San Pedro Today - October 2018

OCTOBER 2018

PLUS: AUTHOR PETER ADUM | A FAMILY’S SEARCH LAID TO REST | 2018 PREP VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW

valor & victory AFTER A LIFE-CHANGING ACCIDENT WHILE SERVING IN AFGHANISTAN, RALPH DEQUEBEC FOUND A NEW PURPOSE IN LIFE BY JOINING THE U.S. SLED HOCKEY TEAM

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

lue! a V 0 $98.0 with binable

Limit

om Not C ld. useho

I want to congratulate all the folks involved with this year’s L.A. Fleet Week for topping themselves once again. From the star-studded premiere of Amazon’s Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan to Mike Love’s touring version of The Beach Boys making a long overdue South Bay appearance, the event seemed to go off without a hitch.

According to Jonathan Williams, president and CEO of the Battleship Iowa Museum, many downtown restaurant owners said this year’s L.A. Fleet Week/Labor Day weekend was their most successful one yet. Judging by all the white-uniformed sailors that were flooding downtown streets that weekend, I would have to concur.

Williams, one of the lead organizers of L.A. Fleet Week, should be especially proud of how this year’s event turned out. Having worked with the L.A. Fleet Week team in the past, I’ve seen how hard that group works to put on this event. From the coordination between the Port of L.A. and the Battleship Iowa, to organizing the entertainment and the military ships, it’s a massive undertaking with a lot of moving parts that can easily fall apart without the proper leadership in place. Fortunately, that didn’t seem to happen.

8

1, 201 rs. er offe ctober 3 any oth Expires O

r ho one pe

Not Combinable with any other offers.

Limit one per household. Expires October 31, 2018

$98.00 Value!

Not Combinable with any other offers.

Limit one per household. Expires October 31, 2018

OFF ANY SERVICE!*

Not Combinable with any other offers.

Limit one per household. Expires October 31, 2018

Maximize Your Life!

Fuel Efficiency & Tire Life.

Complete 2 Wheel Alignment

Complete 4 Wheel Alignment

15

%

*All Labor Charges. Not Combinable with any other offers.

Limit one per household. Expires October 31, 2018

Beat the Heat!

5995 $7995 A/C SERVICE

$

*

*

99

*European Cars Extra.

Not Combinable with any other offers.

Limit one per household. Expires October 31, 2018

Reg. $152.23

Includes First 1lb. of R134a

System must not be leaking at time of service.

$98.00 Value!

4 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2018

Not Combinable with any other offers.

Limit one per household. Expires October 31, 2018

Monday- Friday 7:30am - 8pm Sat. 7:30 - 4:30

The holiday weekend was a big win for San Pedro. The success of this year’s L.A. Fleet Week has already led to discussions about having more live concerts by nationally recognized acts along the waterfront in the near future.

Wouldn’t it be nice?

Last thing on this subject, if you want to hear a hilarious (and frankly, incredible) story that involves pizza and L.A. Fleet Week, ask John Bagakis at Big Nick’s Pizza to tell it to you. It’s a good one.

Oh, and can we maybe get an aircraft carrier next year?

One Decade In Finally, since we’re heading towards the end of 2018, I wanted to mention that next year, San Pedro Today will be celebrating its ten-year anniversary.

It hasn’t really hit me yet that it’s been almost a decade since I was laid off at the Long Beach Press-Telegram and decided to independently publish this magazine, investing my entire severance into the first issue in February 2009. But, according to the calendar, that’s indeed the case.

We have some cool things planned for our anniversary next year. I can’t wait to share them with all of you. Keep your eyes on this page in the coming months for some exciting news.

It may be ten years, but it feels like we’re just getting started. spt Joshua Stecker is publisher/editorin-chief of San Pedro Today. Letters to the Editor can be emailed to contact@sanpedrotoday.com.

OCTOBER 2018 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 5

OCTOBER 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

• • • • • •

Camps and Clinics Birthday Parties Corporate Events Field Rentals Tournaments Pick-Up Games

www.lagalaxysc.com | info@lagalaxysc.com

888-576-2237

540 Maple Avenue | Torrance, CA 90503

6 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2018

Caitlyn Trudnich

Joseph A. Castañeda

Jack Baric, Nathan Hoff, , Steve Marconi, Jennifer Marquez, George Palaziol, Anthony Pirozzi, Angela Romero, Jamaal K. Street, Julia Swanson

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 9

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: Ralph DeQuebec playing for the U.S. Sled Hockey team (photo: courtesy Ralph DeQuebec)

Grand Opening

Friday, October 13

Cafe Panzano 362 W. 6th Street | San Pedro, CA 90731

OCTOBER 2018 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 7

OCTOBER Every Wednesday – CREATIVE WRITING CLASS FOR KIDS at The Corner Store (1118 W. 37th St.), 4:30 – 5:45p. Taught by San Pedro Today columnist, Jennifer Marquez. $10 per class. For more info, email jennifermarquez@yahoo.com.

Now – 19 (Fri) – HEALTH CAREER SCHOLARSHIPS at Providence LCM San Pedro Auxiliary (1300 W. 7th St.). Applications are available at the volunteer office and information desk.

Also available online at providence.org/ sanpedro. Applicants must be enrolled in a Health Career program and be in the second semester. Residency is waived for employees of Providence LCM Medical Center San Pedro.

For more info, call Marilyn Weiss at (310) 833-0916 or Antoinette Bacerra at (310) 241-4079.

2 (Tues) – WHALE WATCH TRAINING at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (3720 Stephen M. White Dr.), 7p. Become a whale watching boat naturalist. The American Cetacean Society - Los Angeles Chapter (ACS/LA) and the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium will train you to go out and narrate whale watching trips from local landings. Meetings are every Tuesday evening, from the beginning of October to the end of March. The program is free and open to all (college age or older). For more info, visit cabrillomarineaquarium.org.

exquisitely prepared sustainable seafood dishes as the sun sets on a summer evening. Tickets are $175, per person ($150 for members). For more info, visit cabrillomarineaquarium.org.

7(Sun) – SEAFOOD EXPO & SEA FAIR at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (3720 Stephen M. White Dr.), 10a – 3p.

Celebrate the bounty of the ocean and discover new ways to make healthy choices for you and the ocean. This free even will feature presentations and fun for the whole family! For more info, visit cabrillomarineaquarium.org.

7 (Sun) – ANNUAL FASHION SHOW at The Dalmatian American Club (1639 S. Palos Verdes St.), 11a. The Dalmatian American Club Women's Auxiliary presents their annual fundraising event, featuring a bake sale and accessory boutique, followed by a luncheon at Noon. Enjoy the latest fashions, opportunity drawing, door prizes, and music entertainment. Tickets are $50.

For reservations, call (310) 832-9512.

7 (Sun) – IT’S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD 55TH ANNIVERSARY SCREENING at the Warner Grand Theatre (478 W. 6th St.), 5 – 8p. The San Pedro International Film Festival presents this special screening of the 1963 film. Relive the madcap crosscountry treasure hunt that ends up right here in San Pedro. For tickets and more info, visit spiffest.org.

11 (Thurs) – FOOD TASTING at the Assistance League San Pedro-South Bay (1441 W. 8th St.), 11a – 3p. The Assistance League San Pedro-South Bay 4 (Thurs) – FIRST THURSDAY Gift Shop will be hosting a free tastARTWALK in Downtown San Pedro, ing, featuring Montana classic chili and 6 – 9p. Live music, food trucks, art many great dishes for fall. Recipes will gallery displays, and food and drink be included. Shop for Halloween items, specials from local bars and restaurants. fall fashions, gifts, and See’s Candy. For Experience the most anticipated more info, call (310) 832-8355 ext. 221. monthly event in San Pedro!

13 (Sat) – THE SLICE WALKING 6 (Sat) – CHEF’S TABLE DINNER at TOUR, 11a. Join historian and San the Cabrillo Beach Bath House (3800 Pedro Today columnist, Angela "RoStephen M. White Dr.), 5:30p. Join mee" Romero, for a Pedro Pizza Crawl the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium for in honor of National Pizza Month. San an exclusive Chef’s Table Dinner, Pedro is famous for its pizza. Celebrate featuring gourmet seafood prepared our good fortune by visiting three of

by Chicken of the Sea Corporate the town's finest places to grab a slice, Chef, John DaLoia. Enjoy a variety of Joseph's Bakery, Buono's Pizzeria, and

ACTING CLASSES for YOUNG ADULTS with Renee O’Connor

“Gabrielle” of Sci-Fi Channel’s Xena: Warrior Princess

Learn:

Sanford Meisner Technique Acting for Film & Television Shakespeare Scene Study Audition Technique October classes begin at The Grand Annex (434 W. 6th St.) More info: www.ROCpictures.com

8 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2018

Bonello's. Enjoy your pizza with a side of history as you trace a virtual pizza slice across town. History topics will include Daniels Field, the Dodson House, Dana Middle School, San Pedro Library, Mary Star, and more. This tour is a special event, please note the start time and price. Tickets are $20 and space is limited. Call (310) 808-7800 to reserve.

13 (Sat) – SAN PEDRO BAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL BEER TASTE at Muller House (1542 S. Beacon St.), 3 – 6p. Enjoy a lovely afternoon on the scenic Muller House patio, plus delicious hors d’oeuvres and an exciting silent auction. $25 suggested donation, per person. For more info, visit sanpedrobayhistoricalsociety.org or call (310) 365-8873.

14 (Sun) – FALL CRAFT FAIR at Bank of America Parking Lot (951 S. Pacific Ave.), 10a – 5p. The San Pedro Art Association will hold a fall craft fair, featuring local artists, crafters, and jewelers showing and selling their handcrafted artwork. Perfect opportunity for early holiday shopping!

For more info, call SPAA Board Secretary Bill Boisselle-Schalaba at (310) 831-2928.

20 (Sat) – LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS at the San Pedro Library, Phil Scott Meeting Room (931 S. Gaffey St.), 2p. The League of Women Voters will present a non-partisan discussion of the propositions on the November 6 ballot.

20 (Sat) – SPOOKY SAN PEDRO WALKING TOUR, 5p. Join historian and San Pedro Today columnist, Angela "Romee" Romero, for a stroll through haunted and historic Downtown San Pedro. Travel between two of San Pedro's spookiest hot spots and share a little dark history in between. Tickets are $20 and space is limited. A second tour will be offered Saturday, October 27. Call (310) 808-7800 to reserve.

20 (Sat) – SPHS CLASS OF 1988 REUNION at DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton-San Pedro (2800 Via Cabrillo

Marina), 6p – Midnight. Cheers to 30 years! Bringin’ ’88 back. Catch up with your former classmates and remember the good times. Tickets are $75.

Includes sit-down dinner, no host bar, and music and lighting by MichaelAngelo Music, featuring DJ Scott Martin.

For more info, visit San Pedro High School Class of 1988’s Facebook page.

Purchase tickets online at sphsclassof88. ticketspice.com/san-pedro-high-schoolclass-of-88-30-year-reunion or call (310) 367-7649.

25 (Thurs) – PALA CASINO DAY, departing from Providence LCM San Pedro (1300 W. 7th St.), 9a – 6p. Benefiting Providence Little Company of Mary San Pedro Auxiliary Health Career Scholarship Fund. Package includes deluxe transportation, $5 casino play, and buffet lunch senior discount. $23 per person (no refunds). For more info, contact Virginia at (310) 832-2164 or Irene at (310) 831-6862.

25 (Thurs) – FRIENDS OF THE SAN PEDRO LIBRARY ANNUAL DINNER at Michael’s Tuscany Room (740 W. 7th St.), 6p. The celebration will feature special guest speaker John Szabo, City Librarian of Los Angeles. Reservations are available online at friendsspl.org and at San Pedro Library. For more info, call (310) 832-6288.

27 (Sat) – FALL HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL at Holy Trinity School (1292 W. Santa Cruz St.), 4 – 9p. Get your spooky on! Holy Trinity School invites you to join them at their Fall Halloween Carnival. Take a walk through the scary haunted house, try your luck at festive game booths, and enjoy yummy eats, sweets, and treats of all sorts. Fun for the whole family! For more info contact Kelli Real at kellireal77@gmail.com.

27 (Sat) – THE SPRINGSTEEN EXPERIENCE at the Grand Annex (434 W. 6th St.), 8p. A wild ride through The Boss' brilliant musical catalog with Josh Schreiber’s acclaimed tribute experience. For tickets, visit grandvision.org. spt

Want to see your event here? Email events@sanpedrotoday.com to place a listing. Deadline for the November issue is Friday, October 12.

Find more events at facebook.com/sanpedrotoday.

VOICES

LOOK BACK AT THE MILESTONES LINING THE PATH TO 2018

by Steve Marconi A number of significant anniversaries are being marked this year.

Internationally, November 11 will be the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. The 75th anniversary of D-Day was June 6.

Nationally, 2018 is the 50th anniversary of a number of historic occurrences, most of them tragic: the Tet Offensive in Vietnam, the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy, deadly race riots in the inner cities, a violent anti-war march at the Democratic National Convention, among others.

Locally, San Pedro has celebrated its 130th birthday and the 130th anniver-

sary of its library (yes, I know, on 10th Street, not 11th), and the San Pedro Pirate Boosters Club just had its 60th anniversary. This year also marks the 80th anniversary of two San Pedro landmarks: the Terminal Island correctional facility and the Victory Arch at the San Pedro High School football field. It also is the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the French Sardine Co. (today known as Starkist) at Fish Harbor on Terminal Island. It was the cannery’s co-founder, Joseph M. Mardesich, who two decades later purchased and moved to San Pedro High School the structures that became the Victory Arch.

Personally, not one but two San Pedro couples that I have the privilege of knowing are celebrating 70th wedding anniversaries this year. The fact that both couples happen to have spent most

We Have 7 HDTVs to see all the games!

Now with 6 beers on tap!

Choose from Pizza • Appetizers Salads • Sandwiches Calzones • Pasta Dishes Dinner Entrees & Desserts

Gluten Free Pizza Crust is here!

FAST DELIVERY

310.732.5800 What A Deal!

Me Familia

Pick Up Special Large 1 Topping

with up to 2 Toppings 1 Dozen Wings & 2 Liter Soda

1099

$

Not valid with any other offer excludes gourmet toppings & extra cheese 310.732-5800 Limited time only.

Large Pizza

2799

$

Not valid with any other offer excludes gourmet toppings & extra cheese 310.732-5800 Limited time only.

10 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2018

Double Trouble 2 Large Pizzas with up to 2 Toppings each

2599

$

Not valid with any other offer excludes gourmet toppings & extra cheese 310.732-5800 Limited time only.

of their adult lives overseas as Christian missionaries might seem coincidental, but probably not.

Phil and Margaret Luttio have lived in San Pedro since 1989, when they retired from the mission field after nearly 38 years in Japan and came to live near their two daughters and their families.

Oldest child Karen is married to Paul Anderson, who was pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in San Pedro for more than 20 years. The Anderson clan moved to Minnesota in 1995, but the Luttios have remained faithful members of Trinity. Youngest daughter Miriam Varvais still lives here; son Steve is a retired pastor living in Nevada; son Mark is a professor of religious studies at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. The Luttios ending up in Japan is a remarkable story in itself.

Phil, now 94, served in the Army during WWII. He stepped on a landmine during the battle of Iwo Jima and was blown 20 feet into the air.

The Japanese left him for dead, but his comrades found him. He carries shrapnel from the explosion in his body to this day. He spent six months in Guam recovering, where one doctor told him, “I don’t know if you believe in God, but you need to ask him why you’re alive, this is more than a miracle.”

Luttio did believe in God. He was a born-and-bred evangelical Lutheran. He also knew why he’d been spared. After seminary, he packed up his wife and two young children and went to preach the Gospel to the very people who only years before had tried to kill him. As for Margaret, now 93, being a missionary fulfilled a calling she says she first received as a child. Today the Luttios, who were married June 30, 1948, have 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

While Luttio was off in the Central Pacific, Dean Blackwelder and Dixie Gibson were in high school in San Pedro, where they were born and raised.

Dean graduated from San Pedro High School in the summer of 1945. Dixie, daughter of longtime City Councilman John Gibson Jr., was in the class of W`46. They went on to UCLA together, and were married September 12, 1948,

at San Pedro’s First Baptist Church.

After four years at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, the Blackwelders were sent

by First Baptist as missionaries to Brazil, where they served for the next 30 years. For part of that time, Dean was a missionary jungle pilot.

The Blackwelders returned to San Pedro after retiring from the mission field, then moved to Hawaii, where Dean served as a church pastor for a short time. They have spent the past 20 years back in San Pedro, living in the home built by Gibson on Sunnyside Terrace with a panoramic view of the harbor. Dean, 91, is working on an atlas of the life of Christ, using the knowledge gained from several trips to Israel; Dixie is 90. They have four children: Jackie Visick of Monrovia; Janis Pezzato, whose husband, Dimas, pastors a Brazilian church near Philadelphia; Jinelle Pereira of Boca Raton, who, like sister Janis, is a flight attendant; and John, an aeronautical engineer, of San Pedro. Their families have produced 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, with a fifth due in November.

To put this all in perspective, it’s been 50 years since my senior year at San Pedro High School (a member of a winter class, my graduation was in January 1969). I have a lot of memories from that event-filled year, but no one there will ever forget Danny Bondon’s game-winning touchdown catch from Dave Garasic against Carson at El Camino Stadium.

It was 40 years ago I returned to San Pedro to work at the News-Pilot after a five-year interlude in Las Vegas. Twenty years ago, I left the Daily Breeze for the Los Angeles Times. Ten years ago, my youngest granddaughter was born.

(I’m sensing a pattern here.)

As for matching the Luttio and Blackwelder marriages, check back in 26 years. spt Steve Marconi can be reached at spmarconi@yahoo.com.

Follow us on

27 Years of Commitment and Dedication Starts Here Un-chain Yourself for Outstanding Service

THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY • FREE DELIVERY • SAME CO-PAY • PERSONAL SERVICE

• Reliable & Personal Service • Free Delivery • ILWU, Medicare Part D & all Major Insurances Accepted • Specialty Medications

We’re your Independent Community Pharmacy!

GIVE US A CALL!

310 833-3535 fax 310 833-9124

1294 W. 6th Street, Suite 100 • San Pedro Across from Little Company of Mary Hospital

www.PeninsulaRx.com

HOURS: MON-FRI» 9am-7pm SAT » 10am-4pm

OCTOBER 2018 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 11

VOICES

REMEMBER WHEN PARKS WERE FREE?

by Jennifer Marquez A small group of parents and children were enjoying an impromptu visit to Averill Park. The kids, playing on a grassy hill, laughed and ran while the adults sat nearby on beach chairs. A man with a yellow vest and a Los Angeles Recreation and Parks (LARAP) badge walked through their belongings and approached Monica Sabic Weston.

“Do you have a permit to be at the park?” he asked. “No,” replied Weston, wondering what he was talking about.

“This looks like a party. You need to pay $97,” he demanded.

He was holding a clipboard with pieces of paper on it. Weston was not hosting an event and refused to give the man her information or money.

After the encounter, Weston took to social media in frustration where others shared similar stories.

There were multiple posts about being harassed at Averill Park by the same man, a Park Monitor. A video showed him circling the park in his city car. When he spots people using the picnic tables or gathering on the grass in a group, he moves in. A man on the thread posted that the same monitor approached his family while they were having a small family birthday party.

The Monitor wanted $97 on the spot and said that his camera was not allowed either because it looked professional. He was taking pictures of his wife’s little cousin. With no signs or rules posted regarding permits, some park visitors paid while others refused.

This public park was now becoming like a private country club with high fees just to sit at a table. Throughout San Pedro, other city parks and beaches have no Park Monitors, notably at Cabrillo Beach. In that area, neighbors are con-

sistently dealing with large groups holding loud parties without permits and no LARAP staff to monitor any of it.

Averill Park is located in a quaint neighborhood known as Vista Del Oro. The park features a meandering pond with crawfish and ducks, a gazebo, and a waterfall. With rolling hillsides and a canopy of trees, the park has been a favorite of the community for more than a century. The park in years past has been impacted by graffiti, parking issues, vandalism, and the brutal killings of ducks. In 2009, Quimby Funds were used to make improvements of the aging park. Since then, the influential neighbors have worked to preserve the park. Strict ideas about who can use the park and the tables were originally established to protect the park.

For the last year, rules have seemed to turn Averill Park into a pay-to-play venue even for visits by families. If the Park Monitor thinks visitors are celebrating or holding an event, they have to pay. According to the local Recreation and Parks office, all picnic tables at Averill Park are by reservation only and cost $97 to reserve an area. A spur of the moment family dinner on the park picnic tables is prohibited without prior reservations that have to be paid in the office during the week. Groups of 15 or 20 need a permit to use any area of the park. The exact number depends on who answers the phone at the office. The only small bathroom in the 10-acre park is located up a steep hill with stairs. People using wheelchairs or parents with strollers are out of luck if they need to use a restroom.

Andrea Stammreich had her eightyear-old daughter’s Girl Scout troop walk across the bridge at the park as part of a Scout bridging tradition. She planned to celebrate with cupcakes after the short ceremony. That was until the Park Monitor demanded she pay for the girls to walk over the bridge and for

The Birdcage BeauTy Parlour 412 W. 7th Street • San Pedro Looking for licensed: hairstylist for booth rental Now offering spray tanning! $35 special for new client’s first visit!

Full-service salon with a laid back vintage vibe 12 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2018

310.684.1218

20% OFF

For First Time Clients (excluding color corrections)

the table she used for the cupcakes. The Park Monitor wore gloves, had no name badge, and made Stammreich uncomfortable. He walked off, but came back during their ceremony asking for the money in front of all the girls and parents, which seemed predatory and an effort to embarrass them. At their next bridging, Stammreich decided to combine the ceremony with other troops to split the park fees. It took numerous unanswered calls to LARAP and visits to their offices at another location to complete the paper work and pay for the permit. On the day of their event, the Monitor lurked near their ceremony.

He instructed them to leave earlier than their permit stated and said that they were not in the correct location.

Stammreich had a map and knew she was in the right area. When fathers of the Girl Scouts stepped up, the Monitor finally backed down.

It is not only the lack of clear guidelines and high fees that are of concern to community members, management of money and permits is also questionable. Weston also obtained a permit to have a small event at Harbor Regional Park for her non-profit agency. She did not receive a refund of the required $600 deposit from LARAP for a year after the event. Gauging residents with high fees is not new to LARAP. At parks in Torrance, picnic tables are free and on a first come, first serve basis.

Only groups of 25 or more are charged $1 a head for residents, which is four times the amount compared to LARAP. For a child to play on a volleyball team in San Pedro, with LARAP, the fee is $135. In Torrance, it is $69. In Long Beach, youth sports teams are free except for a $10 charge for a t-shirt. Both Long Beach and Torrance have a large selection of classes for children, adults, and seniors. In San Pedro, classes and sports are sparse and much more expensive.

While the monitor focuses primarily on Averill Park, he can be seen patrolling Peck Park on occasion. For 30 years, Carol Stamper and her family set up chairs and tables for a pre-Easter lunch on the grass in the back of the park. She was shocked when the Monitor showed up and charged her $97.

They had their own tables and chairs and the park was deserted. She gave him a check for the use of one trashcan Only certain parks receive the attention of a park monitor while others do not.

There is no equality.

At Cabrillo Beach, a grandfather paid for a permit to have his grandson’s party at the picnic tables under the trees.

When he arrived to set up on a Sunday morning, a large group of people from a church had taken his tables. They did not have a permit and were using amplified sound that was heard for blocks.

The church told the grandfather that he would have to make a donation to them to be able to use the tables he paid to permit. He had nobody to help him since there are no monitors or staff at Cabrillo Beach on Sundays. Yet across town at Averill Park, a family of five eating at a picnic table is harassed to pay $97 by LARAP. A city park should post information about permit fees and have online pay options. Monitoring of all parks and beaches should be consistent, not just those in certain neighborhoods. At Averill Park, a man on a blanket who is doing drugs in the park gets a polite three-day notice to vacate the area and charged no fees. Yet a family at a picnic table with a cake and a balloon are asked to pay $97 or leave immediately.

There is something wrong with this picture. spt Jennifer Marquez can be reached at jennifertmarquez@yahoo.com or @iroamjen on Instagram.

CAPTAIN’S TREASURE CHEST JEWELRY All Halloween Jewelry Only We’ve Moved!

$10

• Crystal Spider Rings

• Skeleton, Pumpkin and Mummy Bracelets • Pumpkin Watches • Ghostly Earrings

directly across the street

in The Terraces (2nd level)

Come visit our new location!

• BIGGER STORE • BETTER LOCATION • BETTER PARKING

• Large Selection

28901 S. Western Ave, Suite 219, RPV | (310) 519-1856

Sandwiches Now Available

ALL OUR SANDWICHES ARE BELLY BUSTERS!

Hot or Cold!

Order To-Go or Eat Here!

Sandwiches starting at $7.50!

FREE CHIPS! WITH THE PURCHASE OF A SANDWICH Expires October 30, 2018

29111 Western Avenue, Rancho Palos Verdes www.amalfitanobakeryrpv.com • 310.833.bake (2253)

Burritos, Tacos, Quesadillas & Specials

Chorizo by the Pound

10% OFF

Your order w/coupon exp. 10.31.18

Catering/Events: (424) 287-7273 or Email info@thechoriman.com

SHOP OPEN: Thurs 8a-2p and Fri, Sat, Sun 8a-7p 2309 S. Alma Street, San Pedro (424) 287-2414

OCTOBER 2018 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 13

VOICES

SILVER IS MY GOLD

by Anthony Pirozzi October brings with it special meaning for me.

After all, it’s my birthday month. As I turn 53, it seems like only yesterday that I wrote my column titled, “The Big Five-O.” When I reflect back, a girl I met when I was in junior high school comes to mind. She was in fifth grade, and I met her through her sister, who I liked at the time. Over the years, we would run into each other in town at parties or events, and finally exchanged numbers to stay in touch. Back then, I was working at Vons on Western, which is now Sprouts. She would come to the store to see some of our mutual friends, as well as her boyfriend who worked there. It was always good to see her and I never thought much of it, as she and I were just friends.

As time passed, I switched to the graveyard shift stocking shelves while going to Harbor College in the evening.

This was just after I graduated high school. While my friends were partying on the weekends, I was putting up the dog food at the front of the store.

I could see them through the window hanging out and on a few occasions they would drive by and wave. It was an interesting time. I didn’t see the girl as much anymore, but I knew what she was up to, as I was working night crew with her boyfriend. Over the next few years, she and I would catch up with each other at store parties or during the holidays. We began to meet up more often and would talk just about everything. I remember one night working night crew with her boyfriend, he told me about other girls he was seeing. I wasn’t too happy about it, so I told him that if he ever split up with my friend, I was taking her from him. He was not happy.

When I transferred to Cal Poly and to the Vons in Diamond Bar back in ’87, we stayed in touch as best we could. I

14 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2018

remember coming back to San Pedro for a wedding for one of my night crew buddies and I brought my college girlfriend with me. At the end of the evening, my girlfriend saw me talking with my friend and was somewhat jealous.

As we headed out, she said that I would marry that girl one day. I just laughed and said we were just good friends.

I would eventually breakup with my college girlfriend and return to San Pedro. By this time, I was hanging out even more with my friend who had recently broken up with the night crew boyfriend, and both worked evenings together at Vons. One night, we were talking out on Paseo, at the time when you could pull your car up to the guardrail, overlooking Royal Palms. I said, “Would you hit me if I tried to kiss you?” She said, “Why don’t you try and see what happens.”

Even though this first kiss was not the beginning of an “official” relationship, it was the beginning of something.

As time went on, we were still not fully committed to each other. But that day would come, of all places, in the milk box at Vons. As I was stocking the low-fat milk she came in after a recent date, (which I told her would not work out) and that she would be thinking of me the whole time (which she confirmed). I finally said, “Are we done dating other people?” She said yes, and the rest is history.

On October 16, 1992, I proposed to Carolyn Nerine Aranda. One year later, on October 16, 1993, we were married at Mary Star. Together, we have built a life that gets better each day with our three boys. It’s been about 40 years since I met that fifth grade girl and 25 years of marriage. And though this is our Silver Anniversary, every day with her is like Gold. Happy 25th Anniversary, babe. I love you more today than yesterday. Here’s to another 55! spt Anthony Pirozzi is a Los Angeles Harbor Commissioner. He can be contacted at apirozzi@yahoo.com.

20% OFF

Purified Water 25c/gal.

E N T I RE BI L L

Special $150/gal.

Not valid with other offers.

Excludes alcholoic beverages.

EXP. 10-31-18

so Bean Expres Iced Coffee $350

FRESH FRUIT & VEGETABLE JUICES $5

BUY 2 DONUTS GET 2 FREE! SAN PEDRO 1110 Gaffey St.

1-855-733-6688 www.DonutStarEtc.com

RANCHO PALOS VERDES 29050 S. Western Ave., #134

A San Pedro Favorite Since 1999 !

Try Our Awesome New Menu Items.

7 Award Winning Beers On Tap, 13 Unique Guest Beers from Top U.S. Craft Breweries We love to help your fundraising!

Contact James Brown - jbbeer@msn.com www.SanPedroBrewing.com 331 W. 6th Street, 90731 310 • 831 • 5663

FREE

AP P E T I Z E R With Purchase of 2 Dinner Entrées

810 South Gaffey Street | San Pedro

Tues-Sun: 5pm-10pm | Happy Hour Tues-Fri: 5pm - 7pm

Not valid with other offers.

Excludes alcholoic beverages.

EXP. 10-31-18

(310) 831-0246

You’re Strong to the Finish with Our

Scampi & Spinach

Dine-In • Take-Out Catering • Delivery

$5 OFF!

any purchase over $25 Exp. 10/31/18

1432 S. Gaffey St. 310.547.0655 www.buonospizza.com

Come See Our Newly Remodeled Dining Room!

Having a dinner party?

We can help with all your catering needs!

584 W 9TH ST., SAN PEDRO 310-832-1220 WWW.JTRANI.COM OCTOBER 2018 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 15

NEW HOMES BEING BUILT IN SAN PEDRO AND THE L.A. AREAS: PRICES START AT $300,000 AND UP!

BENEFITS OF BUILDING: ◆ Low to No Down Payments ◆ First Time Buyers Programs ◆ Lower Interest Rates Money towards closing costs ◆ Many Builders Incentives ◆ Brand New, Choose Your Style

Tired of Renting? Call (833) 298 -4266 ext. 1010, 24/7 Get free info on the benefits of buying a new home!

To view Available & Ready to Purchase Homes, visit: www.showingnew.com/vanessamoore

BRE# 01467680. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright © 2018

WE SPECIALIZE IN

• Tax Preparation & Planning • Accounting and Bookkeeping • Audit Representation 310-519-8600 George A. Van Buren, EA, MBA

1536 W. 25th Street, Suite K | San Pedro vanburenandassociates.com

Dr Kardovich and Team on the L.A. Waterfront.

Braces for Children and Adults San Pedro • Torrance

16 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2018

VOICES

WAYS TO SERVE SAN PEDRO IN OCTOBER

by George Palaziol Last month, I asked you to share your upcoming events and fundraisers with me so that I could help raise awareness within the community.

Turns out, there are quite a few ways we can serve San Pedro in October. Hopefully, you can help out in one of these events and make our community that much stronger.

Donations for Students in Need Angel Gowns of South Bay is partnering with a local middle school to provide toiletries and undergarments for homeless students. As if middle school isn’t awkward enough, being homeless and not being able to bathe or wash your clothes is a huge amount of stress placed on a child that most of us cannot even begin to imagine.

Angel Gowns wants to help them fit in by providing the basics, like undergarments and toiletries, while the school counselor helps them to get services and housing. There are currently somewhere between 50 and 70 homeless students in one school alone.

How many more are in need of help?

Here's how you can serve San Pedro: Waterfront Studios is accepting donations of new undergarments on Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sizes needed vary, so most sizes from large child through adult are acceptable. Toiletries are always needed, i.e. shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, body wash, feminine products, etc.

Arrangements for drop off and pick up during the week can also be made.

Waterfront Studios is located at 525 N. Harbor Blvd., directly across from the cruise ship terminal and the Fanfare Fountains. Please contact Gayle at directordog@cox.net for more information.

Halloween Family Fun The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s 13th annual Sea Scare is right around the corner on October 27. Sea Scare is the best family Halloween party around!

Tons of activities planned for the entire family, including the Trick or Treat Trail, Seaside Boardwalk, the Sea Scare Party Zone, and Skull Alley!

A new addition to Sea Scare this year will be Trunk or Treat. The Cabrillo

Beach Neighborhood Watch will be hosting this fun event inside of Sea Scare. Decorate your car, load it with candy, and be part of this fun, safe event the community is sure to enjoy.

Trunk or Treat spaces are limited and will be issued on a first come, first serve basis. To find out how you can participate in Trunk or Treat, please email me (info below). For information on Sea Scare or to purchase tickets, visit cabrillomarineaquarium.org.

Community Cleanup For those of you really looking to get your hands dirty, there’s the San Pedro CPR (Caring Proactive Residents), a group of our neighbors that want nothing more than to have a clean community and are willing to sacrifice their own free time make that happen.

They are hosting their monthly cleanup on October 13 at 7:30 a.m. The group will meet in the Vons parking lot, and will be targeting all along Gaffey Street and the entrance to our town. If you’d like to lend a hand, please remember to wear close-toed shoes. Tools and gloves will be provided or you are always more than welcome to bring your own.

School Beautification Project South Shores Magnet School for the Visual & Performing Arts will be conducting a campus beautification project on October 20 from 8-11 a.m.

Help clean up and beautify the campus to make it an amazing environment for students to learn, perform, and display their artistic skills. Volunteers will be bagging up leaves and trash, painting tables, benches, basketball backers, etc. (with water based paints), pulling weeds, and planting plants.

All ages are welcome to participate in this event, where families can join together in demonstrating pride in their own community and campus environment. Close-toed shoes, pants, and long sleeves are strongly encouraged. Trash bags, trash grabbers, and gloves will be provided, but bringing your own is always a great idea. Battery-operated leaf blowers, wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes, etc. are also welcomed. For more information, contact Monica Weston at monica37weston@gmail.com. spt George Palaziol is the founder of Serving San Pedro. He can be contacted at: servingsanpedro@gmail.com.

CHRIST LUTHERAN ENROLLING NOW! Helping Students Grow Spiritually & Academically for Over 60 Years!

Christ Lutheran School - Preschool thru 8th Grade

S c h e d u l e a To u r To d a y !

28850 S. Western Avenue, RPV, CA 90275 310 831.0848 | www.christrpv.com

OCTOBER 2018 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 17

June 21, 2012 – Shurakay, Afghanistan – “I was operating at nighttime with a special forces team and I was called to disarm an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) and so I remember getting down on my hands and knees doing my searches and I was there for about ten minutes and I knew something was there and I hadn’t yet found it, but I was inches away. I remember looking up and seeing someone walking towards me and I put my hand out and said, ‘Stop.’ Before I could finish the P in stop, he had stepped on it.

It was boom, a loud flash. He had stepped on the bomb.”

valor

& victory

AFTER A LIFECHANGING ACCIDENT WHILE SERVING IN AFGHANISTAN, RALPH DEQUEBEC FOUND A NEW PURPOSE IN LIFE BY JOINING THE U.S. SLED HOCKEY TEAM

by Jack Baric

DeQuebec playing for the U.S. Sled Hockey team in the Paralympic Games in South Korea. (photo: courtesy Ralph DeQuebec)

Gunnery Sergeant Ralph DeQuebec grew up in Wilmington, but attended San Pedro High School. He chose San Pedro because he wanted to play football for the Pirates. His mother, Tina, was not crazy about his desire to play the sport.

DeQuebec recalls, “I literally snuck onto the practice field during the summer and I practiced for two or three weeks before my mom found out. By then, she knew I was going to do it regardless, and she allowed me to play football.”

After graduating from San Pedro High School, DeQuebec began attending El Camino College with the plan of becoming a firefighter, but everything changed on the morning of September 11, 2001. While in study hall, a television was broadcasting images of the mayhem from the deadliest terrorist attack in our nation’s history. “I was trying to figure out exactly what had happened,” remembers DeQuebec. “We hadn’t seen anything like that, and it was a little bit of me trying to figure out what I wanted to do in life, what was going on in the world, and at that moment, I felt like I wasn’t going in the direction I needed to go.”

DeQuebec sought out a recruiter and joined the Marines. It was an experience he enjoyed, especially the training. “I liked getting down in the trenches and I liked the dirty work,” he explains. “You can often find me with a smile in the worst places. I embrace what they call, ‘The Suck.’ You find that level of comfortability when things aren’t going your way and that’s just been my approach.” DeQuebec 18 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2018

embarked on a military career and eleven years after 9/11, he was kneeling over a bomb in the country where the terrorist plot was hatched.

Shurakay, Afghanistan – “I see the flash, then I hear the bang, I’m flying through the air, and I’m trying to backtrack all the steps to see if I had messed up.

And, so I finally land and I start vocalizing that I’ve been hit. All I remember is looking up out of my shot hole, I was probably about three feet deep, I remember looking up and seeing the moon in the distance and seeing clouds of smoke billow and then something just pulled me out of this hole like I was a rag doll. I got dragged to a safe area and that’s where my teammates started working on me.”

In 2008, six years after joining the Marines, DeQuebec received his first overseas deployment to Iraq. “I remember getting off the airplane with a lot of equipment on, and it is extremely hot. The hottest I’ve ever been. I just remember thinking to myself, ‘Damn, six months of this?’”

Two years later, in 2010, DeQuebec went on his second deployment, this time to Afghanistan. Unlike in Iraq, in Afghanistan the bomb disposal teams were embedded with the infantry units. “When they walked, we walked,” he says. “At that point, you’re not only a bomb technician, you’re a shooter. You’re an infantry-

24 Hours cosmetic 7 Days

surgery

Residential & Commercial Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Service

Serving the Community Since 1986 Family Owned and Operated

EPHENS STPLUMBING • HEATING AIR CONDITIONING

Free

Financing Plans Available

Consultations for plumbing, heating & AC

$75

Breast Surgery • Body Conturing • Tummy Tuck • Eyelids • Face and Nose • Liposuction Laser Hair Removal • Brown Spot Removal Botox • Restylane • Juvéderm • Perlane

310.540.0144

AC/Heating Tune-Up

Call Now For

10% Off

Your Next Service Call!

(310) 832-9009

616 W. 6th Street • San Pedro, CA 90731

Offices for Lease Located in the heart of San Pedro’s vibrant business & arts district

John T. Gaffey building

Brown Bros. building

Starting at $300 per month 122 SF to 217 SF

Starting at $450 per month 200 SF to 400 SF

Air Conditioning | Kitchenette Conference Room

Air Conditioning | Kitchenette Conference Room | Elevator

Call Jerico Development, Inc. for an appointment to view (310) 519-7257 www.jerico-development.com Investing in the community since 1989 OCTOBER 2018 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 19

Clockwise (l to r): DeQuebec in Afghanistan (left and top); going through physical therapy at Walter Reed Medical Center; in the hospital not long after the incident (photos: courtesy Ralph DeQuebec)

man.” In Iraq, DeQuebec never encountered a firefight with the enemy. In Afghanistan, it happened immediately. “Within ten minutes of my very first patrol, we took contact and I knew that’s when the enemy was trying to kill me,” he recalls.

“That was day one and I had six months of that.”

During his deployment in Iraq, DeQuebec disarmed bombs from a safe location by using robots. “It was almost like a video game,” he explains. When an infantryman discovered an IED in Iraq, they would radio in to ask for help and DeQuebec and his team would arrive on a truck with their robot to disarm the bomb. “You loaded out a truck with everything you need. You get on site, you disarm the bomb, you slap hands, they go their way, you go your way,” he says. In Afghanistan, DeQuebec was now embedded with the infantry unit. There was no truck to carry the robot, so he had to manually disarm the bombs. “It wasn’t until 2010 that I had my face looking at an IED,” he says.

Two year later, in 2012, on his third and final deployment, going face-to-face with an IED propelled DeQuebec into the fight of his life.

from completely dedicating himself to recovery. He explains, “I tease my mom, because my mom is my mom and she would give me anything, and I love her for that, but she was too nice. My ex-wife was like, ‘No. You need to figure this out and you’re not going to like it. You can’t just have fun, and eat whatever you want, and play video games all day, and chalk it up to you lost your legs in combat so now everyone owes you something.’ I didn’t want to be that guy, ‘Oh, look at me, I did this and now the world owes me.’”

One of the opportunities that the Walter Reed Medical Center provides soldiers recovering from injuries is access to sports. In fact, participating in sports is part of the rehabilitation criteria at the hospital. DeQuebec tried numerous sports before he was asked by a couple of sled hockey players to try theirs. He chuckles when recalling his response, “My original reaction was, ‘I’m from L.A. We don’t do those kinds of things.’ But they were pretty persistent.”

One of the players was so persistent that DeQuebec’s ex-wife, Kate, told him to try playing just to get the guy off their backs. He finally relented and got on a sled to give it a try. His first impression was not positive. “I saw these guys floating on Shurakay, Afghanistan – “I just remember praying that I needed a helithe ice and I just thought, ‘What did I get myself into?’ I was this fresh fish on the copter to show up. I knew that my guys on the ground were going to do everything ice and there were these sharks out there.” they could to keep me alive, but that I needed to get on that helicopter so that I Even though it was initially frustrating to participate in a sport where everycould head to the hospital. I couldn’t breathe very well and they put me on my one around him had much more experience, DeQuebec stuck with it and had his side and then I remember seeing the helicopter and my guys picking me up and breakthrough moment when he played in his first game. “I remember lining someshuffling me over to the bird and seeing the Air Force medic. He looked over me one up, going into the boards, and my stick went flying, and him losing balance. I and he had a shield on his face, a visor. It was chrome and it almost looked like an looked up thinking, ‘I’m definitely going to get an unsportsmanlike penalty.’ Nope. astronaut visor. I just remember looking up and seeing my reflection in his visor Play just continued and I just thought to myself, ‘I love this sport. This is the sport and then passing out. And it wasn’t until six-weeks later that I woke up.” for me,’” he recalls smiling.

DeQuebec’s breakthrough wasn’t just in hockey, but more importantly, on his On the night that changed his life forever, DeQuebec’s team needed to take out a path to rehabilitation. He explains, “I would do my physical therapy and go back bridge so that they could cut off an enemy supply route. They got a call from their to my room and play video games. That routine of being in the hospital definitely allies in the Afghan National Army, who had found an IED near the bridge. He ar- victimized me and it wasn’t until I started playing hockey and found something rived on the scene and was on the ground trying to locate the IED when a member that I could wake up to every day and get better at that kind of helped me get out of the Afghan National Army walked past and stepped on the bomb, instantly of that rut. It was mentally challenging, physically challenging, and it got me to killing him, and sending DeQuebec hurtling through the air. hang out with people that were like minded and not feeling sorry for themselves.”

DeQuebec was first taken to a U.S. military hospital in Germany, where he was Even as DeQuebec’s physical and psychological recovery was improving, there in a coma for six-weeks before waking up at the Walter Reed Medical Center in was an anger stirring inside him. He needed to make amends with God. “I don’t Maryland. He recalls, “I just remember waking up in the hospital bed and I was share this story very often, but I was angry at God,” states DeQuebec. He could like, ‘What the hell is that?’ I didn’t have any legs.” Both of DeQuebec’s legs were come to terms with losing his legs and the struggle that came with that, but he amputated above the knees. “I was like, ‘What now? What is going on? I’ll never had a much harder time accepting the fact that he lost the opportunity to have have a girlfriend. I’m not going to be a Marine any more. What is my life going kids. He says, “I was angry, frustrated. I waited to have kids. I deliberately made to consist of and how am I going to get through this?’” His family played a major choices in my life to not bring a kid into my lifestyle. I didn’t want to be in Iraq or role in boosting his morale during this, the lowest point in his life. He says, “EvAfghanistan and get killed and have my kid grow up without me and so I didn’t eryone at that point breaks down. That was rock bottom for me. My family was get married until after I was blown up. By then it was too late. And so, I was angry there 24/7, my ex-wife was there 24/7.” at God, angry at myself.”

Ironically, the love of his family also may have begun to prevent DeQuebec The turning point for DeQuebec came when he realized that through hockey 20 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2018

On e i s Neve r E n o u gh !

M C K E N N A ' S P E N D L E TO N 2304 PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY LOMITA, CA 90717 310-539-2725 OPEN MONDAY - SATURDAY 10-6 FACEBOOK @MCKENNA’S PENDLETON INSTAGRAM @MCKENNASPENDLETON

Khashayar Khodadadi, D.D.S. (310) 831-0781| 1441 West 7th Street

We provide Dentistry for the whole family

Dr. Khodadadi • • • • • • • • • •

We provide Complimentary Nitrous Oxide for your comfort

General Dentistry Dental Implants Teeth Cleaning & Whitening Tooth Extractions Night/Mouth Guards Sleep Apnea Treatment Root Canals, Crowns, Veneers Gum Treatment Bone Grafting Arestin Treatment

At our dental office, we select only the best of the best to serve our patients and their families. All of our staff members are friendly, knowledgeable, and highly proficient in their office duties.

Please Call for an Appointment www.healthysmile4you.com OCTOBER 2018 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 21

and sharing his story, he had the unique opportunity to connect with lots of kids and make an impact on their lives. He explains, “My inability to have kids makes me that much more passionate about the kids that I do come in contact with.

Maybe God did that for a reason because maybe I would have been an amazing father, but then I wouldn’t have this great impact in the years to come.” Playing hockey was one thing, but winning a gold medal could elevate DeQuebec’s story and create quite a platform to make that impact.

As his ability progressed, DeQuebec began playing on the U.S. Sled Hockey development team, and this past year, he finally got the phone call he was dreaming about. He had made the National Team that would be competing at the 2018 Paralympic Games in South Korea. The team progressed to the gold medal game against Canada, but was down 1-0 with about a minute to play and the U.S. pulling the goalie for an extra attacker. Unfortunately, a Canadian player stole the puck and had a breakaway on an empty net to seal the game.

March 18, 2018 – PyeongChang, South Korea – "I just remember

looking up at the clock and there was about a minute left and I was like, ‘Come on, guys, you gotta do it now.’ And as I’m looking at the clock, it’s when I see their guy go on the break-away so I didn’t get to see how the break-away initiated. I looked down and it was, ‘Oh no. What the…?’ And then bink! It hits the post."

There are so many lessons that can be learned from DeQuebec’s amazing journey from the tragic bomb explosion in Afghanistan, to the halls of the Walter Reed Medical Center, and to the gold medal game at the Paralympic Games. Courage, persistence, love of family, and friends, all played a huge role. But ultimately, it came down to his ability to accept his fate. “What I feel turned my recovery around was kind of accepting who I was going to be from now on and embracing ‘The Suck,’” says DeQuebec. “Waking up and having to put your legs on sucks, but you have to embrace it. What else am I supposed to do? Am I supposed to sit back and let it control me? Like, write my story? Or am I supposed to take control of who I am, embrace it, and write my own story?”

DeQuebec’s story includes a gold medal.

Less than thirty seconds after the Canadian player hit the post on an empty net, the United States scored the tying goal to send the game into overtime. In that overtime period, the U.S. scored again for the victory. Ralph won a gold medal.

DeQuebec practicing with the U.S. Sled Hockey team (photo: courtesy Ralph DeQuebec)

PyeongChang, South Korea – "I literally exploded. I got blown up again.

That’s what it felt like. Just a rocket full of emotions and adrenaline. It was unbelievable. That win and all the things that someone goes through to get to that point, it all makes sense at that point and most people will never experience that. They started playing the national anthem and all the boys on the team started singing and it turned from a sad, I served my nation moment, and all that pain and hurt was overwhelmed by happiness."

On October 8, Ralph DeQuebec will be inducted into the Los Angeles Sportswalk of Fame in a ceremony at the USS Iowa at the Port of Los Angeles. spt

Wild Orchid Hair Studio

$5 off!

WEDDING HAIR & MAKEUP SPECIALISTS

Any In-Salon Makeup Service If You Mention This Ad

310.519.8828

1432 W. 25th St. | San Pedro | Von’s center @ 25th & Western 22 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2018

• Cat & Dog Grooming • Skin & Coat Specialist • Self-Wash / Gift Certificates Treat your short coat dog to our Black Passion Argon oil products!

Mon-Fri, 8a.m. - 6p.m.

Sat & Sun by Appointment Only

$5 OFF Service For New Clients (Mention this ad!)

359 W. 7th Street, San Pedro (424) 287-2822

Serving the South Bay and Peninsula Communities since 1996

INTERNATIONAL MOTORS Specializing in European Car Service, Repair and Sales

See our

reviews on

20% OFF TO NEW CUSTOMERS on parts and labor* *with this ad

1600 S. Pacific Avenue., San Pedro Ph: (310) 519-3687 | Fax: (310) 519-9034 OCTOBER 2018 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 23

SPT Q&A

GLORY DAYS AUTHOR PETER ADUM PENS A LOVE LETTER TO SAN PEDRO IN DEBUT NOVEL, A NEW DAY YESTERDAY interview by Joshua Stecker Even though he’s lived in Seattle for more than twenty years, author Peter Adum never lost his love for his hometown of San Pedro. After years of writing screenplays and stage plays, the USC grad has penned his first novel, A New Day Yesterday, which is set in the port town and features many people, places and events local readers will recognize.

Adum spoke to San Pedro Today about the novel and how his hometown inspired the “most challenging writing” of his career.

SPT: Where are you and your family from? Peter Adum: Very much like Niko in the novel, my family came to San Pedro from the island of Zlarin on the Dalmatian coast of Croatia, which was a part of Yugoslavia at that time.

My father, Pete Adum, arrived in San Pedro in the mid-1930s. He first arrived in Seattle, because he had some family there, but then moved to the Bay Area for a short time. He witnessed the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge while there, and then finally made San Pedro his home. He was a commercial fisherman all during that time. He returned to Zlarin for a visit in the early 1950s, met my mom, got married, and that’s where I was born. Like with Niko, my mom and I traveled on the Queen Mary to New York, and eventually flew to L.A. and San Pedro, where we planted our roots.

What got you into writing? Was it something you developed in school or was there a certain teacher in San Pedro that sparked your writing career? I wasn’t much of a writer at San Pedro High School, although like Niko, I did briefly take Journalism with Mr. Sheffield. He was a good teacher, but he wasn’t very encouraging. I didn’t really take high school too seriously.

But then a friend, Steve Kozlowski, was in a stage play that Mr. Calise, the drama teacher, was directing. Steve enjoyed it and suggested that I try out for the next play. I did and got a part, and that was fun. Then I acted in another play, and another. Mr. Calise was my biggest influence at SPHS, I thought maybe theatre was something that I would like to do. Eventually, that led me to writing, but it took a long time to get there.

You have a theatre arts background and authored a number of screenplays and stage plays. How did your work in writing dialog-based stories help or hinder your work in writing a novel? Before I ever dreamed of writing a novel, I dreamed of writing movies. While I was employed as a theatrical stage manager in L.A., I taught myself the craft of screenwriting. I wrote several screenplays that made their way around town. One was accepted by a production company, only to watch the deal fizzle when the producer I was working with left the company. Then I had an opportunity to write a play and have it produced, so I wrote a play. It was successful, so I wrote more plays. I used what I learned from screenwriting for playwriting, and then eventually for writing A New Day Yesterday, my first novel. The medium of the writing changed, but writing is really just writing. Although, I must say that writing a novel was the most challenging writing that I’ve done so far.

The book is a work of fiction, but the places, names and events are familiar to many San Pedrans. How challenging was it for you to write a fictional story within the confines of a very real and personal San Pedro?

It wasn’t very difficult to imagine the San Pedro of my youth. I come back to visit family and friends annually, but I hadn’t actually lived here since college.

The way the town was years ago is burned into my memory. When I come back now, I notice places that are no longer there or are very different. As I think back on those places, they bring out memories and sometimes emotions in me. In the novel, I tried to bring that experience to the reader. San Pedro

24 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2018

Peter Adum (photo: courtesy Peter Adum)

locals seem to really make those same memory connections with me.

What inspired you to write A New Day Yesterday? Simply put, I thought San Pedro deserved a novel that shared with others some of its history. I also wanted to preserve the era that my friends and I grew up in, the end of the car culture era. It was a special time. I wouldn’t trade our time and the town during those years for any other. Kids are different now, they don’t seem to have the same wants and needs. That’s okay though, times change and evolve.

What was the research like for this novel? Before I started the novel, I already knew quite a bit about San Pedro history. Mr. Klausner at SPHS was a wonderful history teacher who sparked my initial interest in local history.

Remembering Beacon Street and being there to witness its redevelopment influenced my later interest in historic preservation, which only grew when I moved to Los Angeles. For the novel, I probably read or skimmed at least a dozen books, several dozen articles, visited the same number of websites, and searched for everything that I could find on the IWW, and the ILWU. For the fishing, I relied on Russell R. Bradford’s book on the San Pedro fishing industry.

I also needed to learn about the Hollywood connection that evolved around the sailing and boating community.

And finally, I spent several days going through the San Pedro Bay Historical Society for what they had on Beacon Street.

Did you discover anything new that surprised you about San Pedro in your research for the book? So many

things really, too many to list here. I already knew about the Louis Adamic connection, since I’d discovered him back in the 1980s. But like Niko in the novel, I wanted to know more about him and his feelings for his adopted town. Reading Laughing in the Jungle and discovering his appreciation for San Pedro really inspired me. He was such an important literary figure back in his day before he fell into obscurity. It’s a little surprising that his work and his name just seemed to disappear altogether.

What do you hope readers get out of A New Day Yesterday? More than anything, I want people to enjoy themselves and learn something about San Pedro along the way. I also want them to have a better understanding of that era, and the story of the blue collar and ethnic types that made the city what it was and still is. Back in my day, there was no community that celebrated its diversity like we did. I hope that’s still true.

You chose to dedicate the book to “my hometown, San Pedro.” Why? I chose to dedicate the book to my hometown because the town shaped me.

Sometimes, I can still smell the Terminal Island fish canneries in my dreams and hear the sound of the Harbor’s fog horn late at night. If you were lucky enough to experience these things as a kid, then you know what I mean. spt For more info and to purchase A New Day Yesterday, visit anewdayyesterday.com or amazon.com.

A FAMILY’S SEARCH LAID TO REST story & photo by Angela Romero

Persistence is one of the best tools in a historian’s arsenal. I’ve had to walk away from many a mystery when the trail ran cold, but when I returned a while later, a new lead opened up and it was hot again. Sometimes that lead comes from asking the right person the right question. That’s what happened for Cheryl Doty when she reached out to me earlier this year.

Since her mother’s passing in 2011, Cheryl has been searching for an aunt she’d never met. Cheryl’s mother, Martha Familathe Baker, and her eight siblings had all been born in San Pedro. Over the years, Martha, born in 1923, would mention a younger sister who died in infancy in 1925 and was buried in an unmarked grave at the Harbor View Cemetery. Cheryl could tell the subject saddened her mother, so she never pressed for more details.

After Martha’s death, Cheryl decided to find her aunt’s grave and buy her a headstone to honor her mother and her grandparents, who were too poor to buy the marker in 1925.

Cheryl’s early searches were unsuccessful. After a hiatus that lasted several years, genealogy brought Cheryl back to the search for her aunt. I first heard from Cheryl in 2017, via my Facebook page for That’s So Pedro.

She asked if there was any sort of plot

map of the Harbor View Cemetery.

Unfortunately, I had to tell her that the answer was no.

The Harbor View Cemetery was established in 1888 when Augustus Timms donated three acres of land to the city of San Pedro, paying $1 to reserve a plot for himself in the dead center (pun intended). Harbor View became L.A.’s only municipal cemetery when San Pedro joined the city in 1909. By 1910, many were complaining about the sad state of the cemetery. Over a century later, the deterioration of the resting place of San Pedro’s pioneers is still a major concern. However, the fact that it began so early, means that records are just not there.

Earlier this year, I got another message from Cheryl. She hadn’t given up on finding her aunt. Her genealogical research skills and tools had led her to the Wilmington Cemetery. Over the last year since she first contacted me, Cheryl had found both a birth and death record for her aunt, but no cemetery. She also did occasional searches at findagrave.com, looking for graves with a 1925 burial date. On one of these random searches, a result came back with a name that was very similar to her mother’s maiden name, except the last two letters

Los Angeles Maritime Museum Discover the History of the Harbor!

Tuesday - Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The new headstone for Baby Familathe, who was buried in an unmarked grave at Wilmington Cemetary in 1925.

were off – Familatts. Because the last name Familathe is so unique, Cheryl was sure she had found her aunt in Wilmington. But why Wilmington when she had always heard Harbor View Cemetery? That’s where I come in with the slight assist on Cheryl’s homerun. I was so happy to tell Cheryl that it was typical for San Pedrans to be buried in Wilmington Cemetery because it was the closest Catholic cemetery.

Cheryl contacted the Wilmington Cemetery, where a woman was able to look at the cemetery log for 1925 and verify that the baby’s parents were the Familathe’s from San Pedro. Cheryl and her husband visited the gravesite, saw that there was no headstone, and ordered one that same day. When she returned home, Cheryl searched again for her aunt on another genealogical search engine, familysearch.org, and found the baby’s birth and death certificates. The baby was listed as the

ninth child of Angelina and Michael Familathe. Cheryl was only aware of eight children, including this baby.

The close of one mystery opened up a new one, but thanks to her new skill set, Cheryl was able to find her grandparents’ oldest child who was buried in Harbor View Cemetery. The information of where he’s buried might be unknown now, but you never know what can happen. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

I am honored to have played a very minor role in Cheryl’s journey to find her aunt. Cheryl is my people. All families have that person who plays the role of the family historian, storyteller, or record keeper, and I am happy to help them in any way I can. The cool thing about Cheryl’s story is that she was able to accomplish her goal before she moved out of state. The distance would’ve made her job a little harder, but I have a feeling she would have persisted, nonetheless. spt

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

ELITE MASSAGE Ladies Day Tuesdays $5 Discount with this coupon

Berth 84, San Pedro • (310) 548-7618 • www.lamaritimemuseum.org

$5 DISCOUNT

OPEN 7 DAYS

1044 S. Gaffey Street, Unit 1

(310) 833-0298

OCTOBER 2018 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 25

SPORTS

SPIKING INTO A NEW SEASON story by Jamaal K. Street Caption

The 2017 San Pedro Prep Girls Volleyball season was paced by San Pedro High School making the inaugural CIF-Los Angeles City Section Open Division playoffs, which automatically qualified them for the CIF State Southern California Regional playoffs.

Mary Star of the Sea was the only one of the three schools in town to once again win a league championship. Even with three losses, they still managed to capture a fourth consecutive Santa Fe League crown.

Port of Los Angeles continued their consistency of reaching the postseason as they reached the CIF-LACS Division 3 playoffs.

As the 2018 season has already begun, experienced San Pedro High School is already off to a 10-2 start, with the seemingly neverending hope of regaining the Marine League championship. Considering after winning five straight league titles from 2005-09, Carson has taken control ever since as the Colts have won the last eight league crowns in a row and have won 52 straight league matches, 44 of them ending in a three-game sweep, none going the full five sets. Even so, all three schools have promise going into their respective league seasons, and Mary Star is already 8-2 while POLA begun their season on September 12.

Here's a preview on the Pirates, Stars, and Polar Bears and what you can expect for 2018.

SPHS (15-12 overall in 2017, 9-3 in Marine League) - San Pedro High

Volleyball Standouts (clockwise l to r): SPHS: Sosha Williams, Georgie Smith, Hanna Gurrola, Sara Peterson and Lauren Sutrin; POLAHS: Julia Gersch, Lauren Brown, Ivy Santamaria, Kaylen Scott and Harmony Sapitanan; MSHS: Melanie Morales, Jena Denardo, Lily Ruggerio, Bella Purves, Marina Erosa and Sammie Sabra (photos: John Mattera Photography, Jamaal K. Street)

School was the only team to take a set off Carson in Marine League play last season. Even though all four All-Marine League selections are gone by graduation or transfer, two more all-league selections still remain in senior outside hitter Sara Peterson, and senior middle blocker Lauren Sutrin.

Co-coaches Chris Ceballos and Gerald Aquiningoc will lean heavily on the leadership of Peterson and Sutrin, but they are not the only ones who can make an impact for the Pirates.

Sophomore setter Gabriella Edwards, junior outside hitter Isabella Emerson, junior middle blocker Samantha Rapp, and senior outside hitter Raelyn Sanchez, come over from last year's JV team that went 12-0 in the Marine League, infusing new energy and enhancing the play of returning players such as senior OH/MB Sosha Williams,

26 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2018

junior defensive specialist Georgie Smith, and senior libero Hanna Gurrola, who is destined for a breakout year.

San Pedro lost to La Reina of Thousand Oaks in the CIF Southern California Division III regional playoffs in 2017, after going 1-2 in the CIF-LACS Open Division playoffs, winning in five sets at league rival Narbonne in the seventh place match.

team in the new CIF-Southern Section playoff formats.

POLA (9-11 overall in 2017, 6-4 in Crosstown League) - It's a year of change for the Polar Bears in so many ways. Brian Justiniano crosses over from track to become the new head coach, and POLA also moves to a newly created league due to the CIF-LACS four-year realignment, the Imperial MARY STAR (12-15-1 overall in 2017, League. This league also features four 7-3 in Santa Fe League) - Lauren more schools who, like POLA, are not Orebo returns for her second year as coming off a league championship coach, and the Stars will now be tested, season: Jordan of Los Angeles, Dymally, making the move to the Camino Real Washington Prep and King-Drew MediLeague where they now deal with cal.

Bishop Amat of La Puente, St. Monica The new Imperial League gives POLA of Santa Monica, Serra of Gardena, and a chance at capturing their first league Pomona Catholic after four years of rul- title since 2014, considering they're the ing the Santa Fe League. only school in the league that had a Senior libero, Jena Denardo, is the winning league record in 2017, making lone four-year player and three-time them the prohibitive favorite.

All-Santa Fe League selection. The Senior L/OH Ivy Santamaria is a experience she provides serves Mary four-year veteran, plus the Polar Bears Star well as talented sophomores in also feature rising sophomore outside all-league setter Lily Ruggerio, and out- hitter Lauren Brown, who's expected to side hitter Sammie Sabra, are a deadly have a lot more opportunities come her combination. Ruggerio also has two way due to the graduation loss of fourmore sensational hitters to feed the ball year veteran, Areelle Navarro. to in all-league returning junior Marina Be sure to keep a close eye on Erosa, and the addition of All-Marine junior middle blocker Kaylen Scott, League sophomore Serena Ramirez, a who showed the most improvement of San Pedro transfer and Arizona verbal anyone in 2017. The only other varsity commit. returners are seniors Julia Gersch and Other key players for the Stars Harmony Sapitanan, along with junior include senior middle blocker Melanie Arelyz Matienzo. Tori Palomino, a Morales, senior defensive specialist junior all-league softball infielder, also Bella Purves, and junior outside hitter makes her volleyball debut for POLA. Sophia Jimenez. spt Mary Star is a designated Division 7

VOICES

WE’VE MOVED!

Since 1981.

MEDICINE AND WELLNESS: THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

by Lori Garrett I’m just going to say it: Generalizations are dangerous.

I hear it a lot these days with regard to the practice of medicine.

There is talk of the medical industry being a “conspiracy,” intended to keep patients sick and dependent on pharmaceuticals.

Adopting this point of view can lead to patients refusing professional medical care when it is actually needed and opting for alternative options instead.

Meanwhile, many in the medical industry are quite vocal in criticizing what we’ll call the wellness industry: the concept of using natural, non-pharmaceutical methods to treat and prevent illness. A recent opinion piece published in The New York Times, for example, takes critical aim at the current wellness industry (or what the author perceives as the wellness industry), labeling much of it as “nonsense” and nothing more than fear-based hocus pocus.

Written by a medical doctor (an OBGYN), the author criticizes the modern concept of “wellness,” citing a wide spectrum of examples, such as the use of nutritional supplements, the concept of clean eating, and even the use of charcoal as a detoxifier (Spoiler alert: These are all very different approaches to wellness). While the author makes a few valid points throughout her argument, those points get lost in the fact that she lumps together and generalizes a wide variety of wellness practices, some of which might be “quackery,” but also some that have been proven to have effective health benefits.

As someone who’s navigated a chronic illness within both the medical world and the world of wellness, I can testify to the fact that both communities have their benefits. This idea that it has to be one or the other is extreme, and it’s doing a disservice to those who are seeking better health.

For years, I followed every piece of medical advice I was given and took every medication that was prescribed to me, only to become resistant to the meds, experience life-threatening side effects, and watch my disease drastically worsen. There were times I felt forsaken, particularly when I couldn’t get proper answers or diagnoses and

found myself in dead-end medical appointments, meeting with doctors who had no genuine interest in figuring out why I was ill or how to truly fix it. As patients, we get frustrated and sometimes even desperate in our quest to find solutions. In my case, I had no choice but to explore the world of natural wellness (nutrition, lifestyle, etc.), and as I’ve shared publicly many times before, this has been a critical component to saving my life after most of the medical treatments failed me.

That being said, I’ve also been at the point where natural methods were not enough, and I had to turn to certain medications, emergency services, and surgery for life saving measures. (Truthfully, we have some amazing medical advancements that should not be dismissed simply because there is some mistrust and limitations within the medical industry!) In the end, had I not embraced both the medical and wellness worlds, I would not be here today.

But this war between the medical industry and the natural wellness community wages on, and in my opinion, it’s unnecessary and frankly, dangerous.

When we write off one or the other as a “scam” or a “conspiracy,” we’re closing ourselves off to all the options and perhaps putting ourselves in harm’s way. In both cases, common sense and diligence are necessary. Lumping all medical professionals, medications, and treatments into the same category is no better than lumping every natural “remedy” into the same category. We have a wide spectrum of choices, and it’s only with a critical mind and conscientious research that we’ll find the most effective healthcare treatments.

So, instead of replacing one with the other, it seems more logical to take the best of both communities and address our healthcare with a comprehensive, robust approach that works to achieve good health and wellness from various angles. It seems that the most effective wellness and healthcare will come from a combination of western medicine and alternative, natural, or functional medicine.

Why would we not embrace the best of both worlds? spt Follow Lori Garrett's wellness blog, www.adventuresofasickchick.com.

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!

We specialize in painting repairs, photo restoration & printing services, as well as framing of sports memorabilia.

STOP PAIN BOOST IMMUNITY & ENERGY!

Longshoreman PPO Welcome!

Weight Loss - Lose 15 lbs Naturally • Skin - Look 10 yrs Younger • Pain - Most Pain Cured within 3 visits Other specialties include: Anxiety • Neuropathy • Fibromyalgia • Rheumatoid Arthritis • CRPS • Depression • Acne • Chronic Sinusitis • Heart Burn • Hot Flashes • Chronic Fatigue • Plantar Fascia • Male Stamina • Parkinson’s Disease • Insomnia • Hepatitis • Lupus • Detox • Addiction • Any Infectious Disease Ko’s Wellness & Acupuncture

Thai Massage

1901 N. Gaffey St., Ste. A - (310) 832-1424 San Pedro (between Target & Home Depot)

$20 for 30 min.

Wed & Thurs Only Exp. 10/31/18

NOW ACCEPTING MEDICARE

MON- THURS 8-5PM • FRIDAY 8-2PM

PLANNING FOR PEACE OF MIND Estate Plans • Probates • Wills • Living Trusts Power of Attorney • Real Estate

815 S. Averill Ave., San Pedro, CA 90732 28 years of service in the San Pedro & South Bay area

(310) 784-8867

www.raymondgreenlawoffice.com rgreen.atty@sbcglobal.net

“Free 30 Minute Consultation with Mr. Green” OCTOBER 2018 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 27

VOICES

WHAT WE NEED IN LEADERS

by Pastor Nathan Hoff are searching for their next pastor. At chapel on Wednesday, I was sharing this message with the older students and issued a challenge: Catch younger students doing something you can honor. “Wow, you are a great basketball player.” “I can tell you are really working hard in math.” “You bring such a peaceful presence to the playground.”

I asked them to watch what happens to the younger student when the older student honors them. I tried honoring some of the students in the chapel for how they participate, how they engage, and how they bring a joyful spirit to the room. I didn’t tell them that by 9 a.m. that day, I had already received two “nasty-grams” as my friend Tobiah calls them; those ornery communications that kind of sit in your gut. I was up there preaching about honor, but inside I felt small and failing. I sat down after my message, when Principal Dennis announced the offering. I felt a tap on my shoulder, and the kids behind me passed up a note card that said, You are a great pastor and a natural leader.

- Someone in 5th grade Guess what is still sitting on my desk? The honor seed grew up faster than I thought. God actually gives a promise with his honor commandment. “Honor your father and mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the Leadership Commandment 1: land that the Lord your God is givNo Poverty of Honor God made each of us with value that ing you” (Deuteronomy 5.16, English is inestimable. Expressing that value to Standard Version). Honoring others, one another is what the Bible calls hon- in the case of the Fourth Commandor. When we share honor with someone ment parents, is a seed that grows up into a long life and well-being. else, our capacity for it doesn’t shrink, Don’t wait to receive the honor you it grows. Honor is seed, and it begets the same. Unhealthy leadership refuses think you deserve from others; it may never come. People with an honor itch to share honor because they see it as a that never gets scratched are typically limited resource. An unhealthy leader insatiably discontent. Honor planters won’t show honor to others because are typically among the most fruitthey think it will mean there is less for them. A healthy leader liberally spreads ful and contented people we know.

Try it. Throw some honor seed at seeds of honor wherever they go. They the people around you “that it may notice things in others that they can honor. The cultural climate of a commu- go well with you in the land.” spt nity actually changes when leaders find Nathan Hoff is the Pastor at ways to honor those they are leading.

I am delighted to lead chapel services Trinity Lutheran Church in San Pedro. Follow his blog at: at Christ Lutheran School while they trinitypastor.blogspot.com.

San Pedro Youth Coalition throws a banquet and ceremony every year that recognizes and honors a few elementary, middle, and high school “Future Leaders of San Pedro.” I have heard the president Scott Lane’s address to the future leaders a few times. Each time, I’m caught off guard by his honest and clarion call to do what few are prepared to do: lead.

“Whatever your passion is, whatever ideas are important to you—stand up and lead,” spoke Lane. “Do not fear failure. Do not quit when times get hard. Do not shy away from the limelight. Do not hide in the comfort of the back row. Do not sit in silence when something must be said. Just lead.”

As we witness the erosion of the moral authority of our governmental, religious, and media leadership, it might be worthwhile to reflect on what we really need in leaders. Over the last nearly 13 years, I have pastored (very imperfectly) at Trinity Lutheran.

I have compiled nine commandments (I know I need one more) of leadership for our elders, staff, council, and others who serve in leadership. Over the next few months, I will comment on a few of these commandments.

28 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2018

Happy Halloween!

Serving Our Community for Over 40 Years!

• Commercial & Residential Real Estate • For Sale By Owner (FSBO) Rosemarie “Bitsy” Lauro • Short Sales Owner/Escrow Officer • FHA & Conventional Refinance • Income/Investment Properties • Hard Money Loans

Independently Owned & Operated

864 West 9th Street San Pedro, CA 90731 ∙ (310) 548-1263 www.ranchosp-escrow.com OCTOBER 2018 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 29

WEDDING

AN OASIS OF LOVE ARTURO & DANIELLE MARTINEZ MARCH 10, 2018 story by Caitlyn Trudnich photo by John Mattera Photography

With a shared love for travel, family, and the desert, Arturo and Danielle (Trujillo) Martinez’s love story is no mirage. Soon after meeting at Heyday Elite Fitness in San Pedro, the pair quickly began dating, making the relationship status official at a Dodger game, when Arturo asked Danielle to be his girlfriend on June 24, 2011. “Arturo is an all around amazing man,” Danielle sweetly describes. “He is thoughtful and adventurous.”

While dating, Arturo and Danielle have traveled together to plenty of scenic destinations, including visiting Zacatecas, Mexico, to meet Arturo’s extended family, and a 36-hour trip to New York City to stay with Danielle’s sister Kristy and attend a concert at Madison Square Garden. In addition to making their way to the desert every spring for Coachella, a special destination the couple holds dear is Palm Springs.

Arturo recalls their very first trip together, saying, “I thought it would be adventurous to take Danielle to explore the Salton Sea.” Danielle adds, “I was less than amazed with the dead fish sand of the area, but I was still excited to travel with him.” Their special trip included a visit to the Living Desert, where they learned about a variety of wildlife, as well as the oases that form over the San Andreas fault. “It was pretty amazing,” says Danielle.

On March 23, 2017, on a weekender in their favorite city, Arturo decided this trip would be the perfect opportunity to pop the question. “We had

planned to go on a little hike at the Thousand Palms Preserve, where an oasis exists,” says Arturo. “We had visited a year prior, but were not properly prepared for the hike. I took us back with the excuse that this time we would be able to go to the top of a small hill that overlooks the oasis.” Throughout the hike, Arturo was nervous about losing the engagement ring. “I put it in my wallet, and kept checking every couple of steps to make sure it was still there and hadn’t fallen into the sand,” he recalls. Once reaching the picturesque hilltop, surrounded by a beautiful super bloom of flowers, the couple enjoyed the romantic view. Arturo got down on one knee, presented Danielle with the carefully kept ring, and proposed.

Almost one year later, Arturo and Danielle became husband and wife on March 10, 2018. Surrounded by the love of over 200 friends and family, the couple’s ceremony was held at Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, which included traditional rituals, combining both Mexican and Italian heritage.

The groom was accompanied by his parents, Arturo Barrios and Elvira Martinez, while the bride was joined by parents David and Anita Trujillo, with the Father of the Bride escorting Danielle down the aisle. “When the music started, and doors opened, I felt my heart pound in my chest as Danielle and her dad walked towards me,” Arturo remembers fondly. “It was a beautiful, emotional moment, marrying the woman with whom I share my hopes and dreams.” He adds, “She makes me a

better man.”

Also joining the couple were grandmothers, Carmella Gioello and Elvira Trujillo, as well their wedding party, including Maid of Honor, Kristy Trujillo, bridesmaids Laura Barrios-Garcia and Stephanie Maestas; Best Man, Ricardo Lopez; and groomsmen Jose Garcia and David Trujillo; Flower girl, Emma Gutierrez; and Ring Bearer, Daniel Rodriguez.

After the ceremony, the celebration continued with a reception at the Betty H. Reckas Cultural Center in Long Beach. Guests in attendance were treated to cocktail hour entertainment provided by a five-piece Mexican band, performing traditional Zacatecas music.

Arturo and Danielle took their first spin on the dance floor as a married couple to “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran. “The lyrics truly describe our relationship,” says Danielle. Additional special dances included a father-daughter dance to “Kayla’s Wedding Song” by Robert David, and a mother-son dance to “Recuérdame” from Disney’s Coco. DJs MichaelAngelo Music kept the party going, with guests dancing all night long to great tunes and enjoying passed out glow sticks.

When guests were ready for a sweet treat, another special touch was the cookie bar, featuring three tables of traditional cookies, baked especially by Danielle’s family.

Along with their families, the newlyweds will be traveling to Zacatecas in December to celebrate their marriage. As Arturo is currently in medical school, the couple will officially plan some honeymoon travel during his fourth year, before his residency begins in July 2020.

Both Arturo and Danielle look forward to planning more trips, attending concerts, cooking together, and hosting friends and family for holidays. Most importantly, “Living each day to make each other happy,” says Danielle. “And planning to raise a family with the values we were instilled with as children, including respect, hard work, and passion for what we love.”

Arturo and Danielle currently reside in Tucson, Arizona. Arturo is a third year medical student at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, while Danielle works at the University’s Eller College of Management as an Administrative Associate for the Department of Economics. spt

Hours: Mon – Fri, 8a-5p 30 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2018

Q&A WITH REBECCA CHAMBLISS

FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT SAN PEDRO?

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW SAN PEDRO?

WHAT’S GOING ON WITH THE LOCAL REAL ESTATE MARKET?

WHAT DO YOU DO OUTIDE OF SELLING REAL ESTATE?

Hands down, the people.

I have the best neighbors in the world. Although we’re part of a big city, it feels like small town living.

There isn’t another part of L.A. that comes close to the community we have here. I also love the character, architecture, our coastline and the fact that when someone is honking, it’s usually just to say hello.

I grew up here. My grandparents moved here from Croatia so I’m third generation. My first job while at SPHS was working at the Grinder on Harbor Blvd. I’ve had the opportunity to live in other places but there’s nothing like San Pedro and there is a reason many who move away come back.

There continues to be a strong influx of buyers coming from out of the area. People are hearing a buzz and discovering what San Pedro offers and finding how affordable SP is compared to other beach towns. Sale prices continue to rise as demand outpaces supply.

It’s a great time to sell.

I’ve been involved with dog rescue since college.

I love to hike locally, practice yoga, hang out with my dogs and enjoy our gorgeous little town.

ANYTHING ELSE? Check out InsideSanPedro. com to read about some of your neighbors, see where to get the best chocolate chip cookie in town and get your free San Pedro sticker.

EXCEPTIONAL PROPERTIES. EXCEPTIONAL CLIENTS.

526 W. 40TH STREET | SAN PEDRO OFFERED AT $1,149,000

2286 SPARTA DRIVE | RPV SOLD OFFERED AT $1,050,000

1322 W. 25TH STREET | SAN PEDRO SOLD OFFERED AT $949,000

REBECCA CHAMBLISS Realtor® 310 989 4466 rebecca.chambliss@pacunionla.com insidesanpedro.com License 01442217

NEED SAN PEDRO CHARACTER SFR CONTACT ME IF THINKING OF SELLING

IT’S YOUR

MOVE SAN PEDRO

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.

OCTOBER 2018 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 31

Becky McDonald

REALTOR® CalBRE# 01046790

‘It’s All About Attitude’

Why work with us?

• Professional Marketing and Maximum Exposure on your Home • Local knowledge and strong ties to the communities we live and work in.

• Experienced, strong and fair negotiators.

• Over 20 years of combined real estate experience with hundreds of properties sold.

• Small Business Suporter • Member of local community groups • Knowledgeable of local market trends • 30 yrs. experience in making dreams come true.

310.923.8006

HARPERHAZDOVAC.COM

Se Habla Español

550 Deep Valley Drive, Suite 359

beckymcdonald@kw.com

Rolling Hills Estates

310.850.9951 | Mike 310.739.9743 | Peter

BRE#01381971, 01897455

Thinking of Selling?

List Your Property for ONLY 4%!

Why Pay More?

We do: Richard Rangel Owner/Broker

(562) 896-8932

Broker Lic. #00600670 NMLS ID #325030NMLS Comp. ID #360194

224 Whalers Walk San Pedro, CA 90731

Se Habla Español!

• Probates, Distressed Properties, Apt. Buildings, Single Family Res. • Loans, Sales, Financing • 1st Time Buyers Program • Property Management Real Estate Enterprises & Investments Serving L.A. & Orange Counties Since 1977

What’s Your Home Worth? Call for FREE Market Evaluation 32 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2018

BRE#00778233

STEFANI COUGHLIN

• San Pedro • PV • Southbay

In Escrow!! Over asking price!!

377 McCarthy Ave., Oceano 3 Separate Bungalows on a Double Lot!

Call or text me for details and a private showing

(310) 877-0073, or visit stefcoughlin.kw.com

OCTOBER 2018 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 33

Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo (top); and Rudecinda Sepulveda

THE BACK PAGE

THIS MONTH IN SAN PEDRO HISTORY compiled by Julia Swanson September 11, 2002 – The Korean Bell of Friendship on Fort McArthur Upper Reservation was dedicated. The Bell was presented to the U.S. as a gift from the Republic of Korea to the people of Los Angeles to celebrate the bicentennial of the United States, to honor American veterans of the Korean War, and to symbolize friendship between the two nations. The Bell was declared a Los Angeles HistoricCultural Monument (No. 187) in 1978.

October 8, 1542 – Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo came ashore in San Pedro.

The place was founded and nurtured by human dreams, human toil, and human initiative with vision to see, faith to believe and courage to do so.

Ever since then, these have been the guidelines and blueprint for San Pedro.

Cabrillo was welcomed to San Pedro by the friendly Chumash Indians who provided him with fresh fish, vegetables and meat and saved the lives of many of the dying crew on his ship.

October 11, 1980 – Dedication of Pepper Tree Plaza. Its purpose was to give historical recognition to the demolished Beacon Street district. The name derives from the turn of the century Peppertree Saloon which was on the site.

October 27, 1857 – Rudecinda Sepulveda was born in Rancho Palos Verdes, daughter of Don Diego Sepulveda. The Sepulveda family history is the history of San Pedro.

When Dolores Sepulveda arrived in 1804, he brought to California some of the romantic splendor and customs of Castilian Spain. Rudecinda married James Dodson and they lived in San Pedro. She donated land for the San Pedro Women’s Club. She was the first woman in the San Pedro area in the suffragette movement, first woman to drive a car here, and first woman to have a bank account in her own name.

October 1985 – Dedication of Fort MacArthur Military Museum at Battery Osgood-Farley, a National Monument in Angels Gate Recreation Center. The site housed four batteries, each secured under 12-feet of concrete, and with walls from 16- to 30-feet thick. Each battery housed a giant 14-inch seacoast gun, called a disappearing rifle, capable of firing 14 miles. They were scrapped by the end of World War II. Fort MacArthur is known as one of the most interesting military sites in the country.

Don’t miss an issue, subscribe today!

Tired of sending YOUR copies of San Pedro Today to out of town relatives? Tired of having to drive into town to pick up a copy, only to find the magazine racks empty?

Let us do the work for you by subscribing to San Pedro Today!

For just $29.95 a year, you can have San Pedro Today delivered right to your mailbox every month.

Cost includes 12 issues of San Pedro Today mailed in a flat envelope.

34 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2018

ww w.s

anp edr

oto day .co m

Name _____________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip ______________________________________________________ Email _____________________________________________________________ Phone _____________________________________________________________

Send to: San Pedro Today P.O. Box 1168, San Pedro, CA 90733 Make checks/m.o. for $29.95 payable to San Pedro Today.

This offer is for the Continental United States only. Sorry, no international orders.

207 North Ellery Drive, San Pedro 4 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 2,476 sqft

SOLD $905,000

JerryandLaura.com Over 800 Homes Sold and Counting ranked #1 in San Pedro by re/maX eState ProPertieS

(310) 480-3601

BRE# 01218093, 01227711

2077 Upland Street, Rancho Palos Verdes 4 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,938 Sq.Ft.

OFFERED $1,019,000