EXCLUSIVE:
MANHATTAN BEACH CITY LEADERS SPEAK OUT ABOUT RACISM
Sign With Racial Slurs, Noose Found At Manhattan Beach Park:
Police reported a handmade placard with racist insults and a noose-shaped rope at a Manhattan Beach park. The Manhattan Beach Police Department observed a Nextdoor post showing the placard and rope dangling from a Sand Dune Park tree. Police investigated a remote park area by car. The sign was there when cops arrived, but no rope. Police took a report after city workers removed the placard. MBPD claimed nobody knew more about the find, and the inquiry is underway.
Manhattan Beach Mayor Joe Franklin:
The Manhattan Beach Police Department discovered a post on Nextdoor on April 25th that had a photo depicting a handwritten sign on a simple fort-like structure with racial slurs and a rope hanging from a tree that appeared to be knotted into the shape of a noose. It seemed to be taken at an isolated portion of Sand Dune Park well out of public view. Our MBPD Officers immediately responded and are investigating. City workers have since removed the sign. We are asking that anyone with information should contact Detective Seth Hartnell at (310) 802-5127. It is the City Council’s assertion that racism in any form is abhorrent and intolerable. It undermines the fabric of our society and inflicts deep wounds on our community. We denounce all forms of hate, bigotry, violence, and bullying and will investigate and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. Resources for help are available at www.manhattanbeach.gov/MBvsHate. Anyone wishing to report hate incidents should call 911 for an emergency, 310-545-4566 for our local MBPD Police Dispatch, or call 2-1-1 for the County’s program: L.A. vs. Hate.
Manhattan Beach Police Chief Rachel Johnson:
I was appalled to learn of this incident. Racism in any form is abhorrent and intolerable. It creates division where there would otherwise be none and distracts us from learning more about each other so that we may grow closer as a community and society. Racist commentary cannot be unseen or unheard, and the wounds inflicted by racism run deep. Hate is a disease that spreads and grows with ignorance and intolerance. I encourage residents to take action against hate, speak up in ways that draw attention to it among us, and educate themselves about the root causes of hate and intolerance. We must work as a community to create and preserve a culture where our children will thrive, and hate has no home. I encourage the community to visit www.manhattanbeach.gov/MBvsHate for resources they can use to stand up against racism in their everyday lives. It is worth noting that the Police Department learned of this incident from a Next Door post; I encourage members of the public to call dispatch (310-545-4566) to notify MBPD so that a report and investigation can be completed in a timely fashion. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Detective Hartnell at 310-802-5127.
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Michelle Mangan, who teaches transitional kindergarten at Meadows Elementary, was named MBUSD Teacher of the Year.
MB WEEKLY – READER POLL:
7% Eyeing Home Purchases in 2024
In a recent survey conducted by MB Weekly, a surprising trend has emerged among readers: 7% are gearing up to make a big move into homeownership this year. Despite economic fluctuations and uncertain market conditions, some readers are confident in taking the plunge into real estate. The findings underscore a resilient spirit among potential buyers, defying familiar narratives of caution in the face of economic unpredictability. Analysts speculate that low mortgage rates and a desire for stability drive this unexpected surge in homebuying intentions. With the evolving real estate landscape, this insight from MB Weekly’s readership offers a valuable glimpse into consumer sentiment and market trends.
Joey Manhattan Beach:
JOEY + HAPPY HOUR / JOIN THE PARTY
Now Bigger and Better Than Ever
Sunday – Thursday: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. daily | 9 p.m. to close
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Portofino Pours Is An Absolute Gem:
by Darby Winston
Portofino Pours at The Portofino Hotel and Marine in Redondo Beach is an absolute gem! My friends and I were treated to a delightful evening indulging in a splendid array of wines, beers, and expertly crafted cocktails, all thanks to their innovative beverage taps. The ambiance of The Living Room provided the perfect backdrop for our gathering, exuding an atmosphere of elegance and relaxation. The attentive staff ensured our glasses were never empty and offered insightful recommendations, further enhancing our experience. Cheers to Portofino Pours for an unforgettable evening of exquisite libations and memories shared amongst friends!
www.HotelPortofino.com
Manhattan Beach Readers Sound Alarm On Climate – Majority Fear Worsening Conditions In Lifetime:
In a revealing poll by MB Weekly, Manhattan Beach residents are sending a clear message: climate change is no distant threat but a present reality. A significant majority of readers believe climate change’s effects are already causing harm to their community, with 63% anticipating further deterioration in their lifetime. Nancy G., a seasoned resident of Manhattan Beach, succinctly captured the sentiment: “No one can tell them the weather isn’t weirder.” Her words echo the collective unease permeating the coastal town as residents grapple with increasingly erratic weather patterns and environmental disruptions. This poll underscores the pressing need for immediate action to mitigate and adapt to climate change at the local level. With their eyes fixed on the future, Manhattan Beach residents are acknowledging the problem and demanding solutions to safeguard their community for generations to come.
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Mira Costa players celebrate after defeating Redondo Union for their second CIFSS Championship.
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MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Drew Berry
General Manager Of Hotel Portofino
Q: DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU BELONG AT WORK?
A: Yes of course. We’re a family here. We have each other’s back, and work shoulder to shoulder together.
Q: IS THIS YOUR FIRST JOB?
A: No
Q: IS THIS THE JOB YOU DREAMED OF WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD?
A: No. I started as a bellman/Valet for beer money in college. I never imagined I’d end up in this industry let alone as a General Manager.
Q: DO YOU ENJOY YOUR JOB?
A: I love my Job. This has by far been the most fun I’ve had at a job in my life.
Q: DO YOU EVER LOOK UP YOUR COWORKERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA?
A: No I do not.
Q: HAVE YOU EVER STOLEN A COWORKER’S LUNCH FROM THE BREAK ROOM FRIDGE?
A: That’s a hard No for me.
Q: DO YOU LIKE TO WORK WHILE LISTENING TO MUSIC?
A: Yes I do. Specifically during budget or financial reviews, I listen to classical music, usually movie scores, as a way to focus. The playlist on my spotify account is called “Relax Work Music.”
Q: DO YOU ENJOY WORKING ON GROUP PROJECTS?
A: Yes very much so.
Q: IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY WOULD YOU STILL CONTINUE WORKING?
A: Yes I absolutely would. However, I would possibly leave being a General Manager, and would consider an adjunct professorship teaching hospitality majors about operating a hotel.
Q: HAVE YOU EVER HAD AN AWFUL INTERVIEW?
A: Yes. Nobody has a 100% success ratio interviewing.
www.HotelPortofino.com
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Lucia La Rosa Ames
On the last page of “People Love Dead Jews.” The author, prizewinning novelist Dara Horn, successfully proves the dehumanization embedded in the too-easy reverence for past Jewish deaths by the same people – progressive Americans included – who have very little respect and still discriminate against Jewish lives unfolding in the present. This is a book every student and every teacher should read.
Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Mira Costa High School junior Maia Rocha has received a $1,700 investment from the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy for her productivity application, Doing Done. Her presentation to the local YEA judges also earned her a trip to the Saunders Scholars competition in Rochester, New York, this month.
MB WEEKLY – CRIME REPORT:
** From April 11 to 17, Manhattan Beach Police Department officers prevented three attempted burglaries at three municipal properties. Each time, the homeowners were away.
** Police responded to a complaint of a person checking doors at a vacant home on April 12. Police apprehended a man in front of The Strand 2500. The suspect informed officers he bought the property recently. MBPD officers were able to reach the homeowner, who advised them the suspect was not allowed on the property.
** MBPD responded to a probable burglary at a property for sale in the 400 block of Second Street on April 14. Officers found a male suspect going into a neighbor’s yard to escape. Police detained the male suspect.
** MBPD detained a female suspect trying to flee the home. The couple burglarized the home, according to an investigation. They were arrested for several crimes.
** On April 16, MBPD officers went to another probable burglary on the 1600 block of First Street. An individual who entered the apartment through an open sliding glass door informed authorities he was seeking a home. The police brought the subject in for mental health examination.
MB WEEKLY – MEET:
MEET WENDI
Working in Manhattan Beach since 2001
HONESTLY…
Shower or Bath? BOTH
Coffee or Tea? COFFEE
Cigar or Cigarettes? NEITHER
Do you own an Apple Watch? NO
Has anyone ever ended a Romantic Relationship with you by Text Message? YES
Steak or Fish? FISH
Guilty Pleasure? REALITY TV
Do you Kiss and Tell? NEVER
Do you read the L.A. Times? NO. I HONESTLY DIDN’T KNOW THEY WERE STILL IN BUSINESS.
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Clay Tobias
The recent push to raise the minimum wage to $20 an hour is an idiotic, shortsighted policy that ultimately harms the very individuals it purports to help. While the intention might be to uplift low-income workers, the reality is different. Such a drastic increase in the minimum wage, driven by political motives to “buy” votes rather than economic prudence, creates a ripple effect of negative consequences. Small business owners and franchisees are burdened with higher operating costs. They are left with no choice but to increase prices, reduce work hours, or invest in automation to offset these expenses. As evidenced in California, where the minimum wage hike has led to a 7% rise in fast-food prices and a shift towards self-serve kiosks, the repercussions are tangible and detrimental. Moreover, inflationary pressures exacerbate the cost of living, disproportionately affecting low-income households. Ultimately, such arbitrary wage mandates stifle job creation, hinder economic growth, and perpetuate a cycle of dependence rather than fostering sustainable prosperity.
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Urban Plates – Plate Pass:
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U.S. News Ranks Mira Costa High School Among The Best Nationwide:
U.S. News & World Report ranked Manhattan Beach’s Mira Costa High School among the nation’s top; the 2024 Best High Schools ranking placed Mira Costa 94th in California and 714th nationally. The school has a 97% graduation rate and a 95.96 student performance score. Other statistics: Took at Least One AP Exam – 76%; Passed at Least One AP Exam – 63%; Mathematics Proficiency – 60%; Reading Proficiency – 75%; and Science Proficiency – 57%.
Manhattan Beach Gets Rams Draft Experience Videos:
Travis Laubacher and Melissa Milo of Manhattan Beach filmed two behind-the-scenes Rams Draft Experience movies in Hermosa Beach. AEG and Nickelodeon are among the sports and entertainment clients the duo works with on Instagram @cameraguytravis. Their reels also feature skateboarding, biking on The Strand, and above- and below-water surf films from South Bay.
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by John J. McKillop
The term “Homeless Industrial Complex” sheds light on a troubling reality: the entrenchment of vested financial interests in perpetuating homelessness rather than solving it. Despite substantial state funding to address this crisis, California’s struggle persists. Governor Gavin Newsom’s call for increased oversight reflects mounting frustration with the lack of tangible results. The complexity arises when stakeholders benefit from the perpetuation of homelessness. Service providers, contractors, and even some local governments may prioritize maintaining the status quo over genuine solutions. For them, homelessness represents a lucrative business opportunity rather than a humanitarian issue. Newsom’s assertion that he’s no longer willing to “fund failure” echoes the sentiment felt by many. Accountability becomes paramount in this context, with funding contingent upon measurable outcomes. Without such intense scrutiny, the cycle of homelessness persists, and those profiting from it continue to do so at the expense of the marginalized. To truly combat homelessness, we must confront and dismantle this “Homeless Industrial Complex.” After all, as Dr. Phil would say: “How’s that working out for you?”
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MB WEEKLY – READER COMMENT:
MB Weekly is a welcome addition to our community’s information landscape! Bold, exciting, and informative! —- Mark Burton (Former Mayor of Manhattan Beach)
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Sara Garcia (El Segundo)
It’s nauseating when extreme “woke” leftist thugs shout down anyone who disagrees, calling them awful names like “haters” or “racists.” They’re the ones spreading hate, not the other way around. Their tactic is to scare people into keeping quiet. But that’s not fair or right. We should be able to talk about different opinions without being bullied. Everyone deserves to be heard and respected, even if we disagree. Listening to each other and having honest conversations is essential instead of trying to shut people down. That’s how we learn and grow as a society. Something our “woke” friends seem not only to have no interest in but are intent on destroying.
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WHO READS MB WEEKLY?
Manhattan Beach City Councilman Richard Montgomery, along with tens of thousands of his neighbors in Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities.
“Once A Week, But Never Weakly”
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MB WEEKLY – READER QUESTION:
HOW DO YOU ESCAPE THE “BUSYNESS TRAP”?
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1. ** Cecil Murray, the first AME pastor who calmed L.A. after the ‘92 Riots, was a great man! —- Thomas F., Manhattan Beach
2. ** In California, a new bill introduced by Democrat assemblymember Joaquin Arambula aims to provide interest-free home mortgage loans to illegal aliens. Assembly Bill 1840 would allow illegal aliens to access a program offering a loan equivalent to 20% of the property’s purchase price, with no monthly payments or interest. The loan is repaid when the borrower refinances or sells the property, along with an additional 20% increase in the property’s value. —- John A., Manhattan Beach
3. ** I understand Easter isn’t about baskets and chocolate, but I always do baskets for my little kids. —- Kelly T., Manhattan Beach
4. ** Thirty cops at least took down one person. A neighbor said it involved a Nanny and a child. Kudos to law enforcement’s rapid response. —- Bob H., Manhattan Beach
5. ** The North Face is one of the sponsors behind an overnight summer camp where children as young as 12 years old who identify as LGBT are encouraged to perform in drag. Called Camp Brave Trails, the program has locations in both Southern California and New York and enjoys support from the outdoor brand The North Face and shoe companies Toms and Chacos, among other brands. —- Ezra T., Manhattan Beach
6. ** One of the few cities without a city library is Manhattan Beach. L.A. County Library (“County”) is County-owned and operated. —- Holly W., Manhattan Beach
7. ** Biden is dreaming it’s like 1918, but Israel is fighting like it’s 1945. —- Casper T., Manhattan Beach
8. ** McDonald’s has jacked up its menu prices by more than 100% over the last decade – more than three times the rate of US inflation. Now, the putrid food (?) is triple the cost. —- Emma A., Manhattan Beach
9. ** Last night, did anyone notice a light train soaring in the sky? It flew like a dragon with light blue lights! —- Liam C., Manhattan Beach
10. ** On March 25, a blue Tesla was driving down Marshallfield Ln in Redondo Beach, not stopping at any stop signs and going at least 40 mph. He drove through MacKay Ln, Slauson Ln & Rindge Ln., and possibly to Felton, but you couldn’t see over the hill. These intersections are the most troublesome for young eBikers who are not stopping at stop signs. Thank goodness no one was hit. Please remind your kids to stop regardless of if they don’t see a car approaching the intersection because this Telsa came out of nowhere fast. —- Cindy A., North Redondo Beach
11. ** A divorce ring? YGBSM!!! Lady, you got too much free time and money. Please bring a life. And good luck to you in the future. —- Tom A., Manhattan Beach
12. ** Everybody today is looking for free handouts. Doctors and dentists have “consultation” fees and administrative fees, and restaurants state they are adding a percentage fee for you to pay for their employee’s healthcare. The answer is to ignore it, say NO, and go elsewhere. It is all about the customer; eventually, the money-mongers will be out of business. Wake up America! —- Steve S., Manhattan Beach
13. ** According to a local high school teacher, a student’s statement that “only women menstruate” is merely an opinion. Why are we told to “follow the science” but then mandated to ignore basic biology? As common sense takes a backseat to subjectivity, we are witnessing the death of truth in our culture. —- Nancy W., Ph.D.
14. ** For me, tipping is a pleasure. We’re a wealthy community, and our children and neighbors aren’t performing local, low-paying jobs; people outside of the bubble are, and we should feel gratitude. People complaining about tipping should work a low-paying job for a month without the benefit of tips; they’ll stop complaining. —- Gaye S., Manhattan Beach
15. ** Tipping is out of control. —- Steve N., Manhattan Beach
16. ** MB Weekly’s Free Bulletin Board is free speech at its best! —- Julia S., Manhattan Beach
17. ** You’re not obligated to tip. “Gratuity.” Something given without demand. If you don’t “feel it,” don’t do it. —- David D., Manhattan Beach
18. ** I agree that the whole practice of tipping has spun out of control. Having been a good tipper for many years, always tipping well and sometimes very well, it no longer feels good but feels like part of a new expense. I’ll continue to tip as always, but I’ll no longer get to feel good about it. —- Jim P., Manhattan Beach
19. ** Congressman Ted Lieu is a political hack! —- Ted O., Manhattan Beach
20. ** Since Santa Monica is such a disaster, I wonder how El Segundo decided to hire a former Santa Monica police officer to be their new chief of police. Hopefully, he’ll do a better job in El Segundo than in the People’s Republic of Santa Monica. —- Kim P., El Segundo
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