Archive for October 2010
Peanuts and Plantations
The fate of “Gone With the Wind” hangs in the balance “Moonlight and Magnolias,” Joel Bryant is explaining to me, “revolves around [producer] David Selznick calling in Ben Hecht, one of the quickest punch-up screenwriters in the late ‘30s, and then calling in [director] Victor Fleming as well, pulling him off of ‘The Wizard of…
Read MoreHarman, Fein square off in District 36
It has been difficult for Republicans to rouse candidates to run for what has amounted to the biannual political slaughter otherwise known as running against Democratic Congresswoman Jane Harman. In this year of Democratic turmoil, however, Republicans were empowered enough to stage a genuine primary contest that featured three candidates. The winner of that contest,…
Read MoreDowntown Hermosa tattoo parlors okayed
Hermosa Beach City Council has voted to allow tattoo parlors downtown and along the PCH and Aviation Boulevard corridors, and approved a permit for an open-front restaurant on Hermosa Avenue, although heated discussion preceded a unanimous vote. The tattoo decision came after a federal appeals court ruled that tattoos are a form of constitutionally protected…
Read MoreHot’s Kitchen – Open-front Hermosa restaurant approved
The City Council approved a permit for an open-front restaurant on Hermosa Avenue, although heated discussion preceded a unanimous vote. The conditional use permit will allow a new restaurant called Hot’s Kitchen to open on Hermosa Avenue with a rollup door that can open the front wall to the sidewalk. Early in the hearing, Mayor Pete…
Read MoreClosure nears for Re:style punk and vintage clothing shop
Halloween weekend is expected to see the end of the Re:style punk and vintage clothing shop, a Hermosa icon for three decades and a fading remnant of the funky, scruffy vibe of the town’s yesteryear. Eight months ago “Rodge” and Danielle Rodgers announced they would sell their business on upper Pier Avenue to travel back…
Read MoreSenator Jenny Oropeza’s death clouds election
The death last week of Democratic state Senator Jenny Oropeza saddened constituents in her district and fellow politicians in Sacramento, and raised the possibility that voters might go to the polls for a special election to determine who will replace her. Oropeza’s name will appear on the Nov. 2 general election ballot. If either of…
Read MoreDrug agents swoop down on school
A DEA helicopter swooped down to land at Hermosa Valley School, where special agents spoke to the students and let them handle shields, helmets, bullet armor and rams used for battering down doors . The event was part of the National Red Ribbon Campaign honoring Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who was tortured and murdered in…
Read MoreHermosa shakes in quake drill
Police, firefighters, schools, lifeguards, amateur radio operators and Neighborhood Watch volunteers took part as Hermosa participated in the Great California Shake Out earthquake preparedness drill. For the first time the recently-opened Emergency Operations Center inside the city’s Community Center building was used in a drill. Hermosa Beach Police Lt. Tom Thompson, the lead local organizer,…
Read MoreParking fees might increase
The City Council set Jan. 11 for a public hearing to gather input on potential increases in the prices of parking permits. Fees for residents’ parking permits could go up from $40 a year to $100 a year, with a third permit at the same home going up to $200, and increasing to $300 for…
Read MoreMintz says cut wasteful spending, create jobs and take schools from worst to first
Political newcomer Nathan Mintz founded the South Bay Tea Party shortly before becoming so fed up with Sacramento he decided to run for the 53rd District’s State Assembly seat. The Republican candidate has been called a “divisive personality” by his Democratic opponent Betsy Butler. In response, Mintz has pointed to endorsements by politicians who “reach…
Read MoreButler stresses her experience, calls for private investment in local schools
Betsy Butler was largely unknown in the South Bay until she was targeted by a $700,000 smear campaign during last June’s primary. The candidate for the 53 Assembly District’s Democratic Party nomination was described in the 17 mailers sent out over an eight-week period as a pawn of trial attorneys, and the insurance and oil…
Read More53rd District race: Butler taps lawyers, Mintz taps engineers
Campaign contribution reports in the 53rd Assembly district race reveal broad differences not only in dollars the candidates have received, but in their contribution sources. Democratic Party Candidate Betsy Butler has received $532,409 in contributions since the start of the year, according to the Secretary of State’s office. She had $70,014 remaining as of last…
Read MoreCommunity will gather to raise cash for MB schools
In order to save teachers and educational programs next school year, the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation will hold its first community-wide Rally for Education next Thursday to raise money during its second annual Pledge Week. The organization hopes to raise at least $4.4 million, the same amount it brought in last year during its annual…
Read MoreAbout Town
Utility workers scam, World Famous Pumpkin Car Race, Pier-to-Pier Friendship Walk, DUI checkpoint.
Read MoreZoning by ballot: Redondo votes on the future of its harbor
Two weeks ago, voters in Redondo Beach received a curious document in the mail. The 176-page booklet was titled “Measure G Ballot Text and Supplemental Ballot Pamphlet.” Page 1, in between six “whereas,” was the ballot text of Measure G itself, which proposes to create a Coastal Land Use Plan and rezone the city’s harbor.…
Read MoreThe Dirty Hippie & his Halloween musical treats
Trick or Treat, Move My Feet, Get Me Up Outta My Seat In its secularly observed state, Halloween is centered around fun. But how stressful is it when you’re faced with a big bowl of candy and are told to only pick one? I wasn’t prepared for this, didn’t conceive a plan of attack. The…
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