WHO WILL IT BE?
MB Weekly Seeks Nominations
For Manhattan Beach’s First
“Person of the Year”
MB Weekly is launching a bold new tradition – naming Manhattan Beach’s first-ever Person of the Year. Modeled after the iconic Time Magazine award, this honor will recognize the individual who had the most significant impact on the city in 2025, for better or worse. From civic leaders to outspoken residents, entrepreneurs to activists, MB Weekly invites its vast South Bay readership to submit nominations. The goal is not to celebrate only the most popular or universally admired, but rather to spotlight the Person who most shaped the year’s story in Manhattan Beach – whether through leadership, controversy, innovation, or community spirit. “The Person of the Year will reflect the influence – positive or negative – of a single individual on our city’s identity in 2025,” an MB Weekly spokesperson said. Nominations are now open, and readers are encouraged to think broadly about impact: Who made the most significant difference in how we live, debate, and move forward as a community? The first Person of the Year will be announced in MB Weekly’s final edition of the year – cementing a new annual tradition for Manhattan Beach.
Please send your nominations to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
Former Mayor Blasts City Hall:
“A Wall Between Them And Us”
Burton Responds Sharply to MB Weekly’s Power Lead Story:
Former Manhattan Beach Mayor Mark Burton delivered a pointed and unmistakable rebuke this week in response to MB Weekly’s power lead story, arguing that City Hall has drifted far from its longtime “resident-friendly” roots. “In the last several years, the City of Manhattan Beach operations have gone from resident-friendly to almost antagonistic. Really,” Burton said, criticizing what he describes as a dramatic shift in accessibility and service. He noted that once upon a time, any resident could walk into City Hall and speak directly with the City Manager or staff. “Today, forget about it,” Burton declared. “The staff have built a virtually impenetrable wall between them and us.” Burton also highlighted growing frustration among homeowners and contractors, pointing to lengthy, unpredictable permitting delays. Projects that once received approvals within 3–6 months, he said, now routinely take 12–18 months. “We are a small town,” Burton added, “and we should still have a small-town vibe in our City Hall.”
Agree, Disagree, Please send your Nominations to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
MB WEEKLY EXCLUSIVE VIDEO:
An exclusive MB Weekly video of Estell Boutique.
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https://youtu.be/sTnorVV6c_c
MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Szilvia Gogh
(Diving Into Dreams Book)
Q: WHEN DID YOU ARRIVE IN THE SOUTH BAY?
A: I first came to America from Thailand about 20 years ago – it was supposed to be just a two-week vacation. I was teaching scuba diving on the island of Koh Phi Phi, and one of my former students invited me to visit him in California. The moment I landed in Los Angeles, I fell head over heels for California. Everything about it captivated me: the weather, the beaches, the energy. … That two-week vacation turned into a life. For the first five years, I lived in the Valley, working near the studios and getting into the stunt world and movie industry. I loved the work, but after a while, I realized I needed to be closer to the ocean – that’s why I moved to California in the first place, right? Plus, my boyfriend at the time, Hilaire, lived in the South Bay. Eventually, I moved in with him in Redondo Beach. We got married, had a child together, and now I’m here to stay. I absolutely love it. The South Bay gives me everything I need – the ocean at my doorstep, an incredible community, and the perfect home base for all my adventures.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR NEW BOOK ABOUT?
A: Diving into Dreams is my adventure memoir about navigating life’s deepest waters to discover the secret of having enough. It’s the story of my extraordinary journey from a childhood in communist, landlocked Hungary to becoming a world-renowned scuba diver, Hollywood stuntwoman, and entrepreneur – but more importantly, it’s about the internal journey of discovering what truly matters in life. The book chronicles my adventures across 56 countries, from teaching scuba diving on the beaches of Thailand to working as a stunt double for Drew Barrymore and other A-list actors in Hollywood. … The real turning point came when I faced breast cancer. That experience – and the profound journey through treatment and recovery – forced me to confront what really matters. The book explores how I went from constantly chasing the next big thing to finding radical contentment in the life I already had. It’s about learning to be fully present with my husband Hilaire – my best friend and soulmate – and our child, and discovering that having enough isn’t about accumulating more extraordinary experiences, but about fully inhabiting the ones you have. …
“The moment I landed in Los Angeles, I fell head over heels for California …” —- Szilvia Gogh
Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN THE SOUTH BAY?
A: Oh, I love the dining scene here! Some of my go-to spots are Gum Tree in Hermosa Beach – it’s become one of my favorites. The atmosphere is fantastic and the food is always great. Love sitting outside with friends over brunch, after our walks. Tony’s on the Pier is another spot I really enjoy, especially when I crave that classic beachside dining experience with incredible ocean views. There is something comforting of the old world by the seaside vibe I get there. And Rockefeller is wonderful too – perfect for a nice evening out. Our son’s favorite dining place after a week of hard work at school. …
Q: WHO WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE DINNER WITH, BEYONCÉ OR ELON MUSK?
A: Definitely Elon Musk! Don’t get me wrong – Beyoncé is incredibly talented and I have so much respect for what she’s accomplished. But Elon Musk is a genius, and I would absolutely love to have a dinner conversation with him. …
Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME?
A: The Big Blue, without a doubt. That film changed my life. I first saw it as a young woman in Hungary, and it absolutely captivated me. Luc Besson’s masterpiece about freediving and the relationship between humans and the ocean spoke to something deep in my soul. The way it portrayed the underwater world – that sense of peace, weightlessness, and belonging beneath the surface – it was like watching my own dreams projected on screen. … Every time I watch it, I’m reminded of why I fell in love with the underwater world in the first place. It’s more than a movie to me – it’s a validation of the path I chose, the wanderlust I followed, and the life I built beneath the waves. The Big Blue didn’t just entertain me; it gave me permission to dream BIG.
Get your copy at: https://SzilviaGogh.com/Book
Slay Italian Kitchen:
At Slay Italian, we passionately embrace the essence of ‘Rustic’ Italian cuisine through our dynamic, ever-evolving menu, featuring a delightful array of fresh and dried pasta, premium meats, stone-fired pizzas, garden-fresh vegetables, and an exquisite selection of wines.
1001 Manhattan Ave.
www.SlayItalianKitchen.com
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
Paul Wafer (Manhattan Beach Community Activist)
Your lead article on permit bureaucracy, published on November 6th, perfectly illustrates what I have been writing about in your publication over the last year. To offset the high cost of city staff in Manhattan Beach, permit fees are overpriced. Additionally, as I have mentioned previously, having more staff does not necessarily improve service. It is more important to have good processes. Obviously, in this case, our city is a big failure!
Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
An imaginative sandwich sign in downtown Manhattan Beach.
A Mayor, A Latte, And A Listening Ear At Metlox:
Mayor David Lesser kicked off his inaugural “Coffee with the Mayor” event on Friday, November 7th, turning Metlox Plaza into an impromptu civic roundtable. Approximately eight community members gathered for a candid question-and-answer session, raising concerns that ranged from neighborhood safety to city services. Lesser listened intently, jotting notes between sips, signaling a hands-on, conversational approach to leadership. The informal meetup marks the first in what City Hall hopes will be a recurring series – bringing government closer to the people, one cup of coffee at a time.
Kaminsky Real Estate Group:
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Urban Plates And MB Weekly Launch Annual Manhattan Beach Food Drive:
Urban Plates and MB Weekly have partnered to sponsor the Annual Manhattan Beach Food Drive, taking place from November 17 to 23. The community effort aims to collect canned and nonperishable food items to support local families in need during the holiday season. Donations can be dropped off at Urban Plates Manhattan Beach, where each participant will receive a complimentary $5 gift card as a thank-you, one per donor, not per can. “Urban Plates believes good food has the power to bring people together and make a real difference,” said a company spokesperson. “Partnering with MB Weekly helps us extend that mission to the wider community.” All contributions will benefit people across the South Bay. Residents, schools, and businesses are encouraged to participate and spread the spirit of giving.
City Makes A Splash – MB Council Edges Toward Bay Club Pool Deal:
The Manhattan Beach City Council moved a stroke closer to partnering with Bay Club to build a long-awaited public aquatic center next to the Manhattan Beach Country Club – while also ordering up a cost estimate for going it alone. After 15 months of debate, two council members openly backed entering an agreement with Bay Club, whose proposal would create a pool that prioritizes public use while still serving club members. The city’s 80-year-old Begg Pool, beloved but crumbling, would cost an estimated $28–$40 million to replace – a price residents support in theory but balk at in practice. Councilmember Amy Howorth said the city has made “no progress” on building a facility itself. Bay Club’s offer includes a $1 million donation to fix Begg, even if no deal is reached – a gesture Howorth calls “at least a partial solution.”
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
A busy weekend shopping day in downtown Manhattan Beach.
Help Fix California:
GET INVOLVED
www.FixCalifornia.com
A Sonnet Of Ages – Mira Costa Students And Older Adults Create Together:
In a Mira Costa tradition, students once again joined forces with older adults from the Manhattan Beach Parks and Rec Older Adults Program for an intergenerational burst of creativity. Members of the program’s Poetry Circle visited English teacher Shannon Vaughan’s Creative Writing class to craft a collaborative “Nonsense Sonnet.” Working in small groups, students and seniors alternated lines to assemble a 14-line poem using iambic tetrameter, a portmanteau nonsense word, and at least one onomatopoetic flourish. For many, it was a joyful challenge – and the first time they had tackled this poetic form together during a class visit. Vaughan has nurtured this partnership for more than sixteen years, expanding it to include joint public readings, published poetry collections, and programs like “Coffee and Tech.” At this year’s Hometown Fair, more than fifty students participated in the Intergenerational Poetry Reading at the Joslyn Center. Vaughan currently teaches Thanatology, Creative Writing, and English 9 at Mira Costa.
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
MBSafe 7th year anniversary party at Lido di Manhattan hosted by MB Weekly.
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Lincoln Property Buys Manhattan Beach Office For $70M – Plans Apartment Redevelopment:
In a bold reshaping of Manhattan Beach’s Rosecrans Avenue corridor, Dallas-based Lincoln Property Company has purchased a five-story office building for $70 million, with plans to demolish it and build multifamily housing. The 123,000-square-foot property at 1500 Rosecrans Avenue traded hands at $569 per square foot, signaling a major bet on residential demand in the coastal market. The seller, Continental Development Corporation, finalized the deal in mid-October, with President Alex Rose signing the grant deed. The transaction includes $45 million in seller financing, according to a deed of trust signed by Lincoln’s Southern California executive Rob Kane. Berkadia’s Brett Betzler brokered the sale and confirmed the redevelopment intent. The site, near Manhattan Village and surrounded by retail and dining, sits within a bustling commercial corridor spanning Manhattan Beach and El Segundo.
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Giovanna, a happy waitress at Slay Italian Kitchen in downtown Manhattan Beach.
Final Curtain Call – Saint Rocke Set To Close Its Doors December 6:
Hermosa Beach’s beloved music venue Saint Rocke – once a bustling hub for live performances before shuttering during the pandemic – is preparing to close once again, this time for good. The venue will hold its final show on Dec. 6, headlined by the fan-favorite Spazmatics. Music director Larry Little confirmed in a Tuesday, Nov. 11, interview that Saint Rocke will stage 13 more shows before the lights go dark. A new leaseholder is slated to take over the building at year’s end. Little and Colorado investor Dani Grant revived the venue in early 2023, less than three years after founder Allen Sanford closed it amid the financial pressures of COVID-19. Despite passionate efforts, Saint Rocke’s second act now nears its final note.
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1. ** I was surprised and delighted to see my name included in the article on MBSAFE. Unfortunately, my last name was misspelled. The article mentioned Elyse Guire. My name is Elyse Gura —- Elyse Gura
2. ** I love MB Weekly. It’s a “bad-ass” publication. Once a week but never weakly says it all. —- Nick T., Hermosa Beach
3. ** After 40 years, the South Bay Galleria is set to close for redevelopment. New owner Kennedy Wilson plans to transform the 30-acre site into a mixed-use community with retail, dining, and 350 apartments. At least 10% will be reserved for very low-income residents. City planners approved Phase Two on August 21. —- Julianna F., Redondo Beach
4. ** Celebrate the holidays with ocean magic! Join the Roundhouse Aquarium Holiday Open House on Wednesday, November 19 during the Manhattan Beach Pier Lighting (6–8:30 PM). Enjoy music, twinkling lights, marine life, and free hot cocoa starting at 6 PM! Bring loved ones for a seaside holiday filled with joy. roundhouseaquarium.org/holiday-open-house —- Editor’s Note
5. ** The word ‘hate’ has become the modern bludgeon of censorship. Once used to silence dissent, it now weaponizes victimhood, turning debate into ‘assault.’ The left’s war on traditional values is fought under this banner – where disagreement becomes danger, and rational thought itself is branded as hate. —- Morgana Welch, Redondo Beach
6. ** What happened to Ralph’s in MB? Once a clean, well-run store – now it’s chaos! Cluttered aisles, junky displays, and checkout lines that move slower than molasses. Shopping there feels like punishment, not convenience. This place has gone way downhill. Whoever’s managing it should be embarrassed. —- Laine K.
7. ** What happened to the Strand speed limits? My husband and I love our walks, but lately e-bikes are zipping past at 20 mph where it clearly says “8 MPH.” These things are heavy, fast, and hard to stop – a real danger to pedestrians. Has anyone heard if this is being addressed? —- Kay D.
8. ** Why is leaving up Christmas decorations outside more acceptable than leaving up Halloween decorations? —- Tom C.
9. ** I don’t agree with all the things I read, but I certainly do appreciate its civil, non-hostile tone. —- Pamela C.
10. ** Another great birthday dinner at the Arthur J in Manhattan Beach. —- R.P., El Segundo
11. ** Hey dummy, only compare yourself to your previous self. —- Scott B.
12. ** I frequently tell my critics to open their minds before they open their mouths. —- Evelyn T., Hermosa Beach
13. ** If someone were to suddenly stop being allergic to a food, it would take a long time for them to realize. —- Mike J.
14. ** If you let your dog bark wildly at 4 a.m. for 30 straight minutes, why even have a dog? Protection? Then check on it. Companionship? Then be with it. Ignoring nonstop barking in the middle of the night isn’t normal – it’s rude, inconsiderate, and downright bizarre. —- Ashley T., El Segundo
15. ** As a reminder, if you need to contact MBSAFE regarding a homeless person, please call 310-863-7708. You can also text me at 3105703695. This is my personal number. Thanks. —- Lucia
16. ** Until I attended the recent MB Weekly anniversary party for MB Safe, I had no idea of the impact this great organization made on our community. We are very blessed to have such great people in our midst. —- Todd B.
17. ** 90% of tourists coming to Los Angeles for the FIFA World Cup in June 2026 will not have a ticket to the games. —- Editor’s Note
18. ** Can you imagine what it would be like to be married to Katie Porter? —- Darvin H.
19. ** New data reveal California is set to spend 30 times more on illegal immigrant healthcare than it does on its own law enforcement. Happy with that? —- Phil K., Redondo Beach
20. ** It costs $0.00 to be a decent human being. —- Layla V.
21.** Adam is a terrific manager at Saint & Second in the Manhattan Village. Very kind and helpful. —- Pamela C.
22. ** Have you heard about The Great Room Café? We serve coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner – plus beer, wine, and Soju cocktails. Pool table just added! Shoot a game, sip a drink, and relax while the kids enjoy the game room. Large rooms available for parties and meetings. 2810 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach
23. ** Thank you, MB Weekly. Since you exposed Chick-fil-A El Segundo’s sneaky practice of charging $1 for a cup of water without telling customers, they’ve now stopped. They were caught red-handed, called out, and forced to end a nasty little practice. —- Lindsay Tate, El Segundo
24. ** Zoku is the Redondo Beach branch of a chain that’s quietly skewering the South Bay dining scene. Its sister spots, Torikizoku and Hasu in Torrance, round out the trio. And in Japan? More than 600 Zoku locations thrive. —- Oscar P., Redondo Beach
25. ** Personally, I think the Bay Club is a rip-off. —- Ken S.
26. ** MB WEEKLY – Reader Question? Should Democrats’ path to the 2026 midterms be progressive or moderate? Send your reply to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
27. ** Join hundreds of Santas for a joyful 5K stroll along the Strand from Hermosa to Manhattan Beach! The 7th Annual Santa Stroll benefits Mychal’s Learning Place, supporting youth with developmental disabilities. Adults get Santa suits or tees, kids get tees – festive fun for a powerful cause. —- Editor’s Note
28. ** Thank God, sanity is making a comeback. The International Olympic Committee is set to ban transgender women (men) from competing in all female categories. The decision follows a science-based review confirming the undeniable physical advantages of biologically born males. An official announcement is expected early next year. Long overdue but amen. —- Nanci R., Hermosa Beach
29. ** WTF? We have restaurants in downtown Manhattan Beach charging $7.00 for a glass of iced tea. WTF! —- Holly W., Manhattan Beach
30. ** The Manhattan Beach Civic Center Upper Lot came alive Saturday night as families packed the annual Trunk or Treat celebration. Kids in superhero, princess, and ghost costumes raced between creatively decorated “trunks,” collecting candy from MB Police, Fire, volunteers, and City staff. At the same time, parents enjoyed tacos, conversation, and genuine community spirit. —- Editor’s Note
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