MB Weekly 08/15/2024

MB WEEKLY READER POLL:
WOW! POLL UNVEILS STUNNING STAT – 33% OF READERS SPLURGE OVER $500 ON GROCERIES WEEKLY

In a recent MB Weekly Reader Poll, the results have left many jaws dropping: 33% of readers confessed to spending more than $500 weekly on groceries. The findings reveal the growing pressures on household budgets amidst rising food costs and changing consumer habits. This surprising statistic has sparked a lively discussion among the readership, with many questioning what’s driving this high level of spending. The poll sheds light on the realities of modern grocery shopping, where inflation, dietary preferences, and lifestyle choices contribute to increased expenses. Readers share tips and tricks to manage these costs, with some advocating for bulk buying and others turning to budget-friendly meal planning. This eye-opening data underscores the evolving landscape of consumer behavior, highlighting how significantly the weekly grocery run has transformed into a major financial commitment for a significant portion of the South Bay.

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MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
RITA CRABTREE-KAMPE
Community Activist

(PART ONE)

Q: WHAT IS THE CORE MISSION OF MB SAFE?
A: The clue to our core mission is in our name: MBSAFE: Manhattan Beach, Safe Alternatives For Everyone. Our core mission is to provide leadership and to manage and eliminate the destructive consequences of homelessness in our community. We do this by advocating and educating. Advocating looks like compassionate outreach to homeless people in need and offering resources and insisting on enforcement of local ordinances so public spaces are not overrun by camping, panhandling or other destructive behaviors. We strive to educate the public about issues related to homelessness, the city’s plan for addressing it and how residents and visitors can help in a safe and productive way. We start with, A HAND UP NOT A HAND OUT!

Q: WHEN WAS MB SAFE FOUNDED?
A: In 2018 a group of residents on social media recognized the need to discuss how to address the issue of homelessness that was becoming more prevalent in our community. We met in person for a more productive conversation. We ended up with 5 core board members that still make up MBSAFE today. We formed a nonprofit, 501(c)3 in 2019 and set to work outreaching and educating the residents, businesses and city leaders.

Q: WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF RUNNING MB SAFE?
A: There are several challenges we face from the perception of our organization, to fundraising, to manpower/volunteers. MBSAFE has a mission to outreach compassionately to help end the suffering of people living on the street or in their vehicles by recognizing their humanness and respecting their dignity as well as, to keep the community safe from the devastating consequences of homelessness on public and private spaces. We advocate for SOLUTIONS to homelessness and get involved with all organizations and individuals that work towards that end goal. MBSAFE is a small organization that relies solely on private donors. The funds we receive help us to provide short term rents or deposits, family reunification travel and food costs, clothing for work or interviews, car repair, eye glasses or anything that gives a person a hand up to improve their circumstances. A HAND UP, NOT A HAND OUT is our guiding philosophy. We work closely and long term with an individual to help get them and keep them stable. I am in contact with many past clients that reach out to give updates or request assistance if they have a rough patch. If we had a greater pool of volunteers we could be more impactful getting our message out and hopefully getting more funds to support the work that we do. We don’t have the capacity for large galas but we would welcome people having gatherings in their homes or organizing small fundraisers for us to help raise funds. We would love to have a larger social media presence and share more of our success stories (there are many) and keep our website updated. We need volunteers for this.

www.MBSafe.org

JOEY Restaurant:

Mediterranean Bowl: harissa chicken, chickpeas, artichokes, roasted peppers, kalamata olives, gem tomatoes, jasmine rice, hummus and tzatziki.

www.JoeyRestaurants.com

MB WEEKLY – LENS:

The last day at Grow with all shelves empty.

Registration Open For Downtown Manhattan Beach Car Show:

Registration for the 6th Annual Downtown Manhattan Beach Car Show is limited to the first 250 cars. It is presented by the Manhattan Beach Police Department K-9 Unit and the Downtown Manhattan Beach Business and Professional Association. All proceeds go to the Manhattan Beach Police K-9 Foundation, a non-profit 501c3 organization. Last year saw over 200 cars take over Manhattan Beach Blvd. The event its Sunday, September 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Manhattan Avenue.

https://www.mbpdk9.com/carshow

Manhattan Ave. and 10th recently. Does this present a good public face for Manhattan Beach?

MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Theodore S. (Manhattan Beach)

I asked this question not in jest: what kind of an idiot would actually vote to reelect District Attorney George Gascon? Do you feel safer today than you did four years ago? Have you ever observed brazen shoplifting in large retail stores in Manhattan Beach? Are you proud that CVS has now locked up toothpaste? The man has been both an embarrassment and a disaster. I suggest all vote accordingly.

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MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Wayne Powell
Los Angeles County Commissioner
(Former Manhattan Beach Mayor/Councilmember)

Do You Have Pets? –Yes, A Friendly Neighborhood Bengal Cat (I Call Him “Beachbum”)

Have You Ever Lied About Watching A Movie Or Series To Your Friends? –No

Were You Ever Caught Talking To Yourself? –Yes

Have You Ever Hidden Food From Your Siblings? –Yes

Would You Ever Sing At A Family Gathering? –Yes

Would You Ever, Given A Chance, Travel The World Alone? –No

Did You Ever Have An Embarrassing Nickname? –No, But I Liked Being Called Wayno (Not To Be Confused With Waymo)

Have You Ever Cheated While Playing Online Games? –No

Do You Like Scary Movies? –Yes

Have You Smoked At Least One Cigarette In The Last Year? –Never Smoked

www.WaynePowell.net

MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Hermosa Beach. “People are crazy, and times are strange.” —- Bob Dylan

MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Mark Burton (Former MB Mayor)

The issue is bias. The issue is local control. The issue is public safety. CalMatters is based out of Sacramento. Editorially, it is well known that they tend to lean left, with a clear focus on supporting the progressive policies of the State. Regarding housing, they fully support Sacramento usurping local control of housing and zoning. The Judge who ruled against the State housing law and for Redondo Beach relied upon Redondo Beach’s City Charter, providing local control of housing and zoning. Also, a City Charter gives a city the authority to have a City Prosecutor. Right now, we desperately need a City Prosecutor to file and prosecute all the misdemeanors in our community.

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MB WEEKLY – VIDEO SHORTS:
by Mori Biener

Join The Party … Mori Makes Short MB Weekly Videos
“Love Your Life”
https://youtu.be/J47GWnRl5Gg

City Council Candidates for November 5, 2024, General Municipal Election:

The next regularly scheduled General Municipal Election will be held on November 5, 2024, for three City Councilmember seats and one City Treasurer seat.

ManhattanBeach.gov/departments/city-clerk/elections

MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Addie C. (Manhattan Beach)

Have you ever called the non-emergency number for the Police Department in Manhattan Beach, only to be met with a robotic-sounding voice that doesn’t even seem to know where the Pier is? It’s a frustrating experience, especially when you’re trying to report something important. This disconnect is because your call is routed to a “regional” dispatch center located in Hawthorne, not directly to the Manhattan Beach Police Department. This system might make sense logistically, but it creates a frustrating barrier for residents seeking help. I’ve called twice or thrice to report concerns, but the process is so cumbersome and un-customer-friendly that I’ve stopped calling. These interactions’ impersonal and often confusing nature leaves one feeling more disconnected than reassured. For a community-focused place like Manhattan Beach, this setup misses the mark. Perhaps it’s time for a more localized approach that genuinely understands the community’s unique needs.

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Dive N’ Surf:

AUGUST 1st to AUGUST 25th
BACK TO SCHOOL SALE

www.DiveNSurf.com

MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Name Withheld by Request (Manhattan Beach)

For forty years, I’ve wrestled with doubts about my husband’s sexuality, particularly his relationship with his friend, “Clark,” whom he met around the same time as me. Over the years, my suspicions were more focused on his female colleagues, but Clark always seemed to be his closest companion. The tension arose during a recent golf trip where the sleeping arrangements caught my attention: my husband and Clark shared a king-size bed while the others slept separately. His defensive response – “I don’t care what they thought!” – stung when I questioned him. It felt like a dismissal of my concerns and left me questioning his relationship with “Clark” and the transparency in our marriage. What does it mean when someone prioritizes a friend’s comfort over their partner’s peace of mind?

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MB WEEKLY – READER COMMENT:

“Mountain Biking in Mammoth with MB Weekly: No matter where my adventures take me, I am never without MB Weekly! It keeps me informed on what ‘real people’ with diverse perspectives are thinking… without the corporate media spin. Thank you, MB Weekly, for keeping it real!” —- Tiffany Barbara (Community Activist)

MBPD Crime Statistics August 1st – August 7th:

The latest Manhattan Beach Police Department crime summary is below.

  • 867 service calls
  • 14 Arrests
  • 22 traffic accidents
  • 52 crimes reported

Notable events:
** Officers swiftly captured a backpack thief on August 4. The investigation discovered that the guy had driven a stolen vehicle into the dunes earlier in the day and abandoned it, along with another stolen knapsack. After identifying the offender, they were charged with car theft.

** On August 6, police got a report of a B.B. pellet gunshot to the hand. After finding a kid with a pellet pistol, officers detained them.

MB WEEKLY – MEET:
Meet Lorenzo (Manhattan Beach)

Feel free to send your photo to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net

October Brings First Manhattan Beach Food And Wine Festival To South Bay:

The culinary world will be celebrated at the first Manhattan Beach Food & Wine Festival with a two-night strolling festival. Opening night is Friday, October 11, and the Grand Tasting is on Saturday, October 12. The event producers are bringing together top tastemakers and culinary and beverage connoisseurs to celebrate an all-star lineup of 50 top chefs and restaurants. See the chef lineup at this link. Location: Manhattan Village (3200 N Sepulveda Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.

https://www.manhattanbeachfoodandwine.com/portfolio

MB WEEKLY – CARTOON:

LIFE IN MANHATTAN BEACH: “It says, ‘Congratulations! You’ve just received your one-millionth political-fund-raising e-mail.’”

SPEAK UP…:
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MB WEEKLY – READER QUESTION:

WHICH RESTAURANT IN THE SOUTH BAY SERVES YOUR FAVORITE MARGARITA?

Please share your comment with thousands and thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities.

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Bulletin Board

1. ** From Darkness to Light: Share Your Triumph on Our Global Stage! Have you conquered the impossible? Our acclaimed TV conversation show, now in its 9th incredible year on YouTube, is seeking extraordinary individuals who have triumphed over homelessness, addiction, gang life, prostitution, incarceration, and more. We’re not here to sensationalize your story but to inspire hope through honest, open conversations. Be the beacon of hope that others need. Please send your details and contact information to our Associate Producer, Aurora DeRose, at Aurora411@TimeWire.net

2. ** Thank God. It’s official: Californians will vote on whether to roll back parts of Prop 47. Amen! —- Cassidy H., Manhattan Beach

3. ** I recommend All the King’s Men, by Robert Penn Warren: It’s relevant to the current political situation, but the crux of the novel is the narrator’s character development and his eventual atonement. —- Daisy L., Manhattan Beach

4. ** Bob Boeing, the founder of Boeing, explains how the number 1 priority for the airline manufacturer is diversity. – https://youtu.be/bkj5A7B52Bk?si=xMGwYUHxfi1UZG-W —- Oliver S., Manhattan Beach

5. ** Two police cars with lights and sirens followed several dozen “young folk” on eBikes westbound Gould/27th Street and then south to Hermosa Ave. at 5.28 pm Sunday. —- Olivia D., Hermosa Beach

6. ** I recommend Vaclav Smil’s How the World Really Works and wish our leaders had read its chapters on the physical systems and risks that underpin the modern world. —- Dr. Mitchell B., Manhattan Beach

7. ** L.A.’s homelessness epidemic shows no improvement after years of promises and billions spent, showing a flawed system with little accountability and weak leaders. When is enough wasted money and failed policies? —- George A., Manhattan Beach

8. ** I recommend Nida Manzoor’s Polite Society: The movie follows British Pakistani sisters, one an art-school dropout, the other an aspiring stuntwoman. It’s a very funny mash-up of family drama, posh schoolgirl comedy, and dystopian science fiction. The film is an example of what I used to call “movies for exam week”: it can do all your thinking for you, if that’s what you need. But maybe you just need to laugh. —- Rita C., Manhattan Beach

9. ** Let’s be honest, the fireworks this 4th of July sounded like a war zone! —- Zack O., Manhattan Beach

10. ** I wouldn’t hire President Biden to walk my dog, and I’m a Democrat. —- Tara K., Manhattan Beach

11. ** Safety first – Vote for Nathan Hochman! —- Julia C., Hermosa Beach

12. ** I recommend The Pursuit of Happiness by Jeffrey Rosen: It provides insight into the Founders’ views on the characteristics of a virtuous citizen. Great food for the soul! —- Dave H., Manhattan Beach

13. ** Dems Announce Comprehensive Plan To Win Election By Calling Trump ‘Hitler’ Again. —- Lindsey G., Manhattan Beach

14. ** Parking in downtown Manhattan Beach in the summer is hell on earth! —- Joni Y., Manhattan Beach

15. ** Disgrace. Two middle school punks approached me on an e-bike, stared at me in the face, grinned, and then sprayed me and my dog with silly string as I walked my dog. Your parents should be ashamed of themselves! —- Dylan C., Hermosa Beach

16. ** I recommend Kindly Inquisitors by Jonathan Rauch: Although it’s 30 years old, the book speaks so clearly to today’s loss of old-fashioned liberalism. There is no right not to be offended, nor should there be! —- Eve P., Manhattan Beach

17. ** Are you raising your kids to be patriotic? Are you? Are you? —- Drew P., Manhattan Beach

18. ** Piggly Wiggly and Grand Union owner C&S. may buy our Manhattan Beach Vons —- Sissy C., Manhattan Beach

19. ** I recommend James by Percival Everett: It’s the story of Huckleberry Finn as told by his enslaved raft partner, Jim. With a touch of humor, James paints a very different picture of their journey – and of being enslaved – with quite the surprising ending. James himself turns out to be an erudite and perceptive man, much different from Twain’s portrayal. Read it, enjoy it, learn from it. —- Buck L., Manhattan Beach

20. ** Redondo Beach has a new logo. The City Council selected an official color palette for the new symbol representing the beach town this week after initially deciding on the logo design in May via a community logo redesign competition. —- Editor’s Note

21. ** Elections are future-focused. We can finally have the long-term safeguards of a City Constitution with a City Charter. We need a city charter, or constitution, more than ever. —- Randy S., Manhattan Beach

22. ** I know my husband is gay, but I can’t prove it. —- Name Withheld by Request, Manhattan Beach

23. ** I recommend the classic book The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck. Nothing less than life-changing. —- Dr. Karen M., Manhattan Beach

24. ** In a nation with supposedly the best healthcare system in the world, what’s with making medical appointments? The robot menus, ridiculous wait times, and harried staff? When you finally get through in July, you are told the next appointment is in October! —- Dave H., Manhattan Beach

25. ** Beware of coyotes! —- Lara P., Manhattan Beach

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