San Pedro Today - March 2016

MARCH 2016

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San Pedro hasn't just reached its tipping point, we've completely tipped over and the anger and frustration at the lack of progress in solving our homeless situation and rise in crime has reached a fever pitch. Most of this anger is being filtered through the lens of social media, specifically Facebook, as every day we're seeing San Pedran after San Pedran express their frustrations and post photo after photo exposing the harsh reality we're currently living in.

In the past, I used to write about how apathetic we were to these insular problems in our community. Many thought these crime and homeless issues were limited to the areas "below Gaffey" and therefore figured it wasn't their problem to deal with. Times have certainly changed.

We're now seeing crime and homelessness affect every single part of town, from those "below Gaffey" areas to the Palisades and South Shores. Even normally quiet places like Averill Park have had horrible incidents occur. Not a single place in town is immune, and if you don't believe me, here are some stats provided by the LAPD: Major crime in the Harbor Area was up nearly 20 percent in 2015, double the average of the LAPD's jurisdiction; overall crime in the Harbor Area rose 34 percent with property crime up 17 percent; across the entire city of L.A., crime rose 10 percent from 2014.

Either you or someone you know has been a victim of a crime in town within the last 12 months. This is simply unacceptable.

At the crime forum held at the Warner Grand Theatre last month, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck listed the reasons he believed crime was on the rise in our neck of the woods. First, he cited the rise in homelessness, which unless you've been living in a cave you know has become a huge issue in San Pedro with the area surrounding the Beacon Street post office becoming the Harbor Area's Skid Row. Second, Beck cited the passing of Proposition 47 in Nov. 2014. Prop. 47, ironically known to its supporters as the "Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act," aimed to convert nonviolent offenses (drug and property offenses) from felonies to misdemeanors, thereby releasing a number of criminals early from our already overcrowded jail system. The problem was most of those being released didn't necessarily return to a law-abiding life, thus this continuous rise in crime.

Chief Beck acknowledged the LAPD is understaffed, dangerously so, in my opinion.

Los Angeles has 25 police officers for every 10,000 residents. Other cities like Chicago and New York City have an average of 45 officers per 10,000 residents. Our 911 system is notorious for putting people on hold. "We cannot police this city properly with the number of cops we have," said Beck.

So where does this leave San Pedro?

As I write this, there is a brand new LAPD Harbor Division jail that sits vacant on John S. Gibson Blvd. It was finished in 2009 at a cost of $40M taxpayer dollars, yet has not seen one criminal through its doors due to "budget issues." In fact, in what can only be described as a ridiculous example of bureaucratic idiocy, whenever an LAPD officer makes an arrest in the Harbor Area, they must drive the arrestee to the 77th Street Community Police Station, which is 17 miles away up the 110 freeway. An average round-trip could take as long as 90 minutes with traffic, but add in booking procedures and paperwork, and our community loses one or two officers from patrolling our streets for at least a quarter of the day with just one arrest. This, again, is simply unacceptable.

The bottom line is we need more cops and we need that Harbor Division jail open.

San Pedro wants it open and, more importantly, our LAPD Harbor Division police officers want it open. At the crime forum, Chief Beck promised to have that jail open and operating "within 36 months." I would like to believe he will do everything in his power to make it happen, but the final word will have to come from L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Soon after the crime forum, Chief Beck approved use of an arrest van to be stationed at Harbor Division so officers did not have to make the journey to 77th Street. It's a good start, but this town will not settle for a van when we can have a fully functioning, $40M jail for our use.

Tax season is upon us, and as a small business owner, I know firsthand the frustrations of writing that tax check every year. But this year it's even tougher to justify it as we see our streets filthy, crime incidents being posted every day on social media, and the inmates running the asylum as our LAPD chief tells us they're severely understaffed. Where does our money go? Why can't we have the necessary infrastructure improvements - like opening a dormant jail - to keep us safe?

Things need to change in a big way this year or in 2017, our next big election year, San Pedro will have its say in the voting booth. And if you think this town is pissed off now, just imagine how we'll be if nothing changes by then. spt Joshua Stecker is publisher/editor-in-chief of San Pedro Today. Letters to the Editor can be emailed to contact@sanpedrotoday.com.

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First Presbyterian Church of San Pedro invites you to Experience Holy Week in profound beauty – March 20th at 9:30am Palm Sunday Service Our Chancel Choir will be accompanied by a String Orchestra.

Performing Bach’s Cantata #4 “Christ Lay in Death’s Dark Prison”

March 27th at 9:30am Easter Sunday Service Easter service will be an exuberant time of praise and celebration! The children’s choir will sing and a regal trumpet will fanfare with the choir.

MARCH 2016

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Joshua J. Stecker

ADVERTISING: General Inquiries: ads@sanpedrotoday.com

ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION Joseph A. Castañeda

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

AT-LARGE CONTRIBUTORS Jack Baric, Joe Buscaino, Lori Garrett, Mike Lansing, Roseanney Liu, Ricky Magana, Steve Marconi, Jennifer Marquez, Anthony Pirozzi, Angela Romero

Shana Ghekiere - San Pedro (and outer regions) (310) 753-5176 | shana@sanpedrotoday.com

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

VOLUME 8 | NUMBER 2

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. 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 2009-2016, Empire22 Media LLC.

ON THE COVER: (l to r) Nikki & John Philipopoulos and Adrienne Skrumbis holding a photo of her late husband, Peter. (photo: John Mattera)

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First Presbyterian Church 731 S. Averill Ave. San Pedro, CA 90732 (310) 832-7597 www.firstpressanpedro.org Service Times: Sunday 9:30am and Soulfeast at 5:30pm

Mon - Fri 9am - 6:30pm Open Saturdays 10am - 2pm 891 W. 9th Street (corner of 9th & Meyler) San Pedro 90731

www.cooverpharmacy.com Tel. (310) 833-2400 Fax (310) 832-2531

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MARCH Tour the historic PT. FERMIN LIGHTHOUSE, built in 1874 to light the entrance to the Los An-geles Harbor, located in the Pt. Fermin Park (807 Paseo del Mar). Guided tours offered 1-3p Tues thru Sun. Closed Mon and major holidays.

Admission is free; donations accepted.

Every Wed – CHILDREN’S WRITING CLASSES at the Corner Store (1118 37th St). Seven Golden Secrets of Writing with Diana Chapman, Wed 4:30-5:45p. For info, call (310) 626-7906.

Every Wed – THE MIKE GUERRERO TRIO at Ports O' Call Restaurant (1199 Nagoya Way, Berth 76). 7-10p. Smooth, sophisticated jazz featuring vocalist, Jerry Romano.

Every Wed – OPEN MIC NIGHT at Red Men Wigwam (543 Shepard St.) 6:30-9:30p. All are welcome. Chilidogs, snacks and beverages available. Dress warmly.

Every Thurs (except holidays) – ADULT WRITING GROUP in Library room of St. Peter's Episcopal Church (1648 W. 9th St.). 1-3p. Everyone welcome! For more info, call (310) 8312186.

Every Thurs - WEIGHT LOSS SUPPORT GROUP (TOPS TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY) at Peck Park Community Center, Classroom A (560 No. Western Ave.) 9:45-11a.

Adults only. For more info call (310) 547-1098.

Every Fri – SAN PEDRO FARMERS MARKET (6th St. between Pacific and Mesa Streets) 9a-2p.

Every Sat – LAFD HARBOR MUSEUM (639 Harbor Blvd) 10a-3p. Experience San Pedro and Wilmington's Fire Protection and Rescue service history with vintage fire apparatus and various displays. The museum is located in Old Fire Station 36 in the San Pedro City Hall. Admission is free, donations are accepted.

Every Sun – Soul Feast at First Presbyterian Church of San Pedro (781 S Averill Ave.) 5:30p. Come out & join us for a family worship service for all ages. Dinner is included.

Every first and second Sunday- Tour the MULLER HOUSE MUSEUM (1542 Beacon St.) 1-4p. Last tour starts at 3:15p.

Built in 1899, the Muller House is the headquarters of the San Pedro Bay Historical Society. Admission is free, but a donation of $3 is encouraged.

8 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I MARCH 2016

1 (Tues) - FREE YOGA IN THE PARK at Fred Hesse Jr. Community Park in Mctaggart Hall (29301 Hawthorne

Blvd, RPV) 8:30a-9:30a. Gretchen Karma, a certified yoga instructor, will help guide you to personalize your own yoga practice with an emphasis on breathing and gentle mindful movement. All levels welcomed. Classes every Tuesday.

Don’t forget your mat!

visit the website at www.pvplc.org.

15 (Tues) - CLIMATE CHANGE PRESENTATION at Wayfarer’s Chapel (755 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes) 6p. Learn more about the issues, and their potential consequences, from a panel of speakers including 3 (Thurs) – FIRST THURSDAY ARTWALK in Downtown Marymount professor and Palos Verdes Land Conservancy San Pedro. 6-10p board member Dr. Allen Franz, and Jonathan Parfrey, executive director of Climate Resolve. Free admission.

3-6 (Thurs-Sun) – L.A. HARBOR INTERNATIONAL FILM Space is limited. RSVP at www.pvplc.org/_activities/ FESTIVAL at the Warner Grand Theatre (478 W. 6th St.) See ClimateChange.asp. page 20 for info.

17 (Thurs) - ST. PATRICK'S DAY ON THE WATERFRONT 4 (Fri) - 'DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY' at Little Fish Theatre at Port’s O’ Call Restaurant (1200 Nagoya Way) 2p-6p.

(777 S. Centre St.) 8p. Don't miss the west coast premiere Come celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on the patio and enjoy live of Domestic Tranquility, a hilarious mashup of a 1950’s music by the Innisfree Irish Band. Free admission. suburban family and three escaped convicts by Rich Orloff.

Runs Fridays and Saturdays starting March 4, thru April 2. 19 (Sat) - EASTER EGG HUNT at the Pt. Fermin Lighthouse For tickets and show times, visit www.littlefishtheatre.org (807 Paseo Del Mar) Starts at 11a. Crafts beginning before the event at 10a. For ages 4-10. All children must be 6 (Sun) - FIRST SUNDAY BEGINNERS BIRD WALK accompanied by an adult. at George F Canyon (27305 Palos Verdes Dr E, Rolling Hills Estates) 8:30a. Join the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land 22 (Tues) - SAN PEDRO GARDEN CLUB at Peck Park Conservancy for a slow and easy walk. Binoculars provided. Auditorium (560 N Western Ave.) 9:30a. The San Pedro Free and open to the public. For more info, contact (310) Garden Club will host Ernest Miller, a chef, educator, and 547-0862. historian who will speak on California's "Edible Gold Rush,” a discussion of the role agriculture played as a significant 10 (Thurs) - COLLEAGUES TREASURES AND TRINKETS factor in the early economy of our state. Come early for SALE at Assistance League Chapter House (1441 W 8th refreshments and to browse the opportunity table.

St.) 4p-8p. Don’t miss this annual sale and help fundraise for the chapter's philanthropic projects. All sales are final. 26 (Sat) - PVPLC’S 4TH SATURDAY WORKSHOP at White CASH ONLY. For more info, visit www.sanpedrosouthbay. Point Nature Education Center (1600 W Paseo Del Mar) assistanceleague.org.

11a. Come and join the Palos Verdes Land Conservancy for a work-shop to learn more about the cactus wren and local 11 (Fri) - SPRING BAKE SALE at Little Company of Mary citizen science projects from volunteer Evi Meyer. Please Hospital in the cafeteria. (1300 W. 7th St.) 7a-1p. Come RSVP at www.pvplc.org. purchase delicious homemade baked goods. All proceeds donated to the Health Career Scholarship Fund.

30 (Wed) - PEEWEE PICASSO at Fred Hesse Jr. Community Park in the activity room (29301 Hawthorne Blvd, RPV) 12 (Sat) – CORNER STORE FARMERS MARKET at The 10:30a-11:20a. This is a perfect 9-week session class for your Corner Store (1118 W. 37th St.) 10a-12p. Open every second little one to be exposed to a variety of art activities that will Saturday of the month. Grab some coffee and homegrown encourage curiosity, discovery, and self-expression. Parents produce and don’t forget to bring your reusable bags. are welcome to join the fun! For pricing and registration, visit www.art2growon.com.

12 (Sat) - GUIDED NATURE WALK at Linden H. Chandler Preserve. 9a. Experience the restored 28-acre nature preserve and learn about the geology of the area while on Email event info to events@sanpedrotoday. a moderate walk. From Rolling Hills Road turn onto Empty com. Deadline for the April issue is Friday Saddle Road and park in the lot at Empty Saddle Club (39 March 11. All locations in San Pedro unless Empty Saddle Rd., Rolling Hills Estates) Free and open to the public. For more info, contact (310) 541-7613 ext. 201 or otherwise noted.

THE CORNER STORE PRESENTS Easter Egg Hunt - March 26, 11am - 1pm!

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1118 W. 37th St., San Pedro • (310) 832-2424 • Mon - Fri 6ish-6pm, Sat & Sun 7-6p

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NEWS BRIEFS earning All-CIF honors his junior and senior years, and the South Bay Player of the Year in his final year. He was offered scholarships from universities across the country before choosing UCLA. By the end of his senior year in college, he was 7th all-time on the UCLA receiving list and earned All-American and Academic All-American honors. He was inducted into the UCLA Hall of Fame in 2003.

Rev. Nicholas Tacito, Tim Wrightman, Ms. Rita Dever and Pastor Rev. Fr. Maurice Harrigan

My Saint My Hero

(photos: John Mattera)

Tim Wrightman Presents NFL Golden Football to Alma Mater Super Bowl champion and Mary Star High School alumnus, Tim Wrightman presented his alma mater with a commemorative Golden Football in recognition of Mary Star's selection to the National Football League’s Super Bowl High School Honor Roll.

The ceremony, held on January 19 at Mary Star High School, was part of the celebration for the 50th anniversary of the Super Bowl. The NFL awarded high schools a commemorative Golden Football for every player or coach who was on an active Super Bowl roster.

Wrightman, part of the 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl championship team, was selected second overall in the 1982 NFL draft by the Bears, but when negotiations failed, he was the first major star to sign with the United States Football League (USFL).

During his USFL stint he became a spokesman, traveling the country to promote the newly created football league. In 1985, Tim finally signed with the Chicago Bears and was an integral part of their championship season. He also led all tight ends that year with an average of 17.9 yards per reception.

"It turned out better than we imagined," said Rick Ibarra, public relations coordinator and varsity baseball coach for Mary Star High School. "As a Mary Star alumni, it gave me goose bumps to see some of the alumni that showed up and to see generations of MSHS football players and coaches in one place."

According to the NFL, high schools across the country and around the globe were given a Wilson Golden Football for every player or head coach who graduated from the school and was on an active Super Bowl roster. More than 2,000 high schools and roughly 3,000 players and coaches were recognized this past NFL season.

The highest number of golden footballs a state received is California with 432, which includes Mary Star. The list continues with Texas (326), Florida (218), Ohio (155) and Pennsylvania (148). California also has the mark for most high schools receiving golden footballs with 296. Texas is second with 223, followed by Florida (141), Pennsylvania (124) and Ohio (119).

"Wrightman has represented Mary Star of the Sea High School extremely well," the high school said in a statement.

During his senior year, Wrightman was ranked one of the top ten college recruits after

My Saint My Hero Wins Business of the Month Award My Saint My Hero, the local jewelry company known for their inspirational Blessing Bracelets, was awarded the Small Business of the Month Award for February from Councilman Joe Buscaino's office.

Owners Amy D’Ambra and Christine Rich were presented the award by the councilman at their new flagship boutique store in the Ace Hardware shopping center at 25th and Western Ave. (1615 W. 25th St.). The new store will showcase their entire wearable blessings jewelry collection.

Staff, family and friends joined D'Ambra and Rich as Councilman Buscaino presented them with the certificate.

According to their website, My Saint My Hero was founded on the belief that "God is real, prayer works and love heals." Their jewelry pieces represent blessings to remind the wearer "we are loved" and share in their prayer that these pieces help awaken souls to live in the presence of God. Their most famous item, the Blessing Bracelets, are hand woven and are considered the “Gift of a Blessing." Their collection includes the most recent addition of a Pope Francis medal designed by Vatican artist Mariangela, along with sacramental pieces, necklaces and earrings.

My Saint My Hero products can be found in more than 1,800 fashion boutiques across the globe. Many of their most popular Blessing Bracelets have been spotted on the wrists of several celebrities, including actors on television shows such as Madame Secretary, Fuller House and Hot in Cleveland. spt

MARCH 2016 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 9

VOICES

San Pedro Churches Walk the Talk, Feel the Burn

by Steve Marconi There is much to love about living in San Pedro, but there also is no denying we have our share of problems – crime, substance abuse and homelessness come quickly to mind.

Rallies and protests are all well and good, but, in a period where environmental concerns (read bicycle paths) seem to trump everything else, there is only so much our cash-strapped local governments and law enforcement can do or will do.

Fortunately, however, while San Pedro may have more bars and liquor stores than churches, there are a number of people who believe prayer changes things. To that end, two ecumenical movements are now available for those who think San Pedro’s root problems are more spiritual than temporal. Both sprang up about the same time last fall, totally independent of each other, but one is focused solely on San Pedro while the other is part of a worldwide outreach.

Prayer Walk San Pedro (www.prayerwalksanpedro.org) is the name for a group of Christians that meets on the first Saturday of every month and, true to its name, goes to strategic areas around town and prays. Its website gives “10 Reasons to Reach San Pedro” that would get an “amen” from most churches in town: 1. Jesus loves the people of San Pedro.

2. Jesus said, “Love your neighbor (i.e. those close by) as yourself.”

3. There is great need in San Pedro.

4. There is great potential in San Pedro.

5. San Pedro is a “gateway” to the world.

6. San Pedro is a “gateway” to our country.

7. The Holy Spirit has spoken to us.

8. Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world” (this includes San Pedro).

9. We live here.

10. It’s a perfect starting point.

The goal of each session is intense prayer for very specific areas. It is hoped that eventually the website will offer spiritual “maps,” providing a sort of virtual war room for prayer warriors.

The next meeting is from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 5, starting at the parking lot at Friendship Park.

Burn 24-7 (www.burn24-7.com) is another monthly Christian event that, while new to our shores, is celebrating 10 years as a global venture. Spreading out from the student dorms at Oral Roberts University, there are now Burn “furnaces” in some 150 locations in 50 countries. The name reflects the focus of the meetings – nonstop, around-the-clock prayer and worship called “burns.” The closest one to Southern California before now is in Fresno.

San Jose native Lisa Cuellar is responsible for putting San Pedro on the Burn map.

The San Jose State journalism graduate’s journey here began 20 years ago when, while working with Youth With a Mission in Los Angeles, she got to know San Pedro’s Justus and Jayn Ghormley. (Cuellar was not part of the base YWAM had in San Pedro during that period, when the Mercy Ship M/S Anastasis called Los Angeles home port.) Justus, a teacher at the time, also was pastor of Joshua Fellowship, a small church that met at the Cabrillo Marina.

Cuellar (www.lisacuellar.com) spent most of the next two decades traveling the world with YWAM. It seemed a perfect fit: She traveled the world with her parents as a youth, then, after she became a Christian, discovered she had a passion for missions with an emphasis on worship. She eventually ended up in York, England, where, besides leading worship and conducting prayer sessions, she pioneered the Burn movement in that city.

It was while in York last year that, as she said, God began speaking to her about starting a new phase in her ministry. That led her to leave YWAM and return to the Harbor Area, where the Ghormleys continue to serve, and spark the furnace (www. facebook.com/BurnSanPedro). Justus is pastor of Community Christian Church in Rancho Palos Verdes, just west of Western Avenue, and the host to the first Burn in our area last October. They have continued monthly, with the next one March 18 at Trinity Lutheran Church in San Pedro. The burns run from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m., with worship groups from various local churches appearing throughout the night (and attendees arriving and going as they please).

Many people have been praying for a spiritual revival in San Pedro for years; Prayer Walk and the Burn may be the answer to those prayers. spt Steve Marconi can be reached at spmarconi@yahoo.com.

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River Walking in San Antonio

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On a recent business trip to San Antonio, Tex., I was joined

by Councilman Joe Buscaino and together we met with local officials to learn about the history, funding strategies and future developments of its famous 2.5 mile river walk. This beautifully landscaped river that features hotels, local and corporate restaurants, nightclubs, bars, shopping centers and businesses actually began as a flood control project in 1921. Since then it has become one of the most dynamic tourist attractions in the entire state of Texas.

In the beginning, Spanish explorers used the river to provide supplies to its Mission San Antonio de Valero, better known as The Alamo. Throughout the years, the river flooded its banks, with the worst occurring in 1921 killing more than 50 people.

City planners struggled with how to resolve the flooding issue and large debates rang among its people.

In 1929, Robert H. H. Hugman, a local architect and visionary of the San Antonio River Walk, proposed a plan that would turn the area into a beautiful urban park with apartments, dining, shopping, boat rides and walkways lit with old-fashioned street lamps with the look and feel of Venice, Italy. After convincing city officials and business leaders of the financial benefits of his plan, funding became available in 1938. By 1941, the infrastructure that was once damaged by floods was developed and protected by flood control gates.

Hugman continued to work for many years with the city to construct the plans for the river walk. However, despite his best efforts, it would be years before the river walk could be called a success due to the area being known for high level of crime and the fear that the area would once again flood. His plan would be put to the test in 1946, when another major flood threatened downtown San Antonio, but the new infrastructure and floodgates protected the once flood threatened area. Finally in 1946, 25 years after Hugman’s vision was presented, Casa Rio became the first restaurant on the river walk and the development has never looked back.

Today, the people of San Antonio continue to preserve its history and beauty as they continue to phase in new developments along its river walk, which is one of the best vacation destinations in the United States. Ironically, one of the next phases being planned for development is a creek that parallels the river walk called the San Pedro Creek. This stretch will be developed for walking and biking, making it easier for locals to get to and from the downtown area as an alternative route to the river walk.

By meeting with local officials and visiting the river walk over the course of four days, I recognized many similarities between the San Antonio River Walk development and San Pedro. For example, one thing that was apparent in the surrounding areas of the river walk was the amount of homeless present. Local officials estimate that there are in the order of 3,000 homeless in San Antonio. Another was the time it took for the initial phase of the river walk to be developed. As stated earlier, it took 25 years (1921-1946) to identify and design the solution to prevent flooding, secure funding for the development, build out the first 2.5 miles of infrastructure and establish the first restaurant on the river walk. Sound familiar?

To date, a majority of the infrastructure required for our waterfront development has been completed. By visiting www.lawaterfront.org/projects you can see for yourself each of the completed projects since 2003 and a video that depicts each one of them “before and after” the development. You can then click on the “future projects” link and see the list of new developments planned to begin through 2018.

Finally, the next step is for you to attend the March 2 public meeting at the Warner Grand Theatre at 6 p.m. The L.A. Waterfront Alliance, Wayne Ratkovich and Alan and Eric Johnson of Jerico Development, will be presenting their vision for redeveloping Ports O’ Call. This event will provide you the opportunity to decide for yourself if the developers are on the right path for the future of our waterfront. I’ll see you there. spt Anthony Pirozzi is a L.os Angeles Harbor Commissioner. He can be contacted at apirozzi@yahoo.com.

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VOICES

The Saving San Pedro Really Needs

14 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I MARCH 2016

by Jack Baric Drive down almost any street in San Pedro and you will quickly come to believe that our town is in some serious need of saving.

Here is a sampling of all the saving that needs to be done: • Saving San Pedro I is concerned about the proliferation of homeless on our streets.

• Saving San Pedro II is demanding the removal of the Rancho LPG chemical storage facility on Gaffey.

• Save Our Waterfront is calling for development at Ports O' Call to happen in a more timely manner.

These are all important issues that require sober debate and thoughtful ideas and I applaud all of the folks bringing attention to them. However, in my opinion, the one lawn-sign that is notoriously absent from every house in town is, “Invest in San Pedro.”

This magazine has for years pointed to success stories in places like Venice, which has a similar background to our town. However, unlike us, they were able to spur a technology surge that has earned them the moniker “Silicon Beach.”

In San Pedro, our potential to leverage the numerous opportunities that the port can provide and make us a “Silicon Harbor” take a back seat while we debate bike lanes, tiny houses, and every other issue under the sun. When was our last public forum on attracting the kinds of substantial businesses that can provide San Pedro a prosperous economic future? It’s happening elsewhere.

The L.A. Times reported that a mixed-use development in Playa Vista, which was completed for $300 million, recently sold for $475 million. The article stated, “The steep price for Runway Playa Vista — a retail, residential and office development — shows what can happen when tech giants like Facebook, YouTube and Microsoft come to town.”

It’s easy to say that a development of that magnitude is a no-brainer in a place like Playa Vista, but take a closer look. The Playa Vista location of YouTube is in a former Hughes aircraft hangar where a tech campus named Hercules was created. The Argonaut described the condition of the hangar as "raw at best.” Their article quoted conservancy program manager Annie Laskey as saying, “Everything was derelict. There were holes in the roofs and water on the ground... It had been more or less empty since the 1980s.”

And, oh, by the way, the developer of Hercules? It’s Wayne Ratkovich, the same developer spearheading our waterfront redevelopment at Ports O' Call. The arrival of a Ratkovich development will not in and of itself create a real estate boom with multitudes of world-class technology brands clamoring to open offices in San Pedro. Actually, none of that will happen if we don’t plant the seeds of technology by attracting small start-up companies to our downtown. These smaller companies often create a talent pool that can attract those bigger companies.

Although there are numerous things that attract start-up tech companies, I’ve kept it simple with a list of three: • Opportunity: We have numerous opportunities at our port to develop environmental, security and logistics technologies that can be marketed throughout the world.

• Cheap Rent: A well-placed source recently confided to me that real estate developers love San Pedro, but are nervous about investing because the rents are too low. Their problem is a start-up company’s dream. They need cheap rent. The upside for real estate investors is that the rents will go up as more tech companies come in.

• Investment: San Pedro lacks an investor class.

Well, two out of three isn't bad. Actually, it’s really bad. Speak to any entrepreneur and he will tell you that without access to capital it is very difficult to launch a new business.

My plea to all of the genuinely good people trying to save San Pedro is that we use our next big town hall event to learn how we can invest our own money and attract outside money to create a vibrant tech cluster in our downtown. It just so happens that the next big community meeting at the Warner Grand is on March 2, when Wayne Ratkovich and his team unveil their waterfront development plans.

Sounds to me like a good place to plant the seeds for a subsequent event that focuses on investment. What do you say, San Pedro? How about “Invest in San Pedro” become our rallying cry? Just an idea. spt Jack Baric can be reached at jackbaric@hotmail.com.

P A I D

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

, O R D E P N A S E V O L O H W S U TO ALL OF s… u to p u is n w to r u o f o re tu The fu .

MENT OF PORTS O’CALL REDEVELOP WHAT: PUBLIC PRESENTATION R GROUND LEASE UT BEFORE SIGNING A 50-YEA INP LIC PUB KS SEE PER ELO PURPOSE: DEV S WITH THE PORT OF LOS ANGELE 2, 2016 – 6:00 P.M. WHEN: WEDNESDAY, MARCH ATRE WHERE: WARNER GRAND THE nsized from 375,000 to 150,000 redeveloping Ports O’Call were dow for s plan 3 201 the , July t Las pment. A Phase 2 expansion to SOME FACTS: just Phase 1 of a larger develo is is “Th : tion and for more, lana exp t’s Por sq. ft. The more exists.” Without market dem for and dem t rke ma er nev whe 375,000 sq. ft. will occur there will likely be no Phase 2! ent with “world class waterfront” : Will plans for Phase 1 be consist ensure Phase 2.

SOME QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER man Buscaino? This is needed to ncil Cou and i cett Gar or May of campaign promises rity to badly needed jobs and prospe our business district and bring g ivin rev in role a y pla 1 se Can Pha our seaside communities? n? The public was told on described in the 2013 presentatio acti attr or class” maj ic icon the ure feat erway. This would create “world Will Phase 1 ’s Undersea Experience were und phic gra Geo l iona Nat ed? with plet s tion com negotia se 1 be help assure Phase 2. When will Pha stature with international reach to n would construction begin? r there will be a Phase 2 and whe the whe d ide dec be it will n How and whe t are its elements?

What will Phase 2 look like and wha

Terminal, USS Iowa, Ports seaside attractions of the Cruise ated isol ch? now the t nec con to s Are there plan Cabrillo Aquarium and Cabrillo Bea Victory, Crafted, Brouwerij West, er. e Lan pow g USS win , dra eum its Mus to e cial itim cru Mar is O’Call, erfront destination wat jor ma e, esiv coh a into Connecting these venues the a proper course has been set by ns will help us understand whether stio que r othe and e thes to s wer The ans port. cess befitting our nation’s #1 sea Port and developers to ensure suc recreational waterfront ent where the cargo industry and pm elo dev e sid sea a to ard for both port and community.

We look forw ny. Result: growth and prosperity mo har in er eth tog k wor e nad prome

elf heard on: Please join us and make yours rner Grand Theatre.

Wednesday, March 2 at the Wa

unity is up to us!

and our comm The future of our waterfront

(left) onts across the country: Seattle Examples of successful waterfr

& San Diego.

VOICES

The Year of MORE

16 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I MARCH 2016

by Mike Lansing I truly understood, as some of my staff looked back at me with that “are you out of your freaking mind” expression across their faces. I had just told my leadership team that yes, we had a great year in 2015 – but that I was now initiating a call to action to make 2016 the “Year of MORE” for our Boys & Girls Clubs.

Even with my opening thank-yous and accolades to these tremendously dedicated child development professionals, it was a bit of a shock to some that I could even ask for more in 2016. I plead guilty. Subtlety is not my greatest asset and I am never truly satisfied regardless of our successes. I am always looking for ways for us to do more – those we serve deserve nothing less.

Our call to action in 2015 was “Pushing the Envelope” as we committed to the expansion of our sites, programming and staffing to have an even larger impact on our youth. This included adding three more modular buildings, a new Sports Arena at Daniels Field and our new STEM, Fine Arts and Music Centers. We finalized our new 1,900 sq. ft. College Bound Center to meet the growing demand for this most successful college pathway program and added a K/1 Center to assure these children have dedicated space and age-appropriate daily programs and activities. We now have a middle school multi-purpose room and Cyber-Cafe to support our commitment to this important age group. We also finalized plans and space for a new Dance Center and a Robotics Lab if we can secure the necessary funding this year.

Through our discussion session, my leadership team came to realize that the “Year of MORE” was the proper next step to the great facilities expansion we had recently accomplished. We vowed to optimize these additional resources to do an even better job of engaging and meeting the varied needs of our at-risk members. Then I shared my List of MORE and explained that these prompts were discussion points to utilize in the development of our individual and team strategies and efforts to better serve MORE in 2016. Quickly, the “Year of MORE” became very attainable to these truly exceptional and caring professionals as they realized that even small changes in attitude and effort from their own teams could result in so much MORE. I ask all of us in this great community of ours to commit to a similar call to action.

Whether nonprofit or for-profit, elected official or City employee, teacher or student, pastor or parishioner, laborer or manager, business owner or customer, employee or volunteer, neighbor or stranger, friend or competitor, homeowner or homeless, person of color or not – I truly hope we can find it in ourselves to expect MORE of our individual selves, collected efforts and overall community this year. And I especially hope we can find it in our hearts to do MORE for those who need us most as we have the capacity to truly change and sometimes save so many lives.

My List of MORE: More COLLABORATION, More CONSISTENCY, More SMILES, More LISTENING, More COMMUNICATION, More FACE TIME, More SELFMOTIVATION, More TEAMWORK, More EXPECTATION, More AWARENESS, More ACCOLADES, More INCLUSIVENESS, More PRIORITIZATION, More RESOURCES, More COURTESY, More WELCOMING, More SAFETY, More MENTORING, More LEARNING, More FUN, More THOUGHTFULNESS, More ENGAGEMENT, More TIMELINESS, More ENTHUSIASM, More OUTREACH, More ADVOCACY, More ACCOUNTABILITY, More OPEN-MINDEDNESS, More HELPFULNESS, More ENERGY, More CREATIVITY, More PROFESSIONALISM, More PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, More COMPASSION, More YES WE CAN! May the “Year of MORE” become our collective call to action in 2016. spt Mike Lansing is Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor.

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VOICES

Adventures on the Silver Line

by Jennifer Marquez San Pedro has a new bus route called the Silver Line that travels to Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) with few stops. I am no expert on the bus and never ride it, telling myself my car is much faster and more comfortable (typical shallow reasons).

Plus, I shuffle my kids to their schools and activities and to sites I need to visit for work, one is my office in DTLA. It is $2.50 to ride the Silver Line each way and I decided I needed to get with the program, stop using so much gasoline and get on the bus. Not to mention, those who “accidentally” have their transponder on the number 2 or 3 passenger position while driving solo in the carpool lane face a $400 fine now that the police are cracking down.

For my Silver Line maiden voyage, I dragged two of my friends to Harbor Beacon Park/Ride on a Saturday and decided to make a night of it. I left the kids with my husband and told him I am off to ride the “Freedom Express” to research for work.

There are not as many buses on the weekend as we learned from the bus schedule.

After 15 minutes, the Silver Line arrived and we were on our way. There were only a few other people on the bus until we stopped at the Harbor Gateway Transit Center where more people got on, many were standing in the aisle.

We exited the bus at Pershing Square in DTLA and walked to Perch for a drink.

Perch is a hip rooftop restaurant with amazing views. I am far from hip so this was a welcome change. Since I work in DTLA, I knew all the fun places to hit thanks to tips from my coworker. We had to take two elevators to get to the roof and enjoyed a drink with the band playing outside. We were definitely not in San Pedro anymore.

Next we walked over to Guisados for mini taco samplers, tamales and spicy sangrias with fruit on the bottom. We ate in the old Spring arcade building, which is an open walk through between two blocks. We topped that off with the most amazing gelato next door at Gelateria Uli. Now we needed to do some serious walking to burn off all the calories consumed. We headed over to Clifton’s, a buffet style restaurant with waterfalls and stuffed bison. The second floor has a gothic style bar with a giant fake redwood tree and possibly the ghost of Ray Bradbury who spent years here in a corner booth.

We hoofed it down Broadway to the Urban Outfitters that used to be an old Rialto theater built in 1917 and then over to the Ace Hotel. It was only 10 p.m., but my middle age self was ready for some Netflix in bed, time to go. Plus my friend had to pick up her son from a party. We walked up 7th Street, popped into Bottega Louie to check out the gourmet market and colorful cookie macarons. Back on 7th we passed Sugarfish, the trendy sushi restaurant, then ended up at the 7th Street/Metro Center.

We waited 30 minutes for the Silver Line and when it arrived we asked the driver if it went to San Pedro. She told us it will take us to Harbor Gateway but another bus right behind her will go to San Pedro. We got off and waited 40 minutes for the next bus. The next driver tells us the Silver Line does not go to San Pedro after 9 p.m.

We got on and got off at Harbor Gateway to find another bus to take us to San Pedro and pay $2.50 again. The only issue is it does not go to our car, so we got off at Pacific and O’Farrell and walked. The sound of my friend’s high heels echoed through the neighborhood, the pink stun gun in my purse was never needed on our journey, an adventure that I highly recommend.

Later, somebody suggested that I take Uber next time. I respond, “Real women ride the bus.” spt Jennifer Marquez can be reached at jennifertmarquez@yahoo.com.

VOICES

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We have waited for so long, but our time has finally arrived!

Next week, on Wednesday, March 2, legendary Los Angeles developer Wayne Ratkovich and his L.A. Waterfront Alliance, which includes Alan and Eric Johnson of Jericho Development, will publicly present their design and new name for the property, which we have known for the past 50 years as Ports O’ Call.

The presentation will take place at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro at 6 p.m.

Following 20 years of “talking about it,” we are finally moving forward with a project that will positively affect the quality of life in our community for generations.

We have a world-class port and live in a world-class economy. We deserve a worldclass waterfront, and we are finally getting one.

Wayne Ratkovich has a reputation for polishing tarnished architectural jewels into landmark status.

Next week, our community will get its first look at the new development that will become Los Angeles’ newest landmark.

When completed in 2018, our new development will be attracting visitors from all over the region and from around the world. Our waterfront will become a must-visit destination like waterfronts in San Francisco, Seattle and San Diego.

This new destination will create a ripple effect that will transform and improve our local economy and bring new life and opportunities for everybody that calls the Harbor Area home.

We are no longer the fishing community we once were. Gone are the hundreds of fishing boats, the canneries and the ship building industry. We are creating a unique environment that will attract new industries in the same way Venice and Playa Vista have attracted the tech sector.

One of the most important transformations for attracting new industry to our community is already under way at the historic City Dock No. 1. AltaSea is creating a sustainable ocean-based campus with the mission to accelerate scientific collaboration, facilitate job creation and inspire the next generation for a more sustainable ocean. Our children will have many career choices right here in their own hometown.

In addition to redeveloping Ports O’ Call and welcoming AltaSea, we will also redevelop the Rancho San Pedro housing development. The current 479 units on 22 acres is an inefficient use of waterfront property. I am working with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles who oversees the property, to upgrade the site and create a modern design adding mixed-use density which will align with our vision for waterfront redevelopment.

We are no longer the “red headed stepchild” of the City of Los Angeles. Our community has been influential at every level including the Mayor, the Port, the Housing Authority and with industry. We are leading our community towards a better future as proud contributors to one of the healthiest economies in our nation.

Yes, we have issues that must be resolved, however, so does every other community in the city. We have to continue to work together to solve our homelessness and crime issues, but as a community, we will succeed.

We have accomplished so much already. Our Port is first in the nation and has committed to investing over $200 million in our communities over the next 10 years.

The air we breathe is better than it has been for the past 100 years and we are in a great position to build a bright future.

We work hard and we play hard and we deserve everything that is coming to us. I look forward to seeing everyone at the public reveal at the Warner Grand Theatre on March 2! spt

'Can-Can' and Tom Sawyer Highlight This Year's LAHIFF

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The longest-running film festival in San Pedro returns for its 13th year to the Warner Grand Theatre the first weekend of March, bringing with it a literary classic, a singing Sinatra, and an examination of one of Los Angeles' favorite politicos.

The Los Angeles Harbor International Film Festival (LAHIFF) will open this year's events on March 3 with the 1973 musical The Adventures of Tom Sawyer as part of their annual free education outreach program called Read the Book, See the Movie (RBSM).

"Three years ago we featured The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and felt it was time to revisit one of America’s and world literature’s most esteemed authors, Mark Twain," says Stephanie Mardesich, LAHIFF founder and director. "Particularly because the themes of the book embody and demonstrate aspects of friendship and loyalty, anti-slavery, wonder and excitement of childhood from youth to adult perception, and consequences of not following the rules in civilized polite society."

The Read the Book, See the Movie program is the LAHIFF's way to promote literacy and adds a dimension that encourages an appreciation of art, culture, and literature in the community, according to Mardesich. Each year, hundreds of Penguin Classics paperback books corresponding with that year's RBSM film are distributed throughout local schools.

The students get to watch the film in a traditional theatre setting and then participate in a lively conversation about the film afterwards. This year's participating schools include Mary Star of the Sea High School, Rolling Hills Prep & Renaissance School and Christ Lutheran School, with more joining.

This year's Opening Night Gala on Friday, March 4, will feature the classic film by director Francois Truffaut, Fahrenheit 451 (1966), based on the acclaimed novel by legendary writer, Ray Bradbury. The film, starring Oskar Verner and Julie Christie, will be shown in 35mm at 8 p.m. Before the screening, guests are invited to participate in a discussion of the book in the lobby of the Warner Grand Theatre at 7 p.m. According to Mardesich, admission to the screening is free for those "who have read, are reading or will read the book." The screening is in association with the L.A. Dept. of Cultural Affairs and Big Read L.A. On Saturday, March 5, the non-competitive, non-juried film festival has something for everyone. At 1 p.m., NewFilmmakers L.A. “On Location Program” will screen a showcase of 19 short films, all winners of a recent competition sponsored by the City of Los Angeles and L.A.Weekly that promotes neighborhoods in L.A. County.

Saturday evening brings LAHIFF's annual Hollywood Nostalgia Tribute featuring the 1960 adaptation of the Broadway musical Can-Can, starring Frank Sinatra and Shirley

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Stephanie Mardesich, founder and director of the Los Angeles Harbor International Film Festival. (photo: LAHIFF)

MacLaine. The Rogue Red Carpet Gala precedes the screening from 5-6:30 p.m. in the mezzanine lobby of the Warner Grand, which features a catered reception and cocktails.

Tickets for the Gala are $65 before February 25 or $75 at the door (space permitting).

A ticket includes admission to the gala and screening, a souvenir program and gift bag.

Guests are encouraged to wear vintage or cocktail attire. General admission for the film only is $10.

"Can-Can is in reverence to talent of yore," says Mardesich. "The film choice is also an homage to France in the wake of the November 2015 tragic terrorist attacks in Paris, with the light-hearted entertaining musical with the wonderful tunes of Cole Porter. A musical movie on a Saturday night in downtown San Pedro is pure entertainment and a fun night out."

The festival concludes on Sunday, March 6, with its annual DocSunday series, featuring a number of interesting and informative documentaries. This year's DocSunday schedule includes: Marsha Hunt’s Sweet Adversity (1 p.m.), the story of actress/activist Marsha Hunt (now 98-years-old) a rising star who was living the American Dream when her career was eclipsed by being unfairly blacklisted during the Communist Red Scare. Hunt is scheduled to appear and sign copies of her book, The Way We Wore.

"We previewed this film back in 2010 as a 'work in progress,' " says Mardesich. "It’s truly gratifying to be screening the finished product and that Miss Hunt will be present to enjoy conversation and Q&A after the film. She’s a remarkable woman and role model to all for her humanitarian concerns and accomplishments, talent and the courage by which she prevailed against her adverse circumstance that might have destroyed her. Instead she took the lemons and made lemonade."

Floodpath: The Untold Story Of The St. Francis Dam Disaster (3:30 p.m.) by director/ producer Jon Walkman, based on his recently published book of the same title. The subject delves into the story of the deluge that claimed nearly 500 lives and considers the reality behind L.A. noir fictions such as the classic film Chinatown. Walkman will be on hand to sign copies of his book.

Bridging The Divide: Tom Bradley And The Politics Of Race (5 p.m.), by Lyn Goldfarb (director/producer) and Alison Soto Mayer (writer-researcher/producer). The 56-minute film is a revealing account of the election and tenure of one of the most esteemed Mayors of Los Angeles. After the screening the filmmakers will be joined by colleagues, participants in the film, and Councilman Joe Buscaino for a conversation and Q&A, moderated by Dr. Betsy A. McLane, Ph.D. spt The Los Angeles Harbor International Film Festival runs March 3-6 at the Warner Grand Theatre (478 W. 6th St in Downtown San Pedro). For complete program and information, visit www.laharborfilmfest.com.

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JOHN PHILIPOPOULOS AND THE SKRUMBIS FAMILY CELEBRATE 30 YEARS IN BUSINESS

by Joshua Stecker photos by John Mattera

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, San Pedro is a sandwich town. The majority of our sandwich shops are family-owned establishments that have been around for decades. And because there are so many, none of them are the same. A Busy Bee sandwich is completely different from a South Shores Meat Shop one. A Beach City Market sandwich is different from a Sorrento’s one. And so it goes.

John Philipopoulos has been behind the counter of the Sandwich Saloon since the mid1980s and has barely left since. Dressed in his typical uniform of a Sandwich Saloon polo or t-shirt and shorts (always shorts), Philipopoulos is either on the phone taking orders, saying hi to any one of the vast number of regulars the establishment has accrued over the three decades he and his in-laws, the Skrumbis family, have owned the Gaffey Street sandwich shop, or sitting at a table with a buddy or two during some rare downtime.

“It’s a grind, man,” he’ll say with that big Greek grin on his face. “But I still love it.”

ONE MAN’S DREAM Peter Skrumbis’ dream was to have his own business.

The Westchester High School history teacher and his wife Adrienne, a teacher at 156th Street School in Gardena, came from hardworking families that were used to small business ownership. (Peter’s family owned markets while Adrienne’s family owned restaurants). And even though they had a love of teaching, Skrumbis yearned to go into business on his own.

“It was always his dream,” recalls Adrienne. “We both loved teaching, but he really wanted something of his own.”

In 1986, an opportunity arose that the Skrumbis family couldn’t pass up. They had heard through the ever-reliable San Pedro grapevine that the Sandwich Saloon, a small sandwich shop on Gaffey between 8th and 9th Streets that opened in 1977, was up for sale. The shop, which was famous in town for its window painting of a cowboy clutching a sandwich in one hand and a pretty lady in the other, was under its second set of owners and wasn’t doing so hot, so they were looking to sell. Skrumbis saw this as his chance to see his dream realized.

“Peter wanted his own business and John, who was engaged to our daughter Nikki at that time and was working at ‘Y’ Not Burgers in Torrance, also wanted his own business,” remembers Adrienne. “So we thought, we had maturity on one side and a hard worker on the other.”

With the help of their extended families, the Skrumbis family and Philipopoulos got to work in the small sandwich shop. After some minor renovations and with only four employees, the doors reopened under their ownership on April 1, 1986.

At that time, it wasn’t the Sandwich Saloon we know today. While still the same location, the original space was only half the size back in the 1980s and 90s. It would be another 20 years before they would expand. But like with any small business getting back on its feet, they needed to start small.

“In the beginning, our main concentration was the menu,” says Adrienne, who Philipopoulos credits as the shop’s “executive chef,” as well as the person responsible for their legendry Chinese Chicken Salad (more on that later). The original Saloon only featured a small menu of sandwiches, so the family’s first major change was to expand the menu.

MARCH 2016 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 23

Nikki Philipopoulos, John Philipopoulos and Adrienne Skrumbis photographed on Super Bowl Sunday, February 7, 2016.

24 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I MARCH 2016

“We introduced our own homemade soups and chili, offered new salads and we jazzed up the sandwiches,” says Adrienne. “We offered more choices.”

“We gave [the menu] a lot of love,” adds Philipopoulos.

For the elder Skrumbis, he was seeing his lifelong dream come alive before his eyes.

With his teaching career behind him, the Saloon became a great second act for him and Adrienne.

“This was Peter’s child,” says Adrienne. “As much as he loved teaching and keeping in touch with former students, this was his baby. He loved it.”

According to Philipopoulos, Skrumbis would come in to the shop early in the morning and make all the soups from scratch. “He’d fire up the staff and stay through the lunch rush, and then he’d head out about 1:30 p.m. and go golfing,” he says.

“He was a quintessential Trojan,” adds Adrienne, explaining why the shop has so much USC memorabilia adorning its walls, which isn’t necessarily unusual for San Pedro. “We both went to USC and he was ‘Fight On’ all the way.”

THE EXPANSION In 2005, the family decided to expand the Saloon by taking over the space next door.

Doing so would double the square footage and open up an entire new dining area, but most importantly, it would allow the installation of a grill, something Philipopoulos had been dreaming of since opening the shop.

“I actually came from a burger background,” explains Philipopoulos. “So we came up with a burger. And not just a burger, but a good burger.”

The grill allowed the Saloon to expand their menu ten-fold, which now included burgers, French fries, hot dogs, grilled chicken, patty melts, and the addition of an entire breakfast menu.

“The grill really changed everything,” says Philipopoulos.

Surprisingly, the business never officially closed during the expansion, but it did celebrate the big change in June 2005, when the expansion was completed.

Unfortunately, just a few months later in September, the Sandwich Saloon would suffer a major setback when a fire broke out in the building causing heavy damage and forcing the business to shut down for a few months.

“It was awful,” says Adrienne. “It was arson.”

After a few months of cleanup and renovation, the Sandwich Saloon would open its doors once again in February 2006.

“We had a line stretching down the block when we reopened,” remembers Philipopoulos. “It just proved to us how much the community really appreciated us and wanted to help us through such a horrible situation.”

Customers would start to bring in sports pennants of colleges that their kids were going to and soon the newly expanded section was full of random college pennants, which is one of the novel ways their clientele has become part of the business.

“People in San Pedro have been so loyal and supportive throughout the years,” says Adrienne.

Health problems would soon hinder Skrumbis’ involvement behind the counter, and, under doctor’s orders, he was regulated to stay away from working in the kitchen.

“It became too stressful for him, so he would come in and just talk to people,” says Adrienne. “He became the ambassador of the shop.”

Skrumbis would pass away on November 29, 2012. A photo of him with a big smile and wearing a USC hat hangs on the wall as a constant reminder that the reason the Sandwich Saloon exists today is because one man pursued a dream and that dream became a reality.

ABOUT THAT CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD You can’t tell the story of the Sandwich Saloon without trying to dig into the secret behind their famous Chinese Chicken Salad. San Pedro Today named it as one of San Pedro’s most iconic foods and for good reason.

“I had eaten Chinese chicken salads in different places, and one of the things I didn’t like in them was sesame seed oil,” explains Adrienne. “So I started experimenting with the dressing. I’d fool around with a few recipes and have Nikki, Peter and John taste it. We didn’t introduce it on our menu until I felt I had perfected the recipe to my liking.”

The salad soon became a big seller. Customers started requesting the shop sell the dressing in bottles, something the family has yet to pursue.

“It’s basically a simple salad, but it took off like crazy,” says Adrienne.

According to Nikki, only three people know the recipe: Adrienne, John and her brother Steve, who’s principal at Taper Ave. Elementary.

“Everyone is sworn to secrecy,” laughs Adrienne. “It’s a fun thing to have a little mystery with it.”

“I don’t want to know it,” adds Nikki. “I don’t want to have that pressure.” spt

Top: The expansion side completed in 2005; right: Sandwich Saloon staff prepping 6-foot long sandwiches for Super Bowl Sunday; below: the photo of Peter Skrumbis that hangs in the shop.

Left: The original Sandwich Saloon front window, featuring the cartoon cowboy and his lady.

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Breaking Up is Hard to Do With frustrations with the City of Los Angeles at an all-time high, can San Pedro make a play for secession once again?

26 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I MARCH 2016

by Angela "Romee" Romero From the day of its incorporation on March 1, 1888, San Pedro has been a diverse community with a strong local identity. The residents are very much San Pedrans, often with degrees attached to their citizenship like a royal lineage. In 1909, San Pedro consolidated with the City of Los Angeles, making us all Angelenos. But for San Pedrans, L.A. is a place we live, it’s not who we are.

And while there are no San Pedrans alive today who were around to witness the town become part of the City of L.A., one could argue that every generation since has inherited a sense of resentment towards Los Angeles for stealing away their port and their freedom.

This grandfathered grudge is likely the reason that many San Pedrans are so quick to lament the fact that San Pedro isn’t its own city whenever they feel wronged or ignored by the big city. But now, in the midst of rising crime and out of control homelessness, tempers are flaring and people are calling for secession. But we’ve been there and done that and breaking up with the City of L.A. is really hard to do. Is it really the best course of action?

‘Not Economically Viable’ In the late 1990s, three different sections of L.A. were seeking to separate from the city: Hollywood, the Valley and the harbor communities of Wilmington, Harbor City and San

Pedro. While the Harbor Area never got onto a ballot, all three secession movements were ultimately unsuccessful.

“It’s probably easier to incorporate an unincorporated territory than to win a secession election,” said Dr. Raphael Sonenshein, Executive Director of the Pat Brown Institute at Cal State Los Angeles. “I wouldn’t argue that it’s impossible, but it’s difficult.”

According to Dr. Sonenshein, there were three major barriers that these groups needed to overcome in order to successfully separate from the City of L.A. The first was economic viability; the second was a majority vote in the area that wanted to secede and, finally, a majority vote across the entire city.

Each group applied to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), a public agency that governs the boundaries of cities within a county. LAFCO is the agency that decides whether or not the applicant is economically viable enough to be placed on the ballot. LAFCO did not believe that the Harbor Area was economically viable to be its own city.

Initially, the Harbor Study Foundation, the group spearheading the movement, had included the entire boundaries of San Pedro, Wilmington and Harbor City as part of the area that wanted to secede. This included the areas in the Port of Los Angeles that are governed by the California Tidelands Trust. Unfortunately, the State Lands Commission denied approval for those properties to be included in the proposed city boundaries. They felt that changing the grant of the tidelands area from the City of Los Angeles to this new city would pose a substantial risk to ongoing operations and the safety of the port.

Without the business tax revenue from the port, LAFCO found that the small tax base from the rest of the proposed city was insufficient to sustain cityhood. The loss of the port lands was a devastating blow to the Harbor Study Foundation. Then Councilwoman Janice Hahn was strongly opposed to the amended proposal following the loss because the new city would actually result in a reduction in services for the proposed areas. While the Harbor Study Foundation’s new application had many things wrong with it, ultimately it was the loss of the port lands that served as the nail in its coffin.

The Hollywood and Valley movements failed to get enough votes in their areas and citywide.

Rise of the Neighborhood Councils Dr. Sonenshein cautions all future secessionists not to lose heart. “It doesn’t mean that it can’t happen. There were very specific circumstances at the time,” he said, “but I’m not going to take the position that those circumstances couldn’t change in the future. You never know what’s going to happen with a future LAFCO.”

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It should also be said that these failed secession attempts were not complete failures.

The joint movement by all three communities prompted an immediate reaction from the city to reform its charter for the first time in 75 years.

“The charter reform movement itself was created… in reaction to the secession movement,” said Dr. Sonenshein, who was an appointee to the Charter Reform Commission from 1997-99. “Secession really scared a lot of people. I think there was a real desire to build a stronger connection.”

The reform commission’s answer to shortening the distance between neighborhoods and city hall was to create the neighborhood councils.

“Neighborhood councils emerged as something the city could do to try to knit together the kind of fragmented connection that many neighborhoods had toward the city. It’s a work in progress, there’s a long way to go but it’s survived to the surprise of many people.

It’s pretty remarkable.”

It’s no wonder that the first neighborhood councils to be established were right here in the Harbor Area. During the secession hearings the largest turnouts were always in this area, especially in San Pedro.

“It’s a very active area with a lot of concerns and it’s been one of the most active areas in neighborhood councils since then,” confirmed Dr. Sonenshein.

A Reputation for Civic Engagement San Pedro’s proximity to the Port of Los Angeles and its reputation for civic engagement is a very powerful combination. Add to that the fact that a San Pedran has held the council seat for the City’s 15th district more often than not. Perhaps a herculean effort to secede from L.A. isn’t the best use of our time and effort. But what can a frustrated community do to get their voices and concerns heard?

“One of the best things people can do is join their neighborhood council,” says Dr. Sonenshein, “speak out, participate and go to as many meetings as possible. Even though it can be difficult, go to public hearings, go to city council meetings… The system rewards those who participate. There’s no way around that. And it does take a long time. Success tends to go to those who can keep pursuing it over a long period of time. Learn as much about how the system works but also keep trying to change things. Don’t give up!”

There are so many new faces showing up at neighborhood council meetings and that’s a good sign. The next step is for these newly engaged activists to start running for neighborhood council seats or joining committees.

Take your stakeholder status to the next level and make a difference in your community. The more the town’s diversity is represented on the neighborhood councils, the better those councils can serve the entire community. The stronger the community, the stronger our voice is. And when the city is listening, there’s no need to secede.

But the question remains: are they listening? spt The Pat Brown Institute at Cal State L.A. works with the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE), the city agency that runs the neighborhood councils, to hold Civic University, a workshop created to educate citizens on how the L.A. city government works and how they can make it work for them. You can learn more about CivicU at the DONE website, www.empowerla.org.

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Valiant Volunteers Assistance League of San Pedro-South Bay celebrates 80 years of community service

by Roseanney Liu Did you know that the country’s only volunteer-based post office is right in our own backyard?

For 52 years, 1441 W. 8th Street in Weymouth Corners has served as a contract post office that also doubles as a gift shop serviced by a staff of friendly volunteers, who according to the Assistance League of San Pedro-South Bay that operates the storefront, log about 60,000 hours each year.

Once visitors get over the surprise that the post office and gift shop are run by League member volunteers, they return time and again to get the personalized and individual attention that sets this branch apart from others, according to the chapter’s marketing and communications chairperson, Joy Reed. “We are here because we want to be, and visitors really see that we enjoy what we do.”

But the volunteer-run post office isn’t the only thing that’s special about the San Pedro-South Bay chapter of the Assistance League. It also serves as the first chapter of this charitable organization that tends to the needs of children, families and seniors in the community. This year marks the 80th year of the organization’s anniversary in makings all kinds of positive difference.

Patterned after Mrs. Anne Banning and Mrs. Ada Laughlin’s Assistance League, which started in the 1910s, what started out as the Junior Welfare League of San Pedro with eight members from town later became the first chapter of the National Assistance League with its first philanthropic project called the Weaver’s Club, a craft class for visually impaired people.

Now in its 80th year, the chapter is over 500 members large. Weaver’s Club continues to thrive today, and among the chapter’s most notable philanthropic programs, members are most proud of their Francis J. Johnson Dental Center and Operation School Bell.

“At only $10 per visit, our dental center provides check-ups and orthodontia work to preschool through high school-aged children from low income families,” said Sharon Cole, president of the San Pedro-South Bay chapter. The accredited dental team logged nearly 2,000 patient visits last year.

With emphasis on helping children as well, Operation School Bell, which began in 1988, annually provides new backpacks with school supplies and new clothes and shoes to close to 1,500 students in kindergarten through 5th grade that demonstrate the need from local schools. Operation Hug gives a new teddy bear to a child going through medical trauma at local hospitals or a child rescued from abuse situations with the hope that the toy would bring a bit of calm.

When you support the Assistance League’s post office and gift shop as well as its many fundraisers, you are helping it support a number of programs that touch the hearts of many recipients.

Assistance League president Sharon Cole, with co-chairman, Marcia Hebert and Shirley Tyler at a recent fundraiser (photo: Richard Mendoza)

With four adult auxiliaries and one teen auxiliary for students 7th through 12th grade, the Assistance League covers many bases to help the needy families and seniors.

Take a look at its history: • May 19, 1936 – Assistance League of San Pedro-South Bay is official.

• 1939 – May 1943 – First Auxiliary created. The Spinsterettes (name changed in 1940 to the Junior Auxiliary) a group of high school girls in charge of the Barton Hill Summer Day Nursery Program. In 1964, they changed their name again to Las Primeras and remain so today.

• 1940 – The League office moved to 739 S. Pacific Avenue (the Non-Commissioned Officer’s Club).

• 1941 – Dental Clinic was created.

• 1946 – Moved to the Assistance League’s present address at Weymouth Corners.

• 1951 – Colleagues Auxiliary created with 12 members from the Junior Auxiliary.

• 1962 – Assisteens Auxiliary created.

• February 1964 – Post Office opened.

• 1967 – Spinnakers Auxiliary created, dissolved and changed to committee in May 2015.

30 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I MARCH 2016

• January 1988 – Operation School Bell begins.

• 1989 – Operation Hug created.

• 1995 – Las Profesionales Auxiliary created.

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Thinking about helping out the great causes with the League? Join its membership, or come to its fundraising events to help continue its philanthropic work.

On March 19, food and entertainment will be on hand at Some Enchanted Evening in the South Pacific at a private home (contact Maria Mistry (310) 378-2969). April will see Walk the Walk at the Port of Los Angeles. And on June 4, the highly anticipated Day at the Races at Hollywood Park will also be another great fundraiser complete with silent auction (contact Rita Evans (310) 373-3357). spt For more information on Assistance League of San Pedro-South Bay, visit www.sanpedrosouthbay.assistanceleague.org. Post Office hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m. 4:30 p.m.; Gift Shop hours: Mon-Fri 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sat 11 a.m. -3 p.m.

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San Pedrans, the Islander was the way they got to and from their jobs at the canneries, lumber yards or longshoring. When the construction of the Vincent Thomas Bridge was approved, it was with the understanding that the ferry would cease operation once the bridge was completed. On November 14, 1963, local dignitaries and a slew of news cameras boarded The Islander for its last ceremonial ride through the port. The Vincent Thomas Bridge opened at midnight on November 15. The decommissioned Islander eventually became a fishing barge and succumbed to a fire in the 1970s.

The special delivery of the life ring came from Martha’s cousin John Paul Mulligan in Pennsylvania who is a devout Buddhist and runs a transitional living community out of his home for Buddhists that are newly released from prison.

John Paul was raised in Wilmington and is, arguably, one of the most fascinating men to have come out of the Harbor Area. In the late 1960s, his work with the Pacific Maritime Association took him to Washington D.C. Once there, he joined the Nixon administration as an “Anti-Reagan Democrat” and became their point man for organizing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). But one day he delivered a briefcase

by Angela "Romee" Romero from Vice President Spiro Agnew to his boss at the Committee to Re-Elect the President (CREEP) and next thing you know, a lot of people in the Nixon administration were quickly seeking alternate employment.

Antiques Roadshow was a huge phenomenon in the late 1990s when it jumped the John Paul returned to San Pedro in 1972 and Johnny Royal quickly got him a job with pond and had Americans lining up en masse with their dusty heirlooms in hopes for a big the California Fisheries. payday. For me, it was always about the stories behind the objects.

So how did a life ring from a San Pedro ferry boat come to find itself on a Buddhist Because we’re a small town with tons of multi-generational families, a lot of San farmhouse near Gettysburg? John Paul answers that in an email to his cousin Martha: Pedro’s treasures are tucked away in shoeboxes and hiding out in garages. They might “I was head of the Tuna and California Fish Canners Association for 12 years… When I not be able to fetch much at auction, but these are all priceless artifacts of our collective was preparing to move the offices from Terminal Island to Washington D.C., I had to clean heritage as San Pedrans. My hope is that we can do a little digging together and come out an old storage space and pack up the office… and lo and behold, there was the life ring back here every so often for a little San Pedro Show & Tell. and photo of San Pedro and Palos Verdes from the Terminal Island side. I packed it up and With a project like this, it helps when you know people in the business. Not only did took it to Washington and hung it in my office. It actually became my "life ring" to home Martha and Joe McKinzie used to own an antique store in town, but also they’re both and the wonderful days of growing up around the Harbor. When I retired, I put the life heavy hitters in the Pedro history world. Joe, a past president of the historical society, ring away in the attic and to this day still have the old Harbor photo in my bedroom as a wrote a history book on San Pedro illustrated with his huge collection of local postcards reminder of home and the happy days I spent in the heydays of the tuna fishing industry. and Martha has San Pedro history in her blood, her family was the last to operate the When we visited last summer and I mentioned that I had one of the life rings to the old Los Point Fermin Lighthouse.

The McKinzie home itself could be an unofficial San Pedro museum. A couple of months Angeles Ferry, it became apparent to me that it was only fitting and proper to return this important artifact to its origin and place in history. I'm so happy it's now home again at ago I was invited over to view the unboxing of their latest acquisition – a life ring from last." spt The Islander.

The Islander was a double-decker ferryboat that carried people and cars between San If you have a San Pedro artifact with a special story or a mystery behind it, please Pedro and Terminal Island. It began operation on September 2, 1941, carrying passengers email romee@thatssopedro.com or call San Pedro Today at (424) 224-9063. back and forth across the main channel in just a few minutes per trip. For generations of

A Life Ring Comes Full Circle How did a life ring from the old Terminal Island ferry end up in Pennsylvania?

32 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I MARCH 2016

The Islander ferry; inset: Joe and Martha McKinzie with The Islander life ring.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Making Calories Count

by Lori Garrett

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I have to admit, Weight Watcher’s current campaign and partnership with Oprah Winfrey is rather brilliant. If there’s anyone who could breathe new life into the company (which has been facing a slump in the last several years), it would be Oprah. As we all know, Oprah’s stamp of approval has helped catapult the successes of everything from books to various products to the careers of lifestyle experts. If that weren’t enough, Oprah also has that one special characteristic that makes her undeniably relatable to the average person: despite her fame, fortune, and wild success, she still painfully struggles with her weight. This makes her our kindred spirit — our diet soul mate — and we tell ourselves, “If Oprah can do this, so can we. In fact, we get to do this with Oprah.” And that’s exactly how Weight Watchers wants us to feel.

Sure enough, when this partnership was announced in October, Weight Watcher’s stocks soared. And then came the commercial (launched in January) which created yet another surge, in which Oprah declared that she gets to eat bread every day and yet, still manages to lose weight. Say what? Bread?! The words were music to our ears. Bread is not exactly a popular food in the weight loss world these days (and sometimes for good reason), so if someone tells us we can eat bread and still lose weight, why wouldn’t we?

I’m telling you, brilliant campaign. But much like weight loss diets themselves, the success was only temporary, as stocks began to drop just weeks after. It draws attention to the fact that the weight loss market has changed since the heyday of Weight Watcher’s peak, with the introduction of technology including diet and fitness apps (as opposed to Weight Watcher’s old fashioned business model), and perhaps even more importantly, the theory that the average person is becoming more savvy on the subject of health.

The truth is, people are becoming more educated and growing wiser, and understanding that there’s a lot more to becoming healthy than counting calories and shedding a few pounds. Of course, getting down to a healthy weight can be an important part of being healthy, but it is not the whole story. And I’m not necessarily knocking the way that Weight Watchers does it (by counting points, that is), but it’s also important to acknowledge that there is more to health than the numbers on a scale.

Instead of simply counting calories (or points), achieving good health requires understanding what we’re eating and where it comes from. The increased use of synthetic herbicides and pesticides on crops, along with the additives, artificial colors, added sugar, refined oils, and refined salt found in many of our foods have been shown to have detrimental effects on our health. So it becomes critical to not only monitor the amount of food we’re consuming, but to be aware of how that food was sourced and/or processed.

If you are able to tolerate bread, for example, choosing a product with organically raised wheat and the least amount of additives is just as important as how much of it you eat.

Food awareness can be as simple as choosing pasture-raised animal proteins over factory-farmed meats and dairy, organic vegetables and fruits over conventional (especially for the more heavily-sprayed crops), and avoiding highly refined oils and processed foods (of course, all of this in conjunction with exercise and a properly balanced diet of nutrient dense proteins, healthy fats, and lots of fresh vegetables).

If counting calories (or points) is a formula that works for you, then by all means, go with it. But that doesn’t mean we should lose sight of obtaining optimal nutrition concurrently. Rather than getting sucked into the latest weight loss fad (which usually means gaining it back eventually anyway), we should seek out foods that will nourish our bodies, prevent illness, make us feel good, and as a by-product, promote healthy weight.

In other words, instead of counting our calories, let’s make our calories count. spt This information is not meant to replace the advice of your medical doctor or professional health care practitioner. Please consult a functional medical doctor and/or qualified nutritionist for more information. You can follow Lori Garrett on her healthy lifestyle blog: www.adventuresofasickchick.com.

HEALTH & FITNESS

What is CrossFit & Should I Do It?

by Ricky Magana Last month, our gym celebrated the birthdays of two of our members, Paula and Ginny. They both turn 70 this year. Ginny and Paula have trained with us for more than three years and are one of many CrossFitters we have over the age of 50. They train among former professional and collegiate athletes, moms, dads, teens, middle-aged men and women, twenty-somethings, and everything in between. When I really think about it, it’s hard to nail down what a “typical CrossFitter” looks like.

This brings to mind a question I know a lot of people ponder:

For some sample workouts to help you get better, email ricky@heydaytraining.com.

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These fares do not apply to singles or third/fourth-berth passengers. This offer is capacity controlled and may not be combinable with any other public, group or past passenger discount, including onboard credits. Offer is not transferable and is available to residents of the 50 United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the District of Columbia who are 21 years of age or older and receive this offer. Fares quoted in U.S. dollars. Please refer to the applicable Princess Cruises brochure or princess.com for terms, conditions and definitions that apply to all bookings. This promotional piece is created and distributed by an independent travel agency, not by Princess. ©2014 Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. Ships of Bermudan and British registry.

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Should I do CrossFit? So let’s begin by addressing the widely accepted (but inaccurate) perception of what it is (and isn’t). By most people’s definition, CrossFit is circuit-style training done with a lot of reps of movements like push-ups and pull-ups mixed with barbell exercises like power cleans or deadlifts. Implied in that characterization is that speed and intensity takes precedence over form and technique. Although this can definitely be true with many CrossFit trainers, I’ve been in the gym for 13 years and bad form existed long before CrossFit came along. So did injuries.

A good CrossFit program will encompass far more than circuit training and the issue of danger is more a function of the coaching than the discipline. Terrible instruction can get you hurt regardless of whether it’s Zumba, Bodybuilding, or CrossFit. A more accurate description would be: CrossFit is a strength and conditioning program that combines gymnastics, bodyweight movements, powerlifting, Olympic lifting, and medium to shortrange sprints.

Workouts are arranged in many different combinations and whether it’s effective is largely dependant on the coach’s ability to craft an effective program. If bodies are changing and people rave about it, it’s probably a good program. Ask yourself the following questions to help you determine if CrossFit may be a good fit: Do you struggle to workout on your own? The reason CrossFit has exploded in popularity is that it has incorporated a social aspect into exercise that wasn’t really present before. Most people go to the gym with headphones and hardly talk to anyone.

In CrossFit, you become part of a tribe. The people you workout with will become your friends and will call you if you slack off. If you’re a solitary person who prefers to exercise alone, you may not enjoy the social aspect.

Do you like high-intensity exercise? Some people love a workout that kicks their butt. They want to feel challenged. They want to push themselves to their limits to see what they’re made of. They want to be drenched in sweat. CrossFit is hard and it will leave you on your back. If this entices you, give it a go.

Are you bored in the typical gym setting? I’ve met some people who love to read on the elliptical or love to pump iron in the weight room. For others, the thought of being in a crowded gym or on a treadmill drives them nuts. I’ve found the I-get-bored-easily crowd tends to like CrossFit. Are you short on time or motivation? I know lots of men and women who are naturally motivated to workout and don’t require accountability to get them to the gym.

For many others, finding the time and energy to exercise is a struggle. CrossFit is a great fit for them because there isn’t any guesswork. You simply show up and know the workout is already made for you.

Do you enjoy learning new things and the thrill of getting better at them? If you don’t like feeling uncomfortable or shy away from things because you don’t want to look like a newbie then CrossFit isn’t a good fit. There is a lot to learn and try in CrossFit. This is frustrating for many people but the upside is that it completely eliminates the monotony because you’re constantly doing new things.

The bottom line is not whether CrossFit is going to be for you because you look a certain way or are of a certain demographic. It’ll be because it fits your personality and it's something that you enjoy. And regardless of whether it’s CrossFit or not, finding something that suits your personality and like doing is the key to getting the results you’re looking for. So get out there and try new things. spt

ON THE TOWN

On Saturday, January 9, 2016, before the opening night of Mary Poppins, Encore Entertainers honored the Los Angeles Fire Fighters who battled the blaze on 6th and Pacific and saved the Warner Grand Theatre from damage. Fire stations represented were stations 10, 15, 21, 33, 36, 66, 85, 101, and 112.

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(photo: courtesy Encore Entertainers)

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