MB Weekly 12/21/2023

MANHATTAN BEACH RANKED ONE OF THE RICHEST CITIES IN THE U.S.:

In a recent report by 24/7 Wall Street, Manhattan Beach has secured a position as one of the wealthiest cities in the United States. The “America’s Richest Cities” study identified four Southern California communities among the nation’s top 50 affluent locales. Manhattan Beach and Rancho Palos Verdes in Los Angeles County, along with Ladera Ranch and North Tustin in Orange County, made the prestigious list. The rankings were determined by evaluating communities with populations exceeding 25,000 residents analyzing median household income and median home value based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey data. Including these Southern California cities highlights the region’s economic prosperity and reinforces their status as havens for wealth and upscale living in the United States.


MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet David Slay

Owner Of Slay Restaurants

Q: YOUR RESTAURANTS HAVE HAD TREMENDOUS SUCCESS IN MANHATTAN BEACH. WHAT IS YOUR SECRET SAUCE?
A: Being present at the restaurants is very important to me. Also, having a team behind me that cares about guests the way our family does and treats guests the way they want to be treated. My theory is if someone is spending more than 50$ per person in our restaurant they have a lot of options, and we are truly grateful.

Q: WHAT’S THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF RUNNING A RESTAURANT POST-COVID?
A: The financial aspect today is much different. Cost of goods, labor, insurance, and being in CA are all challenging.

Q: DO YOU BELIEVE OUTDOOR DINING WILL RETURN IN MANHATTAN BEACH IN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO?
A: Yes, I do.

Q: WHAT’S YOUR ASTROLOGY SIGN?
A: I’m told I’m a cancer. (I don’t follow that stuff)

Q: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DISH AT ANY OF YOUR RESTAURANTS TO EAT?
A: Pizza at Italian, NY Steak at Slay Steak + Fish House, Portobella Mushroom at Slay Hermosa, and Grape leaves at Fete.

Q: HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN MANHATTAN BEACH?
A: 20 years!

Q: WHAT’S THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE YOU’VE NOTICED IN THE CITY IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS?
A: The amount of people coming to visit and experiencing life at the beach. I’ve met so many people that have made Manhattan Beach their second home.

www.Slay.la


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

In the peculiar landscape of relationship deal-breakers, I faced an unexpected and insurmountable obstacle: my new boyfriend’s refusal to use toilet paper. What started as a seemingly innocuous shortage evolved into a startling confession that shattered the delicate balance of our relationship. Shocked and revolted, I decided to end our romance then and there. While some might view this as an extreme response, it underscores the significance we attach to seemingly trivial habits in the context of a relationship. This anecdote serves as a reminder that shared values and essential compatibility are the cornerstones of lasting connections. Sometimes, it’s the everyday details that force us to confront deeper issues and make decisions that, on the surface, might seem inconceivable. It’s been five weeks since this sickening episode, and I still have nightmares about this.

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MB WEEKLY – READER POLL:
Reveals Alarming Concerns Over Border Situation

In a recent reader poll conducted by MB Weekly, the South Bay’s largest digital publication, a vast majority (72%) of respondents expressed their belief that the current border situation constitutes either a crisis or a significant problem. The poll, aimed at gauging local public opinion on pressing issues, shed light on the growing concerns within the community regarding border-related challenges. The respondents, comprising a diverse cross-section of South Bay residents, voiced apprehensions about various aspects of the border situation, including security, immigration policies, and humanitarian considerations. The overwhelming consensus among participants underscores the urgency for comprehensive and practical solutions to address the issues at the border.

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Nando Trattoria:

We Are Open For Lunch Saturdays & Sundays At 2PM

Sicily to Manhattan Beach: “The atmosphere of real Italy rules the mood at our restaurant. We invite you to a warm and comfortable setting paired with our leisurely Italian spirit and heartfelt cooking. Experience food beyond compare with inspiration in every detail and joy at the table; we honor the home cooking we were raised on by taking traditional recipes that reflect our deep Sicilian roots and update them by adding a modern twist to these Italian staples.”

www.NandoTattoria.com


MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Jim Lambert

(FOUNDING PARTNER)

Q: WHAT DOES YOUR COMPANY DO, AND HOW CAN READERS LEARN MORE ABOUT IT?
A: We are a Managed Service Provider providing IT services to businesses. We’ve been ranked in the top 1% of Microsoft partners for 15 years running and we pride ourselves on becoming a trusted partner for our clients. We still have our first three clients that we started with more than two decades ago. You can learn more about our business by going to our website at www.divergeit.com.

Q: WHAT IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE FACING THE MANHATTAN BEACH AREA IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?
A: Crime and homelessness are clearly the greatest challenge facing our city for the next five years.

Q: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME?
A: Braveheart is my favorite movie.

Q: WHAT’S THE BIGGEST MISTAKE YOU’VE MADE IN BUSINESS IN YOUR CAREER?
A: Not purchasing a building sooner.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR ASTROLOGY SIGN?
A: Gemini

Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN THE MANHATTAN BEACH AREA?
A: Boa, The Arthur J, Petro’s and Slay Steak are my favorites.

www.Divergeit.com


MB WEEKLY – FUNNY SIGNS:

A sign on the door of a medical office in Hermosa Beach. Feel free to send in your photo to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net


MBUSD Bans Individual Plastic Water Bottles:

After removing tiny plastic water bottles from primary schools in 2019, Manhattan Beach Unified School District has banned their sale. MBUSD Food and Nutrition Services Department Director Léna Agee stated this milestone toward environmental sustainability has long been a goal. Agee projected the initiative will remove 140,000 single-use plastic water bottles per school year.


Manhattan Beach Teenager Launches “Pies For Peace” Baking Fundraiser:

“Pies for Peace,” a fundraising idea by local teen Kasey Kagan to help feed innocent children and families impacted from the war in Israel and Gaza, raised almost $4,000, surpassing her goal of $1,500. “I came up with the idea of Pies for Peace while watching the news with my parents. I think what is happening in Israel and Palestine is terrible and there are so many innocent victims of this awful war from both sides,” Kasey stated on the World Central Kitchen website. “So that’s when I decided to do something about it, I’ve always loved to bake and I thought about how Thanksgiving is coming up. It created the perfect opportunity to help, ‘Pies for Peace.’” Proceeds will go to World Central Kitchen in their efforts to help feed innocent children and families impacted from the war in Israel and Gaza.


Manhattan Beach Studios:

Podcasting, Audio & Video Shows

Manhattan Beach Studios is the South Bay’s source for awesome podcasting: “Whether audio, video or both, let us help you to redefine your business with all our amazing audio and video marketing tools. When it comes to experience, we have produced thousands! We work daily with Podcast Services such as Buzzsprout, as well as YouTube, Facebook and private corporate networks. We can get your content exactly where it needs to be, when it needs to be there; looking exactly as you desire. We know that your show is innovative and unique, and we build our services to be as flexible as you.”

www.ManhattanBeachStudios.net


MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Mary Ann McCarthy

(Manhattan Beach)

A woman pulled up next to me at Target Manhattan Beach. I was with my granddaughter. She told me I looked young for a grandmother and then said she would take our picture. She had a very old car and an old phone. She was behaving erratically, and I told her I had to go. I think she was trying to distract me … maybe someone else was going to grab my purse or bags? Also, as I was leaving, two older cars in the back part of a parking lot looked like someone was living in them. Beware.

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Manhattan Beach’s 35th Annual Fireworks Display Commemorates Its Late Founder:

The 35th annual Manhattan Beach Holiday Fireworks Festival honored Pete Moffett, the festival’s late originator, and the holiday season. Moffett, who passed away in May at the age of 75 from brain cancer, was memorialized with a solitary spark above the Manhattan Beach Pier. He was remembered in a little pause in sound before the explosions returned.


MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Zein

YES OR NO QUESTIONS

Did you vote for Biden? –NO
Do you drink orange juice in the morning? –NO
Do you crack your knuckles? –YES
Do you frequently drive over the speed limit? –YES
Have you eaten at The Kettle in the last month? –YES


MB WEEKLY – A DIFFERENT VIEW:

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


MB WEEKLY – RESTAURANT REVIEW:
by Darby Winston

Silverlake Ramen

My experience at Silverlake Ramen in Manhattan Village, Manhattan Beach, was utterly disappointing. The service was abysmal, reflecting a total lack of customer attention and care. The wait times were excessively long, transforming a simple meal into an endurance test. The understaffed restaurant seemed indifferent to the frustrations of the patrons, creating an atmosphere of neglect. The food quality was adequate. The flavors were fair, failing to justify the agonizing wait. The restaurant’s ambiance did not compensate for the shortcomings in the service, leaving me with an overwhelmingly negative impression. Regrettably, I cannot recommend Silverlake Ramen to those seeking a satisfying dining experience in Manhattan Beach; poor service and extended wait times overshadow any potential culinary merits.

• Food: B-  •  Service: F  •  Atmosphere: C-

www.SilverLakeRamen.com


Bertha Mae’s Brownies:

www.BerthaMaesBrownies.com


MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by John McKillop

Conventional wisdom suggests walking after a meal clears the mind and promotes digestion. Research has also shown that a 15-minute walk after a meal helps lower blood sugar and prevent Type 2 diabetes. However, a few minutes of walking can activate these benefits. A meta-analysis published in Sports Medicine examined seven studies that assessed the effects of sitting versus standing or walking on heart health, including insulin and blood sugar levels. Light walking for two to five minutes after a meal lowered blood sugar levels significantly.

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MB WEEKLY – MEET:

Meet Miranda. She has been working in Manhattan Beach since 2014. Feel free to send in your photo to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net


MB WEEKLY – READER COMMENT:

Congratulations on your remarkable achievement, MB Weekly! Your independent and non-partisan publication, dedicated to revealing the truth and fostering diverse discussions, is a beacon of integrity in today’s partisan media landscape. Your commitment to transparency and inclusivity is commendable and essential in promoting a well-informed community. Keep up the outstanding work, as your publication inspires all those who value honest journalism and open dialogue. Here’s to many more years of impactful reporting and meaningful conversations. Cheers to your continued success. —- Roland S., Manhattan Beach


MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Sara Garcia (El Segundo)

The case of Markham Bond casts a stark shadow on the consequences of misguided, naive compassion in our justice system. Granted compassionate release just a year ago after a 26-year sentence for armed robberies, Bond’s recent indictment for robbing a Brinks courier at gunpoint in Westchester exposes the dangers of prematurely releasing individuals with violent histories. Charged with multiple offenses, including using a firearm during a crime of violence, Bond’s reappearance in criminal activities underscores the failure of rehabilitation efforts and our justice system generally. The $145,000 he allegedly stole in a brazen attack outside a bank leaves our streets unsafe, challenging the very notion of “compassion” in criminal justice. The job of our justice system is to help keep the public safe, not play Santa Claus.

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MB WEEKLY – CARTOON:

Holiday Chaos in Manhattan Beach: “Between your holiday and my holiday, and your baby’s cold and my kid’s virus, I think we could safely plan to grab a quick coffee near the Pier next year.”


MB WEEKLY – READER QUESTION:

HOW HAS AN ACT OF KINDNESS – EITHER GIVEN OR RECEIVED – AFFECTED YOU?

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

Send Your reply To: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)


1. ** The Walt Disney Company commemorated its 100th anniversary with another box office flop as, “Wish,” whose production costs are estimated at $200 million, grossed only $19.5 million domestically over the weekend. Get woke, go broke. —- Oliva T., Manhattan Beach

2. ** Don’t go with back discomfort to Providence Little Company of Mary. Nobody will see you. I’ve seen only a triage nurse in 8 hours at the E.R. After two rounds of emptying the waiting area; I realized I shared horrible back pain with the other three older women. My painkillers took 3 hours to arrive. The hospital workers were the least compassionate I’ve ever seen. —- Hillary K., El Segundo

3. ** Hermosa Beach Pier to undergo renovations until March. The west end of the pier will be closed from Nov. 29 until sometime in March as workers replace a 150-square-foot deck panel. —- Editor’s Note

4. ** At 4:30 pm yesterday at the Manhattan Beach Target, a dirty man approached me with two loaves of bread and two hotdog packets, asking for money to feed his kids. He was reported working but not being paid until Friday. I offered to buy him dinner, but he demanded McDonald’s money. I told him three times that I would purchase the food he was holding but not the money. He grumbled but said, “Fine.” I’ll meet you in front. He never arrived after 15 minutes. I informed the front security guard. Avoid panhandlers this holiday season, and watch your purse. —- Ali M., Manhattan Beach

5. ** The amount of paper wasted on sending junk mail to people who have moved or don’t exist must be astronomical. —- Devin H., Manhattan Beach

6. ** You rarely see a depiction of toddler zombies. —- Carl J., Manhattan Beach

7. ** Mike Michalski for Mayor! —- Alex Z., Manhattan Beach

8. ** This is not the time to buy for most people. Mortgage rates are extra high, house prices are extra high, and there’s not much to choose from in the market. —- Edward K., Manhattan Beach

9. ** I am sorry Gallery 208 turned out to be such a flop. —- Candance O., Manhattan Beach

10. ** Let’s be honest. In their recent debate, Governor Ron DeSantis beat the stuffing out of slick political hack Governor Gavin Newsom. If Newsom were bald, he could get elected dog catcher. —- Avery S., Manhattan

11. ** The movies this year suck. —- Lindsay J., Manhattan Beach

12. ** The crappy Metlox escalators have finally been fixed and should be functional over the holiday season. As part of the $3M Capital Improvement Plan, the Council will consider replacing these constantly broken escalators next year. —- John A., Manhattan Beach

13. ** I can’t stand this politically correct crap where people “virtue signal” by calling the homeless “our unhoused neighbors.” Cut the crap! —- Evelyn M., Manhattan Beach

14. ** Years ago, an alcoholic told me that he began drinking at 18 & when he stopped at 30, he had the maturity of an 18 yr. old. He’d numbed the pain so stunted the growth. —- David W., Manhattan Beach

15. ** Please oppose Manhattan Beach’s unlawful stormwater tax hike from $19 to $129 annually. Measure W passed in 1996, will raise countywide $7.5 billion in parcel taxes for stormwater projects over 30 years. Manhattan Beach homeowners will pay nearly $30 million in parcel taxes. The City wants another expensive, unreasonable, and needless stormwater charge. —- Lawrence K., Manhattan Beach

16. ** Mr. and Mrs. Flint: I also had cancer and recovering. My wife has falling issues, and I am her caregiver. People do not realize those of us who have many problems we deal with physically and mentally. Daily. I meditate, pray a lot, and try to have a positive attitude. I saved for retirement. We are not wealthy by any means and worry about medical bills. —- Ed M., Manhattan Beach

17. ** If you eat at Urban Plates in Manhattan Beach at least twice a month, you’re crazy not to sign up for their plate pass. It saves me money every time I go! —- Emma S., Manhattan Beach

18. ** Let’s be honest. Diversity training eats away at productivity. —- Hal B., Manhattan Beach

19. ** A hard “no” to spending 30,000 for Juneteeth activities! That is far too expensive “virtue signaling” for me. —- Candance R., Manhattan Beach

20. ** It’s heartbreaking that Family Pet Clinic of Redondo Beach owner Dr. Kimberly Daffner died last week – cancer of the breast. Great vet. —- Gloria Z., Hermosa Beach

21. ** The stupidity on NextDoor makes Craigslist look like the New York Times! —- Omar G., Manhattan Beach

22. ** I followed the advice that a banana a day cleans your colon. Then I found out you’re supposed to eat them. —- Bill C., Manhattan Beach

23. ** Lil’ Vegerie in Redondo Beach has an excellent pedigree. It’s the creation of chef Jason Cervantes and his partner Scarlett Curtis, who have deep roots in South Bay restaurants, including Rock’ N Fish, Kincaid’s, The Strand House, and North Italia. —- Annie H., Hermosa Beach

24. ** A 15-year-old was discovered at Redondo Beach HS with a loaded gun and a high-capacity magazine, according to KTLA. He was arrested. I hope they charge his parents, too. —- Angela T., Hermosa Beach

25. ** Thank you to the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce for a great holiday party at the Manhattan Village. —- Oscar L., Manhattan Beach

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