MB Weekly 06/06/2024

MB WEEKLY – SHOCK POLL:
Mind Matters – One-Third Report Mental Health as “Fair” or “Poor”

In a shocking revelation, the latest MB Weekly Reader Poll unveils that 33% of participants rate their mental health as “only fair” or “poor.” This alarming statistic highlights a significant mental health crisis. Conducted in May 2024, the poll surveyed a broad South Bay audience, uncovering the pervasive struggles with mental well-being. Experts point to lingering pandemic effects, economic instability, and societal pressures as primary contributors. “The prolonged impact of COVID-19 continues to affect mental health, with many unable to shake off the lingering anxiety and depression,” said Dr. Laura M., a leading mental health expert in the South Bay. The survey revealed that younger adults, mainly those aged 18-29, are the most affected. Factors such as financial stress, job insecurity, and the relentless pace of modern life are exacerbating mental health issues.


MB WEEKLY:
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH
STEVE NAPOLITANO
L.A. Superior Court Candidate Seat 39
(Part Two)

Q: IS RUNNING FOR JUDGE MORE COMPLICATED THAN YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD BE?
A: It’s a different kind of campaign, that’s for sure. The rules don’t allow me to take positions on any issues or endorse other candidates because that could imply bias. And you can’t get into the type of mudslinging you find in other races, and that’s a good thing. But it’s also harder to get the word out and to get folks excited about a judicial race because most people don’t know who’s running or why they should vote for them. I’m hoping to change that but I need help doing so!

Q: WHAT IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST THING WRONG WITH THE LOCAL JUDICIAL SYSTEM TODAY, IN YOUR OPINION?
A: I think people are waking up to the fact that judges really do matter and they’re seeing how judicial decisions can impact their everyday lives. And I think the biggest threat to the judiciary is the perception that it’s biased or part of some larger political agenda. I’m running to keep politics and special interests out of judicial decisions. I also think we need to make courts more relatable and accessible to people. It’s unfortunate that so many people see the courts as being too scary, too expensive, or too distant for them, I’d love to change that in whatever way I can.

Q: DID YOU EVER WATCH JUDGE JUDY?
A: Ha, not so much. Probably because she reminded me of my grandmother, who, like Judge Judy, would tell the rest of us when we were wrong about something. When I was growing up we had the original – Judge Wopner in The People’s Court. I would watch him now and then but I preferred the movies, like 12 Angry Men, To Kill a Mockingbird, Witness for the Prosecution, etc.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR ASTROLOGY SIGN?
A: Aries

Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN MANHATTAN BEACH?
A: Being in politics, that’s like asking me who my favorite child is. We’re blessed to have a great variety of fine dining in Manhattan Beach, so it’s really a what-are-you-in-the-mood-for thing. We’ve got great sushi, great Mexican, great seafood, great everything, but sometimes you just want a fish taco at Shellback or an Erc’s burger. The great thing about dining in Manhattan Beach is that you really don’t have to leave it to have a great dining experience unless you want to.

www.SteveNapolitano.com


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Seven years ago, Michael Greenberg of Skechers had the honor of ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange… Skechers went Public in 1999, and today, 25 years later, they are celebrating with the honor of ringing the Monday morning June 3rd, 2024.


The Rockefeller:
SUMMER CONCERTS IN THE GARDEN

SAT, JUNE 8 / 3PM – 6PM / ROCKEFELLER REDONDO
LIVE MUSIC • DRINK SPECIALS
BACKYARD GAMES • LIVE SPORTS
Seating: First Come, First Serve

www.EatRockefeller.com


MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Ted Schwartz Founding Partner Of Schwartz Capital Group

Q: WHAT CAUSED YOU TO START THE STAND STRONG CHARITY?
A: Back in 2019, I was shocked and saddened to learn of a statistic coming out of the University of Illinois that more than 64% of Jewish students on campus denied being Jewish at some point for fear of bullying or intimidation. I realized we needed a community program to instill confidence and teach people to stand up for their rights and to speak up against hate.

Q: WHAT IS THE MISSION OF STAND STRONG?
A: Stand Strong’s mission is to empower individuals with the information, mindset, and physical skills to stand up against hate and for American Values to be safe, confident, and proud of who they are and what they believe.

Q: WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF RUNNING THIS NEW CHARITY?
A: Managing the demand. Unfortunately, due to the increase of violent hate in our communities, there is a need for StandStrong programs in every city across the country (and we will meet that demand in due course!) We run our organization on strict business principles and carefully strategize when and where we start new programs to ensure we maximize our impact and use donor investments in the best way possible. We wish we could be everywhere now to help all those in need, but it is more beneficial to follow our strategic plan and grow our organization in the right way.

Q: WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
A: Chicago, Illinois.

Q: HOW CAN PEOPLE GET MORE INFORMATION ON STAND STRONG?
A: Please visit our website at www.standstrong.org to learn more, or contact our Executive Director, Matt Travers (matt@standstrong.org) (847)691-8200.

Q: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME?
A: Forest Gump.

Q: WHAT’S YOUR ASTROLOGY SIGN?
A: Gemini.

Q: WHAT’S THE GREATEST LESSON YOU LEARNED FROM YOUR PARENTS, WHO WERE HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS?
A: The greatest lesson I learned from my parents is “if nothing changes, then nothing changes.” When we identify a problem or issue, we can’t just acknowledge it and expect it to disappear. We must be ready to take action. We must try a different solution and keep finding new solutions until we land on one that works. That is a lesson I keep with me in life, business, and now at StandStrong.

www.SchwartzCap.com


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Sunday afternoon, we were finishing brunch at Slay Italian and looked across the street to see this. —- Adam Goldston


MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Kallie Ross

6 to 7 middle school boys riding e-bikes in a pack on Walnut west of Valley. One stopped in front of my car. I was going about 15 mph. I rolled my window down and yelled WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT? They all started yelling and swearing at me.

Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)


MB WEEKLY – VIDEO SHORTS:
by Mori Biener

Join The Party … Mori Makes Short MB Weekly Videos
https://youtu.be/zN5agERpBP8


Odyssey Of The Mind Wins For Manhattan Beach Youths:

For the fourth year, Mira Costa High School won the top placement in its division in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals, a competition that mixes engineering and theater and comprises over 685 teams worldwide.


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Mira Costa freshman Hao Lin prepares for a slam against Redlands in the CIF Southern Section tournament earlier this month.


Heidi Rayden

(Creative Producer: Love Driven Book Series)

Q: WHAT IS YOUR BEST HABIT, AND WHAT IS YOUR WORST ONE?
A: Cooking & eating healthy food / no sugar… Worst: going to sleep late.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST INDULGENCE?
A: Shopping at Erewhon.

Q: WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE CREATIVELY STUCK?
A: Yoga & listen to positive podcasts.

Q: HOW DO YOU EXERCISE?
A: Daily barefoot beach walks, bike rides on the strand & yoga.

Q: HOW DO YOU UNPLUG?
A: Barefoot beach walks & lying on the grass in my yard.

Q: IS THERE A BOOK YOU’D RECOMMEND TO EVERYONE?
A: Of course; the one I market … Love Driven Out Of The Linear.

Q: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
A: Ignore the haters!

Q: DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE PODCAST?
A: On Purpose / Jay Shetty.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR MANTRA?
A: Your thoughts create your reality.


MB WEEKLY – RESTAURANT REVIEW:
by Darby Winston
Boa Steakhouse in Manhattan Beach

Boa in Manhattan Beach exudes an alluring, dark ambiance that promises a chic dining experience but falls short even for me as a modestly young person. The atmosphere is more akin to a very loud nightclub than a restaurant, with music blaring at jackhammer levels, making any conversation, even with the waiter, a frustrating endeavor. The dim lighting adds to the intrigue but is so excessive that a flashlight might be more beneficial than a menu. While the food is undeniably good, it’s overshadowed by the exorbitant prices, leaving diners to ponder if the steep cost is genuinely justified. The correct answer is no. The beautiful staff adds a touch of glamour, but this doesn’t compensate for the overall disappointment. Our evening ended not only with a hefty bill but also with a throbbing headache. Boa might appeal to those seeking a vibrant nightlife scene who happen to be deaf, but it misses the mark of a pleasant dining experience.

Food: A-  •  Service: C+(but beautiful people)  •  Atmosphere: D(unless you don’t value your hearing)

www.BOASteak.com


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Manhattan Beach Traffic Bureau members conducted some directed enforcement, focusing mainly on e-bicycle violations. Thirty citations for various vehicle code and municipal code violations were issued.


Dive N’ Surf:
Stock Up For The Summer & Save

We are having a big sale on gear from: Atomic Aquatics / Suunto / Stahlsac / Hollis / Oceanic / Zeagle / Bare

Call us at 310-372-9423 or come into the store for more details!
Sale is going on now through June 17 – don’t miss out!

www.DiveNSurf.com


CRIME IN MANHATTAN BEACH:

** This month, a Manhattan Beach Lyft driver was attacked and robbed after picking up two customers. Two people entered the car as the driver picked up the fare on May 18 in the 3800 block of Crest Drive. After punching the driver, they stole his phone. A getaway vehicle waited for the criminals near the Lyft pickup. They drove off in that automobile. The Lyft driver later discovered a bank account fraud attempt. The driver stopped the bogus charge before it finished.

** A suspect wandered about CVS hiding goods before MBPD arrived on May 19. Officers stopped the suspect and a buddy after seeing them leave in a car. According to MBPD, the truck included Bristol Farms and CVS products. Identification cards and drug paraphernalia were discovered in the vehicle. The pair was detained for organized retail stealing.

** City investigators and MBPD officers are targeting organized retail theft. On May 17, MBPD investigators undercover in the Rosecrans corridor spotted a BevMo theft and arrested a suspect.


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Longtime MBUSD volunteer and former MBEF board member John Oshiro will be recognized with the Legacy Award at this year’s Manhattan Wine Auction.


MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Bruce Timmer (Manhattan Beach)

I read Russ Lesser’s commentary on the amount of trash in our city compared with Japan. It would be great if no one littered. But some people do. So you wrote a letter encouraging everyone to take home their trash. Maybe that will help. You also told me about your trip to Hawaii when you found a beach littered with trash and then cleaned it up, and that started a local effort to maintain the beaches better there. Maybe we could do the same thing here.

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MB WEEKLY – READER COMMENT:

I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the unbiased and thought-provoking content provided by MB Weekly. As a Democrat who values independence of thought, I find solace in a publication transcending ideological boundaries. MB Weekly’s commitment to presenting diverse perspectives is genuinely commendable. While I may not agree with everything in MB Weekly, its unbiased stories challenge me to broaden my perspective. Thank you, MB Weekly, for fostering an environment that encouraging intellectual independence and open-mindedness. —- Lola K., Manhattan Beach


MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Paul Beswick (Manhattan Beach)

Why is Mark Burton a City Charter advocate? With today’s increasingly polarized reality + State and County overreach, we need maximum local control over municipal affairs. Redondo Beach, a Charter city, successfully challenged an abusive state housing statute and has its own City Prosecutor. Our City Council should take notice!

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MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Funny T-shirt in Manhattan Beach. Feel free to send your photos to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net


Bertha Mae’s Brownies:

“I love Bertha Mae’s Brownies. They were delicious, soft, and sweet. Delivered to my door, they were still fresh.” —- Deb

www.BerthaMaesBrownies.com


MB WEEKLY – CARTOON:

“The weather was so nice this weekend in Manhattan Beach I didn’t even have time to binge an entire show.”


MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Clay Tobias

The decline in children’s reading for pleasure by the age of nine is a concerning trend, often referred to as the “decline by nine” phenomenon. It’s disheartening to see a significant drop from 57% of eight-year-olds reading for fun to only 35% by the age of nine. This decline impacts their academic development and deprives them of the joy and benefits of reading. Addressing this issue requires a concerted effort from South Bay educators, parents, and policymakers to foster a lifelong love for reading early on, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to unlock the wonders of the written word.

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Bulletin Board

1. ** We are looking for a family who will let us record their family dinner time for *free! We want to use the 360 degree video of their dinner to use as a virtual reality experience. This is so we can use it as a promo to offer other families this opportunity if they have loved ones in the hospital and want to virtually join their family dinners. —- Manhattan Beach Studios

2. ** Hand it to that protester at George Washington University for making the real “pro-Palestine” agenda clear, by carrying a big sign with the Palestinian flag and the words “FINAL SOLUTION.” That fits neatly with Columbia protest leader Khymani James’ “Zionists don’t deserve to live” and “Be grateful that I’m not just going out and murdering Zionists” rhetoric. —- ISRAEL V.S. EVIL [The New Book On https://www.amazon.com]

3. ** Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce CEO, called a “force of nature,” to step down after a 3-year run. Under Jessica Accamando’s leadership, the local chamber doubled its membership. —- Editor’s Note

4. ** Pro-Hamas Protesters At UCLA Demand “Inhalers,” “Vegan Food,” “Gluten Free Food.” Honest to God! —- Larry J., Manhattan Beach

5. ** Many youths in North Redondo (around Mathews Ave) tore up a grassy area next to the path to make a dirt bike ramp. They brought shovels, everything. —- Sam G., Hermosa Beach

6. ** The new principal at Robinson touted “Equity & Inclusion” at the Board meeting. #troubling. —- Fred T., Manhattan Beach

7. ** For years, the Roundhouse Aquarium has offered free bus transportation and seminars for Title 1 students! We teach most of these kids from neglected regions and low-income families. —- Tony L., Manhattan Beach

8. ** Want to feel really depressed? Teddy Roosevelt’s great-great-great grandson is an anti-Israel protester at Princeton. —- Heather B., Manhattan Beach

9. ** I read this week about a recent study in which people who exercised in the evening saw their risk of death decline by as much as 28 percent compared with those who exercised in the morning or afternoon. —- Emily C., Manhattan Beach

10. ** Vote for Judge Steve Napolitano. —- Eric E., Manhattan Beach

11. ** Some students trained with left-wing groups and veteran demonstrators for months before the rise of pro-Palestinian campus protests. —- Evan D., Manhattan Beach

12. ** The beach life brunch at Portofino Hotel was lots of fun. —- Wendi S., Manhattan Beach

13. ** New rule: If I order food standing up, no tipping! —- Gwen B., Manhattan Beach

14. ** Sidecar donuts are brutally overpriced! —- Ava W., Manhattan Beach

15. ** Consumers fed up with food costs are ditching big brands such as Starbucks and McDonald’s. —- Tommy L., Manhattan Beach

16. ** Once again, the media is misreporting an important story. The anti-Israel protests on hundreds of college campuses do not represent a popular uprising like Vietnam. Instead, they have been contrived by far-left organizations to foment public disorder in the USA. That is a primary tactic of the radicals. —- William R., Manhattan Beach

17. ** Has anyone been to Santa Monica? What a disaster. Stay away if you value your safety. —- Darlene J., Manhattan Beach

18. ** Can we tell YOUR story to the modern world? —- www.BoundlessMediaUSA.com

19. ** I have called Coreology in the Manhattan Village three (3) times in the past week. No human ever answered the phone, and no one ever returned even one of the calls. Too bad, I was interested in giving them money, but if this is how they roll, forget it! —- Daisy F., Manhattan Beach

20. ** Dr. Scott Tong has a pricey concierge medical practice in Torrance, CA, with an arrogant staff who doesn’t return telephone calls. S*!@w him. —- Carly B., Hermosa Beach

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