Memorial Service for Officer Vasquez, a New Fire Chief, Trash Meeting, Roundhouse Grant and Dolan's Claim

There's always a lot going on in Manhattan Beach. Here are five things to know about.

1. Services for Mark Vasquez, the Manhattan Beach police officer who died from multiple myeloma cancer on Sunday, will be held at American Martyrs Catholic Community Church in Manhattan Beach on Thursday, May 26 at 10 a.m. 

Vasquez, who began his battle with the disease in late 2006, is survived by his wife Lee, two daughters Madison, 9, and Ashley, 7; his mother Jo Ubina, and his father Manuel Vasquez, Jr. He joined the force in March of 2005 and would have turned 36 on May 22.

On a blog he and his family have kept during his battle with the illness, Lee wrote on Tuesday, "He fought harder than I have ever seen him fight to make it through our daughters’ birthdays this month. Madison turned 9 on May 3rd and Ashley turned 7 on May 14th. I can’t even explain the determination in him to get through Saturday for Ashley. He loves those girls more than anything on this planet. His fight proved that. It was amazing and once he knew he made it through, he was ready.

"He passed away at home on Sunday evening. Our family was surrounding him and it was very peaceful. The Manhattan Beach Police and Fire departments arranged a beautiful escort and salute out of our home and all the way up to the mortuary. Thank you for doing that for him. I am so honored and I know Mark feels the same.

"Being an officer was his passion. He loved his profession and to have his brothers in blue (and brothers in red!!!) here during this time is a final wish come true."

Donations can be made in Vasquez' memory to the International Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research Center.

2. Robert Espinosa, 52, was announced as the new Manhattan Beach Fire Chief today and joins the city on June 13. Espinosa has been the fire chief for the City of Rialto since 2008. He succeeds Interim Manhattan Beach Fire Chief Ken Shuck who returns to his former position as battalion chief.

Espinosa told Manhattan Beach Patch that joining the city is "a very good feeling" and that he's "very happy." He said that the department is "very well organized" and that he "couldn't ask for a better situation."

Rialto has four fire stations compared to MB's two, and a staff of 60 firefighters compared to MB's 30. Espinosa joined Rialto as its chief after logging 24 years with the City of Long Beach's fire department. His firefighting career includes experience as a paramedic and a deputy fire marshall overseeing an arson investigation team.

He was a firefighter with El Segundo for three years after beginning his firefighting career in the U.S. Army in 1978. A high school career day when he was 16 sparked his interest in a becoming a firefighter.

3. If you're confused by all the new trash stuff going on, you might want to attend a free meeting on Thursday, May 19, 7 p.m., at the city’s Public Safety Facility [the police and fire departments are located in this building] to learn about the new programs, services, and rates that begin on June 1. Questions will be taken after a brief presentation. Household Hazardous Waste collection containers, sample carts and compost bins will be on display. Light refreshments will be served.

If you are unable to attend the meeting and have questions, contact Waste Management Customer Service at 310-830-7100 or e-mail wmservice@wm.com. The city’s new waste and recycling website, manhattanbeach.wm.com, also has details.

4. The Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab and Aquarium received a $50,000 education grant from Chevron at a May 4 ceremony at the Roundhouse. The grant brought the Roundhouse's fiscal-year fundraising efforts to $100,00, the amount needed to avoid cutting programs. 

5. Former Manhattan Beach City Manager Geoff Dolan has filed a claim, alleging that the city has broken a a contractual agreement between the two. Dolan's attorney Pat Barrera told Manhattan Beach Patch, "This case is simple. It just pertains to the city's breach of that [Resignation and Release] agreement and violation of Geoff's right of privacy." Details here.