Name: Johnny Jet

Occupation: Founder, www.johnnyjet.com

Hometown: Manhatten Beach, CA and cyberspace

Diva Minds Want to Know…

Where do you like to flirt?

At the beach on a warm, clear night.

Where’s your favorite table for two?

The most romantic place in Manhatten Beach is probably Mangiamo’s (310.318.3434) in the
wine cellar. But my favorite place in the world is The Folly, on the island of Vatulele in Fiji.

Where should we stay when we visit (besides your place)?

A new boutique hotel is just about to open called Shade (www.shadehotel.com). It’s supposed to be the bomb.

What qualities do you find irresistible in a woman?

Kind, appreciative, well mannered, good sense of humor, smart, athletic, non smoker, double D’s (just kidding).

Where can we find you on a free Sunday afternoon? Just roll over?

Either playing beach volleyball or riding my bike on the Strand. At 5pm I go to Church, and at 7pm I play in a co-ed softball league.

What do you love most about your city (besides our arrival)?

There is so much to do and great food. It’s laid back and I don’t need a car. It’s also great being so close to everything: the beach, mountains, the desert, Hollywood.

What should we bring when we visit your town? What should we leave with?

Sun glasses, running shoes, a bikini, and a sweat shirt (it gets chilly at night). Leave with goodies from LuLu’s (310.798.4577). It’s every woman’s favorite store.

What do we absolutely have to see while we’re there?

Manhattan Beach Pier at sunset. If you like to workout then Sand Dune Hill
(All the area’s pro athletes work out here).

Any areas of town we should avoid?

My buddy Joe’s house!

Any local secrets you want to share?

You will just have to visit me for these.

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If you want to know more about Johnny Jet, you’re in luck! He is featured in another Tango Diva story, Iceland: Johnny Jet’s Iceland Journal.

And on his website, there are gems like this touching story about how he took his mother to Denmark for the first time. More of this story can be found on www.johnnyjet.com/folder/eulogies

What was the best decision you made in your life?

To go to college in California. I started off at a private Junior College (Marymount College Palos Verdes) which turned my whole life around.

What is your most memorable travel moment?

Without a doubt, landing in Copenhagen for the first time. I was with my mom who always dreamed of going to see the country and where her father was born, but she never wanted to leave us as kids, so she chose not to go. She was diagnosed with cancer and the one positive thing to come out of it was the cancer made her realize life isn’t forever, and that she needed to start enjoying it.

When she recovered from her first 9 hour operation, I said “Mom when you get better were going to Denmark.” She said “No, I can’t I’m in Chemo.” I pressured her, and pressured her, and finally she asked the Dr. to give her a week off, he did, and she began to pack (a month early).

I cashed in some miles and treated us to our dream trip. First Class Tickets to places we only imagined about going. London (to shop and see theatre), Paris (to see where she would have studied if she had taken that scholarship from Parsons), and the most important place: the island of Fyn in Denmark. When we were landing in Copenhagen, I looked over at my Mom staring out the window, and she had tears rolling down her face.