APRIL 2020
CORONAVIRUS: 'SAFER AT HOME,' QUESTIONS & ANSWERS, BUSINESS/EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES, & MORE!
OUR COMMUNITY RESPONDS:
SAN PEDRO IN THE TIME OF CORONA March 17, 2020 - Milk shelves sit empty at the Vons grocery store on Gaffey Street.
Dr. Souzan Ardalan & Associates
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
Ready to Learn about Dental Implants? What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is surgically anchored into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in place. The benefit of using implants is that they don’t rely on neighboring teeth for support and they are permanent and stable. Implants look and feel like natural teeth.
What is an Implant Support Denture?
While a regular denture rests on the gums and are not stable, An implant-supported denture is a type of overdenture that is supported by and attached to implants by special attachments for better fit and retention. There are two types of implant-supported dentures: bar-retained and ballretained. In both cases, the denture will be made of an acrylic base that will look like gums. Porcelain or acrylic teeth that look like natural teeth are attached to the base. Both types of dentures need at least two implants for support.
Your dentist can help you . . .
Can anyone receive dental implants?
Talk with your dentist about whether you are an implant candidate. You must have the proper bone structure for the implant to stay in place. People who are unable to wear dentures may also be good candidates.
What can I expect during this procedure?
The dentist must perform surgery to anchor the “artificial root� into or on your jaw bone. The procedure is done in the dental office with local anesthesia. The gum is then secured over the implant, which will remain covered until it fuses with the bone. The dentist then uncovers the implant and attaches an extension, or post, to the implant. Finally, the dentist makes an artificial tooth, or crown, or dentures that attach to the implant post.
What is the cost of implants?
Dental implants for replacement of a single tooth are affordable and most dental and medical insurance policies cover portion of the cost. Your dentist can help you with this process.
Dr. Souzan Ardalan & Associates
Please call to make an appointment for a complimentary consultation
Located in WEYMOUTH CORNERS 1409 W. 8th St., San Pedro
We accept all PPO insurances
Dr. Ian Woo, Oral Maxillofacial surgeon, M.D.
310.832.5559
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
lue! a V 0 $98.0 ith able w ombin Not C old. h e s u r ho
020
rs. ,2 er offe April 30 any oth Expires
ne pe
Limit o
Not Combinable with any other offers. Limit one per household. Expires April 30, 2020
$98.00 Value! Not Combinable with any other offers. Limit one per household. Expires April 30, 2020
OFF ANY SERVICE!*
Not Combinable with any other offers. Limit one per household. Expires April 30, 2020
Maximize Your Life! Fuel Efficiency & Tire Life. Complete 2 Wheel Alignment
Complete 4 Wheel Alignment
15
%
*Up to $150 Discount. Not Combinable with any other offers. Limit one per household. Expires April 30, 2020
Beat the Heat!
5995 $7995 A/C SERVICE
$
*
*
*European Cars Extra. Not Combinable with any other offers. Limit one per household. Expires April 30, 2020
99
Reg. $152.23
Includes First 1lb. of R134a
System must not be leaking at time of service.
$98.00 Value!
4 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I APRIL 2020
Not Combinable with any other offers. Limit one per household. Expires April 30, 2020
Monday- Friday 7:30am - 8pm Sat. 7:30 - 4:30
This is temporary. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself. I’m writing this column on Sunday, March 22. Four days are going to pass between me finishing this and you being able to read it. If you’ve been paying attention to the news (and I assume most of you are), that’s a lifetime in this new coronavirus-infected reality. As I write this, there are currently 339,645 cases of the coronavirus worldwide, with more than 35,000 cases in the U.S. and 471 deaths. In L.A. County, 409 cases have been reported, which includes five deaths. Only one case has been reported in San Pedro so far, a number that has held for the past week, but I assume will change soon. I document these statistics here as a benchmark, because by the time you read this, these numbers will be much larger. Like many of you, I’m nervous about what lies ahead. There are still so many questions left to be answered and no time frame as to when those answers will come. As I sit here at home, adhering to the city’s “Safer at Home” emergency order, my head spins with concern. I’m concerned about our small business community, many of whom had to temporarily close up shop while the city tries to “stop the spread” and “flatten the curve.” Two phrases that will forever be chiseled into our lexicon. I’m concerned about our restaurant community that was forced to change business models overnight, converting to takeout and delivery only. I'm concerned about those who have been laid off due to business closures. I’m concerned about our teachers and students now dealing with an entirely new method of online education. I’m concerned about our local medical community and grocery store workers who have been working tirelessly to keep our community healthy and our pantries stocked. And I'm especially concerned about our large senior population. As you can imagine, this was not the April issue we had planned. What you’re reading was put together in three days. I ditched the original plans and switched to coronavirus coverage at the last minute. I thought about keeping the original content as sort of counterprogramming to the bombardment of stressful news coming out on a daily basis. But then I realized that it would be downright criminal if I didn’t use every available inch of this magazine to help educate and inform our community on this pandemic, especially when so many of our senior population – the most at-risk group to contract the virus – are not online but read this publication religiously. It’s times like these when I’m reminded that what we produce in these pages is still vitally important to our community.
Additionally, we need our local leaders to step up as beacons of trust during these uncertain times. I want to thank Councilman Joe Buscaino, Tim McOsker, and Anthony Pirozzi, Jr., for providing context, leadership, and inspiration in their columns this month. I also want to thank a few people who helped me get this issue out in record time. Our associate editor Lori Garrett and graphic artist Joseph Castañeda both put in late hours designing, editing, and researching the latest coronavirus information. Our sales staff, Patricia Roberts and Shana Ghekiere, helped steer the ship to make sure we had the revenue in place to produce this month’s issue. Angela Romero, our town’s resident historian, captured photos of how our town has responded and provided historical context in her article this month. I owe all of them a debt of gratitude. Finally, I want to thank our advertisers who stuck with us this month during this unprecedented time. Like I mentioned, our small business community is being hit hard by this pandemic. The businesses featured in this publication make it possible for us to deliver this magazine free of charge to your driveway and online every month. The magazine might be free, but it costs money to produce and distribute. Every single one of these small businesses that supports this publication deserves your patronage and thanks. If you’re a small business still in operation and you need assistance reaching out to our community, our publication is here to help. I’ve increased our home delivery to 23,000 copies (instead of our usual 20,000). There will also be 2,000 copies distributed to local take-out restaurants and grocery stores. Of course, the magazine will also be available online at sanpedrotoday.com. We’re still the only editorial publication delivered free to homes and businesses in our community every month. A week before the pandemic hit, I was at a business mixer in Redondo Beach. A woman saw my name tag, recognized where I was from, and said to me, “San Pedro only cares about San Pedro.” She did not mean it as a compliment, but I took it as such. If more communities cared about themselves the way this town does, this world would be a much better place. To my San Pedro community, please stay safe, stay healthy, stay at home as much as possible, and practice social distancing when out. Remember, this is temporary, but the road to recovery is going to be a rough one. If we all follow the rules together, we can get to the other side of this historic time much faster. Don’t forget that you’re not alone. We’re all in this together. Sending love and mercy to all of you near and far. spt Joshua Stecker is publisher/editorin-chief of San Pedro Today. Letters to the Editor can be emailed to contact@sanpedrotoday.com.
MANY NEW SAN PEDRO DESIGNS! CHECK OUT THE LATEST FROM HOODIES TO TANK TOPS & KIDS TOO!
5 OFF
$
on any purchase of $45 or more 329 W. 6th Street • San Pedro
Must present coupon at time of purchase. Excluding Uggs and sale items. Expires 4/30/20
10 OFF
$
$
on any purchase of $75 or more
on any purchase of $125 or more
329 W. 6th Street • San Pedro
Must present coupon at time of purchase. Excluding Uggs and sale items. Expires 4/30/20
15 OFF 329 W. 6th Street • San Pedro
Must present coupon at time of purchase. Excluding Uggs and sale items. Expires 4/30/20
M-F: 10am-7pm Sat: 10am-5:30pm Sun: 11am-4pm
329 W. 6th Street | San Pedro | (310) 832-9364 APRIL 2020 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 5
APRIL 2020
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ADVERTISING:
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Patricia Roberts (562) 964-8166 | patricia@sanpedrotoday.com
ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION
Shana Ghekiere (310) 753-5176 | shana@sanpedrotoday.com
Joshua J. Stecker Lori Garrett
Joseph A. Castañeda
AT-LARGE CONTRIBUTORS
General Inquiries: ads@sanpedrotoday.com
Joe Buscaino, Ricky Magana, Steve Marconi, Tim McOsker, Anthony Pirozzi, Angela Romero, Sophie Schoenfeld
EMPIRE22 MEDIA LLC OWNER/PUBLISHER
PHOTOGRAPHER
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 2009-2020, Empire22 Media LLC.
Angela Romero
CONTACT INFO:
Phone: (424) 224-9063 Email: contact@sanpedrotoday.com San Pedro Today P.O. Box 1168 San Pedro, CA 90733
VOLUME 12 | NUMBER 3
Joshua J. Stecker
ON THE COVER: March 17, 2020 - Milk shelves sit empty at the Vons grocery store on Gaffey Street. (photo: Angela Romero, San Pedro Heritage Museum)
6 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I APRIL 2020
BLINDS • DRAPES • SHUTTERS • SHADES Tell 3 Friends & Family We’ve Moved and Take an
310 833-5577
1931 N. Gaffey St., Unit C, San Pedro , CA 90731 EliteBlindShop.com
Extra 10% OFF* Your next order! (with coupon) *cannot be combined with other offers or special pricing.
APRIL 2020 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 7
VOICES
NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT by Joe Buscaino, L.A. City Councilman Our country is facing the biggest crisis since World War II. The number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases continues to exponentially rise, which is why we must continue to act as if lives depend upon it — because they do. Everyone should take extreme measures to limit their contact with others, especially our seniors, who are very vulnerable to this virus. As we’ve recently learned, four out of five people infected by COVID-19 were infected by people who did not know they had it. Use this standard: Everyone should act as if you have been infected. These are dire and scary times for everyone. But I want to reassure you that the city, state, and federal government continue to work on ways to alleviate the financial burdens this crisis has and will continue to cause. In the meantime, we must stay home, and if we have to go out, please stay six feet away from others. On Sunday, March 15, Governor Newsom advised that all seniors and those with pre-existing medical conditions should self-isolate. In light of this directive, the city is ramping up its services to our seniors. Grocery stores continue to be open and will be consistently restocked. And while all senior centers are closed, meal service continues. L.A. City Senior Centers are rapidly working to ensure that our seniors are able to
8 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I APRIL 2020
pick up more than one meal per day. The San Pedro Service Center is one of your local senior service centers located at 769 W. 3rd St. in San Pedro, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please call ahead before you visit at (310) 519-6091. Anderson Senior Center continues to give take-out meals every day at 11 a.m. Please knock on the door to be handed your meal. They are located at 828 S. Mesa St. and can be reached at (310) 548-7596. If you do not live in San Pedro, call (213) 482-7252 to find the nearest center to you and learn about the other programs available. The city is also taking bold action to move homeless people off the street to prevent the spread of coronavirus in encampments. I support Mayor Eric Garcetti’s plan to shelter 6,000 homeless people in the city within the next three weeks at 42 Recreation and Parks facilities. Our nation is at war. We are at war with a disease, and it’s going to change our way of life for a while. While many citizens are still wrapping their heads around the gravity of the situation, it is up to us to act urgently to create new systems for our new world. As coronavirus cases continue to rise, our healthcare infrastructure will quickly approach a complete and total breakdown. This is why I support engaging United States military assets to build temporary hospitals and expand our healthcare workforce. Our healthcare workers are our
soldiers in this war against a pandemic. May God bless all of them on the front lines. We are in a real state of emergency. Now is the time to act. Please look out for your neighbors and continue to social distance as much as possible. Here is some more important information:
tinue to do so from the city, state and federal government.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans are now being processed. The application link is now open for any California business wishing to apply for a disaster loan related to economic damage from the COVID-19 health crisis. Please • Everyone should sign up for Notify visit disasterloan.sba.gov/ela for more L.A. Emergency Alerts from the information. City of Los Angeles. Text your zip • Council District 15 economic developcode to 888777 to opt-in or sign-up ment consultant World-Bridge Cononline at: emergency.lacity.org/notisultants’ services are FREE for small fyla. businesses during these challenging • Follow @LAPublicHealth, @Maytimes and will be assisting with the orofLA, @ReadyLA, and processing of SBA loans. Visit their @LACounty on Twitter for the latwebsite to complete the contact subest updates or visit their websites. mission to schedule an appointment. • L.A. County Public Health continVisit worldbridgela.com. ues to provide daily updates on the • L.A. City has launched a Small Busicoronavirus. Their website is publiness Microloan Program with loan chealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavilimits of $5,000 to $20,000. Since cash rus/ or call 211 for more information. flow is critical at this unprecedented • Parents and caregivers should visit time, the program will offer relaxed lausd.net for the latest updates. They underwriting with no credit score are operating the following hotlines minimum, a generous allowance to for families: (213) 443-1300 and for meet debt service, and a 100% loan employees: (213) 241-2700. The hotto value ratio. The interest rate can line is open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday either be 0% for a term of six months through Saturday. Grab & Go Food to one year, or 3% to 5% for a term of Centers are open and will be staffed up to five years. Visit lamayor.org/ weekdays from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. loan for more information. San Pedro’s location is Dana Middle • You can reach my team via email School at 1501 S. Cabrillo Ave., San and our staff directory is available Pedro, CA 90731. here: la15th.com/team_buscaino. My Harbor office phone number is Small business resources and relief (310) 732-4515. spt are rapidly coming online and will con-
Whatever happened to...
Dr. Ja'nae Brown, PT, DPT, CFSC Dr. Nicole Palermo, PT, DPT, CFSC
@Telehealth Available!
O (310) 548-5984 M (424) 337-1980 www.physicaltherapysanpedro.com
SPECIALIZING IN Orthopedics
info@physicaltherapysanpedro.com 643 W 6th St. San Pedro, CA 90731
sPORTS MOVEMENT
ORIC PHOTOS
INJURY The Los Angeles Maritime Museum Presents
ENJOY OUR HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTIONS The Museum is temporarily closed, but you can enjoy our historic photograph collections online at: www.lamaritimemuseum.org/research
Joe DiCola? “I fell and ended up in the hospital. I knew I could not go home and be by myself when my wife had to leave during the day. With her nursing background, she had heard only great things about Harbor Terrace. We went together to visit Harbor Terrace and the first time I saw it, I said, ‘This is the place for me!’ “I have made so many enjoyable friends here. The food is good, and my friends and I spend long hours talking and laughing together in the dining room. In addition, the patient and kind staff offer assistance with showers, help me to dress in the morning, and they even wash my clothes! I am very pleased to be living here.” Joe DiCola Resident of Harbor Terrace
• A Full-Service Retirement Community • Independent Apartments • Assisted Living Services • Delicious Chef-Prepared Meals • Housekeeping & Linen Services • Daily Recreation & Social Programs
Or follow us on Facebook & Instagram @lammuseum. License # 198200855
435 W. 8TH ST., SAN PEDRO THE STAR OF SAN PEDRO
Visit lamaritimemuseum.org or call (310) 548-7618 for details!
www.HarborTerraceRetirement.com
(310) 547-0090
APRIL 2020 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 9
Telehealth Capable, So You Don’t Have to Leave Home! Getting the right device for your hearing is only part of the solution... the follow-up and ongoing care maintains your investment in better hearing. We offer solutions that are supported by Telehealth and Remote Programming, in case you don’t want to leave your home. CALL NOW TO EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE!
Now Accepting New Patients!
VOICES
SHAPING OUR FUTURE TOGETHER by Tim McOsker
1360 West 6th Street, Suite 243 West Building San Pedro • www.harborhearingpc.com
(424) 570-0117
TRAUMA SPECIALISTS • Abuse | Loss | PTSD • Anxiety | Depression • Addiction | Eating Disorders • Job or Relationship Problems • Child Behavior Problems • Autism Spectrum Disorders Artemis Tegan, LMFT (310) 809-2011, San Pedro artemiscenter.net
10 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I APRIL 2020
Vibrational Sound Therapy VST helps with reducing anxiety, stress & depression
Dona Colleen
Certified Hypnotherapist (310) 433-4640 healingoctaves.com Reiki Master
Every day brings new, dramatic reports on the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time of this writing, there are nearly 400 confirmed cases in Los Angeles County, and more than 330,000 cases worldwide. We are told to expect the numbers to grow exponentially as more testing occurs. By the time you read this, I expect it will have. The federal government has fasttracked legislation for both the medical crisis and for the economic downturn. State and local government agencies invoked emergency powers to close dinein restaurants, bars, sporting events, and large gatherings (now anything over 10 people). In Los Angeles, “Safer at Home” orders mean most of us are operating remotely, and non-essential government employees are assigned to work from home. In San Pedro, many businesses are temporarily closed; restaurants are limited to take-out only; cruise ships sit idle on docks; and streets are quiet. But that is only the view from the outside. A deeper look inside reveals a virtual and connected San Pedro that is vigorously active. Despite a few who panicked (not unreasonably) and emptied shelves of toilet paper and bottled water, the vast majority acted in the interest of the larger whole. We responded in helpful, generous ways: by researching and sharing information and best practices for combating the virus; checking in on neighbors; starting campaigns to support our local restaurants and businesses; adapting to working and schooling at home; faith groups worshiping online and reaching out to the vulnerable; our museums and institutions sharing curricula for remote classes; and we continue to innovate new ideas to keep moving forward. While physically distancing from one another, we remain virtually connected. We’ve been through crisis before. In each instance, we felt that the world had changed forever. In some ways it had – for instance, we will never forget the heroism and valor of the police and
firefighters who responded on 9/11. Once again, the world will change – we will come out of this remembering the selflessness of nurses, doctors, and medical providers, whose heroism will be on the front line in the weeks and months to come. Nor will we forget the sacrifices of grocery workers, service employees, airline personnel, and many more hard-working women and men who will be impacted. But when do we get back to “normal?” The answer is that recovery takes time. We don’t know the day, but history and our persistent resiliency tell us that that we will get back to normal. More importantly, what will we have learned about ourselves while getting back to normal? We will see that we are capable of great acts of kindness, selflessness, and can face any challenge together, as an engaged and active community. During the crisis, we must commit ourselves to the daily sacrifices that keep people safe and allow us to meet the challenge. But while we are in the midst of it, we need to also keep one eye on the future. What do we want our new normal to be? Do we want a healthcare system that is ready for the next pandemic? Social networks that combat the isolation of our most vulnerable: seniors, children, the sick, and the poor? An education system that adapts to the changing world and prepares our children for the future? A resilient local economy of good jobs that embraces the future of work? Sustainable, healthy, natural environments that benefit our lives and lives to come? The answer can be “yes” to each. If we can join together to “flatten the curve” and give scientists time to beat this virus, we can and will achieve all these and more. We’ll do it by putting the interests of our communities and future generations ahead of our own. We have done so in every generation and at every crisis point in our history and have shown ourselves to be ready and willing to do it again. We will shape our future together. spt Tim McOsker is the CEO of AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles.
29 Years of Commitment and Dedication Starts Here Un-chain Yourself for Outstanding Service THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY • FREE DELIVERY • SAME CO-PAY • PERSONAL SERVICE
We’re EXCITED to Share Our FREE Mobile App! Service DOWNLOAD NOW
https://www.peninsulapharmacy.com
We’re your Independent Community Pharmacy! • Reliable & Personal Service • Free Delivery • ILWU, Medicare Part D & all Major Insurances Accepted • Specialty Medications GIVE US A CALL! 1294 W. 6th Street, Suite 100 • San Pedro Across from Little Company of Mary Hospital
www.PeninsulaRx.com
310 833-3535 fax 310 833-9124
HOURS: MON-FRI» 9am-7pm SAT » 10am-4pm
APRIL 2020 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 11
VOICES
AT WAR WITH COVID-19 by Anthony Pirozzi, Jr. Over the past few months, the term “coronavirus” or COVID-19 has unfortunately become commonplace in our lives. We first learned about the virus when it occurred in China late last year, and from the onset, many did not take it seriously. Once the CDC announced the first case of the coronavirus in Washington State back in January, many in our country were still oblivious to what was at stake or what was to come for the rest of the country. In fact, some were more infatuated with the fact that flu killed more people in pure numbers than the coronavirus, so why worry? What many did not focus on were the percentage of deaths between the two. For example, 0.06% people die from the seasonal flu each year, whereas the coronavirus is currently killing 4.0% of those with the virus. The challenge with this virus is how exponentially fast it grows and the fact that our most vulnerable populations are at risk. For our elderly or for those that suffer from conditions such as asthma, COVID-19 is particularly dangerous and potentially fatal. This has been an especially traumatic time for the nation of Italy because of the older average age of its population. Italian hospitals became so overrun with patients that doctors were put in the tragic position of having to choose who gets treatment and who they must let die. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention learned from the experience in Italy that in order to contain the virus, it would have to institute strict social distancing and aggressively communicate preventative measures such as washing hands often, covering your mouth when coughing, not touching your mouth, nose or eyes, and avoiding close contact with sick individuals. I believe the defining moment in our nation came when the NBA was forced to suspend its season when an NBA player was diagnosed with the virus. This was immediately followed by every major professional sport and the 12 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I APRIL 2020
NCAA following suit. That is when a vast majority of people started to realize that this was no joke and that urgent measures needed to be taken. Soon after, schools started to close and almost every single person was forced to adjust their lifestyle. This has been especially a difficult time for business owners of restaurants, bars, gyms, and other establishments that have been forced to close all or some of their business in the interest of public safety. There comes a time in your life when the need for sacrificing for the common good should rise above the “me first” entitlement era that we current live in. That time is now. This is our new normal; this is our World War II, our new 9/11. Like the police and firefighters who ran into the Twin Towers during 9/11 while others were running out, today it’s our doctors and nurses on the front line. The hospital caregivers run toward the virus to help those in need, while we are asked to sit on the couch and wait it out. This is a time to pray, spend quiet time with family, and let go of past disputes with a loved one. It’s a time to teach our kids about sacrifice and not embolden their complaining. To inform them that they could carry the virus and infect the elderly. It is a time for us to make the extra effort to support local businesses and check in on an elderly neighbor or family member, while realizing that corporations may go bankrupt, hundreds of thousands of people may lose their jobs, and the stability of our economy is at stake. This is a time for real leadership, one that unites our community and our country. Leadership is about more action and less words. It’s about integrity, decision-making, empathy and compassion. It’s about listening, learning and follow through. This is our moment, this is our time, and this will be our legacy. We are all being called to come together, yes to kill COVID-19, but also to come together as one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. May God bless you all! spt Anthony Pirozzi, Jr. is a Los Angeles Harbor Commissioner. He can be reached at apirozzi@yahoo.com.
310.732.0036 LOCATED AT THE TERRACES
WE NOW OFFER
28901 S. Western Avenue, #103 Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 coast-physicaltherapy.com
Light Therapy with Cold Laser.
• Accelerates Healing: Light therapy increases blood flow. Energy from the light stimulates collagen, enzymes, DNA and RNA to facilitate healing. • Pain relief: Light therapy has an inhibitory effect on peripheral nerves to decrease pain. • Safe: Approved by FDA in 2002. This non-invasive treatment has no side effects. It can be used on sprains, strains, back pain, carpal tunnel, peripheral neuropathy, wounds, plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, and joint pain.
STOP PAIN BOOST IMMUNITY & ENERGY!
Longshoreman PPO Welcome!
Celebrating Our 10-year Anniversary! Thank You, San Pedro! Other specialties include: Anxiety • Neuropathy • Fibromyalgia • Rheumatoid Arthritis • CRPS • Depression • Acne • Chronic Sinusitis • Heart Burn • Hot Flashes • Chronic Fatigue • Plantar Fascia • Male Stamina • Parkinson’s Disease • Insomnia • Hepatitis • Lupus • Detox • Addiction • Any Infectious Disease Ko’s Wellness & Acupuncture
Dr. Kardovich & Team enjoying a day at the coast!
Braces for Children and Adults
Thai Massage
$20 for 30 min.
1931 N. Gaffey St., Ste. A - (310) 832-1424 Wed & Thurs gerlach-1007-DB-4c.qxd:gerlach-1007-DB-4c San Pedro (between Target & Home Depot)
Only Exp. 4/30/2010:15 AM 11/15/07
Pa
San Pedro • Torrance
cosmetic
surgery
Financing Plans Available
Breast Surgery • Body Conturing • Tummy Tuck • Eyelids • Face and Nose • Liposuction Laser Hair Removal • Brown Spot Removal Botox • Restylane • Juvéderm • Perlane
310.540.0144 APRIL 2020 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 13
VOICES
L.A. HARBOR'S STORMY HISTORY TOLD IN VIVID DETAIL by Steve Marconi Geraldine Knatz has done it again. Five years after giving us Terminal Island: Lost Communities of Los Angeles Harbor, co-authored with Naomi Hirahara, Knatz has returned to familiar territory with Port of Los Angeles: Conflict, Commerce, and the Fight for Control (Angel City Press., 320 pp., hardcover, $45). Like Terminal Island, Knatz’s new work must be considered the quintessential history of its eponymous title. I’m tempted to say this is her magnum opus, but I suspect the former executive director of the Port of Los Angelesturned professor-turned author is not done. Port of Los Angeles begins in the 1890s but ends in 1977, when Knatz
began a 37-year career centered on San Pedro Bay, and a lot has happened since then, including her eight years at the helm of L.A. Harbor. She stepped down in 2014 to begin a life in academia and writing. Readers of this book who think they know a lot about harbor history will find out right away they don’t know the half of it. Phineas Banning and Stephen M. White are given their rightful places as founding fathers of the harbor, but Knatz introduces us to T.E. Gibbon, who may have played a bigger role than either one in creating the harbor as we know it today. Knatz breaks down her history into three parts: The Rise of the Port of Los Angeles (1891-1913); The Port Navigates Dangerous Shoals (1914-1945); and Global Visions Under Grim Realties (1946-1977). Recently discovered papers have revealed Gibbon’s impor-
We Have 7 HDTVs to see all the games! Now with 6 beers on tap! Choose from Pizza • Appetizers Salads • Sandwiches Calzones • Pasta Dishes Dinner Entrees & Desserts
Gluten Free Pizza Crust is here!
FAST DELIVERY
310.732.5800 What A Deal!
Me Familia
Pick Up Special Large 1 Topping
with up to 2 Toppings 1 Dozen Wings & 2 Liter Soda
1199
$
Not valid with any other offer excludes gourmet toppings & extra cheese 310.732-5800 Limited time only.
Large Pizza
2999
$
Not valid with any other offer excludes gourmet toppings & extra cheese 310.732-5800 Limited time only.
14 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I APRIL 2020
Double Trouble 2 Large Pizzas with up to 2 Toppings each
2799
$
Not valid with any other offer excludes gourmet toppings & extra cheese 310.732-5800 Limited time only.
tance in L.A. history; probably more than anyone else, he was responsible for the consolidation of San Pedro with Los Angeles in 1908 after he helped create the “shoestring” pathway, now known as Harbor Gateway, that connected L.A. to the ocean. He won his political duel with state Sen. William Savage of San Pedro, who wanted to keep his town and harbor independent. The Gibbon-Savage battle was a harbinger of the port’s future. The blurb on the back of the book says it “reads like a script for another Chinatown,” and that’s just the impression you’ll have as Knatz describes the contentious relationship between Los Angeles and Long Beach harbors, the on-and-off again attempts at merger, the legacy of Vincent Thomas, and the scandalous `70s that culminated with the mysterious death of Harbor Commission President Pietro DiCarlo. Along the way, you’ll meet the big shakers and movers in port history like Amos Fries and the L.A. Times’ Otis Chandler, among many others. Replete with 200 maps and images, extensive footnotes and appendices, this book belongs in every San Pedro home. Knatz was to have discussed her book at Sunday’s meeting of the San Pedro Bay Historical Society, but it has been postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. A new date will be posted on the society’s website, sanpedrobayhistoricalsociety.com. FOOD FOR THOUGHT To borrow an old phrase, the ink wasn’t dry on my New Year’s column, in which I bemoaned the closing of so many local businesses in 2019, when two more joined the list. Amalfitano Bakery, the second incarnation of longtime San Pedro favorite Ramona’s on Pacific, closed its doors after only 10 years on Western Avenue. Anthony Amalfitano is retiring, and no one wants to pick up the rolling pin. The Grinder on Harbor Boulevard, another decades-long landmark, also closed. I soon heard from old friend Tony De Girolamo, who spent most of his career in the food industry, lamenting how things have changed. “I was thinking of the `80s,” Tony wrote, “when I sold my Bit of Italy to Domenick Sardisco (whose family now runs Domenick’s in Westmont Plaza). The very same thing
happened in those days. “It’s the family businesses that our kids were not interested to continue (Tony’s son owns an auto repair shop). Now you know that working 24/7 like we did is no longer a way of living. I did retire at 60 and enjoy my (retirement) years. Money is not everything in life. I did not let my pizza kill me, but many others I know did. Serving the community is fine, but greed will kill you or destroy you. “We went for pizza the other night. My brother is visiting me from New York. Three adults and two kids, a few pizzas, an antipasto. My brother paid about $125. For pizza?” That restaurant, which shall remain unnamed, makes a fine pie, like most of the other familyowned pizzerias in town, but, as Tony noted, at the cost of an arm and a leg (in contrast to chain offerings). And as if San Pedro doesn’t already have enough pizza, just as one restaurant closed on 6th and Gaffey, another one opened on the 2200 block of Pacific. A reliable study finds that 70 percent of restaurants that make it past the first year close their doors in the next three to five years. The good news is that 90 percent of restaurants that are still operating past the five-year mark will stay in business for a minimum of 10 years. The bad news is that up to 90 percent of independent establishments close during the first year, and the remaining restaurants will have an average fiveyear lifespan. None of those numbers, however, allow for the effects of a national emergency such as COVID-19. It’s too early to tell how long the closure of Los Angeles restaurants to seated dining will last, but no doubt many San Pedro eateries are suffering, and who knows how many employees have been laid off. Take-out is the new norm, so in an environment of “social distancing,” pizza makers may actually be thriving. But the impact on the local economy from a long-term shutdown could be devastating. I mean, how much pizza can you eat? spt Steve Marconi can be reached at spmarconi@yahoo.com.
APRIL 2020 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 15
OUR COMMUNITY RESPONDS:
SAN PEDRO IN THE TIME OF CORONA
by Joshua Stecker
March 17, 2020: The line outside Ralphs grocery store on Western Ave.
(photo: Angela Romero, San Pedro Heritage Museum)
enced anything like this before. “This is stupid,” one older lady quipped to me as we made eye contact in the soup aisle. Even though she was in the most at-risk group to suffer a severe illness from contracting the coronavirus – adults 65 and older – she wasn’t alone in her sentiment. Her blasé attitude was almost as contagious as the virus itself during those first few I realized things were different when days. We saw examples of that attitude I saw grocery shoppers wearing face everywhere. Utah Jazz basketball player masks and latex gloves. It wasn’t just one or two; there were Rudy Gobert jokingly touched reporters’ microphones at a news conference at least a dozen of them, all scattered shortly before testing positive for the inside Vons grocery store on 25th and Western on Sunday, March 15, two days virus on March 11, prompting the NBA to suspend the rest of its season. In local after the federal government declared social media groups, many people were the coronavirus pandemic a national initially skeptical about the seriousness emergency. of the pandemic, while others believed In San Pedro and Rancho Palos Verdes, there was a mad rush at grocery it warranted a much more serious response from both the public and federal stores all across town that weekend. government. Long lines were spotted outside all the No one wanted to believe this was neighborhood grocery stores. Bread, going to become the story of the water, dairy, and paper products were century, but then the NHL decided to the first to sell out, even though there suspend their season the day after the were no signs of a food shortage. NBA. Then concerts and special events Grocery stores just couldn’t keep up started being postponed or cancelled with the demand, as customers cleared the shelves before they had a chance to across the country. Then Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson announced that they restock. People were nervous, and the both had contracted the coronavirus initial panic was understandable. It’s safe to say that none of us have experi- while in Australia and were being quarEditor’s note: With news of the coronavirus pandemic being updated on a daily basis, some information in this story may be outdated by the time you read it. Please pay attention to local, state, and federal advisories on how to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
16 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I APRIL 2020
antined. By the end of that week, the United States was facing a full-fledged public health crisis, pushing President Donald Trump to declare a national emergency, on Friday, March 13, of all days. At that time, there were only 1,701 confirmed cases in the U.S. and 40 deaths. Nine days after the declaration, there were more than 35,000 reported cases in the U.S., including 471 deaths. And because there aren’t yet enough coronavirus tests to meet demand at press time, by the time you read this, those statistics will surely get worse.
perts, killed an estimated 50-100 million people worldwide. As the public began to digest the seriousness of the coronavirus, federal, state, and local officials rushed to figure out ways to protect Americans. While New York City continues to experience the brunt of infections (at press time, New York state has nearly half of all U.S. coronavirus cases at more than 15,000), L.A. officials were scrambling to figure out their next steps to “stop the spread.” On Monday, March 15, life as we knew it took a dramatic turn when L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti ordered all bars WORLD TURNS UPSIDE DOWN and nightclubs that did not serve food Around the world, countries were to temporarily close, and restaurants starting to take proactive measures to were ordered to stop dine-in service and protect their citizens. The U.S. Departswitch to take-out and delivery only. ment of State advised U.S. citizens Live performance venues, movie theto avoid all international travel. The aters, bowling alleys, and arcades were stock market suffered its worst week also temporarily closed. In San Pedro, in 11 years, dropping to its lowest level our restaurant community responded since December 2, 2016. Countries like swiftly. China, where the coronavirus report“Curbside pick-up!” and “Free edly originated, and Italy were suffering delivery!” messages were plastered tremendous loss of life, with the beloved all over the social media accounts of European country recording more than nearly every restaurant in town. San 6,000 deaths at press time, the most of Pedrans began to rally, ordering out and any country. There hasn’t been a panposting pictures of their meals to help demic this large and all-encompassing spread the word. Restaurants that didn’t since the 1918 Influenza Pandemic regularly sell to-go entrees had a harder (“Spanish flu”), which, according to ex- time shifting gears than those that did.
$5OFF!
A San Pedro Favorite Since 1999 !
Purchase of $25 or more! Exp. 4/30/20
Try Our Awesome New Menu Items. 7 Award Winning Beers On Tap, 13 Unique Guest Beers from Top U.S. Craft Breweries We love to help your fundraising! Contact James Brown - jbbeer@msn.com www.SanPedroBrewing.com 331 W. 6th Street, 90731 310 • 831 • 5663
Visit Our Brand New & Exciting Restaurant in the Heart of Little Italy! Corner of 6th & Centre!
222 R-1 W. 6th St. • (310) 547-0655 • Order Online: BuonosPizza.com
LOWER PRICES! NEW OWNERSHIP!
• Better Quality Ingredients! • New Menu Additions! • Renovated Dining Area!
($35 min. order)
ENTIRE ORDER! Exp. 4/30/20
726 S. PACIFIC AVE. (310) 832-9196 • JOLLYBURRITO.COM
APRIL 2020 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 17
CORONAVIRUS
EMPTY SHELVES: While restaurants like Lighthouse Deli and Cafe (left) were closing dine-in service, grocery stores like Vons on Gaffey Street (right) were having their shelves emptied. (photos: Angela Romero, San Pedro Heritage Museum)
The mandate forced many restaurants to completely change their business model overnight, laying off staff while stocking up on to-go supplies. To entice customers, some restaurants were offering special deals, like free dessert or half-off bottles of wine. California’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) even went so far as to ease its rules around alcohol, allowing restaurants to sell alcohol and cocktails for pick-up or delivery throughout the state (only with the purchase of food). Folks from Wellington Signs & Graphics produced signage for local restaurants to hang outside their storefronts to encourage take-out and curbside pick-up. Some restaurant owners, like Mona Sutton from the Omelette & Waffle Shop, Nima Karimi from Sebastian’s Mediterranean Cuisine, and John Bagakis from Big Nick’s Pizza posted videos online thanking the San Pedro community for their support. The Los Angeles Unified School District closed campuses on Monday, March 16, in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus, forcing teachers and parents to switch to online education. Grab & Go Food Centers were set up at schools all across the district, continuing to provide meals to all students who need them during the temporary school closure, which is scheduled to end May 1. San Pedro’s Grab & Go is currently at Dana Middle School (1501 S. Cabrillo
Ave.) weekdays from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., where each child can take home two nutritious meals. As the first week of the pandemic progressed, coronavirus cases around the world, especially in the United States, began to increase rapidly. On Tuesday, March 17, Los Angeles County reported 144 cases, with one in San Pedro. Three days later, the count more than doubled at 292 cases with two deaths, prompting Mayor Garcetti to issue a “Safer at Home” emergency order, calling on residents of the City of Los Angeles “to stay in their residences and limit all activities outside of their homes beyond what is absolutely necessary for essential tasks.” California Governor Gavin Newsom then issued a statewide “Stay at Home” order shortly after. As of press time, the “Safer at Home” emergency order is set to end on April 19, but it’s subject to extension. (See page 24 for “Safer at Home” details.) The “Safer at Home” order, prompting all nonessential businesses to temporarily close, effectively shut down the City’s economic engine. Life as we knew it was about to change even more dramatically. A NEW LEXICON By the end of first week of the pandemic, phrases like “social distancing” (keeping six feet away from individuals while outside the house), “flatten
ATTENTION LOCAL BUSINESSES If you're still in operation and would like to get the word out in San Pedro Today, we're here to help! Inquire about our current discounted ad specials now! To advertise, contact: (424) 224-9063 ads@sanpedrotoday.com 18 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I APRIL 2020
www.sanpedrotoday.com
the curve” (the idea of slowing a virus’ spread so that fewer people need to seek treatment at the same time), and “stop the spread” had become permanent fixtures in our vernacular. As the pandemic reached closer to home, San Pedro residents started to organize. Shannon Ross, a Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council board member, started a Facebook group called Pedro Updates and ResourcesCOVID-19, where residents are sharing news, information, and comments on how the pandemic is affecting us locally. Members started reporting which stores were stocked on what items. “Has anyone been to Costco the past couple of days? Have they had meat and produce?” asked one member of the group, with another responding, “Just went to Costco yesterday, they had meat, no chicken, and plenty of produce, pretty well stocked on everything else... no [toilet paper] tho [sic].” Unfortunately, even with the constant rise in cases in L.A. County and across the world, Mayor Garcetti’s “Safer at Home” measures were slow to catch on. On the first weekend of the emergency order, city officials were receiving reports of crowds at parks, beaches, and hiking trails, including popular local walking spots like Paseo del Mar, causing the mayor to announce on Sunday night, March 22, that he was shutting down parking at city beaches and closing sports recreation facilities in L.A. County during the pandemic. It was clear that while the “Safer at Home” orders were necessary, the weather was so nice most of the weekend that many people had the same idea to visit popular walking trails and beaches, creating large crowds that prohibited social distancing behavior. “This weekend we saw too many people packing beaches, trails and parks. So we are closing sports and recreation at @LACityParks and closing parking at city beaches,” Garcetti wrote in a Twitter post. “That doesn’t mean gather elsewhere. This is serious. Stay home and save lives.” WHAT’S NEXT? This brings us to today. As of press
time, the “Safer at Home” emergency order is still in effect; restaurants are still take-out and delivery only; gyms, movie theaters, and large gathering venues are still shut down; and all nonessential retail stores are closed. San Pedrans are (hopefully) staying at home as much as possible, following social distancing guidelines when outside, and wondering what the future holds. This pandemic could not have happened at a worse time for San Pedro. Prior to this crisis, the town was experiencing an incredible development boom, with numerous homes and mixed-use buildings in various stages of construction. Groundbreaking for the San Pedro Public Market was slated for this spring. First Thursdays, business mixers, live performances, prep sports, and many other events have vanished from the calendar. So many things are up in the air. For many, the future is one big question mark. But on the other hand, we’re seeing the San Pedro community come together in ways many have never seen before. Neighbors are connecting with neighbors. Families are enjoying quality time together at home. People are exploring new forms of creativity. We’re seeing an incredible outpouring of love for our small business owners, restaurants, healthcare community, and grocery store workers. People are lighting their Christmas lights and hanging American flags in front of their homes in a show of solidarity. Ironically, this pandemic has caused many of us to pause and take stock in what’s truly important in our lives. In the week following the “Safer at Home” order, I came across a quote from an unknown author that read, “The worst thing that can come out of this is that we don’t change.” I couldn’t agree more. The other side of this is on the horizon. This uncertainty, while tough to deal with now, is temporary. The road back to normalcy will be rough, but we’ll get there. There’s comfort in knowing that we’re all in this together. If there is a silver lining to any of this, it’s that we’re going to come out of this a stronger, more connected community. Of that, you can be certain. spt
WE DELIVER! Order online with Eat24
(424) 264-5322
1902 S. Pacific Ave. WESTCOASTPHILLYS.COM CURBSIDE PICKUP SERVICE!
subs wings burgers salads
&
more!
Check Out Our Tuesday Burger Special! Now Open Until 8pm Mon-Fri! 813 S. Gaffey St. • 310.548.5322 • 310.548.3828
Thank you for supporting us for 30 years!
WE HAVE MOVED!
Happy Easter!
We’d like to welcome you to our new location
Albertson’s Shopping Center
28152 Western Ave. (310) 547-4554 • www.taxcorestaurantpv.com Pick up - Deliveries - To Go
APRIL 2020 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 19
CORONAVIRUS
A TOWN SHUTS DOWN: Within 24 hours, many local businesses were forced to temporarily close by the statewide "Safer at Home" emergency order. (Clockwise l to r): Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, San Pedro Fish Market, Brouwerij West, Catalina Express, Heyday Elite Fitness, Harold's Place, Trinity Lutheran Church, and Marie Callender's. (photos: Angela Romero, San Pedro Heritage Museum)
20 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I APRIL 2020
APRIL 2020 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 21
CORONAVIRUS
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW compiled by SPT Staff
As the world works to fight the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the old saying is truer than ever: knowledge is power. It’s easy to be driven by fear and panic during a time like this, but if we are armed with accurate information, it is more than possible to protect ourselves, prevent further outbreaks, and “flatten the curve” while staying safe and healthy. With so much information (and misinformation) floating around about the virus, it’s more important than ever to obtain information from trusted sources. Here are some important facts to know about coronavirus. Let’s be empowered, not afraid. (Sources: World Health Organization (WHO), Center for Disease Control (CDC), and L.A. County Public Health.) What is a coronavirus? Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19.
How long can the virus live on surfaces? Up to three days, depending on the surface, according to a study funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. The study found that the coronavirus is “viable” up to 72 hours on stainless steel and plastic, four hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard, and three hours in aerosols. This makes it incredibly important to clean and disinfect surfaces in your home and workspaces.
What are the symptoms? Most common symptoms include fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some cases report aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms (asymptomatic) and don’t feel sick. About 80% of people recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who contracts the coronavirus becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems, or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.
How can you tell who’s infected and who’s not? You can’t. People can spread the virus without showing any symptoms (asymptomatic). That’s why it’s important for all of us to act as if we’re carrying the virus already and maintain the proper washing, sanitizing, and behavioral rules currently in place. Also, the coronavirus does not discriminate between age, race, or gender.
How does the virus spread? It primarily spreads between people through respiratory droplets, like coughs, sneezes, and spittle. You can also contract it through close personal contact with someone already infected or touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands. 22 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I APRIL 2020
How long can someone be contagious? According to the CDC, it varies. The CDC guidelines for when it is proper to release someone from isolation include meeting all of these requirements: “a.) The patient is free from fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, b.) The patient is no longer showing symptoms, including cough. c.) The patient has tested negative on at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected at least 24 hours apart.” Can you get corona virus through food? According to the CDC, there is no evidence of transmission of the coronavirus associated with food. spt
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF (& OTHERS)
1. Wash your hands using soap and water, washing for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer when soap isn’t available. Experts say this is the number one way to protect yourself.
2. Follow the “Safer at Home” emergency order. We’re under an official state and city emergency order to stay at home anyways, so unless it’s to do an “essential activity,” try and stay at home as much as possible. If you need to leave the house, follow social distancing rules and take other preventative precautions. And please, STAY HOME if you’re sick! 3. Cover coughs and sneezes. It’s simple etiquette. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow (not your hands!), making sure to throw away used tissues, and immediately wash your hands with soap and water after. 4. Clean and disinfect. With reports of the coronavirus living on surfaces for up to three days, it’s imperative to keep frequently touched surfaces clean. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. Just clean everything. 5. Stay calm and informed. Your mental health should be of utmost importance during this uneasy time. Stay informed but limit the amount of information you consume. Focus on things in your control and use this time to tap into your creativity. You’ll be amazed at what you can discover about yourself.
APRIL 2020 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 23
CORONAVIRUS
WHAT DOES 'SAFER AT HOME' MEAN? HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE “SAFER AT HOME” EMERGENCY ORDER ISSUED BY THE CITY OF L.A.
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti issues the 'Safer At Home' emergency order on March 19, 2020. (photo: lamayor.org)
On Thursday, March 19, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti issued a “Safer at Home” emergency order, which means all residents of the City of Los Angeles (yes, that includes San Pedro) need to stay inside their residences as much as possible and limit all movement outside of their homes beyond what is absolutely necessary. The order was issued to slow and stop the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the City of L.A. It will be in place until April 19, but is subject to extension. For San Pedro, this means residents should stay in their homes unless you are engaging in certain “essential activities” described below. On the occasions when you’re outside the house, “social distancing” (staying at least six feet away from others) is required.
HERE'S WHAT YOU
HERE'S WHAT YOU
• Go to the grocery/convenience store • Go to the pharmacy • Go to medical appointments (check with your doctor or provider first) • Go to a restaurant for take-out, delivery or drive-thru • Care or support a friend or family member • Take a walk, ride your bike, hike, jog and be in nature for exercise — just keep at least six feet between you and others (and don't crowd Paseo!) • Walk pets and visit the vet, if needed • Help someone to get necessary supplies
• Go to work unless you are providing "essential services" (defined on the next page) • Visit friends and family if there is no urgent need • Maintain less than six feet of distance from others when you go out • Visit loved ones in the hospital, nursing home, skilled nursing facility, or other residential care facility
CAN DO...
CAN'T DO...
YES, THIS IS MANDATORY According to the City of L.A., this is a “legally enforceable order.” People caught violating the order can be subject to fines or jail time.
Source: City of Los Angeles (corona-virus.la/faq) 24 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I APRIL 2020
CORONAVIRUS
WHAT ARE 'ESSENTIAL SERVICES' AND JOBS? Here's a partial list of what's defined as an "essential service" by the City of L.A. Businesses and organizations that fit this criteria are allowed to remain open, while "nonessential" businesses and retail are to remain closed. For the complete list, visit corona-virus.la/faq.
• City/County government services: police & fire stations, jails, courts, garbage/sanitation, public transportation, water, power, and gas utilities, airport and port operations. • Auto Services: Gas stations, auto supply, auto repair, bicycle repair shops, and related facilities. • Healthcare Operations: hospitals, clinics, dentists, pharmacies, medical labs, healthcare suppliers, home healthcare services providers, mental health providers, physical therapists, chiropractors, cannabis dispensaries. Healthcare operations do not include fitness and exercise gyms and similar facilities. • Veterinary care providers and pet supply stores. • Food Providers: restaurants offering take-out, delivery or drive-thru. No dine-in service. Grocery stores, water retailers, certified farmers’ markets, produce stands, convenience stores, food banks. • Organizations and businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services (including gang prevention and intervention, domestic violence and homeless services agencies). • Hardware and building supply stores and nurseries. • Service Providers: Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, custodial/janitorial workers, handyman services, funeral home workers and morticians, moving services, HVAC installers, carpenters, landscapers, gardeners, property managers, private security personnel and other service providers who
provide services to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation to properties and other essential activities. • Banks, credit unions, financial institutions and insurance companies. • Mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes. • Laundromats and laundry service. • Media: Newspapers, magazines, television, radio, podcasts and other media services. (This includes San Pedro Today.) • Educational institutions, including public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities -- for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions provided that social distancing of six feet per person is maintained to the greatest extent possible. • Individuals or businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, beverages, or goods directly to residences or businesses, including rail and trucking. • Transportation: Airlines, taxis, ride sharing services, and other private transportation services providing services necessary for essential activities. • Home-based care for disabled persons, seniors, adults, or children. Residential facilities and shelters for disabled persons, seniors, adults, and children. • Professional services, such as legal, payroll or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities. • Hotels, motels, shared rental units and similar facilities. spt
APRIL 2020 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 25
CORONAVIRUS
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
THERE ARE PLENTY OF WAYS TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY DURING THE PANDEMIC compiled by SPT Staff 1. STAY AT HOME – There’s a reason we’re under a “Safer at Home” order; it’s because this virus is incredibly contagious. The most effective way to combat the spread in our community is to limit your travels, heed the mandate by our city and state, practice social distancing (keeping at least six feet apart from others when out), and if you need to leave the house, make sure it’s for an “essential activity.” (See page 24.) 2. ORDER OUT – San Pedro’s restaurant community is being hit hard by the pandemic. Under the emergency order, restaurants can serve take-out or delivery orders only. Because of that, our restaurant community has rallied, many literally changing business models overnight, to meet the needs of the community, many offering price specials. To make it even more enticing, restaurants are now allowed to serve alcohol to-go (with food purchase). (And make sure to tip well!) 3. SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES – While restaurants are being hit hard, “nonessential” businesses like retail stores, gyms, and others have been ordered to temporarily close. This will no doubt affect San Pedro’s large small business community. Many are now relying on gift card purchases and online sales for any kind of revenue during this shutdown. If you have the means, reach out to your favorite mom-and-pop stores and let them know they have your support. Cash infusions now will help our small business owners weather this pandemic.
to seniors, anyone with a longterm disability or chronic illness, or someone recovering from hospitalization. Religious organizations and other local nonprofits will all need our help, as well.
or some coffee. Even a few kind words can go a long way.
5. STOP HOARDING – Even though the beginning days of the pandemic saw panic hit the grocery stores, we are not experiencing a food shortage. There is no need to hoard anything. Please take what you need and leave some for your neighbors. Remember, we’re all in this together.
9. HELP AT-RISK SENIORS – Older people are among the most vulnerable to complications from the coronavirus. San Pedro, with its large senior population, could face serious problems if our community experiences a rise in cases. If you know someone who is elderly and at home, consider checking in and
6. DONATE BLOOD – The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage due to an “unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak.” They’re asking healthy individuals to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood. To find the nearest open locations to donate, visit redcrossblood.org. 7. REACH OUT TO FAMILY & FRIENDS – Even though we’re not supposed to gather in large groups (defined as 10 or more), that doesn’t mean we can’t be social. Friends and families are already exploring new technologies for online group chats, using apps like Zoom and FaceTime for video calls. There’s also been an amazing burst of family creativity on social media. Use this time to really connect with loved ones. Also, now would be a great time to call an old friend you haven’t spoken to in a while.
8. SUPPORT ESSENTIAL WORKERS – While many people have 4. DON’T FORGET OUR NONeither been laid off or ordered not PROFITS – Just like retail, many to work, medical personnel, truck of our nonprofits are in limited or drivers, drive-thru workers, supernonoperation. This includes San market staffers, delivery drivers, Pedro favorites like Little Fish Thesocial workers, and other essential atre, San Pedro City Ballet, and the services are working overtime trying Assistance League San Pedro-South to keep our community operating. Bay (and their post office). Other Let’s make sure to let them know nonprofits have been called to duty, how appreciative we are for all their like San Pedro Meals on Wheels, hard work during these unsettling who will continue to deliver meals times. Ask if they could use a meal 26 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I APRIL 2020
Restaurants and coffee shops in San Pedro and RPV have been ordered to switch to delivery and take-out only. (photo: Angela Romero, San Pedro Heritage Museum)
asking if you can help shop and deliver groceries on their behalf, making sure to take the necessary precautions. If you have a loved one who lives in a facility, you probably will not be able to visit them in person, so make sure to call and stay connected. Our senior population is the heart and soul of San Pedro, and we should be doing everything in our power to protect them at all costs. spt
SP MEALS ON WHEELS SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
As San Pedro tries to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, San Pedro Meals on Wheels is continuing food delivery to anyone in need. The organization delivers to those who are unable to prepare a nutritious meal. This includes seniors, anyone with a long-term disability or chronic illness, or someone recovering from hospitalization. The organization functions through volunteers who help prepare the meals and deliver them. As social distancing increases, we are reaching out into the community to those who are ready, willing and able to help the community. Please consider becoming a volunteer. Volunteers help provide a sack lunch and a hot meal, mid-day, five days a week (except on major holidays), which are delivered for $7.50 per day. This amount doesn’t cover the full cost, which is made up by contributions from individuals and organizations. If you are interested in volunteering or would like to make a donation, please visit sanpedromealsonwheels. org, email sanpedromealsonwheels@gmail.com, or call (310) 832-7335.
CORONAVIRUS
COMMUNITY & BUSINESS RESOURCES HERE'S A LIST OF RESOURCES FOR THE COMMUNITY, BUSINESS OWNERS, EMPLOYEES & SENIORS CORONAVIRUS UPDATES Stay up-to-date on the coronavirus pandemic by visiting these trusted sources: L.A. County Department of Public Health – publichealth.lacounty.gov CA Dept. of Public Health – cdph.ca.gov Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – cdc.gov World Health Organization – who.int Via phone: L.A. County residents can also call 2-1-1
to be handed your meal. They are located at 828 S. Mesa St. and can be reached at (310) 548-7596. L.A. CITY RELAXED PARKING RULES L.A. has relaxed parking enforcement across the city as part of the emergency response to the coronavirus, putting a temporary halt to the issuance of several citations. The order took effect March 17, 2020 and includes the following: a.) relaxed enforcement of street sweeping restrictions in residential areas, b.) relaxed enforcement around closed schools, c.) moratorium on ticketing and towing for abandoned vehicles and oversize vehicle overnight parking fines, d.) freeze on parking fine increases for the next 60 days, e.) extended grace period for people dropping off or picking up groceries and goods, f.) immediate extension on all deadlines for payment due until June 1, 2020. The relaxed enforcement will be in place until March 31, 2020 and is subject to extension.
SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans (Federal) – Small business owners in California are currently eligible to apply for a low-interest loan due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). If your business needs a loan to cover “economic injury” related to this COVID-19 declared disaster, visit disasterloan. sba.gov/ela to apply. For available SBA resources, services, and recom- EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES mendations for businesses, visit San Pedrans who have experienced SBA.gov/coronavirus. employment difficulties because of the coronavirus pandemic can L.A. Small Business Microloan Pro- file claims for benefits through the gram (City) – L.A. City has launched state’s Employment Development a Small Business Microloan ProDepartment (EDD) website at gram with loan limits of $5,000 to edd.ca.gov. Applications can $20,000. Since cash flow is critical at be submitted online or over the this unprecedented time, the prophone: English (800) 300-5616, gram will offer relaxed underwriting Spanish (800) 326-8937. Check the with no credit score minimum, a website for the full list of informagenerous allowance to meet debt tion needed to file a claim. service, and a 100% loan to value ratio. The interest rate can either be If you can’t work because you’re 0% for a term of six months to one sick and your employer does not year, or 3% to 5% for a term of up to have a sick leave program, you five years. Visit lamayor.org/loan for can file a claim for state disability more info. benefits at edd.ca.gov/disability/ sdi_online.htm. LOCAL SENIOR RESOURCES San Pedro Service Center is one of If you can’t work because a sick San Pedro's top local senior service dependent needs care and your centers. Located at 769 W. 3rd St. in employer does not have a famSan Pedro, Mon – Fri from 8 a.m. to ily leave program, you can apply 5 p.m. Please call ahead before you for paid family leave through the visit at (310) 519-6091. EDD. The state’s paid family leave program only applies to recipients Anderson Senior Center hands taking care of someone who is ill — out take-out meals every day at not because schools or child care 11 a.m. Please knock on the door have temporarily shut down. spt
Retail stores like Ticktocker Thrift Shop have been forced to temporarily close during the coronavirus pandemic. (photo: Angela Romero, San Pedro Heritage Museum)
PARENTS & STUDENTS: GRAB & GO MEALS Los Angeles Unified, in partnership with the Red Cross, is providing nutritious meals to all students who need them during the temporary closure of schools. Sixty Grab & Go Food Centers are staffed weekdays from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Each child can take home two nutritious meals.
SAN PEDRO'S GRAB & GO FOOD CENTER Dana Middle School 1501 S. Cabrillo Ave San Pedro, CA 90731 Open Weekdays, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more info, visit achieve.lausd.net/resources.
WE SPECIALIZE IN
• Tax Preparation & Planning • Accounting and Bookkeeping • Audit Representation 310-519-8600 George A. Van Buren, EA, MBA
1536 W. 25th Street, Suite K | San Pedro vanburenandassociates.com APRIL 2020 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 27
Chelsey Jones
VOICES
s t y l i s t
BRING OUT YOUR BEAUTY
SELF-LOVE WHILE SELF-ISOLATING
Specializing in: • color • cut • blow dry • keratin treatments • extensions
by Sophie Schoenfeld, MFT
Find me at:
@ Cé
la
luna Salon, 1861 n. Gaffey St., Suite G & H (310) 528-8848
Check out my
000000 reviews on:
“
Teresa was so helpful and understanding during that stressful time. She is so professional, and knowledgeable in her field.
”
- M. Barsanti BUY SELL LEASE
ESTATE PROPERTIES
Teresa Volman #5 Miraleste Plaza, RPV 90275 310-935-5027 | teresavolman@gmail.com
28 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I APRIL 2020
perspective on our lives. It is also In the face of this unprecedented clinically proven to regulate stress global crisis that brings into focus all hormones and lower anxiety. things we take for granted, and all ways • Communal reading of fantasy in which we have lost touch with ournovels, poetry, short stories with selves and each other, here is a checklist comic relief and other entertaining of things we might want to remind literature can be extremely soothing, ourselves of and a little toolbox of ways especially for the young ones in our we can cope. families. It brings us together in an It is certain that a pandemic of this integral, primal way that entails a nature is disorienting, isolating and powerful sense of familiarity and safeanxiety-provoking, to say the least. ty. Since the dawn of days, humans However, it is also an opportunity to congregated to share stories together; look inward to reevaluate our priorities we gather around a fire to share, disand remind ourselves that we are all in tract and entertain ourselves. this together. In order to minimize your stress and a feeling of doom and gloom, • Play music and move your body. It releases endorphins which are here are some things you can do to help happy chemicals in your brain. Anxiyour day-to-day existence in the time of ety actually lowers our brain function a global quarantine: and prevents us from being able to utilize all of our cerebral resources. In • Limit your exposure to news and order to make sound decisions, it is social media. It’s one thing to stay important to manage stress. informed, but it’s quite another to have a running commentary of doom • Meditate. Deep breathing, concentration/focusing and relaxation techand gloom in the background. niques restore our hormone levels and • Make a list of daily tasks so you can nervous system functioning. UCLA’s stay productive. website offers free meditation and • Remember to make time for soaudio recordings (visit uclahealth.org/ cializing even if it’s via video confermarc/mindful-meditations), and you ence. Call friends and loved ones and can find guided meditations on apps make a point to discuss things beyond such as Headspace and Calm. COVID-19. • Yoga, stretching and other in• Connect with your family and home exercise routines are exchildren; play board games, puzzles, tremely important to keep your body charades, and cards. in good shape while in self-isolation. • Get creative. This is a perfect time Make a point to accelerate your heartfor art projects. If you feel scared, crebeat for at least 15 minutes a day. ate a visual, verbal, or audio represenThis is good for your lungs, heart, and tation of your emotional experience. It blood flow, which promotes healing, is a healthy way to process feelings. collagen production and cell regenera• Journal. We are experiencing a tion in your skin, as well as improves historic moment. It is a good time to blood pressure and heart function. document what is happening so we can remember and learn. Last but not least, please remem• Spend some time outdoors in nature. It’s good to air out the virus, ber, humanity is built on its ability to survive. We as a civilization have as well as get some vitamin D, fresh weathered worse situations with far less air, and physical exercise. resources. We have plenty of historical • Teach yourself something new: an instrument, a song, a language, or examples where isolation and hardship brought forward outstanding growth a craft. and transformation. Pain is a divine • Take care of those little houseopportunity for evolution and transcenhold projects now that you finally have the time: paint a wall, clean your dence. spt garage, fix that door handle. Sophie Schoenfeld, MFT is a local • Take a few minutes out of your day marriage and family therapist. For to make a mental list of things more info, visit sophiemft.com. you are grateful for. Gratitude helps ground us and gives us a better
24 Hours 7 Days Residential & Commercial Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Service
Serving the Community Since 1986 Family Owned and Operated
EPHENS STPLUMBING • HEATING AIR CONDITIONING
Free
Consultations for plumbing, heating & AC
$75
AC/Heating Tune-Up
Call Now For
10% Off
Your Next Service Call!
(310) 832-9009
Ex 4/30/20
Ex 4/30/20
616 W. 6th Street • San Pedro, CA 90731
APRIL 2020 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 29
HISTORY
such quick succession that a double funeral was possible. Generally, funerals weren’t allowed to take place inside of mortuaries or any building; services were only allowed at gravesite. Eventually, the number of deaths and new cases began to subside. By late November, things started to improve; by Angela Romero less people were sick, and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday made them restless to get back to some semblance of a normal life. The local theater operators When the World Health Organizawho had taken the biggest financial hit tion classified COVID-19 as a global were also eager to get back to busipandemic, it seemed much scarier to ness as usual. The Victoria Theatre had me than any of the more recent viral initially made light of the situation, threats like SARS or H1N1. There are a putting “Now Playing - Spanish Flu” lot of reasons why this all feels differon their marquee, but by November 21, ent and much bigger; seeing our local theater operators, in true San Pedro grocery stores as crowded and empty fashion, passed around a petition to get as those on TV is probably one of the the health authorities to lift the quaranmost unsettling. This got me wonderA newspaper ad during the 1918 Influenza Pandemic. (photo: courtesy San Pedro Heritage Museum) tine. Some even started booking events ing about the 1918 Influenza Pandemic in hopes that the public support would and how San Pedro fared through it pressure officials to lift the ban. F.O. tine, while the submarine base was still effort. Getting answers proved difficult all. What I found could be partially Adler of The Victoria even tried to get because some feared taking the illness described as “similar situation, different open. Right away, health officials knew home or worried about getting paid for an injunction, but their efforts were all century,” and the rest is a sobering look in vain. The health authorities replied to that the small San Pedro Hospital in the what was sure to be hard work. at the potential for loss of life here if old Clarence Hotel wouldn’t be enough After a month of limited quarantine, the restlessness in San Pedro by hiring things get really bad. soldiers and sailors returning from war to care for all of the sick. A group of the effects of the pandemic were eviOn September 25, 1918, the San Pelocal civic leaders held an emergency dent all over town. Businesses that were to help enforce social distancing redro Daily Pilot printed this small blurb quirements, some even getting arrested allowed to stay open were operating on page 2, “Spanish influenza is just the meeting to figure out a solution. The for not following the law. first idea was to erect a tent hospital with limited staff, an isolation hospital same old ‘flu’ that for years, at irreguThis extra enforcement was shorton the Dodson Ranch (Vista Del Oro). for the submarine base was opened on lar intervals has caused Americans to top of Warehouse One, and limited sup- lived, and the quarantine was lifted sneeze their heads off.” A week later, all Rudecinda Sepulveda de Dodson had plies were forcing people to get creative in early December. Theaters opened schools, churches and theaters would be granted the use of her property, but a by using coffee filters for masks. The flu December 2, kids went back to school shut down as part of a citywide limited severe nurse shortage kept them from December 3, and the isolation hospital going that route. The L.A. Board of had four out of five fishing boats laid quarantine. There weren’t any stories closed December 6 due to a lack of paEducation refused the use of San Pedro up with sick crews. Eventually some about a run on local markets because High School, so a temporary isolation fishermen were too afraid to go fishing tients. For all intents and purposes, the the nation was in the midst of World epidemic was over. Schools closed again in case they got sick far from shore. War I and already under strict rationing hospital with 25 beds was opened at the San Pedro Women’s Clubhouse at This led to a shortage of everyday types December 11 because cases started to orders. spike again, and home quarantines were of fish that locals relied on for Friday The war effort was partially responsi- 11th and Gaffey Streets. The hospital enforced, but a citywide quarantine was meals. Flu deaths began to rise within ble for the quick response in restricting was supplied and staffed by the local not ordered again. spt chapter of the Red Cross that had been a couple of weeks of quarantine, and local groups from convening because organized the previous year. The first it didn’t discriminate. Babies, children, keeping the flu out of the shipyards Angela Romero is the founder and course of action was to ask that every young people, the old, and even the was a major priority. All visitors were president of the San Pedro Heriavailable nurse, graduate nurse, person military under strict quarantine were banned from visiting shipyards, and tage Museum. For more info, visit with first aid knowledge, and those who all among the victims of the virus. The all public ship launches were canceled. Fort MacArthur and the Navy Training felt confident enough to care for others saddest stories were the multiple deaths sanpedroheritage.org. apply to the Red Cross to help in the in a single household, happening in Center were both under strict quaran-
PEDRO & PANDEMIC
PLANNING FOR PEACE OF MIND
Estate Plans • Probates • Wills • Living Trusts Power of Attorney • Real Estate
Kris Lusic Raymond D. Green
Wishing you a Blessed Easter Season! 30 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I APRIL 2020
310-699-4316
28901 S. Western Ave Suite #139, RPV Lusic5@sbcglobal.net
Attorney at Law 30 years of service in the San Pedro & South Bay area
815 S. Averill Ave., San Pedro, CA 90732
(310) 784-8867
www.raymondgreenlawoffice.com rgreen.atty@sbcglobal.net
“Free 30 Minute Consultation with Mr. Green”
BRE#00778233
STEFANI COUGHLIN
• San Pedro • PV • South Bay
THINKING OF SELLING OR B UY ING ? Call or Text ME Now for a Competitive Market Analysis of Your Property
SO
LD
!
1721 Pelican Ave., San Pedro, CA $860,000
SO
LD
2231 Baleria Dr., San Pedro, CA $1,250,000
SO
LD
!
1682 Morse Dr., San Pedro, CA $1,050,000
SO
!
LD
!
28701 Mt. Langley Ct., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
$1,085,000
BUY • SELL • LEASE • INVEST • Call or Text ME (310) 877-0073
www.stefcoughlin.kw.com
HEALTH & FITNESS
Happy Easter!
TOILET PAPER APOCALYPSE (OR HOW TO THRIVE IN CHAOS) by Ricky Magana
Serving Our Community for Over 40 Years! • Commercial & Residential Real Estate • For Sale By Owner (FSBO) Rosemarie “Bitsy” Lauro • Short Sales Owner/Escrow Officer • FHA & Conventional Refinance • Income/Investment Properties Independently Owned & Operated • Hard Money Loans 864 West 9th Street San Pedro, CA 90731 ∙ (310) 548-1263 www.ranchosp-escrow.com
32 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I APRIL 2020
If you’re reading this, the world still exists. In what ways it has changed I don’t know, but from where I sit in the middle of March while quarantined in my house, it looks pretty uncertain. Just a few days ago, the CDC classified the spread of COVID-19 as a pandemic, and the president declared a national emergency. We saw the closure of the theme parks, arenas, schools and universities, as well as the cancellation of all sporting events. Lines a mile long for groceries, empty aisles, and mass panic. In the span of a week, American life as we know it came to a screeching halt, and the thin guise of security we all take for granted was ripped away. And now here I am, staring into a very uncertain future. My gym was forced to close its doors, so I am hand tied without a means to perform my core service. As a small business owner, it’s very unsettling, and as a citizen even more so, as entire countries are put on lockdown. Amid all this madness, I’m seeing an abundance of reactions, a majority of which fall into two categories: either panic or apathy. The panicked people are buying up all the toilet paper, waiting in very crowded germ-filled grocery stores to do so, despite the repeated admonishment that food, water and TP are not in short supply. Conversely, there is the flippant behavior by the people who don’t take the warnings seriously and go about their daily lives without so much as a thought about the consequences other countries are begging us to heed. Never in my life have I experienced anything like this, the world changing by the hour. Each moment some new government mandate, both unprecedented and extreme. It’s all been very disorienting and spawned the urge to freeze up in fear and wait for the storm to pass. But we all know that is not the way to go. Living frozen in fear never is. Times like these remind me of a favorite quote, “In a year, the problem probably won’t exist, but your reputation of how you dealt with it will.” As you’re faced with difficulty, the questions will always arise: How do I want
to show up as I deal with this problem? When this is all over, who do I want to be? You can’t always choose what is happening around you. But you can choose how you respond. So, as we all weather the storm, I want to remind you (as I need to be reminded) of how to thrive in chaotic times (and keep making progress). Be prepared. There’s generally two kinds of misfortune we experience in our lives. The kind we can prevent and the kind we can’t, as in where we are today. We call these “black swans” – hard-to-predict rare events that can happen to anyone. We can’t time or control them. Market crashes, financial bubbles, terrorist attacks, and well, global pandemics. Although we can’t predict these events, we can limit the impact they will have on our lives by preparing. Cormac McCarthy said, “If trouble comes when you least expect it then maybe the thing to do is to always expect it.” Most of us are learning that the hard way right now, but better late than never. In times of crisis, you can either expand or retract. This time will reveal the true fabric of everyone around you, including yourself. Maybe this debacle took you by surprise and you weren’t exactly ready for it, and perhaps right now you’re downright vulnerable. Give yourself a few hours to scream into your pillow, but after that, pull on your big girl pants and start taking action. Many of us don't know what the next hour – let alone day – will bring, so be nimble, be strategic and move. You only need to know the next best step and trust the one after that will be revealed. Stay the course. There are things you can control and others you can’t. The temptation is to abandon everything when things drastically change. That’s what most will do. Instead, just understand the rules or the terrain may have changed, but the overall objective has not. If you really look, there are opportunities and advantages that this new obstacle is presenting to you, if you’re willing to keep marching forward. And lastly, share the toilet paper. spt Heyday Elite Fitness is currently offering home video workouts. Visit sanpedrofatloss.com for more info.
THE BACK PAGE
PRIORITIES(?): March 17, 2020 - Water shelves empty, wine shelves full at Vons grocery store on Gaffey Street. (photo: Angela Romero, San Pedro Heritage Museum)
Tired of sending YOUR copies of San Pedro Today to out of town relatives? Tired of having to drive into town to pick up a copy, only to find the magazine racks empty? Let us do the work for you by subscribing to San Pedro Today! For just $29.95 a year, you can have San Pedro Today delivered right to your mailbox every month. Cost includes 12 issues of San Pedro Today mailed in a flat envelope. You can also order online at sanpedrotoday.com! 34 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I APRIL 2020
202 0 ARY FEB RU
Don’t miss an issue, subscribe today!
PLUS : CLEA NING SP'S WA TERW AYS BY
KAYA K | ST ORIES FROM AN ww w.s
anp edr
MMCC VOLU NTEE R|
oto day .co m
AND MUCH MORE !
FIG FORHTTING LIVE HEIR S
IN TH E BUDG MIDST O F ET MARIN CRISIS, A MAJOR THE CENTE E MAMM AL CA SUPP R SEEKS RE TH ORT TO ST E PUBLIC AY O 'S PEN
Name _____________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip ______________________________________________________ Email _____________________________________________________________ Phone _____________________________________________________________
Send to: San Pedro Today P.O. Box 1168, San Pedro, CA 90733 Make checks/m.o. for $29.95 payable to San Pedro Today. This offer is for the Continental United States only. Sorry, no international orders.
APRIL 2020 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 35
Discover the only
PERMANENT SOLUTION
for repairing TOOTH LOSS
Giri Palani, DDS, FICOL Implant Dentistry Dr. Palani is a Fellow in the International
We Offer:
• Dental Implants & Teeth in ONE DAY • Complete Implant procedure done in one office from start to finish • Minimally Invasive Dental Implant Procedures • Computer Guided Implant Placement • Treatment Options to fit into any budget • Financing Available
Congress of Oral Implantoligists. He has been giving people back their smiles for over a decade.
TRUST AN EXPERT — CALL TODAY — (310) 464-1322
www.Teeth4LosAngeles.com
28358 S. Western Ave., RPV 90275 NEW PATIENT SPECIAL
$1200-$5500 OFF
Your Dental Implant Procedure
Not combinable with any other offer or discount. Exp. 4/30/20
NEW PATIENT SPECIAL
FREE
CT Scan
with an Implant Consultation
Not combinable with any other offer or discount. Exp. 4/30/20