The Bonds That Matter Most
This month, we are celebrating two things that bring joy into so many lives: kids and pets. Our August issue embraces this playful theme by highlighting the unique relationships, extraordinary talents, and devoted spirits that make our local families and four-legged companions so special.
We take you inside a forward-thinking law firm that has traded rigid corporate culture for wagging tails. You’ll discover how allowing pets in the workplace has transformed the office dynamic, lowering stress and proving that productivity and puppy love can go hand in hand.
We also reconnect with a local realtor and dedicated dad whose family has grown since we featured him last year. With the arrival of twins, he and his wife are now embracing the blessings—and beautiful chaos—of raising four children under the age of six while finding joy in the everyday moments that make family life so rewarding.
Prepare to be inspired by a group of exceptional local kids who are making waves far beyond their years. From academic achievements to entrepreneurial success and creative pursuits, these young leaders remind us that the future of our community is in remarkably bright hands.
We also take you behind the scenes with one of our local K9 teams for an inside look at the trust, training, and dedication that define these remarkable partnerships. It's a story that reveals not only the important work these canine officers perform, but also the lasting connections formed between handler and partner— both during their years of service and long after retirement.
Whether you are coming home from a day at the beach with your kiddos, winding down with a backyard barbecue, or simply relaxing with your own furry companion by your side, we hope these pages bring a smile to your face. May they inspire you to cherish the fleeting moments of childhood, celebrate our loyal four-legged companions, and appreciate the bonds that matter most.
With full hearts,
August 2026
PUBLISHER
Brandon Farmer | brandon.farmer@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Lesley A. Rollo | lesley.rollo@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Erika Daniels
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Reese Henry
INTERNS
Blizzard Carson Farmer, Pepper Squeakers Farmer
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Kolich
LAYOUT DESIGNER Meredith Wilson
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler Proverbs 3:5-6
cuddles around the office.
Lesley A. Rollo
For 40 years, Custom Design & Construction has partnered with South Bay homeowners to thoughtfully reimagine kitchens, living spaces, and whole homes. Led by Director of Design Beth Yuen and Designer Chelsea Cutler, our integrated designbuild approach blends intentional planning, refined interior design, and expert construction to create spaces that feel both beautiful and livable now and for years to come.
Discover what’s possible for your home.
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
Highlights from the 1st Annual Dine Around Riviera Village. 1: Kristel Faulhaber, stylist at Salon Riviera, with her father, Carl Faulhaber, and stepmother, Lee Schweickert. 2: Beezer, Carina, Patty, and Brenna Sullivan enjoy family time at Mi Burrito. 3: Riviera House owner Amir Nayebdadash welcomes guests during the event. 4: John Rojas shows off his USC pride alongside his wife and fellow Trojan, Erin. 5: Ugo owner Fusun Oruc and her daughters, Ela and Nil, serve Italian pastries to attendees. 6: Jake Potter and Madeline Pierce pose together at Activewear. 7: Josh and Allison Cohen, along with Jason and Leo Horowitz, savor all the delicious eats.
RBEF’s 12th Annual Spring Gala Fundraiser held at the California Surf Club. 8: Rachel and Anoop Shekar enjoy an evening in support of RBEF. 9: A ladies night out for Angelika Cullers, Renee Nuthall, Anna Laliberte, and Stephanie Ernoux. 10: Riddhi Gore and Abhishek Deo arrive in style for the fundraiser. 11: Members of the Beach Cities Robotics Team demonstrate their invention. 12: Michael and Jocelyn Backes celebrate the gala together. 13: Allegra Johnson, Jason Johnson, and Stephane Ernoux enjoy the atmosphere inside the California Surf Club. 14: Auction paddle in hand, Kimi Klasser is ready for the bidding to begin.
Photography provided by RBEF
city scene
The North Redondo Beach Business Association (NRBBA) honors people making a community impact. 15: Jeff Rowe is recognized as Volunteer of the Year for five years of Greenbelt cleanups. 16: Michele Brown and Mickey Johnson present an NRBBA scholarship to RUHS student Leah Stafford. 17: Joe and Natasha Nguyen of Cookie Zombie receive the Business of the Year award.
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Artfully Arranged: J Flowers Brings Beauty to Everyday Moments
Whether celebrating a new baby, a birthday, or simply bringing a smile to someone's day, J Flowers has served the South Bay for over a decade with fresh, custom floral designs. As families make the most of summer before the school year begins, this local shop remains the destination for distinctive arrangements, bringing beauty, balance, and joy to everyday moments.
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Attention to Every Detail: Fora Travel Makes Vacation Planning Stress-Free
As the holiday travel season approaches, Fora Pro and Virtuoso Travel Advisor Renee Nuthall of Fora Travel is the go-to resource for stress-free vacation planning. Whether arranging a single hotel stay or a multi-country itinerary, she handles the research and logistics, saving busy families valuable time while planning their next unforgettable adventure. With access to a global network of preferred partners, Renee helps clients create meaningful experiences tailored to their interests and budget.
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Photography provided
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY
BY LESLEY A. ROLLO
At Sweet Lawyers, Four-Legged Companions Do More Than Brighten the Office—They Reduce Stress, Spark Connection, and Keep Employees Grounded Throughout the Day
The Sweetest
Part of Their Job
In the office on any given day, a wagging tail might appear in a doorway, a puppy might make the rounds for attention, or coworkers might pause from their busy schedules to watch two dogs play in the hallway. For a law firm focused on personal injury cases, where emotions can run high and stress is part of the job, those moments matter.
Mark Sweet and Niko.
“We’ve had dogs in the office pretty much since I started the office in 2019,” said managing partner, attorney at law, Mark Sweet. “It’s about how I can create an office environment that’s as supportive as possible and that people want to come to.”
Sweet says the dogs have become a natural extension of the firm’s culture. While employees use their discretion when deciding whether their dog is suited for the workplace, there is almost always at least one canine companion in the office.
“It’s almost a fringe benefit because people like being around their pets,” he said. “You have a stressful day, you have a stressful call. Something happened, whatever. Just being able to pet a dog helps you relax a little.”
The canine crew we met included Niko, Sweet’s new puppy; Teddy, a lovable doodle known for his collection of scarves; Maddie, a rescued mixed breed with a strong will; Hazy, an energetic Australian shepherd; and Kimber, a curly-coated retriever puppy full of boundless enthusiasm.
Niko moves through the office with quiet curiosity and a watchful charm. If he were an attorney, he’d be the one quietly observing everything before making a decisive move—measured, thoughtful, and always one step ahead.
Teddy makes the rounds collecting cuddles from anyone willing to give them. He’d be the “office greeter”—the kind who builds trust instantly and wins people over with kindness.
Maddie is independent and selective with her affection but also deeply loyal to her people. As an attorney, she’d likely be a sharp litigator— strong-willed, vocal when needed, and unwilling to back down once committed.
Hazy is endlessly curious, always alert to what’s happening around her. She’d be the investigator type—the attorney who notices everything in the room, even the details others miss. “She reminds me of those videos of her breed herding sheep. She stops, then moves around. She’s so aware of her surroundings,” said America Rodriguez, executive assistant, noting Hazy’s instincts.
Samantha Leong and Maddie.
Tyler Toomey and Kimber.
“ IT'S ABOUT HOW I CAN CREATE AN OFFICE ENVIRONMENT THAT'S AS SUPPORTIVE AS POSSIBLE AND THAT PEOPLE WANT TO COME TO.”
— MARK SWEET
Thelma Gutierrez and Teddy.
Kimber, still very much a puppy, brings a whirlwind of energy wherever she goes. She’d be a litigator in motion—driven, spirited, occasionally chaotic, but full of determination.
Together, they create an atmosphere that feels more like a community than a workplace.
“I think it’s great because you can see people smile when they see dogs,” said Thelma Gutierrez, who often brings Teddy to work. “They smile. They feel good. They stop by. They pet him, and how could you not feel happy when you see a pet?”
For Samantha Leong, who rescued Maddie as a puppy, the dogs create natural opportunities for employees to step away from their screens and connect. “It definitely forces us to take a break from the screens, engage with each other, and have that connection.”
The dogs also help their owners maintain healthier routines. Thelma says Teddy reminds her to get up and move throughout the day. Samantha says Maddie encourages her to drink more water. Diego Gomez, Hazy’s owner, says his dog reminds him to step outside and enjoy a few minutes away from his phone.
“Just even ten minutes outside to get some fresh air,” he said. “It’s sort of a rewind, and set the pace back a step or two and hang out with her.”
For attorney Tyler Toomey, bringing Kimber to work makes it possible to care for a growing puppy while helping her become comfortable around new people and situations. After losing his previous dog, Dakota, who had spent years by his side at the office,
having another companion there has brought a sense of comfort back to his workday.
“When she’s good, and she’s behaving like an older dog would, it’s great,” he said. “I just had to talk to a client who yelled at me, and three adjusters who won’t give me what I want. And then you’re like, ‘Okay, this is a little bit better. I have a friend in here with me.’”
The dogs provide comic relief, companionship, and countless reasons to smile. But perhaps their greatest contribution is something less tangible. In a profession built around helping injured people rebuild their lives, the dogs serve as a daily reminder that compassion matters.
“Dogs are purely emotional creatures,” Sweet explained. “I think the dog helps bring you back to reality and ground you.”
Then he shares a thought that seems to capture the heart of the firm’s dog-friendly culture.
“The dogs remind you to be human.”
Diego Gomez and Hazy.
ARTICLE BY LESLEY A. ROLLO | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
STILL FEEL LUCKY?
Matt and Brittany Cox embrace the joys of family life with four children under the age of six. Photo Credit: Kate Keating Photography
LOCAL REALTOR MATT COX REFLECTS ON RAISING FOUR KIDS UNDER SIX AND THE YEAR THAT REDEFINED WHAT MATTERS MOST
A year ago, Matt Cox, founder of COVE & KEY Real Estate, was preparing for a life-changing milestone.
Already the father of Chloe and Graham, he and his wife Brittany were counting down the days until the arrival of twin girls—an event that would instantly double the size of their family.
While family and friends congratulated them and joked about the adventure ahead, Matt couldn’t stop wondering how they were going to make it all work. “My biggest worry leading up to the babies being born was just how to provide and how to also be a good father and husband while trying to provide,” he recalled.
At the time, his concerns felt justified. The first half of 2025 had been one of the slowest stretches of business he’d experienced since entering real estate. With twins on the way, the uncertainty felt overwhelming.
The twins arrived on July 5, and something unexpected happened. Business picked up. What had once been his greatest source of anxiety became one of his greatest sources of gratitude. “To just feel through lots of prayers and kind of anxiety and stress
about how are we going to do this?” he said. “That piece of the puzzle has felt overwhelmingly just grateful.”
But as much as Matt talks about gratitude, he talks even more about Brittany.
Throughout the conversation, his admiration for his wife shines through—not through grand declarations but rather through everyday moments. The way she continues working part-time. The way she creates meaningful family memories during one of the busiest seasons of their lives. The way she spends her days caring for four children and still finds patience when everyone else’s has run out.
“She’s 10 times more patient than I am,” Matt said.
Even when life feels completely full, Brittany remains committed to making the people around her feel loved and celebrated. “She goes above and beyond to make things special,” he said. “She’s so committed to making things special even if it adds more stress.”
For Matt, the last year has been a front-row seat to watching what Brittany is capable of. As the twins’ birth approached and one baby was breech, doctors prepared Matt and Brittany for multiple
Matt, affectionately dubbed "The Ice Cream Man," hosts an annual neighborhood ice cream truck event.
Matt helps his young nephew pick out the perfect frozen treat.
scenarios. Instead, what unfolded felt miraculous. “The birth was literally perfect in every way,” Matt said. “The way that it went was mind-blowing—the doctors and nurses were hooping and hollering. It was just a party. We didn’t even know how great it went, but they made it very obvious that this was the best case scenario.” The moment landed as something extraordinary even among seasoned medical staff. “Seeing Brittany do that set a new level of respect for what she’s capable of,” he said.
Today, their home is exactly what you might expect from four children under six. “Chaos, fun, and loud,” Matt laughed. “Somebody’s always screaming, that’s for sure.”
The laughter comes easily but so does the honesty. There are exhausting days. Days when work demands compete with family needs. Days when nothing feels balanced. Yet somewhere
in the middle of that chaos, Matt has discovered something unexpected: balance isn’t about getting everything done. It’s about knowing what matters most.
Real estate can easily be a 24-hour job. Clients call. Deals shift. Opportunities appear. There is always one more thing to do. A younger version of himself believed success meant saying yes to all of it.
Now, Matt is learning a different lesson. “I’ve learned to have boundaries with work,” he said. If he is having dinner with his family, he may return a client call later. If he finds himself with an unexpected hour in the middle of the day, sometimes he heads home instead of tackling another work task.
That lesson came during one of the most stressful seasons of his life. Just weeks before the twins were born, he was pushing
One of Matt’s recent sales set a milestone as the secondhighest residential sale ever in Redondo Beach.
“WE DIDN’T EVEN KNOW HOW GREAT IT WENT, BUT THEY MADE IT VERY OBVIOUS THAT THIS WAS THE BESTCASE SCENARIO. THE DOCTORS AND NURSES WERE HOOPING AND HOLLERING— IT WAS JUST A PARTY.”
harder and harder, trying to control outcomes that would not cooperate. It was Brittany who finally stopped him. “Why don’t you take a breath?” she told him. “Because you’re going to burn out.” Today, he believes that conversation changed him. “I’m always going to work as hard as I can,” he said. “But I’m not going to let it define me.”
Asked what he hopes his children remember about this chapter of life, he doesn’t mention this year’s record-breaking sales or other professional accomplishments. Instead, he says, “When they look back, think that dad was here for it all. Yeah, he had to work, but [he] didn’t miss a thing, did his best, and loved us even when he was not perfect at it.“
One year after becoming a father of four, Matt Cox seems to have learned what some people spend a lifetime trying to figure out: the richest life isn’t built by controlling every outcome. It’s built by showing up.
When he and Brittany learned they were having twins, Matt remembers telling her, “I’ve never felt lucky in my life, but I feel so lucky we’re having twins.” Today, Brittany has a favorite response. On the loudest days, when the kids are melting down and chaos has completely taken over, she’ll look at him and ask: “Still feel lucky?” Matt laughs every time.
Because despite the chaos, the exhaustion, and the uncertainty that once kept him awake at night, his answer remains the same. “We are really lucky.”
The Cox family gathers around the ice cream truck to share a sweet moment together.
Local Middle School Innovators and High School Entrepreneurs are Gaining More than Awards— They're Gaining the Confidence to Change the World
Everything They Discover Along The Way
ARTICLE BY LESLEY A. ROLLO
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LOLLIPOP LABS AND MIKE SOOHOO
Mike SooHoo with RUHS entrepreneurship students at Project ECHO’s High School Entrepreneurs’ Business Plan Competition.
Trophies and prize money tell only part of the story.
This year, students from Adams Middle School, Parras Middle School, and Redondo Union High School earned top honors in STEM, esports, and entrepreneurship competitions, but the biggest victories weren’t measured in awards. They were measured in confidence, curiosity, and the realization that their ideas matter.
At the middle school level, students competed in programs supported by the Redondo Beach Educational Foundation and facilitated by Lollipop Labs, a social impact agency founded by Redondo Beach resident Alan Zack. Through innovation challenges and esports competitions, students are encouraged to tackle real-world problems while learning to work together and think creatively.
“Our mission is to inspire more students to pursue STEAM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics] fields. We have a huge deficit of [STEAM] graduates in America,” explained Zack. “Kids are amazing. Given the right platform, given the right resources, given the right time, these kids can amaze us. . .”
One of those students was Parras Middle School’s Akshitha Vinodh. Her invention, the COnserve PureFire Smart System, won the City of STEM Innovation Challenge, beating around 75 teams from across Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Though naturally shy, Akshitha’s confidence grew when she had the opportunity to talk about her invention. “Because she knows her technology and her idea so well, it just came out,” Zack said. “She was so eloquent explaining how it works.”
He has seen similar transformations time and again. “We love that kids can be heroes,” Zack said. Those moments are exactly what inspire him. “Students come out of the woodwork because they want to win a prize, but as
Akshitha Vinodh of Parras Middle School poses with her City of STEM Innovation Challenge grand prize trophy.
Adams Middle School’s Jayden Sampay, Adhrith Arun, and Hudson Gallen celebrate their Battle of the South Bay esports championship with trophies and lollipops.
they come out of the woodwork, they’re also solving a big problem,” he said. “And they’re always amazed that they came up with these ideas. They surprise themselves that they had these ideas.”
Jayden Sampay, Adhrith Arun, and Hudson Gallen, students from Adams Middle School, captured the Battle of the South Bay esports championship, which featured teams from Da Vinci, El Segundo, Hawthorne, and Lawndale. “They communicated,” Zack said when asked why their team won. Later, the same Adams team placed second at the Compton Cup, which featured top middle school and high school esports teams.
The same qualities that propelled these middle school students—curiosity, creativity, and perseverance—were equally evident among Redondo Union High School’s aspiring entrepreneurs.
Under the guidance of entrepreneurship teacher Mike SooHoo and with support from local business leaders who served as judges, 10 Redondo Union High School teams advanced from a field of 44 to Project ECHO’s High School Entrepreneurs’ Business Plan Competition.
Facing 42 teams from 15 schools, five Redondo Union teams returned with awards. Their startup companies earned recognition across multiple categories. Finity captured first place in the Services category and earned Best Overall Business Plan—the first time a Redondo Union team has received the competition’s top honor. In the Products category, VibeLine took first place, Cream and Carbon placed second, and Sprinkle Shield finished third, while Ascendia earned second place in Services.
Project ECHO recognized SooHoo as its 2025 Chip Goodman Entrepreneurial Educator of the Year, but for him, the true reward is seeing students discover their own potential.
“For me, it’s showing my students that entrepreneurship can become a reality by guiding them to find their confidence and potential to discover new opportunities that can become lifetime passions and possible careers,” he said. “But what makes it really rewarding for me is when I see students like Lily Bame come out with a driving passion to make something happen in this world.”
Just before the end of the school year, Lily, CEO of VibeLine, handed SooHoo a two-page handwritten letter thanking him for changing the course of her life. “You didn’t just teach me personal finance, how to write a business plan, create a pitch deck, or present an idea,” Lily wrote. “You taught me how to believe in myself, push through challenges, and turn an idea into something real.”
Reflecting on her first-place finish, she added, “Winning first place was an amazing experience, but the most valuable part of this year wasn’t the award; it was everything I learned along the way.”
Those words capture SooHoo’s perspective on this year’s competitors. “What impressed me most was that the teams that came out on top I feel really deserved their wins because I watched them ideate, wrestle, change, and problem solve for the betterment of their business; and in the end, experienced the journey of what it took to be a young entrepreneur,” he said.
Long after the checks are cashed and the trophies are displayed, the lessons remain. And if this year’s winners are any indication, the future is being shaped by young people who are discovering, along the way, not only how to dream big, but how to believe they can make those dreams a reality.
RUHS students hold their winning checks, with Team “Finity” earning $2,000 for Best Overall Business Plan.
I GOT YOU
a K9
family for life.
More Than Police Dogs, Redondo Beach's K9 Officers Are Partners, Protectors, and Family
ARTICLE BY LESLEY A. ROLLO PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
When Officer Danny Haley opened the kennel door to meet Ace, the German Shepherd who would become his first K9 partner, he had no idea that moment would shape the next six years of his life—or that one day, the retired police dog would become part of the Haley family.
Officer Haley and Ace—more than
team,
“We often find that people love the canine officers a little bit more than the human officers, which we’re totally okay with.” — Sergeant Jerrod Evelo
“He was sitting in front of me, and he just puts his paw up on my shoulder,” Haley recalled. “We hadn’t picked him yet. It was almost like he chose me.” The trainer watching nearby immediately recognized what was unfolding. “I’d leave that [paw] there. It looks like the bond’s already started.”
That bond—built on trust, responsibility, and loyalty—is at the heart of the Redondo Beach Police Department’s K9 Unit.
Today, the department has four working dogs, each paired with a dedicated police officer who trains to be the dog’s handler, and a fifth canine companion named Cadbury, a facility dog who provides comfort during emotional situations. Most of the department’s shepherds come from Europe, where family breeders have spent generations developing bloodlines prized for their intelligence and work ethic.
Like people, each dog has a unique personality. Some are calm and affectionate. Others are what Sergeant Jerrod Evelo affectionately calls “controlled chaos.”
Outside of their regular patrol duties, handlers devote countless hours to training and caring for their dogs. A single canine costs roughly $30,000 to purchase, train, and equip, much of it funded through donations and fundraising efforts supported by the Redondo Beach Police Foundation.
“We often find that people love the canine officers a little bit more than the human officers,” Evelo said with a laugh. “Which we’re totally okay with.”
For Haley, Ace was the beginning of it all. With Ace, he said, they were both brand new—learning on the job together.
For those first years, Haley and Ace built their partnership side by side, navigating training, patrol work,
Officer Haley and Ace participate at the Los Angeles County Police Canine Association K9 Show held at RUHS.
Top: After years of service, retired K9 Ace enjoys living his best life.
Bottom: Max, Officer Haley's current K9 partner.
and the trust that defines a K9 team. For Haley, that bond only deepened over time—and it didn’t end when Ace retired.
When Ace left active duty, he began a new chapter with Haley, his wife, and their two young children. The transition wasn’t immediate. Every Wednesday, training day, Ace still expected to go to work. “He was very whiny, like ‘I want to go,’” Haley said. “But now it’s not too bad. He almost forgets he was even a police dog.”
Life at home became a slow adjustment. Ace still sleeps in the kennel he used while working, and Haley carefully manages his interactions with the children. “He loves people,” Haley said. “He brings his toy, he’ll run, he’ll sit, and he’ll lean, and just let you pet him as if he’s the most neglected dog in the world.”
As his children grow, Haley hopes Ace will spend more time inside with the family. But years of training have taught handlers to respect what these dogs have been trained to do—and what they are still capable of.
As Ace settled into retirement, Haley’s next partner arrived under very different circumstances.
Current K9 Max, Haley’s energetic Dutch Shepherd partner, falls into what Evelo calls “controlled chaos.” After Max’s handler at the Torrance Police Department unexpectedly retired, the dog spent months without a partner before Redondo Beach gave him a second chance. “We saw that opportunity to give Max a second chance,” Evelo said. “We adopted him from Torrance.”
For Haley, this partnership looks different from the first. “With Ace, we were both brand new, learning on the job together,” he said. “With Max, I’m the veteran, and he’s the new employee.”
Like all active-duty dogs, Max’s world revolves around work, and Haley intentionally keeps that line clear.
Outside of patrol work, the K9 teams train constantly, support neighboring agencies, and assist with major events such as BeachLife Festival and local races, as well as preventative sweeps at schools and public gatherings.
“It was almost like, ‘Hey, I got you, brother. I choose you.' It was a really, really cool moment.” — Officer Danny Haley
For all the visibility they bring at community events, much of their work happens quietly, without residents ever knowing. For Haley, their value is impossible to measure. “The services these dogs provide for us and the safety they bring to the community,” he said. “You can’t even put a value on it. It’s incredible.”
Years ago, a young officer opened a kennel door and felt a paw rest on his shoulder. “It was almost like, ‘Hey, I got you, brother. I choose you,’” Haley said. “It was a really, really cool moment.”
Today, Haley is honoring the promise Ace made to him all those years ago, caring for his retired partner with the same loyalty that defined their years on the job. And with Max, he is carrying that promise forward.
Perhaps that’s what “I Got You” really means—a promise. Years ago, Ace chose Haley. Today, Haley cares for his retired partner and works alongside Max, a dog who was given a second chance. It’s the promise handlers and dogs make to each other—and, in many ways, the same promise they make every day to our community.
Top: Officer Haley and Max on duty at the BeachLife Festival. Bottom: Officer Haley and Max pose beside their patrol vehicle, which proudly bears Max's name.
TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
ON MARRIAGE, KIDS, AND THE COMEDY OF REAL LIFE
Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage. Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.
Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.
Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
JANIE
“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”
Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.
After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”
The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s. “There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.
FEATURING TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.
Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
JONES HAIR & MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
PUP -SICLE
As we all try to stay cool during the scorching dog days of summer, our furry friends need a break from the heat too. Pamper your pup with a refreshing “pup-sicle.” These dog-friendly frozen treats are sure to make your canine companion’s tail wag!
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 cup of plain, unsweetened yogurt (or dog-safe yogurt alternative)
• 1/2 cup of unsweetened, plain applesauce
• 1/4 cup of water or low-sodium chicken broth
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Mix the yogurt, applesauce, and water or chicken broth in a bowl until well combined.
2. Pour the mixture into ice cube trays or silicone molds.
3. Freeze for several hours or until solid.
4. Serve the frozen treats to your dog to help them cool off!
ARTICLE BY KRISTEN HAFNER
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
Beating the Dog Days of Summer with a Canine Treat
ARTICLE BY PAULI REEP
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
There is little more satisfying to your sweet tooth than ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls. Here is an easy and fun way to make this tearable, shareable treat!
CINNAMON MONKEY BREAD IS A FUN DESSERT FOR CHILDREN TO MAKE AND SHARE!
AROUND
INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 3 (12 oz.) cans of buttermilk biscuits
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Generously coat the inside of a bundt pan with cooking spray or butter. Melt the butter in a pot or bowl. Mix the sugars and cinnamon in a separate bowl.
Open one can of biscuits, separate, and cut each into four sections. Next, roll each quarter into a ball and then put each one into the sugar mixture to coat. Place the balls in the bundt pan in a single layer and drizzle a little melted butter evenly over the top. Repeat with the other two cans of biscuits. Sprinkle the remaining sugar mixture over the top and bake for 30-35 minutes.
Be sure to let cool for a minute or two before turning the bread onto a plate and carefully removing the pan. If you leave the monkey bread in the pan much longer, it will stick and be hard to remove.
I sometimes make icing, a few tablespoons of milk, to about 1/2 cup of powdered sugar with a splash of vanilla.
Drizzle over the top while warm and enjoy!
SUNDAYS
Concerts in the Park
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
Polliwog Park, 1601 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach | 5:00 PM
Sounds and Sunsets! Grab your friends, family, and picnic basket, and enjoy live music while celebrating Sunday sunsets in the park. This beloved Sunday series brings the community together to end the weekend on a high note. 8/2: Jimmy’s Buffet; 8/9: Cobra Cowboy; 8/16: Gypsy Dreams; 8/23: The Police Academy; 8/30: Stone Soul
THURSDAYS & SATURDAYS
Free Concerts on the Pier
Fisherman's Wharf (West End of the Pier) | 6:00 PM
Turn Up the Music Some More! Live music at the Pier. Visit redondopier.com/summer-of-music. 8/1: Manuel the Band; 8/6: Hot Lava; 8/8: Alarmaz; 8/13: Fake Matthews and Dave Matthews Band; 8/15: Tom Nolan Band; 8/20: Supersonic LA; 8/22: CC Stugino; 8/27: The Arcadies; 8/29: 1969
FRIDAYS
Cruzin’ The Lagoon
Redondo Beach Marina, 209-245 N. Harbor Dr., Redondo Beach | 3:00 PM
Vroom! Vroom! Rev up your Friday afternoons with this weekly gathering of classic cars, hot rods, and custom builds hosted by Frank’s Cars in the Hood. Enthusiasts of all ages are invited to admire the rides, swap stories, and connect with fellow car lovers. All makes and models are welcome.
AUGUST 11TH
Rising Stars
Project Barley, 136 International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach | 6:00 PM
Rise to the Occasion! Supported by South Bay Music Connection (SBMC), this monthly live music series spotlights emerging artists at every stage of their musical journey—from developing performers to standout talents. It’s an opportunity to discover tomorrow’s headliners while supporting the local music scene. Learn more at southbaymusicconnection.rocks.
AUGUST 20TH
Dine Around ARTesia
Artesia Blvd. West of MacKay Lane, Redondo Beach | 5:00 PM
Savor Summer with Every Step! Dine Around ARTesia returns with an evening of delicious discoveries featuring tastings from local eateries paired with exhibits by talented local artists. This popular event sells out every year, so don’t wait to secure your spot. Get your tickets at nrbba.org.
AUGUST 23RD
Torrance Antique Street Faire
1308 Prado Ave., Torrance | 8:00 AM
A Sunday Swap! Going strong since 1998, this beloved monthly street fair draws thousands to charming Downtown Torrance in search of vintage treasures, collectibles, and one-of-a-kind finds. With its relaxed atmosphere and small-town feel, it offers a laid-back alternative to larger, arena-style swap meets.
