MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Fred Taylor (Manhattan Beach)
I’m writing to support our Jewish community in MB and our school District. This is also personal for me. This past August, I observed the 40th anniversary of receiving the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life Christ offers. You see, my Savior is Jewish. Four of our precious Jewish middle schoolers were verbally accosted by an 11-year-old Middle Eastern female student, attending on a permit, from a family who lives out of the District. While our District denies the reported verbiage, here’s what we know. What was said has energized the Southbay Jewish community. Hundreds of emails have poured into the District office. Rabbis Yossi and Kalev have rallied to the defense of those accosted students. The verbal assault went viral online and now nationally has painted MB as a toxic and anti-Semitic city. Rabbi Kalev has spoken to the media, testifying that the kids fear wearing their Star of David to class. Yet, we’re asked to believe that the speech was political?? That’s hardly believable, considering the collateral damage. And more astonishingly, the ‘consequences’ to the perpetrator and the victims were virtually identical. All students were asked to sign a “no-contact agreement” with a gag order requiring no discussion with any students. In other words, hush it up. No suspension, no expulsion. At least, it requires the perpetrator to learn about the 1948 birth of Israel and a brief history of the Jewish nation. Add to that a full understanding of the unprovoked slaughter of 1400, Jewish citizens on October 7th. Finally, cancel her District permit. Dr. Bowes’ determination that the episode was merely political defies logic, and it is totally unacceptable. It’s not even a slap on the wrist; it’s a tap on the wrist at best … as we wait for the next anti-Semitic episode. In December of 2021, I met with Dr. Bowes and the Board with our parent group. As I presented the pornographic book “Gender Queer” to him, simply asking its link be taken off the District website, he equivocated, saying, “Some parents speak on behalf of some books and others for other books.” I wonder if the same lack of moral clarity guided his “political speech” decision.
Post Script: If the offended students had been some of our precious kids of color or perhaps a ‘trans’ student, might the decision and the consequences have been quite different??
BIO: Fred Taylor, father of two, is a 47-year MB resident and founding member of the parent groups “We The Parents MB” and “MB Parents 4 Schools,” which is aligned with FAIR, The Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism. To learn more about the parent group or receive their newsletters, email your request to: MBParents4Schools@gmail.com
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34th Annual Pier Lighting and 29th Annual Holiday Open House:
The Annual Pier Lighting and Holiday Open House is the official start of the holiday season in Manhattan Beach! It is also downtown Manhattan Beach’s local restaurants, retail stores, and businesses way of saying thank you to their customers and community for their support and patronage throughout the year. In addition to the live entertainment throughout downtown Manhattan Beach, the City of Manhattan Beach and the Downtown Business and Professional Association will light the streets for the holidays with snowflake lights and a lighted street banner.
Wednesday, November 15
6 PM to 9 PM
Downtown Manhattan Beach and Manhattan Beach Pier
www.ManhattanBeach.gov
MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Maria Lastra
Founder And Director Of Spanish In Action
Q: WHAT DOES YOUR BUSINESS SPANISH IN ACTION DO?
A: Spanish in Action offers an immersive program designed to make learning Spanish an enjoyable experience for kids, teens, and adults (as requested). We create a stimulating environment where our students can comfortably participate in activities and express themselves in new ways. Our immersive classes deliver a fun, high-quality, and educational experience, catering to various learning styles to nurture a love for bilingualism from an early age. What sets us apart is our multidimensional program, an interactive cultural learning setting, and original Spanish learning resources, songs, and YouTube music videos for kids. These resources are the result of collaborations with artists from Nickelodeon and Disney. We leverage the power of music, scientifically proven to enhance long-term retention in young learners. Our custom activity books and teaching resources, now available in our online store, reinforce each new topic, incorporating positive messages inspired by the rich cultures of Latin America, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. We combine these unique tools with an engaging approach to second language acquisition, ensuring children remain actively engaged. Our native teachers are carefully selected, each boasting over 30 years of language teaching experience. They plan and deliver lessons with genuine care and enthusiasm because we hold our families and students in high regard. We extend our gratitude to the community for considering us a gem and are humbled to have taught Spanish to over 8,000 students since 1986. This distinction solidifies our position as the most experienced school in the South Bay.
Q: WHEN DID YOU START YOUR BUSINESS?
A: When I arrived in the United States in 1986 and soon embarked on my teaching career, I encountered a distinctly uninspiring approach to language education employed by American educators. Drawing from my personal language educational experiences, I understood that the most effective way to learn a second language is through vibrant, enjoyable instruction and teaching materials. Thus, I set out to revolutionize the classroom during my initial teaching position at a local Montessori school. Shortly thereafter, I established Spanish in Action and took on the roles of teaching and directing Spanish programs at prestigious private preschools and elementary schools. Simultaneously, I began offering classes from my home in Manhattan Beach, which quickly grew to accommodate up to 90 students in small group sessions. This success ultimately paved the way for the opening of my brick-and-mortar school in Manhattan Beach in 2015.
Q: WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO LOCATE IN MANHATTAN BEACH?
A: I married an Argentinean professional athlete, who played rugby on the international stage and had friends all over the world. Surprisingly, he had a deep affection for Manhattan Beach. Not long after our wedding, we packed our bags with just a couple of suitcases and enough money for a month. The rest, as they say, is history!
Q: WHAT IS YOUR ASTROLOGY SIGN?
A: Virgo
Q: HOW DO PEOPLE LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS?
A: We primarily gain visibility through word of mouth, our online presence, and our dedicated email subscribers. As part of our ongoing efforts to expand, we are currently working on strengthening our presence on social media platforms.
Q: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME?
A: I don’t have one, but I do love to watch love and family comedies. I love to laugh. No drama please!
Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN THE AREA?
A: I like the Strand House, Nick’s and Joey’s
www.SpanishInAction.com
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Mira Costa High School student Mona Cho spoke at a White House historic event with many “Girls Leading Change” students and First Lady Jill Biden. Cho was one of 15 girls honored by the First Lady on October 11 for influencing change and creating a brighter future in U.S. communities on International Day of the Girl.
Tin Roof Bistro Open For Thanksgiving:
Open for Thanksgiving Day with a Special Prix Fixe Menu: Book A Table
THANKSGIVING ToGo 2023
Introducing Tin Roof Bistro’s Thanksgiving ToGo – a feast like no other, prepared in the TRB kitchen and ready to be served in yours. You won’t need to stress out about cooking this year, as TRB provides all the sides you need to put together a festive Thanksgiving feast. With their easy-to-follow cooking instructions, you’ll achieve the perfect Thanksgiving spread effortlessly. But don’t wait too long – Thanksgiving ToGo is available while supplies last, so it’s time to pre-order now. Mark your calendar for Wednesday, November 22nd, when you can pick up your Thanksgiving ToGo between 12 PM and 4 PM. All sides are designed to serve 3-4 people.
https://www.tinroofbistro.com/product-category/thanksgiving-togo-2023/
www.TinRoofBistro.com
MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Bill Fournell
Q: WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO MANHATTAN BEACH IN THE FIRST PLACE?
A: I was born and raised in MB. After getting married and moving around a bit, my wife & I both agreed we loved my hometown. We settled back here and been here ever since. While it’s changed a lot, I still love the community and living here.
Q: WHAT MOST CONCERNS YOU ABOUT THE FUTURE OF MANHATTAN BEACH IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?
A: It seems there are greater challenges with getting volunteers to step up to invest time and effort to so many of our wonderful community organizations. Whether it’s working a booth at the Hometown Fair, running our PTAs, etc., it appears harder and harder each year to get people to help out. I don’t know the root cause but I hear this over and over from many of our local volunteer led organizations.
Q: DO YOU FEEL AS SAFE TODAY IN MANHATTAN BEACH AS WHEN YOU FIRST ARRIVED?
A: I generally do feel just as safe today and when I was a boy walking to school and beach. If anything is a greater risk today, it’s the number of distracted drivers I see every day around town. “Get off your phone, it can wait!”
Q: WHAT IS THE SECRET SAUCE THAT MAKES MANHATTAN BEACH SO UNIQUE?
A: The sense of community. That people feel they are part of something bigger than their immediate family but more personal than an entire city. A sense of fellowship around common interests and goals for all of us.
Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN THE AREA?
A: Tin Roof Bistro continues to be our go to favorite. Great food and service, and those amazing brussels sprouts!
Q: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME?
A: Ah tough question. I have to hedge and say a tie between Blade Runner and Godfather 2 (the rare sequel better than the original).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fournell
Dive N’ Surf:
SUNNY WAVES FLEECE
Dive N’ Surf is the most exciting, innovative and original Dive and Surf shop. They have been outfitting and stoking everyone out in the South Bay and beyond for over 60 years. Dive N’ Surf carries the largest selection of Body Glove Wetsuits, apparel and much more. Dive N’ Surf has also been voted South Bay’s Best Dive Shop and South Bay’s Best Surf Shop multiple times, come on down and check it out. Dive N’ Surf, it’s in the name. SURFBOARDS AND MORE
www.DiveNSurf.com
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Rita Crabtree (Manhattan Beach)
Community Activist
Come bring the whole family to honor Veterans and First Responders who make the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms. **We will have a special moment to honor fallen heroes, MBPD officers Martin Ganz (1993) and Chad Swanson (2023), and everyone will have the opportunity to honor their loved ones on our Wall of Heroes. Enjoy unlimited BBQ, local craft beer and wine tastings, and a Kids Zone including bounce houses, crafts, snow cones, face painting, and more! It’s the perfect break between sports events or daily errands for all your family and friends. LIVE MUSIC with sellout bands: Pine Mountain Logs AND Joe’s Band. Come eat, drink, and dance the day away. $50 includes all food, drink, and activities.
VetFest 4th Annual Celebration of our American Heroes
Presented by Rotary Manhattan Beach
Saturday, November 11 – Noon til 5 PM
Kinecta Federal Credit Union, 1440 Rosecrans Ave.
Veterans and First Responders and children under 18 FREE. $1,000 includes admission for 10 and a private table with 3 Premium wines and table service. ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO GROUPS THAT SUPPORT VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS. Go to link below to get your tickets today.
www.rotaryvetfest.com
MB WEEKLY READER POLL:
LAUGHS TOP MUSIC AND FOOD
A recent reader poll conducted by MB Weekly, the largest digital publication in the South Bay, revealed that comedy takes the crown as the most favored genre among its readers regarding influencer content. The survey, which delved into the preferences of MB Weekly’s diverse readership, found that 4 in 10 respondents (42%) preferred comedy content, highlighting the enduring appeal of humor in the digital age. Following closely behind, 38% of readers expressed their fondness for music-related content, indicating a robust musical inclination within the community. Additionally, 31% of respondents were interested in content revolving around food, suggesting a keen appetite for culinary experiences and gastronomic delights.
Send your comments to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Dr. Josh Becker (Manhattan Beach)
Vitamin C, elderberry, and zinc in-home treatments may boost the immune system and lessen symptoms. Nobel laureate Linus Pauling popularized vitamin C’s cold-fighting properties in the 1970s, driving demand. Vitamin C has been suggested to improve immune cells’ ability to locate and fight infection by supplement industry scientists. The nutrient’s efficacy is disputed. For one, the body cannot keep high dosages of vitamin C, such those in supplements, and excretes excess in urine. A 2013 meta-analysis of vitamin C trials found that regular supplementation before feeling sick can shorten colds by a day or so. After symptoms appear, vitamin C does not always help.
Agree? Disagree? Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Dee Le (Manhattan Beach)
This young driver cruised through 2 stop signs (nearly hit us at one) and rushed across multiple lanes of traffic on Sepulveda (including straddling two lanes for a while). He was in a rush to get to Manhattan Village. Please watch out for this young, reckless driver!
Agree? Disagree? Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Sign in Hermosa Beach. Watch out! Funny Road Signs Ahead. Feel free to send your photo to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Sara Garcia (El Segundo)
Because the people paying for the free stuff can no longer afford to pay for both the free stuff and their own goods, the people who get the free stuff dislike the people paying for it. And the people who pay for the free things want them to stop receiving it. Additionally, the recipients of free goods have been trained to desire more free goods on top of what they already receive! Now, the people forcing others to pay for free goods have informed others who are RECEIVING the goods that those paying are rude and racial. So… The people who are forcing some people to pay for their free stuff and giving them the free stuff in the first place have persuaded the people who are GETTING the free stuff that they need to resent the people who are paying for the free stuff. We’ve allowed the practice of giving away free goods for so long that now there are more recipients of free goods than purchasers of free goods. Now, comprehend this. Somewhere between 200 and 250 years after their founding, all great democracies have committed financial suicide. The cause? By voting for candidates who pledged to give them money from the treasury in exchange for their support, the electorate realized they could vote for themselves more free money from the coffers. Do you see how the game is played now?
Agree? Disagree? Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
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 Mac
El Segundo Resident Since 2015
THE TRUTH…
Hates Sausages
Hates The Rolling Stones
Hates Beef Jerky
Hates People Touching His Feet
Loves Macaroni And Cheese
Loves Reading Novels
Never Goes To Sleep Before Midnight
Votes Occasionally
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MB WEEKLY – CARTOON:
“Changing seasons in Manhattan Beach…”
MB WEEKLY – READER QUESTION:
SHOULD MANHATTAN BEACH SCHOOLS ADOPT A NO CELL PHONE POLICY?
Please share your comment with thousands and thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities.
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MB WEEKLY – FREE BULLETIN BOARD:
1. ** HELP WANTED: Looking for a bookkeeper. Person must understand the basic GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and is familiar with Quickbooks Online. Will need about 10-15 hours a month. Please immediately contact: AmandaK@BoundlessMediaUSA.com
2. ** Why Is Olive Oil So Expensive Right Now? —- Lori T., Hermosa Beach
3. ** Let’s be honest: Danny DeVito is one homely guy. —- Joan Z., El Segundo
4. ** The ignorant anti-Israel displays on many college campuses are all driven by one thing: fear. College administrators fear radical left students and faculty, allowing them to run wild. What else explains the mealy-mouthed statements issued by Penn, Harvard, UCLA, NYU, and many others? It is shocking. And repulsive. —- Amy R., Manhattan Beach
5. ** Why is the guy on 21st Street allowed to grind metal and use loud air hoses in his garage? —- Heather R., Manhattan Beach
6. ** Some of the postings in this free bulletin board are hilarious. —- Chad J., Manhattan Beach
7. ** Redondo Beach officially opens skate park on the pier. The new attraction was seven years in the making. —- Editor’s Note
8. ** Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. —- Tina M., Manhattan Beach
9. ** Does chicken soup really help when you’re sick? —- Grant N., Manhattan Beach
10. ** Torrance Memorial Medical Center CEO Craig Leach, one of the longest-serving hospital executives in California, will soon retire after nearly 40 years of service at the organization – including almost two decades as its leader. —- Editor’s Note
11. ** Sincere thanks to the City Council of Manhattan Beach for joining the lawsuit against the insane zero bail policy. —- Valerie L., Manhattan Beach
12. ** I only have so many years left. So, I’d like to spend them being updated about Taylor Swift’s dating life as often as possible. —- Shannon D., Manhattan Beach
13. ** Martin Scorsese’s new film could be my life’s most extended, most boring experience. If given the choice between being locked in an elevator with Donald Trump singing show tunes or watching that movie again, I’d ask for more time to think about it. Truly awful. —- William R., Manhattan Beach
14. ** I have a daughter and two granddaughters, 16 and 24. I live with my daughter, her boyfriend, and my younger granddaughter. My daughter and oldest granddaughter got into a heated argument over the phone about something the boyfriend posted on social media. They are no longer speaking and have blocked each other’s phone calls. I feel lost. Help! —- Lisa P., Manhattan
15. ** Please. I’m begging you. Stop funding the Ivy intifada at elite universities. —- H. Arthur V., Manhattan Beach
16. ** Seeing evil rejected in real time is disturbing. Especially when Hamas filmmakers and broadcasters perpetuated wickedness. Hamas militants had firearms and GoPros. They were proud of their rampage. Some called their fathers to brag, “I killed 10 Jews with my bare hands!” However, their defenders dispute reports of their atrocities. —- Edith G., Manhattan Beach
17. ** WTF? Around the 13th, my Strand neighbor showed me a COYOTE from his Tuesday 330a camera feed —- Cameron R., Manhattan Beach
18. ** Are you cool with this? – https://www.foxla.com/news/manhattan-beach-student-allegedly-told-jewish-classmates-all-israelis-and-jews-should-be-killed —- Harmony F., Manhattan Beach
19. ** Hatred of Israel cannot be distinguished from hatred of the Jewish people. Incontestably now, anti-Zionism is antisemitism. —- Darren J., Manhattan Beach
20. ** You’re either an Entrepreneur or a Wantrepreneur. Deal with it. —- Oliver K., Manhattan Beach
21. ** What would stop people from looting? —- Oliva S., Manhattan Beach
22. ** Superintendent of the Manhattan Beach Unified School system John Bowes apologized on behalf of the system for the way it handled instances in which a middle school student used overtly antisemitic words to verbally assault four Jewish pupils. Well done, sir. Your apology was overdue! —- Charlotte G., Manhattan Beach
23. ** Nickelback sounds the way Nicolas Cage looks. —- Paul K., El Segundo
24. ** Given how much we like to snack late at night, it’s unacceptable that most microwaves still don’t have a mute switch. —- Isabella B., Manhattan Beach
25. ** When police are driving in their cruisers, they do so in an altered reality as everyone around them adjusts their habits due to their presence. —- Levi B., Hermosa Beach
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