NOVEMBER 2017
WAYS TO GIVE BACK | SCRAPBOOKS UNCOVER SP'S PAST | AMAZING TEACHER/STUDENT REUNION
First Thursday at 20 TWO DECADES LATER, A LOOK BACK AT HOW ONE OF SAN PEDRO’S LONGEST RUNNING TRADITIONS CAME TO BE
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ASSOCIATES Ian Woo, D.D.S., MD. Education: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Los Angeles County / University of Southern California Medical Center
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Dr. Rebekah Coriaty Education: University of Pacific Professional Association: American Dental Association California Dental Association
Dr. Miles Madison
Located in Weymouth Corners 1411 W. 8th Street San Pedro, CA 90732
(310) 832-5559
Education: USC School of Dentistry Professional Association: American Academy of Periodontology California Society of Periodontists American Dental Association California Dental Association American Association for Dental Research
29050 S. Western Suite 102A • Rancho Palos Verdes • (310) 519-9690 www.harborhealthandspa.net
Dr. Lorraine Williams (right) with her husband and daughter.
“Be Happy and Healthy by Choice!”
H arbor Health and Spa is honored to welcome the newest member to our practice, Dr. Lorraine Williams Sports Chiropractor, Wellness and Lifestyle Coach and Lecturer. She offers a full suite of Chiropractic services including: Sports injury treatment, and specialty care options including, Cold Laser, Kinesio Taping, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), Graston, Activator, Neuro Emotion Technique (NET) and Functional Movement Screening. As we welcome Dr. Williams to our Practice, Harbor Health and Spa would like to offer a special Performance Package for the month of October and November to our South Bay Community.
Our special price for this comprehensive assessment is $45.00 (Regular $150.00) Athletic Functional movement and screening assessment. Stretching. Flexibility and Core instruction for performance enhancement. A 3-Point Home Starter Exercise Protocol Corrective Posture Exercise for Optimum Performance Comprehensive Chiropractic Adjustment
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5 training/treatment series to follow-up with our comprehensive evaluation. Regular $375/package, NOW ONLY $270!
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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4 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I NOVEMBER 2017
Monday- Friday 7:30am - 8pm Sat. 7:30 - 4:30
If my math is correct (and that’s never a given), this month will mark the 241st First Thursday Art Walk in Downtown San Pedro. It’s hard to believe this monthly event has been going on consistently for two decades, but here we are celebrating that fact in this month’s issue. In my opinion, the First Thursday Art Walk is probably one of the most important cultural events we share as a community. It’s the one time we, as San Pedrans, have allotted for ourselves each month to celebrate one of this town’s biggest exports: art. In addition, the event has become a great way to experience our local cuisine and share libations with friends and family. It’s an event so embedded in our native culture that many of us make plans around it or use it as a marker of time. (“You remember two First Thursdays ago when...”) In 1997, the idea of starting a community art walk was an incredibly novel one. As you’ll read in this month’s cover story, the idea was born out of a calculated attempt by stakeholders in the district to repair Downtown San Pedro’s shady reputation at the time. For all intents and purposes, and with the help of a number of external factors, the idea worked. In doing research on the history of First Thursday, I was struck by how much the art walk – and Downtown San Pedro itself – has changed through the years. In 1997, there were no new high-rise lofts and apartment buildings in downtown. The Whale & Ale had only been around for two years, while we still had another two years for San Pedro Brewing Company to open. The Warner Grand Theatre had yet to be refurbished and the biggest restaurant
draw was Papadakis Taverna. Cut to today and our waterfront skyline keeps rising with new mixeduse buildings going up, adding to the district’s growing population. Papadakis is now Pappy’s. Marymount California University has a Waterfront Campus brimming with students in the heart of downtown, with POLA High School just a block away. Seventh Street has experienced a culinary renaissance with Jackson’s Place, Punto Cubano Restaurant and Sirens Java & Tea joining The Whale & Ale. And the Warner Grand Theatre, after years of love and refurbishment from the Grand Vision Foundation, has finally started living up to its former glory by hosting top acts. While downtown still faces many challenges, namely our homeless/drugaddicted/mentally-disabled population, the evidence proves that Downtown San Pedro has made incredible strides in two decades, due in no small part to the consistency of the First Thursday Art Walk. Couple that with waterfront redevelopment in full swing and the San Pedro Public Market slated to open in less than three years, and everything seems to be moving in a positive direction. If you haven’t been to a First Thursday Art Walk, or the new Third Saturday one, you must make an attempt to join the frivolity before the year is over. Bring your family down early, grab a bite to eat, have a cocktail or two, and wander through the galleries, stores and studios. You’ll be happy you did. spt Joshua Stecker is publisher/editorin-chief of San Pedro Today. Letters to the Editor can be emailed to contact@sanpedrotoday.com.
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NOVEMBER 2017 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 5
NOVEMBER 2017
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ADVERTISING:
ASSOCIATE EDITOR/ SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Patricia Roberts (562) 964-8166 | patricia@sanpedrotoday.com
Joshua J. Stecker
General Inquiries: ads@sanpedrotoday.com
Caitlyn Trudnich
ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION Joseph A. Castañeda
AT-LARGE CONTRIBUTORS
Jack Baric, Nathan Hoff, Mike Lansing, Ricky Magana, Steve Marconi, Jennifer Marquez, Angela Romero, Bim Savage
PHOTOGRAPHER Andrew Ursini
CONTACT INFO:
Phone: (424) 224-9063 EMAIL: contact@sanpedrotoday.com San Pedro Today P.O. Box 1168, San Pedro, CA 90733
Shana Ghekiere (310) 753-5176 | shana@sanpedrotoday.com
EMPIRE22 MEDIA LLC OWNER/PUBLISHER Joshua J. Stecker
San Pedro Today publishes the last Thursday of every month and is produced monthly by Empire22 Media LLC. No portion of this publication can be reproduced without written permission by Empire22 Media. 25,000 copies are delivered to San Pedro and portions of Rancho Palos Verdes. San Pedro Today is a product of Empire22 Media LLC. Empire22 Media LLC, their subsidiaries and affiliates are released from all liability that may involve the publication of San Pedro Today. Copyright 2009-2017, Empire22 Media LLC.
VOLUME 9 | NUMBER 10 ON THE COVER: Out and about on First Thursday in October. (photo: Andrew Ursini)
CASA AYURVEDA & YOGA a new health & wellness center offering yoga classes!
Saturday, Nov. 17, 3 p.m.
Concious Cooking
Ayurvedic Cooking Class + Dinner with Victoria Valdez, Casa Yoga instructor Menu: Kitchari, Chestnut Soup & Vegan Ayurvedic Chai Lattes Join Ayurvedic Practitioner and Casa Yoga instructor Victoria Valdez as she leads this Concious Cooking class inspired by the healing art of Ayurveda. This class concludes with a special dinner using traditional Indian recipes of this ancient health science. In this cooking class you will learn to cook and prepare an Ayurvedic meal appropriate for the upcoming Winter season. $25 Fee. Please RSVP (714) 931-3320.
YOGA DAY
Sunday, November 18, 9a-5p
FIRST SATURDAY ASHTANGA CLASS
FREE 30 min. class segments all day Saturday, November 4, 2-3:30p long, teaching Ayurveda basics! An amazing class with Merhnoosh! (714) 931-3320 • 718 S Weymouth Ave, San Pedro • vedacasa.com
6 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I NOVEMBER 2017
NOVEMBER 2017 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 7
NOVEMBER 2 (Thurs) – 20TH ANNIVERSARY FIRST THURSDAY ARTWALK in Downtown San Pedro, 6 – 10p. Live music, food trucks, art gallery displays, and food and drink specials from local bars and restaurants. Experience the most anticipated monthly event in San Pedro!
Remedy Pharm is hosting this celebration, featuring local artisan Sabine Schoepke’s Vintage Spoon jewelry collection, a new initiative supporting local, homeless families. Enjoy shopping, food and drinks, and live entertainment. Free admission. For more info, visit shinylittleblessings.com.
4 (Sat) – HOLY TRINITY AREA WALKING TOUR, 10a. Join historian and San Pedro Today columnist, Angela "Romee" Romero, for a stroll through her own neighborhood around Holy Trinity Church. Learn the history of this WWII era homey neighborhood and the hidden gems found within. The tour will even venture to nearby Peck Park for a look at the fall foliage. Tickets are $15 and space is limited. A second tour will be offered Sunday, November 19th. Call (310) 808-7800 to reserve.
9 (Thurs) – SPHS CLASS OF 1945 BREAKFAST at The Grinder (511 S. Harbor Blvd.), 9:30a. Remember the good 'ol days over breakfast with your former classmates! RSVP to Alice Jacobson (310) 832-1807 or Dina Branning (310) 835-2470.
4 (Sat) – BENEFIT CONCERT at Brouwerij West (11 E. 22nd St., Warehouse No. 9), 6p. Live performances by Exene Cervenka and John Doe of X, Mike Watt & the Secondmen, and Feels. Food trucks and craft beers. General admission: $15 + fees. VIP admission: $75 + fees. Proceeds benefit the Palos Verdes Art Center, which seeks to expand art education programs for neighboring communities of the Port of Los Angeles. For more info, visit pvartcenter.org. 4 (Sat) – FORTUNATE SON: CCR TRIBUTE CONCERT at the Grand Annex (434 W. 6th St.), 8p. Delivering CCR favorites and John Fogerty solo hits, Fortunate Son delivers the spirit and grit of one of America's favorite classic rock & roll bands. Tickets start at $25. For more info, grandvision.org. 8 (Wed) – SHINY LITTLE BLESSINGS LAUNCH PARTY at Remedy Pharm (23811 Hawthorne Blvd.), 4p. Jewelry with a cause.
11 (Sat) – 12 (Sun) – MODEL RAILROAD OPEN HOUSE at Belmont Shore Model Railroad Club (3601 S. Gaffey St.), 10a - 4p. All aboard! The "best kept secret in San Pedro" is opening its doors to the public for a weekendlong event. Discover their giant model railroad, one of the oldest and largest scale models on the West Coast! Fun for the whole family and admission is free. For more info, visit belmontshorerr.com.
12 (Sun) – SECOND SUNDAYS AT TWO CONCERT at Rolling Hills United Methodist Church (26438 Crenshaw Blvd.), 11 (Sat) – GUIDED NATURE WALK at 2p. The “Second Sundays at Two” concert White Point Nature Preserve (1600 W. Paseo series presents a recital by internationally Del Mar), 9a. Presented by the Palos Verdes renowned Italian pianist, Fabio Bidini, and Peninsula Land Conservancy, celebrate Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Principal Veteran’s Day and learn about the military Cellist, Andrew Shulman. Admission history of the area, including activities for is free. Donations are welcomed. the whole family at the Nature Education Center. This is a moderate walk. Free and 14 (Tues) - December 30 (Sat) – ANNUAL open to the public. For more info, contact HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE at the Assistance (310) 541-7613, ext. 201 or visit pvplc.org League of San Pedro -South Bay (1441 W. 8th St.), Weekdays: 10a – 5p, Saturdays: 11 (Sat) - GREEN GIRL FARMS PRODUCE 11a – 3p. Get a jump-start on your STAND at The Corner Store (1118 W. holiday shopping! This boutique will 37th St.), 10a – Noon, as long as supplies offer a selection of holiday food items, last. Grab a cup of coffee and the freshest, stocking stuffers, decorations, as well as most locally grown produce in town. The unique gift items. All proceeds benefit stand is up every Second Saturday of the local philanthropic programs. For more month. Don't forget your reusable bags! info, call (310) 832-8355, ext. 221. 11 (Sat) – HOT FLAT OPENING RECEPTION at Angels Gate Cultural Center (3601 S. Gaffey St.). 5 – 9p. Presenting new works by artists including, Michael Cataldi, Abigail Collins, Gelare Khoshgozaran, Fleurette West, and Richard Wheeler, which locate potentialities between imposed architectural or geopolitical lines of demarcation and entropic forces that undermine them. Exhibition runs through November 30th. For more info, visit angelsgateart.org.
17 (Fri) – 18 (Sat) – AILEEN QUINN & THE LEAPIN’ LIZARDS at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center, George Nakano Theatre (3330 Civic Center Dr.), 7:30p. Jump, jive, and wail! Broadway star Quinn and her rockabilly band will be covering songs from the 50s and 60s, as well as original tunes. Tickets are $33. For more info, visit torrancearts.org. 18 (Sat) – PALOS VERDES HALF MARATHON, 7a. LaceUp Palos Verdes
is Southern California’s most scenic half marathon. What began as a picturesque marathon in the 1960s, has earned a reputation throughout the running community as one of the nation’s most challenging and iconic races. To register and for more info, visit laceuprunningseries.com. 19 (Sun) – BEAUTY OF NATURE FILM SERIES: THE CENTRAL PARK EFFECT at the Warner Grand Theatre (478 W. 6th St.), 4:30p. The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy presents this documentary that transports the viewer to the dazzling, hidden world of America’s most famous city park. Tickets $10. Ages 18 and under are free. For more info, visit pvplc.org. 24 (Fri) – HISTORIC BLACK FRIDAY TOUR, 11a. Walk off your Thanksgiving dinner with a trip through San Pedro's shopping past. Historian and San Pedro Today columnist, Angela "Romee" Romero, will lead shoppers through the town's historic shopping district along Pacific Avenue and around 6th and 7th Streets. Learn the brand name histories behind the very famous facades of downtown's buildings. Tickets are $15 and space is limited. Call (310) 808-7800 to reserve. Free folding chairs available on site. Tickets $5, children under 6 are free. For more info, contact Melanie Jones at mjones1580@cox.net, call (310) 387-0908.
Want to see your event here? Email events@sanpedrotoday.com to learn more! Deadline for the December issue is Friday, November 17. Find more events at facebook.com/sanpedrotoday.
Wild Orchid Hair Studio WEDDING HAIR & MAKEUP SPECIALISTS
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1432 W. 25th St. | San Pedro | Von’s center @ 25th & Western 8 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I NOVEMBER 2017
Mary Star of the Sea High School Information Evening for Prospective Students Tuesday, November 21, 2017 - 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. (use Taper Avenue entrance)
• Traditional Catholic values • Staffed by Norbertine Priests • WASC accredited • 15 Sports and 30 Clubs • Small class size 1/21 • 27-acre campus
2500 N. Taper Avenue San Pedro, CA 90731
• 100% acceptance rate into 4-year colleges/universities • UC/CSU approved college prep curriculum • 17 AP/Honors Courses • CIF Camino Real/Del Rey League Membership
For further information: 310-547-1138 | info@marystarhigh.com www.marystarhigh.com NOVEMBER 2017 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 9
VOICES
VIETNAM VET SURVIVED THE VC AND NATURE by Steve Marconi
Vietnam as part of the 55th Ordnance Detachment. “Our thing was taking care of supplying all the ammunition in our area, specifically the 25th Infantry Division,” Barbre said. “We were always under attack. The one thing they (the Viet Cong) were always trying to were worlds apart. Van Barbre, a W`64 grad, is a retired eliminate was the ammo. They were always attacking our site. We didn’t postal worker who I got to know have to go out to the jungle, they came through his YouTube videos about to us. We were always on defense.” growing up in San Pedro. Although The site was Tay Ninh, about he has lived most of his adult life in 100 miles north of Saigon on the Corona, his heart will always be in his Cambodian border. “It was the main hometown, where he grew up with his infiltration route the VC used into large extended family (which included South Vietnam,” Barbre said. “We were first cousins Jerry and Tony Rodich). constantly under mortar attack, and At the start of 1964, Vietnam was there were a couple of suicide raids. I just a blip on the radar to most high school seniors, a faraway nation torn by was under fire a lot of times when they internal strife, where a small American were attacking the ammo dumps. We had some pretty intense firefights. I military presence was trying to help usually never saw faces when shooting, stave off a communist takeover. The just muzzle flashes. They always fought situation changed dramatically after at night. We lit up the sky pretty good the Gulf of Tonkin incident in August 1964; U.S. troop involvement went from with flares… it would almost be like daylight. 16,000 in 1964 to 553,000 by 1969. “I never got wounded, but I heard the Facing the draft upon graduation, bullets go by me.” and wanting to get his two-year His closest calls, however, didn’t commitment over with, Barbre tried come from the enemy. Twice he was to join the Navy, but was rejected for nearly killed by lightning strikes while medical reasons. Those same reasons on guard duty. didn’t deter the doctors in September On another turn at night guard duty, 1965, when he received his draft notice he was walking near some bushes when and was classified 1A. In March 1966, he heard some rustling. “All of a sudden he was winging his way to South a cobra jumped out, with its fangs open, Only five years separated San Pedro High’s W’64 and W’69 classes, but the circumstances facing the boys who were graduating
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getting ready to spit at me,” Barbre recalled. “They try to hit your eye and blind you. I had my finger on the trigger while walking and instantly blew it away. Flares started going off, the sirens went off, everybody was rushing out with their weapons. The varmints were sometimes scarier than the enemy.” On a positive note, he also had the opportunity to meet two celebrities. One was the Rev. Billy Graham, which was significant for Barbre because he had become a Christian in his senior year at SPHS. The other was Nancy Sinatra, fresh off her hit single, “These Boots Area Made for Walkin.’” “That was kind of exciting for all the guys,” Barbre recalls. “She was wearing a miniskirt. Us guys hadn’t seen miniskirts. We didn’t see too many American girls.” Barbre documented much of his Vietnam experience on film, with a still camera and Super 8 movie camera. His footage of Sinatra performing and later mingling with the troops found new life earlier this year when it became part of CNN’s eight-part series Soundtracks: Songs That Defined History. In March 1967, having spent a year in Vietnam, Barbre returned to the States, where, much to his surprise, instead of being honored for his service, he faced anti-war protesters. “We got on the bus (at the base), and at the gate were about 100 people with signs calling us baby killers, and throwing eggs. I thought, what were they talking about? The same when we pulled into Oakland. All these protesters there. I couldn’t understand. Baby killers? We went out of our way to save the population. A lot of people got killed doing that.” He enrolled at Harbor College but “kept quiet about being in the military until years later. In my opinion, I felt the cause over there was good. I saw what the enemy was doing to the village people. They’d go in there and
kill all the officials and teachers. The terror they put on the people. I felt what we were doing was the right thing, but we were not doing it the right way. We were trying to fight a conventional war when it was a guerilla war.” Like many combat veterans, he struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder. “My first five years at home, I’d wake up with nightmares quite often,” Barbre said. “My biggest fear was always being overrun. I had that dream or nightmare for five or six years. I finally got it out of my mind.” The biggest lasting effect of Vietnam on Barbre came 15 years ago when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which the government decided was caused by his exposure to Agent Orange. With all that, what bothers him the most is how Vietnam veterans were treated upon returning home. “It’s still painful when I think about it.” Barbre sent me a list from his 10-year reunion program. Out of 46 males in his small winter class, 26 served in the military, 22 in the Army. I’m sure not all of them ended up in Vietnam; all survived the war. By the time I was a senior in W`69, the lottery had been instituted. Some of my classmates must have been drafted, but I don’t know of any, and I don’t know if any ever saw combat in Vietnam. The war was going hot and heavy (1968 was the deadliest of the war); I believe the majority of boys in my class, like me, enrolled in college and had 2S deferments that outlasted the draft. Nineteen San Pedrans weren’t as fortunate as those from the W’64 and W`69 classes – they died in Vietnam. It was that kind of war. spt Steve Marconi can be reached at spmarconi@yahoo.com.
Ready to Learn about Dental Implants? What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is surgically anchored into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in place. The benefit of using implants is that they don’t rely on neighboring teeth for support and they are permanent and stable. Implants look and feel like natural teeth.
What is an Implant Support Denture?
While a regular denture rests on the gums and are not stable, An implant-supported denture is a type of overdenture that is supported by and attached to implants by special attachments for better fit and retention. There are two types of implant-supported dentures: bar-retained and ballretained. In both cases, the denture will be made of an acrylic base that will look like gums. Porcelain or acrylic teeth that look like natural teeth are attached to the base. Both types of dentures need at least two implants for support.
Your dentist can help you . . .
Can anyone receive dental implants?
Talk with your dentist about whether you are an implant candidate. You must have the proper bone structure for the implant to stay in place. People who are unable to wear dentures may also be good candidates.
What can I expect during this procedure?
The dentist must perform surgery to anchor the “artificial root� into or on your jaw bone. The procedure is done in the dental office with local anesthesia. The gum is then secured over the implant, which will remain covered until it fuses with the bone. The dentist then uncovers the implant and attaches an extension, or post, to the implant. Finally, the dentist makes an artificial tooth, or crown, or dentures that attach to the implant post.
What is the cost of implants?
Dental implants for replacement of a single tooth are affordable and most dental and medical insurance policies cover portion of the cost. Your dentist can help you with this process.
MARITIME DENTAL
Please call to make an appointment for a complimentary consultation
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310.832.5559
NOVEMBER 2017 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 11
VOICES
WATERFRONT HOOPSTERS by Jack Baric
Growing up in San Pedro for me was awesome because I loved playing sports, and this is a sports town like no other. There has always been a deep pool of great athletes here, but during my high school years it was our cross-port rival, Banning, that was the king in football and basketball. During those years, San Pedro didn’t really compete for varsity Marine League titles in those sports. I recall playing basketball with and against various youth teams and the talent was off the charts, but when high school rolled around, the best players transferred to schools like Banning and Verbum Dei, which were both basketball powerhouses of those times. A few years after I graduated high school, a new generation of hoopsters decided to stay in town and play for the Pirates. The core of players, which included Otis Livingstone, Mike Sestich, and Zlatko “Z” Josic, went on to major college basketball programs, Kansas, USF, and Clemson. This generation won three Marine League titles and made it to the Los Angeles City championship game. Josic recalls playing in the finals at the old Sports Arena, “I felt so supported by our community. Five or six thousand people showed up at the Sports Arena. It was awesome.” Although recruiting athletes to other high schools has always existed, the growing influence of travel teams has greatly increased this practice and so, once again, many of San Pedro’s best basketball players are leaving to play at other high schools. San Pedro basketball head coach John Bobich says, “Certain schools and travel team coaches recruit kids out of our area so we have to step up as a community to reverse that course.” Josic hopes to be a part of that change. He recently started Waterfront Hoops Academy, a club basketball program that he hopes will help build a basketball community that feeds into the San Pedro and Mary Star programs. “I want the kids to stay at Pedro or Mary Star and build something great in our town and be supported by the community like we were.” 12 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I NOVEMBER 2017
Bobich is confident about the quality of basketball coaches and players in San Pedro and is pleased with Josic’s initiative. He says, “I really believe in what Z’s trying to accomplish so much so that I put my own son in his academy.” In addition to Waterfront Hoops, Josic is the assistant basketball coach at Mary Star. The head coach is his old Pirates teammate, Mike Sestich. “Before I even applied for the job, one of my first calls was to Z to see if he would come coach with me if I got the job. That’s how much I believe in his knowledge of the game. He’s played at high levels and once people get to see him train players, I know the academy will be a huge success,” states Sestich. Josic purposely named Waterfront Hoops an academy and not a club because, as a dad of two young players himself, he wanted the emphasis to be on training kids to become better players. He explains, “I want it to operate as an academy where you can hone your skills and learn the proper techniques in dribbling and footwork.” Josic’s partner in the academy, Dennis Hrboka, felt the same way. Hrboka says, “Being in the travel ball circuit for a few years, I’d walk into a gym and see kids trying to go through their legs before even knowing how to dribble. Z and I wanted to get back to the basic fundamentals that make you a good player.” He adds, “We’d see one coach for 30 kids and it’s tough to get proper training with that ratio.” Josic concludes by saying basketball and San Pedro have been good to him and the academy is his way of giving back. “I benefited from basketball. I want to create it where the kids are unified in the community and supported by the community and create a place where they get great training and develop the confidence to stay and play in high school together.” spt For more information on Waterfront Hoops Academy, visit waterfronthoops.com. Jack Baric can be reached at jackbaric@hotmail.com.
Happy Holidays J.D. Hobby Center
from
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310-514-3702 • jdhobbiesinc@yahoo.com
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J.D. Hobby Center is the largest in Southern California, with 10,000 square feet of the most unique collectibles and supplies anywhere. • All things Military, in Plastic, Wood, Resin & Metal • Remote Control (R/C) • Sports Memorabilia • Trains and Accessories • Incredible Inventory of Rare/ Out of Production Kits • Repair & Renovation Center
• Aviation & Space • Nautical • Sci-Fi • Automotive • 6,000 Book Library • Art, Framing, Matting Supplies • Custom Model Building
16th Annual Giving Campaign Join us this holiday season in our food, clothing and toy drive for
Please drop-off your donations at any of our offices by Thursday, December 7th (Call ahead to make sure location is open.)
RESOLUTION READY
For their Wishlist, visit www.rainbowservicesdv.org/donate
A resolution saved for the New Year is important enough to start now
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My dad lives an hour away from me in the home where I grew up, the same house my mother died in a few years ago. In August, my dad quit driving due to vision issues from macular degeneration. It was a big adjustment for my father. I began to research programs that would help make my dad’s life easier. My ideas were not always popular, but I continued to offer solutions for the changes in my dad’s life. He was still independent and had no desire for any caregivers. I started by taking him to the city to register for Dial-A-Ride, a service that provides rides within the city for 25 cents. He was not thrilled, but a couple months later he began to use the service for haircut appointments and his weekly outing to his favorite restaurant. I almost followed the Dial-A-Ride van on his first trip to make sure he was okay, but held back my “helicopter daughter” tendencies and let him go alone. He did fine despite never carrying his cell phone, which always worries me. Next problem was his weight loss due to not eating enough and too many Stouffers frozen dinners, his new favorite meal. I take him grocery shopping and out to lunch but I cannot be there every day to make him food due to my own family and work. I contacted Meals On Wheels and set up an appointment for a meeting with my dad at his house to learn about the program. My dad was not too keen about this idea, and on my drive over I called him to remind him of our appointment. He snapped at me saying he was not interested, so I had to cancel. Weeks later, I carefully brought it up again, reminding him it was a meeting to just learn abut Meals On
Wheels. When the worker arrived at his house, he turned up his nose but agreed to the 10-day trial. On the first day of the Meals On Wheels delivery, I called my dad and got an earful of how much he hated it. After each meal, his disgust for the program faded slowly, and by the end of two weeks he loved it, as I expected. We decided on having the service three days a week. Each delivery consists of two meals, one cold sandwich and one hot meal with fresh fruits, vegetables, dessert and a beverage. I love that he is eating better and has an extra set of eyes on him in the day, even if it is only briefly when the volunteer is dropping off the meal when my brother and I work. There are Meals On Wheels in most cities. The San Pedro Meals On Wheels began in 1972 and is operated at the First Presbyterian Church. Volunteers deliver meals five days a week and the cost is $7.50 for each day and includes the two meals, both hot and cold. People who have MediCal with the SCAN supplement have their meals covered by their insurance. Anybody who is homebound, which also includes those who are ill or have gone through surgery, are eligible for Meals On Wheels. Many times individuals receiving meals are alone all day and the volunteer bringing the meal is their only interaction. One day, my brother overheard my dad on the phone telling his friend that my brother and I were taking great care of him. While this is the ultimate compliment to us, we can’t take all the credit. We have Meals On Wheels to thank. spt If you would like to find out about receiving Meals On Wheels or to volunteer, call (310) 832-7335 or visit www.sanpedromealsonwheels.org. Jennifer Marquez can be reached at jennifertmarquez@yahoo.com.
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What if… the Dodgers win the World Series? Will they remember how to throw a downtown parade? (By the way, I’m a Dodgers fan.) What if… rather than giving tax breaks to anyone, we kept the tax rates the same for all and spent the $2 trillion it would cost us on much needed nationwide infrastructure projects that would put Americans to work, fully fund public education, and support underfunded social service programs for those who really need a “break?” What if… schools started at nine o’clock in the morning, so students could get more sleep? Would they stay on their phones until two o’clock in the morning texting, tweeting, and watching YouTube while mom and dad are snoring? What if… “fake news” was unilaterally banned? Would the White House be able to distribute a press release? What if… we reversed the shame of taking Japanese-American homes on Terminal Island by constructing on T.I. housing for the homeless with adjacent food bank, mental services, and job training? What if… it didn’t take my neighbors and I at least 15-20 minutes in the morning to get to the freeway or to Western & Palos Verdes Drive North from our neighborhood? (I live by Averill Park.) What if… rather than increasing an already robust military budget by $60 billion or so, we use that same “increased” funding to continue to provide health care for the poor/preexisting and/or to feed the nation’s food deprived and starving? What if… we were all colorblind, and there was no religion other than “Love thy neighbor?” What if… Nick Trani didn’t come along? Would the L.A. Harbor Boys & Girls Club be celebrating our 80th Anniversary
this year without his legacy? What if… the 800,000 Dreamers were given a pathway to citizenship? Wouldn’t it make sense to keep that tax base and tens of thousands of the smartest and hardest working of our nation? What if… the Boys Scouts only included (any and all) boys, and the Girl Scouts only included (any and all) girls. Would that be such a bad thing? What if… we stopped debating climate change, and truly committed to leaving this planet habitable for our children’s, children’s children? What if… we never had the Kardashians, Big Brother, or the Real Housewives? Would we be able to survive? (Oh yeah – Survivor, too.) What if… those most affected by the President’s amputation of the Affordable Care Act and especially those with pre-existing conditions had universal healthcare, and Trump and Congress had to stand in line at a Community Clinic, if and when they could find one? What if… rather than a bullet train, we used those billions of dollars to implement many more mass transit projects within California’s traffic-congested urban centers? What if… John Olguin’s family never immigrated to this country? Would we even have a Cabrillo Marine Aquarium? What if… our public education system had all the funding it needed, and the military had to have candy and holiday wrapping sales to try and purchase that next nuclear warhead? What if… rather than focusing on whether NFL players stand or kneel, we actually lived and governed this country by the words of our Declaration of Independence, that “all men (and women) are created equal?” What if… there was no Twitter? Would America, and the world, be a better place? spt Mike Lansing is the Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor.
CALL TO ACTION
THE SEASON OF GIVING
THERE’S NO BETTER TIME THAN NOW TO HELP THOSE IN NEED. FROM DONATING FOOD AND CLOTHING, TO VOLUNTEERING YOUR TIME WITH OTHERS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. HERE ARE A FEW WAYS YOU CAN GIVE TO THOSE IN NEED THIS THANKSGIVING SEASON BEACON HOUSE/YWCA THRIFT STORE 437 W. 9th St. Donation Hours: Mon – Fri, 8:30a – 4p; Sat, 9:30a – 3p. The thrift store gathers and sells a wide array of donations, including household goods, books, and clothing. For additional information, call (310) 547-2332.
sponsor baskets for $50 each. For additional info, call (310) 832-7597.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 731 S. Averill Ave. The First Presbyterian Church of San Pedro is sponsoring its 22nd Annual Thanksgiving Family Food Baskets distribution to needy families living in the greater San Pedro area. Church members, individuals, and local businesses can purchase/
HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH 1292 W. Santa Cruz St. Parish Office Hours: Mon – Fri, 8:30a – Noon & 1 – 8p; Sat, 9a – 3p. Christian Service Ministry and Outreach Food Program will be collecting non-perishable food and toiletry items from the Parish
HARBOR INTERFAITH 670 W. 9th St. Hours: Mon – Fri, 9a – 5p. Packaged food donations and toiletries are always welcomed for distribution at the Food Pantry. For additional info, call (310) 831-9123.
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LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR 2100 S. Western Ave. Gifts-in-kind are always welcomed. For a list of needed items and ways you can give, contact Sister Pauline at (310) 548-0625 or email clsanpedro@ littlesistersofthepoor.org. MARY STAR OF THE SEA CHURCH – CHRISTIAN CARE MINISTRY 853 W. 7th St. Food, clothing, monetary donations, and volunteers are always welcomed. For additional info and drop-off hours, call the Christian Care Office at (310) 548-1645. RAINBOW SERVICES 453 W. 7th St. Rainbow relies on support from caring community members to provide basic needs items, food, and school supplies to the vulnerable families who seek our help. If you are interested in donating new and unused items, food or toys call Anna Sanchez at (424) 264-0634 or email donations@rainbowservicesdv.org.
SAN PEDRO PACKAGES FOR PATRIOTS 1208-C N. Gaffey St. Local community members Mike and Shirley Walker created this volunteer-based organization in order to support US Troops. For a list of items needed, and for more information on their Halloween candy drive, visit sanpedropackagesforpatriots.com. SAN PEDRO MEALS ON WHEELS 731 S. Averill Ave. Founded in 1972 by Church Women United of the First Presbyterian & First Methodist Churches of San Pedro, San Pedro Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious, hot meals to those in need in town. San Pedro Meals on Wheels is a volunteer organization. The cost of each delivery is only $7 per day, which doesn’t cover the full cost, which is made up by contributions from individuals and organizations. For more information or to donate money or volunteer time, call (310) 832-7335 or visit sanpedromealsonwheels.org. TEMPLE BETH EL 1435 W. 7th St. Hours: Tues – Fri, 9a – 4p. Through November 19th, Temple Beth El will be collecting warm clothing, new or slightly used, to donate to Harbor Interfaith. For additional info, call (31) 833-2467.
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A peek inside Menduina Schneider Art Gallery during last month's First Thursday Art Walk
First Thursday at 20 TWO DECADES LATER, A LOOK BACK AT HOW ONE OF SAN PEDRO’S LONGEST RUNNING TRADITIONS CAME TO BE story by Joshua Stecker | photos by Andrew Ursini
In 1997, Downtown San Pedro was suffering from a reputation problem. Crime fears, though mostly blown out of proportion, kept locals from frequenting the shops and restaurants that lined 6th and 7th Streets below Pacific Ave. It was still considered the “tough” part of town. Even though Beacon St. was razed nearly 20 years prior, the shady stigma lingered like an unwelcome party guest that just wouldn’t leave. The Downtown San Pedro of 1997 was vastly different than today. There were no high-rise apartment buildings. No Vue. No Centre Street Lofts. No Bank Lofts. The Warner Grand Theatre had been purchased by the City of Los Angeles the year prior and had yet to be refurbished through the efforts of the Grand Vision Foundation. There was no Port of Los Angeles High School nearby. San Pedro Brewing Company didn’t even exist on 6th St. and The Whale & Ale was barely two years old on 7th St. The anchor restaurant was Papadakis Taverna, but even they couldn’t attract locals, instead having to cater to a mostly out-of-town clientele. Cell phones and the Internet were still in their infancy, and there wasn’t a Facebook where locals could create a Downtown San Pedro group to complain about a place they probably hadn’t frequented in years. In that way, things might have been better, but I digress. You get the gist. It was very, very different. The reputation was problematic enough that a few downtown stakeholders decided they needed to do something that would attract the local community to frequent the downtown streets again. This group, which included Alan Johnson of Jerico Development, Liz Schindler Johnson of the Grand Vision Foundation, artists Robin Hinchliffe, Marylyn Ginsburg and Ron Pippin, and Andrew Silber, owner of The Whale & Ale, where most of these early meetings took place, brainstormed a number of ideas. WHY THURSDAY? “We met in The Whale & Ale to discuss how to change public perception of Downtown San Pedro,” remembers Silber. “The first suggestion was to hire security patrols. This was years before the [San Pedro Historic Waterfront Business Improvement District (PBID)] existed. But security was going to cost money that we didn’t have.” “We passed out a survey to the community asking them why they didn’t frequent downtown,” remembers Schindler Johnson. “We thought crime would 22 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I NOVEMBER 2017
be at the top of the list. But we were surprised when the main complaints were that it was too dark and not enough to do. Soon after, through the [now defunct] Community Advisory Committee (CAC), we were able to get new streetlights installed in downtown.” “Prior to First Thursday, there was this San Pedro Revitalization Corporation under Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores, which was basically a downtown merchant’s association, and they tried this event called Alive After Five,” recalls Johnson. “It was mainly a retail event where stores would have special sales on those evenings. It didn’t last long.” With no major retail businesses in the downtown district at the time (a problem that still exists today), the idea that seemed to make the most sense was to tap into the one community that wasn’t afraid to call Downtown San Pedro home: the artists. “Before the PBID existed, we had this group called the MBID, which involved all the downtown stakeholders,” recalls Johnson. “One of our initiatives involved public art. We could have the artists open their studios to the public. This way, it celebrated what the downtown district had, which was food and artists.” “The only people that were moving in to downtown were artists,” remembers Hinchliffe. “So, there was this idea to have people go and see the live-in studios and see what the artists are like.” According to Silber, talks of forming this “art walk” began in the summer of ’97, with plans to launch the first event that November. “It was originally conceived for Fridays,” recalls Silber, “but the restaurants were already full those nights. We wanted a normally less busy night to attract new customers, so everyone agreed to have it on Thursdays instead.” And with that, Downtown San Pedro’s First Thursday Art Walk was born. Convincing the downtown retail businesses and restaurants to participate was easy. (Any idea that had the potential to bring in new customers was welcome.) Convincing the artists to participate was a tougher sell. Hinchliffe, a noted artist in her own right, took it upon herself to speak to nearly every colleague who had a studio in the downtown area, including the artists at The Loft on 4th Street, just off the main downtown drag. According to her, nearly everyone was on board. “[Having an art walk] gave the artists’ feedback. It forced them to clean their studios once a month. It forced the artists to create new works, because no one likes to see the same stuff,” she recalls. “It gave them deadlines and a kind of a
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"I BELIEVE THE FACT THAT NOBODY CONTROLS FIRST THURSDAY IS THE REASON IT’S LASTED FOR 20 YEARS.” structure that artists sometimes lack. It also stimulated a sense of community among them. Although no one could go to each other’s studios on that night, First Thursday strengthened the relationships between the local artists, even if we all didn’t necessarily get along with each other.” According to those involved, the very first First Thursday Art Walk on November 6, 1997, went off without a hitch. Alan Johnson paid for some marketing posters that were distributed around San Pedro to help draw attention to this new, monthly event. Other than that, it was all about word of mouth.
own events like Navy Days and Fleet Week. At one point, musicians started appearing in front of stores, but were told to keep the volume at a decent level. There was even a nighttime Farmers’ Market for a few months at one point. Yet through all of that, the monthly event had never lost its focus on San Pedro’s downtown artist community. That was until 2011.
INVASION OF THE FOODIES In early 2011, there was a push by some downtown stakeholders to add gourmet food trucks to First Thursday. Spearheaded by artist Allyson Vought, it was an idea that, at first, was met THE SECRET TO ITS SUCCESS with mixed reactions. The criticism was In a town where everyone loves that having food trucks along 6th and to take credit for noteworthy 7th Sts. would take away business from accomplishments, First Thursday is the local restaurants. Fortunately, it the one (and maybe only?) San Pedro seems to have had the opposite effect. institution that no one officially owns. “Food trucks changed the focus, There is no First Thursday committee; but it filled the streets,” says Silber. “It no board of directors or managers. And tapped into a new and popular trend. that, according to its founders, is the If we tried to put food trucks out 20 secret to its longevity and success. years ago, it wouldn’t have worked. The “That was the concept from the gourmet food trucks of today were not very beginning,” says Hinchliffe, who, around back then.” at a sprightly 78-years-old, has been The food trucks arrived in June 2011, distributing a map of open studios on and were a hit from the beginning. First Thursday nearly every month Since many of these trucks had loyal since the beginning. “We didn’t tell the social media followings, there was a Chamber of Commerce or Councilman noticeable uptick in people coming Rudy Svorinich’s office about it. It was, to downtown to try out the latest and still is, just about the artists who “trending” meal on wheels. The trucks decide to be open on First Thursday. If would arrive on 6th and 7th Sts. around there was ever a structure in control 4 p.m. for First Thursday, and before of it, then the structure would end up they’d turn their engines off, they’d looking out for itself rather than what’s already have lines forming down the happening. We didn’t need any money sidewalk. at all [to start this]. It doesn’t cost the “In the beginning, it wasn’t really artists anything except their time and well managed,” recalls Silber. “The key effort.” is to not have too many of them, and to Schindler Johnson concurs, “I believe not have them block some of the beauty the fact that nobody controls it is the of downtown, like planting one in front reason it’s lasted for 20 years.” of the Warner Grand Theatre. They’re a While no entity officially controls good addition to the art walk, if they’re First Thursday, there have been many tasteful and of good quality, and if you attempts to co-op the evening for things have the right number.” unrelated to the art walk. At one point Hinchliffe, being the artists’ in the early days, classic cars were advocate, even six years on, still has her brought into the mix to help spur more concerns about what the food trucks foot traffic, but that didn’t go over too have done – and continue to do – to the well with the artists. downtown artist community. “That was a major culture clash, “The appeal is that it’s still new, but the artists didn’t like that,” remembers it can’t be new forever,” she says. “How Schindler Johnson. about [bringing in the food trucks] Politicians have used the evening on the fourth Tuesday instead? One for rallies. Developers have used it truck takes up two parking places, and for public meetings. The Port of Los downtown already has a parking issue. Angeles has used it to promote their This night is for the artists, why can’t 24 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I NOVEMBER 2017
Popular gourmet food trucks, which began appearing at First Thursday in June 2011, were a major gamechanger for the monthly event
people do their own things on their own again be leading her free guided Art nights?” Walk tours from Sirens Java & Tea at 2:30 p.m.” THIRD SATURDAYS A few months ago, with the hope ANOTHER 20 YEARS of bringing more out-of-towners to Today, First Thursday is a San the downtown area, the San Pedro Pedro institution, but it’s not perfect. Waterfront Arts District began a The evening has continued to morph Third Saturday Art Walk, a daytime through the years, and will continue alternative to First Thursday evenings. to do so in the future. For a town “For the past several months, the that doesn’t adapt to change well, it’s Arts & Cultural District has been remarkable that the First Thursday Art working to forge a more collaborative Walk, through its many incarnations, relationship with the PBID,” explains has continued to prosper and is now Linda Grimes, managing director of more popular than ever. the San Pedro Waterfront Arts District. “People look forward to First “The PBID agreed to redirect some of Thursday,” says Johnson. “People know their advertising dollars for Art Scene that at least one night a month, you can Magazine towards promoting the have a really good time in Downtown Third Saturday Art Walk experiment. San Pedro.” Together, we crafted an online Still, there’s always room for campaign to attract art buyers from out improvement. of the area, as well as locals, and give “I’d love to reengage 100 percent of them a third reason to visit the historic the San Pedro arts community. That downtown San Pedro.” would mean changing it to less of a Third Saturday still has some carnival atmosphere and more of a fine catching up to do with First Thursday art atmosphere,” says Silber. “People in popularity, but it’s a great option for used to buy art in Downtown San those coming from out-of-town due Pedro. Does that happen still? I would to the lack of rush hour traffic. Plus, think it’s a lot less. I think the art crowd Downtown San Pedro could always use got replaced by the foodie crowd. Does more weekend foot traffic. it engage the arts community? Maybe “As we move into the fourth month not as much as it used to. I’d love to of this experiment, more folks are involve the dramatic arts more, like opening their doors during the Third with Little Fish Theatre and Elysium Saturday,” says Grimes. “For instance, Conservatory Theatre.” Greg Morena has agreed to open the “Its artistic anarchy,” adds Grimes. Rendezvous Room at Pappy’s Seafood, “For the past 20 years, everybody so the Art Walk tour can see Taso knows there will be a party in the Papadakis’ photos and the treasure downtown Arts District, an amazing trove of memorabilia Greg collected feat for a town that can’t always agree during the restaurant’s renovation. with each other.” spt Also, Pat Carroll, our Board Chair, will
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SCRAPBOOKS PROVIDE GLIMPSE INTO SAN PEDRO'S PAST HISTORY CAN BE FOUND IN UNUSUAL PLACES, LIKE SHOEBOXES AND ATTICS by Angela "Romee" Romero
Recently, the San Pedro Bay Historical Society archives received what I can only explain as the scrapbook equivalent of getting a baby on a doorstep. The box, which was big enough to hold an early model DVD player, had no return address, just an origin zip code from Sherman Oaks. And as with any baby left on a doorstep, there was a note: “MICHELL FAMILY. I BELIEVE THESE PHOTOS BELONGED TO ALBERTA MICHELL.� There were three scrapbooks in all, two thin, large albums and a smaller, chunkier album. All were filled with black and white photos, glued to black paper pages. Scrapbooks and photo albums are some of my favorite historical items to process, because you can learn so much from them. Not only about the person or family they belonged to, but about the area where they lived, and the era as well. I will share with you my process, and the information I was able to glean from them. Historians are no different than anyone else. The first thing we do is go through the albums page by page, poring over each photo. While the average person might be taking the images at face value, a historian or archivist will usually
look into the depths of the photo, searching for information. Clothes and cars are usually easy identifiers of the era of origin, while landmarks and scenery are helpful with place finding. At first glance, the Michell albums contain family photos around their home and some vacation shots. The biggest decision to make when processing a scrapbook or photo album is to decide whether the album has historical significance to the collection. Then followed by determining if it is historically significant as a whole, or maybe just a few items. These decisions can only be made with some light research. I had zero prior knowledge of the Michell family (pronounced Mishell). Some of the photos had names written under them, and others I could see were very obviously taken in San Pedro. My first stop was in our own files. There were some biographical documents on the Michell family in the collection already. According to the notes, the Michell family had come to San Pedro from Caruthersville, MO and Elsinore, Calif., after the patriarch, Joe O. Michell came to Long Beach in 1918 for his health and decided to remain in the area. Mr. Michell had worked in insurance, and helped organize the American Marine National Bank. He also served as
26 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I NOVEMBER 2017
Top: (left) Joe Michell II and his car "Vivian", (right) Robert and Joe Michell III in front of their Grandmother's home on 38th St.; Center: The famous sky-scraping palm trees that line Sepulveda Street, near Bandini Street School, can be seen in their infancy behind Eugenia Michell and her young nephew in front of her brother's home at 1040 Sepulveda St.; Bottom: The note that accompanied the three Michell family photo albums. (photos: courtesy San Pedro Bay Historical Society)
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the treasurer of the Pt. Fermin Oil & Gas Company, and built the building on the southeast corner of Sixth and Mesa Streets, that currently houses Niko’s Pizzeria. Mr. Michell resided at 434 West 38th Street with his wife Jessie, son Joe Jr., and daughters Alberta, Imogene, and Eugenia. After this light research, I was able to determine that most of the photos that were significant to San Pedro centered around the Michell home. There were also a substantial number of photos that were only significant to the Michell family history. This helped me to determine that the best course of action was to retain all photos with local significance, and try to find a Michell descendant to give the rest of the albums to. Just to give you an example of a situation that would cause me to keep a collection together as a whole, I learned that Alberta served in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) during WWII. If she had created an album that centered around her years as a WAC, then the collection would be significant
because she was a San Pedran serving in a special outfit during the war. Scrapbooks are very personal. As a researcher, you never take for granted that you're handling precious artifacts from a life lived long before yours. You spend hours looking at these faces, picking up personalities, and maybe even getting to see them grow up across the pages. You can’t help but to get invested. The modern equivalent would be feeling like you know someone, just because you follow them on Instagram. I definitely would love to know more about them all. The Michell collection is important for the number of pictures they took around their home. Not only because their home is well documented, but because it shows how the area around 38th Street and Bluff Place looked when the Red Car tracks were still there, before the homes were built on the bluff. I truly believe that much of San Pedro’s history is hiding in shoeboxes and attics all over town. These albums are perfect proof. spt
Top: Bluff Place near 38th Street along the Point Fermin Red Car tracks, circa 1920. Bottom: The Michell girls sitting in front of their home at 434 W. 38th Street. (photos: courtesy San Pedro Bay Historical Society)
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Retired Park Western Place Elementary School teacher, Justin Ezzi (center), surrounded by 26 years worth of his former 5th grade students (photo: Marvin Hidalgo)
THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE FORMER STUDENTS OF RETIRED PARK WESTERN PLACE ELEMENTARY 5TH GRADE TEACHER HOLD SPECIAL REUNION by Bim Savage
We’ve all heard of a high school reunion, but what about a reunion specifically for fifth grade? After teaching fifth grade at Park Western Place Elementary for more than 26 years, recently retired teacher, Justin Ezzi, thought it would be a great idea. So, on a sunny, Sunday afternoon back in August, more than 150 of Ezzi’s former students traveled far and wide to reunite at Peck Park and celebrate Ezzi’s successful career. It was evident from all of the smiles, hugs, and laughter that Ezzi had a very special connection with each of his students. Former student, Rebecca Thomas, 20, recalled his sense of humor within the classroom, and described Ezzi as, “the first teacher, I felt, really cared about me.” Daisy Vargas, one of four sisters to all be taught by Ezzi, proudly remembers her time as a student, saying, “I felt truly blessed to be in Mr. Ezzi’s classroom.”
30 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I NOVEMBER 2017
Many of the reunion attendees were wearing their class t-shirts, featuring a cartoon version of Mr. Ezzi holding a sign that read, “With Freedom, Comes Responsibility.” The back of the shirt had Mr. Ezzi holding another sign reading, “The Attitude of Gratitude.” The shirts, designed by Ezzi himself, were created as special reminders for his students. “If you don’t remember anything else from fifth grade, just remember those sayings,” Ezzi said. Former student Arnaz Ifupo, 32, who is now an executive at Chase Bank, recalls these memorable mottos, saying, “Those sayings were our mantras in fifth grade. Mr. Ezzi would say, ‘With freedom…’ and we’d all shout, ‘Comes responsibility!’” Victor DelGado, the owner of a successful construction company, and another former student of Ezzi’s added, “We didn’t understand that back then, but as I got older I realized what he meant. I carry it with me everyday.”
As Ezzi’s special reunion came to a close, emails, phone numbers, and addresses were exchanged. Colleague and friend, Elvia Aguayo, added, “Everyone had such a good time, and this was a great idea. There is a very special connection here.” Ezzi said he was humbled by the turnout of the reunion, as well as greatly appreciative of the event being completely funded by his former students. “They started a Go Fund Me campaign and it took off,” says Ezzi. “These kids are amazing!” Even though he has officially retired from teaching, Ezzi admits that he misses the students, and will probably end up becoming a substitute teacher eventually. In addition to future plans, Ezzi will be keeping busy during his retirement through music, holding the title of Music Minister at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, as well as performing with several bands, including, The Time Machine, Tunesville and Ezzi/Jazz. spt
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UNGRATEFUL BASTARD by Ricky Magana I’m going to let you in on a little secret. What if I could snap my fingers and in an instant, grant you the body, bank account, and as many Instagram followers as your little heart desires? What if, in one majestic poof of smoke and glitter, you got all the "stuff," the glory, the recognition, and even the Prince Charming that Tinder has failed to deliver? What do you think would happen? You’d be happy. For about a month. Then as sure as night follows day, the carrot would move. Desire for just a little more would creep in. And frankly, the payoff would be disappointing. There is something about instant gratification that violates our wiring as humans. We want victory, but we wanna earn it. By and large, we want challenge. That's why we always root for the underdog, why we follow sports, run marathons, and sign up for tough mudders. The problem is in the heat of struggle, we forget this innate desire. We complain, we make excuses, we quit when it gets hard. We cheer for Rocky when he’s against the ropes, bloodied and bruised, shouting for him to get up, to remember why he’s fighting, but when it’s us, we just sulk because it’s too hard. There’s two approaches to selfimprovement. Improving oneself because you “have to;” to be better than other people, to stoke your ego. And pursuing improvement because you “get to.” Eating well and exercising not because you hate what you see in the mirror, but because you love the reflection – warts and all. One stems from a place of entitlement. This is the guy or girl who gets all their self-esteem from winning and Instagram likes. And when he or she loses, they’re making excuses,
because they can’t handle who they might be if they don’t get a medal. And one stems from a place of gratitude. Competing or training simply for the sake of the chase and trying to be better. There’s an interesting new word that has entered our lexicon as of late: antifragile. It was coined by author Nassim Taleb and it refers to a characteristic much of life on this planet possesses. We gain from struggle. If we go through something hard, we come out of it stronger. The stress of hard work, heavy weights, or uncertainty, fortifies our muscles and mind and over time and what once seems insurmountable, eventually becomes easy. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been having a bad day at the gym, or elsewhere, struggling with “first world problems,” and somehow a video comes across my feed of a soldier amputee who stills trains in the gym, or a paraplegic who still surfs and shows me what real adversity is, and suddenly I’m faced with how much of an ungrateful bastard I am. As much as I can shake my fists at adversity, someone always has it harder, and ultimately, I can decide to be grateful for the opportunity to become a better version of myself or I can cry about it. This Thanksgiving, in a world that often delights in throwing pity parties, take a moment to be grateful for the challenges you’ve faced and what you got out of them. Acknowledge others for the same. Then as you fill your belly with ham and stuffing, think of the challenges you’ll take on in the coming year. And if one of those things happens to be getting yourself back in shape, I know a guy. spt Get a free guide “3 simple tweaks anyone can make for dramatic Fatloss,” visit sanpedrofatloss.com.
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Born deaf in his left ear, Harry Nelson only needed his right ear to hear Delores (“Duffy”) invite him out on a date. Duffy’s friend, Joan Mattox, had invited her to her birthday party, and Duffy asked if she could bring a date. She first met Harry at the Gaffey Street Pool, now called the Hey Rookie Pool, and said “he was too shy” to ask her out. So, she leaned into his right ear, and he leaned in, too. Duffy graduated from San Pedro High School, winter class of 1949, the “49ers.” Just a few months later, Harry and Duffy married in her parents' living room, the Rev. Andrews of Trinity Lutheran helping them make their vows. September 3rd, they celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. These were joyful years touched by challenge. Harry’s childhood could probably be more aptly described as challenging years touched by joy. Harry’s father grew up on an island in Denmark, and started work on a Danish vessel before he was even a teenager. While in the San Pedro harbor, he left the ship and didn’t return. He worked on the docks. He married Harry’s mother when she was a teen. There wasn’t much stability, but Harry eventually found a home with his older sister, Lilian. His younger brother was Tank Nelson. Many readers will remember Tank’s articles in the News-Pilot and Daily Breeze. Donna Littlejohn wrote about Tank’s passing in the Breeze (Jan 31, 2011) and reported his wife as saying, “Tank never grew up knowing what Christmas presents or birthday gifts were.” This was probably Harry’s experience as well. Yes, his childhood years were challenging years touched by joy. Marrying Duffy reversed that. After working as a truck driver and then a “time and material” carpenter, Harry took a job on the docks. Duffy was a little concerned about how life would change. Harry ended up working for 35 years as a ILWU longshoreman. According to Steve Marconi, San Pedro Today columnist, and Dave Arian, Harbor Commissioner
and former ILWU President, Harry was reportedly one of the first, if not the first, crane operators when they made their appearance at Sealand in the early 1960s. Duffy reflected on these years with profound gratitude. These were years filled with family meals and memories. A son and four grandkids and their spouses live right here in San Pedro, and none of their kids or grandkids live farther away than Los Angeles. They still meet up weekly for family meals. When I became the pastor at Trinity in 2005, Harry told me, “I can only hear 10-20% of what you say when you preach. But don’t worry, Duffy tells me everything I need to know.” With a knee replacement and more hip replacements and surgeries than anyone I’ve ever met, kneeling was out of the question for Harry. But when we stood to confess, pray, or sing, Harry stood. When we sat to listen, Harry sat. For the last four or five years, Harry didn’t hear one thing I said. He was totally deaf. But, he still came. He still collected two bulletins, one for him and one for Duffy. He still smiled at everyone. He still sang, prayed, communed, and drank a cup of coffee. When I visited him about six weeks ago, he said, “Tell the people at Trinity I miss them.” Then he grabbed my shirt, pulled me close, as if I was hard of hearing and said, “I really do.” What did he miss? He certainly didn’t miss the preaching. He missed the people. If anyone could have said, “I don’t get anything out of it,” it could have been Harry. But he did get something. He got that his value wasn’t wrapped up in working hips and ears. He got that his identity wasn’t ultimately determined by what he produced, but by what was conveyed to him by the same Voice who spoke to him on his baptism day, “You are mine,” and on Tuesday, October 3rd, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into your rest.” He heard that perfectly. spt Nathan Hoff is the Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in San Pedro. Follow his blog at trinitypastor.blogspot.com.
NOVEMBER 2017 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 35
ON THE TOWN
Carol Rugnetta, auxiliary co-chair, Sharon Cole, Sylvia Kostyo, Dolores Kollmer
Mary Dileva, Josephine Nizetich, Sr. Francis and Libby Cigliano, auxiliary president
The Little Sisters of the Poor with guests
Leif and Jan Werneid
Carol Perez, Rev. Sebastian Vettickal (C.M.I., administrator of Holy Trinity Church), Ken Poole
Millicent Borgarding and Jean Sorich
The Auxiliary of the Little Sisters of the Poor hosted its 20th Annual Auxiliary Fundraising Event, “Make It a Habit," on Saturday, September 16, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Torrance-South Bay. The evening included dinner and a live auction, with all proceeds going directly to the Little Sisters’ Jeanne Jugan Residence in San Pedro, supporting their work of caring for the elderly in need. “We are so grateful to our supporters. Everyone was extremely generous. This tells a great deal about the deep appreciation that exists for the work of the Little Sisters,” says Event Co-Chairs Carole Rugnetta and Ida Mavar. To learn more about the Little Sisters of the Poor, visit their website at littlesistersofthepoorsanpedro.org, or call (310) 548-0625. (photos: courtesy Little Sisters of the Poor)
36 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I NOVEMBER 2017
NOVEMBER 2017 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 37
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