AA Learn more about in-home care options for your loved ones

Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Personal Care Consultation

×
TESTIMONIALS

“I highly recommend Always Best Care for every aspect from the ones seeking care for a loved one or themselves, all the way to the ones seeking an opportunity to care for a senior. I personally worked for ABC, and throughout my years with them I had the pleasure of interacting with the seniors as well as with the amazing caregivers. From the stories of a much more simpler time in the elders life to the reasons from a caregiver wanting to truly care for the seniors. (Most reasons are personal to them that have impacted their life and heart). This is truly a caring company with exceptional professional staff. It's hard to find a company that demonstrates both of those traits....”

Christina H.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care absolutely saved us when my father needed immediate assistance. Maria and team were extremely compassionate, responsive, informative and truly wanted us to feel comfortable with every small detail. The caretakers were all amazing and dependable. I truly cannot say enough positive things about the level of service provided by ABC as they helped us navigate this truly impossible time.”

Sascha B.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I cannot say enough good things about Always Best Care in the South Bay. I was lucky to be referred to ABC when my Father suddenly needed in-home care several years ago and I hired ABC again a few months ago when my friend needed in-home care. The learning curve is steep when a family member is no longer independent. Having reliable, caring and professional caregivers is invaluable in getting through these challenges. Hiring the caregivers from ABC allowed me to be the "daughter" again. I absolutely could not have cared for my beloved Father or my dear friend without ABC by my side!”

Marta P.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care agency has been wonderful to work with. The caregivers they have provided to stay with my dear friend, who has dementia, have been outstanding. My husband, an MD, and I, an RN, have rather high standards and have found all of the caregivers to be professional, caring and extremely reliable (24/7 care in this case) They go above and beyond expectations. I have felt safe with the caregivers,as they are also down-to-earth; caring people. Dr. David Hart is the main point person in this family-run agency and he is not only a very caring person, he is extremely intelligent in his communication, yet very down-to earth at the same time. He is responsive to any issues that arise immediately…not only for the client, but also to his caregivers, who he genuinely cares about. That is perhaps why he attracts and retains such stellar employees, We feel very lucky to have found ABC Senior Care services. Ilene Watson, RN and Dr. Walter Watson,MD, Manhattan Beach, CA”

Ilene P.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“The senior in-home care was top notch. The caregivers were caring, comforting, and always available even with our requested schedule changes. Definitely would recommend to others in our family.”

D H.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I attended the free family caregivers seminar presented by Dr. David Hart. The seminar was both informative and practical. Dr. Hart is very knowledgeable and practical as he cared for his grandmother with Alzheimers. He is an unusually caring person who is very approachable. I am grateful to know him and to know he is available whenever he might be needed.”

Ruth O.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Dr David Hart has given me security to know that I can do it. He has such a caring and approachable demeanor. I feel I can call on him at any time for help with either one of us. Thank heavens he came along in our lives.”

Laurie D.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“My experience with ABC Senior Services has been uniformly positive, starting with participation in their Memory Club several years ago. My wife has Alzheimer's and the challenges are severe. ABC, notably Dr. David Hart, has been a terrific source of support and advice. They take the time to understand your individual needs and circumstances. This is a great resource for those of us in the South Bay.”

Joel T.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“This is a long overdue review and endorsement of Always Best Care-Torrance. My family is forever grateful for all the care given to my father for more than four years. From our initial meeting with Carrie and David to selecting the most wonderful caregiver that was with Dad to the end of his days. The love and support from everyone at ABC was so appreciated especially during some very difficult times. May God bless you always - You are truly special angels. Thank you all!”

Don V.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I attended one of their monthly caregiver essentials workshop and found it incredibly informative. I now have a much better understanding of the disease progression, and have walked away with so many helpful resources. Attending made me aware that I do not have to struggle alone through this, there are support groups and resources available to assist me. Dr. David Hart is a compassionate person who is genuinely willing to help others navigate the path of caring for a loved one with dementia.”

RENEE B.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Carrie, David, and their team are terrific to work with. Carrie has been a lifesaver by helping us to quickly find a wonderful 24/7 board and care facility for our loved one who is suffering from both advanced dementia and a broken, severe arthritic neck. They have provided very capable temporary care givers to us to help with taking our loved one to doctor's appointments and during the time our loved one was being treated in the hospital. David has thoroughly educated us on all aspects of dementia and counseled the family members to help sort out their emotions during these difficult times. We strongly recommend Always Best Care South Bay to anyone needing advise, help, and services to find care facilities, care givers, and/or counseling.”

Raoul G.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“From the moment I first spoke to Mark Wecker at Always Best Care, he was kind, caring and extremely knowledgeable. He made sure to ask all the right questions to help my siblings and me find the perfect place for our father who had very advanced Parkinson's Disease. He took us to places that fit the high quality we were looking for and in our budget range. Mark showed genuine concern for us and my father. And he helped us navigate through a challenging situation. We made a great decision based on his expert advice. Unfortunately, my father passed away before we could bring him to LA. But I will always be grateful for the detailed attention we received from Mark and Always Best Care.”

Batsheva F.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“My son and I have received family counseling from Dr. Hart for nearly two years. We both suffer from PTSD, among other mental disabilities, and have been seen by a number of therapists over the years. We have found Dr. Hart’s care to be among the most helpful. He is kind, understanding, and patient. Rather than employing long term, traditional psychotherapy or other limited methods exclusively, he uses different approaches to break through a person’s natural resistance. He suggests interpretations of feelings and actions, asks questions that show real insight, and then gives practical and usually appropriate advice that can be accepted or discussed further. He has treated us with respect and even with a non-intrusive, kind of professional affection. We would recommend him to friends and family without hesitation.”

Andrew L.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I'm glad I attended Dr. Hart's caregiver support workshop which focused on Alzheimer's disease. I knew then Always Best Care would be the right agency to handle my Dad's care. From the beginning to the end the staff were professional and courteous. My dad unfortunately decided to end services because of his stubbornness. Mark was understanding and expressed his concern for my Dad's wellbeing. He didn't push for us to continue services. I would work with ABC again if my father agrees to resume services. They definitely have your loved ones best interest in mind.”

G S.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Experienced people, excellent service.”

Elsie M.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Dr. David Hart for your elder-care needs. Dr. Hart is an incredibly knowledgeable and caring person who helped our family beyond measure to provide the best level of care for our mother who has Alzheimer's Disease. We engaged Dr. Hart to 1) conduct his own periodic assessments of our mother; 2) create a forum for our broader family, including our mom, to communicate and ask questions; 3) provide training and resources; and 4) help our family evaluate and implement an interim and long-term care plan for our mother. DR. HART EXCEEDED OUR EXPECTATIONS ON EVERY LEVEL. Prior to meeting Dr. Hart we had received a lot of conflicting information and our broader family was experiencing a very high level of stress and frustration. Thankfully, after engaging with Dr. Hart for several months, our family became knowledgeable, we communicated well with each other, and we just implemented a long-term care plan that addresses all of our mom's needs and one that she really enjoys. DR. HART IS THE BEST AND HE TRULY CARES ABOUT HIS PATIENTS AND THE FAMILIES HE WORKS WITH. Thank you Dr. Hart for all of you have done for our family. Words cannot express our gratitude.”

chris B.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Dr Hart knows so much about dealing with issues that Alzheimer's creates for those who have the disease as well as those of us who are caretakers.”

Kaye T.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Best in home care company in the South Bay & LA”

Michelle P.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Mark Wecker provided us with invaluable help both in terms of finding appropriate board &scare homes for our loved one, and explaining how this whole senior placement business works. It turns out we were quite naïve about it being a "service" as it is very territorial! That made us all the more impressed with Mark's unselfish and caring approach to helping us meet our needs. He also took time to really listen to our criteria, asked great questions when he accompanied us to look at the homes, and only showed us places that met our standards. We recommend him highly to anyone!”

Ramona P.
×
TESTIMONIALS

““ I have been very happy with the excellent professional and loving care services ABC has provided for Kathleen who suffers from Alzheimer’s Dementia and the Andreoli family who cares for her. ABC is a full service provider that has also offered free seminars, consultation and information to me and my daughter who are Kathleen’s primary care takers. These have helped us greatly in this daunting task. THANK YOU – Leo Andreoli, Torrance, CA””

Leo A.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“My widowed 80-year-old mother who has Alzheimer's disease has been living alone for 3 years. She has been extremely resistant to having caregivers in her home and my brother and I had all but given up. We have been amazed at the progress we've made since enlisting the help of Dr. David Hart at Always Best Care. In a little over a month, Mom has accepted a caregiver and is considering a move to an assisted living facility. Equally important, the support and assistance we have received in making both large and small decisions has been invaluable and a huge relief. I also highly recommend the Caregiving Essentials class taught by Dr. Hart, which covers everything you need to know in a single 3-1/2 hour "bootcamp" session, including brain science, communication tips, and resources. (GPS shoe insert, who knew?!) The class would benefit anyone who has a friend or family member suffering from dementia.”

Linda S.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I want to express how helpful Mark Wecker was to me and my family as we were looking for a place for my father to live. We needed to quickly move him from Kansas City to Los Angeles. Mark spent time with us to hear our needs and then appropriately guide us through this new challenging stage in our lives. His advice and dedicated time was so valuable and personable to us, I don't how we would have managed without him. Thank you again, Mark!”

David H.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Thankful and grateful don’t seem quite good enough to express how I feel about Always Best Care South Bay and all the good work they do. They offer a support group run by Dr. David Hart. That group was my lifeline while I was caring for my husband. When it came time to place him in a memory care facility, they assisted me with that decision also. Dr. Hart and his team are extremely knowledgeable, always professional but most of all genuinely caring.”

Ann W.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“The attitude and professionalism of the management of a company is especially important in the field of elder care. I can think of no better way to express my experience with Always Best Care then to say the management and their hands on approach with the care givers they hire is 5 stars”

John D.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Its always a pleasure working with a team that has their hearts and minds on the patient’s wellbeing. ABC is the way to go.”

David S.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Always best care saved my life they have a great staff ready to assist 24/7 always available and reliable I highly recommend Always best care.”

Jennifer B.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“This company is very professional. All the staff is very experenced. They provide top notch care..The caregivers are also so professional on time and experenced.”

Christina 3.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Very professional staff. Also my caregiver was awesome”

Atom F.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Best In Home Care Company in the Southbay”

mpalacio
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Helpful, compassionate, and always available to assist. I appreciate Always Best Care so much!”

ashaon
×
TESTIMONIALS

“The staff are friendly and professional every step of the way.”

JG B.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Mark Wecker provided us with invaluable help both in terms of finding appropriate board &scare homes for our loved one, and explaining how this whole senior placement business works. It turns out we were quite naïve about it being a "service" as it is very territorial! That made us all the more impressed with Mark's unselfish and caring approach to helping us meet our needs. He also took time to really listen to our criteria, asked great questions when he accompanied us to look at the homes, and only showed us places that met our standards. We recommend him highly to anyone!”

Jack P.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Dr. Hart has been of monumental assistance to our family during a very difficult time. We first learned of Dr. David’s practice when mom was first diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). His support groups for families and patients offered comfort and practical advice from others going through the same experience. He provided essential information—facts about dementia and lifestyle changes to slow the process—based on the latest research findings, sparing us the time and frustration of navigating the web and sorting facts from myths. But most important to me has been the emotional support Dr. David has personally provided to my sister and I, and the trusting relationship he established with mom. His professional empathy and experience with human behavior as well as his expertise in the field of geriatrics and cognition combine to provide an array of servicesthat will truly make the difference toward a successful transition for elders and their families. I could not recommend Dr. Hart more highly!”

Eileen S.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Over the last five years always best care has provided Home Care to several of my patients. I appreciate their case management did they include with their service. The patients and families have been very happy with the caregivers. Several have been able to take advantage of the driving service. I have referred numerous people to their caregiving course that is offered monthly.”

nancy G.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I want to let you know how fortunate I feel that our lives intersected with your company and with those who work there. When I realized that we would be needing a company that provided caring care-providing services, I was hoping and praying that I would find a company like yours. We could not have asked for better with the service Always Best Care provided. Even when the chemistry and/or the timing wasn't quite right, adjustments were made and reasonably so. Carrie, that introductory talk you and I first had and why you started ABC -- I want to let you know that what you created and why you created it is evident. Some of Dad's caregivers go the extra mile and above and beyond and really give of themselves. They are really top notch people. I have heartfelt gratitude for your company and for your employees who cared for my dad during our time of need. Thank you not only for providing the service that your company does, but also and in particular, for the high quality of the service that some of your employees provided.”

Ky S.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I am so very fortunate to be a part of a professional, caring and supportive company. We are all family here trying our very best to be a family for all the clients we work with. Our caregivers and staff try our best to help those families in need live a peacefully, fulfilling and loving life. If you want to have a dependable, reliable and gratifying career come and work with Always Best Care South Bay!!”

Julie M.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I've worked for four agencies over the last 16 years but this is the best by far! Personable, supportive, compassionate, knowledgeable, and the greatest staff!”

Debora A.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Great place to work”

Ruby J.
 In-Home Care Hermosa Beach, CA

How does In-home Senior Care in Hermosa Beach, CA work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

Request More Informationright-arrow-light
 Senior Care Hermosa Beach, CA

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

Comfort
Comfort

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them? A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Hermosa Beach, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors. Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

Independence
Independence

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like an assisted living community. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care in Hermosa Beach, CA gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Aid and Attendance benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.


Respite Care Hermosa Beach, CA

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Hermosa Beach,CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

 Caregivers Hermosa Beach, CA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

An assessment of your senior loved one

01

An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

02

Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

03

Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

Latest News in Hermosa Beach, CA

Local Business Spotlight The Rockefeller

Started in 2010 by two South Bay locals, The Rockefeller has expanded to all 3 Beach Cities serving homemade Gastropub cuisine.Patch Spotlights, Brand Partner|Updated Fri, Sep 29, 2023 at 6:08 am PTThis Patch article is sponsored by The Rockefeller.Local businesses are the heart of our communities. Patch had a chance to talk with Chris Bredesen, Managing Partner, of ...

Started in 2010 by two South Bay locals, The Rockefeller has expanded to all 3 Beach Cities serving homemade Gastropub cuisine.

Patch Spotlights, Brand Partner

|Updated Fri, Sep 29, 2023 at 6:08 am PT

This Patch article is sponsored by The Rockefeller.

Local businesses are the heart of our communities. Patch had a chance to talk with Chris Bredesen, Managing Partner, of The Rockefeller.

Patch: Tell us a bit about your business or organization: Chris Bredesen: The Rockefeller Started in 2010 by two South Bay locals, The Rockefeller has expanded to all 3 Beach Cities with the goal of serving homemade Gastropub cuisine in a upscale atmosphere with friendly local service. We are here to make our communities a better place.

Patch: How long have you been doing business in town?Chris Bredesen: We opened our Hermosa Location in 2010, then expanded to Manhattan Beach in 2014 and finally opened our Redondo Beach location in 2017.

Patch: What attracted you to the line of work you’re in, and how did you get started?Chris Bredesen: I began in the hospitality industry probably due to that fact that my father was a Burger King franchisee for over 30 years. I remember being in his locations and picking up trash, thinking a clean restaurant is good for business at 10 years old.

Find out what's happening in Hermosa Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Patch: What's the most common piece of advice you give to customers?Chris Bredesen: If you stay focused, good things will happen.

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part of your job?Chris Bredesen: Watching people have a good time. People are not just paying for food and drinks, but also for a clean and fun atmosphere.

Patch: How would you say your business or organization distinguishes itself from the others?Chris Bredesen: I would say that The Rockefeller is known for good food and drinks in a clean and elevated atmosphere. We make a big effort, and I believe our customers recognize that.

Theo Brunner wins third AVP Hermosa title; Quiggle-Schermerhorn break through

HERMOSA BEACH, Ca. — Trevor Crabb doesn’t do guarantees anymore. After a spur-of-the-moment, poorly-planned guarantee heading into the 2022 Atlanta Gold Series — which followed, of course, a third consecutive guarantee come true with a win in Fort Lauderdale — Crabb retired from the guarantee game. In the lead-up to this weekend’s AVP Hermosa Beach Open, however, he did offer up a prediction, which is sort of the politically correct version of a guarantee.“I’m predicting a Crabb vs. Crabb fina...

HERMOSA BEACH, Ca. — Trevor Crabb doesn’t do guarantees anymore. After a spur-of-the-moment, poorly-planned guarantee heading into the 2022 Atlanta Gold Series — which followed, of course, a third consecutive guarantee come true with a win in Fort Lauderdale — Crabb retired from the guarantee game. In the lead-up to this weekend’s AVP Hermosa Beach Open, however, he did offer up a prediction, which is sort of the politically correct version of a guarantee.

“I’m predicting a Crabb vs. Crabb final,” he wrote on social media, a post which was followed, appropriately, by a pair of videos produced by the McKibbin Brothers labeling him as the villain of beach volleyball.

Every sport has its villain, its foil. How many have a villain with the eerie prescience of Trevor Crabb? Eleven days after Crabb predicted an all-family final, the beach volleyball world was treated to exactly that, as Crabb and Theo Brunner met Taylor Crabb and Taylor Sander in front of a packed stadium court whose line to get in snaked all the way to the Hermosa Beach strand.

Per usual, the Crabb feast delivered, as Crabb and Brunner won, 19-21, 21-13, 15-10 in an excellent final.

The victory was a significant one for a number of reasons.

Brunner has now won three consecutive Hermosa Beach Opens in which he’s played, dating back to 2018 when he and John Hyden beat Billy Allen and Ryan Doherty in a tremendous final. He skipped 2019 to play the Vienna Major, and it would be Chase Budinger and Casey Patterson who took victory in his absence. Last year, however, he and Chaim Schalk won their first and only AVP as a team in Hermosa, knocking off — guess who? — Taylor Crabb and Sander. One season later, Hermosa would again prove to be the grounds on which Brunner won his first event with a new partner.

“We live in Redondo Beach, and we train here every day, so these are our conditions, this is our sand, this is our wind,” Brunner said. “To be able to play and compete at the high level, like we train every day of every year for the last ten years is awesome.”

Brunner was, statistically, playing at as high of a level as possible. He led the tournament in hitting percentage (.633) by nearly 14 percentage points, finished second in blocks per set (2.57), and hit just 2 errors in 49 attacking attempts. It was his blocking, which was uncharacteristically quiet all tournament, that turned the final.

Crabb and Sander navigated Brunner’s block well in the 21-19 opening set win, hitting .536 as a team while only getting blocked a single time.

“I tell you what happened,” Brunner said. “I guessed wrong every time in the first set and then I began guessing right in the second and third sets.”

Trevor Crabb wasn’t amused by his partner’s notorious streak of self-deprecation. He knows guessing had nothing to do with what happened next: two blocks and a pair of soft blocks in the second set, five more stuff blocks in the third. The hitting percentage of Crabb and Sander dipped from .536 to .250 to .125 as Brunner adjusted and the Taylors failed to readapt.

“I think he had a good read on the little bro,” Trevor Crabb said. “He took over the game, all I had to do was keep the side-out at a good number and I think I did that.”

Indeed, Trevor Crabb led all players with a .600 hitting percentage in the finals, killing 20 of 30 balls with just two errors.

It was, as the results indicate, the best Crabb and Brunner have performed all year. They lost just two sets all weekend, both to Crabb and Sander, once in the quarterfinals and the other in the finals. It’s a type of performance they’ll need to sustain, as Hermosa is only the beginning of a crowded stretch of tournaments for every player aspiring to qualify for the Olympic Games.

Crabb and Brunner, as well as Tri Bourne and Chaim Schalk — who finished third — Taylor Crabb and Sander, Miles Evans and Chase Budinger — who finished fifth — Troy Field and Evan Cory — who finished ninth — and Tim Brewster and Kyle Friend — who also finished ninth — will be boarding a flight tonight for Portugal, bound for next weekend’s Espinho Challenge.

Corinne Quiggle, Sarah Schermerhorn win first AVP title in Hermosa Beach

While Trevor Crabb must be given significant credit for his correct — again — prediction of the men’s final matchup, not even the most prescient of prognosticators could have foreseen the anarchy that occurred in the women’s field. With the top four teams gone competing in the Gstaad Elite16, parity was the word of the weekend for the women.

Chaos predictably ensued. The 16 seed, Jaden Whitmarsh and Devon Newberry, claimed the opening set off top-seeded Kelley Kolinske and Hailey Harward. While Harward and Kolinske would wind up winning, the tone for the weekend had been set. In that first round alone, the 12 seed, Macy Jerger and Megan Rice, beat the five, the 13, Savvy Simo and Megan Rice, stunned the four, and the 14, Carly Kan and Lexy Denaburg, nearly toppled the three in Zana Muno and Deahna Kraft.

Hermosa was never expected to be a chalk walk on the women’s side. But the mess that ensued this weekend was wilder than anyone could have predicted, resulting in a semifinal that featured the 13 playing the 14 and the seven playing the six.

Through it all, Corinne Quiggle and Sarah Schermerhorn emerged unscathed, dropping just two sets en route to their first win as a team and as individual players in one of the wildest AVP tournaments in recent memory.

When all was said and done, and all 29 matches were played, there were a total of 16 on-paper upsets, including Kan and Denaburg, the 14, beating the 11, 1, 10, and 2, all in a row; Newberry and Whitmarsh, the 16, beating the 8 and the 3; Katie Horton and Brook Bauer, the 9, beating the 8 and the 1; and, most surprising of all, Savvy Simo and Megan Rice, the 13 haphazardly thrown together after Toni Rodriguez pulled out with a knee injury, stunning the 4, 12, and 9 to make the semifinals, where they’d meet, of all teams, 14th-seeded Kan and Denaburg.

Sheesh.

Take a breath.

In the end, it seemed, team chemistry prevailed. Schermerhorn and Quiggle have played in more tournaments as a team than every other pair in the field. Rice was playing in the first main draw of her career, after losing in qualifiers in New Orleans, Huntington Beach, and Denver. Her and Simo had never once stepped on a court together. (Note: Rodriguez is fine; she was being cautious with the Espinho Challenge this weekend and opted to rest instead of pushing it)

The honeymoon effect can only extend a team’s run so far, and Quiggle and Schermerhorn put on a convincing display in the finals, winning 21-15, 21-16.

“It feels absolutely amazing,” Quiggle said. “One for one in the finals. Just super excited to be here on the beach we practice on every single day. It feels like home here.”

“It feels really good,” Schermerhorn added. “I’m really happy to have done this with Corinne. It’s paid off.”

It is notable that they did it together. This year has not been kind to Quiggle and Schermerhorn. They’ve lost in three Challenge qualifiers in three times trying, watching as their entry points disappeared, to the point that simply getting into an event is difficult. They dropped consecutive matches in Huntington Beach and needed to qualify for the Atlanta Gold Series via a semifinal finish in last weekend’s Denver Tour Series.

Hermosa was the right result at the right time — a time when some teams would consider splitting. They remained a team through it all, and the payoff is a massive one: a win in one of beach volleyball’s most popular locations, $14,000 to split, and the intangible morale boost when it was needed most.

“It’s very much a marriage of partnership,” Schermerhorn said. “I live in Florida, my husband is in Florida, so it can be emotionally hard to be out here, but Corinne and her family have been so supportive. We’re just proud to be a part of this environment, the volleyball culture out here, and to be able to compete against some really great players.”

Like the men, a cavalcade of women are also heading the LAX, boarding flights to Portugal, including Betsi Flint and Julia Scoles, Simo and Rodriguez, Emily Stockman and Megan Kraft, Horton and Bauer, and Kraft and Muno.

Outdoor dining decks may become more costly in Hermosa Beach

Hermosa Beach businesses, in yet another sign of the pandemic’s waning influence on policy, may soon have to pay more for outdoor dining decks — potentially doubling the city’s revenue from encroachment fees.And the future of rooftop decks at two popular Pier Plaza eateries remains in doubt.The City Council this week directed Hermosa Beach staffers to look into raising encroachment fees for outdoor dining decks. That direction, which came as Hermosa’s pandemic-era, temporary outdoor dining program nears ...

Hermosa Beach businesses, in yet another sign of the pandemic’s waning influence on policy, may soon have to pay more for outdoor dining decks — potentially doubling the city’s revenue from encroachment fees.

And the future of rooftop decks at two popular Pier Plaza eateries remains in doubt.

The City Council this week directed Hermosa Beach staffers to look into raising encroachment fees for outdoor dining decks. That direction, which came as Hermosa’s pandemic-era, temporary outdoor dining program nears its end, is part of ongoing city efforts to implement a permanent one.

The increase, which would go into effect under the permanent program, would be relative to the fees the City Council created for the temporary program nearly a year ago.

“The fees have definitely got to go up; I don’t think there’s any dispute,” Mayor Raymond Jackson said at this week’s council meeting. “The question is when and how much.”

The council first created the temporary outdoor dining program in 2020 to help restaurants and other companies weather the pandemic, since indoor operations at nonessential businesses weren’t allowed for months. As such, the city didn’t initially charge any fees.

That changed early last year, with pandemic restrictions having been relaxed.

Under the temporary dining deck program, Pier Plaza businesses that stay open after midnight pay $5 per square-foot per month, while those that close before midnight pay $2 per square-foot. Businesses on Upper Pier and Hermosa avenues pay $1 per square-foot a month.

The council has extended the temporary program multiple times, with the city issuing more than 60 permits since its inception.

The program is now set to end May 1.

In November, a real-estate research firm provided the city, at the council’s request, with a market rental rate appraisal that recommended significantly increasing the monthly fee. Under that recommendation, the montly fee would cost $5.67 per square-foot for Pier Plaza businesses, $4.63 for those north and south of Pier Plaza along Hermosa avenue, and $4 for those east of Hermosa Avenue that are primarily on Pier Avenue and up to Pacific Coast Highway.

Increasing the fees, which would require City Council approval, would also be a boon to Hermosa’s coffers. Doing so would raise revenue from the encroachment fees from around $580,000 to more than $1.6 million, said Doug Krauss, the city’s environmental program manager.

That’s an increase of more than 175%.

But restaurateurs who spoke at the Tuesday, Jan. 24, council meeting expressed concern about raising the fees while some businesses continue struggling in the pandemic’s wake.

Michael Zislis — who co-owns multiple restaurants in the South Bay, including The Brews Hall on Pier Plaza — said eateries make money about half the year and struggle the rest of the time.

“We’re still in the middle of a pandemic and we all want to think it’s over, but people are still not showing up to work,” Zislis said. “Older people are afraid to go inside. People with kids are afraid to go inside. You’re talking about raising the revenue, but that revenue should be raised when truly the pandemic is over.”

Still, while the temporary program will soon end, the permanent one is on the horizon.

To that end, the City Council on Tuesday also directed city staff to look into other issues the permanent program will have to address.

The panel told staff to get input from stakeholders about potential size limits for permanent dining decks, and to determine whether rooftop dining at Baja Sharkeez and Palmilla should be allowed to continue.

“The city allowed these temporarily with conditions that the businesses restrict overall building occupancy load to address concerns of ingress and egress,” Councilmember Justin Massey said about the rooftop decks. “These rooftop areas were not previously designed for, nor approved for, regular use by patrons. But city building department staff worked with the businesses to ensure the safety of these temporary uses.”

To keep the rooftop decks open beyond May 1, the businesses would need a conditional use permit, said City Manager Suja Lowenthal. But the CUP application process can take up to six months.

“If it’s clear that they would not be finished with that, prior to the May 1 date,” Lowenthal said, “there could be a request to the council to extend the temporary program.”

Cody Lauterbach, general manager at Baja Sharkeez, said the rooftop dining deck has become a “downtown staple for community gatherings” — and is the home base for a local sports league.

“Removing the space would drastically cut down the hours of pay and cause imminent job loss for many of our service industry workers,” Lauterbach said. “Taking away income takes away from them being able to provide for themselves and families.”

The issue will return to the City Council sometime before the May 1 deadline, Krauss said.

Sign up for The Localist, our daily email newsletter with handpicked stories relevant to where you live. Subscribe here.

The Spot vegetarian restaurant in Hermosa Beach closes after four decades

by Bethany Willetts and Kevin CodyMonday morning, The Spot restaurant owner Tonya Beaudet emailed her loyal customers: “As most of you know, we have been struggling since COVID began. Today will be our last day to be open. Thanks so much for 43 years of food and fun. Love Tonya.”“It’s time,” she said in a phone interview from her home that day. Though the restaurant was so busy it ran out of food, she did not want to go into work.When Beaudet, and her late husband, Maurice, took over The Spo...

by Bethany Willetts and Kevin Cody

Monday morning, The Spot restaurant owner Tonya Beaudet emailed her loyal customers: “As most of you know, we have been struggling since COVID began. Today will be our last day to be open. Thanks so much for 43 years of food and fun. Love Tonya.”

“It’s time,” she said in a phone interview from her home that day. Though the restaurant was so busy it ran out of food, she did not want to go into work.

When Beaudet, and her late husband, Maurice, took over The Spot in south Hermosa Beach in 1981, it was one of three vegetarian/vegan restaurants in Los Angeles. The other two were The Golden Temple in the old Farmers Market, and Follow your heart Cafe, in the Valley.

In recent years, the choice of vegetarian/vegan restaurants in the Beach Cities, alone, has expanded to include lil’ Vegerie, Green Temple, Pura Vita, Veggie Grill, and Grain Cafe.

But despite the competition, The Spot continued to attract old and new customers with Beaudet’s original menu, based on her Southern grandmother’s use of beans, collard greens, and whole grains.

Customers spoke reverentially about The Spot’s savory sauce, served generously over the savory spud, presto pasta, and steamers (vegetables and brown rice.) The Spot Veggie Burger was featured in the Travel Channel’s “Hamburger Paradise Round-up.” Their mainstay comfort food, the Mushroom Walnut Loaf, was Sir Paul McCartney’s go-to take-out order.

McCartney became a Spot regular when the Beatles performed at the Forum, and Beaudet would hang out backstage with McCartney’s son James.

When the pandemic hit in 2020, The Spot, like other restaurants, survived on take out and government subsidies.

Last spring, as the pandemic receded, and her business began to recover, she received a $30,000 utility bill. She had thought the bill, accrued during COVID, would be forgiven, but subsequently learned the forgiveness applied to homeowners, but not business owners.

The repayment program, coupled with her regular utility bill, totaled $4,000 a month.

“I started to fall behind on rent. When you have to choose between keeping the power on or paying the rent, you pay to keep the power on,” she said.

“My landlords are kind people. They gave me so many breaks. My rent was already ridiculously low. They deserve the opportunity to remodel and get the same rent other Hermosa landlords get,” Beaudet said.

Beadeut was 26 in 1981, when she and her husband bought The Spot. They planned to keep the restaurant until its lease ran out, in three years. Her chef Louis has been with her 39 years.

“My staff is like family, and I love my customers. But it’s time to move on,” she said.

Beaudet said she’d like to open another restaurant, but has no immediate plans. ER

10 comments so far. Comments posted to EasyReaderNews.com may be reprinted in the Easy Reader print edition, which is published each Thursday.

Hermosa Beach ready for St. Patrick’s Day party, featuring annual parade

Hermosa Beach’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade will return later this week — with a pre-party added to the festivities for the first time.After celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2019, the parade took a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic. But the community favorite — and one of the city’s marquee events — returned in 2022.This year’s ...

Hermosa Beach’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade will return later this week — with a pre-party added to the festivities for the first time.

After celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2019, the parade took a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic. But the community favorite — and one of the city’s marquee events — returned in 2022.

This year’s iteration will take place Saturday morning, March 11. The actual St. Patrick’s Day holiday is on March 17.

But there will also be a new event the day before: Pat’s Pre-Parade Party. That event, which is open to the public, will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 10, at Patrick Molloy’s, 50 Pier Ave., according to Jessica Accamando, president and CEO of the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau. A free buffet will be part of the event.

An RSVP, via the chamber’s website, is required to attend.

“We want people to come out and join and get ready for the parade,” Accamando said.

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade, shown here in a prior year, returns to Hermosa Beach Saturday, March 11.(Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)

The Saturday parade, meanwhile, will begin at 11 a.m at Pier Avenue and Valley Drive/Ardmore Avenue. It will travel west on Pier Avenue, ending around 1 p.m. at Pier and Hermosa avenues.

The grand marshal will be Rafael McMaster, the founder of Hermosa Beach’s Indivisible Arts, who was recently named “Person of the Year” at the “Best of Hermosa” awards event.

City, school district, Los Angeles County and state officials will also take part in the parade, as well as nonprofit, business and church representatives. Several school marching bands will perform, including the Redondo Union Band and Guard.

The announcers at three stages along the parade route are Hermosa Beach Kiwanis Club President Rick Koenig, FoxLA personalities Rick Dickert — who does weather, traffic and breaking news — and morning reporter Sandra Endo.

Live music will be hosted by South Bay Music Connection from 1 to 4 p.m. at the beginning of Pier Plaza. Youth bands will also perform, including Poppy Harlo from 1 to 1:40 p.m., Michael Gourzis from 1:50 to 2:20 p.m.; ti85 from 2:30 to 3:10 p.m. and The Anti Groupies from 3:20 to 4 p.m.

Zipinmail, a virtual mailbox company, will host a free beer giveaway at Patrick Malloy’s.

For more about the giveaway or the parade, visit hbchamber.net/parade.

Disclaimer:

This website publishes news articles that contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The non-commercial use of these news articles for the purposes of local news reporting constitutes "Fair Use" of the copyrighted materials as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law.