MANHATTAN BEACH SUPERINTENDENT “SADDENED” BY RECENT ANTI-SEMITIC VERBAL ASSAULT:
MBUSD and Anti-Semitic Verbal Assault
After learning that Jewish students at Manhattan Beach Middle School were subjected to an anti-semitic verbal assault by another student in the wake of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, MB Weekly reached out to MBUSD Superintendent John Bowes, Ed.D. The superintendent sent a letter in an October 24 email that had been sent out to families and staff, that reads in part: “Like you, I am deeply disturbed by the recent events in the Middle East and am even more saddened that these events have led to troubling interactions between some of our middle school students. My heart aches thinking of the students, as well as their families, who are already suffering from the events in the Middle East, who now may feel unsafe and unwelcome in our community. While there are inaccuracies in the information circulating, it is clear that there is still work to be done on our campuses to effectively eliminate anti-Semitism. … I have reached out to our partners at the Anti-Defamation League, Rabbi Kalev, Rabbi Yossi, and other local leaders, as well as other resources in our community, for input and assistance to address these difficult issues. I am deeply grateful for their support, and I know their insights and sensitivity will help guide our work moving forward. It is important to remember that if you see something, say something. This applies to anti-Semitic acts and statements, and it is important that students report incidents of anti-Semitism as soon as possible to school administrators.”
Change.org Petition
A petition started October 23 on change.org titled “Antisemitic Activity at MBMS and Damaging Response by School/Principal” gained more than a thousand supporters. A posting by an Ellen Lubman stated in part: “As deeply concerned parents and community members, we are raising this issue due to the alarming incidents of antisemitism in our local schools. … The school’s motto ‘No Place for Hate’ must be upheld in its entirety. This situation calls for a compassionate approach that prioritizes education. It is not compassionate to allow an 11 or 12-year-old to continue attending school ‘as usual’ after engaging in hate speech and without any penalty. This would only propagate the behavior. …”
City Council
Last year, Manhattan Beach City Council joined government agencies in adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. “I’m disheartened and frankly disgusted that acts of hate and antisemitic incidents continue in Manhattan Beach,” stated Mayor Steve Napolitano during an October 6, 2022, meeting. The approved resolution “acknowledges the working definition of antisemitism as defined by the IHRA: ‘Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.’ This definition empowers the community to identify, address, and counter antisemitism. The Council’s action reaffirms the City’s commitment to counter antisemitism, discrimination, and hate. As such, the City is working with leaders from local faith based organizations, L.A. County representatives, the business community, and Manhattan Beach Unified School District to support the City’s goals to end hate within the community.”
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Manhattan Beach Joins L.A. County Zero-Bail Lawsuit:
Manhattan Beach is now among more than two dozen cities to challenge Los Angeles County’s zero-bail policy. On Oct. 1, the L.A. County Superior Court issued the Pre-Arraignment Release Protocols. Late last month, a dozen cities, led by Whittier, began a campaign to oppose the new bail schedule, which local officials say will increase crime. At the Oct. 17 council meeting, George Gabriel, assistant to the city manager, said Manhattan Beach may pay $10,000 to join, but it may be less depending on how many other cities enter. People can be cited and released without bond for retail theft, car burglaries, and narcotics sales.
Owner Of Manhattan Beach Brewco Claims It Will Stay Open:
Brewco’s owners announced its closure a month ago after 30 years in Manhattan Beach, but Brewco will remain open after owners scrapped plans to turn it into an “elevated tavern.” The informal gastropub was scheduled to close for significant renovations. According to owner Michael Zislis, customers saved it: “I got a lot of pushback from the community. … Our kids have no cheap places to eat anymore. We can’t go out with family anymore. Lots of resistance.”
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Urinating on a tree at the library. October 22, 2023. Feel free to send your photo to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
“Yes or No” Interviews
David Slay / Gerry Morton / Deborah Hofreiter
DID YOU EVER HAVE AN EMBARRASSING NICKNAME?
– David Slay: NO
– Gerry Morton: YES!
– Deborah Hofreiter: NO
DO YOU LIKE SCARY MOVIES?
– David Slay: NO
– Gerry Morton: NOT MY PREFERENCE
– Deborah Hofreiter: YES
HAVE YOU EVER PULLED A SCARY PRANK ON CHILDREN ON HALLOWEEN?
– David Slay: NO
– Gerry Morton: NO
– Deborah Hofreiter: NO
HAVE YOU HAD MORE THAN 10 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP WITH ANYONE?
– David Slay: YES
– Gerry Morton: YES!
– Deborah Hofreiter: YES, MANY
WOULD YOU EVER TRY STANDUP COMEDY?
– David Slay: NO
– Gerry Morton: NO
– Deborah Hofreiter: NO!!!
DO YOU HAVE TROUBLE SLEEPING?
– David Slay: YES
– Gerry Morton: NO
– Deborah Hofreiter: YES!!!
HAVE YOU SMOKED AT LEAST ONE CIGARETTE IN THE LAST YEAR?
– David Slay: NO
– Gerry Morton: NO
– Deborah Hofreiter: EEEWW, NO!!!
Tin Roof Bistro:
Savor the flavors of Tin Roof Bistro with our signature burger, crafted with a boasting premium Angus beef patty, a soft pretzel bun, and a delectable pairing of balsamic glazed mushrooms and crispy onion rings.
“Tin Roof is our family kitchen, we love going to this restaurant! The staff is always very prompt in taking care of us, they have an excellent wine list and consistently great food. We enjoy Tin Roof for a casual lunch, relaxing dinner or a fun evening with friends and family.” —- Stephen V.
www.TinRoofBistro.com
Manhattan Beach Memorial Run For Late “Beastie Boxing” Gym Owner And Philanthropist:
On October 28, a memorial beach workout is scheduled at Manhattan Beach Pier in honor of the late Cedric “Beastie” Jones (September 14, 1977 – October 16, 2023). “Cedric was a loving father, devoted husband, caring son, brother, community leader, trainer, a father-figure to many, and an incredible friend who inspired us daily,” according to beastie247.com. “He had dedicated his life to helping people in and out of the gym; as founder of both Beastie Boxing and the BMoved Foundation, he inspired and helped people achieve what they previously thought impossible.”
Lido Bakery:
Home of the Most Extraordinary Wedding Cakes
Lido Bakery first opened its doors 2003. Ernesto Valenzuela started Lido Bakery with his mother, Evelinda, with the dream of bringing back what had become a rarity: the neighborhood bakery. Inspired by a sense of commitment to our community, Lido Bakery offers a full range of baked goods – each carefully crafted with the finest natural ingredients. “We also bake in a little bit of love with every bite!”
www.LidoBakery.com
MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Tracy Evans
WOULD YOU RATHER!
Q: WOULD YOU RATHER BE A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER OR A CLOWN?
A: High school teacher…better challenge…
Q: WOULD YOU INSTEAD BE FORCED TO DANCE EVERY DAY UNTIL YOU GET A PERFECT SCORE ON “DANCING WITH THE STARS,” OR EAT MASHED POTATOES UNTIL YOU GET A PERFECT SCORE ON “BEAT THE CHEFS”?
A: beat the chefs … of course
Q: WOULD YOU RATHER KISS GEORGE CLOONEY OR BRAD PITT?
A: George Clooney…
Q: WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE DINNER WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN OR ELON MUSK?
A: Elon Musk
www.SetTheTableLA.com
MB WEEKLY – COLUMNIST:
Deborah Hofreiter
An Old Fogie Remembers Manhattan Beach
My first brush with Manhattan Beach was in grad school. I lived three houses from the Strand on 18th Street, because in those days (1970’s) you could. I would come home Friday nights, pour a glass of wine, sit on the bench on the Strand and stare out to the ocean. Peaceful, uncrowded, refreshing. In the 1980’s, my husband and I bought our house in the Tree Section. We had moved from LA and the culture shock was palpable. In stores, if you were writing a check (remember those?) and your address was Manhattan Beach, you didn’t need to show ID. There were no bagel stores and only one very little book store. Mira Costa was known for emptying out if the surf was up. Our future children would go to Grandview, which very much resembled our elementary schools in the San Fernando Valley. My husband resumed surfing and we settled in for the next 30 years of what we hoped was peace and safety. Things have changed.
[I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. – Maya Angelou]
Manhattan Beach Unified May Ask Voters To Renew Public School Parcel Tax:
The Manhattan Beach Unified School District may ask voters to renew a parcel tax benefiting the city’s public schools next summer. “To supplement inadequate State funding, in 2018 local voters approved Measure MB, a school parcel tax measure that provides approximately $2.5 million in locally controlled funding each year that cannot be taken by the State,” according to mbusd.org Parcel Tax Information. “Unless renewed by voters, funding from Measure MB will expire in June 2024 and MBUSD would have to cut approximately $2.5 million from its annual budget. This revenue currently funds over 20 MBUSD teachers, keeping class sizes small and supporting academic programs. Parcel tax revenue and fundraising provide stable local funding that Manhattan Beach schools rely upon. … To maintain local funding and prevent cuts to teachers and classroom instruction, the MBUSD Board of Trustees is considering placing a measure on the March 5, 2024, ballot to renew the current $225 school parcel tax for six years without increasing the current tax rate.”
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Berit Johnston (Manhattan Beach)
Vandalism and theft at Grandview Elementary School. Was your child a part of it? Please return our helmet. My daughter’s bike was destroyed, and her helmet was stolen over the weekend from the Grandview gated bike rack by what is assumed to be older kids known to break into the school by hopping fences to open gates. The front office staff has been dealing with teenagers breaking in, and this time, they destroyed and stole our property. Granted, my daughter forgot that she rode her bike when her grandparents picked her up, so the bike got locked in the school gates for the weekend. I NEVER dreamed someone would break in and destroy it. I am posting a photo of her helmet so that some parent whose child magically appeared with this brand new, fancy helmet that “their friend gave them” or they “found” somewhere can return it to us. Her name and phone number have probably been ripped out, but I hope that if someone’s kid brought home this stolen piece of property, they would do the right thing, return it, and bring consequences for the responsible kids. I would certainly want to know if my kid was involved in something like this. I also raise this point for any other Grandview parents to bring up the fact that there are no security cameras, and that unauthorized persons are able to sneak onto campus off hours and the multitude of possible safety issues this could cause. If you have any information, please share. It’s such a terrible feeling to have something special to your first grader (and her main mode of transportation to school) be violated.
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Man Suspected Of Shooting Girlfriend In Manhattan Beach Parking Lot:
Authorities said Manhattan Beach cops detained a man for shooting his spouse in a parked car during an argument. At 1:17 a.m. on October 14, Manhattan Beach Police got a complaint of a shooting in the Vons Market parking lot. A couple was parked by the store, according to preliminary investigation. “An argument escalated at which time the male subject produced a handgun and shot the female in the lower abdomen,” the MBPD stated. Police said the woman had surgery at Harbor General Hospital and is stable. Ahmayae Uriah Barner, 21, of Long Beach was arrested for attempted murder, according to MBPD.
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Clever Halloween costume in Manhattan Beach. Feel free to send your photo to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
MB WEEKLY – RESTAURANT REVIEW:
by Darby Winston
Northern Café, El Segundo
Recently, under new management, Northern Cafe in El Segundo has undergone a slight transformation. While subtly different, the revamped menu retains the soul-warming essence of Northern Chinese cuisine. The warm ambiance and fairly gracious staff (with, as usual, not enough staff) make you feel generally welcome. The culinary experience here is enjoyable. Each dish showcases the chef’s dedication to quality ingredients. The service is modestly good, given the non-existent service of most moderately priced restaurants. With its new management and slightly new menu, Northern Cafe in El Segundo has truly elevated itself to be a worthy destination. It’s a culinary journey leaving you with a taste of Northern China that lingers long after your visit.
Food: B+ • Service: B- • Ambiance: B
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Bob Richards (Manhattan Beach)
East MB Home Burglary … a home in East MB was broken into by three burglars at 7:30 p.m. They entered the house by stacking outdoor furniture as a ladder to the rear deck, then broke a glass door panel with a brick to gain entrance. A housekeeper at the house heard a noise upstairs and ran out of the house to find help from neighbors. It is unclear what was taken from the ransacked main bedroom. A police report was taken, but this is just another crime for the community police report that will go unsolved. Thankfully, although the housekeeper was extremely shaken, she was unhurt. Be vigilant during these lawless times.
Agree? Disagree? Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
Cressida Capital:
Providing Financing Solutions For All Types Of Real Estate
Drawing on a broad range of expertise in the areas of real estate investment capital, Cressida Capital delivers customized debt solutions for even the most complex client needs.
www.CressidaCapital.com
MB WEEKLY – CARTOON:
Lie Detector for Texts in Manhattan Beach.
MB WEEKLY – READER QUESTION:
DO YOU SHOWER EVERY DAY?
Please share your comment with thousands and thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities.
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MB – FREE BULLETIN BOARD:
1. ** Entry-Level Admin Assist (Manhattan Beach): Great Flexible, Part-time Opportunity to work directly with Founder of Prominent Branding & P.R. firm. Duties include filing, dictaphone transcription, and list maintenance. Participate in weekly Team Meetings. Gain insight and leadership skills. Must be detail-oriented, modestly tech-savvy, resourceful, and reliable. Must be able to meet in-person twice a week in Manhattan Beach, and work remotely. Great opportunity for student/grad in P.R. / Communications / Marketing or anyone who wants to BE A LEADER! $750/month (Independent Contractor) —- Contact Amanda Kent, Chief Innovation Officer: AmandaK@BoundlessMediaUSA.com
2. ** I am just going to say MB Weekly rocks. Your reporting feels like the Beach Reporter of 40 years ago when locals were locals and locals spoke up. Keep doing what you do! —- Susan B., Manhattan Beach
3. ** I was at American Martyrs last Sunday at the noon Mass. And the homeless guys you featured last in the photo made people uncomfortable as they walked in. Police came and told him to leave. Finally did. They can’t arrest him as he has not broken any law. —- Ed M., Manhattan Beach
4. ** I was proud to attend the “Stand with Israel” event at the Pier the other night. Great turnout. However, both Rabbi Mintz and Councilwoman Amy Howorth said the event was not political and then proceeded to turn it in that direction by heaping fawning praise on President Joe Biden, who I believe has created weak policies that made this whole Israeli disaster possible. —- Charles G., Manhattan Beach
5. ** If your pathetic college degree doesn’t produce enough value for you to pay it off, it certainly doesn’t have enough value for your neighbor to pay it off. —- Heather R., Manhattan Beach
6. ** I stand with Israel. —- Brenda W., Manhattan Beach
7. ** Dario, the owner of Nando Trattoria, is a cool cat. —- Craig H., Manhattan Beach
8. ** Over the weekend, Hamas launched the most brutal attack on Israel in the nation’s history. Hundreds of Israelis were brutally tortured, kidnapped, and murdered. Yet some people still try to blame Israel – not the terrorists – for the evils perpetrated against innocent civilians. Vile! —- Roger C., Manhattan Beach
9. ** Those who do not condemn Hamas are antisemites. It is as simple as that. —- Claudia R., Manhattan Beach
10. ** Some information related to the ongoing issue of males & girls’ sports in the MBUSD: At his 10/7/23 Town Hall meeting in Gardena, MB’s state assembly member Al Muratsuchi faced a question about the role of female athletes forced to compete against males. Mira Costa girl’s tennis is mentioned. Muratsuchi never answers the question but instead explains that “the ultimate goal of youth sports” is “to be inclusive” and “change is always difficult.” Short version (2m 55s) at the WomenAreReal Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/WomenAreReals/status/1711421901795623156 —- Roger D., Mira Costa parent
11. ** Join us for the MBPD Trunk or Treat event on Thursday, October 26th, from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. on 13th Street between Metlox Plaza and the MBPD (same space as the Farmer’s Market). The Police Department will provide a safe environment for young trick-or-treaters. A taco vendor will have food available for sale. —- Editor’s Note
12. ** Your non-dominant hand has no choice but to get good at clipping fingernails. —- Stewart F., Manhattan Beach
13. ** We’re so lucky that flies, ants, and other bugs don’t scream when we kill them. —- Abby W., Manhattan Beach
14. ** I love your free Bulletin Board. —- Maral M., Manhattan Beach
15. ** Sororities are for girls, not men in dresses. —- Hillary S., Manhattan Beach
16. ** A regimented Army of sworn killers of women and children in the 21st Century is an abomination of our sense of security and human decency. Its ugliness must be eradicated because slaughtering innocent beings can justify no cause of human deprivation. —- Stewart F., Manhattan Beach
17. ** Let’s be honest. Getting a divorce at age 70 is about as fun as drinking Drano for breakfast! —- Herb V., Manhattan Beach
18. ** Whenever I hear the Mayor and the Police Chief talk about crime in Manhattan Beach, I feel like they’re trying to gaslight us by pretending everything is just fine and dandy – never been better! —- Lowell P., Manhattan Beach
19. ** Unbelievably, many in the media and academia continue to demonize Israel and justify the horrific actions of this evil terrorist group. “Social justice” activists across the U.S. celebrate the terrorists’ success, dancing in the streets, while Israel continues to fight for its existence. Sickening. —- Mila B., Manhattan Beach
20. ** This is B.S. My husband wants us to sell our home and move in with his parents. He says that way we can take care of them both with the caregivers who are there most of the day. He works full-time and says the burden will mostly fall on me. —- Arlene P., Manhattan Beach
21. ** I won’t return to Ike’s Love and Sandwiches in Manhattan Beach. The place is unclean, and the prices are exorbitant. —- Cass K., Manhattan Beach
22. ** Stanford Lecturer Who Helped Radicalize Colin Kaepernick Reportedly Told Jewish Students To Stand In A Corner After Hamas Attack. —- Harvey K., Manhattan Beach
23. ** Today, intelligent & informed people are silenced so ignorant & foolish people won’t be offended. —- Barbara K., Manhattan Beach
24. ** The steak at Flemings in El Segundo was poor on my last two visits. I won’t be back again. —- Mary C., El Segundo
25. ** Renting my home – 2bd/2bth on Manhattan Ave & 8th St. serious inquiries only – 1yr min. —- Call or Text 714-290-8376
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