San Pedro Today - August 2022

AUGUST 2022

WESTCAL ACADEMY OPENS | CONCERT NOISE SURVEY RESULTS | EAT IN SAN PEDRO: HEALTHY JUICES

A CENTURY OF SERVICE

THE ROTARY CLUB OF SAN PEDRO CELEBRATES ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY

2022-23 San Pedro Rotary board members: Membership Chair Yolanda Valle-Perry, President Thomas Norman, Treasurer Rica Viola, Programs Chair Chuck Hanchett, and immediate past President Angie Boles.

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August always reminds me of the Taste in San Pedro.

For those who don’t remember, the Taste (as it came to be known), in its heyday, was without a doubt the most popular event in San Pedro. Organized by the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce, the event grew out of a small fundraiser in 1988 showcasing local restaurants called the “Pig-a-Thon” that only drew a couple dozen people. The following year, the event moved to the parking lot of the DoubleTree Hotel at the Cabrillo Marina and changed its name to the International Taste of San Pedro, drawing a surprising 4,000 people.

In the mid-1990s, the Taste changed from a one-day to a two-day event in August and renamed itself the Taste in San Pedro (emphasis on in). The name change was an attempt to draw more restaurants and foodies from across the South Bay. But I’m sure those who remember will agree that the Taste turned into something special when it moved to Point Fermin Park in 1998. That’s when it became the event of the year. During those Point Fermin years (1998-2010), the Taste in San Pedro became much more than the food and entertainment it advertised. The Taste became San Pedro’s annual de facto family and community reunion.

Drawing more than 15,000 people at the height of its popularity, the Taste was the one weekend of the year where you would run into everyone. And I mean everyone. From the newest babies to the oldest grandparents, every generation was represented. You’d see family and friends you hadn’t seen since the last Taste (and a few you probably tried to avoid). Before social media ruined everything, the Taste was where you’d go to get the latest updates (and gossip).

Were there issues? Of course. Some residents who lived near Point Fermin would complain about the trash and noise. Parking was always a problem.

Sometimes it was too windy. Some attendees would get a bit sloppy but were rarely rowdy.

To me, the Taste was San Pedro at its best. When it was at Point Fermin Park, the event became the perfect mix of everything that made San Pedro unique: its proud display of family-owned restaurants, a ton of great local bands, camaraderie amongst multi-generational families and friends, a showcase of our multi-ethnic community, and

the perfect oceanfront view with a cool breeze on a hot summer weekend.

The Taste in San Pedro became one big community get-together, and we loved it. Then the wheels suddenly fell off.

For various reasons, mostly attributed to permitting issues and the rise in costs, the Taste fell apart. A noble attempt to salvage the event at the L.A. Waterfront in 2011 was met with a lukewarm response. The 2012 event was canceled at the last minute. And the last attempt, a more upscale affair at CRAFTED in 2015 under a new name, The New Taste of San Pedro, came and went with little fanfare. Since then, nothing.

San Pedro needs something like the Taste to return again. We need that one big event that can appeal to everyone and unite our community like the Taste used to do. Right now, we don’t have it. And, in my opinion, San Pedro has suffered because of it.

What that event could be, I don’t know. I wish I had the answer. Instead, I’m hoping this column plants the seed for some creative planners out there who might. I know we can’t recreate the past, but what we can do is take the elements that worked then – a focus on local food, local entertainment, and local vendors in a picturesque setting – and see if they can work now.

ROTARY AT 100 Lastly, I want to personally thank Caroline Brady, Yolanda Valle-Perry, Helene Pizzini, Pablo Tellez, and others who contributed their time in putting together this special issue celebrating the Rotary Club of San Pedro’s 100th anniversary.

As someone who was only vaguely familiar with the Rotary’s work, I was surprised by how much charitable outreach they’ve provided over the years to the San Pedro community.

For a century, this ever-evolving group of unassuming local business professionals have volunteered their time, energy, and money to those in need, both here in San Pedro and around the world. From providing scholarships to high school graduates to backpacks for elementary school kids, the Rotary’s work is never finished.

The Rotary Club of San Pedro has been an incredible asset to our port town and I’m glad we’re able to feature them this month to celebrate their centennial. spt Joshua Stecker is publisher/editorin-chief of San Pedro Today. Letters to the Editor can be emailed to contact@sanpedrotoday.com.

AUGUST 2022 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 5

AUGUST 2022

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ADVERTISING:

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Patricia Roberts (562) 964-8166 | patricia@sanpedrotoday.com

General Inquiries: ads@sanpedrotoday.com

Joshua J. Stecker Lori Garrett

ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION Joseph A. Castañeda

AT-LARGE CONTRIBUTORS

Sanam Lamborn, Ricky Magana, Steve Marconi, Jennifer Marquez, Anthony Pirozzi, Jr., Sophie Schoenfeld, 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

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 7

ON THE COVER: 2022-23 San Pedro Rotary board members: Membership Chair Yolanda Valle-Perry, President Thomas Norman, Treasurer Rica Viola, Programs Chair Chuck Hanchett, and immediate past President Angie Boles. (photo: John Mattera Photography)

GRAND VISION PRESENTS

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FRIDAY, AUG 19 | 8 PM

Southern CA’s premier Beatles tribute band.

Get your tickets now at grandvision.org/Beatles or call 310.833.4813 Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W 6th St. San Pedro 6 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I AUGUST 2022

ROTARY CLUB OF SAN PEDRO CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 1922 - 2022 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th 2022 Social Hour 5:30 - 6:30 pm No Host Bar Dinner & Program 6:30 - 9:30 pm Dalmation-American Club 1639 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro, CA 90731

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

San Pedro’s NASA Astronaut Dr. Anna Fisher Tickets - $100 or Table for 8 - $750. No-Host Bar Corporate Sponsorships Available.

All net proceeds to benefit local non-profits.

Purchase tickets at rotarysanpedro.org or sanpedrorotary.eventbrite.com

R O TA RY C L U B O F S A N P E D R O P R E S I D E N T S 1 9 2 2 - 2 0 2 2 1922-1923 1923-1924 1924-1925 1925-1926 1926-1927 1927-1928 1928-1929 1929-1930 1930-1931 1931-1932 1932-1933 1933-1934 1934-1935 1935-1936 1936-1937 1937-1938 1938-1939 1939-1940 1940-1941 1941-1942 1942-1943

C.H. Cleveland A.E. Henning E.W. Sandison Amos Kreisel G. Aitkenhead L.S. Anderson T.W. Fletcher Les Mott H. Summers T. Baker W. Harney A. Stelle O.R.C. Crow B. Hill Guy Lyons James Mee A. Allen H. Halverson H.W. Clayson W. Goodwin A. J. Langan

1943-1944 B. Billhardt 1944-1945 C. Worrall 1945-1946 W. Martin Ray Mitchell 1946-1947 H. McCarthy 1947-1948 Roy Becker 1948-1949 Don Pugh 1949-1950 Harry Cole 1950-1951 Pascal Dilday 1951-1952 Ernest Houser 1952-1953 Harold E. Dahlberg 1953-1954 Frank J. Rechemacher 1954-1955 John L. Rados 1955-1956 Frank Swift, Sr. 1956-1957 William C. Bullock 1957-1958 Ragnar E. Kraabel 1958-1959 Anthony J. DiRocco 1959-1960 C. Nicholas Perkins Don Pugh 1960-1961 Harry P. Tyler 1961-1962 Leslie Philip Abbott

1962-1963 1963-1964 1964-1965 1965-1966 1966-1967 1967-1968 1968-1969 1969-1970 1970-1971 1971-1972 1972-1973 1973-1974 1974-1975 1975-1976 1976-1977 1977-1978 1978-1979 1979-1980 1980-1981 1981-1982 1982-1983

Robert W. Thompson W. Wesley Wilson Kenyon M. Smith Ed Patterson Andrew W. Wall Nicholas Zorotovich Richard R. Mitchell Robert Rados Hollis Clark Foster James George Stephenson Frank Bird Elwood Culp Eugene DeAngelis Steve Podesta Richard Bauer Rich Collato Ron Bradford John Rich Richard Leavell John Rastello

1983-1984 1984-1985 1985-1986 1986-1987 1987-1988 1988-1989 1989-1990 1990-1991 1991-1992 1992-1993 1993-1994 1994-1995 1995-1996 1996-1997 1997-1998 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004

Robert Hansen George J. Murphy Phil Bernard Robert G. Rados, Jr. Jon Frankson Helmut Leins Terry Bellew Anthony J. Vulin David R. Martin Joseph R. Seibert Jack Wall Charles Hanchett Michael Sokolich Jerry Sturm John Wilson Juanita Chavez John Greenwood Helene Pizzini Rick Hildebrandt Andrea Clark Scott Donnelly

2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023

Leon Carroll Charles Hanchett Tom Boles Gary Buss Helene Pizzini Robert Wolfenden Caroline Brady Sanni Wehbe Rica Viola Charles Briskin Arlene Dickey Val Hatley Leon Nixon Pete Mokler Matt Schauer Linda Klingner Miguel Andrade Angie Boles Thomas Norman

AUGUST 2022 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 7

EVENTS

AUGUST 2022 GARDEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED at Point Fermin Lighthouse (807 Paseo del Mar). – We are currently seeking volunteers to join our Point Fermin Lighthouse garden team. Bring your enthusiasm to our warm and friendly community of people dedicated to maintaining and preserving the lighthouse garden and sharing it with the public. To learn more about current volunteer gardening opportunities, email kristen.heather@lacity.org. Or come to the lighthouse on a Wednesday or Friday morning (between 10a and noon) to get a firsthand look at the gardens, meet other volunteer gardeners, and initiate the city’s application process.

Every Friday – SAN PEDRO FARMERS MARKET AT LITTLE ITALY (638 S. Beacon St.), 11a-3p. – Pick up essential fruits and vegetables from certified, small family farms. Get a head start on weekend meals with so many delicious and fresh options. Please note social distancing of six feet between groups and people is required. Masks must be worn at all times, and a hand washing station is provided for your convenience.

For more info, visit sanpedrochamber. com/san-pedro-farmers-market.

Every Tuesday, Friday, & First Thursday Evening – OPEN GARDEN at Feed and Be Fed (429 W. 6th St.), Tuesdays 10a-12p, Fridays 10a-1p, & First Thursday evenings. – Feed and Be Fed farm, San Pedro's own urban farm, opens its downtown garden space every Tuesday and Friday and on First Thursday evenings. Come share nature's bounty and beauty as we grow vegetables, flowers, and com-

munity. Get your hands in the dirt as a volunteer, get expert advice, or just relax. For more info, feedandbefed.org.

Every Tuesday & Every Saturday – BELMONT SHORE RAILROAD CLUB at Angels Gate Park (3600 S. Gaffey St., Building 824), Tuesdays 7-10p & Saturdays 12-4p. – The best kept secret in San Pedro! The Belmont Shore Railroad Club is the oldest and largest N scale club and offers clinics on modeling and an opportunity to explore a new hobby. Admission is FREE and open to the public. For more info, call (310) 831-6262 or visit belmontshorerr.com.

4 (Thurs) – FIRST THURSDAY in Downtown San Pedro, 6p. – The popular First Thursday ArtWalk is back in the historic core of Downtown San Pedro. The redesigned First Thursday will feature guided ArtWalk tours, open galleries, outdoor dining, and live music on the corner of 6th and Mesa streets.

4 (Thurs) – GUIDED ARTWALK TOUR at Sirens Java & Tea (402 W. 7th St.), 5:30p. – Join local artists and creatives for a tour of the San Pedro Arts District. We will be gathering at Sirens Java & Tea at 5:30p and will start walking at 6p. We are planning another intriguing tour of art spaces in the Arts District, featuring the artists of 7th St. and a couple surprises along the way. Galleries include Menduina Schneider Art Gallery, Cherry Wood at the Back Door Studios, and Megan Mickael Photography. You can park at 6th and Harbor Blvd. and take the red PBID trolley to the center of the ArtWalk. If you make a $10 donation,

Water aerobics done in the deep water with patented resistence cuffs Now offered at the San Pedro Elks Club (no membership required)

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print your ticket and present it at Sirens or The Artistry for a treat. We’ve also provided a limited number of FREE tickets. To reserve your spot, visit tinyurl.com/35f24f6a. For more info, visit sanpedrowaterfrontartsdistrict.com.

5-6 (Fri-Sat) – SHAKESPEARE BY THE SEA at Point Fermin Park (807 Paseo Del Mar), 8p. – For audiences seeking quality, family entertainment, Shakespeare by the Sea's free performances can't be beat. Pack a picnic, a blanket, and a beach chair, gather loved ones, and settle in under the stars for a night of classic entertainment. The tales are timeless, the admission ticketless, and the experience priceless. This year's productions will be Romeo & Juliet (Friday, August 5) and Much Ado About Nothing (Saturday, August 6).

Performances start at 8p, and admission is FREE, but donations are gratefully accepted. For more info, email info@ shakespearebythesea.org, call (310) 2177596, or visit shakespearebythesea.org.

13 (Sat) – GUIDED NATURE WALK AT OCEAN TRAILS RESERVE WITH THE PALOS VERDES PENINSULA LAND CONSERVANCY at Ocean Trails Reserve (1 Trump National Dr., Rancho Palos Verdes), 9a. – Walk through impressively restored habitat on top of an ancient slide area with spectacular bluff-top ocean views that are well worth the visit. Easy to moderate. Sign up at pvplc.org/ calendar-guided-nature-walks/.

13 (Sat) – PALOS VERDES PENINSULA LAND CONSERVANCY TRAIL CREW INTRO CLASS at Fred Hesse, Jr. Community Park, McTaggart Hall (29301 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes), 9a-12p. – Join the PVP Land Conservancy for an introductory class to learn how to maintain the peninsula's trails! Learn about trail building

and maintenance from a nationally recognized trail expert. Following this course, join us 2nd Saturdays for in-thefield training and experience. We will focus on various techniques for erosion repair, building rock walls, proper pruning, and more! No experience needed for the introductory course.

Age 18 and over. Masks are required for the indoor class at this time. Sign up at pvplc.volunteerhub.com/.

20 (Sat) – CROATIANS & ITALIANS OF SAN PEDRO, A TALK BY PROFESSOR EMERITUS NICHOLAS LOVRICH at The Brass Room of the Los Angeles Maritime Museum (Berth 84, at the foot of 6th St.), 1:30p.

The San Pedro Bay Historical Society Presents: Croatians & Italians of San Pedro, A Talk by Professor Emeritus Nicholas Lovrich, based on his 1969–1970 UCLA doctoral research. Space is limited. For more info, email sanpedrohistory@gmail.com.

27 (Sat) – END OF SUMMER SAIL at Los Angeles Maritime Institute (Berth 73, Suite 2), 6-8:30p. – Enjoy a summer picnic on the water! Pick up a picnic-to-go from your favorite Pedro restaurant and come sailing with us.

You can sit back and relax or become part of the crew – your choice! Our monthly community sails support our educational programs for youth in need.

Tickets $60 for adults, $30 for children (12 and under). LAMI members receive 10% OFF all community sails. For more info, call 310-833-6055, email info@ lamitopsail.org, or visit lamitopsail.org. spt Email events@sanpedrotoday.com to place a listing for a small fee.

Deadline for the September 2022 issue is Friday, August 12. Find more events at sanpedrotoday. com.

100 Years OF SERVICE

SEPT. 23, 2020 - 6PM Dalmation American Club 1629 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro, CA 90731 For more information, contact Annette Ciketic, Director of fINdings 470 S. Pacific, San Pedro • 310-489-1362

AUGUST 2022 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 9

EVENTS

SAN PEDRO’S ASTRONAUT JOINS ROTARY FOR CENTENNIAL GALA RETIRED NASA ASTRONAUT ANNA FISHER WILL SPEAK AT SEPT 10 EVENT AT DALMATIAN-AMERICAN CLUB

by SPT Staff When the Rotary Club of San Pedro began planning their 100th-anniversary celebration, they decided to shoot for the stars — literally.

Their efforts paid off when astronaut Anna Fisher agreed to be the special guest speaker for the centennial event, which will be held on Saturday, September 10, at the Dalmatian-American Club.

“We were really lucky to get her,” says Rotarian Anthony Vulin, chairman of the event. “Known as the ‘first mother in space,’ she is an inspiration for all young people interested in science-related careers and especially

little girls because she was one of the first six women tapped by NASA to be an astronaut.”

Fisher grew up in San Pedro, graduating from San Pedro High School in 1967. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, followed by a medical degree from UCLA. She worked as an emergency physician at Harbor General and several local hospitals before earning a master’s in chemistry.

NASA selected Fisher as an astronaut candidate in January 1978. During her career, Fisher helped develop and test the space shuttle’s robotic arm, helped design space suits tailored to fit women,

10 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I AUGUST 2022

Retired astronaut Anna Fisher. (photo: NASA)

and worked on spacewalk procedures and flight software. She flew aboard the Discovery in 1984 to deploy two satellites and recover two others. She later developed training and operations on the International Space Station.

Fisher lives in Houston but maintains close friendships here in San Pedro.

“Everyone’s welcome to attend the event — not only Rotarians but former Rotarians, family members of Rotarians, anyone we’ve honored or worked with on a project,” Vulin says.

“Come hear the wonderful speaker or

just to find out more about Rotary. All proceeds will benefit our local service projects.” spt The Rotary Club of San Pedro’s Centennial Celebration will take place at 5:30 p.m., Sept. 10, at the Dalmatian-American Club (1639 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro). Event is open to the public. For tickets, go to sanpedrorotary.eventbrite.com.

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AUGUST 2022 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 11

VOICES

WE’RE TALKIN’ `BOUT BEISBOL

by Steve Marconi It’s baseball season, and if you love the game and San Pedro history, I have the perfect summer read for you.

Mexican American Baseball in the South Bay, published this year by the Latino Baseball History Project ($25 on Amazon), is the latest in a series of books about how Mexican Americans around the state embraced America’s pastime from its earliest days. But you don’t have to be Mexican American to appreciate the wealth of information presented in this hefty 464-page paperback.

Retired professor Richard A. Santillan is editor, and San Pedro native Ron Gonzales (Fermin Lasuen, 1971) is coeditor. Gonzales, retired after a 38-year career as a newspaper reporter and edi-

tor, is the author of the book’s first and lengthiest chapter on his hometown.

Other chapters focus on Catalina Island, Wilmington, Redondo Beach, Torrance, and Cal State University, Dominguez Hills.

This book might have been more accurately titled An Illustrated History of Mexican American Baseball in the South Bay because that is the format it follows. Each chapter opens with a summary, but most of the text consists of lengthy captions for hundreds of photos and illustrations that, besides the sports angle, tell a bigger story of the Latino influence on the local culture. As the introduction states, “This pioneering publication provides a greater comprehensive depiction and wealthier narrative of the outsize and regular community life to parallel the incredible amount of Mexican American baseball and softball tales in the South Bay over

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one hundred years.”

Gonzales’ chapter introduction is a concise short history of San Pedro, hitting all the main points and key figures starting with Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542 while seamlessly integrating the Mexican American perspective. As far back as 1933, News-Pilot editor Bynner Martin wrote, “Baseball is known as the national pastime, but its most ardent devotees here are the Mexican people.”

From there, Gonzales has no trouble explaining how “the town that locals call ‘Pedro’ became a baseball town.”

Dozens of families and hundreds of individuals are recognized in the following pages, many beyond their impact on the sports world. That includes tributes to Luther Ruiz, Roger Gonzales, and Benjamin Bugarin, who gave their lives in service to their country in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, respectively.

Considering the book’s focus, it’s no surprise that the two areas of San Pedro most associated with Mexican Americans crop up repeatedly: La Rambla and Barton Hill. Bob Moulton is given due recognition as founder of the Barton Hill Cougars in the `40s and, returning from the war, for his decades mentoring some of San Pedro’s finest athletes.

Another coaching legend featured is La Rambla native Ray Martinez, longtime director of the Boys Club.

Receiving long-overdue recognition is Frank “Snuffy” Machado, a popular baseball and softball player in the `40s, `50s, and `60s and coach at Mary Star High School before Fermin Lasuen opened. Three more pages are dedicated to the legendary Joseph “Lou” Medina, and Filipino great Bobby Balcena is well-remembered.

Among many other players getting write-ups are Fermin Lasuen star Jim Lopez and San Pedro High standout Nick Castenada; there’s even a nice piece on a non-athlete, Xavier Hermosillo, who was hired as sports editor of the News-Pilot right out of San Pedro High and has been a mainstay of the Pirate Boosters.

Of course, no book on Mexican Americans and baseball would be complete without mention of two of San Pedro’s most successful products, Andy Lopez and Albert “Lefty” Olguin.

Lopez was a star player at San Pedro High, Harbor College, and UCLA before

beginning a coaching career that included College World Series titles with Pepperdine and Arizona. Olguin was a star pitcher for the Pirates and Harbor College before beginning his coaching career that included a state title at Harbor College while assisting Jim O’Brien. Author of his own San Pedro sports memoir, Once a Pirate Always a Pirate, Olguin also wrote a foreword to this book.

Not to be outdone, the San Pedro chapter is replete with photos of the Mexican American women who made their marks on the softball diamond and beyond. The three most notable here are Victoria Brucker Ruelas, who gained national attention in 1989 when she became the first American girl to reach the Little League World Series with San Pedro’s Eastview team; Ashley Esparza, who led the Pirates to four consecutive City softball titles and was City Player of the Year three consecutive years; and Sarah Gascon, a multi-sport standout at Mary Star who went on to star for the USA Baseball Women’s National Team and USA Team Handball’s Women’s National Team. (Gascon and Olguin happen to be cousins, but then this entire book is full of cousins.)

Anybody who has ever played baseball or softball in San Pedro, Mexican American or not, will want to get a copy of this book, if just to see if they’re included in one of the dozens of team pictures — Little League, high school, semipro, minor league — that span 110 years, from the 1911 Pirates featuring Louis Sepulveda to the 2021 City champion Pirates. And the authors are asking for help in identifying players for future editions.

One small quibble is the lack of an index, but perhaps the editors felt that it might have been more confusing than helpful with a book full of Gonzaleses and Gonzalezes.

There is no confusion regarding the importance of baseball to Latinos. The contributions of San Pedro’s Mexican Americans in sports have been welldocumented over time, but this comprehensive treatment of their baseball history hits it out of the park. spt Steve Marconi can be reached at spmarconi@yahoo.com.

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What does success look like to you?

This can seem like a simple question, but when you really think about it, the answer can be complex. For some, it could be as simple as wanting to have enough money to buy whatever they want. Others may say it’s not about the money but about being healthy and happy just to be alive. For me, success has always been about my relationship with God, how I treat people, and being a good husband, father, friend, son, and sibling. I also believe in volunteering in our community, working to make it a better place — and not seeking recognition for doing it.

Lastly, for me, it includes physical and financial health. So, the answer to the question is different for each of us and much deeper than our initial thoughts.

This question lends itself to ask: What does success look like for San Pedro? The answer may be different for each of us as well. I have worked with many committed volunteers working countless hours to make San Pedro better. Against all odds, they push forward and attend meetings working through every detail. However, folks who get involved and make their voices heard don’t all have the same idea of what’s best for our town. Some are pro-development, and others fear that too much development could harm our town. In many cases, the trade-off of time and healthy debate brings us to a better solution. It’s when democracy is at its best. What is disappointing, though, are those who have never lifted a finger to help improve our town but are more than happy to take to the keyboard and criticize any form of progress from afar.

Even when positive progress is made, it’s not good enough, or something is pointed out that would have been better. Sound familiar?

At its worst, toxic criticism of any new project results in investors walking away because of the amount of negative inertia it creates. This might suit some who consider any new development as being bad for San Pedro because of the gentrification that may come with

it. Gentrification is a process where the character of a poor urban area is changed by wealthier people moving in, improving housing and attracting new businesses, but at the cost of current residents being displaced.

It appears that we have been in a decline or “reverse gentrification” period for the past 40 years because San Pedro has become a far different place since many of us were kids. In some cases, the displacement of residents started long ago when kids from my generation could not find their way back into San Pedro because housing was too expensive — and that was in the late ‘80s.

Over the decades, San Pedro has transformed into a place that at times doesn’t feel safe, where crime and homelessness have increased. Decades of local job losses have resulted in locals needing to take the 110 north to their well-paying jobs or moving closer to their employment to lessen their commute. So, today are we experiencing “gentrification” or working our way out of 40-plus years of “reverse gentrification?” I think it’s the latter.

The investment for the past 20 years at the Port of Los Angeles, for example, has been focused on creating a diversity of employment opportunities. From hospitality jobs at the new West Harbor development to STEM-related careers at Alta Sea. These new jobs will coexist with our main employment hub in the port, the movement of cargo by our ILWU families. As new opportunities arrive, instead of focusing on what could be lost in the form of gentrification, I believe the focus should be on providing current residents every chance to partake in these new opportunities and remain in San Pedro.

San Pedro has had many changes throughout our 100-plus-year history, and this will continue long after we are gone. Today’s developments look to take us back to a level of normalcy that our town was built on — faith, family, and opportunity — and turn the tide of the effects of reverse gentrification that we have experienced over the decades.

Let’s continue to work towards prosperity once again. spt Anthony Pirozzi, Jr. is a Los Angeles Harbor Commissioner. He can be reached at apirozzi@yahoo.com.

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VOICES

WESTCAL CAREER PATHWAY PROGRAM OPENS IN SAN PEDRO

by Jennifer Marquez

WestCal Academy is a nonprofit agency that provides career exploration and job placement. They have opened a satellite office in the Arcade Building in Downtown San Pedro to better serve people in the Harbor area. Headquartered in Torrance on the campus of Southern California Regional Occupational Center (SoCal ROC), the focus of the San Pedro location is to expand career pathways to the maritime industry with personalized career mentoring.

WestCal is a 16 to 24-week program that gives students of all ages and backgrounds a chance to sample different careers that include: automotive, cosmetology, dental assisting, electrical, EMT, HVAC, medical assisting, pharm tech, vet assisting, welding, and now, maritime jobs.

“In academic settings like colleges, often work experience and vocational training are frowned upon,” states John Paul Tabakian, president of WestCal Academy. “Connecting dots to careers is the value we are offering the youth and people in San Pedro.”

The program immerses students in

WestCal Academy students learning construction. (photo: Sterlina Cerritos)

lectures and labs with state-of-the-art equipment, giving them a sample of multiple career options. Industry leaders teach the classes, with most classes held at their Torrance location meeting twice a week. Students who complete the program, which is at no cost, can receive sponsorships to complete training in the field of their choice after sampling the different options and becoming job ready. Students range in age from 11–72 years old, with the majority of the students in the age range of 16–30.

WestCal has increased its partnerships in the maritime industry and currently works with AltaSea and the Inlandboatmen’s Union, plus others.

WestCal plans to expand its reach to include careers in the trucking industry and the port. There are many maritime jobs, but often people do not know how to train or access these opportunities. WestCal wants to guide potential students, help them find their career pathways, and connect them to mentors in the field.

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WestCal also provides career training at the Dorothy Kirby Center probation camp in Commerce. Youth have often been sentenced to stay here due to truancy in the past and other offenses.

Students learn about personal branding, resumes, and skills that can help them gain employment when they return to their communities. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn has awarded a $165,000 grant to fund this program, serving primarily young adults and minors through the probation department.

WestCal Public Relations Director Sterlina Cerritos understands the plight of many of the young adults they serve, as she is also a WestCal graduate.

Cerritos recounts growing up without a father because he was in prison and remembers the shame she used to feel about that.

“I got kicked out of high school and then worked for six years in my mom’s store,” states Cerritos. “I got introduced to WestCal at Trade Tech in Los Angeles. Being in this program likely prevented me from going down a dif-

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ferent path in life. I was able to get my GED and finish Los Angeles Trade-Tech and community college (LATTC). I now walk the talk at WestCal when interacting with students. The challenges I had growing up with a father in prison and parents who immigrated are now things I see as my strengths, and [I] am no longer ashamed.”

Tabakian’s goal for the program is to help people discover their career pathway and gain secure employment to provide a living so they can support themselves and their families.

WestCal has served over 30,000 students across the state. Their next program will begin in September. For more information, visit WestCalAcademy.Com, call (310) 894-6814, or email info@WestCalAcademy.Com. spt

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AUGUST 2022 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 17

VOICES

DREAMSTATE WASN’T A NIGHTMARE

by Lee Williams Dreamstate Harbor, an electronic music event, took place June 11 and 12 in San Pedro at Berth 46, also known as the Outer Harbor. Across the water from Cabrillo Beach, this is where you will sometimes see some of the larger cruise ships, many motocross events, various music shows, the Lane Victory, and a tall ship or two. I love all kinds of music and have a wide variety of tastes, from Bocelli to Zepplin, Dolly Parton to Tool, and I love any music festival that exposes me to something new. I can typically find something I like in almost any venue or performance. I’m even a fan of electronic dance music (EDM), including both house and breaks. My EDM friends are going to stop here to argue. For those who don’t know anything about EDM, please keep reading.

Most concerts or festivals are loud.

EDM festivals are often the loudest.

Hearing, feeling, and taking in the music in a live setting is kind of the point. EDM often gets into trouble with the neighbors because the low notes or bass can carry for a mile over water, so much farther than the higher notes.

So, from a distance, one often only hears the repetitive bass seem to go on

This map shows the results from a concert noise survey sent out by the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council shortly after the Dreamstate Harbor event. Red indicates those who were negatively affected by the sounds from the concert, yellow means they heard it but were indifferent, and green means they were not affected by the concert music at all. (photo: Coastal San Pedro NC survey)

forever without much variation, which is as pleasant as construction starting next to your bedroom at seven in the morning.

I decided to buy tickets for this event because I knew some folks considered this a stress test for the new amphitheater being proposed on the waterfront as part of West Harbor.

Actually, the amphitheater site is more than a mile away, has more physical barriers between it and our homes, and it’s angled better towards Terminal Island. Still, it makes sense most people would make the comparison.

I bought overly expensive VIP tickets. Parking was simple. The venue was well laid out and professional. We dressed comfortably, ready to dance.

There was no line at the bar, and the weather was warm with a gentle breeze, creating the perfect setting.

The people were nice. I wasn’t the oldest one there, and the young folks seemed to be having a good time without getting sloppy.

The music started, and I immediately remembered how much I hated progressive trance EDM.

I spent the rest of the day focused on the noise level, talking to the Port Police and L.A. Fire Fighters and getting a feel for how well the crowd was enjoying itself. There was practically no sound leakage at street level, not even bass. You couldn’t even hear it from the parking lot. While the kids were enjoying themselves, you didn’t see many instances of intoxication, and the medical tent was mostly empty without the drug and alcohol issues everyone expects from a rave. This seemed tame and uneventful.

The next day, I saw all the Facebook activity. Most were surprisingly chill about the noise they could hear from home, while others had legitimate concerns. People have the right to peace and quiet, and Saturday night was a problem. Sunday night, the concert promoter deployed sound technicians to respond to complaints around San Pedro. Adjustments were made, and the sound was mitigated for most of our residents. A poll sent out by one of the neighborhood councils was meant to create a groundswell of complaints, but they found many of the respondents

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appreciated the adjustments and were impressed by the difference. It was also interesting to see the opinion differences from homes next to each other.

If my EarPods can have noise canceling technology, it’s no surprise that million-dollar sound equipment at the port can do the same. Was everyone happy? No. Will there be an adjustment period once the amphitheater is built?

Probably. But the fact that the music was louder on the festival grounds and quieter around town seemed like a great result on Sunday. The additional fact that it only took me seven minutes to get home when the event ended means my wife may forgive me for paying so much for tickets in the future once Nederlander brings talent with a much wider appeal. Visit nederlanderconcerts. com to see a sample of shows that could come to San Pedro in the future. spt

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ROTARY CLUB OF SAN PEDRO AT 100 Current members of the Rotary Club of San Pedro, photographed July 2022. (photo: John Mattera Photography)

A CENTURY OF SERVICE

THE ROTARY CLUB OF SAN PEDRO CELEBRATES ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY by Caroline Brady In September, the Rotary Club of San Pedro celebrates its 100th anniversary, marking a century of service, not only here in our community but throughout the world.

“We are proud of this milestone and the service we have provided in San Pedro over the years,” says attorney Anthony Vulin, who joined Rotary in 1980 and maintains a perfect attendance record at the club’s weekly meetings.

“Think about it — our club survived the Great Depression, World War II, Vietnam, the invention of computers, and so many changes in our society and culture. Yet we kept going, putting service above self, and promoting peace and fellowship.”

Despite its long tenure, mention “Rotary” and many still wonder what it’s all about. Isn’t Rotary just another one of those clubs for old white guys who get together to reminisce about their glory days?

Actually, no. First, a little history: Rotary started in 1905, when Chicago

attorney Paul Harris organized a group of his friends from different professions to foster friendship and the exchange of ideas. Less than 20 years later, Rotary had spread like wildfire to six continents. By the time Rotary arrived in San Pedro in 1922, more than 100 clubs had been chartered.

Today, Rotary International boasts 1.4 million members in 46,000 clubs worldwide. In 2021, Rotary Clubs invested $333 million in projects and 47 million volunteer hours. Rotarians work to solve some of our world’s most challenging problems — eradicating polio, providing safe drinking water, and promoting peace.

“You know, a lot of people like to wring their hands and say, ‘Well, what can I do about all the problems in the world?’ But small things done with love make a difference. That’s what I love about Rotary,” says Angie Boles, a retired nurse who just finished a year as club president.

During the pandemic, Rotary stepped

22 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I AUGUST 2022

up to help distribute food at the Boys and Girls Club. “Looking at the line of cars stretching down the street forever, it was kind of overwhelming,” Boles continues. “But you see the gratitude in people’s faces, and it makes you feel so good.”

The list of community projects San Pedro Rotarians accomplished over the last 100 years could fill a thick book.

Rotary passes out gifts to children at the YWCA’s Breakfast with Santa every year. In 2010, when Harbor Interfaith Services’ new building was under construction, Rotarian Bob Wolfenden turned his Auto Palace warehouse into a distribution center for Thanksgiving turkeys, Christmas hams, and gifts. San Pedro Rotarians have made hygiene packages for the men of Beacon House, care packages for soldiers overseas, and “Warm and Fuzzy” backpacks for foster kids taken into protective custody in the middle of the night. Rotarians have donated thousands of books to local schools and spent countless hours read-

ing to children. They’ve given blood, painted murals, and picked up hammers for Habitat for Humanity.

Rotarian Arlene Dickey spearheaded the Buddy Bench project at Fifteenth Street School after seeing a bench at Park Western Place Elementary School.

The bench provides a safe haven for kids who feel overwhelmed or bullied.

“It was a simple but brilliant idea, and now the benches are all over the L.A. school district and beyond,” Dickey shares. “That’s what Rotary can do — take a good idea and support it.”

Each month, Rotary recognizes students of the month and each year honors community heroes such as teachers, firefighters, and police officers. “Rotary was based on an exchange of ideas across vocations, so it’s important to us to honor the professionals whose hard work and dedication make our community tick,” says Leon Carroll, named San Pedro Rotarian of the year for his work recognizing students, overseeing the club’s scholarships, and creating a dia-

ROTARY CLUB OF SAN PEDRO 1922-2022 CONGRATULATIONS, ROTARY CLUB OF SAN PEDRO ON 100 YEARS! SERVICE ABOVE SELF Yolanda Valle-Perry & Wayne Perry

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE ROTARY CLUB OF SAN PEDRO 1922-2022 REMEMBERING Linda Klingner 7/23/1962 - 2/15/2022

Rotary Club of San Pedro Club President 2019 - 2020

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE

AUGUST 2022 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 23

logue between police and local youth.

Rotary also sponsors clubs for future Rotarians — Interact at the high school level and Rotaract for college students and young professionals.

During COVID, Interact students kept busy with cleanups at Cabrillo Beach and helped weed the Aquarium’s garden. “It meant a lot to these kids to stay active during the pandemic,” says Yolanda Valle-Perry, who served as youth services director for three years.

International service is a huge component of Rotary, and many club members have traveled all over the world to participate in projects — everything from delivering wheelchairs to assisting doctors with polio corrective surgeries or opening a kitchen in an orphanage.

Thanks to Rotary, club member Rica Viola has traveled to many destinations since 2008 — Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Peru, and Mexico.

“I want to be part of something bigger than myself,” Viola says. “It’s nice to go to those places, where you are hosted by other Rotarians who teach you about

their culture and make sure you’re taken care of while partnering with them on meaningful projects in their country.”

I first learned about the San Pedro club in 1991 when I wrote a story for the News-Pilot. Then-president Chuck Hanchett invited me to accompany the club to Tijuana, where the members built a one-room house for a family over the course of one day. I had my Rotary moment that day when I interviewed the mother, who was my age but already had six children. We all cried when we turned over the keys.

To keep Rotarians cohesive, fellowship is essential. In recent years, Rotarians have competed in cardboard boat races, raced go-carts, and made multiple trips to the Hollywood Bowl.

Then there’s the annual Mystery Trip, which challenges Rotarians to board a bus for a 12-hour odyssey without any idea where they’re going or what they’ll see. “We’ve been to an orchid farm in Carpinteria, the Caltech earthquake center, Greystone mansion in Beverly Hills, and watched a helicopter being

ROTARY CLUB OF SAN PEDRO 1922-2022 Thank you Rotary International for sending me on Exchanges to South Africa and Finland in my youth.

Happy 100th Birthday to the Rotary Club of San Pedro!

Dr. Thomas J. Norman President 2022-2023

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE 24 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I AUGUST 2022

Top: San Pedro Rotarians participating in their community reading program at San Pedro Library in 2016. Bottom: Preparing “Warm and Fuzzy” backpacks for foster kids in Feb. 2022. (photos: Rotary Club of San Pedro)

built right in front of our very eyes,” says Vulin, who planned the secret adventure for many years. “It’s a great way to get a behind-the-scenes look at things most people don’t see.”

For Valle-Perry, the weekly meetings keep her informed and challenged.

“That’s why I joined the Rotary — I never want to get old or set in my ways,” she said.

Although the meeting’s location has changed many times over the years, the club currently meets at 7:15 a.m. every Thursday at the Grand Annex. “Liz and Taran Schindler are both members, and we have supported the Warner Grand Theatre for years, so we are thrilled to meet here,” Valle-Perry says. Each meeting starts with breakfast and a welcome song, with members merrily clinking glasses for visitors. “Anyone who has been to a San Pedro meeting remembers that song,” says Cristian Amaya, an insurance agent who recently visited from his club in Wilmington.

As the San Pedro Rotary prepares for its celebration dinner in September, several members reflect on the club’s life-long influence on their lives. As

second-generation Rotarians, Steve Cole, David Martin, and Andrea Clark fondly remember their fathers attending club meetings. “I am so proud to carry on the tradition of community service started by my father, Andy Marincovich,” Clark says. “I can’t imagine my life or this community without the San Pedro Rotary Club.”

Tom Norman, this year’s club president, says if it wasn’t for Rotary, he never would have applied to Harvard.

“Rotary literally changed the trajectory of my life,” he shares, “and now I’m happy to give back.” spt Caroline Brady serves as executive director of Friends of Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. She has been a member of Rotary since 2000.

The Rotary Club of San Pedro’s Centennial Celebration will take place at 5:30 p.m., Sept. 10, at the Dalmatian-American Club (1639 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro). Event is open to the public. For tickets, go to sanpedrorotary.eventbrite.com.

ROTARY CLUB OF SAN PEDRO 1922-2022 JOIN US IN MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE! Rica Viola, 2012-2013 President Proud 25-year Member of the Rotary Club of San Pedro For more info: ricasanpedro5280@gmail.com

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE

Congratulations San Pedro Rotary & here’s to another 100 years!

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ROTARY CLUB OF SAN PEDRO AT 100

WHEN WOMEN COULD FINALLY JOIN HELENE PIZZINI RECALLS THE EARLY DAYS OF WOMEN JOINING THE CLUB San Pedro Rotarians serve meals at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro in Feb. 2021. Today, women make up one-third of San Pedro's Rotary membership.

by Helene Pizzini

(photo: Rotary Club of San Pedro)

When I joined the Rotary Club of San Pedro in 1991, I was not the first woman to be a member, but I was still one of only three (and one left shortly after I joined). When the very first woman was admitted, several men resigned in protest.

Women were not allowed to join Rotary until 1987. In an article by Carmela Raack (a dear friend and Rotary mentor), she outlined that in 1977, the Rotary Club of Duarte admitted two women, and Rotary International reacted by terminating the club’s charter.

The Duarte club renamed itself the Ex Rotary Club of Duarte and put a black “X” across its club banner. The club filed a suit, which went up to the U.S.

Supreme Court. In 1987, the court voted unanimously that Duarte could not discriminate against members because of gender.

Throughout Rotary’s history, women were allowed to attend meetings, give speeches, and receive awards but could not be members. Female relatives of Rotary members often formed groups called Rotary Anns. In San Pedro, they met at the YWCA. Esther Johnson of Santa Monica was the first female Rotarian in greater Los Angeles (and the world). Johnson was unaware of the significance of being the first female delegate to register for the 1987 Rotary International Convention in Munich, Germany. When she presented her registration papers, no one knew what to do. Finally, in 1989, Rotary International changed its bylaws to permit the admission of women.

I became a member for business reasons — so more people in the community (especially men) could become familiar with the great work of the YWCA of the Harbor Area, a womanled nonprofit of which I was executive director. Since then, Rotary has been a major part of my life as I embraced the Rotary motto: “Service Above Self.”

Along the way, Rotary and the YWCA became strong partners.

After I was inducted, I felt that many of the men in the club did not know how to relate to me, so they kept their polite distance. That seemed to change after I broke my ankle, and lots of the men saw that as an opportunity to “help me.” I had chairs pulled out for me and food brought to me, and that provided an easier road to companionship (if not equality).

In 1998, the late Juanita Chavez

became the first female president of the San Pedro club. I served as president in 2000 and then again in 2008.

Today, women comprise one-third of our Rotary members and hold leadership positions. We were instrumental in moving the club to do more “hands-on” work, locally and internationally.

Congratulations to all the women of Rotary. And thanks to the men for the actions they took to change Rotary.

Women have helped improve Rotary’s stature, encourage world peace and understanding, and alleviate suffering here and abroad. We are especially happy to announce the election of the first female Rotary International President, Jennifer Jones. Things have changed! spt

ROTARY CLUB OF SAN PEDRO 1922-2022 CONGRATULATIONS TO ROTARY CLUB OF SAN PEDRO ON YOUR CENTENNIAL! Remembering Tom Boles

President, Rotary Club of San Pedro, 2006-2007

Angie Boles

President, Rotary Club of San Pedro, 2021-2022

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE 26 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I AUGUST 2022

CONGRATULATIONS ON 100 YEARS OF BEING THE CHANGE! Arlene Dickey, President 2014-2015

ROTARY CLUB OF SAN PEDRO 1922-2022

ROTARY CLUB OF SAN PEDRO 1922-2022

PROUD TO BE A ROTARIAN SINCE 1977 Chuck Hanchett President, 1994-1995 & 2005-2006

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE ROTARY CLUB OF SAN PEDRO 1922-2022

CONGRATULATIONS, ROTARY CLUB OF SAN PEDRO! SO PROUD TO BE A SECOND-GENERATION SP ROTARIAN. Andrea Clark, E.A. Marincovich & Company Accountancy 302 W. 5th Street, Suite 305 San Pedro, California

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE

AUGUST 2022 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 27

ROTARY CLUB OF SAN PEDRO AT 100

(photos: Rotary Club of San Pedro)

ROTARY CLUB OF SAN PEDRO: A HISTORY provided by San Pedro Rotary Club

Founded in 1922, the Rotary Club of San Pedro held its first meetings at the long-demolished Robal Inn, a workingman’s hotel on Harbor Boulevard that catered to shipyard workers as well as unmarried schoolteachers. Mortician C. H. Cleveland served as the club’s first president and presided over its meetings.

San Pedro enjoys the notoriety of being the first club in all of Rotary to be organized in a territory controlled by another club — in this case, the Los Angeles Club, known as LA5 because it was the fifth club established.

San Pedro Rotarians argued that traveling more than 20 miles to a meeting downtown was too cumbersome.

The drive today is no easy feat, but imagine the effort of driving on rough roads (no freeways then) in a Model T. Donning “San Pedro” armbands, 23 members of the San Pedro club attended the district conference in San Francisco in 1923, which led Rotary to change its bylaws, allowing the club to be chartered.

Within four years, the club boasted 57 members and met at noon every Friday.

The goal of Rotary is to build better friendships among people from an array of professions. In those early days, members listed their professions as ice dealer, oil man, railroad freight agent, billiards, wholesale gravel, mining engineer, and dairying.

By 1956, the club had grown to 80 members and was meeting at the old YMCA on Beacon Street.

In the 1960s, the San Pedro Rotary moved to a newly built motor inn on Western Avenue named the Hacienda, designed by the renowned modernist architect, Richard Neutra. (Unfortunately, it no longer exists.)

At its peak, the San Pedro club grew to 120 members, with many of the older classifications being replaced by new ones, including urologist, car wash owner, pawn shop, and clergy, such as Methodist, Presbyterian, and Jewish.

The list of Rotary’s past presidents is a who’s who of San Pedro’s prominent families, including names like Rados, DiRocco, and Wall, among others, representing the fishing industry, engineering, banking, shipyards, and plumbing.

In 1999, the club honored John M. Olguin as Citizen of the 20th Century.

28 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I AUGUST 2022

Olguin was a beloved community pioneer who played a leading role in everything from whale watching to the community’s fireworks display to the annual turkey donations to the poor — all while serving as programs director at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium.

The Rotary Club of San Pedro has changed its meeting time and day as well as its location many times over the years, including the Elks Club, the DoubleTree and Crowne Plaza hotels, Ports O’ Call Restaurant, Think Café, Raffaello’s, and now, the Grand Annex event space.

Many things have remained constant over the years, including the Object of Rotary, which is to build better friendships through service; hold high ethical standards in business and recognize the worthiness of all occupations; apply the ideal of service in personal, business, and community life; and advance international understanding, goodwill, and peace.

Rotarians challenge themselves to live by “The Four-Way Test” of “the things we think, say or do: Is it truth?

Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it

be beneficial to all concerned?”

Long before karaoke, Rotarians were known for singing. At times, songbooks were distributed, and three or four songs were sung at each meeting. For now, the songbooks have been pushed aside, but Rotarians still welcome visitors with this song: We bid you a welcome, amigo To our club in San Pedro Where Rotary meets every Thursday In the house by harbor and bay Si, si, Si si We’re happy you’re with us today And when you go from San Pedro To your hometown next meeting We hope you’ll remember our greeting To the Rotary club down your way Si si Si si We’re happy you’re with us today! spt

ROTARY CLUB OF SAN PEDRO 1922-2022

CONGRATULATIONS ON 100 YEARS! Sanni Wehbe

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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE ROTARY CLUB OF SAN PEDRO 1922-2022 CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL PAST AND PRESENT ROTARIANS FOR MAKING OUR WORLD A BETTER PLACE. Anthony J. Vulin President, 1990-1991

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ROTARY CLUB OF SAN PEDRO AT 100

SERVICE ABOVE SELF

STUDENTS FIND INSPIRATION TO GIVE BACK THROUGH ROTARY

by Pablo Tellez, student Students from San Pedro's Rotaract youth program. (photos: Rotary Club of San Pedro)

The San Pedro community has helped me become the young adult I am today through its welcoming ambiance and great resources. For this reason, I tried to look for ways to give back to San Pedro in high school.

I was lucky enough to find the Interact Club at my school (Port of Los Angeles High School), which helped me become a leader in my community.

By participating in beach cleanups and volunteering at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, I realized how important it is to socially interact with other community members to improve our town.

30 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I AUGUST 2022

Furthermore, I had the privilege to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Assembly (RYLA) in Running Springs, Calif., where I spent the weekend meeting other high school students from all over L.A. County. The weekend was filled with individual and group personality profiles, team-building exercises, and inspirational speakers.

I am happy to say that my communication skills have grown

thanks to the RYLA experience, and I will be able to apply this experience to my upcoming college career. Programs such as Interact and RYLA encourage students to rise up and become role models for their community and beyond. I am thankful for these opportunities and hope to continue giving back to my loving community. spt

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AUGUST 2022 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 31

FOOD

EAT IN SAN PEDRO:

nutrients, there are collagen, probiotics, immunity, etc., and a variety of wellness shots. The flavored protein drinks are tasty and ideal for a post-workout boost or meal replacement.

In preparation for this article, I visited Rock’n Juice (2470 S. Western Ave.). I like that the menu lists the health benefits for each juice, smoothie, and shot option, which include energizing, pain relief, muscle pain relief,

by Sanam Lamborn inflammation, detox, and more. Juices are made upon ordering, and their consistency is different. Although the pulp is pulverized, their juices have a I am not one bit of body, making them filling. During to follow food my visit, I opted for Beet It (made with trends or buy beet, spinach, parsley, green apple, pear, juices in cartons carrot, lemon, and ginger), which is because they are anti-inflammatory and detoxing. I also high in sugar; tried the Twist’N’Shot (made with pinetruthfully, I apple, turmeric, and cinnamon), which have an affinis good for inflammation. It’s cinnamon ity for freshly forward and grainy; it definitively homemade ones. wakes the senses. My friend Lauren Consequently, I remained indifferent to Clockwise from top left: juices and smoothies from Vitality Smoothies, Rock'n Juice, Under Ramos, who came along for the tasting the rise of expensive juice and smoothie Pressure Nutrition, and NUDA Juice & Wellness. (photos: Sanam Lamborn) adventure, selected the Lem Zep (made shops. However, I have had somewhat with grapefruit, orange, apple, carrot, of a change of attitude lately. Last year, lemon, and ginger), which has immuimagination, but I feel the difference I had no idea what refreshers were for many reasons, my body felt slugnity and fat-burning benefits. with their juices. In particular, I have until I visited the family-owned Under gish, and after coming across a myriad Another place for bottled pressed Pressure Nutrition (111 N. Pacific of articles about the benefits of juicing, noticed that when I drink their Antijuices is NUDA Juice & Wellness Inflammatory Pressed Juice (made with Ave.) after seeing their Instagram I decided to try it. I spent hours shopShop (407 W. 6th St.). My usual go-to pineapple, green apple, spinach, cuposts. Co-owner Christian Ibarra, who ping, washing, chopping, juicing, and here is the Sunshine Shower made with runs the front counter, has a wealth bottling for a three-day cleanse supply. I cumber, celery, lemon, and ginger) and pineapple, apple, kale, lemon, ginger, went in skeptical and came out hungry, Turmeric Ginger Bang shot (made with of knowledge and helps you select the and mint. I have also had the individual right drink for your needs. Refreshers a couple of pounds lighter, less bloated, carrot, lemon, ginger, turmeric, and fresh ginger and turmeric shots for imcayenne) in the days leading up to a are flavored black or green tea-based and with zero desire to ever do this munity boost benefits. Sometimes the flight, I don’t experience swelling. I also drinks, but here they are served with a again. bottles don’t enlist the type of juice, but find that my body responds well to the splash of aloe vera and a B12 tablet. The a few are available in the display fridge When Vitality Smoothie (28901 S. Western Ave.) first opened, the owners Classic Beet Juice (made with red beet, various low caloric flavor options have under the register. spt health benefits because they are rich in invited me for a complimentary tasting orange, kale, and cucumber) because it is anti-inflammatory, and beets are antioxidants and boost energy, digesand played a role in my change of atSanam Lamborn created the tion, and brain function. I can attest titude. Early on, the bottled press juices excellent for your health. Their juices’ Eat in San Pedro Facebook group consistency is like water as they are that I feel the increase in energy and and wellness shots menu caught my and Instagram account in April pulpless. They taste really good, even mental stamina after drinking them. eye. In light of my juicing adventures, 2020 to entice people to patronize though the combination of the ingredi- I particularly like the Mango Tango I was drawn to the anti-inflammatory San Pedro’s eateries. ents may sound clashing. and Chile Mango flavors. For added options. Initially, I thought it was my

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FITNESS

MOTIVATION IS OVERRATED

by Ricky Magana

Have you ever had that friend?

The one who’s the life of the party.

They’re the weekend wingman (or woman) who never fails to bring the laughs and shenanigans. Some of your best memories (and bad decisions) are from the countless nights you spent with this particular partner in crime. But while you could always call them for a good time, you could also count on them to ghost you in the moments when you didn’t need a drinking buddy but a helping hand.

As soon as life gets inconvenient — a loved one rushed to the hospital, your car breaks down, you need help moving — suddenly, it’s crickets. Always there for a good time but nowhere to be found when it really counts. A true fairweather friend.

Conversely, we all seem to have the other friend who isn’t the life of the party. They’re not even at the party. But they’re the ones you call at 2 a.m. when you’ve had a few too many at said party. And they always answer.

They’re in the waiting room with you at the hospital. They bring the spare tire. And they will help you move the couch up three flights of stairs.

In fitness, a very similar dynamic exists. Ask anyone who struggles in their quest to get in shape, and nine out of ten times, they’ll tell you they struggle due to a lack of motivation. They want to work out, but they also want to sit on the couch. They want the salad, but the cheeseburger looks so good. So, they choose the thing they feel like having in the moment only to feel guilty about it later. The thinking goes: If I could just get motivated, I’d feel like doing the thing I’m supposed to do.

So motivation becomes the holy grail they and many others seek as the key to attaining their fitness goals. They chase this peak mental state as a necessary precondition for doing the actions required to get fit and healthy. But motivation is the fair-weather friend of health and fitness. It’s a feeling you have little control over and can’t count on to show up.

We might be able to summon some hoo-rah by watching Rocky or listen34 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I AUGUST 2022

ing to some carefully curated workout playlist, but let’s face it, some days the amped-up feelings just don’t come.

Fortunately, motivation is not necessary to achieve your goals. It’s completely overrated, and the flawed belief that you need it is a huge handicap holding most people back.

You don’t need motivation; what you need is something much more powerful: discipline.

Motivation is fleeting. It comes and goes. Discipline is always there. And while the emotion of motivation is something you have little control over, discipline is a muscle that, over time, you can develop. And when you’ve developed discipline, you can bypass motivation entirely. So the question is, how do you become more disciplined?

Change your expectations. The first step to becoming more disciplined is to understand you do not need to feel like doing something before doing it. Make peace with the fact that you will not feel like doing it most of the time. Do it anyway. Expect the ebb and flow of feelings but do not be swayed by them.

Practice discomfort. Make friends with inconvenience. Look for opportunities to do difficult, uncomfortable, and inconvenient things. Don’t use the elevator, take a cold shower, or read a difficult book. Start small but make it a habit. The more you park yourself into a state of discomfort, the more comfortable you will be with it. Over time you will get accustomed to doing things even when you don’t want to do them and, in turn, become more disciplined.

Embrace failures and setbacks. A muscle only grows when it’s trained to or near failure. To grow in discipline, you must fail. You’re going to hit snooze. You’re going to eat the cheeseburger. You’re going to drop the ball over and over again. Acknowledge this fact ahead of time and save yourself the pity party. Welcome setbacks as a necessary progression towards self-discipline and make the commitment that you will laugh it off and try again.

There you have it, do the thing before you feel like doing the thing, and good things will happen. spt Ricky Magana is co-owner of Heyday Elite Fitness. For more info, visit heydaytraining.com.

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MENTAL HEALTH

How much can be written about trauma?

After all, trauma is the weather that shapes us. For better or worse, it is through pain and suffering that we learn what we are made of. And yet, we are in need of a hopeful perspective, a valuable and humanistic discussion toward healing rather than a dry, clinical account.

Popular psychology pages are filled with graphs and bullet points about trauma. Anger, impulsivity, substance abuse, nightmares, flashbacks, startle response, depression, and anxiety are some of the familiar symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).

It should also be noted that trauma can be passed down from generation to generation, pre- and postnatally.

Traumatized people usually have high stress hormones which genetically carry over to our children, their children, and so on. Trauma causes neurobiological changes that, in some cases, are irreversible. However, we must not forget that healing and learning are also an inevitable eventuality. We collectively carry traumas of our ancestors in our genes, and our bodies keep scores of these traumas, which in turn can guide us toward survival. We would not be here if our reptilian responses, instincts, gut feelings, and such did not deter us away from danger. The current rise in violence must be studied,

trigger is present, trauma is activated, causing a fight-flight-freeze response in which we no longer can stay connected to ourselves and reality. We are simply (photo: Rodnae Productions/Pexels) reliving the nightmare while being disassociated from the present. Native American shamans use a particular ceremony that demonstrates this collective healing. A victim is placed in the center of many circles, starting with the closest circle of people and extending into

by Sophie Schoenfeld, MFT the community. The “soul” is invited back into the body through chanting and movement, and healing is complete. understood, and deeply contemplated The first sign of a traumatized nation In spiritual language, the trauma freeze so we can design a different future and is an angry populace. The second sign is associated with spiritual hijacking. change the course of our trajectory. is epidemics of addiction and neurosis.

We must look at this as a collective And the third, but not least, is a feeling Interestingly, the ceremony activates an eye movement sequence similar to the process of evolution — we as a speof helplessness and a sense of despair. cies are responsible and compelled to Yet despite this vortex of doom, Georgia current EMDR trauma treatment and eye movement during REM sleep, showmake sense of things that pain us. was able to reform, rebuild, and heal Being an immigrant in the early ‘90s, itself in a window of less than a decade. ing that our bodies are designed to heal.

Healing cannot happen in a vacuum.

I was just one tiny shard of millions Collective effort is an essential When children hurt themselves, they that landed all across the world when component of healing. It can be much are compelled to share the story repeatthe mighty Soviet Union finally fell. My harder to fix one person than to fix edly to process the experience. We need homeland, Georgia, a small fragment of many because many create a powerour friends and family to hear us when this colossal collapse, found itself spiral- ful momentum, and trauma requires we are struggling. These massacres ing out of control in the whirlwind of momentum to launch toward healing. cannot be healed as isolated incidents. political, economic, and social mayhem Disfunction, however pervasive, is which ensued for over a decade. I found ultimately degenerative. It is unsustain- They must be incorporated into our collective narrative so the pain becomes myself growing up in a violent world, able and, therefore, against one core a universal experience that serves as where shootings and knifings were a value of life: survival. At some point, the impetus for change. Trauma is daily occurrence amongst teens, as well the disfunction — when experienced pain; pain seeks relief through conas adults. Civil wars raging in different on a broad scale — serves as the igninection, and connection heals. spt parts of the country, political unrest, tion for this powerful momentum. coups, and corruption plagued and Trauma causes a sort of freeze mode stagnated the youth and the country. in our nervous system. While our daily Sophie Schoenfeld, MFT is a local We became not just a collection of a experiences are filed and date-stamped marriage and family therapist. For hundred or even a thousand traumain our memory banks, trauma memories more info, visit sophiemft.com. tized people but a traumatized nation. are frozen in our bodies. Each time a

FIGHT, FLIGHT, FREEZE: THE TRUTH ABOUT TRAUMA

36 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I AUGUST 2022

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AUGUST 2022 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 37

THE BACK PAGE

BRING BACK THE TASTE: August 5, 2007 - The crowd at the once-popular Taste in San Pedro food and music event at Point Fermin Park. (photo: Joshua Stecker)

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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

Providence Little Company of Mary Recovery Center 1386 West 7th Street, Building C San Pedro, CA 90732

Mental health and addiction issues can devastate a family. At Providence, we’re offering help and hope.

For assistance and immediate intervention, call our Behavioral Health intake line at 310-514-5480.

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