Write, shoot, and sell: a note from Kevin Cody, Easy Reader publisher
This week Easy Reader moved its office for just the fourth time in its four decade history. The first office, from 1970 to 1974, was the former locker room of the old Riviera Bathhouse on 22nd Street, now the Bottle Inn restaurant. From 1974 until 1990 the office was on the third floor of the […]
Easy Reader Writing and Photography Contest, Honorable Mention: “A Vietnam appreciation” (essay) by Brian Mackerer, “Misty Eye” (photo) by Jeff Wright
Just as our drip sand castles were washed away with the rising tide, these stories were also fleeting by Brian Mackerer I moved to Manhattan Beach in 1978 when I was four. We moved from an army base outside of Dallas, and before that, we moved from my birthplace, West Berlin. Our military past was […]
Easy Reader Writing and Photography Contest, Honorable Mention: “Racing down the Esplanade” (essay) by Denise Kano, “Rolling wave” (photo) by Beverly Gates
I gunned my car right past them, and, of course, the chase was on. Down Prospect and then up and around the residential streets we sped by Denise Kano It started with my mom’s 1972 green Chevy Impala station wagon and Hermosa Avenue. Once I got my driver’s license in 1976, I would grab my […]
Easy Reader Writing and Photography Contest, Honorable Mention: “Golden Days at Perry Park” (essay) by Pete Whalon, “Mushroom” (photo) by Matt Wachtfogel
The housewife’s battle cry boldly echoed throughout neighborhoods across America, “Go outside and play!” by Pete Whalon A few months ago I decided to pay an overdue visit to Perry Park, my home-away-from-home growing up in the ’60s and ’70s. I was amazed at how little the landscape had changed. I sat silently on […]
Easy Reader Writing and Photography Contest, Honorable Mention: “The Clipper Wind n’ Sea” (essay) , “Room with a view” (photo) by Matthew DeVito
When the Captain looked over he knew exactly what it was. He forced the plane to dive, steeply and swiftly Dec. 1958 over Hermosa Beach at 9000 ft. “Where did that guy go? He’s supposed to be at our 2 o’clock, probably hiding in that cloud bank. “Get the tower again and see if you […]
Easy Reader Writing and Photograph Contest, Honorable Mention: “The journey home” (essay) by Brit Tashjian, “South Bay Dozen (photo) by Randy Ruby
We argued on the beach and hit an impasse and then decided on a wise whim to run away by Brit Tashjian We knew something had to be done. We were walking, my husband and I, along the stretch of shore between the Hermosa and Manhattan Beach piers, like we had so many times before. […]
Easy Reader Writing and Photography Contest, Honorable Mention: “Days of Jazz and Insomnia” (poem) by Wanda VanHoy Smith, “An engagement with love” (photo) by Cat Eskilson
by Wanda VanHoy Smith 1960 Hermosa Beach the wild child of L.A. South Bay. between Ozzy and Harriet Manhattan Beach homes and the Air Research industry of condo Redondo Beatniks thrive on Hermosa books and coffee Between Ozzy and Harriet Manhattan Beach homes. Jazz lovers dig Lighthouse All Star’s jam sessions Beatniks thrive on Hermosa […]
Easy Reader Writing and Photography Contest, Honorable Mention: “The Crew does Soledad” (essay) by Steve Varalyay, “Dorymen” (photo) by Joel Gitelson
Hall is the only QB they know — or have even heard of — who loves to block on running plays to pay back late hitters October 18, 1974 6 p.m. The semi-pro South Bay Crew football team meets at Earthborn Industries in North Redondo. There’s an air of excitement. The team’s maiden game is […]
Easy Reader Writing and Photography Contest, Honorable Mention: “Pleasures of the pizza parlor” (essay) by Steve Fulton, “El Porto” (photo) by Samantha Gerada
No one batted an eye or made a suggestion that maybe the mix of kids’ games, silent movies, live music and a liquor license was not an appropriate combination by Steve Fulton Something significant is missing from the South Bay restaurant landscape — the classic pizza parlor. The pizza parlor was not a single restaurant, […]
Easy Reader Writing and Photography Contest, Honorable Mention: “Hazel Street” (essay) by Dave Siemineski, “Girl at sunset” (photo) by Mike Chickey
I remember the first day I saw the small little wood treasure chest on Mr. Nicholson’s his workbench. I asked him what was in it by Dave Siemineski Everybody knew everybody. That’s the way we grew up on our block, and that’s the way it was in the 1950s. I never had a key to […]
Easy Reader Writing and Photography Contest, Honorable Mention: “Bursting the bubble” (essay) by Brian Carroll, “Evening session” (photo) by Paul Anderson
Our cool blend of active and laid back by Brian Carroll Those of us who’ve lived in the South Bay for any substantial period of time are familiar with its well-deserved nickname “The Bubble.” It reflects the fact that the South Bay provides many of the characteristics people desire – tight-knit communities, beautiful beaches, great […]
Easy Reader Writing and Photography Contest, Honorable Mention: “Retirony” (fiction) by Rory Parker, “On the rocks” (photo) by Steve Fujinaka
“I told myself that, one day, I’d own a piece of the point. And now I do.” by Rory Parker Five days a week, 52 weeks a year, for 30 years is 7,800 hundred days. Eight hours a day for 7,800 days is 62,400 hours. This is what I paid for my security, for […]
Easy Reader Writing and Photography Contest, Honorable Mention: “Faith less” (essay) by J.E. Morris; “Boy in fog” (photo) by Marc Brocum
“If God is real, then he is a real jerk.” by J.E. Morris (age 11) Folks, I have seen the face of God. Sorry, but it’s not a tornado by day and a pillar of fire by night. It’s not that famous burning bush who told Moses to free the Israelites from the iron fist […]
Manhattan Beach hires new public works director
The City of Manhattan Beach has chosen a new head of public works, city officials announced Thursday. Tony Olmos, a civil engineer with nearly 20 years of experience working for municipalities throughout Orange County and Los Angeles County, will begin at the end of this month, City Manager Dave Carmany said. He was selected among […]
Manhattan Beach luxury travel brand kicks off with FIFA World Cup Brazil
Next summer’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil is still considerably a long ways ahead, yet for Manhattan Beach residents Mitchell Jolley and Christopher Stone, it’s all they’ve been thinking about. The two are in the midst of drawing out logistics for their company Beck & Score’s inaugural gig: hosting a dream excursion set around […]