The fifty fifth Anniversary Writing, Photography, and Cartoon Contest Winners & Honorable Mentions

A limitless present

The solely restriction on entries to the fifty fifth Anniversary Easy Reader Writing and Photography Contest was that the topics needed to be native. Judging from the submissions, the restriction was a blessing. Or, as Orson Welles stated, The absence of limitations is the enemy of artwork.”

Two tales are concerning the household’s seaside cottage. Two tales are concerning the seaside cottage that turned Uncle Bill’s Pancake House. Two tales are about immigrants – an Italian painter whose studio is The Strand and a Greek immigrant who ran barefoot on the Mira Costa High cross nation crew. 

There is fiction within the seaside noir fashion of Thomas Pynchon’s “Inherent Vice,” and reporting on the influence of revenue inequality at Redondo Beach Union High. 

There are two pictures of peregrines, and pictures of volleyball, surf, paddling, marine life, pier and sunsets.

The restriction to the Beach Cities looks like no restriction in any respect. They present the place we dwell is a limitless present.

-Kevin Cody, Publisher

 

Grand Prize Writing

The Morning I’ll Never Forget

by AM Zamp

If you ever end up swimming close to the pier in Hermosa Beach—on a type of early spring mornings when the fog is lifting and the ocean holds its breath—you would possibly simply catch a glimpse of one thing that adjustments you.

I did.

It was April, simply after dawn. The water was glassy, chilly sufficient to remind you you’re alive. I used to be about 50 yards out, letting the tide rock me gently, when one thing shifted within the blue beneath me. Slow. Massive. And surprisingly calm.

At first I believed it was a shadow from the pier. But then it rose.

A sea turtle. And not a small one. This factor was large—simply the scale of a rowboat. Its shell shimmered within the mild like outdated bronze, and the sample on its again seemed like a map: ridges and rivers, shapes that resembled coastlines. I couldn’t take my eyes off it.

It handed proper beneath me, silent and regular. I didn’t transfer. Didn’t breathe. Its eye met mine—only for a second—and in that second, I felt one thing I nonetheless don’t have phrases for. It was like wanting into one thing historical and endlessly affected person.

I’d by no means heard of sea turtles coming this far north. But there it was. Real. Undeniable.

Some surfers have seen it too, I’ve realized. They received’t discuss it, probably not. They simply smile and paddle out prefer it’s one thing they’re defending. And there are children—little ones, nonetheless working barefoot by the tide—who say they’ve seen “the big shadow” close to the rocks. They cease speaking when adults ask. Not as a result of they’re scared. But as a result of they know nobody would consider them.

I watched it drift towards the horizon, gradual because the earth turning. Not even the gulls made a sound.

If you’re ever down by Hermosa—strolling the sand after rain, or floating simply previous the break—preserve your eyes open. The ocean holds greater than we perceive.

And typically, for those who’re fortunate, it helps you to see. 

Second Place Photography

Honorable Mention

A dying within the household

by Vance Scott

They say, “You can’t go home again.” You can’t, not for those who lived within the two story, wooden shingle home on Pine Avenue. That home is historical past. Obliterated and annihilated. Now simply mud within the wind. What had been our household residence for six a long time has been pummeled and pulverized right into a heaping pile of twisted, splintered timber, damaged glass and rubble. 

This was the home constructed the 12 months I used to be born. The home my sister and I grew up in. The home my mom died in. The home the place a lifetime of desires and reminiscences have been made. Losing her was like a dying within the household.

I wasn’t certain I may bear to look at her razing, however I wanted one final look. It was an unpleasant, anguished dying, watching the claws of the backhoe take chunk after chunk, slowly devouring her. She didn’t give up simply. That outdated home had sturdy bones. She had my dad’s DNA. The home may have simply lived a couple of extra a long time. 

I had tried desperately to save lots of her. I’d spent most of final summer time shining her up, hoping some good younger household would make her their dream residence. I had a brand new redwood staircase constructed off the upstairs deck. I had new French doorways put in in the main bedroom, meticulously staining them to completely match the originals. I changed the getting old sewer mainline, at appreciable expense. I broke my again hefting, heaving and hauling tons of amassed stuff out of attics, closets and cupboards and down the steps till I couldn’t elevate one other load. I planted, painted and polished her to perfection, considering certainly somebody would make her their future residence. Then, final May, we put her up on the market.

At first there was a flood of largely curious looky loos and nosy neighbors, however no severe provides. As weeks become months the as soon as regular stream of holiday makers slowed to a mere trickle. Twice we lowered the asking worth considerably however nonetheless there have been no provides. Prospective patrons didn’t like the ground plan. Or the walk-through bed room that led into the again household room, the so-called ‘tiki room’ that was my favourite room in the home. They complained the home was “cute” however was a bit outdated and dated, regardless of mother’s impeccable inside designing and adorning. Meanwhile, the forlorn little home stood darkish and empty, unloved, undesired and undesirable.

In the top, like so many different authentic outdated homes earlier than her, she would reluctantly and regrettably be offered to a builder, solely to be demolished to make means for an additional Manhattan Beach McMansion. I’m advised there are plans to construct a 3,600 sq. foot behemoth on the property, the utmost measurement permitted on a 40 x 112 foot lot. Instead of a gorgeous yard, there shall be a 400 sq. foot basement. I can not conceive of rising up in a house with no yard.

As I watched the partitions come crumbling down there was a thunderous crash as an enormous portion of the roof collapsed, shaking the bottom and brazenly exposing the upstairs main bedroom. The ceiling fan above my mother or father’s mattress was spinning freely within the heat breeze, as if the home was nonetheless alive. 

In my creativeness an apparition appeared. My mom’s ghost in a protracted, flowing bathrobe emerged with a puzzled look, questioning what the hell was taking place to her beloved home? The phantasm was so actual I needed to hurry in to rescue her.

Mom, Dad, I’m simply so profoundly sorry. I attempted my finest, however I really feel that ultimately I’ve finally failed you. I do know you possibly can by no means forgive me. With intense feelings of each guilt and disgrace, unhappiness and sorrow, I blew a remaining, tearful kiss goodbye, and slowly walked away. 

Honorable Mention

The Big Old House 

by John Shearer

Behind each home that has ever been constructed, there’s a story. Let me let you know the story about one of many landmark houses within the South Bay, the primary home south of Manhattan Beach Pier. 

The Shearer household home at 1020 Strand, Manhattan Beach turned 125-years-old this 12 months. It was inbuilt 1900. That makes the home barely older than half of the 249-year existence of the United States of America. The Shearer home is perhaps the oldest home in Manhattan Beach. 

According to household lore, it was first occupied by unrelated staff of Standard Oil in 1900.  The Standard Oil staff lived in 4 bedrooms, two with a shared, lockable toilet and two with personal loos.  

The home finally was purchased by the Thompson household., When the second Thompson mother or father handed away in 1961, three Thompson siblings inherited the house. Two sisters needed to promote the home, however the brother needed to proceed to dwell there. The sisters received out, and the home went into probate in 1962.

Around that point, Mom was pregnant along with her fifth youngster.  Our three-bedroom residence on Elm Avenue in Manhattan Beach wasn’t sufficiently big for a household of seven. Mom had a good friend, Charlotte Cravella of Robertson Realty, who tipped her off that the 1020 Strand home was coming available on the market. The home was run down. It wanted carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and portray repairs, but it surely was structurally sound. Mom managed the funds, and he or she purchased the home as, is in probate for $36,000.

Buying the home was a monetary threat. Dad labored for the Los Angeles Police Department, and his single revenue needed to be sufficient to boost 5 youngsters and pay the mortgage. He didn’t just like the considered engaged on the home after his common work day or on weekends. Dad refused to set foot in the home for six weeks. Mom, her sister Catherine Cook, and brother-in-law Al Cook, set to work fixing home windows, portray, and changing the carpet.

Our household moved in throughout August of 1962.  Unfortunately, in September Dad broke his neck whereas bodysurfing throughout a late afternoon Indian summer time south swell, and spent the subsequent three months within the VA Hospital in Long Beach and in rehab. 

Dad’s damage precipitated severe monetary concern for our household. Fortunately, my mom’s sisters, Catherine Cook and Helen Wagenbrenner, loaned Mom cash to pay the mortgage. Our household made it by this tough time, and now now we have loved dwelling within the residence for 63 years.  

In the mid-Sixties, Dad erected a basketball hoop in entrance of the home.  My older brother Craig, our pals, and I performed basketball on The Strand after college and on the weekends.  Occasionally, a walker or bike rider would method and we might briefly pause our recreation, however only a few individuals got here by.  Running or jogging was not a preferred exercise in these early years.

We may watch the Manhattan Beach Open Volleyball Tournament from our lounge within the ‘60s and ‘70s, but it surely was extra enjoyable to go down and watch up shut. It was simple to get entrance row seating for many video games, aside from the finals once we is perhaps a couple of rows again.  One memorable 12 months, the video games have been working late and the automobiles within the car parking zone turned on their headlights so the gamers may see the ball.

As youngsters, my brother and I shared the third-story, west going through bed room. I may get up and look out the window from my mattress to examine the surf at Manhattan Pier. I often joined Rocky Sabo, Rick and Randy Dowden, Mike Gieb, Jerry Vierkoetter, Mike Cunningham, and members of the Gillis Beach Bodysurfing Association within the lineup.  

Our dad and mom rented out a bachelor unit on the underside flooring. One household good friend, P.J. Tiernan tremendously loved his time there. However, on one event, P.J. pushed the boundaries.  He was rising a few marijuana vegetation underneath the home with grow-lights. Policeman Dad advised P.J. to eliminate the vegetation after a neighbor alerted Dad about seeing lights underneath the home.

In early 1983 I lastly acquired the chance to hire the bachelor pad. Soon after transferring in, I began relationship Carmen Becdach. I knew she was “the one” for me, however I took so long as attainable earlier than I proposed to her, figuring out I must transfer out of the dream area. After three years of relationship, Carmen and I married and we moved to Hermosa Beach.

After the January 17, 1994 Northridge Earthquake, cracks appeared within the tall, purple brick chimney. As the months handed, the chimney was clearly deteriorating. Mom employed a chimney specialist from El Segundo to demolish the brick chimney and construct a stone chimney. When he completed, Mom jokingly inquired if she may have a 95-year assure to match the period of the unique brick chimney.

Link White, son of Bob White, a cofounder of the Hyperion Outfall Serenaders, has been restoring components of the Shearer home over the previous two years. Link generously supplied to do a couple of repairs, and one factor has led to a different. He has repaired the picket fence, the deck home windows, three gates, a display screen door, a sliding door, and a garbage storage space. 

Today, the basketball courtroom is gone  and grandstands block the view of the Manhattan Beach Open Volleyball Tournament. But the home nonetheless stands and the waves preserve breaking. Mom is now 94-years-old, and my sister Theresa and I typically take her in a wheelchair alongside The Strand the place she catches up with long-time pals. Brother Craig from Santa Cruz and sister Kathleen from Oceanside go to and typically convey their youngsters and grandchildren. We fortunately share fond reminiscences of our 63 years within the Shearer home, and we cherish every single day that comes within the large outdated home.

Honorable Mention

The case for combined revenue faculties

by Priya Ramcharan

Redondo Union High School 

The different aspect of the tracks—separating the upper revenue from the decrease revenue—is probably most putting whenever you have a look at the general public faculties on both aspect of the monitor. 

Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach are a few of the most prosperous cities in California. However, at Redondo Union High School (RUHS), 17 p.c of scholars come from low-income households (households making 50 p.c under the median Redondo Beach revenue of $123,874). 

Schools serving primarily college students from rich backgrounds obtain extra funding by means of taxes and donations, which profit everybody attending these faculties. But mixed-income degree faculties can each convey college students from lower-income neighborhoods out of poverty and widen the attitude of the rich. Increased entry to well-funded public faculties, comparable to RUHS, by way of college permits is helpful for all college students. 

Students born into low-income households and dwelling in low-income communities are enrolled at school districts which are often poorly funded. These faculties can’t present their college students with the assets and alternatives wanted to excel that better-funded faculties afford their college students. Thus, the cycle of poverty is perpetuated. Disadvantaged college students can have the will to work laborious, however in faculties with no little assist for them, they’re left within the mud. 

Contrary to arguments that faculties lower in high quality when there’s a variety in pupil revenue, financial range may also help poor and prosperous college students study from one another. A case examine at Rosemount Center, a preschool serving each high- and low-income communities in Washington D.C., demonstrates this. An analysis by the Children’s National Medical Center concluded that in contrast with nationwide norms, the Rosemount youngsters — well-to-do and underserved alike — had well-developed social abilities and comparatively few behavioral issues.1 

In Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach, most college students come from prosperous households. Families who can afford to dwell in Manhattan Beach, for instance, make a median revenue of $169,586 (2021 U.S. Census Bureau) with a poverty price of three.1 p.c. When children develop up in personal faculties and gated communities, they might discover it tougher to know others’ experiences. When they develop up, due to this lack of publicity and understanding, they might be much less inclined to fund packages that profit others, comparable to healthcare and schooling. Additionally, in line with current research by Eric Chyn, an economist on the University of Michigan, low-income youngsters who develop up in mixed-income neighborhoods make more cash all through their lives than these in solely low-income areas.  

However, some lecturers have posited that mixed-income faculties fail because of micro-segregation, and neither wealthy nor poor households thrive. Citing instances comparable to Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD), which turned economically extra various after its racial desegregation in 1970 ( Brown v. Board), such views argue that the blending of incomes led the college to undergo academically. 

But this argument fails upon nearer inspection. In the case of PUSD, the struggling of the college was attributable to systemic racism; when the college built-in racially, many white households pulled their children and generational wealth out of the district, in line with the Century Foundation. The district as an entire misplaced funding, which put the college at a drawback in assets. 

Underserved faculties are lower-achieving not as a result of the people who attend them don’t come from well-off households, however moderately due to a dearth of assets. By creating extra alternatives for college kids to attend well-funded faculties by means of accommodating extra mixed-income ranges at such faculties, and finally rising funding nationally for public faculties, college students from impoverished communities would have extra alternatives to thrive. 

This is value making an attempt in communities just like the South Bay and amongst extra prosperous communities basically. We have a lot potential to combine completely different financial courses into our high-performance faculties, and financial integration can yield quite a few advantages. Schools like RUHS ought to make the change and produce that 17 p.c up. Of course, this takes planning 

and work—I’m not discounting the logistical and sensible difficulties of this—however it may be carried out with cash and assist. If different prosperous communities observe swimsuit, it’s going to assist reduce the sharp class divides and inequities amongst college districts.

Third Place Photography

Honorable Mention

The Strand painter

by Janice Nigro

Francesca hoisted her laundry bag onto her again, slipped into her flip-flops and crossed the road to walk alongside the seaside on her technique to 2nd Street. She paused earlier than moving into the mélange of life making up the site visitors on The Strand. The crew of French bulldogs pulling a skateboarder, the bark of a sea lion, the odor of weed. 

Oh, and the person she dubbed The Painter.

Tall and sun-kissed, darkish wavy hair pulled again in a scarf, a Tahitian-style tattoo protecting his shoulder, it was at all times a great day when she noticed The Painter on The Strand. The plein air painter, portraying the native surroundings in colourful, unfastened strokes with a way of the previous. He had the most effective advertising technique of any small enterprise proprietor she knew of. A completed portray held on one aspect of his easel, whereas he labored on a recent canvas on the opposite aspect. 

No overhead, a number of foot site visitors. And his enterprise was transportable. Sometimes she handed him in Hermosa Beach. Sometimes in Manhattan Beach. Sometimes in Redondo Beach. So many alternatives to fulfill him and but, she had by no means acknowledged the person with even the slightest of gestures. 

Not immediately, I’ve this large bag of laundry, she thought, whereas repositioning the strap of her bikini prime, as she approached the artist close to the Sea Sprite.

Maybe I ought to have placed on some lipstick. Her final rumination on her dilemma earlier than slipping on a puddle of water, dripping from a wetsuit hung over the wall, that despatched her sliding proper into his arms. Bam! Francesca took the easel down along with her. Paint flew up, like a glitter bomb, splattering her and a pink-dyed canine in a stroller whose proprietor picked the fallacious second to come back in for a more in-depth have a look at his work. The two work clattered to the pavement, triggering an outpouring of phrases that sounded rather a lot like those her Italian father used when he didn’t wish to curse in English.

“Um, hello?” she stated as he righted her, straightening out her sun shades that had gone askew.

“Bene? Scusa, are you OK?” he stated, in a number one man type of voice, assessing the place the paint had hit, providing her a rag from his again pocket to wash up. “It is easier to ask me if the painting is for sale.”

Francesca supplied solely a smile, a delayed response to cowl for the fortuitous glimpse into his mild inexperienced eyes. 

“I’m so sorry,” she stated. “Funny how flip-flops, the footwear of choice around here, are so hazardous on The Strand.” 

She set down her bag. 

“I’ve ruined your painting,” she stated as collectively they lifted the work-in-progress that had landed the wrong way up on The Strand. 

“It doesn’t look too bad?” She watched as he reorganized his small enterprise setup and started sculpting the smears again into identifiable websites together with his palette knife.

“No, it is fine. Sometimes I mix sand in the paint on the canvas anyway,” he stated. “It is the little dog, the little dog I worry about, and his new spots.”

“Maybe getting splattered with paint is luck, even for a dog,” she stated. “Um, so where are you from? If you don’t mind if I ask.”

“Ah, you hear my accent? Or recognize the language?” he stated. “Sì, I am from Italy.”

Italian and a painter. She raised an eyebrow.

“How long have you been in the USA? Or here?”

“In Hermosa Beach? A couple of years.”

“Where are you from in Italy?”

“Roma.”

“Roma? You left Roma?”

“Why not?” he stated.

“Well, because Roma is Roma.”

“Sì, yes, well, you do not live there. The city is expensive. I cannot afford to live in the city center, and it is hard to get around with the traffic.”

“I see, and you solved those problems by moving to LA.”

He chuckled.

“I live in, what do you say, the Bubble? Look around you. The ocean, sun, sand and,” he paused, seemed into her eyes, whereas crossing his arms, “beautiful people.”

“Paradiso,” she stated, wanting away from him.

“Ah, you speak Italian?”

“A little. My father is Italian. My name is even Francesca.”

And there, she’d carried out it, launched herself with out having to calculate the second.

“Giacomo, I am Giacomo,” he stated, reaching out to shake her hand.

“You are always carrying a big backpack,” he stated, switching to Italian.

So he’s seen me earlier than.

“Vado alla lavatrice (la-va-tree-chay). I am going to the washing machine,” she stated, someway standing on her tippy toes helped to get the phrases out.

“You say lavatrice like it is your favorite word.” 

“I feel like I’m singing when I say it. And well, you have to admit, it makes the chore sound more glamorous than what it is.”

“I see and then you make a little exercise for yourself,” he stated, pointing to her backpack.

“Exactly! And your painting, how did you learn?” 

“I did go to university for art, but I have painted since I was a boy. I learned more from my nonno (grandpa). I followed him around with my own set of paints and easel, and we painted together local spots around Roma. Portraits though, he loved painting people.”

“And you?”

“It is nothing for me to paint the beach cities. But portraits, I can tell a story with them,” he stated. “Are you in a hurry to make your laundry?”

 “No? No, I’m not in a hurry to make my laundry,” she stated grinning.

“Ah, I made a mistake with my English, no?”

“Maybe, but I like it. More poetic the way you say it.”

Giacomo moved her bag, motioned for her to sit down down and adjusted the angle of her face, with a mild faucet of her chin. He introduced out a chunk of paper and started to work.

“No, no, no, you stay,” he stated, when she moved to peek on the work. After time appeared to increase into eternity with every passing onlooker, Giacomo handed her the completed portrait — signed together with his cellular quantity.

“Nice signature,” Francesca stated, a smile spreading throughout her face. “You left the splatter on my cheek?”

“It could happen only once in this life. Andiamo? Let’s go,” Giacomo stated, picked up her bag and walked her the remainder of the way in which to the laundromat.

Honorable Mention

Tom the Mailman

by Liza Rodriquez

“Tell me, tell me if you can, who’s your favorite mailman?” That easy jingle brings pleasure and fond reminiscences to neighbors recalling the all time postman. 

A captivating character with fast wit, Tommy typically crafted up foolish songs and offered such enjoyable and humor whereas making his every day rounds. To newcomers on his route, he launched himself as
“Tommy Salami,” including his imaginary uncle was “Tony Pepperoni.”

In the identical spirit as Cheers, everyone knew his title – throughout a time when being on a primary title foundation was the norm. 

Tommy subtly formed our group together with his inquiries concerning the well being and welfare of his prospects — noticing when somebody hadn’t picked up their mail and gently inviting us to examine on these close by. He joined within the pleasure of recent arrivals and mourning with us over the lack of neighbors. Thanks to his eager consciousness of who was transferring or on trip, Tommy turned a pure neighborhood watch lengthy earlier than Ring doorbells. 

While we boasted of getting the best mail service, he typically expressed reciprocal gratitude for being assigned to what he proclaimed his favourite route: an simply walkable stretch of single-family houses, not like two- and three-on-a- lot neighborhoods. On Halloween, our neighborhood is a hotspot.

It is not any small feat — the bodily exertion it requires every day. You achieve this angle strolling door-to-door in assist of an area trigger or promoting Girl Scout cookies. 

It was not unusual to see children using after Tommy just like the pied piper simply to listen to a humorous line. He made the right lead for our bike parades, thoughtfully scheduled on his off days so he may take part. 

Tommy may rival Santa Claus and Amazon for the extent of pleasure he generated throughout the holidays. Neighbors seemed out for him in return throughout the heavier supply days, leaving water and snacks for him. Even whereas dashing alongside his well timed route, he was by no means too busy for a fast dialog or type change.

When we have been new to the neighborhood, I turned a first-time mother. Feeling remoted, I’d make an effort to greet him every time I heard him method. We’d chortle at how good it was, even briefly, to have a dialog with one other full-fledged grownup. 

On one event, I advised him a couple of stroll with my younger daughter. We got here throughout an aged lady standing on the road nook, showing misplaced. I supplied to stroll her to the polling station, the place I used to be headed anyway. Along our means, she shared how proud she was of her son who visited along with her every single day – and that he was a mailman. We shortly put the items collectively. The lady I had helped was Tommy’s mother, Rose. 

Not lengthy after, he shared that he had been identified with progressive pancreatic most cancers and was not anticipated to dwell greater than 9 months. Our exchanges turned extra significant as we supported one another’s journeys, struggles and celebrated small victories. 

Many neighbors shared comparable accounts of Tommy, whether or not it was witnessing his playful push-up challenges, or just feeling the enjoyment of his presence. He vowed to maintain delivering so long as his physique would permit. We have been all touched by his perseverance and dedication and honored him with a neighborhood celebration simply months earlier than his passing. A proud worker of the US Postal Service for 37 years, Tommy was identified by numerous a whole bunch – possibly hundreds – for his optimistic perspective and enjoyable, outgoing spirit. 

He will ceaselessly remind us of the easy present of being type.

Honorable Mention

Honorable Mention

The Starling And The Savior

by Ali’imanu Luna-Kuwamura 

“Calling Handyman Donovan Cho to Sector 10!” a voice stated over the intercom. Donovan acquired up from his mattress, and grabbed his restore equipment. He seemed out the window, and gazed on the star the station was surrounding. 

Donovan was on an area station often known as the Solar Ring. On his technique to Sector 10, he overhears an interview of the proprietor explaining the station’s goal. “My idea is to collect solar energy from the star. There are solar panels around the station that store energy we would ship to other stations, and at the sight of damage we send out Donovan Cho’s team to fix it immediately. People could even live here. This place is perfect!” 

Donovan chuckled to himself. Perfect? Yeah proper, for those who solely knew. Donovan reached the broken space and placed on a TITAN swimsuit, one thing made for area exploration. He leaves to go outdoors the station after answering a name from headquarters. 

“There’s an anomaly that was launched from the star, shattering the solar panels. You don’t need to repair them by hand, just use some of the excess nanobots from your TITAN suit to repair the damage. Also, retrieve whatever broke the panels. See you when you get back, Scarlet,” HQ advised him.

Donovan, or his Red Clan title, Scarlet, reached the anomaly, which turned out to be a small ball of sunshine, round an inch and a half in diameter. He tried to seize it, but it surely shifted right into a clean slate of a humanoid determine. 

Donovan backed up because it fashioned. He threw a capsule of nanobots on the photo voltaic panel to propel himself away from the creature. 

When it fashioned, it made a girl, mild pores and skin, and never a lightweight tone of pores and skin coloration, however really pores and skin created from mild. When totally fashioned, she seemed round, and began speaking, however Donovan couldn’t hear her as a result of sound doesn’t journey by area. 

On Donovan’s UI within the TITAN swimsuit, the restore was marked full. Soon after, the wire tethering him to the area station pulled him again inside. 

The star woman tried to observe however was stopped by the substitute gravity discipline. Eventually she will get inside, and as quickly as she hits the ground from the substitute gravity, three guards shot at her with a taser, then took her away. 

Donovan carried his gear to his designated room, reflecting on his ethical compass, telling him he ought to have helped her. 

Knock Knock Knock. 

Donovan went to the door, however a person in a white labcoat was already opening the door with a grasp keycard. He let himself in with two armed guards beside him. 

“What is this?” Donovan demanded to know, however the guards stayed quiet, grabbing him. They took him to an interrogation room with the person in cost. The guards shoved him right into a chair and cuffed him to the desk, so he couldn’t go away. The guards stood by the door, and the person spoke. “Donovan, right?” 

“What is this about?” 

“You found something, we need you to tell us what it is,” the person stated with a stern voice. 

“How am I supposed to know?” Donovan stated angrily, as he secretly started to choose the lock of {the handcuffs}. 

“You grabbed it?” the person stated, as if it have been apparent. 

“I was removing the anomaly as requested by HQ, I don’t know what she is,” Donovan stated, sighing. 

“You’re part of the Red Clan, the universal hands for hire. Tell us what it is, or we’ll send you into the cold void of space.” 

“So, who would repair the solar panels for you? Who would help you get paid?” Donovan questioned. 

“I, along with all other important people, have specialized pods with as much resources needed to reach another station. I. Don’t. Need. Yo,” the person stated, leaning over the desk as an try and intimidate Donovan. 

Click! 

Donovan unlocked {the handcuffs}. With a jolt, he acquired up and tried to push by the door. 

“What? I thought you cuffed him!” the person barked on the guards. 

“You said I’m not needed, so I’ll show myself out!” Donovan stated, however was pulled down by the guards. “Augh! Let go of me!” he stated earlier than being tased. Bzzzz!

Donovan awoke who is aware of how a lot later, and seen he was in a padded room. There was a digital camera within the nook together with a microphone in entrance of a a technique window. On the opposite aspect of the window was her. The star woman. 

Rrriiinnnggg! 

Feedback from the speaker above him. 

“Donovan Cho, we will keep you here until you tell us what that thing is,” he heard the person from earlier say. 

“I already said I don’t know! Do you think she’ll just tell me or something?”

“Yes, and we have implemented a microphone in its room for you to get information. Once you do this for us, we’ll set you free.” 

Click! 

The transmission ended. Donovan went to the window and turned on the microphone beneath it. He heard suggestions from the star woman’s room. The star woman seemed up and stopped crying. 

“What?” she muttered underneath her breath. 

“I’m… the guy who you saw outside the station… I… I’m sorry about what happened… but I have a job to do. They are forcing me to get information out of you.” “Of course they are…” she stated, dropping her head again into her knees. “I just want to help you.” 

“That’s what the others said, the ones who tried taking me apart…” 

“I’m not going to hurt you, you have my word. I’m Donovan Cho, aka Scarlet, second in command of technology of the Red Clan.” 

The star woman’s head moved up. “The… Red Clan?”

“You’ve heard of us?” Donovan requested. 

“I’m Ikehu Korinas, I was sent out from my home star to find Ikai Karvos, who was sent out to get help from the Red Clan. They’ve helped my people before.”

“So, you do know about us. That means you know that I want to help,” Donovan stated as he seemed round Ikehu’s room. “Can you find a way out?” 

“Yes, there is a vent but I haven’t mastered shapeshifting.” 

“Wait! Shapeshifting?” Donovan stated, confused. 

“I’m a Starling… a species that lives in the stars. We can shapeshift and manipulate light,” Ikehu defined. “I’ll try to get through the vent, it should lead to the-” Rrriiinnnggg! 

The speaker in his room goes off. 

“Donovan, what are you doing?” the person requested. 

“Getting information, what? You can’t hear the conversation?” 

“The microphone is only in your room, an oversight by the repair team. What have you gotten so far?” 

“Just wait and see,” Donovan stated, wanting into the room and noticing that Ikehu is thru the vent. He hears creaking above him, after which he turns invisible. 

“What? Where did you go!” the person stated by the audio system. 

“Huh?” Donovan stated, confused. 

“Psst” whispered a disembodied voice. “I turned you invisible by manipulating the light hitting your body. We need to leave. Lead the way, Scarlet,” Ikehu advised him. Donovan goes over to the door, but it surely’s locked. Ikehu had it coated although, utilizing her hand, which is made of sunshine, she slowly melted the door.

Alarms blared and Ikehu’s invisibility stopped working. Guards armed with weapons began firing on the two. 

They ran by the halls and made it to the TITAN swimsuit space. Donning one swimsuit every, they now had some safety towards the lasers. Donovan noticed superior oxygen tanks used for when somebody is spending a very long time outdoors the Solar Ring. 

“Here, we’re leaving, I’ll contact Burgundy, he’s the first in command of technology, he’ll rescue us,” Donovan stated, placing one of many oxygen tanks on and handing the opposite to Ikehu. 

“I don’t need oxygen. Starling, remember?” 

“I guess, well, let’s go,” Donovan stated, as he activated his helmet and jumped previous the substitute gravity discipline, adopted by Ikehu. 

About six hours later, Burgundy arrived in a spaceship. Upon arrival at Earth, the place the Red Clan resides, they have been greeted by the Red Clan chief, Red himself. 

Red turned to Ikehu first, “Ikehu, You were helping one of our own come back safely, and if it suits your interests, you could work to earn your name, Rose.” Red then turned to Donovan, telling him, “You left your post, but for a good reason. You left to save this Starling’s life. You helped the ones in need,” Red stated as he put his hand in his cloak to seize one thing. 

“Scarlet, you’ve officially earned your mask,” Red stated, “your badge of honor. Take it with pride. Your mask has been marked with The Savior, you’ve earned it.” Red positioned a clay masks in Scarlet’s palms. Scarlet put it on. 

“That sounds right, The Savior,” Donvan thought.

Honorable Mention

Honorable Mention

Thief of Music and Magic 

by Hokulani Luna-Kuwamura

Hey, my title is…Wow, you thought I might let you know? Nah. Instead, I’ll let you know my plan. My good friend has a bail of 10,000,000 credit. If I don’t get it, he shall be killed in three weeks.There is a legislation in my metropolis that for those who can commit against the law and never get caught for every week, you might be let loose, so long as the crime doesn’t harm anybody. My plan is to sneak into the museum, steal this uncommon crystal known as the melodic stone, watch for every week, then promote it and bail my good friend out. 

On Friday that is how I pictured it. As I make my technique to the museum I look out for the cameras (I can flip invisible due to my stealth being the most effective there’s). I go by the gate proper earlier than it closes when a automotive passes. I’m not detected. I wait in an exhibit depicting the best crime boss/murderer who ever lived as a result of it’s closed for renovations however they received’t be engaged on the day I do that as a result of it will likely be a Sunday. I conceal and keep unseen by the guards. I’m going by the vents after they activate the scanners. (They do it in segments and the vents are that final phase.) Right earlier than they scan the vents, I go away and enter one other exhibit a couple of spacefaring hero whose entire ship was falling aside and the crew was ravenous. My reminiscence is fuzzy concerning the structure and this room ought to have a map. Also this level has some fancy know-how that I may take for myself afterwards. Once I get right here I must improvise. 

Saturday, midday, provide run on the market guidelines: 

#1 a rope for higher entry and journey within the vents 

#2 a knife for slicing the vent door open 

#3 milk (unrelated only for my purchasing) 

#4 12 pack of additional lengthy lasting gum (unrelated and bitter lemon taste) 

#5 21 pack of meal kits (for when i’m hiding the week after so i can keep hidden) 

On Sunday, the plan goes nice… till i get to the primary exhibit the place the hallway is blocked by a pallet of wooden for the development crew’s renovation. I’ve to take a unique route, going to the room of a water respiration sea creature humanoid hero who had water and ice powers. I made a decision the most effective plan of motion was to cover underneath the enormous aquarium within the crawl area. I’m caught because it was a a technique door so I went additional. Thankfully for no matter purpose, the crawlspace had no scanner. I spent half of the evening simply looking for a means out till I fell into one other exhibit. At this exhibit, there’s a shapeshifting axolotl hero statue. Surprisingly, as luck would have it, that is near the exhibit with the melodic stone. I run straight to the quickest hero exhibit because it was her property (the hero owned it so it’s stored there.) The stone is encased in indigonium. This is a really uncommon indigo and clear crystal that impacts my race. It inverts our eyes so we are able to see the solar on this world as a substitute of constructing us flip to stone, nonetheless it makes it so our solar turns us into stone as a substitute, and my glasses are fabricated from this crystal kind. I made a decision to take the entire case. Success! I make it out with each the stone and the case fabricated from the crystal. Now for the week-long hiding section. 

Day 1: Monday: nothing a lot I can do/I’m on excessive alert /I keep nicely hidden.

Day 2: Tuesday: I notice that I might want to discover somebody who will purchase the melodic stone.

Day 3: Wednesday: may I promote it to a musician? 

Day 4: Thursday: I acquired ambushed by bounty hunters searching for a fast credit score. They stole my meals/ I’ve to relocate now. 

Day 5: Friday: I discovered a brand new place /moved every part. Food is prime precedence. 

Day 6: Saturday: I’m going to the market to get extra meals and discover a purchaser for the stone. 

Day 7: Sunday: simply hiding however I noticed somebody who seemed like they might purchase the stone. I’ll ask him tomorrow if he’s . 

Monday, I used to be secure for seven days so I now not want to cover. I met the potential purchaser, he stated he desires the stone however he received’t pay, somebody sneaks behind me and holds me again as the client takes the stone and leaves. No cost, I’ll want one other technique to save my good friend. 

Tuesday, I determine a full jail break is the most suitable choice to distract the guards with excessive chaos. I have to contact my good friend to tell him about my plan. The finest time for this may be yard time for the inmates, however I missed the window immediately so tomorrow is my probability. I might want to discover a technique to get to the management room. I’ll remedy this downside by shopping for a common lockpick. 

Wednesday, 8 days left. I sneak over to the chain hyperlink fence, I inform my good friend I’m going to get him out and to be prepared by both Thursday or Friday and that I get him out by way of breakout.

Friend: ”Wait, the place do I’m going?” 

Me: ”Don’t fear I shall be within the management room for the entire constructing. It has audio system, I’ll let you know the place it is advisable go.” 

Thursday, 7 days left. I made it in and the breakout started. It began easy with only some seeing their door locks change. I lead my good friend by the halls when there’s an announcement of a system glitch. The announcement is “All guards, head over to the cells.” The different inmates are largely collectively in a single group in order that they can’t be taken again to their cells. No violence but, however after 10 minutes the guards arrive and the inmates scatter. Full riot, no peace or quiet. The guards are none the wiser about my good friend, as they’re busy with the opposite inmates. Then I hear the rattling of the door within the management room. I block it by transferring the chair. I look again to the cameras and see {that a} group of guards are surrounding my good friend. I alert the guards and lead them away by way of the audio system and lock them within the cafeteria. I proceed main my good friend out, he makes his technique to the cellphone space for guests. He wants a technique to break the glass. He grabs one of many wood chairs and begins bashing the chair on the ground, breaking off one of many legs, then makes use of it as a bat to crack the window. It shatters, and he crawls by to make his technique to the entrance. 

Now I have to get out however the guard continues to be ready by the door. The solely door! I’m trapped! I search for one other means out, however there’s none. I’ve to knock out the guard and run. I spot a rack with some weapons and riot shields. I take one in all every, and I exit the room. A guard factors a taser at me. I cowl myself with the riot defend and level my gun, I cannot shoot however I threaten him. He lets me go away if I permit him to dwell. I don’t have anybody to information me so I’ve to recollect the way in which out…or take notes of the place the exit is from the cameras. I just do that, I make my technique to the cellphone room then crawl by the glass. I make my technique to the entrance to fulfill my good friend and we at the moment are free. For these seven  days we might want to conceal. 

I cannot bore you with that. I’ll let you know we made it. My story is finished. You know the way I saved my good friend and the way we made it out so thanks for listening and goodbye! Anyways, how was your month up to now?

Honorable Mention

Honorable Mention

Honorable Mention

Closure 

by Joel Gitelson

I used to be an LA County lifeguard for over 30 years and took part in lots of searches for lacking individuals. One concerned a younger lady who tried suicide by swimming out to sea in entrance of Gladstone’s early one night. We weren’t in a position to seek for her till the subsequent day as a result of we obtained notification after it was darkish. Our dive crew met on the seaside the subsequent morning and kicked out to Baywatch to start an underwater search. It can be like discovering a needle in a haystack, however you by no means know. 

A Coast Guard helicopter positioned her floating a couple of mile offshore, on her again, not transferring. We sped out aboard Baywatch and after bringing her aboard, found her to have a pulse and spontaneous respiration. We wrapped her in blankets and lowered her into the engine compartment to rewarm her. Paramedics met us on the Baywatch dock in Marina del Rey and transported her to the closest hospital the place she recovered. Her title was Misty, and he or she was by no means reported lacking. Now, every time I hear the tune “Play Misty for Me,” I consider her.

Most lifeguard searches don’t end up this manner. The victims often disappear within the waves, off a jetty or on the finish of a hellacious rip present. Initially, we muster all accessible personnel and floor dive in a line from shore out so far as we are able to go. Baywatch, Rescue Watercraft [RWC] and the USCG all take part. The dive crew searches in deeper waters till it’s too darkish to go looking. By this time, the household is alerted, they usually arrive on scene to hope for the most effective. On one event, an individual entered the water at 14th Street in Manhattan Beach when it was simply getting darkish. He swam all the way down to 18th Street and exited the water. However, the seaside patron who alerted us solely noticed him enter and never exit. Manhattan Beach Fire Dept. introduced a ‘Lighting truck’ onto the pier to light up the ocean. The USCG deployed a helo from LAX. We suited up and searched on paddleboards with Baywatch sweeping the world. The particular person, lengthy since excessive and dry, walked as much as the police stationed on the pier to see what all of the fuss was about. When advised of whom we have been looking for, he realized it was him.

Searching for a lacking swimmer is an arduous course of. Six divers are towed alongside the underside on a tow bar, going deeper and deeper, forwards and backwards. After an hour we change off with one other six dive crew members. We do that for 2 days, often. We practice for it constantly, however with the household holding vigil on the seaside, it’s a dynamic you possibly can’t practice for. They make contact with you as you enter and exit the water with grieving eyes reflecting hopelessness and hope on the similar time. Waiting for one thing, something, they take turns ready on the actual spot the place their liked one disappeared. Sometimes, on evening patrol, we’d see them, they usually’d be there huddled in blankets, on the seaside, ready.

The typical state of affairs is that the physique floats up after about seven days of being submerged and often within the relative neighborhood of the place they went lacking. At this level, the Lifeguard Section Chief steps in to assist the household course of the loss. It’s bittersweet, this closure factor. It’s the most effective all of us can do. It’s a crew effort.

 Honorable Mention

Uncle Bill’s Pancake House

by David Brubaker

In 1968, after I graduated from the USC Business School, I used to be employed for my first job in El Segundo. My roommate and I, on the age of 24, moved right into a Manhattan Beach condominium on the nook of Rosecrans and Highland. That first weekend we meandered south on Highland and finally stumbled upon the most effective pancakes in Southern California: “Uncle Bill’s Pancake House.” I had those with bananas and walnuts, my roommate had the strawberry, and we each generously poured the true maple syrup on prime. I knew that the South Bay was to be my residence, and to me, Uncle Bill’s was the capital of Manhattan Beach!

Over the subsequent 55 years, rather a lot modified in my life. As time handed, I left that job and began my very own enterprise that finally went public. I moved out of my first condominium and into a number of others, then lastly purchased a house within the hill part. While I parted with the roommate, I gained a gorgeous spouse and an superior son. I additionally watched my group evolve from a little-known seaside city simply south of the LAX Airport to one of the bustling and rising communities in Los Angeles. Over time, bike and surf retailers, mom-and-pop shops have been changed with upscale new eating places and boutique retailers. Through all of it, Uncle Bill’s was the place I spent each attainable Saturday morning, and the pancake home – menu, decor, employees – stayed the identical. 

One of my favourite Saturday morning breakfast companions was Dr. Burton Marcus, my favourite USC professor from my time there within the ’60s. Attached is the latest {photograph} (July 29, 2025) of the 2 of us outdated boys in entrance of our favourite breakfast diner. I’m 81 now, Burton is 91, and we agree the pancakes style the identical or possibly even higher! My son is 40 now and attended Mira Costa earlier than graduating from USC. In the second hooked up image, within the background, is a photograph of us in 2003 that has been hanging there ever since.

There was a time when Uncle Bill’s was solely a countertop room, and “Van” owned and managed it. In the ’60s and ’70s, there was a barber store hooked up to Uncle Bill’s, owned by a person named Ronnie, who used to sometimes minimize my hair. Uncle Bill’s purchased the store and it’s now the primary eating room, alongside the out of doors patio. Over pancakes with Dr. Marcus final week, I couldn’t assist however replicate on the truth that whereas the Manhattan Beach group has blossomed into one of the progressive and populated seaside communities in LA, some issues – fortunately – by no means change. Dr. Marcus, as a advertising professor, used to emphasise two keys to enterprise success: first, “keep winners” and after I seemed across the diner final week, I noticed a number of the parents who’ve been mainstays of this iconic location like Matt (the supervisor and proprietor), Gloria, Blanca, Greg, Stacey, Jeanette, and Kyle. They have all been a part of the historical past and progress all through the years. The second key to success from Dr. Marcus is {that a} enterprise ought to “honor their brand.” Uncle Bill’s, whereas bigger in area and packed to the rim with fellow pancake lovers, nonetheless has the identical attraction, service, meals high quality, and beachy ambiance that it had again within the ’60s. Isn’t it great, on this ever-changing world… that some issues by no means change.

Honorable Mention

Honorable Mention

Beautiful South Bay

by Spiros H. Mikelatos

Oh, proud reader, I really like the South Bay, too, although I used to be not born and raised right here.

I used to be born and raised in one other lovely place, the Greek island Kefalonia, village Aninata with 46 households. In the second chapter of poet Homer’s Iliad the poet writes “Ulysses was leading the great hearted Kefalinians…”

To be known as “great hearted” by poet Homer 3,000 years in the past is an honor and a accountability by the ages.

I reached Manhattan Beach and the South Bay with my mom Aneliki and my sister Helene after World War II, in 1952. I used to be 15 years outdated, fluent in Greek however solely two phrases of English: sure and no. I do not know how I realized these two phrases.

My father, Harry, and brother Jerry arrived in Manhattan Beach three years earlier. There was additionally a pricey Greek good friend in Manhattan Beach. His title was Spiros Mitchell (Mihalitsianos). He cared for our household and we cared for him. He was single. 

I had a loving household that was break up by conflict and immigration points however was coming collectively once more within the South Bay. Twenty 12 months outdated brother Jerry took over as head of the household, because of our father’s superior age.

There have been additionally some aged Greek women within the South Bay who discovered my dilemma with the English language.

They suggested evening college. I didn’t complain. I had no thought what was finest for me.

Jerry was a person who may suppose for himself. Without my information he went to speak with Mira Costa Principal Waller and Vice Principal Fisher about me and my sister Helene. I used to be accepted in Mira Costa as a sophomore, the identical grade I used to be in after I left Greece. School would start subsequent week and my new first title was Steve. I didn’t say a lot. I simply recalled that phrase from the Bible: “The Lord is my Shepherd…”

I did nicely in Mira Costa, not as a result of I used to be sensible, I used to be by no means sensible. I did nicely as a result of academics and college students have been supporting me from day one. I nonetheless do not forget that phrase: “Steve, keep up the good work.”

I needed to have some enjoyable, too. They allowed me to affix the monitor and cross nation groups. There have been others higher than me however I used to be the one working barefoot. I even ran barefoot on the Mount San Antonio Cross Country Course.

I completed Mira Costa in 3 years and was accepted by UCLA for premedical research. 

Upon commencement from Mira Costa High School the gorgeous ladies of the Sandpipers gave me a scholarship. The lovely ladies of the Bank of America gave me one other scholarship. My household was making sacrifices, too.  

I continued my medical research on the David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine. 

After one 12 months of internship the State of California gave me a license to apply drugs. 

I typically suppose the individuals of Manhattan Beach, South Bay and California have been supporting my schooling all the way in which. Most of those individuals haven’t even seen my face. I’ve requested myself what I’ve given in return?

I joined the US Airforce for my draft obligation.

After two years I returned to Santa Barbara for extra medical coaching. 

I continued my profession as a Family Practice physician within the South Bay for 4 years. 

I returned to energetic army responsibility as a Family Practice Physician to make the Air Force my profession. I retired from the Air Force with over 20 years of service. 

I continued to apply drugs half time. I labored initially for Veterans Hospitals. 

I additionally did some medical apply for 5 California most safety prisons together with the ladies’s prisons in Chowchilla, California. 

Presently, I’m treating opiate addicts together with fentanyl addicts. 

My army profession took me to Texas, California, Florida, Germany, Bavaria, and Greece. 

But I at all times remembered the South Bay. I keep in mind the gorgeous shores, the piers, The Strand, the gorgeous eating places, and nightclubs. Schools and locations of worship that replicate magnificence and excellence. Civic leaders and police additionally replicate excellence. 

When I consider the South Bay I recall the outline of paradise of poet Homer within the Odyssey: “A place where no snow falls and very little rain. In the afternoon a gentle breeze blows from the ocean to refresh the people.” 

Honorable Mention

Honorable Mention

The view from the blue swivel chairs

by Jacob Tan 

Perhaps the smallest home in Manhattan Beach is a one story bungalow on Highland Ave, one of many city’s few remaining seaside cottages. Despite its small measurement and low-hanging roof, the blue-trimmed cottage homes a whole bunch of individuals in its rooms and on its patio on any given Sunday. This breakfast joint is so beloved that individuals will wait patiently in a row of plastic chairs on the sidewalk for his or her probability at some syrupy pancakes, with a aspect of outdated California nostalgia. 

I’m speaking about Uncle Bill’s Pancake House. The restaurant opened in 1961 in an empty walkstreet residence. Other breakfast locations stand little probability towards the attract of Uncle Bill’s, and this summer time morning, I wish to partake within the nostalgia too.  

I stroll previous the drained teenage hostess from my highschool, in direction of a little bit blue door that reveals one in all Uncle Bill’s secrets and techniques: a diner-style seating space adorned with classic pictures and Christmas playing cards that households have despatched to the home. Stuck to the window subsequent to the blue door is a haphazard assortment of sun-faded “Zagat Restaurant Guide” stickers from 2003, 2006, 2011, and 2017—in no specific order. Sometime after 2017, the hand that slapped these stickers on ceased to pay a lot thoughts to these critiques. Uncle Bill’s doesn’t have to impress, it merely wants to accommodate the sleepy beachgoers who frequent the restaurant for his or her morning espresso with eggs and toast. I squeeze into a glittery blue swivel chair within the diner, and wave to the wait employees as they transfer previous one another within the cramped galley, transferring in good coordination with colourful plates. I’ve visited Uncle Bill’s for almost twenty years, first introduced right here by my grandmother as a younger youngster twice-weekly, the place I realized to learn within the very swivel chairs that I sit in now. Back then, we ordered a plate of two muffins, a espresso for my grandmother, and a sizzling chocolate with whipped cream for me. Today, I nearly attain for one of many yellowed plastic menus, however cease myself, opting to stay with custom. Then the waitress—who nonetheless serves my grandmother twice weekly whereas I’m away in school—slides me espresso and a plate with two muffins, nonetheless remembering my order some15 years later. As I stir cream into my espresso, I be aware of the people who find themselves on the restaurant immediately. The most important eating space is a mixture of locals and vacationers, a few of whom have clearly travelled from faraway locations. But I’m happy to see the regulars are unchanged—the standard older gentleman sitting within the nook, a pair of barefoot surfers scarfing down  BLTs, and a father and his younger son whom I smile at, his face barely making it above the counter. 

Manhattan Beach has modified dramatically previously 50 years. What started as a provisional seaside city has swelled right into a fully-formed metropolis, threatening to dethrone different seashores as the favourite vacation spot of vacationers blown westward to Southern California. Each time I come residence from college a restaurant downtown has been reworked or offered, and a brand new constructing has been erected. The yellow plaster lecture rooms of my former elementary college have been changed by trendy white buildings paying homage to an city workplace. And I can’t assist however consider the hysteria amongst native youngsters that went unheard when Wahoo’s—the favourite meal of many Junior Guards—was changed by one other restaurant. On my most up-to-date go to residence, I seen that its modified once more

Change is a situation of dwelling by the ocean. To select to settle upon faultlines and sandy soil is to just accept the impermanence of your existence, to acquiesce to the supremacy of the earth. In the approaching years, Manhattan Beach will proceed to take new types—new generations of beachgoers shall be born, new eating places and houses shall be erected, sandcastles shall be constructed and washed away by the waves. I feel typically of my childhood that unfolded in these blue swivel chairs, and the many individuals who’ve been raised by this magical place. I can not cease the limitless beating of the waves, however for sure I’ve been a witness.

Honorable Mention

Honorable Mention

30 Feet and the Sea

by Raymond Dussault

I poured a cup of connoisseur espresso and took it out on the deck of my third flooring condominium. I may look down the hill, over my neighbors’ rooftops and the houses on the flat stroll avenue, previous the sand and the volleyball courts all the way in which to the Pacific. It was lake flat and slate gray. The clouds have been shut and low, as if somebody had draped gray sheets underneath the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

It was simply one other Sunday morning. Volleyball with my longtime group and a liquid brunch on the Plaza, however I felt unsettled, as if one thing was coming. A disruption to Hermosa’s Peter Pan existence.
I marveled for a second at my luck to hire, nonetheless excessive it is perhaps, and nonetheless have this unfettered view. I favored my neighbours as I favored most individuals in Hermosa, and my view was protected by an outdated zoning legislation that restricted new development to 30 toes. So, although the couple just under me was rich past my aspirations, they might not steal my rental view.
As I dressed for volleyball, I couldn’t shake this darkish cloud of a sense. Even because the solar broke up the soiled sheet sky and gave technique to pale blue with drifts of sugar white clouds, I nonetheless felt weighted with fear. Maybe it was the dream I had about my youthful brother, Joseph, whom we misplaced to most cancers 4 years in the past. In the dream, we battled with wood swords at a Renn Faire, and when he fake-fell from a thrust with my sword I found he was actually gone. I wakened crying.

Even as I took a bag of volleyballs from the entryway closet, I couldn’t shake the will to speak another time to my type and eccentric brother. I walked out and shut the door behind me, slicing down the slender stairs subsequent to the at the moment vacant Franklin residence and headed towards the seaside.

As I hit Hermosa Avenue, I bumped into Henry, the retired aerospace man who wore socks together with his Birkenstocks and was perennially upset with the native authorities.

“You heard?” he requested, gesturing together with his chin towards the Franklin home.

“Heard what?”

He held up his cellphone. An architectural rendering glowed on the display screen: 5 tales of modern, trendy containers with metal balconies, towering 50 toes. “Builder’s Remedy,” he stated. “City manager messed up. And the Franklins are exploiting that loophole, claiming low-income units. Total BS. It’s the end of old Hermosa.”

My abdomen sank. I seemed again up the hill. The Franklin home, modest, unoccupied, quiet, can be scraped away. My view, my mornings, my sacred slice of sky and sea, was about to be stolen by individuals who didn’t even dwell right here.

Henry shrugged. “I don’t even know what we can do. It’s a state law trying to ram housing down small town throats.”

We talked and smacked volleyballs. I performed more durable in my frustration and nearly everybody appeared resigned to town’s plight. I went to brunch and drank margaritas at Tower 12. Everyone else discovered causes to chortle. 

I nonetheless fought with my melancholy temper and rising anger. I had an inclination to lash out, to provide voice and motion to my frustrations. I had at all times favored the Franklins. Billy and Amy have been at all times pleasant, threw enjoyable events on their rooftop deck. They had moved the 12 months earlier than, to be nearer to Amy’s getting old dad and mom and had deliberate to rework and promote their Hermosa residence. 

Now I solely felt anger changing the nice time reminiscences. If I touched my cellphone, I knew I’d remorse the phrases I’d say. I needed I may speak with my brother, who had at all times been the low-key to my fast anger.

By late afternoon, the margaritas become a protracted Sunday nap with out desires. When I woke, the solar was setting and I had a plan. One I believed Joseph would like to my typical hotheadedness.

That night, I drafted my first electronic mail to neighbors. Hermosa is a metropolis value preventing for.

Grand Prize Cartoon

Honorable Mention

Life on the town

by Nicolai Preiss

I dwell in a city the place no one likes me

They don’t perceive, in order that they do issues to spite me

Majority guidelines, they acquired security in numbers

They inform me to alter, however my coronary heart’s carried out surrendered

Jesus is Lord and the residents comprehend it

Some have a previous, and all of us have a narrative

There’s brothers who’d be right here in the event that they solely made it

The reminiscences inside us show life is is so valuable

Rhythm & Blues within the streets of powerful metropolis

For punkers and rockers who search one thing regular

Working collectively, been working all day

Love is the reply and grit paves the way in which

Honorable Mention

Honorable Mention

Honorable Mention

Honorable Mention

The Ice Man Cometh

“The days develop sizzling, O Babylon! 

‘Tis cool beneath thy willow bushes!” 

– Revolution by Ferdinand Freiligrath

by J.E. Marshall

Three streetwalkers walked into the LOW TIDE INN SALOON. 

“Hey Lucky, this place looks like a morgue! Where’s Spoon?” Connie surveyed the room the place all 9 drunkards, aside from Lawrence Swink, had handed out, predicting how unbelievable this go to from Teddy Ray Quinn was going to be. 

“He’s asleep,” Lucky Malloy, the evening bartender answered. “You girls better get Quinn’s room ready.” 

Connie bit her tongue and didn’t inform Lucky that she’d simply seen Quinn on the new resort throughout the alley. Quinn paid her to get one thing from Harold Hayes. 

April and Maggie did chores whereas dissing Connie for not carrying her weight of their new day job as replacements for Fanny, Marina and Gladys, the maids who had been eliminated by ICE brokers final week. 

“She thinks she’s all that ever since Spoon proposed,” April stated. 

“Well, what do you expect, she never does her share,” Maggie claimed. “Can you imagine her plucking chickens at that farm they keep talking about buying?” 

Lawrence Swink downed the free drink Lucky gave him and resumed staring into oblivion, not prepared to speak concerning the matters of the day but. Like all of the patrons of the LOW TIDE INN, he was grateful for the approaching plethora of free drinks that the biannual visits from Teddy Ray Quinn would convey however he was not prepared for the wild tales and merriment. He may do with out that, particularly now. He excused himself to go to the john to keep away from additional dialog. He took a gun out of his jacket and held it to his head. 

Little Mateo purposely marched into the bar, grabbed the priest by the pinnacle, lifted him up off the desk so he may ask a query. Father Howard Halstrap bolted up from his slumber and shouted, “The days grow hot, O Babylon! ‘Tis cool beneath thy willow trees!” Then he remembered who and the place he was and sat down to handle the little boy.

“You must stay with Miss Vicky. You don’t want to end up in a children’s camp. They will teach you to hurt people and do many bad things,” Father Halstrap gently reminded the kid. Though the priest had by no means seen the within of a youngsters’s camp, he had seen what got here out of them. He’d spent 5 years within the DEATH VALLEY FACILITY FOR DISLOYAL ADULTS and seen the guards have been getting youthful. Innocent youngsters have been molded into cold-blooded monsters able to unspeakable actions. 

Father Halstrap managed to flee from the DEATH VALLEY CAMP on the day of the televised executions however couldn’t bear to return to St. James on St. Vincent Street. He stopped at THE LOW TIDE INN for a drink and by no means left. Every day since he would discover consolation planning the hows and whens of his return to St. James together with his consuming buddies. 

A frantic Miss Vicky from the underground youngster rescue mission bumped into the bar and picked up Mateo, scolding him, “Never do that again! You could get lost and I would never be able to find you!” 

“Mamita! Mamita!” His mom Marina was one of many maids that ICE kidnapped within the alley on her technique to work on the inn. 

“For pity’s sake, Lucky, turn off the damn TV. Where the hell is Quinn? He’s late! Give me a drink!” Father Halstrap knew the girl they have been going to execute on the White House garden. He had been incarcerated along with her. After too many escapes on Execution Day on the Death Valley facility, the festivities have been transferred to DC. 

“Give him a drink, Lucky, for God’s sake, and turn the damn TV off!” Lawrence Swink returned from the lads’s room pacing like a caged cat. 

The ruckus wakened the aged veterans, General Van Nam Long, and Captain Bernard Duran who fell asleep leaning on one another in a purple leather-based sales space. They have been the oldest of the end-of-the-line drunkards and had vehemently endeavored to kill one another of their youth, throughout the first Indochina conflict, however have been better of pals now. Every day they whiled away the hours describing what it was going to be like after they returned to their homelands of Cambodia and France. Before they might make amends for occasions, Johnny Love, a disturbed younger man entered the bar and requested if Lawrence Swink was there. He cried that they have to cease an unjust execution. 

“Benny Shields is a genius attorney; he can help you. He’s going to help me get my job back,” Edison Finch, brother-in-law of the proprietor of the LOW TIDE INN stated. Edison was a con artist who consistently talked concerning the day he would get his job again on the theme park that had fired him for promoting quick passes for the handicapped to individuals who weren’t disabled. 

“Benny don’t practice law! He don’t practice anything except drinking,” former police lieutenant Jack Faegan stated. 

“What do you know about it anyhow?” Edison Finch requested.

“I know you probably bought him a drink every time he told you that you have a solid case. I know he dropped out of Harvard when his dad got busted big time for stock market manipulation.” 

“Says the cop who was kicked off the force.” Finch refused to surrender religion that Benny Shields may assist him get his life again. 

“I hope Quinn will arrive soon before they kill each other.” Matthew Fletcher noticed that each one the lads have been getting testy. Something was off. 

Harold carried in a case of champagne from the loading dock. He was adopted by Matthew Fletcher and Charlie Spoon, every carrying a crate of whiskey despatched with compliments from Teddy Ray Quinn. Soon a catering service delivered a roast duck and a buffet of various aspect dishes and desserts. 

“Wow!” the day bartender declared! “Don’t let Connie see this spread! She’ll expect me to outdo it at our wedding reception! Speaking of Connie, where is she?” 

“She gave Hayes the third degree before she left,” Eddie “Two Weeks” Turner reported. He was once a conflict correspondent and dreamed of returning to the entrance line however earned the title “Two Weeks” by pushing all his guarantees out two weeks, indefinitely, till everybody, even he, forgot them. 

“She’s probably picking out something for the party,” Fletcher prompt. Like Two Weeks, Fletcher had a dream that he stored at arm’s size. 

Quinn was very upset by Connie’s report. 

“He said the only way he could survive without Beth was to sell the house and pretend she was still there,” Connie advised Quinn 

“That is asinine!” Quinn was so livid he strangled Connie and stormed throughout the alley into the LOW TIDE INN. His plan to lowball Hayes and make a bundle had crashed. 

“I’m not your father, kid. You were already born when I met your mother.” Lawrence Swink turned away from the boy. Swink didn’t wish to take part in life anymore. He needed to watch however not become involved. He did love Delilah Love, however he couldn’t cease consuming. He didn’t dream of getting again collectively along with her. He didn’t have pipe desires just like the others. But he didn’t wish to see her die this manner. 

“They’re going to kill her,” Johnny Love cried. 

“Yes, they are, Johnny boy, because you betrayed her, you turned her in, because you’re a coward.” Quinn loved making a merciless entrance, nearly as a lot as he had loved dismembering Beth. He went behind the bar and turned on the TV so the boy may see the execution of his mom, the bravest lady in what as soon as was the USA.

“Turn it off!” Johnny cried out with tears working down his face! 

“Oh, I’m going to turn it off, little boy!” Quinn pulled an assault rifle out of his coat and sprayed the room with bullets. Eighty-eight-year-old General Van Nam Long and 92-year-old Captain Bernard Duran held one another tight and died in one another’s arms. 

Within seconds Lawrence and Johnny have been the one ones standing. 

Lawrence Swink reached for the gun in his jacket that he had supposed to commit suicide with, however the rifle was already geared toward his son Johnny, and it was too late to take the shot at Quinn, so he pushed his son to the ground and took the bullets. Then he aimed the gun with the arm that wasn’t blown off and he shot Quinn between the eyes. 

“Daddy!” Johnny crawled to his father. 

“I’m so sorry, son. My beautiful baby boy. I’m so sorry.” 

“Daddy!” 

“Go. Be like your mother. Live your life! Hurry before they detain you! Run! I love you! Run son!”