San Pedro Today - June 2020

JUNE 2020

CHILDREN IN QUARANTINE | WEIGHT LOSS IN LOCKDOWN | FRED & PAULINE HOOKER ON 70 YRS OF MARRIAGE

sign o' the times

AS RESTAURANTS AND RETAIL SLOWLY REOPEN, WHAT WILL THE FUTURE OF DINING & SHOPPING IN SAN PEDRO LOOK LIKE?

Smile A While.

Modern Dentistry, with Old Fashion Values.

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

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

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

Dr. Ardalan & Associates Smile A While.

1411 W. 8th Street San Pedro, CA 90732

(310) 832-5559

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

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

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

Dr. Miles Madison #161f70

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

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JUNE 2020 UPDATE Dear Friends and Patients, We hope you have been staying safe and healthy. We have now been open for two weeks. It was extremely rewarding for my staff and I to turn the lights back on, open the doors, and see the office come to life again.

Things are a bit different. We are scheduling patients in a manner that allows us to keep tight control of patient flow to adhere to social distancing, health precautions, and cleaning protocols guided by medical authorities.

Because of this, office visits will be slightly different than in the past in order to keep our patients, staff, and the doctors healthy. What hasn’t changed, is the spirit of San Pedro. Truly defiant to adversity.

Below are answers to some common questions and concerns: IS IT DANGEROUS TO SEEK DENTAL CARE DURING A PANDEMIC? We assure you that our office adheres to all the recommendations provided by CDC, ADA, CDA, and Federal, State, and Local regulatory bodies to provide you with safe and compassionate care. We stay in close communication with Harbor Dental Society. We monitor the local disease-spread statistics, and will keep you updated should your access to dental care be interrupted due to an inability to safely render our services.

WHAT PRECAUTIONS IS OUR OFFICE TAKING TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF INFECTION? Even before COVID-19, infection control in our dental office was at the heart of safety of our patients and the staff. However, to address the COVID-19 pandemic, we have amplified the essential infection control protocols: • We will take your temperature at check-in. In the event that the temperature reads higher than 100.4 degrees, current policies indicate that the appointment will be rescheduled.

• We support physical and social distancing practices for staff and patients in public areas.

• We provide hand sanitizers, gloves, and masks.

• We stagger appointments to avoid congregation in the lobby.

• Sanitizing – personnel cleans all public spaces, including treatment rooms, restrooms, and waiting rooms.

• Use of medical-grade disinfectant sprays – We strictly use Birex SE® as disinfectant in operating rooms and high-touch areas such as chairs, counters, and equipment. Birex SE® is a broad spectrum medical-grade antimicrobial disinfectant.

• Protective Barrier – placed on headrests, armrests, curing lights, overhead lights, computer keyboards, etc.

• Sterile Instruments – as previously, dental instruments are sterilized after every patient. CDC protocols are strictly adhered to in assuring properly dated sterilization of dental instruments.

WHAT EXTRA PRECAUTIONS WE TAKE TO ENSURE YOUR SAFETY DURING THIS TIME? • We are currently in Phase II of re-opening, where ongoing treatments initiated prior to the pandemic and treatment of advanced cases of tooth decay, as well as emergency care is the top priority. At Phase III, we will resume elective dental care.

• We have interviewed all the staff to be certain that no staff member has traveled to a CDC Level 2 or 3 region.

• We have communicated to our staff the need to stay home if they show symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and labored breathing.

• We’ve implemented screening protocols. The screening process will be done when an appointment is confirmed, and once the patient is physically in the office.

• We have increased the appointment intervals, and decreased the number of daily appointments to accommodate COVID-19 specific protocols.

My staff and I want to thank you for continuing to choose us. Our dental office has served the community consistently for close to three decades, and we look forward to continuing with that trajectory.

Best regards, Dr. Souzan Ardalan

DR. ARDALAN & ASSOCIATES - WEYMOUTH CORNERS 1409 W. 8TH ST. SAN PEDRO (310) 832-5559 • FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION, VISIT www.DrSouzanArdalan.com.

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Centre and Mesa) in downtown, creating a pedestrian-only promenade.

This idea isn’t original. There have It’s been hard to been calls to permanently close off keep up.

Sixth and Seventh Streets in downtown The reopening at various times by various people for of Los Angeles is more than a decade. currently underway, Back in the late 2000s, a gentleman and if you’ve been named Richard Pawlowski made some following the news waves by advocating for Sixth Street to in recent days, you become pedestrian-only and for a manmay be confused as to what’s reopening made creek to be installed in the middle and what’s not. of it. True story.

Let’s start with the bad news first: At the time, redevelopment was at We still can’t get a haircut or go to the the top of every community leader’s gym. And it’s safe to say we won’t be mind. Pawlowski’s ideas, as silly to attending any live concerts or sporting some as they may have seemed, were events anytime soon, probably not until just bold and interesting enough that the end of the year at the earliest.

I put him on the cover of the original On the flipside, L.A. County retail San Pedro Magazine in March 2008 and stores have been cleared to open for hired him as a redevelopment columnist curbside pickup. Across the state, for the rest of that year. There were in-person retail shopping has been many who appreciated his ideas and adapproved by the state’s public health mired his persistence (and boy was he department. Unfortunately, since persistent), but few actually believed his reopening retail is subject to approval notions would ever get off the ground. by county public health departments, it Cut to June 2020, and like everything was unclear at press time if L.A. Coun- else that’s happened this year so far, ty, which has been slower to reopen let’s not be surprised that an idea that than the rest of the state, will resume was once considered completely outin-person shopping just yet. Hopefully, landish more than a decade ago might by the time you read this, we will be actually come to temporary fruition, able to walk inside our favorite local minus the creek… for now. stores and not have to suffer through a painfully awkward curbside shopping CLASS OF 2020 experience.

Talk about a resilient generation.

Restaurants are a different story.

This year’s Class of 2020 has endured As you’ll read in this month’s cover a healthy share of disappointment due story, plans are underway for an outto this pandemic, with so many rites of door dining program utilizing Downpassage and teenage milestones stripped town San Pedro’s streets and sidewalks away through no fault of their own. for al fresco (outside) dining. The plan, As you flip through our pages this proposed by L.A. City Councilman Joe month, you’ll see paid acknowledgeBuscaino, is to offer restaurants extra ments from a number of our local square footage outside to maintain elementary and high schools. I’d like some sort of business volume, while to thank all of them for trusting San also adhering to the new social distanc- Pedro Today to deliver their messages ing and safety protocols. of pride, hope, and gratitude for their As of press time, it’s unclear when faculty and students to the community. the program will go into effect or what spt the street map for downtown will look like once it’s implemented, but there Joshua Stecker is publisher/editorhas been buzz on social media hoping in-chief of San Pedro Today. Letters this may lead to a permanent closure to the Editor can be emailed to of Sixth and Seventh Streets (between contact@sanpedrotoday.com.

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329 W. 6th Street | San Pedro | (310) 832-9364 JUNE 2020 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 5

JUNE 2020

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ADVERTISING:

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

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

ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION

Amanda Silva (310) 650-8051 | amanda@sanpedrotoday.com

Joshua J. Stecker

General Inquiries: ads@sanpedrotoday.com

Lori Garrett

Joseph A. Castañeda

AT-LARGE CONTRIBUTORS

Pastor Nathan Hoff, Ricky Magana, Steve Marconi, Jennifer Marquez, Karen Moneymaker, Anthony Pirozzi, Jr., Angela Romero, Sophie Schoenfeld

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 12 | NUMBER 5

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 2009-2020, Empire22 Media LLC.

ON THE COVER: Curbside pick-up signs line 6th Street in Downtown San Pedro. (photo: John Mattera Photography)

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JUNE 2020 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 7

CLASS OF 2020 Kaitlyn Estevez

CLASS OF 2020

Port of Los Angeles High School To my forever sunshine! The day has come and you are now a high school graduate. I am so proud of all of your accomplishments! You set your mind to something and get it done! I wonder who you get that from? I wish your grandma was still with us to see you grow into the beautiful young lady that you are. They way you care about others and help them without expecting anything in return is something that you learned from her! We love you and wish you the best in college! -- Love, Mom, Jon & Nico

Andrew Flores San Pedro High School

Congratulations Drew on reaching all these milestones.

You are a SPHS Class of 2020 graduate and an incoming UCSC freshman.

Take pride in how far you’ve come.

Have faith in how far you can go.

But don’t forget to enjoy the journey.

Proud of you!

Love, Mom, Dad & Nick

8 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I JUNE 2020

JUNE 2020 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 9

VOICES

SAN PEDRO RAVAGED BY FLU VIRUS – A HUNDRED YEARS AGO

by Steve Marconi In a lockdown state, county and city, it’s important to give the current crisis some historical perspective.

I was researching soldiers from San Pedro who died in World War I when COVID-19 hit the news. In the deluge of reporting since then, the devastation wrought by the Spanish flu epidemic (“pandemic” was not used at that time) in 1918-19 has been largely overlooked. Several San Pedro doughboys died from it (it was soldiers serving overseas who brought the virus to America), but I had no idea how large a toll it had taken on San Pedro’s civilian population. Fellow San Pedro Today columnist Angela

Ex 6/30/20

10 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I JUNE 2020

Romero earlier described how the epidemic impacted San Pedro generally, but in my research I was struck by the immediacy of the reporting and just how many homes were struck by tragedy.

San Pedro’s population in 1920 was a little over 23,000, not counting the servicemen at Fort MacArthur and the submarine base. A Dec. 11, 1918, story in the Daily Pilot (before it merged with the News) said the county health office estimated there had been 3,000 cases in San Pedro. Total number of deaths in the three months from early October to the end of the year, when the first wave of the epidemic was at its worst, are not recorded, but the Daily Pilot named 40 people who died from either the flu or the effects of the resultant pneumonia in that span; another 27 were reported

Ex 6/30/20

dead at the densely populated Japanese village on Terminal Island. A Daily Pilot article said, “Death has laid so heavy a hand upon this community as to impress all with the grave seriousness of the visitation of influenza. So many are ill that even the listing of the patients would be impossible.

“Several who passed away had been stricken down in the vigor of youth, and a number of the victims were infants.”

One of the more macabre stories involved Fort MacArthur. A Nov. 6, 1918, article listed the names of 16 soldiers who had died from the flu, all between Oct. 31 and Nov. 4. All of the victims were from out of state; they had arrived at the fort already sick.

The severity of the contagion and the horror it wrought was illustrated in the number of deaths within families.

An Oct. 21 article reported, “Mrs. Helen Lucille Parkinson, formerly Miss Carter, an attache of the News office, died of influenza, the death being peculiarly tragic in that it followed that of her brother Robert so closely that a double funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon.”

There was a joint funeral on Oct. 29 at the Wilmington Cemetery for five San Pedrans, including Lucy, wife of Carlo Sima of 383 9th St., who died on a Sunday morning, and their 14-month-old daughter Anna, who died the following morning; and siblings who also died a day apart, Lucy, age 4, and John Joseph, children of Joseph and Theresa Zangara of 544 9th St. The fifth person buried that day was Matilda Camelio, 32, who left three children besides her husband. Another victim listed in the same article was Antonette Briganti of 285 8th St., whose husband had died of pneumonia 15 months earlier. They left five young children.

One of the early victims was Newell Orland Anderson, 19, the oldest son of N.O. Anderson, a San Pedro pioneer.

A 1916 graduate of San Pedro High, Newell was stricken while attending USC as a member of the Student Army Training Corps, anticipating service in World War I. Two months later, the Andersons’ only remaining child, Horace, Newell’s younger brother, died

of influenza after entering a YMCA radio school in Los Angeles. The Anderson Memorial Senior Citizen Center on 8th Street was built by the Andersons five years later in honor of their two sons.

Not unexpectedly, just as with COVID-19, there was a severe economic impact. An Oct. 25 article reported, “Business in the canneries and fish markets continues slack, principally on account of the prevalence of influenza among the various crews.

It is estimated that four out of five boats are laid up.”

A follow-up story on Nov. 9 under the headline, “Fish Scarce Because Fear Ends Fishing” said, “The disease seemed to attack a large proportion of fishermen. While it was at its height, a number of men following the sea died, including Japanese, Italians and Austrians [Croatia was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the time], who constitute the bulk of the fishing crews.

“The result has been that the Austrians and Italians stopped fishing.

They were afraid to go out lest they be stricken when far from shore. The Japanese, more stoic, and believers in fate, did not stop fishing. They have been bringing in yellowtail, but the fish that ordinarily are stopped by Austrians and Italian crew, simply ceased to be received at the wharf, and the boats remained idly swaying at their piers.”

A sad coda to the epidemic occurred on Dec. 18 with the death of Evelyn Holbrook, 7, from diphtheria. She was the only child of George S. Holbrook of 544 Santa Cruz St., who was one of San Pedro’s early victims of the Spanish flu, dying Oct. 23. Under the headline, “Little Girl’s Sad Xmas Wish Comes True,” the Daily Pilot reported that just days before dying, Evelyn had said, “I wish I could be with papa on Christmas! I know he would get me a lot of toys.”

It’s a sadness many in San Pedro can relate to today. spt Steve Marconi can be reached at spmarconi@yahoo.com.

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VOICES

THE RESILIENT CLASS OF 2020

by Anthony Pirozzi, Jr.

We’re Open Again and Back to Creating Healthy and Beautiful Smiles!

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Never in my life did I imagine that we would be living in a time of a pandemic where the term “social distancing” would become the norm and that the country would have been shut down for as long as it has. For example, back in March when we all learned that the government would be shutting down the country, many believed it would only be for a few weeks. Now in our third month, many are ready for the soft opening.

However, the beginning of the pandemic was unnerving as coronavirus cases began to exponentially increase in certain parts of the country. Certain jobs were determined to be “essential,” whereas others were deemed “nonessential.”

As safer-at-home orders increased, so did unemployment and the need for assistance for basic necessities.

As the number of people that have passed away from COVID-19 surpasses 100,000, we may not be out of the woods just yet as the potential for a surge exists.

Be safe, be nice and help others where you can.

One of the groups largely impacted by the pandemic has been our collective graduating class of 2020. All across our nation, students who are graduating this month would have never imagined they would not be able to participate in a graduation ceremony where family and friends would cheer as their name was being announced when they received their diploma. All across San Pedro, I am joined by many of my friends who have children, like I do, that would have celebrated graduation this year.

Although the traditional graduation ceremony is gone, new ways to celebrate our graduates are beginning to emerge.

My son Luca is part of the San Pedro High School Class of 2020 and the last of our boys to graduate from high school. So our family truly understands the empty feeling many are experiencing at this time. Through it all though, we have been witness to the resiliency and innovation of the Class of 2020.

For example, although our graduates have been disappointed to say the least, they have demonstrated their ability to adjust to stay-at-home orders, adapt to

new methods of learning, and understand the need to sacrifice their senior year for the well-being of others. This experience will not only live with them forever but will make them stronger for what lies ahead in their lives. This will be their “I remember when” moment, and they will use this experience to shape the world, drive new technologies, develop new methods of communication, innovate new medicines and better prepare humanity for the future.

As I watched Luca through this pandemic, I think back to the little kid in the stroller when Carolyn would take Antonio and Vincent to Taper elementary school and his ability to talk with adults. I look to his accomplishments in sports from little league to San Pedro High School as part of the 2018 CIF Varsity Football Division I City champions.

A kid who loves being part of Holy Trinity Church Life Teen. I look to a kid, soon to be an adult, prepare to transition from a SPHS Pirate to a San Jose State University Spartan this fall. I have seen a kid overcome adversity through the years in school, Luca Pirozzi which has made him stronger and smarter. His ability to focus on what’s important in life and shed the nonsense that comes with being a teenager has been impressive.

Most of all, during COVID-19, I have seen him dive into what he loves the most, producing music. After years of learning to produce music at the Boys and Girls Club, Luca used this time to assemble the equipment needed to build a similar capability at home. Truly inspiring.

As parents, we have experienced our child’s educational struggles, accomplishments, challenges and successes with the culmination being a graduation ceremony. Although we will not get a traditional graduation ceremony this year, what we do have are great kids that persevered and succeeded to get to this point in their life. Accomplishing graduation during a pandemic will make them stronger for the rest of their lives. The resilient Class of 2020 will be remembered forever. Proud of you Luca and the Class of 2020! spt Anthony Pirozzi, Jr. is a Los Angeles Harbor Commissioner. He can be reached at apirozzi@yahoo.com.

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My oldest son is learning to drive.

I am seeing San Pedro through new eyes as a passenger and not a mom who has spent years shuffling kids around. With less traffic, it is the perfect time for somebody to learn to drive, plus our cars have spiderwebs on the side mirrors and need to be driven every now and then.

Thankfully for my nerves, my son took his first mandatory behind-thewheel driving lessons with an instructor prior to the world shutting down.

When he drove away – or should I say, screeched off – for his first lesson, my husband and I watched from our front window feeling both nostalgic for the passing of time and grateful that somebody else was teaching him to drive.

My son drives my dad’s old truck and we do some essential errands, but we aren’t rushing around as I did before the pandemic. In the past, driving with him to get his required hours might have been on a to-do list. Now I can really take the time to enjoy him and the many interesting houses, buildings, and views that I have driven by but never noticed. It makes me think about what else I missed in life being so busy before, which I now think is completely overrated.

Driving south on Pacific, he makes a left on a yellow light that is more red. I close my eyes, hold on to the dashboard, and yell out a cuss word accidentally. I quickly compose myself and apologize, and we drive to Green Hills where my grandfather is buried. I only met Grandpa John once because I was adopted, and he did not know about me. We spent a few years talking on the phone catching up on lost time. I flew to Salt Lake City with my sister to meet him.

He cried when we left a couple of days later when I hugged him goodbye.

A cemetery is an excellent place for new drivers, especially now. My son is a good driver and likes to follow the rules.

We find writer Charles Bukowski’s grave not too far from Grandpa John.

I have heard people from Europe visit San Pedro to visit his grave. I gave my son a couple of his books, which seemed like a San Pedro thing to do, and he enjoyed them. I look up where Bukowski lived in San Pedro, and we drive by there too.

Over by the old science center behind Home Depot, I ask my son if he remembers our visits there when he was younger. We used to go to the garden and look at the animals, and once danced around a fire pit while a Native American man was drumming.

My son’s memories were not clear, but I remember it like it was yesterday. I am enjoying this time with him and hoping he will want to chauffer me over to my dad’s in the future, which is about an hour away.

The last time I visited my dad, I decided to surprise him with take-out from his favorite Mexican restaurant.

My dad used to take Dial-A-Ride to the restaurant, but that has not happened for a couple of months. When I called the restaurant and ordered his favorite chicken tostada with green salsa, I forgot what type of drink he liked. I asked the lady on the phone if she happened to remember the man who ate there every Friday for lunch. She fondly remembered him and knew which beer he ordered. When I picked up the order, the beer was in a cup with a lid. I put the beer in my car console and drove to my dad's. I had no idea if this was legal, and it felt very Las Vegas.

My dad was so happy to have his favorite meal and especially the amber beer. I kept my distance when I saw my dad, wore a mask, and instead of a hug, I gave him his favorite beer. Life is far from perfect right now, but moments like this and driving with my son are the silver linings. spt Jennifer Marquez can be reached at jennifertmarquez@yahoo. com and @jenntmqz on Twitter and Instagram.

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MANAGING CHILDREN IN QUARANTINE

by Sophie Schoenfeld In the midst of these uncharted waters where we are trying to work from home, keep our jobs/businesses intact, homeschool our children, and keep some sense of sanity in place, it is easy to forget that parents of minors are not only expected to maintain some sense of normalcy for their children, but also understand, decode, and hold their emotional experience.

Children don’t have a direct access to their emotional language when they are in distress. Even if your child is verbal and seemingly capable of explaining themselves, their ability to process and make sense of complex emotions is limited and congruent with their overall development. Here are some indications your child might be struggling with the lockdown.

Anger and irritability: Your children seem to have a short fuse; they display unexpected emotional outbursts over minor irritants, such as not being able to open a snack bag or find their workbook or the right color pencil. There is more fighting amongst siblings, and they seem more likely to push back on discipline and are less patient.

Acting out: Children cannot always articulate their feelings, and oftentimes they are not even aware of their own emotional shifts. Instead they show us with behavior. It is up to the adult to employ mindful patience and curiosity to comprehend the embedded message in the behavior. You might find that your child is more prone to accidents, tantrums, making messes, not listening, and breaking basic house rules.

Academic struggles: Shifting from in-class to online instruction, having significantly less contact with teachers and school staff on a daily basis, lack of interaction with peers and change of schedule play a huge role in your child’s ability to keep schoolwork a priority. The reality and importance of schoolwork when the concrete presence of the actual school is missing is very hard for a child to integrate. Don’t be surprised if you find your child skipping his/her Zoom meetings, not turning in work, or not prioritizing schoolwork altogether. A straight-A child may fall behind or display atypical disregard for academics. Learning requires strict conditioning; most of our children are conditioned to learn in very specific environments and changes require time for adaptation. Unsupervised online

learning calls for a level of self-organization, which many children are not developmentally ready for.

Sleep disturbance: Anxiety might manifest in disturbed sleep patterns.

You might find your child falling out of his/her usual sleep schedule, going to sleep later, waking up in the middle of the night, or even having nightmares.

Separation anxiety: Not wanting to leave the house or feeling anxious when a family member leaves. Some children and toddlers might display regressive behavior, crying when you leave or being excessively clingy. You may even find some developmental regression in potty training or speech. Older children may express worry about your health; they may ask difficult questions about the virus and mortality.

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WHAT TO DO Manage your expectations: Children are adjusting as much as you are.

Hold back on punitive behavior, and try to breathe before you react. Accept that your children’s academics may temporarily suffer, and make peace with this temporary setback.

Talk to your child: Based on your child’s developmental capacity, it is okay to talk to them about the pandemic. You can explain the virus in basic terms and outline safety protocols, like the importance of washing hands and keeping a distance from potential contaminants. Comfort your child, allow closer contact if it seems soothing, ask questions, and be open to adjusting your protocol based on needs.

Validate and share: Instead of empty promises or forced positivity, acknowledge the situation: “Yes, many people are getting sick, and it can be scary sometimes,” or “Yes, I too miss my friends and going places.”

Offer solutions: Try to help your child problem-solve instead of getting angry at them or constantly offering solutions and reframes. Try to understand what they are needing and help them find their own solutions by asking questions such as, “What do you think you need right now?”

Cut yourself some slack: Try to not turn on yourself when you are struggling with parenting issues. Be kind and patient with yourself, take breaks, let things go, don’t take it personally, and remember – we are all feeling this on some level. spt Sophie Schoenfeld, MFT is a local marriage and family therapist. For more info, visit sophiemft.com.

JUNE 2020 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 15

16 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I JUNE 2020

JUNE 2020 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 17

sign o' the times AS RESTAURANTS AND RETAIL SLOWLY REOPEN, WHAT WILL THE FUTURE OF DINING & SHOPPING IN SAN PEDRO LOOK LIKE?

by Joshua Stecker EMPTY: Sixth Street in Downtown San Pedro sits nearly vacant at noon on Wednesday, May 20. (photo: John Mattera Photography)

Editor’s note: The reopening of Los Angeles County has been changing by the day. As we were going to press, the county was relaxing more of the “Safer at Home” measures. Please check covid19.lacounty.gov for the latest information on which types of businesses are reopening.

Mona Khalbourji stands in her empty boutique in Weymouth Corners, mask on her face, surrounded by racks and shelves overly stocked with the latest seasonal fashions and accessories.

“Wait, I have something to show you,” she says to me as she darts into the back room. She quickly returns with a few specialty wine bottles with her store’s logo on the label. They were meant for a milestone party that’s since been postponed.

Mandyz, the clothing store she’s owned since 2010, would’ve celebrated its tenth anniversary in May with a huge party had it not been for a certain coronavirus pandemic that forced the nonessential-deemed business to temporarily close since mid-March.

“My initial reaction was panic and fear,” says Mona. “You are never really prepared for having to close your business down due to uncertain circumstances and not knowing when I can reopen and what’s going to happen.”

The ramifications of the COVID-19 18 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I JUNE 2020

pandemic has been felt twofold in the Khalbourji family. Across the street, her husband Robert’s business, Golden Treasure Jewelers, is facing the same ambiguous future.

“Having owned and operated my jewelry store for the past 20 years, suddenly not being allowed to open was a complete shock,” says Robert. “We were not ready for this… but we will get through it together.”

Mona adds, “Any business that was forced to shut down for two months will definitely be financially impacted.

It’s been very tough having no income and still having bills to pay along with a boutique filled with merchandise and no one to sell it to.”

All across San Pedro, as part of L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti’s “Safer at Home” orders, local mom-and-pop retailers deemed nonessential by L.A. County have been ordered to temporarily close since mid-March. This turned shopping districts like Downtown San Pedro and Weymouth Corners into ghost towns practically overnight, with restaurants (open for takeout and delivery only), grocery stores, and pharmacies showing the only signs of life.

Fortunately, last month the county eased restrictions allowing most retail businesses to reopen if they follow new safety protocols like curbside pickup, social distancing, wearing of masks, and

maintaining sanitary guidelines. The county is shooting for a “full reopening” of malls, restaurants, and other retail

by July 4, completing Phase 2 of the state’s Resilience Roadmap, with Phase 3, which includes hair salons and gyms, on the horizon.

But what does reopening look like for retail in the age of coronavirus? On May 7, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health released details on five key areas retail stores must address in order to properly reopen. These areas include, “workplace policies and practices to protect employee health, measures to ensure physical distancing, measures to ensure infection control, communication with employees and the public, and measures to ensure equitable access to critical services.”

For a store like Mandyz, this would mean scheduling personal appointments, limiting the number of people inside, requiring masks for customers and employees, providing hand sanitizer, and being able to pick up orders curbside.

“The transition [to follow protocols] isn’t very difficult,” says Mona. “It is certainly an adjustment to get used to, but we have to adapt and do what we need to do to move forward.”

Across the street, Robert is a little more skeptical. His type of business traditionally offers a more personal

touch, and these requirements, especially social distancing, will completely change the manner in which he’s done business for the past two decades.

“Jewelry is a very personal business and requires a personal interaction between my customers and myself,” he explains. “Customers like to see merchandise up close, so with all the new rules in place, I will need to adapt to this new normal.”

IT’S QUIET DOWNTOWN Two miles away, Downtown San Pedro remains eerily silent.

It’s noon on a Thursday in late May and the normally bustling lunch rush on Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Street has been replaced by cars stopping to pick up to-go orders and quickly speeding away. It’s been two months since anyone has been able to dine inside a restaurant in L.A. County and the San Pedro restaurant community, especially those in downtown, are being hit hard.

“We have had a 75% drop in business.

Never thought I’d say that,” says James Brown, owner of San Pedro Brewing Company. “We’ve been able to keep 22 of our 47 employees working part-time.

Everyone else has been on unemployment.”

Brown, along with many other San Pedro business owners and community leaders, says the county’s target

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DAY 68: On May 21, Brown posted this photo (left) with the caption: "It's day 68 of not having [one] person sit in my restaurant. July 4th isn't going to cut it. Let's get moving LA County. Indoor at 25-50%, outdoor, whatever!" (photo: courtesy James Brown, San Pedro Brewing Co.) FINALLY OPEN: Mandyz Boutique owner Mona Khalbourji poses wearing the hottest fashion accessory, a face mask. The store celebrated its 10th anniversary in May. (photo: John Mattera Photography)

date of July 4 for restaurants to reopen in-person dining in some capacity is too late. Online petitions and protests are seeking to urge lawmakers to ease restrictions earlier, but as of press time, there’s been no indication of that happening.

What’s even more concerning for restaurant owners is, even when they’re allowed to reopen for in-person dining, how will a restaurant like the Brew Co., one of the larger dining establishments in the downtown area, be able to turn a profit with the expected social distancing and safety protocols?

“Frankly, I don’t know how I’m going to make a profit,” explains Brown. “Fifty percent capacity in a business that runs on tiny margins is going to be tough.

We are all about volume. Our bar is always busy, and I don’t know how many barstools I can use.”

It’s clear that everything is going to boil down to space. The larger restaurants, like Pappy’s, the Whale & Ale, the Brew Co., and Kalaveras, will have an easier time adjusting to the new social distancing standards than the smaller bistro-sized eateries like Sebastian’s Mediterranean Cuisine and Compagnon Wine Bistro.

“We are fortunate enough to have four dining areas to help with distancing, but this will require more labor,” 20 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I JUNE 2020

says Brown.

To compete with the increased labor and supply costs (proposed single-use menus and silverware aren’t cheap) and the decrease in volume, most restaurants will likely have to pass on these costs to customers in the form of higher prices, proving no one is immune from the economic shortfalls of this pandemic.

“We’ll encourage people to use their phones to look at our menu,” says Brown. “I’m going to blow up and post menus to hang on the wall.”

must find creative ways to support our small businesses to retain jobs and create a new normal,” said Buscaino in a statement. “Creatively repurposing our public spaces to accommodate more uses will protect people’s health, save jobs, and save our local restaurants.”

Downtown property owners like Eric Eisenberg, president and CEO of The Renaissance Group and board member of the San Pedro Property Owners’ Alliance (PBID), have supported establishing some form of outdoor dining in the downtown district for years. In fact, just last fall, the PBID won approval from TAKIN' IT TO THE STREETS city officials to install street and sideFortunately, some relief may be walk dining spaces within the downcoming to Downtown San Pedro in the town district. This current program form of a citywide outdoor dining proproposed by the councilman, Eisenberg gram being spearheaded by L.A. City explains, is different.

Councilman Joe Buscaino. The program “The new temporary outdoor proseeks to create a temporary “low-cost gram is different from the permanent permit process” allowing the City to use one that PBID had already [been apsidewalks, parking lots, and streets for proved for]… [that] calls for 13 spaces outdoor dining, exercise, and recreation. to be built out both on sidewalks and This will also allow restaurants to maxi- streets,” he says. “The new program that mize volume while maintaining social we are fast-tracking together with the distancing and safety protocols. Details council office is a cut-down version that on when this new program will take utilizes parking spaces right in front of effect were not available at press time, businesses and may only have k-rail or but it's safe to say it'll be sooner rather cement planters as borders for safety.” than later.

Eisenberg, whose tenants include “As the state of California continues Sebastians’s and Happy Diner, among to slowly reopen, local governments others, adds, “Street closures are only

added in for use as needed and are not intended to be permanent from the PBID’s perspective.”

According to Jonathan Williams, president of the San Pedro Property Owners’ Alliance, most of the downtown restaurants have remained open for curbside pickup and delivery.

“In total, over 20 of our downtown restaurants were able to continue their operations and support local residents during this time,” he said in a statement.

“The community response has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are grateful to see our businesses sustained by the generous support of San Pedro residents. We are excited to see the recent progress in retail openings and look forward to the recovery data in the coming months.”

Like Williams, Eisenberg remains positive that as restaurants and businesses begin to reopen, the San Pedro business community, especially in downtown, will recover.

“As a whole, Downtown San Pedro will emerge from this disaster better, stronger and more economically sustainable,” he says. “We have some exciting projects coming to market now and others to be built in the near future; that’s why I’m all in on our recovery.” spt

JUNE 2020 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 21

HISTORY

LEARNING ITALIANS

by Angela Romero If you’re a regular reader of this column, you’re probably well aware that I went back to school to pursue a degree in history.

Studying at Cal State Long Beach has really been a fabulous experience, and I have been extremely fortunate to work with professors and take courses that are helping me become a better historian for San Pedro. When possible, I’ve taken classes that specifically help me understand our community. I took a history of American cities class that explained some of the developmental growing pains San Pedro went through in the early years, and last semester I focused on Eastern European history to understand what went on around Croatia. This semester I found a class with the best name I’ve ever encountered, “Mobsters, Mammas, Mafias and Migrations.” I found it hiding in the Italian language major.

When I’d tell people what classes I was taking, their interest was definitely piqued by the mobsters and mafias in the title. Judging by some of the projects my classmates presented, a lot of them were attracted to the class for the same reason.

I wasn’t there for any fascination with organized crime; I simply wanted a better understanding of the Italian American experience. The irony is that the first thing the course teaches you is that Italian Americans are considered one of the most mythologized eth-

Actor Joe Mantegna speaks at the Historic Little Italy Sign Unveiling & Festa in Downtown San Pedro on October 5, 2019. (photo: John Mattera Photography)

nic communities in the United States because of this stereotyped connection with the mafia. It is poetic justice to use people’s preconceived notions to attract them and then dispel the myth once you’ve got their attention. The sad part is that this perceived association with criminality really runs deep, so much so it literally limited careers. Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, for example, was told, fresh out of law school, to take the vowels off the end of his name if we wanted to work on Wall Street. His feeling constrained by the prejudice against Italian Americans was so strong, it was the sole factor that kept him from running for president.

Most of our classwork involved watching documentaries and reading a lot of immigrant stories. My favorite was Mario Puzo’s The Fortunate Pilgrim. The one thing I noticed about these sources that we consumed was that they were very much centered on an East Coast immigrant experience.

It was as if all Italian Americans came through Ellis Island and never went west of Chicago.

The Italian American community in San Francisco got a few minutes in a documentary, but John Fante’s short WE ARE ESSENTIAL & WE’RE TAKING NEW PATIENTS!

stories were the closest we got to hearing about any Italian American experience in Los Angeles. It was extremely disappointing, but sometimes the lack of material is the most illuminating.

That’s why I made sure to focus my papers and projects on showcasing Italian Americans in San Pedro, so my professor and classmates can know that there was something missing in the course.

I don’t want to discount the value of learning about the East Coast Italian American experience; I really did learn a lot. However, the biggest lesson I took away from the class was just how important it is to document the San Pedro Italian American experience because of how unique it is. People are always accusing me of thinking San Pedro is special; now I know for a fact that it is.

The families that helped found the fishing industry are still here. The vowels at the end of last names were never stigmatized; they were celebrated – having a vowel at the end of your last name is literally the second thing on Steve Marconi’s list of qualifiers that make you a “Real San Pedran.” This community’s deep connection with Italy exists because our pioneers felt like they had found a second Gaeta

and Ischia in America, so they spread the word and the wealth. This doesn't happen everywhere, not even in Los Angeles proper.

You know a class was worth it when you feel grateful for the wisdom imparted on you and excited about applying that knowledge. I finished the semester with a greater appreciation for San Pedro’s Italian American community, and I am absolutely energized about the work we’re going to do documenting their stories through the San Pedro Heritage Museum. Andiamo! spt San Pedro Heritage Museum’s Heritage at Home events for June: June 3 – Who’s Who in San Pedro Streets June 10 – Ask Romee June 17 – San Pedro’s Founding Fathers June 24 – San Pedro Show & Tell For more information about these events, please visit sanpedroheritage.org.

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HEALTH & FITNESS interruptions, waiting in line, small talk, commuting, or the million other distractions we usually encounter. Right now, you can actually spend time on the really important things that you seem to never get around to. Use this time to think, plan, reflect, learn something, or get back to some passion you fell off from. You’ll likely not have this opportunity again. Don’t waste it.

by Ricky Magana Walk. Being stuck at home means the daily hustle has been greatly One evening, my left the building when the world went diminished, so you will have to make phone buzzed. It sideways. Now they’re rapidly gaining a deliberate effort to move through the was a text from a weight on a combination of Netflix, day. Fortunately, you now have time to friend and longtime DoorDash, and virtual cocktail hours. adopt one of the best health-boosting, client, and she was Coupled with the fact that gyms, parks, weight-loss-promoting habits you can ecstatic. “Been tak- and beaches are closed and the general ever have. Shoot for 5,000 steps a day, ing pics of myself belief that “working out at home just then work to 7,500, then eventually every Friday from isn’t the same,” lots of people are movhit 10,000 a day. Doing this will burn the front and back. ing less and vegging out more. roughly 500 calories extra per day OMG, what a huge difference! My body Lots of people seem to put their fit(worth about a pound a week). looks completely different.” ness on the backburner until things get Get off the greasy takeout. I She sent me the before and after, and back to normal. Well, here we are 10 believe in doing everything you can to there was a huge difference. She shrunk weeks in, and we don’t exactly know support the restaurant industry right everywhere; her legs, arms and stomach when that’s going to happen. I’m guess- now, but that doesn't mean you need to leaned and toned up. She said she felt ing you’ve already blown through Tiger live on fast food. Use the extra time to like “the old me” was coming back. It King, and you’re ready to quit waiting cook healthy meals for breakfast and had been a little under a month after for the lights to come back on. If that lunch, order high-protein salads from a long hiatus from training. And now is you, I have some weight loss tips Sandwich Saloon, get a fish plate from here she was, beside herself at what she you can utilize at home, because even Pappy’s. Aim for 30 grams of protein could accomplish in a month by only though the world has stopped, you don’t and two servings of vegetables at each working out in her backyard during a have to. Here goes. meal. pandemic.

Don’t spend minor time on Commit to an at-home program.

It got me thinking about the contrast major things. The biggest blessing this The worst thing you can do right now of how the lockdown affects the health pandemic has awarded all of us is the is nothing. Never has it been easier of other people. For many, their fitness total elimination of friction – no traffic, to find at-home workouts, but instead

TIPS FOR WEIGHT LOSS IN LOCKDOWN

of doing an appetizer platter of random workouts, find an actual at-home program and commit to following it. Do something that will make you better by developing your core strength, increasing your aerobic health, and getting stronger using your own bodyweight.

Most people say they need a gym or equipment, but if you can’t hold a two-minute plank, run a mile for time without stopping, and perform 10 to 20 quality pushups, you have plenty to gain from a home program.

Create a daily routine/schedule.

Sit down one Sunday and map out what a “great day” would look like, then pull out your calendar and schedule it in.

Don’t just make time for Zoom calls.

Make time for you, your spouse and for the habits above.

Turn off the news. Don’t live in fear and paralysis-fueling depression and anxiety. Get your information, then turn off the TV. Be smart and focus on what you can control. Then go to your garage, get sweaty, eat a salad and come out of this stronger than before.

There you have it. Hopefully soon, you and I can bump into each other at the gym. But until then, it’ll have to be the living room. Now, drop and give me twenty. spt Heyday Elite Fitness is currently offering home video workouts. Visit sanpedrofatloss.com for more info.

HAPPY RETIREMENT!

Debi, Mrs. Thomson, Mom - all titles this wonderful woman goes by.

After 22 years of teaching at Crestwood Elementary School, Debi Thomson is hanging up her lanyard - it’s time to retire!

Due to her dedication and passion for teaching, our mom has many more children than the two of us. From rowdy 5th graders, intelligent 4th graders, sassy 2nd graders, feisty 1st graders, and adorable kindergarteners, each of her students hold a special place in her heart.

She has helped kids in the play yard, diffused fights between BFFs, and been the voice of reason that being ‘benched’ is not the end of the world. She’s weathered many storms inside the classroom, but no matter what, she has always been there to support her students and see them succeed. Our mom has devoted her life to her students, and we could not be prouder of the memories she’s made for so many Crestwood Tigers, including us.

Our mom has an inspiring work ethic and passion for what she does, which sometimes kept her working through all hours of the night.

We’ve witnessed many all-nighters dedicated to making stockings for Christmas or sewing costumes for plays. She has never been known to give less than 100%, and she pushed her students to do the same.

She is strong-willed and a perfectionist, and her joy towards her profession is truly admirable. She always gave her students something to strive for and was there with words of support and motivation when needed. She is dedicated, compassionate, kind, and the teacher every student should have. Most of all, she never let her students shy away from their potential.

Growing up as Crestwood Tigers was a blast, and a huge part of that is due to our mom! She created a family for us outside of our home by making Crestwood a place where we could trust others and be friends with everyone. She has made lifelong connections with students, parents, and fellow teachers during her tenure - a testament to her outgoing and energetic personality. Many students would not have memories of Family Dance Nights, Camp CIMI trips, recess ‘snack shack’ sales, Halloween haunted houses, or extravagant Princess Tea fundraisers without her. She has been a part of what makes Crestwood one of the best schools for students. Our mom’s passion for teaching and never-ending enthusiasm gave us, and many other kids, some of the best childhood experiences we could ever ask for.

She always goes above and beyond to put a smile on students’ faces and bring some happiness into this world.

Mom, we are so incredibly lucky to have you as our mother. Thank you for always providing support, showing us warmth, and instilling passion in all that we do. Thank you for sharing the same with your students. We are so proud of you! Congratulations on your retirement, Mom! It’s time to lie back and have a marg - you deserve it!

Love, Alex & Avery JUNE 2020 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 25

FAITH

DANGEROUS LEVELS OF ‘SHOULD’

seamstresses at Trinity. But there on the corner of 6th and Broadway, I stood unmasked, exposed, judged, guilty.

The law is weird. Some of us hunker down and try our best to treat it seriously, and then one day we forget our

by Pastor Nathan Hoff mask and... well, you know. Others react to the law with rebellion. “You can’t delivered Ten Commandments. Jesus tell me what to do!” Others respond by “Should” and summed them up into two. Del Amo creatively finding a way around the law. “shouldn’t” is a expanded them into 15. This might be Like the person with the face mask who softer version of the difference between a “should” and a keeps it right below their chin. Some “shalt” and “shalt “shalt.” Maybe you need seven “shoulds” of us are the self-nominated “should” not.” Religious for every “shalt?” We think we are so police, honking our way around town, people of every tolerant, but have you ever felt more shame-posting our way around the San faith, and the irthe crushing power of “should?” I live Pedro Facebook groups. religious too, all right next door to the church, and I’ve So what do we do with all this law? have a list of shalts been wearing a trail between the two It would be dangerous to take down all and shalt nots. Thou shalt not murder. for nearly 15 years. My wife hung our the stop signs and deregulate all the Thou shalt be tolerant. Thou shalt not copyright laws and make hand washcut in line. Thou shalt recycle. In theol- face masks by the front door, but I still forgot to grab it on my “commute.” I ing optional for medical professionals ogy, we categorize and call this type of or food handlers. It is good, right, and speech “law.” We live in a world of law. was nearly to my destination when a very angry honker drove by shouting, salutary to wear a mask. Even Jesus Stop signs. Curbs. Speed limits. Turn “You should be wearing a mask!” Thank said he didn’t come to abolish the law. signals. Seat belts. That just scratches And I am not here to suggest abolishing the surface of law in the world of traffic. God I wasn’t wearing my clergy shirt.

Where could I go with my shame? the “shoulds.”

Every world is full of law. Business.

The irony is that I am a big mask My problem, especially when the School. Medicine. Restaurant. Religion. proponent. I haven’t honked or “should” illusion of control is slipping quickly Neighborhood. Social media. shouted, but I’ve hardcore internally through my tense fingers, is that I A few years ago, we were meanderjudged others who have rejected the become more attracted and then ading around Del Amo mall and saw mask. I have numerous masks. Many dicted to the voice of the law as a way a public service kiosk delineating 15 are personalized gifts from generous to control myself and others. We flip rules in their code of conduct. Moses

26 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I JUNE 2020

out at our kids or spouse. We rage on the road. Our homes and neighborhoods and online persona become consumed with “should” and “shouldn’t.” It is the only voice we know. When it doesn’t quite do the trick, we intensify the voice.

There is another voice, and I hope we can hear it. Maybe we can even learn to speak it to each other. It is the voice called promise. It doesn’t abolish the law—it fulfills it. The law says, “You should” or “You shouldn’t.” Promise says, “I forgive you.” The law says, “Do” or “Don’t.” The promise says, “Done.”

The law says, “Don’t forget to wear your mask!” The promise says, “Even if you forget, I will never forget you.”

The law says, “Wash your hands.” The promise says, “I have washed your heart.” The law says, “You should behave. You should be woke. You should be careful.” The promise says, “I am with you always. I will never leave you nor forsake you. You are mine. Nothing can separate you from my love.” spt Nathan Hoff is the Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in San Pedro. Follow his blog at trinitypastor.blogspot.com.

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JUNE 2020 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 27

WEDDING

‘LOOK AT WHAT WE DID’

FRED & PAULINE HOOKER CELEBRATE 70 YEARS OF MARRIAGE

by Karen Moneymaker There is a sweet matter-of-factness in the way Pauline Hooker describes her seven-decade marriage to her husband, Fred: a lovely wedding, careers, children, and then you blink, and it’s 2020. From moon landings to smart phones, from the baby boom to the birth of rock and roll, we’ve covered a lot of ground in the past 70 years.

Perhaps the teenaged version of Fred and Pauline Hooker couldn’t have imagined what life would be like today, as they celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on June 24. But for the two teen sweethearts, advancements of time and technology have done nothing to ruffle the focus of their family and their dedication to what has always mattered the most to them – togetherness.

Both born and raised in San Pedro, Fred and Pauline met when the two were barely teenagers, when Pauline transferred to Dana Junior High. “I walked into class as a new student, and I was quite frightened, and this guy, he says, ‘You could come and sit with me,’” Pauline recalls of her first encounter with her future husband. “To me, he was just a flirty guy, so I didn't pay too much attention. But I also didn’t know anyone at the school, so eventually we became friendly and we started going

28 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I JUNE 2020

THROUGH THE YEARS: (clockwise from l) Fred and Pauline Hooker on their wedding day, June 24, 1950; on a camping trip in the 1980s; surrounded by multiple generations of their family. (photos: courtesy Hooker family)

together, and we dated through junior high and high school.”

The memories of their first years together are hazy for Pauline and Fred (in the way that middle school memories tend to be for anyone past the age of 30), but Pauline remembers long talks on the phone. “We talked on the phone all the time.”

Fred chimes in, “We didn’t get to talk very long. Her mother always stopped us.”

“Well I think we did,” chuckles Pauline. “My folks were very strict so we didn’t really go out, and even going to the show we didn’t do too much.”

The couple graduated from San Pedro High School in 1948 and married in 1950. “We had a beautiful wedding at the old Mary Star,” remembers Pauline.

“And quite a big wedding for this town, since we both came from good-sized families. Our reception was at the old Assistance League, and it was really lovely.”

Pauline remembers the young priest who married them and how he cau-

tioned the couple prior to saying their vows. “He would say to us, ‘You are too young, it will never last.’” But the couple was married, (the bride and groom were 19 and 21 years old, respectively), and they stayed in touch with the priest over the years.

“Father Kiefer was his name,” smiles Pauline. “When we celebrated our 50th anniversary, we invited him to renew our vows.” The couple recalls the renewal ceremony and the pride with which Father Kiefer (who, by that time, had become a monsignor) recounted how wrong he was about his original misgivings. “He said, ‘I married these two, and I always told them they were too young for it to last. And you know, this is the first couple that I’ve married and attended a 50th anniversary for,’” Pauline remembers. “That was always special to us.”

After the wedding, Fred and Pauline borrowed her parents’ car, and the newlyweds enjoyed a road trip honeymoon to San Francisco and Yosemite. “And then we came home and lived in a little apartment behind my folks’ home that they owned,” Pauline recounts.

Fred worked at the fish market driving a truck when they were first married, before moving on to jobs at Columbia Steel, then at Douglas Aircraft, and finally at Mobil oil in Torrance where he worked for 31 years, becoming an assistant manager before retiring (for the first time) at the age of 55. He later worked as a contractor until he was 65.

Pauline worked at a local dental office until she was five months pregnant with their first child and left to focus on raising her growing family. “We had our first baby [Julie] in 1951, our second [Denise] in ’55 and our third [Steve] in ’61.” Their family would

eventually welcome eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

“We all live here in town within five minutes of my mom and dad,” notes their son, Steve. “Before [COVID-19], we would spend every Tuesday and Thursday morning having coffee on their porch and talking. We have kept these visits up but now we’re using video chat, with sometimes eight of us on at once.”

When asked what she thinks is the secret to a long, healthy marriage, Pauline laughs, “I don’t know, really. It was such a different life back then. We were young, and we did not have a lot, but we had our children, and we bought an old house that we would fix up little by little, and I think that was one of the things that brought us together as a family. We had our arguments, but we were together, you know?”

“Sometimes I think that when a couple is in a relationship at such a young age, and they marry young, that they grow up together,” suggests her son, Steve. “Their early life experiences are all shared with someone very close, and that relationship becomes almost like breathing.”

While the secret to their long marriage might be hard to pin down, their steadfast dedication and respect for each other and love for their ever-growing family is palpable when you speak to Fred and Pauline. “My mom and dad often talk of how proud they are of their family,” notes their son, Steve. “My mom looks at our large family picture and says, ‘Look what we did, Fred.’”

Fred celebrated his 91st birthday on May 11, and Pauline will be 90 this September. spt

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