San Pedro Today - May 2017

MAY 2017

PIROZZI'S ITALIAN DELI'S NEW OWNERS | PREP BASEBALL & SOFTBALL PREVIEW | COLLECTOR'S EXPO ON THE USS IOWA

’ n i k c i K & e v i l A

WITH A NEW GENERATION TAKING THE REINS - PLUS A VISIT FROM THE CROATIAN NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM - SAN PEDRO’S CROATIAN AMERICAN CLUB IS EXPERIENCING A RENAISSANCE

MARITIME DENTISTRY Comprehensive Dental Care & Implant Center

WHEN YOU VISIT OUR DENTAL OFFICE IN WEYMOUTH CORNERS, YOU FEEL RIGHT AT HOME. Whether you require a cleaning, teeth whitening, invisible braces by Invisalign®, crowns, implants or any other General or Specialty dental procedure, our office will ensure that you are comfortable and have a pleasant experience. OLD-FASHIONED STYLE OF PATIENT CARE IS WHAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT! Dr. Ardalan, D.D.S.

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Education: USC school of Dentistry Doctor of Dental Surgery Professional Association: American Dental Association, member California Dental Association, member Western Dental Society, member

ASSOCIATES

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

Dr. Marvis Sorrel, D.M.D., M.D.S.

SERVICES & SPECIALTIES • General, Cosmetic, and Children’s Dentistry

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Located in Weymouth Corners 1411 W. 8th Street San Pedro, CA 90732

(310) 832-5559

Education: University of Pittsburgh, Master of Science in Dentistry, Doctor of Dental Medicine Advanced Education in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Orthognatic Surgery Externship / Invisalign Certification

Dr. Rebekah Coriaty Education: University of Pacific Professional Association: American Dental Association California Dental Association

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

29050 S. Western Suite 102A • Rancho Palos Verdes • www.harborhealthandspa.net

310-519-9690

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Our Mother’s Day Spa packages start at $100 ALKALINE WATER We now provide Alkaline water, $2/gal, which helps with the Hydration of cells, balancing blood PH, easy absorpation, fat emulsification, increased negative ions and oxygen levels

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

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I hold many attributes when it comes proving my Pedro Pedigree, but the one thing I am not is Croatian.

However, like many San Pedro families before me, my extended family includes many folks whose lineage stretches across the Adriatic to the beautiful Dalmatia coast.

My extended Croatian family began when my aunt Sharon (née Stecker) married my uncle, George Lusic. I was just a kid and had no idea what marrying into a Croatian family entailed. To me, it just meant eating loads (and loads) of mostaccioli at family gatherings (which was awesome) and spending more time than most at the Dalmatian-American Club (or Slav Hall as some are still wont to call it, even though that reference may tick off a few people). In typical San Pedro fashion, I eventually married into a wonderful Croatian family myself and traveled to Split and some of the surrounding islands a couple of times in recent years. And even though that chapter of my life is over, my love for the food, culture and people of Croatia continues to this day.

San Pedro is a melting pot of many nationalities, most notably Mexican, Italian, and Croatian. While our Mexican and Italian heritages are well represented when it comes to our local dining choices, there’s been a noticeable void when it comes to Croatian food since the closing of Ante’s Restaurant a few years ago.

Dalmatian delicacies like cevapcici,

sauerkraut, and the overabundance of stinky fish dishes, have all been relegated to home kitchens and holidays.

When I heard rumors that the new owners of Pirozzi’s Italian Deli, Debbie and John Toman, added Croatian food to their Italian-heavy menu, I had to check it out myself to confirm.

Of course, one could always buy uncooked cevaps and other Croatian food items from South Shores Meat Shop and A-1 Imported Groceries (like Karlovačkos!) to have at home, but unless you’re attending an event at the Dalmatian-American Club or the Croatian-American Club, or you’re lucky enough to have a nona still manning her kitchen, you can’t find any sit-down dining establishments that serve authentic Croatian dishes anymore. And even though Pirozzi’s is now serving cooked cevaps, sauerkraut and sarma, it’s still mostly for take-out.

Bottom line: we need a new Croatian restaurant in town.

This isn’t a new idea. Since Ante’s closed, I’ve had conversations with many Croatian friends who lament the fact that we have a ton of Italian and Mexican restaurants, but not a single Croatian one anymore. Why is that?

I don’t have an answer, but with so many vacant storefronts, you’d think there would be ample opportunity for someone to bring home cooked Croatian dishes to the masses.

Just a thought. spt Joshua Stecker is publisher/editorin-chief of San Pedro Today. Letters to the Editor can be emailed to contact@sanpedrotoday.com.

PLANNING FOR PEACE OF MIND Estate Plans • Probates • Wills • Living Trusts Power of Attorney • Real Estate

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

815 S. Averill Ave., San Pedro, CA 90732 28 years of service in the San Pedro & South Bay area

(310) 784-8867

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

“Free 30 Minute Consultation with Mr. Green”

MAY 2017 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 5

MAY 2017

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ADVERTISING:

ASSOCIATE EDITOR/ SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

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

Joshua J. Stecker

Caitlyn Trudnich

ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION Joseph A. Castañeda

AT-LARGE CONTRIBUTORS

Jack Baric, Lori Garrett, Pastor Nathan Hoff, Steve Marconi, Anthony Pirozzi, Angela Romero, Jamaal K. Street, Herb Zimmer

PHOTOGRAPHER

CROATIAN AMERICAN CLUB EXCELLENT VENUE FOR BANQUETS: Wedding Receptions Annual Dinners Quinceaneras Concerts Business Meetings Capacity 225 Full Kitchen/Catering Available

6 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I MAY 2017

Weekly Wednesday Lunch $10

631 West 9th Street San Pedro, California 90731 310.547.9484 | croatian.american.hall@gmail.com www.croatianamericanclub.com

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!

John Mattera Photography

CONTACT INFO:

Phone: (424) 224-9063 EMAIL: contact@sanpedrotoday.com San Pedro Today P.O. Box 1168, San Pedro, CA 90733

General Inquiries: ads@sanpedrotoday.com

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

EMPIRE22 MEDIA LLC OWNER/PUBLISHER Joshua J. Stecker

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

by Empire22 Media LLC. No portion of this publication can be reproduced without written permission by Empire22 Media. 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 2009-2017, Empire22 Media LLC.

VOLUME 9 | NUMBER 4 ON THE COVER: Members of the Croatian American Club: (l to r) Eligio Krstic, Ivo Hazdovac, Vlado Huljev and Peter Hazdovac. (photo: John Mattera)

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Interior Stateroom

MAY EVERY WEEK – STRONG PEDRO PROJECT at Plaza Park (10th St. & Beacon St.) Tues 5p - Run Club; Wed at 6:45a - TRX circuit; Fri 4:30p - Taught

by Councilman Joe Buscaino; Sat 9a - Glute Camp; Sat 11:30a - Yoga.

Open to the public. For more info, visit facebook.com/StrongPedroProject.

Enjoy WHALE WATCHING through the Cabrillo Whalewatch Program. Since 1972, this program has brought children and adults alike up close with the majestic marine creatures, as well as provided informative, expert naturalists to guide tours, as well as speak to classrooms or private groups. Rates start at just $10 per person. For more info, call (310) 548-7770 or visit cabrillowhalewatch@gmail.com.

4 (Thurs) – BUKLOD: A GATHERING OF FILIPINO & FILIPINO-AMERICAN ARTS & ARTISTS at the Croatian Cultural Center (510 W 7th St.), 6 – 9p.

This artistic exhibit, part of the First Thursday Art Walk, sponsored by FilAm Arts and Philippine Expressions. Exhibit continues until May 11th. Admission is free. For more info, call (310) 514-9139 or visit filamarts.org or philbooks.us.

4 (Thurs) – FOOTBALL REUNION AND COACH COSTA ROAST –Top of the Market (1190 Nagoya Way), 6 – 9p. This fundraising event for Domenic Costa for Honorary Mayor of San Pedro will benefit will reunite athletes, as well as benefit several local charities, including San Pedro High School Football, Port of Los Angeles High School, and the San Pedro Boys and Girls Club.

5 (Thurs) – FAMILY SHABBAT DINNER at Temple Beth El (1435 W. 7th St.), 6:30p. This traditional event will honor teachers with a performance by the Youth Choir and blessing for children under 13 and graduating high school seniors. For more info, call (310) 833-2467 or visit bethelsp.org.

8 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I MAY 2017

6 (Sat) – BOOK SALE at the San Pedro Regional Branch Library, Phil Scott

Meeting Room (931 S. Gaffey St.), 11a- 4p. The Friends of San Pedro Library hosts it monthly book sale. Books on all subject, bargains galore! All proceeds benefit the library. Or come visit the Friends’ book store inside the library, open Monday through Saturday, 1 – 5p.

7 (Sun) – 1st ANNUAL COLLECTOR’S EXPO at Pacific Battleship Center – USS Iowa (250 S. Harbor Blvd., Berth 87), 9a – 5p. See story page 10.

11 (Thurs) – SPHS CLASS OF 1945 REUNION at The Grinder (511 S. Harbor Blvd.), 9:30a. Relive the good ‘ol days over breakfast and catch up with your former Pirate classmates!

RSVP to Alice Jacobson (310) 832-1807 or Grace Woodman (310) 833-8321.

11 (Thurs) – NEEDLE ARTISTS BY THE SEA MEETING at Ports O’ Call Restaurant (1220 Nagoya Wy.), 10a. The local chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild will hold its monthly meeting with noted designer and raconteur, David McCaskill, who will be showing his design, “Winter Solace.” For more info, call (424) 224-9254.

13 (Sat) – CHANNEL STREET SKATEPARK BENEFIT SHOW – Harold’s Place (1908 S. Pacific Ave.), 8p – 1a. Help the fundraising efforts for the Channel Street Skatepark with performances by Stalag 13, Anti Social, Done For, and Ground Score. 21+. Tickets are $8.

14 (Sun) – MOTHER’S DAY CONCERT at the South Coast Botanic Garden, Frances Young Hall (26300 Crenshaw Blvd.), 5 – 7p. The Palos Verdes Symphonic Band presents “Take Mom to the Movies,” an indoor concert featuring music from movies that appeals to all ages. Tickets are $10 (Adults). Free admission for children 12 and under. For more info, call (310) 544-6815 or (310) 544-1948.

19 (Fri) – KATEY SEGAL AND THE RELUCTANT APOSTLES at the Warner Grand Theatre (478 W. 6th St.), 7:30 – 10p.

Katey Sagal (of Sons of Anarchy, Married

with Children, Superior Donuts) and The Reluctant Apostles will be playing a benefit concert for Jeannine Bryant for Honorary Mayor of San Pedro. Proceeds will benefit the LAPD Harbor Division Boosters, Harbor Interfaith Services, The MOMS Club of San Pedro and The San Pedro Chamber of Commerce. Tickets start at $40. For tickets and more info, visit grandvision.org.

20 (Sat) – SAN PEDRO RELAY FOR LIFE at the San Pedro High School Olguin Campus (3210 S. Alma St.), 10a – 10p. Join in supporting the American Cancer Society at this annual local event. The Relay for Life brings together cancer survivors, caregivers, family members, advocates, volunteers, and more – walking laps in solidarity and remembrance, and raising money for cancer research and special programs. For more info on how you can donate, visit relayforlife.org/sanpedroca.

20-21 (Sat/Sun) – BELMONT SHORE MODEL RAILROAD CLUB OPEN HOUSE at the Belmont Shore Model Railroad Club (3601 S. Gaffey St.), 10 – 4p. All aboard! The “best kept secret in San Pedro” is opening its doors to the public for a weekend-long event. Discover their giant model railroad, one of the oldest and largest scale models on the west coast! Fun for the whole family and admission is FREE. For more info, visit belmontshorerr.com.

20 (Sat) – BEST-SELLING AUTHOR SPEAKING ENAGEMENT at the San Pedro Library (931 S. Gaffey St.), 2p.

Friends of the San Pedro Library presents a double program featuring best-selling authors Dawn Anahid MacKeen, author of The Hundred Year Walk, based on her grandfather’s experience in surviving the Armenian genocide, and Charmaine Craig, author of Miss Burma, which describes her family’s experience of the changing face of Burma. For more info, visit friendsspl.org.

21 (Sun) – HOLY TRINITY ART SHOW at the Holy Trinity Parish Center (1292 W. Santa Cruz St.), 9a – 1p. One of Holy Trinity’s most beloved events, view student art pieces, created by artists from Pre-K

through fifth grade, on display and for sale, with the theme of “The Garden of Creation,” celebrating inspiration from nature.

22 (Mon) – NATIONAL MARITIME DAY OBSERVANCE AND MEMORIAL at the American Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial (Harbor Blvd. and 6th St.), 11a.

Honor the brave American Merchant Mariners who have served our country.

The ceremonial service will include guest speakers and floral contributions to be placed at the memorial. A luncheon will be held immediately following the ceremony at Port O’ Call Restaurant.

To purchase tickets and for more info, contact Jerry Aspland at (714) 968-4409 or email jaaspland@gmail.com.

25 (Thurs) - FOOD TASTING at the Assistance League of San Pedro - South Bay (1441 W. 8th Street), 11a – 3p.

The Assistance League of San Pedro – South Bay will be hosting a food tasting event, featuring products from their gift shop. Stop by and sample some of the tasty items that will make your holiday party a great success. The Assistance League of San Pedro-South Bay has been giving back to the community since 1936. All proceeds benefit local philanthropic projects. For more info, please call (310) 832-8355 ext. 221.

27 (Sat) – CROATIA VS MEXICO SOCCER at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (3911 S. Figueroa St.), 4:30p. See story page 22.

28 (Sun) – 27th ANNUAL CROATIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY STREET PARTY at Croatian American Hall of San Pedro (631 W. 9th St.), Noon – 11p. See story page 22.

Email event info to events@sanpedrotoday.com.

Deadline for the May issue is Friday, May 12. All locations in San Pedro unless otherwise noted.

Enjoy talking on the phone? You might as well get paid for it!

Our female call center operators are confident, self-motivated & energetic individuals who love to talk on the phone selling a top magazine program to potential subscribers.

If you would like to make some good money and be well compensated for your effort $1,000.00 per week is very realistic / full-time job / casual atmosphere / no dress code.

No experience necessary, all ages welcome, immediate openings, permanent position.

To join us and become a member of our family, please call Brandy at (310) 831-1111.

SAN PEDRO EYE CARE Ophthalmology • Optometry

Providing Unique & Dependable State-of-the-Art Eye Care • Friendly, Caring & Comfortable Environment SERVICES: • Specialized Care for Eye Diseases & Eye Conditions PROVIDERS: • Comprehensive Exam • Speciality Contact Lenses Tay J. Weinman, M.D. • Designer Frames Gene D. Calkins, O.D., F.A.A.O. • LASIK Surgery Rick T. Iwai, O.D., F.A.A.O. • Cataract Surgery Amarpreet S. Brar, M.D. • Oculo-Facial Plastic Surgery Geoff Hsu, O.D. • Botox Melanie H. Erb, M.D.

WE ACCEPT: ILWU, MEDICARE, VSP, EYEMED, MEDICAL EYE SERVICES & MOST PPO MEDICAL INSURANCES

310 833-1327

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Get the best chiropractic adjustment of your life.

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Our practice now offers a unique, breakthrough approach to patient care called Koren Specific Technique (KST).

There is no twisting, turning,“cracking” or “popping” of joints with KST; instead, you receive gentle, specific corrections to your spine and structural system.

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Serving the L.A. Harbor community and union labor for 22 plus years Nelson Chiropractic Dr. Guy Nelson, D.C.

DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC

www.drguynelson.com 1407 W. 8th Street San Pedro, CA 90732

310 830-5616

Centennial Celebration SAN PEDRO & PENINSULA YMCA

Saturday, August 26, 2017 6 pm - Midnight Aboard the USS Iowa Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro

ymcaLA.org/SPP

MAY 2017 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 9

• • • • • • • •

SAVE THE DATE TO CELEBRATE

GET A HOBBY! FIRST ANNUAL COLLECTOR’S EXPO ABOARD THE USS IOWA ARRIVES MAY 7.

by Caitlyn Trudnich

10 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I MAY 2017

In an age of texting at the dinner table, video games after finishing your homework, and all-day Netflix binging, much of people’s free time includes being glued to a screen. In a time where technology rules, J.D. Hobbies encourages a different kind of glue application. A mainstay of the local, small business community, J.D. Hobbies thrives on bringing creative hobby crafts, model making, and collectibles to children and adults of all ages.

For the first time ever, J.D. Hobbies and Tamiya presents the First Annual Collector’s Expo, aboard the Battleship USS Iowa on Sunday, May 7. This exciting and unique event was initiated by hobby enthusiast and J.D. Hobbies owner, Louis Lee. Having been inspired by today’s youth, Lee describes how the event was created, saying, “My message has always been and continues to be: find an outlet.

A way in which to get the younger generation interested and engaged in the wonderful world of creating,

J.D. Hobbies in Downtown San Pedro

building, and crafts in all it's forms.”

In addition to a variety of food trucks, live music and entertainment, this one-of-a-kind event will feature amazing displays, demos, and special vendors. From science and robotics, to L.A. Steamers locomotives, to vintage World War II warbirds flying over the Iowa – there are plenty of thrills for hobbyists of all ages. Special guest speakers will also be on hand, including SpaceX co-founder, Tom Mueller, and Emmywinning, and Star Trek special effects designer, Rick Sternbach. Do you love collecting anything Star Wars? Well, there will be plenty of unique items to discover there, too.

As traditional forms of crafting and building are harder to find in brick-

and-mortar locations, Lee is proud to be a part of such a long-standing and successful small business. He describes J.D. Hobbies’ strong relationship with the community, saying, “The level of support and assistance that we have received from San Pedro and outlining communities has been overwhelming to say the least. This has helped us attain the level in which we now stand, and now, it's showtime!”

Being able to bring his passion for hobbying to the masses, and perhaps inspire curious, young minds of future enthusiasts, as well as show pre-existing hobbyists something new, for Lee, is extremely gratifying.

“By holding these types of expos, the younger generation is exposed to objects that are tactile. To hold and

feel a 70-year-old piece of military hardware is vastly different from looking at it on a computer screen.

It is our hope and desire that our Collector’s Expo will set the new standard, with a variety of items to be purchased, and historical themed demos that are geared to enlighten the younger folks, and also entertain us older guys as well.” spt

The 1st Annual Collector’s Expo will be held Sunday, May 7, at Battleship USS Iowa (250 S. Harbor Blvd, Berth 87), 9a – 5p. Tickets: $10 (Adults), $5 (Children under 11, or re-enactors in uniform/costume) For vendor info, contact J.D. Hobbie Center at (310) 514-3702 or email jdhobbiesinc@yahoo.com.

Ready to Learn about Sleep Apnea Treatment?

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Why Treat Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea produces problematic symptoms for patients, such as loud snoring, fatigue, and restless sleep. These problems can lead to much greater health issues, including increased likelihood for heart disease and obesity.

Patients with sleep apnea start and stop breathing many times throughout the night, causing them to choke and startle themselves out of deep sleep repeatedly; sleep apnea is treatable.

HEALTH RISKS OF SLEEP APNEA

• Six times more likely to • High blood pressure die in a Car Accident • Diabetes • Four times more likely • Depression to have a Stroke • Gastric reflux • Three times more likely • Memory loss to have Heart Disease • Half of Apnea patients • Erectile dysfunction • Decreased sex drive have Hypertension • Insomnia • Sudden cardiac death Treatment is typically covered by medical insurance and PPOs

FDA 510(k) Cleared • Manufactured Under ISO 13645 Standards • Custom Calibration • Adjustable

Sleep Apnea Therapy in San Pedro

Patients may be surprised to learn that dentists are capable of effectively caring for sleep apnea sufferers through the use of an oral appliance, which looks similar to a retainer or mouth guard. While a sleep apnea patient’s air passages close off and prevent them from breathing normally while asleep, our oral appliance holds the jaw in a comfortable position that keeps air passages clear and facilitates easy breathing.

How Do I Get My Sleep Apnea Mouth Guard?

The first step in the sleep apnea treatment process involves taking impressions of your smile and bite alignment; this initial step is a quick visit to our office —usually only 15 minutes. Once your impressions are complete, the molds will be sent to a professional dental lab so that your appliance can be created to fit comfortably.

This plastic device for sleep apnea treatment is affordable, and prevents the need for conventional treatment, like the bulky CPAP machine. You won’t have to work with any other specialists for complete care; we facilitate all parts of the appliance creation process.

Located in Weymouth Corners | 1409 W. 8th St., San Pedro Dr. Ian Woo, O.M.S., M.D.

| Dr. Marvis Sorrel, D.M.D.

310.832.5559

VOICES

MERCHANT MARINE MEMORIAL SAYS A LOT ABOUT SAN PEDRO

by Steve Marconi It’s a little-known fact that merchant mariners suffered the highest casualty rate of all service branches in World War II. National Maritime Day, which is celebrated every May 22, is marked by a program at the American Merchant Marine Memorial on Harbor Boulevard in San Pedro, where the names of every ship sunk and the lost crewmen are inscribed.

Among the 6,800 names are those of the following 17 men from San Pedro, listed chronologically: Berthel Carlson – 64, Captain of the freighter SS Cynthia Olson, shelled and sunk Dec. 7, 1941, by a

Japanese submarine between Tacoma and Honolulu. The entire crew of 33 and two soldiers perished.

William P. Buchtele – Chief mate on the SS Cynthia Olson.

John Andrew Jackson – Messman on the freighter SS Adm. Y.S. Williams. Jackson was killed in December 1941 by a sniper in the defense of Hong Kong. The ship was captured by the Japanese on Dec. 25. Twenty crewmen were taken prisoner, and four died in captivity.

Olav Martin Robberstad – 32, Third mate on the SS Azalea City, torpedoed and sunk Feb. 20, 1942, by a U-boat in the North Atlantic.

All 38 crewmen were lost.

Johan Petter Johansen – 44, Second mate on the freighter SS

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12 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I MAY 2017

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Raceland, bombed and sunk by German planes March 28, 1942, in the North Atlantic. The entire crew of 47 abandoned ship in two lifeboats. Only 12 reached land alive.

Joseph Sam Ferrarer – Steward on the freighter Merrimack, serving as a U.S. Army Transport, when it was torpedoed and sunk June 10, 1942, by a U-boat in the Caribbean. Only 10 of the 54 men on board survived.

Russell Richard Jones – 30, Third mate on the freighter SS Massmar, which hit a mine and sank July 5, 1942, off Iceland. Seventeen crewmen and five Armed Guards died, along with 26 men who had survived an earlier sinking of the SS Alamar and were being returned to the States. A Liberty ship was later named after Jones.

Angelo John DiSanto – 24, ablebodied seaman on the Liberty ship SS Meriwether Lewis, torpedoed and sunk March 2, 1943, by a U-boat in the North Atlantic. The entire crew of 43 and 32 Armed Guards perished. DiSanto, a native of San Pedro, was single.

Olaf Andreas Nostadhl – ablebodied seaman on the tanker Esso Williamsburg, torpedoed and sunk Sept. 23, 1942, by a U-boat in the North Atlantic. The entire crew of 42 and all 18 Armed Guards perished.

Magnus Madsen – Second mate on the SS Losmar, torpedoed and sunk Sept. 24, 1942, by a Japanese submarine in the Indian Ocean. Twenty-four crewmen and two Armed Guards died.

Hugh Markle Kuhl – 20, carpenter on the Liberty ship SS Stephen Hopkins, shelled and sunk Sept. 27.

1942, in the South Atlantic in a running gunbattle with the German commerce raider Stier, which also sank. Kuhl was one of 32 crewmen and 10 Armed Guards who died. He was a W’39 San Pedro High graduate. An only child, his home was on 17th Street, where the high school field is today.

Sven Harald Boman – 49, chief engineer on the tanker Larry Doheny,

torpedoed Oct. 6, 1942, by a Japanese submarine off the Oregon coast. Boman died trying to abandon ship. Another crewman and four Armed Guards also were lost. The ship sank the next day.

Rudolph Ferdinand Torstenson – able-bodied seaman on the Liberty ship SS George Thacher, torpedoed and sunk Nov. 1, 1942, by a U-boat in the South Pacific. Four other crewmen and five armed guards also died.

Albert Ludvig Persson – oiler on the freighter SS City of Flint, torpedoed and sunk Jan. 25, 1943, by a U-boat in the North Atlantic. Persson was one of three crewmen and three Armed Guards to die in the attack.

Abraham Walter – 59, second cook on the SS Harvey W. Scott, torpedoed and sunk March 3, 1943, by a U-boat in the Indian Ocean.

All hands survived the sinking, but Walter died of exposure April 15 in a Durban, South Africa, hospital. A native of South Africa, Walter was a veteran of WWI, when he served with the British Army and was wounded at Ypres. He and his wife had been living in San Pedro since 1924.

George H. Falk – 33, boatswain’s mate on the Liberty ship E.A. Bryan when it exploded July 17, 1944, at Port Chicago in San Francisco Bay. The explosion of two munitions ships during loading killed 321 sailors and soldiers.

John “Jack” Rados Jr. – 22, third engineer on the SS Logan Victory, hit and sunk by a kamikaze April 6, 1945, near Okinawa. Rados graduated from San Pedro High in 1941 with his twin brother, Robert, and later graduated from the Maritime Academy in Vallejo.

Their father was owner of Harbor Boat Building Co. on Terminal Island.

Twelve crewmen and three Armed Guards died when the Logan Victory, an ammunition ship, exploded. spt Steve Marconi can be reached at spmarconi@yahoo.com.

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MAY 2017 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 13

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CROATIANS – AUTHENTICALLY SAN PEDRO

14 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I MAY 2017

by Jack Baric I’ve never kept it quiet that I’m a proud CroatianAmerican, so it’s no big surprise that this month’s cover story on how a new generation of San Pedro Croatian-Americans are working to keep the Croatian American Club relevant is especially pleasing to me.

I’m so proud of the young guys that have stepped up in leadership positions because their work will be so important in preserving our ethnic community here in San Pedro. However, preserving our heritage is not only important to the Croatian-American community – it’s important to all of San Pedro.

Much has been written in San Pedro Today about the emergence of a more prosperous San Pedro through the redevelopment of the waterfront and revitalization of our downtown. The shape of those urban redesign efforts will affect our town for generations to come.

So, what does that have to do with a group of young CroatianAmericans working hard to preserve their heritage in our community?

In one word. Authenticity.

Redevelopment experts, like the Urban Land Institute (ULI), have for many years been touting the importance of considering authenticity when planning the future of a community. The backlash against homogenous suburban malls and mass-produced goods have created a dramatic rise among modern consumers to crave authenticity in what they eat, what they buy, where they live, and where they work.

Open any food magazine and you will find numerous articles on the huge popularity of restaurants that provide farm to table food. Ask a hip interior designer if she prefers getting décor at the mall or from places like Crafted, where artisans handcraft their goods, and she will surely respond, “Crafted.” Go to San Pedro Brewing Company or Brouwerij West with almost anyone under 40 and

try ordering a Bud instead of a craft brew and prepare to be ridiculed.

The experts at ULI understand this almost visceral need, that so many of us have, to get back to our roots. It is why when they studied our waterfront a few years ago, the headline for the types of shops we should pursue was, “Shrimp not Shoes.” The ULI recognized our proximity to the ocean and our fishing heritage as something that visitors to San Pedro would intuitively find appealing because it is who we truly are. It is authentic.

The history of San Pedro is deeply interwoven with the heritage of Croatians that immigrated to our town in massive waves before World War II, and then again in the late 1950s. Thousands of people, like my parents, escaped the poverty of the former Yugoslavia and arrived on our waterfront to make a great living in fishing, ship building, and longshoring.

I can recall sitting in my kitchen on 20th Street on many mornings and hearing the chatter of little old ladies speaking Croatian as they walked together to McCowan’s Market to get their daily groceries. I loved it, not only because I am Croatian, but because it provided me with the sense of living in a real old world ethnic neighborhood.

McCowan’s is gone, as is Ante’s Restaurant, but I can’t tell you how many times I hear that when people are visiting our town, they always stop at South Shores Meat Market to get great butcher cuts and Croatian delicacies.

I’m also always happy to see the great number of non-Croatians that visit the Croatian Club for the $10 Wednesday Lunch, which always features delicious home cooked style dishes, such as barbeque swordfish or bell peppers stuffed with savory ground meat.

These are the simple things that give a community a sense of place – a sense of heritage – a sense of authenticity. Congratulations to the Croatian American Club for your role in making San Pedro a town we all love so much. I’m very proud. spt Jack Baric can be reached at jackbaric@hotmail.com.

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POLA HIGH SCHOOL’S GREEN FESTIVAL

by Herb Zimmer Port of Los Angeles High School’s sixth annual Green Festival will take place on the high school campus (250 W. 5th Street), from 12 noon till 3 p.m. on Friday, May 19.

It will feature booths and displays on toxin/cruelty free beauty products, a petting zoo, electric vehicle car show, compost workshops, a “conscious food court,” kids’ activities, solar-powered music DJ, environmental films, speakers, raffles, and much, much more. The entire community is invited.

The national Green Festival movement, which brings together such entities as green companies, nonprofit social change organizations, sustainable agriculture enterprises and others, was started by Global Exchange co-founder, Dr. Kevin Danaher, in the early 2000s, to help people focus on creating a socially, environmentally and economically sustainable world. Since then, weekend-long Green Festivals are being staged annually in many major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles.

POLA High School is extremely proud that, this year, Dr. Danaher will be keynote speaker at their event.

Though faculty, staff and parents assist, POLA High’s festival is primarily student planned and run.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with eight of these inspiring students. They have a passion and commitment for spreading the word about how we can – and must – create a more sustainable world. Nathaniel Delozier said he’s passionate about animal welfare. He wants people to view animals, not as just food, but as sentient creatures with personalities like humans.

He’ll be helping to run the festival’s petting zoo. Mirriana Martinez is also concerned about animals, and along with some friends and representatives from groups like Animals Rule and PETA, will be offering tips on pet welfare and grooming.

Alyssa Eckley, Montse Venegas

and Rosemarie Singletary are all interested in sustainable gardening and horticulture. Alyssa is eager to show people the POLAHS urban garden, which she will be manning at the festival. She is committed to urban agriculture. She also explained her concern about the die-off of the bee population and how a lack of pollination will affect our food supply. Montse fervently believes that sustainability education must begin at an early age. Consequently, local 4th and 5th grade classes have been invited to the festival. She, and other students, will act as guides, leading them through the festival and explaining the concept of sustainability. Each youngster will also be given a “seed bomb” to plant at home. Rosemarie, who is taking horticulture at POLAHS, is also passionate about education and brings a unique perspective on communal gardening and sharing that she learned from her mom who was born in an agrarian area of Indonesia.

Erika Cruz has a fervent belief in healthy eating and will be offering vegan burgers, vegetarian pizza and mud cups as part of the conscious food court. Aaron Caro is passionate about waste management and will be demonstrating what goes into a landfill, what gets composted and what is recyclable. Kayla Rubalcava is coordinating the Fair-Trade booths and will be staffing the henna booth.

Henna is a dye used for temporary body art in many countries, and Kayla is eager to demonstrate how cultures can come together through art.

When asked why adults should attend the Green Festival, Rachel Bruhnke, Environmental Engineering Studies teacher, and advisor to the Green Festival students said, “When it comes to sustainability, these youth are out front and can inspire collaboration and sincere efforts by adults to do the right thing. We’re inviting everyone to take an extended lunch on May 19 to come see the hopeful, sustainable future and be inspired by our motto, Our Mission is Just a Transition.” spt Herb Zimmer owns PriorityOne Printing in downtown San Pedro.

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was my Yearbook advisor at Dodson Jr. High. She didn’t need to teach me in an academic subject to have a profound effect on me. Denise was beyond generous with everything a teacher could offer a student – time, honesty, and even humor. She spoke to all her students like they were people, even kids I would’ve easily placed in the “bad” column. She was like a student whisperer. Besides her love for the job, you could tell she enjoyed being able to do it in her own community.

Denise was the first person I remember thinking that if I could grow up to be like her, I would be in pretty good shape; smart, funny, confident and civic-minded.

by Angela “Romee” Romero I played sports with Annette Ciketic’s daughter when I was a kid.

It’s crazy to think that someone on the I threaten my dog in Croatian. sideline of my childhood soccer match Well, sometimes I chase it back into would eventually become the fairy the house while saying, “I’m gonna get godmother of my creative awakening. your butt,” but I use the Croatian word Annette and I reconnected while for butt. I’ve used that word forever. volunteering and she decided to adopt It’s in my vernacular. me. I still remember giving one of my When you grow up in a culturally very first walking tours on 6th Street diverse neighborhood like San Pedro, when she threw open the doors of it’s only natural that you pick up a fINdings Art Center, shouting across word or a taste for a food from another the street for me to come see her when culture. Who doesn’t have memories I was done. I had only recently wished of heaping piles of mostaccioli at every that I had a central downtown location family function? I only recently ended from where I could start my tours. my lifelong ban on sauerkraut – what When I came back around to see her, was I thinking?! it was as if she had received my silent But more than any word or morsel prayer from God and offered to let me of food, the one thing I have personally use fINdings. Through Annette, I have benefited from the most are Croatians, learned more about what it means to themselves. I initially intended to write be an artist, community leader and about Ante Perkov, who is, arguably, spiritual person. one of the greatest San Pedrans who I know where I picked up the ever lived, but when I sat down and Croatian word for butt. Diane Teel, thought about the Croatian influence née Plancich, would “threaten” to on my life, a group of women appeared spank someone on the butt if they in my head. And if there’s one thing didn’t listen. When we met, she was I’m sure even Ante understood, you do my younger sister’s Girl Scout leader. not mess with a Croatian woman.

Now, she and her daughters are family.

I met my first Croatian woman quite She made my first bite of mostaccioli early on, she was my pediatrician. and sauerkraut. I picked up a lot of Dr. Marijana Jaksic was not only my things from Diane. Her daughters were pediatrician, but the pediatrician for always having to send cards to their my entire family – except two cousins kums (godfathers) and tetas (aunts). who had Dr. Stambuk (it took me years Diane is the example when it comes to to realize that not all pediatricians being a presence in someone’s life. No were Croatian). Having a pediatrician one can send a timely card better than for your whole childhood is easy to she can. When my mom died, Diane take for granted, but Dr. Jaksic was the was a godsend. She still shows up to great fixer of my youth. It didn’t matter support me whenever she can. It means if you swallowed a nickel or got a a lot because I know my mom would be piece of sponge stuck up your nose, Dr. right there with her if she could.

Jaksic would take care of you.

My mother was not Croatian, but Denise Sampson, née Marovich, is providence has made sure that there the College & Career Counselor at San has been a strong Croatian mother Pedro High School and my Facebook present in my life from the very friend. We first met back when she beginning. Sretan Majčin dan! spt

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by Joshua Stecker | photo by John Mattera

20 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I MAY 2017

Debbie and John Toman, owners of Pirozzi's Italian Deli

Debbie Toman didn’t think it was going to happen.

After she and her husband John met with Vince Pirozzi, owner and namesake of Pirozzi’s Italian Deli, last year in a secret meeting at the Starbucks on 5th and Gaffey, she was unsure if Pirozzi really wanted to part with the business that’s been his life’s work for the better part of 60 years.

“This was Vince’s baby,” she says.

“You could just see his heart pouring out when he was telling us his story.

After our first meeting, I said it’s really not going to happen.”

But Pirozzi, 74, wanted to retire from the day-to-day grind of running a small business and when word got out that the deli might be up for sale, the Tomans, who also own Curley’s Café in Long Beach, saw an opportunity they couldn’t pass up. “We got a sniff that it was for sale,” recalls John, “This was a golden goose as far as opportunity goes, and it was right in our old backyard [in Weymouth Corners].”

You’re probably not aware it even happened. In fact, more than a year later, people are still unaware that Pirozzi’s Italian Deli is no longer in the hands of the Pirozzi family. It wasn’t necessarily a secret, it just wasn’t something the Tomans, both lifelong San Pedrans, felt needed to be broadcast to the community.

“We’ve done this enough to know that we weren’t going to make this John and Deb’s Deli,” laughs John. “We

were always going to keep the name and the menu, and we told Vince we’d represent his name well.”

Pirozzi’s Italian Deli (formerly Pirozzi’s Food Center), is one of the few notable San Pedro businesses that is still around from the 1970s. Vince Pirozzi purchased the building where Peterson’s Market was on 8th and Weymouth in 1974 and soon changed the market’s name to Pirozzi’s Food Center. In 1983, Pirozzi sold the market (but kept the building) and it remained named as Pirozzi’s until 2000. Soon after its closing, Catholic Arts Gift Shop moved into the former market’s spot at Weymouth Corners until its closing in July 2011. Wanting to get back into the deli business, Vince and his family opened Pirozzi’s Italian Deli in October 2012 in the same location as their former market, much to the delight of San Pedran’s missing a good, old-fashioned Italian deli in the neighborhood.

But age and time have a way of sneaking up on people, and Pirozzi, now in his early 70s, felt like it was time to step back from his life’s work and relax for once.

“The family decided to sell the business because it was time for my dad to enjoy his retirement,” says Enza Pirozzi, Vince’s youngest daughter.

“He had a long, successful career in the food industry and loved serving the people of San Pedro. After working hard for over 60 years, it was an opportunity for him to finally enjoy the

fruits of his labor.”

The Pirozzi’s sold the business, but not the building. Vince is still the Toman’s landlord, and everyone agrees, they like it that way. “Vince got the first key after the transition of ownership,” recalls John. “Vince is a great guy, they’re a good family. I gave him the first key, and he still comes and goes when he wants. We love it.”

While some small changes are evident, namely the wooden shelving and new signage, the biggest change of all wasn’t so much a change but an addition. Debbie, who is Croatian (her mother is Winnie Mardesich and her prior name was Jabuka), thought the deli, and San Pedro for that matter, could use some home cooked Croatian food.

“I thought, what if we just added a few Croatian dishes to the menu,” recalls Debbie. “Not a lot, maybe sauerkraut, sarma (stuffed cabbage rolls), a Croatian meat sauce, and cevapcici.”

“There’s a big demand for Croatian food since Ante’s Restaurant and Sunshine Market are gone,” says John.

“And Debbie’s cooking is second to none.”

Just like the sale of the business, John and Debbie didn’t broadcast the Croatian menu additions either. It’s not even listed on their menus. They got the ball rolling through word of mouth, and sometimes, especially in San Pedro, that’s all you need.

“We haven’t advertised our Croatian

food at all,” says John, who comes from a long line of longshoremen. “It’s been word of mouth and it’s spreading.

We’ve just been busy, which is great.”

Like any legit Croatian chef, Debbie learned all she knows about cooking from her mother and grandma. Those family recipes have slowly crept into the deli’s kitchen, and now, in addition to managing the business, she’s hard at work in the kitchen creating food she ate as a child and would eventually feed her five children. The menu also includes homemade bread pudding and a special take on tiramisu.

“I raised five kids and we never ate fast food growing up, I cooked every day,” recalls Debbie, who is also a volunteer catechism teacher and Eucharistic minister at Mary Star.

The Tomans are hoping to expand the footprint of the deli if the opportunity arises, and are actively looking for a location to build a bakery so they can bake their own bread and desserts.

“This is our eighth restaurant,” says John. “We’ve been in the food business for a long time. We’ve done this before with Curley’s Cafe, an 83-year-old place. It’s not about having our name on anything. If you run the business well, people will appreciate you.”

He adds, “Vince built the foundation and we’re stewards of his legacy.” spt

Pirozzi’s Italian Deli is located at 1453 W. 8th St. in Weymouth Corners, (310) 548-0000.

MAY 2017 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 21

The New & Old Generation: Peter Hazdovac and Vlado Huljev stand in front of the Croatian American Club on 9th St.

Alive & Kickin’ WITH A NEW GENERATION TAKING THE REINS - PLUS A VISIT FROM THE CROATIAN NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM - SAN PEDRO’S CROATIAN AMERICAN CLUB IS EXPERIENCING A RENAISSANCE

22 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I MAY 2017

by Caitlyn Trudnich and Joshua Stecker photos by John Mattera

There’s no denying that San Pedro is filled with a rich culture of CroatianAmericans. More than any other city in Southern California, being of Croatian descent in this town is something unique. Approximately 35,000 Croatians live in the Los Angeles metropolitan area today, mostly in San Pedro, making it the biggest Croatian community on the west coast.

Whether you’ve lived in San Pedro all your life or just moved here, chances are you know someone whose last name ends with a phonetic “ich.”

It’s part of the charm of this Port Town, and distinguishes us from the rest of Los Angeles.

During the upcoming Croatian Independence Weekend (May 27-28), pride in heritage is especially palpable.

The multi-day celebration, hosted by the Croatian American Club, is one of the most anticipated events of the year, inviting both local residents, as well as visitors to San Pedro, to come

together for a weekend of traditional food, music, and of course, a few Karlovačkos.

This year’s celebration is anticipated to be one of the biggest in the Club’s history, due in no small part to the fact the Croatian National Soccer team is scheduled to play a friendly match against Mexico’s National Team at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, May 27. The soccer game, and the crowd it’s expected to draw to the Club, is a long way from the Club’s humble beginnings in 1958, where three men decided they wanted to keep their cultural legacy alive.

IT STARTED WITH THREE At 83, Vlado “Walter” Huljev is the last living original member of San Pedro’s Croatian American Club. Spry with the energy of a man half his age, Huljev sits at a large, round table inside the Croatian American Club, dressed in a dress shirt and slacks, during one of

their weekly Wednesday $10 lunches.

He’s happy to chat about the Club’s early days. His memory, as far as one can tell, is still intact as he rattles off incredibly specific details of the Club’s founding.

“The very first meeting of San Pedro’s Croatian American Club happened in April 1958, in a small house on the 200 block of 13th St.,” he recalls. “In San Pedro, during that time, you couldn’t mention your Croatian heritage, you couldn’t find a job,” recalls Huljev. “It was a very difficult time.”

At 20-years-old, Huljev hopped on a rowboat and left his small town of Primošten, Croatia, towards Italy, where, in the middle of the Adriatic Sea, he was picked up by a large fishing vessel. He stayed in Italy for “two years, two months and 14 days,” he remembers proudly. From Italy, he made it to New York City, where he arrived with one suitcase, was

given $12 by a Catholic organization, and was put on a cross-country train towards California.

Huljev’s story, while dramatic, was not uncommon for those who fled Croatia before and after World War II. There were just three men at that original meeting. They met, as Huljev explains, to socialize, be with likeminded folks, and most importantly, to keep their cultural legacy alive in a town far from their homeland.

“We wanted to teach people our language, our music and our culture,” says Huljev. “After the first meeting, we moved it to the private home of John Ferich on 27th St. because we had no money to buy a place for ourselves.

We met there for quite a while. We started with three people but we started growing quickly.”

From there, Huljev explains, they moved to the second floor of a building on 10th and Pacific Ave. After saving a bit more money, the Club purchased a

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house on 4th and Pacific Ave. Then, in the early 1970s, the Club purchased the building they currently reside in, at 631 W. 9th St. “For me, the Club is my home away from home,” says Huljev, who worked in the shipyards when he first arrived in San Pedro, and eventually landed a job at Northrop Grumman in 1964, retiring in 1993. “We had dances and dinners here all the time, but my generation has gotten older and we started dying off, and our numbers grew smaller. For years, we were begging the younger generation to take over. Finally, a few years ago, they did, and I’m very happy with how they’ve handled things.”

24 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I MAY 2017

TAKING THE REINS In recent years, it has been the goal of the Croatian American Club to connect with the younger generation, and open its doors to fresh energy and exciting events. On Saturday, May 27, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will host an international friendly soccer match featuring the national teams of Croatia and Mexico, inviting thousands of fans to put on their favorite jersey (red and white checkered print for Croatia, green and white for Mexico) and be in attendance as they cheer on their favorite players.

This historic game could not have been scheduled at a better time, as members of the Croatian American Club jumped at the chance to incorporate the game as part of the weekend’s activities.

“The fact that this happened to be scheduled the day before our annual street party put us in absolute shock, and made this Croatian Weekend that much more special,” says Peter Hazdovac, one of the men leading the younger generation of the Croatian American Club. “Our goal has now been to spread the word about the

(Clockwise from top left) The $10 Weekly Wednesday Lunch is a popular event; flat-screen TVs adorn the walls in the bar; items like spinach and potatoes (with plenty of garlic) are staples during the Wednesday lunch; Vlado Huljev talks about the Club’s history.

game and help bring Croatians from all over the globe together in Los Angeles for this weekend.”

Hazdovac, elected secretary of the Croatian American Club, has become a major contributor and driving force behind the Club’s recent evolution. His involvement, along with his cousin and current President, Sime Zanki, has greatly influenced the integration of new members and events that greatly appeal to today’s emerging group of young, local Croatian Americans.

Hazdovac’s family business, Adriatic Travel, facilitated in reserving thousands of seats in the Croatian Fan

Zone for the friendly soccer game, giving fans the opportunity to sit together behind the Croatian team’s bench.

Hazdovac describes his excitement as a fan, saying, “With just about every hotel in San Pedro sold out during Croatian Weekend, we are expecting record numbers of Croatians from out of town. This is something that all fans of Croatian soccer only imagined would happen.” He jokes, “Checkered jerseys are mandatory. If you do not have one, take a red and white table cloth and wrap it around your body!”

The day’s events will begin with

transportation from the Club to the Coliseum, where fans can participate in tailgating before the game’s start and meet other fans in attendance. After the game, an after party will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in San Pedro.

The celebration continues Sunday, May 28, for the annual street party, with the Croatian American Club serving as the center of all the revelries. San Pedrans look forward to this event every year, which includes traditional food, such as cevapcici and roasted lamb, and some of the strongest drinks in town. The festivities last all day, and features entertainment by

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traditional kolo performers, hailing from St. Anthony’s Kolo Group “Croatia” Los Angeles & “Hrvatska Ruza” New York, as well as live music from Nocni Raj from Toronto, Canada, and Grupa Zrinski from San Pedro.

Hazdovac describes his personal fondness for the annual, inclusive event, saying, “It’s the one weekend a year where all of my friends, even Italian and Hispanic, call themselves Croatian. They all seem to remember the words to favorite Croatian songs, like Prljavo Kazalište’s ‘Mi Plešemo,’ and enjoy singing along.”

Croatian Independence Weekend, most notably the annual street party, is one of the few major events in San Pedro that combines visitors and locals, young and old.

“This day not only celebrates the Independence of Croatia from the former Yugoslavia in 1991,” Hazdovac explains, “but also for us locally, marks a day that we can share our culture, pride, and excitement for our roots with all of our community.”

Sharing Croatian pride and exposing a wide range of ages to this culture has become a major focus for the new leadership of the Croatian American Club. Members, along with the board, are steadily making developments to make sure that the legacy of the Club, as well as the legacy of Croatian Americans, continues for generations to come.

When visiting their location on 9th Street, Hazdovac proudly shows off beautification improvements that have been made, including new cabinets and granite countertops in the banquet room, and multiple flat screen televisions in the bar area, perfect for viewing Croatian soccer games.

Hazdovac expresses that they soon hope to replace the flooring, as well as make several other renovations to the club, giving it a small makeover, while still keeping its rich history and traditional quality intact. As a younger generation of Croatian Americans has begun to take board positions, as well as become new members, the passing of the torch is inevitable. Many current members have participated in the club since its early days, and look forward to witnessing the next generation pass on their customs and history.

Young members, like Hazdovac, have learned the importance of celebrating your heritage from an early age. As the son of Croatian-born parents, becoming a member of the Croatian American Club continued to

maintain a feeling of community and pride in his family’s culture.

“My parents always instilled in my two sisters and I the importance of our culture and heritage. We were also lucky enough to spend many summers in Croatia with family and friends. When the war was happening in the 1990s, our parents started a foundation to help people in need, and our family visited Croatia soon after to see the damage firsthand. All of these experiences have shaped me, and have given me such great pride. It’s a great feeling going around town now, and being able to see fellow Croatians, speak the language, and know we live in one of the most densely Croatianpopulated towns in the country.”

So what does the future look like for the Croatian American Club?

Long-standing members all agree, the future is encouraging. With popular events like the big soccer game, promoting their location as an accommodating rental space for events, such as wedding receptions, as well as the leadership of today’s younger generation, the Club’s legacy is expected to grow.

Huljev, impressed with the direction the Club is heading, would like to see the Club purchase more property on 9th St. to eventually build a parking lot.

Hazdovac explains his goals for the Club, saying, “Since a group of us so-called ‘younger guys’ have taken over the board, we have made a few things clear: renovate the hall, bring back membership, and have fun. This is a place for the entire community and though we rely on rentals and events to pay bills and cover expenses, our main goal is to bring Croatians of this community together by supporting, helping, and pushing each other in the right direction. We would like to carry on our club’s traditions, and promote our Croatian culture, so hopefully the next generation can enjoy it.” spt The Croatian American Club is located at 631 West 9th Street in San Pedro. For more info, call (310) 547-9484, email croatian. american.hall@gmail.com, or visit croatianamericanclub.com.

To purchase tickets for the Croatia vs. Mexico soccer game, and for more information on Croatian Independence Weekend, visit croatianamericanclub.com/ croweekend.

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PREP BASEBALL & SOFTBALL 2017 PREVIEW story and photos by Jamaal K. Street

28 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I MAY 2017

Spring sports have arrived the bats of the San Pedro prep baseball and softball teams are heating up. San Pedro, Port of Los Angeles and Mary Star of the Sea High Schools are ready for their own spring fling in their quest for CIF titles and league supremacy.

Get your lineup cards ready, it’s time to play ball!

BASEBALL SAN PEDRO (12-20 in 2016) – The Pirates finished 6-4 in the Marine League, placing third, before bowing out in the second round of the CIFLos Angeles City Section Division 1 playoffs to eventual champion El Camino Real of Woodland Hills after winning a first-round play-in game at Sylmar.

Third-year coach Steve Tedesco returns with plenty of talent, including a deep pitching staff that features seniors Isaiah Bumgarner, David Barraza, Noah Ford and Vincent Pirozzi. Juniors Ryan Zamudio and Andrew Whatley are also capable on the mound. Experience shouldn’t be an issue with San Pedro, as 20 out of their 21-player roster are either juniors or seniors.

Bumgarner, and juniors Matt Marquez (Mary Star transfer), Kai Kaneshiro and David Carlton look to provide the most firepower with their bats. The lone freshman, catcher Josh Duarte, is the brother of former two-time All-City catcher and 2016 graduate J.J. Duarte.

MARY STAR (14-12 in 2016) – Rick Ibarra enters his second season in his second term as coach for the Stars, who placed 6-6 in the Camino Real League but lost a lot of senior leadership.

Outfielder Alex Fukutake and P/ INF Hunter Bjazevich are the lone two seniors on a small dozen-player roster, so depth may be a problem for Mary

Star, who does have three talented sophomores in OF/1B/P Nathan Trudnich, OF/INF/P Joe James and outfielder Kevin Costa. Sophomore INF/P Ryne Lina could be a Star on the rise, no pun intended.

POLA (15-9 in 2016) – Co-coaches Brian and Dennis Emerson will try to navigate another long run for the Polar Bears who made it to the CIFLACS Division III semifinals before falling to former league rival Harbor Teacher Prep, who also ended POLA’s five-year run as Crosstown League champions. Key word here is ‘former,’ because POLA will now compete in the Coliseum League for 2017.

Gone is three-time All-City Division III pitcher Fernando Rivas, so the Polar Bears will rely on the likes of senior 1B/P Arturo Castaneda’s experience, along with other key players, such as senior outfielder Albert Covarrubias, sophomore INF/P/C Nick Skrumbis and sophomore 1B/P Justin Bales.

SOFTBALL POLA (27-5 overall in 2016) – Head coach Jesse Espinoza is back for a second season, and will no doubt rely on New Mexico State-bound pitcher Analise De La Roca to carry them after last year’s phenomenal mark of 408 strikeouts to break a CIF-LACS single season record. De La Roca also led POLA in batting average, hits, home runs and RBIs. Junior 3B/P Angie Vargas also made All-City along with last year’s CIF-LACS Co-Pitcher of the Year, and has already made huge strides, hitting a grand slam in a 4-3 seasonopening shocker over Banning on February 25.

Senior second baseman Destiny Sambrano, sophomore catcher Allison Torstensen, junior outfielder Brittany Mercado and junior first baseman

(Clockwise from top left) SPHS senior Isaiah Bumgarner; Mary Star senior Hunter Bjazevich; Port of Los Angeles High softball junior All-City infielder/pitcher Angie Vargas; SPHS softball All-City senior trio: catcher Andrea Cline (#13), third baseman Ricki Justiniano (#21) and pitcher Cindy Robles (#3).

Allie Dukes are viable returners for POLA, who advanced to the CIFLACS Division 1 semifinals for a third straight season.

SAN PEDRO (16-11-2 in 2016) – Now in his third year, coach Robert Whitney has a senior and junior-heavy roster hungry to improve on last year’s third place Marine League finish and CIF-LACS Division 1 first round exit.

The All-City trio of Cindy Robles at pitcher, Andrea Cline at catcher and third baseman Ricki Justiniano, are also returning All-Marine League first team selections. Cline is a dangerous contact hitter, and Justiniano’s all-around hitting increased mightily over the summer. Robles is due for a breakout season in the circle.

Other key returners for San Pedro includes senior INF/P Deanna Gonzalez, senior outfielder Andrea Trejo, senior second baseman Mackenzie Winkle, junior 1B/P Quincy Greenwood, junior outfielder Taiya Reyna and junior C/OF Anessa Quiroz.

MARY STAR (5-18 in 2016) – It was not the best of seasons for the Stars in 2016, and first-year coach Hector Rivera will try to restore life back into a program who not long ago was Camino Real League champions in 2015.

Having fabulous freshman pitcher Alessandra Samperio, who led Holy Trinity to back-to-back CYO titles in 2015 and 2016, certainly helps. In her first career start, Samperio tossed a nohitter against Firebaugh on February 28, striking out all 16 batters she faced.

Mary Star returns four-year senior shortstop Amanda Vitalich, who clubbed six home runs last season and was All-CIF her freshman year.

Senior catcher Gianna Fletcher, senior first baseman Gigi Gentile and junior outfielder Miranda Marquez also has pop in their bats, and like Vitalich, are returning All-CRL selections.

Freshman second baseman Ashley Rico is another talented freshman for Mary Star. spt

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Happy Croatian Independence Day from Dr. Kardovich & Team!

by Lori Garrett Spring has sprung! After being blessed with abundant rain this winter, we are currently enjoying many trees, plants, flowers, and grass in full bloom. While beautiful, this also translates to higher pollen counts in the air, and for many of us, this means pesky seasonal allergies.

Seasonal allergy symptoms include sinus inflammation, congestion, headaches, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes. Allergy reactions can also exacerbate certain medical conditions, such as asthma. While antihistamine medications are often the answer for allergy sufferers, they aren’t always fully effective. They can also have undesirable side effects. Some studies link long-term use of certain antihistamine medications to increased risk of dementia, for example.

Although I use antihistamine medications occasionally, I haven’t found a whole lot of relief from them.

I’ve had to turn to alternative ways to treat my seasonal allergies. Whether used in conjunction with antihistamine meds or on their own, here are some proven natural remedies to help relieve seasonal allergy symptoms: Raw Local Honey or Bee Pollen – Raw honey is an ancient remedy that has been shown to be effective against seasonal allergies. Consuming local (raw) honey and/or bee pollen can help our bodies build a tolerance to the local pollen we’re exposed to, which in turn, helps reduce allergic reaction.

Quercetin – Quercetin is a flavonoid (antioxidant) found in many vegetables and fruits, such as leafy greens, broccoli, tomatoes, and berries. It’s a natural antihistamine and a powerful anti-inflammatory that helps fight a long list of inflammatory conditions, including allergies, asthma, hay fever, dermatitis, and hives. A plant-rich diet that includes colorful fruits and veggies should provide a healthy

amount of quercetin, but it can also be consumed in supplement capsules.

Bromelain – Bromelain is an enzyme that helps modulate the immune system, which in turn, helps fight allergies. Among its various benefits, bromelain has been found to reduce sinus inflammation and hay fever symptoms. Bromelain is found plentifully in pineapples (specifically in the core) and can also be taken in supplement form for therapeutic use.

Stinging Nettle (Nettle Leaf) – Stinging nettle is a plant that has been used for centuries to help treat a wide variety of ailments. Research suggests the anti-inflammatory properties of the nettle leaf help control histamines and prevent hay fever symptoms. Some professionals suggest supplementing with freezedried nettle leaf before allergy season starts as a means of prevention.

Dried nettle leaf can be consumed as a tea or in supplemental capsules.

Probiotics – Having a strong immune system is key to fighting allergies. Since the gut is responsible for a large part of the immune system, it comes as no surprise that probiotics have been shown to be helpful in preventing and managing allergies.

You can find probiotics in supplement form or naturally in fermented foods.

I find that my allergy symptoms are best controlled by taking a supplement blend that contains bromelain, quercetin, and nettle leaf. For me, this blend tends to be more effective than any antihistamine medication.

If you are interested in trying natural supplementation to help treat your allergies, be sure to consult your healthcare professional, as some of these supplements can cause additional effects such as lowering blood pressure, lowering blood sugar, and thinning the blood. While these effects are usually considered beneficial, they can also interfere with certain medications and medical conditions. spt Follow Lori Garrett's wellness blog, www.adventuresofasickchick.com.

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RELIGION

GREAT STREEETS! GREAT SOUL?

32 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I MAY 2017

by Pastor Nathan Hoff Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti started talking about "great streets" three and a half years ago. Little did we know, the actual word "street" could be improved by the addition of one "e." This got me thinking about improving more than Gaffey Street. How many times do we have to explain, "Actually, it’s a long ‘e,’ Pedro." Before we make new signs, why don't we change the spelling of our town to San Peedro. Local weather, sports, and high-speed chase news announcers would unanimously cheer this clarifying change.

Our common spaces and streets will be more beautiful after this project is completed, but what about our common soul? Our spaces, streets, economy, and industry may stand a chance of revitalization if we get rid of the homeless encampments and repurpose Harbor View House.

Our souls, on the other hand, won't stand a chance unless we care as much about redemption as we do about revitalization. All the great stories in literature, film, and every other medium are redemption stories.

Revitalization stories inspire city planners. Redemption stories inspire holy days/holidays. Christmas, Purim, Easter, Martin Luther King Jr., and Memorial Day all tell redemption stories. Give me one example of a revitalization holiday.

The scriptures that were first written in Hebrew include a section called The Prophets. Chronologically, they are scattered throughout the epochs of redemption history because a prophetic Godword is needed in every generation. Those prophets, on behalf of God, have a great interest in the soul of cities because cities are concentrated humanity, and God has a great interest in humans. God speaks to Zion (Jerusalem), Babylon, and Nineveh.

One main theme in these Godwords concerns the soul – the inside parts – of the community. If the inside is rotten, but the outside is revitalized

or religious, the whole thing is still rotten. Amos' message is reflective of this kind of prophetic speech: “I can’t stand your religious meetings. I’m fed up with your conferences and conventions. I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals... Do you know what I want?

I want justice—oceans of it. I want fairness—rivers of it. That’s what I want." Selections from Amos 5.21-24 (The Message, Eugene Peterson) Could this not be a timely word for us? Perhaps, to us, it would sound something like this, "Your houses are maintained, but your families are disintegrating. Your technology is state-of-the-art, but you are missing out on life. Gaffey will look as great as it can look, but your alleys are safer for gangs than for 15-year-olds. You are quick to remove graffiti, but the blood stains stick. San Pedro, I want you to have a great soul, not just great streets."

Cities, like San Pedro, have a concentrated potential for creativity, justice, redemption, and the common good. We see many fine examples all around us. Cities also have a concentrated capacity for destruction and injustice. We see too many examples all around us.

Someone recently stole some equipment from Trinity Lutheran, the church I serve. We reported it to the police, then found out who the thief was through the San Pedro grapevine. We contacted the culprit and offered a redemptive solution instead of a punitive one. When I met the man, he wouldn't make eye contact with me. I told him, "We were looking for our equipment, but God has been looking for you." He smiled at me. There is a battle raging in this man's soul. The same is true in San Pedro. A thief has stolen, and we are looking for what we're missing, but God is looking for us. spt Nathan Hoff is the Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in San Pedro. Follow is blog at www. trinitypastor.blogspot.com.

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