Archive for the ‘Manhattan Beach’ Category

Fifth-grade teacher Chris Miko of Meadow Elementary was laid off last week after earning a prestigious NASA fellowship earlier this year. Photo by Andrea Ruse

by Andrea Ruse

Meadows Elementary fifth-grade teacher Chris Miko is one of 40 educators, chosen from among 2,000 applicants nationwide, to receive a National Aeronautics and Space Administration fellowship this year.

He is also one of 19 teachers in the Manhattan Beach Unified School District who was pink-slipped last Wednesday.

The termination notices were due to budget cuts and, as required by the California Education Code , based on seniority.

“I didn’t know for sure where I was on the list,” Miko said. “I was just crossing my fingers hoping to be high enough up, but alas.”

During his three years at Meadows, Miko, 32, has started a science club, fostered new technologies into classrooms and started a habitat restoration program run by pre-teens.

“He is a phenomenal teacher and motivates his students in all subjects, not just science,” said Connie Harrington, principal of Meadows Elementary School. “Part of his attraction is that he’s so into it. He throws off a certain energy and the students sense it.”

“He’s totally into the science factor,” said Katherine Pasterczyk, one of Miko’s fifth-graders. “Because he’s really into it, it makes me want to be into it too.”

Miko’s students can tell you dozens of facts about both science and their teacher, including how to build a robot or a rocket, that the Ballona Wetlands in Playa del Rey are home to a number of endangered species and that Mr. Miko’s three heroes are Albert Einstein, Walt Disney and Jim Hensen. They know that one day Mr. Miko hopes to host a TV show from the moon, wants to be the first person on Mars and that his favorite band is “They Might Be Giants.” He’s also into bobbleheads, the Lakers and telling paranormal stories.

His students will tell you that they don’t want their futures to be decided by politicians.

They also know that Mr. Miko won’t be returning to Meadows next year.

“The kids were really bummed out,” Miko said. “Of course, they were upset, but I told them things will all work out and everything will be okay.”

Growing up, Miko dreamt about becoming an astronaut. His curious mind led him to disassemble then reassemble the first computer his parents ever brought home, along with TVs, stereos, an electric drum kit and any other electronic device he could get his hands on.

“When I was bored, I’d just get Dad’s screwdriver out, open something up and check it out so I could see what was inside and how it worked,” Miko said.

He had dreams of launching into outer space, but Miko also felt a passion for teaching.

In 2006, he received his B.A. in Liberal Arts and teaching credential from California State University Northridge and took a job with the nonprofit organization, STAR Education. The following year, he was hired at Meadows as a full-time teacher with a science specialty. He began making additions to the school’s program right away.

“There were so many students interested in science and we were so limited on time to cover all the standards,” Miko said. “So I started the after-school science club.”

There were 25 students in the GoEcoKids Club at first. Now there are about 50, including Miko’s former students who have moved onto sixth and seventh grade. Students in the science club volunteer on a year-round restoration project at the Ballona Wetlands, where they are in charge of running monthly waste clean-ups and educating volunteers.

Last summer, Miko started a science camp where students learned about chemistry, robotics and environmental science.

Miko inspires his students as much inside the classroom as outside, using a combination of hands-on projects, songs, story-telling and YouTube to get kids fired up about learning.

“Before Mr. Miko, I thought science was boring,” science club member Kevin Glasser said.

“It just sounds more fun when Mr. Miko teaches it,” fifth grader Noelle Davidson said. “He knows the answers to everything. And he never gets tired of you asking him lots of questions.”

The numbers appear to agree.

“We’ve had studies focused on scientific education for a number of years, especially in elementary science,” said Carolyn Seaton, MBUSD’s Executive Director of Educational Services. “While there are a lot of variables, it’s pretty evident what Chris’s teaching, combined with the addition of a science specialist, has done for students at Meadows. Science scores went up a good amount last year.”

However, last March Miko was one of 84 teachers who received a layoff notice when cuts in state funding forced the school district to shave $4 million from its $50 million budget. In June, emergency contributions from the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation and the city allowed Miko to stay employed at Meadows this year.

“Teachers with less seniority are the ones that are affected,” Seaton said. “Newer ones like Chris are among the first ones to be laid off during budget cuts. Fortunately, he was able to be brought back last year.”

Last summer, Miko was one of 300 teachers worldwide to attend a week-long seminar at NASA’s space camp in Alabama, where he participated in professional development workshops in math and science and, like real astronauts, trained for zero gravity conditions.

“That was a blast,” Miko said. “We were put in teams to fly the space shuttle simulator. It was like a dream come true.”

In November, Miko travelled to Africa with Grove of Hope — an organization set up by NASA-affiliated scientists — to provide Moroccan schools with science and technology programs. Over six days, Miko taught astronomy workshops to 1,000 Moroccan children per day in three cities.

The following month, Miko learned about the prestigious NASA fellowship from a former student who encouraged him to apply.

“They looked at what teachers do and how they do it in the classroom,” Miko said. “They wanted teachers who go above and beyond for their students. Some of the people selected have been teachers for more than 20 years.”

In January, he began the year-long program, intended to develop highly qualified educators in STEM — Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics — subjects. He will also earn credit towards a master’s degree in STEM from Columbia University in New York.

“He definitely deserves it,” fifth grader Elizabeth Luck said. “He’s always talking about going to space.”

Although Miko won’t actually be blasting off, he will participate in an online cohort of 40 teachers integrating NASA research with education.

“He’ll gain quite a bit of individual knowledge,” Seaton said. “The whole idea is then to share that information about the latest scientific technologies with colleagues.”

Miko said that Superintendent Bev Rohrer expressed deep regret as she personally handed him a layoff notice last week.

Unless the district finds a way to meet next year’s $1.5 million shortfall, Miko will not be bringing the knowledge he gains from NASA back to Meadows.

While a $4.1 million donation from the MBEF saved roughly 35 teaching jobs last week, president Erika White said the organization will not be running an additional fundraising campaign this year to save more jobs. City officials likewise said they are not able to make a cash contribution to the district this year.

“This year, it doesn’t seem like there’s enough support for another last minute save,” Miko said. “People are tapped out financially and have done all they can do. At this point, it seems more final than it did last year.”

Miko plans to apply at Manhattan Beach Middle and Mira Costa High schools for a position with the district next year. He also has hopes of one day opening a science charter school.

“It’s been my dream for many years,” Miko said. “Especially since I don’t know how long my time is here.”

He still plans to hold his second science camp this summer where camp-goers will learn to build computers from old parts.

No matter where Miko ends up next year, he will leave behind a class full of future veterinarians, dancers, teachers, singers, zoologists, Disney imagineers, inventors, engineers, and authors who all think science is cool.

Just how cool?

One day after the bell rang and Miko’s students scattered to go home, a boy ran back in the classroom with an intent look on his face.

“Wait,” the boy called to his friends. “Mr. Miko, do we have science club today?” ER

by Andrea Ruse

A man in a pickup truck exposed himself to a lone woman walking near an elementary school last Friday, while a male passenger in his vehicle watched.

The two men pulled up to the victim, a nurse at Grand View Elementary School, at 10:30 a.m. on Grandview Ave. near 24th St.

The driver remained in the truck as he fondled himself in front of the woman, while the passenger smiled at her, according to Manhattan Beach Police Officer Stephanie Martin.

“It’s odd that there were two people in the car,” Martin said. “I can’t think of a time when that’s happened. It’s usually just a lone occupant.”

“It’s hard to tell if this is just two guys goofing around thinking this was funny,” said Carolyn Seaton, Executive Administrator of Educational Services. “It seems that usually to be the loners. It could have been a sick practical joke.”

The victim immediately fled to the school and called police.

“She had the presence of mind to get the last three digits from their license plate,” Seaton said.

Martin said that the victim was visibly upset and shaken, but unharmed. It appeared no children were present during the incident, according to police and school officials.

The investigation is ongoing. Police have no suspects.

“We’re concerned because two men could certainly take over a lone person if they come back around,” Seaton said. “We’ve got to work together as a community to find these guys and get them into custody.”

The driver is described by police as white, age 18 to 40 years old, 5-foot-10, 160 to 170 pounds, with long “salt-and-pepper” hair in a ponytail.

The passenger is described by police as white, age 18 to 40 years old, 5-foot-10, 150 to 160 pounds, unshaven with short, dirty blonde hair and blue eyes.

Both were last seen in a white, relatively new Toyota pickup truck, possibly a Tacoma, with a black rubber panel along its side, a black bed liner and a license plate number ending in “684.”

The driver of the vehicle is wanted by the MBPD on indecent exposure charges.

Anyone with information regarding this incident can contact Det. Sgt. Brian Brown at (310) 802-5100. ER

Mira Costa junior Darius Smith attended an annual drama club kickoff party last September at a classmate’s home. Smith, who passed away last week, was described by friends as happy, friendly and outgoing. Photo by Madison Swart

by Andrea Ruse and Austin Siegemund-Broka

Students and teachers at Mira Costa High School are mourning the death of junior Darius Smith who, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner, took his life last week.

Friends described Smith as happy and outgoing — someone whom everybody seemed to know and like.

“Darius was a very sociable person,” Mira Costa senior Jessica Clemens said. “He never put anybody down and he was always friendly even if he didn’t know you well. He is surely going to be missed.”

Police responded March 10 at 10 a.m. to the Redondo Beach home where Smith lived with his parents. According to the coroner’s report, a relative found Smith deceased in his bedroom. The cause of death was suicide by asphyxiation, said LACSC Lt. Fred Corral.

Redondo Beach Police Sgt. Phil Keenan said that investigators did not find a note.

“He didn’t seem to have any real issues,” Keenan said. “He seemed to be a well-adjusted kid. It was pretty surprising – usually, you see telltale signs. From talking to his family and friends and neighbors, there did not appear to be any of those telltale signs.”

Costa Principal Julie Ruisinger announced the tragedy to the faculty in an early morning meeting last Thursday. Teachers told students during second period and Ruisinger sent out an email to parents that afternoon. School officials arranged to make counselors available to grieving students on campus all day.

“We knew…you really have to take the time to prepare those students and let them know what’s happened,” Ruisinger said. “We wanted to let all the students know at the same time so if anybody was upset they could come down here. It’s not even just to talk to a counselor either, it’s just to be with other people who feel the same way as you do.”

Mira Costa junior Darius Smith passed away last Wednesday. Photo taken from a Facebook page set up in Smith’s honor

Smith, 17, transferred during the last school year from Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance to Mira Costa, where he was involved in the drama program and Improv Club.

“I just remember the last scene we did together,” said freshman Maiya Dworkin, who shared drama class with Smith. “It was about an Irish Valentines’ Day, and I was his love interest. His name was Seamus and mine was Charlotte, so every time I’d see him after that, he’d say to call him Seamus and he’d call me Charlotte. He was just such a nice, happy, funny person.”

On a “R.I.P. Darius Smith” Facebook page, Smith is described as happy, outgoing, friendly and “always smiling.” Some comments noted how he loved animals, his favorite Pokemon shirt, playing pool and chewing gum.

Friends were stunned that a young man who seemed so upbeat met such a tragic end.

“You were the most outgoing kid at our school,” said student Sean Judge on Smith’s Facebook page. “I’ve never seen someone look as happy as you did every day.”

Junior Sydney Haley, who helped organize a bonfire to be held next week in Smith’s honor, befriended him shortly after he transferred to Costa.

“He was constantly happy,” Haley said. “He didn’t let anyone in enough to show he was having problems.”

It is not uncommon for family and friends to be unaware that loved ones are struggling emotionally, said Dr. Moe Gelbart, director of Gelbart and Associates, a Torrance-based mental health practice.

Suicide accounts for 12 percent of all deaths between the ages of 15 and 24 annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Teens and adults in that age range — in addition to people over age 65 — show the highest suicide rates. In 2007, the CDC reported that 14.5 percent of U.S. high school students had seriously considered and 6.9 percent had actually attempted suicide during the previous year.

“There are not necessarily higher rates of suicide in the South Bay,” Gelbart said. “But kids here are dealing with different kinds of issues, like intense school pressure and performance pressure.”

Certain signs — such as a sudden drop in grades, drug and alcohol use, and a teen becoming socially withdrawn and isolated– are indicative of deeper issues that need to be addressed, according to Gelbart.

He said that friends and family of a loved one who expresses intent to harm him/herself or to not be alive should immediately seek help by calling 911 or take the person to an emergency room or local psychiatric hospital, such as Del Amo Hospital.

“The key thing is for adults to take very seriously any thought, words, or actions from their child about suicide,” Gelbart said. “It has to be dealt with seriously and instantly evaluated by a psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in the appropriate age group.”

A comment left on Smith’s honorary Facebook page suggests that he may have indicated he was struggling emotionally.

“Darius, all I have left to say is that I thought things had turned for the better with that conversation I had with you,” a friend wrote. “I thought it meant you would meet a much different end. I just wish that it hadn’t been the last conversation we would have together.”

Many Mira Costa students say the death has brought them together in remembering Smith.

“We’ve all grown a lot closer through this experience, and I found myself introducing myself to total strangers, just so we could talk and be there for one another,” senior Russell Sperberg said.

“His death was a terrible tragedy, but it really put things into perspective.”

“He was so full of light, and that light touched those around him,” sophomore Elizabeth Griswold said. “He affected so many lives in such a positive way, and I had no idea how much of a difference one person could make until Darius was gone.”

A bonfire will be held in Smith’s honor March 29 from 6 p.m. to midnight at Dockweiler Beach in El Segundo. Attendees are encouraged to bring snacks and entertainment.

If you or someone you know is experiencing depression or thoughts of suicide, please contact one of the following people/organizations recommended by Manhattan Beach Unified School District: Dr. Gelbart and Associates (310) 257-5757; Melissa Kay at (310) 745-7605; Jackie Mills at (310)318-1408; or The Gathering Place (310) 374-6323. ER

Manhattan Beach’s controversial sand dune at Sand Dune Park was closed last August. Photo by Andrea Ruse

by Andrea Ruse

March of the Dune

Citizens for Outdoor Recreation and Exercise (CORE) will hold a “Free the Dune” rally Sunday at 2 p.m. to demand the city reopen the controversial sand dune at Sand Dune Park as a workout facility.

The dune was closed by the city last August after a decade of neighbor complaints about heavy traffic through the small neighborhood in which the dune is located. The city has long haggled over how the dune should properly be used and voted at a January City Council meeting to end workouts on the dune.

Proponents of reopening the dune as an exercise facility have maintained that the dune offers a unique workout that cannot be found elsewhere.

“Sand Dune Park is a beloved treasure of our city and an inspiration to outdoor enthusiasts young an old,” said Bill Hory, president of CORE. “We came together and formed CORE and “Free the Dune” when we realized we could not sit idly by and let peaceful exercise literally become a crime in our parks. We are holding this rally to demonstrate voter’s strong support for freeing the dune.”

T-shirts will be made for the event, which is intended to be a peaceful, family-friendly demonstration.

The rally will take place at 26th St. and The Strand.

“Assuming the crowd is peaceful, we may or may not then march to the dune as a symbolic action,” Hory said.

For more information, contact Jake Rome at (310) 429-6693 or visit www.sanddunepark.com.

Free waste disposal

Residents can dump their old batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, TVs, monitors, computers, VCRs, stereos, and cell phones at Northrop Grumman this Saturday at no charge. Unused pharmaceuticals, antifreeze, car batteries, used motor oil, paint and pesticides may also be dropped off.

The disposal service is part of a free countrywide roundup aimed at collecting household hazardous and electronic waste in an eco-friendly manner.

“The improper disposal of household hazardous waste poses a public health threat,” Manhattan Beach Mayor Mitch Ward said. “By participating in these free, convenient roundups, we are able to help do our part to avoid serious pollution problems that could result if these items end up in our landfills or down our storm drains.”

The roundup will be held in the M5 Building Parking Lot of Northrop Grumman at the corner of Aviation Blvd. and Marine Ave. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Up to 15 gal. or 125 lbs. of household hazardous waste per vehicle will be accepted.

For more information, visit www.888CleanLA.com. ER

Morning commuters throughout the South Bay witnessed a large plume of black smoke from a controlled burn off Tuesday at the Chevron Refinery in El Segundo. Photo by Kevin Cody

A large plume of black smoke from the Chevron refinery in El Segundo spread out over the ocean Tuesday morning.

The smoke was the result of a controlled burn off from a safety flare, according to Lily Craig, External Affairs Manager at Chevron. The burn off started at 9:20 a.m. and lasted for approximately 20 min.

“Our facility lost an air compressor which provides instrument air to several process units,” read a statement released by Chevron. “This situation resulted in an upset to our fuel gas system which resulted in fuel gas being sent to a safety flare.”

Generally, flares are used to burn off excess fuel produced during the refinery process.

But they’re also triggered by equipment break downs. These flares cause the flame to be larger than usual as it burns leftover fuel in the equipment line.

El Segundo Fire Battalion Chief Breck Slover said there were no safety issues regarding the burn off. ESFD is investigating the cause of the machinery malfunction.

“There are no environmental or health hazards associated with burn offs,” Slover said.

For more information, call (310) 615-5342. ER

Ninth grader Emily Ladnier tells passing cars to “Honk for Education” during a Stand Up for Schools rally last Thursday at Mira Costa High School. The rally was intended to raise awareness about education cuts in state funding. Photo by Andrea Ruse

by Andrea Ruse

Three weeks ago, Manhattan Beach Unified School Board officials were preparing to deliver layoff notices to at least 57 teachers and other staff in the district by next Monday.

Fewer than half of those notices will be sent out thanks to the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation’s $4.1 million donation to the district at last Wednesday’s School Board meeting.

“Without the Ed Foundation, I don’t know where we would be,” said Ida Vander Poorte, president of Manhattan Beach Unified School Board. “We would be cutting a lot more programs and a lot more teachers. Frankly, $4 million is what we’d be cutting.”

The school district, however, was still far from passing its $50 million budget unscathed. A reported $1.5 million shortfalls still looms.

At a special Monday board meeting, the board voted unanimously to cut 21 full time positions next school year, including 17 teaching positions.

Layoff notices will be issued to teachers by March 15 and may be rescinded at a later date if the district can find a way to afford to keep them.

Five high school teachers — or, full time equivalents (FTEs) which may include the sum of multiple part-time positions — will be eliminated next year in math, social studies, Spanish, English, Art, physical education, biology, physics and a college prep course. Increased class sizes will eliminate 12 elementary FTEs, including two physical education teachers. Counselors, a psychologist, a nurse and a special education specialist will also be let go.

“It’s not going to be the same school district it was two or three years ago,” said Ida Vander Poorte, president of Manhattan Beach Unified School Board. “Two years ago, we had P.E. instructors in elementary schools. Last year, we only had them for fourth and fifth grades. Next year, there will be no P.E. specialists for elementary.”

The board has anguished in recent months over what appeared to be a swift decision at Monday’s meeting. The district has held budget workshops and special board meetings, in addition to regular meetings, since January.

Based on projections from Sacramento, the district in December anticipated a $3 million shortfall over the next two years, according to Dr. Steve Romines, MBUSD Assistant Superintendent of Student Services. Estimates sharply increased to $6.5 million in recent weeks, as Sacramento has haggled over its budget.

“The news out of Sacramento is that there is no money,” Vander Poorte said at Wednesday’s meeting. “We can expect more cuts above what the governor has said. We shouldn’t rely on his proposal.”

The exact amount the district will need to trim from its budget will not be known until the state budget is adopted in June, at the earliest.

Last week, $2 million of the district’s budget was saved when school officials recognized a miscalculation regarding state funding for class size reductions, according to Vander Poorte. PTA donations of $355,000 also helped soften the blow. But school officials remained uncertain about the number of cuts until MBEF announced last week how much money it would contribute.

“The foundation was originally formed to help fund enrichment programs, like music and the arts,” said Erika White, president of MBEF. “But we’ve evolved as budget cuts have become more severe. We’ve had to start paying for teacher’s salaries and, of course, class size is important to our donors.”

Roughly $2 million of MBEF’s donation will go towards keeping student-to-teacher ratios in K-3 classes at 23:1 and at 29:1 in higher grades. The remainder will fund supplemental programs, including reading, computer and music specialists.

“How do you say ‘Thank you?’” Vander Poorte said at last Wednesday’s meeting, where the organization received a standing ovation for its contribution.

Approximately 95 percent of the funds raised by MBEF this year came from 2,800 families in the district, the rest coming from corporate donors, including Chevron and American Airlines, according to White.

While the majority of families donated up to $2,500, six families donated at least $25,000, 40 families donated between $10,000 and $20,000, and 432 families donated between $2,500 and $10,000.

“We have a very generous community,” White said. “It somehow manages to raise more every year. We are lucky to live in Manhattan Beach.”

During last year’s budget crisis, MBEF contributed $2.8 million and $1.3 million, which — in addition to a $1.3 donation from the city — saved 84 teaching jobs. The city, which faces its own $3.5 million budget shortfall, will most likely not be making a similar contribution to the district this year.

“It will be extremely difficult for the city to give a cash contribution to the school district this year,” Councilmember Portia Cohen said.

The city is considering leasing district-owned property at Polliwog Park to ease its own finances while generating more revenue for the school, according to Cohen. The school district will also wait to find out whether Beach Cities Health District will make a donation, as they have in years past.

School officials, students and parents met at Mira Costa High School last Thursday to rally against state budget cuts.

“Who knows how Sacramento will balance its budget this year?” Vander Poorte said. “But whatever they decide, we’ll find a way to do it. We are not unique in this. It’s a horrible situation that’s happening in every district.” ER

Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice) checks out the healthy lunches Grand View Elementary School kids are eating during a visit Monday. Photo by Andrea Ruse

by Andrea Ruse

Teachers and students at Grand View Elementary welcomed Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice) Monday. The South Bay Representative came to see Manhattan Beach Unified School District’s Grades of Green program.

Volunteers from the environmental education program led the representative of California’s 36th District on a tour of the campus, pointing out features that teach kids about conservation.

They included recycling bins, composting heaps and a veggie garden.

“The fact that the program gained the attention of Harman is fantastic,” Councilmember Portia Cohen said. “Especially since the mothers who started the program want to roll it out statewide and then nationwide. It’s really important for them to get exposure at the state level.”

Through Grades of Green, students district wide engage in three “hands-on, minds-on” courses — on composting, water sheds and carbon footprint reduction — throughout the school year. Students at Grand View regularly maintain the compost heap and the vegetable garden it nourishes.

"It’s not even smelly,” Harman said of Grand View Elementary’s composting heap. Councilmembers Wayne Powell (left) and Richard Montgomery agree. Photo by Andrea Ruse

“We’re showing Jane Harman recycling and composting bins,” Cohen said. “It’s not that high-tech. We’re coming back to the methods we’ve known about for decades.”

Just before lunchtime, Harman strolled through the halls of Grand View, flanked by school district officials and City Council members.

Volunteers pointed out the earthquake preparedness kits in classrooms and the district’s commitment to using non-toxic cleaning supplies, decreasing the amount of pesticides used and encouraging the use of reusable lunch boxes.

Harman was especially impressed by the reduction in the number of trash cans needed, which has saved the district $50 per classroom annually.

“Is everyone listening up here?” Harman said to the crowd that followed her through the school.

Grades of Green was started three years ago by eco-friendly parents and became an official non-profit organization last spring.

Its success has spurred volunteers to expand the program beyond Manhattan Beach.

“I’m glad to see we’re back to making it a priority to teach young kids to incorporate healthy habits into their lifestyles,” Cohen said.

“It’s all about the kids,” volunteer Lisa Coppedge said. “I love seeing the kids embrace it. One kid asked her parents for a composter last Christmas. For me, that’s where the rubber meets the road.” ER

Kids helping kids

Rather than playing hopscotch and tether ball, fifth graders at Pennekamp Elementary have been spending their recess time planning and organizing the 14th Annual Richstone Feast.

Started by Pennekamp fifth grade teacher Mike Warner in 1996, the event raises money for the Richstone Family Center, an organization committed to preventing domestic violence. Each year’s fifth grade class is responsible for advertising the event, selling event and raffle tickets, decorating, and serving food the day of the feast.

“I personally like helping the community and others,” fifth grader Allie King said. “It makes me feel good because others don’t have as nice of things as we do and we can help them.”

Two dinners will be served at the March 18 feast fundraiser at 5:15 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Tickets cost $5 for attendees fifth grade and under and $7 for those in sixth grade through adult. Burgers will be provided by Tomboys and raffle prizes will be awarded.

“We do a lot in Manhattan Beach to raise money for ourselves, but probably not enough for our students to have an opportunities to give to other children,” said Pennekamp teacher Donna Barney, who has helped Warner plan the event for years. “This is an opportunity to se the other side of life

Businesses interested in donating raffle prizes and other contributions should contact Sue Hefner at (310) 374-0533.

For more information, visit pkpta.org.

Pier Walk

The Richstone Family Center will host its 23rd Annual Pier-to-Pier Walkathon April 24, beginning and ending at the Manhattan Beach pier. Women, men and children of all ages participate in the event, which attracted 1,300 participants last year who raised more than $121,000 for the organization.

Founded in 1973, the center is dedicated to preventing and treating child abuse and preventing violence in schools, families and communities.  

Those interested in taking a few steps to help prevent child abuse can register for $25 before and $30 on the day of the event.

For more information, visit www.richstonewakl.org or contact Allison Tanaka at (310) 970-1921 x137.

Facilities at AdventurePlex, including the rock wall, challenge the minds and bodies of kids in a structured environment. Photo courtesy of Beach Cities Health District

Best Kid’s Party (tie): AdventurePlex

Parents can sit back and relax while AdventurePlex takes care of their child’s birthday party, from sending out invitations to loading the car with gifts to mailing thank you notes — and everything in between. “All you have to do is show up.”

“We are a one-stop shop,” assistant manager Cindy Jarvis said. “We cater the party in-house and take care of the whole thing. And our customer service is above and beyond.”

The birthday child and friends enjoy a private themed party in the Adventure Room play structure with a personal host to keep the party rolling. An array of mazes, tunnels, outdoor rock climbing walls, complex ropes courses, an indoor gymnasium and spacious fitness room guarantees party-goers to have fun while getting fit. Parents have the option to customize their child’s party with magicians, theme characters, hula lessons, scavenger hunts, karaoke, sports, and inflatable obstacle course.

The structured environment makes for the most creative and safe experiences for kids in the South Bay to enjoy on their birthdays and every day.

AdventurPlex: 1701 Marine Ave., MB. (310) 546-7708 www.adventureplex.org

Runner-up: Kid’s Concept 22844 Hawthorne Blvd., Torr. (310) 465-0075.  www.kidconceptsusa.com

My Gym employees (left to right) Andi Klun, Emily Gilany, Mike Weil and Alex Henao rumble and tumble with kids and parents for birthday parties and every day fun.

Best Kids Party: My Gym

Throwing a kid’s birthday party at My Gym is so popular, parents book reservations four to six months in advance.

With locations in Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Torrance, the children’s fitness center tailors parties specifically to each child based on his/her age and needs. Music, dance, relays, games, special rides, gymnastics, and sports are incorporated into each themed party. Birthday goers enjoy private use of My Gym’s facilities and energetic employees run the whole show, from set-up to break-down and everything in between.

“Nowhere else can you make the birthday child feels as good as then they come in for our parties,” said Alex Henao, director of the Manhattan Beach location. “The teachers bring excitement and energy and make them feel special.”

Birthday or no birthday, My Gym is also available for regular play every day for children aged six through 13. Programs are designed for kids to gain strength, balance, coordination, agility and flexibility, while developing social skills, confidence and self-esteem.

My Gym: 1836 North Sepulveda Blvd., MB. (310) 796-1300.

1214 Beryl Street, RB. (310) 318-2288.

3511 Pacific Coast Hwy., Torr, (310) 530-7200. www.my-gym.com

Runner-up: Kid’s Concept 22844 Hawthorne Blvd., Torr. (310) 465-0075 www.kidconceptsusa.com

Best Kids’ Boutique: Sol Baby

Our readers love to dress their babies up in the same cool, unique, funky fashions in which they dress themselves. Sol Baby offers trendy clothes for small peeps, or “babies with soul.”

The kid’s clothing boutique offers clothing for girls and boys aged zero to six, including tops, footwear, hats, bibs and leg wear. Rock ‘n’ roll tees and onesies are a big hit with their tiny clientele.

“I feel like the store embodies this town,” owner Gina Rothwell said. “It’s as edgy, funky, and unique as the people who live here.”

In 2006, Rothwell opened the shop with the philosophy of selling clothing that reflects a love of life and nature, peace on earth, music, and sun. She features small, up-and-coming designers to bring hard-to-come-by fashions to tots in the South Bay.

Sol Baby: 124 Pier Ave., HB. (310) 318-3960. www.sol-baby.com

Runner-up: Bella Beach, 227 Manhattan Beach Blvd., MB. (310) 529-5645. www.bellabeachkids.com

Regaining its 2007 title as Best Park, Hermosa’s Valley Park has something for everyone, including Shakespeare By The Sea in July. Photo by Randy Angel

Best Park: Valley Park

Valley Park is a popular family gathering place, featuring clean restrooms, multiple drinking fountains, six barbecue pits, athletic fields and numerous tables and benches. The facility contains an amphitheater for live performances, including Shakespeare By The Sea’s performance of Julius Caesar on Wednesday, July 21 and Twelfth Night on Thursday, July 22.

“Valley Park is an obvious favorite because it has something for everyone,” Hermosa Mayor Michael DiVirgilio said. “Kids young and old love the playgrounds; dog lovers, soccer players and football players use the field; there are great basketball facilities; and the picnic tables and fire pit are favorite places for birthdays and weekend celebrations. It’s also been a great place for numerous South Bay children to learn to ride bikes, scooter, and skateboard on the extensive and well-maintained sidewalks. I’m proud that such a gem exists within our community.”

Valley Park: Valley Drive and Gould Avenue at 27th Street, Hermosa Beach. 310-318-0280

Runner-up: Polliwog Park corner of Redondo Avenue and Manhattan Beach Boulevard in Manhattan Beach. 310-802-5410

Hammerhead’s enthusiastic staff is what makes her camp successful, says co-founder Jamie Bateman.

Beach camp: Hammerhead Beach Camp

Jamie Bateman tells job applicants Hammerhead Beach camp, “If you’re not the cheerleader type, this isn’t the camp for you.” The enthusiasm she expects of her camp counselors is communicated to the kids, ages four to 13 who have made the camp a beach tradition for the past 14 years. Many of the counselors are Mira Costa High students. The camp offers water activities including Boogie boarding, and body surfing, sand games, and arts and crafts.  For kids interested in developing their water skills the camp offers a workout and swim Guard Prep program modeled after the Junior Lifeguard program. No swim test is required to attend the camp. But water safety is insured by counselors who form a horse shoe-shaped cordon around the campers in the water. The camp meets weekdays at 6th Street in Manhattan Beach. Morning, afternoon and all day sessions run from June 28 through August. 27.

Hammerhead Beach Camp: (310) 676-7503. www.hammerheadbeachcamp.com

Gina Rothwell shows a facility for wordplay at Sol Baby Boutique. Photo by Brent Broza (Brozaphoto.com)

The Tedesco family (left to right): Jack, Julia, John, and Jacob. Photo courtesy of the Tedesco family

by Andrea Ruse

She was raised as a military brat who moved around a lot, making few close friends during the early years of her life. When she moved to Manhattan Beach in the 1970s, she was anything but a part of the “in” crowd. Even the other moms pushing baby carriages around wouldn’t let her in their clique.

So Julia Tedesco formed her own cliques — ones to which everyone was invited to be a part — that centered around her talents and passions: art, history, and community.

She volunteered to teach art classes at local schools, inspiring thousands of kids to paint, sculpt and be creative.

When the city became increasingly attractive to developers, she joined the Manhattan Beach Historical Society to help preserve the community’s character and ended up helping save one of the city’s most prized treasures — the pier.

When she saw opportunities for improving her community, she took on leadership roles in local organizations and fought to keep traditions that make up the fabric of the city.

“No one in this community has done so much for so many people, and her time was limited,” said her son Jacob Tedesco. “She was completely selfless, but no matter how busy she was, what problems she was trying to fix, or which person’s life that she was trying to make better, she never missed one of mine or my brother’s little league games or didn’t have time to make dinner.”

Tedesco died Monday after a nearly six-month battle with leukemia, well-known by a community that originally wanted nothing to do with an outsider. She was 58.

“One of her legacies is that there are 5,000, maybe 10,000, works of art created by people she taught,” said Jack Tedesco, Julia’s husband of 32 years. “Some are hanging on walls somewhere. Others are in a frame or tucked between the pages of a book. Some are in galleries. Many of her students are still making art from what they learned from her.”

Manhattan Beach artist Julia Tedesco lost her 6-month battle with leukemia Monday. Photo courtesy of the Tedesco family

Tedesco was born in 1951 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Her father was in the U.S. Air Force. She moved often during her childhood between Japan, Hawaii, and San Bernardino, attending five high schools before graduating from Warren High in Downey in 1969.

As a child, she became interested in art and began painting in oils, watercolors and pastels. She attended California State University Fullerton, earning her B.A. in Art History in 1973, and moved to Manhattan Beach in 1975.

During high school, she met her future husband and the two reconnected at a friend’s wedding a few years after graduating.

“She was a bridesmaid and I was a groomsman,” Jack said. “We were assigned to each other to walk down the aisle together.”

The two walked down the aisle together again a few years later when they married in 1978 and became assigned to each other for the rest of their lives, building a home in Manhattan Beach and raising two sons — John and Jacob.

“We spent every day and every night together,” Jack said. “We raised our kids together. We did everything together. We did that every day for 32 years and it was always perfect. Always.”

Tedesco was a stay-at-home mom who became deeply entrenched in the community through her art. Her work has been featured on murals around town and at numerous exhibitions — most recently “Lost Visions” at the Manhattan Beach Creative Arts Center in September. In addition to the classes she taught at schools, such as Grand View Elementary, she offered art camps out of her garage. At one point, 900 students attended her camps annually.

“Her whole philosophy was that each student be able to bring home at least one framable piece of art they made in class,” Jack said.

Tedesco served as the moderator at the Manhattan Beach Community Church, president of the Manhattan Beach Badminton Club, and president of the Manhattan Beach Historical Society. She ran unsuccessfully for City Council in 2004.

In 1985, as president of the Historical Society, she and  vice president Keith Robinson founded Pier Pressure, an organization whose mission was to save the pier. The City Council had threatened to tear the pier down after a man was injured walking underneath it. Tedesco raised $10,000 and rallied the community to save the landmark. In the end, Pier Pressure was the driving force behind not only saving but restoring the pier.

A small plaque sits at the bottom of the pier flagpole dedicated to the efforts of Tedesco and Robinson.

“She was passionate about stuff,” Robinson said. “She was always asking herself ‘What can I do?’ She always had a sense of humor, was always laughing. But she could get angry about stuff, like the shortsightedness of other people. Think about the pier lighting, the open house, parades and all that we have down at the pier. Those things probably wouldn’t be here without Pier Pressure, which Julia spearheaded.”

Manhattan Beach Historical Society members Keith Robinson (left) and Julia Tedesco don their Pier Pressure shirts while trying to save the pier. Photo courtesy of Keith Robinson

“That’s Julia’s pier,” Jack said. “She pretty much saved it.”

Tedesco’s greatest pride as Historical Society president was saving a red beach cottage
on 15th St. built in 1904, according to Robinson. When the homeowners planned to demo the dated house, Tedesco coordinated with the city to have it moved to Polliwog Park, where it now serves as headquarters for the organization.

“Six years we worked together on that,” Robinson said.

Last year, Tedesco authored a children’s book entitled The Legend of Sand Dune Park, a semi-fictional story about Manhattan Beach’s famed park.

In September, Tedesco was diagnosed with leukemia. She underwent several rounds of chemotherapy treatment and a stem cell transplant in recent months.

“For two months, she was in remission and was healthy,” Jack said. “But we knew with the mutation she had, it was probably going to come back. We spent our last anniversary, which was in February, in the hospital.”

Even during illness, Tedesco was still making plans.

“The last time I talked to her she was excited about the city’s 2012 Centennial celebration and was trying to talk me into being on the committee with her to help plan it,” Robinson said.

Tedesco is survived by her husband Jack, 59, and two sons John, 28, and Jacob, 31.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Mar. 27 at Manhattan Beach Community Church at 303 South Peck Ave.

Jack plans to respect her final wishes.

“What she really wanted was for us to throw a party. And that’s exactly what we’re going to do.” ER