📬 Brad Waller — District 1 Newsletter — January 12, 2026

Hello everyone,

Last Wednesday, 103 neighbors showed up at the library to donate blood. One person told me it was their first time; they decided to try after seeing our Police Department's partnership with the Red Cross. Since the drive got more than 100 donations, we get to see the comedy stylings of Officer Kyle Lofstrom at Springfest this year! That's what I see over and over in District 1: people willing to show up and help out. It's moments like these that remind me why I do this work.

This week brings opportunities to advocate for smarter transit, discover native wildflowers with local naturalists, and see how public art is transforming our city. Here's what you need to know.

🚇 Your Voice Needed: Metro C-Line Extension

🔹 Metro's Board meets January 22nd to weigh options for extending the C-Line to Torrance. I'm advocating for the Hawthorne Boulevard route. It connects more residents to jobs, schools, and services while supporting our local businesses. We need Redondo Beach voices at that meeting.

→ 🎯 Why this matters: Transit decisions made now will shape our neighborhoods for decades. Hawthorne Blvd serves the most people and generates the least disruption during construction.

→ 🚌 Join the trip: Free buses leave from Redondo Beach Transit Center at 7:30 a.m. sharp on Thursday, January 22nd. Park for free at the transit center.
👉 RSVP for the bus to Metro Board Meeting

🎨 Sea Chatter: New Mural at Public Works HQ

🔹 Ernesto Maranje's "Sea Chatter" mural is now complete at Catalina and N. Gertruda. The piece celebrates the marine life that makes our waterfront so special—whale sharks, rays, and the ecosystem that thrives here. Our Cultural Arts Commission curated this project, the City Council voted unanimously to fund it, and the John Parsons Public Art Fund made it possible.

→ 💡 What this represents: Public art isn't decoration—it's a statement about who we are and what we value. Every city council before us that contributed to the Public Art Fund helped make this moment possible.

→ 🏛️ Behind the scenes: City staff executed this flawlessly, from permitting to final installation. It's the kind of collaboration that makes me proud to serve.

Stop by and see it yourself. The colors are even more vibrant in person!

🌿 Environment: Restoration Work You Can Join

🔹 South Bay Parkland Conservancy (SBPC) is leading restoration efforts across the Esplanade Bluffs and Wilderness Park. Native plants are being reintroduced, invasive species removed, and trails improved. It's slow work that pays off for generations.

→ ⚡ Why I support this: As someone who's served on environmental boards and watched our coastline evolve, I've seen firsthand how smart restoration protects property values, improves recreation, and safeguards ecosystems. This is the right investment.

🔹 Poppy Talk happens the first Monday of each month (next one: February 2nd, 8–9:30 a.m. at Klatch Coffee). It's a casual gathering where local naturalists and neighbors discuss native plants, seasonal blooms, and conservation efforts. Bring your questions—or just your curiosity.

👉 Learn about Esplanade Bluff restoration
👉 Learn about Wilderness Park restoration
👉 Explore SBPC volunteer opportunities

🩸 Last Week: Blood Drive Success

🔹 103 donors showed up to give blood on Wednesday, January 7th. The Redondo Beach Police Department partnered with the American Red Cross to host the drive at the library. Every donor was entered to win a trip to the Super Bowl, but honestly, the real win was seeing our community step up to save lives.

→ 🎯 My take: I've seen firsthand how partnerships between our police, local businesses, and nonprofits create real impact. This wasn't just a blood drive; it was a reminder of what's possible when we work together.

Officer Smiley even has a comedy debut planned for Springfest (April 16–19). Stay tuned.

🥕 Weekly Markets

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

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

📱 Access Redondo

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

Questions? Ideas? Something broken that needs fixing? Hit reply or grab the Access Redondo app—I track both. And if you want to make your voice heard on the C-Line route, that bus to the Metro Board meeting leaves at 7:30 a.m. on the 22nd. Worth the early wake-up!

More soon. See you out there.

"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