Blizzard of thanks
Dear ER:
I’m writing to thank Spyder Surf, the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce and all of the other amazing sponsors of the first annual Spyder Snow Fest [see pages 10 and 18 of this issue].
The event was so much fun, from watching the pros on Mt. Hermosa to the Tree Lighting and carolers on the plaza, there was something for everyone.
As a parent, I thought the event was so much fun. As a business owner on Pier Avenue, I could not be more grateful to have had so many locals downtown shopping, eating and playing! These are the kinds of events we need downtown Hermosa. Looking forward to the Second Annual!
Lori Ford
Gum Tree
And some more
Dear ER:
I wanted to thank Dickie and his crew from Spyder for the incredible, beyond awesome, Pier Avenue snow hill, the Hermosa Beach Chamber for sponsoring the holiday lighting on the trees and street scenes, and the small businesses from the Downtown Hermosa Business Owners Association and Kiwanis for sponsoring the Christmas tree and the lighting ceremonies this past Saturday.
Having the city drop the event out of the budget was really tough for a lot of us to swallow. It feels great however to see the business owners in our city band together in these tough economic times to provide such a stellar day in the history of Hermosa Beach for those in our community. Great job!
Please remember to support those local businesses this holiday season!
Doug Howarth
Silvio’s Brazilian BBQ
Legal massage
Dear ER:
If they aren’t accepting your solicitations for sex, wouldn’t that mean that they are trying to operate legally, and you should leave them alone [“Redondo Beach puts a hold on new massage parlors,” ER Dec. 9, 2010]?
You sound disappointed that they’re not grabbing your genitals anymore, officer. Maybe it’s time to look for the real criminals now.
‘Victim 1’
Web comment
‘Eventual’ savings
Dear ER:
Quoting: “The plan is expected to ultimately lower Seal Beach’s contribution rate from 20 percent to 13 percent, saving the city $5,100 per new public safety employee annually [“Carmany is tapped for pension expertise,” ER Dec. 16, 2010].”
I’d bet “ultimately” is in 30-40 years. Will you make it?
‘Tough Love’
Web comment
Viet Yes!
Dear ER:
In the real Christmas spirit, Ms. Patricia Cohen declined to run again for Manhattan Beach City Council [“New CM Approved, Cohen declines to run again,” ER Dec. 9, 2010]. What a gift to locals! It also might have a positive effect on overall safety in the town.
I, personally, was very excited to learn Mr. Viet Ngo pulled papers for the election. He is the only hope to straighten up anti-residential tendencies of the elite. Run, Mr. Viet, run!
Yury Gurvich
Hands off
Dear ER:
The Hermosa Beach City Council is considering taking one of only six parks listed on the city’s website and turning it into a completely fenced-off, locked urban garden [see page 19, this issue].
According to Council Member Jeff Duclos, the urban garden would be a “true asset for the entire city…for all to use and enjoy.” Are all 18,000 Hermosa residents going to be given a key to the gate? Mr. Duclos should stop kidding himself and acknowledge that it would be for a “very few to use and enjoy.”
Mr. Duclos compares Hermosa Beach to Torrance in that Torrance has used park space for urban gardens. Has Torrance fenced off an entire park or just a portion of a much larger one? Torrance does not have the high residential density that South Hermosa does. We need to save our extremely limited open space for local children to play and an area for neighbors to gather.
Why is the Green Task Force advocating cutting down all the mature trees in Bicentennial Park and making it a space for very few people to farm their 38 private plots on public land (according to the drawing found on the city’s website)?
Kent and Eileen Brown
Hermosa Beach
Sister Nicky
Dear ER:
Nicky did not mention all that the Lord does through her every week [“Answering the call to feed His sheep on Thanksgiving,” ER Dec. 2, 2010].
She is a spiritual mom to me. She calls me every other day telling me how many have prayed the sinner’s prayer with her that day or week. She is always excited about miracles and signs God does, people getting healed and saved and delivered in answer to her prayers.
She is an apostolic missionary to the South Bay, and if you get the honor to receive prayer from her you will understand. There is a great presence of the Holy Spirit that will change your life.
Val Scott
Web comment
Surf cred
Dear ER:
Great idea, there are some good big wave riders in the area who never get credit [“Big Wave Challenge, contest series announced by SBRC,” ER Dec. 2, 2010]!
Vince Ray
Web comment
Tree lament
Dear ER:
I’m not opposed to Veteran’s memorials — the whole park is one — but I am opposed to all the trees that were cut down and bulldozed to place a whole lot of concrete slabs into the park, when there was already existing dais in need of repair, which could have housed this design with an upgrade [“Veteran’s Park memorial unveiled,” ER Dec. 9, 2010]. Poorly considered design diminishes the park, and does not enhance. Hopefully they won’t continue to slowly transform green into grey all in the name of hallowed reverence.
Terry
Web comment
‘Hermosa’s finest’
Dear ER:
City employees in Hermosa’s Building Department can now finally be added to the growing list of “Hermosa’s Finest.” Now, along with the Hermosa Police Department, they have demonstrated that they are truly here to “protect and serve.”
They provide an important function in protecting residents and business from unscrupulous contractors that permeate the construction industry. As with the Police Department, it wasn’t long ago that this department justly had the reputation as a group of individuals and management characterized by abuse of authority, non-enforcement of codes…
But that has all changed now with new management, specifically Ken Robertson, and our new “moral majority” on the City Council: Fishman, Tucker and Duclos.
While we may not agree with each of them on all issues, they have demonstrated the motivation and ability to control the nefarious activities of those few individuals remaining.
Insofar as the Building Department personnel, I personally interacted with many of them recently, and found them all, without exception, to be absolutely outstanding. While nobody likes to pay fees, in this case it’s a bargain.
Name withheld
Teacher recalled
Dear ER:
Mr. Urban was a fantastic teacher [“PV, Hermosa plane crash victims recalled as adventurous, charitable”]. He was always kind and generous with his time and energy to give back to his students, and those with less in Mexico.
Still remember the Jolly Ranchers, talking about SCUBA diving, and the tons of candy students would donate from Halloween for the kids in Mexico.
Cornerstone would not have been the same without him and the support of the Chambers family to make that school what it was for me and many other students. God bless you all.
Patrick Fallon
Web comment
Drawn in
Dear ER:
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Gil’s prints in previous shows [“Painted ladies of the sea,” ER Nov. 18, 2010]. It’s difficult to conjure up what his images would look like from just reading, but when you see big prints of big colorful ship hulls, there’s a sense of space and scale that is simultaneously intimidating and welcoming.
The graphically composed views draw you in to detailed sections from a massive structure. You can practically feel the tension from the photographer’s POV.
John MacLean
Web comment
Watts up?
Dear ER:
That’s nice, Hermosa get $350,000 when Watts schools are sharing books from lack of funding [Hermosa gets $350,000 school safety grant, ER Nov. 11, 2010]. The kids at Watts won’t be able to read the new school safety signs due to illiteracy and lack of damn books.
‘Lady Day’
Web comment
Healthy choices
Dear ER:
This week, President Obama signed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act — first major bipartisan bill enacted since the election by a deeply polarized Congress. The act will replace junk food in school lunches and vending machines with more healthful options.
Several jurisdictions have taken similar action. The Hawaii, California, New York, and Florida legislatures passed resolutions recommending vegan school options. Last year, the Baltimore City public school system became the first in the nation to offer its 80,000 students a weekly meat-free lunch. According to the School Nutrition Association, 65 percent of U.S. schools now offer vegetarian lunch options.
In the past, USDA has used the National School Lunch Program as a dumping ground for surplus meat and dairy commodities. Not surprisingly, 90 percent of American children consume excessive amounts of fat, and only 15 percent eat the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. These early dietary flaws become lifelong addictions, raising the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Those who care about our children’s health should demand healthful plant-based school meals, snacks, and vending machine items. Additional information is available at healthyschoollunches.org, choiceusa.net, and schoolnutrition.org.
Joel Barslitski
Hermosa Beach
