Manhattan Beach Sand Dune Park Reservations
Blog, Community News, Manhattan Beach News | Dunham Stewart
Manhattan Beach seems to have finally settled on a plan that allows the public to access Sand Dune Park and quells concerns from nearby neighbors. The City Council voted Tuesday night to keep a reservation system in place that has curbed dune usage from its chaotic peak of 9,000 people per month to just a handful at a time. The current online reservation system – for those ages 13 and older – allows no more than 20 people at a time on the 100-foot dune, with one-hour slots staggered throughout the day. In December, the council directed the staff to add new time slots during the lunch hour on Monday through Thursday and on Saturday afternoons. They have also developed a monthly membership pass for a maximum of 50 users, allowing members unlimited access to the dune during any time slot as long as there aren’t more than 20 people on the dune at a time.
The City of Manhattan Beach’s financial forecast is looking up, with its main revenue sources performing better than expected at mid fiscal year. The city is projected to finish with a $2.4 million surplus at the end of the 2011-12 fiscal year in June and maintain its 20 percent policy reserve and $4 million economic uncertainty reserve. The City Finance Director will present the 2012-13 budget to the city council at its May 15 meeting, and following two weeks of study sessions, the budget will be adopted at the June 5 city council meeting. Read the details in an article in Beach Reporter: 
The South Park Design Committee invites residents to weigh in on the design of the playground, to replace part of the unused skate rink in the park. The design of the play area remains in the hands of the community. Committee members and residents have been meeting at the bleachers in the park around 9 a.m. every Saturday to discuss the playground plans and share ideas. The goal is to make the playground a community project. For example, the committee plans to launch a design contest to get children’s input on design plans from both Hermosa View and Valley Schools, as well as the 
Easy Reader readers are invited to show their support for the people, places and things they like best about the South Bay by casting their votes for the Easy Reader 
Redondo Beach Fire Station #1 needs your help, they need your vote to win a national competition to remodel there facilities. These firefighters give their whole heart to the job. They respond to over 5,000 calls per year and have saved countless lives. It has been difficult lately because our city is suffering from the economic downturn like everyone else. For the last three years, in lieu of laying off firefighters and city employees, they have all taken a 6% pay cut to save their fellow employees’ jobs. The station was built in the early 1950s and was designed to last for 40 years. Now that we are in our 60th year, the wear and tear is starting to show. They made an awsome video, to support their cause, check it out below. The competition is sponsored by IKEA, go the website, you can vote once per day, vote now: 
Thousands of runners, walkers, and buggy pushers showed up early Sunday morning for the Redondo Beach Super Bowl 10k, 5k, and buggy races— many donning capes, wigs, tights, face paint, and a wild variety of other costumes — for the annual Redondo Beach Super Bowl 10k. The event, sponsored by the RB Chamber of Commerce, also included a 5k and buggy races. The event, an annual tradition sponsored by the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce. Check out some cool pictures: 
South Bay Brokers invites you to the 
The monthly shopping event hits downtown this week. Food and festivities are set to kick off Thursday at 5 p.m. for Hermosa Beach’s monthly First Thursdays event. As part of the occasion, downtown businesses and restaurants stay open late for shoppers, offering specials or treats until 9 p.m. The February theme for the event is “I Love Hermosa Beach,” according to the Chamber of Commerce. The chamber in a press release last week encouraged shoppers to “shop for Valentine’s Day gifts for that special someone or just enjoy a nice night out of dinner and shopping with the family.”
Looking for something to do this weekend, here are some good ideas. Besides a free coffee day, a free concert and a fundraiser, we’ve got whale watching and a festival devoted to whales. Here is an assortment that could keep you goind all weekend, check it out 
