October 22, 2026

Beach Cities Health District Celebrates 10 Years of Blue Zones Project Certification! 

Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) proudly launched the Blue Zones Project in 2010 with a bold mission: to help the Beach Cities thrive by shaping environments that make healthy living easier—and our community has risen to the challenge! Through powerful partnerships with local governments, schools, restaurants, grocery stores and businesses, the Blue Zones Project has transformed how we live, work and connect. 

In 2016, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach celebrated becoming a Blue Zones Certified Community, with more than 24,000 residents pledging to live healthier, happier lives. A decade later, the momentum continues—Blue Zones Project programs are still making a remarkable impact, demonstrated by Manhattan Beach earning the highest Well‑Being Index score ever recorded by Gallup! 

And the celebration continues! From November 1–7, join us for Blue Zones Project Week. Connect with your community through moais, discover your purpose and enjoy discounts and specials at select Blue Zones Project Approved restaurants and grocery stores.

Moai Social Event: Parkette Potluck Moai

We’re excited to introduce our newest Potluck Moai! Join us at an upcoming Moai Social Event where you can connect with your community and try out new activities. These gatherings are inspired by our Blue Zones Project® Moais (pronounced “Mo-eye”)—social groups that can become lifelong support networks, formed when people come together around a shared purpose or healthy hobby. 

Parkette Moai members will meet on Sunday, November 8, from 1–2 p.m. at Ensenada Parkette (1701 Armour Lane, Redondo Beach, CA 90278). Theme: Brunch Friendsgiving 



Interested in joining our vegetarian potluck? Sign up by contacting Jackie Uy at Jackie.Uy@bchd.org. The organizer will follow up to confirm your participation. 

Red Ribbon Week & National Substance Use Prevention Month 

October marks National Substance Use Prevention Month, culminating in Red Ribbon Week from October 23–31. It’s a time when communities across the country come together to raise awareness, support healthy decision-making and empower young people to thrive. 

This year’s Red Ribbon Week theme, “Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free,” highlights the courage and leadership it takes for youth to make healthy, drug-free choices. Those choices ripple outward—positively impacting friends, families and the entire community. 

Recent findings from the 2025 Monitoring the Future survey show youth substance use is at an all-time low nationwide. While Beach Cities data follows this encouraging trend, local youth continue to share concerns about the pressures they face, including academic stress, mental health challenges, extracurricular demands and social media—all of which can contribute to experimentation. 



Throughout Red Ribbon Week, follow BCHD on social media for tips, resources and conversation starters that support healthy, informed choices at home. 

Together, we can empower youth to lead with confidence, make positive choices and help build a safer, healthier Beach Cities. 

Be Prepared to Save a Life. Carry Naloxone. Keep it Current.  

Opioid overdoses remain a public health concern. Naloxone, also known by its common brand name Narcan, is a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.  

FREE naloxone kits are available for anyone at allcove Beach Cities (514 N. Prospect Avenue, 4th floor, Redondo Beach, CA 90277). Stop by the front desk during regular business hours to pick up a free kit.  

Already have naloxone? Check the expiration date on the packaging. Whether you received your naloxone from BCHD or elsewhere, you can bring any expired naloxone to allcove Beach Cities and exchange it for a new dose.  

BCHD’s opioid overdose prevention efforts are supported by the City of Hermosa Beach and City of Manhattan Beach, with naloxone provided through the California Department of Health Care Services’ Naloxone Distribution Project.

October is a time to Harvest Kindness.  

Kindness can take many forms; lending a helping hand, checking in with someone you care about, or taking a moment to make someone feel seen.  

This month, look for simple ways to bring kindness into your everyday interactions and help create a more connected community.  Small act. Big impacts. Stronger together.  

💡Mindfulness Practice: Each evening, write down one act of kindness you gave, received, or witnessed. Over time, you’ll see how these small gestures build into a season of connection. 

Hermosa Beach Household Survey: Aquatic Access



The City of Hermosa Beach Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission is working to gather information regarding the local demand for and availability of aquatic facilities and swimming pool-related programming. The commission is asking residents to complete one survey response per household.

Don’t wait – schedule your flu shot today! 

As we approach flu season, it’s crucial to prioritize your health and the well-being of those around you. The flu vaccine remains the most effective way to prevent influenza, and it’s recommended for everyone six months and older, with rare exceptions.  

To ensure you’re protected when flu activity is highest, aim to get vaccinated by the end of October. Remember, the vaccine takes about two weeks to become fully effective. This is particularly important for high-risk groups, including young children, pregnant women, adults 65 and older, and individuals with chronic medical conditions. By getting vaccinated, you’re not only safeguarding your own health but also protecting those who can’t receive the vaccine. 

The same prevention tips to protect yourself from the flu can also protect you from other respiratory illnesses like the common cold, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): 



• Avoid close contact with people who are sick 
• Stay home and away from others if you are sick 
• Wash your hands often with soap and water 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth 
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue 
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects regularly 

Read more: bchd.org/flu. 

South Bay Parent Education Series 

Parenting tweens and teens comes with plenty of questions. You don’t have to navigate them alone. 

Join a supportive community of South Bay parents and caregivers for conversations with professionals who work with youth and families on topics that matter most during the tween and teen years. Each session offers practical information, time for Q&A, and space for open and candid conversations with other parents navigating similar experiences. 



Practical tools. Honest conversations. Community support. 

2026 - 27 Session Dates – all Sessions are on Thursdays at 6 p.m.

 

• January 14: Staying Safe in Our Community: Safety. Awareness. Prevention.    
• March 18: Growing Up Online: Technology. Social Media. Digital Wellbeing.  
• May 20: Friendships & Relationships: Connection. Communication. Boundaries.  

Register to receive event-specific details as they are finalized, including the location and virtual participation options (if applicable). 

BCHD Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q: The Beach Cities were certified as a Blue Zones Community in 2016. What impact has this had on our community over the last 10 years?  

A: The Beach Cities – Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach – working with the cities, school districts and businesses, were named a nationally certified Blue Zones Community® in 2016. At that time, the Beach Cities were the largest community to achieve Blue Zones certification through the successful implementation of Blue Zones Project, launched in 2010 to make the healthy choice the easy choice for residents and employees of our community.  

The certification came on the heels of Gallup National Health & Well-being Index data. Since 2010, exercise has increased, obesity levels have been less than half the U.S. average, people who are “thriving” have increased, and smoking has dropped compared to the U.S. 

The Beach Cities’ score on the 2025 Gallup Well-Being Index was 69.5, outpacing the national score of 60.1. Notably, Manhattan Beach’s 2025 score of 71.6 is the highest community measurement ever recorded by Gallup since WBI measurement began in 2008. The highest score previous to that was Manhattan Beach’s score of 70.6 in 2024.  To learn more, visit https://bchd.org/blue-zones-project/.  

For more frequently asked questions and answers visit https://www.bchd.org/bchdfaq. 

Give Where You Live 

When you give where you live, you see the impact of your support right here in our community. Every day, Beach Cities Health District works to make the Beach Cities healthier, more connected and better equipped to support people at every stage of life. Through the Beach Cities Health Foundation, your generosity helps sustain this work and invest in our shared future. 

This year, there are many ways to give: 

• Support youth mental health by helping build the new home for allcove Beach Cities. 
• Help create a new Center for Health & Fitness, a community space for movement, prevention and connection. 
• Spread holiday cheer by sponsoring Holiday Gift Bags for older adults and adults with disabilities. 

Your contribution supports more than 40 programs that promote health, connection and well-being—from youth and families to older adults and everyone in between. 

There are many ways to give where you live. In addition to one-time or recurring gifts, you can also support BCHD through: 

• Donor-Advised Funds 
• Employer Matching Gifts 
• Planned Giving 
• Gifts of Stock or Other Assets 

When you give where you live, your gift stays close to home and helps build a healthier future for our entire community this holiday season.

Join us at CHF for a Sound Bath!  

This guided meditative journey surrounds you with soothing tones from instruments handcrafted in the Himalayan region, each made from a blend of seven sacred metals. The layered vibrations gently “bathe” you in sound, encouraging your nervous system to shift into a state of deep relaxation. As the resonance flows through you, it can help quiet mental chatter, ease stress, and create a spacious sense of calm. 

Fridays - October 23 and 30 

12:30 – 1:25 p.m. 

Center for Health & Fitness, Jade Room 

514 N. Prospect Ave., 2nd Floor 

Redondo Beach, CA 90277 

$40 per session 

Dementia Caregiver Support Groups

Caring for a loved one with a dementia diagnosis can be overwhelming and stressful. Our support groups offer a safe space to address the challenges that come with caring for someone, find support amongst peers who share similar experiences and openly express your feelings around being a caregiver. 

MANHATTAN BEACH - please join us on October 27, November 10 & 11 at 1:30 p.m. at the Joslyn Community Center, 1601 N. Valley Dr., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. Facilitated by Beach Cities Health District's Social Workers in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association and Manhattan Beach Older Adults Program. 

REDONDO BEACH - Please join us Monday, November 16 at 2 p.m. in the cafe at 514 N. Prospect Ave., Redondo Beach, 90277. Facilitated by Beach Cities Health District’s Care Managers Joy Schmidt, LCSW and Rudy Diaz, ASW. In partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association. 

Hybrid Board of Directors Meeting  

Residents are encouraged to attend BCHD Board Meetings either via Zoom or at 514 N. Prospect Avenue on the fourth Wednesday of the month (except Aug. and Dec.). Details about the meeting and agenda can be found online. Residents are encouraged to attend board meetings and may also contact board members directly with questions or comments.  

Wednesday, October 28

5:30 p.m. - Special Meeting (Closed Session)

6:30 p.m. - Regular Board meeting 

Beach Cities Health District 

514 N. Prospect Ave. 

Redondo Beach, CA 

Lower Level, Beach Cities Room 

Social Hour with a Beach Cities Health District Care Manager

Looking to add a little connection to your week? Join our friendly Social Hour with BCHD Care Managers — an easygoing hour to talk, laugh and share with others in the community. We meet on Zoom from 10 to 11 a.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, and in person on the second Monday of the month at 2 p.m. at the Joslyn Center in Manhattan Beach.



Each session offers a relaxed space to discuss favorite pastimes, books, movies and whatever else sparks conversation. It’s a great opportunity to exchange stories, learn about others’ interests and stay socially engaged. Our team is also available to answer questions about Beach Cities Health District’s programs and services. We’d love to connect with you!

1st and 3rd Tuesdays (Virtual)

(November 3 & 17) 

10 – 11 a.m. 

Zoom Link: https://bchd-org.zoom.us/j/87651635014 

2nd Mondays (In-person)

(November 9) 

2 – 3 p.m. 

Manhattan Beach Joslyn Center, Sunset Room

1601 N. Valley Dr., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 

Virtual Mindfulness Drop-In

Take 30 minutes to downshift and practice mindfulness techniques. The guided session will be led by a trained Beach Cities Health District instructor.

First Wednesday of the Month

(November 4)

4 – 4:30 p.m.

Meditate for Peace in the South Bay 

Meditate for Peace in the South Bay is a free, community meditation gathering hosted by the Redondo Beach Center for Spiritual Living (RBCSL), taking place the first Saturday of the month. Meditate on peace, loving kindness, and the greater good of the South Bay community.  

First Saturdays  

(November 7) 

9 – 9:30 a.m.  

Redondo Beach Center for Spiritual Living  

907 Knob Hill Ave., 

Redondo Beach, CA. 90277   

Virtual Families Connected Parent Chat 

The Families Connected Parent Chat is a free monthly support group open to all South Bay parents and caregivers. Provided in partnership between BCHD, South Bay Families Connected and Thelma McMillen Center, the Parent Chat offers its participants a confidential and supportive space to share their parenting challenges and successes. Please note that the Parent Chat is not a therapeutic program, but rather a peer-to-peer support group with educational guidance from a mental health professional.

Second Tuesday of the Month 

(November 10) 

10 - 11 a.m. 

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87374623578 

Virtual Happiness Chat 

This is a casual discussion group with light-hearted activities to spark conversation. Share ideas, tips, resources, jokes, quotes – anything that supports our happiness!  

Second Tuesday of the Month 

(November 10)  

12:30 – 1 p.m. 

The South Bay Dementia Education Consortium Presents - HARD TALKS:

The conversations 

caregiving families avoid —and how to finally have them. 

This workshop helps caregiving families recognize their own conflict patterns — from freezing up to shutting down — and build real skills to work through hard conversations instead of avoiding them. Topics include nonviolent communication, active listening, and understanding the neuroscience of fear versus intentional response. 

Designed for spouses, adult children, family caregivers, care partners, and aging services professionals, this workshop will help families communicate through conflict with more clarity, confidence, and less avoidance. 



Thursday, November 12 

3:00 - 4:30 p.m. 

ZOOM 

Take Advantage of Free Adult & Pediatric First Aid, CPR/AED Training Sessions 

Build lifesaving confidence with CERT’s free, hands‑on training classes. These sessions equip community members with essential first aid and CPR/AED skills to respond quickly and effectively in emergencies—whether at home, at work, or out in the community. 

By learning how to act when seconds matter, you can make a meaningful difference for your family, your neighbors, and the greater Beach Cities community. Consider signing up and taking the first step toward becoming a more prepared and empowered resident.

Saturday, December 5

8 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

Joslyn Center 

1601 N. Valley Drive, Manhattan Beach 90266.

Just North of Fire Station #1

There is metered parking available at the Metlox parking lot. Pre-enrollment is required. To secure your seat, email to Jeanne: 1certtraining@gmail.com with your full name, phone, email and home address.  

No charge. There is a minimum age requirement of 18 years to attend the class. 

AdventurePlex 



Where kids and families play their way to good health 

• Summer camp 
• NEW! Flex Kids Club Membership
• Birthday parties 
• Supervised weekend play so parents can have a night out 
• Special events 
• ToddlerTown play area 
• 5-level play structure 
• Programs for ages 0-12 
• Drop-in play (please note: Drop-In play is available in ToddlerTown only during the summer. Please check for availability).

allcove Beach Cities 



allcove is a place for young people (ages 12-25) to take a moment of pause and access a range of services that include: 

• Mental health 
• Physical health 
• Substance use 
• Peer support 
• Family support 
• Supported education and employment 

Center for Health & Fitness 



Our comprehensive fitness center in Redondo Beach is one of two fitness facilities in California certified by the Medical Fitness Association! 

• Cycling, Zumba, yoga, Pilates, strength & other exercise classes 
• Online exercise classes 
• Classes for older adults 
• Programs for chronic conditions 
• Access to trainers 
• Massage 
• Nutrition consultation 
• Access to state-of-the-art gym equipment