 |
|||||
|
Letters
Ol’ Manhattan
Dear ER:
Manhattan Beach is a wonderful place to live. The people make it wonderful.
If you moved Manhattan Beach to Palmdale, it would still be a great town, but
it wouldn’t be quite as good, because the beach is a wonderful part of
the idyllic seaside community.
When the sun sets over the ocean, it reminds me of Manhattan Beach’s beautiful home page. Let’s see, one hundred more words. One of the things I love about Manhattan Beach is the sand, and also the waves and the gentle surfers. Gimme a free house.
Kevin Knight
Hermosa Beach
Dark and stormy
Dear ER:
I imagine that I write for the three thousand or so writers who lost in the
recently concluded Manhattan Beach House Contest.
I was an entrant, and received a score of 92. I never really thought that I'd win, but did the very best I could to shape an entry, which, by the nature of the rules started out with possibly the ugliest opening sentence since Bulwer-Lytton wrote; "It was a dark and stormy night…"
The real sadness comes not from losing the contest, but the disappointment in the winning essay. Like my fellow entrants, I was hoping to see how high was the bar -— what a really beautifully crafted essay could show us lesser scribes.
Instead, we have treacle, or as one erudite friend commented; "This is the kind of sloppy sentimentalist bilge that gives writing a bad name."
The expensive lesson learned: Never enter a writing contest without first determining the qualifications of the judges.
Don Coulson
Temecula
Into the swim
Dear ER:
Growing up in Manhattan Beach in the seventies was BEACHin!
As soon as school was over, summer on the beach began. Then, at the age of 10, I was given a choice of summer school or junior lifeguards. Being a beach kid all by life this was not a difficult choice. So the summer of 1977 was the beginning of my lifeguarding career. In my eight years in the junior lifeguard program I gained lifelong friends, ocean knowledge, CPR, first aid, physical fitness, discipline, and respect for Mother Ocean. This was an invaluable tool and I highly recommend it for all kids ages 9-17 (next April 2002). Information on Summer 2002 will be available by calling 939-7214.
Then came reality, I needed money. The best choice I ever made was to take the Los Angeles County Ocean Lifeguard Candidate/Recurrent Exam. It is the perfect opportunity for every swimmer (ocean and pool). It is free and open to the public (you must be 18 years old by May 4, 2002). It gives students the opportunity to go to college and have a job during summer and holidays. Some choose to lifeguard as a stepping stone to their future career. Others choose to make it their career (as I have). The job is demanding, the office is great, you work daily with local beach patrons, and you make friends whom you will have for a lifetime.
I am writing this to urge all swimmers to take the exam on Saturday, September 22, 2001. Applications are now available and will be accepted until September 6, 2001. For more information and application call 939-7200 or pick one up at 2600 Strand, Manhattan Beach.
Los Angeles County Lifeguards guard the beaches from Cabrillo to Nicholas Canyon and Catalina Island (72 miles of coastline) 365 days a year.
Charlie Piccaro
Ocean Lifeguard Specialist
County of Los Angeles Fire Department, Lifeguard Division
Salute
Dear ER:
This weekend, we not only enjoyed another wonderful Aloha Days celebration but
also we were honored to host two U.S. Navy Fast Frigates, the USS Sides
and the USS McClusky.
On behalf of the City of Hermosa Beach, I would like to thank the following businesses whose generosity and civic spirit allowed us to make this visit memorable for the officers and crew of these vessels.
The staff and management of the Beach House Hotel for gracious service above and beyond the call of duty, High Five Boutique for the use of their fabulous boat, the Galatea, and the following restaurants and taverns for their generous donations of food and beverage: Hennessey’s Tavern, Brewski’s, Cantina Real, Ragin Cajun, Boogaloo Cafe, Patrick Molloys, Barnacles, Einstein’s, Robert’s Liquor, Java Man/Ocean Diner, Zeppy’s, Dano’s, Aloha Sharkeez North End, Besties, Lappart’s Ice Cream and the Poop Deck.
Our hat's off to all of you as well as our many citizen's who went out of their way to ensure our servicemen were treated well and leave with fond memories.
Well done, one and all.
John Bowler, Mayor
Hermosa Beach
Village idiot
Dear ER:
Wow, what a disappointing performance at the Manhattan Beach City Council meeting
August 7. The council reviewed a botched traffic study, sought by advocates
of allowing direct access across Marine Avenue from Manhattan Village, making
Meadows an alternative to Sepulveda.
Remarkably, the council decided the idea was worth more study. Three councilmembers expressed interest in making a 21-foot wide residential street an artery for cross-city traffic flow. What a precedent.
And it could get expensive. A change to the lights now will require amending a 20-year old environmental impact report, with lots of public opposition, at public expense.
We first heard the city’s traffic engineer try to sell his conclusion that allowing direct access will actually decrease traffic on Meadows some of the time (huh?). Then Phyllis Cohen-Edwards, a Village resident and main proponent, announced that everyone is welcome to drive through the private Village streets anytime we want (really?).
Next, Councilmember Joyce Fahey twisted herself into a pretzel, first saying nothing matters but number of cars, and the petitions and presence of over 200 opponents was useless. She wanted to talk about the half of the study where data showed a minor decrease in traffic, and ignored the half that showed a significant increase, then called for further study based on no facts at all (what?). But it was clear the wants of a few, obviously influential, Village residents are what really carry the day for her.
Okay, I think I understand now. Let the serious discussions begin.
Kelly Fogarty
Manhattan Beach
Dear ER:
Based on the early days of beach volleyball and the "tradition" of the Manhattan
Open Volleyball Tournament, I do not support the use of larger bleachers for
this year’s event. As we re-visit this issue again, we remember back only
a few years ago when the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) charged
for seats and erected an oversize stadium on the public's beach.
The last two years featured a Manhattan Open that was a nostalgic trip into the past with no paid seating, no bleachers, generators, blown up advertisements, gawky announcers, or loud PA systems, but did leave us some room to park.
The paid seating is gone forever (I hope) but back again this year are all of the above and more, including, but not limited to, a 3,000 seat stadium that is twice as large as what was requested by the AVP back in May. This also represents an increase in attendance five to seven times that of last year's event. Blown-up ads and generators will be there too, along with announcers, merchandise vending booths, low flying banner planes and plenty of congestion. What will be missing, however will be more than 40 public parking spaces that will be used for event purposes such as VIP parking, equipment parking, and storage. Oh, and don't forget the VIP section on the sand for more than 300 "notables" each day.
How the city council justified the increase in bleacher seating is beyond me. Citing "comfort and a good view" above nostalgia, they seemed to have missed something.
And then came Leonard Armato, AVP's "new" boss, who promised to "accommodate in a pleasing way and to provide for the kind of enjoyment that the people are used to for this event." I can only say that a 3,000 seat stadium is what it is -- a 3,000 seat stadium, whether it is constructed by the "old" AVP or by the "new" AVP.
Stay tuned for next year's event to see what more can be done to impact the already crowded downtown zone and to infringe even more on our precious, God-given natural resource that we call the beach.
Dennis Duke Noor
Hermosa Beach
Love game
Dear ER:
Both my wife and I felt the article on women’s tennis by Paul Teetor ("I’m
Too Sexy For My Skirt" ER 8/9/01) was one of the best tennis articles we’ve
read in a long time. Teetor has an interesting style of writing and an excellent
knowledge of the game and the personalities.
Jim and Barbara White
Manhattan Beach
Healthy thank you
Dear ER:
I want to say how wonderful the Health Fair in Hermosa was. It was great to
see all the young folks at the fair, all checking up on the scientific marvels
of medicine.
Many thanks to the Beach Cities Health District, all the doctors, nurses, chiropractors, dentist, pharmacy, and to all the volunteers for taking a beautiful day off from their busy schedules.
Also many thanks to the Manhattan Beach Lions Club for coming out to help with the eye mobile check-ups.
The Beach Cities Health District has done so much for the South Bay Communities. So please keep in mind the next time you want to complain about this organization, think twice before you speak or write and be thankful they are here for us. Here’s a few reminders of what help we gain: grants, health care classes, free clinic and dentists, free testing of TB, etc., elderly care, share food program, and child care programs. I can go on and on, and oh don’t forget the senior program in our city. Jan Buike keep up the great work you do to help the seniors. Many thanks to Charlotte Lesser who stimulates the creativity of many of these programs. I am ever so grateful.
Susan Jones
Manhattan Beach
Music to the voters
Dear ER:
I’d guess that nearly everyone in Hermosa would prefer to have more Sunday
evening beach concerts on the sand for locals and fewer schlock festivals for
the rest of Southern California. Why, even Howard Longacre must agree. (C’mon
Howard, I saw you stifling a smile behind that inflatable Bud bottle!)
Can we find three council candidates who will commit to this change beginning next spring?
Tim Ferguson
Hermosa Beach
Storybook day
Dear ER:
Thank you to all who helped with the afternoon of art at the Hermosa Beach Playhouse
Thursday, August 2. Thanks to Maggie Moir, Steven Fisher and their cast and
crew who produced the play, "Storybook Theater." A special thank you
for the great performances of Megan Stieritz, vocalist, George Chen, pianist,
and the band "Sabotage." Everyone was thrilled with the fine art by:
Andra and Derek Janicks; Jessie and Ryan Koverman; Allison and Spencer Dettelbach;
Brent and Shane Bowen; Katie Costello; Annie, Sophie and Lisa Currin; Riley
O’Connell; Cameron and Lena Arnet; Austin and Alec Marchant; Keriann and
Collin Grant; Mellisa and Allison Kringen; Jennifer and Julia Freeman; Raegen
Allsbrook; Olivia, Sarah and Jared Terry; Anna Lee and Rose Graner; Halley and
Jory Hollander; Tyler and Grady Bell; Rachel, Samantha and Callie Collector;
Chris and Nick Gray; Stefanie Gelb; Ally Hills; Bailey Heuer; Carolyn Moser;
Kevin and Kelsey Reinhardt; Megan and Marrissa Stieritz; and Peter, Duncan and
Erica Lau. All of this was possible due to our sponsors: HB. Kiwanis Club, HB
Community Center Foundation, Aloha Days and Manhattan Bread Co. Biggest thanks
of all go to Susan Collector, Judy Gray, Shaunna Donahue and Dianne Lombardo.
Thanks for being the very best.
Jean Lombardo
Hermosa Beach
Aldinger unaltered
Dear ER:
Congratulations to MB Councilmember Jim Aldinger for staying true to his commitment
to the environment and managing traffic. Regrettably, his council colleagues
— led by Councilmember Joyce Fahey — decided to ignore environmental
laws and the City’s General Plan (and the evidence provided by city staff
and residents) when it comes to adding more traffic on Meadows Avenue.
The council voted to conduct a study in a few months about the impact of allowing traffic to cross Marine from Manhattan Village, which would make Meadows a more convenient alternative cross-town route. The General Plan designates Meadows a local street and encourages T-intersections to make local streets less convenient for cross-town travel. But the council majority ignored that.
The T-intersection is a 20-year-old condition imposed to mitigate traffic impacts from the relatively dense Manhattan Village. Council disregarded that fact. State environmental laws prohibit the city from changing such conditions of development or the traffic patterns without conducting environmental review. But the council decided to ignore the law, make the change now and justify it later.
Watch out Manhattan Beach -— at its last meeting this city council demonstrated reckless disregard for environmental laws, the General Plan, neighbors adversely affected by traffic and the protection of local streets.
Thank you Councilmember Aldinger — the residents of Manhattan Beach need two more like you.
Christi Hogin
Manhattan Beach