2024 THE YEAR IN REVIEW:
MANHATTAN BEACH – A YEAR OF CALM
In an era dominated by political clashes and divisive rhetoric, Manhattan Beach stood out in 2024 as an oasis of collaboration. Even amidst a national election year, the city’s local politics were marked by an unusual sense of unity. Six candidates vied for three City Council seats, not with attacks, but with mutual admiration, transforming forums into displays of camaraderie. Similarly, the Manhattan Beach Unified School District Board election was strikingly tranquil, with only one newcomer stepping forward, resulting in an uncontested race. The community also rallied around fiscal initiatives, approving a Stormwater fee hike, a sales tax increase, a parcel tax, and a $200 million school bond without organized opposition. With veteran leaders stepping aside and new ones emerging, 2024 also saw three Mustang alumni shine as Olympians.
MB WEEKLY – READER POLL:
Holiday Cheer Costs $1,778 Per Household
In the latest MB Weekly Reader Poll, reader households in Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay areas revealed their holiday spending habits, showing an average total expenditure of $1,778 on gifts, decorations, and seasonal festivities. The poll reflects the affluence of the publication’s readership, primarily concentrated in four South Bay communities: Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and El Segundo.
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MB WEEKLY – LENS:
A young admirer greets Thomas Havenner dressed as Santa Claus on the Manhattan Beach Pier as storm surf comes ashore.
MB WEEKLY – CHARTS:
Manhattan Beach Population Since 1912.
Glamour, Grit, And Glitter – Manhattan Beach’s Tanner Adell Is Country Music’s Bold New Voice:
Tanner Adell isn’t here to fit the mold – she’s here to shatter it. Tanner is redefining what a country artist can be with a fearless attitude and a pop-infused country sound. Her signature style – sequins, bright colors, and unapologetic sparkle – draws in listeners who never thought they’d love country music. Born in Lexington, Kentucky, and raised in Manhattan Beach, California, Tanner’s life perfectly contrasts urban cool and rural roots. Summers spent in Star Valley, Wyoming, grounded her in small-town country life, while the California coast infused her sound with pop flair. This dynamic upbringing fuels her genre-bending music, where tradition meets modern energy.
https://www.instagram.com/tanneradell
Joey Restaurants:
It’s A Classic For A Reason:
Steak, Lobster, & a JOEY Martini
www.JoeyRestaurants.com
PROMPT, PROFESSIONAL, & PROVEN:
Providence Urgent Care Voted
“BEST in MANHATTAN BEACH”
by MB Weekly Readers
Providence Urgent Care is their first choice when Manhattan Beach residents need swift medical attention. Voted “Best in Manhattan Beach” by MB Weekly readers, Providence offers expert care for burns, broken bones, and stomach aches – all without the wait of an ER. Walk-ins are always welcome and open 7 days a week. They are located on N. Sepulveda Blvd. With the acceptance of major insurance plans (HMO, PPO, Medicare) and flexible payment options, Providence ensures quality care.
www.Providence.org
Several Iconic Downtown Businesses Close At Once:
Downtown Manhattan Beach is undergoing a dramatic transformation as several beloved businesses shutter their doors, leaving the community wondering about the future of their vibrant commercial hub. Adding to the uncertainty, rumors are swirling that several prominent restaurants are openly up for sale.
- Pitfire Pizza: After serving the community for over a decade, Pitfire Pizza closed on December 24. According to the owner, the closure wasn’t due to business struggles but a landlord’s decision to lease the space to Great White, an up-and-coming casual café with other locations across Los Angeles. Construction on the new eatery is set to begin soon.
- Manhattan Grocery: Manhattan Grocery, a neighborhood staple for 21 years, closed. Manhattan Meats will expand into the vacated space, signaling a shift in local retail dynamics.
- Presotea: Presotea, a Taiwanese boba tea spot, closed, citing gratitude for the relationships built with customers.
- Lemonade: The cafeteria-style eatery Lemonade has also ceased operations, with its space now available for lease.
Amid these several closures, whispers of high-profile restaurant sales signal that even some of the area’s most enduring businesses may be rethinking their future. As downtown Manhattan Beach evolves, residents and visitors alike are left to speculate about what’s next for this iconic beachside community.
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Davis Warren, of Manhattan Beach, leads the University of Michigan to victory over no 2-ranked Ohio State, which was favored to win by three touchdowns.
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Darla OReilly
My daughter was shopping at Little Vons in downtown Manhattan Beach on Christmas Eve and walked outside to the parking lot at 5:45 pm to find the fender of her car ripped off. I’m trying to find the woman who witnessed it and had reported it to Vons. When it happened, a woman who witnessed it reported to a Vons employee that she had seen a Vons delivery truck hit my daughter’s car. Still, Vons did not collect the witness’ contact information, and the woman left without leaving a note. I hope to find the woman who witnessed Von’s truck that hit the car. The incident was reported to the police, but there were no cameras on the east side of the building.
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DONATE A PAIR OF USED SHOES AND GET A FREE $5.00 URBAN PLATES GIFT CARD:
MB Weekly and Urban Plates
Annual Used Shoe Drive for the L.A. Mission
January 15 – January 31, 2025.
We All Walk In Different Shoes
Annual Used Shoe Drive at Urban Plates – Manhattan Beach sponsored by MB Weekly and Urban Plates
Give, Get, and Make a Difference!
Please bring a pair of used shoes to Urban Plates in Manhattan Beach and receive a FREE $5 gift card as a thank you for helping our community. Your donated shoes will go directly to those in need at the L.A. Mission. Together, let’s walk the path of compassion and generosity!
- 📍 Location: Urban Plates, 2650 N Sepulveda Blvd
- 🗓️ Dates: January 15 – January 31, 2025
- 👟 Because every step matters
www.UrbanPlates.com
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Hermosa Beach Mayor Dean Francois.
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Paul Wafer
MB had multiple police officers earning over $400,000 in salary and benefits. I can’t say which officer they were, but I am pretty sure the one who announced his retirement this week is among them. I started looking at the MB budget for the city to assess some things for the public art project I am working on, but once I started looking, I found many other things that may take priority. I am working on a Table to show the increase in employee count salary and benefit expenses. This fiscal year is budgeted for $67.3 million, compared to $54.7 in 2022, and this year budgeted for 353 employees compared to 305 in 2022.
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Bertha Mae’s Brownies:
www.BerthaMaesBrownies.com
Mira Costa Students Unlock Literary Genius:
“Mrs. Backer’s English 11 CP students were participating in an Escape Room activity as review for their Ethan Frome final,” according to Mira Costa social media. “This fun and engaging activity allowed groups of students to equitably distribute their skills and collaborate on ‘escaping’ the room. They applied their knowledge of the text in real-world contexts through identifying literary devices, analyzing passages, and creating connections.”
IT IS TIME TO SPEAK UP!
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El Segundo’s New Gateway Sign Welcomes With Colorful Flair:
The City of El Segundo has a new entryway sign. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony was held December 17, 2024, at Imperial Avenue and Main Street. The $420,000 monument was installed after Thanksgiving. The new landmark replaces the previous sign, which was retired in 2022, and marks the start of a colorful new chapter for El Segundo.
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Happy team members Myra and Bella at Cafe Vida in El Segundo.
Manhattan Beach Crime Summary
December 19 to December 25, 2024
- 637 CALLS FOR SERVICE
- 9 ARRESTS
- 17 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS
- 29 CRIME REPORTS FILED
Notable Events:
** On 12/19/24 at approximately 12:47 a.m., officers responded to the 2100 block of Ocean Drive regarding a suspicious subject on foot looking into vehicles and walking onto properties looking for packages. Officers arrived on scene and found the subject. When officers attempted to contact the subject, the subject ran from them. Officers quickly detained and arrested the subject, who was transported to the MBPD jail.
** On 12/20/24 at approximately 2:27 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 4400 block of Highland Avenue regarding a residential burglary in progress. The resident of the location reported that a known subject was attempting to gain entry into their residence. Officers detained the subject near the residence. … The subject has been arrested and contracted under similar circumstances at the same residence and is suffering from mental delusions. He was arrested and transported for a mental health evaluation.
Bird Flu Information From MBPD:
(Update from L.A. County: December 23, 2024: Public Health Confirms Human H5 Bird Flu Case in L.A. County)
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1, or “bird flu,” has been circulating in wild birds in Europe since the fall of 2020. The virus was first detected in California in July 2022. Through the One Health project, Department of Public Health began coordinating with the City of Manhattan Beach Animal Control Division to assist with regional surveillance efforts and prepared staff at parks, animal shelters and regional wildlife rehabilitation centers to quickly identify sick birds, minimize public exposures, and support testing efforts. An increase in H5N1 is expected from October through February based on migratory patterns of affected wild animals. In response, Manhattan Beach Animal Control Officers have performed increased surveillance and protective measures.
This year, two confirmed cases of H5N1 have originated in birds found at the waterline in Manhattan Beach. In addition to surveillance and testing of wild animals, the Animal Control team remains vigilant in enforcing LA County laws restricting dogs from the beach to reduce the chance of the virus spreading. For more information regarding symptoms, treatment facilities, and One Health In Action, safety bulletins are posted on the CDC and DPH websites.
MB Weekly:
A Look Back on 2024
Once A Week, But Never Weakly
MB Weekly serves uniquely. From South Bay shores to bustling streets, it captures life, the pulse, the beats. News and notes, both big and small, a platform where all voices call. With stories sharp and insights true, it brings the best of what we do.
For Manhattan Beach, it stands with pride, a trusted friend, a steady guide. From local feats to world affairs, MB Weekly truly cares. Honest thoughts, a vibrant board, where real opinions are explored. A space for all, both young and old, with tales that shimmer, bright and bold.
So here’s a cheer for what you bring, a weekly tune our hearts do sing. Thank you, MB, for keeping it real, our community’s voice, its strength, its zeal. Sign up for free. The South Bay’s largest (by far) digital publication.
www.MBWeekly.net
Manhattan Beach Debuts Live Oak Ceramics Studio Kiln:
Manhattan Beach invites you to celebrate the unveiling of its newest artistic treasure: the Live Oak Ceramics Studio Kiln. After years of planning, the city’s Cultural Arts, Public Works, and Community Development teams debut this innovative addition to the community’s creative landscape.
- 📅 Date: Wednesday, January 8, 2025
- ⏰ Time: 1:00 PM
- 📍 Location: Live Oak Park Ceramics Studio, 1901 Valley Drive
The ribbon-cutting ceremony marks a new chapter for local arts, honoring the dedication behind this project and showcasing the kiln’s potential to inspire creativity across the community. Guests will enjoy speeches from city leaders, a studio tour, and insights from local artists on how the kiln will enhance artistic expression. Join us to celebrate this milestone in Manhattan Beach’s commitment to the arts. For more information and to RSVP, visit www.manhattanbeach.gov/Kiln.
MB WEEKLY:
“Once A Week, But Never Weakly”
Intriguing People. Intriguing Community.
www.MBWeekly.net
LOVE IN MANHATTAN BEACH?
Do you have a love story in your own life involving Manhattan Beach?
Please send us your story for you and your neighbors to celebrate, empathize, laugh, cry. Good. Bad. Funny. Sad. Hit us with your best shot. Send to MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 200 words)
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1. ** In the past few weeks, we have experienced six coyote sightings in the Manhattan Village. —- F.M.
2. ** “Elon is controlling Trump!” Complain people controlling Biden —- Dr. William H.
3. ** Downtown Manhattan Beach parking is like a twisted scavenger hunt – except the treasure is a spot the size of a shoebox, 12 blocks from where you need to be. Parallel parking pros? Forget it. You’ll still face angry stares from locals who believe you’ve stolen their sacred curb. Utter disaster. —- Rachel L.
4. ** To the unhinged woman barreling up Beryl Street today, tailgating me like a maniac and flying past me at Juanita – seriously, slow down. When I honked, your “fight me” meltdown was a sign of a sick woman! No, I don’t want to fight. I want sanity. Find peace, calm down, and drive responsibly, please. —- A.C.
5. ** Sad news for pizza lovers: PitFire Pizza in Downtown Manhattan Beach will close its doors on December 24th. Rumor has it that high lease costs made staying open unsustainable. —- Howie C.
6. ** I hate squirrels! —- Erica R.
7. ** Welcome to the Homeless Industrial Complex! LAHSA’s Executive Director rakes in a whopping $296,046/year – 236% above the national average. Directors average $165,548/year, 64% higher than their peers. With salaries like these, is solving homelessness even the goal, or is it fueling the machine? Follow the money, not the mission. —- Orlando C.
8. ** I love MB Weekly, but the very first thing I read each Thursday is your Free Bulletin Board. It’s free speech at its finest – real people, honest comments, uncensored and unexpected. It’s a refreshing, thought-provoking, and genuine take on the pulse of the South Bay. Keep it up! —- Candace B.
9. ** You’re officially an adult when it’s no longer hard to fall asleep on Christmas Eve. —- Clark S.
10. ** I love Elton John —- Haley K.
11. ** I’ve received two Amazon packages of items I didn’t order in the past few days. Not in my history, not gifts – just random, unsolicited crap. What is this bull-s—t? —- Hope B.
12. ** Do you have any “broken windows” in your business? —- www.BrokenWindowsBook.com
13. ** I witnessed a man openly smoking marijuana in the Walmart parking lot across from Del Amo Mall. He then got into a white car with his child and drove off. Public marijuana use is illegal, and driving under the influence is reckless, especially with a kid involved. Wake up, people! —- Justin B.
14. ** America’s moral decay is on full display. Celebrating the murder of a health insurance CEO isn’t activism – it’s barbarism. Regardless of industry grievances, cheering an assassination reflects a societal sickness. Why aren’t we outraged by this dehumanization? A just society doesn’t solve problems with bullets or applause for vigilante violence. —- Peter K.
15. ** Joe Franklin’s election victory was impressive! —- Hank Y.
16. ** Who lets kids tear around the Strand in Hermosa on e-bikes at night? I just returned from a walk with my daughter, and four boys were racing recklessly. One nearly hit us on purpose and yelled in our faces. This is dangerous and rude – parents, teach your kids some respect! —- Glenn M.
17. ** I sincerely wonder whether the people who voted for and supported George Gascon feel they owe the public an admission of significant judgment error. —- Dr. G.T.
18. ** I love Tamales. —- Grace R.
19. ** Best thing I read this year: Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar, by Simon Sebag Montefiore, though I don’t recommend reading about the Great Terror immediately before bed. —- R.L.
20. ** HOME INVASION/BURGLARY If anyone knows these people or any info, we are offering a $$ reward. Sunday morning home invasion/robbery in Torrance. https://neighbors.ring.com/n/ZQgEw1Pcgz —- J.B.
21. ** Why is it always underage boys wreaking havoc on e-bikes in Redondo Beach? A swarm of them barreled straight toward me, the wrong side of Beryl, flaunting their pathetic wheelies. It’s chaos! I don’t remember you catching packs of young girls pulling these reckless stunts. Seriously, where are the parents of these assholes? —- Kent S.
22. ** What out! New homeless guy in downtown, Manhattan Beach. Very, very aggressive. —- A.L.
23. ** The best thing I read this year was James by Percival Everett. —- Barbara W.
24. ** To the kind-hearted woman in the white SUV who stopped near Oak St. by Wilson Park in Torrance to give a homeless man a meal and water, your thoughtful act was uplifting. Seeing him savor the food and smile warmed my heart. You inspired my 13-year-old son to spread kindness, too. —- Joyce R.
25. ** Best thing I ate: Two Oreos and milk before bed. Biggest regret of the year: Two Oreos and milk before bed. —- Taylor H.
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