AN OPEN LETTER TO THE NEW MAYOR, JOE FRANKLIN, FROM FIVE DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN BEACH MERCHANTS:
Subject: Urgent Concerns Regarding E-Bike Chaos in Downtown – A Plea for Action
Dear Mayor Joe Franklin,
We hope this letter finds you well as you assume your responsibilities as the esteemed Mayor of our beloved city. On the afternoon of December 28th, as five downtown merchants, we observed a very concerning and potentially dangerous situation in our vibrant downtown area – a chaotic spree of teenage e-bike mayhem unfolding without any police presence. The streets were filled with kids on e-bikes, some without helmets, engaging in reckless behavior like pulling wheelies. This incident coincided with the time of year when we welcomed numerous visitors to the Rose Bowl, putting both residents and tourists at risk. It’s disheartening that such incidents have become recurrent, posing a threat to public safety. As proud downtown community members, we seek your attention, Mayor Franklin. We implore you to address this pressing issue promptly and effectively. The absence of any law enforcement during such events raises concerns about the potential for severe injuries or worse. Why, Mayor? We sincerely request you share your plans to rectify this issue publicly and ensure the safety of our residents and visitors. Under your leadership, we hope necessary measures will be implemented to mitigate the risks associated with e-bike chaos in our downtown area. Thank you for your attention to this matter, and we look forward to witnessing positive changes under your administration.
Sincerely,
Five Merchants of Downtown Manhattan Beach
MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Michael Zislis
Owner Of Zislis Group
Q: HOW DID THE CONCEPT FOR THE ZISLIS GROUP GET FORMED?
A: When we made the leap from 2 properties to 3…and then 4…we realized it made financial and operational sense to centralize accounting, Payroll, Marketing, HR, etc. A more cost effective way to facilitate Payroll, HR, Marketing and training.
Q: WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF RUNNING RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS IN THE POST-COVID ERA?
A: Given that we had to shut down all our properties (aside from the hotels), we had to literally re-open every property at once, with a very small amount of staff. It was like starting over. The concept of hospitality as we knew it Pre-COVID went away. During a Pandemic, providing good hospitality means keeping people safe – more distance, less talking, less smiling (masks). When the world opened up, we all had to remember how to be friendly again. Combine that with massive staffing shortages and supply chain issues, it’s taken a long time to get back to where we were pre-COVID, but I think we are finally there. I’m very grateful to my entire team for working their tails off to return to Pre-COVID standards.
Q: WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT QUALITY YOU SEEK WHEN YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A TEAM MEMBER?
A: We look for people who have the natural ability and desire to take care of others. It’s a personality type, and it’s hard to teach, so you have to hire for it. We look for this quality not just in front of house team members, but back of house as well. We seek people who truly care about what we’re doing and are excited to be a part of it. We have a large percentage of team members who have been with us for 10+ years. When it’s a right fit, people end up staying with us for their entire careers. You must be downright charming and love the hospitality business.
Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY BUSINESS REGRETS?
A: Doing business at a venue like an arena that has crazy busy nights and slow nights. It’s almost impossible to feed 350 people before a game and concert in 1 hour!
Q: WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
A: Compton and adopted by Rose and George Zislis of Rolling Hills Estates.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR GROWTH PLAN FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?
A: Remodeling our current properties and expanding Rock and Brews nationwide.
Q: WHAT RESTAURANTS DO YOU LIKE IN THE MANHATTAN BEACH AREA BESIDES YOUR OWN?
A: I love Sugarfish, Arthur J’s and Slay’s.
Q: THE BEATLES OR THE ROLLING STONES?
A: Neither, Rush
www.ZislisGroup.com
MB WEEKLY – READER POLL:
73% APPROVE OF REMOVING HARVARD’S PRESIDENT CLAUDINE GAY
In a recent MB Weekly Reader Poll, a significant majority of readers expressed approval for the resignation of Harvard University’s president, Claudine Gay. The poll revealed that 73% of respondents supported Gay’s departure from the prestigious institution, signaling a notable sentiment among the publication’s audience. Claudine Gay, who assumed the role of Harvard’s president in 2018, faced intense criticism during her six-month tenure for various reasons, including handling administrative challenges, addressing concerns raised by students and faculty, and her disastrous appearance before Congress and multiple cases of plagiarism. 61% of readers felt it was time for the entire Harvard Corporation board to resign.
Agree? Disagree? Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
Fête By Slay:
Savoring The Perfect Blend Of Flavors
In A Setting That’s As Delightful As The Cuisine
www.FeteBySlay.com
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Suzanne Hadley
(Former Mayor of Manhattan Beach)
The City should not vote for or against this tax despite owning 80 MB parcels. Only taxpaying residents and citizens should vote. (Cities don’t pay taxes; they collect them.) If the City of MB casts 80 “votes” in favor of this tax, our government is putting its big thumb on the scale. If the tax passes by 80 votes or fewer, I will consider the results tainted.
Agree? Disagree? Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
A “Senseless” Shooting In Manhattan Beach Leaves A Family In Search Of Clarification:
According to reports, the family of a 24-year-old was shot in the head early on New Year’s Day and died as a result is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying his killer. In a GoFundMe page, Andrei “Nico” Gianan’s family stated: “This was a total, senseless act of violence and he was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. The pain that this has left us is unimaginable.” According to authorities, the attack happened in the 1400 block of 11th Street in Manhattan Beach at around 1:30 a.m. on January 1, and Gianan was rushed to Harbor General Hospital with potentially fatal injuries, where he later passed as a result of those injuries. Following the shooting, police stated that they did not think the gunshot was random.
Charlie Fuerbringer Of Mira Costa Wins Gatorade State Girls Volleyball Player Of The Year Award:
Charlie Fuerbringer, a senior setter from Mira Costa High School, has been named the Gatorade California Player of the Year for 2023–2024. According to Gatorade’s announcement, the award “celebrates the nation’s top high school athletes for excellence on the court, in the classroom, and in the community.” “The 6-foot senior setter amassed 1,134 assists and 240 digs this past season, leading the Mustangs (39-4) to the Open State Tournament quarterfinals this past season. … Fuerbringer is director of a local Feed2Succeed chapter, supporting people in need in the Philippines with food, clothing and medical supplies.”
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Meadows Elementary Kindergarten teacher Shari Jones works with a pupil during STEM tub time.
Manhattan Beach Studios:
News, Sports and Broadcast Desk
Capture a wide variety of looks in our television station, news and broadcast area, including remotes, interviews and shows.
All-in-One Broadcast/Podcast Facility
Whether you dream of your own special podcast, to a full sports or news show, we are the perfect location for your project. Our custom-built area is designed to capture a wide variety of looks and colors instantly, so you are able to go from concept to market in just minutes.
www.ManhattanBeachStudios.net
MB WEEKLY ACHIEVES HUGE MILESTONE WITH OVER 105,000 NEW VISITORS TO WEBSITE IN 2023:
“Once A Week, But Never Weakly”
MB Weekly, the go-to online destination for South Bay enthusiasts, proudly announces a significant milestone in its digital journey. In 2023, MB Weekly surpassed 105,000 unique new visitors, solidifying its position as a leading source for engaging and insightful content. MB Weekly’s tagline, “Once a week, but never weakly,” perfectly encapsulates the platform’s commitment to delivering high-quality content regularly. This ethos has resonated strongly with its audience, resulting in a remarkable surge in web traffic throughout the year. “We are thrilled to share the news of surpassing 105,000 new visitors in 2023. It is a testament to our team’s dedication and our audience’s loyalty,” said Darby Winston, Co-Editor at MB Weekly. “Our mission is to provide valuable and thought-provoking content, and we are excited to see such a positive response from our growing community.”
www.MBWeekly.net
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Stewart Fournier
(Manhattan Beach)
Fred Taylor’s thoughtful link to Mr. G.’s article that brilliantly tells the story about his daughter illuminated a concept that made me feel ignorant. How do hormone blockers disable, disengage, or play into our idea of developed male masculinity? His daughter took drugs to inhibit her genetic development from normal male hormones since age 12. So, are individuals who take “blockers” different from their predetermined physical development? This rhetorical question conflicts with the notion that they are determined to force their predisposed masculinity to cause chaos and trauma. Their self-imposed gamble to shred their genetic code and thereby lessen their developing physical strength is by need and choice. Not by threat or malice. Therefore, is it a fact that regardless of the “blockers” effectiveness, we should not accept that if someone is born of one sex, they can never shed enough masculinity to make the sports playing fields equal? I honestly don’t know. I would assume the answer is it depends on the individual. Therefore, I thank Mr. G. for making the point that respecting each individual’s choice is paramount to sitting in judgment rather than just assuming harm or inequality is the intent. A lesson all of our children can grow from no matter their religious beliefs. Nobody thought when he was a young boy, he traumatized the girls he played with. With the option of having her separate locker facilities, which Mira Costa provided, I seriously doubt a high degree of trauma experienced by the other girls. Many may have grown up with her.
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** Former MB Mayor Bob Holmes having lunch with Former MB Rotary Club President Gerry Morton at Fishing with Dynamite in Manhattan Beach.
** Mayor of Manhattan Beach Joe Franklin shakes hands with customers at the Un Caffè Altamura in Downtown Manhattan Beach.
MB WEEKLY AND URBAN PLATES
JOIN HANDS TO SPONSOR
SHOE DRIVE:
GIVE SHOES, GET A GIFT CARD
MB Weekly, in collaboration with Urban Plates, is proud to announce its partnership in hosting a shoe drive to support the community and positively impact the lives of those in need. The initiative encourages residents to contribute to the cause by donating a pair of used shoes, with the added incentive of receiving a $5 Urban Plates gift card in return. To participate in this charitable endeavor, interested individuals can bring gently worn or new shoes to Urban Plates Manhattan Beach between January 15th and January 31st. This limited-time opportunity provides an opportunity to declutter, give back, and reward donors with a token of appreciation through a $5 Urban Plates gift card. The collected shoes will be donated to the Los Angeles Mission, a reputable organization that serves the homeless community. The collaboration between MB Weekly and Urban Plates aims to impact those facing homelessness by providing them with essential footwear.
www.UrbanPlates.com
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Mark Burton
(Former Mayor of Manhattan Beach)
You can’t make this stuff up! With the last day to cast a ballot in the City’s sham stormwater tax election being Wednesday, January 17, the City just added Agenda Item No. 10 this Saturday to allow the City Manager to cast a ballot to Vote YES. Worse yet, he gets to Vote YES for each parcel the City owns. Let’s be clear here. The day before this sham stormwater tax election is over, the City will consider allowing their City Manager to cast ballots numerous times to Vote YES. These last-minute shenanigans should be an affront to every property owner in our community. Sneaky? Disrespectful? Undoubtedly, the City cannot “tax” itself, and this election was for residential and commercial property owners who will pay this exorbitant second stormwater tax – just another example of why this City election is such a sham. Please email our Council citycouncil@manhattanbeach.gov and tell them to “cut it out”! The City cannot, and should not, allow the City Manager to cast YES ballots in this City election.
Agree? Disagree? Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Mindy
She has been working in Manhattan Beach since 2023
EITHER / OR INTERVIEW
Naughty or Nice? BOTH
Pot or Cigarettes? NEITHER
Beer or Gin? BEER
Eggs or Pancakes? PANCAKES
Men or Women? MEN, DEFINITELY
Early or Late? ON-TIME
Books or Movies? MOVIES
Baths or Showers? BATHS
Drive or Uber? DRIVE
MB WEEKLY – A DIFFERENT VIEW:
Dancin’ in Manhattan Beach. Feel free to send your photo to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Abigail B.
(Manhattan Beach)
I STRONGLY agree with Fred Taylor’s commentary. As a mother of a young daughter, I find it extraordinarily concerning that biological males can now compete as females simply because they identify more with being female. If I identify as being male, will I get the same salary as ‘Dick Johnson’ in the office? Highly doubtful. The biological/physical advantages of a male vs. a female are scientifically proven facts. This is not a discriminatory statement; it is science. That is precisely why the separation of genders in athletic sports was created in the first place. Whenever the topic comes up at work, in a social setting, or in an impromptu casual environment such as the grocery store, nobody I have talked with believes it is fair. People think the antithesis. Women have had to fight for equality on many different fronts throughout history. Once again, women and mothers are going to have to go to bat for their rights and, most importantly, the rights of our daughters, their future daughters, and our future granddaughters, and we will win.
Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
MB WEEKLY – READER COMMENT:
“MB Weekly is intelligent, independent, sassy, intriguing, fun, impactful, thought-provoking, unbiased, cool and indispensable for understanding Manhattan Beach and the surrounding South Bay communities.” —- Taylor R., Manhattan Beach
MB WEEKLY – CARTOON:
“Yeah, it’s fun, but I still wish we hadn’t picked up that hitchhiker in Manhattan Beach.”
HOW THE TOP 1% OF
ENTREPRENEURS ARE BECOMING
THE “GO-TO EXPERT” IN THEIR NICHE:
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1. ** A six-hour standoff and fire in Hermosa Beach on Christmas Eve ended when a SWAT team entered the house and found a dead person inside the garage, authorities said. The discovery was made when Hermosa Beach police officers and a sheriff’s SWAT team entered the house in the 600 block of 11th Street around 9:30 p.m. Sunday, according to a Hermosa Beach Police Department statement. —- Editor’s Note
2. ** You don’t need a college degree to know that men can’t get pregnant. —- Kate O., Manhattan Beach
3. ** As federal debt has risen to nearly $34T, here’s what the government has been wasting your taxpayer money on: – $6M for tourism in Egypt, – $8K for a lobster tank for the DoD, – $770K for a lab in Russia to put cats on treadmills, – $38M in COVID relief payments for dead people. —- Oscar R., Manhattan Beach
4. ** With a heavy heart, I reach out to our family, friends, and community to support the Zimmermann Family during this grievous time. Never in a million years could I imagine such a tragedy unfolding. On Christmas Eve, my sister and her family lost everything. Her family home is up in flames. Years of precious memories are gone. But above all, she lost her life partner, her husband, and the father of her three children. Support my GoFundMe here: https://gofund.me/2cbce3d5
5. ** Experts advise spending gift cards promptly even though they expire years later. Unused cards may incur inactivity fines after a year. —- Omar D., Manhattan Beach
6. ** As holidays are upon us, we at PS I Love You Foundation would like to express our sincere gratitude for you, our volunteers, sponsors, and community supporters. —- Patricia J., Redondo Beach
7. ** Authorities arrested 35 pro-Palestinian protesters on Wednesday, December 27, for obstructing a Los Angeles International Airport entry. The L.A.P.D. said that at least one demonstrator was arrested for violence on a police officer and rioting. Wow! They sure sound like a wonderful group of people! It makes me really wanna support their cause. Not! —- Howard A., Manhattan Beach
8. ** Porterhouse Bourbon & Bones in El Segundo is a pleasantly stylish, relaxing special-occasion restaurant with a substantial upstairs dining room that makes it twice as big. —- Oliver E., El Segundo
9. ** It seems that roughly fifty looters just raided Target in Manhattan Beach, taking anything they could lay their hands on! Is it just me, or did the Chief of Police and the City Council of Manhattan Beach boast about how safe the city is? —- Sophia T., Manhattan Beach
10. ** What kind of B.S. is going on at Equinox gym? A young lady’s legs were differently “toned.” A California influencer ripped at the gym for wearing body paint on her legs blamed society for double standards. A 32-million-view Twitter video of the gym fight. —- Elijah H., Manhattan Beah
11. ** If you need a New Year’s resolution, boycott woke Disney! —- Lambert G., Manhattan Beach
12. ** Police and school officials found no evidence that the two Redondo Union High School students who brought loaded firearms planned campus violence. —- Editor’s Note
13. ** Downtown, Manhattan Beach. Repeated chaos with kids on e-bikes. Zero police presence! Someone is going to get killed. —- Tony L., Manhattan Beach
14. ** Beach Pizza, pasta is amazing. —- Ed M., Manhattan Beach
15. ** I completely agree with the MB Weekly reader poll. As a HLS alumna, I am pretty ashamed. —- Lucia L., Manhattan Beach
16. ** Becca, Stop texting during therapy. —- Roman R., Manhattan Beach
17. ** We are living in war-like times: https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/torrance-man-beaten-during-robbery-at-del-amo-mall/3298395/ —- Graham J., Hermosa Beach
18. ** Lido Bakery is the best in Manhattan Beach! —- Claudine E., Manhattan Beach
19. ** Did you know that Matt Bershadher, the C.E.O. of the ASPCA, makes over $1,000,000 a year? He’s made over $7 million since taking the job. Do you still want to donate your hard-earned money to them? —- Howard F., Manhattan Beach
20. ** December 28th, 2023. Busy holiday downtown Manhattan Beach. No police presence. None. —- Suzanne K., Manhattan Beach
21. ** We have bred a generation of people who will endlessly complain in perpetuity. No accommodations will ever be sufficient. —- Grant S., Manhattan Beach
22. ** The Del Amo Fashion Center mall in Torrance closed early Saturday evening, December 30th, after a group of young thugs became unruly, prompting a significant police response, authorities said. The Torrance Police Department responded to the shopping center at around 5 p.m. Saturday. According to its website, the mall was scheduled to close at 9 p.m. Unfortunately, these are very unsafe times, and we must all keep our guard up. —- Marilyn R., Hermosa Beach
23. ** Southern California added 21,700 real estate workers in the past year, a hiring pace faster than the overall job market. My experience with real estate agents is that 95% of them are morons and couldn’t correctly work as a cashier at Denny’s in a poor neighborhood. —- Clarence C., Hermosa Beach
24. ** I was shocked to discover that companies, universities, and EVEN the U.S. military spend millions of dollars on this D.E.I. drivel! It has now become the D.E.I. Industrial Complex —- Holly W., Manhattan Beach
25. ** Welcome to our new world – Another Del Amo takeover. Over a dozen armed police shutting the promenade. —- Ezra F., Manhattan Beach
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