The past is now open for inspection on Saturday

The Manhattan Beach Historical Society has begun Saturday hours for the first time to make it easier for people to peek at what society President Keith Robinson calls its “eclectic collection” that chronicles the city’s past.

For some time now, the group, which is located in the Post Office building on 15th Street, has allowed people to view its collection for several hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Robinson said. However, people complained that the hours were inconvenient, and the society will now be open Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On Saturday, the 32-year-old Robinson, a cartoonist, and Wilmer Drake, a 71-year-old retired plumber who serves as the society’s vice president, showed up early to make sure everything was in order. They also used the occasion to rummage through a few previously unopened boxes of donated items.

Drake has lived in Manhattan Beach since 1920, and he reminisced about one of the town’s founders, developer George Peck, whose framed picture is prominently displayed among the other memorabilia. He recalled how, in the early part of the century, Peck would come to town and sell real estate out of a tent.

“I think you could buy a lot for $200,” Drake said. Of course, he added, oceanfront lots were more expensive: $500.

The society’s roots go back to 1965 and counts about 110 names on its mailing list, although hard-core volunteers number about 20. Robinson said the group is uncertain just how many items it has picked up over the years and now displays for the public.

Whatever the number, it is a diverse collection.

There is, for instance, the popcorn popper, circa 1920 and filled with popped popcorn, that once belonged to a beachfront snack shop; bricks made from local sand that decades ago were part of the city’s sidewalks; 10 rubber ink stamps bearing the signatures of the city’s past mayors; old-fashioned swimsuits; a satellite photograph of the city and an old ringer washing machine dating to about 1917.

And then there are the porcelain figurines manufactured in the ‘40s and ‘50s by a local company, Heirlooms of Tomorrow. Robinson said the company went out of business after it learned it had a serious problem on its hands.

“They discovered they couldn’t ship them anyplace because they were too delicate and would break,” Robinson said.

MGM Grand Air, which spares nothing when it comes to pampering its patrons, apparently knows how to save a buck, too.

The Los Angeles-to-New York airline recently announced that people living in El Segundo and Westchester who are bothered by noise from its aircraft may call the airline at (213) 215-4100.

What it didn’t mention was that the number is also the one to dial if you want to make a reservation on the pricey airline.

Airline spokesman Mike Nyman explained that MGM, which was required by Los Angeles International Airport officials to set up a complaint line, decided it would be more efficient to use the reservation number rather than set up a new line. Instead of having one person sitting around waiting for complaints, the airline figured a reservation clerk could field such calls and get in touch with the right person.

MGM, which charges customers $828 for a one-way trip and gives them gourmet meals and other perks, was required to publicize the complaint phone number in exchange for permission to operate out of LAX’s Imperial Terminal. El Segundo and Westchester residents living near the terminal have fought for years to restrict any airline operations there because of jet noise.

Airport officials said use of the reservation line for complaints is fine with them. Nyman said the noise complaint number will be listed under directory assistance as “MGM Grand Air Noise Complaint Awareness.”

Assemblyman Gerald N. Felando has taken it upon himself to personally crusade against all those orange-and-black Deane Dana campaign signs that have popped up on street lights and utility poles throughout the South Bay.

It just so happens that Felando, a San Pedro Republican, is facing a primary election challenge from Deane Dana III, the son of Los Angeles County Supervisor Deane Dana, who is also up for reelection this year.

Upset at the proliferation of signs--which don’t distinguish between the Danas and hence serve both campaigns--Felando recently paid a visit to Torrance City Atty. Stanley Remelmeyer. Felando argued that the signs violated a Torrance ordinance and should be torn down. The city ordinance outlaws posting signs on utility poles, street lights and public property.

“He wanted us to enforce the law,” Remelmeyer said. “He thought it was unfair.”

The city contacted Supervisor Dana’s campaign committee, which paid for the signs, and asked that the offending posters be taken down. Those left behind were removed by city crews. No estimate was available on the city’s expenses or the number of signs removed.

Deane Dana III apologized for improperly placed signs but found it curious that Felando would object so much.

“I’m flattered in a way,” challenger Dana said. “The signs obviously had some effect, albeit not purposely.”