Hermosa Beach, CA

In the one-woman play, “What the Constitution Means to Me,” which hit Broadway in 2019, Heidi Schreck explored the stories of women ancestors, as well as her present-day life — and how the U.S.’s historic document impacted them over generations.

Now, Manhattan Beach residents Jack Messenger and Lois Bourgon — and their production company, New Stuff Productions — are bringing the award-winning play to Hermosa Beach for five performances beginning Wednesday, March 15, at the 2nd Story Theatre.

“We’re billing it as a TED Talk comedy because it’s basically a one-woman play,”Messenger said, “and she’s out there talking to the audience the whole time; she breaks the fourth wall.”

Director Jack Messenger, actress Olga Konstantulakis, actor Brad Fitzgerald, and producer Lois Bourgon of the production of What the Constitution Means to Me, which will run for 5 nights at the 2nd Story Theatre in Hermosa Beach, CA, from March 15-19. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)

Schreck, played by Olga Konstantulakis in the local production, based the play on her travels around the country, as a teenager, giving speeches about the Constitution at American Legion Halls for prize money. That money allowed her to pay for college.

But while the play has its comedic moments, it also deals with more serious themes, from sexual assault to abortion, and other issues where the Constitution, Bourgon said, has negatively affected women’s rights.

While some people may think a solo show could be boring, Bourgon said, this one is not.

“It’s very energetic,” Bourgon said. “She’s telling her family stories and a lot of it is very funny. Then there’s a lot of poignancy from her great-grandmother (onward), who were affected by not having those rights.”

The event will benefit the 1736 Family Crisis Center in Hermosa Beach, which helps domestic violence victims, as well as runaway and homeless youth.

The rest of the cast includes Brad Fitzgerald as Mike the Legionnaire and Isabella Gonzalez as a student debater.

The shows will take place at 7:30 p.m. March 15 to 19, and at 2 p.m. March 20 at the 2nd Theatre, 710 Pier Ave.

Tickets are $35 for general admission; student walk-ins pay $20. Tickets are available at aftontickets.com/whattheconstitutionmeanstome.

For more information, visit newstuffproductions.com.

CoastalCoastal fog is often still peeling away from the sidewalk when the first round of Saturday morning customers arrive at Baran’s 2239 in Hermosa Beach. They linger inside the strip mall parking lot that faces out to Pacific Coast Highway, wearing flip-flops and hoodies. It’s an incongruously early sight for the Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded South Bay dinner spot, lauded by the international dining guide for its bistro ambiance, approachable wine list, and “filet of beef with a sumptuous black garlic-Sichuan sauce.” For years the steady, low-key restaurant had operated strictly in that lane, serving the South Bay cities with charm and evening elegance.

Then, one day, they decided to make a breakfast burrito.

“We started during COVID,” says co-owner Jason Baran, who cooked up the first iteration of the restaurant’s breakfast burrito alongside chef Tyler Gugliotta. “We were just trying to figure out how to make some income.”

Baran had founded his namesake restaurant in March 2016 with brother Jonathan Baran, and for years it felt like Baran’s 2239 was precisely what it should be: a strip mall surprise that, thanks the chef Gugliotta, always went out of its way to beat expectations. The pandemic threatened to take all of that away. So, like nearly every other restaurant in Southern California, the guys switched things up overnight, iterating on a new breakfast burrito (along with some early sandwiches and daytime fare) that they could sell fast and easy to fans who were still willing to come out for pickups. The burrito was an almost instant hit. “It just blew up,” says Baran.

To put it more bluntly: The burrito has gone nuclear. Three years after that first trial run, Baran’s 2239 is serving more than 1,100 breakfast burritos every weekend, Friday through Sunday, plus specials and one-off burritos as they pop up (usually on Fridays). The restaurant sells nearly two burritos a minute, every minute, for the 11 daytime hours that they’re open on weekends. “We’re kind of at our max right now,” says Gugliotta, “purely from a storage standpoint. It’s basically all we can do.”

It takes days of prep and a dedicated burrito team to execute the weekend pickups, including folks who only answer phones and plug preorders into Excel sheets. While walk-up ordering is possible, most people direct message the restaurant on Instagram to secure a pickup time and order. The admittedly archaic system keeps the restaurant from getting inundated with waiting customers, and it also keeps diners with a lot of other daytime options locked into the Baran’s 2239 brand. “Our engagement on burrito stuff is pretty incredible,” says Gugliotta, “and a lot of that has to do with our ordering system. You have to be invested to get one.”

In the kitchen, the prep cooks are even more invested, tirelessly parsing out every ingredient. Each burrito (served on Mejorado tortillas) gets four ounces of Vital Farms egg, two ounces of cheese, two ounces of cooked bacon, and precisely 13 tater tots. The eggs are cooked in a five-by-two row of nonstick pans set over ten individual burners, with a total pickup time of eight minutes from ticket to takeout. The weekend team batches the food as much as possible, but with over 100 burritos flying out of the kitchen every hour, nothing ever sits for long.

“Are any of the ingredients unique? Not really,” says Gugliotta. “But all of those details add up to something special.” Even in the South Bay, where great breakfast burritos — like those found down the street at Phanny’s — are easy to come by, a cult following for the Baran’s version has developed.

“I mean, I like breakfast burritos,” adds Jason Baran with a laugh, “but I guess I didn’t realize how popular they are.”

Baran estimates that 70 percent of his weekend clientele is repeat business, and he and Gugliotta both readily admit that the burritos helped to keep Baran’s 2239 afloat during the leanest days of the pandemic. Neither is thinking of turning the restaurant into a full-time burrito shack, though. “The income has helped us out with so many things,” says Baran. “It’s helped us to keep staff, and to pay everyone well, but the number one most important thing to us is still dinner.”

There are talks of eventually spinning the burritos off into a standalone space but Gugliotta is happy to keep the hit menu item in-house for now, in part because it’s helped to drive a new clientele towards dinner. “If it’s a gateway to get people in,” he says, “then it’s all good. I’m stoked that everyone likes the burritos. I also know we’re cooking Michelin-level food at dinner.”

These days the restaurant — across daytime and nighttime — is “busier than it’s ever been” says Baran, a rarity for a neighborhood spot that’s just hit the seven-year mark. And they have a breakfast burrito to thank for that.

“Do I want to be the burrito guy? Definitely not,” laughs Gugliotta. “But you don’t always get to pick your dish.”

Baran’s 2239 is open for weekend breakfast burritos and evening dinner service at 502 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. Friday burrito specials and preorders are available via Instagram.

Baran's 2239

502 East Pacific Coast Highway, , CA 90254 (424) 247-8468 Visit Website

More than a year ago, the nonprofit Hermosa Beach Murals Project completed its goal of commissioning and displaying 10 public pieces of art across the city that illustrate the town’s history and culture.

The murals depict the city’s rich history of music — from jazz to punk — its surf culture and landmarks. The first mural depicted the Hermosa Beach Pier Plaza area circa 1924 while the 10th and last —completed in summer 2021 —showcased the long-lost Biltmore Hotel.

And now, the Hermosa Beach Historical Society will celebrate the project’s legacy with a new exhibit, “One Wall at a Time: How the 10 Murals of the Hermosa Beach Murals Project Brought Public Art to Life.” The exhibit will debut during an opening reception at the Hermosa Beach Museum on Friday evening, Oct. 7.

The exhibit will remain up through January, with visitors able to view it during regular museum hours, from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday.

“We wanted to illustrate how much work this group did behind the scenes for each mural,” museum Director and Curator Jamie Erikson said, “and celebrate the accomplishment of them being able to so 10 times.”

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Hermosa Beach Murals Project boardmember George Schmeltzer, graphic artist Daniel Inez and Murals Project director Mike Flaherty pictured in front of Inez’s mural, the eighth one for the Hermosa Beach Murals Project. The mural will be unveiled Tuesday, Oct. 2. (Michael Hixon, (Beach Reporter/SCNG)

When the project was founded in 2009 by former Mayor Chuck Sheldon, its goal was to complete 10 murals in a decade.

While the project fell a bit short of its goal — after being interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic — the nonprofit raised nearly $400,000 from benefactors, residents and special events to complete the 10 murals, according to Steve Izant, who was the president of the Murals Project’s board.

“What we always note,” Izant said, “is that we did this without any city, county, state, federal or art grant money.”

The upcoming exhibit, Erickson said, traces the HBMP from its founding through the group coordinating the installations with its various artists, from start to finish. A majority of the exhibit’s information came from Izant, as well as fell board member George Schmeltze.

When the HBMP was dissolved following the completion of the 10th mural, the Historical Society took over the responsibility of caring for the art.

Tickets are not required for the opening reception and exhibit opening, which begins at 7 p.m., at the Hermosa Beach Museum, 710 Pier Ave.

For more information on the ten murals and their locations, visit hermosabeachhistoricalsociety.org/murals-project.

If you're looking for a beachy escape from Hawthorne, California, you're in luck! There are plenty of beautiful beaches within a short drive. Whether you're looking for a quiet place to relax or a lively spot for beach volleyball, we've got you covered. Here are the top 3 beaches near Hawthorne, California, their addresses, approximate distances, unique highlights, accessibility, and interesting history.

101 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 - 4 miles

Manhattan Beach is the closest beach to Hawthorne, and it's a must-visit spot. With its sandy shores, crystal clear waters, and stunning sunsets, it's no wonder this beach is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Whether you want to take a dip in the ocean, play some beach volleyball, or simply lounge on the sand, there's something for everyone here.

Parking at Manhattan Beach can be challenging, especially during peak season. There are metered street spots, a parking lot on 13th street, and a parking garage on Manhattan Beach Boulevard. But don't let that deter you from visiting this beautiful spot!

Interesting fact: Manhattan Beach is known for being the birthplace of beach volleyball. The first official game of beach volleyball was played here in 1930, and the sport quickly gained popularity on this very beach.

1 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 - 6 miles

Hermosa Beach is just a short drive from Hawthorne and offers a lively atmosphere that's perfect for young and old alike. The beach is lined with bars, restaurants, and shops, making it a great spot for people-watching and soaking up the California sun.

Parking can also be a challenge at Hermosa Beach, but there are several parking garages and street spots available. Just be prepared to pay a premium price for convenience during peak season.

Unique highlight: Hermosa Beach is home to the Hermosa Beach Pier, a historic landmark that was first built in 1904. Today, the pier is a popular spot for fishing and taking in the gorgeous ocean views.

10 W Torrance Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90277 - 9 miles

Redondo Beach is a little further from Hawthorne, but it's well worth the drive. The beach boasts a wide, sandy shoreline and plenty of amenities, including volleyball courts, bike paths, and a playground.

Parking at Redondo Beach is plentiful, with several large lots available for a reasonable price. There are also several nearby restaurants and shops, making it a great spot for a day trip with the family.

Interesting fact: Redondo Beach is known for being the site of one of the largest commercial fishing ports in California. Today, the port is still active, and visitors can watch fishing boats come in and out of the harbor.

There you have it, the top 3 beaches near Hawthorne, California. Whether you're looking for a quiet place to unwind or a lively spot to soak up the sun, these beaches have something for everyone. From the birthplace of beach volleyball to historic piers and commercial fishing ports, there's plenty of interesting history to discover as well. So grab your sunscreen, pack a picnic, and head out for a day of fun in the sun.

Saint Rocke was to shut its doors one final time on Jan. 5, or so it seemed.

Whether hosting a local band or a performer with legend credentials, Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach has been an intimate venue for music lovers since it opened in 2008.

But on Friday, the day following what was billed as the venue’s closing night party, Saint Rocke founder Allen Sanford announced the music spot has a new owner. Sanford said Saint Rocke is going into escrow, but he will stay involved as an investor.

Related: Headliners announced for BeachLife 2023 music festival in Redondo Beach

Sanford said he was surprised to see the emotion Thursday night. So, on Friday morning, he called the new owner, Dani Grant — an investor from Colorado — to seal the deal.

“The emotion was still there for Saint Rocke in the community,” said Sanford, of the invite-only crowd of about 200. “People really actually cared.”

Feeling the love for Saint Rocke, Sanford said, is what drove the deal across the finish line.

Sanford said the final show before the pandemic shutdown was in March 2020. But they did host a few shows, which were not highly publicized, when the restrictions were lifted to keep their license active.

“It was an economic decision, but it was also a decision where spiritually that business needed a new kind of fresh legs and I couldn’t provide that,” Sanford said.

In phone call Friday, new owner Grant said she first became aware of the music venue while visiting two of her daughters for the Thanksgiving holiday in Hermosa Beach.

Grant drove by Saint Rocke at 147 Pacific Coast Highway and saw the marquee advertising its sale to “only music lovers.”

That struck a chord, she said.

“It resonated with me and so I emailed him and that’s how it all got started,” Grant said.

In Colorado, Grant acquired her first venue, the historic Mishawaka Amphitheatre in Bellvue, Co., which she said was run by drug dealers but she was able save it.

“We’ve spent the past 12 years cleaning it up and it’s now back to being an internationally recognized venue,” Grant said.

Grant and a business partner also own three bowling alleys, Chipper’s Lanes, all with live music.

On Friday, Grant said she is excited they were able to finalize the deal.

“We didn’t have the final escrow managed and racked up until just now,” Grant said.

The goal is to have a soft opening in March and grand re-opening in April, Grant said.

Grant said they plan to keep the Saint Rocke banner at least for now.

“There’s been some talk about maybe kind of rebranding or doing a facade uplift or something like that, but that’s down the road,” Grant said.

“And Saint Rocke has such a wonderful reputation, you know. I think it’s really in the hearts and minds of the Hermosa Beach lifestyle. I’m not sure it’s a good idea to change it, so we’re kind of leaving it on the table.”

As for the interior of the venue, lighting and audio upgrades might be planned, but she still has not seen the building’s interior.

“I haven’t even walked through the venue,” Grant said. “I bought it sight unseen. I’ve done some research, I’ve talked to people who have played there and been there and that kind of thing.”

Grant said she’s been told the room is beautiful, so a major renovation is probably not needed.

In a text on Friday, professional surfer turned musician Donavon Frankenreiter praised small music venues and said they are a beautiful thing for the community and for local bands. He drew a line between Saint Rocke’s closing and Sanford going on to create BeachLife, a much bigger stage for bands.

Frankenreiter said he was the last musician to perform at Saint Rocke before the shutdown, playing March 6 and 7, 2020.

“It all went down that night,” Frankenreiter said. “Everything around us was closing because of the virus.”

The musician said he and his three-piece band ended the gig and rushed right to the airport to get home.

“No one knew what was going on or what was going to come out of it,” Frankenreiter said.

Of Sanford’s tenure managing Saint Rocke, Frankenreiter said “it was an amazing run” with many great memories.

“Out of that came BeachLife Festival — one of the greatest things to happen for that area and for bands around the world.” Frankenreiter said. “It all has to start somewhere.”

Sanford was influenced by watching his parents attend venues such as The Strand in Redondo Beach which hosted legendary acts Miles Davis and Nina Simone. His first foray into the music business was starting Saint Rocke, essentially, because he wanted somewhere near his South Bay home to go listen to music.

“We were excited back then,” Sanford said. “We were young kids, we didn’t know what we were doing. It definitely was the origin of what what I’m doing now in music for sure.”

And now, the BeachLife Festival attracts tens of thousands of concert goers over its the three-day event.

Thursday’s “closing night” party was for BeachLife Festival ticket holders as well as a way to celebrate the upcoming 2023 BeachLife Festival in May.

The inaugural BeachLife Festival took place in 2019 in Redondo Beach with headliners Willie Nelson, Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys and the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir.

On Jan. 6, the 2023 lineup was announced and will be headlined by The Black Keys, Orange County native Gwen Stefani and The Black Crowes. The event will also feature many local favorites including Tomorrows Bad Seeds, who headlined Thursday’s event.

Tomorrows Bad Seeds, formed in Hermosa Beach nearly 20 years ago, performed along with the local duo Aragorn & Gavin.

For those in the audience and those on stage, Thursday night was one of remembrance.

Gavin Heaney, half of the Aragorn & Gavin duo and also known around town as Latch Key Kid, recalled chatting with The Doors guitarist Robby Krieger about the legendary band’s formation in a Manhattan Beach garage. While TBS lead singer Moises Juarez said his band was one of the first bands to perform at their hometown club.

On Friday, Heaney also remembered one of Toots and The Maytals last shows and Scott Weiland’s escapades backstage, as well as opening for Blind Melon, Big Head Todd and The Young Dubliners were some of his favorite moments.

“It’s ironic that you don’t know that you’re a part of history while it’s happening,” Heaney said. “Looking back I’m amazed at how great Saint Rocke was and talking with everyone last night, hearing all their stories, I realize it has become legendary.”

Redondo Beach’s Randy Chepenik said Thursday night seeing Frankenreiter at the intimate venue about eight years ago was a highlight of his years going to the club.

“This place is great, I got it, I understand why it’s here,” Chepenik said when he first saw Frankenreiter .

“I’m glad to be here tonight,” Chepenik added.

Staff writer Lisa Jacobs contributed to this report.

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