Notable comedian Paul Reiser once called the Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach the old Yankee Stadium of comedy, referring to it as a “shrine to comedy.”  Indeed, this venue is quite legendary in comedy circles, and luckily for South Bay residents it has been right under your noses since 1978.

If you’re looking for a new form of entertainment and haven’t been to a comedy club since Eddie Murphy was staring on Saturday Night Live, The Comedy and Magic Club is the place to go. The 250-seat venue has been in business for 35 years for a reason and gets high marks among Yelpers for the food and comfortable ambience.

The club is most notable as the place where Jay Leno performs nearly every Sunday night at 7p.m. But the lineup of regular comedians is like a who’s-who list, including Reiser, David Spade, Rob Schenider, Dom Irrera and David Attell among others, and many will take the stage with little or no advanced notice.  

On Friday and Saturday nights, the club hosts a lineup of 10 comedians per night. When headliners are in town, tickets range from $30-35 with a two-item (any combination of food or drink) per person minimum, which makes it convenient to order from a menu that gets strong reviews. The seating is first come first serve, so make sure to arrive early.

Check out the club’s Facebook page for updates and photos of past performers.

1018 Hermosa Ave
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Phone: 310- 372-1193
www.comedyandmagicclub.com

You might be ready to buy a home, but are you prepared?

Regardless of whether you are a first-time home buyer or an experienced owner, it’s good practice to conduct a pre-purchase reality check before buying a house. Before you jump into the financial commitment of the purchase, give careful consideration to your financial situation and whether you are truly prepared to buy.

Here is a six-item checklist of items to check off before buying a home:

• Strengthen your credit score. In general, the higher your credit score, the lower your down payment and monthly payments, which impact your buying power.

• Get pre-approved for a mortgage. If you’re truly serious, do your research on rates and have your financing in place before you walk through the first house to know how much you can afford, and to make a stronger offer.

• Have your financial house in order.  Beyond what your credit looks like, don’t change jobs, change banks, buy a vehicle or any big-ticket items. Avoid inquiries into your credit, don’t be late on payments and don’t charge excessively.

• Save for a down payment and closing costs. The national average for down payments nationwide is 16 percent, according to LendingTree. Also know the average closing costs in your area.

• Build a healthy emergency fund. Have several months worth of mortgage payments set aside, so lenders can see you’re not check-to-check, making you a better loan candidate. Plus, repair issues and home emergencies always come up.

• Control your debt and know how much you can afford. Gain control of the debt you already have, starting with high-interest debt. Know how much payments you can afford, with a safe formula that expenses should not exceed 28-31 percent of your gross monthly income.

Dr. Maria Montessori created what she called Òthe prepared environment.Ó If you have already made the decision that a Montessori education is the right choice for your children, now it's time to find the right educational environment. Luckily, South Bay parents have some great schools, and great options, for Montessori education. Here are a few popular choices:

Montessori School of Manhattan Beach
Founded in 1968, this school has two Manhattan Beach locations and has been under the same ownership for 40 years. Serving toddler through elementary ages, it also offers summer school, after school programs and on-site enrichment programs such as tennis, dance, soccer and drama. "This is easily the best preschool and kindergarten in Manhattan Beach and the South Bay," said one Yelp review.

315 S Peck Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
www.montessorimbrpv.com


Manhattan Academy
Serving the South Bay community for nearly 40 years, this school now has four campuses that serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and elementary age students. Large-scale family events throughout the year promote a sense of community, and the facilities include six playgrounds, two computer labs, an art studio, gym and pool. "Not only is the education top notch but the life skills they have been taught and will continue to learn in this environment are priceless," offered one Yelp reviewer. 

1740 Manhattan Beach Blvd
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 374-1804
www.manhattanacademy.com


The Children's Place Montessori School
This independently-owned school serves children from 18 months through sixth grade at two Torrance locations, a main campus (for toddlers and preschoolers) and elementary campus. "The teachers are wonderful, nurturing, brilliant people," said one Yelp review from a parent. "I'm so happy with the school! It's multi-cultural, and respectful of all children from all walks of life."

1215 Crenshaw Blvd
Torrance, CA 90501
(310) 328-6313
www.childrensplaceschool.com


Peninsula Montessori School
Serving the South Bay since 1978, Peninsula Montessori School has campuses in Redondo Beach and Palos Verdes that offer programs for toddlers through elementary. An experienced staff is led by directors who have each been in place for more than 15 years. "I have never seen a school more attuned to the true power of Montessori than Peninsula," said one parent in a Yelp review. "A truly amazing environment in which to raise your child."

907 Knob Hill Ave.
Redondo Beach, Ca. 90277
(310) 540-9742
peninsulamontessori.com/

Choosing the right flooring in your home can be the biggest stamp on the modern design you are reaching for, bringing the “wow” factor that establishes your style and tastes.

Flooring doesn’t have to always start and end with hardwood. Some of the hottest trends in flooring come from new technologies and unique materials that might surprise you:



Simple Style
One of the hottest modern flooring options is concrete, which can be altered in a variety of ways to create a variety of different feels. Concrete can be stained, painted or stamped to create a look unique to your home and style.  Among the benefits of concrete are that it is inexpensive, virtually maintenance free, and great for high-traffic areas like kitchens. Here are some examples via Pinterest.

Leather
For many, leather is the ultimate splurge when it comes to modern flooring options. Leather flooring? Yes, and the options, colors and styles are almost endless, allowing you to go for any distinct look and feel you would like. Although, it is an expensive option. Think about leather options in an office, den or study for a high-end look. Check out some examples.

Pop some Cork

Cork is eco-friendly as a renewable resource and will provide a warm, durable and soft feel underfoot. Cork can be an elegant and modern pick because it comes in a variety of colors and textures. Not only is it easy to install, but it can dazzle in any room – and it is especially trending in kitchens. See Pinterest for examples.

Reclaimed Look

Another chic look is to bring back something old and make it new. Reclaimed wood from barns, factories and fences is becoming very popular to bring in a natural element in an otherwise modern design. The worn-out look can be sleek because of the darker tones in aged wood, while imperfections and the distinct look of each slab bring an edge. Check here for some examples.

High-Tech

One of the newest products out there is antibacterial porcelain stoneware. You can achieve a sophisticated, high-end look that is also high-performance, inside or outside. They cause a dramatic reduction of the four main bacterial strains and are effective fighting mold, yeast and fungi. With a variety of colors, sizes (tiles or slabs) and finishes, the options are many.

Surprise your houseguests with a local treat in your bathroom soap dish: Lemongrass Essential Oil Salty Manhattan Beach Soap. You can purchase Local Manhattan Beach resident Sandy Lynn's handmade soaps in her Soap Exchange shop on Etsy and gathers the salty ocean water herself from the south side of the Manhattan Beach Pier.

Salt is known to have many health benefits including fighting skin infection, drawing toxins out of the body, reducing skin irritation and helping the skin to maintain proper moisture.

Sandy's Manhattan Beach soap contains saponified olive oil, palm kernel oil, ocean water from Manhattan Beach, and is lightly scented with lemongrass essential oil. Each bar is approximately 4.5oz and comes wrapped in natural jute or cotton packaging.