MB WEEKLY – EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW:
MANHATTAN BEACH FIRE CHIEF
JESSE ALEXANDER
Q: FIRE CHIEF IS A SERIOUS JOB – BUT WHAT’S SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT WOULD SURPRISE PEOPLE WHO ONLY KNOW YOU IN UNIFORM?
A: People might be surprised to learn, given my serious demeanor, that outside the uniform, I am pretty down-to-earth and family-oriented. I value quiet time just as much as high-tempo emergency work, and I enjoy staying active, spending time outdoors, and connecting with my family. I also have a strong interest in mentoring and personal development, helping others grow within the fire service, where I teach at multiple levels for colleges and fire service institutions. In addition, I provide presentations on lessons learned from critical incidents such as the Camp Fire, Oroville Spillway, and mass fentanyl overdose responses for community organizations, fire departments, and professional sports organizations.
Q: YOU’VE SEEN THE CITY FROM A FIRST-RESPONDER’S PERSPECTIVE. WHAT’S ONE SMALL THING RESIDENTS DO THAT INSTANTLY MAKES A FIREFIGHTER’S DAY BETTER?
A: Just tell them “thank you” for their service.
Q: EVERY PROFESSION HAS ITS INSIDE JOKES. WHAT’S A CLASSIC FIREHOUSE MOMENT OR TRADITION THAT NEVER FAILS TO MAKE YOU SMILE?
A: Outside of those special moments with my family, some of the best moments in my life have revolved around a firehouse dining table. It’s often said that a table full of seven or eight firefighters can solve all the world’s problems. In all seriousness, sitting at a table with people who share common experiences and hardships creates a bond that’s hard to replicate. That sense of camaraderie always brings a smile to my face.
Q: WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
A: Kansas
Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME?
A: The Great Escape or Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
www.ManhattanBeach.gov/Fire-Department
Teaching The Sweet Spot – How Trisha Gonzalez Helps 7th Graders Find Their Voice:
For Trisha Gonzalez, middle school isn’t a pit stop – it’s the main event. Now in her 16th year at Manhattan Beach Middle School, the 7th-grade English and Success teacher thrives in what she calls one of the most energetic and formative stages of a student’s life. In the classroom, Gonzalez blends literature and writing with life skills, guiding students through the Success program to build organization, confidence, and self-advocacy. As Chair of the English Department, she also collaborates closely with colleagues to strengthen instruction and student support across campus. What she treasures most are the relationships – watching students grow bolder in their thinking, more articulate in discussion, and more confident in who they are. She takes pride in creating a classroom where curiosity is rewarded and risk-taking feels safe. Inspired by a transformative high school English teacher, Gonzalez found her true calling during student teaching in middle school. Outside class, she enjoys traveling, reading, time with loved ones – and her dog, Pippa – while pursuing an M.S. in Clinical Counseling to support adolescents’ mental health further.
https://www.mbmschool.org
Tin Roof Bistro:
Dreams Do Come True:
Pizza, Fries, Burgers, and Beers. Happy Eating!
3500 N Sepulveda Blvd | (310) 939-0900 | www.TinRoofBistro.com
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Mark Burton (Former MB Mayor)
Our MB Police Chief is a nice person who has no experience as a Chief, and it shows. She won’t have foot beat officers in Downtown MB because walking hurts their legs? Really!
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MB WEEKLY EXCLUSIVE VIDEO:
An exclusive MB Weekly video of SLAY Steak + Fish House.
Click Link To Watch:
https://youtu.be/9ExCRl0Sorg
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Paul Wafer (MB Community Activist)
How much overtime is safe? The police officers at MBPD work 3 12-hour shifts, or 36 hours per week. The research shows that working up to 48 hours per week is low risk for police officers. The caution zone occurs when one works more than 50-60 hours per week. This level is okay for the short term, but it can lead to slower reaction times, increased use-of-force incidents, and higher vehicle collision risks. Once an officer exceeds 60 hours per week it is considered unsafe/high risk. This amount is strongly associated with decision-making errors, officer-involved accidents (2 times higher crash risk), health problems (cardiovascular disease, sleep disorders) and higher complaint and liability rates. Many agencies prohibit this except during emergencies. Shift length matters as well. 12+ hour shifts, especially on consecutive days, dramatically increase risk. 16-hour days are widely considered unsafe except in extreme circumstances. Fatigue compounds when overtime follows night shifts, court appearances cut into sleep, and days off are canceled. Chronic overtime contributes to burnout, early retirement, and disability claims. Here in Manhattan Beach, there were 8 police officers that averaged more than 20 hours of overtime per week and 10 officers that averaged more than 16 hours per week in 2024 (latest available data). The highest averaged 29 hours per week for the whole year! Five officer’s average put them in the high-risk zone every week for the entire year. This does not mean we need more officers. There were many that were way below the high-risk zone. Not only is this a safety issue, but it is a cost issue as well. Those 18 officers earned a total of close to $1.9 million in overtime pay, on average $105,000 each. This means that we have a management problem in the way hours are distributed, or how the shifts are assigned. I would like to see our police chief explain how or why this occurs and how it is being addressed.
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South Bay Classical Academy:
While other schools chase trends, we’re returning to what works. South Bay Classical Academy opens Fall 2026 in Hawthorne, forming students of strong character, clear thinking, and civic virtue through time-tested methods.
RSVP for a School Launch Event
Enrollment for Grades K-5 opens Soon
4755 W 130th St. Hawthorne, CA 90250
www.SouthBayClassical.org
Rosaries On The Strand – 100 Women Turn A Morning Walk Into A Moving Community:
Before kicking off the first Rosary Girl Walk at the entrance to the Manhattan Beach Pier on January 17, fitness influencer Melanie Meza gathered the roughly 100 women who showed up – many alone – to help them find prayer partners and a sense of belonging. “I don’t want anyone to feel alone,” Meza told the group. “I want women to feel like they have community, that they belong, and that they’re loved.” Women from Los Angeles and Orange counties walked north along the Strand, rosaries in hand, passing multimillion-dollar homes as they prayed the Joyful Mysteries.
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Winter sunsets in Manhattan Beach.
MB WEEKLY – READER POLL:
Ivory Tower Tilt? 7-In-10 South Bay Readers Say Colleges Are Off The Rails
A substantial majority of South Bay residents believe America’s higher education system is headed in the wrong direction, according to a new MB Weekly reader poll. Seventy-two percent of respondents said U.S. colleges and universities are generally failing to meet their core mission, citing concerns about political bias, rising costs, and declining academic rigor. “It has without question turned into indoctrination as opposed to education,” said Royce L., a Hermosa Beach business owner who participated in the survey. “Parents and students are paying more than ever and getting less open inquiry in return.” The poll reflects growing skepticism across the South Bay about whether universities are preparing students for the real world or pushing ideological agendas instead. The results mirror a national debate increasingly spilling out of campus lecture halls and into dinner tables, boardrooms, and voting booths – including right here in the Beach Cities.
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Dive N’ Surf:
GHOST AMMO: Invisible Protection That Actually Feels Invisible
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504 N Broadway, Redondo Beach | 310-372-8423 | www.DiveNSurf.com
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Tim Hagerman
On November 8, 2025, the Rotary Club of Manhattan Beach, in partnership with Kinecta Federal Credit Union, proudly hosted the sixth annual VetFest – an event dedicated to honoring and celebrating Veterans and First Responders. $28,500 in net proceeds from the day supported Team Rubicon, Operation Mend, the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation, and Pin-Ups For Vets. VetFest offered something for everyone, including BBQ, local beer and wine, live music, dancing, and a kids zone. Joe’s Band and The Pine Mountain Logs kept the energy high, while a moving moment of silence, bagpipes, and a flyover paid tribute to those who have served. Admission was free for Veterans and First Responders. VetFest returns November 7, 2026.
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Kaminsky Real Estate Group:
Most sellers dread the uncertainty – will your home sit too long, fetch less than it’s worth, or miss the right buyer? As the South Bay’s #1 producing team, with over $2 billion sold, we turn your equity into a win, not a worry.
(310) 427-2414 | ek@itzsold.com | www.ItzSold.com
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Name Withheld by Request (MB Parent)
As a parent of an elementary school child in Manhattan Beach, I can say this plainly: the Manhattan Beach Unified School District is constantly begging parents for money. Relentlessly. It’s not occasional, it’s systemic. Emails, flyers, text alerts, classroom asks, foundation drives, auctions, jog-a-thons, themed fundraisers, and carefully worded guilt pitches arrive with stunning regularity. Public education is supposed to be publicly funded, yet MBUSD increasingly feels like a private club operating on perpetual parental subsidies. Families are made to feel responsible for filling budget gaps, enhancing programs, and sustaining basics that should already be covered. The pressure is subtle but unmistakable: if you care about your child, you’ll contribute – and contribute often. Not every family can write checks on demand. The constant fundraising creates fatigue, resentment, and an unspoken divide between those who can give freely and those who quietly can’t. Supporting schools is important. But relentless begging isn’t support – it’s a warning sign of a broken funding model that places the burden where it doesn’t belong: on parents.
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Love On The Menu – Tin Roof Bistro Serves A Valentine’s Night To Remember:
Couples looking to elevate Valentine’s Day beyond the ordinary can find it at Tin Roof Bistro, which is hosting an elegant prix-fixe dining experience designed to impress. The special evening features a thoughtfully curated three-course menu, paired with a complimentary glass of wine to set the mood. Guests will also enjoy live piano music, creating a warm, romantic atmosphere that goes far beyond the typical dinner date. Adding to the allure are a few surprise touches woven into the night, making the experience feel personal and memorable. The Valentine’s Prix-Fixe Dinner is priced at $100 per person and promises an intimate, refined celebration of love.
Bella Beach Kids:
Fashionable clothes, unique toys and one of a kind gifts both kids and parents will enjoy. Baby Shower Items. Cool Tween styles for Girls and more.
225 Manhattan Beach Blvd | (310) 545-9990 | www.BellaBeachKids.com
ALL-STAR POWER MOVE – Patricia Blakemore Earns Los Angeles Magazine’s 2026 Real Estate Honor:
Patricia Blakemore has been named to Los Angeles Magazine’s prestigious 2026 Real Estate All-Stars list, a distinction recognizing the county’s top-performing real estate professionals. The annual honor highlights agents who demonstrate exceptional market knowledge, client service, and consistent results across Los Angeles County’s highly competitive landscape. Blakemore credited her clients’ trust and loyalty as the foundation of the achievement, noting that their confidence enables sustained excellence. She also praised her colleagues at Keller Williams Luxury International for their collaboration and support throughout the process. The recognition further cements Blakemore’s reputation as a leading force in Southern California luxury real estate.
BELLA BUILDERS:
A Local Residential Builder
Vinny, 38-years experience / 20-year Rotary member
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
From The South Bay To The Alps – Local Stars Skate And Soar Onto Team USA:
Three elite athletes from the South Bay will carry local pride onto the world stage after being named to Team USA for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy. The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee unveiled the 232-member roster Monday, featuring 117 men and 115 women from across the country. Nearly 100 athletes on the team are returning Olympians, including 18 who have already captured Olympic gold. Among those selected are three South Bay standouts: Madison Chock of Redondo Beach in figure skating, snowboarding superstar Chloe Kim of Torrance, and Bea Kim of Palos Verdes, also in snowboarding. When the Winter Games open in 2026, the trio will compete on one of the world’s biggest stages – bringing the spirit, grit, and pride of the South Bay with them to Italy.
WHO READS MB WEEKLY?
Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce Board member Peter Kim along with thousands and thousands of his neighbors.
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MB WEEKLY, 2026 – HONEST, OPEN DIALOGUE… “ONCE A WEEK, BUT NEVER WEAKLY”:
In an era when shouting has replaced thinking, and outrage is mistaken for insight, MB Weekly enters 2026 committed to open, honest, and civil dialogue. As the South Bay’s largest digital publication – by far – it occupies a rare perch, not merely to inform, but to elevate. The modern public square has become a brawl disguised as conversation. Facts are optional. Nuance is suspect. Those who disagree are presumed wicked rather than merely wrong. Against this shrill backdrop, MB Weekly proposes something almost subversive: that adults can reason, listen, and even change their minds without resorting to digital cudgels. Civil discourse is not a weakness; it is the engine of truth. Communities grow when ideas are tested, not canceled. Manhattan Beach and its neighboring South Bay cities deserve more than echo chambers and performative outrage. They deserve a forum where civil disagreement sharpens understanding rather than dulling it. In 2026, MB Weekly invites the community to share comments, thoughts, suggestions, and ideas: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
www.MBWeekly.net
Walking The Walk – Urban Plates & MB Weekly Deliver Sole-Stirring Impact:
For the third year in a row, Urban Plates and MB Weekly proved that community kindness never goes out of style. Their annual “We All Walk in Different Shoes” campaign wrapped up with a major win, collecting more than 500 pairs of gently used shoes for people experiencing homelessness. Hosted at Urban Plates in Manhattan Beach, the drive drew steady participation from locals eager to give footwear a second life – and offer dignity with every step. Organizers praised the community’s generosity, noting the growing impact each year. Once again, a simple idea delivered a powerful result: when neighbors step up together, real change follows.
1. ** Bravo to former Mayor Mark Burton for calling out the MB merry-go-round. Term limits should mean real change, not a musical-chairs parody. Voters deserve fresh thinking, accountability, and leadership that rotates ideas – not just the same names taking turns in power. —- Lilly C.
2. ** Does anyone remember Kenny G.? His music was so sterile that, were it possible to bottle it, you could use it to clean lavatories. —- Adam C.
3. ** Surprise! Surprise. A man accused of fleecing L.A.’s homeless services bureaucracy for $23 million was arrested at his Westwood home early Friday morning as part of an ongoing multi-agency probe into the county’s multibillion-dollar efforts to tamp down encampments and bring more people in off the streets. —- V.D.
4. ** Can someone please explain to me, in common-sense language, why in God’s name do MB police officers only work three days a week? —- Timothy T.
5. ** I love my new Tesla! —- Carrie M., Manhattan Beach
6. ** Hermosa Beach Police issued a shelter-in-place order Friday afternoon after a report of shots fired in the 100 block of Palm Drive. South Hermosa was temporarily closed with help from neighboring agencies. The order was lifted around 6 p.m. after police confirmed the call was a swatting hoax. —- Editor’s Note
7. ** I stayed in an Airbnb in Austin, Texas, in December and suffered the usual indignities of squatting in someone else’s house. Why is the door impossible to unlock, the lights hidden, the rules unspoken, and the thermostat designed by NASA? It’s freezing, confusing, and wildly frustrating! —- Kaylee T., El Segundo
8. ** I got my nails done at Bliss and I love them. —- Allie A.
9. ** My wife was leaving a shopping center when she noticed a man arranging flowers at the back of his truck – two vases, two bouquets. He explained that his father is in rehab, where he met two women with no visitors. So he decided to brighten their day. Quiet kindness still exists. —- Clark C., Redondo Beach
10. ** Manhattan Beach doesn’t have real term limits. We have sham, faux limits: serve two terms, sit out, come back again and again. It’s a revolving door of power. The result? Less accountability, less transparency, and reckless fiscal irresponsibility. It’s a scam. Voters deserve honesty, not musical chairs governance. —- J.L., Manhattan Beach
11. ** A Torrance man accused of hiding cameras at a Hermosa Beach dance and music school where he worked has pleaded no contest. Jourdyn Alexander Godoy, 26, must register as a sex offender for life, complete classes, perform community labor, and serve two years’ probation per an Angeles County court order. —- Editor’s Note
12. ** If you think Dilbert was absurd, you should see the culture in government. —- F.P.
13. ** Everywhere I go, someone has a hand out. Drive-through clerks asking for tips before I even pay? Servers chasing customers over “small” tips? Enough. In this economy, 20% is absurd – tips now rival entrées. I’ll tip for service – not guilt, not stares, not standing at a window. —- Mae W.
14. ** South Bay’s kindest dog walker. Winner “Best of Los Angeles Award – 2025” – Dog walker and pet sitter. 10 years of experience in the South Bay. Call Silvia —- 310-714-9877 or e-mail: AlohaMyDogs@gmail.com
15. ** Admitting that you don’t know, at least once a day, makes you a better person. —- Tim J., Manhattan Beach
16. ** The elevators in the Manhattan Village parking lot are horribly slow! —- Jennifer M., Manhattan Beach
17. ** A welcome to John Burry, owner of the new Hermosa Review, with lunch at JOEY in the Manhattan Village. Burry was eager to discuss MB Weekly’s significant success. —- Editor’s Note
18. ** Peet’s by the Manhattan Beach pier has closed, and it stings. So many memories. Last day was the 30th. I love our mom-and-pop spots, but I loved Peet’s too. Why do solid coffee chains keep disappearing? Rents? Costs? Bad policy? Another downtown loss. —- Millie T.
19. ** This is the reality of Skid Row, and it’s maddening how the money set aside to help people has all been stolen by corrupt non-profits (mainly). Karen Bass won’t even answer the question, instead hiring lawyers to suppress info. She should’ve been recalled by now, but we still have a chance to make a dent by electing different people and demanding transparency. —- Heather Kim, Manhattan Beach
20. ** THAT’S SO FETCH! SAVE THE DATE FOR COSTA SPRING MUSICAL MEAN GIRLS – Mira Costa Drama Tech is excited to announce their Spring Musical, Mean Girls! Save the dates for shows running April 24th through May 2nd. Tickets will be on sale on the drama tech website starting March 28th —- Mira Costa
21. ** Thank you for taking the time and effort to publish and distribute MB Weekly. I along with countless others greatly appreciate it. Great work! —- Phil Cook, Manhattan Beach
22. ** Congratulations! MB Weekly has become an important source of local community involvement. —- Debbie Van Ness, Manhattan Beach
23. ** I’ll be giving another author talk at the Jocelyn Center in Manhattan Beach in March. Let me know if you are interested! —- Alison Clay-Duboff
24. ** The People’s Republic of Santa Monica is a blaring warning to the South Bay. Hand your city to incompetent radicals, drunk on foolish slogans and allergic to reality, and don’t act shocked when chaos follows. Standards collapse, streets decay, businesses flee, taxes rise – and a once-great place becomes a cautionary tale nationwide. —- Alex R., Hermosa Beach
25. ** Part-Time Entry-Level Assistant – Public Relations – Our award-winning public relations firm, located in Manhattan Beach, California, is seeking a smart, highly reliable, detail-oriented, and organized part-time entry-level assistant eager to learn the business of modern PR. Approximately 10–12 hours a week. This is a rare opportunity to get your foot in the door at a prominent agency and grow alongside seasoned professionals in an exciting, fast-paced environment. Ideal candidates are hungry to learn, proactive, and committed to excellence – a chance in a lifetime in a lifetime of chance. Contact: Amanda Kent at AmandaK@BoundlessMediaUSA.com / www.BoundlessMediaUSA.com
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