Sunrise Senior Living Signs Letter of Intent with BCHD for Redevelopment of Redondo Beach Campus

Senior Residential Facilities become focus of campus redevelopment, with new amenities, supporting community health programs in the Beach Cities

REDONDO BEACH, Calif. (March 20, 2026) — Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) and Sunrise Senior Living (Sunrise) have signed a Letter of Intent to pursue a ground lease for the redevelopment of the former South Bay Hospital site at 514 North Prospect Avenue in Redondo Beach.

BCHD started to look at redeveloping the former South Bay Hospital site to address seismic safety concerns and to create a long-term, stable source of revenue to support its free and low-cost health programs and services for the community.

The proposed project includes new residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFE), offering up to 217 units of memory care, assisted living and independent living, along with a range of community focused amenities, including publicly-accessible green space, a walking loop, wellness programming, a multi-purpose community room and more. Final project details will be determined as BCHD and Sunrise work toward finalizing the ground lease.

The process for BCHD’s Letter of Intent with Sunrise began last November, when the BCHD Board granted CEO Tom Bakaly the authority to negotiate with three developers, with the goal of having a signed letter within six months.

Last year, BCHD established an Advisory Working Group, comprised of residents, staff and a BCHD Board Member, to review submissions, and they narrowed the original field of 12 submissions to the three finalists. A subsequent round of review and financial analysis by the working group was completed earlier this month, and deemed the Sunrise proposal to now be the best fit with BCHD’s mission and the project’s guiding pillars of health, livability and community, while also being seen as the most likely plan to succeed.

“The Advisory Working Group has spent many, many hours going through proposals and making sure they align with our criteria,” said Bakaly. “They have worked hard to ensure the plan addresses the seismic issues with the current building, while being prepared to meet our community’s health needs well into the future.”

BCHD’s plans for a ground lease model will keep the land publicly owned while partnering with Sunrise to bring a RCFE and other health-related services to its campus. This proven approach has successfully generated revenue for BCHD programs and services for 55 years, creating sustainable funding to support health and wellness programs and ensuring the campus continues to serve the community for years to come.

“Sunrise Senior Living is proud to have partnered with Beach Cities Health District for more than 25 years, and we’re excited to continue building on that strong foundation,” said Philip Kroskin, Head of Real Estate for Sunrise. “Together, we share a commitment to supporting healthier, more connected communities, and we look forward to expanding that impact through a thoughtfully designed environment that supports senior wellness and engagement.”

Bakaly executed the non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with Sunrise on March 18. That LOI has an expiration date of May 29 of this year. The health district is preparing an addendum to the project’s Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that summarizes the revised project in the context of the plan that was evaluated in the EIR, which was completed and approved in 2021. Since this revised project is smaller and shorter in duration than what was evaluated in the EIR, new or more severe environmental impacts are not expected.

The Letter of Intent with Sunrise will be an informational item at the next BCHD Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m.

At its May meeting, the BCHD Board is expected to formally review the LOI and consider approving a land lease agreement with Sunrise. If the lease agreement is approved, BCHD will provide Silverado – which currently operates a memory care facility on BCHD’s campus – with one year’s notice to vacate the building. As a condition of that notice and consistent with Silverado’s current lease, there will be no lease payments paid by Silverado to BCHD for one year. This transition period is included in the lease to ensure families would have sufficient time to relocate should the lease end.

“We are proud of our partnership with Silverado over the 20 years and will continue to collaborate closely during this transition,” said Bakaly. “Residents and their families will have a year to explore their options, and our Community Services team will be available to support Silverado residents through the process and serve as a resource for families.”

BCHD Campus Redevelopment Features:

Daily Breeze: 152 L.A. County middle and high schools among 2026 California Distinguished Schools

By Holly Andres | handres@scng.com | Daily News

The California Department of Education has announced 152 middle and high schools in Los Angeles County as 2026 California Distinguished Schools. The schools are part of the 408 statewide middle and high schools to achieve the designation.

The middle and high schools were evaluated through information from the 2025 California School Dashboard https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/cm/index.asp

The 2026 California Distinguished Schools recognition program aims to recognize exemplary instructional programs throughout California public schools, the largest public school system in the United States.

Congratulations to Adams Middle School in Redondo Beach for being named a California Distinguished School.

To read the article at DailyBreeze.com, click here.

The complete statewide list of middle and high schools to be designated as 2026 California Distinguished Schools: https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr26/yr26rel12.asp

VIEW THIS DAILY BREEZE ARTICLE HERE

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 Annual Gallup 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