

Fishing With Dynamite – We don’t think there’s a local around that hasn’t heard of this wonderful new restaurant that boasts a delicious menu. Their New Year’s Eve menu is poised to serve filet of beef tenderloin, main lobster dumpling pie and British Columbia honey mussels among several other dishes. Be sure to call beforehand! New Years Eve Clock

Manhattan Beach Post – They’ll have a special menu with saffron risotto, lamb shank, blue crab, Mexican shrimp and main lobster tail to name a few. With its popularity among locals and the endless buzz...

Video Reviews of Restaurants Might be the Next Big Thing!

TastemadeWith all of the food and restaurant apps out there, we thought we’d spend some time telling all of you about a recent discovery we made at ManhattanBeachHomes.com headquarters. Tastemade is a new startup we recently heard about.

If you have a smartphone, you can download their app by searching for Tastemade in your app store. The app itself allows you to create video reviews of restaurants you visit. Once you record the video you’d want to share, their app even allows you to edit what you’ve captured so you can create cool transitions between scenes. Unlike Yelp or other review sites, you’re really able to get the sense of what type of atmosphere and ambiance each restaurant has.

Of course the first thing we did when we downloaded the app was search for Manhattan Beach. They already have some cool videos reviewing local restaurants like Barsha Wines & Spirits, Sion’s Mexican Restaurant, Fusion Sushi and several others. If you’re a local foodie that wants to get the word out about your favorite local restaurants, Tastemade is a really creative way to do it. We’re already working on our list of restaurants to visit and review.

Tastemade’s also working on cultivating a global food network. Started by a group of food lovers, this startup in Santa Monica, CA is trying “…to connect the world through food.” They’ve hand picked over 100 YouTube Channels to be a part of their Network. By creating a community of channels they can work with, Tastemade is helping each channel grow its fan base by creating beautiful cooking tutorial videos.

Excited that we found their network just in time for the holidays. Now we can plan...

Manhattan Beach's 25th Annual Fireworks Show

Manhattan Beach Holiday Fireworks ShowThis year marks the 25th Annual Manhattan Beach Holiday Fireworks Show. For years, locals and area residents have flocked to the event that has boasted huge crowds in the past.

The fireworks show is scheduled for Sunday, December 8th. Although fireworks will be going off at 7:00pm sharp, the event starts at 3:30pm and has tons of great activities set up in Downtown Manhattan Beach. There will be performances by Hyperion Outfall and Mira Costa HS Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra, Choir and Cheer. There’ll also be a bounce park and snow park hosted by SKECHERS.

David Prather is scheduled to host a sing-along starting at 6:00pm. If you’re planning on going to the event, we suggest reading up on the “12 Days of Christmas” song and getting familiar with the lyrics!

The event is privately hosted and organized. Pete Moffett has organized the event since its inception in 1989.  Local companies help sponsor the event and ensure it’s held every year. Crowds are estimated to be 15,000 to 20,000 this year as notoriety for the event grows annually. The fireworks show has previously been featured on the Travel Channel where it was selected as one of the top two finalists competing for the nation’s best holiday fireworks celebration.

We’re excited to enjoy another great fireworks show that’s due to awe locals and visitors alike, rain or shine. Are any of you planning on heading down to the fireworks show?  

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Manhattan Beach's 24th Annual Pier Lighting

Manhattan Beach Annual Pier LightingManhattan Beach’s 19th Holiday Open House and 24th Annual Pier Lighting is today from 6:00-9:30pm. The event takes place every year in downtown Manhattan Beach, California.

To kick off the holiday season, local shops and restaurants open their doors to thousands of locals that come down to get an early dose of Holiday cheer. Carolers and music will fill the streets as the countdown to the lighting begins. Lots of local merchants will be offering discounts and special offers tonight as they prepare for the holidays. 

Mayor David Lesser will switch on the pier lights at 7:00pm and the celebration will continue until 9:00pm. Santa will be at the Bank of America parking lot greeting neighborhood kids. Metlox Plaza will also have live entertainment until 8:00pm.

Tonight’s the perfect opportunity to start off the holiday season with the kids and extended family. Grab your friends and head into Downtown Manhattan Beach. If you’re driving, please note that Manhattan Avenue will be closed from 9th Street to Manhattan Beach Boulevard between 4:00pm and 10:30pm. And Manhattan Beach Boulevard will be closed from Ocean Drive to the Strand between 5:00pm and 10:30pm. 

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Distinguished Speaker Series Ticket Giveaway

Image from the distinguished speaker seriesThis upcoming Tuesday marks another great speaker arranged for the Distinguished Speaker Series of Redondo Beach. George Papandreou, former Prime Minister of Greece will be speaking at the event that’s hosted at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center.

The Distinguished Speaker Series is known for arranging inspiring and entertaining speeches by some of the most influential individuals of our generation. We’re excited to be hosting a Facebook contest for two free tickets to the event that’s this Tuesday, October 22nd.  Visit our Manhattan Beach Homes Facebook page  for rules on how to enter.

Good Luck!

 

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