MB Weekly 07/21/2022

MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Tony

Owner Of Pasha Jewelry

May we suggest you look at the face closely and carefully. This is Tony, popular owner of Pasha Jewelry. Less than a month ago, his jewelry store was a victim of a brazen, horrific smash and grab burglary in which 12 young men, all dressed in black and wearing masks, robbed his store in broad daylight while putting a gun to his head then telling him “not to move.” The whole incident took approximately 40 seconds, and the criminals managed to steal between a half a million and million dollars. The incident, which some have referred to as Manhattan Beach’s “9/11 moment” has caused significant concern through Manhattan Beach, but particularly in the downtown area where business owners, residents and customers report a “noticeable nervousness.”

www.pashajewelry.com


MB WEEKLY – TO CITY MANAGER:
NO REPLY

Last week, we reached out to the Manhattan Beach City Manager Bruce Moe, requesting a response to last week’s stunning MB Weekly reader polled. In the survey, 81% of readers in Manhattan Beach want “more police and great police presence and a less relaxed approach to patrolling downtown” in the face of the horrific smash and grab burglary less than a month ago at the Pasha Jewelry store downtown. We reached out twice, and both times received no response. We are disappointed that the City Manager didn’t feel it appropriate to respond to the vital concerns of the 20,000 MB Weekly readers.


MB WEEKLY READER QUESTION: Are you disappointed that the City Manager didn’t respond to our question regarding safety and policing in the downtown area. Please send your reply to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Meet Kevin Cody, long-time publisher of the popular Easy Reader newspaper.


MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Devonshire

WOULD YOU RATHER INTERVIEW

Would you rather have a photographic memory or an IQ of 200?
–PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY FOR SURE.
Would you rather go on a cruise with your boss or never go on vacation ever again?
–I REALLY LIKE MY BOSS (A WOMAN) SO THE CRUISE SOUNDS GREAT.
Would you rather forget your partner’s birthday or your anniversary every year?
–I DON’T HAVE A PARTNER.
Would you rather have to wear stilettos to sleep or have to wear slippers everywhere you go?
–SLIPPERS. I LOOK LIKE A PROSTITUTE IN SILETTOS.
Would you rather change the outcome of the last election or get to decide the outcome of the next election?
–DECIDE THE NEXT ELECTION. ANYTHING BUT SLEEPY JOE!

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


MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
By Joe Arnao

“Something’s fishy in Manhattan Beach. The City Council has been either misinformed or negligent in the handling of the administrative and operational management of the City’s Fire Department. Something’s fishy between the circular relationship between the City Manager (Bruce Moe) and the City’s Human Resource Director (Lisa Jenkins) setting policy, and determining hiring practices and personnel at the City’s Fire Department, while simultaneously advising, consulting, and informing the City Council to the matter. Having two individuals with the first and the last word on the Fire Dept is not a healthy way to check and balance power, nor have a non-bias presentation of the facts as they stand. Something’s fishy as it relates to the City’s inability to promote from within in its own Fire Department. There is no logical reason, other than political, for the City imposed punitive practices of cutting pay for any Fire employee being promoted up in the ranks. Even though internal candidates test higher than outside prospectives, they lose overtime and take an up to 15% pay cut. This punitive practice became the edict after a sweetheart deal was made with prior Battalion Chiefs, who then summarily left the department after being able to spike their salaries for the benefit of their pension. Now anyone considering these positions is penalized.”


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Robert Maynez of Manhattan Beach.


MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
By Dave Harris

Wealth advisor

(Prominent Investment Broker David Harris at a Chamber of Commerce mixer in Manhattan Beach)

“Manhattan Beach is a popular destination for many people during the summer months. Most of those people are just looking for the beach, some recreation and a good time. However, summer crowds of locals and visitors seem to attract unsavory perpetrators as well. It would give me comfort as well as reassure visitors, if we had a visible stepped-up police presence on the beach and the downtown area. This would be officers on motor quads on the beach, walking patrols downtown and bicycle officers around the entire west side. Quick response and perhaps a deterrent effect might lower the incidence of crimes and roudiness during our summer.”

www.harrisadvisory.com


MB WEEKLY:
Once A Week, But Never Weakly

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MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
By Steve Revel

“Firefighter compensation is an easy target. A link included in the City’s statement led to the state comptroller’s website, and a listing of City of Manhattan Beach employees’ salaries. Nine of the top 10 salaries, and 20 of the top 25, were firefighters. The highest-paid employee for the City of Manhattan Beach was a battalion chief earning $368,005 per year. Five firefighters earned over $300,000 while another four earned over $290,00.”


MB WEEKLY – READERS RESPOND:
Trader Joe’s Is Their Favorite Grocery Store

By a small margin, a sample of the 20,000 weekly readers of MB Weekly selected Trader Joe’s at 1800 Rosecrans Ave. in Manhattan Beach as their favorite grocery store.


MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
By Deborah Hofreiter

“Having lived in Manhattan Beach for 38 years now, I leave downtown to the tourists and other visitors for the summer. However, as is evident from many postings of late, Manhattan Beach seems to be under attack, as is Los Angeles. I agree with Marc Burton that we need to hire more police men and women to patrol all of Manhattan Beach, including foot patrols in downtown. MBPD is still the fastest responding police force I have ever experienced. They need more help and, as Marc Burton said, our own city attorney to enforce our rules and consequences.”


MB WEEKLY – READER QUESTION:

What Are We Reading This Summer? Share your answers 20,000 of your Manhattan Beach neighbors.

Send your reply to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net


Kate Danaj spotted at Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach.


MB WEEKLY – NEW OPENING:

At the southeast intersection of Sepulveda and Manhattan Beach Boulevard, a branch of the Kinecta Federal Credit Union was formally opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The vacant lot had been there for almost a decade. In addition to Ike’s Love and Sandwiches, a Dunkin’ location, and a veterinary clinic will be located in the new Kinecta building. This development marks the end of this site’s 15 years of vacant and underuse, which, to be honest, had turned it into an eyesore for the neighborhood. According to Keith Sultemeier, President and CEO of Kinecta, “We’ve always been a local institution and firmly committed to investing where our members and staff live and work.” “We are appreciative of the chance to serve Manhattan Beach and the South Bay at our new location. Together with our partners and the City of Manhattan Beach, we feel we have created something the community may utilize and enjoy for many years to come.”

www.kinecta.org


MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Kathy Swan Winterhalder

Co-Owner Of Distinguished Speaker Series

Kathy is a co-owner of the Distinguished Speaker Series, a business launched in Manhattan Beach 24 years ago, presenting over 100 world renowned leaders and newsmakers at five theaters in Southern California, including the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. Kathy Swan Winterhalder is a 30-year resident of Manhattan Beach. Kathy raised her two daughters in Manhattan Beach and was an active volunteer at all three of the public schools they attended. Both daughters participated in the MYC and enjoyed it so much that Kathy decided to pay it forward and volunteer.

www.speakersla.com


MB WEEKLY – RESTAURANTS:

Cantalini’s Salerno Beach

HAPPY HOUR IS BACK! 4 – 6 PM MON-FRI and SAT & SUN 11:30 AM – 6 PM. Summer is here! Join us and relax on our outdoor patios, and enjoy our New Happy Hour Small Plates along with wine specials and more! Everyday All Summer Long!

193 CULVER BOULEVARD • PLAYA DEL REY • 310-821-0018

www.salernobeach.com


MB WEEKLY:
Readers Push Their Limits

Join us: www.MBWeekly.net


MB WEEKLY – LENS:

A late-night traffic stop near Manhattan Beach Blvd. and Aviation Blvd. led to the recovery of a concealed loaded handgun that was found to have been reported stolen.


MB WEEKLY – CARTOON:

“We come to Manhattan Beach in peace, we schmooze for a reasonable amount of time, and then we can leave.”


MB – BULLETIN BOARD:


1. ** Have you noticed that people on electric bikes, as well as adults driving open golf carts don’t stop at stop signs? I live in tree section MB, & see a couple of them every day when I walk my dogs. Are the police aware of this, & doing anything to stop it? —- Cyndy deN., Manhattan Beach

2. ** The surest sign of a lack of intelligent life in the universe is that they haven’t attempted to move into Manhattan Beach. —- Gabi B., Manhattan Beach

3. ** Just a cautionary heads up, I just saw 6-8 kids packed into a golf cart crossing Sepulveda heading west on Longfellow. Kids were getting in and out while waiting at the red light. The kids waiting at the light must have hit the accelerator too hard because the golf cart rose onto its back two wheels and was completely vertical. Luckily it didn’t tip backward, and the kids grabbed the stuff that fell out and continued driving. —- Karina Myszkowski, Manhattan Beach

4. ** I just discovered Urban Plates in Manhattan Beach, and it’s my favorite new healthy restaurant. —- Noah A., Manhattan Beach

5. ** Public Safety is such a critical issue that imposing a bad contract on our Firefighters/Paramedics is not in the best interests of our community. I believe after there is a better understanding of the issues before us, the City and the Firefighters/Paramedics can reopen negotiations and arrive at a fair and equitable contract that benefits both sides. —- Frank Chiella, Manhattan Beach (Retired Manhattan Beach Battalion Chief with 35 years of service to Manhattan Beach)

6. ** People of Manhattan Beach rarely (if ever) managed to dream up a god superior to themselves. —- Devin A., Hermosa Beach

7. ** Manhattan Beach Community Members, Your Manhattan Beach Firefighters are asking for your help! The mismanagement has been going on for too long. Don’t let Manhattan Beach Fire Department become a stepping stone department! —- Chris Grafton, Manhattan Beach

8. ** What the heck is going on around 33rd in MB? More fireworks? Please, people, stop!!!! My dog is scared to death!!!!! —- Debbie Denise, Manhattan Beach

9. ** We now must ask our community to join our vocal call for change. Firefighters want a sustainable fire department with succession planning, career development, proper career progression, and to be treated fairly. We encourage you to visit our website at www.manhattanbeachfirefighters.com. Together we can correct the course, fix the errors, and invest in our future. —- James Falls, Engineer/Paramedic, Vice President, MB Firefighter’s Association (representing our local Firefighters)

10. ** Residents who desire to serve our city in an elected position can contact the MB City Clerk’s office at mbvote@manhattanbeach.gov for more information. Or call (310) 802-5056 Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The dates to complete the forms are from July 18, 2022, to August 12, 2022. Information can be found on the MB city website: https://www.manhattanbeach.gov/departments/city-clerk/elections

11. ** The world seems to get crazier every day. More than ever we need to stick together and help each other. —- Lois C., Manhattan Beach

12. ** We humans here in good old Manhattan Beach aren’t the only ones fed up with inflation. Zookeepers at an aquarium near Tokyo reportedly purchased cheaper fish to cut down on costs – and penguins are refusing to eat it. —- John M., Manhattan Beach

13. ** It’s impossible to look tough while yawning. —- Chuck K., Hermosa Beach

14. ** Who regrets voting for Hildy “Woke” Stern? —- Karen K., Manhattan Beach

15. ** I think it is important to remember that for that last several years, our MB Firefighters have been on the front lines during the Covid 19 global pandemic and during the seasons of extreme wildfires. Our MB Firefighters have worked tirelessly, facing these historic risks and dangers. So, when they ask “We Need Your Help,” we should take their plea most earnestly. In the last few months, the City approved new union contracts for all regular city employee unions, except the MB Firefighters. —- Mark Burton, Manhattan Beach

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