MB WEEKLY – LENS:
South Bay Classical Open House February 7. Darin Beffa Board member (top left), Laurel Pabian a volunteer (top right) and School Headmaster David Jackson along with MB Mayor Pro Tem Joe Franklin (bottom).
MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Vinny Fazzino
(Bella Builders)
Q: COULD YOU EXPLAIN THE CONCEPT OF FIREWISEHOMES?
A: FirewiseHomes was born from a sense of professional responsibility following the devastating wildfires that impacted our Southern California communities. With 40 years of experience in the construction industry and a long-standing commitment to community service, I recognized that the need for resilient building practices has never been more urgent. Our core philosophy centers on environmental specificity; we design and engineer structures tailored to their unique surroundings. Whether building for coastal, mountain, or desert climates, our approach ensures that every home is purpose-built to withstand the specific challenges of its environment.
Q: WHAT IS THE COST RANGE FOR A PROJECT?
A: Investment levels vary significantly based on the scope of the project. Whether you are looking to meticulously reconstruct an existing design or embark on a completely new architectural concept, the costs will reflect those specific requirements. Because every environment and structure we build is unique, we recommend a preliminary consultation. This allows us to review your specific goals and provide a more accurate, tailored estimate for your project.
Q: HOW WAS THE CONCEPT DEVELOPED?
A: The concept was born out of a desire to help people streamline a rebuilding process that is often fraught with obstacles. It has been heartbreaking to watch homeowners face a secondary wave of challenges – navigating complex bureaucracy – long after the fires have been extinguished. With many properties still sitting dormant a year later, some owners have understandably begun to lose hope. FirewiseHomes was created to restore that hope by providing a clear, efficient path forward, ensuring that homeowners aren’t just rebuilding a structure, but reclaiming their future.
Q: WHERE CAN READERS GET MORE INFORMATION?
A: Would you like to start a consultation for a quick-turnaround floor plan to jumpstart your building process? Go to Firewisehomes.com and make a request or call the owner, Vinny, directly 310 809-4999.
www.BeautifulBuilder.com
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Prominent South Bay realtor Brett Zebrowski having lunch at JOEY in Manhattan Village.
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MB WEEKLY EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS:
South Bay Classical Academy
Click Link To Watch:
https://youtu.be/EXbbXcBl6X4
Village Runner
Click Link To Watch:
https://youtu.be/HAUxGD42ASk
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Cinder Lesser, Russ and Charlotte Lesser’s new puppy.
Timepiece With A Zip Code – 1916 Brings Luxury To Manhattan Beach:
Luxury is getting a timely new address in Manhattan Beach. The 1916 Company will open a new watch and jewelry showroom next week at the elite Manhattan Village Shopping Center, adding another jewel to the South Bay retail scene. The opening marks the company’s 25th location nationwide, underscoring its rapid expansion and growing influence in the world of luxury timepieces. For Manhattan Beach, it’s another sign that luxury retail time has arrived.
MB WEEKLY – HISTORY:
Manhattan Beach, late 1950s.
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1. ** WOW! Van The Man! – Van Morrison – Into The Mystic – 04/02/2026 – Belfast, Northern Ireland https://youtu.be/g62tIDuj6IU?si=goSsc9Kg4uVowcTd —- Helen Y., El Segundo
2. ** One recent study found nurses made 49% worse decisions by shift’s end – not from physical exhaustion, but decision overload. Now ask yourself: what does that imply about police officers in the 11th hour of a 12-hour shift, making split-second, life-or-death calls under pressure? —- Dr. Mitchell B.
3. ** If you’re a gentleman and you’re going through a tough time in life, remember one thing – your life could always be worse: you could be married to one of the women on The View! —- Roger A., Manhattan Beach
4. ** UCLA fired its DEI director after he posted, just days after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, “Glad when bigots die.” Let that sink in. If this is the moral compass of higher education, it offers a modest but chilling glimpse of how deeply unwell our universities have become in plain sight today. —- Ami T., Manhattan Beach
5. ** Reading MB Weekly is an excellent way to stay informed about Manhattan Beach events and news! —- Wayne Powell, Former Mayor of Manhattan Beach
6. ** My father was a cop on the beat in London in the 50s and 60s – he walked between 15-20 miles a day – lived to 92, and his legs were fine! Walking downtown hurts legs? Utter bollocks…!!! —- Ken A.
7. ** Charming bedroom in Manhattan Beach apartment available for rent! $1550 walking distance to Target, Trader Joe’s, Ralph’s, and Polliwog Park DM for details or text Cat —- 714-552-3643.
8. ** We need to raise the e-bike age minimum to 15 – now. I nearly got flattened by five middle school boys blasting past as I stepped off Beach Cities Transit in front of the old Fry’s. This is reckless, predictable, and dangerous. Someone will get hurt if we keep pretending it’s fine. —- Gabe J.
9. ** Ed Kaminsky is the best realtor in the South Bay! —- Rhonda Wadell, Hermosa Beach
10. ** I hate the color purple. —- Jess O.
11. ** In my late 20s, I chased a Jack Johnson concert at The Gorge, five months in the planning. A breakup, a breakdown, a 4.5-hour drive – and tickets that weren’t tickets. Sold out. We landed in a tiny tavern instead. I met my husband that night. Best mistake I ever made, by pure chance. —- Jessica T.
12. ** Symbols matter. And right now, the forever-broken escalators at Metlox are a giant middle finger to standards in Manhattan Beach. City leaders should be embarrassed. If you can’t fix something this visible, this basic, this symbolic – what else are you ignoring? Disgraceful symbol to the City. —- W.A., Manhattan Beach
13. ** Disgraceful and likely illegal. El Segundo has lost control, allowing high school protesters – teachers present – to block traffic at Main and Imperial. Kids with signs are swarming the roadway, obstructing access to Main Street. This isn’t civics; it’s chaos – public safety matters. Avoid the area. Now. Enforce the law. Do your jobs, Officials. —- Julie S. (an embarrassed El Segundo parent)
14. ** I read the news today, oh boy – A Day In The Life with orchestra – The Beatles (arr. Sam Haug) – https://youtu.be/0edji28K8mk?si=K_bU9eqTj0NGElqR —- Jake T., Hermosa Beach
15. ** I suspect the recent embrace of so-called “gender-affirming care” for minors will be remembered as a deeply disturbing episode of mass delusion. Allowing children to undergo irreversible medical interventions was reckless. Even more damning is that powerful institutions promoted it aggressively and attacked anyone who raised legitimate concerns. A serious reckoning is overdue. —- Dr. Wendi G., El Segundo
16. ** Have you noticed homes sitting on the market longer lately, or is it just me? I’ve been to a lot of open houses, and buyers seem far more cautious. My husband’s a local agent, and helping him has given me a new perspective on the market. Curious what others are seeing – especially recent buyers or sellers. —- Ava C., Manhattan Beach
17. ** I don’t think Olympic athletes should express their political views… it takes the joy out of the Games, and I lose interest in watching. Further, the LA Times is now taking the position that the Dodgers and players shouldn’t go to the White House. I think it’s cool when a Championship Team visits the White House and our President … regardless of who is serving as President. It’s no wonder more and more subscribers are cancelling their LA Times subscriptions. —- Mark Burton, former Mayor of Manhattan Beach
18. ** MB Weekly Exclusive Video: Slay Steak + Fish House in Downtown Manhattan Beach – https://youtu.be/9ExCRl0Sorg?si=o2WNcF_I_cvDwULk —- Editor’s Note
19. ** Good interview last week with the new fire chief. Smart, grounded, and refreshingly normal. A cool guy with the calm confidence you want in the job. Encouraging to hear his priorities and sense of leadership. Looking forward to seeing how he serves the community and sets the tone moving forward. —- C.T., Manhattan Beach
20. ** I agree with former Mayor Mark Burton. I never, ever see any police in downtown. How can that be a good thing? —- J.W., Manhattan Beach
21. ** It sure seems to me that “overtime” in Manhattan Beach has become a great money-grab racket. —- P.Z., Manhattan Beach
22. ** Calling all creative MB kids (K–12)! The 46th Annual Neptunian Woman’s Club Student Art Contest is open through March 6: drawings, paintings, cartoons, and photography (new for 4th & 5th graders!). No theme. Cash prizes. Two easy steps to enter. Questions? Contact Heather de Roos at heather.deroos@yahoo.com. Feel free to share!
23. ** MB Weekly is a great read! —- Misty Frasier, Manhattan Beach
24. ** Hmm? Why would a former elected official request that their name be withheld? I think the answer to that question is in their Commentary. My observation is that dissent will most certainly be punished. —- Mark Burton, Former Mayor of Manhattan Beach
25. ** My name is Ashley, 35, a lifelong Manhattan Beach resident and Mira Costa graduate. I worked for 5 years at MBUSD’s Pennekamp Elementary. I offer babysitting, school/sports pickups, house, and pet sitting. CPR/AED certified. $20/hr, $30/hr for 3+ kids. References available. Message me: Ashley.mentges@gmail.com
26. ** When my Hispanic family immigrated to the South Bay 59 years ago, we did it the right way – legally, patiently, and in accordance with the law. Today, that distinction feels erased. I support ICE not out of spite, but because I support equal enforcement, fairness, and the rule of law for everyone involved. —- Lizette, Redondo Beach
27. ** Frontier Internet just jacked my bill up $15 this month – and then has the nerve to charge $4.50 for a printed bill. A printed bill! As if I’d trust them to dip their hand into my bank account. Nickel-and-diming customers is not a business model. It’s a scam. —- Sarah DeAnna
28. ** Long, long gone are the days when a government job meant ironclad security and a gold-plated pension in exchange for modest pay. Today, it’s let the good times roll! —- E.O., Manhattan Beach
29. ** Ripoff. A small iced tea at Le Pain Quotidien in Metlox – $5.25! For tea? That’s not inflation, that’s audacity. At some point, customers have to say enough. Five bucks for leaves and water? Screw that. Support places that respect your wallet. This is how brands lose goodwill – one overpriced cup at a time. —- Haley T.
30. ** Benita Bike’s DanceArt, the Los Angeles-based chamber modern dance company, brings a unique afternoon of dance to the Manhattan Beach Library on Saturday, February 28, at 2:00 PM. FREE admission, limited seating. Register: https://visit.lacountylibrary.org/event/15385159 – 1320 Highland Ave. Sponsored by Manhattan Beach Friends of the Library. —- Editor’s Note
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