SEPTEMER 2018
PLUS: CL TEACHER CELEBRATES 36-YEAR CAREER | BUDDY BENCHES | PREP FOOTBALL: 2018 PREVIEW
A FORMER MEMBER OF THE BEACH BOYS WHO’S PLAYED WITH EVERYONE FROM THE BAND TO THE ROLLING STONES, BRINGS HIS MUSICAL TALENT & VISUAL ART TO HIS NEW HOME OF SAN PEDRO
MARITIME DENTISTRY
Comprehensive Dental Care & Implant Center Backed by 25 years of experience WHEN YOU VISIT OUR DENTAL OFFICE IN WEYMOUTH CORNERS, YOU FEEL RIGHT AT HOME. Whether you require a cleaning, teeth whitening, invisible braces by Invisalign®, crowns, implants or any other General or Specialty dental procedure, our office will ensure that you are comfortable and have a pleasant experience. OLD-FASHIONED STYLE OF PATIENT CARE IS WHAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT!
Great Smiles Begin Here! Dr. Ardalan, D.D.S. Education: USC school of Dentistry Doctor of Dental Surgery Professional Association: American Dental Association, member California Dental Association, member Western Dental Society, member
ASSOCIATES Ian Woo, D.D.S., MD. Education: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Los Angeles County / University of Southern California Medical Center
Dr. Marvis Sorrel, D.M.D., M.D.S.
SERVICES & SPECIALTIES • General Cosmetic and Children’s Dentistry • Oral Surgery • Dental IMPLANTS • Permanent Implant Supported Dentures • Orthodontics (Traditional Braces & Invisalign) • Periodontics • Sleep Apnea
Located in Weymouth Corners 1411 W. 8th Street San Pedro, CA 90732
(310) 832-5559
Education: University of Pittsburgh, Master of Science in Dentistry, Doctor of Dental Medicine Advanced Education in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Orthognatic Surgery Externship / Invisalign Certification
Dr. Rebekah Coriaty Education: University of Pacific Professional Association: American Dental Association California Dental Association
Dr. Miles Madison Education: UCLA School of Dentistry Professional Association: American Academy of Periodontology California Society of Periodontists American Dental Association California Dental Association American Association for Dental Research
MARITIME DENTISTRY NEWSLETTER Comprehensive Dental Care & Implant Center
Midlife Tooth Loss Associated With Higher Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease, Research Suggests
M
edical News Today (3/23, Paddock) reported that preliminary research found “tooth loss in middle age is tied to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, independent of traditional risk factors such as high blood pressure, poor diet, and diabetes.” Study co-author Lu Qi, who is a professor of epidemiology at Tulane University, said, “Our findings suggest that middle-aged adults who have lost two or more teeth in [the] recent past could be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.” The study is not yet published but the abstract is available in the journal Circulation. “This pattern is concerning, given that
HPV Causing “Epidemic Of Oral Cancer” In Men
T
he Philadelphia Inquirer (3/6, McCullough) reports
that HPV is “unleashing an epidemic of oral cancer among men.” The article reports that “men are four times more likely than women to be diagnosed with oral cancer,” which has “overtaken cervical cancer as the most common HPV-related malignancy in the United States.” The article states that this trend is due in part to men’s immune response, explaining that “compared with women, men are more likely to get infected with HPV – including ‘high-risk’ cancercausing strains,” and “they also are less able to wipe out infection on their own, and more likely to get reinfected.” The authors of one study examining HPV in men, said, “HPV vaccination is the only reliable method to ensure immune protection against new HPV infections and subsequent disease in males.”
timely dental care is essential for good oral health, especially in individuals with diabetes.” - Dr. Huabin Luo, a researcher at East Carolina University
People With Diabetes Visit Dentist Less Often, Study Finds
I
n a news release on its website, New York University (4/2) states that a new study led by researchers at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing and East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine found “adults with diabetes are less likely to visit the dentist than people with prediabetes or without diabetes.” The study “showed an overall decline in dental visits among adults with and without diabetes, but people with diabetes were consistently the least likely to obtain oral healthcare.” The findings were published in The Journal of the American Dental Association.
MouthHealthy.org offers additional information on above topics.
This patient educational material is provided by Maritime Dentistry. Please call us at (310) 832-5559 if we may be of further assistance.
Regards, Dr. Ardalan and Associates
Located in Weymouth Corners • 1411 W. 8th St., San Pedro
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
19
$
San Pedro and end up on the cover of this magazine, I’d have asked how much you had to drink. But here we are. Listening to Chaplin talk about San I first met Blondie Pedro was a refreshing reprieve from the everyday noise and complaints we Chaplin in 2013, seem to hear on a daily basis. As I write when he was on in this month’s cover story, Chaplin tour with Brian came to San Pedro to escape what Wilson and Jeff Beck. My friend Leo he felt was the over gentrification of Manhattan Beach. The rising property Rossi, who was the tour manager, asked values and high rents have made it impossible for artists to thrive in many of me to join him for a few dates because the beach cities. San Pedro seems to be he knew how big of a fan I was of Wilson and The Beach Boys. Of course, the last bastion of hope for those pursuing their creativity while also trying to I immediately dropped everything for a week and tagged along for three west maintain a decent quality of life. Of course, there is the lingering fear coast gigs. It was a surreal experience watching that we’re on the same course as Manhattan Beach as the waterfront redevelhow a major music act tours the country. All the backstage drama, the laughs, opment reaches completion, but that’s a topic for another month. the camaraderie, the warm-ups and soundchecks, it was all on full display. IN OTHER NEWS… I was a fly on the wall in a world few people get to experience. To Rossi, this I’m proud to announce that San Pedro Today has partnered with volunteers was his everyday life. But to me, this from the Harbor Animal Care Center was akin to getting the Golden Ticket to promote pets available for adopto Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. tion. Each month, we will have a page I didn’t want to leave. (Brian Wilson featuring pets with descriptions and asked me to get him a Diet Coke and I photos. It’s just our way of doing what did. I can die happy.) we can to help bring awareness to our During that week, I got to spend overpopulated shelter. Please check some time with Chaplin. He was out the pets on page 38. We hope all of charming and eager to chat. He didn’t them find forever homes soon. spt shy away from anything, always opinionated but never disrespectful. After my time on the tour was over, I figured Joshua Stecker is publisher/editorin-chief of San Pedro Today. Letters that was it. to the Editor can be emailed to If you had told me that five years contact@sanpedrotoday.com. later Blondie Chaplin would move to
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Monday- Friday 7:30am - 8pm Sat. 7:30 - 4:30
dom flemons 9/22 |
8:00 pm
Flemons is a Grammy award winning singer, guitarist, banjo & bones player and co-founder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. This acclaimed Smithsonian Folkways artist brings to life a century of American folk ballads and tunes. Pre-concert Rhythm Bones Workshop, 4:00-5:00pm ($20 for workshop and a pair of your own Bones). facebook/grand.vision.foundation @GrandAnnex #GrandAnnex
434 W. 6th St. San Pedro|310.833.4813|GRANDANNEX.ORG
SAN PEDRO WATERFONT ARTS DISTRICT PRESENTS
GREGORIO LUKE
CUATRO@CABRILLO: ARTS ADVENTURES FOR THE CULTURALLY CURIOUS
CELEBRATING THE ARTS OF MEXICO
SUNDAY, SEPT 16, 3:30 - 6:30 PM Cabrillo Marine Aquarium 3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro, CA 90731
SanPedroWaterfrontArtsDistrict.com SEPTEMBER 2018 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 5
SEPTEMBER 2018
Contact us today to try your first class for FREE!
GET A KICK OUT OF
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ADVERTISING:
ASSOCIATE EDITOR/ SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Patricia Roberts (562) 964-8166 | patricia@sanpedrotoday.com
ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION
Shana Ghekiere (310) 753-5176 | shana@sanpedrotoday.com
AT-LARGE CONTRIBUTORS
EMPIRE22 MEDIA LLC OWNER/PUBLISHER
Joshua J. Stecker
! r e c c So
• Youth and Adult Futsal Leagues • Galaxy Juniors Classes • Adult Beginner Classes • Outdoor Adult Soccer Leagues
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6 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I SEPTEMBER 2018
Caitlyn Trudnich
Joseph A. Castañeda
Dr. Ja'nae Brown, Nathan Hoff, Mike Lansing, Ricky Magana, Steve Marconi, Jennifer Marquez, George Palaziol, Angela Romero, Jamaal K. Street, Julia Swanson, Jacob A. Ybarra
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 10 | NUMBER 8
General Inquiries: ads@sanpedrotoday.com
Joshua J. Stecker
San Pedro Today publishes the last Thursday of every month and is produced monthly by Empire22 Media LLC. No portion of this publication can be reproduced without written permission by Empire22 Media. 25,000 copies are delivered to San Pedro and portions of Rancho Palos Verdes. San Pedro Today is a product of Empire22 Media LLC. Empire22 Media LLC, their subsidiaries and affiliates are released from all liability that may involve the publication of San Pedro Today. Copyright 2009-2018, Empire22 Media LLC.
ON THE COVER: Blondie Chaplin, photographed in San Pedro (photo: John Mattera Photography)
OPEN LABOR DAY, 12-5 p.m.!
Los Angeles Maritime Museum Discover the History of the Harbor! Tuesday - Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Berth 84, San Pedro • (310) 548-7618 • www.lamaritimemuseum.org
WE’VE MOVED!
Since 1981.
Check out our new location!
28639 S. Western Ave. (In PV Plaza, near Carl’s Jr.)
PICTURE FRAMING & GALLERY Open Mon - Fri, 10a-6p Saturday, 10a-5p (310) 833-3613 distedge@ca.rr.com
The South Bay’s Best Framing Store! Specializing in the latest designs as well as shadow boxes & sports memorabilia framing.
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SEPTEMBER 2018 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 7
SEPTEMBER 10 (Mon) – VOLUNTEER DOCENT TRAINING at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (3720 Stephen M. White Dr.), 9a – 12:30p. Love marine life and want to share your enthusiasm with others? Become a docent and educate school-age children about SoCal’s marine environment. No prior knowledge required. Applications will be accepted through Now – 3 (Mon) – 2018 L.A. FLEET September 4. Training begins on the WEEK. (See page 10.) 10th and runs every Monday through 2 (Sun) – BREWS, BLUES & BBQ at the November 19. Registration is required. S.S. Lane Victory (3600 Miner St., Berth For more info, contact Volunteer Coordinator Floyd Anderson at (310) 54849), 3 – 7p. Join the historic S.S. Lane 7562 x229 or floyd.anderson@lacity.org. Victory for a sunny day at the pier! Sample unlimited tastings of dozens of 14 (Fri) – SAN PEDRO PIRATE craft brews and other libations; enjoy BOOSTERS CLUB 60TH ANNIVERlive music, food trucks, games, ship SARY DINNER at San Pedro Fish Martours, and more. For tickets and more ket (1190 Nagoya Way), 6p. Are you a info, visit thelanevictory.org. past president of the San Pedro Pirate Boosters Club? Contact them today! 6 (Thurs) – FIRST THURSDAY ARTWALK in Downtown San Pedro, 6 – 9p. This special event will be honoring past presidents with an evening celebratLive music, food trucks, art gallery displays, and food & drink specials from ing their legacy and impact to San Pedro High School Athletics. Tickets: local bars and restaurants. Experience Past presidents +1 guest, admission is the most anticipated monthly event in complimentary; $25/family and friends; San Pedro! $250/full table of 10. For more info, contact Leonard Miller at (310) 7018 (Sat) – 9 (Sun) – KALACHAKRA 9357, sppirateboostersclub@gmail.com, EMPOWERMENT at Croatian Amerior visit sanpedropirateboosters.com. can Hall of San Pedro (631 W. 9th St.), 9a – 5p. (See ad below.) 15 (Sat) – INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP DAY at Abalone Cove 8 (Sat) – THE AUXILARY OF THE Shoreline Park (5970 Palos Verdes Dr. LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR “MAKE IT A HABIT” GALA at Rolling S.), 9a. Free and open to the public. Bring sturdy closed toe shoes, sunHills Country Club (1 Chandler Ranch Rd.). Celebrating the 150th Anniversary screen, and water. For more info, call of the Little Sisters arrival in the United (310) 544-5375 or visit losserenos.org. States. For more info, call (310) 54816 (Sun) – CUATRO@CABRILLO: 0625, ext. 212. (See page 12.) ARTS ADVENTURES FOR THE CULTRUALLY CURIOUS at Cabrillo 9 (Sun) – PEDRO FAMOUS: SAN Marine Aquarium (3720 Stephen M. PEDRO IN POP CULTURE at Inner White Dr.), 3:30 – 6:30p. This four-part Harmony Yoga (579 W. 9th St.), 2p. series, launching on Mexico’s IndepenHistorian and San Pedro Today columdence Day, features a lecture about the nist, Angela “Romee” Romero, continart of Mexico by renowned arts scholar ues her "Sundays with Romee" local history talk series on the second Sunday Gregorio Luke, as well as the presentaof the month. This month's presentation tion of three films by Oscar-winning centers around San Pedro's relationship Mexican directors, including Gravity, (Alfonso Cuarón) Birdman (Alejandro with popular culture, whether on locaGonzalez Iñárritu), and The Shape of tion or homebred. Tickets $10, space is Water (Guillermo del Toro). For tickets limited. Call (310) 808-7800 to reserve. Every Wednesday – CREATIVE WRITING CLASS FOR KIDS at The Corner Store (1118 W. 37th St.), 4:30 – 5:45p. Taught by San Pedro Today columnist, Jennifer Marquez. $10 per class. For more info, email jennifertmarquez@yahoo.com.
and more info, visit cabrillomarineaquarium.org. 20 (Thurs) – 23 (Sun) – L.A. HARBOR BOAT SHOW at Cabrillo Way Marina (2845 Miner St., Berth 43), Thurs – Fri: Noon – 7p; Sat: 10a – 7p; Sun: 10a – 5p. Check out a large selection of new boats, as well as some of the finest brokerage vessels on the Pacific Coast, including trawlers, cruisers, sportfishers, sailboats, catamarans, motoryachts, dockage, tenders, paddleboards, financing, gear & accessories, engines, services and more. For more info, visit laharborboatshow.com. 22 (Sat) – 23 (Sun) – SAN PEDRO FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS in front of the Battleship USS Iowa (250 S. Harbor Blvd., Berths 88 & 89), Saturday: 11a – 5p; Sunday: 11a – 7p. In its twelfth year, this free, family event showcases San Pedro as a center for art and art appreciation, and features memorable dance performances, live music, crafts, visual arts, food trucks, and more. Check out their free previews: 6 (Thurs) at People’s Place (365 W. 6th St.), 7p; and 15 (Sat) at Alva’s Showroom (1417 W. 8th St.), 7p. For additional info, visit lachoreographersanddancers.org. 22 (Sat) – DOWNTOWN ART & ARCHITECTURE WALKING TOUR, 10a. Learn all about the public art and hidden architectural gems throughout Downtown San Pedro with historian and San Pedro Today columnist, Angela "Romee" Romero. Tickets are $15 and space is limited. A second tour will be offered Sunday, Sept. 30th. Call (310) 808-7800 to reserve. 23 (Sun) – BEER & WINE TASTING FUNDRAISER at the Pt. Fermin Lighthouse (807 Paseo Del Mar), 4:30 – 7p. The Point Fermin Lighthouse Society presents their primary fundraising event, which includes a variety of wines
and beers to sample along with delicious appetizers, music, and opportunity drawings. Tickets: $35 ($45 after 9/1). 21+. Space is limited. Reservations are required and may be made by mailing payment (include name, phone, email, number of guests) to: Pt. Fermin Lighthouse Society, 1975 Jaybrook Drive, RPV, CA 90275. 28 (Fri) – PIRATE ATHLETIC STADIUM NAMING DEDICATION at SPHS Pirate Stadium (1001 W. 15th St.), Approx. 7:45p at Halftime. Coach Mike Walsh will be honored as his name is added to the Pirate Stadium Landmark. All fans, past players, friends, and family are invited. Seating is limited. For more info, contact sppirateboostersclub@gmail.com. 29 (Sat) – FALL NATIVE PLANT SALE at Madrona Marsh Nature Center (3201 Plaza Del Amo), 9a – 2p. Join the South Coast California Native Plant Society for their Annual California Native Plant Sale. Thousands of native plants will be available for sale. Experts from the California Native Plant Society will be on hand to answer questions about these California native plants that do well in the South Bay. The event is free of charge. For more info, visit sccnps. org. 29 (Sat) – HAVANA NIGHTS at the Toberman Neighborhood Center (131 N. Grand Ave.), 6 – 10p. Toberman Neighborhood Center invites you to support the 4th Annual Fall Event, Havana Nights. The event will feature casino games, authentic Cuban Cuisine, salsa dancing, and silent and live auctions. Your generous support provides individuals and families with the necessary tools to achieve self-sufficiency. Tickets are $75. Visit toberman.ejoinme.org/ havananights or call (310) 832-1145 ext. 124 for more info.
Want to see your event here? Email events@sanpedrotoday.com to place a listing. Deadline for the October issue is Friday, September 14. Find more events at facebook.com/sanpedrotoday.
Kalachakra Empowerment
A Unique Opportunity to Connect with Shambhala!
September 8th & 9th 9 a.m. til 5 p.m.
Croatian American Club 631 W. 9th St., San Pedro CA 90731
Presented by a Realized Tibetan Lama: Khentrul Rinpoche from the Authentic Jonang Lineage
For more information, email chloe@rimekalachakra.org 8 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I SEPTEMBER 2018
BEACH BOYS & JACK RYAN LEAD HIGH PROFILE FLEET WEEK PORT OF LOS ANGELES WELCOMES BACK ONE OF THE BIGGEST EVENTS ON THE L.A. WATERFRONT
SEPT 20-23, 2018
by Caitlyn Trudnich
The Shortest Run to Catalina SERVICES & AMENITIES • 698 slips from 28’ to 130’ • Guest slips available • Ample courtesy parking • Water & electricity • Restrooms with showers • Ice machines & laundry • Pumpout — public and slip-in • 375 dry storage spaces up to 45’ with crane launching Ca
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10 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I SEPTEMBER 2018
Returning to San Pedro for its third consecutive Labor Day weekend, L.A. Fleet Week celebrates the men and women of the United States Sea Services and Armed Forces, as well as invites the public to participate in exciting events and entertainment happening daily during the extended Labor Day weekend. Presenting sponsor of this year’s L.A. Fleet Week is the Amazon Prime Video original series, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, starring John Krasinski, which makes it North American debut on Friday, August 31. The evening will feature a fireworks display over the Battleship USS Iowa at 10 p.m. On Saturday, September 1, the historic Warner Grand Theatre kicks off the first of three evenings of the Navy Film Festival, celebrating 100 years of the United States Navy in Hollywood. In addition to the premiere episode of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, the festival will screen iconic military-themed films, including Sands of Iwo Jima, Battle: Los Angeles, Hell Divers, Top Gun, Mister Roberts, and The Hunt for Red October. Films shown at 5 & 8:15 p.m. Admission is only $5 (cash only), and free for all active military, veterans, and children under three. Live music and entertainment will on hand all weekend long, with plenty of “Good Vibrations” happening Saturday evening at the Military Appreciation Concert, with a very special headliner – The Beach Boys! Led by Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, along with Jeffrey Foskett, Tim Bonhomme, John Cowsill, Keith Hubacher, Scott Totten and Christian Love, the legendary band will perform in front of the Battleship USS Iowa on the Delta Air Lines Main Stage, sponsored by the Annenberg Foundation. Actor, musician, and honorary Beach Boy, John Stamos, will also join the band and lend his talents. Concert begins at 5:30 p.m., and concludes with a laser show. A limited number of free tickets were previously released to the public, and those lucky enough to nab them will certainly have “Fun, Fun, Fun!” Grab a beer and toast to the weekend at the S.S. Lane Victory’s
Brews, Blues & BBQ event, on Sunday, 3 – 7 p.m. Admission ($50 + fees) gives you access to unlimited pours from a variety of local, craft breweries, food trucks, tours of the ship, and live entertainment. Start your Labor Day with a scenic run/walk along the historic Vincent Thomas Bridge, at the 10th Annual Conquer the Bridge, beginning Monday morning at 7 a.m., and followed by a Victory Breakfast. And speaking of working up an appetite, Galley Wars returns to L.A. Fleet Week on Sunday, beginning at 11:30 a.m.. Presented by Princess Cruises, this exciting culinary competition will showcase four teams of sea service chefs battling it out for who can create the most delicious dish. Galley Wars will be hosted by The Love Boat’s Jill Whelan and feature the return of Chef Robert Irvine as a judge of this tasty showdown. In addition to this jam-packed event lineup, all weekend long, L.A. Fleet Week will include free military ship tours aboard the visiting vessels, including U.S. Navy, Canadian Navy, and U.S. Coast Guard. Reservations can be made via the L.A. Fleet Week website. They’ll also be special exhibits, aerial demonstrations, Veteran services, STEM programs, vendors, and more. San Pedro Today would like to especially share our gratitude to the men and women of the United States Sea Services and Armed Forces. We welcome you to our port town and thank you for your service. spt For a full schedule of events, tickets, and additional info, visit lafleetweek.com.
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MAKE IT A HABIT
LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR CELEBRATES 150 YEARS OF GIVING IN AMERICA by Jacob A. Ybarra
It was a cold night in the winter of 1839, when Jeanne Jugan first opened her doors to a blind and paralyzed elderly woman who had nobody else to care for her. From that evening forth, St. Jeanne Jugan gave her life to God, as well as all of the elderly who were in need across the world. Subsequently, as the amount of people in need grew, many caring volunteers offered to join Jugan in her efforts, and eventually, the small group of woman grew into a religious community, thus becoming what we know today as the Little Sisters of the Poor. Since the organization’s humble beginnings, the Roman Catholic congregation has grown as the Little Sisters continue to work tirelessly
in order to ensure that the neediest elderly are, according to their mission statement, “welcomed as Christ, cared for as family and accompanied with dignity until God calls them to himself,” regardless of their race or religion. Today, the Little Sisters of the Poor continue to serve in over 30 countries across the world, including the United States. On September 13, 1868, seven Little Sisters arrived in Brooklyn, New York, and established the community’s first home in America, making this year their 150th anniversary in the United States. Since then, the Little Sisters presence in the U.S. has grown to 27 homes, making their way to the Los Angeles area on January 18, 1905, and
relocating within the community of San Pedro on August 7, 1979. While the Little Sisters assist and care for the elderly residing at the home, the Auxiliary of the Little Sisters of the Poor group works hard to support their cause, planning and organizing charitable events yearround. “The Auxiliary ladies are a group of volunteers who work together to help us raise money,” says Development Director, Dolores Kollmer. “They have been putting on a gala for 21 years.” This annual gala event is the highlight of the Auxiliary’s fundraising efforts. This year, the Auxiliary will be hosting their annual “Make It a Habit” Gala on Saturday, September 8, at the Rolling Hills Country Club. The evening will feature a cocktail hour and dinner, live music, and a live auction and raffle, with prizes including sports tickets ranging from the Lakers to the Dodgers, a New Orleans Trip, a chance to see Elton John during his farewell tour, and even an eight-day trip to Hawaii. All proceeds from the event will go towards the Little Sisters of the Poor Jeanne Jugan Residence in San Pedro. Additionally, in celebration of the Little Sister’s 150th anniversary, the Sisters will be presented with a delicious three-tier cake, that will promptly be sent back to the Jeanne Jugan Residence, where it will be shared with residents to enjoy. Two notable co-chairwomen of the Auxiliary who are organizing this exciting event are Carol Rugnetta and
Ida Mavar, who have been working with the organization and supporting the Little Sisters for years. “After I quit working, I wanted to give back to the community and that’s why I joined the Auxiliary,” explains Rugnetta. Through their efforts of charity and hard work, the Auxiliary has ensured that the Little Sisters receive enough donations in order to keep doing the Lord’s good work, as they continue to care for the elderly in a manner respectful of their dignity. “We have a lot of generous people who donate,” says former president Mavar. “We love to see the community come together to help out, and for that, we are really grateful.” The Little Sisters of the Poor continue to work diligently, putting the needs of others before their own, ensuring that those most in need are cared for, and promote an overall spirit of gratitude and sharing within both their home and the community. “We’re like a family here,” says Mother Marguerite, Mother Superior of the congregation, “We always encourage young people to visit our home and volunteer… and we’d like them to be aware of what we do, so that we can continue to serve.” spt The Little Sisters of the Poor Jeanne Jugan Residence is located at 2100 S. Western Ave. in San Pedro. For tickets and more info on the Make It A Habit Gala and Little Sisters of the Poor, visit their website at littlesistersofthepoorsanpedro.org.
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VOICES
WAR DEAD CONTINUE TO REMIND US OF WHAT WE’VE LOST by Steve Marconi Historians record it as “The Forgotten War,” but, if I may plagiarize myself from a 2006 column, the Korean Conflict (1950-53) is anything but forgotten by those who lost loved ones, including several San Pedro families. The American death toll in Korea was 33,741. About 7,700 of those are listed as missing in action. The United States military always has prided itself in bringing home its dead, but because of the nature of that war, some 5,300 of those missing who died north of the 38th parallel in what is now North Korea, were never accounted for. A grim reminder of that came earlier
this month, when 55 boxes of human remains, presumably those of Allied servicemen who died in North Korea, were turned over to the United States. Ten men from San Pedro were killed in action in the Korean War. Two remain MIA: Pivo Fallorina and Charles A. Falk, both of whom attended San Pedro High School and left school to join the service. By sheer coincidence, Roger Gonzales, a third San Pedran who was MIA, was reported accounted for in April, and his remains are being returned to his family. Gonzales, a S ‘48 graduate of San Pedro High School, was a private first class with the 7th Marines. He was 20 when he was killed in action in North Korea, during an attack by Communist Chinese at the bloody Battle
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of Chosin Reservoir on November 29, 1950. He was buried at the base of Fox Hill, and after the armistice in 1953, his remains were disinterred and sent to Hawaii, which at that time, were unidentified. Identification was finally confirmed after the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency obtained a DNA swab from one of his two surviving sisters (his parents and a brother and sister are deceased). After 68 years, Gonzales can be buried with full military honors. Fallorina was a corporal in the Army’s 15th Artillery Battalion when it was overrun by the Communist Chinese at Hoengsong, South Korea, on February 13, 1951. He was taken prisoner and died in captivity July 31, 1951. He was 20. Falk was a master sergeant in the Army’s 5th Regimental Combat Team. An Army veteran of World War II, he was awarded a posthumous Distinguished Service Cross for his actions near Kasan, North Korea, on November 28, 1950. He was seriously injured by enemy mortar fire while directing fire by his own mortar platoon, but refused to leave his position and subsequently his radio calls ceased. He was 23. Falk’s older brother George, a merchant mariner, was killed in World Ware II in the Port Chicago explosion. Seven other San Pedrans killed in action are buried in the States. Two, William Eugene Cottom and Victor E. Johnson, are interred at Green Hills Memorial Park. Robert Barajas is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno; Charles Schwartz is at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego; Floyd Shepard was buried at Green Hills, but since 2006, has been reinterred in Oklahoma; Robert Barajas and Edward Medina are both at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles. Three other San Pedro men, Alan McGlashan, Manuel J. Jimenez, and Joseph Komendek died during the Korean War of non-hostile causes. McGlashan is buried at Green Hills. Still another soldier, Edmond M. McDowell, remains unaccounted for. He was killed in action on November
21, 1951, eight years to the day his father died in World War II. McDowell’s mother lived in San Pedro, but Edmond’s connection remains unclear. So how much longer will these young San Pedro men, who died for their country, along with their 19 buddies from the Vietnam War and nearly two dozen from World War I, have to wait to get a memorial in their hometown? We’re redeveloping the entire waterfront, surely there’s a place somewhere we can honor our greatest heroes. Are you listening, David Arian, Anthony Pirozzi, Joe Buscaino, Janice Hahn? Speaking of Memorials Another San Pedro man who was a hero in his own way was honored earlier this month during an inurnment service just steps from the entrance to the historic St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at Green Hills Memorial Park. The Rev. Canon Arthur Bartlett, known familiarly as Father Art, died in 2011 at age 91. The plaque above his ashes reads: In memory of the Rev. Canon Arthur Bartlett and in appreciation and recognition of his years of devotion to the welfare of the communities of San Pedro, Wilmington, Harbor City. Father Art was a longtime member of the church in San Pedro, and this church of St. Peter’s became his inspiration to become an Episcopal priest and community leader. God chose Rev. Bartlett to help bring comfort and peace to the many souls he touched in his life. He was a tireless worker with a great understanding of community and possessed an allencompassing love for humanity. Father Art was the co-founder of Beacon House in San Pedro, an alcohol recovery center. “Always look for the good in people and ignore the bad.” -- Rev. Canon Arthur Bartlett A well-deserved tribute to one of San Pedro’s leading citizens. spt Steve Marconi can be reached at spmarconi@yahoo.com.
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DEAR SAN PEDRO NEIGHBOR by Jennifer Marquez
Dear San Pedro Neighbor, Thank you so much for all that you do for our town. I have seen you cleaning the park and sweeping the street on your own time with no pay. I want you to know how much I appreciate what you are doing. San Pedro has always gotten the short end of the stick in regards to city services, but lately, it seems like things are at an all-time low. There is so much trash in our parks and beaches and an increase in crime. It’s so frustrating because this is where we live. It is personal. Our kids are growing up here and for some, their grandparents raised families in San Pedro. This is not another story on the news, it is part of our identity and it hurts. It doesn’t matter if we’ve recently moved to San Pedro or come from a family that has lived here for generations. We are in this together because this is our town. It’s like we are a big dysfunctional family with no parents. Nobody is in charge, it seems. At times, it’s stressful and we turn on each other arguing about what we should do or not. It’s hard to figure out who is to blame. The disorganization of the city goes back decades, with leaders who do not control departments or budgets. If there were an organization chart of the city, it would look like a thousand crossed wires jumbled together. Nobody is in charge of anything or there is no money. We have heard all the excuses. If we complain loud enough, then somebody swoops in from the big city and puts a temporary Band-Aid on our problem as they head back to their office in Downtown Los Angeles. Los Angeles has a reactionary style of government. Residents contact the city and tell them what needs fixing or cleaning and pray it will happen. A more functional system would be the other way around. The city would
take care of issues without prompting like what they do in other towns. We have gotten so used to this backward way of living, some think this is normal now. For others, they have grown tired of trash blowing into the sea at Cabrillo Beach or Port property that has become a dumping ground, so they clean it themselves. They spend their weekends doing what the City of Los Angeles is not doing. The most powerful thing we can do is to work together. While we may not agree all the time like most families, coming together will make us more powerful. There is much work to do and debating between us only distracts from the issues that need attention. For example, the Harbor Area only has six police patrol cars on average covering Wilmington, San Pedro, Harbor City, and Harbor Gateway. We need more police on the street. Most of LAPD is behind desks, and one of the reasons why Cabrillo Beach and Royal Palms are polluted. LAPD is in charge of patrol at both beaches but nobody is enforcing the laws there. People trash the beaches at night and without patrol, we are left to clean it up. While beach and park clean-ups are helpful, we also need to hold the city accountable for providing these services. If not, we should get a refund on our taxes. I thank my fellow neighbors for landscaping hillsides in parks, patrolling our streets at night, protesting for more police, posting safety concerns online that lead to arrests, repainting tagged murals, and reporting issues to 311. You are all keeping our San Pedro spirit alive and your efforts are the inspiration we need to keep believing in this town. Sí, se puede. Yes, we can. Jennifer Marquez spt Jennifer Marquez can be reached at jennifertmarquez@yahoo.com or @iroamjen on Instagram.
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With school now starting in midAugust, our children have already been in the classroom for a few weeks and now is the time for students and parents to be sure we get off to a fast start and not have to play catch-up the rest of the year. I will discuss opportunities for additional help at the end of this column. But now, some random, and not so random, thoughts about our public education system past and present. Math is the Gatekeeper - It cannot be overstated. If you want to be a successful student and go on to a four-year university right out of high school, you must be able to at least get through Algebra II by the time you graduate. That journey starts with elementary school math. As a one-time math teacher, I remember too well how behind far too many students were in the basics by the time they arrived at my middle school classroom. Parents – whatever it takes, don’t let your child get behind. Find whatever assistance you can find or afford, and make sure your child gets ahead and stays ahead. It is a constant effort – don’t let up. “Readin’ & Writin’” are Underrated - Last month, this magazine highlighted the San Pedro Public Library. As a kid, each summer I attended the older, musty one that preceded our current library. I loved going there and searching through the rows and rows of books and taking stacks home to return and replace the following weeks. Kids need to read beyond their schoolbooks if they are to get a real education. Parents – exhibit the behavior you want for your children. Read in front of them and demand the same. Additionally, the ability to communicate effectively through the written word is a skill set far too many do not possess. Get your child some additional support developing their writing skills. It is not only something that will assist their education progression but will support them throughout their adult years and quite possibly increase their careers and quality of life. Speaking of Underrated… Good Teachers - A good teacher is worth his or her weight in gold, even though they will never be compensated that way. There are so many good teachers, and
too often they don’t get the recognition or support they deserve. I was lucky enough to have some great teachers in my life – from Sister Joan at Holy Trinity, to Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Santschi at San Pedro High School, to name a few. John Santschi, our Government teacher, was the one who impressed me the most, with his conservative attire and close-cropped haircut, teaching a bunch of us knuckleheads back in the early 70s. Mr. Santschi could connect with us all – whether surfer, gang member, ESL student, athlete, or class clown. He cared and could really connect and hold our attention, often looking over his glasses and saying, “Ohhh Mr. Lansing, that was a good try. But sadly, not the correct answer.” He made our democracy and government something to respect rather than something taken for granted. I would love to see him today on “current event Fridays,” when a student would bring in an article denoting the craziness in Washington and the White House. I can see him now, shaking his head, taking off his glasses and saying, “Ohhh, our Founding Fathers are rolling over in their graves!” Mr. Santschi was the best. I wish I could talk government and politics with him today. Where to Find Help - Additional academic help, of course, is available to those who can afford to pay for a private tutor. There are also many non-profits who provide basically free academic support with their afterschool programs, which can be easily researched online. At our three traditional Boys & Girls Clubs, we now have 38 fully dedicated education staff available daily to support the academic efforts of youth, starting with kindergarten through high school. This includes, daily homework assistance, tutorials focusing on math and literature, writing classes, and especially our most successful College Bound program, not to mention our STEM and comprehensive arts programming. Just because it is available does not mean it is being fully utilized. Parents, take advantage of what we and so many others have to offer in support of your child’s education. No excuses. The time is now to start the school year off strong. spt Mike Lansing is the Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor.
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SERVING SAN PEDRO by George Palaziol Until I became more involved with the community, I never knew the extent of how ordinary, everyday citizens, contribute to our town. Whether it’s rising early on a Saturday morning to clean a local beach, painting over graffiti on a mural without being asked, heading over to assist Packages for Patriots by packing boxes of treats and supplies to soldiers overseas, or offering sewing services with the women of Angel Gowns for recently deceased babies to help ease the pain of mourning parents during a tragic time in their lives, the satisfaction of improving one’s community coupled with making lifelong friendships is well worth it. Contrary to popular belief, San Pedro is filled with people that truly care about this community and work tirelessly to improve it. My goal with Serving San Pedro is to create awareness about opportunities in our community in which locals can participate in making a difference to better our proud city. It is our responsibility to push San Pedro forward in a positive manner. Our quality of life should not rest solely on the shoulders of our elected officials and civil servants. It’s time for the public to stop being reactive and become proactive. We all have the ability to do something great; it simply requires time, commitment, effort, and the desire to help the greater good. Spending a couple of hours to clean up a park after a holiday, or taking just a few minutes to address an issue by calling 311, we can all do our part to make this a cleaner, safer, and better community for all who live here.
It's frustrating driving down the streets of our beautiful seaside community and seeing so many issues that could easily be addressed if more people took a few minutes to report them. We cannot become complacent and accept mediocrity or blight as the status quo. In order to have a clean and safe community, the residents need to set higher standards. Our children and future generations are depending on us to set the example. Using 311, the City of Los Angeles’ city service number is a quick and easy way to become a more proactive member in our community. It’s been proven that communities that use 311 reduce 911 emergency calls. 311 not only provides general information about our city but its most powerful tool is that it provides a clean up service option. In a few moments, you can request bulky household items to be picked up for free, report illegally dumped furniture, and ask for graffiti removal. 311 is accessible by dialing 3-1-1, visiting myla311.lacity. org, or by downloading the MyLA311 app for our mobile devices. Requests are usually filled between two to seven days, and again, they are completely FREE. I am hopeful that this message will inspire others to be more proactive and get involved. If you have an improvement opportunity that requires volunteers, or a need for communal enhancement funding, please feel free to contact me at servingsanpedro@gmail.com. Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." Let’s all work together to keep San Pedro the amazing place that it is. spt George Palaziol is the founder of Serving San Pedro. He can he contacted at servingsanpedro@gmail.com.
Sailing On BLONDIE CHAPLIN, A FORMER MEMBER OF THE BEACH BOYS WHO’S PLAYED WITH EVERYONE FROM THE BAND TO THE ROLLING STONES, BRINGS HIS MUSICAL TALENT & VISUAL ART TO HIS NEW HOME OF SAN PEDRO by Joshua Stecker Blondie Chaplin (photo: John Mattera Photography)
Blondie Chaplin radiates rock ‘n’ roll. That’s the only way to describe him. From his unusual hairstyle, to his clothes, his attitude, the way he walks and the way he talks, everything about him is pure rock ‘n’ roll. And at 67, he still pulls it off in style. “Cheers, buddy!” he says to me as we meet in front of the San Pedro Brewing Company for an interview over beers and French fries. Chaplin, wearing sunglasses, tight jeans, and a designer jacket, has recently made his home here in San Pedro and is hoping to take advantage of the town’s eclectic mix of art and music. The guitarist, who is currently on tour with Brian Wilson, the musical genius behind The Beach Boys, seems to enjoy his new surroundings. “I love it here, man,” he says. “I walk the neighborhood, people say hi to me, it’s good.” We sit on the patio. Chaplin orders us a round of Guinness beers and fries. “Where do you want to start, young man?” he asks me as we wait for our beers, obviously unaware that my qualifications for a “young man” eroded about a decade ago. “Well, how did it all start for you?" I ask. And for the next two hours – and three rounds of beer – Chaplin launches into story after story about his life in rock ‘n’ roll, delivering it with his debonair South African ac-
cent that gives everything he says an added ounce of resonance. “It’s been a helluva ride,” he says. THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD Born and raised in Durban, KwaZuluNatal, South Africa, Terence William “Blondie” Chaplin joined one of Durban’s most popular bands, The Flames, in 1967 when he was just 16-years-old. That year, The Flames sailed to London to play some gigs, where The Beach Boys’ Al Jardine saw them perform in a London club. “We left Cape Town on the ship and went to Southampton, England. At that time, The Beach Boys were looking for acts to put on [their label] Brother Records,” recalls Chaplin between sips of stout. “So, they happened to be in London at the time when we were playing, and I think it was Al that saw us, and he called Carl [Wilson] to come down and see the band. That's how we got hooked up with The Beach Boys. Carl had a lot to do with us getting over to America, and then eventually recording that first Flames album at Brian Wilson’s house.” Carl Wilson would go on to produce The Flames’ self-titled American debut album in 1970 under their new name The Flame (in order to not be confused with James Brown's The Famous Flames). The album is widely regarded as the first quadraphonic album, and, to
22 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I SEPTEMBER 2018
this day, is the only non-Beach Boys album to be released by Brother Records. After The Flame disbanded, Chaplin and fellow Flame bandmate, drummer Ricky Fataar, joined The Beach Boys as official members in 1972. Chaplin would sing lead on a number of Beach Boys songs on two studio albums, Carl and the Passions – "So Tough" and Holland, which was an exceptional feat, considering the band rarely shared lead vocals outside of the original line-up. Holland features the Beach Boys song that would become Chaplin’s signature tune, “Sail On, Sailor,” a funky, R&B-fueled rock song that ended up being a hit for the band. Chaplin wasn’t the original lead singer, but, in a story that is signature Beach Boys, some good waves and a new surfboard cleared the way for Chaplin to step up to the lead mic. “Dennis [Wilson] tried it but didn’t finish because he had just got a new surfboard and wanted to go surfing that day,” remembers Chaplin. “Then Carl tried it, and he said he didn't have the right timbre, so he asked me to do it. So, both brothers tried it, and then I gave it a shot and that's what's on there. Pretty funny.” In an interview with Esquire in 2015, Brian Wilson commented on “Sail On, Sailor,” saying, “I remember writing 'Sail On, Sailor' with a guy named Ray Kennedy. I wrote the music and he wrote the lyrics. I can't remember
how we got Blondie Chaplin to do it, but we got him to sing and it's a great vocal. A great performance." After Chaplin left the group in 1973, he would release his first self-titled solo album in 1977. He would go on to play lead guitar on Rick Danko’s (of The Band) self-titled solo album, tour with the David Johansen group and helped produce Johansen’s third album, Here Comes the Night. In the 1980s and ‘90s, Chaplin toured with The Band for a time and played in a group with Danko and Paul Butterfield. In 1997, Chaplin got a call to record and hit the road with The Rolling Stones for their Bridges to Babylon album and world tour, where he played 97 shows spread across four continents, traveling the globe with arguably the world’s greatest rock band. “In rehearsals, we were running through 200 and some odd songs,” recalls Chaplin. “It was incredible. They don't do small shows, either. It's always these big stadium arena shows. They can afford to put it all out there.” He would continue to record and tour with the Stones on their A Bigger Bang and Forty Licks tours. Chaplin released two more solo albums and is the vocalist, songwriter, and lead guitar player with Skollie, a band formed with fellow South Africans Keith Lentin and Anton Fig. (con't pg. 24)
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(From top left) Chaplin (second from left) with The Beach Boys in 1972; playing with Keith Richards and The Rolling Stones in the late '90s; producing David Johansen's third solo album Here Comes the Night in the late '70s; performing with Brian Wilson and Al Jardine in Italy in August 2018; Chaplin's paintings of Brian Wilson (left) and Keith Richards (photos: courtesy Blondie Chaplin, YouTube)
RETURN TO FORM In 2013, Chaplin reunited with Brian Wilson and Al Jardine as a featured performer on a co-headlining tour with Jeff Beck. I was fortunate enough to tag along for a handful of west coast shows at the request of the tour manager, who just so happened to be San Pedro’s own Leo Rossi. It was the first time I would meet Chaplin in person, backstage after a gig in Las Vegas. Still amped up after the show, he greeted me with a gentlemanly, “Cheers, buddy,” asked how I liked the show, and was off to the tour bus. I tell this story to Chaplin. “I don’t remember that but I’m sure it was a lovely moment,” he laughs. Anyone who’s caught Brian Wilson on tour the past five years has borne witness to the talent of the man from Durban. During that 2013 tour, nearly everyone in Wilson’s band expressed to me their love of watching Chaplin take the stage in the middle of the set and belt his three-song suite of “Feel Flows,” “Wild Honey,” and “Sail On, Sailor.” Even in his late 60s, he can still strut like Chuck Berry, doing spins around Wilson and his white baby grand piano while burning through a five-minute guitar solo. He exudes more energy and physicality onstage than most performers half his age. “I’ve been blessed to work with a lot of great people in my life. Touring and working with Blondie has been amazing,” says Rossi, who’s been having fun teaching Chaplin all the things there are to learn about San Pedro. “Imagine a white canvas with colored raindrops hitting it, that’s what Blondie can do to a band and its music.” He continues, “I remember hearing an interview with Keith Richards and he said that the only person in the world that he couldn’t keep up with was Blondie Chaplin. Now that’s really saying something.”
FROM PICKS TO BRUSHES If idle hands are The Devil’s workshop, then Chaplin prefers to keep Beelzebub at bay. A self-proclaimed “compulsive busy body,” when not playing rock star, he finds peace and fulfillment by painting abstract portraits. “I've been doing it for a while. It just keeps the hands busy,” says Chaplin. “I hate when the tour is over and there's nothing going on. I'd rather be working a lot. But it gives me another reason to get away from music for a bit, not that I like to get away from music, but it’s just another thing to do. I have to do something with my hands.” His conceptual portraits, usually on canvas or linen, have inspired hints of Basquiat and Picasso, laced with a pinch of Pollock’s energy. The subjects range from famous friends like Brian Wilson and Keith Richards to a child from Durban. “I have a good ol' time painting. It takes me away from everything,” he says. When I tell him that San Pedro has a thriving downtown arts district full of galleries, he stops me midsentence. “I heard!” he says. “Maybe I should talk to a gallery owner and see if I can show my stuff. What do you think?” I agree, it would be cool to have a Blondie Chaplin art exhibit on a future First Thursday.
up here. And even if the sidewalks are a little bit funky, who cares?” He continues, “Where I'm from in Durban, it’s at the bay and then there’s a big port. San Pedro reminds me a MOVING IN After fifteen years in Manhattan Beach, lot of that. The cranes and all that Chaplin and his wife moved to San Pe- stuff. But that's not the only reason. I dro last year. Chaplin joins a town that just like the way it feels over here.” Chaplin has taken to San Pedro life quietly has its own rich, musical history, pretty easily. When home, he walks being the home of Mike Watt, Ambrosia, Chuck Alvarez, and R&B sensation his Vista Del Oro neighborhood every morning, admiring the foliage and Miguel. For Chaplin, San Pedro is a welcome relief from the “overly gentri- taking note of all the old-style craftsman homes that line so many of the fied” (his words) Manhattan Beach. town’s blocks. “We’re in a really lovely “I've had friends here. I've been craftsman home right now,” he says. here off and on,” he says. “I love the When Chaplin returns from tourtrees. It seems everywhere else people ing with Wilson this winter (they’re are cutting them down. It seems scheduled to play Thousand Oaks and like they're growing pretty good
24 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I SEPTEMBER 2018
Cerritos in December), he’s hoping to lineup some local gigs in Downtown San Pedro and the South Bay, as well as hoping to exhibit his art locally. “You know, I've been doing this since I was 12 or 13,” he says. “So, how can I stop?” spt Blondie Chaplin will be performing with Brian Wilson & Al Jardine in Thousand Oaks on Dec. 20 and in Cerritos on Dec. 21, 2018. For more info and tickets, visit brianwilson.com.
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BE TRUE TO YOUR SCHOOL CHRIST LUTHERAN’S GINNY MONDRAGON CELEBRATES AN INSPIRING TEACHING CAREER by Caitlyn Trudnich Ginny Mondragon, inset: In the third grade at Christ Lutheran (photos: John Mattera Photography, Ginny Mondragon)
Think back to when you were six years old. Did you know what you wanted to be when you grew up? For many, career goals and interests change over time. Not for Ginny Mondragon. Even at such a young age, she knew exactly what her calling was in life. “I remember vividly sitting in first grade at Christ Lutheran, and I said, ‘I’m gonna be a teacher,’” she recalls. “From that moment on, I never wanted to do anything else. That was the path I was going to go on.” That path has led Mondragon to a fulfilling and successful teaching career, with a majority spent shaping young minds and educating students at the very school she attended as a child. With the 2018-19 school year marking her thirty-sixth and final year of teaching, Mondragon has inspired – and continues to inspire – countless students, parents, and staff with her knowledge and dedication to education and faith. “We are blessed to have Ginny Mondragon in the teaching ministry of God’s children for over 35 years here at Christ Lutheran Church and School,” says Dennis Jacobson, principal and deacon. “She is a fine example to all, not only as a teacher, but of one who has served God and His people by teaching, giving guidance and counsel, while sharing her faith to all who have come across her path.” After receiving her B.A. from Concordia Teachers College in Nebraska, her California Credential from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and her M.A. from Concordia University, Irvine, Mondragon spent her first two years of teaching at Good Shepherd in Inglewood. She remembers her very first day in September of 1975, saying, “I was teaching third grade, and
I was scared,” she says honestly. “I had worked in classrooms and aided before, but I never had a classroom of my own. It’s all on you.” Those first-day jitters quickly subsided, as Mondragon became an exemplary in her field. In 1977, when a position opened up at her alma mater of Christ Lutheran, she quickly jumped at the opportunity and was hired immediately and taught first grade for three years before leaving to start a family. After working as a substitute teacher with the Los Angeles Unified School District, Mondragon made her triumphant return as fourth grade teacher at Christ Lutheran in 1988 and has remained there ever since. Mondragon’s close relationship and love of her school runs deep. In addition to being a former student, Christ Lutheran was also where she was married, both of her children were baptized, and both attended the school as well. “It’s a caring environment,” Mondragon describes. “Like a family.” “Ginny is such a positive educator who transforms lives and inspires young minds to believe they can, and will, change the world,” says close colleague and third grade teacher, Chris Ford. “Ginny not only inspires her students, but also the teachers she works with. Her long history with the school provides a solid foundation that is firmly rooted in the love and forgiveness of Christ.” Throughout the years, Mondragon has cultivated a unique approach to teaching that has greatly benefitted
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the lives of students and parents alike. “After all these years, I’ve realized that it’s the parents or guardians that play a major role. It’s how they value education.” She continues, “And I notice that the parents that work with their students, they excel.” Mondragon believes in communication with parents and is always willing to discuss their child’s progress and even help with difficult problem-solving homework, like the often-difficult fourth grade math. “I tell parents I don’t expect you to do the work, but I do expect you to look over their shoulder and help them. Let them learn from their mistakes.” Mondragon enjoys creating a welcoming space for students to learn, which often includes reading classic novels, as well as playing music in class. In addition, Mondragon’s classroom instills values that both combine the benefits of a religious education, as well as personal growth. “Being that it’s a Christian school, I just want them to be kind to one another,” she says. “To be accepting of others differences and be helpful.” A motto often used in the classroom: Watch what you say, and if it’s not kind, don’t say it at all. Another notable quality that sets Mondragon’s class apart is her passion for history. “I am a California history buff,” says Mondragon, who enjoys planning interesting field trips to nearby landmarks, including the Banning Museum in Wilmington, Rancho Los Cerritos in Long Beach, and Mission San Juan Capistrano, a personal favorite. She describes, “We take the Amtrak train, and encourage parents to attend
as well. We get to tour the grounds, eat lunch, and spend the whole day down there.” Mondragon says, “I’m not going to have you make a mission, I’m going to take you to one.” "Mrs. Mondragon comes to the classroom with years of experience that have really helped our school through the transitions of different teaching styles,” says Samantha Fulton, Admissions and Marketing Director. “[She] is an asset to Christ Lutheran Church and School and it's been a real pleasure for me to work and learn from her over the years." Creativity also plays a major role in Mondragon’s teaching style and overall philosophy. “I do believe in creating an assignment and letting students go for it,” she says. One example of a special project involved creating your own pinball machine. Students were given basic parameters but were encouraged to make their own designs and really let their personality shine. “It’s amazing to see what the students come up with,” says Mondragon. “There’s no right or wrong, its whatever they want to do.” In her many years of teaching, what, in turn, has she learned? Mondragon answers, “Many times, you get those students that really think outside the box. Their answers may not be what you expect, but they’re correct. It’s just a different way of thinking.” She continues, “Children teach you all the time, and you have to learn to take the time to listen. Everyone has their own story.” As one chapter of her own story closes, Mondragon looks forward to beginning a new one, with hopes to travel and explore more with her husband, Larry, and spend more time visiting with son, Steven (who also works in education), daughter Jennifer, and her grandchildren. spt
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THE MYSTERY OF THE FAMILY PORTRAIT AN ESTATE SALE PAINTING LEADS TO A FAMILY RECONNECTION story & photos by Angela Romero I didn’t choose the historian life; the historian life chose me. I used to feel hounded by San Pedro history, because it always seemed to find me. For example, on my first trip to the L.A. County Museum of Art, I noticed a ratty beach chair and wondered how it was worthy of being included in a LACMA exhibit. When I got close enough to see the label, I stopped cold. The ratty chair was designed by Richard Neutra for the Channel Heights Housing Project in San Pedro. See, it calls to me and I answer, every time. Now that I’ve fully and voluntarily accepted my fate as a steward of San Pedro history, I welcome these experiences. They’re like magic. I had one very interesting run in with an artifact this summer, and it not only affirmed my belief that I am doing exactly what I’m meant to, but I also scared myself at how good I am at my job. A couple of years ago, I got into the practice of going to local estate sales with the sole purpose of rescuing discarded San Pedro history. One Saturday, I noticed an estate sale sign and decided to drop in for a quick look. I usually make a couple of passes through a house before I’m done. When I got to the back den, I noticed a painting of a woman and two men in uniform. It stopped me, but I continued on. Every time I passed it, it caught my eye. After two garages and a shed, I came back to the den and the painting.
This time, I picked it up. My historian’s eye took over. Analysis: Portrait of three people, one woman and two men in military uniforms, one Navy, one Army. Woman’s placement in the center gives her prominence, most likely the mother of the two men. The man in the Army uniform wears his hat cocked to the side, possibly served during World War II. The portrait is rare because the subjects appear to be of Hispanic origin. At the checkout table, the attendant couldn’t assure me that the painting belonged to the people in the house. As I looked at the painting, weighing my options, the woman in the painting seemed to look back at me impatiently. It’s not an easy decision to buy a painting of people you don’t know, even if you are a historian. It’s kind of weird. When the man said I could have it for $7.50, I gave him the money and put the painted family in my back seat. The mystery ahead of me was twofold. First, figure out if the painting belonged to the family who owned the house. And second, if that family belonged to San Pedro. If so, I was in possession of a rare San Pedro portrait. While going through the sale, I had noticed the name Gonzales, so I Googled it with the address. No hits. All
The Gonzales family portrait. Inset: Darin Costa with his family's painting.
of my normal tactics weren’t working. I started to think about other clues in the house that could help me. This is the part where I scared myself. The home hadn’t been updated in some time, and I noticed ramps on the back exits, which points to longtime elderly residents who were wheelchair-bound. You needed building permits to add ramps. Online building permits gave me the names of the people who lived in the house and from those names, I was able to search online obituaries. The owners of the house were Louis and Lupe Gonzales. Both had lived in San Pedro for a very long time. My gut told me that Louis, or Luyo, as he was known, was the man in the Army uniform. Luyo died in 2006 and his obituary offered more clues in the form of the names of his surviving siblings. I passed each name through Google and found that Luyo’s sister, Annie Costa, had died last December. As I viewed Annie’s online obituary, I saw some very familiar faces and realized with a shock that Luyo’s sister Annie was my friend Darin’s mom. Unfortunately for me, I realized this at 12:30 in the morning. Darin and I go
way back, but propriety still rules history emergencies. At 8:01 a.m., I texted Darin a picture of the painting with a message asking if he knew if the people in the painting were from the Gonzales side of his family. I confirmed that the house belonged to his uncle, but now I needed to know if the painting belonged to his family. Darin was shocked by the message. The pictures looked familiar, but his grandmother had died before he was born. He forwarded the message to some cousins and within an hour, we had confirmation that the painting was of his grandmother Jessie and his two uncles, Edward in the Navy uniform and Louis in the Army uniform. Darin’s next concern was getting the painting from the estate sale vendor. I hadn’t told Darin that I bought the painting, because I was embarrassed. When I told him I had bought it and he could have it, he was even more shocked. Because Luyo’s estate had gone to someone close to his wife, his family had no idea that there was an estate sale. If I hadn’t purchased the painting, it might have been given to a thrift store or trashed. Sometimes families aren’t sentimental, and that’s ok. That’s why I go to estate sales. But reconnecting people with their history is why I’m a historian. spt
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BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS, ONE BENCH AT A TIME SP ROTARY CLUB'S BUDDY BENCH PROGRAM HELPS KIDS FIND FRIENDS Students from Willenberg Career and Transition Center with members of the San Pedro Rotary Club, present the Willenberg Buddy Bench on April 13, 2018 (photo: John Mattera Photography)
by Jacob A. Ybarra Friendship is a truly wonderful thing. From the schoolyard to the blissful days of retirement, we all hold comfort knowing that we can always turn to our friends through times of joy and times of sorrow, to lend a helping hand or to simply be there for each other. The real beauty of friendship is that it can be found in nearly anyone, from a sibling to a neighbor, from a coworker or even your pet. For most though, our first real exposure to friendships begin when we start going to school. School provides a unique opportunity to meet people, as icebreaking activities and separation by age ensure that students are well introduced to one another. However, when it actually comes to making friends, that’s where the real challenge lies. Especially when you hear the horrendous stories about school bullying and harassment that are all too common these days. Thankfully, the Rotary Clubs of Southern California are on a mission to help young children build lasting
friendships, one bench at a time. This is all thanks to the Buddy Bench, which is a simple idea that aims to provide a place for lonely kids to come together and make friends in the process. It is both a safe-haven for children feeling lonely and a message telling others around them to reach out and comfort them. “A Buddy Bench is an instrument of peace,” says Arlene Dickey of the San Pedro Rotary Club. “It's a safe place for victims of violence to find comfort. It’s a place to go if you’re feeling lonely or sad. It’s a place for children to go who need a friend, because everybody deserves a friend.” On April 13, Willenberg Career and Transition Center, a LAUSD run school that provides vocational training and instructional programs for 18-21-yearold students with disabilities, received a Buddy Bench thanks to District 5280 of the Rotary Club (San Pedro), and the impact it has had couldn’t be more positive. “The bench has done wonders 28631 S. Western Avenue, ste 102 Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 Professionalfootandankle@gmail.com
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for both the school and the students,” says Dickey. The real highlight of this Buddy Bench installation was its physical origin. Thanks to the efforts and coordination of the District 5280 Rotary Club, the story of where these benches come from is just as inspiring and unifying as how they are used once installed at a school, as the benches are ordered and assembled by fellow students from within the school district. Within the community of Willowbrook, just north of Compton, is Banneker CTC, another school aimed at helping students with disabilities develop the skills needed to become contributing members of society, and it is here where these local Buddy Benches are made. It all started in 2017, when the Redondo Beach Rotary Club gave Steve Jarvis, the shop teacher at Banneker, the task to design and assemble a buddy bench. Soon after the first bench was made, interest was seen from neighboring Rotary Clubs, and that’s when the program really began to take off. At a cost ranging between $200 and $300, once an order for a new bench comes in, Jarvis, along with his team of Banneker students begin assembling the benches, handling everything from cutting the wood to engraving the lettering. Once they are completed, the benches are shipped and presented to the school. The students building the benches show no signs of slowing down either, as the team has stayed on track to build and ship 60 benches across the school district this year. As local Rotary clubs continue to commit to funding a least one bench for their community,
the Banneker students will be ready to handle the task, delivering a sturdy foundation for friendship every time. These benches are a “win-win” according to Dickey, as she describes their “construction and presence across the district have managed to change both the lives of the students who build the benches, as well as those who use them.” Willenberg CTC wasn’t home to the first Buddy Bench in San Pedro however, as that title goes to the bench located at Barton Hill Elementary School. On February 26, 2018, the Rotary Club of San Pedro presented the first local Buddy Bench to the students of Barton Hill, allowing students to come together and embrace the mission of the Rotarians, to promote goodwill and peace. Loneliness, nervousness, and isolation are all feelings that students can face when attending school, but thanks to the efforts of the Rotary Club, and the dedication and hard work from the students of Banneker CTC, these students are provided with a safe place where they can embrace the feelings of friendship, encouragement, and togetherness. These priceless gifts that Buddy Benches provide is what makes them so unique and beneficial. Providing a place where you can both find a friend or be a friend, not only for children, but the entire community. spt If interested in funding Buddy Benches for local Title I schools, you can make a tax-deductible donation to the Rotary Club of San Pedro Foundation at P.O. Box 1021, San Pedro, CA 90733.
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SPORTS
YOUNG, SCRAPPY, & HUNGRY SAN PEDRO PREP SPORTS 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW by Jamaal K. Street Boys of Fall (l to r): Camren Thomas and Justin Bernal of SPHS, Luke Sabra and Kevin Costa of MSHS (photo: John Mattera Photography)
It’s time to strap on the pads and hit the gridiron. The San Pedro Prep Sports scene for 2018-19 officially begins with football as San Pedro and Mary Star of the Sea High Schools promise an exciting fall season. For only the second time since 1990, San Pedro High School endured a losing season (by overall record) in 2017. Splitting the ten-game regular season in half with an even 5-5 record, but finishing fourth in the Marine League at 2-3 for the first time since 2007, the Pirates were promptly eliminated in the first round quarterfinals of the inaugural CIF-Los Angeles City Section Open Division playoffs by the eventual fourtime champion, and CIF State Division I-A champion, Narbonne. SPHS started off 2017 winning their first three games and scoring 42 points each in the first four. However, losses in four of their next five games dropped the Pirates down several notches before finally ending the year with a 35-0 victory at Washington Prep of Los Angeles.
For the upcoming 2018 season, SPHS is young but dangerous. Led for the third-year by head coach Corey Miller, the Pirates have lost a lot of senior leadership, along with several other key players transferring to other schools. Normally, when you think of Pirate football, you immediately think of “pound and ground,” with an established running attack. Contrarily, the top two returning players just might make you think otherwise. Senior quarterback Justin Bernal, the Pirates’ lone returning All-City selection from a season ago, returns after a stellar junior campaign in which he threw for 1,271 yards on completing 95 of his 173 attempts (54.9% completion rate), and tossing 16 touchdowns opposed to just six interceptions. In just six games played after transferring from Hawkins of Los Angeles, senior WR/CB Camren Thomas made an immediate impact, catching 19 passes for 220 yards (11.6 yards per catch) and a pair of touchdowns. With a full season ready, expect the All-Marine
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League second team offensive selection to be a focal point when the Pirates do indeed take to the air. With Sean Davenport, his 1,046 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns now stats, expect junior Joshua Ward to be the main guy in the backfield. Ward rushed for 303 yards and four touchdowns on 39 carries for the Pirates last season. The defense will be the youngest part of the field. All-Marine League returning defensive tackle Pedro Cazares, who had 39 tackles and led the Pirates in sacks with seven, is the only projected senior to start. SPHS has one of its toughest nonleague schedules to date, with four of its toughest games, Downey, Sierra Canyon, Carson and Banning all set to play at Pirate Stadium. Pirates open their season on August 17, with a game at home against North Torrance. Meanwhile at Mary Star, fourth-year head coach Jason Gelber continued to make Daniels Field the true ‘Home of the Hitters,’ as the Stars finished 6-4 overall the previous season. The team missed the CIF-Southern Section Division 13 playoffs due to a 1-2 Santa Fe League third-place finish in a league that only has four schools and the top two teams get automatic playoff bids. However, things are looking up for Mary Star in 2018. For starters, the Stars have moved to the Camino Real League, as they no longer have to deal with St. Anthony and St. Genevieve. The four-school league also includes Bishop Montgomery of Torrance, Cantwell Sacred Heart of Montebello, and St. Monica of Santa Monica. In 2017, the Stars ended a 36-year losing streak to Bishop Montgomery on September 22, with a 28-27 road win over the Knights, while also defeat-
ing St. Monica in the former Del Rey League. The last time Mary Star faced Cantwell was in 2016, which the Stars dominated in a non-league win at Daniels Field in San Pedro. Cantwell won the South Catholic Football League championship in 2017, a league Bishop Montgomery also competed in. Mary Star will be paced by three key senior skill players, including senior quarterback Kevin Costa, senior RB/ LB Luke Sabra, and senior WR/DB Joe James. Costa threw for 683 yards and seven touchdowns, opposed to just two interceptions last season in a run-oriented offense, but is capable for more after a strong summer. He’s also a dual threat for the Stars, rushing for 230 yards and two touchdowns on 58 carries. Sabra led the Stars in rushing last season, with 670 yards and ten touchdowns on 106 carries, and his biggest run being a 90-yard touchdown run in the victory over Bishop Montgomery. On defense, the three-year varsity letterman registered 34 tackles (10 tackles for loss), two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and a pair of sacks. James is the top returning tackler, as he made 106 tackles, recovered three fumbles, and also intercepted three passes. The two-sport star, who also is an All-League performer in baseball, caught seven passes for 125 yards and three touchdowns last year for Mary Star. Junior WR/DB Isaac Colloca, who garnered six interceptions last season, will also be key for the Stars, who almost has a brand-new non-league slate against the likes of Fairmont Prep, Simi Valley, and South Torrance, to name a few. Mary Star begins their season with an away game on August 24 at Whittier Christian. spt
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HEALTH & FITNESS
RETURNING TO SPORT AFTER INJURY by Dr. Ja’nae Brown, PT, DPT Let’s be honest, injuries suck. They suck for us as individuals, they suck for our kids, and they suck for us when our kids are injured. As a previous competitive basketball player, a parent of a competitive swimmer, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy, I am fully experienced in how injuries can affect us in negative ways. Being a parent and injury specialist, I have found it most difficult when I want to get my daughter back to competing but know her body has to heal on its own time. If I push her to go back too soon, her injuries and time out from sport will be extended. It’s that time of the year when our kids go back to school and return to sports. Back to sports = possible injuries. Many parents struggle with what to do when/if their child gets injured. Should we take them to see their primary physician? Orthopod? Physical therapist? Sometimes there is no real right answer. However, any injury should end up with your child getting rehabilitation with a physical therapist at some point in their recovery and the sooner, the better! The rehabilitation process allows for your child to fully recover, get stronger, learn how to move correctly, and be completely ready to return to play (RTP) without the risk of re-injury. The majority of injuries are due to errors in training, lack of proper recovery, overtraining, and under-training. Through the rehab process, your physical therapist will assess your child’s weaknesses, imbalances, movement patterns, strength, and flexibility so they can help prevent the injury from occurring again. They will also transition the athlete through a safe and healthy process back, which begins with a return to participation and is followed by a full return to the sport. One of the first questions an athlete will ask following injury or illness is, “When can I play again?” Returning to a sport after an injury is not simply black or white. There is a lot of grey to be considered. Decisions that are too strict, too lenient, or too arbitrary can lead to unhealthy and unsatisfactory outcomes. It takes the injury specialists (orthopod, physical therapist, athletic trainers, etc.) in addition to the athlete 34 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I SEPTEMBER 2018
and coaches to make this decision. It can also involve insight from the parents. The key is to RTP when the athlete is ready. But how do we determine that? For some medical conditions and some sports, there are specific policies in place that help guide RTP decisions. However, most RTP decisions involve unique circumstances that cannot be fully addressed by generic statements. Here are some key things that need to be in place before an athlete can RTP or return to competition (RTC). We use these as a guideline so athletes will be more likely to RTP safely without reoccurrence of injury or sustaining new injuries. 1. No Pain – Pain is our first indication that something is not right. It is your body’s messaging and alert system to you. Listen to it! 2. No Swelling – Swelling tells us that there is an inflammatory response still occurring in the body. So swelling = No RTP. 3. Full Range of Motion – Compare the injured side and non-injured side. The movement in each should be near equal. If not, no RTP! 4. Full Strength – The strength of the injured side should be 80 - 100% of the non-injured side. 5. Good Balance & Coordination – Balance and coordination should to 80 - 100%. 6. Full Function – You should be able to do all normal daily activities without limitation. Walk, sit, stand, squat, navigate stairs, get up and down from the ground, groom, bathe, etc. 7. No Difficulty with Sport-Specific Activities. 8. Mentally Prepared & Confident There is a healthy process to return an athlete back to the sport they love. My best advice to you as a parent is: don’t rush it. Be supportive, be their parent, and allow for their best healing so they can have a bright future in their sport. Ensuring your child receives the proper rehab will prevent re-injury and may even send them back stronger and better than they were before their injury. spt Dr. Ja’nae Brown, PT, DPT is a Doctor of Physical Therapy. She specializes in Sports, Orthopedic, and Neurologic conditions. For more info, call (310) 548-5984 or visit drjanaebrownpt.com.
HEALTH & FITNESS
WHY YOU FEEL OLD, FAT, & TIRED
NOW ACCEPTING MEDICARE
by Ricky Magana Many of us have had that moment. We see a picture of ourselves from high school, college, wedding day, before we had kids, or some other point in our younger lives, and we cringe. We cringe because we no longer resemble the person in the picture. A vibrant, vigorous body and seeming light we used to exude has dimmed. Instead, we’ve seen age erode our health and physique. Slowly (or not so slowly) gaining weight over the years. Prescription pills mounting. Belt notches expanding. Storing away clothes that no longer fit, dust collecting on skis or surf boards or some other passion we used to make time for. And no one really blames you because getting older and feeling terrible is a part of life, right? Well, that’s what conventional wisdom tells us. However, according to mounting scientific research and observational studies performed all over the world, the overwhelming evidence indicates the following: Slowing metabolism, fragility, and weight gain are not the result of age, but of a decrease in muscle mass that results from lacking physical activity, NOT getting older in and of itself. A study performed at King’s College in London took 125 amateur cyclists, aged 55-79 years old; 84 men and 41 women. They underwent a series of tests to measure health corollaries and compared them to 125 healthy, albeit sedentary, individuals in the same age group: “The study showed that loss of muscle mass and strength did not occur in those who exercise regularly. The cyclists also did not increase their body fat or cholesterol levels with age and the men's testosterone levels also remained high, suggesting that they may have avoided most of the male menopause… More surprisingly, the study also revealed that the benefits of exercise extend beyond muscle as the cyclists also had an immune system that did not seem to have aged either.”* Have you ever noticed that a clean room or office desk doesn’t get cleaner over time? Unless acted upon, it just gets messier and disordered. Left alone, things deteriorate. This is a fundamental law of nature called entropy. That is, unless you do something about it.
Sure, most people gain weight and metabolisms slow down with age, but it’s not because you’re an inescapable victim to the arrow of time. It simply means you need to apply effort in the opposite direction. You see, as a human you happen to possess an interesting characteristic that is the key to staying young: Antifragility. What is antifragility? It means that you gain from positive stress. As you press against opposition, you get stronger. And that continued challenge keeps you young. The study in London, and many others like it, prove that it is not age in and of itself that deteriorates your health. It is the gradual decline of physical demand and stress you place on your body. We don’t get fatter and weaker because we age. We age because we get fatter and weaker. Now, that we’ve illuminated the physical reason people decline in fitness as they age, here’s the real reason: The older you get, life complexity goes up, and free time and willpower goes down. Let’s face it, mortgages, marriages, kids, and careers all take precedence over your personal time. Those things increase in your life as you age. As you approach your 40s, 50s, and 60s, gone are the days of belonging to a sports team, and the innate desire to find a mate – all powerful motivators to stay active and fit. It is in this phase of life systems, not willpower, need to play a bigger role in your life to keep you fit. What do I mean by systems? I mean hardwiring activity, accountability, and structure into your life that will keep you eating and exercising long after your boundless time and energy of your twenties has gone. For the many people we coach (and for myself), I’ve found that as I get older it becomes more important to stay connected to people who are fit and healthy and to utilize a coach to keep me honest and accountable. It is by doing this you will stay inspired to keep moving and in turn, stay young. spt
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*Reference: University of Birmingham. "A lifetime of regular exercise slows down aging, study finds." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 8 March 2018.
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RELIGION
CONFESSION by Pastor Nathan Hoff
There is a quote that has been attributed to two converts: A libertine turned saint named Augustine, and a bohemian turned social justice activist named Dorothy Day. It is close to this, “The church is a harlot sometimes, but she is my mother.” I don’t know who actually said it, or if either of them did. But both knew what unfaithfulness and injustice felt like, what it looked like. And both were ultimately captivated by a holy fidelity that came from a source other than themselves. We are caught up in another wave of grievous revelations of harlotry from those in whom we had hoped for holiness. Predator pastors are nothing new. The Prophet Ezekiel wrote six centuries before Christ and his indictment couldn’t be more current. “You have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat them, you clothe yourselves with their wool, you slaughter them, but you do not feed the sheep” (My paraphrase of Ezekiel 34.3). Although the problem isn’t new, it is nevertheless shocking to some of us who have been unaware. It is no less of a trigger for others (maybe some of you, dear readers) who are sadly all too aware. Part of my priestly calling as a pastor is as an intercessor. In this calling, I stand or kneel in the front of the assembly of God’s people and cry out to God for mercy. Our most ancient and commonly used plea is “Lord, have mercy!” Without a doubt, we have a desperate need for this undeserved mercy. But, we have another desperate need for a mercy also undeserved. Instead of taking my place at the front of our sanctuary, today I place myself at the entrance doors, or at 7th and Broadway, or even at your corner. My plea is directed to you. It is right and good to go to confess at the church, but it is time for the church to confess to you. Here goes. Dear world, it has been a long time since we made our confession to you. It is far past due. We were called to be light, but too often we have chosen the darkness. 36 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I SEPTEMBER 2018
We were called to care for the disadvantaged and vulnerable, but too often we have ignored the disadvantaged and taken advantage of the vulnerable. We were called to lift burdens, but too often we have added unbearable burdens. We were called to open our arms like the Father did to us, but we have too often wagged our finger or put up our fists. We were called to let the judgment of God start in the house of God, but we have too often started by judging you. We were called to “let the children come to me,” but we have too often stood in the way, or worse. Much worse. We were called to speak up for those without a voice, to protect those exposed, but we have too often been silent, and protected the perpetrator instead of the victim. We are sorry. That doesn’t even begin to communicate how grievous our sins have been and how profound the damage is that we have done. Sorry doesn’t come close, but I don’t know where else to begin. May the repentance of the church and the amendment of our life bear witness to the authenticity of our apology. We have failed, but God has not. God’s indictment against the shepherds through his prophet Ezekiel ends like this, “Behold, I am against the shepherds and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their consuming my sheep” (My paraphrase of Ezekiel 34.10). His indictment is followed by a flood of promises. “Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep... I will rescue them... I will bring them out... I will feed them in a good pasture... I myself will be their shepherd... I will bring them back... I will bind up the injured... I will strengthen the weak... I will feed them in justice” (My paraphrase of Ezekiel 34.11-16). Mercy! spt Nathan Hoff is the Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in San Pedro. Follow his blog at: trinitypastor.blogspot.com.
WEDDING
A PERFECT FIT
MICHAEL & JAMIE HAWLEY FEBRUARY 18, 2018 story by Caitlyn Trudnich photo by John Mattera Photography The key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle always starts with commitment. Whether you’re training for a marathon, toning up for an upcoming vacation, or simply making better choices, it all requires dedication. For Michael and Jamie (Packer) Hawley, valuing those key qualities and building their strength in personal fitness, soon evolved into building a strong relationship. The couple met in August 2013, while working out at Heyday Elite Fitness. Michael, a former coach, initially introduced himself, however Jamie was more focused on completing dental hygiene school and decided to put her studies before romance. “He waited four long months until I realized he was interested, and I let him take me out for a birthday drink,” recalls Jamie. “The rest is history and we have been inseparable ever since.” While dating, the couple had many memorable times together, including three trips to Hawaii. However, the couple can agree that the most notable experience happened to be their first official date on December 19, 2013. “Michael told me to dress warmly, yet wouldn’t tell me why," remembers Jamie. After a delicious meal and great conversation at Hudson House in Redondo Beach, Jamie was still left wondering why she needed to bundle up. Michael instructed Jamie to open his vehicle’s glove box, which contained a pair of mittens to keep her hands warm for their next destination, a romantic holiday stroll through Candy Cane Lane in Torrance. “I told him it was the best date he had ever taken me on, and he could never outdo it,” says Jamie. Challenge accepted. Exactly three years later, on December 19, 2016, Michael once again was
ready to plan a romantic evening that Jamie would remember forever. The couple re-created their first date, including dinner at the same restaurant and a stroll through the same festive destination, accompanied by friends and family. While posing for a photo in front of a beautifully decorated home, Michael asked Jamie, “Did I outdo myself this time?” Although Jamie noted that she didn’t have mittens, she soon was presented with something else to place on her hand instead. Michael got down on one knee, presented Jamie with an engagement ring, and proposed, saying, “How about this?” The couple tied the knot on February 18, 2018, at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, surrounded by 180 loved ones. Their wedding party included Maid of Honor, Sonia Packer; bridesmaids Krissy Citro, Karen Jimenez, Amber Lopez, Elma Pulido, and Michi Saito Moss; Best Man, Eddie McKenna; and groomsmen Michael Kazarian, Ricky Magana, Grant Thorne, and Daniel Wade; Parents of the Bride, Steven and Evelyn Packer; and Parents of the Groom, Chuck and Anna Hawley. Officiating the ceremony was Matt Meadows, who in addition to being a longtime friend of the groom, is also a former Heyday coach. The big day was a celebration that included many members of the Heyday family. In addition to co-owners Magana and McKenna in the wedding party, fellow Heyday-er, Nova Freels of Fleur de Lys, created the florals. “We had so many people from Heyday attending our wedding,” says Jamie. “It’s a huge part of our lives.” She humorously adds, “I tell people I can never leave because it’s like I’m officially married to Heyday now.” With the overall theme of 1920’s
flair, the bride and her bridal party gussied up Old Hollywood style, while encouraging guests to do the same. “So many guests dressed up! It was awesome and really brought the whole theme together,” Jamie fondly describes. The couple had their first dance to “Perfect,” by Ed Sheeran, with music provided by close friend of the couple, DJ Ralph Bracamonte of VOX DJs. In addition to dancing all evening, guests were welcomed to enjoy a dessert and sweets table, filled with various candies and an impressive donut tower, created by the bride’s sister. The newlyweds later enjoyed a long and destination-filled honeymoon, beginning with a stay at the Grand Californian, followed by a week-long relaxing trip to the Bahamas, then a week in Orlando, visiting Disney World and Universal Orlando, and concluding their vacation in Las Vegas, where Michael was participating in a bowling tournament.
As Michael is currently deployed with the United States Coast Guard, the couple continues to maintain a strong and supportive relationship, whether it be motivating each other to continue with their fitness regimen, or simply staying positive. “It’s not an easy task to ask you to be split from your best friend for so long with minimal contact,” says Jamie. “The biggest thing I have to always remember is Michael does this for me. We have freedom because of what our armed forces do for our country. He does this so we, as well as our future children, are able to live in a free country. For this, I am so proud of him.” Michael and Jamie reside in San Pedro and hope to one day start a family and purchase a home. Michael is a Boatswains Mate First Class Tactical Coxswain with the United States Coast Guard. Jamie is a dental hygienist, working in Manhattan Beach. spt
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GIVE A DOG A FOREVER HOME
San Pedro Today has partnered with volunteers from Harbor Animal Care Center to feature dogs currently in need of a new forever home. The dogs featured on this page are all available for adoption as of press time. If you’re interested in adopting any of the pups featured, contact Harbor Animal Care Center at (310) 548-2632.
Meet Kona! This debonair senior gent is just as sweet as he looks. He's gentle and calm, and likes to be with people. Kona is on Medical Alert because he arrived loaded with ticks and had a minor skin issue but he's good now. He deserves to spend his golden years in a warm and loving home. (A1794062)
Meet Sweet Georgia! Georgia's temp foster shared: Miss Georgia has been a rockstar of a foster thus far. She is perfectly house-trained and gets along with dogs, cats, children, etc. She sleeps through the night without a peep and is a calm, low-maintenance presence. This is an EASY dog to love. (A1779866)
Meet Schubert! Little Schubert sometimes hides in his cubby and can be scared at first, but he warms up quickly. He loves to be held and to feel safe in your arms, but he doesn't like any sudden movement around his head. Schubert is good on leash and takes treats softly. (A1783097)
Meet Harvey! Harvey is an adorable little fellow with a perpetual smile and a cute little nubby tail. He enjoys afternoon naps and snuggling up in his cubby. He’s easy on the leash and ever so easy to love. He’s calm and gentle, and he’s waiting for you at the Harbor Shelter. (A1799077)
Meet Lady! Lovely Lady was a family surrender. She's a gorgeous and sweet senior who can be a little shy at first. She walks like a lady on leash, knows to sit, and takes treats gracefully. Lady is on Medical Alert because she's a senior and had a skin condition. She is okay with kids and dogs. Please open your home to a senior in need! (A1795006)
Meet Scrappy! Scrappy was surrendered to the shelter along with his ladyfriend Allie (A1748575), and they are sharing a kennel. Scrappy is a little afraid in the shelter but he's gentle, calm, and walks nicely on leash. He knows his sit, shake and down commands and he's a big sweetheart. Please consider adopting Scrappy, and Allie, too! (A1748571)
NEW ARRIVAL Hazel True Bubica Darin and Nicole Bubica are overjoyed to announce the birth of their daughter, Hazel True Bubica. Born on August 5, 2018 at 9:36a, weighing 7 pounds 6 ounces, and 19.5 inches long. Hazel shares a birthday with big brother Luka, who was very excited to receive the gift of a sibling on his second birthday.
EXCITING NEWS TO SHARE? CONGRATULATIONS IN ORDER? CELEBRATING A MILESTONE? Share your good news in the pages of
For more information, email events@sanpedrotoday.com or call (424) 224-9063. 38 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I SEPTEMBER 2018
DWELL s a n p e d r o
presented by
Q&A WITH REBECCA CHAMBLISS WHAT’S NEW IN SAN PEDRO?
SAN PEDRO REAL ESTATE TRENDS
WHAT SHOULD I DO TO MY HOUSE IF I’M THINKING ABOUT SELLING?
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE REAL ESTATE?
Ports O’ Call redevelopment is underway. SpaceX is functioning and building their BFR factory in town. Cabrillo Marina looks like it’s going to be developed as another commercial area with restaurants and shopping. The foodies are discovering and raving about the unique cuisine in San Pedro including Chori-Man and Fiyahnesian. There’s a buzz that’s getting louder by the day.
We continue to see a strong influx of buyers from out of the area who are discovering our town and making it their home. There is a strong demand for single family homes with the median price in 90732 of single family homes at $910,000, 17.4% higher than just a year ago. 90731 SFR median price is $619,000 up 6.1% over last year.
Besides clearing out what’s not needed, you’ll get the most bang for your buck by consulting with a designer to help create a space where people feel great when they walk in. Color, furniture and art placement all go into creating a feeling that buyers respond to. All neutral or void of character is out. I offer a free design consult to people thinking about selling, some clients have loved the changes so much they decided to keep the home.
I worked as an interior designer. Design is a passion and my clients gain that benefit when working with me. I also help clients buying fixers with the re-design and management of the rehab. I assist them in making the house their own while keeping with the over all style and adding value for eventual resale. The better option to buying a flip is to buy a fixer and make the upgrades with quality and to taste, it will pay off in re-sale.
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Pacific Union International does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size, or other information concerning the condition or features of the property provided by the seller or obtained from public records and other sources and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information. If your property is currently listed, this is not a solicitation.
SEPTEMBER 2018 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 39
Becky McDonald
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THE BACK PAGE
THIS MONTH IN SAN PEDRO HISTORY compiled by Julia Swanson September 11, 2002 – The massive and intricately-decorated Korean Bell and pavilion in Angels Gate Park was donated in September 1976 to the people of Los Angeles by the people of the Republic of Korea to celebrate the bicentennial of the U.S. independence, honor veterans of the Korean War, and to consolidate traditional friendship between the two countries. The bell is rung only four times each year: the Fourth of July, August 15 (Korean
Evergreen terminal, (below) Korean Bell (photos: stock image, John Mattera Photography)
Independence Day), New Year’s Eve, and every September 17th to coincide with bell ringings around the country to celebrate Constitution Week. The bell was also rung again on September 11, 2002, to commemorate the first anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. September 18, 1888 – President Cleveland by executive order set aside a strip of land in San Pedro to be used as a military reservation. The land eventually became Fort McArthur, an important facility during World War I where several thousand soldiers were trained for war duty. It still exists in the same place alongside Pacific Avenue. September 20, 1968 – Chang YungFas realized a lifelong dream. He launched his international shipping business from his homeland of Taiwan with one chartered vessel. His venture was so successful that in 1975 he commenced Evergreen, which provides a shipping system
linking exporters and importers in Asia, Europe and America. Evergreen has 22 nationwide facilities, and its San Pedro terminal is its showcase for Evergreen’s highly successful functional and economic approach to shipping containers. Evergreen set an example for all other terminals making the Port of Los Angeles the incredibly successful port that it is today. September 28, 1542 – California was discovered by Portuguese navigator Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo upon his arrival at San Diego Bay. Within two weeks he arrived at San Pedro Bay. spt
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