San Pedro Today - May 2023

PLUS:

• SAN PEDRO HIGH SCHOOL

REBUILDS SURF TEAM

• BOYS & GIRLS CLUB LAUNCHES

CAREER BOUND PROGRAM

• EAT IN SAN PEDRO:

MARGARITAS Y NACHOS

• REAL ESTATE: SPRING UPDATE

• EVENTS & MUCH MORE!

Pirouette at thePort

SAN PEDRO CITY BALLET BRINGS THE CLASSIC SWAN LAKE TO THE CABRILLO WAY MARINA

Modern Dentistry, with Old Fashion Values.

Our office is a multi-specialty private practice located in Weymouth Corners in San Pedro. With 28 years of experience, we provide high-quality modern dentistry at an affordable cost in an inviting setting. Our office is equipped to provide most specialty dental services efficiently under one rooftop. We use cutting-edge technology and are versed in all aspects of Cosmetic, Restorative, Dental Implants, Orthodontic, and Oral Surgery services.

ASSOCIATES

Dr. Souzan Ardalan, D.D.S.

Education:

USC school of Dentistry

Doctor of Dental Surgery

Professional Association:

American Dental Association, member

California Dental Association, member

Western Dental Society, member

SERVICES & SPECIALTIES

• General Cosmetic and Children’s Dentistry • Oral Surgery • Dental Implants • Permanent Implant Supported Dentures • Orthodontics (Traditional Braces & Invisalign) • Periodontics • Sleep Apnea

(310) 832-5559

www.drsouzanardalan.com

Ian Woo, D.D.S., MD.

Education:

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Los Angeles County / University of Southern California Medical Center

Dr. Marvis Sorrel, D.M.D., M.D.S.

Education:

University of Pittsburgh, Master of Science in Dentistry, Doctor of Dental Medicine

Advanced Education in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

Orthognatic Surgery Externship / Invisalign Certification

Dr. Rebekah Coriaty

Education:

University of Pacific

Professional Association:

American Dental Association

California Dental Association

#161f70

Color Palette: #4962f5 #233f4d

Dr. Miles Madison

Education:

UCLA School of Dentistry

Professional Association:

Font:

American Academy of Periodontology

California Society of Periodontists

American Dental Association

California Dental Association

American Association for Dental Research

FONT: Lato

recommend you especially during summer season.

It’s become one of my favorite walking

Brook, was in her final months last year, the sun, sea breeze, and, of course, all the attention that comes with being a corgi in a stroller. We would walk from the parking lot around the horn of the marina to the Doubletree Hotel and back, which is approximately three miles. If you get tired in between, you can always stop at 22nd Street Landing for a quick drink or bite and then be back on your way.

The marina is clean, spacious, and doesn’t get much traffic – people or cars – like Paseo Del Mar does, primarily due to its proximity away from the neighborhoods. And I must admit, some of the names painted on the backs of the boats parked in the marina are hilarious.

One of the things I love about the marina, which the Port of L.A. did an

excellent job renovating in 2011, is the amount of open space available. In my opinion, it’s a great spot to activate for more public events, which is why I’m excited that San Pedro City Ballet is bringing its unique production of Swan Lake to the marina during the first weekend in June.

This event could be a test of sorts, not only for the ballet company, which has faced several challenges bringing this production to the marina, but also for the Port of L.A., which rarely activates this area for public events. The success of Swan Lake could be a barometer for things to come along that portion of the waterfront.

Nonetheless, between now and Swan Lake in June, San Pedro has a busy few weeks ahead. With IGNITE22 at AltaSea on May 4, San Pedro’s annual Relay for Life on May 20, a Meet the Grunion run at Cabrillo Beach on May 21, and LA Fleet Week on Memorial Day weekend (May 26-29), among other events, it’s ramping up to be a busy summer in San Pedro.

Lastly, I’d like to wish all our Pedro moms a wonderful Mother’s Day. Thanks for being the backbone of our community. spt

Joshua Stecker is the publisher/ editor-in-chief of San Pedro Today Letters to the Editor can be emailed to contact@sanpedrotoday.com.

C OMING SOON TO THE GraND aNNEX MUSIC Hall

FRIDAY | MAY 19 | 8PM

BELLA &

RUDY

Born and raised in San Pedro, this incredibly talented duo is rapidly gaining attention for their insightful originals and acoustic covers! Headlining with their full band.

SATURDAY | MAY 20 | 8:30PM

PATRICK LANDEZA & SONS

Featuring Two-time Nā Hōkū

Hanohano Hawaiian Grammy Award winner and master slack key guitarist Patrick Landeza with PJ Landeza (bass guitar) and Justin Firmeza (steel guitar).

“Slack Key & Steel Guitar” Workshop 7PM

434 W 6th Street, San Pedro 310.833.4813 | grandvision.org

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Joshua J. Stecker

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Lori Garrett

ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION

Joseph A. Castañeda

AT-LARGE CONTRIBUTORS

Mike Harper, Peter Hazdovac, Linda Grimes, Sanam Lamborn, Mike Lansing, Steve Marconi, Jennifer Marquez, Eddie McKenna, Julia Murphy, Amber Sheikh, Lee Williams

PHOTOGRAPHER

John Mattera Photography

CONTACT INFO: Phone: (424) 224-9063 Email: contact@sanpedrotoday.com

San Pedro Today P.O. Box 1168 San Pedro, CA 90733

ADVERTISING:

General Inquiries: ads@sanpedrotoday.com

Patricia Roberts (562) 964-8166 | patricia@sanpedrotoday.com

EMPIRE22 MEDIA LLC

OWNER/PUBLISHER

Joshua J. Stecker

San Pedro Today publishes the last Thursday of every month and is produced monthly by Empire22 Media LLC. No portion of this publication can be reproduced without written permission by Empire22 Media. 20,000 copies are delivered to San Pedro and portions of Rancho Palos Verdes. San Pedro Today is a product of Empire22 Media LLC. Empire22 Media LLC, their subsidiaries and affiliates are released from all liability that may involve the publication of San Pedro Today. Copyright 20092023, Empire22 Media LLC.

Check out the latest news at sanpedrotoday.com.

VOLUME 15 | NUMBER 4

ON THE COVER: Kaela Alvarez as Odette in San Pedro City Ballet's production of Swan Lake at the Cabrillo Marina, photographed at the L.A. Waterfront. (photo: John Mattera Photography)

For a complete list of concerts check our website!

MAY 2023

– The best kept secret in San Pedro! The Belmont Shore Model Railroad Club is the oldest and largest N scale club and offers clinics on modeling and an opportunity to explore a new hobby. Admission is FREE and open to the public. For more info, call (310) 831-6262 or visit belmontshorerr.com.

Every Friday – LAFD HARBOR MUSEUM at Old Fire Station 36 (639 S. Harbor Blvd.), 10a-3p. – The LA Fire Department Historical Society invites you to tour and experience San Pedro and Wilmington's fire protection and rescue history with vintage fire apparatus and displays. Come to visit or to volunteer. FREE admission. For more info, visit lafdmuseum.org/harbor/.

MAY 26-29 (Fri-Mon) – LA FLEET WEEK at the Battleship Iowa

(250 S. Harbor Blvd.), 10a-6p. – LA Fleet Week is an annual, multi-day celebration of our nation’s Sea Services held on the LA Waterfront at the Port of Los Angeles over the extended Memorial Day Weekend. Last year's public events included active-duty ship tours, military displays and equipment demonstrations, Wells Fargo Veterans Village, live music and entertainment, aircraft flyovers, Snapdragon STEM Expo, and Galley Wars culinary cook-off competition between Sailor, Marine, and Coast Guard teams. Lots of fun for the entire family. And best of all, the weekend event is FREE to the general public! LA Fleet Week is not only a fun public event, but also facilitates numerous symposiums, exercises, and outreach focused on community resiliency, disaster preparedness, and support for area residents. For more info, visit lafleetweek.com.

Every Friday – SAN PEDRO FARMERS MARKET (396 W. 6th St., corner of 6th and Mesa), 11a-3p. – New location! Pick up essential fruits and vegetables from certified, small family farms. Get a head start on weekend meals with so many delicious and fresh options. For more info, visit sanpedrochamber. com/san-pedro-farmers-market.

Every Tuesday, Friday, & First Thursday Evening – OPEN GARDEN at Feed and Be Fed (429 W. 6th St.), Tuesdays 10a-12p, Fridays 10a-1p, & First Thursday evenings. – Feed and Be Fed farm, San Pedro's own urban farm, opens its

downtown garden space every Tuesday and Friday and on First Thursday evenings. Organic produce is for sale at the San Pedro Farmers Market (corner of 6th and Mesa) on Fridays 11a-3p. Come share nature’s bounty and beauty as we grow vegetables, flowers, and community. Get your hands in the dirt as a volunteer, get expert advice, or just relax. For more info, visit feedandbefed.org.

Every Tuesday & Every Saturday –BELMONT SHORE MODEL RAILROAD CLUB at Angels Gate Park (3600 S. Gaffey St., Building 824), Tuesdays 7-10p & Saturdays 12-4p.

4 (Thurs) – FIRST THURSDAY in Downtown San Pedro, 6p. – The popular First Thursday ArtWalk is back in the historic core of Downtown San Pedro. The redesigned First Thursday will feature guided ArtWalk tours, open galleries, outdoor dining, and live music on the corner of 6th and Mesa streets.

4 (Thurs) – IGNITE22: GLOBAL TECH SHOWCASE & SUMMIT at AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles (2451 Signal St., Berth 57), 8:30a-4:30p. – Experience the 5th edition of IGNITE22, crafted and curated to bring together innovators shaping the 22nd century at the LA Waterfront! Hosted by Braid Theory based in San Pedro, IGNITE22, brings together innovators shaping the 22nd century: entrepreneurs meet investors; industry leaders discover emerging technologies; and researchers explore market opportunities for their scientific discoveries. Experience technology exhibits and demonstrations on land and in the water! For more info and tickets, visit braidtheory.com/ignite22.

Events deadline for June 2023 is

April 28 thru May 7 (Fri-Sun) – HOUSE OF BARDS PRESENTS A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM at The Grand Annex (434 W. 6th St.), 2p and 7:30p. – The House of Bards Theatre Company presents Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Directed by actor/director/filmmaker Renee O’Connor. Evening performances run April 28, 29, and May 5 and 6 at 7:30p. Matinee performances run April 30 and May 7 at 2p. For tickets and more info, visit houseofbards.org.

5 (Fri) – LIPSTICK, SHOES & FANCY MOVES at the James R. Armstrong Theatre (3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance), 8p. – TuTu Dance presents its 8th annual gala: Lipstick, Shoes & Fancy Moves, a dazzling evening of dance and performing arts reflecting the multicultural vibrancy of Southern California, featuring Ukrainian, Chinese, flamenco, and Native American hoop dance, balalaika music, circus arts, and more. Proceeds benefit International Bird Rescue in San Pedro. An elegant pre-event reception begins at 6:45p (while supplies last). General admission starts at $15 and early bird tickets start at $11 until 4/27/23. For tickets and more info, visit tutudance.org.

7 (Sun) – CULTURE TALKS! WITH GUESTHOUSE FOR GANESHA at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (3720 Stephen M. White Dr.), 2p. – Curious about novels about Jewish history and Ganesha? Join us for a discussion centered on Judith Teitelman's book, Guesthouse for Ganesha and Malathi Iyengar, with an Indian dance demonstration by Rangoli Dance Company. Tickets $12-$16. For more info, visit sanpedrowaterfrontartsdistrict.com.

POLYSTRENGH FITNESS

(818)802-2842

(photo: LA Fleet Week)

13 (Sat) – SAN PEDRO MAKERS

MARKET at West Harbor Promenade (6th Street & Harbor Blvd., next to LA Maritime Museum), 11a-4p. – Join nearly two dozen artists, artisans, and makers for a fun day of shopping and live music! This event is hosted by Homemade by the Hays and sponsored by San Pedro Today and Hello San Pedro podcast. For vendor info, message @sanpedromakersmarket on Instagram.

13 (Sat) – HOMESĬTĒ CULINARY

PERFORMANCE at Angels Gate Cultural Center (3601 S. Gaffey St.), 11a-1p. – Angels Gate Cultural Center is pleased to present the Homesĭtē Culinary Performance, a series of live culinary demonstrations exploring the connection between food and the idea of home. Culinary Performances are short presentations where community members can share a story and/or demonstrate a dish that means ‘home’ to them. After the performances, the performers and audience will share a taste of the food that was prepared. To register, visit eventbrite.com/e/homesite-culinaryperformance-tickets-597882963037.

17 & 27 (Wed & Sat) – PECK PARK

CANYON HIKES at Peck Park (560 N. Western Ave.), 9a. – Exercise walks are led on the third Wednesday of each month at 9a and last 1 to 1½

hours. Nature walks are led on the fourth Saturday of each month at 9a. All walks leave from the trailhead in the lower parking lot at Peck Park.

20 (Sat) – SAN PEDRO RELAY FOR LIFE at Christ Lutheran Church & School (28850 S. Western Ave.), 9a-9p. – All are invited to the San Pedro Relay for Life, a FREE community event raising funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society. Participants sign up on teams then take turns walking the track throughout the day. Please come out and enjoy this family-friendly event which will include live entertainment, vendors, and food throughout the day. For more info, to view the full schedule, or to pre-register, visit relayforlife.org/sanpedroca or contact Dana Wynkoop at (310) 600-4462.

20 (Sat) – PV PENISULA HIGH SCHOOL 2nd ANNUAL CAR SHOW at Peninsula High School (27118 Silver Spur Rd., Rolling Hills Estates), 9a1p. – The event, benefitting Peninsula Panther Football, will include food and drink vendors (no outside food or drinks), opportunity drawing, raffles, awards, and more! Car show entries: 8-8:45a. All cars are welcome; entry due by May 12. For more info or to register your vehicle, call (310) 629-6530. spt

MAY 21 (Sun) – MEET THE GRUNION at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (3720 Stephen M. White Dr.). 8p. – Grunion season is here, and Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is planning some cool new activities to welcome these amazing fish as they hurl themselves onto the sand for their strange and fascinating mating ritual! Grunion are one of the few species that actually come ashore to lay their eggs on sandy beaches. The Aquarium has been curating grunion runs for the public since 1950 and remains one of the best places to observe the phenomenon. Aquarium Executive Director Crislyn McKerron said the Aquarium is “excited to welcome people back to see grunion. It’s a great excuse to stay up late and go to the beach.” Guests watch a movie about grunion, hatch grunion eggs, and explore the Aquarium at night. Then everyone heads to the beach before the predicted run time, which varies from 10:15 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The “Meet the Grunion” program costs $7 for adults and $3 for seniors, students, and children. Purchase tickets in advance at cabrillomarineaquarium.org. Friends members get in free. Warm clothing is recommended. Beach parking is $3 and the lot closes at midnight. Remaining Meet the Grunion dates: Sunday, May 21 at 8p, Monday, June 5 at 8p, and Monday, June 19 at 8p.

(photo: grunion.org)

UNION & COACHES GIVE US REASON FOR OPTIMISM

JOSIAH WALLEY’S SPHS BASKETBALL STORY IS ONE FOR THE BOOKS

by Steve Marconi

Hardly anyone reads the newspaper anymore, and considering the quality of journalism today, who can blame them? So, you’re excused if you didn’t see the full-page ILWU Walk the Coast ad in the April 16 Daily Breeze, but you’re not excused for not knowing about the union’s nonprofit fundraising wing.

It all began in 2012, largely due to the efforts of San Pedro native Dan Imbagliazzo (Fermin Lasuen `64), Walk the Coast chairman. Retired from Local 13 since 2014, Imbagliazzo was conscious that as longshore workers, “We were very fortunate, very lucky workers, we had good jobs. I wanted to do something for people less fortunate and in need.” He also proposed his resolution for a fundraising organization at the longshore coastwise meeting, hoping it would unite the union and “let the community know the goodness of organized labor.”

At the start, there were benefit walks and runs, even a poker tournament, but when COVID put the kibosh on in-person events, Imbagliazzo’s fundraising efforts went virtual. The results were extraordinary. Walk the Coast averaged about $80,000 a year in contributions through 2021, but its latest campaign, amid protracted labor negotiations that have affected work all along the West Coast, raised a record $143,000. With that, Walk the Coast broke the $1 million mark for total

contributions, all of which goes to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

Little Alexandra “Alex” Scott raised $1 million all on her own in four years at the lemonade stand in front of her Connecticut home. Alex, suffering from neuroblastoma, started the original stand in 2000 at the age of four because she wanted to help other children afflicted with cancer; she raised $2,000 that first day. She died in 2004 at age eight, but not before raising more than $1 million for research into childhood cancer. Her parents created the foundation the following year; it was chosen as Walk the Coast’s beneficiary from the beginning. Since the first lemonade stand, more than $250 million has been raised. For more information or to donate, check out ilwuwalkthecoast.org or alexslemonade.org.

MORE GOOD NEWS

It was a sensational season for San Pedro High basketball — boys and girls — but two of the biggest stories involving the program had nothing to do with winning or losing.

The first story actually had its beginning last season when Josiah Walley was a junior. Josiah, who is

autistic, loves basketball and badly wanted to play for the Pirates. Unfortunately, he failed in tryouts but didn’t let that stop him. He became a team manager and continued to practice religiously. Finally, he earned a spot on coach Rodney Lusain’s junior varsity team, and in his first game, he made four three-pointers. Varsity head coach John Bobich says, “He became the first player in my 30 years of coaching to have the fans rush the court and be carried off the floor.”

His story and a video of Josiah’s remarkable storybook game can be seen on the San Pedro High School Basketball Facebook page Josiah, still making three-point shots, played again this past season for the JV team, which, under coach Keith Gibbs, won 20 straight games and the league title. And while Josiah’s playing career may be over, we will probably hear from him in the future: He received an academic scholarship to UC Davis. However, feel-good stories are becoming commonplace for Pirate basketball under Bobich, who turns out winners both on and off the court. He’s also the school dean, and as such, says, “My job is to identify goals for students. For my players, during the holidays, we

adopt families, needy families in town.”

Last year, Bobich was made aware of a San Pedro mother and her three children, one of whom was a San Pedro High student who faced a Christmas without Santa.

As he wrote in an email:

I brought the three teams in for a meeting and explained that a family needs our help. Three young children and their mom were living in a car, then a shelter. On Christmas Eve, we went by the shelter to be ‘Santa’ for the family since Santa was unable to come. Last week, Mom proudly contacted me to say she found a small place, but it was absolutely empty. I asked the players (not their parents) for their help. Within 24 hours, the players collected three beds, pillows, sheets, blankets, dishes, shampoo, chairs, and so on. We loaded up a player’s truck and helped create a home. One player was so touched he drove back the same evening and gave them his own TV and helped with videos. The special-needs eight-year-old had the biggest and proudest smile as he said, ‘This is MY home.’ There were tears and smiles flowing as we said a good night.

For those who doubt the power of today’s youth, please give them a chance. They make me very proud both on and off the court.

And San Pedro can be proud it has produced people like Bobich and Imbagliazzo. spt

Steve Marconi can be reached at spmarconi@yahoo.com.

strains, back pain, carpal tunnel, peripheral neuropathy, wounds, plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, and joint pain.

Josiah Walley.

(photo: John Mattera Photography)

CATCH A WAVE

SAN PEDRO HIGH SCHOOL REBUILDS THEIR SURF TEAM

by Jennifer Marquez

The surf class at San Pedro High School was started in 1994 by former and longtime swim coach Wayne Rhea to give swimmers extra practice during the off-season. The school did not have a water polo team at the time. The team built momentum over the years, with up to 50 members at one point. The team worked hard but has faced challenges due to LAUSD red tape and COVID. The San Pedro team is one of the only surf teams in all of LAUSD.

With a new coach this year, the team is starting to rebuild itself. The historic take-all team vibe is still an undercurrent — anyone who wants to compete can, and surfing is about having fun, even in competitions.

Coach Daniel Canchola, English teacher, has taken over the team, replacing longtime coach Richard Wagoner. Canchola was born and raised in San Pedro and was a former member of the San Pedro High School surf team. He says this is his dream career to be back teaching at his alma mater and coaching the surf team he was on a few years ago.

Students in prior years used to surf during zero and first period at Torrance beach, which is the type of beach, weather, and waves at the competitions. It is advantageous for the team to practice in conditions other schools are familiar with when they compete. This year, San Pedro High School administration changed the surf team schedule to sixth period from first period. The team is hopeful they can meet again during first or zero period in the future. Due to this schedule change, the team is surfing locally, mainly at Royal Palms.

“Surfing at Palms has a hometown feel, and we often see dolphins; it is a different type of beach,” states Canchola. “If you can learn to surf at Palms, you can surf anywhere.”

No surfing experience is needed to join the team besides being able to swim. Safety is the number one priority for the team. At the beginning of the semester, the students learn about rip tides, how to avoid them, how to know you are in one, and how to get out of one. The youth are taught to ditch their boards and save themselves first. Everyone on the team is first aid and CPR certified. Students earn PE credit by being on the team.

“Being on the team has many advantages; the students are using

their body and brain,” states Canchola. “They are up early when competing, getting exercise, and moving in a natural environment. On days when the weather is not good for surfing, the students meet and work on homework together in a positive environment.”

Former coach Wagoner, a surfer himself, states, “I have many fond memories of the surf team from my years of coaching. Fine young men and women who grew into responsible community members, some of whom even dabbled in semi-professional competitions in surfing and skating. Some went into careers involving research, medicine, construction and trades, real estate, and even teaching and coaching.

“The surf team is one of the things that makes San Pedro High special among the LAUSD schools, and we are fortunate to have had the support of numerous principals and administrators

over the years,” Wagoner continues. “Yes, we had issues at times, but we always bounced back. Now we have a full curriculum guide that has served as a model for several other teams as they developed their own surf classes and teams. Hopefully, the surf team will continue and last many more years.”

A student surfer sums up the team vibe: “There are a million ways to surf, and as long as you’re smiling, you’re doing it right.”

If you are interested in supporting the team by donating new or used wetsuits or boards, contact daniel. canchola@lausd.net. spt

Jennifer Marquez can be reached at jennifertmarquez@yahoo.com and @jenntmqz on Twitter and Instagram.

A. Van Buren, EA, MBA

An undated photo of the San Pedro High School surf team. (photo: courtesy Richard Wagoner)

KEEPING TAX DOLLARS LOCAL

A

LOOK AT THE

by Lee Williams

SAN PEDRO ENHANCED INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING DISTRICT

As San Pedro grows and evolves, so do our infrastructure needs.

From roads in and out of Pedro, to the Vincent Thomas Bridge, to water and sewer systems, the demands of urban living require constant investment in critical infrastructure.

However, funding these projects can often be challenging, especially in a city like Los Angeles, with so many areas of need. That’s where Enhanced Infrastructure Funding Districts (EIFDs) come into play, providing a unique financing mechanism for local governments to meet their infrastructure needs and support economic development. This is not a new tax. It’s a means by which we can use existing tax growth to fund local projects.

EIFDs can be used for various projects, from basic road and infrastructure improvements to affordable housing. Streets, parks, open spaces, parking, utilities, and other public improvements can be funded through an EIFD. Housing for teachers, nonprofit service providers, police, and firefighters could be incentives to bring in more talent who live where they work. Improvements along Pacific Avenue to encourage small business investment could create transformational improvements along the corridor. There’s a host of different projects in San Pedro that could

be funded with an EIFD; the best part is the community gets to decide.

One of the key features of EIFDs is their ability to capture and leverage future increases in property tax revenues within a designated area. Again, this is not a new tax. When an EIFD is established, the base year property tax revenue is identified. Any incremental increases in property tax revenues generated from new development or improvements within the district are captured and used to fund infrastructure projects that the San Pedro community determines are important.

Last year, in an economic development meeting at the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce, we discussed the possibility of creating a San Pedro EIFD to help fund some of the projects we

believe San Pedro needs.

Business owners and community folks discussed some of the needs of San Pedro. A few of the needs we identified include affordable housing, public transportation, improvements to buildings used by businesses and nonprofits, streets and sidewalks, public parking, water/sewer/storm drains, public Wi-Fi and other utilities, and parks and open spaces, among others. There are several additional ideas the community may support, including the Warner Grand Theatre renovation, reconnecting Paseo Del Mar, or a small convention center.

EIFDs offer several benefits for urban development. Firstly, they provide a reliable and consistent funding source for infrastructure projects. By capturing future property tax revenues, EIFDs create a predictable revenue stream that can be used to finance long-term infrastructure investments and priority projects for the community.

Secondly, EIFDs offer flexibility and customization, allowing local communities to tailor financing plans to their specific needs and priorities. Depending on the state’s regulations, they can be established for different durations, ranging from 15 to 45 years. This stability in funding allows communities to plan and implement infrastructure projects more effectively, resulting in improved infrastructure and better quality of life for residents.

Additionally, a San Pedro EIFD could promote economic development and revitalization along Pacific. By financing infrastructure improvements, a San Pedro EIFD can help attract private investment, stimulate economic growth, and create jobs in our blighted areas of San Pedro. Funds can be used to support small businesses, childcare, façade improvements, and new construction for nonprofits and service providers.

EIFDs can also finance infrastructure that supports specific industries like tourism and entertainment or development priorities, such as technology hubs, renewable energy projects, or workforce housing initiatives, further promoting targeted economic growth.

One of the unique aspects of EIFDs is their ability to facilitate collaboration between the public and private sectors. Our city and county governments can partner with private entities to finance and implement infrastructure projects, leveraging their expertise, resources, and innovation to maximize the impact of limited public funds.

The One-Five (CD-15) is actively working to create the first EIFD here in San Pedro, with the support of the Chamber and our neighborhood councils. The next step is a full vote from the City Council. If approved, they will create a Public Financing Authority (PFA) to oversee an Infrastructure Financing Plan (IFP) as determined by the community.

My real estate team believes in “give where you live.” This initiative would allow San Pedro to “keep tax funds local,” help finance our priority projects, repair and upgrade infrastructure, and make improvements that San Pedrans value most. spt

Lee Williams leads The Lee Williams Real Estate Group at REAL Broker and serves on the board of directors for Boys & Girls Clubs of the LA Harbor, San Pedro Chamber of Commerce, Harbor Connects, and the San Pedro Education Foundation. Email Lee@LAmove.com.

Reconnecting Paseo Del Mar (seen here in April 2012, a few months after the landslide) could be a project funded in part by EIFD funds. (photo: John Mattera Photography)

PROVIDING PATHWAYS TO CAREERS

WHETHER IN COLLEGE OR THE WORKFORCE, OUR TEENS NEED SUPPORT

by Mike Lansing

Twenty-one years ago, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor (BGCLAH) initiated our College Bound program to fully support teens and especially underrepresented students of color in securing the skills, acceptance, and funding necessary to attend college.

Over the years, our one-on-one case management focused program provided our members with the “college coach” they could not access or afford. Last year, we had 2,105 high school students in our College Bound program. Of the 991 seniors participating last year, 982 graduated on time (99 percent), and 954 went to college (96 percent), with $16.2 million of federal aid and scholarships we helped them secure.

While these results are fantastic, college is not for everyone. Post-pandemic, the truth is that many high school seniors really do not want to attend college but would rather enter the workforce right away — to assist their families, start a pathway to a possible career, or both.

During high school, I worked in my uncle’s shoe repair shop (Ray’s Shoe Repair), and when starting college, I worked at the Big C lumber yard due to my friend John’s family’s ownership. However, most teens today do not have that type of connection or access, so getting a job out of high school that may result in a career path is much more difficult, especially in today’s gig economy that prioritizes contract workers rather than regular employees with traditional work guarantees and benefits.

In response, this year the BGCLAH decided to significantly expand our workforce development program for high school juniors and seniors with a program that we call Career Bound. This program provides the same oneon-one case management of students and daily academic support after school that our College Bound members receive to ensure high school graduation.

Participants also engage in regular soft-skills-building activities, including basic technology, resume building, “dress for success,” mock interviews, and more.

Through a partnership with seven local trade unions and other employers, we sponsored multiple job fairs in our

clubhouses again this year and sponsored trips to union training centers to support participants applying for apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship positions.

In a further major funding commitment, this summer, we are opening up our own workforce center at the corner of 13th and Cabrillo, which will support alumni and other young adults (1824) after high school and along their pathway to full-time employment and, hopefully, a career.

Most importantly, this summer we are sponsoring a summer internship program where graduating seniors will be paid for 120 hours of work with a local business. Our goal is 100 internships this summer. We hope this much-needed work experience will result in either continued employment with the “host” business or another job opportunity with an expanded resume. Internship participants are able to build their confidence as young employees, eliminating some self-doubt as they navigate the new working environment while also supporting themselves and their families financially.

We have a number of employers already lined up (contractors, restaurants, medical services, manufacturing, property management, IT), but we are looking for many more partners, and there are several ways individuals and businesses can help: SPONSOR: An individual/organization provides a tax-deductible donation of $2,500 to support one intern this summer; HOST: A business owner provides the position, training, and mentorship for an intern, while the Boys & Girls Club pays for the intern’s compensation; HOST/ SPONSOR: A local business both hosts the intern with a position and funds the $2,500 for the intern’s compensation.

If you are interested in supporting an intern in any of these three ways this summer, please contact our Career Bound director Dominique Marino at dominiquem@bgclaharbor.org. Providing pathways to careers for our high school graduates, whether via college or directly into the workforce, is a worthy endeavor — we could use your assistance, if possible, in this critical effort in support of young adults we have dedicated our lives to serve. spt

Mike Lansing is the executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor.

Pirouette at thePort

SAN PEDRO CITY BALLET BRINGS THE CLASSIC SWAN LAKE TO THE CABRILLO WAY MARINA

by Julia Murphy

On the evenings of June 2 and 3, under the cool summer evening sky at Cabrillo Way Marina’s Berth 37, San Pedro City Ballet (SPCB) will bring 80 dancers, ranging from ages four (picture squeezable little cygnets) to adult, to perform an updated version of Tchaikovsky’s classic Swan Lake.

The production, which will retain some traditional elements yet also utilize the distinctive waterfront location, is a first of its kind for the company and is a unique way of blending San Pedro’s arts culture with its industrial backdrop.

In addition to Swan Lake, each evening will open with Night, SPCB’s co-artistic director and noted modern choreographer Patrick David Bradley’s new work. Dancers in Night will be guided by the choral version of American composer Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings.

How did this all come about? Using the example of past pictures of their ballerinas posed on the deck of the USS Iowa, the odd coupling of beauty and industry stirred the creative juices

in SPCB’s co-artistic director, Cindy Bradley. “I just love that juxtaposition,” she says, “and I wanted to be a part of everything that’s going on down there. Swan Lake came to mind because of the water. Hopefully, we will create that feeling of the swan on the water.”

To do this, Cindy and Patrick Bradley have worked more closely than ever with Port of Los Angeles staff, embodying a partnership that reaches back a decade through the Port’s Community Investment Grant.

Generous support for this project also comes from the Los Angeles County Arts Commission (LACAC) and the City of Los Angeles’ Department of Cultural Affairs. But it is the Port of Los Angeles that has had a hands-on presence in helping the ballet company to meet its vision.

“The Harbor Area is fortunate to have a local ballet company of such high caliber. San Pedro [City] Ballet’s productions are always top-notch, and the public loves the al fresco shows,” says Arley Baker, senior director of

communications and stakeholder engagement for the Port of Los Angeles. “It’s a great way to activate and bring people down to the waterfront, and the beautiful Cabrillo Way Marina location will provide a wonderful summer setting for Swan Lake.”

The staging of this project has been a challenge. Everything has to be loaded in, from the stage materials and seats for an audience of 500 to portable toilets and heaters for the periphery. (Attendees are advised to come prepared for June evening weather and encouraged to bring a wrap, blankets, and seat cushions, if desired.)

There will be no official backstage, no curtained area for swans to gather between stage appearances. Instead, there will be a costume-changing tent, with the trick being to clock the entering and exiting of dancers without pause or confusion. “It’s a huge undertaking,” Cindy says. She choreographed this version of Swan Lake to flow throughout the portable staging.

“Dancers will go under the stage or

behind it, and they will enter [the stage] from four sides. Swan Lake’s flow will unfold before your eyes,” says Cindy.

The portable, erector set aspect of the staging will give the public a chance to see what it takes to put on a performance of this scale. In a sense, it will draw the background into the foreground, giving potential funders an idea of what their support would cover.

“We’re thinking of the audience at every point of creating this,” says Cindy. “Some of the dancers will enter through the audience, some behind the audience. It’s been a challenge but a really fun one.”

Dancer Kaela Alvarez, who plays Odette, the lead swan, has been dancing with SPCB for almost 13 years. “It’s been an amazing experience, and it’s a challenging role so far,” she says. “But to be able to do this has truly been wonderful.”

“I love dance so much, and I have loved being in this show,” says dancer Avery Dover-Borgo, who has been with the company for almost a year. “There

San Pedro City Ballet's founder and co-artistic director, Cindy Bradley, with Kaela Alvarez, who plays Odette in Swan Lake, photographed at the L.A. Waterfront. SPCB's production of Swan Lake is scheduled for Fri. and Sat., June 2 and 3, at the Cabrillo Way Marina. (photo: John Mattera Photography)

[are] so many amazing people, and it’s such a wonderful opportunity.” Cindy shares that they hope to make this outdoor performance an annual event and do a different ballet each year.

The envisioning and extensive planning of how to best pull off this ambitious performance is reflective of the magic mojo which has propelled San Pedro City Ballet forward from its beginnings nearly 30 years ago. Taking an idea of which there was no blueprint and seeing it through to its unique fruition is familiar territory for the Bradleys. For their very first performance of The Nutcracker, they booked a theater

before they even had space to rehearse. (Needless to say, they had to move quickly.)

The mission of the ballet company has always been to produce traditional ballet works while also showcasing new work. SPCB’s outreach programs to underserved communities are also a vital part of its mission. Schoolchildren who probably have never had a dance class will get to learn with the encouragement of dance instructors. Seven LAUSD schools in Wilmington will have had seven weeks of dance instruction as part of this project. During the Swan Lake weekend, 500 children from

these schools will be treated to a dress rehearsal as a culminating event

Both evenings in June will begin with a sunset reception at 7 p.m. at the performance location. The no-host bar will offer beverages from NIO Cocktails and San Pedro Brewing Company, with hors d’oeuvres from Charcuteries by Pam. Performances on both nights will begin at 8 p.m.

The festive weekend at San Pedro’s waterfront will leave a memorable and timely artistic footprint. “We put it together in our own way to tell the story,” says Cindy. “It’s the way we felt it would be best for where we’re doing

it. It’s always been part of our vision for the company to have a presence there [at the Port].” spt

The San Pedro City Ballet is set to perform Swan Lake at Cabrillo Way Marina Berth 37 (2201 Miner St.) on Friday, June 2, and Saturday, June 3, at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit sanpedrocityballet.org.

Golden Treasure Jewelers

Top: Avery Dover as Rothbart (left) with Alvarez in San Pedro City Ballet's production of Swan Lake; right: Bradley directs Dover and Alvarez. (photos: George Simian/San Pedro City Ballet)

Y

by Sanam Lamborn

I have always felt that Cinco de Mayo in the United States is primarily a day when people indulge in Mexican food rather than pause and reflect on why it’s a day of remembrance.

Often it’s assumed to be Mexico’s Independence Day. However, historically speaking, Cinco de Mayo dates back to the Franco-Mexican war, commemorating the 1862 Mexican army’s victory over the French in the Battle of the Puebla, a city located in south-central Mexico. While it is not a significant holiday in Mexico, U.S. restaurants see an influx of celebratory patrons every Cinco de Mayo.

In my humble opinion, a celebration at a Mexican restaurant must include a margarita, a popular tequila-based drink with a bit of mystery surrounding its invention. Several bartenders are credited with being the mastermind behind the original margarita. Nevertheless, all evidence leads to the following: It was invented in the 1940s in Mexico, and the original recipe was a combination of tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice.

What is a starter that goes well with margaritas? Nachos, of course! Interestingly, nachos were also invented in the 1940s in a border town named Piedras

Negras, just south of Texas.

Unlike margaritas, the invention is solely credited to Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya, a hotel manager at Victory Club, who found himself having to prepare a quick snack with whatever he could find in the kitchen for patrons outside their restaurant hours. He topped corn tortillas with cheese and pickled jalapeños, then popped them in the oven. The quick invention became so popular that it became a regular menu item.

Where to go for margaritas and nachos in town? I have three longstanding local restaurants to suggest.

Undoubtedly, Green Onion Mexican Restaurant (145 W. 6th St.) has the strongest margarita game in town and is a clear winner because they are consistent. They have been long known for their double Cadillac margaritas, for a good reason. They are huge, tasty, and super strong. I have gotten into trouble with them more than I care to admit.

As far as the nachos are concerned, it might sound strange, given that I am an “extra” person, but I much prefer their regular nachos (corn tortilla chips topped with refried beans, cheese, jalapeños, cheese, and guacamole) instead of their deluxe option (flour tortilla chips topped with refried beans, ground beef, jalapenos, cheese, tomatoes, green onion, black olives, guacamole, and sour cream).

Puesta del Sol (1622 S. Gaffey St.) has long been my go-to place for nachos. The nacho supreme (corn tortilla chips topped with black beans, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, black olives, and jalapeños) truly lives up to its name. I particularly like to order mine with their carne asada because it’s very flavorful. I also love how their nachos are presented — on a low pyramid-like pile, a red tortilla shaped into a bowl houses the sour cream, guacamole, and the pico de gallo, representing the colors of the

Mexican flag. Margarita-wise, I have long been a fan of their guava or mango flavors; however, lately, I have been enjoying the fresh jalapeño option, which is refreshing.

My second favorite is the nachos at Maria’s Mexican Restaurant (28643 S. Western Ave.). Maria’s Nachos Supreme is made with large corn tortillas topped with beans, shredded beef in a red sauce, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and tomatoes. Jalapeños are also available by request; sadly, I often forget to ask for them. I particularly like the shredded beef because it elevates the taste of the nachos. Pair it with their original lime margarita with a slice of lime for a very satisfying combination. spt

Sanam Lamborn created the Eat in San Pedro Facebook group and Instagram account in April 2020 to entice people to patronize San Pedro’s eateries.

MARGARITA MADNESS (l to r) Green Onion's deluxe nachos (top) and double Cadillac margarita (bottom); Maria's Nachos Supreme and a lime margarita (center); Puesta del Sol's nachos supreme and their fresh jalapeño margarita. (photos: Sanam Lamborn)

THE ANGELIC TROUBLEMAKER

A LOOK AT HOW FAMILY MEMBERS ARE AFFECTED BY HOMELESS RELATIVES

by Amber Sheikh

Being the family member of a homeless individual is a devastating experience. This month, I share the story of Nathan and the family he left behind when he passed away in November 2020, at the age of 50, from a fentanyl overdose. Nathan had been living in a homeless encampment in Northern California for about three years at the time of his passing.

Nathan’s older brother, Mitch, sat down with me to share his family’s story of heartache and loss. By sharing Nathan’s story, he hopes other families might feel less alone and know that there are others that understand the intense feelings of helplessness and grief when trying to help a struggling loved one.

Sheikh: Tell me about Nathan and your family. Where did you all grow up? What was he like as a kid?

Mitch: We grew up in the East Bay in a pretty typical middle-class family. We went to church regularly, and along with our younger sister Rachel, we actively participated in our church’s youth camp. At home and through church,

Nathan became skilled at building and construction. In our mother’s words, he was “a sensitive soul, one who loved to invent, create, and build. He was quick to fix and tinker, often with found objects.”

We were raised in a stable household and were part of a happy and loving family.

How would you describe Nathan? He was incredibly creative and super talented. He would create artwork that was just “wow.”

When I got married, he made us this beautifully intricate wood carving as a wedding gift. As he got older, he used his skills in construction and even helped me renovate some houses. I always thought he would have the time to further develop his talents.

During Nathan’s service, our minister fondly commented that Nathan had been an “angelic troublemaker.” And he was. He was a kind soul, always trying to help others, even while he was struggling himself.

Can you share your feelings and experiences supporting Nathan? As a family, we offered resources and provided what we thought were solutions. During one of his downturns,

he wasn’t living with our mom, so he was living in a pickup truck. We were all concerned about how cold it got at night, and I helped him insulate it so he could stay warm. He eventually lost his truck due to parking tickets and ended up unhoused. Efforts like these were often met with resistance, and ultimately, nothing changed or got better, which made us feel like failures.

Frustration and anger become dominant emotions — mostly toward yourself for being unable to make it all better. The shoulda-woulda-coulda-type questions continue. You ask yourself over and over, “What could I have done differently or better?” For our mother, it was many sleepless nights and wondering how to deal with “broken promises, lost opportunities, and lost hope” when he refused help.

What is one misconception about poverty that you wish you could change? There’s a spectrum to homelessness. Sometimes Nathan was okay; he had a job, an apartment, a girlfriend, and looked good. Then he’d disappear for days using again, and he wasn’t doing okay, and things started to fall apart.

For whatever reason they are there, there’s so much to think about when

you have a loved one living on the street. All the logistics and details of life that we take for granted.

In San Pedro, there’s nowhere to use a bathroom after 10 p.m. When I see our local homeless folks, I remember worrying about Nathan. I wonder if they are warm enough, where do they put all their stuff, have they eaten — the questions are endless.

In your experience, what’s the biggest change on a large scale that needs to happen? What are some of the roadblocks people face?

It’s unfathomable that the systems we have in place work in silos rather than in tandem to help struggling individuals. From housing systems — shelters, encampments, vouchers — to health and mental health resources, it’s all so detrimentally disconnected.

How would you describe your family’s experience for someone who hasn’t dealt with this situation? What is something we all can do to help? People become homeless for different reasons. Getting out of that hole can feel impossible.

After my brother died, I started to pay more attention to people around me living their lives on the street. It makes you more compassionate. I make sure to acknowledge them, at the very least, look them in the eye and say hello, and when I can, get to know their stories.

Every person living like that is someone’s family. We need to remember they are humans, just like you and me.

Mitch also shared his mother’s thoughts, and she hopes that other mothers will read about Nathan’s life and know that someone understands the depths of their pain, “We tried to help in so many ways, but addiction is so powerful. We still have so many questions. The pain will always be there, perhaps duller after two and a half years, but always there.” spt

Amber Sheikh is a San Pedro resident, mother of two, community advocate, and owner of Sheikh/ Impact, a nonprofit consulting firm. She has nearly two decades of experience working in and with organizations solving homelessness and income inequality.

FAMILY (top): Photo taken in 2012 in Arizona by Mitch Riggin (right), with younger siblings Rachel (left) and Nathan; (right) Nathan living in Santa Cruz in 2019. He would die of a fentanyl overdose the following year at the age of 50. (photos courtesy Mitch Riggin)

STORIES OF SPIRITUAL INSPIRATION

WHY WOULD A HINDU GOD CARE ABOUT A JEWISH WOMAN LEFT AT THE ALTAR IN 1923?

by Linda Grimes

I I love to read and particularly enjoy stories about my Jewish ancestors. I discovered Guesthouse for Ganesha because a friend, Judith Teitelman, wrote it, and it starts with my middle name, Beth.

Judith writes, “‘Beth’ (or ‘Bet’) is the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet… It represents the beginning of duality, where there is both a giver — the Creator — and a receiver — the created world. The literal meaning and form of the letter ‘Beth’ denotes a house, underscoring that the created world is meant to house the spiritual within it.”

She quotes Rumi — “Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.” Years ago, desperate to find my purpose, I fervently prayed for help, and everything that has happened since then has answered this prayer. Guesthouse for Ganesha resonated with me since it is a tale of love, loss, survival, and spirit reclaimed.

During the pandemic lockdown, while we all yearned for connection, I started to program the series Culture TALKS! This book was the first idea to present how sharing disparate cultures can bring us closer. Judith introduced me to Malathi Iyengar, artistic director of Rangoli Dance, and thus, the

concept of our upcoming gathering this month at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium was born.

Malathi established the Rangoli Foundation for Art & Culture and Rangoli Dance Company in 1985 to share India’s performing and visual arts. The company features the vibrant south Indian dance form Bharatanatyam, a traditional Indian dance form with origins in the temples of South India.

While working through bookstores, art galleries, and the cultural arts scene for over three decades, Judith was always a writer at heart. After seeing the novel’s title mysteriously inscribed in an old journal, she worked diligently for four years chasing what it meant. The result was Guesthouse for Ganesha, her debut novel.

Judith and Malathi will join me in conversation about the book, with a presentation of Indian dance by Malathi’s Rangoli Dance Company on May 7 at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. I recently spoke to both of them to learn more about their stories.

Grimes: How did you first discover you were an artist?

Malathi Iyengar: I remember being involved in creating sand mandalas called rangoli for the village festivities when I was nine years old. I was engaged in drawing, painting, [and] singing as far back as I can remember. Dance came to me as an adult. I learned and pursued Bharatanatyam along with my daughter

and studied under a traditional master teacher, Guru Narmada, from India.

Judith Teitelman: I don’t know [if] it was a “discovery” per se, as from my earliest memories, I was always drawn to the arts, all the arts — visual, performance, literature, films, music, architecture. I began studying dance when I was very young and always painted and drew and created collage and assemblage artworks.

How did your family’s support manifest itself?

Iyengar: I was able to complete my graduate studies [at] UCLA (Master in Choreography), a certificate program in architectural and graphic design, perform a solo dance debut, build a dance company, and accept touring opportunities — all because of their unconditional support.

Teitelman: As a young child, my mother took me to dance classes and the library regularly, and when I was old enough, I went on my own.

How did you two meet?

Iyengar: I met Judith’s husband Aaron Paley back in 1999. He organized the Getty Family Festivals, and our company has performed several times at the Getty since 1999. Aaron Paley is president and co-founder of Community Arts Resources (CARS), a co-founder and founding executive director of CicLAvia, and the founder of Yiddishkayt.

Teitelman: As mentioned, in one of my parallel realms, I’m an organizational development consultant specializing [in] arts and cultural organizations and individual artists. Malathi was one of my clients through Pentacle L.A.’s Help Desk program.

Why did you write Guesthouse for Ganesha?

Teitelman: I never intended to write fiction or poetry and very much consider myself yet another accidental novelist. In 2001, a close friend started a Saturday morning writing group and more than insisted I join. I showed up every Saturday at 10 a.m. with a soy latté in one hand and pens and paper in the other. It was the showing up that began to crack my resistance.

Another month or more passed, and the death of a man I was involved with in my early 20s led me back to a journal from those years. Recapturing this period in my life, I came upon an inscription dated 25 June, 1983, that read, “The title is Guesthouse for Ganesha.” Nothing leading up to it, nothing written afterwards, no explanation.

Although I was still unclear as to what it meant, I spent the next four years of Saturday mornings working diligently to figure it out. The lesson here, one that we all inevitably learn, is life will often take us in directions that we can’t otherwise imagine, but [we] are exactly where we need to be. spt

Culture TALKS! with Guesthouse for Ganesha, featuring an Indian dance demonstration by Rangoli Dance Company, will take place at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (3720 Stephen M. White Dr.) on Sunday, May 7 at 2 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit sanpedrowaterfrontartsdistrict.com.

Linda Grimes is a retired sales and marketing geek and now serves as the executive director of the San Pedro Waterfront Arts District.

Do you have arts and culture story ideas? Please share them — email to 55lindagrimes@gmail.com.

For more information, visit sanpedrowaterfrontartsdistrict.com.

Rangoli Dance Company (left); Judith Teitelman (right); the cover to Guesthouse for Ganesha (inset)

AN ATHEIST, A HIPPIE, AND A CHRISTIAN CLIMB A MOUNTAIN

HOW CROSSFIT CULTIVATES A HEALTHY GYM COMMUNITY

by Eddie McKenna

Have I told you that I love my job? Or just how much I love working in my gym? I meet unique and exciting people every day.

The interactions and relationship-building with our members have become my favorite part of the job. The community and culture we have developed have been the most rewarding part of my job. Last month was a reminder of how great CrossFit is at bringing people from different walks of life together.

We get visitors often at my gym. Last month, I was invited on a “hiking” trip called Cactus to the Clouds by a new gym member I have only known

through doing CrossFit together for the past six weeks. He is from Germany, and his hobbies include mountaineering (ice climbing with axes) and CrossFit. If I were to describe him to you, he looks like he’s been genetically modified and sent back from the future specifically to climb mountains and be good at CrossFit.

We had a third, Armon, who also did CrossFit and was friends with the German. I was inclined to like him even before meeting. When asked how he knew the German, he said, “We worked out once, and I immediately felt like he was a brother from another mother.” That was all I needed to hear because that’s how I felt about my German Terminator.

When we began our climb, I talked

about everything you are not supposed to discuss: politics, religion, and money. We didn’t agree on anything, and it was great because we had differing opinions but could respect each other’s different points of view.

Armon said, “Man, this is great! I can’t discuss this with my other friends. We fight.” I laughed and thought about how enjoyable it was for the three of us, all from different walks of life, to have a pleasant conversation about all the things that usually cause people to fight and argue. I’m not saying you must do CrossFit to be cordial with people, but the three of us would never have met if we didn’t share that common interest.

That’s what is great about CrossFit; it’s a melting pot of people. You can go to any gym worldwide and see all levels of people ranging from kids, moms, dads, former athletes, pro athletes, people of different religions, grandparents, people with disabilities, and the list can go on and on.

It creates a bond of respect between one another on a different level. It’s like being on a sports team, and the workout is game time. When everyone finishes the workout, we all win the game. I witness people high-fiving and con-

gratulating each other as if they have just won the national championship all the time.

CrossFit gets people fired up in a good way, and it’s a good feeling. I’ve seen a Bruin and Trojan chest bump post-workout. When was the last time you finished a workout and someone came up to you and said, “Nice job, way to crush that workout!”? It constantly happens in CrossFit.

Why am I telling you this? Over the past 13 years, the most common reason I have heard people give for quitting a gym or not going into one was that they didn’t feel welcome. Isn’t that crazy? Not feeling welcome is a horrible feeling, and it is double horrible if that’s your reason for not going to the gym.

You want to be able to go to the gym to be celebrated, not just tolerated. In CrossFit gyms, the loudest cheers tend to be for the people finishing the workout last.

What are you waiting for? Find your community and climb your mountain. spt

Eddie McKenna is co-owner of Heyday Elite Fitness. For more info, visit heydaytraining.com.

COMMUNITY: A typical CrossFit class at Heyday Elite Fitness. (photo: Eddie McKenna)

LOCAL FOCUS: SPRING UPDATE AND BEYOND

SALES HAVE SLOWED, PRICES ARE SOFTENING

by Mike Harper & Peter Hazdovac

As mentioned in our 2022 Local Real Estate Review in January, although home prices remained stable, sales volume declined considerably compared to the first six months of last year and the previous year (2021). This was primarily due to a slowing economy, inflationary concerns, and the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage climbing from below 3.25% for much of 2021 to 5.78% in mid-June (2022). We concluded with the following observations for 2023: “Housing supply remains tight in the Greater South Bay. While sales volume is expected to continue to soften, housing prices in our local market should remain relatively stable to down slightly as long as people have jobs, the unemployment rate does not increase significantly, and inventory remains low.”

We’re nearly halfway through 2023, and the residential SFR market is trending in line with what we anticipated. Based on local MLS statistics (through mid-April), there were 70 homes sold in San Pedro, down from 92 homes sold during the same period in 2022. The average sales price during this period was $874,000, compared to $920,000 during the same period last year. Average Days on Market (DOM) increased to 25 days, up from 9 days the previous year. In

neighboring RPV, there were 74 homes sold in 2023 compared to 104 last year during this same period. The average sales price was $1,668M through midApril of this year, compared to $1,915M last year. DOM increased by 10 days this year. In the Greater South Bay, there were 754 SFR sales thru mid-April of this year compared to 1,050 sales in 2022. The average sales price during this same period was $1M compared to $1,153M last year. DOM also increased by approximately 11 days in 2023.

It’s evident that sales have slowed, with home values softening to some extent this year. However, the market has remained mostly stable due primarily to the ongoing lack of inventory in the South Bay. We believe limited inventory will remain a constant theme for the remainder of 2023 as long as the job market holds strong and consumers are employed.

Mortgage rates will be an important factor during the next six to eight months and something to keep an eye on. According to Freddie Mac, a leading source of financing for mortgages in the United States, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in the U.S. was 6.27% (as of 4/13/23).

One of our local residential lender partners, Michael Mannino of California Coastal Loans, offered this insight: “When it comes to interest rates, inflation is the arch enemy of mortgages because it erodes the buying power

of future fixed monthly payments. If inflation is rising, investors demand a higher rate of return to combat that, causing interest rates to rise like we saw throughout much of last year. The tide has started to turn in our favor recently. We received some positive news regarding inflation last month, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) declining a whole point year over year from 6% to 5%. That should relieve some pressure on the Federal Reserve when it comes to their pace of interest rate hikes. The outlook for the remainder of 2023 is that mortgage rates will improve, especially if the Fed meeting in May leaves the markets believing the Fed will be forced to stop hiking rates after one final shot. Any drop in mortgage rates should help support home values, especially given the lack

of current inventory.”

While some economists maintain a tempered outlook for U.S. and California real estate, we remain optimistic regarding our somewhat insulated local market. With the spring and summer months upon us, we expect to see an uptick in South Bay home sales activity. A stable job market and the possibility of lower mortgage rates in the second half of 2023 should only help our local market for the remainder of the year. spt

Mike Harper and Peter Hazdovac are co-owners of HH Coastal Real Estate, an independent local brokerage. For more info, visit www.hhcoastal.com.

ROYAL SUNSET: A Royal Palms sunset is one of the many reasons why we love to call San Pedro home. (photo: John Mattera Photography)

SPECIALIZING IN Sports

Dr. Ja’nae Brown

Dr. Maile Bay Jacques

Dr. Daisuke Saiki

Dr. Geovanni Sandoval

DALMATIAN-AMERICAN CLUB'S COMMUNITY FISH LUNCHEON TURNS 60

ON FRIDAY, MARCH 31, the Dalmatian-American Club celebrated the 60th year and return of its Community Fish Luncheon. (COVID prohibited the anniversary celebration until this year.) The sold-out banquet hall was filled with a who’s who of legendary San Pedrans, politicians, business owners, and community leaders who were served heaping helpings of mostaccioli pasta, grilled salmon, red clam chowder, salad, and chocolate chip cookies. The Dalmatian-American Club began the bimonthly fish luncheons in 1961 (on the last Friday of every other month) with a small group of 18 from San Pedro’s local business community. Today, the luncheon serves hundreds and has become famous for its networking opportunities and history of dealmaking within its renowned hall. San Pedro Today congratulates the Dalmatian-American Club on 60 years of bringing folks from all walks of life together to celebrate San Pedro’s Croatian heritage. (photos: John Mattera Photography)

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Cost includes 12 issues of San Pedro Today mailed in an envelope. (U.S. orders only.)

You can also order online at sanpedrotoday.com!

THE DINER ON THE DOCK: Once located in the port’s historic immigration building at 22nd and Miner streets, Canetti’s Seafood Grotto served fishermen, sailors, longshoremen, politicians, and generations of San Pedrans from 1949 to January 2010, when Joe Canetti’s famous portside diner closed its doors for good. The neon sign (pictured above in 2010) and the restaurant’s famous “Table One” now belong to the Los Angeles Maritime Museum. Soon, the Trani family will open the highly anticipated Trani’s Dockside Station in Canetti’s old location, continuing a great tradition of family-owned restaurants in San Pedro. (photo: courtesy Los Angeles Maritime Museum)