Posts by Mark McDermott
Manhattan Beach 2019 year in review
An Emoji House, an election, Mira Costa’s #metoo moment, and a few more bans Manhattan Beach prides itself on its iconic pier, beautiful beaches, superb schools, distinct neighborhoods, and its unusual combination of small-town charm and worldly sophistication. Yet in terms of global reach, the biggest story in the history of the town occurred…
Read MoreHigh Court will not review homeless law
The Supreme Court this week announced it would not review a case regarding whether cities can make it a crime for homeless people to sleep outdoors. The case, known as Martin v. Boise, had implications for many cities, including Manhattan Beach, which enacted ordinances in 2018 that made it illegal for anyone to camp…
Read MoreStores given a year to comply with tobacco ban
The City Council on Tuesday night approved a citywide ban on all tobacco products beginning on January 1, 2021. After three meetings featuring extensive testimony from education and public health leaders and local residents overwhelmingly in favor of the ban, the council followed up on an emergency ordinance passed in October that banned vaping…
Read MoreLocal author’s cookbook merges tradition with health
Annette Derovanessian had it all. She was a successful corporate accountant living in Manhattan Beach with her husband and family. But something wasn’t right. She barely slept at night, and when she did, she found herself dreaming of spreadsheets and budgets and strategic plans. She frequently experienced heart palpitations. She was always exhausted. “I…
Read MoreManhattan Beach’s homelessness efforts bear fruit
The City of Manhattan Beach last month disbanded its Homelessness Task Force, not for lack of effectiveness, or because the problem the citizen advisory group was formed to address was solved. The task force had simply served its purpose: helping the city begin to tackle the issue of homelessness locally in new and more…
Read MoreThe wisdom of ancient kitchens
National Geographic explorer Dan Buettner investigates the food and culture of those who live the longest, and comes back with recipes Most mornings, Cowboy Jose Bonifacio rides his horse Corazón five miles to go see two old friends. Bonifacio is known far and wide as one of the great vaqueros, or cowboys, of the…
Read MoreManhattan Beach Tree lighting attracts thousands
Saturday construction ban considered
The Manhattan Beach City Council is considering restricting or eliminating Saturday construction, although initial discussion regarding the matter at Tuesday night’s meeting was lukewarm. Councilperson Suzanne Hadley suggested that people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. “We built our house in 1999. There was Saturday construction, and I love my house and…
Read MoreAnthony Napolitano passes away
Anthony Barberto Napolitano, a longtime Manhattan Beach resident and the father of Councilperson Steve Napolitano, passed away on Nov. 27. He was 92. His son spoke of him at the close of Tuesday night’s council meeting, which adjourned in memory of both Napolitano and former Manhattan Beach police chief Hugh O’Brien. Napolitano, who struggled…
Read MoreManhattan Beach Police Beat
International drug bust Manhattan Beach Police Department Detective Don Brown was recently recognized at the White House, where he received the 2018 Land Interdiction and Apprehension Award. The City Council recognized Brown at this week’s meeting. Brown was assigned to a regional police effort to combat drug trafficking, called the Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police…
Read MoreManhattan Beach About Town
Blankets of Love Blankets of Love, a local non-profit that makes and delivers blankets to children in need, this month celebrated its 2,000th blanket. The group was recognized at City Council on Tuesday. Founder Cyndi Strand launched the effort in 2016 following the death of her son, Justin, to opioid overdoses. Justin was a Mira…
Read MoreDrew Boyles’ The Charger (last of 3 parts)
Drew Boyles’ unlikely path to becoming the mayor of El Segundo
Read MoreSlackstring rides again
Gavin Heaney was in his second year at Mira Costa High School and still a little bit jittery about the whole social situation when a tall pink-haired guy approached him one day in the fall of 1993. “Hey,” the kid said. “I hear you play bass. Do you want to be in our band?” Heaney…
Read MoreManhattan Beach About Town
New undergrounding district is formed The City Council unanimously approved the formation of a new utility undergrounding district Tuesday night after petitions were submitted from residents indicating that over 50 percent favored the district. District 4 will now go to an official vote throughout the neighborhood, which consists of 167 parcels located between Valley Drive,…
Read MoreCommunity honors veterans
The 22nd annual Veteran’s Day Intergenerational Event lived up to its name Monday. Cub Scout Troop #275 led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Manhattan Beach Middle School choir sang the Star-Spangled Banner. The MBPD Color Guard conducted a solemn Presentation of the Colors. Three Girl Scouts who have attended the ceremony 10 years straight…
Read MoreJuvenile gray whale visits Manhattan Beach Pier
Mike Balzer was standing on the Manhattan Beach Pier last Thursday morning looking out at the ocean and silently bemoaning the lack of waves when he noticed something odd. A few hundred yards south, just beyond a standup paddler at the Surfline, the water was roiling. Something very large was surfacing. “There was this huge…
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