OCTOBER 2017
SP INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL | PORT TOWN IN NEON | PREP VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW & MORE!
The New Frontier
WITH DEEP-SEA EXPLORER DR. ROBERT BALLARD ON BOARD, ALTASEA LOOKS TO TURN SAN PEDRO INTO A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE 'BLUE ECONOMY'
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Dr. Rebekah Coriaty Education: University of Pacific Professional Association: American Dental Association California Dental Association
Dr. Miles Madison
Located in Weymouth Corners 1411 W. 8th Street San Pedro, CA 90732
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Education: USC School of Dentistry Professional Association: American Academy of Periodontology California Society of Periodontists American Dental Association California Dental Association American Association for Dental Research
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Dr. Lorraine Williams (right) with her husband and daughter.
“One Patient, Multiple Solutions. Healthy and Happy by Choice!”
H arbor Health and Spa is honored to welcome the newest member to our practice, Dr. Lorraine Williams Sports Chiropractor, Wellness & Lifestyle Coach and Lecturer. She has had extensive training in various taping and rehabilitative techniques, including Kinesiotape, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), Graston, Activator, and Functional Movement Screening among other techniques. She offers a full suite of Chiropractic services, Sports injury treatment, and specialty care options including, Cold Laser, Nutritional Counseling, Progressive Posture Correction Instruction for better health. As we welcome Dr. Williams to our Practice, Harbor Health and Spa would like to offer a special Performance Package for the month of October and November to our South Bay Community.
Our special price for this comprehensive assessment is $45.00 (Regular $150.00) Athletic Functional movement and screening assessment. Stretching. Flexibility and Core instruction for performance enhancement. A 3-point Home starter exercise protocol to help the athlete begin to improve deficits found after the very first visit. Posture and for Performance. Chiropractic Adjustment.
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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It's not much of a letter, more like a lengthy text message. We had such an influx of events this month, that in order to fit as many as we could on the calendar, I had to sacrifice some editorial space, namely mine. There is one item of note I'd like to share, though. For some strange reason, the Friends of the San Pedro Library
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have asked me to be their speaker at their annual dinner on Friday, Oct. 27. And while there are many people much more qualified than me to be granted such an honor, I'm going to do my best to tell entertaining anecdotes about publishing this magazine in our crazy, lovable town for the past 12 years. The dinner is Friday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. at Ports O' Call Restaurant. More details are on the Events page (pg. 8). It's open to the public, so make a reservation and join us. Thanks! spt
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OCTOBER 2017 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 5
OCTOBER 2017
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ADVERTISING:
ASSOCIATE EDITOR/ SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Patricia Roberts (562) 964-8166 | patricia@sanpedrotoday.com
Joshua J. Stecker
General Inquiries: ads@sanpedrotoday.com
Caitlyn Trudnich
ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION Joseph A. Castañeda
AT-LARGE CONTRIBUTORS
Jack Baric, Nathan Hoff, Brooke Karli, Ricky Magana, Steve Marconi, Anthony Pirozzi, Angela Romero, Jamaal K. Street, Herb Zimmer
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
Shana Ghekiere (310) 753-5176 | shana@sanpedrotoday.com
EMPIRE22 MEDIA LLC OWNER/PUBLISHER Joshua J. Stecker
San Pedro Today publishes the last Thursday of every month and is produced monthly by Empire22 Media LLC. No portion of this publication can be reproduced without written permission by Empire22 Media. 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 2009-2017, Empire22 Media LLC.
VOLUME 9 | NUMBER 9 ON THE COVER: Phil Cruver (CEO, Catalina Sea Ranch), Jenny Krusoe (executive director, AltaSea), Dr. Robert Ballard (world-famous deep-sea explorer), and Rusty Jehangir (Founder, Blue Robotics Inc.) photographed at AltaSea along the L.A. Waterfront. (photo: John Mattera Photography)
CASA AYURVEDA & YOGA a new health & wellness center offering yoga classes!
Friday, Oct. 27th, 7-9 p.m. AYURVEDA LIFESTYLE MEDICINE
The Art and Practice of the Daily Ritual with Leila Astarabadi, CMT, AHP, RYT In Ayurveda, The Daily Ritual is to health what the roots are to a tree. It is the grounding force that helps all your five elements in your Mind, Body + Spirit maintain a healthy sense of equilibrium and nourishment. In this workshop, Leila will be sharing with you the basic wisdom of the tri-doshic theory, the practical methods of how to incorporate these ancient practices into your modern life and much more! In addition, Leila will guide everyone through a set of pranayam (breath work), shakti asana (energetic movement) and meditation. This workshop is for anyone who is wanting to reinvigorate their health and wellness! Please RSVP (714) 931-3320. $25 Fee
Mudras Workshop Tuesday, Oct. 10, 7-9 p.m. Guest Teacher: Linda Ananda Fee: $20
Kundalini Yoga & Ayurvedic Wisdom for Digestive Health Sunday, Oct. 15, 10-11:30 a.m. Guest Teacher: Angie Soriano, RN
(714) 931-3320 • 718 S Weymouth Ave, San Pedro • vedacasa.com
6 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2017
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OCTOBER 2017 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 7
OCTOBER 25TH STREET MOSAIC PROJECT – Local artist Julie Bender is proposing to create a mosaic wall in the proximity of 1315 25th Street, to assist Girl Scout Troop 9535 gain leadership experience and hours. This project will include community involvement and become a public art piece. Voting meetings will be held on Oct. 9 (Mon) at Little Sisters of the Poor (2100 S. Western Ave.), 6p; Oct. 12 (Thurs) at Siren’s Java & Tea (356 W. 7th St.), 11a; Saturday workshops will begin Oct. 21 (Sat) at 356 W. 7th St.), 11a – 3p.
bargains galore on books and other media in all subjects. Can't make it? Visit the Friends' bookstore inside the library, open Monday through Saturday, 1-5p.
1 (Sun) – SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD EXPO at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (3720 Stephen M. White Dr.), Noon – 5p. Explore informational booths, seafood samples, cooking demonstrations, watch educational movies, and attend a one-of-a-kind Chef’s Table Dinner at the Cabrillo Beach Bath House. Returning as Keynote Speaker is actor and co-founder of the Lonely Whale Foundation, Adrian Grenier. For tickets and info, visit sustainableseafoodexpo.org.
7 – 8 (Sat – Sun) – “BE ROMANIAN FOR A DAY” FESTIVAL at Ernie Howlett Park (25851 Hawthorne Blvd.), 11a – 6p. Celebrate traditional Romanian culture with live music, folk dancing, and traditional food, beer, and wine at this unique twoday event. Tickets are $10 for adults, and children under 10 are free. For more info, call Dorina Manga at (510) 274-0000.
5 (Thurs) – FIRST THURSDAY ARTWALK in Downtown San Pedro, 6 – 10p. Live music by Mid Life Crisis, food trucks, art gallery displays, and food and drink special from local bars and restaurants. Experience the most anticipated monthly event in San Pedro! 5 (Thurs) – RAINBOW SERVICES OPEN HOUSE (453 W. 7th St.), 5 – 8p. In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, visit Rainbow Services to explore art, learn more about their mission, and ways you can help support. For more info, visit rainbowservicesdv.org. 5 – 15 (Thurs – Sun) – 6th ANNUAL SAN PEDRO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL at the Warner Grand Theatre (434 W. 6th St.), Various times. For more info, spiffest.org. See story page 9. 5 (Thurs) – FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION at the Pinta*Dos Philippine Art Gallery (479 W. 6th St., Suite 107), 3 – 8p. The exhibit "Disruptions: The Art of Eliseo Art Silva" has been extended to October 28 to celebrate 430 years of Filipino American history in the United States. For more info, call (310) 514-9139. 6 – 11 (Fri – Wed) – SAN SALVADOR at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum (600 Sampson Wy., Berth 84), 10a – 4p. San Salvador, the full-scale replica of the first European vessel to explore California’s coastline, will make her first voyage to San Pedro. Dockside tours are scheduled through Oct. 8. For more info, visit lamaritimemuseum.org or call (310) 548-7618. See ad page 7. 7 (Sat) – BOOK SALE at the San Pedro Regional Branch Library, Phil Scott Meeting Room (931 S. Gaffey St.), 11a – 4p. The Friends of San Pedro Library hosts its monthly book sale, featuring
7 (Sat) – BEER TASTE at the Muller House (1542 S. Beacon St.), 3 – 6p. Enjoy beers from the South Bay, delicious bites, and an exciting silent auction. Suggested donation is $25. Seating is limited. 21+. For reservation info, visit sanpedrobayhistoricalsociety. org or call (310) 365-8873.
8 (Sun) – WOMEN’S AUXILIARY ANNUAL FASHION SHOW at the Dalmatian American Club (1639 S. Palos Verdes St.), 11a. This annual fundraising event features fashions from various local shops and boutiques. Bake sale and accessory boutique starts at 11a, lunch at Noon. Door prizes, opportunity drawing, and live entertainment. Proceeds benefit the Women’s Auxiliary scholarship program. Tickets $50. For reservations, call Anna Velickovic at (310) 832-9512. 12 (Thurs – Sun) – 13th ANNUAL MANY WINTERS GATHERING OF ELDERS at the Angels Gate Cultural Center (3601 S. Gaffey St.), 10a – 7p. The Angels Gate Cultural Center will be welcoming Indigenous Elders from across Turtle Island to Tongva Territory, who will be sharing their traditional teachings and medicine. For more info, visit angelsgateart.org. 12 (Thurs) – NEEDLE ARTISTS BY THE SEA MEETING at Ports O’ Call Restaurant (1200 Nagoya Wy.). 10a. Needle Artists by the Sea, Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild will hold its monthly meeting, featuring a study in blackwork, “Giraffes Rule,” designed and taught by Melinda Sherbring. For more info, call (424) 224-9254. 13 (Fri) – BOOK TALK & SIGNING at Philippine Expressions Bookshop (479 W. 6th St., Suite 105), 6 – 9p. Merlinda Bobis is a multi-awarded author and widely anthologized. Dinner included. Free event. To RSVP, email linda@ philbooks.us or call (310) 514-9139. 14 (Sat) – GRAND VIEW WALKING TOUR, 10a. Once a sleepy, little neighborhood, Grand View is quickly becoming the “Yum!” capital of San Pedro! Local historian and San Pedro Today columnist, Angela "Romee" Romero, will guide you through the neighborhood's history, and introduce you to the new hot spots in town, With Love Bakery and Chori-
8 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2017
Man. Tickets are $15 and space is limited. A second tour will be offered Saturday, October 21st. Call (310) 808-7800 to reserve. 14 (Sat) – GREEN GIRL FARMS PRODUCE STAND at The Corner Store (1118 W. 37th St.), 10a – 12p. Grab a cup of coffee and the freshest, most locally grown produce in town. The stand is up every second Saturday of the month, for as long as supplies last. BYO reusable bags! 15 (Sun) – INNOVATIONS IN THE LOS ANGELES AND LONG BEACH PORTS at San Pedro Regional Branch Library (931 S. Gaffey St.), 2p. This free event invites the public to participate in discussions, provided by a panel of harbor experts, on current port trade/employment statistics, environmental reform, the Clean Truck Program, computer-powered cranes, a proposed eHighway, changes in global shipping, AltaSea, and automation. 15 (Sun) – AWAKE & AWARE II at the Mary & Joseph Retreat Center (5300 Crest Rd.), 1 – 4p. Join the community in a panel discussion on homelessness, and learn about agencies and programs currently in place to help. Tickets $10. For more info, visit maryjoseph.org or call Marlene Velazquez at (310) 377-4867, ext. 234. 18 (Wed) – STATE OF THE COUNTY WITH SUPERVISOR JANICE HAHN at the Port of Los Angeles, World Cruise Center (100 Swinford St.), 11:30a – 1:30p. Supervisor Hahn will be presenting her view of the challenges facing the communities of LA County, as well as her vision for the future. For tickets and more info, visit sanpedrochamber. com or call (310) 832-7272. 19 (Thu) – SAN PEDRO HOME HISTORY WORKSHOP at Angels Gate Cultural Center (3601 S. Gaffey St.) 6p. Are you curious about the history of your home? Let local historian and San Pedro Today columnist, Angela "Romee" Romero, show you the ropes of researching your San Pedro home. In just a couple of hours, she'll walk you through her process and give you tips on how to use local resources. Cost is $45 and space is limited. To reserve your spot, call (310) 808-7800.
and donations requested. Tickets for non-members are $10 for adults, and $15 per family. Entrance is free with new membership. Reservations required. For more info, call (310) 241-0684. 22 - 30 (Sun – Mon) – ANNUAL ROSARY NOVENA at Holy Trinity Catholic Church (1292 Santa Cruz St.), 7p. Each evening of prayer will include Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary Prayers, and Benediction. On Monday the 30th, all are welcome to attend a Rosary Procession within the church, featuring the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist, led by Fr. Sebastian Vettickal, CMI. 27 (Fri) – FRIENDS OF THE SAN PEDRO LIBRARY ANNUAL DINNER at Ports O’ Call Restaurant (1200 Nagoya Wy.), 6p. Join the Friends of the San Pedro Library for their annual event, featuring guest speaker and Editor-In-Chief of San Pedro Today, Joshua Stecker. Reservations are available at San Pedro Regional Branch Library, and online at friendsspl.org. 28 (Sat) – HAPPY HAUNTINGS AT THE LIGHT at Point Fermin Lighthouse (807 W. Paseo Del Mar), 1 – 4p. Bring the kids for a daytime, Halloween celebration. Children will be treated with games, crafts, refreshments, and trick or treating through the haunted halls of the lighthouse. Costumes are encouraged. Admission is free. 28 (Sat) – SCARY STORIES 15 at Angels Gate Cultural Center (3601 S. Gaffey St.), 6:30p. Snuggle up around bonfire for an all-new program of theatre for the ears, featuring 75 minutes of spellbinding storytelling, suitable for young and old. Bring your own seating and dress warmly. Picnics welcome. Free folding chairs available on site. Tickets $5, children under 6 are free. For more info, contact Melanie Jones at mjones1580@cox.net, call (310) 387-0908. 29 (Sun) – DIA DE LOS MUERTOS in Downtown San Pedro, 3 – 9p. Celebrate the Day of the Dead! The streets of Downtown San Pedro will come alive with art, culture, delicious cuisine, and live entertainment. For more info, visit sanpedrodayofthedead.com.
20 – 21 (Fri – Sat) – DESIGNER VENDOR BOUTIQUE at Assistance League (1441 W. 8th St.), Friday, 11a – 6p and Saturday, 11a – 5p. Great gifts from local vendors, including custom jewelry, beauty products, clothing, and more. While you’re there, enjoy wine tasting. Tickets are $20. For more info, call (310) 832-8355.
29 (Sun) – SPOOKY PEDRO WALKING TOUR, 5p. Join local historian and San Pedro Today columnist, Angela "Romee" Romero, along with Psychic Medium Mary O'Maley, for a stroll through haunted and historic Downtown San Pedro. Rattle some chains and see what bumps back! Tickets are $20 and space is limited. Call (310) 808-7800 to reserve.
21 (Sat) – SPOOKY NIGHT AT THE LIGHT at Point Fermin Lighthouse (807 W. Paseo Del Mar), 5 – 7p. A family fun night at the historic lighthouse. Gather around the bonfire, sip some hot chocolate or apple "spider," enjoy craft activities, pumpkin decorating, and tour the lighthouse for tricks or treats. Costumes encouraged
Please email event info to events@sanpedrotoday.com. Deadline for the November issue is Friday, October 13. Find more events at facebook.com/ sanpedrotoday.
'WONDERS' IN CINEMA ‘SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL’ LEADS THE 6TH ANNUAL SAN PEDRO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL by Caitlyn Trudnich
“You look good wearing my future." Who could forget that perfect line from Eric Stoltz in the pivotal 1987 John Hughes film, Some Kind of Wonderful? To many, this film, like many other Hughes classics, is an ode to the struggles of adolescence, unrequited love, and friendship. However, to San Pedrans, the film is also an ode to our local community. Hughes, along with director Howard Deutch, decided to film in Southern California, and, most notably, in Rolling Hills, Wilmington, and, of course, San Pedro. San Pedro High School (called “San Paulo High School” in the film) played a major role, as the entire school, including classrooms, was used for both interior and exterior shots. Actual SPHS students were even cast as extras on campus. In addition to the high school, the homes of main characters Keith (Eric Stoltz), Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson), and Amanda (Lea Thompson), were actual homes in the Wilmington area. It’s certainly easy to spot, considering Keith’s fictional home, located on I Street, was shot with clear views of the refinery in the background. And what about the shopping mall? Exterior shots were filmed at the brick walk on Deep Valley Drive in Rolling Hills. The 6th Annual San Pedro International Film Festival (SPIFF), held at the historic Warner Grand Theatre, will present the 30th
anniversary screening of Some Kind of Wonderful on Saturday, October 7th. “We’ve received so many requests to screen this film over the years, due to its connection to San Pedro,” SPIFF co-founder Ziggy Mrkich explains. “Those attending the screening are sure to remember it fondly.” This year’s film festival is jampacked with films from all genres, including shorts, documentaries, webisodes, and music videos, as well as exciting and intriguing discussions on the art of filmmaking and new technologies within the field. The festival officially opens on Thursday, October 5th, during this month’s First Thursday Artwalk, however, opening night begins on Friday, with a screening of the YouTube series Life Interrupted, starring classic television stars including Mason Reese, Alison Arngrim (Little House on the Prairie), Erin Murphy (Bewitched), and Dawn Wells (Gilligan’s Island). Opening night will also feature the world premiere of the drama, Dreams I Never Had, starring Malcolm McDowell. Based on a true story, this film depicts themes of diversity, acceptance, and freedom. In addition to the anniversary screening of Some Kind of Wonderful on Saturday the 7th, SPIFF will feature a screening of the documentary, Human Flow, in which artist, activist, and director, Ai Weiwei,
Elias Koteas and Eric Stoltz in Some Kind of Wonderful (1987), which plays Saturday, October 7, at the Warner Grand Theatre (photo: Hughes Entertainment - © 1987)
captures the global refugee crisis. After an afternoon dedicated to shorts films, the evening of Sunday, October 8th, features a timely and satirical drama, the Swedish film, The Square, starring Emmywinner Elisabeth Moss, Claes Bang, and Dominic West, which will be screened at the Terrace Cinemas. The second weekend of SPIFF begins on Friday, October 13th. In honor of this spooky date, the evening’s programming with feature several horror shorts, followed by a special screening of the iconic 1980 classic, Friday the 13th. On Saturday, October 14th, SPIFF will present a panel and discussion on the importance of virtual reality, and its influence in cinema and entertainment. Mrkich describes this innovative discussion, saying, “Advances in virtual reality cinema, with the evolution of technologies, have enabled immersion that puts the viewer inside the experience. Will this propel a new industry of simulation in the theater or the living room? Our top industry panelists will tackle these questions and more, as we look at the state of the immersive entertainment industry.” Saturday evening’s featured film
is one for music lovers. Every Night’s A Saturday Night is a documentary on the life and career of legendary Rolling Stones saxophone player, Bobby Keys, featuring interviews with Keith Richards, Ron Wood, Charlie Watts, and more rock and roll legends. The final day of the festival, Sunday, October 15th, presents shorts created by students, as well as intriguing music videos and webisodes. The evening will conclude with the announcement of the SPIFF winners and a wrap party celebration. “Every year, SPIFF grows in a new way. This year, in addition to expanding to two weekends, we have found partners who see the long term vision of building this festival, reaching new audiences, and bringing world class filmmakers and far flung audiences to San Pedro,” Mrkich says proudly. “As San Pedro grows, we hope to grow with it.” spt The 6th Annual San Pedro International Film Festival runs from October 5-15, at the Warner Grand Theatre (478 W. 6th St.). For tickets and more information, visit spiffest.org.
OCTOBER 2017 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 9
VOICES
SOCIAL MEDIA: PERVASIVE, INVASIVE, AND SO SAN PEDRO by Steve Marconi Having spent most of my life in the newspaper business, and growing up in a pre-digital world, it’s taken me awhile to get into the social media phenomena. Clinging desperately to “old school,” I wasn’t a big fan of Facebook, even while it was taking over the world. I only finally joined so I could look up some people for a column, and I have refused most “friend” requests, not because I’m being unfriendly but because I don’t have the luxury of time to read all those posts.
And then I discovered the Facebook groups “San Pedro born and raised and very proud” and “You know you’re from San Pedro if…” So much for avoiding Facebook. Considering “San Pedro born and raised” has nearly 7,800 members, I’m an obvious latecomer, but I’m already hooked. There’s something for everybody on the page, but I go mostly for the history-related posts. Kathy Tipich, Don Draper and Augie Castagnola are some of the people who seem to have an endless supply of photos of old San Pedro and historic clippings from the News-Pilot. There is also a lot of current news, and local
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businesses can advertise themselves. There is not a lot of commentary, which is good; if you want controversy, there is the “Saving San Pedro” page. As its name implies, “You know you’re from San Pedro if…” is almost exclusively nostalgia, with its 1,200plus members posting a lot of old San Pedro photos and memories. Paul Vail has a treasure trove of San Pedro Little League team pictures from the 1960s. Facebook, of course, is all about connecting, and in just a few weeks following these pages, I’ve come across the names of numerous San Pedrans I know who I’ve lost track of over the years. Many in the groups are expatriates who enjoy the chance to reminisce about growing up in San Pedro. Administrator Lisa MedinaGuthman, a 1977 San Pedro High grad, started the page in 2009 “on a whim,” mostly for her friends, “and it took off.” Like everything on social media, her page grew by word of mouth, to the point where she now gets about 50 requests a day to join. Her son told her recently, “Hey, Mom, you’re legit.” She keeps a tight rein on membership. “I support all the other groups, but my page is not political,” she said. “It’s all about San Pedro news, old, current. I don’t tolerate negativity and profanity; I kick a lot of people off. I really screen who I let in.” Former San Pedrans who now live in Japan and Australia are members, able to keep up with local goings-on. “If you love this town, you are allowed in,” she said. None of this is news to the thousands who visit the sites, but there are still a lot of people out there, especially Baby Boomers like me, who are not involved with social media. And as much as I hate to admit it, you’re missing out. Since the demise of the News-Pilot, San Pedrans have no local newspaper (despite what the non-local “local” newspaper wants us to believe), and as a monthly magazine, San Pedro Today can’t fill the news gap.
The Internet has pretty much put the final nail in the daily newspaper coffin, and Facebook is filling the local news void. It’s a brave new world we old-timers have to get used to; you could almost say, a Real San Pedran is someone who’s joined a San Pedro Facebook page. Speaking of News… Two of San Pedro High’s most prominent alumni are Anna (Tingle) Fisher and Dave Gascon, who happened to be classmates in the class of Summer 1967 and recently attended their 50th reunion. Fisher, of course, was an astronaut, the second American woman in space and the first mother in space when she was part of the space shuttle Discovery crew in 1984. None of which surprised her high school classmates, who voted her the female “Most Likely to Succeed.” Gascon took a more mundane route to fame. He joined the Los Angeles Police Department and rose to the rank of deputy chief of police, but it was his role as LAPD spokesman during the O.J. Simpson case that put him in the national spotlight. In classic the-apple-doesn’t-fallfar-from-the-tree fashion, Gascon and Fisher have both produced celebrity daughters. Gascon’s daughter, Sarah, has traveled the globe as a member of the USA Senior Women’s Handball Team. She was inducted into the San Pedro Sportswalk earlier this year. If you watch Fox News, you’ve probably seen Fisher’s daughter Kristin and not known who she was. Kristin, a Houston native, joined Fox in 2015 as a general assignment reporter in its D.C. bureau; she was with ABC and CBS affiliates in the capital the previous five years, winning an Emmy in 2010. Kristin was the baby that made Anna the first mother in space. spt Steve Marconi can be reached at spmarconi@yahoo.com.
Ready to Learn about Dental Implants? What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is surgically anchored into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in place. The benefit of using implants is that they don’t rely on neighboring teeth for support and they are permanent and stable. Implants look and feel like natural teeth.
What is an Implant Support Denture?
While a regular denture rests on the gums and are not stable, An implant-supported denture is a type of overdenture that is supported by and attached to implants by special attachments for better fit and retention. There are two types of implant-supported dentures: bar-retained and ballretained. In both cases, the denture will be made of an acrylic base that will look like gums. Porcelain or acrylic teeth that look like natural teeth are attached to the base. Both types of dentures need at least two implants for support.
Your dentist can help you . . .
Can anyone receive dental implants?
Talk with your dentist about whether you are an implant candidate. You must have the proper bone structure for the implant to stay in place. People who are unable to wear dentures may also be good candidates.
What can I expect during this procedure?
The dentist must perform surgery to anchor the “artificial root� into or on your jaw bone. The procedure is done in the dental office with local anesthesia. The gum is then secured over the implant, which will remain covered until it fuses with the bone. The dentist then uncovers the implant and attaches an extension, or post, to the implant. Finally, the dentist makes an artificial tooth, or crown, or dentures that attach to the implant post.
What is the cost of implants?
Dental implants for replacement of a single tooth are affordable and most dental and medical insurance policies cover portion of the cost. Your dentist can help you with this process.
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PORT’S FUTURE ECONOMIC ENGINE by Jack Baric I’m not a longshoreman. I’ve never been a fisherman or a shipyard worker, yet I consider myself a son of the harbor. Although I never worked in the port, it’s the most important economic engine that has affected the history of my family. My grandmother and aunts worked in the seafood canneries. My dad worked at Todd Shipyard. My father-in-law was a longshoreman and I have numerous cousins who are also dockworkers. San Pedro was built on the backs of hardworking men and women at the port. During its peak, in the early 1940s, the port’s shipyards employed nearly 90,000 people, who were cranking out ships for World War II. Our fishermen made San Pedro the U.S. capital for tuna fishing in the 1950s and 1960s. And for the last two decades, our longshoremen have made the Los Angeles and Long Beach port complex the nation’s leader in importing goods. The growth of goods movement in our port is a direct reflection of the increasing global economy over those same two decades. Although our port has benefitted from the shipment of cheaper made goods in Asia, jobs in our nation’s manufacturing sector have greatly suffered. It’s what gave rise to the economic nationalism resulting in Donald Trump’s shock election victory. It’s a not very funny joke that containers arrive at our port filled with goods and the largest export back across the Pacific is air. Globalization has created a crisis in our nation as we struggle with figuring out how to compete with other nations that can make the same goods at far lower prices. What can America produce that can’t be knocked off with a factory full of workers making a dollar a day? Innovation. Exploration. Entrepreneurship. These are the qualities where our nation has always excelled. From Benjamin Franklin flying a kite to discover electricity, to Thomas Edison lighting our world with a bulb, it’s in our DNA to discover new and better ways. When President Kennedy declared that we would put a man on the moon, it created entire new industries that greatly benefited us. Things 12 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2017
we take for granted, such as our internet, cell phones and satellite TV all exist because of our conviction to explore space. Here, in Southern California, we had a major economic boom because of our place as an aerospace innovation center. Where the 20th Century was about space exploration, the 21st Century will be about the ocean. Dr. Bob Ballard, the man who discovered the Titanic, likes to say, “We will go where no one has gone before – on planet earth.” Even though the oceans make up 71% of the planet, we have only explored about 5% of them. We have more detailed maps of Mars than we do of the ocean off the California coast. Dr. Ballard has made AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles his home – and for good reason. Just like Southern California was the hub for aerospace, it’s also the most natural place to emerge as the epicenter of ocean exploration. Aside from our geographic advantage to the Pacific, Los Angeles has always been home to greater innovators than any city in the world. AltaSea is following that tradition by creating a place where the best and the boldest ocean explorers can gather. AltaSea will tackle the most fundamental issues of our times, such as global food security. Over 40% of the world gets its protein from the sea. Where San Pedro was once the capital of tuna fishing, AltaSea is positioning us to lead the way in sustainable aquafarming. Catalina Sea Ranch, headquartered at AltaSea, is the first company in the nation permitted to farm in U.S. federal waters. Where Benjamin Franklin looked to the sky for electricity, the next generation of energy and power will come from the ocean. AltaSea partner Blue Robotics is building underwater drones that will enable scientists to explore the ocean like never before – and use those explorations to discover new natural sources of energy that can power the world. The Port of Los Angeles has always been an economic engine for our region and the arrival of AltaSea has the potential to be the greatest engine it has ever produced. Buckle up, San Pedro, this is going to be a wild ride – and this son of the harbor can’t wait to see where we go. spt Jack Baric can be reached at jackbaric@hotmail.com.
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As a nation, we have made great strides in transparency, inclusiveness, and acceptance, but with recent images from Charlottesville and racial tension over the past few years, we still have work to do. We have also seen recent examples of our nation’s humanity during the recent natural disasters. Our collective support and generosity is much greater, both domestically and internationally, than the repetitive sound bites on cable news or on social media would indicate who we are as a nation. However, through it all, we must be willing to have the tough conversations to solve critical social issues without fear of being called derogatory names, which seems to be the norm today. When the motion came forward to the Los Angeles City Council to repeal and replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day, it was not a surprise that the motion would pass, which it did, 14-1. The only dissenting vote was from our Councilman Joe Buscaino. Although Columbus Day is still a national holiday, cities across the country such as Seattle, Phoenix, and Denver, have enacted similar changes to replace Columbus Day. This has put Italian-Americans at odds with NativeAmericans who see Columbus Day as a celebration of genocide against its people, whereas Italian-Americans see this as a celebration of Italian heritage. The approved motion to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day, included the recognition by the City of Los Angeles that October 12th is now Italian Heritage Day. The debates surrounding replacing Columbus Day appears to have eliminated the roll of Spain in the crimes against the indigenous peoples. After all, it was under the flag of Spain that Columbus sailed, not Italy. The expansion to the Americas was initiated by the Spanish conquistadores (meaning “conquerors”), and developed by its administrators and missionaries. The motivations for colonial expansion were trade and the spread of the Catholic faith through indigenous conversions. Starting with the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492 and continuing for over three centuries, the Spanish Empire would expand
across the Caribbean Islands, half of South America, most of Central America and much of North America, including present day Mexico. In fact, the Spanish would conquer the indigenous people of the Aztec and Inca Empires in 1521 and 1572 respectively. So why no discussion or debate about the role of Spain in the conquering of the Americas and the indigenous peoples of the great Aztec and Inca empires? If the role of Spain was included in the debate, would the next step be to eliminate Spanish from being taught to our children? After all, isn’t this the language of the conquerors? Since part of the conquering of the Americas was to convert the indigenous people to Catholicism, will we rename all of the cities named after Catholic saints, including San Pedro? Will we rename everything in San Pedro named after Spanish explorer Juan Cabrillo Rodriquez, who discovered California some 40 years after Columbus arrived? I am not advocating for any of this, but why not have the deeper conversation about such facts? Is it fear, politics, or convenience? In this case, would having a deeper conversation cause the city council to make a different decision regarding inclusion, transparency, and acceptance of all? The Los Angeles City Council had the opportunity to demonstrate such a belief by establishing a Cultural Heritage Day or Diversity Day, as our councilman proposed, in place of Columbus Day and establish Indigenous Peoples Day on a different day. This would have sent a clear message across the city, nation and world that the City of Los Angeles is truly about inclusion and acceptance of all, and not picking one group over another. It could have served as a beacon of light to other cities across the country and sent a clear message about the importance of celebrating cultural diversity by setting such a day aside for all. That would have been a powerful message. Instead, the council’s vote to choose one group over another mirrors the divisiveness that we have been seeing far too much in our country and it failed to seize such an opportunity of unity. I am sure this will not be the last opportunity missed. spt Anthony Pirozzi is a Los Angeles Harbor Commissioner. He can be contacted at apirozzi@yahoo.com.
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WILL TECHNOLOGY CONTROL US? by Herb Zimmer I love being able to visit McDonald’s on Saturday mornings, order breakfast to-go, pay by waving my Apple Watch over a sensor on the counter and go about the business of the day. I love being able to accept credit card payments for my business, anywhere, anytime, with the Square app on my iPhone. And, how about being able to take a picture of a check using my phone and have it magically appear in my bank account? Technology is a wonderful thing. It makes transactions like this simpler, faster and more efficient. However, along with a growing number of experts in the field, I’ve begun to wonder if technology might be proceeding at too fast a pace for humans to deal with its consequences. You may have heard, recently, about a company in Wisconsin that embedded microchips in its employees’ hands, which allowed them to access company facilities, log on to company computers and pay for items with just a wave of their hands. The program was voluntary. Many people were horrified that a company would conceive of doing such a thing, and also that most employees had actually agreed to have the chips inserted. When asked, the employees said they agreed simply because it made routine tasks simpler, faster and more efficient. They said it was like carrying a smartphone, but you couldn’t forget it or lose it. It’s not hard to imagine, in the relatively near future, chip implants that would contain a person’s complete medical history or enough personal information that it would enable a person to walk through an airport scanner without showing a passport or driver’s license, or could start a car, operate home automation systems or a myriad of other things. Some tasks would require knowing
exactly where you were, so chips would include GPS tracking. Based on how people today so easily give up all kinds of personal information on the internet for the sake of convenience, it wouldn’t be surprising to see these implants become very popular, despite the potential loss of privacy and security. What’s worrying though, is that chip implants are just the tip of the technology iceberg that’s rushing toward us. Some futurists are already projecting that humans will someday become cyborgs, a combination of organic and inorganic parts, where manufactured parts either replace human organs or act as enhancements to human capabilities. Remember The Six Million Dollar Man TV show? That show’s technology is nothing compared to what’s coming. People today are working on direct braincomputer interfaces, and technologists Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Steven Hawking are already warning about the dangers of humans losing control of Artificial Intelligence. Renown Israeli futurist, Yuval Harari, has said that our growing dependency on technology could have strong political ramifications. As technology makes it easier to collect and process information centrally, it could enable a potential tyrant to use technology to “construct a total surveillance regime that follows every individual all the time and surveys not just your emails and your physical movements, but even what’s happening inside your body.” Big Brother, anyone? Technological “progress” is accelerating at an exponential rate. It appears to have developed a life of its own. Will we be able to control it, before it controls us? Today, I control my Apple Watch and iPhone. Will the day come when they control me? It’s certainly food for thought. spt Herb Zimmer owns PriorityOne Printing in downtown San Pedro.
An artist rendering of the intersection at 22nd and Miner Streets, the future home of AltaSea's 35-acre ocean institute campus. (photo: Gensler)
The New Frontier
WITH DEEP-SEA EXPLORER DR. ROBERT BALLARD ON BOARD, ALTASEA LOOKS TO TURN SAN PEDRO INTO A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE 'BLUE ECONOMY' by Joshua Stecker The view from AltaSea’s 10th floor executive conference room in downtown San Pedro’s Topaz building is a peek into the future. In the foreground, just across the street, a new 375-unit, seven-story apartment building is currently under construction; one of several new apartment and mixeduse buildings planned for downtown San Pedro in an effort to increase the area’s population density. A few blocks away, you can see the Sampson Way realignment project taking place, the first step towards the creation of the highly-anticipated San Pedro Public Market. Even further away, looking past 22nd Street and next to the Cabrillo Marina, the most recent rocket from SpaceX lies waiting to be taken back to its headquarters. And just across the channel from SpaceX sits City Dock 1, the current home and future 35-acre, ocean-based campus of AltaSea. It’s all a work-in-progress now, but this is the future of San Pedro. For AltaSea, the convergence of all this redevelopment happening at once is good fortune. The attention has placed San Pedro on the map, and business owners and investors are actively examining how it’s all going to play out, with AltaSea being a major force in igniting this, theoretical for now, thriving future. According to Jenny Krusoe, executive director of AltaSea, the nonprofit is ready for the challenge. “We are redeveloping City Dock 1 into a cutting edge 21st century ocean institute, bringing together the best, the brightest, and the boldest minds working in the ‘blue economy’ sector,” explains Krusoe. The “blue economy” is the concept of using the ocean’s resources to provide sustainable agriculture, economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and maintaining a healthy ocean ecosystem. The tenets AltaSea is being built upon. Krusoe continues, “The boldness and the size of this draws people’s attention. We are bringing these minds together, across many disciplines – researchers, educators, and most importantly, new businesses – to create new jobs in the L.A. Harbor.” 18 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2017
THE ULTIMATE WATERCOOLER To put it simply, AltaSea is one big “think tank” for oceanic research, commerce, agriculture, and education. The concept is simple. Build a facility where different businesses, educators and researchers can work within the same physical space to share talents, resources and data, to generate and continually develop sustainability solutions within the oceanic “blue economy.” “We’re putting everyone together on this amazing property with four historic warehouses to create the ultimate watercooler, to have people address what we think are the world’s most pressing challenges, food security, energy security, climate security, and exploring the 95 percent of the ocean that is still unexplored,” explains Krusoe. The AltaSea project began in 2007, spearheaded by the late Leonard J. Aube, executive director of the Annenberg Foundation. He was Krusoe’s mentor and the inspiration for her to take on the executive director’s role in March 2016 after the project’s first CEO, Rachel Etherington, departed the year prior. Aube, who started his professional career at Marineland in Rancho Palos Verdes, had the section of 22nd Street, between Signal and Miner Streets that lead into AltaSea, named after him prior to his passing. Krusoe, who has been with the project since 2011, feels it’s her obligation to see her former mentor’s dream become a reality. “When Leonard got sick, he asked me to stay on as deputy director of the project," says Krusoe. "After the leadership change, I took on the role of executive director. Leonard was a brilliant man and this was his dream, and I made him a promise to make this dream a reality.” Up to this year, most of the energy has been focused on fundraising. Recent donors include the Roy & Patricia Disney Family Foundation, The J.M. Kaplan Fund and the Leonetti O’Connell Family Foundation. They join the Port of Los Angeles and the Annenberg Foundation in leading the charge towards successfully
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funding the project. (AltaSea also accepts private donations through their website, altasea.org.) Among the five people that make up AltaSea’s current board of trustees, two are notable San Pedrans: Camilla Townsend, former Harbor Commissioner and former CEO of the San Pedro Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, and Doane Liu, executive director of the Los Angeles Department of Convention and Tourism Development. In August, AltaSea revised the original costs for building out Phase I, which includes restoring and renovating Warehouses 57-60 and the build out of an Engagement Center. Originally slated to cost $300 million, the current estimate is now $135 million. The cost for renovating the warehouses dropped from $130 million to $15 million, with the Port of L.A.’s remediation costs reduced from $146 million to just $6 million. AltaSea also restated their lease with the Port of Los Angeles, who owns the land. The 50-year lease now lasts through 2063. “Full permits should be awarded in October,” explains Krusoe. “Our plan is to get the shovel in the ground before the end of the year.” Currently, AltaSea is the home of Catalina Sea Ranch, an aquaculture farming company, and is the west coast base for world-famous deep-sea explorer, Dr. Robert Ballard, who you may know as the man who famously discovered the wreckage of the RMS Titanic. In addition, 22 universities have signed on with the project, with the goal of inspiring students to consider a career in oceanic exploration and research. The local Boys & Girls Clubs of the L.A. Harbor also has an office within AltaSea, with the goal of creating a pipeline to inspire middle school kids to be involved in oceanic science and research so they can acquire these new jobs soon to be available in the future.
with AltaSea. You can see San Pedro is on the move. It’s going to pop. Here, you have an amazing tie to the ocean.” With 95 percent of the ocean still unexplored, the chance of finding new materials, such as metals, plant and sea life, that could be used for new medicines and scientific research, is high and worth the time and effort folks like Dr. Ballard are putting into it. “Once AltaSea grows to critical mass, it can showcase its findings with the world,” he says. “Why try to colonize Mars when you can still colonize Earth? The future isn’t about sustaining life in the sea, it’s about vastly increasing the productivity of the oceans. The oceans can produce much more food than it’s producing right now.” Currently, Dr. Ballard and his team aboard E/V Nautilus are sonar mapping the ocean floor near the Channel Islands. You can follow Nautilus’ explorations live online at NautilusLive. org. UNDERWATER FARMING The most active tenant currently at AltaSea is Catalina Sea Ranch, an aquaculture farming company led by founder and CEO, Phil Cruver. The company, which is the first offshore aquaculture facility to be granted a federal permit to operate in U.S. waters, currently manages a 100-acre sea ranch six-miles off the Southern California coast, with plans to expand to 1,000 acres. Their current crops include Mediterranean Mussel, Giant kelp, Giant Rock Scallop, Pacific Oysters, macro algae and abalone. According to Cruver, the Southern California waters are the perfect place to cultivate sustainable food from the ocean. “The San Pedro shelf is the largest underwater platform on the west coast,” explains Cruver. “It’s perfect for offshore agriculture, especially for shellfish. There’s not a place like it on the west coast. We currently have 100 acres and we’re starting off with A BIG CATCH mussels. We get a new crop every 8-10 In September 2016, AltaSea months.” announced a partnership with Dr. Cruver and his team operate in Berth Robert Ballard, bringing his Ocean 58, utilizing seven shipping containersExploration Trust and Nautilus turned-offices. A research hatchery Exploration Program to San Pedro. filled with innovative mussel operations “The Ocean Exploration Trust’s and other aquaculture crops occupy one mission is to engage in pure ocean side of the warehouse, while the other exploration. Berthing Nautilus in side is used for scientific testing and San Pedro enables us to work with research purposes. AltaSea to advance the vital cause of "[The United States has] a $14 billion educating learners of all ages in science, seafood deficit,” claims Cruver. “We technology, math and engineering,” Dr. import over 90% of our seafood. It’s the Ballard said in a statement. second largest deficit after oil. With In July, Dr. Ballard, who turned all this shoreline, we should be a net 75 this year, led the media on a tour exporter, not an importer.” of Exploration Vehicle Nautilus, and “We want to make San Pedro the explained the importance of AltaSea capital of aquafarming for the 21st and what it means, not only to San century,” says Krusoe. Pedro, but to the entire planet. In addition to its aquaculture “I’m a kid from Southern California business, and as part of their deal with who wanted to be Captain Nemo. I AltaSea, Catalina Sea Ranch offers an think I pulled it off,” says Ballard. “This educational element, allowing students is home. I want to share what I’m doing to learn about aquaculture and its with my home. That’s why I partnered impact on the environment and to the 20 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2017
Blue Robotics, Inc. founder, Rusty Jehangir, with the BlueROV2 (top); Dr. Robert Ballard aboard E/V Nautilus (center); E/V Nautilus docked at AltaSea. (photos: Joshua Stecker, John Mattera)
food economy. In return, AltaSea provides rent credits to business partners who provide educational opportunities for children in the community. ROBOTS IN THE WATER A major facet to the “blue economy” is “blue technology,” or as Krusoe describes it, “robots in the water.” A new innovator in this field is Blue Robotics, Inc. (bluerobotics.com), a Torrance-based company founded by engineer, Rusty Jehangir. “We’re starting AltaSea with sustainable agriculture and blue technology, because every predictor says this is where a massive amount of new job generation is going to happen,” says Krusoe. What started out as a fun side project – build a small, solar-powered boat, guided by GPS, and have it travel autonomously from Los Angeles to Hawaii – has turned into a full-time business. “In the process for searching for better thrusters, we found that we weren’t alone,” explains Jehangir, a 29-year-old who holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from USC. “So, we decided to design a better and cheaper thruster. We developed a prototype and a
patentable idea.” Their first product, the T100 Thruster, raised more than $100,000 through a Kickstarter campaign. “Our goal is to create a low cost and high quality product for marine robotics that’s available to anyone, from Dr. Ballard to a kid just wanting to explore the ocean,” he says. While not a full-fledged tenant of AltaSea yet, Jehangir is a firm believer in the project’s mission and looks forward to being a partner alongside Cruver and Ballard. “AltaSea sounded too good to be true for a marine robotics business like ours,” he says. “The most exciting part about it is having access to the water and access to a community of other companies and experts, centralized around marine research, that can help each other.” That’s what AltaSea’s mission is about, and Krusoe is confident that by 2020, San Pedro will have a full-fledged, state-of-the-art ocean institute to call its own. “San Pedro has a very adventurous spirit,” says Krusoe, who currently calls the port town home. “It fits to have all these people here at AltaSea. This project is transformative, and San Pedro deserves it.” spt
Phil Cruver, founder and CEO of Catalina Sea Ranch (top); mussels grow in a research hatchery at AltaSea. (photos: John Mattera)
For more information on AltaSea, visit altasea.org.
OCTOBER 2017 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 21
SIGN O’ THE TIMES
HAMBURGER HUT'S FAMOUS WIENER DOG SIGN COMES DOWN, MAKING WAY FOR A NEW DRIVE-THRU STARBUCKS by Angela "Romee" Romero
There are very few things that can get me out of bed and stand on Gaffey Street at 7 a.m. I never would’ve guessed that a tricolor wiener dog would be one of them. But there I was on July 24 at 7 a.m., with a handful of my fellow San Pedro Bay Historical Society board members, watching as the ‘Hamburger Hut’ dog sign was being gently removed from its decades long perch above 9th and Gaffey Streets. It all started where most crazy ideas are born – from something I heard on Facebook. I was watching one of Councilman Joe Buscaino’s ‘man-onthe-street’ videos. As he was excitedly speaking in general terms about Gaffey Street and its future, in a moment I remember being so quick that it’d be easy to doubt your own ears, he drops news that I had never heard before: there would soon be a drivethru Starbucks where TC’s Bar and Bonello’s Pizza were currently residing. Right away, I went down my list of usual contacts looking for information, but came up empty handed. I even stopped at Bonello’s for a slice of pizza and asked the guy behind the counter. He had no idea what I was talking about and even got irked at the mention, like I was spreading rumors that could be bad for business. I kept my ears open and it wasn't long before I got confirmation. The reason I cared so much was hanging 30 feet up in the air, the old Hamburger Hut sign that had been co-opted by Bonello’s in the early 2000s. The dog used to be brown with a
Clockwise (l to r) The famous Hamburger Hut wiener dog sign; a newspaper ad from the 1940s; the sign comes down on July 24, 2017 (photos: Angela Romero, San Pedro Bay Historical Society)
wagging neon tail, advertising burgers and malts instead of pizza and happy rolls. The Rypdahl family opened the Hamburger Hut around 1941 and it soon became a popular hangout for the local high school crowd. In an advertisement from that year (pictured), a drawing of the building shows the first iteration of a wiener dog sign out front.
was attacked. I didn’t just see a cool sign when I looked up at that old weathered dog, I saw history. I didn’t want this sign going to the dump or someone’s man cave. I needed to find this dog a good home. I sent my first email to the Califano family, the owners of the property, on July 21, 2016. They promised to
The dog used to be brown with a wagging neon tail, advertising burgers and malts instead of pizza and happy rolls. The Hamburger Hut is also mentioned in Heartbeat of Struggle: The Revolutionary Life of Yuri Kochiyama. Before she was a civil rights activist, Yuri “Mary” Nakahara graduated from San Pedro High School. In the biography, Yuri tells a story about being reported to the police and FBI for posting flyers at the Hamburger Hut for the San Pedro High Alumni Association shortly after Pearl Harbor
22 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2017
discuss it and get back to me. I made sure to kindly remind them of my existence every so often and even enlisted the help of the Historical Society, who sent their own letter in support of the sign’s preservation. I didn’t start to get nervous until Bonello’s moved into their new space. On July 10, I heard from Peter Califano, his family would donate the sign if we could get it down… quickly.
I never doubted that the sign could be saved if given the go ahead. So many people had told me how much they missed the old Indian Room sign. I knew the community would rally around the Hamburger Hut sign if given the chance. That’s exactly what happened. The Historical Society voted to incur the cost of getting the sign down from the pole. Local sign shop Wellington Signs & Graphics accommodated the quick turn around and masterfully brought the dog and main sign down to waiting trucks below. Locals near and far started sharing memories of good times at Hamburger Hut and their love for the sign. One San Pedran, Andres Tamayo, even offered to repaint the sign to its original colors because he was so happy to hear it was being saved. Yes, it was bittersweet to see the dog leave its place on the Gaffey Street skyline, but everyone was glad to know that the San Pedro Bay Historical Society was going to give it a good home and preserve it for generations of San Pedrans to come. People always say it never hurts to ask for what you want. I’m a believer in that now. spt
OCTOBER 2017 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 23
SAN PEDRO IN NEON
A TOUR THROUGH SOME OF OUR TOWN’S ICONIC SIGNAGE story & photos by Angela "Romee" Romero What is it about neon that draws the eye like a moth to a flame? It’s a feast for the senses. The buzz, the shock of color against the black curtain of night. Neon is sexy, not to mention nostalgic. Every generation since neon’s invention has had some flirtation with the advertising medium. The earliest evidence I could find of neon signs in San Pedro, so far, has been during the 1930s. The Warner Grand Theatre, which opened in 1931, has always had a neon sign on its marquee. Dr. F.H. Clayson, an optometrist, had his name in a giant vertical sign above his office with a little pair of glasses below it. In 1941, the San Pedro Junior Chamber of Commerce raised money to erect a 40-foot long neon sign on the hillside that was cut through to extend the 110 freeway south. The sign said, “San Pedro Welcomes You,” with
two flashing arrows, one pointing to Gaffey Street and the other pointing to what was then known as San PedroWilmington Road (Pacific Avenue). The most iconic neon signs in San Pedro history were all concentrated on and around old Beacon Street. Signs in all the colors of the rainbow advertising everything from Bail Bonds to Chop Suey to your favorite watering hole, like the world-famous Shanghai Red’s. It must’ve been a sight to behold. When I first started my San Pedro history journey, back in 2009, I was bummed out by all the great sights I missed out on, but quickly realized that there were still so many amazing vintage neon signs around to love.
24 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2017
One night, I stayed up real late and decided to go out on a San Pedro neon safari. The town was so quiet that you could hear the Night Side shuffling containers around on the docks. I went downtown first, where I saw San Pedro Lock & Key’s key sign. Union War Surplus’ sign was still up during this time. I hear that the sign is now hanging in a warehouse in Rancho Dominguez. Next, I drove down Harbor Boulevard to 22nd Street Landing. I love the contrasting blue of the fish against the red. Then to Pacific Avenue where Rebel’s has the best ice blue lettering. From there I headed north to 10th Street to the Indian Room sign. While
admittedly not politically correct, I still loved that sign. A lot of people did (and still do). It’s gone, off in someone’s man cave. What a shame. The last stop on this tour is the new neon stronghold in San Pedro, Weymouth Corners. I don’t advocate loitering, but if you ever happen upon Weymouth Corners in the dead of night, do yourself a favor and get out of the car. There is something beautiful about the quiet on a vintage shopping center like that, especially lit up with the neon of Vilicich Watch & Clock, La Vogue Coiffure, Polly Ann Bakery and Rosalie & Alva’s. It’s almost as if you could time travel if you just squint your eyes. spt
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SPORTS
SWINGING SISTERS LOOK TO SCORCH THE NET
AN EXPERIENCED SAN PEDRO TEAM LEADS THE WAY FOR LOCAL 2017 PREP GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAMS by Jamaal K. Street
It’s the ‘You mess with one, you get us all’ mentality for the 2017 San Pedro High girls volleyball team. For the 2017 San Pedro Prep Girls Volleyball circuit, Port of Los Angeles and three-time defending Santa Fe League champion, Mary Star of the Sea, each have new coaches, while Alice M. Baxter will just be entering its fourth year of existence. So all the experience and continuity looks to be on the side of the Pirates, who have high aspirations in Christopher Ceballos’ fourth year of the program. Team harmony is definitely evident on what is Ceballos’ most deep and The Original Since 1982
talented group. “We’re literally a big group of sisters,” San Pedro senior outside hitter Selene Ramirez says. “I feel so honored to be able to play with such amazing girls who continue to inspire me every day.” Last year was Ceballos’ best in his three years, as San Pedro shook off a rough beginning to win 16 of their final 19 matches before falling in five sets at Cleveland of Reseda in the CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division I quarterfinals to finish 19-10 overall, finishing second at 10-2 in the Marine League to Carson, the lone team to defeat the Pirates in league play. San Pedro hasn’t defeated Carson since 2009, also the last time the Pirates won the league championship. That losing streak continues, as the Pirates lost 3-0 to Carson on September 12 in their league opener. “In year’s past, we were clearly outmatched and overpowered, but this year we have the talent to compete physically,” Ceballos exclaims. “The biggest question mark is our mental toughness.” Most schools would be thrilled to have one or two solid outside hitters, but the Pirates come stacked with five in the likes of Ramirez, her sister and top-notch freshman Serena Ramirez, rapidly improving senior Leinea Mueller, and returning AllMarine League juniors Sara Peterson and Lauren Sutrin, who makes the move to right side so the Pirates can take full advantage of the height and length possessed by senior middle blocker Rebecca Alvarenga. Peterson, who posted a 20-kill effort in a five-set league win at Narbonne, is the second of her family to shine at San Pedro, as her older sister Paige is a former three-time all-league selection. Sara believes that the team camaraderie is tantamount to success in 2017 for the Pirates. Sutrin made an instant impact
SPHS Girls Volleyball (l to r): Rebecca Alvarenga, Leinea Mueller, Sara Peterson, Selene Ramirez, Serena Ramirez and Lauren Sutrin. (photo: John Mattera)
during her first year on varsity as her tall presence forced the opposition to adjust to either avoid or neutralize her effectiveness. Many tried, few succeeded. Sutrin doesn’t mind her move from middle blocker to outside hitter. Another thing the opposition must beware of are the swift and sudden effectiveness of the Ramirez sisters. Selene has been a vital contributor going into her third year on varsity, as her killer instinct sets her apart. Serena, a very accomplished beach player at such a young age, brings a whole new level of talent and further adds to the depth of an already loaded outside hitter corps. “I’m excited for this season,” Serena says. “I feel that it’s a cool experience.” Alvarenga has been on varsity for three years, and one of the better student athletes at San Pedro High who has also excelled in soccer, swimming and water polo during her time as a Pirate. Having Alvarenga and Sutrin together on the court in separate times gave San
Pedro an intimidating presence, especially in critical situations. “Lauren is an amazing athlete,” Alvarenga says of her fellow twin tower. “I look forward to another great season with her.” Mueller is another on this team that has a sister that went through the program. Her older sister Miranda was on the 2013 Pirates, along with Paige Peterson, that had the unforgettable fifth set comeback to defeat Banning dubbed The Miracle On 17th Street. “(Miranda) has been there for me and taught me the basics and how to play, so I knew I had some big shoes to fill to impress her,” Leinea said. “Coming into this season, I’ve grown a lot and I know with her, my family and my team’s support, we can have a good comeback like that in our matches.” Although these great hitters, along with returning senior opposite hitter Alison Mernin, finish rallies, you can’t forget about two-time All-Marine League senior libero Alison Lyons, along with the setter trio of sophomore Rosie Lopez, senior Kiriana Teofilo and junior Sosha Williams. spt
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The day was winding down as our bus hummed along a craggy dirt road just outside Cusco, Peru. We had spent the last several hours hiking, traversing, and climbing the steps of ancient citadels of the Inca Empire. As we headed back to the capital, among mountains and ruins, we drank beer with our fellow travelers. The following day we’d be waking up at 3 a.m. to make a 38-mile trek 15,000 feet into the sky through the Salkantay Pass to Machu Picchu. On the bus we had befriended a couple. They were also going to Machu Picchu, but on train. They kept making comments about the hike we were about to do. “I wish I could do that. No way I’d make it alive, though. I’ll just be on the train drinking my wine. See you at the top.” Earlier in the day, one of them declined seeing certain parts of Inca sites because they required strenuous uphill hiking to get to. She was maybe 38, if that. Right then, I remembered comments I’ve heard almost all of my life. “I would eat healthy… I would go to the gym, but I want to have a life. I don’t want to deprive myself of good food or having a good time. Life is too short.” I somewhat get the idea behind that comment. Do what makes you happy. But there’s something she and others like her are missing about what the “discipline” of exercise gives you: options. To reach the summit, someone who doesn’t trust their physical ability has only one option: some “thing” must take you there. Any other alternative would be unsafe. But I, and hundreds of other travelers (of all ages) who train regularly can choose any way we want. We can climb, ride, or take a cushy wine-soaked train-ride. Any sight or activity we want to try is wide open to us.
The discipline of an active lifestyle affords you options. The idea that someone can’t be fit and indulge in decadent foods and enjoy life is a false choice. They’re not mutually exclusive. But being unfit will deprive you of certain life experiences. Have you ever not done something because you weren’t confident you could physically do it? Maybe they’re experiences you don’t care to have. One thing’s for sure, abilities you can have now in your youthful strength will disappear 10, 20, 30 years down the line unless you work to keep them. Play with your kids, snowboard, surf, run a 5k, climb a mountain. Larry, a client here at the gym, hadn’t exercised in decades. Now he’s kind of a meathead, well into his sixties. He won’t tell you this, but he’s damn strong, but that’s not what he brags about. He brags that for the first time in years, he’s able to throw a football and play catch with his grandson. An ability, through age and injury, he had given up on altogether, until he realized his physical fate wasn’t settled until he decides it is. The woman in Peru couldn’t trek with us that day because in that moment, her body wasn’t strong enough to handle it. But any day she decides to, she can say, “Damnit, I am going to climb that mountain.” At first, the voice in her head would laugh (and panic). Maybe her coworkers or friends would, too. “You’re too old. You’re too out of shape. You can’t do this.” It’d only take a few weeks for her to realize they are dead wrong. She could return to the mountain and experience the Peruvian landscape in a way her former self couldn’t have. But not until she decides. And the funny thing is, this isn’t really about “climbing the mountain.” But in the climbing, she’ll learn all kinds of other things about herself. An avalanche of possibilities open up to her when she gains the confidence to take on challenges and overcome them. Go for a hike this weekend. spt Get a free guide “3 simple tweaks anyone can make for dramatic Fatloss,” visit sanpedrofatloss.com.
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FIVE & NINETY THESES by Pastor Nathan Hoff A year ago, Pope Francis visited Lund, in Southern Sweden, to commence commemorations of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. There were diplomatic hugs, handshakes, and smiles. There were careful words and prayers in that beautiful 12th Century cathedral where Catholic bishops sat until the 16th Century when Lutheran bishops took their seat. This January, my friend, Father Mark, now the former chaplain at Marymount California University, invited me to their welcoming little chapel for hugs, handshakes, and common prayer, repentance, and singing that was far more down-to-earth. Granted, there were no television cameras at Marymount, nor were we live-streamed to an overflow crowd of 10,000 in a local arena. It was just Father Mark, me, a good turnout of faculty, staff, and students, a small but beautifully able choir, and our common Lord. There hasn’t always been so much hugging, good will, and general kumbaya. As a child, I remember learning a ditty that went something like this: Good ol’ Marty Luther, I think the Reformation’s grand! With his five and ninety theses, He tore the Pope to pieces. The heartbeat of our Lutheran teaching is Saint Paul’s emphasis on a radically gracious God who forgives us not because of what we have done or left undone, but because of what Jesus Christ has done for us. Yet, for people always talking about grace, how could we be so ungracious? For people who receive righteousness as a gift, how could we be so self-righteous? I didn’t even know what the “five and ninety theses” contained, but I knew we must be right.
30 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2017
This month is the 500th anniversary of those “five and ninety theses” being nailed to a Castle Church door in a small German town on All Hallows' (Saints) Eve by a stubborn monk. Those theses begged, and they still beg, for discussion. They plead for people of faith to reconsider how they prefer to use resources on themselves instead of on the poor. They claim that it is not just the irreligious that need conversion, but that the religious are also in desperate need of ongoing conversion. They remind that the church has no business selling salvation, because it is a free gift from God. The intention behind the hammer that was used to nail those theses up was not to destroy, but to repair. There were unintended consequences. As a pastor of a Lutheran Church here in San Pedro, I want to reassure my sisters and brothers at Mary Star, Holy Trinity, and Saint Peter’s Catholic Churches. I will not be nailing anything up on your doors on October 31st. I need reformation as much as anyone else. And the community I serve needs the repairing hammer of those 95 theses just as much as anyone else. Please also be assured that I am praying with our common Lord, “that they may all be one...” (John 17.21). I ended my message at Marymount with these words, “I ache and long, as Jesus does, for us to share the meal together, to share our common meal once again, but until that day, may we live and move and have our being in Jesus. Let's discuss together, repent together, pray together, march together, recognize dignity together, stand with the poor and the immigrant and the unborn together, and before we know it we will be the one body of Christ, with one heart, and one Head.” spt Nathan Hoff is the Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in San Pedro. Follow his blog at trinitypastor.blogspot.com.
WEDDING
LET MY LOVE OPEN THE DOOR
KENNY & JENNIFER KEIDSER JANUARY 14, 2017 by Brooke Karli photo by John Mattera
As the saying goes, when one door closes, another opens. Although living ten houses away from one another, when Kenny and Jennifer (Ungaro) Keidser first met, love, quite literally, walked through the door. “I needed a new sliding glass door installed, and one of my friends recommended someone to me,” recalls Jennifer. “I called him up and he recognized my address, saying that one of his guys lives down the street from me. So, Kenny ended up being the one to replace my door!” While the two had hit it off instantly, nothing became of their encounter until Jennifer reached out again to him. “His boss was supposed to install a kitchen window for me and never did, so I called Kenny to see if he could,” she explains. “Come to find out, Kenny was no longer working for the same company, but offered to still fix it for me.” In 2011, Jennifer invited Kenny out
Sandwiches
•
to The Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, to see local band, Identity Theft. After some hesitation, Kenny agreed. “He felt like he was imposing on me and my friends by joining us,” remembers Jennifer. “When I made it clear that he wasn’t, he agreed to come along.” A week after the show, Kenny and Jennifer had their first official date, and have been together ever since. In January 2015, the couple moved in together, along with their children Kenny’s three daughters and son, and Jennifer’s son. On July 13, 2016, the pair vacationed in Key West, Florida. While hanging out with Kenny’s brother and sisterin-law (who live in Orlando) at a pub called Irish Kevin’s, Kenny’s brother got on stage to sing a song. Following the song, Kenny jumped up on stage, and pulled Jennifer up to join him. She thought he was going to make her take shots. On the contrary, Kenny got down on one knee and proposed. Six months later, on January 14,
Imports
•
2017, Kenny and Jennifer became husband and wife, at Hotel Maya in Long Beach, in front of 250 guests. The bride’s father, Henry Ungaro, passed away in 1999. In his honor, the important role of escorting the Jennifer down the aisle was given to her son, Andrew Toscano. The ceremony was officiated by Kenny’s sister, Cari Keidser, who sent the couple off with well wishes in both Hawaiian (for Kenny’s family) and Italian (for Jennifer’s family). Standing next to Kenny and Jennifer were Best Man, Curtis Keidser; groomsmen Jason and Brian Keidser; junior groomsman, Kenny Keidser Jr.; Maid of Honor, Nicole Edwards; bridesmaid, Paula Berg; junior bridesmaids, Devyn and Nicole Keidser; and flower girl, Kailee (Zoe) Keidser. Next to the guestbook was a framed picture of Jennifer’s parents (her mother Marie Ungaro passed away in 2016) that read, “We know you would be here today if heaven wasn’t so far
away. Forever in our hearts.” Kenny and Jennifer shared their first dance to Ed Sheeran’s “Tenerife Sea,” which was performed by her son, Andrew. Prior to dinner, Kenny’s father, Norm Keidser, recited a Swedish prayer, which is a tradition in the Keidser home before every meal. Jennifer’s nine nieces and nephews also said a prayer, representing the Catholic side of her family. One of the couple’s favorites of the evening? Their reception dessert table, which was filled with traditional Italian cookies and Hostess desserts. Following their special day, Kenny and Jennifer honeymooned in Lake Tahoe for six days, and the newlyweds plan to take a “delayed” honeymoon in Bora Bora next summer. Currently, the couple resides in Rancho Palos Verdes. Kenny works in construction, and Jennifer is CFO of the San Pedro Fish Market. spt
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