JULY 2022
DEAR FUTURE COUNCILMEMBER | ALMA PARK NEIGHBORS GROUP | EAT IN SAN PEDRO: THE EXTRA BURGERS
THE CORNER STORE'S
NEXT CHAPTER THE BELOVED NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET CELEBRATES ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY WITH NEW OWNERS, A NEW PATIO, AND MORE CHANGES AHEAD.
John Bagakis and his mother, Nancy Bagakis, new co-owners of The Corner Store.
Smile A While.
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(310) 832-5559
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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Last month, I had the pleasure of attending the Picnic in the Park event at Alma Park. It was a small but lively community event organized by the Alma Park Neighbors, a group of residents working hard to build a more open and friendly community in the Alma Park/Leland Street Elementary School area. (We feature them in this issue on page 20.) Food trucks, vendors, and live music were all tucked inside this gem of a park on Meyler and 21st streets. I was fortunate to speak to a few APN volunteers who shared wild stories of what they’ve had to deal with and fix over the years at the park. Their passion for creating positive change was infectious. I’ve witnessed this kind of passion before. It almost always springs from a group of do-it-yourself individuals who want to make a difference. Fortunately, San Pedro has a few of them. Volunteer groups like San Pedro CPR, Clean San Pedro, and the neighborhood watch groups are run by residents fighting an uphill battle to improve our community. The work is never easy and often goes unacknowledged, but it gets done. Alma Park is a prime example of that.
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I want to thank the Alma Park Neighbors, especially Pat Gonzales, for reaching out and educating me on all the work this passionate group of volunteers has done to improve the area in which they live. It’s inspiring, and I hope that featuring them this month inspires more community groups looking to better their neighborhoods. PASSING THE TORCH The Corner Store is one of those iconic San Pedro businesses, and I’m so happy Peggy and Bruce Lindquist were able to pass the torch this year to John Bagakis and his mother, Nancy. When rumors were floating around that the Lindquists were looking to sell the business, there was fear that the Palisades market might shut down for good and be replaced with condos or something worse. Fortunately, the store fell into great hands, and I’m excited to see where Bagakis and his mom take it. I want to wish Peggy and Bruce a wonderful retirement. It’s welldeserved. If you’ve never been, or haven’t visited in a while, stop by The Corner Store’s 75th Anniversary Party on July 3. It will be a great way to kick off the Fourth of July festivities. 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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JULY 2022 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 5
JULY 2022
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Joshua J. Stecker
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Lori Garrett
ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION Joseph A. Castañeda
AT-LARGE CONTRIBUTORS
Mike Harper, Peter Hazdovac, Sanam Lamborn, Mike Lansing, Ricky Magana, Steve Marconi, Jennifer Marquez, Nadia Nizetich, Anthony Pirozzi, Jr., Lee Williams
PHOTOGRAPHER
John Mattera Photography
CONTACT INFO:
Phone: (424) 224-9063 Email: contact@sanpedrotoday.com Facebook/Instagram/Twitter: @sanpedrotoday www.sanpedrotoday.com San Pedro Today P.O. Box 1168 San Pedro, CA 90733
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General Inquiries: ads@sanpedrotoday.com Patricia Roberts (562) 964-8166 | patricia@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 20092022, Empire22 Media LLC.
VOLUME 14 | NUMBER 6
ON THE COVER: John Bagakis and his mother, Nancy Bagakis, new co-owners of The Corner Store. The neighborhood market is throwing a 75th anniversary party on July 3. (photo: John Mattera Photography)
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4 (Mon) – ANNUAL PICNIC & FIREWORKS PARTY at Los Angeles Harbor Masonic Lodge (1640 W. 9th St.), 6:30p. – Watch the spectacular firework shows throughout the harbor and coastline. In an abundance of caution, please bring your own food, beverages, and utensils. You may bring a side dish to share. The Lodge will NOT be providing food this year but will provide drinks, sodas, and ice, plus tables and chairs for dinner. Every Friday – SAN PEDRO FARMERS 1 (Fri) – 2022 CARS & STRIPES FOR- Dinner is served at 6:30p, and the firework shows can be seen from our beauEVER! at Harbor Blvd. and Swinford MARKET AT LITTLE ITALY (638 S. Beacon St.), 11a-3p. – Pick up essential St., 5-10p. – After a two-year hiatus due tiful deck beginning at sunset. Bring a comfortable chair and a warm jacket to the pandemic, the popular patrifruits and vegetables from certified, if you wish (temperature on the patio small family farms. Get a head start on otic event Port of Los Angeles Cars can be chilly). We’ll also have a bounce weekend meals with so many delicious & Stripes Forever! returns to the LA and fresh options. Please note social dis- Waterfront in 2022! More than 100 pre- house for the kids! Admission is FREE and there is plenty of free parking. 1975 classic cars and motorcycles will tancing of six feet between groups and people is required. Masks must be worn be on display, surrounded by live bands, 7 (Thurs) – FIRST THURSDAY in food trucks serving up local cuisine, at all times, and a hand washing staand an adjacent beer garden. A dazzling Downtown San Pedro, 6p. – The tion is provided for your convenience. popular First Thursday ArtWalk is back fireworks presentation begins at 9:15p. For more info, visit sanpedrochamber. in the historic core of Downtown San FREE, family-friendly, and open to all com/san-pedro-farmers-market. Pedro. The redesigned First Thursday ages, Cars & Stripes Forever! will take will feature guided ArtWalk tours, open place at Harbor Blvd. and Swinford Every Tuesday & Every Saturday – galleries, outdoor dining, and live music BELMONT SHORE RAILROAD CLUB St., adjacent to the Fanfare Fountains on the corner of 6th and Mesa streets. at Angels Gate Park (3600 S. Gaffey St., on the LA Waterfront, just below the Vincent Thomas Bridge. A free shuttle Building 824), Tuesdays 7-10p & Sat10 (Sun) – THE CHORI-MAN POPto and from Downtown San Pedro will urdays 12-4p. – The best kept secret in San Pedro! The Belmont Shore Railroad be available, as well as low-cost parking UP at The Chori-Man (2309 S. Alma St.), 8a-2p. – Join more than a dozen at Harbor Blvd. and 1st St. For more Club is the oldest and largest N scale artists, artisans, and makers outside The info, visit portoflosangeles.org/comclub and offers clinics on modeling munity/events/cars-and-stripes-forever. Chori-Man for a fun day of shopping! and an opportunity to explore a new This event is hosted by Homemade hobby. Admission is FREE and open 3 (Sun) – THE CORNER STORE'S 75th by the Hays and The Chori-Man and to the public. For more info, call (310) ANNIVERSARY PARTY at The Corner sponsored by San Pedro Today. Best 831-6262 or visit belmontshorerr.com. Store (1118 W. 37th St.), 11a-5p. – Cel- parking is along Leland Elementary. For more info, call (424) 287-2414. ebrate 75 years of San Pedro's favorite June 30, July 1-2 & 7-9, August 5-6 neighborhood store, featuring barbecue, (Fri-Sun) – SHAKESPEARE BY THE 10 (Sun) – STORYTELLING & HEALbeer & wine, and live music! An anSEA at Point Fermin Park (807 Paseo niversary ribbon cutting will take place ING: NEW BEGINNINGS at The GarDel Mar), 8p. – For audiences seeking at 12p. Best parking is along Paseo Del den Church (429 W. 6th St.), 7p. – Join quality, family entertainment, ShakeMar. For more info, call (310) 832-2424. us for an open-mic event featuring your speare by the Sea's free performances stories of “new beginnings.” This theme can't be beat. Pack a picnic, a blanket, 4 (Mon) – 45th ANNUAL 4th OF JULY can be interpreted in any creative way, and a beach chair, gather loved ones, including music, spoken word, standand settle in under the stars for a night COMMUNITY OBSERVANCE at the up, traditional storytelling, etc. No signKorean Bell at Angels Gate Park (3601 of classic entertainment. This year's up or experience necessary. All are welS. Gaffey St.), 10:30a-1p. – Ceremony productions will be Romeo & Juliet will begin at 10:30a with a procession to come and admission is FREE. For more (Friday, Saturday, Sunday — June 30, the bell and the posting of the colors. To info, email rudy@rudycaseres.com. July 1, 2, 8, August 5) and Much Ado conclude, the assembled guest speakers About Nothing (Friday, Saturday, Sun15-17 (Fri-Sun) – MARY STAR OF and dignitaries will lead the audience day — July 7, 9, August 6). All performances start at 8p. Admission is FREE, in reciting the names of the 13 original THE SEA PARISH 74th ANNUAL American states, while striking a batter- PARISH FIESTA at Mary Star of the and donations are gratefully accepted. Sea Parish (870 W. 8th St.), Friday: ing ram into the massive bell, ringing For more info, email info@shake5p-midnight, Saturday: 12p-midnight, spearebythesea.org, call (310) 217-7596, once for each state. FREE to attend. Sunday: 12-10p. – There will be For more info, call (310) 832-7272 or visit shakespearebythesea.org. carnival rides, food, beverages, and or visit sanpedrochamber.com. fun for the entire family! The main raffle drawing will be held, with a
EVENTS
JULY 2022
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23 (Sat) – POINT FERMIN DAY at Point Fermin Park (807 Paseo Del Mar), 1-5p. – Freedom4U and Hearts Respond present Point Fermin Day, an event to benefit Point Fermin Elementary, a Marine Science Magnet school. Hear three live bands perform and enjoy family activities and games for kids. Bring your picnic, family, and friends and enjoy yourself! FREE to attend. For more info or to be a sponsor, contact admin@freedomcommunity.com. 31 (Sun) – 2nd ANNUAL SAN PEDRO MUSIC FESTIVAL at the Warner Grand Theatre (478 W. 6th St.), 4-9p. – Windy Barnes Farrell invites you to her second annual music festival featuring bands, soloists, duos, and instrumentalists from a variety of musical genres, accompanied by video productions and indoor vendors. Lineup will include Resurrection Road, Roz Ryan, The Habits, Windy Barnes, the Pedro Players, and San Pedro Ballet School. Admission is FREE, sponsored in part by L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn. Everyone is welcome! For more info, visit grandvision.org. August 2-5 (Tues-Fri) – SAN PEDRO HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER BASEBALL CAMP at Eastview Little League at Knoll Hill (766 N. Center St.), 9a-2p. – The 2022 Summer Baseball Camp consists of teaching proper fielding, hitting, throwing, pitching, and catching fundamentals. Camp runs August 2-5 from 9a-2p daily. Open to boys and girls, ages 5-12. Camp price is $220 (prorated pricing available) and includes lunch. To sign up, contact Coach Nick at soakyp3@aol.com or Melissa Harper at mrsharp29@att.net. For more info, visit @san_pedro_baseball on Instagram. spt Email events@sanpedrotoday.com to place a listing for a small fee. Deadline for the August 2022 issue is Friday, July 15. Find more events at sanpedrotoday.com.
UKRAINIAN ART EXHIBITION FIRST THURSDAY ART WALK JULY 7, 6-9 PM Offering a glimpse into the land of rich cultural traditions and people of many talents.
fINding Art Center
470 W. 6th St., San Pedro
Gallery open for you by appointment
310.489.1362
Annette Ciketic, Director
Artist Tamara Nikolaieva
Fun and Challenging!
grand prize of $15,000 in cash, as well as three other vacation prizes. The crowning of the Fiesta Queen will be on Sunday, July 17. Admission is FREE. For more info, call (310) 8333541 ext. 203 or visit marystar.org.
Elite Triangle Fitness
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR Buono’s Pizzeria
2022
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR Angels Gate Cultural Center
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SAN PEDRO CHAMBER 2022 BUSINESS AWARDS HONOREES
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Malaga Bank
LEADERSHIP OF THE YEAR
Amber Becerra, President/CEO Marine Mammal Care Center
BOLD VISION
Pixels Gallery Port of Los Angeles High School
BOLD VISION
The Blue Lab - Willenberg Career & Transition Center
Honoring outstanding businesses, organizations and individuals in our community. Thank you LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn for your support of the 2022 San Pedro Chamber Business Awards. JULY 2022 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 9
VOICES
CEMETERY REPOSITORY OF SP’S LITTLE-KNOWN CIVIL WAR HERITAGE by Steve Marconi It’s been mentioned here more than once that one of the great things about San Pedro is our large population of veterans. Proudly wearing insignia-festooned baseball caps and tshirts, in vehicles sporting stickers and license plate holders, they are everywhere you go: the shrunken nonagenarian of WWII, the grizzled grunt or jarhead of Vietnam, or even a more recent veteran from the desert wars. San Pedro’s military roots are even more obvious on Memorial Day when Green Hills Memorial Park decorates the graves of veterans with American flags. Sadly, ignored by most are San Pe-
dro’s oldest veterans, who are buried in the town’s first cemetery, Harbor View Memorial Park, at the end of Grand Avenue. There you will find the graves of 11 Civil War veterans, all from the East or Midwest, who, for reasons that will never be known, ended their days on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. The Civil War veterans are among the oldest graves at the historic cemetery; unfortunately, there is little more information available on them beyond what’s on their time-worn gravestones, and that is scant indeed. The shieldemblazoned markers typically have just a name and unit affiliation with no dates. A very helpful Louise Maes, who is with L.A. City Recreation and Parks, which oversees the cemetery, obtained a few death dates from what she could
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find in the archives. Their ages and backgrounds, their service records, and whether they had families or not remain lost to the mists of time, even after lengthy research on ancestry.com. All 11 fought for the Union: John H. Anderson was a sergeant in Co. B of the 57th Indiana Infantry, which fought in the Western Theater. Ferdinand Burkle died August 22, 1900. A native of Germany, he was survived by his wife, Fannie. He was a musician with Co. F of the 39th New Jersey Infantry in the Eastern Theater. John Griffen Damon was born April 24, 1846, and died December 1, 1913. He was a private with Co. M of the 1st Vermont Heavy Artillery in the East. His ex-wife, Anne, is buried nearby. William Grable was with Co. C of the 10th Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry. He was 55 in 1893 when he was living at the home for disabled volunteer soldiers at Sawtelle. His widow, Emma, applied for his pension in 1908. William F. Hall was a sergeant with the 1st Colorado Cavalry, which was formed in 1862 to protect Colorado from Confederate incursions and fight Native Americans. It is notorious historically for its role in the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864. James Herald died August 10, 1896. He was with Co. I of the 1st Michigan Infantry in the East. Roswell C. Hunt died August 15, 1918, at age 74. According to the San Pedro Daily News, Hunt had been a resident of San Pedro for 12 years and was survived by his wife, Minnie. He was a corporal with Co. D of the 10th Vermont Infantry in the East. He was wounded June 17, 1864, at Cold Harbor, Va. John Mains was with Co. F of the 10th Wisconsin Infantry in the West. Benjamin McKeon was with Co. H of the 20th Illinois Infantry in the West. L.J. Shaw was a captain with Co. D of the 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry, which mostly saw action in Missouri. Ole Thompson was with Co. K of the 15th Wisconsin Infantry in the West. He died January 22, 1912, from pneumonia at age 81. According to
the San Pedro Daily News, he was a native of Norway and had lived in the United States for more than 50 years. A member of Post 185 of the Grand Army of the Republic, he “was found very ill yesterday in his tent on Nob Hill” and was taken to the county hospital. Harbor View also contains the graves of the only San Pedrans who died in World Wars I and II whose bodies were returned home. Lt. Lewis Sele of the 29th Infantry died October 11, 1918, from the Spanish flu at Camp Beauregard in Louisiana. The flu also claimed Sgt. Constantine J. Kromer at Camp Dix, N.J. Coast Guard Carpenter’s Mate 1st Class William D. Roberts, 33, died February 14, 1944, in a truck accident at Anzio, Italy. He had lived in San Pedro since 1930 and was a member of the Carpenters Union. He was married. All of the gravesites can be located at https://sites.rootsweb.com/~casbcgs/ HarborVwCem.html. Harbor View also is the final resting place of the seven sailors who died in a boiler explosion on the armored cruiser USS Tennessee in June 1908. The Tennessee was part of the Pacific Fleet based in San Pedro at the time and was cruising off Point Hueneme when the accident occurred. The Tennessee monument stands near the park’s entrance. And while Memorial Day is past, don’t forget the many gravesites at Green Hills of San Pedrans killed in Korea and Vietnam or the memorial of WWII bomber pilot Capt. Carl “Bob” Bauer, whose remains were identified in 1997. Korean War dead at Green Hills are William E. Cottom, Roger Gonzales, and Victor E. Johnson. Those from Vietnam are John A. Burich, Steve Butorovic, Alan L. Matthews, Donald Stephen Newton (cenotaph), Douglas E. Nichols, David S. Reid, Craig A. Sysak, Molimau A. Tela, and Ralph P. Villegas. spt Steve Marconi can be reached at spmarconi@yahoo.com.
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Summer is a time to enjoy family and friends, and although we are in the midst of the worst inflation in 40 years, there is still a sense of positivity in the air as we get further from the COVID-19 shutdowns and mask mandates. Last month’s L.A. Fleet Week was one of those occasions that marked another turning point for local events. The next will be the Port of Los Angeles Cars & Stripes Forever event on July 1. The future is looking brighter each day. As we shift our attention to summer events, there is still the pressure on the wallets of everyday Americans as gas nears $7 per gallon, grocery prices continue to reach deeper into our pockets, and political parties continue to blame each other to gain votes. Many families must choose between essential and nonessential items and activities once again. So, who’s to blame? I think it may be us, the voters. It appears that we have accepted the political divide and that our democracy is in jeopardy, as voters continue to vote for those in their preferred political party, only to complain about why they haven’t seen much change on our streets and in our ability to get anything done. When one political party is in charge, there is no incentive to reach across the aisle and work together for the betterment of the greater good. Groupthink begins to take over, while others are left out. Another is voter turnout. Just look at the voter turnout for our local council office seat. Even though every registered voter in the district received a mail-in ballot, only 9 percent were returned. Soon, many who haven’t voted will complain on social media about the issues. The Fourth of July is a time to reflect on whether or not we are doing our part in moving our country in the right direction. Many ask the question regarding voting, “Is it worth it?” I say yes. When our country was born, young men went to battle during the
Civil War because they believed that the fight for the state of our union was worth it, and many died because of this belief. All we are being asked to do is make an educated decision and vote for the person who will work for the betterment of our society, even if it means voting for someone across the aisle. But will you? To its core, the Fourth of July represents everything that our nation stands for and, in the end, its “freedom.” Every day, our freedoms are being protected by our brave men and women who serve in our military, and we must never take our freedoms for granted. We as a people must never forget that, in the end, it is freedom that has made us the nation we are today. It is freedom that hundreds of thousands have died protecting. We must also learn from the struggles, opportunities, and successes of people from all backgrounds of this great nation because it is worth it. Supporting a push to divide, trivialize, or minimize them is not. We must continue to push for an understanding of our failures because success is based on failure. Speaking out for equality and truth from those in power and from each other, respectfully, and being willing to spend the time voting for the person, not the party, who will focus on the betterment of our society is worth it. The Fourth of July is a celebration of the great experiment that is the United States of America. There is no other place like it on earth, and it’s the one place that people from across the globe fight to get to for the very freedoms and opportunities they desire but cannot receive in their country. The United States is not without flaws, our history is not without sin, but our future is always worth it, and it will not change without your voice. This year, make it a point to hang the American flag on the Fourth of July and remember that it is freedom that allows you to do so. Stand up for freedom and democracy because it is worth it. spt Anthony Pirozzi, Jr. is a Los Angeles Harbor Commissioner. He can be reached at apirozzi@yahoo.com.
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JULY 2022 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 13
VOICES
BACK TO REALITY by Mike Lansing Let me apologize for briefly discussing my recent and long-awaited vacation in early June. I don’t post pictures on Facebook of places we visit, and this group vacation has been on hold since 2019, so I guess I am not overdoing it. But we had a great time in London and Croatia, with 12 of us finally getting away for this trip. We returned home with our friendships intact and new relationships made, especially on the small ship our group shared with 16 others from around the globe while cruising in Croatia. However, when we returned on the first day of kids of being out for summer, we were hit by the realities of being back home with the good, the bad, and things in between. Here are just a few items that hit me in the face upon our return.
Water Rationing. In both London and Croatia, water is not a problem. There’s greenery all over and plenty of rainfall versus California. (It rains in London year-round, and Croatia averages 35 inches while we average only 15 inches with a much larger population.) When we left, it was noted that people had been using more water since the announcement of needed voluntary water restrictions by residents and businesses, and while we were gone on June 1, the L.A. City Council passed a mandate for only two days of outdoor watering. However, this ongoing problem only seems to be getting worse with climate change. We all need to get serious about our water limitations and pitch in. Get rid of the lawns — replace them with artificial grass/water-smart plants, shorter showers, “If it’s yellow, let it mellow,” and more. We live in a desert — we better get serious about limiting water consumption before it’s too late.
Hot Fun in the Summertime. As a kid growing up in San Pedro, summer was the greatest time of the year. No school, and we had Cabrillo Beach, San Pedro Pro Bowl, Hacienda Golf Course, Peck Park and Gaffey pools, numerous parks, and the street in front of our house on which to play, and, of course, the Boys Club, which we frequented multiple times each week. We returned from our trip on the first day our Boys & Girls Clubs were opening this summer — so excited that we have six Club programs/locations open this summer in San Pedro alone: San Pedro Club, Port Club, Park Western School, Taper Avenue School, Point Fermin School, and Dana. I’m hoping every child has an opportunity to engage in a great summer program. Get them out of the house and into one of our sites or another program/agency where they are stimulated, engaged and safe, provided numerous creative and learning opportunities, and offered recreation and sports. This summer, we are only charging $20 per week (8 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday through Friday) at our San Pedro Club, and all the other sites we are sponsoring in San Pedro are free. Let’s strive for every child to have a fun and engaged summer. All the President’s Men. On the flight home, I watched this great movie again recounting the Watergate breakin, but more importantly, numerous illegal activities of the GOP leadership and the eventual attempt to cover it all up, resulting in President Nixon’s resignation from office. The first day of our return was the second House Committee investigation of the insur-
rection and President Trump’s involvement/leadership of that attempted coup, as well as his attempts to overturn the election results (“I just want to find 11,780 votes.”). His illegal actions are so much more than Nixon’s, but we are in a time where half of our country’s citizens believe Fox News’ fake news. At the same time, the GOP leadership continues its public denial of the insurrection (“It was legitimate political discourse.”). I am sure the former president will skate once again. It is really hard to teach our children accountability when we let this narcissist get away with his traitorous actions while he continues to lie about the election he knows he lost and threatens the sustainability of our democracy. So sad. Tim McOsker for City Council. We had to vote by mail since we were in Croatia on primary day. But upon our return, it was great to see that Tim finished on top and is now in a runoff. We truly need Tim to become our next councilmember. He has great experience and success in the public and private sectors on several levels, especially in support of our town. He will be a great councilmember for San Pedro and all of CD 15. Hoping you will all get out and vote in November and elect Tim McOsker as our next city councilmember. It's great to be back home, even with some of our real challenges. Wishing you all a great summer. spt Mike Lansing is the executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor.
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VOICES
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ask you and your staff for updates and timelines on issues and concerns in a public forum. The community needs your help addressing numerous issues like problem properties that negatively affect so many. “Don’t remove yourself from us once you are elected,” continues Barnes. “I would like you to be present and mindful of what you are doing, rather than constantly eyeing your next career move up the political ladder and the by Jennifer Marquez constant fundraising that goes with it. In short, now that we have elected you, please be here for us.” In November, “I want the councilperson to promise voters will elect to meet with the concerned citizens of a new L.A. City San Pedro to hear our complaints,” says Councilmember Louis Michael Galasso. “You need to for our district. put in writing what will immediately be Now is the time done, especially with our beaches and for voters to ask parks. We need a plan to address the these candidates littering and gang graffiti.” how they will Other residents have requested that serve our community. our new councilmember find solu(photo: Artem Podrezy) tions for encampments and areas like As our newly elected councilmember, you serve a critical role to the comSunken City, which is a constant source citizens to contact the Harbor Departand nonprofit agencies, please define munity, our local environment, and of crime, tagging, and lack of safety. ment to ask them to do their job or plan your role with them. In most circumeverybody who lives here. We rely on San Pedro is a town with pride and a a cleanup day and subsidize the port’s stances, the council office has no auyou to ensure our city is safe and clean, labor. willingness to volunteer; with your help thority over schools or nonprofits, and among other things. Assign a staff or an intern to drive many do not receive city funding. Photo and leadership, we can achieve so much San Pedro has become a co-op-type around your district’s areas daily and ops are not a high priority in a commu- together. town. Basic city services are not always report problems to appropriate departnity with so many unresolved issues. provided. Tax-paying residents have ments, like broken stop lights, graffiti, “I would like you to be accessible and Signed, been picking up the slack by volunteer- potholes, etc. Follow up and make sure Residents of San Pedro don’t lose touch with the community,” ing their time to pick up trash and assist issues are addressed. The 311 system requests San Pedro resident Mary Ellen the police. The generous gift of time and should serve as a backup system for If you have your own requests, voice Barnes. “Not everything needs to be an money residents spend doing cleanups residents to use to report concerns. En- official appearance with you surrounded your concerns directly to the two candiand other city services are appreciated. sure that the city and police move away by staff and security. Report on legisla- dates. spt However, this is a red flag that the city from reactionary-style management and tion in the city and how these things and port are not keeping pace with Jennifer Marquez can be reached be proactive. In addition, council staff will affect us.” their obligations. Please find the gaps at jennifertmarquez@yahoo.com and Recreation and Parks employees Residents have requested you hold in services and fix them. For example, and @jenntmqz on Twitter and should be required to report any issues monthly meetings for all constituents the marina has been tagged with grafInstagram. they see, such as tagging, especially on to attend (Zoom with an in-person fiti and has had overgrown weeds for city property like parks and beaches. option) for transparency and accountmonths. It is not the responsibility of While it is admirable to visit schools ability. In these meetings, residents can
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VOICES
BRINGING BACK THE PT. FERMIN CAFE by Lee Williams
The Pt. Fermin Cafe, circa 1938. (photo: Pomona Public Library)
I was reluctant to write this article because I am still researching the history of the space in Point Fermin Park, which was most recently home to the American Cetacean Society – Los Angeles Chapter. For those who don’t know, it is the building between the stage and the water in Point Fermin Park. I will let others argue about the recent history of the building; I don’t want to lose focus on the mission ahead. What’s more important is to look at opportunities to return the space to public benefit based on some ideas I have laid out in a business plan that creates a public/private partnership. First, old photos from the ‘30s show this building used as a café. This is a beautiful spot for a morning café and to sell concessions or refreshments in the afternoon. I love the idea of patrons debating all things San Pedro or even the history of the building over coffee above the bluff. This building could also
support small events and concerts in the park, selling burgers, hot dogs, pizzas, and healthy alternatives. Second, we need San Pedro students to benefit from the reactivation of this site. There is a newly formed nonprofit in San Pedro called the San Pedro Education Fund. Its mission is to provide funds and services not currently available in our schools. I will write more about this group in future articles, but I would like it to benefit from some of the proceeds of operating the café. Also, schools like Willenberg Career and Transition Center are preparing graduates for all kinds of jobs in our community, including hands-on experience working at a café. Third, arts and entertainment are the soul of a community. Providing a means for various programs to collaborate in this space would further highlight what makes our town unique. I imagine activities from music to dance, car shows to whale watching, and everything in between, as we use this building to support events. Within the building, we can rotate arts, crafts,
products made in San Pedro, and items from the San Pedro Heritage Museum. I like the idea of seeing something new from month to month. Fourth, but by no means last, this space should be used as an educational tool to teach folks about sustainable packaging, small tweaks in habits that can eliminate waste, and how we can reduce our impact on our ocean and local wildlife. There should be discounts for bringing your own cups, bottles, and containers to reduce waste. For those who don’t, the café should provide biodegradable options, with clearly identifiable waste receptacles for disposal. I’m aware of the times the community has tried to return this space to open and active use. If you are still reading, I assume you are interested in finding ways to finally get this done. We can save all the conversations around why previous attempts have failed for another day — perhaps over coffee at the café. For now, we are reaching out to folks who want to learn more and perhaps get active and involved. The funds needed to retrofit and
return this building to its former glory will be steep. We anticipate extensive costs in plumbing, electrical, building out the kitchen, and taking care of the deferred maintenance. We currently have a low estimate of $700,000, but the final cost could be higher. This must be a community effort that also reflects the community. That means using union labor for construction, involving various community organizations, homeowners associations, and neighborhood councils, and creating local partnerships that keep the focus — and profits — here in San Pedro to benefit our residents, nonprofits, and schools. If you want more information or to join the effort, please visit LoveSanPedro.com/point-fermincafe or email Lee@LAmove.com. spt Lee Williams leads the Williams Group at Keller Williams Realty and is a member of the Board of Directors for the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce and the Boys and Girls Club for L.A. Harbor.
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learning to write grant proposals — to get dumpster-sized bins that store disaster supplies for the neighborhood. Most recently, they held the Picnic in the Park event, bringing Augie, Anita, and dozens of others to Alma Park in June. The gathering was a success — Shirley Eubanks, who struggles to attend meetings due to their scheduled times, finally met the group. New residents Carly Myers and Maxwell Weinstein became formally acquainted with the neighborhood they’ve only recently called home. Members of the Alma Park Neighbors pose with members of the LAPD and LAFD at their Picnic in the Park event on June 12, 2022. “If you move to a place like this, you’re (photo: Joshua Stecker) looking for a sense of community,” says Myers, “and so having the ability to know your neighbors is important.” But despite their successes, they face their fair share of challenges. “This park was built in 1925. All of these walls are 100 years old, and they’re getting vandalized, they’re getting dislodged,” says Gaume, referring to the park’s landscaping. “We’re thinking about forming by Nadia Nizetich [a nonprofit] so we can do fundraising for projects like this, but we don’t know Nestled on a hillside behind Leland park. “I think this park is very beautiful he moved to Los Angeles. “I grew up how to do that.” According to Little, in its color and light,” she says, “and we in a small town, and everybody knew Street School is Alma Park, a small, everybody else there,” he says. “When reaching everyone in a neighborhood of want the shed to have a mural.” unassuming plot of land bisected by I worked in Downtown Los Angeles, I 3,000 is also a challenge, and retaining The group was founded in 2015 by 21st Street. Built in 1925 by George would get up early in the morning to them is an even bigger task. “When I Pamela Gaume, who wanted to create Peck for his daughter Alma, it’s been avoid the traffic and get home kind of talk about it to somebody,” she says, “I something akin to a neighborhood the backdrop of neighborhood life for late at night — I didn’t know anybody get a lot of, ‘I’m glad you’re doing that, decades — in the 1940s, Shirley Nizetich watch but without a focus on crime. in San Pedro because all I knew was not me.’ But if it’s just us doing it, we’re and her friend Dolores visited the park In addition to Gaume, it has five core not doing it.” members — Carmenza Adams, Pat Gon- the Harbor Freeway. I want to be part daily on their way home from Leland Nevertheless, the group is optimistic Street School to watch the polliwogs in zales, Annalisa Little, Bradley Lyon, and of a neighborhood like where I grew about the future and hopes to arrange Chris O’Connell — who see themselves up.” Little, who was raised in the Alma the pond. In 1960, five-year-old Anita neighborhood, agrees. “Especially after a Christmas sing-a-long, a pet parade, as a democratic coalition of citizens Nunez fell off the slide and broke her the pandemic, it was almost like a com- and graffiti walks. Gonzales believes arm, and in 1977, Augie Bezmalinovich dedicated to a common goal. “I always think of a table,” explains Adams, “they munity of strangers, and that’s not what their work is paying off. “It seems to me and his girlfriend visited the park for a neighborhood is. As a kid, I’d ask, that there’s a network developing where have four legs. We have Chris, who a cozy evening after their high school, people will come, and they might talk does the website, and Pam, who has the ‘Can I borrow a cup of sugar?’ SomeMary Star, won the big football game. how that fell apart in this area, and we to Chris or Pam or Annalisa or CarToday the pond is long gone, and the PR. We have Brad with the printing, want that back, where you can go to menza. There seems to be a thing that’s and here [referring to Annalisa] miss park remains hidden. But for the Alma your neighbor with a small favor.” happening.” O’Connell agrees. “We had Alma Community Emergency Squad Park Neighbors group, it’s hardly forTo accomplish their goals, the group our neighborhood meeting last Saturgotten. “One of the things we’ve talked (ACES), and here [gesturing to Pat] meets weekly on Wednesdays and day. Pam and I wrapped it up, and then miss Pam’s assistant. We have the legs about are some of the transformations every first Saturday of the month. Their for 45 minutes, everyone who came that could take place in this space,” says that make the table solid.” achievements include forming the Alma stood around and talked to each other. Though their official mission is Chris O’Connell, who’s been a member Community Emergency Squad (ACES), And I said to myself, this is what we to create a clean, safe, and inclusive for years. “I’d like to see us get an arwanted to do. This is what we’re talking chitect to draw out what this park could neighborhood, unofficially, it’s to revive which trains residents in disaster preparedness and securing emergency about.”spt the community spirit from their childlook like with better lights and maybe hoods. Lyon, who grew up in Michigan, prep bins, thanks in no small part to launch a fundraiser for that as well.” Gaume’s perseverance. She jumped For more info on Alma Park Neighrecalls the interconnectedness of his Carmenza Adams, one of the group’s through numerous hoops — including bors, visit almaparkneighbors.org. hometown and how he lost it when newest members, envisions art in the
FROM NEIGHBORS TO NEIGHBORHOOD
THE ALMA PARK NEIGHBORS BUILD A COMMUNITY WITHIN A COMMUNITY.
20 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I JULY 2022
JULY 2022 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 21
The Corner Store, June 2022.
(photo: John Mattera Photography)
THE CORNER STORE'S
NEXT CHAPTER THE BELOVED NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET CELEBRATES ITS 75th ANNIVERSARY WITH NEW OWNERS, A NEW PATIO, AND MORE CHANGES AHEAD. by Joshua Stecker “This started with me coming into 2019 that left her with 22 bone fractures On January 14, 2022, Peggy Lindquist took one final stroll around The Corner the store a couple of times [in 2019] and and a punctured lung, Lindquist soon chitchatting with Peggy, and her saying, discovered that she couldn’t physically Store, the neighborhood market and ‘I’m ready to retire. Can you help me handle the day-to-day operations at the café she and her husband Bruce have owned for the past 16 years, and smiled. It was a Friday. Her personal belongings were already home. New owners John Bagakis (of Big Nick’s Pizza fame) and his mother, Nancy, had already worked in the store for a few months and were now running things. There was nothing left for her to do anymore, which was a good thing. She could finally rest. “I didn’t want any big deal. I just kind of wanted to ride off into the sunset because I wanted everything to go smoothly for John and Nancy,” remembers Lindquist. “So, it was just, ‘Here are the keys, and call me when you need me.’ That was it. And then me, my best friend, her husband, and Bruce, we all went out to dinner.” And just like that, one chapter ends and another begins in the long saga of the beloved neighborhood market, which celebrates its 75th anniversary on July 3. John Bagakis and his mother, Nancy Bagakis, the new owners of The Corner Store. THE SEARCH For John Bagakis, becoming a coowner of The Corner Store wasn’t the original plan. 22 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I JULY 2022
(photo: John Mattera Photography)
find a buyer?’” he recalls. After recovering from a traumatic horse accident on New Year’s Day in
store anymore. She realized it was time to call it a day. “I was home convalescing in a chair,
unable to move anything, for two and a half months,” she recalls. “When I got back to the store, I realized that this was going to be difficult. I was in constant pain and had to go home and lie down every couple hours. That’s when I realized it was time to sell.” According to Lindquist, she had “six serious people” eyeing The Corner Store, but none of them had the ownership qualities she was hoping to find. That’s when she thought Bagakis and his partners would make the perfect new owners. “In early 2021, I came back in, and Peggy asked if I had any luck finding a buyer, which I had none,” says Bagakis. “Then she asked me, ‘Why don’t you just buy it?’” A principal partner and the face of Big Nick’s Pizza, the 39-year-old’s profile has risen in recent years. He’s been heavily involved with several local organizations like the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce (his term as chairman of the board ended last month) and the board of directors for Little Italy of Los Angeles and Encore Theatre Group. Also, his energy and affable personality have made him the go-to for emceeing local events. Still, taking over another business in
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San Pedro, even one as well-established as The Corner Store, would be an undertaking no matter who took ownership.
ness and building. “We looked at the whole scope of [the business] and thought there’s potential here in its history,” recalls Bagakis, a first-generation San Pedran. CLOSING THE DEAL “Also, there’s a lot of underused space. “John was the guy,” says Lindquist. We felt there was a chance for growth, “He was the guy we wanted. He has a so we started to pursue it.” connection with the community and While financial details were not knows The Corner Store’s history. He disclosed, the deal took a full year to also assured me that he would keep The complete. One of Bagakis’ original Corner Store as The Corner Store and partners dropped out during negotianot tear it down and turn it into condos. tions, nearly killing the deal. But the That was important to me.” partnership was adjusted, and the sale John’s mother, Nancy Bagakis, who’s of The Corner Store was completed in also a partner in the business, thought mid-January 2022. it could work. “I thought it was a really “We felt it could be a successful good idea,” she says. “So, I just moved project for us, and it keeps us all local,” forward with it.” says Bagakis. “[My mom] has had jobs Bagakis, his mom, and a friend who where she’s [driven] 45-minute combecame the third partner crunched the mutes to work. Now, her commute is numbers, talked to the Lindquists, saw five minutes, and it’s eight blocks. It the untapped potential that The Corner made sense to push forward.” Store still offered, and decided it was in Lindquist couldn’t be happier having their best interest to purchase the busi- Bagakis and his partners take over the
Top: The store features a refreshed side patio with new pavers and outdoor furniture. Left: Inside the market, a fresh coat of paint and a new menu board on the wall are in the works. (photos: John Mattera Photography)
market. “We waited a long time to make sure that it went through with John, and it did,” recalls Lindquist. “I’m so happy because he’s the guy. He’s the guy that’s going to take it to the next level.”
is [the word] market,” explains Bagakis. “I have cousins who live in this neighborhood that have said to me, ‘We love The Corner Store, but we would also love it more if it were more of a [grocery-type] store. Bring that market feel back to it.’” BACK TO ITS ROOTS In addition to new grocery items, Originally called the Ideal Palisades one of the first significant changes was Market in its early years, the advertise- installing wireless internet for customment for the market’s grand opening on ers, which the store had never offered July 3, 1947, declared, “Foods stacked until now. Also, the side patio floor has high at lowest prices!” Bacon was 59 recently been redone with new pavcents a pound. Two gallons of milk cost ers and furnished with new outdoor furniture. Bagakis also changed the you a quarter. You could even buy two toilet paper rolls for 11 cents. coffee brand and installed a new coffee/ Times have changed, of course. espresso machine, which has received While prices are vastly different approval from the regulars that come in today, bringing the market back to its for their morning newspaper and coffee. “I upgraded the coffee after talking roots by offering essential grocery-type items is one of the many ideas Bagakis to a few local coffee vendors,” explains has been incorporating into the store Bagakis. “I remember walking in one since taking over. morning, and this table was full of “When I look at the original adverabout eight or ten of our regulars, older folks, sitting here. I asked, ‘Coffee?’ tisement when it opened as the Ideal Palisades Market, what stood out to me They looked at me and said, ‘We like
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the coffee.’ If you can keep them happy, that’s the start. They’re the longesttenured customers of this store.” Even though Bagakis promises more changes are coming, some of the things The Corner Store is known for will remain. They still plan on carrying a large assortment of fun and exciting sodas, and seasonal events like Miracle on 37th Street are currently still on the calendar. In addition, the store has also become the home for several outdoor pop-up shop events, including a monthly one sponsored by this magazine. While Bagakis bounces between Big Nick’s Pizza and The Corner Store, Nancy handles the kitchen and helps prepare the many sandwiches, salads, burgers, and breakfast orders. She began working at The Corner Store five months before the sale was finalized to help take the load off Lindquist and learn the ropes of managing the store. “Which was good too, because I got to know a lot of the customers during that time,” says Nancy, who came to San Pedro from Sicily, Italy, as a child. “I got to know how Peggy ran the store and what changes I wanted to make. It was good for me to be here during those five months.” CELEBRATING 75 ON 7/3 “It still hasn’t set in. This is 75 years,” says Bagakis. “My mother’s family wasn’t in this country yet when The Corner Store opened. You’re talking about World War II ending, and two years later, the store opened.” Even though The Corner Store has changed hands several times over its 75-year history, it has never stopped operating. It’s one of the few businesses in San Pedro that’s managed to survive multiple owners, which is a fantastic feat for a market tucked in the middle
26 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I JULY 2022
of a neighborhood with more drive-by traffic from peacocks than people. “The regulars compliment and critique us,” Bagakis says, laughing. “They’ve given us some ideas, so it’s been nice. It’s fun to come in here and just chitchat with them. They’re just wonderful people. It’s fun.” The culmination of new ownership and the store’s diamond jubilee happens on Sunday, July 3, with The Corner Store’s 75th Anniversary mini block party. Bagakis is pulling out all the stops to mark this special occasion by serving barbecue, beer, wine, and live music. There will also be an anniversary ribbon cutting by the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce at noon. The party runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in front of the store on the corner of 37th and Barbara. “The plan is to have a one-day beer and wine license so we can serve on-site that day,” says Bagakis. “We’ll barbecue in the back and just have a mini block party with a little bit of live entertainment and a couple of pop-up vendors. Some elected officials will be here, too.” To own The Corner Store is to become its steward, and Bagakis and his partners understand that. It might just be a neighborhood store to some, but to those who live near or grew up around it, it’s a special place. Bagakis hopes to continue that legacy. “To me, it’s about keeping the current charm and essence of the store but adding to it. How do you add to it without disturbing what it has been for so many people for so long? That’s the challenge.” spt The Corner Store is located at 1118 W. 37th St., San Pedro. For more info, call (310) 832-2424.
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EAT IN SAN PEDRO:
THE EXTRA BURGERS by Sanam Lamborn
In 1986, surrounded by much hype, I had my very first burger: a Big Mac from the first McDonald’s that opened in Rome. Famed designer Valentino relentlessly petitioned against an American fast food restaurant opening across the Spanish Steps from his Piazza di Spagna studio. My mother had prepared me by stating that Big Mac’s special sauce, slightly similar to Thousand Island dressing, made it a must-try burger. She did not know at the time that a simple statement about a sauce that makes a burger stand out would plant a seed in my attitude about burgers. After years of being indifferent to burgers, the popularity of gourmet toppings slowly lured me in. So much so that a few years ago, I began celebrating the anniversary of my move to the United States with the quintessential American meal: burger, fries, and soda. I like that the burgers at San Pedro Brewing Company (331 W. 6th St.) are open-faced, which allows a visual of the ingredients. Half of the Ortega Burger bun comes with a flavorful and moist patty with melted jack cheese and one butterflied grilled Ortega chili.
Clockwise from top left: San Pedro Brewing Company's Ortega Burger; Happy Diner's Borracho Burger; BUNZ Gourmet Burger's The Bun Shroom; and Utro Cafe's Junior Devine Burger. (photos: Sanam Lamborn)
The other bun is stacked with romaine lettuce, sliced red onions, tomatoes, and tangy pickles. The Santa Fe sauce is served on the side, perfect for adding to the burger and dipping fries. Utro’s Café’s (73 Berth) Devine Burger is the works: double meat patty, American cheese, Swiss cheese, bacon, avocado, lettuce, raw red onion, tomato, and a special in-house Thousand Island sauce. Biting into this burger feels like eating comfort food, like visiting an established friend who won’t disappoint you. The flavors come together effortlessly, making its popularity obvious. The house-cut fries (purchased
as a side) are perfection, and the view unparalleled. Here is an off-menu tip: the Junior Devine Burger is for those who prefer only one patty. Some may pick the Borracho Burger at Happy Diner (617 S. Centre St.) for sobering needs after consuming libations, but not me. I keep going back to it because of its layers of flavorful spiciness. Everything below the meat patty is the standard lettuce, tomato, raw white onion, and pickles; however, everything above it is what makes this burger delicious: pepper jack, cheddar, and Monterey jack cheese, grilled halved jalapeño, bacon,
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Sanam Lamborn created the Eat in San Pedro Facebook group and Instagram account in April 2020 to entice people to patronize San Pedro’s eateries.
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and a secret florescent green creamy spread made with fresh jalapeños and green habanero sauce. The side of fries served with ranch dipping sauce, a cooling counterbalance to the spice, completes this meal perfectly. While every single taste bud in my being gravitates toward the Across the Border burger at the Sandwich Saloon (813 S. Gaffey St.), for the sake of a bit of variety for this column, I chose the Bacon Cheeseburger, which is very satisfying. This burger is layered with house-made Thousand Island dressing, shredded lettuce, tomato slices, pickles, a tasty Angus patty, American cheese, and bacon. Fries are an extra item and well worth ordering. A few years ago, BUNZ Gourmet Burgers became my go-to place for my celebratory “relocationversary” meal because their version of burgers is what feeds my need for the “extra” standout element. Consequently, I have tried most of their burgers, but The Bun Shroom on a brioche bun holds a special place in my belly. The bottom bun starts with lettuce and tomato and is topped with a juicy burger, on top of which perfectly sautéed mushrooms and red onions mix into the melted Swiss cheese. Burgers are served with freshly cut fries. Since closing their brick and mortar, BUNZ has been serving its delicious burgers from two food trucks. Time and locations are updated daily on their Instagram account @ bunzgourmetburgers. spt
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JULY 2022 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 29
REAL ESTATE
IS OUR LOCAL MARKET IN A TRANSITIONAL PHASE? by Mike Harper & Peter Hazdovac Through the first five months of this year, we have been drilled with mostly negative information about our economy. The killer for most Americans is the annual rate of inflation at 8.6% (the highest it’s been since December 1981) and the rising cost of gasoline prices, currently at approximately $6.43/gallon on average in California (as of June 16, 2022). Couple the higher cost of living with a hemorrhaging U.S. stock market, and it gives us all reason for concern. Mortgage rates lingered below 3.25% for much of 2021 but have been on a steady incline in 2022. According to Freddie Mac, a government-sponsored enterprise that purchases, guarantees, and securitizes home loans, the U.S. weekly average for a 30-year fixedrate mortgage was 5.78% (as of June 16, 2022). Conventional wisdom would suggest that an increase in mortgage rates would also impact affordability and, in turn, slow down a real estate market that has been on a torrid pace since May 2020. Fundamentally, a borrower taking out a $550,000 loan at 5.5% (30-year FRM) would pay approximately $3,123/month. This same loan at 3% would cost a borrower approximately $2,319/month. That’s an $804/month increase and one that could potentially take some buyers out of the housing market altogether. So what impact, if any, have the above factors had on our local real estate market? Through the first fiveplus months of this year (January– June 16) in San Pedro, according to local MLS statistics, 155 single-family residences (SFRs) were sold. This was down -8.28% from the 169 SFR sales during the same period in 2021. However, the average sales price for a SFR in San Pedro increased by 16.4%, up from $859,000 to $1MM. Average Days on Market (DOM) remained mostly unchanged at nine days. In neighboring Rancho Palos Verdes, there were 183 SFRs sold, which was 30 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I JULY 2022
down considerably at -12.01% from the 208 homes sold during the same period in 2021. Staying consistent with the overall trend, average sales prices increased by 15.27%, from $1,683MM to $1,940MM. Average DOM stayed consistent at nine days versus the year prior. The Greater South Bay saw SFR sales decrease by -16.59% during the first five-plus months of the year, from 2,103 in 2021 to 1,754 in 2022. The average sales price for a SFR jumped by 15.84%, from $1,060MM to $1,228MM. Average DOM also stayed at nine days, similar to the same period the year prior. The trend remains consistent across the board, with sales volume consistently down and home prices up throughout the Greater South Bay. In fact, we had never experienced a time in our past when the average sales price in San Pedro reached $1MM for close to six months. The big question remains: What can we expect in our local real estate market for the remainder of 2022 and into 2023? Based on what we’ve seen, supply and demand remain key components of the market’s performance going forward. A continued limited inventory climate suggests that home prices should remain stable without a significant change. Industry experts seem to have different predictions for where mortgage rates will top out. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, expects mortgage rates for a 30-year FRM to range from 5 to 5.5% throughout most of 2022 and 2023. The reality is that we live in a desirable coastal region that remains strong due to high demand. Although we expect to see some turbulence in the economy, with some anticipated slowing in the real estate market over the near term, we believe that our local market will remain mostly insulated and fairly stable as we head into 2023. spt Mike Harper and Peter Hazdovac are both licensed Realtors® with Keller Williams Realty. For more info, visit harperhazdovac.com.
FITNESS
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT? by Ricky Magana
Summer is upon us, and for many, that means we have vacations, weddings, and many occasions requiring a little less clothing than we’re comfortable wearing. There’s one common question I get around this time of year: What’s the best way to lose weight? Honestly, the answer is quite simple, but you would never know it given the mountain of conflicting information slung at you every minute of the day. Count your calories. Calories don’t count. Don’t eat meat. Eat only meat and butter for ketosis. Don’t eat carbs. Go high fat. Go low fat. Eat four to six small meals a day. Eat one meal a day. Eat breakfast. Skip breakfast. Not confusing at all, right? We know more about health, fitness, and the human body than at any other point in history, and yet, obesity prevalence has climbed from 30 percent in 2000 to 42 percent in 2020. Severe obesity has gone from 4.2 percent to 9.2 percent in the same period (source: CDC).
ter one year. They all worked, provided there was a reduction in overall calories and adequate protein. Eat as often as you want, whenever you want. The same was found with meal frequency; assuming calories are equal, the number of meals per day — whether one meal, three, or six — was irrelevant and yielded no significant difference in weight loss. Breakfast, no breakfast, fasting, grazing, cheat days, etc. — none of it mattered when calories were kept consistent. Compliance is most important. Through observing subjects, one over(photo: Ketut Ubiyanto) whelming trend emerges as the number As we enter the age of internet health and fitness, the good news is that one predictor of successful weight loss: sleuthing, where we can all become weight loss is one of the most rigorous- Compliance equals results. The individour own researchers, there’s no end to ly studied topics in the field of scientific uals who started a plan and consistently how deep the information rabbit hole research. It’s like going to the back of followed it, regardless of the plan, were goes. But at the end of all this digging, the book and getting all the answers to the most successful. the obesity trends prove undoubtedly the test. Meal prep is the key to compliance. that more information does not mean One such source of findings can be The secret weapon of dietary complimore solutions. found in the National Weight Control ance, and ultimately weight loss success With all the confusion, how does Registry. Founded in 1994 by Rena across all successful subjects, was the one sift through digital mountains of Wing Ph.D. and James Hill Ph.D., it’s individual’s ability to meal prep, having information to find the best way to the largest database into the investigaa refrigerator of pre-portioned meals, lose weight? Well, it’s not by trusttion of long-term successful weight loss regardless of whether home-cooked, ing social media, documentaries, or maintenance. The NWCR tracks over store-bought, or delivered. celebrity endorsements. Success leaves 10,000 individuals who’ve lost sigHave a goal and a way to track clues, and the key to achieving success nificant weight and kept it off for long progress. And lastly, individuals who is identifying what’s been proven to periods. Through their registry, they’re reported long-term weight loss tend work for ordinary people and modelable to extract the strategies they use to to have a specific goal and a method ing them. And in the realm of weight maintain their weight loss and pubof measuring their progress towards loss, you can observe thousands of lish them for all to see, and it is here that goal, most commonly by weighing people who’ve lost weight over the span and among many other meta-analyses themselves regularly. of decades and steal the exact stratewhere the weight loss secrets are hiding The 10,000 participants in the NWCR gies they used. All with a few clicks of in plain sight. I wanted to share some of have lost an average of 66 pounds and your mouse. How? By learning about a these lessons with you so that you can have kept it off for 5.5 years, so it’s safe little-known research process known as see past the fads to understand what to say they know what works. The rest meta-analysis. matters in the weight loss quest. Here is just noise. spt In the field of statistical analysis, are a few: meta-analysis combines the data from With diets, there is no silver bullet. Ricky Magana is co-owner of all the available studies around a given A meta-analysis of 12 popular fad diets Heyday Elite Fitness. For more topic and studies them to see what showed participants experienced no info, visit heydaytraining.com. patterns emerge. Concerning your significant difference in weight loss af-
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WEDDING
THE BELLA VITA
DANIEL & KRISTINA MOORE OCTOBER 2, 2021
story by Nadia Nizetich photo by John Mattera Photography On Super Bowl Sunday in 2019, friends Kristina Lauro and Daniel Moore headed to the Sogliuzzo household to watch the Rams and the Patriots play. Gabe and Erika Sogliuzzo were Kristina’s good family friends, and with Daniel by her side, she braced herself for their inevitable ribbing. “When we were first dating, they’d joke with me, ‘Oh, is your friend coming? Is your friend coming?’” Kristina laughs. At the house that day, the Solgiuzzos didn’t mince words. “Gabe’s wife was like, ‘So, can you just ask her out already?’” recalls Kristina, “And Daniel said, ‘Do you want to be my girlfriend?’ It was so awkward, but it was so funny.” That day kicked off their relationship, and two years later, Daniel and Kristina traveled to Palm Springs with their families for Father’s Day weekend. Though they had discussed marriage before the trip, Kristina remained blissfully unaware of Daniel’s plan to propose, and he caught her off guard as she swam in the pool. “All of a sudden, Daniel is giving a speech and thanking everyone, and I’m thinking, ‘Okay, someone’s feeling emotional today,’”
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Kristina laughs. “He said, ‘We have a beautiful kid together; I want this to be forever,’ and then he asked me to marry him. It was quite the proposal, in his totally casual style, just exactly how we are.” The pair set a wedding date and quickly got to planning, aided by Kristina’s mother Sara and friends Josephine Russo-Trusela and Sogliuzzo. Their guest list slowly rose to over 200 people — the isolation of the pandemic fueling their desire for a lively wedding — and on October 2, 2021, they wed at Mary Star of the Sea Church in classic Italian fashion. It was exactly the way Kristina had wanted it. “My family is Catholic, and we were like, ‘Let’s keep the tradition going, let’s get married in the church.’ It meant something special to me, and for him, he was willing to go with it.” But despite all of the traditional
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touches, the wedding still had the couple’s casual flair. “When the priest started the ceremony, he actually called us the wrong name — he called us Rebecca and Joel — so I turned around and laughed out loud,” says Kristina. “It set the tone for the whole thing, and everybody was laughing. It was a good feeling in that building.” Names in order, the mass continued, and the couple said their vows. For Daniel, the moment was long-awaited. “Saying I do, it was a great feeling to know that our marriage was finally official and our family was complete.” Witnessing the nuptials were Kristina’s parents Sarah and Rico Lauro; Daniel’s mother, Candice Binkley; his stepmother, Cindie Moore; and his father, Wayne Moore. The bridal party included maid of honor Samantha Lauro, Sarah Logrande, Olivia Law, Megan Moore, Jessica Trani, Desirae
Clark, and Brit Raciak. Rory Moore served as the best man on the groom’s side, flanked by groomsmen Fred Carlin, Flavio Mazzella, Bobby Kulusich, Patrick Ruiz, and Tony Jordan. The flower girl was the couple’s young daughter, Sofia Rajka Moore. After the ceremony, the party headed to the San Pedro Elks Lodge for the reception, where the newlyweds danced to “Crazy Love” by Van Morrison as their first dance. Kristina recalls feeling awestruck by the atmosphere. “During our first dance, I really noticed that everyone had all eyes on us. They tell you to stop and enjoy the moment, and I feel like we both did that.” To celebrate the marriage, the couple took a trip to Solvang, Santa Ynez, and Los Olivos, where they went wine tasting and sightseeing. They’re now living in San Pedro and working, Daniel as a longshore mechanic and Kristina as the owner of The Bella Tavola, a charcuterie catering business. Though they’d like to expand their family in the coming years, their careers and raising their daughter are their current focuses. “He works hard every day, and I’m at home with the baby doing my own thing out of the house,” says Kristina. “My end goal is to have my own place in Downtown San Pedro, and he’s also very interested in that.” When asked what makes their relationship work, the couple believes the answer lies in cooperation and reliance. “We make up where the other lacks, if there’s any lack happening,” says Kristina. “We balance each other out like crazy.” Daniel agrees. “Two big qualities that I love about our relationship are dependability and trust,” he says. “We can go anywhere together and always have a great time.” spt
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THE BACK PAGE
CAFE AT THE POINT: A postcard featuring the backside of the former Pt. Fermin Cafe, circa 1938. (photo: Pomona Public Library)
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Making Mental Health and Addiction Care a Priority If a loved one’s addiction or mental health issues are impacting your family, we can help. Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro offers several comprehensive programs to treat addiction and mental health issues when families are in crisis. What differentiates our program from others is if, during your loved one’s treatment, they need emergency care, we are one of the very few behavioral health and addiction centers on the campus of a full-service Medical Center. For those suffering from an addiction, our Recovery Center offers acute inpatient detox as well as inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programs that include education, early recovery skills, relapse prevention and life skills groups. We also offer meditation, relaxation, fitness, nutrition, and diet services. All are designed to give the participant the skills needed to work toward long-term recovery. We also offer comprehensive inpatient and outpatient mental health programs and activities designed to provide skills for life-long mental health management, including: • 23-Hour Psychiatric Urgent Care/Crisis Stabilization Unit for individuals in crisis • Onsite psychiatrists to complete full assessments and treatment • An in-patient psychiatric unit to support patients who need more comprehensive treatment • Intensive outpatient programs for long-term management and support
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Mental health and addiction issues can devastate a family. At Providence, we’re offering help and hope.
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