San Pedro Today - September 2023

PLUS: • CELEBRATING LOCAL CENTENARIANS

• SAN PEDRO ON FILM AT THE WARNER GRAND • NAMING THE MEL BOBICH GYMNASIUM • EAT IN SAN PEDRO: MOSTACCIOLI • SP ARTS: GALLERY AZUL • SEPTEMBER EVENTS & MUCH MORE!

GRIDIRON GLORY

OUR 2023 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW, FEATURING THE DEBUT OF SPHS GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL

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very little space cited to confirm Grand Theatre.

Our friend, Amanda Silva (host of the Hello San Pedro podcast), and I are cohosting the event, which we’re describing as a “tour of San Pedro through the eyes of Hollywood.”

It will be a fun evening discussing, dissecting, and watching clips from notable films, TV shows, and commercials filmed in town. We’ll also provide an update on the San Pedro Heritage Museum and honor our dear friend, Angela “Romee” Romero, the museum’s founder who passed away in April 2022. The day of the event, Sept. 16, would’ve been Angela’s 45th birthday.

Please check out the story on page 10 with all the specific details. I hope to see you at the event.

Also, I want to thank our resident sportswriter, Jamaal K. Street, and photographer, John Mattera, for helping put together this month’s prep football preview, which includes San Pedro High School’s inaugural girls flag football team. It looks like another exciting prep sports season is upon us. We wish all three teams — San Pedro and Mary Star football, and SPHS girls flag football — successful seasons.

Look for increased coverage of San Pedro’s prep sports circuit when our new and improved website debuts in the coming weeks.

Lastly, we’re looking for a few talented folks to join the San Pedro Today team. We’re looking to fill the following positions: advertising sales representative and audio/video editor. We’re also always looking to add more local freelance journalists wishing to cover our town.

Keep an eye on our Instagram and Facebook pages (@sanpedrotoday) for a more official announcement later this month. In the meantime, if you’re interested, email your resume to contact@ sanpedrotoday.com.

Thanks for reading. Until next month... spt

Joshua Stecker is the publisher/ editor-in-chief of San Pedro Today Letters to the Editor can be emailed to contact@sanpedrotoday.com.

SEPTEMBER 2023

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/ART DIRECTOR

Joshua J. Stecker

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Lori Garrett

PRODUCTION

Joseph A. Castañeda

AT-LARGE CONTRIBUTORS

Mike Harper, Peter Hazdovac, Linda Grimes, Sanam Lamborn, Mike Lansing, Steve Marconi, Jennifer Marquez, Nadia Nizetich, Sophie Schoenfeld, Amber Sheikh, Jamaal K. Street, Lee Williams

PHOTOGRAPHER

John Mattera Photography

CONTACT INFO: Phone: (424) 224-9063 Email: contact@sanpedrotoday.com

San Pedro Today

P.O. Box 1168 San Pedro, CA 90733

ADVERTISING:

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. 20,000 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 20092023, Empire22 Media LLC.

Check out the latest news at sanpedrotoday.com.

VOLUME 15 | NUMBER 8

ON THE COVER: 2023 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW (clockwise from l): Shalia Coleman (SPHS FF), Adrian Aldama (SPHS), Santiago Martinez (MS), Luka Mardesich (SPHS), Lexi Lopez (SPHS FF), and Sebastian Espindola (MS, sitting).

(photo: John Mattera Photography)

Every Friday – SAN PEDRO FARMERS MARKET (396 W. 6th St., corner of 6th and Mesa), 11a-3p. – New location! 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. 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 urban farm, opens its downtown garden space every Tuesday, Friday, and First Thursday evenings. Organic produce is for sale at the San Pedro Farmers Market (corner of 6th and Mesa) on Fridays 11a-3p. Come share nature’s bounty and beauty as we grow vegetables, flowers, and community. Get your hands in the dirt as a volunteer, get expert advice, or just relax. For more info, visit feedandbefed.org.

2 (Sat) – LIGHT AT THE LIGHTHOUSE ‘LIVING STONES’ FESTIVAL at Point Fermin Park (807 W. Paseo Del Mar) 10a-6p. Stages for all ages! The popular faith-based music festival returns to Point Fermin for its 19th year. Festival features several notable Southern California faith-based bands and choirs, including the popular reggae band Christafari. Gen Z stage features young bands, rap groups, and competitions staged by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Youth stage includes performances by Rob Watkins & his Duck, several youth dance groups, and activities like face-painting, crafts, and a drum circle. FREE admission. For more info, visit lightatthelighthouse.org. See story page 10.

7 (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.

9 (Sat) – PICKLE WITH A P at The Grand Annex (434 W. 6th St.), 8p. –Pickle, LA’s premier live singing drag queen and host, is all set to dazzle San Pedro audiences with her highlyanticipated live cabaret performance. Pickle’s captivating show promises an extraordinary evening filled with laughs and a diverse repertoire of show tunes, pop, and jazz. Accompanied by a talented live band with nine instruments, including piano, violin, guitar, bass, drums, sax, trumpet, trombone, and cello, Pickle's combination of music and comedy is not to be missed. Produced in part by lamove.com. For tickets and more info, visit grandvision.org/event/pickle-with-a-p.

9 (Sat) – TASTE BY THE SEA, ANNUAL BEER AND WINE TASTE at the Point Fermin Lighthouse (807 W. Paseo del Mar), 2-5p. – Support your historic 1874 landmark for an afternoon of enjoying great beers, wines, appetizers, silent auction, and opportunity drawings. Be entertained by some great music from Carla D and the B Side and even lighthouse games! Limited attendance, so reservations are a MUST by Sept. 7. Payments may be made at lighthouse before or pay at the gate (cash only). Members $40; non-members $45. Adults 21 and older only. Parking across the street. Be prepared for possible windy weather. For reservations, email events@pflhs. org with name and number in party.

16 (Sat) – SAN PEDRO HERITAGE MUSEUM PRESENTS: SAN PEDRO ON FILM at the Warner Grand Theatre (478 W. 6th St.), 7:30p. –Take a tour of San Pedro through the eyes of Hollywood!

Enjoy a live talk event at the historic Warner Grand Theatre showcasing the port town’s recurring role as a backdrop in decades of Hollywood film and television productions. The evening, co-hosted by Joshua Stecker (San Pedro Today) and Amanda Silva (Hello San Pedro podcast), will feature several local filming locations with clips, commentary, historical fun facts, and anecdotes pertaining to each spot. General admission $20; VIP $40 (includes t-shirt). For tickets and more info, visit grandvision.org. See story page 10.

20 & 23 (Wed & Sat) – PECK PARK CANYON HIKES at Peck Park (560 N. Western Ave.), 9a. – Exercise walks are led on the third Wednesday of each month at 9a and last 1 to 1½ hours. Nature walks are led on the fourth Saturday of each month at 9a. All walks leave from the trailhead in the lower parking lot at Peck Park.

23 (Sat) – INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP DAY at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park (5970 Palos Verdes Drive South, RPV), 9a-12p. – Join in with the Los Serenos de Point Vicente Docents and the PV community for the annual International Coastal Cleanup Day. Bring your friends and family to clean up Abalone Cove. Gloves and trash bags will be provided, or bring your favorite trash bucket and trash picker. Trail down to the beach will be moderate to strenuous. Please wear sturdy shoes, as part of the walk will be on cobblestones. We host this event in affiliation with Heal the Bay. Please note that this event will be postponed if there is rain. Abalone Cove parking is extremely limited. Carpooling/ride-sharing is highly recommended. Parking fee is waived for event participants. For more info, visit losserenos.org/ or call (310) 544-5260 (PVIC Front Desk) or (310) 544-5366 (Abalone Cove Toll Station).

26 & 28 (Tues & Thurs)

– POINT

FERMIN LIGHTHOUSE NEW VOLUNTEER TRAINING at Point Fermin Lighthouse (807 Paseo del Mar), 10:30a12:30p. – The Point Fermin Lighthouse is a wonderful community treasure and place to volunteer. Interested in welcoming visitors to the site and sharing its rich history? Getting your hands dirty working in its lovely gardens (no experience needed)? Working as a gift store salesperson? Helping with fundraising events? Assisting with cleaning archival items in the lighthouse? Helping with events for the 150th birthday celebration next year? If you are looking for an opportunity to serve your community, make new friends in a beautiful setting, and to continue the preservation of this historic treasure, please join us for a two-session New Volunteer Training event on Tuesday, September 26 and Thursday, September 28 from 10:30a to 12:30p. Why not invite a friend or neighbor to join you?

Attendance confirmation required by texting your name to (310) 293-8000 or calling the lighthouse at (310) 241-0684.

30 (Sat) – SAN PEDRO BAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL WINE AND BEER TASTE at the Muller House Museum (1542 S. Beacon St.), 3-6p. – Enjoy a relaxing afternoon overlooking the waterfront and sampling fine wines, local craft beers, and tasty hors d’oeuvres, plus bidding on exciting silent auction items. All proceeds benefit the SPBHS work to preserve the history of San Pedro. SPBHS members $25; non-members $30. Ages 21 and over. For more info, call (310) 365-8873 or email sanpedrohistory@gmail.com. spt

Events deadline for October 2023 is Friday, September 15. Email events@sanpedrotoday.com to place a listing. Find more events at sanpedrotoday.com.

SPOTLIGHT

News & Notes | compiled by SPT Staff

LIGHT AT THE LIGHTHOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL RETURNS TO POINT

FERMIN PARK

Light at the Lighthouse, a free family festival featuring faith-based Christian music and entertainment, returns to Point Fermin Park for its 19th year on Saturday, September 2, after a brief pandemic-related hiatus.

The festival, which takes place at and around the Point Fermin Park stage, will feature several notable Southern California faith-based bands and choirs, including the popular reggae band, Christafari, who have performed in 85 nations, all 50 states, and released over 100 music videos.

“Our festival theme this year is ‘Living Stones,’” says Dr. Bill Fleury, founder and director of the Light at the Lighthouse. “The Apostle Peter referred to Jesus as the ‘Living Stone’ and to His followers as ‘living stones, being built into a spiritual house.’ To me, this embodies the spirit of San Pedrans, who work together and support each other. One stone by itself can’t do much, but many stones together can build a great cathedral.”

The festival also features a Gen Z stage featuring young bands, rap groups, and competitions staged by Fellowship of Christian Athletes. There’s also a youth stage, which includes performances by Rob Watkins & his Duck, several youth dance groups, and activities like face-painting, crafts, and a drum circle.

The day will also include several guest speakers, including Dr. Dan Pinkston and international missionary, Mark Geppert.

Light at the Lighthouse “Living Stones” Festival is Saturday, September 2, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Point Fermin Park (807 W. Paseo Del Mar). For more info, visit lightatthelighthouse.org. spt

VOTED SOUTH BAY’S FAVORITE 2022

LISTEN TO YOU

SAN PEDRO HERITAGE MUSEUM'S ‘SAN PEDRO ON FILM’ LIVE TALK EXPLORES TOWN’S RELATIONSHIP WITH HOLLYWOOD & HONORS LATE FOUNDER ANGELA ROMERO

Have you ever seen a movie, TV show, or commercial and said, “Hey, isn’t that in San Pedro?” It probably was. San Pedro has had a long history with Hollywood that goes back to the silent film era and continues to this day.

On Saturday, September 16, the San Pedro Heritage Museum will present San Pedro on Film, a live talk event at the historic Warner Grand Theatre (478 W. 6th St.) showcasing the port town’s recurring role as a backdrop in decades of Hollywood film and television productions. The 7:30 p.m. live talk will feature clips from notable films, television shows, and commercials, spanning the town’s long history as a popular filming location.

The evening, co-hosted by Joshua Stecker (SPHM president and San Pedro Today publisher) and Amanda Silva (host, Hello San Pedro podcast), will be presented as a “tour of San Pedro through the eyes of Hollywood” featuring several local filming locations with clips, commentary, historical fun facts, and anecdotes pertaining to each spot.

The evening will also include a live interview with special guest Kris Bunting, a local film location manager. He will discuss his experience bringing productions to San Pedro and why it’s such a popular filming location.

San Pedro on Film falls on the 45th birthday of the late Angela “Romee” Romero, a beloved local historian, San Pedro Today columnist, and selfdescribed “Pedro nerd” who founded the San Pedro Heritage Museum in 2018 with the mission to identify, preserve, and promote the unique history and culture of San Pedro. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit is raising funds to someday house its collections of artifacts, photos, and ephemera in a brick-and-mortar museum space, programming a series of pop-up events in the meantime. The organization is relaunching after a hiatus following the passing of Romero and former Board Treasurer Margaret Sullivan in April 2022.

San Pedro on Film starts at 7:30 p.m. General admission is $20. VIP tickets (that include a special edition tshirt) are $40. Tickets can be purchased through the Grand Vision Foundation box office at grandvision.org or (310) 833-4813. Raffle tickets will be available on-site for an assortment of prizes. Proceeds from tickets, merchandise, and raffle sales will benefit the San Pedro Heritage Museum. spt

Angela Romero. (photo: John Mattera Photography)

A scene from The Big Lebowski (1998) shot at Sunken City.

HARBOR COLLEGE HOF BACK ON TRACK

The ceremony returns after a three-year hiatus

by Steve Marconi

It’s been a rough year and a half for the Harbor College Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, of which I am a member.

Three colleagues have died: Nonagenarians Mickey Teora and Joe Marino and, quite unexpectedly, Peter Bostic, 68, who was also a stalwart member of the Harbor Foundation. Their deaths came on top of postponing the annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the third year in a row due to the pandemic and the school unceremoniously ending its football program in 2022 after 71 seasons.

The good news is the Hall of Fame returns this year, its 14th, with another stellar lineup that will be inducted September 30 at the Dalmatian-American Club in San Pedro.

The 11 inductees in alphabetical order:

Shawnae Campbell (Lawndale High): Pitcher led Harbor College softball team to its first-ever playoff appearance in 2011 as a freshman, and as a sophomore won 24 games and was first-team all-conference. An all-star at Lane College, she’s now Harbor’s softball coach.

Stuart Horn (Gardena High): Two-

sport letterman in baseball and football (and not related to HOF teammate Don), Horn was MVP of Harbor’s Hall of Fame 1964 football team that was 9-0. He started at wide receiver and defensive back in 1963 and 1964, making second team all-conference on defense both years.

Carey Lundstrom (Downey High): Lettered on the Seahawks’ 1990 Hall of Fame baseball team that won the state championship. Lundstrom returned to earn first team All-American honors in 1991 as the conference’s pitcher of the year. He was 12-0 and had six saves with a 1.63 ERA.

Joey Miller (San Pedro High): Another letterman on the 1990 baseball team as a freshman, Miller, forced to miss the next season after a motorcycle accident, returned in 1992 to star in the outfield with a .397 average, stealing 44 bases in 46 attempts in 43 games.

Clarence Palmer (Manual Arts): Starred in track and football in 1967-68. In track, as a freshman, Palmer set the school record in the 440, then was part of the record-setting 440-yard relay team. In football, he was a two-time first team all-conference defensive back and, as a sophomore in 1968, also earned second team all-conference at running back after setting the school rushing record with 730 yards with a 6.1 average and eight touchdowns.

Cameron Ngaue-Stephenson (Haw-

thorne High): As a freshman in 2002, Ngaue-Stephenson was All-State at defensive tackle. He had 11 sacks, forced 13 fumbles, and blocked seven field goal attempts. He suffered a season-ending injury in the 2003 opener and received a scholarship to Rutgers, where he started on both offense and defense and earned All-Big East honors in 2006. Drafted by Pittsburgh in 2007, Ngaue-Stephenson spent four seasons in the NFL.

George Swade: After a successful career as head football coach at Bishop Montgomery High, Swade came to Harbor in 1978 and, in three separate stints as head coach, compiled a record of 57-45-1. That included back-toback conference titles in 1981-82 and a bowl championship in 1981. Swade returned in 2009 after a 12-year layoff to cap his coaching career with a 9-1 record. He died in November 2022 at age 89.

Nick Van Lue (Carson High): An all-star baseball player in high school, Van Lue spent five years in the minor leagues after graduating in 1965. He joined Jim O’Brien’s coaching staff at Harbor in 1978 and helped lead two Seahawks Hall of Fame teams to state titles in 1978 and 1984. After ten years at Harbor, he was named head coach at Narbonne High, led the Gauchos to a City title, and was later head coach at El Camino College.

Rodney Van Lue (Carson High): The Van Lues become the first siblings in Harbor’s Hall of Fame. Rodney, like his brother, was a standout in high school. He was 11-4 for the Seahawks as a freshman pitcher on the 1976 state runner-up team and second team all-

ference in 1977 while going 10-3.

Peter Navy Tuiasosopo (San Pedro High): The Pirates’ star started at defensive tackle for Coach George Swade in 1982-83, earning a scholarship to play at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. When his pro football dreams ended, he became an actor and has had roles in film and television for the past 30 years. When not acting, he is a group home counselor, teaches and coaches at high school, and was the announcer for Harbor football for five years.

John White (South Torrance High): Broke virtually every school rushing record in his two years at Harbor (2009-10). Set career marks with 2,527 yards, 34 rushing TDs, 41 total TDs, 248 points, 3,767 all-purpose yards, and single-season marks of 18 rushing TDs, 25 total TDs, 152 points, and 2,056 all-purpose yards. That earned him conference player of the year honors and a scholarship to Utah, where he set two-year rushing records and was MVP in the 2011 Sun Bowl. He signed with the Canadian Football League in 2013 and was an All-Star in 2014. Injuries cut short his career after 2021.

The event starts at 5 p.m. Tickets, which are tax-deductible, are $75 for adults, and $45 for children (8-under), with proceeds benefiting Harbor students. The deadline for purchase is September 15. To obtain tickets, visit lahcseahawk.hometownticketing.com/ embed/event/65 or visit lahc.edu/about/ foundation/hall-of-fame. spt

Steve Marconi can be reached at

Joey Miller.

by Jennifer Marquez

San Pedro resident Bronwyn Bunnell has an advantage as a first-year teacher. She was raised by parents who both teach for Los Angeles Unified School District, and teaching has been in her life since she was born. Landing a job at the same school as her mom, Jenna Martin Bunnell, has been a very positive experience. (The school does not often have teaching openings.) For the Bunnels, it was perfect timing when a job opened up just as Bronwyn had finished her schooling.

Jenna, a third-grade teacher at 186th Street Elementary in Gardena, would bring her young son and daughter Bronwyn into the classroom every year while she set up her room in the summer. They would play in their playpen in the middle of the room as she decorated and unboxed her supplies.

As Bronwyn was growing up, she would continue to volunteer in her mom’s classroom. While attending UC Santa Barbara, she would spend a month at the end of summer with her mom helping at 186th Street since she started college in late September. Jenna, a positive and energetic teacher, has been teaching for 35 years, mostly at 186th Street. She had tried to get a teaching position in San Pedro at the beginning of her career but did not have seniority so found herself in Gardena and has not looked back.

“186th Street School is a very supportive environment. Teachers look out for each other across all grade levels,” says Jenna. “Now the staff at the school who watched my daughter grow up are helping my daughter as she starts her first year as a fourth-grade teacher.”

“My mom just loves her students. I learned so much from watching her,” says Bronwyn. “She has fun with the kids, and they feel supported so they behave. How many people get to watch their mom as a role model in their chosen career?”

Jenna, who comes from a family that has been in San Pedro for generations, explains that for teachers, the first year

can be the most challenging. There are many things to learn from classroom management, lesson plans, how to take attendance, and even how to use the copy machine. Extra staff to support new teachers are often not available, and often many quit. She is happy to be able to assist her daughter as she starts her teaching career.

Bronwyn adds, “I know I am in a very unusual situation. I grew up hearing what was like a second language, teacher talk, making the transition to teaching familiar. Staff at the school, who I have known since I was young, now are leaving boxes of supplies at my classroom door looking out for me in many ways.”

While teacher training, Bronwyn kept her students active, sometimes doing jumping jacks or running a lap to break up the day. Like her mom, she does not want the kids sitting at their desks all day. A runner who did track and field at San Pedro High School, UCSB, and Long Beach State, Bronwyn’s high-energy, upbeat style is similar to her mom’s teaching approach.

With Jenna teaching third grade and Bronwyn teaching fourth grade, some students will have Jenna one year as a teacher and her daughter the next. Bronwyn has been preparing for this moment for years, collecting supplies, many items upcycled from other teachers, some of whom are retiring. She completed her first project with DonorsChoose, a fundraising platform for teachers, and raised money for the supplies she still needed for her classroom at this Title 1 school.

“I have never been in charge of my own classroom, the captain of my own ship,” Bronwyn says as she starts her teaching career. Both mom and daughter agree it is going to be a great year.

spt

THE MARATHON MAN

It’s time to name the Mel Bobich Gymnasium

by Mike Lansing

Over the course of a lifetime, we all have encountered those rare individuals who have committed themselves over years and decades to improve the lives of others without attempting to secure any financial or any other personal gain or attention.

For me, the “Marathon Man” was one of those special few, and I was most fortunate to see him in action up close and personal over so many years before he passed away not so long ago. His name — Mel Bobich.

While I knew Mel previously, I truly got to know him when the two of us — along with Joe Marino, Dave Legacki, Alice Sandoval, and Ray Vaudo — banded together in 1987 to establish a volunteer nonprofit called the San Pedro Youth Coalition. We had all been active in local youth athletics and were tired of battling the lack of youth athletic facilities in our San Pedro community. Over the years, the Youth Coalition engaged in additional youthrelated efforts. It became an advocacy group and sponsor for many other youth needs and opportunities besides sports, including starting our monthly

youth advocacy newsletter called Youth Times. We also sponsored free daily tutoring at the San Pedro Library and other free annual youth events open to all young people, including a track meet, an annual talent show at San Pedro High School, poetry and short story contests at the library, and the popular “Future Leaders of San Pedro” recognition dinner. All these efforts and events were great, but the issue that initially brought us together and continued to be our priority was finding additional youth recreational facilities in our community so children could play, compete, and grow without baseball and soccer teams having to battle over practice space. (At one point, the lack of space was so great that when I had baseball practices at Peck Park, I would often give batting helmets to the soccer team attempting to practice right next to us — true story.)

While I was the impatient and too-often-confrontational advocate as the initial president of the coalition and writer/editor of the Youth Times, Mel was my advisor and often took me to task over articles I would write and public positions and statements I would make. He constantly advised and sometimes lectured me on the value of patience, consistent advocacy, and less confrontational statements as the

components needed to accomplish our larger goals of securing much-needed athletic and recreational facilities in our community. He had played the long game previously and successfully even before the Youth Coalition was established as the lead and sometimes sole force in getting the City of Los Angeles to build the gymnasium at then Friendship Park (now Bogdanovich). So, while I was the president, Mel was our indisputable leader on any of our efforts to secure additional facilities for our kids, as he had already successfully battled the city bureaucracy to get that nowBogdanovich gymnasium publicly funded and built.

Getting a gym built at Peck Park became our coalition’s most important effort over the decades, and of course, Mel was our leader and key strategist. Eventually, we would get the extremely large and essential Field of Dreams established for youth soccer. We also secured open space on 22nd Street, where the oil tanks used to be, and we were major advocates for Eastview Little League to be established on Knoll Hill. But Peck Park in the 1990s had no gym and was the largest youth recreational program in our city. Getting that funded and established was a major coup, and Mel Bobich is the one person who made it happen. He coordinated between City Councilman Rudy Svorinich and the Recreation & Parks Department to ensure the gym was funded and built, leading dozens of strategy meetings and

city discussions with many individuals and departments over many years. Mel would not be deterred nor give up when confronted with numerous bureaucratic roadblocks over so many years — and the Peck Park gym was finally established.

I gave Mel the title “The Marathon Man” when I spoke at his rosary a few years ago. I explained to the audience what I knew to be obvious — that Mel taught us all that strategic planning and perseverance, no matter how long it took, was why he was so successful as an advocate and why the Peck Park gymnasium (and several other facilities) was finally established. He truly deserves to have the gym he built renamed the Mel Bobich Gymnasium. If you agree, please contact Councilman Tim McOsker’s office, as they are looking for additional advocates for this renaming.

The Marathon Man was my friend and mentor, but more importantly, he was a lifetime friend of our community and especially our youth and truly deserves this public recognition. Mel was the epitome of patience and determination, but three-plus decades after he waged a gentleman’s war on the bureaucracy is long enough — even for the Marathon Man. spt

Mike Lansing is the executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor.

Mel Bobich.

WHY YOU SHOULD START USING MYLA311

App handles more than 50 city service requests

by Lee Williams

The City of Los Angeles has built a system to respond to non-emergency community and public health concerns and track them until completed.

The mayor’s and city council offices use these reports to help decide where to deploy resources. The most common reports are graffiti removal, pothole repair, and bulky item pickup, but many other things can be reported and tracked through the system.

You can also report homeless encampments, sound complaints, dead animal removal, parking enforcement, and more. The MyLA311 application currently offers over 50 service-request types, which various City departments, including the Bureau of Street Services, Bureau of Street Lighting, and LA Sanitation, fulfill.

The time it takes for the various offices and departments to respond can vary widely from department to department. However, the more separate requests for similar services grouped in San Pedro, the easier it is for these services to become priorities that bring more resources to address them at once. For example, many windows have been hit with acid that etches the glass with graffiti. Because polishing the glass and removing the damage is a very specialized service, having several storefronts report damage at the same time makes it easier for the City to deploy a team to clean up the windows all at once.

There’s no limit to how many requests an individual can make using the MyLA311 app, and if that issue has been previously reported, the app will let you know. So, with the example of etched glass, it would be great if people who had the time could drive around San Pedro reporting acid etched/graphited glass at some of our storefronts.

GAP services (Gang Alternatives Program) has offered to help repair the glass and remove the graffiti; they just need community help to identify all the locations.

Reporting a few issues at once or consistently using the system saves taxpayers money because it allows the various departments to deploy resources more effectively. My biggest pet peeve

is illegal dumping. The City will come by and pick up your items for free and let you know when they can get them. You will even get an update on your app that will let you know when the ticket has been completed. Or you can make requests anonymously by simply not submitting your info. Either way, the City will pick up bulky items, metal/ household appliances, and electrical waste from your home. There is no need for people to dump their items elsewhere. Please report any illegal dumping.

Another service I use on the MyLA311 app is tree trimming and picking up palm fronds. In the last big storm, hundreds of downed palm fronds blocked my street entirely. I used the app, included some photos of the piles my neighbors and I made to get them out of the streets, and they were gone in under a week. That storm left the whole city to deal with downed fronds, but the ones that get reported, especially with multiple reports with nearby locations, the quicker we get them removed. If you file a report and feel like it is taking too long to complete, reach out to Council District 15’s office with your service request number, and they will help make it a priority as well.

There are several ways to use the 311 service. The MyLA311 app (available for Android and iPhone) is, by far, the best. You can include photos, receive updates, and be notified when your request is completed. You can also call 311 on a cell phone or (213) 473-3231 on a landline during their service hours.

Lastly, a website — myla311.lacity.org — allows you to make reports and see all of the other service requests you can file through the system. Like any City service, the more it gets used, the more resources can come our way. I hope you check it out and keep it in mind when you want to report a non-emergency issue you would like the City to address.

spt

Lee Williams leads The Lee Williams Real Estate Group at REAL Broker and is a Los Angeles Harbor Commissioner. He can be reached at lee@lamove.com.

As school begins, the San Pedro prep sports circuit starts rolling. This year, San Pedro High is hoping for another undefeated regular season, while Mary Star is poised to improve off of last year with a new head coach in Eugene Childs. The inaugural season of girls flag football at SPHS, led by coach Victor Tuberosi, adds even more excitement. Here’s our preview of the upcoming prep football season.

SAN PEDRO HIGH SCHOOL

Last year, the Pirates’ first season under new Head Coach Corey Walsh provided just the third perfect 10-0 regular season in program history, which was capped off by a hard-fought, 14-7 victory over Harbor Area neighbor Banning of Wilmington for the outright Marine League championship, a night that saw Walsh get doused by his players with the proverbial Gatorade shower in the final seconds of the night.

Two weeks later, their hopes of another run to a CIF-Los Angeles City Section Open Division championship, much less a second straight berth in the title game itself, was doused in heartbreak when, as the top seed of the Division, the Pirates were on the wrong end of a 38-31 quarterfinal overtime loss to No. 8 Eagle Rock, deemed by many as

GRIDIRON GLORY

OUR 2023 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW, FEATURING THE DEBUT OF SPHS GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL

by Jamaal K. Street

one of the greatest upsets in CIF-LACS football playoff history.

A younger, more vibrant Pirates team will be out to prove that what happened in 2022 will not be a foreshadowing of things to come.

The Pirates get the opportunity to redeem themselves against Eagle Rock in a nonleague encounter against the host Eagles on Friday, September 15, the most circled game outside of the Marine League on their calendar in a nonleague slate that also has road games at South Gate and Dymally of Los Angeles. They have three intersectional encounters at Lawndale and Desert Chapel, along with their lone home game of the trio against Torrance on September 1.

How will San Pedro (10-1 in 2022) handle a schedule where they only have three games at the friendly confines

of Mike Walsh Pirate Stadium? Having both quarterbacks return certainly helps.

Junior Marcus Jeronymo and senior Santiago Rivera both showed flashes of becoming the official starter throughout last season. Still, it was a tag-team approach that worked very well for San Pedro that both saw them engineer drives by themselves, or even enter in alternate plays in the same drive. Jeronymo threw for the most touchdowns between the two, while Rivera ran for more.

The offensive line designated to protect Jeronymo and Rivera returns two starters, senior Ephraim Miller and junior Dominic Estrada. Keep a close eye on 6’6”, 320-pound junior offensive guard/tackle Frankie Rivera, someone who can create holes for the running

backs — and time for the quarterbacks to go to work.

Returning All-Marine League junior running back Pete Eneliko also returns, and if he stays healthy, is primed for a potential 1,000-yard, 15-touchdown kind of season. Eneliko runs hard on every play and is tough to bring down on first contact.

At the wide receiver position, Jeronymo and Rivera have many options.

Senior WR/DB Robert Marnani, junior Dylan Rubino, and senior WR/ LB Luka Mardesich are key returners, but watch out for incoming sophomores Isaiyah Banks and Elias Mitchell, as both are deep ball threats. Mitchell also threw down an in-game slam dunk for the Marine League champion junior varsity boys basketball team this past early winter.

Defensively last season, San Pedro was stout, holding three of the four league teams to seven points or fewer, including a 14-0 league shutout win over Carson. Some notable returners on defense include Mardesich, junior WR/DB Anthony Estrada, and senior linebacker Edgar Lomeli.

Another key element to any football team is the kicking game. Enter Marnani to fill those roles, as he once again will be the team’s most reliable point producer for PATs and field goals.

PEDRO POWER (clockwise from l): Shalia Coleman (SPHS FF), Adrian Aldama (SPHS), Santiago Martinez (MS), Luka Mardesich (SPHS), Lexi Lopez (SPHS FF), and Sebastian Espindola (MS, sitting). (photo: John Mattera Photography)

PREMIER PIRATES (l to r): Dylan Rubino, Pete Eneliko, Ephraim Miller, Robert Marnani, Adrian Aldama, and Luka Mardesich. (photo: John Mattera Photography)

In a tight 3-0 road victory at Torrance, Marnani was the only scoring source, booting a 35-yard field goal with over nine minutes to play.

San Pedro officially opens their 2023 campaign at South Gate High School on Friday, August 25.

MARY STAR HIGH SCHOOL

Mary Star of the Sea High football enters a new season with a new coach for the third consecutive season.

Enter Eugene Childs as he debuts as the Stars’ head man. He comes into the 2023 season with a team eager to return to CIF-Southern Section postseason play for the first time in four years.

Last year, the Stars showed plenty of potential, finishing 5-5 overall, 3-3 within the Camino Real League, but narrowly missed the CIF-SS Division 14 playoffs despite their fourth-place finish.

Once again, the Stars find themselves back in the same league for another season as they will play the likes of Salesian of Los Angeles, St. Monica Prep of Santa Monica, Don Bosco Tech of Rosemead, Bishop Montgomery of Torrance, Harvard-Westlake of Studio City, Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary in Montebello, and Verbum Dei of Los Angeles for one of the three guaranteed

playoff spots.

Mary Star will be paced by multi-position athlete senior returning all-league QB/WR/DB Santiago Martinez, who will once again assume the starting role under center after playing most of last season offensively as a big-play receiver.

Other key players to watch out for include junior defensive end Marcus Baccari, junior WR/DB Jarren David, senior WR/DB Aubrey Hunter, junior C/DT Max Marinkovich, and senior RB/ DB Sebastian Espindola.

Also returning for the Stars is junior RB/DB Luke Fajardo, who doubles up as a guard on the boys basketball team, and junior RB/MLB Jordan Barber.

With seven league games in place, Mary Star’s first three games of the year are all nonleague, starting with their season opener on Thursday, August 17, at La Salle of Pasadena. The Stars also take on Crean Lutheran of Irvine on the road on August 25 and their home opener against visiting El Segundo on September 1.

Mary Star’s four league games at home are against Salesian, Bishop Montgomery, Harvard-Westlake, and St. Monica. They will also travel for their other league games against Bosco Tech, Cantwell Sacred Heart, and Verbum Dei.

For the first time in its three years with home-field advantage on their Taper Avenue campus, all five home games will be played under Friday night lights at 7 p.m., a very exciting time for

Stars football and sports fans alike.

SPHS GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL

It’s a new day for San Pedro High School with the arrival of a new sanctioned sport by the California Interscholastic Federation — flag football.

The Pirates are among 54 CIF-Los Angeles City Section schools to field a girls flag football team for the inaugural 2023 season. For a school that has won close to 70 CIF-LACS titles in its history, entering into this new venture is an exciting challenge. Flag football is also a sport that seems tailor-made for San Pedro’s first girls flag football coach, Victor Tuberosi.

Coming over from a successful 10year run as the girls basketball coach at nearby Mary Star, where, under his leadership, they produced three league titles and a 2021 CIF-Southern Section Division 4-AA championship, Tuberosi looks to bring his flag football coaching expertise to a school that has won six CIF-LACS titles in 11-man football.

For the inaugural season, San Pedro competes in the Marine League, except the league is mixed with some Western League schools in Fairfax of Los Angeles, Hamilton of Los Angeles, University of Los Angeles, Los Angeles CES, and Westchester, alongside

usual league foe Narbonne of Harbor City, playing all these opposing schools twice. Rounding out the schedules are three intersectional South Bay battles with Palos Verdes, West Torrance, and their inaugural opener on September 6 at Redondo Union.

On September 15, San Pedro girls flag football will also battle against host Eagle Rock at 5:15 p.m., right before the football showdown at 7 p.m. Tuberosi will be going for a twoquarterback approach with sophomores Jenna Ortega, a softball pitcher, and Madison Adrid, a member of the 2023 CIF-LACS Division 2 girls basketball team, which also brings in two more to flag football in two All-City guards, senior WR/RB Shalia Coleman and fellow senior WR/RB Noelani Raigans.

Also looking to do some damage in producing some touchdowns at wide receiver is another senior, Nicole Castaneda, who is also a Marine League champion girls soccer midfielder. The newest on the scene is freshman Lexi Lopez, a travel softball pitcher.

San Pedro’s first two flag football games at Mike Walsh Pirate Stadium are on September 11, the Marine League doubleheader opener against Narbonne at 3 p.m. and University at 5 p.m. spt

MARY STAR STANDOUTS (l to r): Santiago Martinez, Aubrey Hunter, Sebastian Espindola, Jarren David, Marcus Baccari, and Max Marinkovich. (photo: John Mattera Photography)

SPHS GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL: (back row, l to r) Shalia Coleman, Magdalena Mariscal, Giuliana Sutrin, Logan Bader, Lexi Lopez; (front row, l to r) Madison Adrid, Noelani Raigans, Coach Victor Tuberosi, Jenna Ortega, and Nicole Castaneda. (photo: John Mattera Photography)

One hundred years ago, three girls found themselves in various corners of the world.

“I remember when they were building the Golden Gate Bridge,” says Rosemarie Carlisle. “The day it opened, my girlfriends and I were one of the first people to walk over it.”

Toni Banks was in Manila, and she recalls her childhood best friend. “I remember playing sports with my friend Nina, whose father was the ambassador to Spain. We went everywhere together.”

And in New York City, a teenage Annette Warren Smith was getting her big break with jazz pianist Phil Moore. “He said he had 15 minutes for me to play piano at 8 o’clock. I played Chopin, and I was there until midnight.”

A century later, the women are now neighbors at Harbor Terrace Retirement Community in San Pedro, having lived long and storied lives. Rosemarie, 101, would go on to raise four children with her husband, whom she met during World War II, all of whom she proudly put through college and now have children of their own.

Meanwhile, Toni, 102, weathered the occupation of the Philippines during the war before eloping with an American sailor to San Pedro, where she raised a family while managing the cafeteria at South Shores Elementary School.

And Annette, 101, would go on to become an accomplished vocalist, dubbing Hollywood stars like Lucille Ball and Ava Gardner.

With so many experiences, we sat

AGING GRACEFULLY

by Nadia Nizetich

down with the three in August to see if we could learn what they had to teach about life, longevity, and more. Here’s what they told us.

ON HEALTH & LONGEVITY

When it comes to the secret to longevity, it turns out there’s no correct answer.

“I eat the wrong things: white rice, white bread, and pasta. And I don’t have a diet,” says Toni, adding that she never eats vegetables. “I eat what I feel like eating, and if I don’t like it, I don’t eat it.” Though she kept a garden throughout her life and exercises daily, she’s taken a relaxed approach to health, one that Annette contradicts.

“My mother was very interested in nutrition, and she was a distributor for a vitamin company,” she explains. “She would say, ‘Here honey, eat this, it’ll keep you young. I took a lot of supplements.” Rosemarie is more of a middle ground — in her opinion, the secret to a long life is simply luck and wisdom. “I was lucky enough to have the sense to listen to my doctors,” she says. “That, and good genes.”

ON HARDSHIP

Regarding life’s challenges, the women emphasize the importance of staying positive, although Toni admits it hasn’t always been easy. During World War II, she was working as a volunteer nurse in the Philippines when her appendix ruptured. She underwent emergency surgery without anesthesia — and at one point, the surgeons had

to stop halfway through the operation to take shelter from bombings. “That and having to leave our house many years ago was the only stress I had,” says Toni. “Today, I think positively and always try to be kind to everybody.”

Annette, who spent many years teaching meditation in addition to singing, feels the same. “I don’t recognize stress. I was always interested in meditating and everything that keeps you stress-free, so I practiced them.” She believes a positive mindset, even in challenging situations, is essential to a happy life. “Laughter is the most alive and loving thing you can do — and I laugh a lot!” she says, laughing, of course. “I see the humor in almost everything.”

ON LIFE

When asked for her greatest life advice, Toni again cites positivity. “People need to be positive, never be negative. And if you see someone, you need to have compassion for that person.”

Rosemarie strikes a similar tone. “You must be good to each other, stop fighting, and hold your temper,” she says. “And be determined. Make up your mind and stick with it.”

Reflecting on her career, Annette stresses that manifesting your goals — meaning seeing yourself already having achieved them, even if you haven’t — is critical in reaching them. She describes how she took that advice herself after seeing a casting call to dub Ava Gardner in Showboat. “I was in the kitchen reading the paper, and I put my coffee

cup down and said, ‘That’s my job,’” she recalls. “I really believed it. I believed it, and I got it.”

Despite a storied career, Annette considers her greatest achievement to be her marriage to jazz pianist Paul Smith, which lasted for over 50 years. When asked what made it work, her answer is simple. “Approach each other with love,” she says. “When things get tough — and they will — always make the loving choice.”

ON WHAT IT ALL MEANS

Director of Resident Services at Harbor Terrace Judith Diamond, has known Annette, Toni, and Rosemarie for years, and she’s excellent at making sense of what their advice means.

“I think what we can learn from them is that there isn’t one picture of what 100 [years old] looks like,” she says. “First, you have Toni; she’ll just sit there and laugh. And then Annette, who’d never even hurt a fly – she’s such a sweet soul. And then you have Rose, who’s feisty. She just goes out and does it.”

Judith believes that one of the greatest lessons the trio has to teach goes beyond health, longevity, and love. “Lots of times, we dismiss people because they are older. If you ever run into someone that’s gotten that far, sit down with them,” says Judith. “They’re excited to tell you their story, and if you just take the time to talk, you’ll see that they have such amazing things to say.” spt

Three San Pedro centenarians offer words on life, longevity, and a century of wisdom

CENTENARIANS (l to r): Rosemarie Carlisle (101), Annette Warren Smith (101), Toni Banks (102). (photos: John Mattera Photography)

by Sanam Lamborn

The first time I saw mostaccioli on the Dalmatian-American Club’s buffet menu, I assumed it was the Southern Italian cacao and spicesbased Christmas cookie because of my Italian upbringing. Imagine my perplexity when it turned out to be pasta with meat sauce.

I didn’t think much about it or wonder how an Italian-sounding dish found its way on a Croatian buffet until my editor suggested I write about mostaccioli. This left me more perplexed than the scenario above because, at the time, I questioned the relevance of writing about penne pasta served with meat sauce.

Although I started talking to folks about mostaccioli and tasting the various options around town months ago, I postponed writing this article because it remained directionless. However, everything changed after a conversation with Michelle Petrich, whose daughter Marina Petrich noticed the absence of mostaccioli on menus during a recent visit to Croatia. This piece of information sparked extensive research encompassing articles, online forums, consulting Croatian cookbooks and the Around the World, Around Our Town series available at our San Pedro

library, and surveying people around town — which allowed me to understand why mostaccioli is so beloved.

I discovered that some people simply call the shape of the pasta — smooth, long pointy tubes — mostaccioli. Others call the whole dish — pasta and meat sauce — mostaccioli. Nevertheless, mostaccioli-shaped pasta is only served with meat sauce. What I knew going in is that a type of pasta named mostaccioli does not exist in Italy. However, in the U.S., Barilla and a few other companies sell a version of the smooth pasta. Penne pasta has always been a convenient substitute.

I began with one hypothesis: Mostaccioli is a Croatian-American dish. This turned out to be true — to a certain extent. A commonality among the Croatian residents I surveyed for this article was that they grew up eating mostaccioli every Sunday and holidays. The Sunday family meal was a popular tradition amongst the first generation of immigrants but seems to have lost its way for subsequent generations (late baby boomers and beyond) who, at best, make mostaccioli once a month. Still, it remains a staple for holiday meals. Nevertheless, mostaccioli is a cherished dish in the Croatian-American community, one that is often associated with large bubbling pots on the stove, nostalgic memories of a nonna or baka (“grandmother,” depending on regionality) lovingly cooking while the aroma filled the home.

None of the cookbooks I consulted include the word, much less a recipe for, mostaccioli; the closest is a pot roast and spaghetti sauce recipe submitted by Dolores Lisica in the 1986 edition of Around the World, Around Our Town Nonetheless, mostaccioli is made by simmering onions, garlic, tomato sauce, and the cook’s preferred meat. Some add wine for a richer flavor. Some only use ground beef, while others add beef chunks or short ribs that, once cooked, are shredded and added back into the sauce. Depending on the cook’s preferences, veal, pork, and lamb are options.

The first homemade mostaccioli dishes I tried were made by Zeb’s Kitchen’s professional chef Josetta Spychaj and Mrs. Spicy Cro. Spychaj’s recipe is passed down from her nonna, who owned the Fishermen’s Cove in Terminal Island, which many cannery workers frequented. Her recipe is made with 80/20 ground beef or brisket on special occasions. Mrs. Spicy Cro only uses ground lean top sirloin from South Shores Meat Shop. She adds butter at the end for added moisture and flavor and a good amount of parmesan cheese.

Bridget Mirkovich-Smith believes the sauce should have “a rich, salty meat flavor base, rather than a sweet tomato flavor.” Maryann Berkovich says, “What makes a good sauce is a lot of onions, parsley, basil, and a little red wine.”

Kathy Creighton tells me mostaccioli, also referred to as gravy, is “brown and

actually has very little tomato sauce.” Additionally, her nonna used to cut the acidity of the tomatoes with a bit of cinnamon.

Most Croatian Americans prefer homemade mostaccioli because it tastes better. If they venture out, it’s during events at the Croatian American Club (631 W. 9th St.) or the DalmatianAmerican Club (1639 S. Palos Verdes St.). San Pedro Café (605 S. Pacific Ave.) is the only Croatian-owned restaurant in town that has mostaccioli permanently on the menu. The Croatian American Club’s version is deep brown with a generous amount of ground beef, and you can tell it has had a long simmer. It’s the greasiest I have had, but it’s all good flavor. San Pedro Café’s has a deep red color and shredded spare ribs, which add a welcome depth of flavor. It’s then finished off with fresh parsley and parmesan cheese.

Does mostaccioli exist in Croatia? I have received mixed responses. It gets better. In my research, I came across two plot twists that require a part two to this article: Italian Americans also have mostaccioli; so do Midwesterners, but their version is baked, while the Croatian American and Italian American versions are not. Stay tuned! spt 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.

A SAN PEDRO STAPLE (l to r): Mostaccioli dishes from San Pedro Café, the Croatian American Club, and Zeb's Kitchen. (photos: Sanam Lamborn)

CREATIVITY, CULTURE, & COMMUNITY

Celebrating Hispanic History Month with Gallery Azul

by Linda Grimes

have influenced and contributed to the Arts District by featuring Hispanic artists in Gallery Azul and through their own work.

administrative leadership in 2013. Ray is the principal of HArts Academy, a visual and performing arts high school in Harbor City. He’s been exhibiting his art in various galleries for about 18 years.

Cora met Ray at CSU Dominguez Hills in a painting class in the fall of 1998. She had graduated but needed one more unit, so she chose an oil painting class. Cora remembers feeling bothered because she was trying to focus, but he grew on her.

gallery. Harmony grew up in a creative environment around artists. We always had art supplies on hand, and from the moment Harmony could hold a brush, the painting and creativity began. In high school, Harmony went in a totally different direction by running cross country and [training] to complete the LA Marathon. As for art, it was always part of their identity.”

This month, I’m highlighting Hispanic Heritage Month, an annual celebration (Sept. 15 to Oct.15) of the history and culture of the U.S. Latino and Hispanic communities, by featuring two married artists, Ray Vasquez and Cora RamirezVasquez. Their presence in the San Pedro community epitomizes how they

Cora has a private practice and works as a psychotherapist. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, a board-certified, registered art therapist, and she obtained a doctorate in clinical psychology while serving as the board chair of the Arts District. Cora has been exhibiting in art shows in the Los Angeles area for the past 20 years.

Ray has been working for LAUSD for 27 years. He spent 18 years in the classroom teaching drawing, painting, stage design, AP art studio, and mural classes. He received his master’s degree in

“I would hear him talk to other classmates about his kids, and I thought he had kids, so I was not interested. Once I found out he was a teacher and they were not his actual kids, I changed my mind. One of the biggest reasons I knew he was the one was because he was genuine.”

Ray recalls, “The art studio at CSUDH was big, and Cora always painted in the same spot, which happened to be on the opposite side of the room from where I painted. Cora was always focused on her work, but it did not stop me from approaching her and asking her about her process. She finally agreed to take a break and get a cup of coffee with me.”

DISCOVERING SAN PEDRO

Cora was a frequent visitor to San Pedro when she was in college. “I loved the art scene back then, and when Ray and I were dating, we would come to San Pedro during the ArtWalk. We went to Angels Gate’s live model class as a date night to practice our life drawing skills. We moved to San Pedro in August 2006 when our child Harmony was four. Our first place was in the Art Deco building on Pacific and 8th, where we started Gallery Azul. We like the small-town feel and the diversity in the community. Above all, we love the people we’ve met [here].”

Now in their early 20s, Harmony has also grown up to be an artist. When asked how they encouraged Harmony to pursue art, Cora explains, “The biggest influence was growing up with artist parents who own an art

Ray notes, “Harmony has always been very observant and curious. They paid very close attention to everything Cora and I did. As a result, we had to be very aware of our behaviors.”

Cora and Ray believe arts districts beautify the community while promoting its art and culture. Cora explains, “Our environments most certainly influence us. An arts district inspires creativity, a feeling of pride, and is aesthetically pleasing. We hope San Pedro will continue to be mindful of the community’s artisans and keep the arts as part of San Pedro’s identity alive and thriving. As gallery owners, we make sure artists have a platform to exhibit and remind the community of our heritage, diversity, and cultural identities. This is why I am a San Pedro Waterfront Arts District board member. I agree with the vision to support, advocate, and promote arts of all genres.” spt

Gallery Azul is located at 520 W. 8th Street and will be a stop on the First Thursday, September 7, Guided ArtWalk Tour. For tickets and more information, visit: SanPedroWaterfrontArtsDistrict. com.

Linda Grimes is a retired sales and marketing geek with a passion for art, design, and creative placemaking. She serves as the executive director of the San Pedro Waterfront Arts District and can be reached at 55lindagrimes@gmail.com.

CORRECTION to last month’s column — Carla Rojas found Encore South Bay; another group of passionate theatre devotees originally founded it. We regret the error.

“To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with.”

— Mark Twain

Ray Vasquez and Cora Ramirez-Vasquez, owners of Gallery Azul. (photo: courtesy Vasquez family)

STRONG ADVOCATES

For Bobbie Lynn, accepting help led her to the Inside Safe program

by Amber Sheikh

A daughter, a mother, a Navy veteran, and a Hello Kitty enthusiast, Bobbie Lynn is every woman — and her own woman. She has also been homeless off and on for the past 11 years. Triggered by the death of her second husband, she has struggled to stabilize her life since his passing.

After spending eight years living on and off in one of our largest local encampments, she was placed in the tiny home village in Harbor City two years ago. After two years, and even though all her paperwork had been submitted for permanent housing, no further action was being taken to get her transitioned into a place of her own. Luckily, Bobbie heard about the Inside Safe program and decided to participate. Here’s Bobbie’s story.

Where did you grow up?

I was a local kid. We lived in Torrance. I went to Fern, Madrona, and then Torrance High.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I really wanted to be a social worker, but thought I could maybe do something in the medical field. I liked the idea of being able to help people.

What circumstances led to you becoming homeless?

(310) 732-0036

My second husband died about 11 years ago. We were married for 16 years. I tried to stay in our place but wasn’t able to manage the rent. I started to sleep outside the apartment building. With every passing day, living on the street became more of a reality.

While living in a local encampment, I got pregnant with my fourth child. I landed in jail. That whole experience was long-lasting anguish. I had an emergency c-section while in jail, and it all went horribly wrong. There were several complications during and after he was born, many of which we are still dealing with today.

My son has been living with my parents, and I’m thankful for their help and support every day, but I want to have my son living with me, and I can’t until I find permanent housing. My parents are getting older, and my son needs extra support because of health problems. Being housed means getting my son back permanently. Every time I see him, he asks, “Mom, when can I come live with you?”

How would you describe the feeling of homelessness to someone who has never had that experience?

Lonely. So much happens to you and around you, and you just can’t find a way out.

In your experience, what’s the most significant change on a large level that needs to happen?

People. People who put words to action. I met Shari Weaver with Harbor

Interfaith about eight years ago. She’s looked out for me, helped me figure out what I need to get housed. I haven’t always been willing to accept the help, but she never stopped caring.

Lila (currently with the City of Redondo Beach) and Gina (formerly with Harbor Interfaith) are also amazing humans. They brought me food, other things I might need. They made sure all my paperwork was in order and ready when housing was available. They told me about the new Inside Safe program, and I decided to participate. I knew I would lose all of my stuff, but if it meant getting a place where I could bring my son, then it would be worth it.

We need more case workers, better communication, more people working together. It’s really frustrating, and we aren’t always in the best position to make things happen for ourselves. We need someone who understands the systems to be our advocate.

What is something we all can do to help?

Don’t treat us like we’re not human. We’re already struggling, then officials come around and throw our stuff out in the name of trying to keep the area “clean,” and it just breaks our spirit. Even if the area is [already] clean, it seems like they find a reason to “clean” the area, like they are laughing at us.

Most of us are survivors; we can adapt to pretty much anything. We’ve had to. We just wish more people would work with us rather than against us. It’s already a struggle to

live when you have nothing. The few things we do manage to keep [give] us hope that one day, we will have a home of our own where we can keep it all.

Advocates. Working with the unhoused, I’ve seen the difference a strong advocate can make in the lives of our homeless neighbors.

Last month, a dear friend contacted me after seeing a young man experiencing homelessness at the beach. She brought him some food and checked on him. She reached out to find local resources to check on him. She treated him respectfully and led with compassion and curiosity rather than judgment — pretty powerful stuff.

I’ll use this space today to thank Shari, Lila, Gina, and all of the official and unofficial advocates for being our superheroes. For doing what others cannot or will not. For going beyond every day and giving us hope that each of us has the capacity to improve conditions for one person, bit by bit.

I encourage anyone who wants to get more involved — or simply stay updated on this work in our community — to reach out to Harbor Connects, info@harborconnects.org, to stay in the loop. spt

Amber Sheikh is a San Pedro resident, mother of two, community advocate, and owner of Sheikh/ Impact, a nonprofit consulting firm. She has nearly two decades of experience working in and with organizations solving homelessness and income inequality.

• Accelerates Healing: Light therapy increases blood flow. Energy from the light stimulates collagen, enzymes, DNA and RNA to facilitate healing.

• Pain relief: Light therapy has an inhibitory effect on peripheral nerves to decrease pain.

• Safe: Approved by FDA in 2002. This non-invasive treatment has no side effects. It can be used on sprains, strains, back pain, carpal tunnel, peripheral neuropathy, wounds, plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, and joint pain.

Bobbie Lynn. (photo: Tammy Khan)

Dr. Ja’nae Brown Dr. Maile Bay Jacques

Dr. Daisuke Saiki Dr. Geovanni Sandoval

FREEDOM IS JUST ANOTHER WORD

Exploring the contrast between freedom and conformity

by Sophie Schoenfeld, MFT

In the words of Alice Walker, “No person is your friend (or kin) who demands your silence or denies your right to grow.”

But what if that “friend” is your own mind? We want to live in a free world and fight for what we call a free world. Yet freedom is a complex idea, and its cultivation is an internal process laden with risk and discomfort.

Freedom is a holy word for any true American. It is the womb in which its very essence has been conceived, and yet, are we truly free? If we were to consciously practice freedom, where would we begin? Being a social animal entails a certain level of conformity. We have institutionalized conformity through standardized public education, corporate protocols, judicial systems, and many other rules of engagement that structure our civilization. Buddha says, “No one outside ourselves can rule us inwardly. When we know this, we become free.” Yet the majority of people are plagued by what others think of them. Hence, if freedom begins within, we must ask ourselves: Are we freethinking?

Recently, I was listening to a podcast

that discussed the issue of freedom in the context of social media. There, an interviewer had confessed that he had made a comment about something which, in his mind, was his own, only to realize later that he had made a verbatim quote of a meme he had read on social media.

How many thoughts and ideas that we take for our own are inserted without us even knowing? Minds are susceptible to influence. If this were not true, advertising would be a useless endeavor. In fact, minds are molded from the moment we are born by our parents and then systematically whipped into shape and conditioned by all external influences in our culture. In short, we are a product of our environment.

To what extent we are susceptible to conditioning depends on many variables, from trauma to temperament and genetics. But the most effective tool of restricting freedom is fear. Unfortunately, fear-inducing narratives are also most interesting to human beings. We like hearing horror stories, whether they are imagined or real. As a survival instinct, it behooves us to remember scary stories as cautionary tales.

However, scary stories also lead us into voluntary abdication of our freedoms, and in so doing, we not only acquiesce to conditioned existence,

but we become mentally subordinate. This mental subordinance is achieved more insidiously when the source of bondage is not an externalized personification, such as a villain or a corrupt ruler against which one might revolt, but instead, a faceless system that we voluntarily elect as a collective.

Signs of internal bondage and subordinance manifest in various characteristics within individuals, some of which are welcomed and celebrated in society, such as people-pleasing and law obedience. Everyone likes friendly and considerate people. Underneath these traits, however, lies an internal torment of overthinking, anxiety, self-doubt, need for control, and judgments that thwart curiosity and exploration. When external pressure surpasses an individual’s capacity to withstand it, these symptoms of internalized fear begin to inhibit freedom of thought and block creativity and our ability to connect to our true selves. Inside such bondage, there is no true love, only a masquerade of submission in the name of safety. Freedom entails a level of responsibility without which it can quickly descend into chaos. Therefore, there is no such thing as institutionalized freedom; hence, we cannot rely on any external system to secure it. Whenever freedom is exercised, it is through the cour-

age and passion of an individual with the internal vision to transcend these systems.

In most cases, the internal hold of the system over an individual is so strong that often, people who dare to venture beyond such boundaries are sociopathic. That is not to say that all free agents are sociopaths, but it takes a certain level of confidence to launch a flight. Balancing an existence on the edge of freedom and conformity is no easy task. To be a social animal is to relate with others in harmony. Achievement of such relative harmony entails inherent limitations. It is within the confines of its framework that we find balance with fellow men and safety in belonging. It can be lonely and scary up there in the vastness of what we call freedom. A free world only exists inside a free mind; it is a labor of heroic courage and tremendous responsibility. Even in the “free world,” masses consent to faceless bondage in exchange for security, and only the chosen fly on the wings of madness, some never returning.

“Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead.” –

Charles Bukowski spt

Sophie Schoenfeld, MFT is a local marriage and family therapist. For more info, visit sophiemft.com.

George A. Van Buren, EA, MBA

(photo: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels)

HOMEOWNERS

INSURANCE: A GUIDE

Why coverage has become more challenging to obtain in California

by Mike Harper & Peter Hazdovac

Insurance,

Someone once said, “Paying for insurance stinks until you need it,” which couldn’t be more accurate. Obtaining homeowners coverage has become increasingly difficult for Californians, so we thought offering some general guidance for buyers seeking coverage in a competitive housing market would be helpful.

Earlier this year, several major carriers, including State Farm, Allstate, and AIG, announced that they would no longer offer new policies to homeowners in California, citing “headwinds brought on by catastrophic weather events, inflation, and challenging economic conditions.” One senior property and casualty insurance strategy manager stated, “Insurance companies need to remain profitable enough to comply with state law and to pay out the claims of their existing customers, but this has proven to be increasingly difficult in recent years due to wildfire losses and other factors.”

This doesn’t mean you still can’t obtain insurance; it only means you should be more proactive in your approach to securing coverage, especially if you’re entering or already in a real estate transaction. Based on our online research, it appears numerous companies continue to offer coverage in California. You may ask, “Why do I need homeowners insurance, and what does it cover?” If you’re purchasing or already own a home with a mortgage attached to it, the lender will most likely require that you have an insurance policy in place or provide proof of coverage before funding a loan when purchasing a home. Although California doesn’t require homeowners insurance by law, we believe it is important to secure coverage even if you don’t have a loan and own your home outright.

Homeowners insurance typically covers your dwelling, other structures

on your property, personal property, personal liability, medical payments to others, and loss of use costs. A policy generally doesn’t cover damage caused by earthquakes, floods, mold, earth movement, and wear and tear. This is only a general overview. Each carrier and coverage can vary, so it’s always important to read the fine print and ask questions so you fully understand what your policy covers.

In the past, it was easier to obtain coverage, so buyers would often wait to secure a policy until after all contingencies were removed and just prior to closing. This is not something we recommend any longer. Insurability is one of the several contingencies that allow a buyer to back out of a transaction if they cannot secure coverage. In the highly competitive market we have experienced locally over the last several years, many buyers are reducing their inspection contingency periods from 17 days (as stated in the CA Residential Purchase Agreement) to 10 days and under. In some cases, qualified buyers are removing many of their contingencies to give them a competitive advantage over other buyers in multiple-offer scenarios.

As agents who represent buyers, we always discuss the risk factors associated with tightening up and even removing contingencies with our clients. Where insurance is concerned, we recommend that all buyers contact several insurance carriers immediately once their offer is accepted. This allows a buyer to compare prices and coverage options. In the rare event that the home they are purchasing isn’t insurable, the buyer maintains the option to back out of the transaction during their contingency period without jeopardizing the loss of their good faith deposit.

At the end of the day, it’s always important to be proactive, thoroughly educate yourself, and understand all the available options to you. spt

Mike Harper and Peter Hazdovac are co-owners of HH Coastal Real Estate, an independent local brokerage. For more info, visit hhcoastal.com.

although not one of the most exciting topics, is an important component of homeownership.

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DAYS OF FUTURE PAST: A photo of what would become the home of San Pedro Fish Market, circa 1982. The building that eventually stood there was razed last month to make room for the West Harbor project. The San Pedro Fish Market currently operates a temporary location called The Landing just north of the original market along the waterfront.

(photo: courtesy Michael Ungaro / San Pedro Fish Market)