MB WEEKLY – READER POLL:
HOW LONG DO YOU WANT TO LIVE – MB WEEKLY READERS AIM HIGHER THAN AMERICA
In the latest MB Weekly Reader Poll, our large South Bay audience revealed a striking aspiration: on average, they want to live to age 91 – well above the current U.S. life expectancy of 78 years. The results shed light on an optimistic and remarkably youthful mindset in the South Bay. While national health statistics continue to fluctuate, residents of the Manhattan Beach area seem to believe they possess the longevity, lifestyle, and determination to outpace the country’s averages by more than a decade. The findings suggest a combination of coastal living, strong community ties, and a local culture that prioritizes fitness, wellness, and prevention.
Agree? Disagree? Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
Drunk Driver From Hell – Family Slaps $200M Suit In Teen’s Death:
The parents of 18-year-old Loyola High School tennis player Braun Levi, killed in a horrific May crash, have filed a $200 million wrongful death lawsuit following his death on Sepulveda Boulevard. The suit alleges that the driver was a “repeat offender drunk driver,” previously arrested and prosecuted for DUI and an injury-related collision. The Levi family says the lawsuit is not only about accountability but about legacy. They are pursuing damages in the name of the Live Like Braun Foundation, hoping to honor their son while raising urgent awareness about the deadly consequences of drinking and driving.
Who Is Jen Caskey:
Jen Caskey, founder of the Jen Caskey Group and one of the South Bay’s most respected Realtors®, has built a career defined by excellence, trust, and unrivaled market insight. Before launching JCG, she co-founded Caskey & Caskey, the #1 real estate team in the South Bay for decades. Her leadership helped generate over $200 million in sales in 2024 alone, with a focus on luxury coastal properties from Manhattan Beach to Palos Verdes. Known for her sharp business acumen, strategic negotiating, and steadfast discretion, Jen is a guiding force for clients navigating high-value transactions. Her experience building and leading top-performing teams – including a Real Trends No. 11 national ranking in 2020 – inspired her move to Compass, where she now leads a powerhouse group of accomplished and approachable Realtors. A Manhattan Beach native and proud USC alum, Jen is equally admired for her philanthropic contributions and deep roots in the community she has long called home.
www.JenCaskeyGroup.com
MB WEEKLY EXCLUSIVE VIDEO:
An exclusive MB Weekly video of The Arthur J.
Click Link To Watch:
https://youtu.be/9uUV2PRu2t4
WHO WILL IT BE?
MB Weekly Seeks Nominations
For Manhattan Beach’s First
“Person of the Year”
MB Weekly is launching a bold new tradition – naming Manhattan Beach’s first-ever Person of the Year. Modeled after the iconic Time Magazine award, this honor will recognize the individual who had the most significant impact on the city in 2025, for better or worse. From civic leaders to outspoken residents, entrepreneurs to activists, MB Weekly invites its vast South Bay readership to submit nominations. The goal is not to celebrate only the most popular or universally admired, but rather to spotlight the Person who most shaped the year’s story in Manhattan Beach – whether through leadership, controversy, innovation, or community spirit. “The Person of the Year will reflect the influence – positive or negative – of a single individual on our city’s identity in 2025,” an MB Weekly spokesperson said. Nominations are now open, and readers are encouraged to think broadly about impact: Who made the most significant difference in how we live, debate, and move forward as a community? The first Person of the Year will be announced in MB Weekly’s final edition of the year – cementing a new annual tradition for Manhattan Beach.
Please send your Nominations to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Psychologist James P., Ph.D. (Hermosa Beach)
In the clinical arena – where emotion is stripped of its partisan plumage – one must confront an inconvenient truth: yes, something resembling “Trump derangement syndrome” exists. I say this not as a polemicist but as a clinician who has, with some astonishment, watched patients drag Donald Trump into therapy not as a statesman, but as specter. Their distress is rarely ideological; it is symptomatic. I see the same triad again and again: intrusive thoughts, emotional dysregulation, and a most unholy dependence on news alerts. Some patients report sleeplessness, tachycardia, even a kind of Pavlovian panic at the mere sound of a push notification. This is less politics than pathology – what I term obsessive political preoccupation – wherein a public figure becomes the unwilling lodestar of a patient’s intrusive anxieties. It is, in short, the mind’s misguided attempt to anchor dread to a single visible man.
Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
Tin Roof Bistro:
Experience an unforgettable Thanksgiving feast with Tin Roof Bistro. Whether you prefer unmatched dining ambiance or the convenience of savoring Thanksgiving favorites at home, we’ve got you covered. Choose our exclusive prix fixe menu or convenient to-go options for a truly festive feast!
www.TinRoofBistro.com
Making Waves For 94 Years – Sandpipers Honors Legacy Of Service At Founder’s Day Luncheon:
Sandpipers, one of the South Bay’s longest-standing charitable institutions, celebrated its 94th year on November 4 at the Westdrift during its annual Founders’ Day Luncheon. Founded in 1931, the all-volunteer organization has become a cornerstone of local philanthropy, uplifting thousands through programs that support education, well-being, and financial stability. “Sandpipers’ founders had an ambitious mission, and while a lot may have changed in 94 years, they continue to inspire the community toward empathy, compassion, determination, and generosity,” said Camille Soriano, the 2025–2026 Sandpiper of the Year. The luncheon’s theme, Making Waves, honored the club’s seven trailblazing founders and highlighted how a small Depression-era effort to help struggling families has evolved into a powerful engine of community support. This season, Sandpipers will deliver Holiday Baskets to over 100 local families, provide 1,500 toys to foster children, and host its 33rd Holiday Homes Tour, expected to raise more than $140,000 for its philanthropic programs.
Bliss Nail Lounge – Grand Opening:
Join us for the Grand Opening Saturday, December 6
15% off all SERVICES for all clients | WIN AN iPHONE 17 PRO PLUS | MANY GIFTS AND VOUCHERS [$100] for clients joining us on that day! Hourly Giveaway!
1830 N SEPULVEDA BLVD | (424) 278-9993 | BLISSNAILSEPULVEDA.COM
www.BlissNailLounge.net
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Paul Wafer (Manhattan Beach Community Activist)
The commentary regarding the permitting process in Manhattan Beach a couple of weeks ago indicated that the process was inefficient and overpriced, compared to another local city. I decided to take a deeper dive into the Community Development Department, which is responsible for permitting, and I compared the fiscal year 2020 budget with the 2025 budget to see how things have changed. In the last 5 years, the number of employees has increased by 30%, from 30 to 39. The expense budget has increased by 47% from $5.8 million to $8.5 million. If you look specifically at the Planning Department, which issues permits, their expenses have increased by 81% and their employee count by 71%. Admittedly, the number of discretionary planning applications has increased from 120 to 280 in the same period; this has been used as the rationale for the increased personnel and expenses. The problem is that there is NO BENCHMARK to determine how long each review should take, and there is no indicator in the Service, Quality and Volume Indicators to justify it. A competent city manager would develop a productivity standard, for example, hours worked per planning application completion, or days from submittal to approval per application. Once that benchmark is set, the department manager should be held accountable for meeting or exceeding it. The same process should be used in every division of the Community Development Department, i.e., develop a key workload unit, determine the appropriate benchmark and hold them accountable to that productivity standard. Frankly, this should happen throughout all the departments in our city. The City Manager, Talyn Mizakhanian and Finance Director, Libby Bretthauer, should work hand in hand to develop these standards and meet monthly with the department directors to ensure that benchmarks are met, and if not, what corrective measures are being taken to get there.
Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
Zislis Group Properties Happy Hours:
Brewco Social Menu
www.brewcosocial.com/home#menu
Shade Hour Menu
mb.shadehotel.com/menus/
Rock’N Fish Menu
mb.rocknfish.com/menu/happyhour.shtml
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Name Withheld by Request (30-year Homeowner in Manhattan Beach)
I must respectfully admit to feeling confused. I recently read that our city is prepared to spend more than $300,000 on an additional art installation for Bruce’s Beach. My understanding was that the beautiful plaque and monument installed just a few years ago were intended to serve as a thoughtful and lasting tribute to the Bruce’s Beach story – a commemoration many in the community felt was both appropriate and meaningful. I genuinely struggle to understand why the city now believes it is necessary to allocate another quarter of a million dollars in taxpayer funds to a site that has already been formally acknowledged. What, exactly, is missing or insufficient about the existing monument? And why such a significant new expenditure at a time when fiscal responsibility should be paramount? I recognize that our city leaders have, in recent years, shown a willingness to spend very freely, but on this issue, I am sincerely – and honestly – puzzled.
Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
Lido’s 16th Annual Taste & Shop Event:
Join us at Lido Di Manhattan Ristorante & Bar for our 16th Annual Taste & Shop Event! Indulge in delicious bites from our talented chefs while browsing through various unique wine suppliers from around the world. This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to enjoy great food, find one-of-a-kind treasures, and support local businesses. Don’t miss out on this fun-filled day of eating, shopping, and mingling with friends!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lidos-16th-annual-taste-shop-event-tickets-1847165996219
Manhattan Beach Cracks Down – Mechanical Leaf Blowers Officially Off-Limits:
Manhattan Beach is doubling down on its commitment to clean air and quiet neighborhoods, reminding residents and landscapers that all mechanical leaf blowers – gas, battery, and electric – remain strictly prohibited under Municipal Code M.B.M.C. 5.48.330. City officials say the longstanding ban is about more than noise. Leaf blowers can release clouds of harmful particles, including pesticides, mold, pollen, animal waste, and even heavy metals such as lead and mercury. Residents are encouraged to embrace natural yard care by raking, sweeping, or allowing leaves to decompose naturally, which can enrich soil, suppress weeds, and support local pollinators. Leaf vacuums remain an allowed alternative. The City also reminds residents of M.B.M.C. 7.44.020, which restricts excessive water use when cleaning outdoor surfaces. To report violations, residents are urged to contact City Code Enforcement.
From Johnny Rockets to Toner Society:
After 33 years serving Manhattan Beach at Johnny Rockets
Chris Khaleghian now brings the same commitment to service and value through Toner Society. We’ve been in business for 12 years, providing everything Office Depot and Staples offer – but at better prices and with better service.
- Lower Prices: OEM toner cheaper than Office Depot & Staples, remanufactured cartridges up to 50% less.
- Better Service: Fast, reliable, and trusted locally.
- Flexible Terms: Net 30 available (they don’t).
- Nationwide Coverage: From Manhattan Beach to across the U.S., we’ve got you covered.
Trusted by schools, car dealerships, doctors’ offices, shipping companies, Domino’s, Papa John’s, and food companies nationwide.
www.TonerSociety.com
MB WEEKLY – MANHATTAN BEACH HISTORY QUIZ:
TAKE THE QUIZ – IF YOU’VE GOT THE GUTS
Here is a sharp, engaging 5-question quiz on the history of Manhattan Beach, California – perfect for MB Weekly readers, local leaders, or anyone who thinks they know the South Bay’s crown jewel.
1. IN WHAT YEAR WAS MANHATTAN BEACH OFFICIALLY INCORPORATED AS A CITY?
A) 1904 B) 1912 C) 1927 D) 1939
2. MANHATTAN BEACH WAS ORIGINALLY PART OF WHICH LARGER RANCH LAND GRANT?
A) Rancho San Pedro B) Rancho Sausal Redondo C) Rancho Palos Verdes D) Rancho La Brea
3. WHICH EARLY DEVELOPER PURCHASED PART OF THE AREA AND IS CREDITED WITH NAMING “MANHATTAN BEACH”?
A) George Peck B) Stewart Miller C) John Merrill D) Elisha Hopkins
4. WHAT NATURAL FEATURE ONCE STRETCHED MORE THAN 200 FEET HIGH BEFORE THE CITY REMOVED IT FOR DEVELOPMENT?
A) The El Segundo Dunes B) Sand Dune Park Dune. C) “Big Red” Sandhill D) The Manhattan Mesa
5. THE FAMOUS ROUNDHOUSE AQUARIUM AT THE END OF THE PIER OPENED IN WHICH DECADE?
A) 1920s B) 1930s C) 1960s D) 1980s
(ANSWERS BELOW)
Lido Bakery:
Home of the Most Extraordinary Wedding Cakes
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
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MB WEEKLY – HISTORY:
Beachgoers swim and sunbathe in Manhattan Beach while other visitors walk on the pier, where a lunch spot can be found in the octagonal building (right), ca. 1937. The octagonal building was completed in 1922. —- Photo by Herman Schultheis, LAPL
BELLA BUILDERS:
A Local Residential Builder
ADU’s and New Homes
Manhattan Beach and The Palisades
Full Service From Concept To Completion
www.BeautifulBuilder.com | www.FirewiseHomes.com
Vinny@beautifulbuilder.com | 310 809 4999
STOP BURYING YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND….READ MB WEEKLY:
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Manhattan Beach History Quiz – Answer Key:
- B) 1912
- B) Rancho Sausal Redondo
- C) John Merrill
- B) Sand Dune Park Dune
- C) 1960s
1. ** Security at every level of an airport is absolutely ridiculous. Until you get to the baggage claim. Then it’s just like, take whatever bag you want. —- Pamela Shaw
2. ** High-Rise Apartments Coming to Manhattan Beach! Major projects are advancing on N. Sepulveda across from Walgreens (7 stories), near Manhattan Village (8 & 18 stories), and at Rosecrans/Highland (4 stories) – despite strong community pushback. And this is only the beginning. More details here: https://la.urbanize.city/post/79-unit-apartment-building-reaches-its-peak-401-rosecrans-ave-manhattan-beach —- Terri W.
3. ** MBPD Detectives, already on-site for an operation, spotted three suspects attempting to swipe a catalytic converter from an unsuspecting vehicle. The trio was swiftly arrested – a reminder that Manhattan Village Mall is perfect for shopping, unless you’re “shopping” for car parts that don’t belong to you. —- Editor’s Note
4. ** Democrats’ path to the 2026 midterms should/must be moderate/centrist. —- Paul G. Beswick, Manhattan Beach
5. ** MB – PERSON OF THE YEAR: I nominate Paul Wafer as Manhattan Beach’s first-ever Person of the Year. Paul has accomplished a great deal in the past year to expose the issues with the City of Manhattan Beach’s bloated and ineffective administration. He is an objective, non-partisan, and non-political individual who has approached his analysis and revelations about the City’s administration in an intelligent, meticulous, and conscientious manner. I consider Paul Wafer a highly valued resident voice in this City. —- Paul G. Beswick, Manhattan Beach
6. ** I love the idea of MBW “Person of the Year – 2025.” A bold, spirited way to spotlight the individuals who truly shaped our city – heroes, innovators, agitators, and changemakers alike. Manhattan Beach deserves a tradition that celebrates influence, not just popularity. —- R.L.
7. ** I am delighted that Mark Burton continues to push the City to behave with basic common sense. If City leadership weren’t so stubbornly arrogant, they’d actually listen to him. Instead, they dismiss wisdom, ignore reality, and wonder why residents are frustrated. Manhattan Beach deserves better than reflexive ego over practical solutions. —- S.H.
8. ** Love the MB Weekly video at Estell Boutique in last week’s issue – absolutely delightful. Fun, lively, and a perfect snapshot of what makes our local businesses shine. It captured the spirit of our community with style and heart. Fun! —- Darla H.
9. ** The new UCSD report is a five-alarm fire. California’s education standards are in free fall. 1 in 8 freshmen can’t do middle-school math. 1 in 5 fail basic writing tests. And 25% can’t even solve 7 + 2 = ( ) + 6. This isn’t a warning – it’s a collapse. —- Caroline Keller
10. ** A dislocated shoulder left me searching for a winter cape I could actually wear. Struggling in the store, a kind woman stepped in – graceful, lively, and endlessly patient – helping me try on option after option until we found the perfect one. I never got her name, but I’ll think of her all winter long. —- Madeline O.
11. ** Let’s face it: most of the homeless money voters approved has been swallowed by the growing homeless industrial complex – bloated staffing, higher salaries, endless administration. Precious little has actually reached the people living on the streets. Voters wanted solutions. What they got was a payroll expansion. —- Tawny T., Hermosa Beach
12. ** Dear MB Weekly – Person of the Year! What a brilliant and stimulating idea for our community. A chance to honor impact, spark conversation, and celebrate those shaping Manhattan Beach in meaningful ways. I look forward to seeing who inspires, challenges, and defines our city in 2025. —- Dr. H.C., Manhattan Beach
13. ** Dig it! Mickey’s Deli is coming to North Redondo! —- Ali L., Redondo Beach
14. ** Great Eggs Benedict at Saint & Second in Manhattan Village – absolutely excellent. Perfectly poached, richly satisfying, and surprisingly good value, too. A terrific breakfast choice in a stylish setting. Highly recommended. —- Tammi P., El Segundo
15. ** Hermosa Beach leaders held a Public Safety Forum on November 14, focusing on e-bike safety, rising thefts, and the relaunch of Neighborhood Watch. Chief Landon Phillips noted 105 e-bikes and 15 batteries were stolen in 2025. The city is also leading a regional e-bike task force with MB and RB. —- Editor’s Note
16. ** California’s Medi-Cal spending on illegal immigrants is now projected to hit $10 billion a year – double earlier estimates and nearly 25% of all state Medi-Cal funding. To grasp the scale: that’s 3× the CHP budget and more than 2× CalFire’s. Roughly 1.7 million enrollees are illegal. —- Sara H.
17. ** I always thought I had my life in balance, until I became consumed with trying to help an alcoholic friend. “Saving” her became my addiction – and my mistake. —- Roger S.
18. ** Terrible experience at Olive Garden in Manhattan Village. Ordered simple soup & salad to-go – told 10 minutes. Thirty minutes later, still “being bagged,” while staff stood around and only one worker hustled. No apology, no urgency. Finally canceled and went to Panda Express – done in 5 minutes. Do yourself a favor: avoid Olive Garden. —- Sally R.
19. ** Dear MB Weekly, your headline story about MB’s permit bureaucracy was powerful and important. Sounds to me like city leaders need to shake things up. Complacency and arrogance are a bad – and unsustainable – plan. Time for a little backbone from those in charge. —- D.S., Manhattan Beach
20. ** I loved the interview with Michael Zislis – it was eye-opening and inspiring. I never knew the backstory of how the Shade Hotel was created. What an extraordinary vision brought to life right here in the South Bay. Thanks for sharing a great piece of local history, MB Weekly! —- Sandra K.
21. ** I love Bliss Nails and am absolutely thrilled with their new location – just four blocks from my house! The space is beautiful, the service is fantastic, and it feels like a bit of luxury right in the neighborhood. So happy for them… and for me. Yeah! —- Darlene L.
22. ** The prices at The Kettle keep going up and up and up and up and up! —- Clay T.
23. ** Hi! I’m Mrs. Duffy, a teacher at Towne Avenue Elementary and a neighbor. My kindergartners are eager to become readers, but many are still learning English and require additional support. Hearing stories read aloud makes a huge difference. Please consider helping my students here: https://www.donorschoose.org/project/an-ear-resistable-way-to-foster-a-love-o/9898690/
24. ** “My boyfriend preferred watching sports to reading MB Weekly. I’ll miss him.” —- Amy S.
25. ** Two of the four lanes on Manhattan Beach Boulevard at Sepulveda will close starting November 17, for SoCalGas pipeline repairs. Expect delays on westbound MB Blvd from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays through November. Digital signs are up – plan. Safety work, but a major traffic headache. —- Editor’s Note
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