2026 | september | No. 76
BENEATH THE SURFACE
Marineland’s Underwater Painter PENINSULA SECURITES The Legacy Continues AROUND TOWN People, Parties & Traditions
PALosVErdEsMAgAziNE.CoM
Your Coastal Reset Everything gets quieter past the door, except the ocean. In the first hour, your shoulders soften and your breath finds the water’s rhythm. A treatment, then the pool at the water’s edge, then the long afternoon with nowhere to be. The Spa at Terranea has been here all along.
T E R R A N E A C O M / S PA
City of Hope
Los Angeles
Lorena Gonzalez, M.D.
Reza Mostofi, M.D.
Aileen Z. Novero, M.D.
Rodina Vatanparast, M.D.
Sharvina Ziyeh, M.D.
Moshe Faynsod, M.D.
Andrew Nguyen, M.D.
Ji Hyun Kim, M.D.
Garth A. Green, M.D.
Adnan A. Khan, M.D.
Breast Surgeon
Surgical Oncologist
Medical Oncologist and Hematologist
Surgical Oncologist
Medical Oncologist and Hematologist
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Medical Oncologist and Hematologist
Radiation Oncologist
Medical Oncologist and Hematologist
Medical Oncologist and Hematologist
What happens in our lab doesn’t stay in our lab.
City of Hope brings our cancer discoveries to you, right here in South Bay
The multidisciplinary team at City of Hope South Bay includes experts in: •
Medical oncology
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Cancer care designed around you
Cancer treatment can be overwhelming. That’s why every detail at South Bay is built to reduce stress and make care more comfortable while also delivering the expertise of our physician team. With free parking, an on-site pharmacy and thoughtful amenities like warm blankets, private chemotherapy rooms and Wi-Fi, patients can focus on their health. Just as important, City of Hope accepts a wide range of insurance plans, helping ensure more people in our community can access the care they need.
A legacy of excellence
City of Hope is ranked #1 for best hospital in cancer during 2026-2027 in the Los Angeles metropolitan area by U.S. News & World Report, designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute, and APEx accredited by the American Society for Radiation Oncology. That legacy of innovation lives here in South Bay.
Ending cancer starts with Hope City of Hope South Bay 5215 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503 CityofHope.org/South-Bay | 310-750-1715
“When facing cancer, expert care close to home can make all the difference. At City of Hope South Bay, patients receive more than treatment. They receive hope, innovation and care from a team of compassionate experts dedicated to healing.” —Moshe Faynsod, M.D. Surgical Oncologist
© 2026 City of Hope
A cancer diagnosis changes everything. When facing cancer, expert care close to home can make all the difference. At City of Hope South Bay, patients have access to breakthrough discoveries and leading-edge cancer care that define our National Medical Center in Duarte, without the long drive.
W H E N C A N C E R S H OWS U P, O U R 2,000 C A N C E R E XP E R T S S H OW U P ST R O NGER Our only focus is curing cancer.
Amber, a busy television producer, knew her story was bigger than a cancer diagnosis. Today, she’s living her sequel. As one of the nation’s largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations, our singular focus on cancer drives breakthrough discoveries, advanced treatments and outcomes that surpass national standards — bringing more victories to more patients worldwide.
Ending cancer starts with Hope © 2026 City of Hope
CityofHope.org/LA | 844-562-HOPE (4673)
Amber
City of Hope Patient
Cover photo courtesy of Scott Loomis
Editor’s Letter | Issue No. 76 There is something about September in Palos Verdes that feels like the start of a new season. School is back, calendars are filling up, and so many of the traditions that make our community special return. One of those traditions is the Portuguese Bend National Horse Show, celebrating an incredible 69 years this year. I am always amazed by the dedication of the women behind this event. Several of my friends are part of this remarkable organization, and I have seen firsthand the countless hours, hard work and special touches that go into making the Horse Show happen. These women truly roll up their sleeves, and it is inspiring to see what they accomplish year after year while raising funds for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. I have also been honored to attend the Saturday Night Supper for many years, and this year’s food was especially delicious thanks to locals Jeff Earle of The Original Red Onion and Harlan Chin of Ace Sushi. It was such a fun evening celebrating the sponsors, members and volunteers who make this tradition possible. As we settle back into our routines and look ahead to all that fall brings, I am especially grateful as we head into our 76th issue of Palos Verdes Magazine. Thank you for your continued support, encouragement and generosity. Please keep sending us your stories. They are truly the heart of this magazine. And as you turn these pages, please support the local businesses you see throughout the issue. Their support allows us to continue sharing the people, organizations, traditions and stories of Palos Verdes month after month. Here’s to fall, PV traditions and another wonderful season in the community we are so fortunate to call home.
PV MAGAZINE TEAM Kristin Borden Founder & Managing Owner 310-940-1445 kristin.borden@palosverdesmagazine.com lane bullard Creative Director lane.bullard@palosverdesmagazine.com cindy donnelly Community Calendar, Special Advertising, Content Creation cindy.donnelly@palosverdesmagazine.com melani Edelstein Writer melani.edelstein@palosverdesmagazine.com Molly McLEOD Digital Content, Production molly.mcleod@palosverdesmagazine.com Edward McClure Contributing Event Photographer mccsch@aol.com PVM Street Team Christian (Cifen) Alexander, Video Host, Editor Isabel Galvin, Video Editor
With gratitude, Kristin Borden
For advertising inquiries: kristin.borden@palosverdesmagazine.com
www. palosverdesmagazine.com Loved seeing Gary and Peggy Winterowd
Enjoying the PBNHS with Nancy Kim, Bethlyn Dawnson and Jennifer Kirk
Follow us on Instagram @palosverdesmagazine
Partnered with www.onetreeplanted.org
06 | PVMagazine | September | 2026
iN tHis issUE issue No. 76
14
COMMUNITY + LOCALE
32 A Legacy of Protection, A New Generation of Innovation How a 70-year family business found a natural home in the South Bay with Peninsula Security
AROUND TOWN
26 Cancer Support Community South Bay’s 29th Annual Celebrate Wellness Gala
29
36 What’s for Lunch? For the kids of the PVPUSD, school lunches have become not only nutritious, but delicious!
36
PV PROFILE 14 Beneath the Surface Scott Loomis is bringing his father’s extraordinary underwater paintings back to the Palos Verdes Peninsula
27 Chamber Business Expo
32
28 PV Dems Annual Picnic Terranea Food and Wine Festival 2026
26
29 South Bay Challenge Golf Tournament Plaque Ceremony Malaga Cove Plaza 31 PBNHS Saturday Night Social
31 PV COMMUNITY CALENDAR 11 September-October Highlights Peninsula fun for everyone
NEW BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT 19 Coming Home to Care Dr. Jennifer Che comes back to where she grew up, bringing expert eye care to the Peninsula
2026 | September | PVMagazine | 09
V
95th Anniversary
NTER CE
PALOS
S AR E D R T E
OPEN HOUSE OCTOBER 3 & 4 10am - 4pm FREE
JOIN US TO CELEBRATE OUR 95th BIRTHDAY WITH FREE ART ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS AND ADULTS
Palos Verdes Art Center | pvartcenter.org | 310-541-2479
Looking for something to do this weekend? PV Magazine’s Community Calendar has it all! Scan QR code to find out what’s happening around Palos Verdes and the South Bay.
CALENdAR HIGHLIGHTS
palosverdesmagazine.com/calendar Photo by Erik Jay WEDNESDAYS 10:15A.M. TO 11:30 A.M.
Peninsula Seniors Bohannon Lecture Series at Scriba Family Center.
Free event for the community, enjoy a cup of coffee and thought-provoking lectures on a variety of topics, all presented by local personalities. Coffee at 10:15am, lecture begins at 10:30am. Free. pvseniors.org.
DAILY FROM 8 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M.
LAST MONTH for Thomas Dambo’s TROLLS and SOAR Tropical Butterflies Exhibits at South Coast Botanic Garden
Prepare for a GIANT dose of wonder! General Garden Admission will include Thomas dambo’s TROLLS: A Field Study, a whimsical expedition featuring twelve large Trolls crafted entirely from reclaimed wood. Buy tickets for SOAR Tropical Butterflies and the Trolls exhibit included. Both exhibits end October 4th. southcoastbotanicgarden.org
SEPTEMBER 2 AT 9:00 A.M.
1st Wednesday Bird Walk with Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Join expert Bob Shanman meeting in front of White Point Nature Education Center for a free bird walk with an experienced naturalist, binoculars provided. pvplc.org
FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4-6 FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M.
68th Annual Portuguese Bend National Horse Show at Ernie Howlett Park
For three days this highly regarded A-rated Horse Show has two fully scheduled rings offering a wide variety of classes including the prestigious PCHA Horsemanship Medal Finals. The weekend’s activities will include a hometown atmosphere created through an array of food booths, boutiques and fun for children which will include magic shows, pony rides, face painting and more. To learn more visit www.pcch.net
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 FROM 7 P.M. TO 8 P.M.
Los Serenos de Point Vicente Open House: Become a Docent
Learn about the local geology, flora and fauna, and history, then share this knowledge with museum visitors. Trainees meet at the PVIC one day a week for approximately 8 weeks to learn about numerous subjects through classroom lectures and onsite walks. docent classes start Wednesday, September 16th at 10am. www.losserenosrpv.org/
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 12 AND 13 FROM 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M.
Malaga Cove Art on the Lawn Show
The event features paintings, jewelry, ceramics, photography, wearable art, and prints from artists from the seven art groups affiliated with Palos Verdes Art Center. pvartcenter.org/event
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 FROM 10:30 A.M. TO 11:30 A.M.
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Nature Club for Kids: Reptiles
Join us at White Point Nature Education Center for a reptile themed nature club. We’ll do some fun reptile activities and meet our live reptile ambassadors! This event is free and suitable for ages 3-10. pvplc.org
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 18 AND 19 FROM 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M.
Peninsula Library Friends Foundation Monthly Book Sale at Malaga Cove Library
Stock up on summer reading! More than 25,000 books, large print, books on Cd, music Cd’s, records, and puzzles to pick from. Lots of great gift ideas. New donations are arriving daily. Admission is free and sales take place on Friday and Saturday. Plffoundation.org/book-sales
SEPTEMBER 19 FROM 9 A.M. TO NOON
Coastal Clean Up Day 2026 with Los Sereno’s de Point Vicente at Founders Park
Held in more than 100 countries around the world every September, the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) is the world’s largest effort to rid the ocean and waterways of plastics and marine debris. The location for this year’s event will begin at Founders Park and cleaning up Rancho Palos Verdes Beach and Ocean Trails Reserve. For more information visit www.losserenosrpv.org
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 AND 20 FROM 10 A.M. TO 4 P.M.
South Bay Orchid Society 6th Annual Fall Show & Sale
The show will feature dozens of award winning and blooming orchids on exhibit plus local California commercial growers, international Orchid nurseries, and favorite vendors will be offering a wide range and very unique selection of species and hybrid orchids and other unique plants for sale. southbayorchidsociety.com/Show
SEPTEMBER 26 FROM 9:30 A.M. TO 12:30 P.M. (CHECK IN WILL OPEN AT 9:00 A.M.)
Public Lands, Community Pride on National Public Lands Day with the PVP Land Conservancy Celebrate our public lands by helping to care for the White Point Nature Preserve Native Plant demonstration Garden! Weeding, seed preparation, watering activities, children’s activities, and more! your efforts will help restore this habitat for wildlife as well as create a beautiful place for the community to enjoy! Register now: pvplc.volunteerhub.com
SATURDAY OCTOBER 3 FROM 3 P.M. TO 4:30 P.M.
PVLD presents Author Talk with Elizabeth Letts and Melanie Benjamin
Join PVLd at the Peninsula Center Library for an afternoon in conversation with New york Times Best Selling authors. Books will be available for purchase onsite and signing to follow. Visit pvld.org or call 310-3779584 ext. 601 for more information.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3 AT 5 P.M.
Rotary Responders Roundup Honoring Our Hometown Heroes
Join the Palos Verdes Peninsula Rotary Club in honoring our hometown heroes. Get ready for a Western-themed night of fun, games, music, dancing, and tasty fare of Texas BBq. Sponsorship Opportunities Available. rotarypvp.org
SEPTEMBER 16 FROM 11AM TO NOON
Palos Verdes Peninsula Village Information Session at Peninsula Library
Come learn about this dynamic organization of older adults who have joined together to help one another navigate the challenges and opportunities of aging. Meet PVP Village members and volunteers and learn about the PVP Village, its enriching social and intellectual activities and volunteer support. Call 310-991-3324 or email PeninsulaVillagePVP@gmail.com for details and to RSVP.
2026 | September | PVMagazine | 11
PV CALENdAR
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Beneath the Surface
A Son’s Promise, a Marineland Legacy, and an Artist Unlike Any Other Photos Courtesy of Scott Loomis
For generations of Palos Verdes and South Bay residents, the word Marineland unlocks a flood of memories: dolphins and whales, enormous tanks, school field trips, family outings and the unmistakable feeling of arriving somewhere unlike anywhere else.
Long after Marineland of the Pacific closed, its stories remain part of the Peninsula’s collective memory. But there is one remarkable story many people have never heard. It is the story of an artist who descended 22 feet underwater wearing a diving helmet, set up an easel among sharks, rays and schools of fish, and painted the world around him as he saw it. His name was Addison “Curly” Loomis. Addison “Curly” Loomis
14 | PVMagazine | September | 2026
S
cott Loomis is bringing his father’s extraordinary underwater paintings back to the Palos Verdes Peninsula, fulfilling a promise decades in the making and turning one man’s love of the ocean into a legacy for its future. And more than three decades after promising his father that he would find a way to tell his story, his son, Scott Loomis, is doing exactly that. PV Magazine recently sat down with Scott to talk about growing up at Marineland, his father’s extraordinary art, the promise that stayed with him for decades and the new foundation he hopes will transform that legacy into something even bigger: a way to educate future generations and help protect the ocean his father loved.
Growing Up at Marineland
Scott was just two years old when his family moved from Oregon to Redondo Beach in 1961. His father began working at Marineland the following year, starting as a janitor. It was an unlikely beginning for someone who would create one of Marineland’s most unusual artistic legacies. Addison had always been an artist. He could draw, paint, sculpt and work in charcoal. He also loved the ocean and eventually trained to join Marineland’s dive team. For Scott, Marineland became an extension of home. “I grew up at Marineland, basically,” he said. He remembers riding on the back of his father’s BSA motorcycle to work and spending summer days exploring seemingly every corner of the property. At the time, none of it seemed particularly extraordinary. “I was too young,” Scott said. “I just appreciated it. I thought, man, my dad’s cool.” decades later, he understands just how remarkable it was.
submerged only 30 to 40 minutes before surfacing to warm himself. A single painting could require approximately 40 hours underwater. His subjects, of course, did not pose. Addison often waited for schools of fish to circle back into view, adding only a few brushstrokes before they disappeared again. There was one notable exception.
Jerome
Among the sea life in the tank was a large grouper named Jerome who developed an unlikely friendship with Addison. unlike the fish constantly swimming past, Jerome would settle beside Addison as he worked, sometimes resting against his knee. Addison discovered that Jerome enjoyed having his mouth and gums rubbed with his paintbrushes and eventually used one of Marineland’s oversized novelty toothbrushes, turning their interaction into something visitors could watch through the glass. One of Scott’s favorite historic photographs captures the scene: Addison at his easel with Jerome beside him, working on a painting Scott calls Twin Blues, featuring two blue sharks. In the background, nearly hidden from view, is the shadow of a roughly 14-foot sawfish.
Painting the Impossible
The underwater painting began almost as an experiment. Another diver knew Addison was an artist and suggested he try painting underwater. Oil paint and water do not mix, so Addison gave it a try. At 22 feet below the surface, however, sunlight refracted through the water and altered his visual perception. What appeared correct underwater looked distorted when the canvas reached the surface. Somehow, Addison taught himself to compensate. “He had to develop a way to paint what he couldn’t see so it turned out like what he did see when he was down there,” Scott explained. Over time, Addison refined the technique until his paintings became astonishingly realistic. Even today, Scott says professional artists who have examined the work struggle to explain precisely how he accomplished it. The physical challenge was just as remarkable. The tank water came directly from the ocean and was so cold Addison could generally remain
Twin Blues, by Addison “Curly” Loomis
Wonder, Loomis’s painting of a sawfish, one of the many inhabitants of the aquarium Loomis painted Facing page photo: Loomis at work underwater with Jerome the grouper by his side
2026 | September | PVMagazine | 15
For Scott, it is a glimpse into a childhood that now seems almost impossible. Marineland attracted celebrities, entertainers and musicians, and Scott remembers the excitement of seeing famous visitors, including a childhood encounter with “Granny” from The Beverly Hillbillies.
The Man Behind the Paintings
yet the story Scott most wants people to remember is not simply that his father could do something no other artist seemed able to do. It is who Addison Loomis was. As Scott has reconnected with people who knew his father, the same descriptions surface again and again. “He was very giving,” Scott said. “He’d give you the shirt off his back.” He was caring, loyal, deeply connected to animals and wildlife and unapologetically himself. “He didn’t run at the same pace of the world,” Scott said. “He moved at his own speed.” “Curly,” as his unmistakable hair earned him the nickname, stayed remarkably fit, swimming long distances between South Bay piers and riding his bicycle from the Beach Cities to Marineland. Most importantly, Scott remembers a man who loved animals and the ocean, a connection that makes what is happening today particularly, deeply, meaningful.
A Promise Between Father and Son
despite the uniqueness of his work, Addison never received the recognition he hoped for during his lifetime. determined to find an audience for his paintings, he once packed the unframed canvases into a wooden crate, boarded a bus and traveled to New york City. He carried his work through the city, approaching businesses and organizations he hoped might appreciate what he had created. Again and again, he was turned away. “He was rejected across the board,” Scott recalled. Addison returned home deeply discouraged. A few years later, he developed a brain tumor. Scott went to Oregon to care for his father during the final months of his life. There, he made him a promise. “dad, I’m going to do whatever I can to get your story out there.” Scott never forgot it. Beginning around 1989 and 1990, long before websites and social media made sharing a story simple, he photographed the artwork and mailed packages to people he hoped might help, including renowned marine artist Wyland. Life continued. years passed. But the promise remained. “I’ve had it in my heart since 1989,” Scott said. “It’s a labor of love.”
16 | PVMagazine | September | 2026
Top photo: “Curly” Loomis at Marineland Bottom Photo:Loomis painting alongside Jerome and other fish friends
Eventually, the paintings found their way back to the place where their story began. In 2019, an exhibition at Terranea Resort brought Addison’s work back to the former Marineland property. For Scott, returning his father’s underwater paintings to that same stretch of Palos Verdes coastline decades later was an important step in fulfilling his promise. The exhibition also introduced the work to respected artists, including dan Pinkham, who spent hours examining the paintings and, like others before him, struggled to understand how Addison had done it. “How did he do it?” remains the question. Perhaps the mystery is part of their magic.
“If my father could walk into an exhibition of his work today, he would probably break down and cry, he would be in awe, total awe, that so many people cared about what he had created.” —Scott Loomis
Before the Memories Disappear
There is an urgency to Scott’s work. The generation that experienced Marineland firsthand is getting older, and every year more of its stories risk disappearing. Scott remembers the diver shack. The tanks. Riding to Marineland with his dad. Jerome. He remembers when watching his father paint underwater did not seem historic or extraordinary because it was simply his life. Today, he sees it differently. Perhaps that is the most meaningful part of the story. A man who once carried his paintings across the country only to be told no never lived to see where they would eventually lead. But his son did not let the story end there. More than three decades after making a promise beside his dying father, Scott Loomis is still keeping it, one painting, one memory and one story at a time. And now, Addison Loomis’ view from beneath the surface may inspire future generations to care for the ocean he loved so deeply.
From Legacy to Conservation
Today, Scott’s vision has grown beyond preserving the paintings. He began establishing the Addison Rockwell Loomis Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit built around his father’s art Scott Loomis and story, with a mission connected to something Addison deeply loved: the ocean and its wildlife. Officially launched on September 6 at Terranea Resort, the Foundation is centered on ocean conservation, public education, and marine life rescue and rehabilitation. Rather than duplicate the work of established marine conservation organizations, Scott sees the Foundation as a
A collection of Loomis’s paintings at Marineland
catalyst, using Addison’s remarkable art and story to capture attention, spark curiosity and inspire action. The Foundation will raise funds and awareness in support of organizations already doing hands-on work, including the Pacific Marine Mammal Center and Marine Mammal Care Center, while also bringing Addison’s story and a message of ocean stewardship into schools. The idea feels fitting. Long before ocean conservation became part of the everyday conversation, Addison was spending hours beneath the surface, observing marine life closely enough to paint it. Now, the beauty he captured may help protect the world that inspired him.
Scan the QR code to learn more about the Addison Rockwell Loomis Foundation and how you can support its mission.
2026 | September | PVMagazine | 17
PV PROFILE NON-ROFIT
Coming Home to the Peninsula
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NEW BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
COMING HOME TO CARE Dr. Jennifer Che brings personalized eye care and a deeply local story to Malaga Cove
There’s something special about seeing a Palos Verdes local come home, espe- department at UC Irvine’s Gavin Herbert Eye Institute. She is also a Fellow of the cially when she brings a new business to the community that helped shape her. American Academy of Optometry. PV Magazine recently sat down with Dr. Jennifer Che, founder of Magnolia Optometry, With Magnolia Optometry, she envisioned an intimate practice where patients a new personalized eye-care practice in the heart of Malaga Cove. She moved to would never feel like just another appointment. She wanted the time to listen, get to California with her family in 1988 and later attended Peninsula High know her patients and provide care centered around their individual needs. School. After years away pursuing her education and career, “I want patients to feel like they’re coming home,” she says. she knew Palos Verdes was where she wanted to return “Here, they’re greeted, they’re known, and they’re valued as to raise her own family. individuals.” “When I moved back to Palos Verdes and Malaga Cove felt like a natural fit. Having grown up unpacked that last box, I felt like I was exactly in Lunada Bay, she has always appreciated the small“I want patients to feel where I belonged,” she says. “But there was town character and strong sense of community in still one piece missing. I wanted to put down Palos Verdes Estates. Even the name Magnolia is like they’re coming home— roots for a business here, too, and build meaningful. Magnolia flowers symbolize dignity they’re greeted, they’re known, something that could give back to the comand resilience, qualities she feels reflect her own munity that raised me and will now help journey home. and they’re valued raise my own family.” Magnolia Optometry provides comprehensive as individuals.” This year, opening Magnolia Optometry in eye care for adults and children, including ocular Dr. Jennifer Che Malaga Cove completed that picture. health exams, pediatric vision evaluations, myopia Inspired by her parents, both medical profesmanagement, dry-eye treatment, diabetic eye care sionals, Dr. Che knew she wanted a career in health and screenings for conditions such as glaucoma and care. Her decision to become an optometrist was also macular degeneration. personal. Having worn glasses since childhood, she underFamily care is especially important to Dr. Che. As both an optometrist stands firsthand how much clear vision matters in everyday life. and a mother who manages her own children’s myopia, she understands the “I know how frustrating it can be when you can’t see well enough to simply experience from both sides of the exam chair. She also hopes to help patients underfunction,” she says. “That personal experience gave me a deep appreciation for the stand the importance of preventive eye care and how comprehensive eye exams can difference good eye care can make in someone’s life.” reveal signs of broader health concerns. Dr. Che earned her undergraduate degree from UC Riverside and attended the UC For Dr. Che, opening Magnolia Optometry is about more than starting a new Berkeley School of Optometry, followed by advanced residency training in low vision business. It is about putting down roots in a place that has always felt like home and ocular disease at the LA VA Ambulatory Center. Her career has included serving and creating something meaningful for the community she loves. as an attending optometrist at VA Long Beach and helping establish the optometry
DR. JENNIFER CHE
300 Tejon Place, Unit 5 Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
310-591-8668 magnoliaoptometry.com
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Insurance: Medicare, VSP, Blue Shield of California and most major vision insurance through open access.
2026 | September | PVMagazine | 19
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thecanterbury.org | (310) 982-4025 An ECS senior living community. Proudly nonprofit. 5801 Crestridge Rd. Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 RCFE 191-603774, COA 257
AROUND TOWN
Cancer Support Community South Bay’s 29th Annual Celebrate Wellness – Great Gatsby Gala Cancer Support Community South Bay (CSC South Bay) welcomed more than 250 guests to its 29th Annual Celebrate Wellness Gala on Aug. 15 at the Westdrift Hotel in Manhattan Beach, raising more than $230,000 to help provide more than 200 free programs each month for cancer patients and their families. The Great Gatsby-themed evening featured dinner, live and silent auctions, a Golden Ticket drawing, a speakeasy-inspired wine pull and entertainment by magician Aaron O’Brien. KTLA’s Wendy Burch emceed the evening, CSC South Bay participant Sean Fistonich shared his personal cancer journey and how the organization’s free programs helped him, and members of the Youth Leadership Council were recognized for helping raise awareness of CSC South Bay’s mission in local schools and throughout the community. For more information about CSC South Bay’s free programs for cancer patients and their loved ones, visit www.cscsouthbay.org.
Members of Cancer Support Community South Bay’s Youth Leadership Council Klara Mertz, Arya Abbasian Kashi, Ava Abbasian Kashi, Aubrey Bradford, Liam Hartigan. The students were recognized for helping raise awareness of the organization’s free programs in local schools and throughout the community
Gia Balzano, Avery Kokes, and Ava Abbasian Kashi help guests with Golden Tickets
(L-R) Scott Trantina, Kelli Trantina, CSC South Bay Board Member Kathy Grogan, and Michael Grogan enjoy the festivities
Cancer Support Community South Bay participant Sean Fistonich shares how the organization’s free support programs helped him through his cancer journey
Cancer Support Community South Bay Executive Director and CEO Jillian Van Leuven (left) with KTLA’s Wendy Burch, who emceed the organization’s Celebrate Wellness Gala Tracey lee, Nikki Stark, CSC South Bay Event and Volunteer Manager Goli Eslami, Marta Jevenois, Anna Kapanadze
CSC South Bay Program Director and CCO Nancy Lomibao with Cesar Lomibao
26 | PVMagazine | September | 2026
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To see more photos of any of these events, scan the QR code!
Chamber Business Expo
The Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce brought the community together for its 2026 Community Business Expo on September 2 at the Norris Pavilion. The lively afternoon connected Peninsula and South Bay businesses, nonprofits, students, local leaders and community members under one roof. Guests explored a bustling business marketplace, made new connections, discovered local resources and enjoyed lightning talks, networking and opportunities designed to connect the next generation with local businesses and career paths. The event was a wonderful showcase of the people, organizations and entrepreneurial spirit that make our community thrive.
Bing of Rolling Robots
Danila Koverman of Fusion Academy welcomed guests
Julie Moe Reynolds Danny Waddell and Oscar Garcia
Elayne and Antoinette Bacerra of Palos Verdes Peninsula Village
Felix of Felix Design Studio
Jennifer Addington and Zoe Unno
Scott Loomis
Tamika, Mark Argento and Dr. Uriah of Peninsula Physical Therapy Jocyleen Lopez and Corrie Mathews
Suzy Zimmerman
Jonathan Beulter and Beth Whitenbury, PVPLD Board Members
2026 | September | PVMagazine | 27
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Terranea Food and Wine Festival 2026
It was a beautiful summer day at Terranea Resort for the Third Annual Food & Wine Festival on Sunday, July 26. Guests from Palos Verdes, throughout the South Bay and Los Angeles, along with those staying at the resort, came together for an afternoon of great food, wine, live music and Terranea’s incredible signature ocean views. Terranea’s own restaurants, including Mar’sel, Catalina Kitchen, Bashi and Nelson’s, were joined by restaurants and chefs from around Southern California, with plenty of wine, craft beer and specialty cocktails to sample along the way. Live music from Kaylyn and Astro Yachts kept the afternoon lively and added to the fun. With great food, live music and the beautiful location that is Terranea, it’s easy to see why this has become such a fun summer event. If you missed it this year, you’ll definitely want to keep an eye out for next year’s festival!
PV Dems Annual Picnic
On Sunday, July 19 the Palos Verdes Democrats held their 11th Annual Picnic to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday and the club’s 74-year history of civic engagement. Over 150 people gathered to hear from long-time and well-respected elected officials Congressman Ted Lieu, State Senator Ben Allen who is running for California Insurance Commissioner, and Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi who received special recognition as he prepares to leave the Assembly after reaching the 12-year term limit. There was keen interest to learn more about the four candidates for the South Bay district races. State Senate candidates John Erickson and Brian Goldsmith and State Assembly candi-
dates PVPUSD School Board President Sara Deen and RPV Mayor Paul Seo highlighted their qualifications and campaign priorities. The democratic club actively supports Peninsula politics. Local representatives present included RHE Mayor Pro Tem Pam Brown Schachter, RPV Councilmember George Lewis and PVPUSD School Board candidates Allyson Lehrer and Paul Vidal. The speakers emphasized the importance of Democratic organizing and participation in the upcoming Fall elections. For more information about the club’s monthly meetings, events and membership, visit www.PVPdemocrats.org.
John Erickson, Congressman Ted Lieu and Brian Goldsmith
County Assessor Jeff Prang, RPV Mayor Paul Seo, PV Democrats President Tim Dixon
Congressman Ted Lieu PV Democrats Board and Congressman Ted Lieu
28 | PVMagazine | September | 2026
Picnic on the lawn of St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church, RHE
Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, Senator Ben Allen, Brian Goldsmith
To see more photos of any of these events, scan the QR code!
South Bay Challenge Golf Tournament
Golfers, educators, local businesses and community supporters came together at Los Verdes Golf Course for the 2026 South Bay Challenge for Education Golf Tournament. More than a great day on the course, the annual event raises critical funds for programs benefiting students throughout the South Bay, including Palos Verdes Peninsula, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Torrance school districts. Funds support prevention, education and counseling programs addressing mental health, bullying, substance abuse, peer pressure and other challenges facing young people. The day concluded with dinner and awards, celebrating the sponsors, participants and community partners helping South Bay youth build brighter futures.
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1st Place, PARS: DR. Tim Stowe, Steven 2nd Place, LA Prep: Eron Iki, Kyle Cryer, Brandon Moon, Ryan Asato Keller, Ryan Nicaso, Carter Kimberly
High School Winner, South Torrance HS: Leo Park, Drew Tsujimoto, Stella Suzuki, Vienna Koo Wang
Redondo Beach Unified School District – Dr. Nicole Wesley
3rd Place, JR 286: Dan Jow, Marc Sasso, Byron Ferrise, Ben Bradshaw
El Segundo Superintendent – Dr. Jason Johnson
1st Place, Low Gross Team, PARS: Dr. Tim Stowe, Ryan Nicasio, Carter Kimberly, Steven Keller
Plaque Ceremony Malaga Cove Plaza
Photo Credit: Palos Verdes Olmsted Foundation
A public plaque unveiling ceremony was held on Thursday, July 24, 2026, at Olmsted Place Park to commemorate the listing of the Malaga Cove Plaza Business District on the National Register of Historic Places. Malaga Cove Plaza was listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior in 2021, a significant milestone for the City of Palos Verdes Estates. The designation recognizes the historic and architectural significance of the arcaded, Mediterranean Revival-style plaza, which was conceived as part of the master plan for the City of Palos Verdes Estates by planner Charles Cheney and Malaga Cove Historic District plaque with image landscape architects Olmsted Brothers, and landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. built between 1925 and 1964. The plaza’s buildings were designed by several prominent local architects. The ceremony also honors the broader legacy of Olmsted Associates in Palos Verdes Estates. Known in the 1920s as the Palos Verdes Project, the community was the largest residential planning project undertaken by the Olmsted firm, and its influence remains central to the character and design of the city today. Members of the public, local officials, and community organizations attended the unveiling ceremony to celebrate this recognition of Malaga Cove Plaza’s place in American architectural and planning history, and was made possible by the Palos Verdes Olmsted Foundation and Palos Verdes Olmsted Foundation founder Marlene the generous support of the Malaga Cove Plaza Breene (at right) Beautification Committee, Inc.
Malaga Cove Historic District plaque unveiling at Olmsted Place Park
2026 | September | PVMagazine | 29
30 | PVMagazine | September | 2026
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To see more photos of any of these events, scan the QR code!
PBNHS Saturday Night Social
The annual Saturday Night Social at the Portuguese Bend National Horse Show brought sponsors, members and friends together on Saturday, September 5, for one of the weekend’s favorite traditions. The evening was a chance to celebrate the many people who work tirelessly throughout the year to make the three-day horse show possible. Hosted by the Peninsula Committee Children’s Hospital, the longtime Palos Verdes tradition benefits Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and brings the community together year after year for a great cause. Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner provided by The Original Red Onion, along with Harlan Chin of Asiana Cuisine and Ace Express Fresh Sushi. It was a fun evening of great food, conversation and appreciation for the sponsors and dedicated members whose hard work and generosity continue to make the Portuguese Bend National Horse Show such a special community tradition.
Darrin and Cathy Eades
Erik Herbrandson , Annie Sneed, Jenny Litchfield - Horse Show Chair, Kellie Stende
Jerry Kouzmanoff, Alex Kouzmanoff, Al Walsh, Todd Stender, Mark Zahoryin, Dave McKinnie
Harlan Chin and his team from ACE Sushi
Joe and Heather Schuchert - PCCH President, Jillian Hilton, Hilary Waxler, Lesley and John Armstrong
Lisa Gentry, Grace Gentry, Sherry Gentry
Sharon Zahoryin, Heather Schuchert, Anne Cook, Nan Harman, Val Light, Debra Consani, Carole Rowe
Nathan Learned, Karen Learned, Andrew Lee, Vicky Lee, Nicholas Lee, Sue Kouzmanoff, Jerry Kouzmanoff
Madeline Schumacher, Karen Stuckman, Ginny Xepolis, Carey Romer, Sharon Zahoryin, Jen Cosgrove, Patty Lantz
Food was provided by the Original Red Onion
Kate Cocke, Song Klein, Sue Wilkinson, Patti Ochi
Melanie MacLean, Marilyn MacLeod, Carolyn Fitzpatrick, Laura (Fitzpatrick) Wagner
Jason Fairchild, Tom Light, Jeff MacLean, Steve Lopes, Chris Consani, Will Sieck, Dave Cheatham, Jeffrey Morgan, Todd Stender, Gerry Van Nortwick, Dave Rowe
Kristen Kouzmanoff and Jen MacDonald
The Romer Family
Rich and Karen Govenar, Marina and Tony Accardo
2026 | September | PVMagazine | 31
A Legacy of Protection, A New Generation of Innovation How a 70-year family business found a natural home in the South Bay with Peninsula Security For nearly seven decades, the Post family has built its business around a deceptively simple idea: protecting people is personal. Today, brother-and-sister team Rob Post and Gina Post-Franco represent the third generation at the helm of Post Alarm, carrying forward a family legacy that began in 1956 with their grandfather, Sam Post. Now, with the acquisition of longtime South Bay security company Peninsula Security, that legacy has found a natural home in Palos Verdes and the South Bay. The connection between the two companies is about much more than alarms, cameras and security technology. At its heart, it is a story about two family businesses built on trust, relationships and doing things the right way, and what happens when decades of experience meet a willingness to keep moving forward.
That philosophy became a through line for the generations that followed. Rob and Gina’s parents eventually took over the company, and when the third generation considered joining the business, their father had one important rule: they had to work somewhere else first. “He always said you can’t go directly into the family business after college,” Rob says. “You need to go somewhere else, get a job somewhere else and learn something new that you can bring into the company.”
A Family Business Born From Law Enforcement
The Post Alarm story began with Sam Post, a former police chief whose career brought his family from Colorado to California. As Rob and Gina tell it, the move didn’t exactly go according to plan. Sam had been offered a police chief position in California, packed up the family and headed west, only to discover after arriving that the position was no longer available. He ultimately continued working in Southern California law enforcement, but he also recognized a need for professional private security services grounded in something he valued deeply: ethics, integrity and genuine relationships with clients. In 1956, Post Alarm was born. “He was all about providing a great experience for his clients and doing it the right way,” Gina recalls. “It wasn’t just about one job. It was about building a long-term relationship.”
32 | PVMagazine | September | 2026
Sam Post, founder of Post Alarm
Rob became a CPA, while Gina studied marketing and worked in consulting. And when they eventually joined Post Alarm, neither stepped directly into an executive office. Rob worked in installation, patrol, inventory and other areas of the company. Gina’s responsibilities have
spanned sales, marketing, public relations and operations, and she oversees the company’s central monitoring station. Today, Rob serves as president and Gina as executive vice president, leading the family company together while remaining closely connected to its day-to-day operations.
Tradition Without Standing Still
Being a 70-year-old company doesn’t mean doing things the way they were done 70 years ago. “We’ve always been good at pivoting as technology changes or as we see changes in the way crime is occurring,” Rob explains. Post Alarm was an early adopter of cellular technology when alarm systems still relied heavily on traditional telephone lines. More recently, that same forward-thinking approach led to Night Shield®, a live video monitoring service inspired by something that happened at Rob’s own home. One morning, Rob discovered that his smart cameras had captured people on his property around 2 a.m. attempting to break into cars and mailboxes. It raised a question: If cameras could distinguish a person from an animal, and Post Alarm already operated its own monitoring station and security resources, why couldn’t those pieces work together to identify suspicious activity before someone actually broke into a home? Night Shield grew from that idea. Smart cameras can detect a person entering a property and send video to Post Alarm’s monitoring station, where trained personnel can assess what is happening and take appropriate action. It is part of what Rob and Gina describe as a layered approach to security, focused not simply on responding after a break-in but on recognizing potential threats earlier. The philosophy behind the technology remains personal.
When Peninsula Security Found It’s Next Chapter
Ultimately, it was that combination of old-fashioned values and forward-thinking technology that brought Post Alarm to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Peninsula Security had deep roots of its own. Founded in 1984 by longtime South Bay resident Mark Rosenfeld, the company spent decades building a loyal clientele around personalized service, quality workmanship and long-term relationships. Interestingly, Post Alarm wasn’t looking for Peninsula Security. Peninsula Security found Post Alarm. An industry publication had featured Rob, Gina and the Post family story. Mark read the article as he was beginning to think about retirement and what the next chapter for Peninsula Security might look like. For Mark, turning over a company he had spent decades building wasn’t simply a business transaction. It meant finding someone he could trust with something even more important: his customers, his employees and the reputation he had built. Mark was already familiar with the Post family, but the article prompted him to reach out. Rather than calling the company’s main office, he searched online and found what appeared to be Rob’s personal cell phone number. “He thought, ‘There’s no way that’s really Rob’s cell phone,’” Rob remembers. Mark called it. Rob answered. That conversation became the beginning of a new chapter for both companies. The more they talked, the clearer the similarities became. Both businesses believed in personal service and long-term relationships. Both employed their own technicians. And both understood that when someone trusts a security company with a home, family or business, that relationship carries a responsibility far beyond making a sale. Post Alarm also offered something important for Peninsula’s future: the infrastructure, technology and monitoring capabilities to build upon
what Mark had created. The fit was strong enough that Peninsula Security joined the Post Alarm family. Importantly, the transition did not mean wiping away Peninsula’s identity or replacing the people its customers knew. The Peninsula team remained with the branch, providing continuity for longtime clients while gaining access to Post Alarm’s expanded technology, monitoring capabilities and resources. Rob and Mark remain in contact and continue to get together regularly.
The Human Side of Security
Spend time talking with Rob and Gina and something becomes apparent. For all their enthusiasm about technology, the conversation continually comes back to people. Post Alarm owns and operates its own central monitoring station rather than outsourcing monitoring to an unrelated provider. That allows the company to personalize instructions for customers and maintain communication across its operations. “Our operators get to know our clients,” Gina explains. “It’s not just calling some operator in another state.” The company also maintains relationships with local law enforcement and stays informed about changing crime patterns. A consultation begins by looking at the actual property and understanding the client’s concerns rather than offering the same package to everyone. Their customer agreements are also monthto-month. For Rob and Gina, that’s intentional. “We want to earn your business every day,” Rob says. Perhaps that statement captures the Post family’s philosophy better than any piece of technology could. Nearly 70 years after their grandfather founded the company around ethics, service and relationships, his grandchildren are still talking about those same principles. The tools have changed dramatically. Telephone lines have given way to cellular technology. Traditional alarms have evolved into smart cameras and live video monitoring. But progress, for the Post family, doesn’t mean leaving the past behind.
It means carrying the best parts of it forward. And that may be why the relationship between Post Alarm and Peninsula Security feels less like one company simply acquiring another and more like one local legacy being entrusted to another family that understands what it means to protect it. For longtime Peninsula customers, there are expanded resources and technology behind a familiar commitment to personal service. For the Post family, there is a new community to serve. And for Rob and Gina, now guiding the company their grandfather started nearly 70 years ago, the mission remains remarkably close to where it began: Protect people. Do the right thing. Build relationships that last.
“We want to earn your business every day.” — Rob Post
2026 | September | PVMagazine | 33
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“What we do is what we want for our own homes,” Gina says. “Even the equipment that we provide, we test it in our own homes first.”
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Kraft
I’m proud to be part of Peninsula Escrow, a company I have tremendous love and respect for. Since opening our doors in September 1994, it has been a meaningful journey. As a South Bay resident for 35 years, I’m grateful to serve the community I’m proud to call home. With more than 30 years in the business, I bring knowledge, dedication, and genuine care to every transaction. I focus on anticipating challenges, finding solutions, and keeping the escrow process as smooth as possible. Most of all, I value the relationships I build and am grateful for the trust my clients place in me.
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Because Every Detail Matters 310.373.1063
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57 Malaga Cove Plaza, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
Question:
What’s for Lunch? A Whole New
Cajun Chicken Alfredo
ANSWER! Written by Melani Moro s e E d e l s t e i n
At 6 a.m., while most Peninsula students are still asleep, Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District’s Food Services team is already at work washing produce, chopping vegetables and preparing thousands of meals for the school day ahead. This is not the school lunch many parents remember. Under the direction of Nancy Wikes, PVPUSD’s Director of Food Services, the district is replacing more processed, pre-packaged food with scratch cooking, fresh produce and menus shaped, in part, by the students themselves. The goal is simple: serve food that is nutritious and worth choosing. Getting there hasn’t been quite so simple. “It was not something we could do overnight,” Wikes says. The first challenge was equipment. Scratch cooking requires commercial ovens, refrigerators, worktables, hot carts and plenty of tools that don’t typically come to mind when you picture a school cafeteria. A grant helped PVPUSD purchase what it needed. Then came staffing. “Scratch-made meals require more preparation time than individually wrapped, pre-prepared items,” Wikes says. The district adjusted schedules and invested in training so employees could safely and confidently prepare food from scratch. “We approached the transition in a step-by-step manner, focusing on one challenge at a time and building our program gradually,” she says. Now the work looks less like opening packages and more like a professional kitchen: chopping, roasting, cooking and preparing food for thousands of students. But there is still one important question: Will they eat it? PVPUSD is putting that question directly to students. 36 | PVMagazine | September | 2026
Chicken Bahn Mi Sandwich and the Cucumber Edamame salad
community + locale pv non-rofit
The district uses student taste tests to find out what kids actually like, but Wikes says the results don’t always translate to the lunch line. “Students often respond positively to vegetarian options during taste testing, but those same options aren’t always selected when they are offered as part of the regular meal service,” she says. PVPUSD plans to expand taste testing this year, using student feedback to help shape the menu. There is another priority behind the new menus: knowing where the food comes from. Much of the produce purchased by the district is grown in California, and the vendor identifies the source of each item and whether it is organically grown. Wikes wants to bring the farm even closer to the cafeteria. “One of our goals this year is to build relationships with local farmers and explore opportunities to source fresh produce directly from local growers for our program,” she says. The scale of the operation is impressive. PVPUSD’s central kitchen, located at Miraleste Intermediate School, serves as the primary preparation site for the district’s 10 elementary schools. Every day, staff prepare approximately 1,500 breakfasts and 3,000 lunches. It is a carefully coordinated operation that most students will never see. They just see lunch. For Wikes, however, the real measure of success isn’t how many meals leave the kitchen each day. It’s what students take with them when they eventually leave school. A school cafeteria can be a classroom, too. Students are being introduced to fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, new flavors and meals prepared from scratch. Some will embrace them immediately. Others may need a few tries. Wikes is willing to give them time. “Even when a student doesn’t choose a particular food the first time it’s offered, repeated exposure can help make healthy foods more familiar over time,” she says. That patience may be the secret ingredient. The goal isn’t simply to serve a healthier lunch today, but to broaden what students consider good food and, eventually, what they choose for themselves. “Ultimately, our goal is to help students understand that healthy food can also be fresh, flavorful, and enjoyable,” Wikes says. For PVPUSD, that makes the lunch line more than a place to grab a meal. It’s becoming a place to discover something new and perhaps carry that taste for fresh, delicious food well beyond the school bell.
Cucumber & Edamame Salad Cool, crunchy cucumber and tender edamame are tossed with fresh cilantro, green onions and a bright sesame dressing. It’s an easy, colorful side dish that’s perfect for lunch, dinner or a casual get-together. Makes about 6 servings.
Ingredients 1 cup cucumber, seeded and diced 2½ cups shelled edamame, cooked and cooled ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro ¼ cup Asian sesame dressing (use your favorite brand) 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Directions 1. P lace the cucumber, edamame and green onions in a medium bowl. 2. I n a small bowl, combine the cilantro, Asian sesame dressing and lemon juice. Stir until well blended. 3. P our the dressing over the cucumber and edamame mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated. 4. S prinkle with toasted sesame seeds and toss once more. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Kitchen Tip: This salad can be made ahead and chilled, making it an easy option for entertaining or meal prep.
2026 | September | PVMagazine | 37
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