Despite its mere 1.4 square miles, the City of Hermosa Beach prides itself on being at the forefront of growth, change, and thinking outside the box.  Its beach volleyball tournaments, bar and restaurant scene, summer concerts, street festivals, artwalks, Farmer’s Market, and renowned attractions such as the Lighthouse and Comedy & Magic Club have helped Hermosa earn its unofficial but undoubtedly deserved title of “Best Little Beach City.”  The City’s residents, proud of this distinction, are active in the community and passionate about anything that affects their surroundings, be it a political issue, an environmental one, one that impacts the local school system, etc.

I had the pleasure of speaking recently to former Mayor and current City Councilman Peter Tucker, who is running for re-election to City Council this November.  I asked him about some of the challenges and opportunities facing Hermosa today.  Here’s what he had to say:

Darren Pujalet:  Obviously the environment is a big issue at any level of government right now.  What is the current status of the AES Power Plant re-building issue and your thoughts on it?

Peter Tucker:  At the moment, we’re still trying to figure out what both Hermosa and Redondo want.  In 6 months, AES will petition to rebuild.  Hermosa residents have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to improving our environment.  We all want to protect our children, our neighbors, and our beautiful beach.  I think this City needs to take a stand, and if we do so, other cities will follow.  The re-building of the plant and the subsequent air quality issue will affect everyone in Torrance, Redondo, and Hermosa.  The plant will remain there until 2018.  I am opposed to the re-building of the AES facility, and I will work to prevent it.

Darren Pujalet:  Can you update us on the McPherson Oil lawsuit?  How close is the City of Hermosa to resolving the matter?

Peter Tucker:  A decision will be made on October 31^st regarding where to send the trial, and that will likely set the tone for what lies ahead.  McPherson has not reached out with a settlement amount.  The City met with them 6 times before the case finally went to an arbitrator.  We couldn’t get anywhere.  From their standpoint, we breached our contract, and they are entitled to a profit.  Our view is that we all thought we’d profit (in our case, namely the schools), until we realized the project was unsafe.  Our city has a right to prove that it’s an environmental and safety issue.  We are well-represented and well-prepared, and hopefully we can prevail.

Darren Pujalet:  I hear that a project similar to the Upper Pier Avenue Revitalization Project is under consideration for PCH and Aviation.  What would that entail?

Peter Tucker:  PCH and Aviation have looked exactly the same for 60 or 70 years.  We’ve got to make it more user-friendly and more appealing—with street lights, landscaping, etc.–  if we hope to attract the new business that will help increase revenues.  The challenge is paying for it.  Cal Trans, or the State, or environmental grants or a combination of all of these are likely the best options for covering the expense.

Darren Pujalet:  Are there any other City issues that are of particular importance to you or to City residents?

Peter Tucker:  Well, securing the future of our schools is always extremely important to Hermosa Beach residents.  We also need to maintain the quality of our police, fire, and city services and maintain our infrastructure while staying within a budget that protects our economic future.  As a dog owner, I’d really love to determine the feasibility of a Hermosa Beach Dog Park, and I’m an avid supporter of keeping all forms of the arts alive in our community—live music, theater, and visual art have always been a part of Hermosa lifestyle, and I’d like to see that continue.

 

 

HERMOSA BEACH ISSUES-POWER PLANT 

Recently, California law required that the existing AES Redondo Beach power plant be retired or replaced.  Unfortunately, AES has announced plans to re-build a new power plant.  According to AES, the building of the power plant will be a 9 year process-beginning in 2015 and ending in 2024.

 Without resident action opposing the power plant, the Redondo Beach community will have economic, environmental, and health impacts for a plant that is not needed in the area.  The reality of the power plant is that it will only be supplying less than 1/1000^th of the power to the California grid.  The plant will also be ranked in the top 100 polluters in the state.

CONTINUED BELOW

VS.

LATEST EVENTS

AES Presentation to the City of Redondo Beach Tuesday, November 8 6:00 PM Redondo Beach City Hall, Diamond Ave, Council Chambers This evening AES will present their plans for new power plant to council. We welcome you to attend this important meeting to help support the no power plant effort. Join with your neighbors and send a clear message to our local government, and AES, that the community wants to retire the power plant for good. For more info., call (310) 374-4284

**Plans have been filed by AES to build a new power plant.

**Power plant is one of the top 100 polluters in the state.

**Power plant will only supply 1/10 of 1% power to the CA grid.

**Rebuilding the power plant will be a LOUD 9 years, from 2015-2024. 

This will likely affect your home value.                

For more info, go to:  nopowerplant.com

To sign the petition, go to:  ipetitions.com/petition/

 Residents of the South Bay are encouraged to take action to stop the building of the power plant.  You can help by signing the petition, attending events, or donating to the cause.  For more information about the AES power plant, visit http://buildingabetterredondo.org/

I’m reaching out to you in hopes that you will support me in this charitable project that I have begun. I’m very grateful for the opportunity and I really appreciate any gesture of support you can offer.

SEVA is the Sanskrit word for “Selfless Service.”

Off the Mat, Into the World is dedicated to bridging yoga and activism. Founded in 2007, OTM’s mission is to use the power of yoga to inspire conscious activism and ignite grassroots social change. Each year, OTM sponsors an international service project called the Global Seva Challenge, a journey that provokes consciousness about global issues of social justice and equality, and raises funds to support communities in crisis.

 In 2010, the Challenge will be focused on HIV/AIDS prevention and education in South Africa. I have made it my goal for 2010 to participate in OTM’s Seva Challenge. If I can raise $20,000 by December 15, I will earn a place on OTM’s 2011 Bare Witness Tour of South Africa, where I will volunteer with OTM partner organizations and perform fieldwork-offering tools for HIV/AIDS prevention and education. All funds collected go directly to the Engage Network (a 501c3 non-profit) and their programs.

I want to thank you in advance for any help you can provide. I am very grateful and I look forward to, with your help, being part of this amazing opportunity. All donations are 100% tax-deductable!

If you would like to support my efforts, please donate online:

https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=24100

or

www.yourownmls.com

(click the Seva 2010 Button)

**Please make sure to select Global Seva 2010 in the first drop-down list and my name in the second drop-down list. I am extremely grateful for your support!

Buying local and organic has never been so easy in the South Bay as it is today. Nearly every day of the week, there is a Farmer’s Market in one of the beach cities, offering fresh, locally grown fruits, veggies, nuts, flowers, fish, jams, honey, salsa and spreads, kettle corn, prepared food, and more.

Manhattan Beach

Tuesdays, 11am-4pm, 13th Street at Morningside Drive

El Segundo

Wednesdays, 8am-2pm, El Segundo Plaza parking lot

Redondo Beach

Thursdays, 8am-1pm, Veterans Park, Esplanade & Torrance Blvd.

Hermosa Beach

Fridays, 11am-4pm, Valley Drive, between 8th and 10th Streets

 

Courtesy of American.com

It is likely that the Federal long-term capital gains tax rate is going to increase from 15 to 20 percent in 2011. If you are planning to sell your home over the next couple of years, this pending increase is a critical point to consider.

It may benefit some homeowners to sell this year, before the increase. At first glance, in fact, it seems like a no-brainer for every seller to act fast and pay lower taxes this year. However, it is important not to overlook the force of compounding when making a decision. By hanging on to the money that would be going to the government to pay taxes, you can invest it and benefit from its growth. If the benefit from the future gains is greater than the tax savings from this year’s lower rate, you may be better off holding on to the security.

There are two main factors you need to take into account in deciding whether to sell or maintain your investment: your expected annual return and the number of years you are able and willing to hold on to the investment if you don’t sell this year.

If you expect healthy returns and you are in a position to be a long-term investor, it may benefit you to hang on to some of those gains.

Taxes and home sales are never black and white, so here are a few thoughts to consider before making your decision:

1. Have I consulted with a knowledgeable real estate agent who is familiar with comparable home prices in my neighborhood to determine realistic pricing for my home?

2. Have I consulted with my financial advisor to determine how many years I may need to stay in my home if I choose not to sell this year?

3. Is my home ready for sale? Are any home improvements or renovations needed to raise the value of my home?

4. What is my motivation to sell? If I choose to sell this year, am I willing to set a realistic price for my home so that it sells in time to benefit from the lower tax rate?

5. If I choose to wait, how long am I realistically willing to hold on to this property?

Overall, selling your gains this year is not the easy solution that many people seem to think. However, educating yourself on the pros and cons of moving with the help of a good agent and financial advisor will certainly help you to make an informed decision.

Curious what your home is worth? Call for a free market analysis: 310-613-1690

It’s true and it’s easy! I’m giving away an iPad to one lucky winner. Just visit www.yourownmls.com and fill out a quick survey for your chance to win!

IN THE SOUTH BAY, beach volleyball is almost synonymous with summertime. Though popularized in Southern California, the first recognized beach volleyball games took place on the beaches of Waikiki in Honolulu, Hawaii as an alternative pastime for bored surfers awaiting the next swell.

By 1922, permanent volleyball nets had appeared on Santa Monica sand, and the public enjoyed frequent recreational tournaments as early as 1924. The sport’s popularity migrated down the coast to the South Bay in the 1950’s and 60’s. The first recorded trophy tournament was the 1960 Manhattan Beach Open, while the Hermosa Beach Open debuted in 1970, and Redondo hosted the first World Championships of Beach Volleyball in 1978.

Since the founding of the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) in 1983, the sport has garnered international attention and merit, with large cash prizes and professional rankings now at stake and the debut of beach volleyball as an Olympic sport in 1992 in Barcelona.

Despite global enthusiasm for the sport, the South Bay is arguably the home of beach volleyball today. Walking the Strand on any given summer day in the beach cities, you will see all levels and all ages engaging in recreational 6-man games. The sport has become as ingrained in our South Bay lifestyle as surfing, running, or watching the sunset. In 2007, a Sports Illustrated.com writer referred to Hermosa Beach as the “beach volleyball capital of the world”, while the Manhattan Beach Open is widely considered to be the “Wimbledon of Beach Volleyball.” Numerous professional beach volleyball players and Olympians are either current or former residents of our community, making the international attention even more exciting and fostering our sense of civic pride.