MB WEEKLY:
EXCLUSIVE READER QUESTIONS
TO MB MAYOR STEVE NAPOLITANO
Dear Mayor: WHY HAVE THE ESCALATORS AT METLOX BEEN ALLOWED TO GO UNREPAIRED FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS? IT SEEMS A PROBLEM THAT THE CITY SHOULD ADDRESS. —- J.A., MANHATTAN BEACH
A: Well, I’d like to say that it’s all part of the City’s new exercise program to promote healthy living by taking the stairs but that’s just a bad joke. I’m just as frustrated as everyone else is about the repeated failures of the escalators at Metlox. We’ve had rotating issues with contractors, supply chains, all the things you’ve been hearing about whenever things have broken down over the last couple of years and nobody seems to know why it takes so long to fix them. In this case we do know why – the escalators are old and at the end of their useful life. They need to be replaced, but in the meantime, we’ll continue to repair them the best we can because replacing them is not a quick, easy or cheap undertaking and we’ll need to budget for their replacement this June. Until then, if anyone has any ambulatory issues, we want to encourage folks to take the elevators. As of the time I wrote this, they were working!
Dear Mayor: SINCE THERE APPEARS TO BE SUCH A RISE IN CRIME LATELY IN MANHATTAN BEACH, HOW DO YOU THINK THE NEW POLICE CHIEF IS DOING? —- P.C., MANHATTAN BEACH
A: Chief Johnson is doing a great job. To combat rising crime, the Chief recently proposed and the City Council approved the hiring of 7 new police officers, one Police Support Supervisor, and one Administrative Assistant, bringing our total number of sworn positions to 72 from 65. The additional staffing will be devoted to crime prevention, active response, and investigative follow up. The new positions will also allow the Department to create a Crime Impact Group to support investigative efforts in the Detective Bureau through conducting surveillance, following leads, identifying suspects, composing warrants, and making arrests as appropriate. Additionally, a year-round full-time bike patrol unit will enhance engagement within our community, providing highly visible patrols in both the residential and commercial areas, including our downtown, while also patrolling areas difficult to patrol in vehicles, such as the bike path, high density traffic locations, and small streets and alleys. The addition of administrative support will free up Detective’s time to focus on investigative work, and will ensure the crime data is up to date and provided to the community in a timely manner. We also continue to look at the increased use of cameras and drones as near future steps in our policing. With these improvements, Chief Johnson has laid out a blue-print for the future of policing in Manhattan Beach and she has the full support of City Council.
Dear Mayor: IS IT TRUE THAT YOU WERE FIRST ELECTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AT AGE 28? HOW IN THE HELL DID YOU PULL THAT OFF? —- S.H., MANHATTAN BEACH
A: Actually I was 26 when I was first elected. I had no money for a campaign but I had time, so my best friend and I printed off a bunch of flyers and went door to door throughout the whole city – twice. Apparently nobody had done that before, or at least not in anyone’s recent memory. But going door to door isn’t enough and still isn’t. People get elected for their positions and ideas and I like to think that since people knew I had lived here all my life, my message and ideas hit home with folks as someone who really cared and loved my community and would always put residents first. I’ve run on that same message ever since and it’s been the honor of my life to serve our community.
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 Michael Zislis
Of Zislis Group
Q: WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE MANHATTAN BEACH AS YOUR BUSINESS HEADQUARTERS?
A: I opened by first business here – Manhattan Beach Brewing Company 32 years ago and I have loved Manhattan Beach ever since. I moved from Palos Verdes to Manhattan Beach and haven’t looked back. It’s truly the perfect place to raise a family, we have amazing schools and the best beach. Where else can your kids take surf for PE?! The amazing community has supported me here since my first restaurant and I am forever grateful for that.
Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY EXPANSION PLANS FOR THE NEXT THREE YEAR?
A: After COVID, we are instead focusing on rebuilding the businesses; remodeling, updating menus and retraining staff. COVID was very difficult for the restaurant & hotel industry. We are however currently working on one new concept… more on that soon, but we plan to open it in 2024.
Q: WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF RUNNING YOUR RESTAURANTS POST-COVID?
A: Staffing, supply chain issues and costs.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME?
A: Planes Trains and Automobiles & The Fifth Element.
Q: NAME THREE RESTAURANTS IN MANHATTAN BEACH THAT YOU DON’T OPERATE THAT YOU ESPECIALLY ENJOY?
A: Arthur J, Slay, Sugar Fish.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR ASTROLOGY SIGN?
A: Libra
Fun Fact: Michael shares his birthday with the Red Rocker–Sammy Hagar!
State Of The City 2023:
MARCH 16th, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
WESTDRIFT HOTEL
Presented by
Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce
& City of Manhattan Beach
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO:
Interview With Former MB Mayor
Mark Burton
The Story of… former Manhattan Beach Mayor, Mark Burton.
MB WEEKLY – AROUND THE AREA:
*****Space Systems Command and mission partners have successfully executed a U.S. Space Force mission by launching two military satellites from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida recently. The liftoff was from Launch Complex-39A using SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy Rocket. The purpose of the mission, titled USSF-67, was to put to satellites to transmit military communications data in orbit and transport payloads to space. Space Systems Command is headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo.
The Rockefeller:
$2 Burger Tuesdays
The Rockefeller is a locally owned South Bay staple serving American cuisine in a casual, yet sophisticated atmosphere. With locations in Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo Beach, you will see a dedication to high quality food, atmosphere and customer service. Now open for lunch daily (M-Th), brunch (F-Sun) and a new Happy Hour from 3-6pm (Mon-Fri). as well as dinner 7 days a week. Stop by on Tuesdays after 3pm for $2 Burger Tuesdays! Reservations. Online Ordering. Events.
WOW! – MBPD Finds More Than 40,000 Fake Oxycodone Pills:
A mound of allegedly bogus Oxycodone pills was discovered by officers during a traffic stop in Manhattan Beach last week, according to the police. On the evening of February 23, police officers on Rosecrans Avenue stopped a car for violating the rules after spotting it, according to Manhattan Beach Police Department officer Andre Abreu. When police investigated the automobile, they discovered more than 40,000 phony pills hidden in various locations. It’s undoubtedly a lot for one person to carry about, according to Abreu. The risk of these bogus pills, according to the police, is in what they might contain. In situations like these, it’s not unusual for them to be spiked with fentanyl and methamphetamine. Since 2016, there have been an increase in the number of fentanyl overdose deaths in Los Angeles County, prompting regulators to urge extra vigilance from the general public.
MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Kathy McQuiggan CPA
Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor
Q: WHEN DID YOU BEGIN BEACH CITIES ACCOUNTING?
A: I began Beach Cities Accounting in 2012.
Q: WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE MANHATTAN BEACH AS YOUR HEADQUARTERS?
A: I wanted a short commute! I originally moved to Manhattan Beach in 1989 and still love the area.
Q: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME?
A: I can’t pick just one, I like all feel-good movies!
Q: WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS?
A: Hiring great people is always difficult. We have a fabulous team now, however, it has been a difficult and time-consuming process.
Q: HOW CAN PEOPLE GET MORE INFORMATION ON BAY CITIES ACCOUNTING?
A: Those interested in service can always check out our website, call us at 424-257-0253, or email us at info@beachcitiesaccounting.com.
Q: WHO IS YOUR IDEAL CUSTOMER?
A: Anyone seeking information on the Employee Retention Credit. If we are not doing the Employee Retention Credit, we are providing accounting services to law firms.
Q: REVEAL A FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF?
A: During COVID lockdowns I turned my minivan into a camper van and traveled to several National Parks. My adventures included visits to Yosemite, Bryce, Zion, Big Sur, the Grand Canyon, and a few other smaller locations.
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
The Mira Costa High School Cheer team at Walt Disney World in Florida, where they finished second in the nation among schools their size.
MB WEEKLY:
“Once A Week, But Never Weakly”
Intriguing People. Intriguing City.
Sign up for free at:
www.MBWeekly.net
MB WEEKLY – AROUND THE AREA:
*****The Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant still isn’t doing enough to mitigate odors coming from the facility, according to the region’s air quality watchdog. Los Angeles Sanitation & Environment, which oversees the wastewater treatment facility near El Segundo, now has a longer list of rules to abide by as it works to rid the area of a regular sewage smell that has plagued residents for about a year-and-a-half – and a shorter amount of time in which to do so.
Set The Table:
Wouldn’t you love having gourmet meals, tailored to your specific health needs and taste, delivered and immaculately plated for you every night?
Wouldn’t that restore meal time to the family time it’s supposed to be? Wouldn’t that be a burden off your shoulders? It’s time to enjoy meals again. The award-winning culinary artists at Set the Table Professional Chef Services are ready to create and implement the best meals of, and for, your life. Find out how you can save time, effort, and be healthier at the same time right here. Oh, by the way… For those wanting to learn some of the techniques and tools for creating healthy gourmet meals, Set The Table also offers cooking lessons.
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO:
Spinning Around Manhattan Beach
With Kate
Urban Plates
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Stewart Fournier
“Southern California home sales fall to all-time low” makes a good headline, but what does it mean? For what period, specific location, and what does it mean for me? Let’s face it, in this click-bate era how does the headline inform or mean anything? Everyone knows home prices are cyclical; however, the prices have skyrocketed for an unprecedented 13 years. It makes sense a change was inevitable. The so-called mass California exodus is slowing; remember, those who replaced them are more wealthy. The possibilities for those who stay are still growing. You may be amazed to discover how any real estate investment, which is a long-term position, is suitable for you no matter the property market de jour, especially in Southern California.
Agree? Disagree? Send your comment to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Former MB Mayor/Councilmember Wayne Powell on vacay in Cabo San Lucas.
MB WEEKLY – AROUND THE AREA:
*****The Los Angeles International Airport’s long-term modernization is more than halfway finished, airport officials said in an update this week, with some projects completed in the past few years and others under construction and upcoming. The second and final phase of the $15 billion capital improvement project recently began, said Justin Erbacci, CEO of Los Angeles World Airports during a January 27 virtual forum on its progress, and construction will go through 2030.
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Mike Simms
Of Simms Restaurants
My take away is that Frank from the Chargers is a class act. He withdrew the application so that council wouldn’t have to vote it down. His comments were exemplary of a group I’d like to see MB partner with in some fashion going forward.
Agree? Disagree? Send your comment to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Milo Bacic
Feel free to send your photos to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
MB WEEKLY – CARTOON:
“Now that everyone’s stopped masking in Manhattan Beach, it’s harder to tell I’m an asshole.”
MB WEEKLY – READER QUESTION:
WHERE DO YOU GO IN MANHATTAN BEACH TO GET A JOY BOOST?
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)
DON’T GROW OLD – TELL YOUR STORY:
FACTS TELL, STORIES SELL
MB – BULLETIN BOARD:
1. ** Via the Older People Poetry Circle program of the City of Manhattan Beach’s Parks and Recreation Department, Mira Costa students in Shannon Vaughan’s creative writing class took part in an exceptional intergenerational poetry writing session. —- Hope E., Manhattan Beach
2. ** I hate my neighbor’s dog! —- Helen M., Manhattan Beach
3. ** How quickly someone answers you is rarely a sign of how much they care about you. Delayed replies to emails, texts, and calls are often symptoms of being overextended or overwhelmed. Unless it’s urgent, the true test of a relationship isn’t the speed of response. It’s the quality of attention. —- Darren G., Redondo Beach
4. ** NewsGuard – one of the largest and most influential “fact-checkers” employed by Big Tech—is targeting influential conservative voices. As the self-appointed “Internet trust tool,” NewsGuard claims it is leading the fight against misinformation. In reality, NewsGuard is a weapon powerful leftist organizations use to silence their opposition. —- Vince B., Manhattan Beach
5. ** It has never been harder to be a teenage girl. The latest study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is terrifying. Twice as many girls as boys felt persistent sadness in the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey given to 17,000 high school students, the highest rate in a decade. One in 3 girls reported seriously considering attempting suicide. —- Sue E., Manhattan Beach
6. ** In Panera – Hermosa Beach – A homeless man is sleeping in the fetal position. He fought two police officers to escape. The manager must report – more homeless B.S. taxpayer costs. Enough. Oh, yeah, the criminal is not my “unhoused neighbor!” —- Yolanda H., Hermosa Beach
7. ** Ralph’s pricing is unreal (El Segundo), especially if you go online and compare to Kroger stores in other markets. What is driving the rising grocery prices? —- Tracy H., El Segundo
8. ** I must say I was very impressed with doctor Michael Mercado at Providence urgent care – caring, non-rushing, smart, and helpful. —- Holly R., Manhattan Beach
9. ** I sincerely hope Redondo Beach will make an investment in real bike lanes with curb guards. —- Amy H., Redondo Beach
10. ** Luckily, at Council’s February 7 meeting, the Police Chief and Council dismissed the crime deniers and unanimously approved an 11% increase in MBPD’s sworn police officer personnel (from 65 to 72 officers) and three other much-needed civilian support staff jobs. Long overdue but welcome. —- Traci P., Manhattan Beach
11. ** Pablo at JP Electric is a unique, trustworthy, and reliable electrician. He’s affordable and cheerful. —- Lance H., Manahattan Beach
12. ** Heartbroken. Addiction took my daughter yesterday. Police discovered her. She hid in his bedroom and took all his prescriptions. It all started years ago with pot. —- Wally K., El Segundo
13. ** This is the coldest f—king winter ever in Manhattan Beach! Sick of it. —- James A., Manhattan Beach
14. ** Why are some notable black performers and athletes making antisemitic remarks? Is it because of the way black history is taught to them? —- Claire D., Manhattan Beach
15. ** Catalytic converter thieves. I saw catalytic converter thieves stealing from a Toyota Prius on Avenue C. I confronted them while calling 911 despite their attempts to scare me. —- Blair H., Redondo Beach
16. ** MB Weekly – Thanks so much for highlighting the reimagined blue line flag we recently presented to City Council. Other local MB newsletters don’t seem to want to publicly support our PD (shame) … glad MB Weekly will! Means a lot to residents who respect & value law enforcement. Keep up the great work. —- Heidi Rayden, Manhattan Beach
17. ** I’d like to know why the price of natural gas doubled or tripled from the previous year. —- Arnold W., Manhattan Beach
18. ** MB Weekly is a dynamic and welcoming addition to our community. —- Chelsea P., Manhattan Beach
19. ** Our favorite taco restaurant in the neighborhood, El Tarasco, had its cash registers ripped into (second time). They are strong supporters of our local community and schools. —- Lulu R., Redondo Beach
20. ** On last Wednesday night, February 22, high winds cracked and fell a massive Manhattan Beach Tree Section tree over an apartment building and parked truck. —- Tedi L., 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.
