Beachcombing

Who do you like for president, now that Joe is not running? That’s our online poll question at www.beachcomber.news. Options are Trump, Harris, Kennedy and other – with comments welcome if sent to letters@beachcomber.news.

These past two weeks on television viewing have been fascinating, given an attempted assassination, the Republican National Convention and Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race. I am looking forward to watching the Democratic National Convention in Chicago Aug. 19-22.

One page four of this issue there’s another “Best of Long Beach” ballot covering the categories of Foods/Restaurants, Entertainment/Attractions and Retail Businesses. You can go online and complete the same ballot at www.beachcomber.news.

The deadline is Aug. 14 to mail your completed ballot to Best of Long Beach, PO Box 15679, Long Beach, CA 90815-0679. Or you can fax it to (562) 597-9410 or email to contests@beachcomber.news.

The ballot can be downloaded/printed and shared with customers, friends and relatives. A minimum of 15 votes in the various categories make the sender eligible for a sponsor-provided gift certificate or card valued at $25 or more in our annual pool of $5,000 in contest prizes.

Contest and prize winners will be announced in our September 20 issue.

Our Best of Long Beach and Long Beach Treasures contests would not be possible without our sponsors: BO-Beau Kitchen + Roof Tap, Harbor Breeze Cruises, Home Instead Senior Care, LBCC Senior Studies, Long Beach Playhouse, LB State Athletics, McDonald’s (Michael Mangione), Shoreline Village, Tenni-Moc’s Shoe Store, TLD Law, (Jennifer N. Sawday) and Long Beach Towne Center

If you would like to join this prestigious group of sponsors, send us a minimum of 12 gift certificates or cards valued at a minimum of $25. Sponsors who also run a minimum of six display ads annually in the Beachcomber will have their logo appear on page one of each issue.

Sponsorship is an excellent marketing strategy for any small business offering personal services. Hair and nail salons, for example, can offer a free session to attract new customers, who will become repeat customers if they are satisfied with your service.

On a larger scale, entertainment and sporting venues that have seats to fill can grow their audience at little or no expense. Certificate winners of a single ticket are potential buyers of a second ticket for their spouse or significant other.

Finally, in our “Why it’s good to be a man” series, following are the last of 44 items:

• You can drop by to see a friend without having to bring a little gift.
• If another guy shows up at the party in the same outfit, you might become life-long friends.
• You are not expected to know the names of more than five colors.
• You don’t have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut or a bolt.
• You almost never have strap problems in public.
• You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.
• The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.
• Your belly usually hides your big hips.
• You can do your nails with a pocket knife.
• You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
• Christmas shopping accomplished for 25 relatives on Dec. 24 in 45 minutes.

publisher@beachcomber.news