Posts by Ryan McDonald
Residents hope that plan will keep downtown Manhattan Beach charming
This is the third in a series of articles exploring stakeholder opinions on the forthcoming Downtown Specific Plan Carol Perrin arrived in Manhattan Beach in 2009 after leaving Bel-Air, one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Southern California. But despite Bel-Air’s vaunted reputation, for Perrin there is no question that her quality of life has…
Read MoreCiting changing times, Hermosa Beach Firefighters Association urges move to county
The Hermosa Beach Firefigher’s Association became the latest group to weigh in on the debate over the future of the city’s fire department, issuing a statement Monday recommending that the city contract with Los Angeles County for future fire services delivery. The decision ends months of department neutrality on the issue, and was described by…
Read MoreArt Walk brings out Hermosa Beach to support Community Garden
A beautiful afternoon provided almost as good a backdrop as the paintings and photos that dotted South Park Saturday, as art fans young and old poured in for a fundraiser to support the Community Garden. The garden, located in South Park on the site of a former roller rink, allows residents to reserve and tend plots of organic produce.…
Read MoreAbout Town in Hermosa Beach
Community Garden art walk A fundraiser for the Hermosa Community Garden will take place at South Park this weekend. Booths from local artists, businesses, food vendors, environmental organizations and the Sun Screen Film Festival will dot the south Hermosa Park from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Following the art walk, visitors are also encouraged to…
Read MoreBottle collectors in Hermosa Beach face added penalty
Citing a recent increase in the illicit collection of bottles from city recycling bins and associated environmental issues, the Hermosa Beach City Council voted Tuesday night to enhance penalties for removing recyclables. Although Hermosa’s code already prohibits bottle collecting — or “scavenging” as the ordinance labels it — on commercial, residential and industrial properties, Tuesday’s…
Read MoreHermosa Beach Trader Joe’s opening Oct. 12
Trader Joe’s will open its much-anticipated Hermosa Beach location on Oct. 12. The store, located in the Park Pacific Shopping Center near the intersection of Aviation Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway, will fill a portion of the site once occupied by Ralphs. Trader Joe’s signed a lease on the property in December, and construction began…
Read MoreAbout town in Hermosa Beach
Blood Drive The Hermosa Beach Kiwanis is hosting a blood drive this Sunday. The American Red Cross drive will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Kiwanis Hall, 2515 Valley Drive. To make an appointment go to the Red Cross website and enter the promo code “HermosaKiwanis” or email mickmacr@aol.com. Promotions from the…
Read MoreResponse time a hot topic in Hermosa Beach fire debate
As Hermosa Beach ponders the future of its fire department, one issue has emerged as a particular concern: the impact on response times of contracting with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. With the Hermosa Beach Fire Department facing significant staffing shortages, the city has two options: expand funding for the existing department, or contract…
Read MoreManhattan Beach council grills gas company over upcoming pipeline project
Upcoming maintenance of natural gas lines in North Manhattan will require weeks of construction and may cause significant delays on major traffic arteries in the area, according to utility officials at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. The maintenance will consist of two projects: replacing existing pipeline, and installation of a second line. The stretch of…
Read MoreHoliday in the DPRK: Hermosa Beach man visits a diplomatic pariah
Julius Wu has seen a lot of museums. But no collection of natural history or preserved antiques had prepared him for the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum. Located in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang, the museum featured intricate exhibits, massive dioramas, and is impeccably maintained. “I do a lot of travelling. This is probably…
Read MoreFiesta hits downtown Hermosa Beach this weekend
Up to 100,000 people will make their way through downtown Hermosa this weekend for the 44th annual Labor Day Fiesta Hermosa. The event, sponsored by the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, will take place Saturday through Monday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, encompassing several blocks near the intersection of…
Read MoreTwo school bonds headed for Manhattan Beach voters
Two school bond measures, one primarily to improve elementary school facilities and another to upgrade the aging high school gym, will confront Manhattan Beach voters at the polls this November. Measure C would dedicate $114 million to campus safety, fencing and seismic upgrades, while Measure EE would appropriate $39 million to revitalize historic Fisher Gym,…
Read MoreInjunction denied in Hermosa Beach rental lawsuit
Hermosa Beach’s effort to curb short-term vacation rentals in the city survived its first test last week, when a Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge denied a request to halt enforcement of recently passed laws prohibiting the practice in residential areas. The ruling, from Superior Court Judge James Chalfant, allows Hermosa to enforce the prohibition…
Read MoreDebate over future of Hermosa Beach fire department strikes a chord for residents
Staffing shortages dating back to the recession have forced Hermosa Beach to reckon with the future of fire services delivery in the city. Two options — dedicating increased funds for a fully staffed department or contracting for fire services with the Los Angeles County Fire Department — will be available for the City Council to…
Read MoreAbout Town in Manhattan Beach
A Time for Noir It’s the stuff dreams are made of: The Manhattan Beach Library will host the kick-off party for the Los Angeles County library system’s “Big Read” event this Wednesday evening. The Big Read is a county-wide program that overlaps the school year and selects books for people all over Southern California to…
Read MoreDead woman found in car in Hermosa Beach
A woman was found dead of an apparent drug or alcohol overdose inside a parked car Tuesday morning. Police found the woman inside a white Honda parked on the 700 block of Longfellow Ave, said Sgt. Robert Higgins of the Hermosa Beach Police Department. Police at the scene Tuesday were awaiting the arrival of the…
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