HE’S BACK …
CHANDLER CONTINUES MAYHEM IN DOWNTOWN
“Chandler, a notorious homeless person who has caused a long string of problems for well over a year is back. This is from the incident on Wednesday, September 25th, at 3:38 pm at Manhattan Grocery. They were notified at 3:46 pm and called the police right away. They came at 3:57 pm and took a report #24-2441. Officers were advised he went south on Manhattan Ave but were not able to locate him at all. (Confirmed by a text message I sent to the officer the following morning). There were other sightings of him that day and the following day by several people who witnessed his disturbing behavior around Downtown.” —- Name Withheld by Request (Manhattan Beach)
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Six Candidates – Three Seats:
Manhattan Beach City Council Race Kicks Off With Lively Debate
Steve Charelian, Joe Franklin, Karen Komatinsky, Joe Marcy, Brenda O’Leary, and Nina Tarnay.
The six candidates competing for three seats on the Manhattan Beach City Council faced off Monday morning in their first official forum, hosted by the Rotary Club at the Westdrift Hotel. Moderated by outgoing Councilmember Richard Montgomery and former Hermosa Beach City Attorney Michael Jenkins, the event provided a platform for each candidate to present their vision. The diverse group includes Steve Charelian, recently retired City finance director; incumbent Mayor Joe Franklin; former School Board trustee Karen Komatinsky; hospitality executive Joe Marcy; real estate investor Brenda O’Leary; and attorney Nina Tarnay. All six candidates shared their motivations and goals for the future of Manhattan Beach. Charelian emphasized fiscal responsibility and transparency, while Franklin highlighted his experience and commitment to maintaining community values, calling out District Attorney George Gascon and strongly mentioning the concept of “un-reported crime.” Komatinsky focused on educational ties and city growth. Marcy expressed a desire to enhance local business opportunities, O’Leary pushed for intelligent development and outdoor dining enhancements, and Tarnay stressed the importance of civic engagement and volunteerism.
www.ManhattanBeach.gov
Olympic Beach Volleyball Player April Ross Marries Josh Riley in “Coastal” Shade Hotel Wedding:
Olympic beach volleyball player April Ross tied the knot with firefighter Josh Riley, born and raised in Manhattan Beach, on Saturday, September 14, at the Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach, with 110 guests in attendance, including several of her fellow Olympians and professional athletes. “Our special day was everything we hoped for and more … The flowers, the cake, the ambiance, THE PEOPLE … all brought together in the beautiful and serene setting of @shadehotelmb (https://www.instagram.com/_u/shadehotelmb) by their planning dream team,” Ross posted on Facebook.
MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Peter Kim
(Sloopy’s Café)
Q: HOW LONG HAVE YOU AND YOUR WIFE OWNED THE ICONIC SLOOPY’S CAFÉ?
A: My wife Helen and I have owned Sloopy’s since 1989, so we’ve been here for 35 years.
Q: WHAT FIRST BROUGHT YOU TO MANHATTAN BEACH?
A: Helen and I met in 1992, three years after she had acquired Sloopy’s. We got married in 1993 at American Martyrs Church in Manhattan Beach. After marriage we settled in Manhattan Beach. Previously I was living in La Jolla, near San Diego.
Q: WHAT ABOUT SLOOPY’S CAFE THAT HAS MADE IT SO ICONIC IN MANHATTAN BEACH?
A: Sloopy’s is in my opinion one of the last true “beach cafe” with the outdoor ambience with the flowers and fire pit. It really is a cafe at the beach. This makes it iconic also the fact that I have customers that I have known for over 30 years. Watched their kids grow up and have kids of their own.
Q: WHAT’S THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF RUNNING SLOOPY’S CAFE IN A POST-COVID WORLD?
A: The most challenging aspect of Sloopy’s is all the new regulations and rules that have happened since COVID which dis-favors small businesses.
Q: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME?
A: I have two favorite movies “The Sting” with Redford and Newman (I know this dates me) and all the Jason Bourne series of movies. The not too distant is The Godfather I and II.
Q: WHAT’S YOUR ASTROLOGY SIGN?
A: I’m a Virgo.
Q: DO CELEBRITIES COME INTO SLOOPY’S CAFÉ?
A: We’ve had many celebrities come to Sloopy’s. I think they like coming to Sloopy’s because it’s discreet and it’s a place where they are not bothered.
www.SloopysBeachCafe.com
The Rockefeller:
“We have a lot of great starters. Like our ‘Rockefeller Mess’ house fries, allagash queso, pickled fresno chili, pickled red onion, pico de gallo, guacamole, cotija.”
www.EatRockefeller.com
MB WEEKLY – READER POLL:
Gen Z Workers – Entitled, Offended, and Unprepared
A recent MB Weekly Reader Poll has painted a grim picture of Gen Z in the workplace, with many employers expressing deep dissatisfaction with this new wave of employees. Workers born between 1996 and 2010 are frequently described as “entitled, too easily offended, lazy, and generally unprepared,” according to their bosses. The poll surveyed business owners and managers in the South Bay and found that a staggering 75% felt that most of the recent college graduates they had hired were underperforming. Even more concerning, 60% reported that they had to fire at least some of these new hires due to poor work habits or attitudes. This sharp criticism highlights a growing disconnect between the expectations of today’s employers and the preparedness of young workers entering the job market. While Gen Z is often praised for its digital fluency, most business leaders believe they lack resilience, critical thinking, and work ethic.
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MB WEEKLY – LENS:
A huge crack forms along Palos Verdes Drive South in Rancho Palos Verdes where a landslide has accelerated at the end of August. Feel free to send your photo to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Lucia La Rosa Ames (Manhattan Beach)
I am endorsing Steve Charelian for the Manhattan Beach City Council. I have had the pleasure of knowing him for several years for his work at the city Financial Department, where he demonstrated competence, financial acuity, and commitment to good governance. Other candidates can exclaim their platforms, but except Joe Franklin, who has proved his professionalism, competence, and integrity as Council Member and Mayor, Steve Charelian is the only one who has a 35-year record of supporting his words; we can trust he will lead and deliver for our city from day one, rather than just talking about it. Steve is competent, professional, and trustworthy. Still, he is also a man of integrity and morality who has always been approachable, decent, and kind to his neighbors in the tree section. If we are voting our values, we need people like him to represent us. Let’s keep Manhattan Beach reputable by electing reputable individuals of good character. Let’s vote for Steve.
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A Million-Dollar Heist – Mission Impossible or Reality:
by Lee Phillips (Manhattan Beach)
Imagine leaving your car unattended for just a few minutes, only to return and discover that your rear window has been shattered – and a box containing 1 million dollars is gone. It sounds like a plot of a Mission Impossible movie, right? Well, this exact scenario played out on September 13, 2024, in front of American Martyrs School on Laurel Avenue. The victim parked their car, stepped into the gym with their child, and returned to a nightmare: the cash, stuffed in a cardboard box, had vanished. The kicker? A GPS device was found affixed to the vehicle, raising suspicions that this was no random smash-and-grab but a calculated, high-stakes heist. Now, before we get too far, let’s talk logistics. $1 million in $100 bills weigh about 10 kilograms (22 pounds) – manageable but not something you toss into a backpack unnoticed. In $20 bills, it’s a hefty 50 kilograms (110 pounds), and in $1 bills, it tips the scales at a staggering 1,000 kilograms (2,205 pounds)! That’s a lot of weight to carry. So, could this really have happened? Carrying $1 million in cash in a car and leaving it unattended might seem unthinkable to most of us. But the presence of a GPS tracker suggests someone was keeping a close eye on this money. It’s almost too cinematic to believe, but sometimes, reality is stranger than fiction. What do you think – a real-life heist or something more suspicious? Send your comments to MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
MB WEEKLY – A DIFFERENT VIEW:
Sitting quietly in Manhattan Beach. Feel free to send your photo to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Mark Burton (Former Mayor of Manhattan Beach)
Say it ain’t so, Joe, again! You won’t explore a Council discussion regarding the merits of a City Charter. You don’t support the MBUSD Schools facility bond. And, now, you are ineptly defending the rapidly escalating city employee salaries and staffing? There is something wrong when you have nine employees making over $400,000, 25 employees making over $300,000, and 57 employees making over $200,000, all in base salary. Is the tail wagging the dog? Maybe we need Councilmembers who will be willing to make hard decisions and councilmembers who will question city employee recommendations regarding their salary and staffing levels. Yes, Councilmembers will manage City staff, not rubber stamp their recommendations.
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MB WEEKLY – MEET:
Meet Elaine Y. (Manhattan Beach)
YES OR NO QUESTIONS
- Have you ever been divorced? YES
- Have you ever vomited on an airplane? YES
- Would you kiss Donald Trump for $1,000 cash? NO
- Would you kiss President Biden for $2,000 cash? NO
- Have you ever left the restaurant forgetting to pay the bill? YES
- Have you ever romantically kissed a woman when you were drunk? YES
- Do you find most restaurants too noisy? YES
- Are you an Amazon Prime member? YES
- Have you ever ended a romantic relationship via text? GOD, NO!
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Russ Lesser (Former Mayor of Manhattan Beach)
George Gascon has been a disaster for Los Angeles County and for Manhattan Beach. All you need to know is that 37 cities, including Manhattan Beach, passed “No Confidence” votes in him, and the vast majority of the prosecutors in the D.A.’s office supported a recall attempt. He also refused to allow Manhattan Beach to get their own prosecutor or work with Redondo Beach’s city prosecutor to prosecutor misdemeanors, which he refuses to do. Because of that a thief can steal up to $950 from stores every day without fear of going to jail. This demoralizes our excellent police officers because even when they catch them nothing will happen to them. Before Gascon, drug stores didn’t have to have locked cabinets to prevent theft, so electing Nathan Hochman, regardless of your political views, should be the easiest decision to make in this year’s election.
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Lido Bakery:
Home of the Most Extraordinary Wedding Cakes
Lido Bakery first opened its doors in 2003. Ernesto Valenzuela started Lido Bakery with his mother, Evelinda, with the dream of bringing back what had become a rarity: the neighborhood bakery. Inspired by a sense of commitment to our community, Lido Bakery offers a full range of baked goods – each carefully crafted with the finest natural ingredients. “We also bake in a little bit of love with every bite!”
www.LidoBakery.com
Manhattan Beach Combats Ocean Trash:
The City of Manhattan Beach started its Santa Monica Bay Trash Capture Project last month to install stormwater treatment devices and underground systems at key locations throughout the city, and is expected to last six months. “While we understand construction can be disruptive, we will make every effort to minimize inconvenience. Residents and emergency vehicles will always have access, though driveway access may be temporarily limited. Please observe all posted traffic controls to help expedite the process,” according to the City. The City obtained Proposition 1 Integrated Regional Water Management grant funding for the project.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 – SEPTEMBER 25, 2024
- 746 CALLS FOR SERVICE
- 22 ARRESTS
- 13 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS
- 44 CRIME REPORTS TAKEN
Notable Events:
** On 09/19/24, at approximately 9:00 a.m., a residential burglary occurred in the 2600 block of Vista Drive when suspect(s) entered an open garage and stole the victim’s bicycle.
** On 09/19/24, at approximately 1:00 p.m., officers responded to the 1900 N. Valley Drive regarding a vehicle burglary. The victim left their wallet inside the vehicle. The suspect(s) forced entry into the vehicle and stole the victim’s wallet. The victim discovered fraudulent charges on their credit card.
** On 09/20/24, at approximately 11:00 a.m., officers were conducting at security check at Mira Costa High School when they observed a suspect cutting a bike lock and attempting to steal a bike. The suspect saw the officers, fled, but was quickly detained by officers. The suspect was linked to prior bike thefts from Mira Costa. This investigation is ongoing.
** On 09/21/24, at approximately 3:00 a.m., officers responded to the 1300 block of Marine Avenue regarding a theft from vehicle report. The reporting party called police to report an unknown suspect was looking in their vehicle with a flashlight. Officers located and detained the suspect. The suspect was in possession of two wallets. The investigation revealed the suspect stole the wallets from other vehicles in the neighborhood. The suspect was arrested and transported to the MBPD jail.
Exciting Internship Opportunity with Award-Winning P.R. and Branding Firm…:
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MB WEEKLY – CARTOON:
“The next few days will bring the most beautiful fall weather in Manhattan Beach, so that later, when a second summer emerges, you’ll be sure to be hopelessly overdressed.”
How Well Do You Know Manhattan Beach?
Q1: What percent of Manhattan Beach’s city wide land area is residential?
A. 54.62% \ B. 49.1% \ C. 88.24%
Q2: How many miles of beachfront?
A. 16.88 \ B. 42.24 \ C. 2.1
Q3: How long is the Manhattan Beach scenic pier?
A. 424-foot-long \ B. 928-foot-long \ C. 1,050-foot-long
ANSWERS:
Q1: Residential Area: 49.1%, or 1,224 acres, of Manhattan Beach’s city wide land area is residential.
Q2: Beach: 2.1 miles of beachfront, 40 acres of recreational beach area in total
Q3: Pier: Manhattan Beach has a scenic 928-foot-long pier at the end of Manhattan Beach Boulevard. Fishing is permitted all year.
MB WEEKLY – MEET:
Meet Ali (Manhattan Beach). Feel free to send your photo to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
1. ** According to our friends on the Left, if unwed mothers are poor, the reason lies in heartless welfare rules, not in the decision to have a child out of wedlock. —- Dr. Sally M., Manhattan Beach
2. ** Gender inclusion policies appear to be getting too extreme even for parents in one of the most progressive areas of the country. Parents and students at a Palo Alto, CA, elementary school have started a petition to get gender-separated bathrooms installed at Herbert Hoover Elementary School in addition to the gender-neutral restrooms that are currently planned as part of the campus’ renovation. —- Arnold P., Manhattan Beach
3. ** Why are all Door Dash drivers so f—king rude? —- Samantha K., Manhattan Beach
4. ** My cousin (female) wanted to sleep with 365 individuals in 2023 and 600 in 2024 to “level up.” —- Ali B., Manhattan Beach
5. ** Mike Johnson, a loving father & husband, a lifelong resident of Manhattan Beach, and a friendly face to all he encountered on his daily walks, passed away peacefully after a brave battle with lung cancer, surrounded by his wife and daughters. —- Editor’s Note
6. ** Beware! The notorious downtown homeless harasser Chandler is back, and there’s still no police presence downtown. —- Wendy S., Manhattan Beach
7. ** Walking on part of the Redondo Beach waterfront this fall will be different. The city is repaving its King Harbor International Boardwalk, Redondo announced recently. Construction began earlier this month and is slated to be completed in November. The City Council approved the project in January. —- Editor’s Note
8. ** I love Canton Low Chinese Restaurant in El Segundo. —- Ricky C., El Segundo
9. ** Apple store opens at Del Amo Fashion Center as the company’s 15th L.A. County location. The 100% renewable store features a “Genius Bar,” an “Apple Pickup” for easy ordering and pickup, and services like “Shop with a Specialist,” phone activation, secure data transfer, and more. —- Editor’s Note
10. ** An inconvenient truth: Democrats are Democrats. They won’t ban criminals from coming in to this country – but they will damn sure ban plastic bags and straws. —- Howard H., Manhattan Beach
11. ** People over the age of 12 who dress up for Halloween need a psychiatrist. —- Roland M., Manhattan Beach
12. ** I wish people would stop bringing their putrid dogs to restaurants. —- Lois C.T., Manhattan Beach
13. ** D.E.I. is nothing more than disguised racism. —- Dr. Josh T., Manhattan Beach
14. ** Memo to city leaders: stop coming up with ever increasing ways to take more of our money – no more tax increases. —- Neil C., Manhattan Beach
15. ** Politicians warn that if public libraries are defunded, homeless people will have nowhere to watch porn. —- Sandy P., Manhattan Beach, Library Volunteer
16. ** This is the third time I’ve tried to shop at Macy’s in two months, but I cannot get waited on and have left empty-handed. Not an employee to be found. —- Name Withheld by Request, Manhattan Beach
17. ** Why are there never any police ever ever ever in the downtown area? Please explain that one Mayor. —- Steve T., Manhattan Beach
18. ** Meta’s Oversight Board is considering banning “misgendering.” So, correctly stating the sex of trans-identifying males and disapproving of males in women’s sports and spaces will qualify as “Bullying and Harassment” and grounds for being kicked off the platform. Women defending their rights are called ugly names all day, but stating biological facts – THAT is hate speech? —- Alison S., Manhattan Beach
19. ** I rarely agree with writer Mark Burton. However, I agree that tax increases on the November ballot by the city, school district, and health district are unnecessary, wasteful ripoffs of taxpayers! Also, vote NO on Proposition 5, which lowers the required voter approval from 66 2/3% to 55%, effective with the current November ballot’s bond (tax increase) initiatives. —- Sharon A., Manhattan Beach
20. ** I’d like to know what cities Manhattan Beach used to compare staff salaries. Why doesn’t Mr. Franklin name them for us? Obviously, they are not El Segundo, Redondo Beach, and Torrance. —- Paul W., Manhattan Beach
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