FEBRUARY 2019
PLUS: MARIA'S CLOSET | L.A. WATERFRONT PROJECTS UPDATE | PREP BASKETBALL PREVIEW
KING OF THE
HARBOR
WITH THE ADDITION OF THE FIVE-STORY YACHT, THE SIR WINSTON, DAN SALAS OF HARBOR BREEZE CRUISES IS PREPARING TO EMBRACE THE FUTURE OF THE L.A. WATERFRONT
MARITIME DENTISTRY
Comprehensive Dental Care & Implant Center Backed by 25 years of experience WHEN YOU VISIT OUR DENTAL OFFICE IN WEYMOUTH CORNERS, YOU FEEL RIGHT AT HOME. Whether you require a cleaning, teeth whitening, invisible braces by Invisalign®, crowns, implants or any other General or Specialty dental procedure, our office will ensure that you are comfortable and have a pleasant experience. OLD-FASHIONED STYLE OF PATIENT CARE IS WHAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT!
Great Smiles Begin Here! Dr. 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
ASSOCIATES 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.
SERVICES & SPECIALTIES • General Cosmetic and Children’s Dentistry • Oral Surgery • Dental IMPLANTS • Permanent Implant Supported Dentures • Orthodontics (Traditional Braces & Invisalign) • Periodontics • Sleep Apnea
Located in Weymouth Corners 1411 W. 8th Street San Pedro, CA 90732
(310) 832-5559
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
Dr. Miles Madison Education: UCLA School of Dentistry Professional Association: American Academy of Periodontology California Society of Periodontists American Dental Association California Dental Association American Association for Dental Research
MARITIME DENTISTRY NEWSLETTER Comprehensive Dental Care & Implant Center
Midlife Tooth Loss Associated With Higher Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease, Research Suggests
M
edical News Today (3/23, Paddock) reported that preliminary research found “tooth loss in middle age is tied to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, independent of traditional risk factors such as high blood pressure, poor diet, and diabetes.” Study co-author Lu Qi, who is a professor of epidemiology at Tulane University, said, “Our findings suggest that middle-aged adults who have lost two or more teeth in [the] recent past could be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.” The study is not yet published but the abstract is available in the journal Circulation. “This pattern is concerning, given that
HPV Causing “Epidemic Of Oral Cancer” In Men
T
he Philadelphia Inquirer (3/6, McCullough) reports
that HPV is “unleashing an epidemic of oral cancer among men.” The article reports that “men are four times more likely than women to be diagnosed with oral cancer,” which has “overtaken cervical cancer as the most common HPV-related malignancy in the United States.” The article states that this trend is due in part to men’s immune response, explaining that “compared with women, men are more likely to get infected with HPV – including ‘high-risk’ cancercausing strains,” and “they also are less able to wipe out infection on their own, and more likely to get reinfected.” The authors of one study examining HPV in men, said, “HPV vaccination is the only reliable method to ensure immune protection against new HPV infections and subsequent disease in males.”
timely dental care is essential for good oral health, especially in individuals with diabetes.” - Dr. Huabin Luo, a researcher at East Carolina University
People With Diabetes Visit Dentist Less Often, Study Finds
I
n a news release on its website, New York University (4/2) states that a new study led by researchers at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing and East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine found “adults with diabetes are less likely to visit the dentist than people with prediabetes or without diabetes.” The study “showed an overall decline in dental visits among adults with and without diabetes, but people with diabetes were consistently the least likely to obtain oral healthcare.” The findings were published in The Journal of the American Dental Association.
MouthHealthy.org offers additional information on above topics.
This patient educational material is provided by Maritime Dentistry. Please call us at (310) 832-5559 if we may be of further assistance.
Regards, Dr. Ardalan and Associates
Located in Weymouth Corners • 1411 W. 8th St., San Pedro
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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The first issue of San Pedro Today hit the streets on January 29, 2009, almost ten years to the day I’m writing this column. I’ve written about this magazine’s origins before, about how I gambled my severance check from being laid off at the Long Beach Press-Telegram into the cost of production of the first issue. What a lot of people don’t know is that I also gambled on the magazine’s first cover story. And came close to nearly losing it all before we even started. The cover of our first issue featured San Pedro High School’s varsity football team celebrating their shared 2008 City Section Championship after tying with Narbonne at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. For those of you who were at that game, you know how close we came to not having that championship cover. I was determined to feature SPHS's football team in our first issue. I thought it would be the perfect way to launch this new magazine, by celebrating an overdue championship that the town could get behind. The problem was: they still had to win. Cut to December 13, 2008. Fourth quarter starts at the Coliseum. Pirates are down 21-7. I’m standing on the sideline with my photographer, John
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Mattera, pacing. It wasn’t going to happen. They weren’t going to win. There’s no chance of a comeback. Now, here’s a secret about the first issue that I haven’t told anyone: I didn’t have a Plan B. I bet everything on SPHS winning. There was no alternate story to take its place if they didn’t win. Yet, I couldn’t feature the team if they lost. That would be like rubbing salt in a wound. It had to be a celebration. They had to win. Then something happened. San Pedro tight end Benny Weischedel caught a 20-yard pass from quarterback Barry Heads, making it 21-14 with the clock ticking. After Narbonne was forced to punt, Heads took over with 27 seconds left and drove down the field, catching Weischedel again for a last second touchdown as time expired, tying the game at 21 with no overtime rules, making both schools co-champs and giving us the cover we needed to launch this magazine. Cut to ten years later, and the Pirates win the 2018 L.A. City Section Div. I championship, defeating Dorsey 22-20. I could not have written a better ending - or a better beginning - to this whole adventure. Let's do ten more years, shall we? spt Joshua Stecker is publisher/editorin-chief of San Pedro Today. Letters to the Editor can be emailed to contact@sanpedrotoday.com.
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329 W. 6th Street | San Pedro | (310) 832-9364 FEBRUARY 2019 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 5
FEBRUARY 2019
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ADVERTISING:
ASSOCIATE EDITOR/ SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Patricia Roberts (562) 964-8166 | patricia@sanpedrotoday.com
ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION
Shana Ghekiere (310) 753-5176 | shana@sanpedrotoday.com
AT-LARGE CONTRIBUTORS
EMPIRE22 MEDIA LLC OWNER/PUBLISHER
Joshua J. Stecker
Caitlyn Piercy
Joseph A. Castañeda
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Marisa Bojiuc, Nathan Hoff, Ricky Magana, Steve Marconi, Jennifer Marquez, Anthony Pirozzi, Angela Romero, Jamaal K. Street
PHOTOGRAPHERS John Mattera Photography
CONTACT INFO:
Phone: (424) 224-9063 EMAIL: contact@sanpedrotoday.com San Pedro Today P.O. Box 1168, San Pedro, CA 90733
VOLUME 11 | NUMBER 1 1002 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro, CA 90731 www.HOUSE1002.com Wednesday - Sunday contacthouse1002@gmail.com
6 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I FEBRUARY 2019
(310) 833-1002 11am - 6pm
General Inquiries: ads@sanpedrotoday.com
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. 25,000 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 2009-2019, Empire22 Media LLC.
ON THE COVER: Dan Salas, owner of Harbor Breeze Cruises, and the Sir Winston.
(photo: John Mattera Photography)
at Fort MacArthur, Los Angeles Air Force Base Magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean. Exclusive use of the entire facility. For more information, please contact Patti Orbeck: 310.653.8255 or Hayley Strozier: 310.653.8341 HarborviewCatering@gmail.com
Photos available at www.LAFSS.com/Harborview
FEBRUARY 2019 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 7
FEBRUARY Every Wednesday – CREATIVE WRITING CLASS FOR KIDS at The Corner Store (1118 W. 37th St.), 4:30 – 5:45p. Taught by San Pedro Today columnist, Jennifer Marquez. $10 per class. For more info, email jennifermarquez@yahoo.com. 1 (Fri) – MARCH 31 (Sun) – EYE SEA SAN PEDRO at The Corner Store (1118 W. 37th St.), 7a – 7p. This special photo show will feature San Pedro ocean scenery by local photographer, Mark Radmilovich. For more info, call (310) 831-6206 or email markradmilovich@ att.net. 2 (Sat) – ADMISSIONS OPEN HOUSE at Christ Lutheran Church & School (28850 S. Western Ave,), 10a – Noon. Tour the campus and meet the staff of Christ Lutheran. Special Kindergarten Information Session at 10a. Enter the raffle to win half-off tuition for the 2019 – 2020 school year! For rules, details, and to RSVP, visit christrpv.com. 2 (Sat) – COMMUNITY FRIENDSHIP BELL RINGING at Korean Friendship Bell (3601 S. Gaffey St.), Noon. In the spirit of friendship, Angels Gate Park rings the Korean Friendship Bell every first Saturday of the month. Open to the community. 2 (Sat) – 5th ANNUAL PORT OF L.A. LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVAL at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (3720 Stephen M. White Dr.), 3-7p. Join the Port of Los Angeles in celebrating the fifth annual Lunar New Year Festival, this year, at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium on the L.A. Waterfront. 2019 is the year of the pig! This free cultural festival offers free parking, free admission, and free entertainment, including face painting, crafts, a petting zoo, and fireworks finale! A rain or shine community event. 2 (Sat) – 2ND ANNUAL ADULT PROM at the Dalmatian-American
Club (1639 S Palos Verdes St.), 6 – 11p. From the hand-jive to the electric slide, join Maria's Closet for their annual fundraising event, featuring dinner, dancing, and silent auction. All proceeds benefit Maria’s Closet’s mission of dressing over 200 girls within the South Bay and Greater Los Angeles communities for Prom 2019. For tickets and more info, visit mariasclosets.org. (See story pg. 22.) 7 (Thurs) – FOOD TASTING at the Assistance League San Pedro-South Bay Gift Shop (1441 W. 8th St.), 11a – 3p. Free tasting featuring winter comfort food and dishes to prepare for that special someone for Valentine’s Day. Shop for a gift for your favorite Valentine, including treats from See’s Candy. For more info, call (310) 832-8355 ext. 221. 7 (Thurs) – FIRST THURSDAY in Downtown San Pedro, 6 – 9p. Live music, food trucks, art gallery displays, and food and drink specials from local bars and restaurants. Experience the most anticipated monthly even in San Pedro! 9 (Sat) – THE SLICE WALKING TOUR, 11a. 'The Slice' is back for National Pizza Day 2019! Join historian and San Pedro Today columnist, Angela "Romee" Romero, for a Pedro Pizza Crawl in honor of National Pizza Day. San Pedro is famous for its pizza and we're going to celebrate our good fortune by visiting three of the town's finest places to grab a slice, Joseph's Bakery, Buono's Pizzeria and Bonello's. Enjoy your pizza with a side of history as you trace a virtual pizza slice across town. History topics will include Daniels Field, the Dodson House, Dana Middle School, San Pedro Library, Mary Star, and more. This tour is a special event so please note the start time and price. Tickets are $20 and space is limited. Call (310) 808-7800 to reserve. 9 (Sat) – VALENTINE’S DOGGIE WEDDING at Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles (112 E. 22nd St.,
UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP
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8 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I FEBRUARY 2019
1044 S. Gaffey Street, Unit 1
(310) 833-0298
Warehouse No. 10), Noon – 4p. Join Rufus Ragz for the 3rd Annual Doggie Wedding. Pet adoptions, raffles, pet portraits by Two-Eight Photography, and more. All proceeds will go to KAMM Cares, a Breast Cancer Charity. 12 (Tues) – WOMEN’S FREE HEALTH FAIR & MAMMOGRAM EVENT at Harbor Community Clinic (593 W. 6th St.), 9a – 3p. Free Screening Mammograms for women are 40+ in age, uninsured, an IPA Patient, or an MHLA Participant. Appointments Required for Mammograms. For questions or to schedule your appointment, call (310) 547-0202 Ext. 109. 14 (Thurs) – SPHS CLASS OF 1945 REUNION BREAKFAST at The Grinder (511 S. Harbor Blvd.), 9:30a. Reminisce on the good ‘ol days with your former classmates. RSVP to Alice Jacobson (310) 832-1807 or Dina Branning (310) 835-2470.
17 (Sun) – 2019 OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT FILMS: LIVE ACTION at the Warner Grand Theatre (478 W. 6th St.), 6:30 – 9:30p. Tickets are $10 online via Eventbrite, $15 at door. 21 (Mon) – GRAVELY CELEBRATION EXPERIENCE at the Pacific Battleship Center – Battleship USS Iowa (250 S. Harbor Blvd.), 5:30 – 8p. The VADM Samuel L. Gravely, Jr. Leadership & Service Award, which is conferred annually at the Gravely Celebration Experience, recognizes leaders in Southern California who exemplify the trailblazing, courageous service of the late U.S. Navy Vice Admiral. The Gravely Celebration Experience is held annually in February as part of Black History Month. It features a sunset reception and star-lit awards program on the fantail of Battleship IOWA. For more info, visit gravelyexperience.org.
23 (Sat) – 2019 OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT FILMS: ANIMATED at the Warner Grand Theatre (478 W. 6th 16 (Sat)- NORTH GAFFEY WALKING St.), 7 – 9p. Tickets are $10 online via TOUR, 10a. Discover the hidden history Eventbrite, $15 at door. of San Pedro's commercial corridor with historian and San Pedro Today 24 (Sun) – LOVE & BANANAS: AN columnist, Angela "Romee" Romero. ELEPHANT STORY at the San Pedro Many don't know about the area's Library, Phil Scot Meeting Room (931 role in linking San Pedro to the rest S. Gaffey St.), 2p. Friends of San Pedro of L.A. or its connection the town's Library presents the award-winning very creation. The tour will visit local documentary Love & Bananas: An landmarks like the Channel Street Elephant Story. The film features Skatepark and get you close enough the work of internationally known to take a selfie with the famous San conservationist Lek Chaileret, known Pedro smokestack. Tickets are $15 and as Thailand's "elephant whisperer," as space is limited. A second tour will she works to rescue elephants abused be offered Sunday, February 24. Call in circuses, trekking, and forced labor. (310) 808-7800 to reserve. Producer and director Ashley Bell, will discuss the making of the film 16 (Sat) – 2019 OSCAR NOMINATED and her observations on how love and SHORT FILMS: DOCUMENTARY at freedom can rehabilitate these damaged the Warner Grand Theatre (478 W. 6th magnificent animals. FREE. For more St.), 6:30 – 9:30p. Tickets are $10 online info, visit friendsspl.org. spt via Eventbrite, $15 at door.
Want to see your event here? Email events@sanpedrotoday.com to place a listing. Deadline for the March 2019 issue is Friday, February 15. Find more events at facebook.com/sanpedrotoday.
FEBRUARY 2019 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 9
VOICES
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION? DON’T MAKE ME LAUGH by Steve Marconi “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him about your plans.” -Woody Allen Keep that quote in mind if you made a New Year’s resolution. Exhibit A is my 2018. I don’t make New Year’s resolutions, but at the start of last year, I had plans—sort of. Working as a casual longshoreman, it’s hard to know what you’re going to do the next day, let alone weeks or months in advance. My plans were very general in nature. Entering the Social Security phase of life, I was waiting for my teacher wife to retire. My plan was to work less and
play (read and travel) more. That plan went all up in smoke overnight. I’ve never been good with change, which is a problem considering the longer you live, the more changes you can expect. But I’m still reeling from all that took place last year. First off, was the loss of both my dogs within a few weeks to coyotes. Trauma from which I have yet to recover, even with the mid-year acquisition of a wonderful canine we rescued from the pound. My elderly mother, after a valiant fight with cancer, began long-term hospice care, which entailed 24/7 oversight. Being fortunate enough to live just a short distance from her house, I took on the night duty, with the corresponding impact on my life at
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home, not to mention the emotional and financial drain. In the midst of this Sturm und Drang came some totally unexpected news. I had just received my first Social Security check, which was to supplement my work as a casual, all part of my planning for the “golden years.” Then, it was announced that a large group of casuals was to be registered by the ILWU, and my name was on the list. Despite growing up in a family of longshoremen—my father became an ID the day I was born—working on the docks was never in my plans. I enjoyed writing and wanted to be a journalist. I had passed on opportunities to be a longie years ago, long before the casual hall was created. Eventually, I found myself at the L.A. Times, having spent 32 years at a newspaper desk, fully expecting to retire from there. Then came 2004, and my world went topsy-turvy. My sister died after a long battle with cancer, and a few weeks later, as newspapers nationwide began to shrink in the shadow of the Internet, I was laid off. A few months later, my dog died. I got my casual card a year later, but I still never seriously considered being in the ILWU; it was just great part-time work. Dennis Lane gave me the opportunity at Green Hills Memorial Park to prove that I was not a salesman, and it wasn’t long before I was spending a lot of time on the docks as “casual longshoring” became more and more of an oxymoron. So, it was that just a few weeks before my mother died in March, I was able to tell her that I was going to become an identified longshoreman. Fourteen years after losing my sister, my job, and my dog within months, I was facing the same sort of upheaval, losing two dogs, my mother, and starting a new career when most of my contemporaries were retired or near retirement. That turned out to be just the beginning. I had barely settled into my new routine when my wife fell and broke her shoulder the week before school was to start; three months later, while still recuperating from that
severe injury, she suffered a stroke. Her prognosis is good, but as anyone familiar with strokes or stroke victims knows, the recovering is painstaking. I find myself beginning the New Year just as I did last year, juggling work with part-time caretaking. At 67, I’ve had to readjust my thinking about the “golden years,” clinging to the hope that 70 really is the new 60. I think Dad would be proud of the fact that his son has finally become a longshoreman, but it’s not him laughing. SEAHAWK PRIDE Harbor College has a number of illustrious alumni, and near the top of the list would be two Harbor Area contemporaries from opposite ends of the political spectrum, Dana Rohrabacher and David Arian. Arian, a W’65 San Pedro High graduate, followed his father into longshoring and worked his way up to president of ILWU Local 13 and eventually served as international president. A strident supporter of labor and backer of left wing causes, he created the Harry Bridges Institute after retiring and was a member of the Los Angeles Harbor Commission when he died January 2 after a short battle with cancer. He was 72. Rohrabacher also graduated in 1965, from Palos Verdes High, earned his bachelor’s degree at Long Beach State and his masters from USC before entering politics. A rock-ribbed Reagan conservative, he was elected to Congress in 1989 in Orange County and served 30 years before losing this past November in California’s blue tsunami. He is 71. Arian and Rohrabacher not only attended Harbor at the same time, they were members of the same student council. I doubt they agreed on much, those council meetings occurring as they did in the tumultuous `60s, but fellow students probably knew Arian and Rohrabacher were destined for great things. spt Steve Marconi can be reached at spmarconi@yahoo.com.
5th Annual Port of Los Angeles
Lunar New Year Festival Saturday, February 2nd from 3:00-7:00 pm
Join us for a Cultural Festival with
Entertainment • Face Painting • Crafts • Petting Zoo • Fireworks Finale* NEW LOCATION
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium 3720 Stephen M. White Dr. San Pedro, CA 90731
FREE ADMISSION & PARKING Rain or Shine *Fireworks - weather permitting
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FEBRUARY 2019 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 11
VOICES
SHOP ACE FOR ALL A TRIBUTE TO YOUR GRILLING NEEDS! DAVID ARIAN by Anthony Pirozzi
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• Benjamin Moore Paints A FULL CONVENIENCE HARDWARE STORE THAT WILL SAVE YOU TIME & MONEY • Garden Center • Craftsman Tools • Special Orders • Key Cutting 12 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I FEBRUARY 2019 • Cleaning Supplies Terry Katnic Owner/Operator • Automotive
I first met Dave Arian at the Harry Bridges Institute back in 2008 with Jack Baric to discuss his Emmy Award-winning documentary, Bloody Thursday. Dave was very welcoming and we seemed to hit it off from the start. I knew who Dave was, but not fully aware of his vast accomplishments throughout his career. As a member of the International Longshoreman & Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 13, Dave held many leadership positions over the years, including three terms as local president. In 1991, he was elected international president of the ILWU, and in 1993 founded the Harry Bridges Institute. Dave would return to work on the docks at the Port of Los Angeles until he retired in 2009. That year, he released his book, The Right to Get in the Fight, and was appointed to the Los Angeles Harbor Commission by then-Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and reappointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2013, where he would serve as vice president. It wasn’t until I was appointed to the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commission in October of 2013 that I would get the opportunity to work closely with Dave in this capacity. The role of a Harbor Commissioner is not only demanding, it is a volunteer position that we serve. But what makes it all worth it is working with a team of people from diverse backgrounds focused on making a difference in their community. Dave understood the demands, and although he was retired, when appointed, he put in a lot of time into the position making decisions that were right for the workers and the community. Although we were almost 20 years apart, Dave and I found that we had a lot in common. For example, he grew up on 8th Street, while I was nearby on 10th Street. We attended the same schools, Cabrillo Avenue Elementary, Dana Junior High School, and San Pedro High School. Both of our families were immigrants and started their American dream working on the waterfront, Dave’s family longshoring and my family
fishing. We also enjoyed San Pedro High School football. In fact, on many occasions we sat together on Friday nights at Pirate Stadium discussing everything including family, waterfront development, politics, and football. Dave also had a big sense of humor. For example, when finalizing the budget for redeveloping Ports O’ Call he would tease me on occasion and say, “I make the money and you spend it.” I would put my arm around him and we would laugh. On another occasion, he was wearing a black flat cap when I mentioned to him that I like that style of hat. I mentioned to him that my wife thinks they look funny on me, but one day I was going to get one anyway. A couple of months later, before the beginning of one of our harbor commission meetings in Wilmington, Dave walked over to me with a gray wool blend flat cap and said, “I got this for you, try it on.” I laughed and reminded him what my wife had said and he replied, “That’s why I got it for you.” We both laughed, so I sent a photo to my wife, me with the hat on and Dave pointing to it. It was classic Dave. Dave was a fighter for social and economic justice his entire life. His passion was immeasurable and his voice was his weapon. This summer, when it became difficult for Dave to speak, I thought it might be the onset of a bad cold. After he told me he was diagnosed with an aggressive anaplastic thyroid throat cancer, I couldn’t believe it. Dave would put up a fight, but he would lose his battle on January 2 at the age of 72. I have been honored to serve with Dave on the Board of Harbor Commission for the past five years. He has taught me, as well as my commission colleagues, so much over this short period of time. We will never forget his leadership, passion, and commitment to the working class. Dave was a giant in the labor and goods movement industry and his knowledge was unparalleled. His loss has left a big void in many, but we can fill that void with what he taught us through his leadership, mentorship, and most importantly, his friendship. Rest in Peace, Dave. spt Anthony Pirozzi is a Los Angeles Harbor Commissioner. He can be contacted at apirozzi@yahoo.com.
Honoring
David Arian 1946-2019
Los Angeles Harbor Commission Vice President ILWU Leader Harbor Community Advocate You will be missed by our Port Family
FEBRUARY 2019 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 13
VOICES
WHAT’S UP WITH THE WATERFRONT? UPDATES ON THE ONGOING DEVELOPMENTS ALONG THE L.A. WATERFRONT by Jennifer Marquez The Port of Los Angeles continues to move forward with extensive development that will create jobs and bring new restaurants, retail stores, and a large entertainment venue to the waterfront. “The Port is focused on the development of the San Pedro Public Market and AltaSea and delivering both of those projects. We have made a lot of progress in the past year to get to where we are now,” states Mike Galvin, Director of Waterfront and Real Estate, Port of Los Angeles. “There are also other development opportunities that have come to market in the last year,” he adds. An overview of these waterfront development projects include: Cabrillo Way Marina, located near 22nd Street and Miner, was rebuilt 10 years ago by the Port who owns the property. This area, which consists of 87-acres of a land parcel and water, will be transformed to maximize the location and attract visitors. The Port is currently soliciting developer proposals through the end of January. They expect to get a high profile developer and marine manager out of the process. The request for quotation (RFQ) was extensively publicized to attract interest from marine operators from all over the world that would ultimately create an area that could include amenities like new restaurants and watercraft rentals. The Port will select two to three developers who will submit proposals for the project, and then a finalist will be awarded the contract. The operating marina will be transferred to the most qualified developer. The goal of the project is to bring another key piece of waterfront development to the forefront. The current marina is managed by the Port through an operator. The Port is considering selling the business and leasing out the land and water to the developer. The 12-acre land site on the corner of Miner and 22nd Street near Brouwerij West, along with the lot across the street adjacent to the marina, will also be part of the project.
The Marina on the west side of the channel, near the DoubleTree Hotel, is working on adding kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals. There is an opportunity to add more waterfront access, including potential boat rentals and harbor excursions near the hotel. A new boat yard will be created on the Old San Pedro Boat Works site. The Port went through a request for proposal (RFP) process last year that attracted four qualified developers, and a finalist is being selected soon. A boat yard and maintenance facility is essential to attract more active boaters in the marinas. San Pedro has not had a full-scale boatyard in over 50 years. The old San Pedro Boat Works site will be transformed into a brand new state of the art boatyard within five years. Currently, no facility can provide these services in San Pedro or Wilmington, and there are over 3,400 slips. The 12.5-acre site of the Outer Harbor Cruise Terminal has been used for events for the last six years, and temporary cruise berthing three to four times a year. Next year, the Port will release an RFP for a cruise passenger facility area and begin construction thereafter. The addition of this terminal is necessary to accommodate the larger ships coming into the port. Three large ships from Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line will be calling at the Port of Los Angeles next year, and there is limited space at the existing cruise facility. New deployments of brand new vessels with the capacity of 4,000 plus passengers are planned out of the port for possible destinations to areas like Alaska. To meet the market needs, the project is expected to be complete in five years. The outer terminal has been on hold for eight years due to a sluggish cruise ship market that has been slowly picking up in recent years. The 2009 San Pedro Waterfront EIR identified the outer cruise terminal as a key component of the waterfront development to create a larger space for cruises lines. According to the Port, every time a cruise ship calls at the Port of Los Angeles, it generates over one million dollars in economic activity in the area. The red car trolley system will continue to be offered to cruise ship passengers coordinated through the
14 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I FEBRUARY 2019
San Pedro Chamber of Commerce and the Business Improvement District. AltaSea recently reached a significant funding milestone and will proceed to the first project in Phase One – the renovation of three historic warehouses. Home to the aquaculture and blue tech business clusters, AltaSea will be activating their business incubator in 180,000 sq. feet of existing warehouse space, and will generate approximately 700 jobs. They are currently in the permit process phase of the project. AltaSea is a campus of ocean-related science and education. Currently hosting tenants engaged in ocean exploration and innovation, they are expected to occupy 35 acres at Berths 56 through 72. Notable tenants include Catalina Sea Ranch, Boeing, and Dr. Robert Ballard’s Ocean Exploration Trust. AltaSea is a public/private partnership and the Port is their landlord. Instead of paying rent, the Port extracts value through community benefits such as jobs for the community and educational opportunities for kindergarten through doctorate level programs. AltaSea is required to hold a certain number of public events a year like open houses and create infrastructure for jobs and education. The next open house is February 23 at 10 a.m. For more information, visit altasea.org. Warehouse One, located on the point of the AltaSea peninsula, will be redeveloped into creative offices or a space that coincides and energize efforts at AltaSea and provides different amenities. The Port will begin to seek private development proposals in the second half of this year. Improvements and expansion will begin this summer at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, and staff will be moved to trailers in the north parking lot. Plans include the addition of an expanded gift shop and café. Also, the Susanne Lawrenz-Miller Exhibit Hall will receive a significant update. Future phases call for a new tidepool touch tank, a new building to house staff and the aquarium’s extensive collection, and additional exhibit space. This summer, they will open the Happier Camper, which is a small food truck offering gourmet coffees,
packaged salads, sandwiches, and other goodies. They recently added a deck and two John Van Hamersveld murals. For more information, visit carbillomarineaaquarium.org. San Pedro Public Market is a recreational-themed destination along the waterfront that will include restaurants, shops, and year-round entertainment. The 42-acre site is slated to include a food hall with local and regional restaurants alongside a working port. Talks have begun with local restaurants in town considering a second location and other food vendors. A 5,000-seat entertainment venue will be promoted by Nederlander, who produces events at the Greek Theatre and the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. A playground, games, garden, and a dog-friendly area is also planned. The market is an integral part of the overall waterfront development as it connects downtown with the other projects. It is expected to open mid-2021. There will be improvements made to the existing parking lot and parking added across Harbor Boulevard and down the street. Peak cruise business is during the winter and visitors to the waterfront are typically higher in the summer months. If managed correctly, visitors to the area will even out for parking optimization. The Port will be reviewing parking and signage as the projects progress. For more information, visit sanpedropublicmarket.com. Other projects on the waterfront include the addition of a public promenade and town square. The current marine fueling station is moving out and will create a possible opening to bring the Battleship IOWA to an area adjacent to the San Pedro Public Market, near where the concert venue is planned. The former building of Canetti’s Seafood Grotto may be reopening as a second location of a current restaurant in San Pedro. A Rubber Tire Trolley and a water taxi are also being considered for future development. spt Jennifer Marquez can be reached at jennifertmarquez@yahoo.com and @jenntmqz on Twitter and Instagram.
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Dan Salas stands on the bow of the Sir Winston in the L.A. Harbor. (photo: John Mattera Photography)
KING OF THE HARBOR WITH THE ADDITION OF THE FIVE-STORY YACHT, THE SIR WINSTON, DAN SALAS OF HARBOR BREEZE CRUISES IS PREPARING TO EMBRACE THE FUTURE OF THE L.A. WATERFRONT by Marisa Bojiuc The Sir Winston docks a few miles away from the Queen Mary and steps away from the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, yet its soul belongs to San Pedro. When founder of Harbor Breeze Cruises, Dan Salas, first saw it arrive in 2018 after a long journey from Florida, he couldn’t believe his eyes. It is majestic in person. The new $5 million acquisition cruises at approximately seven knots per mile and past any entrepreneurial risk that Salas has ever taken in his long career in and around the Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbors. “The first time I saw it, it made me stop in my tracks,” recalls Salas. “It was so massive and so impressive of a vessel that I knew in the L.A. and Long Beach market, there was nothing like it. There was a tremendous ‘wow’ factor to it.” With five decks that can host up to 500 guests, four service bars, a live band and DJ dance floor, and eight restrooms, the 135-foot long/60-foot wide ship, or ‘private dining yacht’ as Salas appropriately calls it, is the largest special events vessel to operate in the Los Angeles Harbor. Salas expected it would take longer for the ship to launch, yet the Sir Winston 16 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I FEBRUARY 2019
exceeded their expectations, with weddings and special events being booked months in advance. “I was so amazed when I brought it into San Pedro for the first time [last year],” recalls Salas. “People were calling me, and I was seeing photos of it all over social media.” Christened last July in Long Beach, and rechristened in San Pedro last September, the Sir Winston is the ninth ship in Harbor Breeze Cruise’s fleet, which began nearly 30 years ago. GROWING UP FAST In 1976, Salas moved to San Pedro into the old Naval housing with his younger brother, sister, and mother. Although the family was on welfare and food stamps, when his father left, the responsibilities of the man of the house fell on his young, 11-year-old shoulders. He borrowed a neighbor’s broken bike (which he promised to buy after his first paycheck) and with loose bars and broken brakes,
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The Sir Winston (above) glides into the L.A. Harbor. Insets: The yacht includes five decks that can host up to 500 guests, four service bars, a live band and DJ dance floor, and eight restrooms. (photos: John Mattera Photography, interiors: Harbor Breeze Cruises )
he began delivering for two competing newspapers, the San Pedro News-Pilot and Long Beach Press-Telegram. “I got the worst paper route that nobody else wanted,” laughs Salas. “I didn’t know any better. I was just so happy that I got a job. It was from 25th Street to about 17th Street and on Gaffey. I had to go up and down 22nd Street and 21st Street from Gaffey. Some of the biggest hills that none of the other paperboys wanted.” Salas recalls one morning, after coming home from an early delivery (he delivered newspapers from four to six a.m.), waking his mother after discovering no food in their fridge and cupboard. Out of desperation, the young man took his wagon and began searching for bottles to recycle in the alleys of San Pedro. Opportunity revealed itself when Salas spotted a stack of empty Coke bottles behind a bamboo fence on someone’s back porch. The haul would have been worth a day’s salary and fed his family, but Salas, not wanting to steal, instead hung his head down and cried. He cried for his brothers and sisters hungry at home and was mad at God. Then something happened. “I put my head down and I start crying,” says Salas. “Then I looked up and saw a paper sack sitting on a brick wall. I opened the paper sack, and there was a quart of milk and a loaf of French bread. And the milk was ice cold. The store wasn’t even open yet. I had chills.” The boy who had come from Ss. Peter & Paul Elementary School in Wilmington
had discovered in San Pedro a world that was different from anything he had experienced before.
he was taking out 100 passengers in the ocean. And at 27, he earned his 1600 Ton Master license. “I was fortunate, in the beginning, SETTING SAIL to be surrounded by great, experienced We never know where our choices people,” he says. will lead us. Such was the case when After a decade working as a tug Salas saved up $20 over a month to boat captain, Salas decided to go into buy a ticket that would take him on a business on his own, and in 1994 half-day fishing trip on a boat called the bought his first charter fishing boat. Sport King. Harbor Breeze Cruises, Inc. was later “I remember seeing the fishing formed in 2001. Today, the cruise line boats going in and out. They were the is the only year-round whale watching Saint Joseph, Saint Catherine, Saint company in the L.A. Harbor. Christopher. All named after Saints. I “With anything in life, you try saw hundreds of these boats,” recalls things. Some work, and some don’t,” Salas. Although the deckhand had given says Salas. “You make a lot of mistakes him a large sinker not to distract the in the beginning. I’ve learned along the heavy fish, Salas caught a giant halibut, way what worked and what didn’t. Now the largest on the boat. we have 30 years of experience. That’s Shortly after being suspended for the key to any successful endeavor. three days from Dana Middle School All of it together makes us who we are for selling firecrackers after school today.” to provide for his family, Salas went In 2015, he founded a second back to the Sport King, where former company, Los Angeles Waterfront Vietnam veteran, Captain Peterson Cruises, that began business in the Port gave him his first job on the fishing of Los Angeles and still runs out of the boat. former Ports O’ Call Village. “When we “Captain Peterson was like a father won the bid for L.A. Waterfront sport to me. When I was scrubbing the boat, fishing, that was the exact same spot feeling the ocean spray, contemplating where I went fishing for the first time,” life and everything, it felt good,” recalls says Salas. “The Sport King is still there. Salas. “It was a peaceful feeling coming I went right back to where I started.” in. At the end of my first day, they handed me a burlap bag with 20 leftover WATCHING WHALES fish that nobody wanted.” Salas sold the One of Southern California’s unique fish in the parking lot for $30 and quit features is our relationship with the his newspaper route the following day. ocean, and nothing illustrates that point By the age of 18, Salas was the more than the incredible popularity youngest captain in the harbor. At 19, of whale watching. Organized whale
18 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I FEBRUARY 2019
watching began in 1950, and since then it’s become a multi-billion dollar industry with whale watching tours covering both coasts of the country and in many other parts of the world. The California coastline sees the seasonal migrations of blue whales, gray whales and humpback whales that swim to southern waters to mate before migrating back north with their calves. “The ocean is vast,” says Salas. “Many people only enjoy the ocean by standing on the beach or on a cruise. But to take people out on a daily basis – kids, parents, grandparents – and to expose them to the beauty that lies just a couple miles off our coast, they really appreciate the experience.” He adds, “Plus, you can’t go wrong with the view of Catalina on a beautiful afternoon as the sun’s going down.” NEW BOAT ON THE BLOCK Salas could have been more reserved before deciding to purchase the Sir Winston, but being in Los Angeles, one of the world’s premiere harbors, there’s a certain level of spectacle that needs to be maintained. “I could have gotten a used boat,” says Salas. “I could’ve gotten something cheaper, not as fancy. But I opted to go for the ‘wow’ factor.” Along with that spectacle, the Sir Winston also brings a breath of muchneeded fresh air to the L.A. Harbor. All of Harbor Breeze Cruises’ nine vessels are now equipped with the latest engines that comply with the California Air Resource Board. The harbor craft,
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DID YOU KNOW... The large number of humpback sightings in recent years suggests the species is recovering — and some may opt to stick around rather than make the long trek down south to warmer waters.
The Triumphant on a whale watching cruise. (photo: Harbor Breeze Cruises)
tug boats, and ships that stay in the harbor are mandated to meet certain air quality standards. In the near future, Salas hopes to acquire new technology, such as hydrogen engines. “We’re ahead of all of them. All of our boats meet the conditions now or already meeting the ones for 2024,” he says proudly. He adds, “When people step on [the Sir Winston], they imagine what it could be. It’s so unique. Weddings, conferences. It’s not just a boat. Most of the boats we compete with are 15-20 years old. This one is brand new.” Today, the ocean veteran with the stars of a captain looks forward to how his company will embrace the new waterfront development and the impact that San Pedro will play on the world economy. His challenge to San Pedro is simple: embrace the future.
“A lot of us like to hold on to the past,” explains Salas. “We need to hold on tight and never forget where we come from, but the future is coming. We need to encourage our kids and their kids to never forget how San Pedro got to where it is today, and to be a shining star for other communities to what innovation, ingenuity, and hard work can do. To transform a town into an innovative, cutting edge, and environmentally futuristic city.” He adds, “To me, San Pedro stands for hard work. It’s embedded in us. We got grit and tenacity. That will never go away.” spt For more information on Harbor Breeze Cruises and Los Angeles Waterfront Cruises, visit 2seewhales. com or lawaterfrontcruises.com.
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Humpback whales have their own migration pattern. They spend summers off the shore in areas of central and Northern California such as Santa Barbara and Monterey. In the winter, they head south to nurse and breed in Mexico and Central America. Gray whales can be seen passing by California in December and January during their southern migration, and again in March, April, and May on their northern journey. The gray whale makes one of the longest of all mammalian migrations, averaging 10,000-14,000 miles (16,000-22,530 km) round trip. Today, gray whales are protected by international law, and their numbers have grown. In 1994, the gray whale was removed from the United States endangered species list. Scientists aren't sure if breaching behavior serves some purpose, such as cleaning pests from the whale's skin, or whether whales simply do it for fun. (Sources: Daily Breeze, Marine Mammal Care Center, American Cetacean Society, National Geographic)
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A NIGHT OF NOSTALGIA MARIA’S CLOSET HELPS YOUNG WOMEN LOOK & FEEL THEIR BEST FOR THE BIG DANCE WITH THEIR SECOND ANNUAL ADULT PROM FUNDRAISER by Caitlyn Piercy The flowers. The photos. The dancing. What do you remember about your prom? For many young women, the experience of finding the perfect dress for the big dance is a truly special moment. With the help of Maria’s Closet, style and confidence go hand in hand. “I feel there is a very strong need in our community of promoting self-confidence and image,” says Ronna Luna, founder of Maria’s Closet. “Although I was able to provide that with my daughter, there are so many young girls in our community that aren’t as fortunate.” After connecting with a young high school student named Gillian through a school counselor, Luna helped her find the perfect outfit for prom and look and feel her best. Soon after, she quickly decided that this act of service could benefit many young women locally. “Although prom dress donation is not a new concept,” explains Luna, “there was nothing that I could locate similar to this in our Harbor Area for our girls, so I felt the need to start Maria’s Closet.” Inspired by the legacy of her beloved mother-in-law, Maria “Cuca” Luna, the volunteer-driven organization
collects prom dresses and accessories to donate to female high school students in need for their big dance. Services also include custom alterations, and goodies such as new cosmetics and products. “Maria was extremely faithful, kind, and very humble. I would watch her quietly perform good deeds for others constantly,” says Luna fondly. “I am sure her heart is full and she is beaming a big smile, knowing that her spirit of kindness and love has created this nonprofit that will inspire and empower many beautiful and deserving young women.” Aiding in their fundraising efforts, Maria’s Closet is hosting their Second Annual Adult Prom on Saturday, February 2. Located at the DalmatianAmerican Club, this Grease-themed event will feature a delicious dinner, dancing and entertainment by DJ Michael DiLeva, a silent auction, and an opportunity to strike your favorite prom pose for photos. Guests are encouraged to dress up in 1950s attire and join the Pink Ladies or T-Birds at Rydell High. “All proceeds will benefit our amazing local young women for Prom 2019,” says Luna. “We really know how to put the fun in fundraising, and look forward to a fabulous event.”
A local high school student says yes to her dress with Maria's Closet founder Ronna Luna (right). (photo: Mizzy Photography)
Cleaning out your closet for the New Year? Maria’s Closet happily welcomes donations. Collections continue all year long for new and gently used formal length dresses, evening gowns, ranging from sizes 0–30, as well as clutches, jewelry, other accessories. Monetary donations and volunteers are also welcomed, as they prepare for their Big Give Event on March 10 at Mary Star of the Sea High School. “The amazing hearts of our volunteers are the beat of Maria’s Closet,” Luna says proudly. “As we grow, we hope that more people will want to help us make dreams come true by donating their time.” Looking forward, Maria’s Closet hopes to seek additional partnerships with individual donors, corporations, and social organizations to help
their mission of servicing others grow, as well as possible scholarship opportunities for education. “Most importantly, we hope to form lasting bonds with the young women we have had the opportunity to meet through Maria’s Closet, and hope that we truly made a positive impact in their lives.” spt For tickets and more information to the Maria’s Closet Second Annual Adult Prom, visit mariasclosetadultprom2019. eventbrite.com. To donate, volunteer, and for additional information, visit mariasclosets.org.
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HUGE HEART & ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT: REMEMBERING MIRANDA MUSSA by Angela "Romee" Romero A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to be an elder buddy to my friend’s grandmother, Miranda Mussa. It seemed like a win-win situation – Miranda would get out twice a week for lunch and some shopping, and I would get to pick the brain of a 90-plus-yearold native San Pedran. Miranda proved to be a tough nut to crack, she was quiet and didn’t respond well to prodding. But after a few outings, the stories started to creep out. Soon, the reserved shell fell away to reveal a woman with a huge heart and adventurous spirit. She had albums full of photos and we’d often spend afternoons going through them page by page as she brought the faces to life through stories. Miranda passed away on January 4, and I would like to honor her by sharing some of my favorite memories. Miranda was born in 1923 at her family home on the corner of 11th and Centre Streets. She was born a year after her mother and three older sisters reunited with her father, after emigrating from northern Italy. Miranda was always first to point out that she was a “change of life baby” due to the 13-year gap between her and her next youngest sister. She didn’t miss out on the sisterly experience because she soon found her two best friends, Anita Corta and Sally Uruburu. Those “Three Musketeers,” as Miranda called
her group, went all through school together, from 15th Street School to Dana Jr. High and eventually San Pedro High School. Not long after graduation, the United States entered World War II and Miranda’s life would be changed forever. During the war, Miranda worked as a clerk for the Naval Supply Depot in the Outer Harbor off of 22nd Street. The Port of Los Angeles was also the Port of Embarkation for the Army, so a military encampment was built in nearby Wilmington, on land that would eventually be sold for a new technical junior college (L.A. Harbor College). According to the Daily Breeze, Camp Ross acted as the regional headquarters for the Army and housed troops, the Women’s Army Corps (WACs) and a group of Italian soldiers who were captured by the French in North Africa. The Italians were well treated. Think Hogan’s Heroes if Andy Griffith ran a camp in Mayberry. Mario Mussa was part of this group of POWs at Camp Ross, dubbed the Italian Service Unit. Before he was captured, Mario was a tank driver for the Italian army. In each tank there were two drivers, one who drove forward and one who drove backward. Mario was the latter and he always joked that he did a lot of driving. Once at Camp Ross, Mario drove a command car, which meant he finally got to drive forward. His main job was
Top: Mario and Miranda with Giovanni Morogna, Miranda's father. Inset: Miranda and Mario on their wedding day. (photos: courtesy Mussa family)
driving the colonel to and from camp each day. This gave him a lot of free time and he wrote his own trip tickets. The Italians were given a lot of freedom, and they could even leave camp with an Italian-American soldier who would act as an interpreter. The Italians would also take liberties. Rumor has it that Mario would often smuggle his friends out in the trunk for dances. Their uniforms were practically identical to the Americans, except for a small badge that said Italy on the arm that the men would fix so it could be easily removed. Miranda and Mario met in 1944 at her sister’s house in Lomita on their way to an Italian party in Los Angeles. They were engaged within a year. Camp Ross closed in January 1946 and most of the Italian POWs were sent back to Italy, including Mario. This left the young couple in a lurch. Miranda made the decision to follow her love across the globe to Turin, Italy, alone. She’d never traveled alone
before, but Miranda was determined to be reunited with Mario and nothing was going to stop her, not even a strike in New York City. After a brief delay, Miranda boarded a passenger ship bound for Europe. Mario and Miranda were married in December 1946. A year later, the young couple returned to the states aboard a merchant ship, headed for their new life together in San Pedro. Mario worked as a longshoremen and Miranda went to work at the Long Beach Naval Hospital. They had two children, Paul and Carla. Carla eventually went on to work at Harbor College, spending most of her career on the former grounds of Camp Ross. Harbor College is where I met and befriended Miranda’s granddaughters, Casey and Caitlin. They have all become my family. While the pain of Miranda’s loss is great, her family is comforted by the thought that she and Mario are now reunited once again. spt
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HEALTH & FITNESS
HOW TO GET MORE BY DOING LESS by Ricky Magana We often think about achieving our goals (the things we want to have and become) in terms of what we must do to attain them. “I need to take a class, workout more, get on a diet, write a book, etc.” You know, work harder, hustle more, put more things on your plate. Rarely though, do we ever think about the things we need to NOT do. In terms of creating results in your life, it is exponentially more important to be clear about what you need to stop doing before spending too much effort into taking on more. I had a friend when I was a few years out of college, who wanted to lose about 30 pounds and had come to me for advice. He wanted to know what kind of diet he had to go on and what sort of workouts he should be doing. Having known this guy to be quite the partier I asked, “Johnny, before we get into diet and training, let me ask you a question: How many beers do you drink per week?” He stared off for a few seconds, rubbing his chin to ponder the arithmetic of his Bud Light consumption, and responded, “Eighty. I drink about 80 beers a week.” I said, “Okay. From now on, don’t drink any more than 40 beers per week. Don’t change anything else, and we’ll talk in a month.” Fast forward about six weeks. I hadn’t seen him, and honestly I forgot all about the conversation. But one weekend, we ran into each other again. He walked right up to me and thanked me profusely. I looked at him and was astonished. He was at least 20 pounds lighter. I said, “Dude, what have you been doing? You look great!” He responded, “I took your advice I only drink 40 beers a week and the weight fell off! How did you know that would work? It’s amazing!” Needless to say, I told him to reduce his beer consumption even more over time to dramatically transform his body and then work in exercise. This story is an extreme example 28 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I FEBRUARY 2019
of the power of adding to your life by subtraction. If you feel stuck in an area of your life, there is probably a few things you’re doing that are dramatically hindering your progress more than there are things you need to start doing. And in our digital age, rarely are these insidious results killers as simple as “drink half as many beers as you usually do.” I’ve found that the things we need to stop doing are seemingly harmless: bedtime email, excessive social media, binging “only” on the weekends, eating out constantly, etc. Isolated, these little habits are not detrimental, but the net effect of these things drain your time, energy, and attention leaving you tired, unfocused, and perpetually stuck. It’s death by a thousand cuts. When you remodel a home, you do not build updates on the existing structures. You demo first. You tear out the old, broken, decaying parts of the home before you bring in the new. The same applies to your life. Before you can achieve serious progress in your life you need to perform some demolition. Take a hard look at what is no longer serving you (or never was) and get rid of it. I’ve witnessed first hand that this has a dramatic effect on your life. When you cut things out that hold you back you have more energy, gain more clarity, and suddenly any diet or exercise you do after that is ten times more effective. Your habits are no longer working against you but instead propelling you forward. Author Tim Ferriss has an effective question he asks himself when he’s trying to identify what’s holding him back from improving in an area of his life. It’s called the domino statement: “What one change can I make that, that when completed, will make everything else easier or no longer necessary?” For Johnny, it was his beer consumption. What is it for you? spt Heyday Elite Fitness offers a 2-minute scan that provides a full 1-page body fat analysis to help you tailor your fitness goals. For more info, email ricky@heydaytraining.com.
VOICES
PRAYER 101 by Pastor Nathan Hoff once in a while, I’m bad enough to feel like I want someone’s teeth knocked out. Psalm 58 helps me tell God about it, instead of trying to accomplish it myself. I’ve wondered if violence In some ways, would decrease if praying imprecatory prayer is as natural psalms increased. Maybe if we took as breathing. our violent thoughts to a merciful God, Former Archbishop our lives and relationships and world of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, would be a more peaceful place. compared its necessity to sneezing. I Lord, teach us how to imprecate. spoke with a former atheist who started There are many other kinds of questioning their atheism, “because prayer besides lament and imprecation, I kept finding myself praying.” You and we have a lifetime to practice could argue that it doesn’t prove there and learn. Here are my ABC’s of is a G(g)od(ess) just because someone prayer for really any situation. can’t stop themselves from praying. Answering. Eugene Peterson True, but my point today is not to prove calls prayer, “answering speech” (The there is a God, but that prayer is a Contemplative Pastor, Eerdmans primal experience of many, if not most, Publishing, 1989). We don’t initiate people. But, as normal or near universal conversation. We respond to God who as prayer is, it is also something is already paying attention, already with which most people struggle. speaking, already involved in the Lord, teach us to pray. situation. Think of the person with Prayer is a way of letting it whom you feel most comfortable being out. When we don’t know how to who you really are—no veneer, no filter, express ourselves, our normal human no fake. God already knows you, and experiences and feelings can become isn’t looking for you to be religious. unhealthy to ourselves and dangerous God is looking for the real you. The to others. I remember how frustrated one he created. The one he really our kids became right before they knows and loves. You can respond were able to speak enough words to to him in an atmosphere of trust. communicate how they felt. I met Bible. The Bible has many prayers, someone at Starbucks on 5th and Gaffey but right in the middle of the Bible who said they were ready to either you’ll find its prayer book—the Psalms. kill their “loved one” or themselves. 150 prayers for every occasion. They were using hyperbole. Believe Nothing has formed my prayer me, I checked. You don’t take that life more than simmering in these stuff lightly. Finally I said, “Could I ask psalms, and making them my own. you a question? Have you considered Community. Praying with others has lament?” They had not. I started a been a great teacher. Every Wednesday prayer and let them finish it. “God, I for 14 years I have been meeting at 6 need to tell you what is really messing a.m. with the Trinity guys for prayer me up right now...” Lament suppressed and Communion. They’ve been doing becomes corrosive and can come out it for more than 50 years. They have sideways. Lament expressed can be taught me so much. I pray on my own the beginning of a process of healing. every day after I get out of bed. Okay, Lord, teach us to lament. I get my coffee first. But I’m really There is an oft misunderstood form of not alone when I pray. I pray psalms prayer found in the imprecatory psalms with King David and Solomon and in the Bible. They are violent. Like, with old Moses and Jesus. I pray with “Lord, knock their teeth out” (Psalm the whole community of God’s people 58.6). Most people aren’t brave enough whose praying never actually stops. to pray those psalms. It doesn’t sound Lord, teach us to pray. spt like the kind of prayer good religious people should pray. Those psalms rarely Nathan Hoff is the Pastor at if ever show up in the assigned readings Trinity Lutheran Church in of the church. We don’t know what to San Pedro. Follow his blog at: do with them. My problem is that every trinitypastor.blogspot.com. “Lord, teach us to pray.” -Disciples (in Luke 11)
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FEBRUARY 2019 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 29
WEDDING
MEET THE LOVE BIRDS ANDREW & MONIQUE URSICH OCTOBER 12, 2018 story by Caitlyn Piercy photo by Kelly Huljev A guy walks into a bar... Rather than following with a punchline, this story actually ends in love. In 2013, Monique (Quintana) was working as a bartender at San Pedro Brewing Company when Andrew Ursich walked into her life. “I was bartending on a Saturday when he came in, and I thought he was so cute. I had never seen him before,” says Monique. “I told my coworker, ‘Oh, I’m gonna marry that guy.’” After Monique made the first move and bought the handsome stranger a drink, Andrew was oblivious. “He was so shy, and totally was not paying attention,” recalls Monique. “I just thought, oh that’s nice,” says Andrew. “My best friend later clued me in that she liked me.” After several months, the couple became official, and both share a love of all things vintage. “We both love antiques, and love to go to flea markets and classic car shows,” says Monique. Additionally, there are ample amounts of good times shared between the pair.
“I love Monique’s sense of humor,” says Andrew. “She’s always willing to joke around, and we laugh a lot.” In 2017, Andrew decided to pop the question on Monique’s favorite holiday – Christmas. “I wasn’t nervous at all,” he recalls. “I was really excited.” Monique was happily taken off guard by the life-changing surprise, and her initial response wasn’t one you’d typically expect, “I told him to shut up,” Monique humorously recalls. “I couldn’t even stand up. I was shook.” On October 12, 2018, Andrew and Monique became husband and wife with a waterfront wedding at The Reef in Long Beach. Officiating their sunset ceremony was James Brown, owner of San Pedro Brewing Company, where Monique has worked for 13 years. The bride was accompanied down the aisle by her sister, Sherese Quintana. Monique describes this meaningful moment, saying, “Our mom and dad are both gone, so its been just her and I for most of our lives.”
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Also joining the bride was Maids of Honor, Allison McGovern and Sheena Jerkovich; bridesmaids Yvette Agrusa, Jill Pesic, Jackie Ledford, and Jessica Ciaramitaro; Andrew was joined by his parents, Andy and Annie Ursich; Best Men, Brandon Pesic and Nicholas Ursich; groomsmen Rafael Garcia, Sasha Mihailovich, Andrew Onorato, and John Onorato. The couple was also joined by flower girls, Olivia Agrusa, and Monique’s daughter, Riley Carpetier. The reception showcased elements of vintage and rustic romance, featuring moody lighting of lanterns and candles. Music was provided by DJ Eklipse, and Andrew and Monique danced their first dance to “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri. Another highlight of the evening was their wedding cake from Sweet and Saucy in Long Beach – half chocolate Oreo for Andrew, half strawberry shortcake for Monique. After the “I Dos,” the newlyweds went on their honeymoon, taking a
somewhat unconventional road trip to Texas. “We love the show Fixer Upper,” explains Monique. “Andrew is pretty much obsessed with Chip and Joanna Gaines, they are his spirit animals. So, we booked a stay at their rental home.” Andrew adds, “It was a lot of fun!” Much like their favorites on Fixer Upper, Andrew and Monique have also enjoyed working together. In April 2017, the couple opened up Birdcage Beauty Parlour on Seventh Street in Downtown San Pedro. “It was our first project together, and we love it,” Monique says proudly. “We both enjoy expressing our creativity and would love to work on more projects, as well as grow and laugh together.” Andrew and Monique currently reside in San Pedro. Andrew is a mechanic for SSA Marine, as well as the owner of Portside Garage, where he specializes in classic cars, bikes, and home projects. In addition to owning Birdcage Beauty Parlour, Monique is a manager at San Pedro Brewing Company. spt
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GIVE A DOG A FOREVER HOME
San Pedro Today has partnered with volunteers from Harbor Animal Care Center to feature dogs currently in need of a new forever home. The dogs featured on this page are all available for adoption as of press time. If you’re interested in adopting any of the pups featured, contact Harbor Animal Care Center at (310) 548-2632.
Meet Kona! This debonair senior gent is just as sweet as he looks, and he has a smile for everyone he meets. He's gentle and calm, and likes to be with people. Kona loves to go for walks and he has plenty of kisses to share! He deserves to spend his golden years in a warm and loving home, please open your home and heart to Kona.
Meet Blinkie! A sweet little granny dog who adores being held, Blinkie loves treats and she loves the people who give them to her. She gives the softest kisses, but doesn't care for having her eyes cleaned. Blinkie needs dental work, and she has some back end stiffness, but she has the cutest little nubbin tail. She needs a home filled with love & TLC.
Meet Dolly! We love this senior lady! Dolly is pure love and sweetness wrapped up in a snuggly fur coat. Dolly loves people and has been kenneled with other dogs. She knows her sit command and just wants to be close to you. Her teeth are pretty worn but she is happy and full of life. Please open your home and heart to this delightful beauty.
Meet Peaches! Pretty Peaches is a full-figured gal who is sweet as pie and easy on the eyes. Peaches is gentle and calm, and totally content to sit quietly at your side and listen in on your conversations. She knows her sit and shake commands, loves to play fetch and run in the yard. Please consider rescuing or adopting Peaches!
Meet Niko! Niko is a good-natured senior who likes to be with people. He's gentle and calm, easy on leash, and loves to be pet. Though Niko has a skin condition and appears to have been neglected, he's sweet and loves to gobble up treats. He deserves a better life than he's had so far, please open your home and heart to Niko.
Meet Bailey! Bailey is a lovely super senior who is calm and gentle, and enjoys lots of petting. She's easy on the leash and a gentle treat taker, and though she's an older gal she appears to be healthy and fit. Bailey has been adjusting well to shelter life, yet sadly she still looks for the family that left her behind.
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Exceptional Properties Exceptional Clients "Rebecca skillfully guided our buying process and introduced us to San Pedro in a way that made us feel like instant locals." —Jerry M. and Family VDO Buyer
"We let our first agent go after 4 months of no looks and then hired Rebecca. With her staging, photos and outreach, we had a great offer in days. She's a true professional."
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Rebecca Chambliss 310.989.4466 rebecca.chambliss@compass.com insidesanpedro.com DRE 01442217 Compass is a licensed real estate broker (01991628) in the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. To reach the Compass main office call 310.858.6800
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Sunken City Turns 90: The slump that eventually formed Sunken City began in 1929. (photo: San Pedro Bay Historical Society)
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