A week and a half ago we had the Long Beach Marathon.

It was strange being woken up at 7 A.M. on a Sunday morning by cheers and screams. I thought the kids a block and a half away were having either an early party or a late one. I was annoyed. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one. I like having a Marathon in our city despite the parking problems being amplified in the Shore and the Heights. I like the cause and the people but I didn’t care being woken up at 7 the only day Virginia and I can sleep.

As I saw neighbors during the day, they expressed the same frustration. Why do they have to scream at 7 A.M. under our windows? Good questions, people don’t always think beyond their box often enough. It happens to everyone.

Later on we went to Gypsy’s. Have you ever been there? It’s one of those places we have continuously been going to since its opening. The owners are wonderful people and the food is excellent. It’s like a local best kept secret. And no alcohol, so bring your own bottle of wine.

It turns out neither were the owner thrilled about the Marathon. Well, it wasn’t the Marathon per se but the fact the city closed both sides of Ocean. After all, the runners only took up one side, why not leave the East bound open to traffic.

As I perused the Grunion I found another article that made mention of Belmont Shores owners who were also less than thrilled about the foot traffic and no stop and eat traffic.

It was very clear no one was unhappy with the fact our city has the Marathon, on the contrary. However it seems it could be better planned to allow business traffic. Imagine how nice it would be if cars could still access half of Ocean and the Shore’s Second Street. People could sit have coffees and lunch while cheer. And as a personal wish, please tell them not to cheer at the top of their lungs at 7 A.M. on a Sunday morning under people’s windows. It just seems like common sense.