Monthly Archives: December 2022

MB Weekly 12/29/2022

MB WEEKLY
AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
WITH ACCLAIMED ENTREPRENEUR
LARRY KOSMONT:

Q: WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE MANHATTAN BEACH TO BE YOUR LONG-TIME HOME?
A: Quality of schools and small-town quality of life, as well as living walking distance to the beach.

Q: AS AN EXPERT ON THE FUTURE OF CITIES, WHAT IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM FACING MANHATTAN BEACH IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?
A: Other than public safety, a primary issue will be meeting the California imposed local government mandate to develop dense affordable and market rate housing to comply with the City’s share of housing as required by the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA). The penalties will be steep if we can’t deliver on 744 new units of which 322 must be very low income and 165 low-income units, all by 2029. Check it out at: https://scag.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/6th_cycle_final_rhna_allocation_plan_070121.pdf?1646938785

Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME?
A: Godfather (I know … it’s a series)

Q: NAME THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE AREA RESTAURANTS?
A: Slay Steak & Fish / Esperanza / The Arthur J

Q: WHAT ASTROLOGICAL SIGN ARE YOU?
A: Virgo

www.kosmont.com


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Manhattan Beach’s Mira Costa High School freshman Henry King coded from scratch the sports gear exchange website equipx.us during his 8th grade year at Manhattan Beach Middle School. He taught himself the depths of his recently found passion after taking an online coding course for children.


MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Wayne Powell

As a former two-term Manhattan Beach Mayor, City Councilmember, and longtime community volunteer, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all public safety responders, healthcare workers, and volunteers serving our community. I know firsthand how they improve our residents’ quality of life and public safety, especially during the holidays. I encourage everyone to make a difference and volunteer their time and resources to our many outstanding local community organizations and our exemplary schools. Also, please patronize our local independent businesses and restaurants, especially those that support our community organizations and schools. Here’s wishing you and your family a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season and New Year!

www.waynepowell.net


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MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Sarah

Working in Manhattan Beach since 2020

“YES OR NO” INTERVIEW

When you have bad hair, do you prefer to be left alone?
– NAH
Have you gone out into the street in pajamas?
– KINDA
Do you know how to play at least one musical instrument?
– YES
Have you ever stolen money from a friend?
– NO, BUT I BORROWED IT AND FORGOT TO PAY IT BACK
Have you ever experienced an earthquake?
–YES, OF COURSE
Would you get involved in an open relationship with someone?
–PERHAPS
Were you younger than 15 when you first smoked pot?
–YES


Tapizôn Bar & Kitchen:

It’s almost here. Our white and gold New Year’s Eve party!

www.tapizon.com


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

SAFETY ALERT – Two young girls on an e-bike. No helmets. Well over the intersection line at the red light. Took off before the light turned green. Feel free to share your photos: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net


West Elm Opens New Store In Manhattan Beach:

Global design company West Elm opened a new storefront in the Manhattan Village mall this month. The 12,000-square-foot location will offer design services and home decor from West Elm’s vast collection at the company’s newest store. The store retails furniture and home accessories for living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, home offices, the outdoors and more. Customers can also partner with a designer for one-on-one services that can range from quick styling tips to full home makeovers, the company said.


MB WEEKLY – AROUND THE AREA:

***** Two teenage boys were in custody and Torrance police were searching for two more after they smashed glass cases at a jewelry store and stole jewelry in the Del Amo Fashion Center earlier this week, authorities said. When Torrance officers arrived at the mall shortly after 7:20 p.m. Tuesday, December 20, bystanders and Marines from the Marine Corps Recruiting Command at the mall were holding two of the suspects down, Sgt. Alexander Martinez said. Four people, wearing hoodies and masks, entered the mall and went to Daniel’s Jewelers, Martinez said. They used hammers to break glass cases, then shoved jewelry into backpacks before attempting to flee the mall. ***** A real estate developer was sentenced to four years in federal prison Thursday, December 15, for bribing a Los Angeles County official in exchange for steering the county to enter into a $45 million agreement to lease space at the derelict Hawthorne Plaza mall. The developer, Arman Gabaee, 61, of Beverly Hills, sometimes known as Arman Gabay, pleaded guilty to one count of bribery in May and has been ordered to pay a fine of $1,149,000.


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Caesar salad at SLAY Italian Kitchen in Manhattan Beach.


MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Kaitlyn Tavernelli

Be on the alert, neighbors. This morning around 5 a.m., my husband and I heard someone yelling and screaming outside, and it turned out our neighbor next door was being attacked by a pair of thieves armed with knives. Four days ago, several cars on our street, including ours (27th between Blanche and Laurel), were broken into, and our next-door neighbors had a large amount of alcohol stolen from their trucks. This morning the thieves returned, perhaps thinking another score was within reach. Our neighbor was going to his vehicle to leave for work, and happened upon the thieves lurking in his driveway. He told us he grabbed one and yelled for his wife to wake up and call the police when the other thief yelled, “Stab him!” At which point, our neighbor let go and ran into his front gate. The thieves took off and headed north on Flournoy toward Rosecrans. I believe the thieves were a man and a woman, unsure of a reliable description – the man had a mustache – and both were wearing hooded jackets/sweatshirts and carrying backpacks. Beware and keep yourselves safe! Vehicle 1 Color: White, Make: Honda, Model: Accord or Civic, Type: Sedan – 27th Street, Manhattan Beach.


MB Weekly – Manhattan Beach Hero:

LOCAL HERO’S FULL NAME:
Eileen Shea Davis LT USN

LOCAL HERO’S HOME STATE:
Grew up in Manhattan Beach. Now stationed in Norfolk, VA.

WHAT DOES THE LOCAL HERO DO?
Flies MH-60 helicopters for the US Navy.

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THE LOCAL HERO SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED OR HONORED?
She has always believed in giving back to the community. Now she does it on a bigger scale – defending our country at sea and in the air. Newly returned from the maiden voyage of the Navy’s newest, largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, she and her squadron, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 9, performed exercises with our NATO allies in the Atlantic Ocean. Shea was born and raised in Manhattan Beach. She attended Meadows, MBMS and Mira Costa. She was active in Model UN, Choir, Robotics, Soccer and Cheerleading (all of which she claims have given her skills useful in training to fly jets and helicopters). She attended Lawrence University and University of Hawaii, earning a BA in Biology. Shea also has an AS in Professional Aeronautics from Miramar College and is currently working on her MS in Space Systems from Florida Tech.

WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW ABOUT THE LOCAL HERO?
Whether in grade school or on an aircraft carrier, Shea has always believed in bringing people from diverse groups together. Never a fan of cliques, she knows that a community is better if everyone feels that they belong. A lifelong volunteer and natural leader, she is willing to put in extra effort if it helps others in her community. She is very aware that women are a minority in the U.S. Military, and even more of a minority as aviators. She is conscious that she is setting an example for the women (and men) she works with and for the girls that will follow her into careers in aviation. She currently mentors other young women hoping to become officers in the Navy.

Know someone making a difference in town?
Send to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net


MB WEEKLY:
An Exclusive Interview With
Former MB Mayor Russ Lesser

Q: YOU SERVED TWO TERMS ON THE CITY COUNCIL. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT EXPERIENCE?
A: I was on the city council from 1978 to 1986. It was a very rewarding experience. It was a simpler time with no internet or social media and I was lucky to serve with some great people who taught me a lot about public service. When I look back at what we accomplished I am very proud. We oversaw and negotiated the development of the entire 190-acre Chevron tank farm which resulted in the Manhattan Village Shopping Center, all the homes in the village and the commercial buildings. In exchange for zoning rights the city wound up with 47 acres and we negotiated agreements that resulted in the building of the Manhattan Country Club, the office building next to it and the hotel which are all located on city owned land and have paid well over a hundred million dollars to the city in lease payments over the years. In addition we built the large soccer field and the golf course. We negotiated an agreement with TRW that traded zoning guarantees for future projects in exchange for the land to create the Marine Avenue Park. That agreement helped to create the movie and TV studios development. We negotiated an agreement with Santa Fe Railroad to purchase their railroad right of way which is now the greenbelt that runs through the city. We reduced the size of government by eliminating the city run trash business and contracted with private entities to take over that along with all the city landscaping business. That not only reduced costs to the residents but in my opinion increased the quality of the services. There were other accomplishments but these are the ones I remember the most. Again, none of this would have happened without a team that worked together.

Q: ANYTHING LEARNED FROM THE RECENT ELECTION IN MANHATTAN BEACH?
A: I will admit I was surprised at the results of the recent election. In retrospect I should not have been. This election had a lot of firsts. For the first time ever the two winning candidates posted endorsements from partisan elected state and federal officials. In the past we worked very hard to keep our local elections non-partisan. For the first time ever we had people form a PAC to oppose a candidate, in this case Suzanne Hadley. They sent out flyers with false and misleading information to discredit her. For the first time ever someone hired a private investigator to dig up dirt on candidates, and then have the Easy Reader print it on the Thursday before the election, giving no time to dispute the charges, some of which have been proven to be false. So what we learned and should have known is that negative campaigning works. While that is true, I don’t think it bodes well for our town if it continues.

Q: HOW HAS MANHATTAN BEACH CHANGED IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS?
A: I don’t think the town has changed that much in the last five years. The big changes were decades ago when I was growing up. In my humble opinion it is one of the best places to live anywhere. We have low crime rates, we have had good schools, friendly people, great community spirit, etc. I am concerned somewhat about the changes in the local schools. For years families moved here because of the schools. In 2010 approximately 90% of school aged children attended the local public schools. Today it is less than 70%. Why? COVID had something to do with this but I have heard many parents say they are concerned about the curriculum. We are not alone, this is happening across the country. I would hope the new school board would take a good look at this but to be honest I doubt they will. The three challengers who lost (the trifecta) were all parents concerned about this problem but apparently the three winners are not.

www.calstate.edu


MB WEEKLY – READER COMMENT:

“MB Weekly helps me see Manhattan Beach more clearly after almost a decade of living and working here. Congratulations on your inspiring work.” —- Darla R., Manhattan Beach


‘Highrose’ Developer Sues Manhattan Beach For Denying Apartment Project:

The developer of a proposed apartment complex in Manhattan Beach’s El Porto area has filed a lawsuit against the seaside town after the City Council shot down the project – and the state has also said that rejection violated California law. Mayor Steve Napolitano declined to comment on the litigation. Highrose El Porto LLC, operated by developer Frank Buckley, filed a lawsuit against Manhattan Beach last month, asking the court to overturn the council’s denial of the proposed 79-unit, 40-to-50-foot-high apartment complex project and order the panel to reverse its previous decision. The suit also asks the court to force the city to compensate the developer for loss of investment. “This case highlights the continuing struggle between the legislatively-declared critical statewide need for affordable housing,” the lawsuit says, and “mobilized anti-development (folks) who lobby and cajole their elected officials into stopping further development in their communities at any cost.”


MSGR JOHN BARRY – American Martyrs Catholic Church.


MB WEEKLY LIST:
People From Manhattan Beach

Creative Misc…

Bob Thaves: cartoonist
Marisa Miller: Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover model
Richard Foss: journalist and science fiction writer
Thomas Pynchon: novelist, The Crying of Lot 49, Gravity’s Rainbow


MB WEEKLY – RESTAURANT REVIEW:
by Merrill Shindler


FanSea Sushi

There must be something in the water around Rosecrans and Highland avenues in Manhattan Beach that gives birth to sushi bars. The building at the corner is one of the most oddly configured spaces in town, cascading up the Rosecrans hill on three small levels, giving the impression of partly being in a restaurant and partly a theater. And there’s something about that, along with the water, that’s inspired (in memory) Kina Sushi, Katsu, Akatora, Waca Sushi and now, FanSea Sushi. Which despite a puny name that suggests a long menu of madcap rolls – lots of stuff with cream cheese and tempura crunchies – is actually a rigorously traditional restaurant, which wouldn’t be out of place on a Tokyo dining street. FanSea isn’t fancy, it’s totally down to earth. And familiar as an old pair of kicks. This is, at heart, a sushi bar by the beach in the South Bay. And for our many local sushi bars, and their many fans, certain needs must be fulfilled, certain boxes checked. There are, of course, such standards as a California Roll – which the menu notes is made with “imitation crab.” Though I hate to admit it, imitation crab – surimi – has gotten so good over the years, it’s actually hard to tell the difference between that and the real thing. Like Impossible Burgers, they look and taste like what they’re pretending to be.

www.fanseasushimb.com


MB WEEKLY – CARTOON:

“Lemonade in Manhattan Beach $0.25. Criminals feel free to steal!”


MB WEEKLY – READER QUESTION:

WHAT IS YOUR BEST SELFIE ANGLE?

Please share your reply with thousands and thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities.

Send your reply to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)


MB – BULLETIN BOARD:


1. ** The future of P.R. has arrived —- www.PRPrime.net

2. ** Neighbors: help with housekeeping? Call me! 310 -303-1325 —- Whitney Mallard, Redondo Beach

3. ** If elevators hadn’t been invented, all the CEOs and important people would have their offices on the first floor as a sign of status. —- Hillary B., Manhattan Beach

4. ** We have noticed every morning around 6 a.m. while walking on the Strand that there are so many drones out over the ocean going to and from the El Segundo area and south over the ocean. It is still very dark. 610-620 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Manhattan Beach, CA —- Larelle Rutherford, Manhattan Beach

5. ** My car was ransacked last night in my driveway and not locked. My bad. The only thing stolen was a small black-wheeled suitcase. I use it for my gym bag. Shoes, clothes, personal stuff inside. —- Laura Kitch, Manhattan Beach

6. ** We are a local rain gutter business in Redondo Beach called Beach City Gutters. We are currently looking to hire experienced rain gutter installers. Please let me know if you’re interested or know someone who may be interested. Feel free to give me a call or send me a text at the number below. Robert 310-721-7278 —- Robert Soto, Redondo Beach

7. ** Manhattan Beach is made of stories, not of atoms. —- Carly H., Manhattan Beach

8. ** Meghan and Harry are cowardly, treacherous, and despicable. And in the end, Meghan and Harry will lose because people who heartlessly ditch their families for commercial gain very rarely end up as anything but unloved losers. —- Frank C., Manhattan Beach

9. ** Our old school-cool Dodger golf cart was stolen in Manhattan Beach on Saturday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. If anybody sees it around town, we’d be so appreciative if you would let the police or me know. We are so bummed. 400-410 North Manhattan Avenue, Manhattan Beach. —- Greg Maffei, Hermosa Beach

10. ** Dinner tonight at Mercado in Manhattan Village. Food fine. Service lousy. —- Darlene M., Manhattan Beach

11. ** As many of you know or might not know, Coco’s Restaurant in Torrance closed forever as of last Sunday, 12/11/22. My father, Raul, was a server there for nearly 38 years. Many of you know him and how much he loved what he did. They gave their employees no notice that the restaurant would be closing. My dad found out at 2 p.m. while working there on Sunday. What a shame for the company to do this to their employees. —- Ss Diaz

12. ** Manhattan Beach has seen a significant rise in Crime – why wouldn’t we do something proactive to protect the safety of our community? —- Cammie Bell, Manhattan Beach

13. ** Crime is up becoming there are no consequences. The DA will not prosecute; they will be released without bail. Why wouldn’t Crime be more common? —- Michael M., Manhattan Beach

14. ** My electrical service truck was stolen! Almost worse than that is all of the tools and materials that were inside! A police report filed, but probably nothing will come of it. —- John Eather, East Manhattan Beach

15. ** Deniers can fling around any nonsense they choose, but crime is getting worse in Manhattan Beach. Significantly, and there doesn’t seem to be much being done about it. —- Hillary S., Manhattan Beach

16. ** I love dogs, have a dog, etc. But the only time I bring my dog inside to any establishment is when I am on a road trip, and the temperature outside is above 65 degrees. I cannot leave her in the car, as you know. But why are you bringing your dog into a grocery store? —- Dawn Portner, Manhattan Beach

17. ** In this recent school board election, not one of the winning candidates ran on the controversial EDSJI (equity, diversity, social justice and inclusion) race-based agenda. Forty percent of Manhattan Beach residents voted for “The Trifecta,” and did not support the winning candidates. There is simply no mandate from any of the school board candidates for the race agenda MBUSD has embraced. —- Fred Taylor, Manhattan Beach

18. ** We can thank Watergate and the fall of Richard Nixon for numerous words and quotes that continue to shape public understanding of political scandals. There’s “hush money” and “Deep Throat,” a “modified limited hangout” and “Follow the money.” But half a century later, two other Watergate phrases are key to comprehending the FBI’s sordid role in suppressing initial coverage of Hunter Biden’s laptop. —- Harvey M., Manhattan Beach

19. ** For your safety, The Manhattan Beach Police Department has increased its patrol presence this holiday season, including our bike patrol officers in the downtown area. Long, long overdue! —- Carla H., Manhattan Beach

20. ** Happy New Year MB Weekly! You keep getting better and better. Keep up the good work! —- Paul Wafer, Manhattan Beach

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MB Weekly 12/22/2022

COUNCIL CANDIDATE – CRIME VICTIM
MB WEEKLY EXCLUSIVE COMMENTARY by Frank Chiella:

Last Tuesday morning, I went out to get into my Toyota Tacoma pickup and noticed the tailgate on my pickup was missing. My truck was parked on the street directly in front of my house, where I park it every night. I live on a quiet street in the tree section of Manhattan Beach. I called the police, and they came out and took a report. I then reported the theft to my insurance company and got an estimate for a replacement tailgate from Manhattan Beach Toyota. It is going to cost $4,000 to replace the tailgate. I ran for City Council in the past election, and part of my platform was increasing public safety in Manhattan Beach. Many people don’t believe our city has a significant crime problem. To my surprise, I am now one of the statistics to prove that belief wrong. We have increasing crime in Manhattan Beach, and now is the time to take action by adding more police officers to our city. We should be proactive and not reactive about the increase in crimes of all types. I am writing this letter to ask our community to report all crimes, no matter how small, to our police department so we can have accurate data to decide how we can best prepare ourselves and our community for the battle against criminals. We all need to open our eyes and see that crime has increased in our city and we need to take action now.


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Manhattan Beach Councilmembers current, former and newly installed, pose for a photo during a December 13 meeting. Front row, from left: former Mayor Joan Jones, newly installed Councilmember David Lesser, former Mayor Hildy Stern, newly installed Councilmember Amy Howorth, City Treasurer Tim Lilligren; Back row: Councilmember Joe Franklin, former Mayor Bob Holmes, Mayor Pro Tem Richard Montgomery, Mayor Steve Napolitano, former Mayor Wayne Powell and former Mayor Jim Aldinger.


MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Lucia La Rosa

Today I received the Newsletter from Mike Michalski. According to Mike, “In Manhattan Beach, reported property crime through November is up 14% over the same period in 2021, representing a huge spike over the 2020 lockdown year, according to MBPD’s Compstat Dashboard. Most alarming, since the November 8 election through last Wednesday (roughly five weeks), there were 52 (!) vehicle burglaries, including 16 stolen catalytic converters (and one attempted theft of a converter), six residential burglaries, an armed robbery and another attack on one of our downtown jewelers (this one was an after-hours burglary, so it did not get the media coverage of last June’s brazen armed looting of Pasha Fine Jewelry in broad daylight). Also, last month in three days, three vehicle stops resulted in arrests of occupants with loaded, illegal firearms (which makes you wonder how many guns are coming into our city undetected). On the agenda for the last Council meeting of the year is a discussion regarding hiring other law enforcement agencies or private security firms (Suzanne Hadley had proposed the latter option) to augment patrols in the Downtown area.” Mike continues by suggesting that Mayor Napolitano is against hiring private security firms. I would like to know the opinion of the Manhattan Beach residents.

Please feel free to share your comments to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net


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MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach

“YES OR NO” INTERVIEWS

DO YOU LIKE SPICY FOOD?
David LeFevre–YES!
David M. Slay–YES
Deborah Hofreiter–YES
Dominique Ridley–YES
Gerry Morton–YES
Mark Burton–YES
Rita Crabtree-Kampe–YES!
Steve Napolitano–YES
Stewart Fournier–YES

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN BUNGEE JUMPING?
David LeFevre–NO
David M. Slay–NO NEVER WILL
Deborah Hofreiter–NO
Dominique Ridley–NO
Gerry Morton–YES
Mark Burton–NO
Rita Crabtree-Kampe–NO WAY!
Steve Napolitano–NO
Stewart Fournier–NO

DO YOU BELIEVE THERE IS MORE THAN ONE WAY TO VIEW A SITUATION?
David LeFevre–YES
David M. Slay–YES
Deborah Hofreiter–YES
Dominique Ridley–YES
Gerry Morton–YES
Mark Burton–YES
Rita Crabtree-Kampe–ABSOLUTELY!
Steve Napolitano–YES
Stewart Fournier–OF COURSE

DO YOU LIKE TO PLAN THINGS OUT IN ADVANCE?
David LeFevre–I NEED MORE TIME IN ADVANCE TO ANSWER THIS……YES I DO.
David M. Slay–YES
Deborah Hofreiter–YES
Dominique Ridley–YES
Gerry Morton–YES
Mark Burton–YES
Rita Crabtree-Kampe–NOPE
Steve Napolitano–SOMETIMES
Stewart Fournier–NOT AS MUCH AS I SHOULD HOWEVER IN EMERGENCIES AM ALWAYS 6 STEPS AHEAD

ARE YOU AN OPTIMIST?
David LeFevre–YES, HOPE FOR THE BEST, PLAN FOR THE WORST.
David M. Slay–YES
Deborah Hofreiter–YES
Dominique Ridley–YES
Gerry Morton–YES
Mark Burton–YES
Rita Crabtree-Kampe–100%
Steve Napolitano–YES
Stewart Fournier–YES

DID YOUR PARENTS GET DIVORCED?
David LeFevre–NO THEY WERE IN LOVE UNTIL THEY DAY THE PASSED.
David M. Slay–NO
Deborah Hofreiter–YES
Dominique Ridley–YES
Gerry Morton–YES
Mark Burton–NO
Rita Crabtree-Kampe–NO
Steve Napolitano–NO
Stewart Fournier–NO

DO YOU THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE BASICALLY GOOD?
David LeFevre–YES, AND GOOD PEOPLE CAN MAKE POOR CHOICES AND THAT DOESN’T MAKE THEM “BAD” EITHER.
David M. Slay–YES
Deborah Hofreiter–YES
Dominique Ridley–YES
Gerry Morton–YES
Mark Burton–YES
Rita Crabtree-Kampe–YES!
Steve Napolitano–YES
Stewart Fournier–YES

DO YOU HAVE ANY PHOBIAS?
David LeFevre–YES HEIGHTS, NOT IN AN AIRPLANE OF ANY SIZE FOR SOME REASON, BUT WHEN NEAR A HUGE CLIFF OR DROP OFF.
David M. Slay–MANY
Deborah Hofreiter–YES
Dominique Ridley–YES
Gerry Morton–NO
Mark Burton–NO
Rita Crabtree-Kampe–HEIGHTS
Steve Napolitano–ANSWERING YES OR NO QUESTIONS
Stewart Fournier–NO


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Mira Costa Honors and AP Chemistry teacher Teresa Nielsen is an “LA County Teacher of the Year.”


MB WEEKLY – READER POLL:

WAS TWITTER RIGHT TO INITIALLY SUPPRESS THE STORY ON HUNTER BIDEN’S LAPTOP?

According to a sample of MB Weekly readers in Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities, MB Weekly readers have spoken.

Do you agree or disagree with the results. Please send your reply to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)


Manhattan Beach City Council Approves Funding For MBUSD Security Cameras:

At its meeting on December 6, 2022, City Council unanimously approved $250,000 from the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to support funding for cameras at Manhattan Beach Middle School and Mira Costa High School. This action follows the Manhattan Beach Unified School District’s (MBUSD) Board of Trustees approval on September 14, 2022, to install new camera systems at MBUSD schools. “The City’s number one priority is public safety,” said Mayor Steve Napolitano. “This project aligns with the City’s goals to enhance the safety and security of Manhattan Beach schools. With the installation of cameras on school sites, Manhattan Beach Police Department will be better equipped to apprehend and hold those accountable for committing crimes on school campuses.” While approving the decision, some residents felt the action was long overdue. “I’m pleased with the decision, of course, but think it repeatedly takes the city too long to act on obvious public safety matters,” said Tony T., a long-time Manhattan Beach business owner.


MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Rachel Yanofsky

Watch out for this driver. I was at the stop sign by MBMS as the crossing guard had us stopped to cross a group of kids when this man in the Lexus SUV (pictured) blew thru the stop sign, nearly missing me. At first, I thought he did not see me or the stop sign, but he then proceeded to blow the next stop sign as well. When I used my horn to alert him that I was there and that he was running the stop sign, he gave me the finger, started laughing, and then held up some hand gestures (see picture). I was able to get his plate once I caught up with him, which due to the backlog of traffic in Redondo, was easy to do. What kind of example are you setting for the kid or kids in your car? Really what is so funny about this? There are pedestrians, bikers, and other vehicles, and the area is exceptionally congested. You should be ashamed of yourself and your actions, ALL OF THEM!


MB WEEKLY:
Reader Questions To
MB Mayor Steve Napolitano

Q: Mayor, what are three of your favorite restaurants in Manhattan Beach? —- Karen K.
A: Oh boy, it’s stuff like this that gets a Mayor in trouble … it’s like asking someone which of their kids they love most. It’s not a hedge at all to say that we’re truly blessed in Manhattan Beach to have some really incredible restaurants and I’ve eaten at pretty much all of them at one time or another. But that’s why I make the big money, right? Ok, I’m game but it’s going to be more than 3 and based on the type of food. A good place to start downtown is at Shellback for their fish tacos – hard to describe because they’re unlike any others but oh’ so good. As a long time pescatarian, any list has to include Fishing with Dynamite, I love the raw bar there as well as the cooked stuff. While I’m a sushi fanatic, FWD is an old school oyster bar treat in MB, same as Rock n’ Fish (it’s almost navy grog November). Speaking of old school, never pass up an opportunity to have an Erc’s burger, especially with the burger deal they have on Wednesday night (yeah, I order the veggie burger, and it’s awesome). For old school Mexican, you can’t beat the downtown El Sombrero, I’ve been going there since I was 8 when it was next to the old La Mar theatre. I’m a fan of Mangiamo’s (is your happy hour back yet??) for some lesser ordered items – they have a great fish soup and I love the risotto. Uncle Bill’s is an institution and rightfully so (cheddar waffle and hash browns please) and my mom did the mural on the inside. If you haven’t had a pizza from Love & Salt, you really should. And the dips at Petros. In the North End, I typically go to Sloopy’s for beach eats, OB’s for incredible fish and chips and a great bar (great dive bars all need to be saved) and Pancho’s for a margarita, guac and chips. Fishbar has been a great addition too. If you have a late-night craving, there’s always the Kettle but sometimes you have to hit El Tarasco too, or Sharkeez. I miss a lot of the places we used to have on Sepulveda, but if you want a great, offbeat breakfast, try The Castle, where the guys on the bar stools at 7 a.m. probably never left from the night before. While Tin Roof Bistro is still a great anchor to the Manhattan Village shopping center eats, we’ve got a lot of great new restaurants up there I need to try out as they keep opening up. As I said when I started this list, there’s plenty more good restaurants out there – they wouldn’t still be open if they weren’t good – but these are the ones that I could think of at the moment. Looking forward to the angry emails saying “what about …”!


Send Your Questions To
The Mayor Of Manhattan Beach

The Mayor of Manhattan Beach, Steve Napolitano, has generously agreed to write an “Ask the Mayor” monthly column exclusively for MB Weekly. Please send your questions to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net


MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Maureen McBride

Owner Of Tabula Rasa Essentials

“WOULD YOU RATHER” INTERVIEW

WOULD YOU RATHER LOSE THE ABILITY TO READ OR LOSE THE ABILITY TO SPEAK?
–Read

WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE A GOLDEN VOICE OR A SILVER TONGUE?
–Golden Voice

WOULD YOU RATHER ALWAYS BE 10 MINUTES LATE OR ALWAYS BE 20 MINUTES EARLY?
–20 Minutes Early

WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE ONE REAL GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARD OR A KEY THAT OPENS ANY DOOR?
–Key That Opens Any Door

www.tabularasaessentials.com


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Former City Councilmembers Hildy Stern and Suzanne Hadley depart the City Council after their last meeting.


** Author Aura Imbarus at Nando Trattoria Manhattan Beach with Dario Vullo, restaurateur and owner of Nando. (photo above)

** Rotary President Gerry Morton having dinner at SLAY Steak and Fish in Manhattan Beach.


MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Tod & Cynthia P.

This woman was on my property this morning. Broke in to my backyard. Threatened my house sitter. Demanded to be let in, tried all our doors, and kept threatening. She then stripped naked in the front yard, used my hose to shower, and broke and damaged things in my yard. The MB police didn’t show. The person on the desk was rude. The homeless person then left our yard, went across the street, and started trying their doors. The cops lost her because, with a bright blue wig, she is hard to find – and clearly, she moves at the speed of light. Our cops couldn’t find her, so she must be much more clever than they are – a horrible experience with MB police. My house sitter is terrified. This woman was aggressive and threatening. She is out there right by Pennekamp and Mira Costa. A MAJOR failure by our police department. She was attempting a break in – not just wandering by.


MB WEEKLY – CARTOON:

“Pinpoint the exact moment you caught a cold in Manhattan Beach.”


MB WEEKLY – READER QUESTION:

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE IN MANHATTAN BEACH TO BUY CANDLES?

Please share your reply with thousands and thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities.

Send your reply to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)


MB – BULLETIN BOARD:


1. ** My name is Noa. If you are looking for a babysitter, mother’s helper, or dog walker, I am very responsible and energetic. I charge $15 an hour for babysitting. My number is 424-404-3241. —- Noa, Manhattan Beach

2. ** With deliveries starting in late 2023, you can now have your very own personal electric aerial vehicle! Yes, it’s called the Jetson One. —- David H., From The Robb Report

3. ** This country’s tatterdemalion safety net fails to catch so many in the best of times. —- Thomas L., Manhattan Beach

4. ** Please spread the word. Invite your neighbors, friends, and family to sign up for free to receive MB Weekly. —- www.MBWeekly.net

5. ** For the past 22 years, the Port of Los Angeles has been the busiest container port in North America. But for the past three months, the Port of New York and New Jersey has been No. 1. —- Brandi G., Manhattan Beach

6. ** Anyone needs their windows washed? Call this number if interested: 424-400-1553 —- Adam Afify, Manhattan Beach

7. ** Gail at The Kettle is the best. —- Nancy P., Manhattan Beach

8. ** Are you ready for the Last Waltz —- amazon

9. ** By now, you would have to be under a rock not to hear that Donald Trump has outdone himself again. When you thought nothing more outrageous he could do, the former president who swore to uphold the Constitution comes right out and says that the Constitution should be “terminated.” Democracy be damned. Trump as king. Vladimir Putin couldn’t have said it better. —- Alice Z., Manhattan Beach

10. ** Thank God for www.SetTheTableLA.com. —- Roger P., Manhattan Beach

11. ** WTF is wrong with the escalators at Metlox shopping center? They have been broken for months and months. —- Andrew C., Manhattan Beach

12. ** In case you haven’t figured it out, fathers matter. —- Dennis P., Manhattan Beach

13. ** Eric Garcetti will go down in history as L.A.’s worst Mayor of all time. Look at the streets —- Emily R., Manhattan Beach

14. ** At Pacific Standard Prime in Redondo Beach, I’ve eaten several of the best salads I’ve ever had. —- Lee P., Manhattan Beach

15. ** At Mercado Mexican in Manhattan Beach, they have permanently done away with paper menus. You have read their menus on your phone. Tacky. —- Allison J., Manhattan Beach

16. ** I will miss Suzanne Hadley on the City Council. She deserved to be re-elected. —- Ken S., Manhattan Beach

17. ** Some friends of mine are having problems with a tenant here in Manhattan Beach. This person has not paid rent in 3 months. It seems like the tenant is a pro and did not intend to pay rent. —- Karen Liberman, Manhattan Beach

18. ** MB Fireworks Flop Wow. I loved the pyrotechnics, which must have cost a fortune (thank you, Sketchers et al.). But what happened to the music? Since day one of MB Fireworks, the synchronization between pyro and Christmas music has been the real draw to this event. No (zero, aka nada) music, let alone Christmas music associated with the fireworks this year. HUGE MISS! I hope whoever paid for this gets a discount or refund. Please fix this next year! —- Ty Kostan, Manhattan Beach

19. ** Wow. The world has become insane, and Sketchers was nice enough to put on a show for us, and there are complaints. How about Thank you, and I am grateful. It’s not that hard. —- Roxanne S., Hermosa Beach

20. ** Yesterday our car was parked on the street, unlocked, for around four hours and in that time someone opened it and stole several items. It was particularly bold given that it was the middle of the day with people coming and going. They threw out several of the items on the sidewalk down the street. Beware and always lock your car. – 3520-3530 Elm Avenue, Manhattan Beach. —- Alison Bonanq, Manhattan Beach

Comment / Hire / Share / Promote / Barter / Discuss
The MB Weekly Free Bulletin Board is your place to communicate for free with thousands and thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach. Send your message (maximum 50 words) to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net


MB Weekly Disclaimer: 1.) MB Weekly accepts no liability for the content of this email, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. MB Weekly is not associated with any commercial or political organization and is transmitted via the web for the sole benefit of its subscribers. 2.) Unfortunately, computer viruses can be transmitted via email. The recipient should check this mail and any attachments for the presence of viruses.

MB Weekly Bonus Edition 12/18/2022

MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Manhattan Beach realtor Mike Michalski.


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Kelley Misetich, Community and Membership Coordinator, Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce.


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Mark Ogren, chef of Fleming’s Steakhouse in El Segundo.


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Charlotte Lesser, community activist.


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Manhattan Beach City Manager Bruce Moe.


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Frank Chiella, MBFD Battalion Captain (Retired) who ran for City Council.


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Dan Humbert, community activist.


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Manhattan Beach Mayor Steve Napolitano and realtor Abby Waddell.


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

City Talk guest of honor Larry Kosmont at Urban Plates Manhattan Beach.


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Former Manhattan Beach mayor, Russ Lesser, celebrates his birthday.


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Gerry Morton, Manhattan Beach Rotary President.


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Chef David Slay, a third-generation American restaurateur, grows specialty vegetables, herbs and fruits in raised and in-ground beds at his small farm in Stanton. Check out the award-winning Slay Italian and Slay Steak and Fish.


MB WEEKLY:

“Once a week but never weakly”

Invite your friends, neighbors, and associates to sign up for free at: www.MBWeekly.net


MB WEEKLY – CARTOON:

“Now that I don’t have to ‘make the most of the holiday’ in Manhattan Beach, I can finally relax.”


MB – BULLETIN BOARD:


1. ** South Bay’s best private chef – https://www.setthetablela.com

2. ** South Bay’s most trusted dog walker. 5 years experience. Reasonable prices. 310-714-9877 – Silva Zambon – alohamydogs@gmail.com

3. ** Generally, my wife experiences a migraine prodrome – a general feeling that a migraine will strike. This usually occurs one or two hours before the headache starts. —- Dr. Lance H., Manhattan Beach

4. ** Multiple cars were broken into early this morning (0130-0300) in the Tree Section of Manhattan Beach. Windows were smashed. Please contact me if you have video evidence of the perpetrators, and I will pass them along to the authorities. —- Ernest DP, Manhattan Beach

5. ** COVID test at Exer Urgent Care was quick, easy, and painless, and you feel so much better when the test is negative. You also get notified of results very quickly. —- Frank Markland, Manhattan Beach

6. ** Of fictional clowns, Ronald McDonald has a much higher body count than The Joker. —- Jayme B., Manhattan Beach

7. ** SLAY Steak and Fish House on Manhattan Avenue is a great dining experience! Excellent food, service, and ambiance! —- Mark Burton

8. ** South Bay Bee Removal – 310-662-1397 —- Tod and Cynthia P., Manhattan Beach

9. ** Yes, I still have a landline but only because whenever we try to cancel it, Spectrum tells us our cable and internet prices will go up because we save money by “bundling.” The landline only gets spam calls, and we keep the ringer turned off. —- Jim Selth, Redondo Beach

10.** Does anyone know why there are hundreds of dead cockroaches on the strand? I have never seen so many concentrated between tenth and sixth streets. —- Dorie Alexandra, Manhattan Beach

11. ** Car Detailing Service: We provide the service at your driveway at a reasonable price (470) 467-2928 —- Katherine Peller, Manhattan Beach

12. ** By the time you read this, you’ll be older than you remember. —- Leslie G., Manhattan Beach

13. ** Raw sewage and poop flowed down 23rd Street from about Highland in Manhattan Beach. Be mindful of crossing the strand at 23rd Street bc that is a poop river. —- Alexandra W., Manhattan Beach

14. ** This morning at about 6:05, I took my dog “Betty” for her Morning walk. As we rounded the corner at Rowell to head down Gates, we came across a solo Coyote on a slow trot heading East. I made a lot of aggressive noise, it glanced over and picked up its pace, then it headed down the hill toward Voorhees. —- Brent Gilliland, Manhattan Beach

15. ** My housekeeper Alma has openings. I’ve been working with her for years and could not recommend her more. (310) 619-3904 —- Matt Austin, Manhattan Beach

16. ** Protect your home and valuables this holiday season and remember to follow the #9pmroutine. —- MB Police Department

17. ** Southwestern Carpet Cleaning. Mark always does superior work! He preps stains, cleans exceptionally well, and lays down walking paper. We have used him for MANY years, and we are Never disappointed. —- Barb Woodward, Manhattan Beach

18. ** Business beware. Get woke, go broke. —- Amanda L., Manhattan Beach

19. ** The results of the Manhattan Beach elections were not about partisanship. They were about ideology. Those are two different concepts. No one brought party politics (partisanship) into our elections. —- Christopher O’Brien, Manhattan Beach

20. ** My high school son has friends who shoplift from the Manhattan Beach Target store because they know they won’t be prosecuted. Imagine 16-year-old boys who know that George Gascon won’t file misdemeanor charges, and they also know that Manhattan Beach doesn’t have a city prosecutor. What has California become? —- Jaime McKesson, Redondo Beach

Comment / Hire / Share / Promote / Barter / Discuss
The MB Weekly Free Bulletin Board is your place to communicate for free with thousands and thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach. Send your message (maximum 50 words) to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net


MB Weekly Disclaimer: 1.) MB Weekly accepts no liability for the content of this email, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. MB Weekly is not associated with any commercial or political organization and is transmitted via the web for the sole benefit of its subscribers. 2.) Unfortunately, computer viruses can be transmitted via email. The recipient should check this mail and any attachments for the presence of viruses.