GETTING GREEDY: Todd Whitman, an attorney from HB, appeared last week on "Greed," the Fox TV network's win-big-bucks quiz show. Whitman and four other contestants, playing as a team, won $100,000 - then lost it all trying to double it. Ouch! Maybe he should sue his teammates...
SWORDS TO PLOUGHSHARES: With the cold war over, someone had to find something to do with all those Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) parts that have been gathering dust since 1991's Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. This Friday, a launch vehicle utilizing two surplus Minuteman II engines will hoist four satellites designed by researchers at Stanford, Arizona State University, Stanford and the Air Force Research Laboratory into orbit, rather than rain nuclear death upon our enemies. With more than 350 Minuteman IIs pulled from their silos, Air Force and TRW corporation officials hope they can put the missiles to good use launching orbital and suborbital payloads. Even though the Cold War is officially over, old habits die hard. The webpage that will feature the webcast of the launch is protected by a password...
CAPTAIN'S CORNER (a.k.a. the poop deck): Captain Jack and a few mates were settling down at Ernie's place on the International Boardwalk for a wee afternoon brew when in the blink of an eye a battalion of navy seals descend upon the waterfront with the swiftness of the Redondo Beach Police Department, arrr... that's what they were!
The entire area was sealed off with yellow tape, officers at their positions in full riot gear, local patrons ordered not to venture past their pitchers, or else! Ernie's place became Command Post Charlie. Nick the Greeks was under direct fire, all inside were under the tables protecting their ale.
The 911 call: Possible ship's Captain with a gun, possible hostages aboard.
Location: International Boardwalk, Basin Three.
APPROACH WITH CAUTION!
After searching the area for thirty minutes, no captain, gun, hostages, were to be found. Seems the poor soul had slipped the deck leaving only his possessions aboard with his distressed lady. But, alas! Redondo's finest located the man deleterious in the parking lot of Redondo Beach Marina.
To the officers he says, "She's going to take me boat she is! It's all I have left in the world. Life ain's worth living without me boat...."
The commanding officer knowing full well, "There is no wrath like a woman's scorn," ...and with the sound of the bell, released the Captain to return to his ship and, "Get his affairs in order, that's an ORDER!" You do this again and you'll be flogged.
All is well that ends well. And, where else can such a thing happen on a beautiful day in January, calm seas, cold suds, fine company, but on the water front.
HOLDING IT: "We have refreshments in the back and restrooms. Please help yourself to the refreshments." Those were the words of Manhattan Beach Community Development Director Richard Thompson at the Metlox EIR scoping session Tuesday evening. Residents took Thompson literally, chomping on cookies and drinking coffee and punch. But not one hand went up during the two-hour meeting from anybody needing to use the facilities.ER