Here is Your Manhattan Beach News Roundup for the Week
Aug 15, 2024 10:19PM ● By Jeanne Fratello
Incredible volleyball playing is in store, all weekend long, at the AVP Manhattan Beach Open. Photo credit: Evelyn Schmitt.
AVP Manhattan Beach Open: Established in 1960, the AVP Manhattan Beach Open is known as the "Granddaddy" of beach volleyball tournaments (or the "Wimbledon" of beach volleyball). The winners' names are cemented in history on the Manhattan Beach Pier.
The qualifying rounds for the AVP Manhattan Beach Open began on Thursday, and the action continues all weekend. Games will run from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; and from 9:30 a.m to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.
If you want to watch some of this spectacular play, General Admission is free, or you can buy tickets for special seating. Get parking information and street closure information here. And if you can't make it down to the beach, you can still watch it live here. (Photo credit: Evelyn Schmitt.)
Make Time for Romance (Novels): {pages} a bookstore will celebrate National Bookstore Romance Day on Saturday, August 17 with a line-up of local authors from leading romance publishers.
Spicy Green Book Outdoor Food Market: Kinecta Federal Credit Union is once again hosting the Spicy Green Book Outdoor Food Market, a global food fest featuring more than 40 vendors from Black-owned businesses, kids games, and a DJ.
The festival will be held on Saturday, August 17, from noon until 6:00 p.m. Get your (free) tickets here.
Copper and Bronze Wire Theft: Manhattan Beach Councilmember Richard Montgomery, who currently serves as president of Southern California's Independent Cities Association (ICA), is collaborating with Los Angeles City Councilmember (and ICA Member) Kevin DeLeon to lead a regional task force on copper and bronze wire theft.
The most notorious copper/bronze theft in Manhattan Beach to date is the theft of the Bruce's Beach Park plaque, which has since been replaced.
L.A. County Commission for Older Adults: Former Manhattan Beach Mayor Wayne Powell was appointed by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to serve as a commissioner on the Los Angeles County Commission for Older Adults. The commission advocates, advises and makes recommendations regarding the needs, health and well-being of older adults (60 years of age and older) to the County Board of Supervisors, the County Aging & Disabilities Department and other agencies that provide services to older adults. Powell has previously served two terms on the Manhattan Beach City Council, including two terms as mayor, and was chair of the Los Angeles County Beach Commission.
Blood Donations Urgently Needed: The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as dangerous heat levels impacted almost 100 blood drives in July in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects blood – compounding other seasonal obstacles to blood donation, such as travel and summer activities. Since July 1, the Red Cross national blood supply has fallen by more than 25%, and blood donors of all types, especially those with type O blood, are urged to give as soon as possible to help patients receive lifesaving medical care. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
5th Anniversary of "Crows Feet": The popular site “Crow’s Feet: Life As We Age," is celebrating its fifth anniversary this month. Manhattan Beach Resident Nancy Franklin (and wife of Mayor Joe Franklin) is a board member and writer for the site. “More and more people are starting to embrace aging for the wonderful experiences it brings,” says Franklin, a retired healthcare executive and published comedy writer.
Animal Shelter and Rescue Donations: SusieCakes is celebrating the "dog days of summer" with animal shelter and rescue donations.
This month, SusieCakes will donate $1 from every Dog Frosted Sugar Cookie purchase to local animal shelters and rescue groups near its bakeries. (The Manhattan Beach SusieCakes is located in Manhattan Village.)
Caught Red-Handed (Red-Footed?): Comedian Howie Mandel is the newest ambassador for (Manhattan Beach-based) Skechers. How did he get the gig? Wellllll.... His approach was certainly "sketchy" to say the least. The way he tells it, he was caught red-handed when he claimed he was a Skechers ambassador – and wasn’t – just to score a discount on his beloved Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins.
"Funny story - I went to the store to buy some new Hands Free Slip-ins - and the cashier recognizes me," said Mandel. The cashier, assuming he was an ambassador for Skechers, prepared to give him a discount. "So I said 'Yes!' But I wasn't an ambassador." The cashier wasn't able to find him on the list, so she took a picture with him to prove that he had been in the store. Mandel continued: "Then the owner called me. He goes, 'I saw your picture!' and I said to him, 'I'm sorry; I'll pay for the rest of my shoes!'"
