San Pedro Today - March 2023

MOVIE MAGIC

L.A. HARBOR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 20 YEARS WITH SCREENING OF SAN PEDRO DOCUMENTARY PORT TOWN & MUCH MORE

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

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

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some new faces

months, and I’ve

appeared on the cover of this magazine impressed with her work advocating for experience and unique point of view to our readership.

Last month, her interview with Shauna, a woman working her way out of homelessness with her dog, garnered strong reactions. If you haven’t read it yet, it’s worth checking out online at sanpedrotoday.com. I expect more incredible stories from Amber and her subjects in the coming months.

One of my goals this year was to have more arts and culture coverage. My first step in doing that was bringing Linda Grimes on board. As executive director of the San Pedro Waterfront Arts District, she has her finger on the pulse of what’s happening in all the galleries and studios around town.

She’s also helped spearhead the campaigns to bring more public art to our community, including new murals and utility box art. The more attention

we can deliver to our arts community, the better.

I’ve trained on and off with Eddie McKenna long enough to have a fantastic body by now. But I don’t, so I like having a health and fitness column in the magazine to keep me motivated every month. Judging by the emails I’ve received, many of you feel the same.

Eddie replaces his longtime business partner at Heyday Elite Fitness, Ricky Magana, which are some big shoes to fill. Fortunately, Eddie’s stepped up to the challenge and is producing quality, motivating work. This month’s column about setting deadlines is spot on.

Lastly, congratulations to Stephanie Mardesich and all the volunteers who have kept the LAHIFF going for the past 20 years. With the Warner Grand closing later this year for who knows how long to undergo renovations, this festival is one of the last opportunities to see a film on the theater’s big screen.

I’m also thrilled she’s closing the festival with Port Town, Jack Baric’s 2006 documentary about San Pedro. If you’re new to San Pedro or have never seen the film, I urge you to check it out at the Warner Grand on Sunday, March 5, at 3 p.m. It’s a wonderful movie that captures our community’s heart and soul like nothing else.

More news next month. spt

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

George A. Van Buren, EA, MBA

MARCH

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, Alice Taylor, 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

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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.

VOLUME 15 | NUMBER 2

Tickets available at sanpedrochamber.com

MARCH 2023

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. For more info, visit feedandbefed.org.

2 (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.

2 (Thurs) – GUIDED ARTWALK

TOUR at Sirens Java & Tea (402 W. 7th St.), 5:30p. – Join local artists and creatives for a tour of the San Pedro Arts District. We will be gathering at Sirens Java & Tea at 5:30p and will start walking at 6p. Come out, visit with your friends, and see some art! The Food Truck Alley will return to Mesa St. between 7th and 5th streets. You can park at 6th and Harbor Blvd. and take the red PBID trolley to the center of the ArtWalk. Limited number of FREE tickets, and donors get 10% discount cards for local eateries. For tickets and more info, visit tinyurl.com/ March-2023-Guided-ArtWalk-Tour.

5 (Sun) – SAN PEDRO BAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS “HAPPY 135th BIRTHDAY, SAN PEDRO!” at The Muller House Museum (1542 S. Beacon St.), 1-4p. – Free Muller House tours, games, and birthday cake. Fun for the whole family! For more info, visit sanpedrobayhistoricalsociety.com.

9 (Thurs) – HARBOR OCCUPATIONAL CENTER CONNECT LA JOB FAIR at Harbor Occupational Center (740 N. Pacific Ave.), 10a-2p. – Join us to learn more about exciting employment opportunities across multiple sectors. Attendees will be able to meet hiring

representatives and access many career opportunities. Free parking across the street from the school in the student parking structure. To register, visit pacific-gateway.org/hoc-connectlajobfair.

9 (Thurs) – SAN PEDRO CHAMBER

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION at San Pedro Elk's Lodge (1748 Cumbre Dr.), 5:30p. – “Celebrating Women – Celebrating Giving Back." 2023 honorees are: SueAnn Ballat (Gang Alternatives Program), Gayle Fleury (Angel Gowns and Light of the Lighthouse), Amy Grat (president/ CEO, EXP - The Opportunity Engine), Rosa Pesenti (Boys and Girls Clubs of the LA Harbor and Maria’s Closet), Nancy Richardson (LAMI and Girl Scouts), Camilla Townsend (founding board member of AltaSea and trustee, POLA High School), and Rachel Viramontes (president of the Wednesday Senior Club). Tickets include buffet dinner, beverage, and complimentary champagne toast. No-host bar available. $50 members; $55 non-members. Event Sponsorship Table: $1,000. For more info, visit sanpedrochamber.com or call (310) 832-7272.

15 & 25 (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 1.5 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.

19 (Sun) – SAN PEDRO MAKERS MARKET at Cabrillo Marina Plaza Lawn (2965 Via Cabrillo Marina), 9a-2p. – Join more than two dozen artists, artisans, and makers for a fun day of shopping! There will also be live music, pet adoptions, face painting, lawn games, food, bakers, and coffee. This event is hosted by Homemade by the Hays and sponsored by Pedro Pet Pals, AnimalsRule.org, and San Pedro Today. For vendor info, message @sanpedromakersmarket on Instagram.

26 (Sun) – LAMI’S SEASIDE SHINDIG 30th ANNIVERSARY EVENT at Los Angeles Maritime Institute (Berth 73, Suite 2), 2p. – This will be a jovial capstone dinner with enchanting charm, featuring gourmet dining by the water's edge, entertainment, live and silent auctions, a raffle, games, and more! For more info, visit https:// lamitopsail.org/seaside-shindig. spt

SEASIDE SHINDIG!

LAMI TURNS 30 WITH A SHORESIDE FUNDRAISING EVENT MARCH 26

A local rite of passage for students over the last 30 years has been a sail on a tall ship in San Pedro Bay. Thanks to the Los Angeles Maritime Institute, budding sailors of all ages have discovered the wonder and joy of the ocean, as well as the chance to see the amazing port complex from a unique vantage point on the water.

On Sunday, March 26, beginning at 2 p.m., the Los Angeles Maritime Institute will celebrate the culmination of its 30th anniversary with a fundraiser event — Seaside Shindig will take place at their shoreside campus at Berth 73.

Get your tickets now for this great FUNdraising event. For more details, visit lamitopsail.org/seaside-shindig.

EARLY DAYS

In 1992, a retired science teacher and Coast Guard-licensed captain, Jim Gladson, organized a small group of his friends and associates and formed the Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI, as it is affectionately known).

The idea for the institute came about several years earlier when Captain Gladson witnessed the positive effect the experience of sailing at sea had upon even his most challenged alterna-

tive school students, even those with dyslexia. LAMI’s new TopSail Youth Program mission would be to use sail training to provide youth with reallife challenges that would develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to stay in school and become healthy, productive adults.

With less than $5,000 in donated funds and a one-room office in the depths of the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, they sought a suitable vessel for purchase. A short time later, the 92’ topsail schooner Swift of Ipswich was purchased with the help of a loan from the CJ Foundation.

In 2000, the TopSail Youth Program continued to demonstrate such notable success that LAMI began constructing two 110’ brigantines, Irving Johnson and Exy Johnson, designed and built specifically to address the educational needs of the program. Launching in April of 2002, L.A. Mayor James Hahn and the City Council proclaimed these state-of-the-art tall ships and their youth crews “The Official Tall Ships and Maritime Ambassadors of the City of Los Angeles.”

In the 30 years since the founding of the Los Angeles Maritime Institute,

more than 130,000 young people from throughout Southern California and beyond have had the opportunity to directly benefit from participation in hands-on learning experiences through the TopSail Youth Program. LAMI continues to give “real-life” context to subjects like science, mathematics, engineering, history, and literature, and to raise awareness about environmental impacts to our oceans and local waters.

FULL SPEED AHEAD

LAMI has an exciting future as the organization brings back into service their beloved tall ship, Swift of Ipswich. In addition, the twin brigantines, Exy Johnson and Irving Johnson, will sail from Berth 78 in the new West Harbor development. The most recent ship joining the fleet, American Pride (the Official Tall Ship of the City of Long Beach), sails from Pine Avenue Pier at Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach as part of LAMI’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Children’s Maritime Institute.

Los Angeles Maritime Institute offers a full range of activities to create the perfect tall ship experience to match your interests:

• Day programs and voyages (sponsorships for Title I schools available)

• Hands-on STEM learning

• Maritime skill-building and seatime certification for United States Coast Guard licensing

• Boatbuilding

• Private charters for team building, birthdays, weddings, retirements, funerals, and filming

• Monthly community sunset sails and bilingual eco-education sails

• Volunteer Youth Crew Program through our co-ed Sea Scout Ship 1992

• Adult volunteer program (voted one of the best places to volunteer in Los Angeles). spt

For more information, visit lamitopsail.org.

Alice Taylor is the director of sales and marketing for the Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI).

LAMI students enjoying a day out on the ocean. (photo: LAMI)

by Alice Taylor

HONORARY MAYOR CAMPAIGN RETURNS

by Lee Williams

The San Pedro Honorary Mayor campaign is back, and the list of candidates is as diverse as they are passionate about their charities. For those who don’t know, the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce runs an honorary mayor campaign every two years, and the winner is determined by how much money they raise for their favorite charities. In 2019, the unstoppable Pam Costa, who owns Charcuteries by Pam, raised over $50,000 in support of Maria’s Closet, POLA High School, and Pedro Pet Pals. She has gone on to be the longestrunning honorary mayor of all time, having served almost four years due to the COVID pandemic delaying a search for her replacement.

Yolanda Regalado, owner of Sirens Java & Tea, “Where coffee and tea meet the sea,” is a long-standing pillar of our community. Sirens is the unofficial town center of San Pedro, where residents can run into public officials and local leaders and have meaningful discussions about how to improve our town.

Yolanda, a former deputy sheriff, has a lifelong commitment to serving our community not only the best coffees and teas, but also by lifting up the underserved with an emphasis on

women and minority business owners. She is running in support of three organizations: Women are Heroes Too is an organization helping women who have served in our armed forces as they transition to civilian jobs or start new businesses; Maria’s Closet is a local nonprofit that provides underprivileged youth with prom dresses, makeup, confidence, and one-on-one support to help their senior prom night be the best it can be; Pedro Pet Pals supports pet adoptions and health with low- or no-cost vaccinations and spaying and neutering of dogs and cats.

Manny Jimenez, owner of Black Knight Patrol, served in the Marines and has built a company that gives veterans a place to go when they leave military service. The speed at which he has grown Black Knight has been inspirational and has benefitted our community greatly.

Manny is running to support community policing through the LAPD Boosters for the benefit of Harbor Division. This will provide the tools and comforts not afforded by the LAPD budget.

Manny is also supporting Harbor Connects, the nonprofit that grew out of the Harbor Neighborhood Relief Fund. It now focuses on fighting poverty and homelessness and creating connections between the various service providers to better leverage each

other in their work.

Rock Ashfield, Realtor/development manager of the “coolest vibe in South Bay real estate” at Palm Realty Boutique located on 6th Street in Downtown San Pedro, has been a powerful force in celebrating all that is good in San Pedro. Rock can be seen on social media with his “Real Estate Minute,” bringing the folks together and working hard to make San Pedro an even better place to live, work, and play.

His charities are the Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI), where disadvantaged youth can experience life on one of the two tall ships built here in San Pedro. These experiences give youth a respite from urban life, provide them with confidence and self-reliance, and help them focus without the distractions of technology. His second charity is Bridge Cities Alliance, a favorite San Pedro nonprofit that works to support LGBTQ+ members of our community to create a more inclusive San Pedro.

The effervescent Gabriela Medina, community advocate and public servant, is a San Pedro resident who has worked hard to address poverty and improve the responsiveness of city services. She has been a feet-on-the-street advocate for getting people experiencing homelessness into shelters, treatment, and supportive services. Gaby

started her public service career 17 years ago working at the YWCA on 9th Street, where she was exposed to the diversity of the town — from the people, the culture, the food, and the immigrant stories of those who built San Pedro and made it into the gem it is today.

Her hands-on approach to her work has led her to support Sharefest, a local organization that empowers underserved youth to transform their future and become leaders of collaborative community change. By working with Sharefest, these young people get direct mentorship and a chance to learn how to work together to beautify our community with projects that give them a sense of accomplishment. This leads to better grades, relationships, and outcomes as these students graduate into meaningful and productive lives.

I’m proud to call all of these candidates friends, and their work significantly impacts San Pedro in various ways for the betterment of our town, community, and people. spt

Lee Williams leads the Williams Group at Keller Williams Realty and is a member of the Board of Directors for the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce and the Boys and Girls Club for L.A. Harbor.

SMOOTH SAILING

SPHS SAILING TEAM HOPES TO TURN THEIR CLUB INTO AN OFFICIAL SCHOOL SPORT

by Jennifer Marquez

For the last four years, the San Pedro High School Sailing Team has been stronger than ever, with a dedicated team that has beat many well-funded and private schools. San Pedro High School (SPHS) is a Title 1 school that serves a higher number of a lower-income population.

The sailing team began approximately 15 years ago and is run through a partnership with the Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club. The Club provides a wide range of youth sailing year-round to all interested children and schools in the area. Participants do not need to own a boat or be a member of the yacht club to sail.

“The CBYC Youth Sailing Foundation grants more scholarships than most yacht clubs. Economics [do] not limit how often somebody can sail here,” says Alex Smith, junior sailing manager.

The team practices after school twice a week off Cabrillo Beach in an area nicknamed Hurricane Gulch, known for strong winds and flat waters. Practicing in forceful winds gives SPHS an advantage over other schools that do not have as much wind where they are based. Sailors share that sailing may seem like a calm sport but, in actuality, can be exhilarating.

The students sail in FJs, two-person

boats with a skipper who drives and a crew member. There are also opportunities to use larger boats as the team learns all aspects of sailing. The sailing team competes up and down the coast of California in a series of races called regattas. Earlier this month in Long Beach, they placed first in the Silver Division out of 18 teams across Southern California and Arizona.

Many of the students from the high school team were introduced to sailing at CBYC’s summer camp and Friday Sailing Program, open to youth ages 7-18. Camp sessions are one to two weeks, and the price is typically less than daycare. All CBYC Junior instruc-

tors are certified by US Sailing. Coaches that grew up attending the youth programs often come home from college in the summer to work at Summer Sailing.

Cade Morris, head coach, started sailing at CBYC Summer Sailing when he was seven. Working at CBYC was his first job, coaching in the summer. Through sailing, he learned about the college he attended, College of Charleston, where he sailed on their variety team.

He has come full circle, returning to CBYC to work after graduation. “Sailing has offered a lot for me. There are many opportunities, [including] networking with people from all walks

of life. It is great to be at a job that I love,” says Morris.

“When younger kids start sailing in our programs, they are in a one-person boat called an Opti. They learn to be fully independent and self-reliant,” states Smith. “When they sail with two people, they use teamwork, communication, and independence as they make a wide range of decisions while not relying on the coach when they race. There is no radio on the boat during the regattas, so it is up to the sailors to decide what side of the course they will go on or when to make a maneuver.”

The SPHS team is independent and self-funded, with little to no expenses for San Pedro High School. The students are learning life skills on the water and off while competing from San Diego to San Francisco. SPHS does not recognize sailing as a sport, while more affluent schools like Palos Verdes do. It creates obstacles for the team, and it’s why they are a club. They are hopeful this will change in the future.

To learn more about CBYC youth programs, visit cbyc.org or call (310) 519-1694. San Pedro High School Sailing can be contacted through Instagram @sphs_sailing. SPHS Sailing is open to students grades 8-12, and practices are open to anybody wanting to try it out. spt

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

SPHS Sailing Team. (photo: Instagram)

BAD NEWS, GOOD NEWS FOR TWO OF SP’S BIGGEST TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

OWL NEST NULLIFIES AIR RAID; PBS PRODUCES NEW BATTLESHIP IOWA DOCUMENTARY

by Steve Marconi

The Great Los Angeles Air Raid of 1942 celebration, all set to return February 25 at the Fort MacArthur Museum after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, was shot down at the last minute by the great horned owl.

The discovery of a nest on the museum grounds belonging to the protected species forced the cancelation of the event, which re-enacts the night of February 24-25, 1942, when, according to newspaper accounts, Japanese bombers attacked Los Angeles. However, no evidence of an attack was uncovered; it was a false alarm caused by anxiety and “war nerves.” Searchlights crisscrossed the night sky, and coastal defense units fired more than 1,400 shells at nonexistent targets.

A restricted zone around the nest limited the area that could be used for the event. The faux gunfire and ‘40s big-band music used to reproduce the original night would have been impossible with newly imposed noise restrictions.

The event is a major fundraiser for the cash-strapped Parks and Recreation facility, but can neighbors always annoyed by the loud party say they don’t give a hoot and still thank an owl? Just asking.

SHIP AHOY

Fort MacArthur, of course, is only half of San Pedro’s military legacy. The other half — the Navy — is represented by the Battleship Iowa, which will be the subject of a new PBS documentary premiering in March titled USS Iowa

“The USS Iowa battleship was the lead ship of the last and most devastating class of battleship,” said Iowa PBS

producer and director Patrick Boberg. “Known as the ‘Battleship of Presidents,’ her story ranges from wartime victories to a tragic peacetime catastrophe, and she may not have been saved and turned into a museum without the state of Iowa’s financial and political support.”

The documentary will feature three key members of the museum ship’s staff: David Canfield, chief information officer; David Moser, engineering manager; and David Way, the ship’s curator and historian. Canfield and Moser are Navy veterans; Canfield was a 19-yearold third-class engineman aboard the Iowa on April 19, 1989, when an explosion in turret two during gunnery practice off the East Coast killed 47 officers and crew.

(Ed. Note: At press time, the documentary is currently not scheduled to air on PBS SoCal, only in Iowa for now, but that may change. Check pbs.org for the latest programming information.)

If the trailer is any indication, you will see plenty of San Pedro, too.

KILLER SET FREE

The release of serial killer Charles Sobhraj, 78, in Nepal in December didn’t make news here, but it should have.

Sobhraj murdered at least 20 tourists in South and Southeast Asia in the ’70s, and the first was San Pedro native Teresa Knowlton. Knowlton, 21, was found drowned in a tidal pool in Thailand, where Sobhraj preyed on most of his victims, primarily American and Canadian backpackers.

The murderous rampage was the subject of the 2021 Netflix series The Serpent. Sobhraj was convicted and imprisoned in India from 1976 to 1997. He returned to his native France upon release, then went to Nepal in 2003, where he was arrested, tried, and given a life sentence. He was released after serving 19 years on the grounds of poor health and good behavior and deported to France.

The funeral for Knowlton, who moved to Seattle as a teenager, was in San Pedro where her grandparents lived, with inurnment at Green Hills Memorial Park.

TOLD YOU SO

I got quite a response from my column in December about Californians leaving the state in droves. Some writers, remembering how things used to be, were understanding, and others, shall I say, less commiserating.

Since then, the Daily Breeze has published three columns in the Sunday Opinion section with the following headlines: “Exodus: California chases away its population/The Golden State needs to fix underlying problems” (by Steven Greenhut); “Exodus: Florida, Texas gain as Cali shrinks” (by Matt Fleming); and “Golden State: The California Dream is dying; here’s how to revitalize our state” (by Thomas Irwin).

Also in January, the San Francisco Chronicle published data from the state Department of Finance that showed California lost a net 500,000 people to other states in just the last two years. Los Angeles has lost 300,000 residents to migration.

And Allied Vans Lines’ most recent migration map lists California as the No. 2 state Americans are fleeing from, behind only Illinois. Not too long ago, most of those leaving Illinois were heading for the Golden State. Not so much anymore, apparently.

I’m biting my tongue.

IT’S OFFICIAL

I wrote recently about growing old and how I’m at peace with aging, even if I don’t like what I see happening around me.

In particular, even though I don’t consider myself a Luddite, I find myself a straggler in the race to keep up with the ever-changing digital technology. For instance, I still prefer “oldfashioned” email. I will text because I know that is now the preferred method of communication, but if I need to use more than a sentence or two, I’d rather make a phone call; I’m mystified by people, like my wife, who can text screen after screen.

To me, the best part of texting is using the shorthand that emojis provide. My favorites are the thumbs-up and “okay” symbols. Can anything express acknowledgment or approval any easier?

Well, there was a recent debate on Reddit about using the thumbs-up emoji, and a poll of people between ages 16 and 29, called Gen Z, reveals they find its use passive-aggressive. Respondents called users who send a thumbs up “officially old.” According to the same site, Gen Z-ers also say the red heart and the “okay” hand emojis make senders seem old.

All I have to say is: lol. spt

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

CURT’S KITCHEN IS COOKIN’

GINA FOSTER LEADS A VOLUNTEER GROUP TO HELP LOCAL FOOD INSECURITY

by Mike Lansing

Food insecurity in our country is real.

It is estimated that locally and nationally, one in five children do not get enough food daily — this in the richest country in the world. During the pandemic, when food insecurity grew dramatically, our Boys & Girls Club started our Weekend Wellness food distribution program, distributing enough food for one million meals within our Harbor Area communities.

This year, we will continue Weekend Wellness once a month, but we will also be sponsoring eight food pantries in our traditional club sites to provide daily assistance to food-deprived families. Obviously, this single effort is not enough, but it is one of several local food support programs that have become increasingly important to so many individuals and families.

Thirty years ago or so, Curt and Helen Grove started their own weekly food distribution program out of their home to support the food deprived. They would cook during the day, load up their car, head out to a local park, and hand out food throughout the evening. Word spread and the line got bigger, so they secured the use of the kitchen at Holy Trinity parish and recruited a few volunteers to help, using personal finances and donations to meet the demand. Curt eventually passed, but Helen continued the effort, and in 2013, she was able to secure donated storefront space on Pacific Avenue — and Curt’s Kitchen was born.

Helen soon recruited Gina Foster, who had been volunteering to take over the effort starting in 2015. Since then, Gina and her band of merry women and men volunteers have developed quite a volunteer food kitchen for the homeless, the working poor, and a couple of individuals who should be volunteering or donating rather than getting in line. But no one is turned away, and the need is great.

Curt’s Kitchen is open for food distribution every Monday and Tuesday evening. While they used to sponsor sit-down dinners, everything has been to-go since the pandemic. The volunteer

cooks start the hot meal preparation every Monday in the early afternoon. Each patron will receive a box with two hot meals and water, lemonade, and sometimes hot chocolate that evening. The line starts forming around 4:30 p.m., even though distribution starts an hour later. The second group of volunteers arrives around 5:15 p.m. for the distribution, which continues until 7 p.m. On average, 100 people are served, which means 200 hot meals are distributed to the needy.

Tuesdays are even more impactful. The routine is the same — volunteer cooks arrive in the early afternoon, and most distribution volunteers come just before 5:30 p.m. However, besides the box of two hot meals and drinks, the patrons also receive a brown bag with two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chips, a granola bar, a cookie, and fruit to support those lining up with an extra takeaway for Wednesday. This requires over 50 “PB&J ladies” to make ten sandwiches each month and deliver them to the kitchen that day. Much-needed donated clothes are also distributed on both Monday and Tuesday evenings.

Gina is the heart and soul of Curt’s Kitchen and is both its conductor and woman of many tasks throughout the week. Besides conducting every Monday and Tuesday, she places orders and makes Smart & Final and Costco runs to secure food to be cooked or brownbagged. She schedules all the volunteers for the different shifts — cooks, distributors, and PB&J ladies — making sure each volunteer is only scheduled twice a month “so they won’t get burned out.” In addition, she and her husband donate their own money to help facilitate the purchases and accept other donations to further support the weekly budget. Gina and her merry band bring love, comfort, and nourishment to those in need.

Food insecurity is real — which is why Curt’s Kitchen is an excellent resource for so many. If you would like to support this cause by donating money, clothing, or volunteering, please call Gina at (310) 251-4801. spt

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

MOVIE MAGIC

by Joshua Stecker

For two decades, Stephanie Mardesich has been spreading the gospel of cinema.

“It’s surreal in many ways because it does not feel like two decades have passed,” says Mardesich, the director and founder of the Los Angeles Harbor International Film Festival (LAHIFF), which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month at the Warner Grand Theatre.

Looking back on those 20 years, Mardesich is amazed at how many films and notable guests she has been able to bring to the Warner Grand’s stage since the inaugural festival in April 2004.

“When I close my eyes, all the years and so many amazing moments flash before me,” she says. “Not only have we had true movie stars, but also exceptional talent present. From our first Hollywood Nostalgia Tribute featuring Neptune’s Daughter with star Betty Garrett present to the next year featuring South Pacific with Mitzi Gaynor. Then [we had] West Side Story with co-stars George Chakiris and Russ Tamblyn [here].”

As Mardesich describes it, the festival has always been a celebration of film and prides itself on screening films from past generations and more contemporary times, with a strong focus on children’s education through its “Read the Book, See the Movie” (RBSM) program. This year is no exception.

For its 20th anniversary, and last at the Warner Grand Theatre before major renovations occur, the LAHIFF has an eclectic lineup that includes a Mel

& MUCH MORE

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

The film festival begins Thursday, March 2, at 10:30 a.m. with the Academy Award-nominated Disney animated classic, The Jungle Book (1967), part of the festival’s “Read the Book, See the Movie” education outreach program.

The program, a unique cornerstone of the festival, promotes literacy through film. Students read and discuss the book before visiting the Warner Grand Theatre and seeing the film version on the big screen. Since 2004, more than 20,000 free books (provided by festival sponsor Penguin Random House Young Readers) have been distributed to students. There’s usually a Q&A held after the movie.

“We knew from the beginning that an education outreach program would be a key component of the LAHIFF,” says Mardesich. “As a student of literature and film scholar, the idea of source to screen has always been a keen interest. So, I came up with the simple concept of the RBSM — to promote literacy and a more thoughtful way to view a film. Publishers responded, educators and schools praised the RBSM concept, and sponsors embraced the program.”

The festival continues Friday, March 3, at 7 p.m. with the opening night selection of the Mel Brooks classic, Young Frankenstein (1974), kicking off the

Brooks horror comedy, a timeless holiday classic, and the return of the quintessential San Pedro documentary.

L.A. HARBOR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 20 YEARS WITH SCREENING OF SAN PEDRO DOCUMENTARY PORT TOWN

Mardesich (left) with L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn at the press launch for this year's LAHIFF in February. (photo: Martin Zamora, L.A. County) Port Town poster.

film’s upcoming 50th anniversary.

On Saturday, March 4, at 1 p.m., in their 11th year with the festival, New Filmmakers LA (NFMLA) will present their Emerging Filmmakers Showcase featuring four short films.

“Our aim is always to educate, entertain, and enlighten the film-going audience,” says Mardesich.

Later that afternoon is the festival’s traditional Hollywood Nostalgia Tribute night featuring a 35mm screening of the Bing Crosby holiday classic, White

Christmas (1954). A Christmas film in March may seem odd, but Mardesich has always had an eccentric flair, so a decision to feature a holiday film as we enter spring isn’t surprising.

“We thought it would be a great ‘last hurrah’ at the Warner Grand before the hiatus,” explains Mardesich. “White Christmas, with its fabulous cast, a charming, heartfelt story full of wartime heroes and romance, the memorable Irving Berlin songs, was the most popular and lucrative film released

in 1954.”

The night will benefit Harbor Interfaith Services and the YWCA of the Harbor Area & South Bay. Donate a non-perishable food item or new clothing item for free admission. Tickets can also be purchased for $5 at the box office.

PORT TOWN RETURNS

The highlight of this year’s LAHIFF falls on “DocSunday,” March 5, with the return of Port Town (2006) at 3 p.m., a seminal documentary about San Pedro, written and directed by Jack Baric. The film features seven stories about San Pedro’s fascinating men and women who found the promise of America’s greatness on the multicultural town’s gritty docks and seaside streets.

The film made its world premiere at the LAHIFF in May 2006 to a sold-out Warner Grand Theatre. It also screened to similar enthusiasm at the festival in 2014.

“I’m just really proud to have played a role in helping to document the history of the Harbor Area, and so showing the film at a theater that is so historic, like the Warner Grand, is a really special honor,” says Baric, who, in addition to being a filmmaker, is also co-founder of GameChange, a sports media company that uses inspirational sports stories to teach life lessons and provide educational resources to athletes around the world.

screening of Nailed It: Vietnamese & The Nail Industry (2018), a documentary by Adele Pham about the enigmatic nail salon industry, parts of which were filmed locally.

Immediately following Port Town is the fourth volume of Stories of Los Angeles Harbor Area: For Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow, an oral history documentary project produced by Baric and Mardesich. The series features short stories from a diverse group of people born or residing in the communities surrounding the Port of Los Angeles. The first three volumes can be viewed at storieslaharborarea.com.

“The project, made possible by grant funding from the County of Los Angeles thanks to Supervisor Janice Hahn, is the natural [choice] as the closing program,” says Mardesich. “Every day, [these stories] become more meaningful and important. If we do not preserve our history, it’s gone tomorrow, [which would be] an immense loss to past, present, and future generations.”

With the Warner Grand Theatre likely closed for renovations next year, the festival’s future is up in the air. Though she’s confident the festival will find a new host, Mardesich is urging anyone who hasn’t been to the Warner Grand Theatre in a while (or ever) to watch one of the festival’s films in one of Los Angeles’s last grand movie palaces before it closes.

SPECIALIZING IN Sports Orthopedics

“[Port Town’s] stories are meaningful and timeless with regard to the history revealed and thankfully preserved,” says Mardesich. “On a sentimental note, my late father is featured in the story about the fishing industry. We programmed the film in 2014 due to popular demand. This year, it’s relevant because we’ve continued to have requests to screen it again. With the Warner Grand closing, we didn’t want to miss the opportunity to introduce the movie to a new audience, and for those who have seen it or are in it, to have another opportunity to view the film on the big screen.”

DocSunday begins at 1 p.m. with a

“The Warner Grand hiatus will make a big dent in downtown. We must keep the spirit going, support local businesses, and be creative,” she says. “Don’t miss this last golden opportunity to enjoy the Warner Grand in its current glory. Gaze up at the decorative gilded ceiling, the hand-painted murals by A.J. Heinsbergen around the proscenium arch, take the time to appreciate all the details, revel in its innate beauty, and enjoy the show!” spt

The LAHIFF takes place Thurs-Sun, March 2-5, at the Warner Grand Theatre (478 W. 6th St.). For more info, visit laharborfilmfest.com.

Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle in Young Frankenstein (1974), the opening night film of this year's LAHIFF. (photo: 1974 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation)

Dr. Ja’nae Brown

Dr. Maile Bay Jacques

Dr. Daisuke Saiki Dr. Geovanni Sandoval

For several years, Maggie Tanielian worked and lived in North Hollywood, but San Pedro caught her eye because she and her fiancée wanted to buy a house.

The owner of Polystrength Fitness & Lifestyle in Downtown San Pedro, in the La Salle building just south of 7th and Centre streets, was drawn to the water after years in the Valley and Hollywood. It reminded her of her childhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where half of her time was spent near the ocean.

Soon after she moved to San Pedro in 2020, Geri Gioiello, a dockworker who is Tanielian’s client and friend, contacted her after seeing her online listing. Gioiello had undergone major life changes and was ready to take charge of her health. Once she and Tanielian began working together, the need for a studio workspace created itself.

Polystrength Fitness is a cozy, upscale, strength training, nutrition, and

POWER OF PILATES

THE EXERCISE SAVED MAGGIE TANIELIAN’S LIFE; SHE KNOWS IT CAN BETTER YOURS, TOO

by Julia Murphy

Pilates studio. When you enter, there’s no one other than you and Tanielian. All of the warm, energetic focus of its owner is for you. Tanielian does oneon-one sessions primarily and, over time, builds trusting relationships.

“I feel uncomfortable around others at the gym,” says Gioiello. “I feel like this is a safe zone.”

Polystrength Fitness opened in November and was constructed with the help of local businesses like The Carpenter’s Son Construction, Labonte’s Flooring, Blinds & Shutters, and Anchor Glass and Mirror. Tanielian made these conscious choices as she laid down new roots and intentionally positioned her business near the waterfront.

Tanielian is in her early 50s and is no stranger to life lessons from illness or injury. Hers is a compelling story about second chances and living your best life at any age.

In her late 30s, she started entering fitness competitions and winning

awards. Athleticism runs in her family. Her father was famous Argentine wrestler and celebrity Martín Karadagián, who blazed a trail for several decades.

Tanielian was diagnosed with breast cancer in her 40s. She pushed her strength training even harder while getting chemotherapy and radiation.

“You have radiation therapy, and it goes through your everything and burns you in pieces, and my body was really, really weak. I was doing a lot of cross step and box jumping to feel better, and my cervical spine collapsed,” she shares. Her right and dominant arm became paralyzed. “I could not pick up this arm at all. It was dead, like completely dead,” she remembers. “They did my spine surgery and discovered that my discs were broken, and it compressed my shoulder nerves. I couldn’t brush my teeth or my hair.”

Ultimately, it was Pilates that gave her hope. It allowed Tanielian to begin to use and strengthen her limp arm. And she thought, “If this helps me, then it’s going to help someone else.”

“I’ve done yoga,” says Tanielian. “I’ve done all that stuff, but my favorite is strength [training] because it gives me peace of mind and peace of heart and takes my anger out if I ever had any frustration. Pilates calms me down.”

Pilates strengthens and elongates your muscles, increases flexibility, develops muscle tone, and conditions the whole body. It also reinforces your joints so that there’s less chance of injury.

Tanielian offers free consultations to assess your eating habits and physical challenges. She plans to have free ses-

sions on Saturdays to come and learn tips on eating better and how to prepare your week food-wise. “Coach Maggie” also likes working with those who’ve never done much with their bodies.

Be willing to take direction because, as Gioiello puts it, Tanielian is “lovingly firm” in how she works with you. “Another thing, too,” says Gioiello, “I can’t do a lot of jumping because my knees aren’t so quality. So, Pilates is really good. I like how [Maggie’s] always there.”

At the outset, people were curious about why she was here in San Pedro, a long way from North Hollywood. “It’s important. People are like, ‘I don’t know if I belong here,’ and actually, yeah, you do belong because I did it for you,” she says. “I came here to work and to make you feel good.”

All the amenities, like eucalyptus towels, low lighting, beverages, and personal attention, they're for the person working at the Port and those who crave change and want to feel better (and pay non-Hollywood prices).

“All you have to do is apply yourself just a tiny little bit,” says Tanielian, “and that tiny little bit is going to give you a result.” spt

Polystrength Fitness & Lifestyle is located at 251 W. 7th Street. For more info, visit polystrength.life.

Maggie Tanielian, owner of Polystrength Fitness & Lifestyle.

(photo: John Mattera Photography)

EAT IN SAN PEDRO: SANDWICHES WITH A VIEW

by Sanam Lamborn

We are so lucky to live in a place that has an abundance of open green spaces and ocean views.

During the early years of the pandemic, I regularly purchased takeout to enjoy in many of the parks around town. I documented some of my adventures in the “San Pedro Parks & Sandwiches” (June 2021) and “Standout Burritos with a View” (March 2022) articles in San Pedro Today. In the first article, I wrote about my favorite sandwiches from the four most popular San Pedro shops. Undoubtedly, San Pedro doesn’t suffer from a lack of sandwich options. The challenge is that the big players overshadow other establishments that also have good sandwiches and, most importantly, unique options that are a nice change from the usual popular choices. Consequently, I explored four local spots for this column to feature their most popular sandwich on the menu.

I was a huge fan of Pirozzi’s Italian Deli (1453 W. 8th St.) when the Pirozzi family reopened it in 2012. However, once new owners took over in 2017, I felt that the quality and freshness of the food decreased; hence, they did not make my original article. Since it’s now under new ownership (the Khalbourji family took it over late last year), I

decided it was time to return. I am glad I did. My faith has been restored.

I was told the Godfather, made with prosciutto, capocollo, ham, salami, provolone cheese, and an abundance of chopped pepperoncini, is a favorite. Enjoy your sandwich at Averill Park For this outing, I chose a bench by the gazebo (accessed from S. Weymouth Ave.) with a view of our town and the San Gabriel mountains.

Many of us drive by Happy Deli (530 S. Gaffey St.) daily in and out of town. Although it’s part of the Happy

Diner family, I like that each establishment has unique items on its menus. The Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon sandwich caught my eye; coincidentally, I was informed it’s a popular item. If you love Buffalo sauce as I do, you will enjoy this sandwich. If not, I have an alternative for you that needs your attention.

My husband ordered the San Pedro Club with pastrami, turkey, ham, sauerkraut, coleslaw, and cheese on rye bread. He saved half of his sandwich for later; sadly for him, it was gone by the

time he was ready to dig into it because I couldn’t stop eating it. The irony? I am not a pastrami fan. The combination of the meats, crunchy slaw, and rye bread complement each other well. Drive to the end of Pacific Avenue to the lookout to enjoy your sandwich while sitting on the makeshift wooden and concrete terraces with a view of the harbor and Catalina Island.

After driving by West Coast Philly’s (1902 S. Pacific Ave.) often, I decided to give it a try. Their specialty is cheesesteak, so it only made sense for me to try their original sandwich, which is made with a mélange of thinly sliced ribeye steak, caramelized onion, green bell pepper, and white cheese in a perfectly soft baguette. When piping hot, this is a pretty good sandwich. I like the way the juices from the meat flavor the bread and the gooiness of the melted cheese. Enjoy your sandwich at one of the benches along the Cabrillo Marina walkway off of Via CabrilloMarina.

Can hotdogs be categorized as a sandwich? Vicky’s Doghouse (250 S. Harbor Blvd.), located on the fantail of the Battleship Iowa, is a hidden gem with a view. I was told The Destroyer, topped with chili, cheddar cheese sauce, onion, and mustard, is popular, rightfully. If you are extra like me, the jalapeño cheese sausage is the best choice for The Destroyer. The surprise is sweet bread rolls as buns. Another favorite is the PT Boat, topped with pastrami, cheese, mustard, and a quartered pickle. Each hotdog is served with fries, tater tots, or onion rings. Enjoy your food while sitting at the available tables or lounge chairs overlooking the channel and the port in operation. 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.

SCENIC LUNCH (clockwise l to r): The Godfather from Pirozzi's Italian Deli at Averill Park; Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bacon sandwich from Happy Deli at the Pacific Avenue lookout; an original cheesesteak sandwich from West Coast Philly's; and The Destroyer hotdog with fries from Vicky's Doghouse on the Battleship Iowa. (photos: Sanam Lamborn)

STRUGGLE FOR SERVICES

A LAWYER AND FORMER CASEWORKER DISCUSSES THE CHALLENGES OF HELPING THE HOMELESS

by Amber Sheikh Interview

has been edited for length and clarity.

Our stories continue this month with Garrett Dunbar, a former homeless services caseworker/staff member.

I first met Garrett five years ago while he was working as a caseworker for Mental Health America. I was immediately struck by his unwavering dedication to providing real help for our unhoused neighbors — one at a time. Interestingly, at that time, Shauna from last month’s article (“Same Themes, Different Stories,” SPT Feb. 2023) was part of his team’s caseload. The world is small in this community — housed or unhoused. Even though he no longer works in homeless service delivery, he has recently been providing pro bono legal services to help Shauna as she navigates her eviction.

Sheikh: Tell me a bit about yourself.

Garrett Dunbar: Born and raised in the South Bay, I graduated from Peninsula High School. I went to El Camino College, where I met my wife, Chelsy, and then to UCLA. After that, I went to law school, then CSULB to earn my master’s in social work.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a beautician. I’ve always wanted to make people feel pretty and was constantly doing my mom’s hair and makeup growing up.

Growing up, what career did you want?

I was supposed to be a carbon copy of my dad, who is a lawyer, and any deviation from that was met with disapproval. I wanted to be a marine biologist/oceanographer, so I settled for an environmental law concentration instead.

Why did you become a caseworker?

In law school, I was searching for a purpose. While interning with Orange County Council, I had a front row seat to the homelessness crisis. More than 500 people were living outside that office.

After graduating from law school, I provided legal aid inside an emergency shelter where I saw how people with mental illness, physical disability, or substance use were often left behind. Using my positions of privilege to make tangible impacts in the lives of other people was important to me. So I completed a fellowship with Mental Health America of Los Angeles to become a mental health recovery specialist.

Can you describe a typical day for a caseworker?

Routine doesn’t exist. Our team was 100 percent mobile and most days started with someone in crisis — real or perceived — and you would be in triage.

We all wore many hats — outreach coordination, intensive case management, and legal support. A typical caseload for a non-intensive team is 25-49 people (higher if short-staffed, which is often the case). Our team worked with people living with serious mental illnesses, including major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and PTSD — many of whom also had physical illnesses or substance use.

Here is a snapshot of any given day:

• Go to Wilmington encampment to take a client to a doctor’s appointment.

• Meet an outreach worker from another agency at Harbor City encampment for a warm handoff.

• Meet a client at San Pedro encampment to complete paperwork at DPSS.

• Search for clients who don’t have phones in different locations to connect them to needed services.

• Pick up a client who was discharged from the ER.

• Meet a client at a Torrance park to provide therapy while searching for units that accept their housing voucher.

What was the most challenging part of your job?

Limited resources. Not enough housing. Most appointments ended by dropping a client off at their tent, saying goodbye, and feeling helpless.

Why did you leave?

We only had one therapist, nurse, and prescriber with five case managers for 100 of the most vulnerable clients. Our team was given an impossible task and burned out trying to hit the agency’s productivity target. More than half of us were gone within a year, and the program shut down. Staff burnout and turnover are high.

What was the most fulfilling?

Getting to know people’s stories, acknowledging the difficulty of their journey, and walking alongside them to remind them how far they had come.

What’s one misconception about homelessness that you wish you could correct?

No one says, “When I grow up, I want to live on the sidewalk in a tent.” Many of the people on our streets are connected to services, and many have even been matched to vouchers — there is simply nowhere for people to exist while they are stuck waiting for the housing pipeline to become unclogged.

Less than 10 percent of people would say they are choosing this life. And for the majority of that small subset, it’s a story they’ve convinced themselves of to be more comfortable with their situation.

What’s the most significant change, on a large level, that needs to happen?

The average tenure of homeless service workers is about 18 months. Can you imagine if you had a different doctor or therapist every other year? We need staff, but the way these services are funded prioritizes meeting billing goals, not providing care. Providers should be compensated based on the outcomes of services rather than the quantity of billable hours.

What is something that we can all do to help?

Special training isn’t needed to say hi to someone and look them in the eye, and keeping socks or feminine hygiene products in your car to hand out goes a long way. But the reality for myself, and the 63 percent of people paying rent in L.A., is that we are significantly closer to homelessness than home ownership. We need more people to get involved by joining a working group on homelessness to advocate for solutions in every backyard.

Garrett’s experience is shared by thousands of caseworkers working across our region daily. They are given the often-impossible task of finding people who have no home, building trust, and helping them navigate the complex system of services that entails dozens of departments and providers and hundreds of pages of forms. And they do it again every time there is staff turnover.

They navigate encampments and areas of the city many of us would not feel comfortable in and risk their lives and health. Garrett, who had a law degree, was making $21/hour at the time, which is on the high end of the compensation spectrum.

If you are interested in joining the CD15 Working Group on Homelessness, email info@sheikhimpact.com. 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.

Dunbar (center) at a Thanksgiving Harvest Feast in 2022. (photo courtesy Garrett Dunbar)

WOMEN WHO TELL STORIES

ACTRESS RENEE O’CONNOR AND ARTIST LAURIE STEELINK DISCUSS ART AND LIFE

by Linda Grimes

Since March is Women’s History Month and this year’s theme is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories,” I asked Renee O’Connor, a professional actress (known around the world for playing Gabrielle on the television series Xena: Warrior Princess) and founder of House of Bards theatre company in San Pedro, and Laurie Steelink, Native American artist and founder of Cornelius Projects on Pacific Avenue, to tell a little bit about their stories.

Grimes: Tell me a bit about yourself.

Renee O’Connor: The House of Bards Theatre Company began in 2019 with Shakespeare’s Macbeth. We wanted to build an immersive, intimate environment to showcase the talents of our design teams and our local acting community.

Laurie Steelink: As a multidisciplinary artist, I identify as Akimel O’otham and am a member of the Gila River Indian Community. [I was] born in Phoenix, Arizona, and received a BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and an MFA from Mason Gross School of the Arts,

Rutgers University. I was the director of Track 16 Gallery in West L.A. from 2002 to 2016. Recently, I was included in the California Biennial 2022: Pacific Gold at the new Orange County Museum of Art in Costa Mesa.

I came to San Pedro because I was offered a storefront live/workspace, and in 2012, I founded Cornelius Projects, an exhibition space on Pacific Avenue named after my father.

How did you first discover you were an artist?

O’Connor: In kindergarten, each student had to stand by their desk and say what they wanted to be when they grew up. When I said I wanted to be an actress, everybody would laugh at me. My mom told me, “They secretly want to be an actor too, but you were the first one to say it.”

Steelink: I recently heard someone say [that] Indigenous artists don’t have boundaries between our personal lives, our political lives, and our artistic lives because they are all intertwined.

What influences do you draw on when creating your work?

O’Connor: I begin by looking at art to inform my vision. Then I study the play in detail while noting all underlying archetypes for character analysis.

I’ve worked with many legendary actors, but my favorite is Lucy Lawless [on the television series Xena: Warrior Princess]. House of Bards collaborates with actors from Little Fish Theatre, Torrance Theatre Company, Shakespeare by the Sea, and Encore Theatre Group.

Steelink: As a multidisciplinary artist, I draw on everything in my life. I was given up for adoption by my Akimel O’otham mother and raised by a progressive Euro-American family. There has always been an enormous void — the lack of rootedness and of the culture, which was lost to me. My work is a form of healing from the fragmentation of these existences. I’m creating a bridge using the tools I’ve received, embedding them in a conceptual material embodiment of decolonization through assemblage and installation while paying homage to my Indigenous culture.

Was your family or a mentor particularly supportive of this choice?

O’Connor: I begged my mom to let me take acting classes. When I was eight years old, a traveling educational theatre company came into my neighborhood and set up at a local church. At the end of their summer program, I invited my mother to my show, where to her surprise, I made my entire costume by hand and was the sardonic caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland.

Steelink: My parents were very supportive of my creativity in music and art but believed it would be difficult for me to make a living as an artist. They encouraged me to study nursing, which

did not interest me. It was my choice to apply and pay for art school. Overall, they were supportive of my choices, especially when I received my BFA and MFA.

How did their support manifest itself?

O’Connor: After much pleading, my mom felt obligated to drive me to Houston to attend the well-known Alley Theatre’s youth acting intensive courses. I found my first mentor there, Sheri Brogdon, and she introduced me to Shakespeare, as well as helped [me] land my first role as the understudy for Miranda [in The Tempest].

Steelink: I received private instruction in art and music from elementary school until high school. I was the only female student in mechanical drawing, wood shop, and welding classes. At Bahti Indian Arts, I learned about Southwestern Native American art and witnessed demonstrations of traditional art practices from visiting Native artists. spt

Linda Grimes is a retired sales and marketing geek with a passion for art, design, and creative placemaking, 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.

Renee O'Connor (left) and Laurie Steelink. (photos: courtesy Renee O'Connor, Tira Howard)

Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

DEADLINES CREATE

LITTLE MONSTERS AND ALSO ACCOUNTABILITY AND PURPOSE

by Eddie McKenna

It’s an ominous title, but I deemed it appropriate.

Three months ago, one of my athletes voiced how unhappy she was with her current fitness level and overall loathing for exercise. She was unmotivated and had no purpose. Sound familiar?

We spoke in November, right after I had just completed my first marathon, which absolutely humbled me to my core. When I say humbled, I mean I walked — actually, more like hobbled — from mile 17 to the finish. So, as she was voicing her lack of vigor for everything exercise related, I thought it would be a bright idea to tell her that she needs to train for something. When I said “something,” I meant a sprint triathlon, a 5K mud run, or even a 5K run, something not so extreme.

Flash forward two days later, and I receive a text message with a screenshot of a Surf City Marathon receipt. Just so you know, this woman was not a runner by any means. Upon hearing the good news (enter sarcasm), I called and told her I’d run with her. November 15, 2022, was the start of her training, and we agreed to try running together three times a week.

We ran together as often as we could, depending on work schedules, sometimes running alone. Our race date was February 5, 2023, which gave her precisely 12 weeks to train for her marathon. Her training never faltered and increased significantly for the 12 weeks leading up to the race. She wasn’t just running, though; she was attending spin classes two to three times a week and CrossFit one to two times a week. She started becoming a different kind of person, like someone who liked to exercise and looked forward to it. The running was not enough.

This is the great part. This is where the magic started happening.

I remember her telling me around week 10, “Thank you for making me

do this. I actually love running now.” A sentence I thought would never come out of her mouth. Three weeks prior, we had gone on her longest run to date, which was 15 miles. The run broke her, and if I am being honest, it got me too. I thought it was great to see her go through the experience of learning to love the process. Week 10 was the week she ran her furthest, 20 miles. She then proceeded to tell me it was kind of easy. She did mention she took a four-hour nap later that day.

Flash forward to race day. I admit, I was nervous. I thought out of the two of us, she would make the run, and I would be the one to bonk out. (For the non-runners, bonking out means cramping out, like in my previous marathon experience.) The race starts, and we stay side by side throughout the entire four hours and 51 minutes. She finished her first marathon in less than five hours without walking.

Back to the title of this month’s column. The training leading up to the marathon turned her into a running monster who now wants to travel around the world and run marathons. I think it’s one of the best examples of seeing someone fall in love with something during the process.

The deadline created two things for her: accountability and purpose, which I’ve written about in my previous columns. Watching her go through the training the last 12 weeks was the “process,” and I imagine if you asked what she enjoyed more — the marathon or the training — she would undoubtedly say the training. That is what’s so great about signing up for “something,” whatever that thing is — the time leading up to said “thing” is where all the magic happens. It’s where people turn into little marathon monsters, little gym monsters, little triathlon monsters, little “whatever” monsters.

So what are you waiting for? Become a little monster. spt

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

Surf City Marathon 2023. (photo: Instagram)

NOT ENOUGH MONEY FOR A DOWN PAYMENT?

GIFT FUNDS COULD BE YOUR ANSWER

by Mike Harper & Peter Hazdovac

Coming up with a down payment is one of the biggest hurdles buyers experience in their quest for homeownership.

With the cost of living and home prices increasing over the past several years, if you haven’t saved enough of your own funds for a down payment, gift funds can be the lifeline to making that happen. In this column, we’ll cover some rules about gift funds when utilizing them as a down payment source and some critical dos and don’ts. We’ll also touch on who can gift money, the amount that can be gifted, documentation requirements, and tips to make the loan underwriting process go as smoothly as possible.

First, it’s important to know that gift funds can be used to purchase either a primary residence or a second home. Gift funds may be used to purchase an investment property as long as it is considered the borrower’s primary residence. For a conventional mortgage, which is offered through Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and is the most common mortgage available to consumers, the down payment gift must come from family. Family is defined by blood, marriage, adoption, or legal guardianship. Fiancés and domestic partners also count as family. The definition of family extends to aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, and in-laws and may also include an adopted child, stepchild, and foster child.

For FHA loans, the definition of a family member is a little narrower. It does not include cousins, nieces, or nephews, but they do allow gifts from “close friends” with a clearly defined interest in the borrower, including extended family such as cousins, nieces, nephews, and even godparents. VA and USDA loans have the most liberal requirements for gift funds. They allow gift funds from pretty much anyone as long as that person does not have an interest in the transaction, such as the seller, builder, real estate agent, contractor, or mortgage lender.

In most cases, as long as the donor meets the qualifications, there’s no cap on the amount that can be gifted. If the total down payment is less than 20 percent of the purchase price, the borrower must contribute at least 5 percent down from their own funds. Gift funds may go towards the earnest money deposit, down payment, and closing costs. Additionally, a lender will usually allow the borrower to use gift funds to pay off certain types of debt, such as student or auto loans, to qualify for the loan.

Your lender will require a gift letter clearly defining the parties involved, the amount of gift funds, and confirming the funds are indeed a gift. Anytime you use gift funds, your lender will require documentation proving the money has been transferred. The cleanest way to transfer the funds, requiring the least scrutiny and documentation, is to have the donor send the gift funds directly to escrow. When this occurs, the only documentation the lender will require is the receipt from escrow showing the amount transferred and the donor’s name. When gift funds are being transferred before closing, the documentation is a bit more burdensome to both the donor and the recipient. You’ll have to provide documentation with the donor’s check and deposit receipt into the borrower’s account and a wire transfer receipt with the donor’s name. If you’re using bank statements to document the transfer, you’ll need to obtain both the donor’s and borrower’s bank statements.

A gift letter and documentation are not needed if the gift funds are transferred at least 60 days prior to the purchase. At that point, the funds are considered “seasoned” in the lender’s eyes, and no documentation is required to support the funds. It is always recommended to check with a reputable lender as a first step in the home-buying process. You can always feel free to reach out to us with any questions. spt

Mike Harper and Peter Hazdovac are both licensed Realtors® with Keller Williams Realty. For more info, visit harperhazdovac.com.

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REMEMBER WHEN?: A photo of the famous Utro's Crest Cafe caricature that captured the faces of many San Pedrans from the mid-1990s. The artwork, created by late local artists (and brothers) Bob and Pete Bentovoja, hung in the restaurant until the end. Photo was taken January 13, 2023, during the restaurant's final days. (photo: John Mattera Photography)