San Pedro Today - February 2016

FEBRUARY 2016

MISTY COPELAND SQUARE DEDICATION | 2016 GIRLS PREP SOCCER PREVIEW | WEDDING: BRIAN & MARIA TUNNICLIFF

100 THINGS TO DO IN SAN PEDRO BEFORE YOU DIE

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If you've been following the news since the New Year, you noticed we've had a terrible span of celebrity deaths, most notably iconic musicians David Bowie and Glenn Frey (Eagles), and beloved actor Alan Rickman. It's moments like these that remind us just how finite our time on this terra really is.

In my January 2015 column, I expressed my love of traveling and how I decided that 2015 was the year I'd try to go to a place each month that I'd never been before. Barring a few hiccups, for the most part, I achieved that goal. Whether it was visiting a friend in Kentucky during the summer, researching homeless solutions in Salt Lake City in October, or just venturing to the Last Bookstore for the first time in Downtown Los Angeles just before the year ended, I challenged myself to seek out new experiences. It became a game with myself. Whenever I wanted to say "no" to doing something, I challenged myself to do the exact opposite, and for the most part, 2015 was a successful year of breaking out of my comfort zone. That's the inspiration for this issue's cover story.

Some of our February issues through the years have featured our "Reasons to Love San Pedro" lists. It's a kitschy concept that New York magazine does every year, which I've shamelessly repurposed for this magazine a number of times. But when it came time to plan this February issue, I realized that while there are still plenty of reasons to love our town, there are more than enough reasons to be critical of it. So for us to produce another "Reasons to Love" issue when we're facing an uptick in crime, an increasing homeless problem, and a complete lack of civil discourse between neighbors online, well, I decided to go a different route.

The best towns are only as strong as the residents that support it. So instead of waxing poetic on love, this month we want you to do. So we put together a list of the "100 Things To Do in San Pedro Before You Die." Our columnist Jennifer Marquez did a similar type of list for the town's 125th anniversary issue back in August of 2013, but we couldn't reprint it because so much has changed in the 2.5 years since. Instead, we took a lot of the universal San Pedro "to dos" (like having a Busy Bee sandwich, seeing a show at the Warner Grand, and touring the U.S.S. Iowa) and we added plenty of new experiences we feel the next generation of San Pedrans will be talking about in the years to come, like seeking out the amazing mosaic art by Julie Bender, catching Mike Watt play at Harold's Place, and experiencing a show at Theatrum Elysium. There is a ton of new talent creating amazing experiences right in our own backyard that San Pedrans should take advantage of. Our list, while admittedly incomplete, is a good starting point if you want to get out of your comfort zone and discover parts of this town you never knew existed.

I'm well aware that making any type of list about San Pedro is a recipe for disaster. Not so much because of what's on the list, but more about what might have been left off. (And as I wrote, there was plenty left off.) You're not going to please everyone, especially in this town. If there's one thing San Pedrans are experts on, it's disagreeing with one another.

That's why you'll never see me produce a "Best of" type issue of San Pedro Today (even though people ask me to do it every year). The Daily Breeze can get away with its South Bay's Best because it casts a wider footprint than us, but for us to do it would be pitting neighbor against neighbor, or even worse: family against family. And we already have enough of that on Facebook.

So how many things can you accomplish on the list this year? This is great motivation to not just say you live here, but be an active part of the fabric that makes this town great.

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

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Joshua J. Stecker

ADVERTISING: General Inquiries: ads@sanpedrotoday.com

ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION Joseph A. Castañeda

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

AT-LARGE CONTRIBUTORS Jack Baric, Joe Buscaino, Lori Garrett, Brooke Karli, Ricky Magana, Steve Marconi, Jennifer Marquez, Anthony Pirozzi, Angela Romero, Jamaal K. Street, Herb Zimmer

Shana Ghekiere - San Pedro (and outer regions) (310) 753-5176 | shana@sanpedrotoday.com

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

VOLUME 8 | NUMBER 1

Empire22 Media LLC OWNER/PUBLISHER Joshua J. Stecker San Pedro Today publishes the last Thursday of every month and is produced monthly by Empire22 Media LLC. No portion of this publication can be reproduced without written permission by Empire22 Media. 25,000 copies are delivered to San Pedro and portions of Rancho Palos Verdes.

San Pedro Today is a product of Empire22 Media LLC. Empire22 Media LLC, their subsidiaries and affiliates are released from all liability that may involve the publication of San Pedro Today.

Copyright 2009-2016, Empire22 Media LLC.

ON THE COVER: Things to do in San Pedro Before You Die (photos: John Mattera)

Saturday February 6, 2016 2-7 pm Downtown Harbor San Pedro (Harbor Blvd. & 6th St.)

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FEBRUARY Every Wed – CHILDREN’S WRITING CLASSES at the Corner Store (1118 37th St). Seven Golden Secrets of Writing with Diana Chapman, Wed 4:30-5:45p. For info, call (310) 626-7906. Please call ahead to reserve space.

Every Thurs (except holidays) – ADULT WRITING GROUP in Library room of St. Peter's Episcopal Church (1648 W. 9th St.). 1-3p. All welcome! For more info, call (310) 831-2186.

Every Fri – SAN PEDRO FARMERS MARKET (6th St. between Pacific and Mesa Streets) 9a-2p.

Every Sat – LAFD HARBOR MUSEUM (639 Harbor Blvd) 10a-3p. Experience San Pedro and Wilmington's Fire Protection and Rescue service history with vintage fire apparatus and various displays. The museum is located in Old Fire Station 36 in the San Pedro City Hall. Admission is free, donations are accepted.

Every 1st & 2nd Sun – MULLER HOUSE MUSEUM TOUR (1542 Beacon St.) The Colonial Revival house built in 1899 is open the 1st and 2nd Sunday of the month, except holidays, from 1-4p. Last tour is at 3:15p. Admission is free, but a donation of $3 is encouraged.

6 (Sat) - FIRST SATURDAY FAMILY HIKE at George F. Canyon (27305 Palos Verdes Dr. E, Rolling Hills Estates).

9a. Guided walks through the Canyon. Free and open to the public. All ages welcome. For more info, contact (310) 5470862.

7 (Sun) – PVPLC FIRST SUNDAY BEGINNERS BIRD WALK at George F. Canyon (27305 Palos Verdes Dr. E, Rolling Hills Estates). 8:30a. Binoculars provided. Slow, easy walk. Free and open to the public. For more info, contact (310) 547-0862.

8 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I FEBRUARY 2016

4 (Thurs) – FIRST THURSDAY ARTWALK in Downtown San Pedro. 6-10p

6 (Sat) - OUTDOOR VOLUNTEER DAY at White Point Nature Preserve (1600 W Paseo Del Mar) 9a-12p. Volunteer and help the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy with habitat res-toration. Sign up at http://pvplc.volunteerhub. com.

20 (Sat) - EXPLORING NOCTURNAL SIGHTS at the George F. Canyon Nature Preserve (27305 Palos Verdes Dr E, Rolling Hills Estates). Explore nocturnal sights with an expert naturalist under a full moon with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy. Must be at least age 9 or older. $12 per person. Reservations required. Call (310) 547-0862 6 (Sat) - OSCAR NOMINATED LIVE-ACTION SHORTS at for reservations and time.

The Warner Grand Theatre (478 W. 6th St.) 7p. SPIFFest is proud to present the 2016 Oscar nominated live action 23 (Tues) - SAN PEDRO GARDEN CLUB at Peck Park shorts, including the 2015 short titled Bis Gleich! For tickets, Community room (560 N Western Ave.) 9:30a. The San visit www.spiffestoscarshorts.bpt.me.

Pedro Garden Club will present Gary Duke, hobbyist and member of the South Coast Cactus and Succulent Society in 7 (Sun) - FIRST SUNDAY BEGINNERS BIRD WALK at a program titled "Dudleya and Tylecodon, Winter Growing George F. Canyon (27305 Palos Verdes Dr E, Rolling Hills Succulents." Come early to purchase plants and irresistible Estates) 8:30a. Come out and join the Palos Verdes Peninsula items from the opportunity table!

Land Conservancy for a slow and easy walk. Binoculars will be provided. Free and open to the public. For more info, 24 (Wed) - BIRDING WITH WILD BIRDS at the George contact (310) 547-0862.

F. Canyon (27305 Palos Verdes Dr E, Rolling Hills Estates).

8:30a. Explore the birds now making a home in the restored 11 (Thurs) - SAN PEDRO CLASS OF 1945 BREAKFAST habitat at the preserve. Program is free and open to the at The Grinder (511 S.Harbor Blvd.) 9:30a. Please RSVP to public. All ages welcome. For more info, contact (310) 547Alice Jacobson (310) 832-1807 or Grace Woodman (310) 0862.

833-8321.

27 (Sat) - GRAND ILLUSION SHOW at San Pedro Library 13 (Sat) - TRAIL CREW INTRODUCTORY CLASS at the (931 S Gaffey St.) in the community room. 2p. Friends of San Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Offices (916 Pedro Library presents internationally acclaimed magician Silver Spur Rd, #207, Rolling Hills Estates) 9a-12p. Join the Krendl in his Grand Illusion Show! Following his program, Trail Crew for monthly field practice in trail assessment Krendl will offer a one-hour magic workshop for those and repair techniques. This Introductory Class will give interested in learning how to do a bit of sleight of hand to an overview to the 50-hour certification training program. amaze family and friends. All ages welcomed!

Snacks, refreshments and good company provided! Sign up at www.pvplc.volunteerhub.com.

27 (Sat) - DROUGHT, EL NINO, AND WATER RELIABILITY WORKSHOP at White Point Nature 13 (Sat) – CORNER STORE FARMERS MARKET at The Education Center (1600 W Paseo Del Mar). 11a. Join the Corner Store (1118 W. 37th St.) 10a-12p. Open every second Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy for a workshop Saturday of the month. Grab some coffee and homegrown on conservation, recycling and desalination with special produce and don’t forget to bring your reusable bags! guest Ron Wildermuth from West Basin Metro Water District. Please RSVP to info@pvplc.org or 310-541-7613.

14 (Sun) - SWEETHEART SAIL at Berth 78 at Ports O’ Call Village. 4p-7p. Enjoy a magical evening aboard L.A.’s Email event info to events@sanpedrotoday.

Official Tall Ships as you sail the L.A. Harbor with your com. Deadline for the March issue is Friday special someone! $150 per couple. Price includes a delicious February 12. All locations in San Pedro unless dinner, dessert, beverage, and a commemorative gift. Wine otherwise noted. is not included, but bring your own bottle aboard! For more info and tickets, visit www.lamitopsail.org.

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THERE ONCE WAS A MAGICAL PLACE, WHERE PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE CAME TOGETHER, WHERE FAMILY AND FRIENDS SHARED INNOCENCE AND HAPPINESS, WHERE CAMARADERIE WAS NATURAL, BEING UNITED WAS A CUSTOMARY ASPIRATION, AND AUTHENTICITY WAS A LIFESTYLE, NOT A TREND. WE THINK IT’S TIME TO MAKE THE OLD NEW AGAIN,

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VOICES

Time to Get Real About Return of the Rams

by Steve Marconi

10 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I FEBRUARY 2016

A Real San Pedran was a Los Angeles Rams fan.

A Real San Pedran, after flirting with the Raiders and enjoying years of watching the best of the NFL on TV, doesn’t care that the Rams are back.

Really, does “The Rams Are Back” deserve headline treatment rivaling “Japan Surrenders” or “JFK Assassinated”? I don’t know if that says more about the news judgment of Los Angeles News Group, which runs the Daily Breeze, or our sports-addled society.

Or both.

A Real San Pedran knows that San Pedro once had a very strong connection to the Rams. During the 1960s and '70s, in particular, players could often be spotted downtown hanging out at Trani’s Majestic, and George Allen lived on the Peninsula. But a lot has changed since the Rams moved to St. Louis in 1995; I suspect the only players you might see in San Pedro now will be at a tattoo parlor. This new bunch will probably feel more comfortable at Phil Trani’s in Long Beach.

All this Rams talk brings back memories of my youth, when I was what you’d call today a "sports addict." I followed the Lakers and Dodgers religiously, but in the fall I was a gridiron pagan – I worshipped the Rams (think Raiders Nation, sans the crazy costumes

and makeup). In my pre-Christian days, my holy day was Sunday, but my place of worship wasn’t a church, it was the Coliseum – or in front of the TV set or, because in the precable era not every game was televised, listening to Dick Enberg on the radio.

In the spring, like all Angelenos, I would suffer with the Lakers and Chick Hearn (except for that one glorious year of 1972), and I’d spend summers with Vin Scully and the always-tantalizing Dodgers. But I was really just biding my time before football season, where my true obsessions lie. I still have the wall poster of Roman Gabriel to prove it.

I was a Rams season-ticket holder from 1969-76 (paying the ridiculous amount of $161 a year for TWO seats in section 11 at the Coliseum). What set me apart from a typical fan and revealed me as a sports junkie was that I remained a season-ticket holder even after I took a sports writing job in Las Vegas. For four years, even though I worked Saturday nights, often past midnight, I would get up Sunday morning and make the five-hour drive directly to the Coliseum for the 1:10 p.m. kickoff. I would sit through pre-game warm-ups and, no matter what the score, stay until the final gun (so un-Angeleno of me). I never ate or drank at the games because, well, I was there to watch my heroes play football (I don’t know how my wife put up with it, but she did think Jack Snow was cute).

Writing about sports fed my addiction (which never included gambling, even in my Vegas days), but it also was my pathway to what turned out to be a 32-year career in newspapers. My road to recovery began with the birth of my son in 1977, when it was obvious I had to reprioritize my life.

(Now I haven’t heard anything about a genetic predisposition to sports addiction [my dad always worked too hard to get much into sports], but my son grew up with the Los Angeles Raiders, and, as anyone who knows him can testify, he is a rabid RRRAY-ders fan. Go figure.)

Real Numbers A Real San Pedran remembers when the Rams won Los Angeles’ first and only NFL title. It was 1951, the year I was born. (OK, who’s snickering out there?) That makes me old enough to remember when turning 65 was significant. It was the age my parents’ generation began receiving full Social Security benefits, and therefore became codified as retirement age in numerous business and industries. Even though he didn’t have to, my dad retired as a foreman on the docks at 65, and went on to live another 20 years.

I have no job to retire from, and for most boomers, full Social Security benefits don’t begin until 66, but turning 65 still holds a certain mystique. With advances in medicine and technology, I’d like to think 65 is the new 50, but numerically there is no getting around it – I’m old. (My wife says I’ve been old for years, but I think 65 makes it official.)

I was starting to put together a list to mark my 65th birthday even before I knew the theme of this month’s magazine, but it wasn’t going to be a bucket list. A lot of things I would have liked to do in the past I’m probably not physically up to now (bungee jumping, anyone?), and many things I’d still like to see and do will happen if, God willing, I just live long enough. In matters of the heart, I’d like to live long enough to see my granddaughters graduate from college and get married. Then I’d like to hold my great-grandchildren in my arms and dance with my wife on our 60th anniversary (by which time I may have learned how to dance).

Looking further ahead, since I’ve already lived long enough to see the Rams return to L.A., I’d now like to live long enough to see the Rams win another NFL title in Los Angeles.

Feeling very optimistic, I’d like to live long enough to see a Republican represent my district in Congress.

I could be writing this column for a long, long time. spt Steve Marconi can be reached at spmarconi@yahoo.com.

VOICES

San Pedro’s Space Port

12 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I FEBRUARY 2016

by Anthony Pirozzi Recently, during our Harbor Commission meetings there has been a lot of passion exchanged about the pace and size of waterfront development, in particular, Ports O’ Call. Since becoming a Harbor Commissioner I have and will continue to use this column to provide you with periodic updates regarding redeveloping Ports O’ Call and other facets of our waterfront.

Mark your calendar for March 2 at the Warner Grand Theatre at 6 p.m. You will hear from developer Wayne Ratkovich and Alan and Eric Johnson of the L.A. Waterfront Alliance to see what’s truly in store for Ports O’ Call and make your own assessment of the plan forward. I hope to see you there.

Another element of waterfront development is to attract the jobs and industries that will bring great paying jobs into San Pedro. Having been in the aerospace business for 26 years this March, I have been fortunate to travel the world launching satellites and have been part of an industry of committed individuals from all walks of life building products that not only improves our daily quality of life and provides realtime information, but also builds products that protect our nation. Through the years I have always felt that there was a link between the port and aerospace industry, but the connection was vague until now.

When Elon Musk, co-founder of PayPal, introduced the world to SpaceX, his vision of space travel and exploration brought back the innovation, excitement and enthusiasm that the aerospace industry had been lacking for some time. Musk also changed the game in the industry by implementing and successfully demonstrating his vision. For example, most recently when SpaceX successfully landed its first stage of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle after ejecting 11 small OrbComm satellites into orbit, hundreds of employees at the mission control center in Hawthorne erupted into a roar of excitement. It was like watching a rock concert. It was the first time an unmanned rocket returned safely to land vertically at Cape Canaveral. The big picture and importance of this landing is not only to reduce the cost of launching space-based products by utilizing reusable launch vehicles, but ultimately to send humans to Mars and return them safely back to Earth.

So what does all of this have to do with San Pedro? Well, this month the Board of Harbor Commissioners approved SpaceX to utilize the Port of Los Angeles for recovery missions of not only the Dragon space capsule upon returning from the International Space Station, but also to recover the first stage of a Falcon 9 launch vehicle after a successful land-based launch and sea-based landing, both of which would be recovered off our California coast.

On January 17, the stage was set for the second attempt for a SpaceX sea-based landing. After a successful launch of the Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, SpaceX attempted to land the first stage of the Falcon 9 on a sea-based platform 200 miles off the California coast near Lompoc, but was unsuccessful. If they were successful, the first stage Falcon 9 would have been brought into our harbor to prepare it for a ground transport across San Pedro and returned to the SpaceX facility in Hawthorne. Imagine a 130-foot rocket on a horizontal transporter moving across Harbor Boulevard making its way to the 110 Freeway. Although the January 17 seabased landing was unsuccessful, the path is still set for San Pedro to be the Space Port for SpaceX recovery missions in the near future.

When it comes to waterfront development, we must think beyond Ports O’ Call. The true game changers to new, great paying jobs coming into San Pedro will be generated by the presence of SpaceX, AltaSea and the like. The next question is: How do we get the employees of such companies to want to live in San Pedro? This is an important question that must be addressed, but for now, recognize that San Pedro is not only the international gateway for world trade, but also on the map as a Space Port for recovery missions that support efforts that will enable us to travel to Mars and beyond. spt Anthony Pirozzi is a L.os Angeles Harbor Commissioner. He can be contacted at apirozzi@yahoo.com.

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VOICES

Save Our Fishing Heritage

14 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I FEBRUARY 2016

by Jack Baric Picture yourself getting on a plane and flying to Baltimore, Boston or New Orleans. Would you be looking forward to dining at their branch PF Changs, Cheesecake Factory, or Outback Steakhouse? Or is the reason for travelling to cities like these to sample the local heritage, which includes visits to independent restaurants that serve dishes such as Baltimore crab cakes, Boston clam chowder, or New Orleans seafood gumbo?

The farm-to-table movement over the past few years that has spread like wildfire throughout the nation is based on the idea that when diners visit a local restaurant they will receive the freshest possible food that came from a nearby farm and that the meal is prepared with unique, one-of-a-kind recipes that you can’t try anywhere else. In San Pedro, our farm is the Pacific Ocean and the seafood that has emerged as king of our port is squid – otherwise known as calamari.

It’s not a coincidence that J. Trani’s Ristorante has some of the best calamari on the West Coast. The restaurant’s chef, Dustin Trani, makes a point of getting his squid fresh from our waterfront and the result is the establishment’s signature calamari dish, which a large number of visitors to the restaurant sample on every visit there.

As we plan on developing our waterfront, I believe that an upgraded San Pedro Fish Market, which emerges as California’s premiere “seaside farmer’s market,” featuring a harvest of fresh seafood from our local fishermen, could become a cultural landmark for anyone visiting Los Angeles. This would play on our local heritage of a town that was built, in great part, by immigrant fishermen from Europe.

The fishing industry at the Port of Los Angeles played such a strong role in the regional economy that a tuna was included on the official seal of the County of Los Angeles when the seal was adopted in 1957. During the 1950s and 60s our port was the largest fishing harbor in the nation and tuna was king. Much of the wealth that was created in San Pedro came from the fishing industry.

However, in the 1970s and 80s, various conditions such as stricter local fishery regulations, international fishing territory restrictions, larger trawlers from nations like Russia and Japan, and the lower cost of labor across the Pacific, all created a perfect storm that signaled an end to the heyday of the tuna fishing industry in San Pedro.

Although our modern fishing fleet is much smaller than during the peak years, the growing popularity of calamari has created an opportunity for the local fishing industry to continue employing fishermen and seafood processing workers on our waterfront.

We are fortunate to have a bountiful amount of squid off our local coastline and it is squid that has kept alive our fishing heritage in San Pedro.

However, local fishermen have recently grown concerned that new appointments

by Governor Brown to the California Fish and Game Commission could lead to stricter restrictions on California fisheries. More onerous regulations always carry the possibility of creating an environment that shrinks productivity and causes local fishing industry jobs to be lost.

In addition to the direct negative jobs impact that over regulation could have, our community political, business, and port leaders should also take into consideration the indirect impact that the loss of our fishing industry could play on the synergy of our waterfront. Keeping our fishing industry strong will play a large role in preserving our culture – and saving our seaside heritage will make our waterfront a place that travelers will want to visit, like Baltimore, Boston, and New Orleans. spt Jack Baric can be reached at jackbaric@hotmail.com.

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FEBRUARY 2016 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 15

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16 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I FEBRUARY 2016

by Herb Zimmer In a downtown office building on Fifth Street, resides a nonprofit organization that has, for the past six years, been quietly working to make San Pedro a more environmentally and economically sustainable community.

PortTechLA’s mission is to create jobs by attracting companies with cutting edge environmental, transportation, safety/security and energy technologies to the Harbor Area and helping them grow. To date, it has created more than 500 jobs, assisted client companies in securing $80,000,000 in investment and helped fill 55,000 sq. ft. of what is primarily light industrial space. You may not yet have heard of some of PortTech’s client companies, but as they grow, I’m sure you will.

Land Systems, one PortTech client company, has moved into the old auto plaza building on Pacific Avenue, just up the street from Harbor Occupational Center. Land Systems has installed an advanced manufacturing facility, which includes a large state-of-the-art 3D printer and computer-automated metal parts forming machines. RailScout, their initial technology product, is an autonomous, zero emission electric vehicle that inspects railroad tracks for safety problems. RailScout has been tested on local rail tracks, and the company is working with the Spanish government and the Port of New Orleans, among others, on installing their technology. Land Systems currently employs 14 people and also offers internship opportunities to local students.

Operating directly out of PortTech’s Fifth Street facility is International Technologies and Services, Inc. (You may have read my May 2015 column about entrepreneur Pilar Ortega, the company’s founder). ITS has patented a process that uses microorganisms to break down and render toxic hydrocarbons environmentally harmless. Traditional methods of cleaning oil tanks or remediating oil spills utilize large amounts of water and various toxic chemicals. ITS offers a full product line for cleaning hydrocarbons from surfaces, water and air without the negative effects of other methods. The ITS microorganisms are currently at work at several sites in the Harbor Area, ensuring a cleaner, healthier environment for all of us.

Replacing highly polluting diesel powered drayage trucks and yard tractors, is a critical element in achieving the Port’s environmental goals. PortTech client company, TransPower, provides a range of zero-emission heavy-duty trucks and yard tractors. Its ElecTruck technology is an integrated electric drive system that utilizes energy supplied by on-board batteries. TransPower vehicles are already being operated at both the APL terminal and at SA Recycling, and the company is looking to expand to other terminals and other ports. Though currently located in Poway, Calif., TransPower is looking to open a major manufacturing facility in the South Bay as soon as the number of orders for their vehicles warrants.

For those diesel engines that cannot be immediately replaced with another technology, International Metals and Energy Technologies (IMET) has patented a diesel exhaust cleaning system that uses excess muffler heat and water. The system is currently installed on several land vehicles around the port and the company has received a grant to test its technology onboard one of Holland America Lines cruise ships.

Port Police need access to real-time information concerning such things as where vessels are located, where port facilities are located, what weather conditions to expect and how traffic is flowing. PortTech client company NorthSouthGIS provides an integrated geospatial information system that allows PortPolice, and other Port departments, to access up-to-the-minute maps and map overlays of these, and other factors, required to make timely and accurate decisions regarding safety and security.

These are just a few examples of how PortTechLA is helping to make the San Pedro community healthier, safer and more sustainable. If you would like to meet the PortTech staff and client companies, please attend the annual PortTechEXPO on March 10. See www.PortTechLA.org for information. spt Herb Zimmer owns PriorityOne Printing in downtown San Pedro and is past president and chairman of PortTechLA.

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There is no doubt that there has been a spike in all categories of crime, not only in San Pedro and the Harbor Division, but in all 21 LAPD divisions.

There are many theories attempting to explain the spike.

“Gang crime for the first time in eight years has increased,” Chief Beck said recently. He attributes the increase to a flare-up in gang rivalries triggered by the release of gang members from prison.

Some blame the spike on Prop. 47. Others correlate the rise in crime with the rise in homelessness.

Whatever the reasons for the spike in crime, I know that San Pedro and other communities in my district and throughout the city are feeling the squeeze in a seemingly less secure city.

Homes are being burglarized, cars are being stolen, work tools are being looted, drugs are being consumed in broad daylight on our streets, and if you don’t see any of this in person, it’s plastered all over Facebook everyday.

Public safety is the single most important responsibility of local government.

More than 70 percent of the city's discretionary budget is already dedicated to police and fire resources.

Even so, this year the City has increased the Fire Department’s allotment by $55 million and has added $70 million for LAPD overtime. The city has also added $5.5 million to efforts to stop and prevent gang violence and just over a month ago, the LAPD expanded its SMART (System-wide Mental Assessment Response Teams) program, which pairs LAPD officers with L.A. County mental health professionals to allow for a more thorough and compassionate response to incidents involving mental illness.

Residents are doing everything they can to bring awareness, find solutions, and advocate for more crime prevention measures. They have put LED candles on their porches and windows as a symbol of collective awareness, held public safety summits, set up video surveillance around their homes, and even recently formed a citizen guard.

Nevertheless, the frustration and sometimes even fear still exists with many residents who feel their LAPD is not being attentive or effective enough.

This is why I am hosting the Los Angeles Forum on Crime on Thursday, February 4 at 6 p.m. at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro.

The forum will feature LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, LAPD Police Commission president Matthew Johnson, and Assistant Commanding Officer of South Bureau Phillip Tingirides.

The speakers will address the new challenges of policing a city that is enduring a rise in crime.

The Forum will also showcase the voices of residents throughout the city, sharing frustrations and best practices to diminishing crime in neighborhoods.

This event is of great importance and relevance to our community, because we will have an opportunity to directly hear from the top law enforcement officials in Los Angeles about the LAPD’s approach to attacking this current spike in crime.

We all deserve to feel safe and protected. spt

100 THINGS TO DO IN SAN PEDRO BEFORE YOU DIE 1. See a live show at the Warner Grand Theatre.

(photo: John Mattera)

Let's start off by saying this list is definitely incomplete and we probably missed a few things. When we were putting together ideas that would go on this list, we ended up with way more things to do than these pages would allow, so we narrowed it down to the 100 things we thought every San Pedran should do before they die. Some you'll disagree with, some you'll have no clue about, and others you've probably done a million times.

Nonetheless, San Pedro, for as small a town as we are, has a ton of things to do that are worthwhile and we feel the things on this list should be done by anyone calling themselves a San Pedran.

Point Fermin Park side).

2. Become a regular at First Thursday.

10. Spend an afternoon at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium.

3. Take a hike at White Point Nature Preserve.

11. Have some Slavko's fried chicken and potatoes.

4. Watch Misty Copeland perform live. (Not exactly an "in San Pedro" thing, but catch her when she comes to Southern California, as she did last month.)

12. Watch the annual Fourth of July fireworks from Cabrillo Beach.

19. Go ice blocking at Averill Park.

13. Take a Tango lesson at Tango San Pedro.

5. Have one of Sacred Grounds Coffee Shop's amazing sandwiches.

14. See the legendary Mike Watt play at Harold's Place.

20. Explore Open Studios Day at Angel’s Gate Cultural Center (and purchase local art).

6. Meet the Grunions (grunion run) at Cabrillo Beach (March-July).

15. Watch the sunset from Point Fermin Park.

7. Taste a bit of the Old Country at A-1 Market or South Shores Meat Shop.

16. Visit the Muller House Museum.

9. Walk/jog Paseo Del Mar (the

18. Participate in Old Fort MacArthur Days (July).

21. Try the famous fish & chips at The Whale & Ale. 22. Go on a whale watching tour (plenty of ships to choose from!).

23. Get messy at the Lobster Festival.

24. Take a stroll around Cabrillo Marina.

25. Appreciate Julie Bender's mosaic art all around town (Peck Park Pool, Rainbow Services,

Sirens Java & Tea, etc.).

26. Attend a San Pedro High School varsity football game.

27. Go sailing on the Irving Johnson or Exy Johnson tall ships.

28. Visit Salinas de San Pedro salt marsh.

29. Play tennis at Daniels Field.

30. Volunteer at one of our Boys & Girls Clubs (San Pedro or Port of Los Angeles).

31. Explore the tide pools at Royal Palms.

FEBRUARY 2016 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 19

8. Eat a sandwich from Busy Bee Market.

17. Visit the sea lions at Marine Mammal Care Center (or better yet, become a volunteer).

1.

SEE A LIVE SHOW AT THE WARNER GRAND THEATRE.

Boat Parade.

44. Freeze your butt off at the Polar Bear swim on New Year's Day. 45. Check out the murals in the Beacon St. post office.

46. Play ball at Bogdanovich Park.

47. Watch the belly dancers at Babouch Moroccan Restaurant.

48. Spend an afternoon at the L.A. Maritime Museum.

49. Drink an old fashioned soda at The Corner Store.

52. Take a tour of the Point Fermin Lighthouse.

53. Explore the underground bunkers at Fort MacArthur.

54. See a play at Little Fish Theatre.

55. See Shakespeare by the Sea during the summer.

56. Learn a new craft at Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles.

57. Experience a play at Theatrum Elysium (San Pedro Rep).

58. Have breakfast at Pacific Diner.

50. Volunteer to walk dogs at the Harbor Animal Shelter.

59. Take a docent tour aboard the USS Iowa.

51. Rent a paddleboard from Captain Kirk’s.

60. And don't forget to tour the S.S. Lane Victory, too!

Kathryn Farren and Geraldine Fuentes contemplate the life of roadkill in What You Don’t Know

by Mora V. Harris – one of 10 short plays that comprise the 14th Season of PICK OF THE VINE at Little Fish Theatre. Now playing through Feb 13. (photo: Mickey Elliot)

32. Attend the swordfish dinner at the Mary Star Fiesta.

not being at Point Fermin Park anymore.

33. Volunteer at Turkey Alley at First Presbyterian Church during Thanksgiving.

38. Feed the ducks at Averill Park.

34. Participate in the Spirit of San Pedro Holiday Parade.

20 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I FEBRUARY 2016

35. Take a stroll around the Fanfare Fountain (but DON'T swim in it!).

39. Buy a birthday or wedding cake from Polly Ann Bakery.

40. Try a cannoli from Amalfitano Bakery.

41. Swim to the buoy.

36. Go to the new and improved Taste of San Pedro (August).

42. Have Joseph's Bakery pizza for breakfast.

37. Stop complaining about the Taste

43. Watch the annual Holiday

(photo: John Mattera)

54.

SEE A PLAY AT LITTLE FISH THEATRE.

49.

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San Pedro now has two great restaurant options!

61. Try one of the 100 omelettes at the Omelette & Waffle Shop.

73. Have a drink at the Alhambra Cocktail Lounge.

62. Shop at the downtown Farmer’s Market.

74. Have at staycation at Terranea (even though it's technically not in San Pedro)

63. Have a bonfire at Cabrillo Beach.

64. Visit Sunken City.

65. Go fishing off the pier.

66. Eat a fish lunch at the Dalmatian-American Club.

67. Fly a kite at the Korean Bell.

75. Attend a neighborhood council meeting (and stay the ENTIRE time) 76. Catch the Golden State Pops at the Warner Grand Theatre.

77. Play horseshoes at Peck Park.

68. Catch a show at the Grand Annex.

78. Take a ride on the Downtown Trolley.

69. Take a Sirens Sailing Charters cruise around the Harbor (or to Catalina!).

79. Buy a piece of local art during First Thursday.

70. Try the Chinese Chicken Salad at Sandwich Saloon.

80. Have a Junior Divine Burger at Utro's Café.

71. Attend a Music by the Sea concert.

81. Enjoy Open Mic Night at Off the Vine.

72. Play Bocce ball at the Catalina Express Terminal.

82. Have a cappuccino and a scone at Sirens Java & Tea.

56.

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83. Try a strudel and coffee at Mishi's Strudel.

92. Eat a “World Famous” Shrimp Tray on the patio at the San Pedro Fish Market.

84. See a film during the San Pedro International Film Festival.

93. Attend the White Point Home Tour

85. Attend the "Hollywood Nostalgia Tribute" night at the L.A. Harbor International Film Festival.

86. Buy a Christmas tree from George’s Christmas Tree Lot. 87. Donate money, food or clothing to Harbor Interfaith Services and Toberman Neighborhood Center.

88. See a concert at Alvas Showroom.

89. Take a Brewery Tour at San Pedro Brewing Co. 90. Watch ships coming and going into the port from Warehouse One.

22 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I FEBRUARY 2016

95.

PARTICIPATE IN THE CONQUER THE BRIDGE RUN ON LABOR DAY.

91. Visit the Deane Dana Friendship Park Nature Center (bonus points if you ever climbed The Bubble).

94. Tour the Living Museum Art Center at Harbor View House.

95. Participate in the Conquer the Bridge Run on Labor Day. 96. Check out the model trains at Hi-Railers and Belmont Shore Model Railroad Clubs.

97. Attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve at Mary Star of the Sea Church.

98. Take in the view from the stop sign on 17th St. at S. Averill.

(It's one of the best in town.)

99. Visit the S.P. Bay Historical Society Archives (Mon & Wed, 1-4 p.m.).

100. Challenge your taste buds with 710 Grille's hot wings.

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THINGS EVEN THE MOST ‘PEDRO’ OF PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THEY’RE GETTING WRONG

Hills Prep are really in San Pedro.

1. It’s not called Slav Hall anymore; it’s the Dalmatian-American Club.

2. It’s pronounced BOO-SKY-EE-NO. (You’re welcome, Councilman.)

3. Angels Gate Lighthouse’s “official” name is Los Angeles Harbor Light.

4. The Gaffey Street Pool is officially known as the “Hey Rookie” Pool.

5. Lomita Little League and Rolling

6. This will surprise most: Technically you weren’t born in San Pedro if you 10. Dodson Middle School and were born at San Pedro Hospital Crestwood Elementary are (now Providence Little Company in Rancho Palos Verdes, yet of Mary). La Rambla, where the they’re still part of LAUSD. hospital is located, is unincorporated land in L.A. County. The San Pedro 11. The St. Peter San Pedro YMCA is also in the same area. is named after is not the first one, but St. Peter of 8. S.P. Slip – The S.P. doesn’t Alexandria, a fourth-century stand for San Pedro; it stands bishop in Alexandria, Egypt. for Southern Pacific.

12. When we say “above” or “below” 9. Vista del Oro’s real boundaries are (e.g. “below Gaffey”), we’re Dodson to Meyler (east to west) really saying east or west. and 7th St. to 17th St. (north to

SHHHH... SAN PEDRO’S BEST KEPT SECRETS

COOLEST SAN PEDRO POP CULTURE REFERENCES 6. The Corner Store’s Farmer’s Market (2nd Saturday of the month)

1. The Usual Suspects

2. Afternoon porridge at the Norwegian Seaman’s Church (every Saturday at 2 p.m.)

7. Speakeasy at 8th and Pacific on First Thursdays in the old Montgomery Ward building.

2. Mad Men (Don Draper gets

3. Blu Bar & Lounge at the Crowne Plaza (best bar to go to when you want a quiet convo without running into anyone you know)

8. S.P. Bay Historical Society Archives (Mon & Wed, 1-4p, best place to dig up anything on this town)

3. Minutemen’s Double Nickels on the Dime cover

5. Garden Church on 6th St. (Sundays starting at 3 p.m.)

9. Cornelius Projects (coolest art gallery in town that’s not in downtown -14th & Pacific) 10. When Brouwerij West is opening (we want our craft beer and we want it now!)

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(Set and mostly filmed here.) off the bus at Lookout Point Park and visits a house on Carolina St. )

4. Chinatown (Written by

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5. Charles Bukowski’s writings (from 1978-1994, his San Pedro years)

MOST ICONIC SAN PEDRO FOODS (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)

1. Joseph’s Bakery Pizza 2. Sandwich Saloon’s Chinese Chicken Salad 3. Busy Bee Sandwich (any one will do, but we prefer the BBQ chicken) 4. The “World Famous” Shrimp Tray from the San Pedro Fish Market 5. Green Onion’s margaritas (two of them will do in any normal person) 6. 710 Grille’s hot wings 7. The Junior Devine Burger at Utro’s Cafe 8. Big Nick’s ranch dressing (you can put it on EVERYTHING)

1. Beacon House’s One Night Stand Bistro (last Friday of each month)

4. Craft classes at Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles (weekends)

24 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I FEBRUARY 2016

south). Real estate agents are known to fudge the boundaries.

9. Any local brew from the San Pedro Brewing Co. accompanied by a huge platter of Gaffey Fries 10. Cevapcici from either A-1 Market or South Shores Meat Shop 11. The John Wayne at the Pacific Diner 12. Fish & Chips from The Whale & Ale 13. Slavko’s chicken (and especially their potatoes!)

14. The calamari at J. Trani’s Ristorante 15. Mostaccioli from the DalmatianAmerican Club (though you probably have a friend or relative who “does it better.”)

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On Monday, December 21, 2015, hundreds of people crowded the intersection of 13th St. and Pacific Ave. to watch Misty Copeland be honored with the reveal of Misty Copeland Square and a beautiful mural by muralist, Kelcey Fisher. Flanked by Councilman Joe Buscaino and Cindy, Patrick and Wolf Bradley of San Pedro City Ballet, Copeland gave an emotional speech, saying, “Growing up in the atmospheres that I grew up in, San Pedro was the only place I ever considered home. There really hasn’t been a place that’s replaced that in my heart since I lived here and I’m so proud, and I never forget San Pedro.” After the dedication ceremony, Copeland headed to the Warner Grand Theatre and taught a Master Class to a number of very lucky ballerinas, most from San Pedro City Ballet. The class was open to the public so the audience could watch America’s favorite ballerina in action. (photos: John Mattera & Joshua Stecker)

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2016 Girls Prep Soccer Preview San Pedro, Mary Star and POLA all look to improve over last year story & photo by Jamaal K. Street

28 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I FEBRUARY 2016

The sport of soccer has become quite popular in San Pedro, and it only got enhanced in the 2014-15 season when San Pedro, Port of Los Angeles and Mary Star of the Sea High Schools all won their respective league championships. POLA also made it all the way to the CIF State Division IV regional playoffs after falling short in the CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division IV finals. Here’s a look at all three teams.

SAN PEDRO (18-7-4 overall in 2014-2015) – The mother-daughter tandem of Crystal Valdes and Chatelaine Ansaldi have taken over the reins for the 10-time defending Marine League champions, who went 9-0-1 in league before bowing out in the CIF-LACS Division I quarterfinals to Taft of Woodland Hills.

Senior midfielder Rianni Gonzales is the second oldest of four sisters in her family, which by the way includes her coaches, Ansaldi, her older sister, and Valdes, her mother.

No pressure, right?

“I feel although they are family, they treat me the same as everyone else,” Gonzales says. “I hope to win Marine League once again with my family and team by my side.”

Junior forward Ryann Lozano returns to terrorize opposing defenses, as she scored 24 goals last season. Sophomore goalie Carlene Luna is the reigning league MVP and AllCity Division I returning selection. Other players to watch for include junior midfielder Maddie Villela, senior forward Heather Carlton, senior defenders Paige Kielbasa and Lauren Antonelos, and junior defender Maddy Luna. Freshman forward Samantha Martinez, junior midfielder Sydney Engel and sophomore midfielder Mia Lecesse are all dangerous, as well.

San Pedro will once again be tested by Narbonne in the Marine League as it appears to again be just a two-school race for the title.

“I feel like we have a really strong team, and our main goal is to win an 11th straight Marine League title,” Kielbasa says. “I am very confident that we will go farther in playoffs than we have in any other year.”

MARY STAR (12-8 in 2014-2015) – A slow start appeared to have the Stars dead, but they righted their ship once Santa Fe League began, eventually claiming their 12th league championship finishing 9-1, losing in the first round of the CIF-SS Division VII playoffs to St. Genevieve.

Coach Shain Rossi has a bona fide future star on the rise with freshman midfielder Rose Amalfitano, who started off the year hot with two hat tricks her first three games into her high school career.

“We are trying our best to work hard and keep focused on our goal,” junior midfielder Kaylee Rucker says. “We strive to come out of season the same as last year with the Santa Fe League title.”

Rucker and junior Taylor Garcia are the team captains. Both have fearless attitudes and always ready to step in and plug up any holes. Garcia plays both goalie and midfield, but sophomore Katin Latka has shown tremendous improvement at goalie as well.

Back row (l to r) POLA: Daisy Garcia, Anna Vidovich, Emily Haugen, Maddi Pepper & Briana Mancilla; SPHS: Ryann Lozano, Paige Kielbasa, Lauren Antonelos, Rianni Gonzales & Heather Carlton; Front row (l to r) Mary Star: Rose Amalfitano, Taylor Garcia, Kaylee Rucker, Gabriella Ferrandino & Alyssa DiMassa

Sophomore Yicell Cortez, junior defender Yesenia Tahuite, junior midfielder Gabriella Ferrandino, and senior defenders Alyssa DiMassa and Aileen Rangel are also key for the Stars, who get an added boost with the addition of junior defender Shawnie Carolla, a POLA transfer.

St. Bernard of Playa Del Rey and Serra of Gardena appear to be the top challengers to the Stars’ Santa Fe League throne, but Rossi will no doubt have his team ready.

“Shain’s coaching taught us to always work as a team and that the most important thing in a team was communication,” DiMassa says. “I think the talking helped us to work better and lead us to our success last year.”

POLA (22-4-2 in 2014-2015) - Fourth-year coach Javier Torres has another strong team on the rise, and the Polar Bears appear to be the favorite in CIF-LACS Division IV, a possible fact more pronounced now that perennial tormentor Los Angeles CES, who knocked off POLA 2-1 in overtime of last year’s final, has moved up to Division III. So it looks like it’s either ‘championship or bust’ for the Polar Bears, who return a ton of experience and a bevy of new freshman talent.

“Winning the Division IV title is still just as important to us as any year,” says senior midfielder Maddi Pepper, who scored 13 goals last season. “We will not stop pushing until we attain our goal as a team.”

Senior goalie Emily Haugen and sensational sophomore forward Briana Mancilla, who scored a phenomenal 32 goals last season, are both returning All-City Division IV selections.

Mancilla is the master of free kicks, and there’s nothing to it as far as preparation. “I first focus on where I would like to place my free kick or penalty kick, and I tell myself to relax,” Mancilla says. “Then I try on the technique of how I’m going to hit the ball.”

Daisy Garcia is also back for one final run at the title, as the four-year senior goalie/ defender will no doubt give it her all. Also watch out for Pepper, junior forward Anna Vidovich, junior midfielder Celina Campbell, and the junior defensive trio of Alyssa Medrano, Taylor Razevich-Temblador and Kamryn Cardoza.

“I’m super excited,” Vidovich says. “We have so much potential and I’m looking forward to our future as we keep improving.” spt

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Confessions of a Sugar Addict

30 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I FEBRUARY 2016

by Lori Garrett The latest studies on sugar show that it can be just as addictive as narcotic drugs (if not more). I believe it, because I have battled sugar cravings my whole life. If there ever was a true sugar addict, it’s me.

My first memory of having a “sweet tooth” was drinking (and loving) apple juice as a kid. My parents made sure it was the unfiltered kind – that cloudy, pulpy (healthier) version – but eventually I would discover the refined, filtered kind (you know, the more clear, no-pulp, really sweet, less healthy kind). Most kids loved soda, but not me; I loved my juice (which may contain less additives than soda, but is still virtually all sugar and no nutrients). Despite the efforts of my healthconscious parents, the moment my lips touched that sugary sweetness, there was no turning back. I was hooked.

Of course, it wasn’t just juice that I craved. In high school, I started working at Polly Ann Bakery on 8th Street; it was my first real job, and looking back, probably my favorite job ever. I loved working for a great family-owned business and couldn’t have asked for better co-workers (shout out to all my peeps from Polly Ann!). But then there was the dark side for someone like me: the delicious, ever-so-tempting pastries. I had boundless access to every sweet treat I could desire (and really good ones at that), and this only fed my addiction (literally): what would normally be a special treat for most people was a daily occurrence for me. I took it to the extreme and ate exceptional amounts of sugar almost everyday. (I sometimes still have dreams that I’m working behind that counter where I have unlimited access to all those goodies. While some dream of dancing sugarplums, I dream of donuts and cheese danish.)

I called it having a “sweet tooth” but the truth is, I had an addiction to sugar. Even after my Crohn’s diagnosis, I guzzled down that refined apple juice every day until I was well into my 30s, having no clue what all that sugar was doing to my body. Until one random day… the day of the tooth. I was in the middle of eating a McDonald’s cheeseburger (seriously, is it any wonder that I have an autoimmune disease?!) when my tongue felt something alarming: the top half of one of my bottom teeth was missing. I didn’t even notice it had happened until after the fact, but half of my tooth had actually broken off somewhere during mid chew. I was startled, and that’s when I realized: I was literally falling apart. I knew it was time for a change.

I went home and tossed out that (evil!) apple juice. I started to cut out junk foods, incorporate some organic foods, and I even went on a sugar-free/yeast-free diet for some time (and felt awesome while doing it). Unfortunately, I eventually slipped back into some of my old habits, so it would be many more Crohn’s flares, hospitalizations, and bedridden days before I would make the no-sugar (or at least, low sugar) leap for good.

It’s no secret that sugar contributes to inflammation in the body, obesity, and chronic disease, but that doesn’t make it any easier to break the cycle. Had I taken better care of myself early on, I’m sure I could have prevented a lot of pain, illness, and heartache. I’m still a sugar addict – I suppose I always will be – but I’m trying to make better choices and not let that addiction control me (and I have to say, the cravings have gotten much better since adopting a low glycemic diet). I’m not proposing that none of us ever eat sugar again (I’m not a sadist, after all), but there are realistic changes that can be made: limiting sugar (even natural sugars) to the occasional treat, cutting out highly processed foods (which often contain added sugar), and even limiting our daily fruit intake. It may feel like an impossible sacrifice, but once you feel the results of improved health and increased energy, trust me: life will be much sweeter. spt This information is not meant to replace the advice of your medical doctor or professional health care practitioner. Please consult a functional medical doctor and/or qualified nutritionist for more information. You can follow Lori Garrett on her healthy lifestyle blog: www.adventuresofasickchick.com.

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HEALTH & FITNESS

Forgotten Virtues of Aiming Low

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32 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I FEBRUARY 2016

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I want to tell you about a revolutionary new fitness plan. If you decide to take it on, I can promise you a dramatically new you.

I call it: The Unsexy Road of Perpetual Progress. And if you adopt it, you can expect to lose - wait for it - *drumroll* - four pounds in one month!

Oh, yes. I can hear the yawning now. Four pounds?! What a snore.

We hear a lot about New Year's Resolutions, and perhaps even more about how the people that try them fail miserably. Something gets in the way. You get sidelined. You no longer have that rush of “new beginnings” because the ball dropped like a month ago and you’re SO over the "New Year, New Me" nonsense. I get it.

But do we ever look seriously at WHY so many people fail and what, if anything, could be done to increase the rate of success?

I’ve written at length about my distaste for crash diets, trends, fads and all manners of short-term quick-fixes. I don’t hate them. I just think they set people up for a small victory and big crash, not unlike the financial crises we find ourselves in every decade or so.

We have the illusion of success because we lost 15 pounds in three weeks but we’re really just experiencing a bubble that will soon burst. Here’s the surprising solution that you probably won’t like: aim lower. Settle for less. Be less ambitious.

I know, this flies in the face of every bumper sticker you’ve seen on a Jetta but trust me on this, it’s not a new concept. In fact, it’s one of the oldest success secrets of the highest performing people in nearly every field and it requires the indispensible trait that ALL successful people have: patience.

Right now, there are several people (probably on your Facebook feed) boasting about their success four weeks into the New Year. They’re celebrating because they’ve lost almost 20 pounds. The classic, three-weeks-into-the-diet touchdown dance is almost as common as the failed resolution. You think you’ve won the game when it’s not even the end of the first quarter.

Fast forward eight weeks, then twelve, the progress slows and so do the Facebook check-ins at the gym. Then, the dark night of the diet-soul we call tax season hits and consumes every dieter’s good intentions. Many people stumble here, unable to sustain losing 8-10 pounds a month. And THIS is why we fail. People are conditioned to believe that unless you’re seeing changes in the mirror every week, unless the scale is plummeting, your fitness plan isn’t working. The expectations far exceed the body’s fickle rate of change.

Now, lets imagine you decided to aim low. You weigh 230-lbs. You looked at your lifestyle and noticed you drink a few beers too many, so you cut it down and switched to light. You know you need to workout but limited on time, you hire a trainer twice a week and go on one 20-minute run. You limit your fast food habit to Saturday nights and only drink on weekends. Never exceeding four drinks per week. You decide to stop using the elevator and park in the far lot to walk.

Not a sexy diet but a doable plan. You aim for a modest four pounds a month. It never works out to exactly that but the rough idea is a pound a week. Initially it’s difficult to give up post-work beer but besides that, the plan isn’t all that difficult. You don’t even feel like you’re dieting. In fact, you wonder if you should be doing more because everyone on Facebook seems to be.

Fast-forward a year. You stayed the course. A year flew by and four pounds per month has accumulated to 53 pounds (give or take). You’re ecstatic. You weigh 177-lbs. You haven’t weighed this much since college and can hardly believe it (neither can anyone else). And you didn’t even do all the crazy stuff everyone else was doing.

This worked because tiny hinges swing big doors. Small shifts compound into massive changes if only you have the patience to let it work for you.

This year, let go of trying to GET IT NOW. Instead, ask yourself what shift can you make that by 2017 will translate to a massive result. spt For some sample workouts to help you get better, email ricky@heydaytraining.com.

WEDDING

Love Thy Neighbor

Brian & Maria (Odvitovic) Tunnicliff September 26, 2015

by Brooke Karli | photo by John Mattera Photography

challenging, that it was more of a walk,” said Maria. “Little did I know what was about to happen.”

Brian had went to Bluff Cove the week prior to their hike to scope out the location, and on the day of their hike, when they reached the spot Brian had chose, there were a group of surfers changing. So as Brian was trying to stall and wait for the surfers to leave for some privacy, Maria began to wonder what was happening. Next thing she knew, Brian was down on one knee proposing. Maria, of course, had tons of photos from that day’s hike and was happy to have had her phone with her. Well played, Brian!

On September 26, 2015, Brian and Maria became husband and wife in front of 260 guests at Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church. The ceremony was a traditional Catholic ceremony, with special readings shared by friends Natalia Svircic and Leonard Viducic. Mass was performed

by Father Mate Bizaca, who also baptized Maria as a child.

A Croatian choir also performed throughout the ceremony.

Standing next to Brian and Maria were Best Man Andy Reeves; groomsmen Robbie Carroll, Patrick Mobers, Brandon Walker, Trevor Youngren, and Mike Englert; Ring Bearer Luke Koeppen; Maid of Honor Ana Odvitovic; bridesmaids Nicole Lucin, Lauren Koeppen, Ana Jelenic, Nicole Pitesa, Marie Gojanovic, Amanda Brownell, Kristen Viducic, April Walker, Wendy Englert, and Andreana

Coppa; and flower girls Ruby Tuckey, Amelia Walker, and Zoe Carlson.

The reception followed at the San Pedro DoubleTree Hotel and featured a cocktail hour complete with a live Croatian folk band. Brian and Maria shared their first dance to Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” while Maria and her father Ante danced to Ivana Kovac’s “Dalmacijo, Srce Oca Moga” (Dalmatia, the Heart of My Father) and Brian and his mother Anita danced to The Beatles’ “In My Life.”

Being from a Croatian-Filipino family, it was no surprise that there were hundreds of Croatian cookies at the reception for guests to enjoy. The cake topper also took the spotlight, as it was made of bobble-head versions of Brian and Maria, with Brian’s wearing a Dodgers jersey over his tuxedo, and Maria’s wearing a Los Angeles Kings jersey over her wedding dress.

Because the couple got married during the Caribbean’s hurricane season, they decided to go on their honeymoon last month, where they traveled to the Bahamas for a week.

Currently, Brian is a manufacturing engineer for a company that makes plastics in Huntington Beach, and Maria is a front office coordinator for a pediatric dental office in Palos Verdes. They are hoping to start a family within the next year. spt

FEBRUARY 2016 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 33

Brian Tunnicliff married the girl next door – literally.

He and Maria “CroFlip” (Odvitovic) met in 2009, when Maria moved into the same apartment complex as Brian across from Cal State Long Beach, where they were both students at the time. Brian lived in Apartment #6, and Maria in #10, and they rarely crossed paths. However, one of Maria’s friends – who was also a friend of Brian’s – had mentioned to her that the two had lived in the same complex. But it wasn’t until a year later that Brian and Maria exchanged phone numbers.

“Brian and his roommates showed up – uninvited – to a party I was throwing,” Maria recalled. “And it was at that party that we exchanged numbers. A few months later, Brian texted me inviting me to a Super Bowl party. After the Super Bowl party, we began to date and made our relationship official in May 2010.”

In October 2012, Brian moved out of his apartment and into a home he purchased in Long Beach. In February 2014, Maria moved out of her apartment and moved in with Brian, where they still currently reside.

Later that year, in November 2014, Brian and Maria went on a hike in Bluff Cove. The couple hiked regularly at the time and, as usual, Maria wanted to leave her cell phone in the car. Brian, however, had asked her to bring it along because he didn’t have his watch with him.

“I remember telling Brian that the hike wasn’t very

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