MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
John Acker (Rotary Club) • Jeff Byron (Kettle) • Phillip Cook (Investment) • Tim Hageman (Podcaster) • Ed Kaminsky (Real Estate) • Peter Kim (Sloopy’s) • Marvin Mack (Urban Plates) • Paul Wafer (Community Activist)
Q: WHO WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE DINNER WITH, BEYONCÉ OR ELON MUSK?
John Acker: Elon Musk
Jeff Byron: I’ll take dinner with Beyonce, better view from across the table.
Phillip Cook: Elon Musk
Tim Hageman: Elon Musk
Ed Kaminsky: Elon
Peter Kim: Beyonce
Marvin Mack: Beyonce
Paul Wafer: Beyonce is talented and beautiful, but I would love to pick Elon Musk’s brain.
Q: HAVE YOU SMOKED AT LEAST ONE CIGARETTE IN THE LAST YEAR?
John Acker: NO
Jeff Byron: I quit smoking 8 years ago, cold turkey!
Phillip Cook: NO. Cigarettes are nasty.
Tim Hageman: NO
Ed Kaminsky: NO
Peter Kim: NO
Marvin Mack: NO
Paul Wafer: I quit smoking 40 years ago when my daughter was born and never took a puff off another cigarette.
Q: DO YOU BELIEVE IN GHOSTS?
John Acker: Ghosts no but Angels yes
Jeff Byron: I do believe in ghosts, pretty sure I’ve seen a couple.
Phillip Cook: No, of course not.
Tim Hageman: YES
Ed Kaminsky: YES
Peter Kim: YES
Marvin Mack: NO
Paul Wafer: There are things that haunt me, but not ghosts.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK OF ALL TIME?
John Acker: The Bible
Jeff Byron: Les Misérables is my favorite book, it was stupid long but I couldn’t put it down. The Giving Tree is a close second (not long!).
Phillip Cook: Battleground by Lt. General H.R. McMasters
Tim Hageman: I love to read and I have many favorites, but after thinking about this, I kept going back to “Fearless The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown.” This book is more than just another story about a Navy SEAL. It’s about service, adversity, family, addiction, second chances, and paying the ultimate sacrifice. I highly recommend this book.
Ed Kaminsky: Think and Grow Rich
Peter Kim: Bible
Marvin Mack: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen Covey
Paul Wafer: “The Winds of War” and the sequel, “War and Remembrance” by Herman Wouk.
Q: THE BEATLES OR THE ROLLING STONES?
John Acker: Beatles
Jeff Byron: Beatles and Rolling Stones, thank you very much. Throw The Who in there too. I dig that whole British invasion thing!
Phillip Cook: Rolling Stones
Tim Hageman: Beatles (I love both)
Ed Kaminsky: Stones
Peter Kim: Beatles
Marvin Mack: The Rolling Stones
Paul Wafer: I saw the Rolling Stones in concert a couple of times in their prime, but the Beatles music is more enduring.
Lights, Camera, El Segundo – Blockbusters Return With CinemaWest’s Grand Opening:
CinemaWest Beach Cities opened in El Segundo this week at 831 S. Nash Street, replacing the Arclight Cinemas. “We are excited to have a flagship location in the South Bay with a theater on par with private screening rooms at major studios,” said Dave Corkill, owner of CinemaWest, in boxofficepro.com. “From the start, our vision for CinemaWest Beach Cities was to provide a one-of-a-kind, luxurious movie viewing experience. With the super-premium 4DX and SCREENX theatres and Pink’s Hot Dogs, we have brought that vision to life.”
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Hi Neighbors! I just wanted to say hello and share this casual but cool picture of me by my boyfriend on Saturday when we had a date night on the pier. I enjoyed walking around and seeing the beautiful sunset. I don’t drink hard alcohol, but you will see me enjoying a Michelada after a long week 😉 Cheers. Spreading light, love, and positivity. —- Alexandra Soto
MB WEEKLY – READER POLL:
52% Say End-of-Life Care Conversations Are Essential
A recent MB Weekly reader poll reveals that 52% believe end-of-life care is the most important conversation to have before you die. This discussion includes outlining medical wishes, designating decision-makers, and specifying treatment preferences for various scenarios. Respondents emphasized the value of creating an advance directive to ensure personal choices are honored if they cannot communicate. This proactive approach can ease the burden on loved ones during difficult times and prevent conflicts over care decisions. End-of-life planning addresses critical issues such as resuscitation, life support, and palliative care. With clear directives in place, families can confidently uphold the wishes of their loved ones. The poll highlights the growing awareness of the importance of these conversations in fostering peace of mind and dignity in life’s final stages.
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Tin Roof Bistro:
You’ll be ‘buzzing’ over our Bee Sting pizza!
A sweet and spicy sensation with soppressata, burrata, mozzarella, and chili honey.
www.TinRoofBistro.com
MBUSD ROLLS OUT ETHNIC STUDIES PILOT AT MIRA COSTA AHEAD OF STATEWIDE MANDATE:
State Assembly Bill 101 of the Education Code mandates that all high schools offer at least one semester of Ethnic Studies starting in the 2025-26 school year. At its February 5 meeting, MBUSD Board members approved two course proposals for the 2025-26 school year: Visual Arts: Diversity and Cultural Studies – one semester; U.S. History: Diversity and Cultural Studies – one year. Last March, the Board of Trustees approved the Diversity and Cultural Studies yearlong and semester courses. “In response to feedback from the Board, staff committed to developing at least one integrated course for the 2025-26 school year,” according to board meeting documents. “An integrated course is an existing course that focuses on the objectives of the Diversity and Cultural Studies curriculum. The addition of two integrated courses will provide students with options to fulfill the California Ethnic Studies Graduation Requirement. Proposition 28: Arts and Music in Schools funding, can be used to offer the Visual Arts: Diversity and Cultural Studies course, and because US History remains a graduation requirement, offering this course will not require additional funds.”
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Name Withheld by Request (Manhattan Beach)
Manhattan Beach residents must recognize that good intentions can sometimes have unintended consequences. While offering food or money to homeless individuals may seem compassionate, it often prolongs their time on the streets rather than guiding them toward real solutions. The City and MBSAFE work tirelessly to connect these individuals with services, housing, and support systems that foster self-sufficiency. However, when basic needs are consistently met through well-meaning handouts, some choose to stay rather than seek sustainable change. The rise in encampments around our public spaces – parks, Metlox Plaza, bus stops – proves that generosity without structure can backfire. We must focus on solutions that address the root of homelessness, not just its symptoms. The best way to help is to direct those in need to professional services. If we genuinely care, we must stop enabling life on the streets and start supporting pathways to a stable, dignified future.
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Dive Into Savings:
At Our Annual YARD SALE!
Whether you’re riding the waves or exploring the depths, we’ve got unbeatable deals on surfboards, wetsuits, scuba gear, and more! Don’t miss out on the ultimate sale for all your surf and scuba adventures!
📅 Dates: Feb 14 – Mar 2
📍 Location: 504 N Broadway, Redondo Beach
www.DiveNSurf.com
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Laurence Sotsky
This guy hacked our front door keyless lock and broke into our office … Any information would be appreciated. Be careful; he appears to have a device that allows him to generate access codes.
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Set The Table:
Custom Meal Prep and Event Service
in the South Bay & Los Angeles
Experience Chef Tracy’s healthy, chef-made meals – individually crafted to make your life easier. From custom meal prep to special event catering, we take the stress out of mealtime, delivering flavorful, wholesome dishes so you can focus on being the best version of yourself.
www.SetTheTableLA.com
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Cathy Cutler Hobart
Rick Caruso sat down with Joe Rogan … for a conversation every Californian should hear. He’s the leader we need – someone who understands how to get things done. Caruso has built some of the country’s most successful developments as a businessman, civic leader, and philanthropist. He uses that same problem-solving approach to help rebuild communities affected by wildfires through his nonprofit, Steadfast LA. There are no politics – just authentic leadership and real solutions. Listen to the conversation and hear what a results-driven leader sounds like.
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Falling Cargo, Fatal Consequence: Compton Man Pleads Not Guilty In Officer’s Death
A man pleaded not guilty in connection with a multi-vehicle collision that fatally injured a Manhattan Beach Police Department motorcycle officer in October 2023. In October 2024, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced Raymond Eugene Sanders of Compton had been charged in the Oct. 4 crash that killed 35-year-old Manhattan Beach Police Officer Chad Swanson, who was riding his department motorcycle to work. Sanders was charged with one count of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence, a misdemeanor, in case 24CMCM01571. Sanders is accused of improperly securing boxes of lighting fixtures to his truck, causing several to fall onto the roadway. Investigators determined improper securement as a key factor in the crash. “The life of Officer Swanson, a husband and father of three young children, was tragically cut short. He had honorably served the Manhattan Beach community for 13 years, and his loss is a profound one felt by his family, colleagues, and all who knew him,” District Attorney Gascón said in October. “This case is a grim reminder of the devastating consequences of negligence on our roads. Drivers must always remain vigilant and cautious – failure to do so can cost lives. Those who act recklessly and put others in danger will be held accountable.”
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MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Steven Blum
If anyone witnessed or knows who the person was who kicked my Chihuahua while my daughter walked him today by the tennis courts at Live Oak Park. This happened at 12:24. Several people walked by and did nothing to protect my daughter, but this person lost his mind on her. He was a late 50s white male and spoke terribly to her. It’s sad how people are behaving these days.
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Manhattan Beach Crime Summary
February 06 to February 12, 2025
- 735 CALLS FOR SERVICE
- 16 ARRESTS
- 13 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS
- 42 CRIME REPORTS FILED
Notable Events:
** On 2/6/25 at approximately 8:13 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of 3rd Street regarding an attempted residential burglary report. The victims were home and heard what they described as an aluminum ladder outside their residence. One of the victims walked upstairs and discovered four glass panels to their balcony door were broken. They reported seeing a dark-colored SUV drive away northbound from the area at a high rate of speed. There was no loss reported.
** On 2/7/25 at approximately 11:54 p.m., an MBPD officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for vehicle code violations in the 400 block of Ocean Drive. During the investigation, the driver provided false information regarding their identity, and during a search of the vehicle, a loaded 9mm firearm was found in the glove box. The driver was arrested for felon in possession of a firearm and felon in possession of ammunition.
** On 2/9/25 at approximately 7:00 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 800 block of Highland Avenue regarding a prowler call. The homeowner observed two subjects on his ring camera climb over his back wall. The homeowner, who was nearby, responded to the residence and observed the subjects walking northbound on Highland Ave. Officers checked the area but could not find the suspects. A report was taken.
** On 2/11/25 at approximately 2:48 a.m., officers responded to the area of 26th Street and Manhattan Avenue regarding a stolen vehicle. The vehicle was carjacked from the victim in another city and was tracked to this location. Officers arrived and found the vehicle with occupants inside. When officers attempted a high-risk vehicle stop, the driver accelerated the vehicle away, leading officers on a short vehicle pursuit. The suspect collided with the center divider at Rosecrans Avenue and Highland Avenue and continued into a building in the 3700 block of Highland Avenue. A loaded semiautomatic handgun was recovered from inside the vehicle. The neighboring agency that took the initial crime report responded to the scene with the victim. After both suspects were positively identified by the victim, the neighboring agency took custody of them.
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by R.W. (Manhattan Beach)
As a lifelong successful business owner and Manhattan Beach resident, I am genuinely perplexed by any opposition to forming a DOGE-like committee of former Manhattan Beach mayors to oversee city matters. Given the ongoing concerns about excessive government spending – well documented by Paul Wafer in numerous articles and completely unrefuted – why wouldn’t independent oversight and fresh perspectives be a good idea? It seems counterintuitive to ask the same individuals who contributed to the problem of bloated salaries and expenditures to suddenly become the solution. This is akin to asking an alcoholic to stop drinking without any external intervention or accountability. True reform requires independent, critical thinkers – not those entrenched in the same system they once managed. Manhattan Beach deserves innovative, unbiased leadership, not a self-regulating committee of past decision-makers. If the goal is real progress, shouldn’t we prioritize transparency and fresh ideas rather than recycling the past?
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MB WEEKLY – LENS:
On 2/11/2025 at approximately 2:59 p.m., officers received a call for service at 1800 Rosecrans (Trader Joe’s) regarding a stolen wallet from a victim’s purse. Officers learned that credit cards stolen from the victim were soon declined when fraudulently used at the Apple Store inside the Village Mall. In an excellent display of efficient communication and cooperation, officers responded to the area of the mall in coordination with Mall Security personnel and arrested two female suspects.
MB WEEKLY – R.I.P.:
David Stanley Barks (1938-2025)
Longtime aerospace manager David Stanley Barks died peacefully after a short illness on January 29. He was 86. “A lifelong lover of the ocean, David spent his entire life after age 5 with the Pacific in his backyard. He moved from Santa Monica to Manhattan Beach in the 1970s and was still swimming in the sea from spring through fall until just a few years ago. He also participated in the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair 10K for many years and biked to the gym and appointments into his 70s. In 2001, he became a peer counselor with Beach City Health District, deeply enjoying his work visiting homebound older adults,” according to neptunesociety.com.
MB WEEKLY – READER QUESTION:
WHY DON’T PEOPLE DRESS UP TO GO OUT ANYMORE?
Please share your comment 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)
1. ** Yeah for Elon! Finally, someone with guts exposes the OUTRAGEOUS waste of our so-called enlightened elites. Why is USAID funding ideological pet projects instead of real global needs? Millions wasted on critical gender theory in the Balkans, diversity training for the BBC, and gender-neutral language in Sri Lanka? Enough! Expose it – reform it. —- Dr. O.M. (Redondo Beach)
2. ** Honest to God, it’s disgusting! At least 25% of all items at CVS in Manhattan Beach are locked up like crown jewels. Deodorant? Under lock and key. Razor blades? Forget it. Need an employee to buy toothpaste! What the hell happened? —- Dennis G.
3. ** LAFD is underfunded. It’s sad that firefighters were kept from the front lines due to un-serviced fire engines. https://youtu.be/MNpL0NsvxxQ?si=H3T7yWLfm2HFanyJ —- Glenn S.
4. ** Lip balm is so expensive! —- Carla A.
5. ** The liberal left magnifies America’s failures, particularly slavery and segregation, not the magnitude of our success in virtue. They have a proctologist’s view of this nation. —- Todd B.
6. ** I wanted to share a South Bay best-kept secret: Sunday brunch at Pacific Standard Prime (located at 1819 South PCH, Redondo Beach, between the Pancake House and Best Western, on the same side of the street). Great food (especially their Australian Wagyu beef), great drinks, great service … a truly fine restaurant! —- Paul B.
7. ** That was the worst Super Bowl halftime show I’ve ever seen. It sounded like music to slaughter cattle by – repulsive. If this is what passes for music today, no wonder we’re in cultural decline. Compton’s Kendrick Lamar brought Not Like Us to the stage – not like music, either. —- Larry A.
8. ** I once heard a simple yet powerful formula for success: “Be where you’re supposed to be. Do what you’re supposed to do. And don’t lie.” It stuck with me for 30 years, and it still holds. Sometimes, the best wisdom is the simplest. —- Chris K.
9. ** Musk says FEMA spent $60M housing illegal immigrants in ‘Luxury Hotels’ last week. Charming. —- Oliver B.
10. ** There is nothing emasculating about being deliberate with your appearance. To do otherwise is unmasculine and childish. —- Tiffany C.
11. ** I love El Porto! —- Grace T.
12. ** This is the same crap we heard trump (small “t” is intentional) utter in his role as “consoler-in-chief” after that terrible airplane/helicopter crash in D.C. This was despite providing NO PROOF, NO SPECIFIC (relevant) EXAMPLES and also despite FAA people who know what they’re talking about telling all “who will listen” that air traffic controllers go through lengthy, rigorous training to ensure they only put the best of the best in air traffic control towers. The only criticism worthy of discussion is that they are understaffed and have outdated computer systems … and this is the fault of congress (small “c” is intentional). —- Paul B.
13. ** Has anyone else gotten those scammy “Pay your Fast Track tolls or lose your license!” texts? Total B.S. These fraudsters are getting bold – threatening licenses now? Don’t click! Check your actual account. Scammers are everywhere, and California’s toll system is already a mess without fake threats, making it worse. —- Gabriel N.
14. ** Based on standard inflationary rates, if rapper 50 Cent began his career today, his name would be Dollar-O-One. —- Gwendolyn P.
15. ** That was some serious rumbling at Chevron! Yikes! Anyone else feel that? —- Omar J.
16. ** According to city statistics, fewer than 40% of the 465 Malibu homes destroyed in the Woolsey fire have been reconstructed. For many homeowners, the problem has been navigating the web of regulations controlling what can get built along California’s coastline. —- Terri A.
17. ** DOGE finds that the Social Security Administration is sending checks to people 150 years old. The question is, why does Cher even need that money? —- Howie D.
18. ** If cats could play air hockey, they would be unbeatable. —- Daisy L.
19. ** My favorite book of all time – “I Robot” by Issac Asimov. —- Aaron G.
20. ** Driving down Culver Blvd in Playa del Rey, heading back to Manhattan Beach, we spotted a mysterious blue light in the sky stretching toward the ocean. It was bright, fast, and almost surreal – did anyone else see it? What could it have been? A meteor? Something else? —- Cody D.
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