Celebrating Annie: Creating Connection, One Conversation at a Time 

Written by Volunteer Spotlight Writer, Kami Danaei 

Volunteering, for Annie Baghramian, is about slowing down and creating spaces for meaningful human connection. A lifelong Southern California beach city resident, Annie grew up in Long Beach and has called Redondo Beach home for the past ten years. She describes the Beach Cities as “paradise,” often reminding her children that people travel from all over the world to vacation where they get to live every day. 

Annie chose to volunteer as a Conversation Companion because she saw how often seniors can be overlooked, especially as they enter stages of life where daily tasks and social connection can become more challenging. Wanting to counter the fast pace of the world with presence and care, she sought out an opportunity that centered on listening and relationship-building. After learning about Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) through her children’s elementary school, Annie was impressed by BCHD’s commitment to ensuring seniors in the Beach Cities have access to support, including errands and companionship. 

As a Conversation Companion volunteer, Annie focuses on building genuine relationships through thoughtful conversation. She enjoys everything from lighthearted chats to deeper reflections on life and frequently incorporates reminiscence therapy techniques to help her client revisit meaningful memories that strengthen identity and well-being. One of her favorite parts of volunteering is walking and talking along the Esplanade in Redondo Beach with her client. She notes that the combination of movement, fresh air, and conversation makes it a joyful and grounding experience. 

Annie’s supervisor, Rudy Diaz, notes her natural ability to relate with others. “Annie has a unique way of connecting with people that is truly welcoming and puts a person at ease,” he shares. He adds that from their very first meeting, Annie and her client “simply hit it off as if they had known [each other] already.” 

When she’s not volunteering, Annie loves staying active with her family and friends; walking, dancing, biking, and rollerblading while enjoying access to the beach, desert, and mountains. Her advice to prospective volunteers is simple: you’ll get just as much out of the experience as you give, and even a small time commitment can make a meaningful difference. 

Tara Thai is now Blue Zones Project Approved! 

Every day, people are confronted with hundreds of choices that can impact their health. Blue Zones Project Approved™ Restaurants pave the way for diners to make the healthy choice the easy choice.  

Designated in January 2026, Tara Thai at 234 S Pacific Coast Hwy in Redondo Beach, joins our list of close to 100 Blue Zones Project businesses.  

For over a decade, this neighborhood favorite has served up authentic Thai cuisine from spicy Pad Thai noodles, refreshing Papaya Salad, tangy Tom Yum Soup and more. From their family to yours, all of the dishes are made with fresh ingredients and love! Now, they are onboarding healthy eating best practices to encourage customers to pick dishes inspired by the diets of the longest-lived people in the world.  

Restaurant Ambassador Joyce Costa scouts out new businesses that want to join the Blue Zones Project Restaurants Program and found that Tara Thai was a perfect fit. After reaching out to owner Shawna Roong, the process started right away.  

“This has been a dream for her. When she took over the restaurant from her brother, she always wanted a restaurant that offers healthy choices,” Costa continues. “Instead of going someplace else, we want to support her restaurant. The other thing that impresses me is how she’s embraced this whole process. This is the direction she’s been wanting to go, and the timing seems to be perfect.” 

Shawna completed the Blue Zones Project Restaurant Pledge, which requires restaurants to meet a minimum number of points through evidence-backed actions that support healthier food environments.  To integrate Blue Zones Project into their business model, the BCHD team collaborated with Shawna to optimize their menu for healthy eating, which includes highlighting their Blue Zones Project Approved Dishes and adding descriptive words on their menu items.   

If you are in the mood for something comforting, consider sampling their hearty Red Curry with a side of steamed brown rice. You can also try their simmering Tom Kha soup with soft tofu and tender vegetables. In addition, all of their soups can be ordered as a small-sized portion and you can always take the rest of your meal to go! 

Joyce loves their great service and food, “It’s a great place to eat for individuals or families. Shawna is very welcoming and warm. If there is a family with children, she remembers that they have kids and as soon as they come in; she caters to whatever their needs are.” 

Their new menu includes a kid’s section where each dish has a heaping serving of fresh greens or steamed veggies.  

According to NPR, “children in the U.S. obtain nearly 70% of their calories — on average — from ultra-processed foods, which contain ingredients rarely found in your kitchen, such as preservatives, natural or artificial flavors and emulsifiers.”    

Now more than ever, it is incredibly important to help kids and adults eat well. If you and your loved ones are looking to grab a healthy bite to eat at a local business, pay a visit to Tara Thai! 

Beach Cities Score Historic Highs on AnnualGallup National Health and Well-Being Index

Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach Outpace the Nation in “Living Well”

REDONDO BEACH, Calif. (February 2, 2026) – The Beach Cities of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach scored historic highs on the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index (WBI) despite national declines, indicating that the Beach Cities continue to be among the healthiest places to live in the nation. Their combined score of 69.5 in 2025 (the year for which statistics were calculated) was the Beach Cities’ highest ever and substantially outpaced the national average score of 60.1.

Notably, the 2025 Manhattan Beach score of 71.6 was the highest community measurement ever recorded by Gallup among the more than 1,500 community scores since WBI measurement began in 2008. The previous high was also recorded by Manhattan Beach with a 70.6 index in 2023.

The WBI surveys adults nationwide on five elements of well-being: career, community, financial, physical and social. These five anchors contribute to the overall WBI score; a high score means a life well-lived. The Beach Cities have had improvements in all five elements of well-being in the past 10 years, amid national declines.

“All those boats (the Beach Cities) are lifting, while the tide’s going down,” said Dan Witters, Gallup’s research director of the Well-Being Index. “The Beach Cities are outpacing the U.S. across most metrics, and their excellent improvement over time – despite a high starting point – has been impressive.”

Gallup, on behalf of Beach Cities Health District (BCHD), has administered the WBI nine times since 2010, the year that the Blue Zones Project® came to the Beach Cities. The 2025 WBI data was collected last fall and is weighted and adjusted based on demographic statistics and sample size.

The report also showed that awareness and public opinion of BCHD itself has improved over the past five years. Since 2020, awareness of the Health District has improved from 67% to 71%, with 57% expressing a favorable opinion of the District – a two-percentage point increase since 2020. Correspondingly, unfavorable opinions of BCHD have fallen from 4 percent in 2020 to 3 percent in 2025.

Blue Zones Project awareness is at an all-time high, as 50% of those surveyed said they are aware of the project – a community well-being initiative that brings together local stakeholders and international well-being experts to introduce evidence-based programs and changes to environment, policy, and social networks. Manhattan Beach leads the Beach Cities with 56% awareness of Blue Zones.

Among the other report’s other findings:

Witters, who has managed the WBI since 2009, presented the WBI findings to the BCHD Board of Directors Wednesday night, January 28. He noted the impressive trends that the Beach Cities have seen over time and compared to the nation.

“We have found household income to be the top predictor of well-being among individuals and large populations,” said Witters. “But highly affluent communities are proven to not be more likely to improve over time than other communities – improvement comes from other factors. This makes the improvement in the Beach Cities’ score impressive – since 2015, the Beach Cities have outperformed the nation in all well-being indicators, while the national trend has seen scores fall.”

Significant daily stress (45.9%) has decreased by close to six points since 2010, and is now 1.6 points better than the overall U.S. rates. In 2010, the Beach Cities scored 5.9 points worse than the U.S. for daily stress.

Still, the report cited areas of improvement, including:

“Data from the WBI gives us insights into the well-being of the Beach Cities community and informs our programs and decision-making process,” said Tom Bakaly, BCHD CEO. “With this data, BCHD’s programming will continue to emphasize social connection and the development of empathy, kindness, and gratitude, and we’ll also offer opportunities to connect through community events, services, and spaces. While this WBI data shows our community is doing well, we are aware there is more work to be done, and BCHD is committed to continuing to improve the health of residents in our community.”

For more information about the Beach Cities WBI scores, please visit www.bchd.org/impact. 

Happy, Healthy, Resilient Children is the Goal for New Series from Beach Cities Health District and Happy Hill Kids

Parents and Guardians of Toddlers Can Learn Real-life Parenting Skills in 10-week Series

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. (February 2, 2026) – Many new parents lament that their children don’t come with an instruction manual. While that may be true, parents in the South Bay can receive instruction and support through a new series being launched by Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) and Manhattan Beach-based Happy Hill Kids.

The Toddler Parenting Workshops are a 10-week series designed to empower parents with practical tools, research-based strategies and emotional support for the toddler years.

There are two series, one on Tuesdays for parents of children ages 1-3, that will provide instruction about toddler emotions and self-regulation, positive discipline, setting limits, and building independence and cooperation with little ones. It will also cover developmental topics like picky eating, potty training and more. The Thursday series is for parents of children ages 3–5, with sessions that will cover managing transitions, routines, meltdowns, sibling rivalry/sharing, plus encouraging communication and connection with your child.

Throughout the two series, guest speakers specializing in various topics will join the discussion. Participants are encouraged to join the discussions at each class to problem solve, learn and grow together.

“Happy Hill Kids and BCHD share a similar mission to foster positive mental health,” said Skye Rollins, Owner and Parent Educator for Happy Hill Kids. “We want to do whatever we can to support and empower parents on this rewarding yet challenging journey with toddlers.”

“Experiences during the developmental period of 0-5 years profoundly affect brain architecture, learning, behavior and physical and mental health. This period of growth lays the foundation for a child’s lifelong well-being, health and success,” said Kerianne Lawson, Chief Programs Officer for BCHD. “BCHD is committed to providing programming that invests in the wellness of our youngest population and supporting those adults who are dedicated to seeing them thrive.”

The two series begin in mid-February and run for 10 weeks. Sessions are scheduled for Tuesdays or Thursdays from 9 – 10:30 a.m. at AdventurePlex, BCHD’s children’s play facility at 1701 Marine Avenue in Manhattan Beach (no classes are scheduled April 7 & 9). The cost for 10 classes is $400 per person and includes two free family days at AdventurePlex throughout the series.

Rollins, who will lead the sessions, has more than a decade of experience as a Child Behavior Specialist, and seeks to blend real-life parenting with her education in psychology and child development. In addition to her work and educational experience, she is a mother to three boys.

For more information, contact Happy Hill Kids at skye@happyhillkids.com or register at: https://ecom.roller.app/adventureplexmanhattanbeach/buynow/en-us/home.

Celebrating Sheri: Serving Community, Connecting People, Sharing Food

Written by Volunteer Spotlight Writer Kami Danaei

For Sheri Ward, volunteering isn’t just something she does, it’s how she builds community and turns a new place into home. When Sheri moved from Seattle and headed south in 2021, she was ready for a change. After visiting her brother, Randall and his family in Redondo Beach, the relocation felt easy. With the weather, laid-back atmosphere and proximity to the water, the Beach Cities quickly felt like home.

Not long after moving, Sheri began looking for ways to connect; an ad in the Easy Reader introducing Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) and its Moai opportunities caught her eye. Moais are small, purpose-driven social groups encouraged by the Blue Zones Project that help people build meaningful connections, something Sheri was eager to find in the Beach Cities. Sheri connected with Jackie Uy at BCHD to learn more and decided to join the restaurant Moai where she quickly formed connections that ultimately led her to volunteer as a Restaurant Ambassador. The role was a natural fit given Sheri’s long history of volunteering.

As a Restaurant Ambassador, Sheri works to encourage local restaurants and grocery stores to offer healthier food choices aligned with the Blue Zones healthy eating principles. Her work involves ensuring that participating restaurants continue to offer healthier menu options as a Blue Zone Approved Restaurant, as well as researching and connecting with potential new restaurants interested in providing healthier choices. “I like learning about the restaurants in our area,” Sheri shares. “It makes me feel more connected to the community.”

That sense of connection is something Sheri values deeply, and it’s also what she highlights when offering advice to prospective volunteers. She encourages others to get involved, noting that BCHD offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities that make it easy to meet people and find a role that’s a good match.

Sheri’s supervisor, Jackie Uy, sums it up best: “With her experience, sense of humor and commitment (once even joining a meeting from the airport), Sheri is an especially valuable member of the Restaurant Ambassador Committee.” Jackie also highlights Sheri’s willingness to jump in wherever help is needed, sharing, “I can always count on her help with onboarding new volunteers since she remembers what it was like to be a Blue Zones beginner,” and the initial information overload. As Jackie jokes, the Pacific Northwest may be known for wellness, but the Beach Cities became an even better Blue Zones community now that Sheri calls Redondo Beach home.

Outside of volunteering, Sheri keeps busy playing Mah Jongg, cheering on the Seattle Mariners, travelling (48 countries and counting) and cooking and entertaining friends. She’s also recently joined the King Harbor Yacht Club and is enjoying its many activities. Whether welcoming new volunteers or working alongside local restaurants, Sheri’s contributions help to bring the Blue Zones vision of healthier, more connected communities to life in the Beach Cities.

Backing off Pain with Three Simple Exercises

Are you struggling with low back pain? You’re not alone. Studies show that up to 84% of us will experience back pain at some point in our lives.

Beyond the physical discomfort, low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide. It can limit mobility, impact work and wages and make it harder to do the activities we love —whether that’s walking the dog, gardening, traveling, or keeping up with grandkids.

Does this mean we’re doomed to years of pain medications, cortisone injections, or even surgery to manage symptoms? Fortunately, no. Research shows that early, conservative care—like physical therapy—can reduce costs associated with traditional back pain interventions by up to 60%. Even more promising, a 2018 study published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science found that people who consistently performed the “McGill Big 3” exercises had reduced pain and improved function.

So, who is McGill and what are his “Big 3”?

Dr. Stuart McGill is  a leading expert on back pain. A retired professor at the University of Waterloo in Canada, he spent decades researching spine biomechanics and rehabilitation. His work highlights three simple exercises that, when performed consistently, can help build core strength and stability, reduce strain on the low back, and support everyday movement. Best of all, these exercises are easy to learn, require no equipment and can be done at home.

The McGill Big 3

1) Curl-Up

2) Side Plank

3) Bird Dog

For best results, aim to perform these exercises at least three times per week. Need help with form—or ready for a progression? Our personal trainers can help you move safely and confidently. Learn more by joining Small Group Training or scheduling an Equipment Orientation.

Call 310-374-3426, press option #7 and dial #8148 or stop by the front desk today.

A Note from our CEO – November 2025

Dear Beach Cities Resident, 

As we enter this season of gratitude, I want to share an update on our continued progress with the Healthy Living Campus. This week, our Board of Directors directed staff to move forward with MarVentures/Continental Development, aligning with our Advisory Working Group’s recommendation and authorizing us to enter into a Letter of Intent to finalize project details. This ground lease model, used successfully on our campus for 54 years, will help generate sustainable revenue to support community health programs.  

MarVentures/Continental Development’s local South Bay presence, strong partnerships, expanded memory care focus, open space and commitment to a 60-foot height limit reflect the priorities we’ve heard from the community. We will return to the Board in January with an update. More information about the Campus and the MarVentures proposal is included in this newsletter. 

As we look ahead, our team is also preparing for one of BCHD’s most meaningful traditions, assembling and delivering Holiday Gift Bags for 250 older adults and adults with disabilities. Now in its 27th year, this program provides much-needed household essentials, gift cards and holiday cheer to some of our most vulnerable members in our community. With Giving Tuesday just around the corner, we invite you to join our campaign at bchd.org/give to support this effort and help make the holidays brighter for our community members.  

I’m grateful for our Board, staff, partners, donors and volunteers who make our work possible. Thank you for all you do to create a healthy beach community. 

Best wishes to you and yours for a happy Thanksgiving. 

In health,  

Tom 

Beach Cities Health District Ranked #2 in Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work in 2025 

Honor marks 14th year BCHD has made the list 

REDONDO BEACH (November 3, 2025) – Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) has been ranked No. 2 among healthcare providers and insurers in Modern Healthcare’s 2025 Best Places to Work award program, and also ranked second in its “Family-friendliest places to work in healthcare” list. The complete list of this year’s rankings is available at https://www.modernhealthcare.com/bestplaceslist (subscription).  

This is the 14th year BCHD has made the list, and 13th in a row. The #2 ranking is their highest to date.  

“We are proud to foster a supportive and inclusive workplace centered on enhancing the health of Beach Cities residents,” said Tom Bakaly, CEO of BCHD. “Having a collaborative, engaged team has been key to our success, and at the same time, our employees can develop professionally and take steps to improve their mental health and physical health while helping community members do the same.”  

Modern Healthcare partnered with the Best Companies Group on its assessment process, which includes an extensive employee survey. While this program has evolved over the years, its mission remains the same: recognizing workplaces that empower employees to provide patients and customers the best possible care, products and services.  

Healthcare leaders have proven that creating nurturing, supportive workplaces for their most valuable asset, their employees, is vital. BCHD has achieved that by permitting employees to telecommute two days per week, even while many are community-facing and service-oriented. Most BCHD meetings offer a virtual option, providing further flexibility for staff, with wellness programs offered that prioritize mental, physical and social-emotional health. 

“We don’t want to lose our people, so we try to really work with staff when life happens,” said Megan Vixie, BCHD’s Chief Engagement Officer. “I tell my team, ‘Work will be here tomorrow, take care of what you need to take care of, and we will figure out a plan to support you.’”  

“Being recognized as a 2025 Best Place to Work in Healthcare is a powerful testament to how these organizations value their people,” said Dan Peres, President of Modern Healthcare. “In a time of constant change and challenge, this year’s winners have shown a deep commitment to creating environments where employees feel supported, heard, and inspired to do their best work. That kind of culture doesn’t happen by accident — it’s intentional, and it’s worth celebrating.” 

Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work in 2025 

muun chi is now Blue Zones Project Approved!

Health food store muun chi in Redondo Beach is the newest Blue Zones Project Approved™ business in the Beach Cities, providing its customers with a range of healthy, gut-friendly options including fermented foods, kefir and kvass.

muun chi, at 1951 Artesia Blvd. in Redondo Beach, joins Beach Cities Health District’s list of more than 100 Blue Zones Project businesses.

muun chi Founder Manette McDermott also crafts products containing prebiotics and probiotics with no refined sugars. muun chi’s focus on fermented foods stems from their belief that health begins in the gut. According to Health Journalist and Registered Nurse Elisabeth Almekinder, fermented foods have “have more good bacteria to improve your belly.”

Harvard Health explains the difference between the two, “Probiotics are live microorganisms that maintain or improve the balance of good to bad bacteria in your digestive system” while prebiotics “act as nutrition for gut bacteria, helping them to flourish.” Her delicious and nutritious creations are backed by McDermott’s background as a Health and Wellness Coach certified through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.

The CEO of muun chi, Bill McCalpin, shares Manette’s passion for not only holistic health, but sustainability as well. They have both gotten creative about incorporating byproducts that we would normally throw away like fruit peels or pulp and how to package their products sustainably. Once forgotten peels are fermented and used to spice up dishes like stir-fries or baked into a sweet treat. Products are stored for freshness in reusable glass jars, bottles and containers that must be returned to the store. This ingenious model not only reduces food waste and single-use plastics but has customers returning to restock their shelves. McCalpin claims that “their customers returned over 16,000 used muun chi containers last year and are on pace this year to reach 24,000 in 2025.”

For anyone thinking about taking steps to better their health, Bill McCalpin encourages people to eat “at least one fermented food per day.”

As part of their pledge to enhance the food environment, you can find out more about the health benefits of their many products outlined below:

When you stop by a grocery store, you will notice a counter separating you from the register. Bill shared that they asked the designer to get rid of their traditional notions of a typical grocery store or food retailer.

“We didn’t want anything separating us from helping the customer.”

Tailoring the experience to the customer has made all the difference. We are grateful to muun chi for their passion for the Blue Zones Project and their commitment to a healthy beach community.

Blue Zones Project Approved™ Grocery Stores encourage shoppers to stock their pantries with healthy essentials inspired by what people are eating around the world to live to 100.

Sources: