MANHATTAN BEACH FOOD & WINE TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE:
Tickets are now on sale for the 3rd Annual Manhattan Beach Food & Wine event to be held on Friday and Saturday, September 25 and 26. Manhattan Beach Food & Wine is a two-night strolling culinary extravaganza with two “Grand Tasting Celebrations.” Each evening brings together the industry’s top tastemakers and culinary and beverage connoisseurs to celebrate an all-star lineup of top chefs and restaurants, along with wineries, premier spirits, craft breweries, non-alcoholic beverages, live entertainment, and more.
www.ManhattanBeachFoodAndWine.com/Tickets
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
A happy team member at The Butchery.
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
The new Manhattan Village Farmers Market.
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Manhattan Beach private chef Tracy Evans of Set The Table.
Taxes Since 2019 by Paul Wafer:
Since 2019, Manhattan Beach has approved tax, storm-drain, parking and regulatory fee increases that are now generating or expected to generate at least $10.8 million to $12.1 million in additional annual revenue. That amount excludes substantial increases in water, sewer, refuse, development-impact and numerous city user fees, meaning the full increase imposed on residents, businesses and visitors is higher.
The largest components are:
- Measure MMB sales tax: $5.3 million to $6.6 million
- Hotel-tax increases: approximately $2 million
- Storm-drain fee: approximately $1.75 million net
- Quantifiable parking increases: approximately $1.7 million
- Business regulatory fee: approximately $98,000
This is a significant amount of new revenue for a city of approximately 35,000 residents. Much of it has been approved in just the past two years. The City’s own financial information explains that these new revenues were intended to help address inflation, increased operating costs, infrastructure needs, and enhanced services. However, despite these revenue increases, the City still projects substantial use of reserves and budget deficits after transfers, leading many residents to question whether the underlying issue is insufficient revenue or continued expenditure growth.
Agree? Disagree? Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
A Behind-The-Scenes Examination Of Some Of Our Popular Locations In Manhattan Beach
Behind the scenes of Esperanza Cocina de la Playa.
Behind the scenes of Lido Di Manhattan.
Behind the scenes of Tin Roof Bistro
MB WEEKLY – REAL ESTATE:
** ED KAMINSKY (Kaminsky Group): Manhattan Beach has a unique mix of homeowners. Some are very private and don’t want the public to know their home is for sale. Others are families who’ve owned their homes for generations and, for privacy or personal reasons, don’t want a public offering either. Many of these homes sell before ever hitting the open market. Because the area’s leading agents are so well connected, these sales happen quietly, without ever going public. Many are also homes sold for redevelopment – going directly to builders and developers, and in some cases straight to families who want to build their own. The fact remains: no matter what the global headlines are preaching, inventory in Manhattan Beach is very limited. There’s a line of buyers looking for very specific homes, and there’s inside knowledge of where those buyers and sellers are. Staying connected with the community’s leading agents often gives you a direct line to those homes. Also a special note, that many of these sales not only sell at full market value, sometimes higher than expected as many buyers want to lock a home up before it gets away. In all cases, home owners should discuss the pros and cons of off market sales as no two are the same.
** BRETT ZEBROWSKI (Zebrowski Group): For South Bay homebuyers, the biggest challenge may not be finding the right home, it may be finding out that it is for sale at all. In Manhattan Beach, a growing number of properties are changing hands privately, before ever reaching the public market. This trend reinforces something experienced South Bay agents have known for years: not every opportunity appears on the MLS. In Manhattan Beach, privacy, timing, and relationships often matter just as much as price. Some homeowners prefer to test the market quietly, avoid public exposure, or sell directly to a qualified buyer without a traditional launch. For buyers, this means it is more important than ever to work with a well-connected local agent who is actively communicating with homeowners, other agents, and the community. Relying only on public websites may mean missing a meaningful portion of the available inventory.
MB WEEKLY – VIDEO:
Walking in Downtown Manhattan Beach.
Click Link To Watch:
https://youtu.be/BMto7X5Tors
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Brewco Social:
Tokyo Nights |Fridays & Saturdays 9PM-Midnight
Enjoy curated bites and specialty sips as you savor
one final moment of your summer evening in Manhattan Beach.
124 Manhattan Beach Blvd. | (310) 798-2744 | www.BrewcoSocial.com
MB WEEKLY – HISTORY:
A Manhattan Beach police car in the early 1960s.
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1. ** After 25 years of decay, Hawthorne Plaza is finally coming down. A court order requires owner Arman Gabaee to begin demolition by Friday, August 14, ending a decades-long nightmare for residents and city officials. —- Editor’s Note
2. ** Authenticity wins. Always. —- www.AuthenticPRBook.com
3. ** James H., thank you for your comment about my initial support for George Gascon. He was, in fact, a former client of mine when he served as Assistant Chief for the LAPD. Back then, he was a “law and order” guy. A former LAPD Lieutenant called me saying the Gascon we knew at LAPD was not the Gascon who was running for DA. Of course, I immediately changed my support for incumbent Jackie Lacey. I vigorously opposed him as DA and his refusal to allow MB to prosecute our own crimes. —- Mark Burton (Former MB Mayor)
4. ** A South Bay treasure has turned the page. The Redondo Beach Historic Library is officially reborn after a yearlong renovation, reopening as a private event venue and community center with a café and modern amenities. City officials, residents and operator Meg Walker celebrated the landmark’s new chapter with a ribbon-cutting. —- Editor’s Note
5. ** California’s minimum wage jumps to $17.40 next year – because Sacramento politicians apparently believe businesses print money. Don’t act shocked when restaurants close, jobs disappear, hours shrink, and your McDonald’s hamburger costs $14. Newsom gets the applause; consumers and small-business owners get stuck paying the bill. Welcome to California economics. —- Oscar DeLeon, Torrance
6. ** I took my car to the newly rebuilt express car wash at the Chevron station at Aviation and Marine, hoping the renovation meant a better experience. Unfortunately, I left thoroughly unimpressed. New equipment, same disappointing result. Let’s say my car and I agree on one thing: We won’t be returning. —- S.H., Manhattan Beach
7. ** American parents are exhausted because we’ve turned childhood into a chauffeured luxury resort. They adore the Montessori approach but reject the radical idea that Junior can fold laundry. Children want meaningful work. Hand them a broom. Congratulations: you’re raising a capable human, not royalty. —- Sara Howard
8. ** I just heard a radio commercial featuring Jay Leno’s voice; he sounds like he’s had a stroke! —- Avery L., Hermosa Beach
9. ** I love the new Great White Café, Manhattan Beach. —- Shelly S., Manhattan Beach
10. ** David is a good server at Saint & Second in Manhattan Beach. Thank you, David! —- Andrea P.
11. ** Wow! Paul Wafer’s video was powerfully impactful. Our wild spending friends must be having heart attacks. —- Name Withheld by Request, Manhattan Beach
12. ** If I read one more poorly worded word salad commentary by far-left justice warrior Stewart Fournier, I think my head is likely to explode. —- D.M., Manhattan Beach
13. ** Thank God Manhattan Beach has Paul Wafer. He must be the City Manager’s worst nightmare! —- S.H., Manhattan Beach
14. ** Your MB Weekly reader polls are consistently thought-provoking. Keep up the good work. —- Adam C.
15. ** David Lesser will be missed in Manhattan Beach. He is a real gentleman —- Name Withheld by Request
16. ** The homeless rip-off continues! While taxpayers are told every dollar is desperately needed, a Southern California shelter nonprofit paid its Hawaii-based CEO more than $1.6 million over two years. In 2024 alone, she collected $742,181 – several times as much as comparable executives. Compassion has become a cash machine. —- Ben P., Redondo Beach
17. ** Let’s be honest, Michael Jenkins is a militant MB United soldier for Amy Howorth. —- S.N., Manhattan Beach
18. ** I want to thank Russ Lesser for taking the time to validate the points I raised in my objective observation regarding the distinction between general law and charter cities. He is correct about events going back 40 years, when the city’s largest contracted service – garbage collection – was established after the city eliminated its own employees who provided that service. —- Stewart Fournier, Manhattan Beach
19. ** My ex-wife had a lot in common with Hitler – only no mustache. —- D.V., Manhattan Beach
20. ** How come no one from the city of Manhattan Beach (population 35,000) can explain to me why we have a city manager receiving a higher salary than the vice president of the United States? I am waiting for an explanation. —- S.H., Manhattan Beach
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