The City of Redondo Beach has a lot of history as one of the three communities that make up Southern California's South Bay--in fact, more than 100 years worth. Much of that history is reflected in some of the historic homes of Redondo Beach, incorporated in 1892, many of which were built just after the turn of the century and still stand today as a benchmark to the city's historic past.

Here's a look at several of the historic homes:

The Morrell House might be the most famous of the historic homes in Redondo Beach. Built in 1906 by Ed Morrell, a prominent entrepreneur, it was one of the first in Redondo Beach to have electricity and at 2,200 square feet was nearly twice as big as most houses in the city at that time.

The Queen Anne Cottage, circa 1904, now sits next to the Morrell House in Heritage Court within Dominquez Park and serves as the city's historical museum. The home was originally built at 318 S. Broadway and was slated for demolition in 1989 before it was acquired by the city and moved to its current location and later renovated.

The Sweetser House is one of the most recognized in Redondo Beach. Built in 1921 at a cost of just $5,000, the Colonial Revival home belonged to Chase and Lillian Sweetser and later Chase Jr., who served as president of Coca-Cola until 1961 and lived in the home until his death in 1987. The home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

To get a look at more of the historic homes, the City of Redondo Beach lists all of the properties designated as local landmarks, while the Redondo Beach Historical Society has been hosting yearly home tours since 1982. Visit their Facebook page for more information.

For years people have been talking about those small communities in lands far, far away with centenarians who live in abject poverty with little to no health care…yet, somehow they are the happiest and healthiest people on the planet. Some say these people are considered lucky, even chosen.

Whatever you would like to call them, we know better now. It is not so much the people themselves that are unique but its how they live their lives as a community that really makes the difference. We call these collections of healthy humans, Blue Zones. This is not just  your typical group of gym buffs and protein blasting iron pumpers, no. This is a movement of people dedicated to a simple yet satisfying lifestyle, that has proven to improve the quality and quantity of your life.

So what is the Blue Zone Project exactly? It’s a community wellness initiative designed to improve the health and well being of your community by permanently changing the environment, policies, and social networks to create a happier and healthier place to live.

You might say ‘this all sounds great but fundamentally changing your very way of life sounds downright impossible.’ You’d be surprised at how simple it is to change with these steps to success the Blue Zone mentors call, The Power 9. These are 9 ways to simplify your life while improving your health and wellness and its gaining traction everywhere. The South Bay was one of the first areas in California to adopt this initiative and as a result, many local communities are following in their footsteps, perhaps even in your local community.

If you like the idea of improving your health and the health of your local community, you can learn more about the initiative and sign up at the Blue Zone Project’s web site, take the pledge and move forward with becoming a happier and healthier individual while helping bring your community with you on the road to wellness.

If you want to track the progress of your local community, check out Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.

Staging your home and properly preparing your home for open houses can have a big impact on your final sale price. The goal of home staging is to present your property in the best light, while making it easy for potential buyers to envisions themselves living in the space. There are many expert home staging companies, but trying to choose one on your own can be a challenge. You want a professional stager whose work has proven results. Your local, experience real estate agent can recommend which stagers they use and can connect you with the best professionals for your home. Your real estate agent may also be a great referral source for other home maintenance professionals who can help you prepare your home for sale like the best contractors, plumbers, electricians and window washers.

Here are some home staging tips and ideas to get you started on making your house sell-ready:

Declutter Everwhere
And by declutter we mean move every single personal thing out of your place—knickknacks, kitschy decorations, souvenirs, tattered furniture. It all goes elsewhere for the sake of staging. When you look at knickknacks and collectibles you remember their sentimental value, but these items don't have the same impact on buyers who don't know you. Buyers want to be able to imagine themselves in your space and its easiest for that to happen if they don't see clothes in the closet, family photos and random tchotchkes.

Focus on Kitchens and Bathrooms
Your kitchen and bathrooms are key to the resale value of your home. Get these spaces thoroughly clean (maybe a maid service can go the extra mile here), expect prospective buyers to open cabinets and pantries so keep them under filled and organized, and think about how low cost upgrades could help these rooms. Maybe it's time for new cabinet knobs, new faucet fixtures or a new light. 

Knock Buyers' Socks off with Curb Appeal
Don't forget the exterior when staging your home. Replace any bad areas of grass with new sod. Add fresh top soil to flower beds. Consider potted plants for your porch or entrance. Trim bushes and trees to make your yard look neat and well maintained.

Grow your space with Mirrors
Well placed mirrors will make your living spaces look lighter, brighter and bigger just like magic. Put mirrors in places that help bounce sunlight around the walls.

Don't forget your table manners
Simply setting the table can have a big affect on buyers. Seeing a nicely set table makes potential home buyers feel welcome. Similar effects can be achieved by using non-scented candles throughout the home, hanging nice hand towels in the bathrooms, setting a breakfast tray on the bed or putting a nice book on the coffee table.

Play up Light
Open all window coverings all the way to allow people to better view your home in sunshine. Home buyers love big, bright rooms. Make sure your windows are clean inside and out and you've dusted your windowsills.

Last but not least, Clean, then clean some more
A sparkling clean house gives buyers the impression your home has been well-maintained over the years. Knock down cobwebs, wipe counter tops, scrub grout, mop floors, wash light fixtures and repeat. Keep the space fresh and clean until it sells; a one-time cleaning won't be enough. You may want to consider hiring a weekly cleaning service once your house is staged. If it shortens your selling time, it’s money well spent.

It wasn't all that long ago that the options for outdoor furniture pieces were limited, and many spent their leisure time at wood picnic tables and in rather uncomfortable chairs and loungers.

Thankfully, times have changed. Not only have patios, decks and courtyards become an extension of the home for many, there are more options for outdoor furniture than ever before. Outdoor furniture now comes in every material and color imaginable, with styles ranging from modern to classic, with new and innovative products always arriving. Not every piece empties your wallet, however, and there are numerous DIY options.

Here are seven ideas:

Day Beds and Benches
Whether you build them yourself or not, day beds and built-in benches can offer both space and comfort, as well as a place to stretch out. Plus, they create natural barriers and extra seating for guests. Better Homes and Gardens has some great examples.

Bring the Fire
If you don't have an outdoor fireplace, create a communal space with a fire pit or feature that draws everyone together. Fire pits and features can range from simple and inexpensive to extravagant projects, and come in every shape and size. Here's a gallery of ideas from DIY Network.

Swing Away
For an old-fashioned feel, swings are great for relaxing, can be hung anywhere and are a nice aesthetic. Get creative and hang a classic porch swing or day bed from a pergola, or even design an area with several swings around a fire pit like this example.

Party Coolers
What better way to keep guests refreshed? From stainless steel to charming wood barrels and wrought iron tubs, there are many options that can match your décor and keep guests outside and relaxed.

Serving it Up
Serving carts are a simple idea that make hosting, serving and storage convenient. Use them for drinks, to serve food, store condiments or for anything that needs to be close by and mobile. Here is a top 10 list from Elle Décor.

Bring the Light
Outdoor lighting and lamps can add the perfect ambiance to an outdoor space, and many options are inexpensive or DYI projects that will also bring personalized character. For ideas, check out these galleries at Curbly.com and Shelterness.com.

Think Custom
A customized table – whether its reclaimed pieces, something restored or a piece you built yourself – can add just the right amount of charm and serve as a conversation piece. Use as old farm table, a reclaimed industrial cart or an old door and add a flower box or fire feature for flair. Get design ideas at Houzz.com.

 Granite countertops are one of the hottest trends today in kitchen and bathroom remodeling. Why are they so popular? Granite counters are uniquely beautiful, incredibly resilient, and germ-resistant hygienic. They can also do wonders for your home's property value. Unfortunately for home owners, all of these great attributes typically come at a high cost. Here are four tips to more affordably get those beautiful granite countertops you've always wanted:

1. Buy online
Purchasing your granite countertops online online can help you source the absolute best price for that custom look you want in your kitchen. Online sellers are forced to align their prices to meet the many online competitors in the market, which give you tremendous bang for your buck. The one drawback to buying online is that photographs don't always do justice to the look, feel and color of the granite. Look for online sellers close to your hometown if you'd like to see the material in person before buying.

2. Choose a less popular color
The granite color you choose will greatly impact the design of your kitchen, and it will also impact the price. Tan, black and white granite all go for top dollar because neutrals are the most sought after. If you can make a less popular color work in your kitchen, you may benefit from a great deal on a more unique looking slab.

3. Avoid big box chain stores
If you go to one of the home improvement giants then prepare to pay the big bucks. Even if a slab is labeled as “on sale” it may still be priced well above what it can be found for at a wholesale warehouse  and you'll be missing out on a much larger selection since big box retailers typically only carry 10 to 20 different color configurations if you’re lucky.

4. Buy pre-fabricated granite
Here's a little secret that most granite installers don’t want you know about: it's called pre-fabricated granite and it is taking the kitchen world by storm. Pre-fab granite can provide the same quality Italian stone, a perfect fit for your kitchen, and the exact same durability for nearly half the cost. How, you ask? When you buy a traditional unfinished granite slab the installer not only has to cut the granite into the proper pieces to fit your kitchen but he also has to finish the edges. This labor costs you big bucks—the labor to install and finish can sometimes cost twice as much as the granite slab itself! Pre-fabricated Italian granite is typically shipped to China to be manufactured, so a huge percentage of the labor you would normally require for is absorbed into the cost of the pre-fabricated granite you purchase. All your installer has to do is pick up the granite from the supplier, take it to your home and do some basic dimension cuts. With the edges already neat and finished, the installation can be done in one day which saves you a TON of money. Even if you are working with strange dimensions in your kitchen or bathroom, there are now multiple widths and lengths of pre-fab granite up to 11ft long.

To the everyday wanderer, the Point Vicente Lighthouse provides an idyllic reference point along the Palos Verdes Peninsula. With beautiful walkways around the cliffs of Palos Verdes, the lighthouse is the perfect place to bring friends, family and even dogs (as long as they are on a leash).

The Point Vicente Lighthouse is also an important landmark for ships and pleasure craft. This station has been guiding vessels to and from the Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbors since March 1926. Today it is owned and operated by the United States Coast Guard. The Point Vicente Lighthouse is open for tours on the second Saturday of each month from 10am to 3pm PST.

The Interpretive Center stands adjacent to the lighthouse along the peninsula. The original building was opened in 1984 to present the history of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The now almost 10,000 square foot center re-opened in July 2006 features exhibits on the early inhabitants of Palos Verdes and the local sea life, with emphasis on the Pacific gray whale. With its prime location, the Interpretive Center is a premier whale watching site during the annual migration of the Pacific gray whale, from December through April. The museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm, and park grounds are open until dusk.

Take this opportunity to see the picturesque view of a lighthouse on a cliff surrounded by palm trees with Catalina Island as a backdrop, and bring your camera!

Check their website http://vicentelight.org/ for more information.

Seriously, when it comes to ice cream and gelato, there’s nothing better than a hot spot to cool down. For those in the South Bay area, a few established neighborhood spots are the heavy favorites. While there's not a lot to dislike about ice cream or gelato, options certainly help, and these favorites pretty much have it all. Here's a short list:

Yelpers love Handel's Homemade Ice Cream and Yogurt in Redondo Beach, which earned 4.5 stars in 375 reviews. This place is popular -- it's been open since 1945 -- so expect long lines, but with Banana Cream Pie, Graham Central Station and Blueberry Cheesecake Chunk among the 100-plus ice cream flavors, it's tough to go wrong.

For gelato lovers, Paciugo Gelato Caffe in Hermosa Beach has become a neighborhood favorite since opening in 2008. A block from the beach, this chain – there are only three locations in SoCal -- has more than 300 flavors of gelato and sorbet to choose from and features about 32 each day.

Manhattan Beach Creamery is a quaint setting also located steps from the beach and offers 28 flavors daily, plus other flavors not currently in rotation in a pint freezer. All of the ice cream here is made by hand, and among other ice cream-related menu items, the cream'wich is a house favorite.

For those who are health-conscious but still want the satisfaction gelato, try 22 Degrees in Redondo Beach. Described as the nation's first prebiotic gelato, this version offers no corn syrup, preservatives, gluten or artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors. With 80-plus flavors made from scratch in-house choose from, it's no wonder 22 Degrees gets a lot of publicity.

A mainstay of the Redondo Beach community, Veterans Park is an oceanfront relaxation space that is enjoyed throughout the year by locals for community events.

Veterans Park, located just south of the Redondo Beach Pier, is home to the Veterans Park Community Center, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a popular host for weddings, banquets and special events. Many other community events take place at this park, from activities at the Veterans Park Senior Center to the Redondo Beach Farmer's Market every Thursday.

The park is spread out over 6.3 grassy acres with ocean views, featuring vast areas for picnics, mature shade trees, a band stand for small concerts and a play area for kids, with plenty of equipment and a sand area. Because of the stunning views, you will often see photo shoots and camera crews filing at Veterans Park.

Beach access is just a staircase away at Veterans Park, making it a popular destination for local scuba divers and classes alike, as it is known as one of the easiest shore dives in California.

For more information, including an interactive map, visit the City of Redondo Beach website.
 

Let's face it, moving isn't always a great experience. It can be stressful, time-consuming and irritating. But with a little planning and preparation, it really is possible to reduce your stress and save a little sanity.

Whether you're moving just yourself across town or packing up an entire family for a cross-country move, you can make it easier on yourself with a few helpful tips:

Tips for stress-free packing

• As obvious as it sounds, pack as much as you can ahead of time, saving yourself stress on moving day by packing items like out-of-season clothes and cookware in advance.
  
• If you don't use it, don't bring it. Make your move simpler by leaving behind items in the garage, attic and basement you haven't used in more than a year.
  
• Keep valuable possessions, computer files and paperwork with you at all times, using a lockbox for items you won't need right away.
  
• Utilize wardrobe boxes for your clothes and hangars, which are also great for comforters, blankets and pillows.
  
• Pack smart and systematically by putting things in the same room together in the same boxes, along with any accessories, and label what each box contains and what room it belongs.
  

Tips for hiring movers:

• Research companies by getting recommendations from people you know, and go online for an initial screening of customer reviews.
  
• Once you have narrowed your choices, get several estimates by having moving consultants come to your home. Don't get estimates over the phone.
  
• Review the estimates carefully and make sure they are a "written binding estimate". Compare the bids to see why some are high and others are low.
  
• Review the contract and make sure you understand everything in the agreement before you sign it. Take your time and ask questions rates, charges, liability and dates. Know whether it is binding or non-binding.
  
• Ensure your preferred company has the license and insurance it needs on safersys.org. Ask about the company's U.S. DOT number and research complaint histories at protectyourmove.gov.
  

Tips for moving yourself

• Have the packing finished before you start moving it. When the friends you have recruited arrive, having packing left to do only slows the process.
  
• Renting the right truck, trailer or van is essential. Don't get caught with too much or too little space than you need or get something you're not comfortable driving or pulling. Rent in advance to save.
  
• Utilize tools that will make the whole process easier like mattress bags, furniture covers, furniture pads, forearm lifts and hand trucks. They are often worth the price.
  
• Give yourself extra time. The need to rush will only make moving more stressful, so schedule an extra day for things you can't control, like traffic, parking problems or rental issues.
  
• Pack the truck smartly, using straps and furniture pads to make sure everything is tight and secure. Inevitably, your items will shift during the move. Keep valuable possessions and fragile items with you in a separate car if possible.
  

Grab your reusable bags and head over to what some folks call "The Best Farmers' Market in the South Bay!"

Open twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 8am to 1pm, the Torrance Farmer's Market invites you to sample top quality produce brought in each week direct from 60 California farms! The market features a year-round selection of California grown fruits, nuts, vegetables, eggs, honey, baked goods, fish, cut flowers and nursery stock. You'll also find delicious goodies and a variety of ethnic cuisines from local vendors including Thai Tiffany, Bistro Laurent, The Bread Man and more.

Yelp users rave about the Torrance Farmer's market:

"The best farmers market in LA, hands down. I have been to the majority of the markets in the southbay and westside and this is the best. It has great vendors, especially those who grow extremely unique heirloom varieties that cannot be found elsewhere. In addition, they have fabulous pre-made food stands such as Afgani, Korean, Greek, Mediterranean, and Italian. This market also is one of the few places that carries raw cream/milk and bison. I cannot say more positive things about this market! LOVE!"

Pro-tip: Locals say the market gets busier on Saturdays, so if you have time mid-week parking and visiting may be less of a hassle on Tuesdays!

Torrance Farmers' Market
Tuesdays and Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Charles H. Wilson Park
2200 Crenshaw Blvd. (between Sepulveda Blvd. and Carson St.)