Page A12 • March 2, 2017 • Inland Empire Community Newspapers
World Seafood in SB serves up choice, fresh seafood
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By MJ Duncan
erch from New Zealand, crappie from Lake Superior, cod and halibut from Alaska are a small sample of the fresh, lake and ocean fish featured at World Seafood in San Bernardino. Steven Wuo opened his restaurant on February 4 at the former Mug site, and includes oysters, scallops and jumbo shrimp at competitive prices. A former resident of San Bernardino, Wuo has owned several commercial properties in the city dating back to the early 80’s, and noted through the decades he has gained an understanding of what residents want. He purchased the property on Highland in September, and is no novice to the restaurant industry; his experience includes owning import and retail seafood ventures in the Los Angeles area, and a running his family-owned piano bar and
steakhouse in Alhambra. “I want to bring high-quality seafood that you can’t readily get in this area such as crappie, regarded as a superior fresh water fish in the culinary arena, and offer it at a reasonable price,” Wuo said about his choices of fish. “I run this restaurant like a fish market, but I only sell cooked products, that is what I believe will make me stand out from other restaurants.” Wuo put perch on the menu because its mild flavor is palatable to a range of taste buds, and its versatility. Fish and chips are made with Alaskan cod and portions are generous - a large order for $15 provides one pound of fish, or approximately 13 large pieces. Patrons can request salmon and halibut be grilled, and for $9.50 diners are served half-a-pound of fish. “I wanted to see what took the place of The Mug, and I was happily surprised by the quality of my lunch,” said San Bernardino resi-
dent Philip Anderson. “It’s always dubious to try seafood being so far inland, but my filet of sole was outstanding and very fresh.” Wuo, whose family immigrated here from Taiwan in the 70’s and currently lives in Duarte, says the community has been warm and welcoming since he opened his doors. His business has been mainly fueled by word of mouth, and he is confident that this will be a successful venture. His goal is for World Seafood to become a destination restaurant. “I bought this property because I liked the location, and if I didn’t it may have stayed vacant,” he said. “I am excited about bringing something special to San Bernardino and making a difference in the seafood business in the city. World Seafood is located at 1588 W. Highland Ave. in San Bernardino, and is open everyday from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., phone number is (909) 474-9437.
PHOTO COURTESY/WORLD SEAFOOD
World Seafood is located at the former Mug site on Highland Avenue in San Bernardino.
The Grove High School is small in numbers, big in Montessori approach to sports
PHOTO/HARVEY COHEN
First year baseball coach Chris Brady at The Grove High School in Redlands conducts a light workout in preparation of 2017 season.
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By Harvey M. Kahn
he Grove High School in Redlands is a small high school with big hopes to build a respected athletic program. It's now better known for its student-operated farm and produce market where Grove Athletic Director Kramer Gudgeon serves as business manager. In his second year, Gudgeon wears many hats at The Grove including head coach of the Ravens soccer team, teaching business, and being a member of its board of directors. Despite an enrollment that hovers around 130 students, The Grove has been a member of the California Interscholastic Federation since 2005. It plays at the Division 7 level against parochial schools in the Majestic League. The Grove is making progress in two of the seven sports it competes. This season Gudgeon led the school into the CIF-playoffs. Two seasons ago softball coach Kendall McCarthy led The Grove into the post season. With good hitting down the lineup, the softball team looks capable of returning to the playoffs this season. It features pitchers Caroline Fox, Kennedy McCarthy and senior slugger Christen Freeman. The Grove baseball team has
always been another story due to lack of interest. Former coach Obrey Brown got the team off the ground in 2004. By the next season, the Ravens were competing. Brown guided the team to its best season ever in 2007 with a 6-9 record but had to resign after four years when his son began playing baseball in Palm Springs. "It was very hard for me to step away," Brown said. Brown knows what first-year Ravens baseball coach Chris Brady is going through. He recalled that many of his players had little baseball skill. "I didn't have a catcher or pitcher. We had our pitcher's throw a high arching pitch. Yes. Sort of like slo-pitch softball which could baffle batter's enough to keep us in some games," explained Brown. "I remember one of our hitters got a hold of one and sent it over the fence. He was so excited that he missed touching every base on his home run trot. He was then called out." Progress eventually came. He told of winning one game when his player stole home. The team was soon able to perfect a pickoff play at third base. "I had one rule. Show up on time for practice." Current coach Brady could face a greater challenge. Due to a last minute coaching vacancy, Brady was hired two weeks be-
fore the season opener. There were seven players at a recent practice just ten days before the first game scheduled for March 3rd at Crossroads Christian. "I'm a little concerned. I'm hoping for at least three more. We'll get more," says Brady. Gudgeon, who played soccer at Redlands East Valley High, assured there will be a baseball team this season, saying that at least two more players are expected. "It's always a numbers game at small schools. We hired a coach (Brady) because he is able to individualize practice according to vastly different skills levels, said Gudgeon. According to available records, The Grove has been able to field only three baseball teams in the past eight years. Gudgeon says the past is over and he wants to help build a respectable athletic program. He explained that The Groves is a charter school under the jurisdiction of the Redlands Unified School District and uses the Montessori approach to learning. When asked for a short definition of Montessori, Gudgeon called it "learning by doing." Gudgeon said The Groves uses the Montessori approach on its athletic fields as well, where winning is important but not that important! "Sports is one part of our education plan. We use it to teach skills that could help later in life. We're not a sports school. We just want to see students show improvement in whatever they do." Senior softball player Elizabeth Escobar agreed that it's rewarding to see her team grow in confidence on and off the field. "We expect to win but we learn from our mistakes. I'm learning so I can become a coach. We expect to have fun." Escobar might try out at Chaffey or SBVC next year. "Some of us do wonder how we'd do playing baseball at a bigger high school. I think I'd do well," said freshman Daniel Larrance, one of the more experienced players. "I'm used to a Montesorri education, so I'll stay here." Like Larrance and teammate Daniel Ortiz, senior Colin
LeMasters can excel at every position. He played as a freshman and sophomore and stayed at The Grove that had no baseball team last year. "No. We didn't have a team last season and we didn't
win much before that," said LeMasters. "It's been hard for me because I've always been on winning all-star teams before. It's OK. I'll stay, compete and have some fun."