September 29, 2023

Making the Healthy Choice the Easy Choice

In 2010, Beach Cities Health District brought the Blue Zones Project® to the Beach Cities, which became a certified Blue Zones Project community in 2016. Blue Zones Project® by Sharecare is a communitywide approach to creating healthier and more productive citizens. It uses permanent, evidence-based environmental and policy changes to motivate residents to adopt and maintain healthier lifestyles.

Through the program, BCHD encouraged more than 22,000 residents to take “the Blue Zones Pledge,” choosing to follow the Power 9 Principles established by the Blue Zones Project, and more than 100 area restaurants offered healthier dining options for residents, becoming Blue Zones Project Approved restaurants and contributing to improved health for Beach Cities residents.

Overcoming Loneliness for Better Well-Being

Loneliness isn’t just uncomfortable and unpleasant, it’s bad for our physical and mental health. 

And loneliness has become so common — affecting at least half of all adults in the United States — that the U.S. Surgeon General considers it an urgent public health concern, worthy of a government advisory issued in May 2023. 

“Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling,” Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy writes. “It harms both individual and societal health. It is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety and premature death.” 

Loneliness already feels bad, so you don’t need to make yourself feel worse for being lonely. The irony is that you’re not alone in your loneliness — according to a 2019 survey of 10,000 U.S. adults, about 60% of people in the U.S. report feeling lonely on a regular basis. 

What is loneliness exactly, how is it harmful, and what can we do about it? 

Join us for Walk & Roll to School Day on Wednesday, Oct. 4! 

Walk & Roll to School Day is an international event that involves communities walking and rolling to school. Last year, the three Beach Cities school districts (Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach) saw nearly 2,800 people, including BCHD staff, students and their families, school administrators, volunteers and local officials, lace up their sneakers and start the day walking or rolling to school.

COVID-19 Vaccine for 2023 Fall/Winter Virus Season:

Everyone 6 months and older recommended to get an updated vaccine 

Following federal approval of the updated COVID-19 vaccine and recommendations for the upcoming winter respiratory virus season, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is recommending all Californians stay up to date on the vaccine and get the updated shot when available. 

Vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19-related hospitalization and death. Vaccination also reduces your chance of suffering the effects of Long COVID, which can develop during or following acute infection and last for an extended duration.  

September is National Preparedness Month 

Preparing for a disaster is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of yourself and your loved ones. Whether it's a natural disaster like a hurricane, earthquake, or flood, or a man-made emergency such as a power outage, cyber security breach, or even a pandemic, being prepared can make a significant difference during and after the emergency. 

Active Aging Week 

October 2 - 6 

The Center for Health and Fitness invites you to celebrate Active Aging Week. Take action toward maintaining and improving your health by enjoying FREE lectures and workshops! Visit www.beachcitiesgym.org/active-aging-week for the schedule and registration information.   

October 2 – 6 

Center for Health and Fitness 

514 N. Prospect Avenue (2nd floor), Redondo Beach, CA 90277 

Social Hour with BCHD Care Manager Charlotte Barnett



If you have a question regarding community resources, want to learn more about Beach Cities Health District or share and learn ways to keep busy, please join us! These meetings are for all, a place to connect and feel heard.

First & Third Tuesday of the Month, Virtual

(October 3 & 17)

10 – 11 a.m.

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

2nd Mondays, In person 

(October 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

(October 4)

4 – 4:30 p.m.

Fentanyl Kills 



Beach Cities Health District is partnering with Manhattan Beach Community Church and Torrance Memorial Medical Center to host an in-person event that will include a presentation on the dangers of fentanyl followed by a Q&A session with health experts. Panelists consist of experts from Torrance Memorial Medical Center. 

Wednesday, October 4, 2023 

6:30 pm. 

Manhattan Beach Community Church

Community Hall 

303 S. Peck Avenue,

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 

No registration required. 

Dine Around Artesia 2023 

On Thursday, October 5, come indulge in a culinary walking journey along Artesia Blvd. in Redondo Beach! Local, participating businesses will provide a diverse lineup of tastings, including these Blue Zones Project ApprovedTM eateries ApprovedTM eateries: 

• Al Hamra Kabob Grill 

• The Great Room 

• Grocery Outlet in Redondo Beach 

Grocery Outlet is the newest Blue Zones Project Approved Grocery Store!

Learn how they’ve optimized their grocery store to make the healthy choice,

the easy choice! 

(2115 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach) 

Thursday, October 5 

5:30 – 8:30 p.m. 

Artesia Blvd. in North Redondo Beach 

Redondo Beach, CA 90278 

Strategic Planning Half Day



Beach Cities Health District is holding its Strategic Development Half Day on Friday, October 6.

The Half Day brings together BCHD's Board, committees, staff, volunteers, community partners and members of the public to improve decision-making, enhance organizational responsiveness, improve performance and strengthen the organization.

This is an in-person event due to the nature of the breakout activity. The event will be streamed for those unable to attend. Streaming viewers can view the breakout activities and submit their feedback via email at communications@bchd.org.

Please RSVP by Sunday, October 1 to help us organize and plan for breakout groups during the session.

Virtual Families Connected

Parent Chat 

Provided in partnership with South Bay Families Connected, Beach Cities Health District and Thelma McMillen Center, the Parent Chat offers its participants a confidential and supportive space to share their parenting challenges and successes. 

Tuesday, October 10 

10 – 11 a.m. 

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

Virtual Happiness Chats

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

(October 10)

12:30 – 1 p.m.

Mental Health First Aid Training

BCHD will host Mental Health First Aid trainings from the National Council for Mental Health. Similar to CPR training, individuals will learn how to provide support to people experiencing mental health challenges. It is an eight-hour training that requires two hours of pre-work and six hours of in-person instruction.  

At this training, you'll learn how to assess risk factors, provide initial support and connect individuals to professional resources, when needed.  

Friday, October 13 (WAITLIST ONLY) &

Friday, December 1

9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Beach Cities Health District 

514 N. Prospect Ave. 

Beach Cities Room, Lower Level 

Redondo Beach, CA 90277 

Mental Health & Happiness Workshop -

Strategies for Older Adults

Wednesday, October 18

2 – 3:30 p.m.

Manhattan Beach Joslyn Community Center

1601 N. Valley Dr., Manhattan Beach 90266

Engage in an interactive workshop to learn about ways to support our mental health and well-being as we age. Learn how to access mental health support in our community. Facilitated by Emily Brosius, LCSW, Director of Community Services with Beach Cities Health District. To register, please call Manhattan Beach Older Adults Program at 310-802-5430.

Hybrid Board of Directors Meetings



BCHD holds public board meetings on the fourth Wednesday of every month (except August and December, November’s meeting is held on the third Wednesday). Residents are encouraged to attend board meetings either via Zoom or in BCHD’s Beach Cities Room - Lower Level, 514 N. Prospect Ave. in Redondo Beach. You may also contact board members directly with questions or comments, or call 310-374-3426, ext. 8213.

Regular Board Meeting

Wednesday, October 25

6:30 p.m.

teen Mental Health First Aid Training  

teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) teaches youth in grades 10-12, or ages 15-18, how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among their friends and peers. The course teaches how young people can have open conversations with their peers about mental health and substance use challenges, teaches the common signs and symptoms teens should look out for, and how to seek the help of a responsible and trusted adult. It is a 4.5-hour training that takes place over three in-person trainings of 90 minutes each. Participants must complete all three sessions to get certified. 

Upcoming In-Person Training Dates: 

Wednesdays, November 1, 8 and 15 

4 - 5:30 p.m. 

allcove Beach Cities

514 N Prospect Ave, Suite 400, 4th Floor

Redondo Beach, CA 90277 

QPR Suicide Prevention Training 

During Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, BCHD is hosting a QPR Suicide Prevention training to help individuals recognize warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to Question, Persuade and Refer someone to get help. Learn skills to engage someone in crisis to discuss their distress, provide hope and refer them to someone who can formally assess and intervene. 

Monday, November 6

4 – 5 p.m. 

Beach Cities Health District 

514 N. Prospect Ave.  

Lower Level, Beach Cities Room 

Redondo Beach, CA 90277 

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 the only fitness facility 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