Monthly Archives: November 2022

MB Weekly 11/10/2022

MB WEEKLY READER POLL:

55% HAVE SLEEPING PROBLEMS

According to a recent MB Weekly reader poll, an alarming 55% of MB Weekly readers confess to “sleeping problems” above mild. According to prominent sleep doctors in the South Bay, common causes of chronic insomnia include stress. Concerns about work, school, health, finances, or family can keep your mind active at night, making it difficult to sleep. Stressful life events or trauma – such as the death or illness of a loved one, divorce, or a job loss – also may lead to insomnia.

MB Weekly Reader Question: What are your sleep problems and solutions? Send your reply (Maximum 100 words) to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net


Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair Gets New Leadership For 2023:

The Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair Association has a new crop of leaders the organization announced this week. The association’s Board of Directors voted this week for the 2023 executive panel – though one seat is open for which new community members can apply to join. The Hometown Fair happens annually during the first weekend of October. The new board includes: President Dana Old, Vice President Renee Hall Jansen, Treasurer Jeanna Harkenrider, Secretary Karen Tokashiki, Member at Large Mark Finley.


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Pages a bookstore was at Mira Costa High School participating in TEDxManhattanBeach recently.


MB Weekly Readers Vote The Kettle As The Best Thanksgiving Meal Value:

By an overwhelming majority of 73%, MB Weekly readers voted The Kettle as the best Thanksgiving meal value in Manhattan Beach. The Kettle has been serving a special priced Thanksgiving dinner without reservations for over three decades. “I dream about the Thanksgiving dinner at The Kettle all year round,” said Gretta T., a long-time Manhattan Beach resident. “It is heaven and the best value ever!”

MB Weekly Reader Question: Have you eaten a Thanksgiving dinner at the Kettle? Send your comments (maximum 100 words) to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net


EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH
REDONDO BEACH MAYOR
BILL BRAND:

Q: What has been the biggest surprise to you since becoming mayor of Redondo Beach?
A: How much work it is. Redondo Beach has many opportunities across town, especially on our waterfront and ridding our community of the 70 year-old power plant and replacing it with a beautiful park, not yet another large development plan. Unlike every other community on the coast California, Santa Monica Bay has no waterfront park of any significance and we are, by far, the most densely populated area on the coast. This is an historic site, State Landmark No. 373, and it’s important we hold firm to the park zoning it has and seize this opportunity to serve the South Bay, the County of Los Angeles and the entire State. The last thing we need is yet another large development plan here. Also, leading the Council meetings requires constant attention to what everyone is saying; be it staff presentations, Council comments and questions, comments from the public, City Attorney, etc. Sometimes issues are very contentious and calming everyone down and restoring order is a special skill only learned from experience. Having said all that, I love it!

Q: How much coordination does Redondo Beach do with other South Bay communities like Manhattan Beach?
A: Not enough, frankly. We do some collaboration when it calls for it, but generally, each City has so many of their own issues it rarely calls for speaking with our neighboring city.

Q: What is the most challenging part of your job as Mayor?
A: I don’t feel there is any part of being Mayor that is most challenging. But it does depend where a Mayor chooses to focus. For me, I have written a state-wide initiative to protect local control of land use and zoning. The Sacramento Legislature has spent the last 6 years stripping local control of zoning and land-use, and this initiative would amend the State Constitution to place land use decisions back at the local level – where they belong. This amendment requires a statewide vote to put land-use decisions under the control of local government. Hopefully, we will raise the funds required to qualify for the 2024 ballot. This would be huge game changer! If approved by the voters, projects like the High Rose project in Manhattan Beach would be controlled by your City Council, not the recent laws passed in Sacramento that have stripped local control. Go to: www.ourneighborhoodvoices.com for more info.

Q: What is your favorite movie of all time?
A: Shawshank Redemption.

Q: If it were your personal decision, would you remove controversial District Attorney George Gascon?
A: I’m no fan of his lackadaisical approach to fighting crime, but he was elected and I will let the voters decide whether to replace him, or not, at the next election. I’m not a fan of recalls of removing elected officials because of ongoing policy disagreements. Recalls are for more egregious behavior.

https://www.redondo.org/depts/council/mayor.asp


CONNECT WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS – READ MB WEEKLY:

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MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Merrill Shindler

Slay Hermosa (also known as Slay Beach Grill), in the space that was home for many years to El Gringo – an oddly shaped eatery at a curious intersection, that seems to be neither here nor there. (For the record, he also created Slay Estate and Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills; his Slayer label is all over the wine list.) Turning the terminally funky El Gringo into the casually stylish Slay Hermosa probably took more than a few bottles of his chardonnay and pinot noir. To those of us who inhaled tacos and burritos in the space over the years, it seems a madcap impossibility. And yet … here it is. There’s a downstairs dining room, a sort of adjacent outdoor patio around the corner – and up a seriously steep flight of stairs, a fantastic rooftop space, with a fine view of the Pacific a block away. (How the servers manage to get food from the downstairs kitchen is a wonder. They must have the legs of triathletes!)


MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Nancy Miller

Jimmy Miller Foundation

“YES OR NO” INTERVIEW

Do you like spicy food?
–NO
Have you ever been bungee jumping?
–NO
Are you an optimist?
–YES
Did your parents get divorced?
–NO
Do you think that people are basically good?
–YES
Do you have any phobias?
–YES
Do you think that karma is a real thing?
–YES
Do you have any close friends of the opposite gender?
–YES
Do you believe in soulmates?
–YES

www.jimmymillerfoundation.org


SLAY Steak + Fish House:

“Fall” Calls for Cioppino … White Fish, Clams, Shrimp, Tomatoes, Wine Broth, Grilled Crostini.

www.slaysteakandfishhouse.com


MB WEEKLY:
Reader Questions To
MB Mayor Steve Napolitano

Q: Dear Mayor: How can you possibly justify endorsing candidates for City Counsel in a radically partisan manner? Has this ever been done by a previous Mayor before? —- Holly C., Manhattan Beach
A: Ha, let’s start with the radically false premise of the question – starting with the fact that I didn’t endorse candidates in a radically partisan manner, let alone a partisan manner at all. I endorsed Amy Howorth and David Lesser because I know they’re the best people for the job, period. Others can and do disagree with that, I get it, but they’re my choices based on their experience and their very nonpartisan approach to the position and their ability to work together to solve real problems. I don’t agree with them on everything, just like they don’t agree with me on everything, but they’re never disagreeable about it and they always put community above themselves. Partisianship, labels and right or left had absolutely nothing to do with it. It’s certainly anybody’s right to disagree, but not to twist it around into the exact opposite of what it was – an endorsement of my choice for my candidates who I feel will serve Manhattan Beach best. Have there been Mayors in the past who have endorsed based on partisanship? Absolutely, and it was their right to do that too. Everyone has a vote and a voice and can exercise them as they see fit, and others are entitled to disagree but they’re not entitled to silence that vote or voice just because they don’t agree.

Send Your Questions To
The Mayor Of Manhattan Beach

The Mayor of Manhattan Beach, Steve Napolitano, has generously agreed to write an “Ask the Mayor” monthly column exclusively for MB Weekly. Please send your questions to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Abby Waddell Real Estate Specialist.


MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Jen Caskey

Of Jen Caskey Group

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED AND WORKED IN MANHATTAN BEACH?
–I’ve lived here my whole life (don’t ask), minus my four years at USC. After college, I moved back to begin my real estate career and have been here ever since – over 30 years.

WHAT IS MANHATTAN BEACH’S “SECRET SAUCE”?
–Manhattan Beach is truly unlike any other town in California: we have an incredible 2-mile coastline bordered by the Strand; beautiful neighborhoods; a fantastic public school system; award-winning restaurants; upscale shopping; and an engaging community with so many beloved traditions, from the Hometown Fair to the Six-Man Volleyball tournament. A combination you just can’t find anywhere else!

WHAT IS YOUR MOST SIGNIFICANT CONCERN ABOUT MANHATTAN BEACH IN THE NEXT 5 TO 10 YEARS?
–That it maintains its small-town feel and unique characteristics despite its growth. I think that it will as long as residents continue to engage in the community and ensure the continuation of our many wonderful traditions.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME?
–I love movies and don’t have a particular favorite, but anything funny is on the top of my list…

WHAT BOOK MOST IMPACTED YOU IN YOUR LIFE?
–Honestly it’s hard to pick the one book that’s impacted me most, but the Diary of Anne Frank and Little Women are both up there. Not just because they are about girls, but because they’re about resilience and the strength of the human spirit.

www.jencaskeygroup.com


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

MB Police Chief Johnson swore in our newest officer, Officer Kim who comes to us from a nearby South Bay agency with over 15 years of law enforcement experience.


Tapizôn Bar & Kitchen:

BEIJO – means Kiss in English. Come get a Beijo from us and try this delicious refreshing drink.

www.tapizon.com


MB WEEKLY – READER COMMENT:

“I am new to Manhattan Beach, and MB Weekly has been a gift to me on my new journey.” —- Ali W., Manhattan Beach


MB WEEKLY – CARTOON:

“Sorry if there’s sand back there. I went to Manhattan Beach once ten years ago.”


MB WEEKLY – READER QUESTION:

IS MANHATTAN BEACH AS SAFE AS IT WAS A YEAR AGO?

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

Send your reply to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net


MB – BULLETIN BOARD:


1. ** We used to go to the Manhattan Beach Historical Society museum and attend their meetings, but now their new management isn’t doing anything. —- Sherry A., Manhattan Beach

2. ** Shame on Mayor Steve Napolitano and Mayor Pro Tem Richard Montgomery for running a full-page ad in the Beach Reporter on 10/27/22 endorsing Amy Howorth and David Lesser. As Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem. Calling Amy Howorth and David Lesser moderates is comical. They are supposed to represent all the people of Manhattan Beach and have no business sticking their noses in a partisan election. Call Howorth and Lesser moderates is comical. They are as “woke” as they come. —- Arthur P., Manhattan Beach

3. ** What act(s) of kindness did you experience this week? Tell us at MBWeekly@TimeWire.net

4. ** Biden’s Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is a stone-cold idiot. I wouldn’t hire her to cashier at Denny’s. Not smart enough. —- Lance G., Manhattan Beach

5. ** Sports icons like Colin Kaepernick and Megan Rapinoe refuse to stand for the national anthem and are rewarded with multi-million dollar endorsements and prestigious awards. Why? —- Dani M., Manhattan Beach

6. ** Why are elite co-eds turning to TikTok and Snapchat to connect with lonely men who pay for their attention? ‘Less work, more money. Passive income stream.’ —- Horrace C., Manhattan Beach

7. ** It is a dark time in America as regular folks are getting badly hurt. Charles Dickens, an expert on departed apparitions, would be the guy to portray it literature. This coming Christmas, late at night, Joe Biden and Karine Jean-Pierre should have one image ‘Top of Mind:’ the ghost of prosperity past. —- William R., Manhattan Beach

8. ** The Kettle has long seemed to be well cared for – a place where the owners, and the customers, feel a lot of pride in this South Bay treasure. Oh, yeah, the servers are actually nice and smile. —- Arlene H., Manhattan Beach

9. ** Joe Biden’s cognitive deficits are increasingly apparent, even to the most amateur observer. Whether he has dementia at this point is immaterial. Half the world thinks he does and that weakens the United States and imperils us all. —- Dr. Lawrence C., Manhattan Beach

10. ** Let’s Keep Manhattan Beach, Manhattan Beach! —- Mark Burton, Manhattan Beach

11. ** I am sick and tired of watching public leaders in Manhattan Beach refuse to control the growing coyote problem. Talk, talk, talk. No action. —- Lesley W., Manhattan Beach

12. ** In town, I often come across Realtors who don’t carry business cards. What kind of morons are these people? —- Evelyn P., Manhattan Beach

13. ** The Corner Bakery in M.B. will have to get its sh*t cleaned up and together because it won’t survive the renovation in the surrounding area to stand on par with the quality of the shops and restaurants popping up. First of all, the place is filthy. Walking in a line of tables cluttered with dishes and even when I got a cleared table. —- Alejandra T.

14. ** My son’s E-bike was stolen in Él Segundo at the Vitamin Shoppe parking, it’s black and said Strand and had broken the back seat, he needs it to go to school every day. I’m a single mother, it’s upsetting what happened. —- Jenny Gomez, Hermosa Beach

15. ** HELP WANTED: Award-winning Personal Chef business seeking a professional Chef with a minimum of 2 years of formal culinary experience. We are looking for a temporary part-time Chef that could grow into a permanent full-time position with growth opportunities into a leadership role. Pay will be dependent upon meal prep experience, speed, and availability. The range will be $20-30/hr. E-mail: Tracy@SetTheTableLA.com

16. ** Are they letting young men in the ladies’ lockers at Mira Costa? I that possibly true? —- Miranda B., Manhattan Beach

17. ** I got a flu shot at the Exer Urgent Care in Manhattan Beach. It was simple and fast, and insurance paid for it all. Highly recommended. —- Gil C., Manhattan Beach

18. ** My kids are grown and drive cars, so I don’t have THAT worry, but I am very concerned about the kids on the e-bikes in town. I see it happen too often when they don’t pay attention, and there are so many near misses. What is it going to take? Is one of your kids getting injured or, worse, KILLED?? The sad part is when an accident happens, the blame will be on the driver of the car or truck, not the kid who refuses to look or stop at the signals and stop signs. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE talk to your kids. It breaks my heart when they get hurt! —- Paula W., Manhattan Beach

19. ** October, November, December feels like Friday, Saturday, Sunday of the year. —- Henry C., Manhattan Beach

20. ** It’s not til you work a retail job that you realize 85% of people are dumb as rocks. —- Deborah H., Manhattan Beach

Comment / Hire / Share / Promote / Barter / Discuss
The MB Weekly Free Bulletin Board is your place to communicate for free with thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach. Send your message (maximum 50 words) to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net


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MB Weekly 11/03/2022

MB WEEKLY READER POLL:

ONLY 19% OF READERS FEEL DRIVING HIGH IS AS DANGEROUS AS DRIVING DRUNK; “DEAD WRONG” SAY EXPERTS

Despite strong and growing evidence to the contrary, only 19% of MB weekly readers felt that driving high under the influence of marijuana was as dangerous as driving drunk. According to the latest data, marijuana muddled the perception of what’s safe and what’s not.

Agree or disagree. Send your opinion (100-word maximum) to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net


EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH
CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE
SUZANNE HADLEY:

Q: From your perspective, what is the most pressing problem facing Manhattan Beach currently?
A: The most pressing problem facing Manhattan Beach is the 3-year rise in crime. Public safety is MY Job #1. The armed robbery at Pasha was our wake up call. I have never wavered in my support and full funding of our PD. During the civil unrest in the summer of 2020, I stood with our officers. Chief Abell worked a miracle in preventing our downtown from being burned and looted like Santa Monica. I defended our MBPD when there were calls from current council candidates to “reimagine” policing, form a “civilian oversight” commission to look over the shoulders of MBPD, and to begin collecting “race-based” arrest statistics. These policies would erode officer morale and impede their ability to catch bad guys. I’m proud to have defeated the 2020 woke attacks on our police force. In my first term on council, we added foot patrols during Covid, and we added bike patrols this year in our downtown. We are nearly fully staffed after Covid retirements. I’ll continue to hire additional officers to plan ahead for future retirements. I’m a 15-year block captain for Neighborhood Watch, and a 2020 graduate of the MBPD Community Police Academy. I believe in strong public safety. I will never give up fighting crime, funding our MBPD, and proactively looking for bad guys. In a second term, I’ll continue to keep MB safe.

Q: Again from your perspective, how much impact, positive or negative, has District Attorney George Gascon had on the crime situation in Manhattan Beach?
A: Gascon’s soft-on-crime polices are a serious threat to our public safety and quality of life. MB residents are less safe with more bad guys let out of jail, felonies being reclassified to misdemeanors, and misdemeanors not even qualifying for a slap on the wrist. Gascon has gotta go. I worked hard to recall George Gascon on and off the dais; and I will work again to defeat him in 2024 if he chooses to run for re-election. Three council candidates this election strongly endorsed George Gascon and his horrific crime “directives”; some candidates even posed with him in pictures for social media. Their public support helped Gascon win, which has made us less safe. I’m pleased to report that the Gascon recall effort may still be alive. Recall proponents have launched a significant legal challenge. This involves how the County disqualified valid signatures and possibly inflated voter rolls. We may yet have the chance to recall Gascon. MB will be safer with a new district attorney – a DA who prosecutes all crimes in the California penal code.

Q: What has most surprised you about being on the City Council and having been the mayor of Manhattan Beach?
A: What surprises me the most is that my cell phone has been on the city website my entire first term. And yet I still receive very few phone calls – and no harassing calls. Everyone in MB is polite and respectful. To serve the residents on city council has been the privilege of a lifetime. I hope I earn a second term on November 8. There is more work to do to keep our city safe, save taxpayer money, protect our small businesses, fight back against Sacramento encroachments on local control, and keep MB beautiful, green, and clean.

Q: What is your favorite movie of all time?
A: My favorite movie is “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I watch it annually with my family. It shows that doing small things well adds up to, well, “a wonderful life.” It also illustrates the power of a second chance. George Bailey doesn’t have a perfect life. And yet he ultimately finds deep meaning in the blessings of what he does have: a loving wife, healthy children, co-workers, friends, and neighbors who care about him. George forgets for a time why he’s been put on Earth. His experiences with Clarence reveal the impact George has made in the world in countless small ways. These daily little things add up to a life of huge value and purpose. Everyone is a George Bailey. Every life has purpose. Mother Teresa said it well: “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” George Bailey did small things with great love that changed the world for the better.

Q: Given the current increase in crime, are you in favor of increasing the size of the Manhattan Beach Police Department?
A: Our new MBPD Chief Rachel Johnson says she’s satisfied with a fully-staffed MBPD of 65 sworn officers with perhaps 2 over-hires. If or when that changes, I will lean on the expertise of Chief Johnson to know when to expand our force. In the meantime, we augment our sworn police force (those with guns and badges) with paid contract workers. These force multipliers don’t earn expensive overtime or city pensions. These workers include CSC (yellow jackets) for our large events, parking control, summertime extra eyes and ears, and actively discouraging loiterers in city parking lots after restaurants close (11 p.m. to 2 a.m.). I brought to council a discussion of hiring armed downtown security like Beverly Hills. Perhaps armed contract workers can also supply additional eyes, ears, and enforcement to our DT without adding sworn officers to the city payroll.

Q: What are you most proud of achieving in the last year on behalf of the city?
A: I’m proud of many things in my first term: Hired a new police chief to keep us safe. Passed a Vote of No Confidence in George Gascon and an endorsement of his recall by council majorities. Inked a new contract with our fire union that keeps our MBFD local, grows the number of firefighter/paramedics, and reduces expensive overtime that burns out our firefighters. Protected our small businesses during Covid; I’m told we lost zero businesses due to the pandemic, thanks to the support of our community, the addition of outdoor dining, and pushing the County to reopen our retailers and restaurants faster than many thought possible. Voted against a new city budget last summer that added 11 new city positions and 11 expensive new pensions.

www.hadley4mb2022.com


TEDx Manhattan Beach Features Acrobats, Jugglers, Teen Mountain Climber:

TEDx Manhattan Beach returns this weekend. The 12th annual TEDx Manhattan Beach JUMPSTART event will give attendees the chance to learn from speakers and performers in a variety of industries from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, November 5, at Mira Costa High School. Attendees will hear from: Josh Brost, a 3D rocket printer. Ultra-endurance athlete Rob DeCou. Grettel Fournell, who tries to instill the joy of dancing in people. Environmental educator Tashande Giles-Jones. Comedian Debi Gutierrez. Raci Levine, a mountain climber and junior at Mira Costa High. Rich Keller, a brand distiller. Dante Simonelli, an associate professor at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering. Lyn Stoler, a climate researcher and optimist. Bernhard Zunkeler, an artist and co-founder of artlab21 at the El Segundo Museum of Art. Passing Zone, a comedic juggling duo; and acrobats from Positive Impact Movements. TEDx allows communities to host independently organized events via the Technology, Entertainment and Design nonprofit that organizes larger conferences about nearly endless topics. A dozen speakers and performers will share how they created their “fast breaks and breakthroughs” in their respective fields.


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

City Talk, MB Weekly’s monthly Conversation Series in Manhattan Beach, at Urban Plates where Special Guest Former MB Mayor Mark Burton, holding the sign, community neighbors and business leaders had an open conversation about city issues.


NANDO:
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. Love for Italian culture and tradition bring out the passion and craftsmanship that go into the creation of our dishes. We put our heart and soul into preparing time-honored recipes to create delicious memories. Indulge your senses and come celebrate with exquisite food!

www.nandotrattoria.com


DISCOVER THE FACES OF
MB WEEKLY:

MB Weekly – sign up for free at: www.MBWeekly.net


MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Stewart Fournier

“A myriad of new newsletters, individual blogs, and social platforms have purported to be ‘fair and balanced’ yet increasingly find nothing but fault with one another and have induced kindergarten-level arguments and exchanges. The new, never seen divide among our citizens is palpable.”

www.stewartfournier.com


MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Riley

Riley has been working in Manhattan Beach since August 2021

“EITHER OR” INTERVIEW

Fruit or vegetables?
–FRUIT
No meat or no dairy?
–NO MEAT
Eggs or breakfast meat?
–EGGS
Thirsty or hungry?
–THIRSTY
Chocolate candy or skittles?
–CHOCOLATE
Wild-caught or farm-raised fish?
–WILD
Milkshake or slush?
–MILKSHAKE
Mixed drinks or wine?
–WINE
Chips or popcorn?
–CHIPS

To be featured in “The Faces of Manhattan Beach,” send your photograph to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Chef Efren at Slay Italian Kitchen in Manhattan Beach.


SPEAK UP:

Share your thoughts, comments, feelings, and ideas with thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach. Maximum of 100 words.

Send to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net


MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Lauren & Brooke Winterhalder

Of Distinguished Speaker Series

Q: WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE LIKE GROWING UP IN MANHATTAN BEACH?
Lauren: Without sounding cliché, it was truly a dream. It doesn’t get better than walking two blocks to the beach and growing up in a community that cares about each other. Manhattan Beach is so special in the way that I was given a world-class (public) education and grew up with friends that I am still close with to this day. Everyone moves back here eventually!
Brooke: I really had the best experience growing up in Manhattan Beach! My sister and I were so lucky to live only 2 blocks from Grand View Elementary School and we would play there almost every day. Not to brag, but we were very athletic, and we played AYSO, MBYB, Little League Softball, and beach volleyball from 4 to 18 years old (we even play in the local Manhattan Beach Rec Kickball league in town now). We have been friends with the same group of girls since we were in kindergarten which has made MB even more special. Most of us are back living in the South Bay/L.A. now!

Q: YOU AND YOUR FAMILY OWN A BUSINESS IN MANHATTAN BEACH. TELL US ABOUT IT?
Lauren: We own the Distinguished Speaker Series, which since 1996 has brought an unmatched experience to Southern California. Through a subscription Series, our audiences are exposed to the expertise and insights of 6 different thought leaders from various disciplines. It started with my grandparents, Mom, and Aunt and one location in Pasadena. It is truly a family affair.
Brooke: The Distinguished Speaker Series has been a local family business since 1996 (when we were 9 months old) that brings prolific and inspirational speakers to Southern California. In 5 locations (including our closest location Redondo Beach) an author, historian, athlete, past president, actor, humanitarian, etc. will spend an hour and a half presenting and speaking on his/her/their accomplishments as well as a Q&A portion for the audience. We grew up around (and helped) our mom and aunt run this incredible business for the past 25 years, so it was inevitable that we would join them to keep the legacy going!

Q: WHAT’S THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR JOB?
Lauren: Our product is human beings, very busy and powerful ones, so definitely coordinating and working with them to put on a wonderful and timely show for our patrons. We have our speakers “tour” with us and speak at 5 different locations around Greater Los Angeles consecutively. We work directly with the likes of former President George W. Bush or Malala Yousafzai or Jane Fonda and helping them stay energized and excited to do our Series 5 nights in a row can sometimes require some woman-power!
Brooke: The hardest thing for me is to not boss around my twin sister at work! She has submitted quite a few “anonymous HR complaints” to my boss (my mom) since we started working at Speaker Series.

Q: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME?
Lauren: I have two and I just can’t pick one! Bridesmaids starring Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph – anything with those two ladies you can sign me up! The other is Mamma Mia, I am a sucker for a musical.
Brooke: She’s the Man.

Q: DO YOU PLAN ON MAKING MANHATTAN BEACH YOUR HOME FOREVER?
Lauren: Absolutely. My future children will be proud Grand View Gators just like I was!
Brooke: I went from Austin, Texas, for college to Chicago for 4 years and I know I will never leave the South Bay again! It was and is my life dream to raise my family in Manhattan Beach.

www.speakersla.com


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

PS I Love You Foundation’s 21st Annual Day At The Beach Community Event was a wonderful heart-felt success! Together, our community brought sunshine, love, and happiness to 300 youth from our most vulnerable neighbors. We all sprinkled around fairy-dust and bonding-glitter upon hundreds of kiddos and their mentors this past Saturday. It was magical. I am grateful to the LA County Department of Beaches and Harbor, City of Manhattan Beach, and our dear sponsors, especially Fabletics, for our partnership. Everyone that was part of the event’s organization made a positive impact in the world and I trust that next year, we will create something even more grand and meaningful.” – Patricia Jones, Founder, PS I Love You Foundation


MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
By Steve Revel

We have good reason to believe that the crime statistics given to us by our public officials in Manhattan Beach are inaccurate and low. Why? Because of the growing incidence of unreported crime. The reality is that every day in Manhattan Beach, there are countless unreported crimes because many people have given up calling the police. Sadly, there is a strong feeling among many – ‘what’s the point?’ I have spoken to countless people, including many business owners, who reported that calling the police is pointless, as they don’t do anything, especially with the homeless – the days of aggressive policing as long gone. Further, it takes much time and effort during an already drained day. Statistics show that crime in Manhattan Beach is now up approximately 30% in the last year without factoring in the unreported crime factor.

MB WEEKLY READER QUESTION: Do you believe that “unreported crime” in Manhattan Beach has grown in the last year? Send your reply to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net


MB WEEKLY – CARTOON:

“It’s a sort of popular-attractive-kid-from-well-to-do-stable-family-succeeds-against-all-odds in Manhattan Beach story.”


MB WEEKLY – READER QUESTION:

WHAT IS YOUR JUNK FOOD?

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

Send your reply to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net


MB – BULLETIN BOARD:


1. ** When you dress up to go to a fancy restaurant, you become a part of their decor. —- Morgan S., Manhattan Beach

2. ** New York’s MTA will install 13k cameras on its subway cars – or two on each, costing $5.5m total – to instill a sense of safety. What about doing a similar thing in our M.B. Schools? —- Sid L., Manhattan Beach

3. ** Sadly, we live in a time where interesting people are silenced so that stupid people won’t be offended. —- Darla H., Manhattan Beach

4. ** Wow. Have you noticed how our new police chief sure loves to say the term “unhoused!” —- Nancy P., Manhattan Beach

5. ** {pages} a bookstore seeks an enthusiastic, organized, responsible, creative, dynamic leader, and multi-tasker to manage a talented team of booksellers. This is a chance to be part of a thriving independent bookstore located in the heart of downtown Manhattan Beach, one block from the Pacific Ocean. {pages} has been in operation for twelve years, is open seven days a week and utilizes IndieCommerce for our robust online business. Please submit cover letter and resume to: Linda McLoughlin Figel – linda@pagesabookstore.com.

6. ** We are remodeling so have temporarily moved out and were just informed that person(s) have broken into the backyard and stolen our saltwater system for our swimming pool – cut all the pipes, etc!!! What the hell is going on in our community?!? This is outrageous. The property is fenced and locked. Sounds similar to the catalytic converter theft issue (which we have also experienced). We are reporting to police. —- Kami Armstrong, Manhattan Beach

7. ** I am currently reading: How to Write Like A Writer by Thomas C. Foster. —- Angelica Lee, Manhattan Beach

8. ** My grandson, in his first day of third grade, saw a girl he knew, who is in second grade, almost crying. He asked her what was wrong. She said, “I don’t know where my class is.” He took her by the hand and helped her find her class. So proud. —- Max W., Manhattan Beach

9. ** Tapizôn Bar & Kitchen Is Now Hiring: inquire at: careers@tapizon.com

10. ** If you want to see how genuinely sick American culture has become, I suggest you go to the library and take a peek at the new book “Inclusion Revolution” by Daisy Auger-Dominguez. A genuinely sickening woke-ster instruction manual for corporations. —- Dr. Natalina M., Manhattan Beach

11. ** My name is Maribel Zamora. I am looking for a housekeeping position in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and El Segundo area. I have 10+ years of experience with references. Looking to clean homes on Saturdays. My phone number is (323) 458-2644 for more info. —- Lucia Madrid

12. ** Providence, a nonprofit hospital chain, trained staff to wring money out of patients – even those eligible for free care. Disgraceful! —- Bruce N., Manhattan Beach

13. ** MB Weekly is the coolest thing to come along in a long while. I love it. —- Mitch B., Manhattan Beach.

14. ** The current City Council’s plan for high-density apartment complexes would bring a massive population explosion to Manhattan Beach if implemented. And our city will lose its charm. —- Mitchell L., Manhattan Beach

15. ** Corner Bakery in Manhattan Beach is NOT a bakery! This is a subpar fast food chain disguised as a bakery. The staff was pleasant, so that’s why they got 1 star. The eggs were ok, the potatoes were stale and overcooked, and the avocado was not ripe. I mean, come on, we have supply chain issues, so for $20 breakfast, I expected decent food. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY. ALSO No wifi. —- Megan F., Manhattan Beach

16. ** MB Weekly is impressive! Congratulations. —- Wendi R., Manhattan Beach

17. ** I gave Rockit Body in Manhattan Beach two chances, but I was seriously disappointed by my experience. My first class, which was at the wrong level, was incredibly challenging, but the instructor offered many modifications and allowed me to go at my own pace. Very disappointed in this experience, and I will NOT be back. —- Sophia Q

18. ** How lucky to raise my kids on sunshine and the great MBUSD public schools and their teachers, administrators and volunteers. —- Kathy W., Manhattan Beach

19. ** It’s really hard to put a beanie hat on with one hand. —- Alexia B., Manhattan Beach

20. ** Why has the up escalator at Metlox been broken for months? —- Gloria Z., Manhattan Beach

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