📬 Brad Waller — District 1 Newsletter — February 2, 2026

Neighbors,

This morning, a mural of marine life was officially unveiled at the corner of Catalina and N. Gertruda—the same spot I drove past for years thinking "that wall could use some life." Today it gets it.

But this first day of February also marks something bigger: the start of Black History Month's centennial. One hundred years ago, historian Carter G. Woodson established what was then "Negro History Week" to ensure that Black Americans' contributions to our nation wouldn't be erased from the story. A century later, that work isn't finished—but it's deeper, broader, and more embedded in how we understand ourselves as a country. I'll share some ways to engage this month, both locally and across LA.

It's also the first Monday of February, which means Poppy Talk just happened at Klatch Coffee, tomorrow night brings a packed City Council agenda with revenue discussions and regional housing proposals, and finally, my community meeting will be on Saturday at 9:30 am at the Alta Vista Community Center. Let's get into it.

✊ Black History Month: A Centennial to Honor

🔹 February 2026 marks 100 years since Carter G. Woodson launched the first formal commemoration of Black history in America. This year's theme, "A Century of Black History Commemorations," invites us to reflect not just on the history itself, but on the ongoing work of making sure that history is taught, preserved, and honored.

→ 💡 Why this matters locally: The South Bay has always been shaped by the people who call it home—including the Black families, entrepreneurs, artists, and civic leaders who've contributed to our communities for generations. Recognizing that history isn't separate from recognizing our neighbors.

Here are a few ways to engage this month:

🔹 Pan African Film & Arts Festival — Feb 9–16 The nation's largest Black film festival returns to LA with screenings, panels, and art exhibits at The Culver Theater and Baldwin Hills. A world-class lineup and a short drive from Redondo Beach.
👉 Learn more at PAFF.org

🔹 LA Black History Month Festival — Saturday, Feb 21 A full-day celebration at La Brea Tar Pits featuring live music, food vendors, a health fair, and family activities from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free and open to the public.
👉 Event details

🔹 California African American Museum (CAAM) Free admission year-round. Currently featuring "World Without End: The George Washington Carver Project," exploring Carver's art and sustainable agriculture innovations. A great destination for families.
👉 Visit CAAM

🎨 Sea Chatter Mural Dedication: Today at Noon

🔹 The official dedication ceremony for "Sea Chatter" happened today, Monday, February 2nd at 12:00 p.m. at the Public Works building (Catalina & N. Gertruda). Artist Ernesto Maranje's mural has been up for a few weeks now, but today we formally celebrated its addition to Redondo Beach's public art collection.
👉 See the mural

→ 🎯 My take: The colors are striking, and it's become a quick landmark in that part of town. Public art signals investment. It tells people this neighborhood matters.
👉 Learn about Redondo Beach public art

🏛️ City Council Preview: Tuesday, February 3

🔹 Tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m., Council tackles a full agenda—including discussions that could shape city finances and regional housing strategy for years to come. Here's what I'm watching:

→ ⚡ Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) & Utility Users Tax (UUT): We'll be reviewing proposed ballot measure language for the city's hotel tax rate, along with a potential update to the Utility Users Tax ordinance. These are revenue tools that affect city services, and I want to make sure we understand the tradeoffs before anything goes to voters.

→ 🏘️ South Bay Regional Housing Trust: The SBCCOG has proposed forming a regional housing trust fund to pool resources for affordable housing across the South Bay. We'll also consider an amendment to the SBCCOG joint powers agreement. Regional collaboration makes sense when cities face shared challenges.

→ 📊 Records Digitization Update: Staff will report on the city's progress in digitizing records and modernizing operational practices. As someone who spent decades in tech, I appreciate that good systems aren't glamorous—but they're essential for efficiency and transparency.

👉 View the City Council calendar

🌿 Poppy Talk: This Morning at Klatch

🔹 It's the first Monday of the month, which means Poppy Talk happened this morning from 8:00–9:30 a.m. at Klatch Coffee. Local naturalists gathered to discuss native plants, seasonal blooms, and conservation efforts across our coastal environment. Next month, come to the next one, and bring your questions—or just your curiosity and a coffee order.

📅 Looking Ahead

 First Saturday Sweep — Keep the Esplanade Beautiful: Gloves on, bags out — a one-hour coastal clean-up that makes a visible difference. They will supply everything you need. Sat, February 7, 9:00 a.m. | Esplanade & Ave I
  Join the 1st Saturday Sweep

🔹 Super Bowl Sunday Race — Sunday, February 8. Redondo Beach's annual pre-game tradition returns to the Harbor. A great way to earn those game-day calories before kickoff.
  Sign Up Today!

🔹 District 1 Community Meeting — Saturday, February 14, 9:30–10:30 a.m. Join me at the Alta Vista Community Center to talk about what's happening in our district. Bring your questions, your concerns, or just drop in to say hello. Valentine's Day bonus: I promise not to hand out conversation hearts.

🔹 Spring Class & Summer Camp Registration — Monday, February 23. Redondo Beach residents get first access to sign up for spring recreation classes and summer camps through Community Services. Non-residents can register starting March 2.
👉 View classes and activities

🔹 BeachLife Festival — May 1–3, 2026. Still a few months out, but the lineup keeps getting better: Duran Duran and The Chainsmokers on Friday; The Offspring, Joan Jett, and Switchfoot on Saturday; James Taylor, My Morning Jacket, and Sheryl Crow closing Sunday. Three days of music right on our waterfront.
👉 Follow BeachLife Festival (Instagram)

🥕 Weekly Markets

Farmers' Market by the Pier (Veterans Park) — Thursdays, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. 309 Esplanade.
👉 Read more

Riviera Village Farmers Market — Sundays, 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Triangle Lot, 1801 S. Elena Ave.
👉 Read more

📱 Access Redondo

Do you have a problem or need to report an issue to the city? Use the Access Redondo App.
👉 Download App

February starts with art on a wall, history and American heroes worth honoring year-round, revenue decisions on the docket, and neighbors gathering over coffee to talk native plants. That's the mix I love about this work—the big-picture questions alongside the small moments that make a neighborhood feel like home.

Got thoughts on the TOT discussion or the regional housing proposal? Want to share something you'd like me to raise at a community meeting? Hit reply—I read every message.

See you around the neighborhood.

"I believe progress isn't one headline — it's how we treat each other at games, how we welcome visitors to our beach, and how we keep showing up for small, unglamorous work. Thanks for doing that work with me. 🤝"

Brad Waller
City Council Member, Redondo Beach
brad.waller@redondo.org