June 3, 2010
Candidate Ward says thanks
Dear ER:
I would like to say thank you to South Bay residents for your generosity and hospitality over this last year and two months since I began my campaign for State Assembly 53rd District. In April 2009, I started with a focus on the local interests of our communities. Here we are so close to Election Day on June 8 and my focus is even sharper now.
I thank those of you who have already voted for me — some of you tell me your entire house of eligible voters has cast their ballots for me proudly. Thank you so much. I believe we are within close sight of victory on this coming Tuesday. But above all my heart has again been touched by the kind generosity of the great people I have encountered from Venice to the Beach Cities through Lomita. Thank you and I look forward to seeing you, if I haven’t already, as I continue my walks of our local neighborhoods of the 53rd Assembly District.
“A Mayor for Assembly” Mitch Ward.
Mitch Ward
Manhattan Beach
Free at last
Dear ER:
The infrastructure repair on Pier Avenue will benefit the city for years to come. However, the side effects of the construction negatively impact the businesses, which are already suffering from a protracted economic downturn. And while I think the city is doing a great job managing the project, there are a number of suggestions they could implement to help our local establishments:
1. Free parking on Pier Ave. (in the construction area only) but still enforce the 2 hour parking limit.
2. Reduce, eliminate or prorate the business license cost while construction is in progress.
3. Allow businesses to use banners and other signs FREE of charge.
4. Run a city/business co-advertisement campaign (in the local papers and cable channel) promoting these local establishments while they offer “construction discounts”.
5. Eliminate the “entertainment” fee (while the noise of construction is going on). One cafe told me they wanted a guitar player (that could drown out the jackhammers) but the City license fee was $3,000. I called the City to verify that price but it was closed on Friday. If true, that number seems extremely high, even for a bar. How can a small mom-n-pop cafe pay that? So for the time being, consider dropping that fee entirely.
6) Offer free valet service on weekends (validated only when presenting a receipt from the “Pier Avenue establishments”, all other pay full fee).
Working together creatively can be very synergistic for the businesses, the City and the community of Hermosa Beach. This in turn will set the stage for a fantastic ribbon-cutting when the project is completed.
Mark Machuszek
Manhattan Beach
Raked over the coals
Dear ER:
I have lived in Redondo Beach for 46 years in the same house and love this beautiful city. The last 15 years have seen more and more houses, condominiums, and offices and thus green lawns. Everyday of the week starts with leaf blowers in the front or back, and then again in the front and back. So the blowing is everyday, several times a day. Some condominiums actually have the service twice a week. I do not have a lawn, only drought resistant plants and palms, and I rake the leaves that are blown on my property from the wind and the leaf blowers. I have developed allergies in my throat and eyes to the herbicides and pesticides being blown around.
Then there is the constant noise pollution of trucks stopping and going and the loud blowing sound itself, which can be harmful to hearing. The only time I can enjoy quality, quiet time outside in my patio is on Sunday. A common practice by landscapers is to simply blow plant debris off the property and into the street. Cars then blow this material on neighboring landscapes or back onto the freshly blown site. Material is seldom raked into a pile where it can be collected and taken to a compost pile for proper recycling. My question is: Why is a city like Redondo Beach allowing this unhealthy situation to continue when our neighbor cities have banned it? What is wrong with raking?
H.R. Horlander
Redondo Beach
Carpe Diem
Dear ER:
The City of Redondo Beach is at a crossroads. I urge the residents of Redondo Beach to support the current Harbor Zoning recently adopted, in an open and public process, by your elected City Council members. In addition, I urge the residents of Redondo Beach to support the local coastal program resolutions by the Coastal Commission. These two items will enable us to shape the harbor area in the way we see fit. If we do not support these zoning items, we will lose our opportunity to truly protect the future of Redondo Beach from being overdeveloped. Development will, not if, happen in our harbor area. We have the unique ability to control how this will happen. I’m concerned that actions being taken by some individuals in our city will allow this control to be handed over to future residents of Redondo Beach. In that case, we will have no say in our city development. I ran a campaign for City Council over a year ago that presented my views for a fair, honest, and realistic direction for the City of Redondo Beach to proceed into our future (away from the recent past). I again thank the individuals that voted for me for their support. I continue to stand by my views and urge the current residents of Redondo Beach to support the current harbor zoning and Coastal Commission regulations so that we may seize the day.
Shane Michael
Redondo Beach
Thanks so much
Dear ER:
Soroptimist International of Manhattan Beach wishes to thank the bakeries who contributed to our fun and successful Spring Tea and Cupcake Affaire: Baby Cakes, Beckers, Cake Bakeshop, Cupcakes Couture, Jennifer Farley, Gotta Have S’More, Lido Bakery, Little Laura’s Sweets, Matisse Restaurant and Catering, and Susie Cakes. Thank you for your generosity in participating and providing such delicious cupcakes.
We also owe a debt of gratitude to the many people who donated prizes, including Manhattan Village Shopping Center, Civic Light Opera of the South Bay, Ayres Hotel, Paul Martin’s American Bistro, South Bay Galleria, Adventure Plex, Aimee’s, Armani 55, Beauty 360, Buying Time, By Andi B, Café Pierre, Cantina Real, Coffee Bean, Corner Cottage, DuWop Cosmetics, Equinox, Erin Collins, Illusions Day Spa, Magic Castle, Manhattan Fine Wines, Montage Skin and Body Studio, Paul’s Photo, Rumba Salon, See’s Candy, Tin Roof Bistro, and Wild Birds Unlimited.
The following sponsors helped underwrite our expenses, Bank of Manhattan, Block Consulting Actuaries, and Exxon/Mobil. And, as they have for several years, Manhattan Bread & Bagel donated delicious scones.
Finally, we wish to thank all the people who shopped at the boutique, enjoyed the delicious tea luncheon, and shared the day, as we raised funds to support our many programs for women and girls. Our club raises funds for local and international distribution. Our signature program, the Women’s Opportunity Award, has disbursed about $25 million to help tens of thousands of women achieve their dreams of a better life for themselves and their families since 1972. The fundraising success of the day helps make dreams come true.
Kelly Fogarty
Manhattan Beach
Greek greats
Dear ER
This is an absolutely delightful story written about a man with whom I had the pleasure of being directed in several performances (“Journey of song: Costa choir teacher takes ensemble back to his Greek roots,” (ER April 8, 2010) Michael Hayden truly has a gift like no other when it comes to musicality and motivation. I would like to strongly encourage anyone who has ever been directed by Michael to dig into their pockets and help support the Mira Costa Ensemble.
Mary Molsky
Web Comment
Editor’s Note: The Mira Costa Choral Ensemble performs at St. Cross Church in Hermosa Beach at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 12.
What the Puck
Dear ER:
Why would hire someone to write a preview article who obviously detests Shakespeare and makes thinly veiled racist comments (a Bard in the Hand,” ER May 27, 2010)? The show hadn’t opened when this article went to press so it’s not like it’s simply a negative review, it’s more like a hate article, barely masked in poorly written attempts at humor. Shakespeare’s work is toilet paper? Accents are acceptable sources of derision? Character names are just too hard and we should give up now? This clown does not represent the South Bay; the people I know in this community are educated, welcoming to culture and challenges, and would not be the first in line to lambaste something sight unseen. Perhaps Easy Reader should read their articles before publishing them to weed out the loons who haven’t gotten over their D- in freshman English class.
M Kersey
Web comment
Con town
Manhattan Beach Police Department is to be commended for arresting Tony Perez, who allegedly cheated an investor out of $20,000, while Sean David Morton, a Hermosa Beach resident, is being sued by the SEC for bilking investors out of over $6 million. (“MBPD arrest Hermosa movie investment scammer,” ER May 27, 2010).
Perez should have set up his scam in Hermosa Beach.
James O’Brien
Web comment
DEVOted fan
Dear ER:
I witnessed the Fartbarf show at DEVOtional in 2009, and I am going to see them again at DEVOtional this year. Fartbarf blew me away (“More than a name,” ER May 27, 2010. Fartbarf is awesome live. I’m hoping they put out more recorded material, because I am/will always be, a Fartbarf fan.
Rev. Toth Wilder
Web comment