San Pedro Today - October 2023

OCTOBER 2023

An

Unexpected Journey

RAY VAUDO BRINGS HIS FAMILY HISTORY TO LIFE IN HIS NEW BOOK, A GAETANO IN AMERICA

PLUS:

• HALLOWEEN EVENTS • 'PEDRO PLAY' AT THE WARNER GRAND • LAYC'S WOMEN ON WATER PROGRAM • EAT IN SAN PEDRO: SEAFOOD FINE DINING • HARBOR INTERFAITH'S SHARI WEAVER • OCTOBER EVENTS & MUCH MORE!

SCAN TO READ MORE AT SANPEDROTODAY.COM

Smile A While.

Modern Dentistry, with Old Fashion Values.

Our office is a multi-specialty private practice located in Weymouth Corners in San Pedro. With 28 years of experience, we provide high-quality modern dentistry at an affordable cost in an inviting setting. Our office is equipped to provide most specialty dental services efficiently under one rooftop. We use cutting-edge technology and are versed in all aspects of Cosmetic, Restorative, Dental Implants, Orthodontic, and Oral Surgery services.

Dr. Souzan Ardalan, D.D.S. Education: USC school of Dentistry Doctor of Dental Surgery Professional Association: American Dental Association, member California Dental Association, member Western Dental Society, member

SERVICES & SPECIALTIES • General Cosmetic and Children’s Dentistry • Oral Surgery • Dental Implants • Permanent Implant Supported Dentures • Orthodontics (Traditional Braces & Invisalign) • Periodontics • Sleep Apnea

ASSOCIATES Ian Woo, D.D.S., MD. Education: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Los Angeles County / University of Southern California Medical Center

Dr. Marvis Sorrel, D.M.D., M.D.S. Education: University of Pittsburgh, Master of Science in Dentistry, Doctor of Dental Medicine Advanced Education in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Orthognatic Surgery Externship / Invisalign Certification

Color Palette:

Dr. Rebekah Coriaty

Dr. Ardalan & Associates Smile A While.

1411 W. 8th Street San Pedro, CA 90732

(310) 832-5559

www.drsouzanardalan.com

Education: University of Pacific Professional Association: American Dental Association California Dental Association

#161f70

#4962f5

#233f4

Dr. Miles Madison Education: UCLA School of Dentistry Professional Association: American Academy of Periodontology California Society of Periodontists American Dental Association California Dental Association American Association for Dental Research

Font:

FONT: Lato Designed by Łukasz Dziedzic

sa n

l ua

ro’s ann d e p

FrEe

FrEe

TrOlLeY RiDeS

To ThE

PuBlIc

Sunday, Oct 22 | 3pm - 9:30pm

6th & Mesa | Downtown San Pedro Live Entertainment • Outdoor Beer Garden Authentic Local Food & Craft Vendors

­

DiscoverSanPedro.org

@DOWNTOWNSANPEDRO

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

0 Va $98.0 ble mbina Not Cold. eho r hous

I want to thank everyone who attended the San Pedro on Film event at the Warner Grand last month to support the San Pedro Heritage

lue!

23 rs.

31, 20 er offe tober ny oth Expires Oc

with a

ne pe

Limit o

Museum.

As I said from the stage, I was not expecting the turnout we had. This throwaway idea somehow got legs and turned into an entertaining and educational evening. And from the reviews I heard afterward, everyone had a great time and learned a few things.

As much fun as the night was, it was also bittersweet.

The absence of Angela Romero, the late founder of the San Pedro Heritage Museum, our longtime history columnist, and dear friend to many, loomed large throughout the evening. I served as a meager substitute for what should’ve been her starring role.

The turnout and enthusiasm for the future of the San Pedro Heritage Museum that night is a testament to Angela’s vision and passion to continue

Not Combinable with any other offers.

Limit one per household. Expires October 31, 2023.

to share and promote San Pedro’s history and culture with the public. I’m humbled and grateful to be able to help guide that vision as the current president of the SPHM. It took a village to pull the night off.

I want to thank the great staffs at the Grand Vision Foundation and Warner Grand Theatre for helping with the logistics.

Also, thanks to all the local businesses who donated amazing items for the raffle and the volunteers who came in last minute to help. The complete list of donors can be found on the SPHM’s Instagram: @sanpedroheritagemuseum.

I’d also like to thank Kris Bunting for serving as our film location expert for the night.

Lastly, big thanks to Regina Ritter (Angela’s sister), Megan Barnes, and my co-host, Amanda Silva (Hello San Pedro podcast), for going above and beyond to make the event happen. Everyone worked tirelessly up until showtime.

I just hope we made Angela proud.

(Apologies if I missed anyone. The evening is still a blur.)

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.

$98.00 Value!

Not Combinable with any other offers.

Limit one per household. Expires October 31, 2023.

Not Combinable with any other offers.

Limit one per household. Expires October 31, 2023.

Maximize Your Fuel Efficiency & Tire Life.

Life!

Complete 2 Wheel Alignment

59

$

* *

Complete 4 Wheel Alignment

79

95 $

*

95

*European Cars Extra.

Not Combinable with any other offers.

Limit one per household. Expires October 31, 2023.

15

%

OFF ANY SERVICE!*

*Up to $150 Discount. Not Combinable with any other offers.

Limit one per household. Expires October 31, 2023.

Beat the Heat!

A/C SERVICE

99

Reg. $152.23

Includes First 1lb. of R134a

System must not be leaking at time of service.

$98.00 Value!

Not Combinable with any other offers.

Limit one per household. Expires October 31, 2023.

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

4 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2023 I sanpedrotoday.com

10am - 2pm

s

1ST THURSDAY ARTWALK Guided Tours OCTOBER 5

TH

Join us!

5:30PM - 8:30PM

SCAN HERE FOR TICKETS

SanPedroWaterfrontArtsDistrict.com sanpedrotoday.com

I OCTOBER 2023 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 5

OCTOBER 2023 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/ART DIRECTOR

ADVERTISING:

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

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

PRODUCTION

EMPIRE22 MEDIA LLC OWNER/PUBLISHER

Joshua J. Stecker Lori Garrett

Joseph A. Castañeda

AT-LARGE CONTRIBUTORS

Linda Grimes, Sanam Lamborn, Steve Marconi, Jennifer Marquez, Eddie McKenna, Nadia Nizetich, Anthony Pirozzi, Jr., Amber Sheikh Lee Williams will return next month.

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

General Inquiries: ads@sanpedrotoday.com

Joshua J. Stecker

San Pedro Today publishes the last Thursday of every month and is produced monthly

by Empire22 Media LLC. No portion of this publication can be reproduced without written permission by Empire22 Media. 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 9

ON THE COVER: Author Ray Vaudo photographed at Point Fermin Park on September 19, 2023. (photo: John Mattera Photography)

6 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2023 I sanpedrotoday.com

sanpedrotoday.com

I OCTOBER 2023 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 7

OCTOBER 2023

EVENTS Sept. 29, 30 & Oct. 1, 6, 7, 8 (Fri-Sun) – SEMINAR at Little Fish Theatre (777 Centre St.), various showtimes. – In this provocative comedy from Pulitzer Prize nominee Theresa Rebeck, Bridget Garwood, Daniel Gallai, Vonzell Carter, and Rena Carter portray four aspiring young novelists who sign up for private writing classes with an international literary figure, portrayed by Richard Perloff. Under his recklessly brilliant Every Tuesday, Friday, & First Thursday Evening – OPEN GARDEN at Feed and unorthodox instruction, a class act becomes class conflict, and intellect and Be Fed (429 W. 6th St.), Tuesdays 10a-12p, Fridays 10a-1p, & First Thurs- is used as a weapon. The wordplay is not the only thing that turns vicious in day evenings. – Feed and Be Fed farm, this biting adult comedy. Directed by San Pedro's own urban farm, opens its downtown garden space every Tuesday Branda Lock. Content: adult themes and some profanity. For showtimes and Friday and on First Thursday evenings. Organic produce is for sale at the and tickets, visit littlefishtheatre.org.

San Pedro Farmers Market (corner of 6th and Mesa) on Fridays 11a-3p. Come 5 (Thurs) – FIRST THURSDAY in share nature’s bounty and beauty as we Downtown San Pedro, 6p. – The popular First Thursday ArtWalk is back grow vegetables, flowers, and community. Get your hands in the dirt as a vol- in the historic core of Downtown San Pedro. The redesigned First Thursday unteer, get expert advice, or just relax. will feature guided ArtWalk tours, open For more info, visit feedandbefed.org. galleries, outdoor dining, and live music on the corner of 6th and Mesa streets.

Every Tuesday & Every Saturday – BELMONT SHORE MODEL RAIL7 (Sat) – FESTA ITALIANA at Little ROAD CLUB at Angels Gate Park Italy of Los Angeles (222 W. 6th St. in (3600 S. Gaffey St., Building 824), Downtown San Pedro), 11a-10p. – The Tuesdays 7-10p & Saturdays 12-4p.

– The best kept secret in San Pedro!

Festa Italiana is a FREE, family-friendly event organized by the Little Italy of The Belmont Shore Model Railroad Los Angeles Association in collaboraClub is the oldest and largest N scale tion with Council District 15 to kick club and offers clinics on modeling off Italian-American Heritage Month. and an opportunity to explore a new Authentic Italian food, live entertainhobby. Admission is FREE and open ment, a beer and wine garden, kids to the public. For more info, call (310) activities, and merchandise vendors. For 831-6262 or visit belmontshorerr.com. more info, visit lilaa.org/festa-italiana.

Every Friday – LAFD HARBOR MU8 (Sun) – ST. PETER’S EPISCOPAL SEUM at Old Fire Station 36 (639 S. CHURCH’S ANNUAL BLESSING OF Harbor Blvd.), 10a-3p. – The LA Fire THE ANIMALS at St. Peter’s EpisDepartment Historical Society invites copal Church patio area (1648 W. 9th you to tour and experience San Pedro Street), 4p. – Feathers or fur, scales and Wilmington's fire protection and or tails, big or small, God loves them rescue history with vintage fire apall! Bring your animal loved ones to paratus and displays. Come to visit or to volunteer. FREE admission. For more receive a special blessing. Our local animal shelter is experiencing unprecinfo, visit lafdmuseum.org/harbor/. edented need, and the Girl Scouts will be collecting donations for the shelter 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.

LET’S HAVE FUN LEARNING PIANO!

PIANO LESSONS

Ages 6 to Adult All Levels

Referrals Available LynncMcConnell@gmail.com

• 20 Years of Teaching Experience • Masters in Music from UCLA

(678) 575 - 0379

8 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2023 I sanpedrotoday.com

at the event. For more info, contact the church office at (310) 831-2361.

12-15 (Thurs-Sun) – MANY WINTERS GATHERING OF ELDERS at Angels Gate Cultural Center (3601 S. Gaffey St.), 11a-6p. – The MWGOE is a four-day gathering where Native/Indigenous Elders and knowledge-keepers from across the country gather to share teachings through oral tradition with the community. Open to the public, FREE to attend, and family-friendly.

The gathering takes place under an arbor, which serves as the traditional place of teaching and learning, and is part of intergenerational healing from historical trauma. Red Earth Gaze, a multidisciplinary exhibition featuring Indigenous relatives from local California Nations and the broader urban Native community across Tovaangar, will be on display at the AGCC Gallery in Building A. For more info, visit mwgoe.org or call (562) 265-8323.

18 & 28 (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.

19-21 (Thurs-Sat) – PEDRO PLAY at the Warner Grand Theatre (478 W. 6th St.), Thurs-Fri 8p, Sat 2p & 8p.

When Jessica is sent to San Pedro on a journalistic assignment, she finds much more than she bargained for. Traveling through San Pedro's rich and colorful past, present, and future, Jessica finds a community in the midst of radical change. A romantic comedy with music, Pedro Play explores the meaning of home and features members of the San Pedro community on stage in collaboration with Cornerstone Theater Company. Tickets are Pay-What-YouCan with a suggested donation of $20 and available at cornerstonetheater.org.

22 (Sun) – ANNUAL DIA DE LOS MUERTOS FESTIVAL in Downtown San Pedro (398 W. 6th St., 6th & Mesa), 3-9:30p. – San Pedro's 11th annual Dia de los Muertos Festival will feature live entertainment, authentic local food, crafts for kids, Catrina costume contest competition, altar contest exhibition, outdoor beer garden, FREE trolley rides, and more! FREE to the public.

There will also be a FREE screening of the movie Encanto at the Warner Grand Theatre at 1p (doors open at 12p). To reserve tickets for Encanto, visit grandvision.org. For further festival info, visit discoversanpedro.org/ events/dia-de-los-muertos-festival.

28 (Sat) – SCARY STORIES 21 at Angels Gate Cultural Center (3601 S. Gaffey St.), 6:30p. – Two unique programs this year — one live/in-person on Oct. 28 and the other online Oct. 1-Nov. 5. Scary Stories is spellbinding storytelling with fabulous sound effects suitable for the young, old, living, and... shhh! LIVE: Saturday, Oct. 28 at 6:30p.

Performance will take place in the amphitheater around a bonfire. Bring your own chairs. Picnics are welcome.

Dress warmly. Tickets $5, cash only, and children 6 and under are FREE! No reservations required. For more info about the live event, visit melaniejonesstoryteller.com/witch, call (310) 387-0908, or email scarystorieswitch@ gmail.com. ONLINE: (Oct. 1-Nov. 5): Gather around the virtual fire at home for a FREE unique online program.

Visit melaniejonesstoryteller.com/ writer/witch starting Oct. 1 to discover what eerie stories she has in store for you. Donations are encouraged. spt Events deadline for November 2023 is Friday, October 13.

Email events@sanpedrotoday.com to place a listing. Find more events at sanpedrotoday.com.

New Deluxe Medical Spa in Rancho Palos Verdes WE PROUDLY OFFER THE FOLLOWING SERVICES & MORE: • Radio Frequency Microneedling • PAINLESS Laser Hair Removal • IPL for red and brown spots • Acupuncture • Fractional Skin Resurfacing • Hydrafacial • Vitamin IV Drip Therapy • NAD Drip Therapy

• Therapeutic Massage • Chiropractic Services • Ozone & Nutripathic Services

CALL US FOR OUR OCTOBER SPECIALS! FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

424.267.6251

28901 S. Western Ave., Ste. 225 Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 DivineElysianWellness.com

@divineelysianwellness

FREE CONSULTATIONS

Located at The Terraces, Second Level by the elevators

sanpedrotoday.com

I OCTOBER 2023 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 9

Dia de los Muertos 2022.

(photo: John Mattera Photography)

EVENTS

CALLING ALL SPIRITS

San Pedro's 11th annual DIA DE LOS MUERTOS FESTIVAL returns to Downtown San Pedro (398 W. 6th St., 6th & Mesa) on Sunday, October 22, 3-9:30 p.m. with plenty of activities for the whole family. The free event will feature live entertainment, authentic local food, crafts for kids, a Catrina costume contest competition, an altar contest exhibition, an outdoor beer garden, and free trolley rides. In addition to the festivities, there will also be a free screening of the movie Encanto at the Warner Grand Theatre at 1 p.m. (doors open at 12 p.m.). To reserve tickets for Encanto, visit grandvision.org/event/disneys-encanto-2021film-screening/. For further festival info, visit discoversanpedro.org/events/dia-de-los-muertos-festival.

HOCUS POCUS

SPOOK-TACULAR SAN PEDRO EVENTS compiled by SPT Staff

Ghouls and goblins and gourds — oh my! It’s officially “spooky” season, and there’s no shortage of family-friendly events to celebrate Halloween this month in San Pedro: WHO YOU GONNA CALL?

Grab your proton pack and relive the magic of the 1984 classic at the GHOSTBUSTERS FAN SCREENING at the Warner Grand Theatre (478 W. 6th St.) on Saturday, October 14 at 7 p.m. The event promises to be an unforgettable night filled with nostalgia, laughter, and, of course, ghosts! The evening will begin with a fan party at 7 p.m. where guests can enjoy snacks, adult beverages, trivia, and interacting with fellow fans. A screening of the film will follow at 8:15 p.m. Fans are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Ghostbuster. Tickets are $10 and seat availability is limited, so be sure to reserve your tickets at grandvision.org.

THRILLS, CHILLS, AND GILLS

Dive into the fun at SEA SCARE 2023 on Saturday, October 21 at 7 p.m. at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (3720 Stephen M. White Dr.). The family-friendly Halloween party is back with activities for everyone, including trick-or-treating, crafts, games, and a costume contest. Come dressed in your costume and bring your own trick-or-treat bag to enter the free drawing. Pre-sale tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children (online); tickets at the gate are $16 for adults and $12 for children (cash sales at the gift shop). Aquarium members get a special free early entry into the event at 6 p.m. For tickets, parking information, and the full schedule, visit cabrillomarineaquarium.org.

Indulge in all the magic at WITCH CRAFT, a festival of spooky art, crafts, and artisan vendors at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles (112 E. 22nd St.), October 27 through October 29, 12-8 p.m. Activities at the three-day event will include potion making, ceramic sculpting, glass blowing, jewelry beading, candle making, DIY haunted house, crystal wands, fall decor, glow-in-the-dark painting, tarot readings, scary storytelling, pumpkin carving, and more! There will also be a dog parade, cat adoptions, live performers, harvest games, craft cocktails, and food trucks. Admission is free and all ages (and dogs!) are welcome. For more information, visit facebook.com/craftedportla/events.

SPELLBINDING STORYTIME

The 21st annual SCARY STORIES live/in-person event returns to Angels Gate Cultural Center (3601 S. Gaffey St.) on Saturday, October 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Produced and directed by Melanie Jones, Scary Stories is spellbinding storytelling with fabulous sound effects suitable for all. Bring your own chairs and gather around the bonfire in the amphitheater (there is a limited number of folding chairs on-site available for free). Picnics are welcome, and dressing warmly is suggested.

General admission tickets are $5, cash only, and children 6 and under are free! No reservations are required. For more information, visit melaniejonesstoryteller.com/ witch. An online program will also take place from October 1 through November 5, where guests can enjoy the eerie storytelling from home. Visit melaniejonesstoryteller.com/writer/witch starting October 1 to discover the free online program.

Donations are encouraged.

MONSTER MASH

A special Halloween mash-up for both film and history buffs, South Bay Wind Ensemble and Grand Vision Foundation present FRANKENSTEIN: ALIVE IN CONCERT on Saturday, October 28 at 7 p.m. at the Warner Grand Theatre (478 W. 6th St.). Experience the iconic 1931 silent film Frankenstein in the equally iconic Warner Grand Theatre (which also premiered in 1931) with Michael Shapiro’s 2002 score, performed live with conductor Maestro Steven Allen Fox. The event includes a special historic tribute to the Warner Grand in imagery, with a special Warner Brothers overture of famous themes. For more information, visit grandvision.org or sbmusic.org. spt GREEN HILLS MEMORIAL PARK

PLOT FOR SALE

LOCATION: Terrace Point (above lake/ below bell tower). Lot 90, Space A. PRICE: $9,000.00 This plot is currently an INDIVIDUAL that can be converted into a DOUBLE. Green Hills Memorial Park currently retails cemetery plots in this location (Terrace Point) for $15,000.

Due to relocation I am asking well below current retail price. A $650 transfer fee to be paid by BUYER directly to Green Hills and it is negotiable.

IF INTERESTED PLEASE CALL (310) 999-9256. SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY.

10 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2023 I sanpedrotoday.com

sanpedrotoday.com

I OCTOBER 2023 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 11

SPOTLIGHT

'PEDRO PLAY' PREMIERES AT WARNER GRAND

by SPT Staff A PLAY ABOUT SAN PEDRO, PERFORMED (MOSTLY) BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS, WILL DEBUT AT THE WARNER GRAND IN OCTOBER. The aptly titled Pedro Play, written by Juliette Carrillo and directed by Bruce Lemon, is the culmination of a project that began in 2018 as part of Cornerstone Theater Company’s Change Series, which sought to explore the rapidly changing city of Los Angeles.

The play tells the story of Jessica, who is sent to San Pedro on a journalistic assignment. She finds more than she bargained for as she travels through San Pedro’s rich and colorful history. She quickly discovers a community amid radical change.

Pedro Play is a romantic comedy with music by David Markowitz and Nehal Shahin. The cast of ten includes two professional actors, a Cornerstone ensemble member, and the rest are San Pedro community members,

many from Rancho San Pedro public housing, which also served as the play’s rehearsal space.

Carrillo, who lives in Long Beach, began developing the script in early 2022 by interviewing several San Pedro locals to capture the unique characteristics that make San Pedro what it is. She was also inspired by the late Angela “Romee” Romero and her history columns in San Pedro Today.

“I find [San Pedro] so much more interesting than Long Beach,” Carrillo says. “The complexity, the character, the geography of it… and, of course, the gentrification. It is such an interesting time [in San Pedro]. I feel lucky to be a part of its evolution and transition.”

Pedro Play will have four performances at the Warner Grand Theatre: Thursday, October 19, at 8 p.m.; Friday, October 20, at 8 p.m.; and two performances on Saturday, October 21, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are Pay-WhatYou-Can with a suggested donation of $20 and available at cornerstonetheater.org. spt (Article has been updated from original print edition.)

Big changes are coming.

We're turning 15 next year.

It's time to celebrate.

Watch this space for exciting announcements soon.

To advertise, email: ads@sanpedrotoday.com

VOTED SOUTH BAY’S FAVORITE 2022 WE LISTEN TO YOU

You are unique, so are your hearing needs.

Come HEAR why Harbor Hearing is different.

• Ryan Bullock, Doctor of Audiology • Board Certified in Audiology • Voted Best Hearing Aid Company • Specializing in Industrial Hearing • Customized Hearing Aid Solutions • Cutting-Edge Hearing Aid Technologies • Satisfaction-Guarantee

Call (424) 570-0117 TODAY for your Complimentary HEARING Consultation! www.sanpedrotoday.com

12 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2023 I sanpedrotoday.com

1360 W. 6th Street, Ste. 243 West Building (424) 570-0117 | www.harborhearingpc.com

sanpedrotoday.com

I OCTOBER 2023 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 13

The cover of A Pirate Looks at Fifty by Jimmy Buffett.

VOICES

A CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH ‘MARGARITAVILLE’

Former San Pedran's Costa Rican resort plays role in Jimmy Buffett’s history

by Steve Marconi Not being a Parrothead, all I knew about the late Jimmy Buffett until a few weeks ago was that he was a popular musician famous for his big 1977 hit, “Margaritaville.”

I recently discovered Buffett’s roundabout connection to San Pedro, and how I learned about that is another Pedro story.

It began in 1996 when Buffett took a family vacation through the Caribbean and Central and South America to celebrate his 50th birthday. While on that trip, the Buffetts, during a stop in Costa Rica, found their way to the Pacific Coast resort of Si Como No, owned by San Pedro native Jim Damalas.

That visit turned into several pages in Buffett’s 1998 bestseller chronicling the trip, A Pirate Looks at Fifty.

I would never have heard of that book if I hadn’t attended last month’s memorial service for Sandy Radmilovich, who I worked with in the late ‘80s at the News-Pilot. There, I ran into an old acquaintance, Tony Cordero. The Cordero family grew up next door to the Radmiloviches, and directly across the street was the Damalas home.

This was on Santa Rena Drive in the Rolling Hills Riviera, and I spent much

time there as a teenager. Jim was one of my best friends throughout Dodson Junior High, San Pedro High, where he was president of our W‘69 class, and Harbor College and was one of the groomsmen at my wedding. The Cordero children were much younger than us teens then, but they all knew Jim well. So, when I mentioned to Cordero about being friends with Damalas, he mentioned Si Como No, which he has visited. Today, it is a world-famous resort and wildlife refuge; Damalas was a pioneer in the ecotourism movement.

Buffett’s book is still in print, so I quickly ordered it. I picked it up at Barnes & Noble and, that night, read how Buffett had heard about Si Como No from a friend’s friend who worked there.

“It was owned by an American who happened to be a big fan of mine,” Buffett wrote. “The owner, Jim Damalas, was out of town but due back on New Year’s Eve. He had faxed the hotel when he learned we were around and had offered us his house. I like the idea and the owner already…”

On traveling from the airport at Quepos to Si Como No in Manuel Antonio, Buffett wrote: “I spot Jane [Buffett’s wife] and Kino at the desk talking to a tall, middle-aged man with curly dark hair. Jane introduces me to Jim Damalas. I shake his hand and thank him for his hospitality, feeling an instant

ease and familiarity. Jim takes care of business first. He tells us that we have our room at the hotel to crash in for the night, and then offers Jane and me a bedroom at his house across the street.

We go to take a look.

“Jim’s house is one of the coolest tropical residences I have ever seen. It reminds me of Hugh Kelly’s mountain hideout on Moorea, where I wrote ‘One Particular Harbour.’ It reminds me of the favorite fictional island home that appeared in my marlin dream. It is like a giant tree house, and it’s very obvious that it had been a labor of love and time. There had been no master plan, architect, or contractor. Yet there couldn’t be a more perfect structure in a more perfect surrounding.”

Later, “Jim comes over and we chat while he fields a series of interruptions from employees and a mixture of Tico and American hotel guests. He possesses that magic ability to operate calmly in the middle of turmoil, and he switches from Spanish to English as easily as changing a channel on a remote control.”

Buffett’s conversation with Damalas, in which Damalas tells the story of how he ended up in Costa Rica, takes up an entire section. The Buffetts celebrated New Year’s Eve at a nearby beach club.

“The next morning,” Buffett writes, “we have breakfast with Jim, and then he drives us to the airport, where we ex-

change numbers and E-mail addresses.

Quepos is now another place, and Jim Damalas another name to add to my songline.”

After reading the sections on Damalas, I started the book at Chapter 1, learning what Parrotheads all know: Buffett was not only a gifted music writer but a bestselling author, astute businessman, and licensed pilot with a fleet of planes. Knowing the book was 25 years old and not knowing much else about him, I checked Google to see if he was still alive. He was 76, and there was nothing about him being ill.

Two days later, I woke up to the news alert that world-famous musician Jimmy Buffett had died. I hope you believe in serendipity, because the very next day, I received a message from Damalas. It turns out he had just contacted Cordero the day before and asked how he could reach me. (I had tried to call him after my wife’s passing but hadn’t heard from him. Now semi-retired, he said he spends a lot of time off the grid.)

We talked for a long time, but the best part is he already had scheduled a trip to the States, including a stop in San Pedro, which will take place after this column publishes.

Stand by for an update on that reunion. As he was for Buffett, Damalas is part of my songline. spt Steve Marconi can be reached at spmarconi@yahoo.com.

Why take chances with your money?

Specializing in Personal and Small Business Accounting and Tax Preparation

Don Marshall, MBA, CPA (310) 833-8977 When you want it done right.

14 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2023 I sanpedrotoday.com

Happy Halloween!

Serving Our Community for Over 40 Years!

• Commercial & Residential Real Estate • For Sale By Owner (FSBO) Rosemarie “Bitsy” Lauro • Short Sales Owner/Escrow Officer • FHA & Conventional Refinance • Income/Investment Properties Independently Owned & Operated • Hard Money Loans 864 West 9th Street San Pedro, CA 90731 ∙ (310) 548-1263 www.ranchosp-escrow.com

sanpedrotoday.com

I OCTOBER 2023 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 15

VOICES

WOMEN ON WATER

LAYC program for women shares sailing experiences in a supportive setting

by Jennifer Marquez

Los Angeles Yacht Club's Women on Water program. (photo: layc.org)

I often look at the ocean and wonder how I can sail without buying a boat.

One of the only places that teaches sailing to adults in San Pedro is the Los Angeles Yacht Club (LAYC) through their Women on Water (W.O.W.) program. On a recent Saturday, I attended their monthly event for lunch and learned some basics of sailing, something I have wanted to do for a while.

While there are abundant sailing opportunities for youth through Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club, finding a local place

to learn to sail was challenging. The LAYC started Women on Water eight years ago for female and female-identifying sailors of all abilities in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Participants can attend monthly or try it once; it is a very flexible program for women and is run by women.

The event costs $30 for a two-hour sail and $22 for lunch after in their yacht club overlooking the Cabrillo Marina. Luckily for me, I was on a 22foot Capri sailboat with three veteran sailors, all of whom were very welcoming and informative. I have been on sailboats before but never sailed one. Their program aims to provide a supportive environment for women to learn to sail while enjoying a beautiful

N E W FA L L 2 0 2 3

M C K E N N A ' S P E N D L E TO N 2304 PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY LOMITA, CA 90717 310-539-2725 www.mckennaspendleton.com FACEBOOK @MCKENNA’S PENDLETON INSTAGRAM @MCKENNASPENDLETON

day on the ocean.

“The Los Angeles Yacht Club has a rich history, including celebrity members like Humphrey Bogart and Roy Disney,” states Marjorie Irvin, rear commodore of LAYC. “Women on Water was originally started for women members who did not know how to sail.

Oftentimes, only their husbands knew how to sail,” she adds. The LAYC has had three women commodores (directors) since 1901, with Irvin in line to be the fourth woman commodore.

The program has continued to grow, attracting women from all areas who come to San Pedro to try sailing. The Women on Water program is open to anybody, and membership is not required. There is an opportunity to take sailing lessons and become a community member if you do not own a boat. Community members participate in luncheons with speakers, dinners, racing clinics, a women’s sailing trip to Catalina for three days, and the use of the yacht club’s boats.

While I have been on boats, boards, and kayaks, learning to sail was a completely different experience. I tried to absorb all the information provided as we sailed off of Cabrillo Beach. Watching the women working together in a positive and light manner was empowering and not intimidating. There is much to learn about wind direction, sails, the boat, and many other things.

Jennifer Marquez can be reached at jennifertmarquez@yahoo.com and @jenntmqz on Twitter and Instagram.

P O LYS T R E N G H

F I TNE SS

P IL AT E S,

NUTRITION

F IT NE SS

&

251 WEST 7TH STREET SAN PEDRO, CA 90731 (818)802-2842 W W W . P O LY S T R E N G T H . L I F E I N

16 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2023 I sanpedrotoday.com

Sailing in an area with local landmarks, like the breakwall, Cabrillo Beach, and the lighthouse, gives sailors plenty of places to focus, which I learned while steering the boat.

After watching the other women do it first, I was encouraged to try different tasks. I was a little nervous but tried everything suggested, getting nudged just enough so that I began to feel more confident. One of the things I experienced was the boat tipping with the wind, but I was reassured we would not flip over. I learned this is called “heeling,” when the boat leans to one side and under sail. After we sailed, we enjoyed a delicious lunch cooked by students who attended the Harbor College Culinary Arts program.

Women on Water’s objective is for women to grow in sailing experience and knowledge while creating a sense of community at LAYC and across other Southern California women’s sailing organizations. For boat owners, LAYC is known for its exclusive mooring reservations and facilities at Howland’s Landing facility on Catalina Island.

Reservations are required for Women on Water monthly events. Visit layc.org for more details or call (310) 831-1203. spt

A S S O C I AT I O N W I T H P O LY F I T P I L AT E S

Serving the South Bay Since 1925

Open Wed - Sun, 5-9 p.m.

Book reservations online at Resy.com.

Dine in & Take Out Available!

584 W 9TH ST., SAN PEDRO 310-832-1220 WWW.JTRANI.COM

We ive r

Del

!

Check Out Our Tuesday Burger Special!

Open Mon-Fri 6:30a - 8p Sat 7a - 6p, Sun 7a - 4p Now Open Until 8pm Mon-Fri!

813 S. Gaffey St. • San Pedro 310.548.5322 • 310.548.3828

sanpedrotoday.com

I OCTOBER 2023 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 17

VOICES

RESPECT, TRUST, & LOVE

The author reflects on 30 years of marriage

by Anthony Pirozzi, Jr. THE PHOTO: Pirozzi with his wife, Carolyn, at a friend's wedding reception in 1988.

(photo: courtesy Pirozzi family)

This month marks the 30th anniversary of my marriage to Carolyn.

Together, and with God’s grace, we have built the life we have dreamt of and worked for together. Our goal was to always live at or below our means so that we could afford to spend time taking our family to special places, trips, concerts, or just to the movies.

In the end, the things we remember the most about our loved ones are not the big accomplishments in life, but rather the quiet, special times we spent together.

As we embark on our 30th wedding anniversary on October 16, I remember when I first met Carolyn. I was in the ninth grade, and she was in the fifth.

At the time, I became friends with her older sister, Beth; we went to high school together and hung out with the same group of friends.

To me, Carolyn was always just

Beth’s kid sister. It wasn’t until Carolyn and I started to work together at Vons, now Sprouts on Western, that we became good friends. She was 16, and I was 20. Not long after, I transferred to the Vons in Diamond Bar to work while I attended Cal Poly Pomona.

I never thought anything of it — we were always just good friends and spent time together when I came home for the holidays or on some weekends. Before I left, I was working graveyard with her boyfriend at the time. As we were stocking shelves, he was telling about other girls he was meeting. As he kept talking, I had had enough and said, “If you don’t stop doing what you are doing, I am going to take her from you!” I didn’t mean it. I just I said it. Little did I know how the future would turn out.

Fast forward a couple of years. I was attending our friend’s wedding reception at the Elks back in ‘88 and brought my college girlfriend. She knew about Carolyn but never met her until this night. I knew that she was somewhat jealous of Carolyn and our relationship, but I didn’t know how deep this jeal-

CHEAP

Antiques, Used Household & Office Furniture Custom All Wood Furniture at “CHEAP” prices!

SAN PEDRO: 705 S. Pacific Ave. (310) 547-1000

We Also Carry Vintage

LOMITA: 25408 Narbonne Ave. Halloween (310) 326-6369 CheapVintage.com

Clothes!

10% OFF PURCHASE Some restrictions apply.

Expires 10-31-23.

18 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2023 I sanpedrotoday.com

ousy was until we left the wedding.

On the way out, I noticed Carolyn giving me a certain look because we hadn’t talked all night. As I walked by, I wrapped my arms around her from behind and said, “You can’t stay mad at me,” and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Someone captured that moment in a photo which hangs on our wall today.

Once I left with my girlfriend, she was upset and said, “One day, you are going to marry her!” I laughed and said, “Carolyn? She’s just my kid sister.” The drive back to Diamond Bar was quiet.

By the time I graduated from Cal Poly, we were both single and were spending a lot of time together. So, one night we parked against the rail on Paseo looking toward Catalina, long before the sidewalk was there, and I said, “If I try and kiss you, will you hit me?” She said, “Why don’t you try and see what happens.”

As time went on, we built a tremendous amount of respect and trust for each other, but for me, the love part of the equation was missing. We were at a point in our relationship where we

decided to date other people. It was the best decision we ever made. Love came last, and the rest is history.

The best advice I have given our boys, their friends, or anyone who asks about our relationship is this, “Marry your best friend. Make sure that you have respect, trust, and love for each other, in that order. Without one of the three, your relationship will not last.”

Our 30 years of marriage and over 40 years of knowing each other has been the best part of our life’s journey. I tell Carolyn often that she is my gift from God, and she reiterates that back to me.

Although 30 years seems like a long time, it still feels like yesterday when were married at Mary Star. Happy 30th, Carolyn — I love you! Fifty more to go! spt Anthony Pirozzi, Jr. is a retired San Pedro resident and former Los Angeles Harbor Commissioner. He can be reached at apirozzi@yahoo.com.

Celebrating 50 Years!

MAKING THE BEST PIZZA IN SAN PEDRO SINCE 1973

7 OFF 5 OFF

$

$

Any Dine-In Order w/purchase of $30 or more!

Any Delivery or Carry Out Order w/purchase of $25 or more!

Exp. 10-31-23 Not valid with other offers. SPT

Exp. 10-31-23 Not valid with other offers. SPT

Order Online: www.BuonosPizza.com

222 R-1 W. 6th St., San Pedro • 310-547-0655 sanpedrotoday.com

I OCTOBER 2023 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 19

THE COVER

An

Unexpected Journey

RAY VAUDO BRINGS HIS FAMILY HISTORY TO LIFE IN HIS NEW BOOK, A GAETANO IN AMERICA

by Nadia Nizetich

VOICE FROM THE PAST: Vaudo holds his new book, A Gaetano in America, based on his father's taped memoirs. (photo: John Mattera Photography)

In 2015, Ray Vaudo was looking forward to his upcoming trip to Italy.

He planned to visit his family in Gaeta, and as he envisioned his vacation, his thoughts drifted to the memory of his late father. As he reminisced, he suddenly remembered the old box full of tapes in the attic. Was it still there?

More importantly, were the tapes damaged?

Ray rushed upstairs to grab them, relieved when he discovered they still worked. They weren’t just any tapes — they held his father Paolo’s life story, which Paolo had narrated between 1995 and 1997 before his passing. Ray vowed to turn the recordings that had been gathering dust in the attic for decades into a book after returning from Italy.

Now, he can proudly say that he has accomplished his mission — his book A Gaetano in America: My Unexpected Journey from Gaeta, Italy to the United States was published in August 2023.

“It occurred to me that I was the only one who could put the story together,” says Ray, reflecting on what inspired him to write the book. “I realized that if I didn’t do it, my dad’s story would be lost.”

Though Ray wasn’t a writer by trade, he did speak the same regional Italian dialect that his father did, and he knew he’d be the only person with the will and knowledge to piece the story together. Armed with the tapes, a computer, and a van, he got to work.

“I’d hang out at Pelican Cove with my little laptop because there [are] no distractions. I’d do an hour or two at a time,” he says. Gradually, he chronicled his dad’s life. Born Pietro “Paolo” Vaudo in Gaeta in 1915, from early on, Paolo had envisioned himself living beyond the borders of his hometown.

After serving in the Italian Navy during World War II, he moved to Massachusetts, working in shipyards and sausage factories. After a few years, he met his wife Josephine in Massachusetts, and they eventually settled in San Pedro to raise their family.

“San Pedro was like a giant Gaeta to my dad,” says Ray. “Fishing on one side, the beach on the other, and the cliffs all around. To him, it was like home.”

As Ray wrote, however, it became clear that his dad’s story was far more complicated than he’d realized. Paolo had spent time as a POW during World War II — which wasn’t news to Ray —

20 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2023 I sanpedrotoday.com

but he’d never known the details of his experience.

After the German army captured Paolo’s ship off the coast of Yugoslavia, he was marched across Eastern Europe for two years, from 1943 to 1945, across the rubble of a razed continent.

Amazed, Ray decided to painstakingly piece together the exact route his father took.

“It took me a long time because it didn’t make any sense to me,” he reflects. “It’s not like he said, ‘This happened in 1944.’ I’m going, ‘Well, wait a second. He’s here. He can’t be there a few days later.’” Thanks to Ray’s efforts, Paolo was posthumously awarded the Medaglia d’Onore by the Italian government in recognition of his exceptional military service.

Vaudo at Royal Palms in San Pedro, October 1959. (photo: courtesy Vaudo family)

HAPPY HOUR Mon - Fri • 2pm-5pm

50% OFF Selected Appetizers $6 Beer • $7 House Wine • $1 Wings

Michelada Monday Schooner Tuesday

$10 (24 oz.)

$10 (24 oz.)

Wine Wednesday

Mimosa Saturday

$7 (6 oz.) House wine

$4 (before 11am)

OPEN: Mon.-Thurs. - 11am-8pm Fri. - 11am-9pm Sat. - 8am- 9pm (Breakfast 8am-1pm)

Chef Carlos Bermudez & Giselle Berumen, owner

19th & Pacific Ave. | Roccosdeli.com | Reservations: (424) 264-5217

From our Kitchen to Your Table

Serving Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

PATIO OPEN FOR DINING!

Open Mon - Sat 9a-9p, Sun 9a-2p Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner!

Curbside Pickup & Delivery thru 1420 W. 25th St., San Pedro | www.sidebistro.com | (310) 548-4797

CALL (310) 519-3662 View our menu at thinkcafesanpedro.com

302 W. 5th Street • San Pedro

A San Pedro Favorite Since 1999 !

41st ANNIVERSARY

SPECIAL!

41% OFF!* Din

Try Our Awesome New Menu Items.

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

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

Dine-in Only.

*

On purchases of $20 or more.

Limited to first 41 customers.

Excludes seafood.

VALID ONLY 9/28/23 to 10/12/23

Order Online at theoriginallasbrisas.com

NOT VALID WITH OTHER OFFERS.

On Gaffey and Channel St., San Pedro • 310-833-4395 sanpedrotoday.com

I OCTOBER 2023 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 21

Ray with his father, Pietro “Paolo” Vaudo, in Cambridge, Mass., 1957 (left); Paolo in San Pedro, October 1959; the cover to A Gaetano in America. (photos: courtesy Vaudo family; John Mattera Photography)

With that piece of the story straight, it became clear that Ray had an even bigger problem on his hands — his dad’s tapes abruptly stopped in 1952 when Paolo was picked up by immigration officials in San Pedro for overstaying his visa.

“I’m going, ‘There [are] no more tapes!’ So I’m thinking my dad got deported,” he says. “And on one of my trips to Gaeta five or six years ago, my uncle told me he never came back there.

He never got deported at all.”

After some digging, he also discov-

ered that the U.S. government had kept tabs on Paolo in the form of an Alien File, or A-File, which was used to keep track of non-U.S. citizens who were living in the states and had run-ins with the law. Paolo’s file contained over 308 photos and dozens of records kept on him after his arrest, which Ray used to fill in the blanks.

“It was like I found a treasure, like I hit a pot of gold,” he says. Ray deduced that Paolo had pushed back his deportation trial until he could marry Josephine and become a U.S. citizen. “I’d found

We Have 7 HDTVs to see all the games!

Now with 6 beers on tap!

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

the end of my story,” says Ray. A month after finishing his book, Ray finally has time to reflect on his efforts — and he’s beginning to see the impact of his work. Though he’d known that his neighbor also had roots in Gaeta, he was surprised when he asked for 12 copies of the book.

“He said that his family came from Gaeta, but there was nobody left in his family to tell their history,” explains Ray. “I learned that people shouldn’t miss the opportunity to ask questions and learn about their family history,

even if you can look it up online,” he says.

“I hope this book is a wake-up call to capture and preserve your family’s history. Do not assume that someone else will.” spt Ray Vaudo’s A Gaetano in America is available in paperback and eBook formats on Amazon.com.

FRESH FISH NIGHTLY!

Sun & Mon 8am-3pm Tue to Sat 8am-8pm • Live Music Wednesday & Saturday Nights 5-7 • Beer, wine & handcrafted Soju cocktails

508 W. 39th St., San Pedro • 310.548.3354 lighthousecafesanpedro.com Gluten Free Pizza Crust is here!

FAST DELIVERY

310.732.5800 What A Deal!

Me Familia

Pick Up Special Large 1 Topping

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

1599

$

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

Large Pizza

3899

$

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

Double Trouble 2 Large Pizzas with up to 2 Toppings each

3799

$

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

22 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2023 I sanpedrotoday.com

Your First Steps Here Can Lead to Even “Cuter” First Steps Later.

Innovative Fertility Center Uses The Most Advanced Reproductive Technologies.

• Fertility Preservation • Offering IUI, IVF, & ICSI Treatments • Donor Egg, Donor Sperm • Parental Carrier Screening

• ICSI/TESE For Severe Male Infertility • Egg/Sperm and Embryo Freezing • Gender Selection for Family Balancing • Genetic Embryo Testing (PGT-A)

Ovarian Rejuvenation Experts w/Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatments (PRP).

• Diminished Ovarian Reserves • Pre/Peri Menopausal Symptoms

• Prior Failed IVF Due to Poor Egg Quality

Joshua J. Berger, MD, PhD, FACOG

Double Board Certified in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Obstetrics and Gynecology

We Support the ILWU & They Support Us, Too!

Innovative Fertility Center 3500 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 130 Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 www.innovativefertility.com

310.648.BABY (2229) Inclusive Treatments Put a Family Within Reach for All of Our San Pedro Patients. sanpedrotoday.com

I OCTOBER 2023 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 23

FOOD

EAT IN SAN PEDRO:

SEAFOOD FINE DINING

by Sanam Lamborn It is a bit of wonder to me that, given San Pedro’s fishing history and being a seaside town, our choices for seafood fine dining were limited to one until recently.

For this month’s column, I visited the two restaurants with extensive seafood menus that are perfect for when you want to step it up a little and enjoy a night of fine dining.

22nd St. Landing Seafood Grill & Bar (141 W. 22nd St.) is the only independently operating restaurant in San Pedro with a gorgeous view of Cabrillo Marina. During a day visit, the sun rays sparkle like little diamonds on the water, and it feels glorious to either sit at a window-side table or on the small balcony.

A sunset visit allows for an equally beautiful experience, as the marina is engulfed in the warm golden hour colors. The lunch and dinner menus feature a variety of standard options expected at a seafood restaurant. While I appreciate the staple plates of fish served with sides, the dishes that stand

FINE FISH (l to r): The fisherman's platter at 22nd St. Landing Seafood Grill & Bar and the Peruvian bay scallops at Trani's Dockside Station. (photos: Sanam Lamborn)

out to me on their menu are the ones that can’t be found at other restaurants in town.

The potato-crusted salmon is served with the restaurant’s signature sides: short-grain rice pilaf, sautéed squash, and carrots. The shredded potatoes that serve as the crust for the salmon come to the table still a bit crunchy, which adds a pleasant texture to the salmon.

The fish is finished with a generous amount of dill beurre blanc (French butter sauce), which is light yet flavorful.

Another noteworthy menu item is the bouillabaisse, a seafood soup originally from the French Riviera. I am usually not drawn to seafood soups, but this one is definitely a hit. Clams, shrimp, scallops, pieces of fish, muscles, diced tomatoes, bell peppers, and onion are served in a light tomato broth infused with an adequate amount of saffron that can be tasted.

Lastly, the fisherman’s platter is ideal for any seafood lover. Skewers of swordfish, scallops, wild shrimp, and red peppers are grilled to perfection. I was particularly impressed at how

22ND ST. LANDING SEAFOOD GRILL & BAR

(310) 548-4400 | 22ndstlandingrestaurant.com | 141 W. 22nd St. 24 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2023 I sanpedrotoday.com

neither the scallops nor shrimp were overcooked for these dishes. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Sunday, as well as for Sunday brunch.

Just down the street, the much-anticipated Trani’s Dockside Station (311 E. 22nd St.) finally opened its doors over the summer. The dining room and bar area are beautifully designed with mementos from our town’s years past.

In addition, black and white pictures of San Pedro’s fishing history adorn some of the interior walls. Perhaps the star of the show is the open kitchen that gives patrons a peek into the food preparation and the raw bar with oysters and scallops on display.

During a recent visit, my husband and I tried several different small plates.

Our server asked us to decide on our complete order before jotting down our choices. Although it seemed unusual, we soon realized that this was a way for the kitchen to pace our order and decide the best sequence in which the dishes should be enjoyed.

The menu offers surf and turf options in small or large plates, although

rightfully, seafood dominates the menu.

Chef Dustin Trani tells me that the menu changes daily. While to some, this may not be appealing, to me, it makes each visit unique because it provides an opportunity to explore the kitchen’s creativity.

Despite the evolving menu, some items seem to be regulars that, upon trying thus far, I can suggest. The grilled Peruvian bay scallops, served in their shell, are delicious. The battered and fried squash blossoms float on top of fluffy housemade ricotta. A unique item on the menu that is a must-try is the local mushrooms, grown here in San Pedro, served with a tasty Sicilian almond pesto and lemon crème. The beloved — and unmatched — New Style calamari is also on the menu. The restaurant is open for lunch from Wednesday to Friday and dinner from Wednesday to Monday. 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.

24 Hours Serving the Community Since 1986 7 Days Family Owned and Operated Residential & Commercial Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Service

EPHENS STPLUMBING • HEATING AIR CONDITIONING

Free

Consultations for plumbing, heating & AC

$75

AC/Heating Tune-Up

Dr Kardovich receiving a bobble head from our Dodgers contest winner, Meagan!

Braces & Invisalign for Children and Adults San Pedro • Torrance

www.drbraces.com | facebook.com/drkbraces

Call Now For

(310) 832-9009

10% Off

Your Next Service Call!

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

PERONE TRAVEL & CASSIS TRAVEL SERVICES ~ Your Full Service Travel Agency ~ Serving the South Bay and beyond since 1985

WE BOOK GROUPS!

Our Travel Advisors are Experts in International and Domestic Air Travel Cruises Tours Groups Honeymoons Hotels Leisure Corporate VISIT US AND LET ONE OF OUR Princess Commodore Agents,

Certified Travel Consultants, Master Cruise Counselors and Destination Specialists HELP PLAN YOUR NEXT TRIP!

(310) 833-2401

cst# 1014633

1447 W. 7th Street, Ste. A, San Pedro

sanpedrotoday.com

I OCTOBER 2023 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 25

26 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2023 I sanpedrotoday.com

SERVING THE SOUTH BAY SINCE 1979

YOUR LOCAL

KITCHEN & BATHROOM REMODELING SPECIALISTS

(310) 548-5557 1427 W 8th St

Call for a

in Weymouth Corners

in-home estimate!

lousfloor.com sanpedrotoday.com

FREE

LICENSED PROFESSIONALS LIC. #667123 I OCTOBER 2023 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 27

SP ARTS

WHERE ART LIVES AND THRIVES

A chat with Amy Eriksen, Angels Gate Cultural Center’s executive director

by Linda Grimes "Find a place you trust and then try trusting it for a while."

–Corita Kent On any given day, hundreds of artists create work in San Pedro in every medium — young, old, known, and unknown — and Angels Gate Cultural Center has been a haven for the arts and creativity for over 50 years.

Angels Gate Cultural Center (AGCC) emerged from a group of artists in the 1970s who created work-studio and exhibition space in the Army barracks of Fort MacArthur at Angels Gate Park.

The site became a City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department facility in 1977. In 1982, AGCC was established as a nonprofit to provide a variety of arts opportunities.

AGCC’s mission is to “provide space for artists to work and to engage the community through arts education, exhibitions of contemporary art, and cultural events” in the L.A. Harbor Region, according to their website.

The center currently provides services to professional artists and innovative public arts programming, including exhibitions of local, national, and international artists and high-quality arts education for children in Long Beach and the Los Angeles Harbor Region.

Through its Artists-in-Classrooms program, the center typically provides arts programming to approximately 20,000 visitors annually, including more than 4,600 students in Los Angeles County.

As I’ve written about in previous columns, arts administrators are the glue that helps the arts keep on keeping on. I asked AGCC’s executive director, Amy Eriksen, about her involvement in the arts and where she sees the future of AGCC heading.

What did you do before AGCC? I have had a long career in arts education and a passion for bringing the arts to all ages and groups. I worked in the nonprofit and education sectors for over 25 years and love how arts and education convene at Angels Gate Cultural Center, where I continue my dedication to community and collaboration. I hold a B.A. in music education from the University of Redlands and a Master of Arts in organizational management.

What is your involvement in the arts?

I am a musician and have been playing cello since [the] third grade. I realized the power of the arts in middle school when I had many teachers demonstrate critical thinking skills, especially in the music room, and how these lessons make us better individuals, civic participants, and lifelong learners. In WE ACCEPT MEDICARE & MOST PPO’S

(310) 732-0036 Light Therapy with Cold Laser.

• 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.

28901 S. Western Ave., #103, RPV | coast-physicaltherapy.com 28 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2023 I sanpedrotoday.com

high school, I joined the board of a local to leverage that support into increased symphony and started my journey to fund development efforts. becoming an arts administrator.

It’s no secret that there is a real need for artist studio space in Los Angeles, Was a family member or mentor specifically in the South Bay region, especially supportive? where we have lost over 100 studios I have been blessed to have many with the closure of numerous art comvery important women in my life as plexes. We anticipate that through this mentors over the last 50 years. My growth, we will see increased engagemother was my rock and the one who ment in programming, leading to a taught me tenachealthier and ity and purpose. more vibrant Many teachers community for have mentored all. me throughout the years; one Can you proofficiated my vide a brief wedding to my perspective wife, and we about the Culhave seen each tural Coalition other almost and why it’s every year for important to the last 44 years.

San Pedro?

Laurine DiRocco The San (who knew Sister Pedro Arts and Corita Kent) was Cultural District Amy Eriksen. (photo: angelsgateart.org) a part of AGCC was designated since its incepby the state of California in 2017. The tion and was my boss at Idyllwild Arts, state cultural designation program was where I cut my teeth as a young arts created to celebrate the diversity of culadministrator. ture in California’s various regions and was made possible by generous funding Where do you see AGCC in five from the California Arts Council. years? Ten years?

The coalition supporting the Arts AGCC has taken critical steps to & Cultural District is now called Arts ensure organizational sustainability United San Pedro, currently composed with the ongoing development of our strategic plan, comprised of five tenets: of five San Pedro-based partners. Arts United has worked to lead the way to sustaining physical space, fund develthe district’s state recognition and has opment, board development, quality programming, and community engage- recently built a plan to increase paid opportunities for local performers, mument. sicians, and artists in all mediums. spt Over the last three years, we have progressively increased the quality Angels Gate Cultural Center is loof our programming in our gallery cated at 3601 S. Gaffey St. Galleries through a competitive open curatorial are open to the public Thurs-Sat, 10 call and expanded our arts education a.m. to 4 p.m. For more info, visit opportunities. Additionally, we have angelsgateart.org. grown our board and staff steadily and have been able to further expand our Linda Grimes is the executive direcprogramming, community outreach, and engagement. Finally, through the tor of the San Pedro Waterfront increased support of foundations over Arts District and can be reached at the last two years, we have been able 55lindagrimes@gmail.com.

AIRBNB & MORE Short Term Rental Management • Experienced Superhost • Best Rates in Town • Professional, Turnkey • Owners: All you have to do is get paid!

TESTIMONIAL

I am very grateful for meeting some wonderful local folks and am honored to manage such spectacular 5 star short term vacation rentals.

-- Skye

Skye: (818) 939-2759

TESTIMONIA

My business starte with the B ad! Equally I am v wonderful local fo such spectacular 5 rentals.

AIRB 81

Now Welcoming New Patients

Dr. Ja’nae Brown Dr. Maile Bay Jacques

Dr. Daisuke Saiki Dr. Geovanni Sandoval

Prompt, friendly care

SPECIALIZING IN

Fun, interactive environment

Sports Orthopedics Injury Movement

Advanced comfort & sedation Pediatric Speciality, just for kids!

Most Insurance Accepted & Preferred Providers for:

Diane C. Sizgorich, D.D.S. 1411 W.7th St. Suite C, San Pedro 310.831.8861

S a n Pe d ro Pe d i at r i c D e n t i s t . c o m

Your child will love it here

f

sanpedrotoday.com

I OCTOBER 2023 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 29

IMPACT

THE TENACIOUS FIGHTER

What drew you to the work?

From an early age, I knew whatever I did would involve helping people. It’s how I’m wired. Those closest to me know that I’ve been there, living on the streets, struggling in recovery. So, yes, you find yourself in a situation, experiencing the unimaginable yourself. But then you also find a way out. And it just reaffirms what you already know — you have to help, you have to make it better, one person at a time. Honestly, that’s what keeps me going: looking at whose life I made better today because I could help them.

The bigger piece can feel overwhelming.

be part of the solution, get out of our way so we can do the work. I’ve been working with broken tools most of my career, and I still get the work done. ___________________________

I could write ten articles from this interview — and I might. From Shari’s life experience to her hundreds of stories that articulate how much this work is truly seeing — and walking with — one person at a time. Shari emphaA candid conversation with Harbor Interfaith’s sized how those Shari Weaver experiencing the worst imaginable

by Amber Sheikh situation don’t also need your judgment.

A waitress Shari Weaver is Tell me a little about how your Shari knew hapone of my (s)hecareer started. pened to also be roes, and I am in After high school, I immediately homeless.

She was awe of her every started working for L.A. County, and trying to get her What is a day. just as I was turning 21, I joined the life sorted — she As the director Sheriff’s Academy and worked for L.A. misconcephad a job and tion folks have of the coordinated County as a deputy sheriff for about was waiting on about poventry system at three years. After I got hurt on the job, I housing. Someone erty?

Harbor Interfaith had to reinvent my career. found out she That it only Services, her superpower is meeting Fast-forward some years, and after was living on the impacts a Shari Weaver. (photo: Tammy Khan) people where they are in their rawest grappling with some of my own life streets, judged certain group of moments and using that to herald posi- curveballs, I was fortunate enough to be people. Poverty doesn’t discriminate. her for her circumstances, and she was tive change. offered a six-month temporary position eventually fired.

Let’s dive into my candid and with Harbor Interfaith that turned into In your experience, what are the We can’t have it both ways. We can’t heartfelt conversation with Shari, an a 22-year-long career. tell those experiencing homelessness biggest roadblocks in our system? innovative and tenacious fighter for our that they should get a job and get their The system is overweight. It’s large unhoused neighbors.

Describe a day in your life. life together, then not extend them and unwieldy and can’t easily maneuWhat’s a typical day? Those don’t the grace and patience to do precisely ver — this makes it so hard to serve What did you want to be when you exist. I generally get in the office about humans where they are. that. grew up?

6:30 a.m. and have to be prepared for Shari will be retiring soon. Luckily, There are the people who go out and I can’t say there was any one thing whatever is thrown at me. The day I know many advocates and workers do high-touch work, engage with the in particular, but I have always been could start out meeting with funders, folks on the street, and excel at being an who, like me, have had the chance to very competitive. I roller skated commove on to meeting internally with advocate or a caseworker — this is their do eye-to-eye street outreach, problempetitively as a child for 14 years. In staff, looking at policies, and strategizstrength. But then we add processes and solve on a Sunday, or break some rules fact, my parents met at a roller rink in ing how to get resources for the folks to save some lives with Shari Weaver. procedures to their plate that hinder Long Beach. My sister and I both won we’re currently working with. If I’ve spt the actual work getting done. We’ve the single women’s national competigone “missing” from the office, that become our own worst enemy. This tion in different years. In high school, probably means I’m out in the streets Amber Sheikh is a San Pedro resiis one of the main reasons our people that competitiveness took me to the doing outreach because that will always [case workers] burn out. On top of that, dent, mother of two, community pool, and I became the first woman to be my passion. That’s where the real advocate, and owner of Sheikh/ the workforce is skeletal, and we can’t compete on the boys water polo team stuff happens.

Impact, a nonprofit consulting firm. find qualified folks.

— and even competed in synchronized To do this work, you need three She has nearly two decades of exswimming. I love the water, and now, things in abundance — patience, empa- What is something that we all can perience working in and with orgaas an adult, I could spend all my time in thy, and tenacity. nizations solving homelessness and do to help? the ocean. It’s how I decompress.

Be solutions-driven. If you can’t income inequality.

Tax Preparation Services: Individuals • Corporations Partnerships • Non-profits Audit Representation (310) 519-8600 George A. Van Buren, EA, MBA

30 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2023 I sanpedrotoday.com

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

Hello from Andrea!

Andrea R. Herman is a compassionate attorney practicing workers’ compensation law on behalf of Longshore men and women. She is a proud resident of San Pedro and strong supporter of the Harbor community. Her office provides FREE consultations.

Please call and see if you or your loved one has any injury that she can help with

424.287.7335 LAW OFFICE OF

A ndreA r. H ermAn , PC www.lawarh.com

We’re your home maintenance resource We have everything you to need show your home some love, from cleaning supplies to tools and more.

South Shores Ace Hardware

OFFER VALID 10/1/23 - 11/30/23

Hurry in! Offer ends November 30, 2023!

2515 S Western Ave San Pedro, CA 90732 (310) 833-1223

sanpedrotoday.com

I OCTOBER 2023 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 31

FITNESS

ARE YOU BUILT TO MOVE?

A look at three key 'vital signs' for good health

by Eddie McKenna In my 30s, I exercised to look good, in my 50s, to stay fit, in my 70s, to stay ambulatory, in my 80s, to avoid assisted living.

Now in my 90s, I’m just doing it out of pure defiance. – Dick Van Dyke Dick Van Dyke’s quote about the active life he’s maintained at 97 years old is featured in the pages of a fantastic book I’m reading called Built to Move by Kelly and Juliet Starrett.

The authors, one a doctor of physical therapy and the other an accomplished

Olympic athlete, have spent decades working with pro athletes, Olympians, and Navy SEALs. Their book sought to answer one burning question: In a time when all the forces of technology and desk-centric careers to make a living (sitting) are working against us, how are we supposed to stay fit, agile, and young as we age?

In their book, they reveal ten key strategies called “vital signs” to do just that, and in this month’s column, I will share some of those lessons to get you started. Read on, and, like Mr. Van Dyke, you’ll be on the path to thriving at 97 years old.

Vital sign number one: the sit-torise test. There was a study done in

2014 that was published in the Eurousually the best — and breathe. Pay pean Journal of Preventive Cardiology attention to how you are breathing. Is where they found an inability to get up your belly rising as you inhale? Is your and down off the floor without assisinhale/exhale short or long? Can you tance is associated with a greater risk of close your mouth while doing it? death. Conversely, the higher the All these things will give you subject scored on the test, the greater feedback on how you are doing it. If the improvement in their statistical you need some help, I’d go to Google likelihood of survival. and search for “diaphragmatic breathThe book leads you through a test ing videos, ” or you can go to your local where you are scored on a scale of 1-10. yoga studio.

My grandma’s score when I started Vital sign training her at the number three is all age of 86 was 5/10. about movement.

Every day I Step counting, to be trained her, I had her more precise, and lie on the floor, this one is simple either on her but not easy. stomach or her back, One of the and coached her primary functions of through getting back the brain is to move. to her feet. It was physically exhaustWalking doesn’t just ing, but she could get you moving. It always get back to gets you moving the her feet. She hated right way; it offsets The cover of Built to Move by me for that but Kelly Starrett and Juliet Starrett. the ills of marathon appreciated it when sitting. Especially she fell in the for you folks who wake up, drive to shower and could get back up on her work, and then park yourself into a own.

When did you last get onto the floor chair for another eight to ten hours.

That’s life for most of us; how do we and back to your feet? How easy or combat that now? hard was it? Can you do it without using your arms and losing your The Starretts believe walking balance? How do you get better at the surpasses any fitness gadget or club sit-to-rise test if you are not good at it? membership you can buy. They believe You can do what my grandmother did it’s the best movement tool available. If — she got onto the floor more often you don’t know your step count, I than she wanted to; she also hired a would advise you to check your phone personal trainer to work with her on and look into the fitness app to see your mobility and strength exercises. weekly average.

Vital sign number two: breathing.

Then, the next challenge for you We do it every day without having to would be to see if you can double or think about it consciously. When was the last time you assessed how well you triple your steps for the next four were breathing? Did you even know weeks. Goal numbers: 8,000-12,000 there was a better way to do it? steps for a weekly average. My profesThe Starretts take breathing seriously sional sitters out there, you’ll need to and believe it’s a key component to plan after-dinner walks for about 20-30 your body mechanics, helping you minutes. One mile of walking will get move more efficiently, avoid injury, and you about 2,000 steps. See how your feel less pain. body responds to the added movement The first thing they assess when in your life. You’ll thank me later. taking on new athletes is how the There you have it. The book was athlete breathes. They break it down amazing, and the Starretts go into much into three components: breathing spaciously, meaning your belly, ribs, more detail than me. You can do a lot and chest expand generously as you more, but if you start with these three inhale; breathing slowly and breathing steps, you’ll make huge headway to a through your nose rather than your long, healthy life as you age. mouth, even, whenever possible, during We can all strive to live like Mr. Van times of exertion; lastly, being able to Dyke, dancing and working out in our hold your breath — the longer and 90s out of pure defiance. spt slower your exhales, the more oxygen you’ll be able to utilize.

Some ways to improve your breathing? Set a five-minute timer, get into a comfortable position — on your back is

32 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2023 I sanpedrotoday.com

Eddie McKenna is co-owner of Heyday Elite Fitness. For more info, visit heydaytraining.com.

570 W. 5th Street San Pedro, California 90731

(310) 832-9131

#FD418

www.mcnerneysmortuary.com

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! FROM THE LAW OFFICE OF RAYMOND GREEN

“If I only had an Estate Plan…”

Raymond D. Green

Attorney at Law 31 years of service in the San Pedro & South Bay area

• Estate Plans • Probates • Wills • Living Trusts • Power of Attorney • Real Estate

815 S. Averill Ave., San Pedro, CA 90732

(310) 784-8867

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

“Free 30 Minute Consultation with Mr. Green”

Resident Care Services • Medication Management • Showering and Dressing • Personal Laundry Visit us online!

• 24-hour Caregiver Support with Well-Trained and Dedicated Staff

Amenities • Restaurant-style Meals • Daily Housekeeping • Transportation • Full Calendar of Social, Educational, Cultural Activities and Events • In-House Beauty Salon and Barbershop

VOTED

BEST Retirement Community & BEST Assisted Living

HarborTerraceRetirement.com

435 W. 8th St. San Pedro

(310) 547-0090 License #198200855

sanpedrotoday.com

I OCTOBER 2023 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 33

THE BACK PAGE

THEY PAVED PARADISE... : The Fox Cabrillo Theatre (photo circa 1930s) was located at 115 W. 7th Street, between Beacon and Palos Verdes streets. It opened as a silent movie house on November 15, 1923 but was wired for sound in 1928. It was demolished in 1962 and replaced with a permit parking site for City of Los Angeles employees, which still exists today. (photo: San Pedro Heritage Museum)

GUARANTEE DELIVERY OF SAN PEDRO TODAY TO YOUR HOME EVERY MONTH! SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Tired of your neighbors stealing your copy on their daily walk? Sick of sending your copies to out of town relatives? Solve that by becoming a subscriber to San Pedro Today magazine!

Name __________________________________________________________

For just $39.95 a year, you can have San Pedro Today delivered right to your mailbox every month.

City/State/Zip ___________________________________________________

Cost includes 12 issues of San Pedro Today mailed in an envelope. (U.S. orders only.)

You can also order online at sanpedrotoday.com!

34 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2023 I sanpedrotoday.com

Address ________________________________________________________

Email ___________________________________________________________ Phone __________________________________________________________

Send to: San Pedro Today, P.O. Box 1168, San Pedro, CA 90733 Make checks for $39.95 payable to SAN PEDRO TODAY.

UPDATED JANUARY 2023

Discover the only

PERMANENT SOLUTION

for repairing TOOTH LOSS

Giri Palani, DDS, FICOL Implant Dentistry Dr. Palani is a Fellow in the International

We Offer:

• Dental Implants & Teeth in ONE DAY • Complete Implant procedure done in one office from start to finish • Minimally Invasive Dental Implant Procedures • Computer Guided Implant Placement • Treatment Options to fit into any budget • Financing Available

Congress of Oral Implantoligists. He has been giving people back their smiles for over a decade.

TRUST AN EXPERT — CALL TODAY — (310) 464-1322

www.Teeth4LosAngeles.com

28358 S. Western Ave., RPV 90275 NEW PATIENT SPECIAL

NEW PATIENT SPECIAL

OFF Your Dental

CT Scan with an

$1200-$5500 Implant Procedure

Not combinable with any other offer or discount.

Exp. 10/31/23

FREE

Implant Consultation

Not combinable with any other offer or discount.

Exp. 10/31/23