It’s another week into another week of Quarantine and shutdowns and it’s hard to remember what month we’re in, let alone year. Oh wait, no one will ever forget that this is 2020. It’s so easy to point fingers and blame so and so and who and who and believe me, I have and hold blame for certain factions, areas and people. But it does me nor anyone else any good to hold anger and resentment. One day at a time and one hour after the next.

Sadly, this state has shut down dining and bars again and many people are struggling and suffering. Today in The Odds and The Ends, I will write about the second place on my list of local spots that I love. If I haven’t written about you yet, I will do my best to get to you. If any of my readers have a place they would suggest me to write about, please pass it on to me.

Bar of the Week– Barnacles

The facade may not look like the Taj Mahal, and it isn’t. The TV’s aren’t the best but they’re efforting. The walls may be paper thin and it’s possible that one big bad wolf may come down, huff and puff and blow the walls down. But inside of the walls, and out on the patio, is the heart beat of a local hub named Barnacles. It is one of my favorite spots. Like The Hangar from last week, the kitchen is tiny but pumps out good food and depending on the cook working, great food.

One and a half blocks away from Hermosa Pier, Barnacles would seem to be one step beyond and many a business has failed in the no-man’s land beyond the Pier. Yet, Barnacles thrives and has since the days when it was Fat Face Fenners. A different incarnation didn’t affect the neighborhood vibe and even with ownership changes, the beat carried on.

Sadly, the previous owner, Ted Van Huisen, passed away last year but the spirit of Barnacles continues. When you enter and see Mama Tiff, you know the spirit lives on. It is the definition of a neighborhood spot. The staff is known by name (many of whom I’ve worked with in the past) and the regulars are regular. Behind the bar you may find Danny, Alexis D or Alexis S, Courtney, Raine, the twins Lauren and Lisa (lady in charge) or Alex. They are part of the fabric of Hermosa Beach and just as much as regulars such as Bobby D, Dougie, Woody, Matty C, Matty J, Jay and Kara and a host of other characters.

It is spots like Barnacles that dot the landscape of America. Brathaus in Bowling Green, Kingas in Denver, The Red Barn in Palm Springs are the types of places that keep America working. Yes, they may be shut down but they shouldn’t be forgotten. Barnacles is a place that is a gathering and a homestead to many. At any given time, I can enter there and see someone I haven’t seen during this pandemic and usually it’s great to see them. It’s a home and a welcome one at that.

During this yuletide season, I worry for the little guy but I know they will endure. Places such as Barnacles fight and scratch and claw. Let that be a lesson to all of us during these hard days.

A Tip of the Cap to Jim Harbaugh for getting his first victory against Ohio State. True, it wasn’t a ‘win’ in the sense of being victorious but by cancelling the Michigan game against Ohio State, he saved himself and the team from the colossal shit-beating that would have occurred. Now, I know Ohio State fans believe this was a conspiracy and if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and talks like a duck…. it’s a duck, but there is enough evidence to hide behind and Harbaugh and Michigan used them like true politicians. So congratulations, Jim Harbaugh, you may never actually beat Ohio State but you won this battle.

A Wag of the Finger to my Dallas Cowboys. Dear God, why did you beat Minnesota three weeks ago?!? You were steam-rolling to a top two pick in the draft and you were so irrelevant, I didn’t even need to watch you. But there you go, playing well and getting me and our fans hopes up with a meaningless win. Thanks Cowboys. Even when you win, you lose. Could be worse; we could be Jets fans.

And that’s all from me this week. Be good to one another during these days of holidays and shutdowns. Good days are around the corner and we can almost see them. But until then, my friends, take my advice; pull down your pants and slide on the ice.

Kevin R. Andrade