JULY 2015
PLUS: SAN PEDRO'S DISNEYLAND MEMORIES | ARTIST JILLIAN SHUNDO'S DODGER ART | SPECIAL OLYMPICS HOST TOWN
The Taste Grows Up After a three-year hiatus, The New Taste of San Pedro is ready to make its debut. But is San Pedro ready for it?
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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It's back. On August 1, one of San Pedro’s most beloved events returns after a three-year hiatus. The New Taste of San Pedro, which I wrote about for this month’s cover story, is going to be completely different than past Tastes, and I think this town’s ready for it. Like many of you, I have a soft spot for the old Taste. My dad’s band, The Wingtips, used to close the Taste for years when I was a kid. I remember being able to sit onstage while they played, thinking I was so cool because I got to do that. It was always a great time seeing friends and family you rarely got to see normally, eating all the great food, basking in the sun off of Point Fermin Park, and just enjoying a hot August weekend only minutes from home. The Taste in San Pedro was always one of those events that reminded me how cool it was to live here. But that was then, and this is now. As you’ll read in the cover story, The New Taste of San Pedro will be nothing like the Point Fermin Park days, but that’s ok. The event has matured. It’s grown up, and so have we. There are plenty of other events where you can wear a t-shirt, shorts and sandals, grab a drink and enjoy some live music (Music by the Sea, Cars and Stripes, San Pedro Shred, etc.), that adding the Taste back into that mix seems redundant. This time around, the Chamber of Commerce got smart and have produced an upscale, classy yet scaled down event that’s completely focused on San Pedro’s food culture. It’s strictly an adult event, no more carnival rides and tchotchke booths. It’s just great food produced by San Pedro’s best with amazing craft beer from Brouwerij West and a great selection of wines and spirits. Couple that with live entertainment curated by the Grand Annex and it will make for an enjoyable evening under Tivoli lights at CRAFTED. Some people have been complaining about the ticket prices. Did the three-year hiatus erase everyone’s memory of how expensive the old Taste was? You may have got in for $10, but, if my memory serves me, food tickets were $1, and if you wanted anything worth eating, you were dropping anywhere from five to eight tickets on one food item. And don’t forget, most people were there all day and all night. A good day at the Taste cost an easy $50 to $75 a person. With the admission fee to this year’s new and improved Taste ($45-65), you’re guaranteed five tastings and three drinks. You may be dropping more money up front, but at the end of the night, you’re still spending the same, maybe even less, since it’s only a five-hour event, than the old Taste. It’s really a wash trying to compare the value of the new and the old. What I'm really trying to say is, it's pointless to complain. I know it sounds like I’m over selling this, and I probably am, but I want this event to succeed. This is the type of event that raises the bar here, that proves to those around Los Angeles that we’re more than just this “surly” port town, that we have class and culture and something more to offer than halfway houses, homeless encampments and ghetto birds. We are so much better than that. I’m sick of this town being defined by others, not to mention ourselves, in those terms. It’s time to, as they say, class up the joint. If you feel how I feel, then I hope to see you at the Taste on August 1. The Warner Grand’s Renaissance Something incredible is happening in downtown, specifically at the Warner Grand Theatre, that seems to be flying under the radar. Big time concert promoters have deemed the Warner Grand relevant enough to start booking A-list acts in it. Finally! Last month, we had the band Neutral Milk Hotel perform to a sold out audience. On June 27 (just a few days after this issue comes out), the hilarious comedian Hannibal Burress will take the Warner Grand stage. But September, folks… September is going to be big… San Pedro’s own GRAMMY Award-winning R&B star, Miguel, will have his homecoming at the Warner Grand on Wednesday, September 2. When we posted this news last month on our Facebook page, the immediate reaction was incredible. This show will sell out fast, if it hasn’t already by the time this issue is published. (If any of Miguel’s family members are reading this, we’d love to put him on the cover of the mag. Contact us!) If Miguel isn’t your scene, then maybe rock icon Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Audioslave fame is more your speed. He’s taking the Warner Grand stage on Monday, September 21. This is just the beginning, folks. As more and more promoters rediscover San Pedro, the opportunity for investment in our community grows stronger. If you want to buy tickets for any of these upcoming events, visit www.grandvision.org. spt Joshua Stecker is publisher/editor-in-chief of San Pedro Today. He can be reached at contact@sanpedrotoday.com.
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JULY 2015
DEPARTMENTS LETTER FROM THE EDITOR EVENTS
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VOICES MARCONI PIROZZI MARQUEZ ZIMMER BUSCAINO HEALTH & WELLNESS HEYDAY FITNESS
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FEATURES COVER STORY: THE TASTE GROWS UP After a three-year hiatus, The New Taste of San Pedro is ready to make its debut on August 1. But is San Pedro ready for it? DISNEYLAND MEMORIES Current and former Disneyland cast members from San Pedro reflect on their time working at the park on the eve of the park's 60th anniversary.
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THE ART OF THE GAME Artist Jillian Shundo combines her passioon for art and baseball in a unique way.
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PORT TOWN TURNS INTO HOST TOWN 32 San Pedro will host delegations from Croatia and Kazakhstan this month for the 2015 Special Olympics World Games. THAT'S SO PEDRO 34 Photos from the San Pedro Shred, American Ninja Warrior filming, the opening of the Olguin public pool and the Etsy event at CRAFTED WEDDING WILL RETURN NEXT MONTH
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ON THE COVER: Yellowfin tuna tartare prepared by Chef Dustin Trani at J. Trani's Ristorante (photo: John Mattera) EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Joshua J. Stecker
ADVERTISING: General Inquiries: ads@sanpedrotoday.com
ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION Joseph A. Casta単eda
Patricia Roberts - San Pedro (562) 964-8166 | patricia@sanpedrotoday.com
AT-LARGE CONTRIBUTORS Councilman Joe Buscaino, Lori Garrett, Roseanney Liu, Ricky Magana, Steve Marconi, Jennifer Marquez, Anthony Pirozzi, Angela Romero, Monica Simpson, Herb Zimmer
Shana Ghekiere - San Pedro (and outer regions) (310) 753-5176 | shana@sanpedrotoday.com
PHOTOGRAPHER John Mattera Photography CONTACT INFO: PHONE: (424) 224-9063 EMAIL: contact@sanpedrotoday.com San Pedro Today P.O. Box 1168, San Pedro, CA 90733
VOLUME 7 | NUMBER 6
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 2009-2015, Empire22 Media LLC.
FRIDAY - SUNDAY JULY 17-19
"2015 - A Weekend In Paradise"
VOTE FOR A QUEEN CANDIDATE OF YOUR CHOICE: Celine Duenas • Caeli Campolo • Allison Castagnola • Michelle Mersman • Danielle Svorinich Movienights_AD_artwork_2015.pdf 1 6/10/15 3:00 PM 870 W. 8TH ST. SAN PEDRO, CA 90731 • 310-833-3541 EXT. 203 • WWW.MARYSTAR.ORG/FIESTA
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JULY EVERY SUNDAY IN JUNE & JULY – MUSIC BY THE Beacon St.) 1-4p. Built in 1899, the Muller House is the SEA – Sundays in June at the Downtown Harbor Plaza and headquarters of the San Pedro Bay Historical Society. Sundays in July at Point Fermin Park. All shows start at 12 Admission is free, but a donation of $3 is encouraged. noon. FREE admission. Now thru July 18 – ‘PRIVATE LIVES’ at Little Fish Theatre Tour the historic PT. FERMIN LIGHTHOUSE, built in 1874 (777 Centre St., downtown). Noel Coward’s best-known to light the entrance to the Los Angeles Harbor, located comedy – as effervescent as freshly poured champagne on in the Pt. Fermin Park (807 Paseo del Mar). Guided tours a hot summer’s night. Follow divorced couple Elyot and offered 1-3p Tues thru Sun. Closed Mon and major holidays. Amanda who, while honeymooning with their new spouses, Admission is free; donations accepted. discover that they are staying in adjacent rooms at the same hotel. Their honeymoon rapture comes to a grinding halt. Every Mon – PENINSULA TOASTMASTERS at Coco’s Runs Fri & Sat at 8p; Sun 6/28*, 7/5 & 7/12 at 2p; Thu 7/2, Restaurant (28300 Western Ave, RPV) 7-9p. For those 7/9 & 7/16 at 8p (*Talkback nights). Tickets $25/27/45. For seeking to master public speaking and leadership skills. For tickets, call (310) 512-6030 or visit www.littlefishtheatre.org. info, contact Shelly Lipanovich lipanovichshelly@yahoo. com. 2 (Thurs) – FIRST THURSDAY ARTWALK in Downtown San Pedro. 6-10p Every Wed – CHILDREN’S WRITING CLASSES at the Corner Store (1118 37th St). Seven Golden Secrets of 4 (Sat) - FIRST SATURDAY FAMILY HIKE at George Writing with Diana Chapman, Wed 4:30-5:45p. For info, F Canyon. (27305 Palos Verdes Dr E, Rolling Hills call (310) 626-7906. Estates). Begins at 9a. Join the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy for guided walks through the Canyon. Every Wed – THE MIKE GUERRERO TRIO at Ports O' Call Free and open to the public. All ages welcome. For more Restaurant (1199 Nagoya Way, Berth 76). 7-10p. Smooth, information, contact (310) 547-0862. sophisticated jazz featuring vocalist, Jerry Romano. 5 (Sun) – THE REBEL REVEREND presented by the San Every Wed – OPEN MIC NIGHT at Red Men Wigwam (543 Pedro Bay Historical Society at the Muller House Museum Shepard St.) 6:30-9:30p. All are welcome. Chilidogs, snacks (1542 S. Beacon St.) 1:30p. Craig McDonald is a descendant and beverages available. Dress warmly. of Rev. James Caldwell, an advisor to George Washington who was murdered in the revolution. Admission is free. Every Thurs (except holidays) – ADULT WRITING GROUP Seating is limited. Tours of the house will be given at 3p. in Library room of St. Peter's Episcopal Church (1648 W. 9th For more info, visit www.sanpedrobayhistoricalsociety.org St.). 1-3p. Everyone welcome! For more info, call (310) 831- or email sanpedrohistory@gmail.com. 2186. 5 (Sun) - FIRST SUNDAY BEGINNERS BIRD WALK Every Fri – SAN PEDRO FARMERS MARKET (6th St. at George F Canyon. (27305 Palos Verdes Dr. E, Rolling between Pacific and Mesa Streets) 9a-2p. Hills Estates). 8:30a. Join the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy for a slow, easy walk with plenty of beautiful Every Sat – LAFD HARBOR MUSEUM (639 Harbor Blvd) sights. Binoculars provided. Free and open to the public. For 10a-3p. Experience San Pedro and Wilmington's Fire more information, contact (310) 547-0862. Protection and Rescue service history with vintage fire apparatus and various displays. The museum is located in 11 (Sat) – CORNER STORE FARMERS MARKET at The Old Fire Station 36 in the San Pedro City Hall. Admission is Corner Store (1118 W. 37th St.) 10a-12p. Open every second free, donations are accepted. Saturday of the month. Grab some coffee and homegrown produce and don’t forget to bring your reusable bags! Every Sun – Tour the MULLER HOUSE MUSEUM (1542
17 (Fri) - SUMMER BAKE SALE at Providence LCMMC San Pedro Auxiliary. (1300 W. 7th St.) Held in the PLCMMC cafeteria from 7a-1p. Kick off your summer with delicious treats and baked goods provided by Providence Little Company of Mary. All proceeds benefit PLCMMC San Pedro Auxiliary Medical and Health Career Scholarships. 17, 18, 19 (Fri - Sun) - MARY STAR OF THE SEA 68TH ANNUAL PARISH FIESTA at (870 W. 8th St.) Starting Friday from 5p-12a. Join Mary Star of the Sea for a “Weekend in paradise”! Includes carnival rides, games, food booths, raffles, bingo, and a grand prize of $20,000.00 in cash or a new car! Free parking and free admission! For more info, visit www.marystar.org/fiesta. 19 (Sun) - BEAUTY OF NATURE FILM SERIES: CHASING ICE at John Olguin Auditorium, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. (3720 Stephen M White Dr.). 4p. Environmental photographer James Balog deploys time-lapse cameras to capture a multi-year record of the world’s changing glaciers. Tickets $10. To buy tickets, visit http://pvplc.org/_activities/ events.asp 22 (Mon) - ANNUAL SUMMER SALE at Assistance League of San Pedro-South Bay Chapter House (1441 W. 8th St. Weymouth Corners). 10a-5p (weekdays), and 11a3p (Sat). Shop for items for your home, garden, outdoor decor, personal fashion, gift ideas, and so much more. The Assistance League of San Pedro-South Bay has been giving back to the community since 1936. All proceeds benefit local philanthropic programs. August 1 (Sat) - NEW TASTE OF SAN PEDRO at Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles. (112 East 22nd St.) 5-10p. The Taste of San Pedro is a culinary waterfront festival featuring cuisine from 20 San Pedro and Peninsula area restaurants. Enjoy craft beers, craft spirits and wine tasting. Live bands every hour on the hour, plus live performances throughout. the event! Must be 21 or older to enter the event. For tickets and more info, visit www.sanpedrochamber.com.
Email event info to events@sanpedrotoday.com. Deadline for the August issue is Friday, July 17. All locations in San Pedro unless otherwise noted.
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VOICES
What Part of ‘Los Angeles’ Don’t You Understand? by Steve Marconi
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There has been a lot going on at the Port of Los Angeles over the past year, but I have refrained from commenting on it because, well, it’s the Port of Los Angeles. It is not the Port of San Pedro. It’s not San Pedro Harbor, it’s Los Angeles Harbor. Because the port is in San Pedro and it provides the jobs that create most of the wealth in our town, we tend to have a proprietary view of it, but it’s illusory. Despite the presence of good and qualified San Pedrans on the Harbor Commission, we have seen over the years that we only have so much say on what it does. The port is an economic engine for the entire city, not just San Pedro. That’s why whenever the port talks about waterfront improvements, it has to include Wilmington. I’m sure most San Pedrans think that spending money on the Wilmington waterfront is sort of like putting lipstick on a pig, that any monies would be much better spent here, but doing the right thing economically is often just too impolitic. The biggest item on the port’s agenda concerning San Pedro is the future of Ports O’ Call Village, which has been in dire need of a makeover for decades. San Pedrans want
a new, improved Ports O’ Call that will attract hordes of tourists, who, the thinking goes, will then migrate into downtown. The quandary facing San Pedro is finding tenants for the village that will turn it into a tourist mecca without hurting downtown merchants. When Ports O’ Call was new back in the early `60s, it got along fine with downtown. In those pre-mall days, downtown was still thriving and didn’t need the tourist traffic from the village. They weren’t competing. For teenagers like myself, who didn’t spend a lot of money anyway, the village was our weekend hangout. The burgeoning mall society wiped out both downtown and the village. Bringing tourists back to a refurbished village is viable, but the catch is how to get some of those same people downtown, if it can be done at all. Plans already have hit a huge roadblock with the Red Trolley. Harbor Boulevard is completely inadequate to handle traffic when there are special events at the waterfront, and plans are proceeding on infrastructure that will get tourists into the new Ports O’ Call. But in a classic “be careful what you wish for” story, those long-awaited improvements will eliminate the much-loved “trolley to nowhere.” Dealing with the port isn’t helped any by San Pedro’s schizoid personality. San Pedro prides itself on being a port town, with banners proudly promoting it, but in the next breath, some of the same people talk about oceanfront property and a seaside community. Nobody wants to scare away potential developers, but San Pedro is what it is, a working harbor. For instance, the Bridge to the Breakwater promenade is a great idea, and San Pedrans will make great use of it, but it will never be an attraction like the strand in the South Bay or even Long Beach. Views of Terminal Island and hammerhead cranes will never match the breakers at Redondo Beach at sunset. We are not anything like the beach cities around us (see below), and never will be. It’s a simple fact that some San Pedrans just can’t bring themselves to accept. We have no beachfront property; Long Beach has the luxury of not being connected to its working harbor. In most places, property values increase the closer you are to the water. In San Pedro, property values increase the farther you get from the water. And that will never change, not as long as the waterfront is home to housing projects, halfway houses, rehab centers, shelters and parks-cum homeless camps. How can you sell high-rise condos just blocks away from a gathering of squatters? Going to the Dogs On the other hand, there seems to be no doubt that inner Cabrillo Beach is no longer fit for humans. While the idea of a dog beach is appealing, the water at the beach is so polluted it may not be safe even for your pet. I’m amazed people still ignore the warning signs and use that side of the beach. Allowing people to walk their pets on the sand may be the best and least-expensive option for that stretch of the harbor, if the port can somehow work around the many regulations that dictate policy for that portion of land. One would also hope that changing the beach’s status would not impact recreational users of the Inner Harbor such as windsurfers and jet skiers. No matter what happens, it’s a sad development for those of us old enough to remember when summer days meant Cabrillo Beach and the Gaffey Street pool. Those memories remain, just like those of summer nights at Ports O’ Call Village. spt Steve Marconi can be reached at spmarconi@yahoo.com.
Looking for some fun things to do this summer? Sponsored By The San Pedro Historic Waterfront District
DISCOVER
DOWNTOWN! A VARIETY OF EXCITING ENTERTAINMENT AWAITS YOU
1st THURSDAY ARTWALK
JULY 2
DOWNTOWN ARTWALK
www.1stthursday.com Experience San Pedro’s tight-knit artists’ community. Food trucks, restaurants, plus live music!
JUNE 5 - JULY 19
TE SAN PEDRO REP THEATRE www.sanpedrorep.org
THE VANEK TRILOGY
This story follows the character of Vanek as he emerges from prison in late 1970’s Czechoslovakia. Three scenes take Vanek from his job in a beer factory, to a dinner party with the bourgeois elite, and finally to the top of the political infrastructure itself.
JUNE 12 - JUL 18 LITTLE FISH THEATRE
www.littlefishtheatre.org
JULY 16
3RD THURSDAY ENTERTAINMENT WALK
www.SanPedroBID.com
3rd THURSDAY
PRIVATE LIVES
Live music at the corner of 6th St. & Mesa St. 6:00 PM. – 9:00 PM.
AUGUST 28
Follow divorced couple Elyot and Amanda who, while honeymooning with their new spouses, discover that they are staying in adjacent rooms at the same hotel. Their honeymoon rapture comes to a grinding halt.
GRAND ANNEX CONCERT www.grandvision.org
MOLLY’S REVENGE
Dynamic celtic trio featuring high-energy piper, David Brewer and guest vocalist, Christa Burch.
JULY 2
HARBOR BLVD. & THE VINCENT THOMAS BRIDGE
7TH ANNUAL CARS & STRIPES FOREVER
Over 100 classic cars, live music, food trucks & beer garden 5 PM - 10 PM, Fireworks at 9:15 PM
www.SanPedroBID.com
SCAN HERE FOR YOUR LOCAL DINING GUIDE & COUPONS
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Cars & Stripes — San Pedro Today AD.pdf
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VOICES
‘A Chorus Line’ Taps its Way into the Warner Grand by Anthony Pirozzi
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I was honored to be given the opportunity to give the key note address at this year’s San Pedro High School Graduation ceremony. It was even more special as my son Antonio graduated as part of the Class of 2015. I spoke to the graduating class about the future, leadership, and making a difference in the world. It comes as no surprise that each of our collective stories becomes a teaching moment for us to share with our youth. One of the elements I touched on was having a plan for the future, but to be flexible as life settles in. In life, as we all know, we can plan all we want but sometimes life throws a curve ball that may be difficult to hit. There are times though that solid contact is made and that hit can make a difference in your life and hopefully the life of someone else. This is what Scalawag Productions has done for me and my fellow co-producer Gale Kadota. I never planned on helping create and launch a nonprofit such as Scalawag Productions, but Gale and I saw an opportunity to provide teens to young adults the opportunity to perform on the historic stage at the Warner Grand Theatre. Our production company launched off the experience of the Dodson Drama program led by Marcia Barryte. Now in our fifth year, Scalawag will present A Chorus Line on July 10, 11, 17 and 18. It will be a great opportunity for the community to come out and see the result of hard work and commitment by our cast and crew. Don’t think for a minute that this is a kid’s production. What you will see is a production that leaves you in awe of the quality of the performance, dance and singing and the impact of having a live 12-piece orchestra that has become one of the signatures of a Scalawag Production. A Chorus Line will be the fifth Scalawag Production since we launched the production company back in 2011. Since then, Scalawag Productions has produced a Gilbert & Sullivan Revue performing scenes and songs from The Pirates of Penzance, HMS Pinafore, and The Mikado, Oklahoma (2012), FAME – The Musical (2013), Guys and Dolls (2014) and officially became a non-profit. Scalawag continues to focus on bringing high-quality musicals to our local historic downtown and from the beginning has felt that the best way to enhance the learning experience and build teamwork is to limit the size of its cast to less than 40 performers. For example, A Chorus Line will have less than 30 cast members. This approach has resulted in establishing great friendships amongst the cast and crew, which translates into high energy performances for the audience. All-in-all it’s a win-win formula that is proving to be another signature for Scalawag. Professional musician Bob Marino will return once again to conduct and perform with his 12-piece orchestra for A Chorus Line as well as being our music and vocal director. Bob is a well established professional musician in the industry and what he has accomplished is impressive. To name a few, he has been a professional musician since the age of 14 and his Broadway credits include: Kiss of The Spider Woman, starring Vanessa Williams, and Sunset Blvd., starring Glenn Close. His tours include: The Three Tenors (Rome), Andrea Bocelli, The New York Tenors and Peter Cetera. Bob has also had the pleasure of accompanying some of the greatest entertainers in the industry, including Mel Torme, Andy Williams, Henry Mancini, Lionel Ritchie, Quincy Jones, John Denver, Carol Channing, Toni Tennille, and many others. The music for A Chorus Line will be nothing short of phenomenal. Scalawag Productions is a local, homegrown San Pedro theatre company coming together to produce the best musicals to hit the stage at the Warner Grand Theatre in our historic downtown. Please come out once again and spend a small piece of July with us and enjoy the classic music, high energy atmosphere and performance of this Broadway classic. Your support enables us to continue what we do at Scalawag Productions. Visit www.scalawagproductions.org for information and tickets. See you at the show! spt Anthony Pirozzi is a Los Angeles Harbor Commissioner. He can be contacted at apirozzi@yahoo.com.
PRESENTED BY SAN PEDRO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Saturday, August 1, 2015 from 5 pm - 10 pm
The Courtyard at CRAFTED at The Port of Los Angeles EAT. DRINK. CELEBRATE.
Culinary waterfront festival featuring cuisine from 20 San Pedro and Peninsula area restaurants
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Experience the new Brouwerij West – Open for the Taste of San Pedro!
LIVE MUSIC
Unique bands on stage every hour on the hour presented by The Grand Annex
Purchase Tickets at www.sanpedrochamber.com Must be 21 or over. ID will be checked at the door.
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Things To Do This Summer With Kids (#mydayinSP) by Jennifer Marquez
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1. Ride the Red Car before it is gone for good in September. 2. Teach your children about advocating for a cause. Have them write a letter or email to our Councilman to save the Red Car. 3. Go to Happy Hour at Ports O’ Call Restaurant on the patio, half price burgers. 4. Swim in the Olguin salt-water pool at the new San Pedro High campus, open through August 9. 5. Play in the fountain in front of the USS Iowa on Harbor Boulevard. Try it fully-dressed at least once. 6. Go to Royal Palms during low tide, we recently found an octopus there. Respect nature; do not take anything with you. 7. Walk up and down the hill at Royal Palms, watch for cars, stay to the side. 8. Play hide and seek on the S.S. Lane Victory. (You did not hear it from me.) 9. Have a picnic at Trump National Golf Course on the grass, free public parking. 10. Find the labyrinth below Trump National Golf Course on the beach. (Hint: head towards Portuguese Bend Club.) 11. Roast s’mores in one of the new fire pits at Cabrillo Beach. 12. Play ping-pong at the new tables at Cabrillo Beach next to the Bathhouse. Make sure to bring your own paddles and balls. 13. Swim or paddle out to the buoy at Cabrillo Beach, or at least try. 14. Tour the Point Fermin Lighthouse, open Tues-Sun from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. 15. Have a root beer float at Walker’s Café. 16. Go to the library and check out books. Audio books are a great way to calm children in the car. Matilda by Roald Dahl is a book, a movie and also a musical currently at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles. 17. Enter a sand castle building contest at inner Cabrillo Beach on Saturday, July 25. 18. Attend Navy Days on August 8-9. 19. Go to Terranea Resort to the little beach and cave down the hill, then have a gelato at Sea Beans, free parking. 20. Fly a kite at the Korean Bell. 21. Ride your bike to the end of the pier. 22. Eat dinner from a food truck on First Thursday in downtown San Pedro. 23. Take a hike at White Point Nature Preserve. 24. Go to Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and ask for the free NexGen admission. Be sure to visit Metropolis II, a racetrack with 1,100 Matchbox cars. 25. Go in the tunnels at the Fort MacArthur Museum. 26. Play bocce ball at 22nd Street Park. 27. Pick up trash at Cabrillo Beach early in the morning. 28. Volunteer in the food pantry at Toberman House. 29. Donate canned goods to the food pantry at Harbor Interfaith Shelter. 30. Visit the Los Angeles Fire Department Museum on Beacon and 6th Street. 31. Buy an ice cream cone at Rite Aid. 32. Go to the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) in Long Beach on Sunday. It’s free. 33. Shop at Goodwill on Western Avenue. I recently bought a Nordstrom brand outfit there for under $15. Have your kids select their own clothes for the next school year. 34. Be a food critic. Try all the pizza places in town. Start with the new pizza restaurant on Pacific and 22nd Street called Buscemi’s Pizza and Deli. 35. Get a snack at The Corner Store then walk across Paseo del Mar to the beach below. Throw rocks into the ocean. 36. Watch the sunset from Point Fermin Park. 37. Beachcomb at Cabrillo Beach. Try to find a sand dollar near the L – by the pier. 38. Get a fresh squeezed pineapple juice at Pronto’s Restaurant at 25th and Western. 39. Visit the Discovery Cube in Santa Ana, they recently expanded this children’s science museum. 40. Stand-up paddleboard at OEX in Sunset Beach in the harbor. It is $15 an hour and $5 for every hour after. They rent to children who can swim, go in the morning to avoid the wind. If your child is small, they can go with you on your board. Life jackets are provided at no extra cost. They will hold your keys and carry the board to the bay for you. After you are done, contact our Councilman’s office and tell him you want these types of businesses on our water’s edge, as well! spt Jennifer Marquez can be reached at jennifertmarquez@yahoo.com.
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VOICES
Balancing Technology with Nature
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by Herb Zimmer I began writing this column on my MacBook, while sitting at an umbrella table on the patio. I’d just finished watching a movie on Netflix on my iPad and started shuffling through tunes on my iPhone for background music while I wrote. The iPad chimed with an incoming email and, of course, I had to respond. Yes, I’m an Apple addict and you could say that I suffer from what some call technology immersion. The iPhone is always with me and the iPad is never very far away. Like many others, I find myself spending way too much time in the electronic world and way too little time in the natural world. However, sitting there, thinking about what to write, something caught my eye. There was a very fine silk thread stretched between the umbrella over my head and the top of a fence about ten feet away. I was transfixed by it, marveling at how some spider had managed to stretch a strand of silk across ten feet of nothing but air. How did it do that? And, why? My iPad in hand, I asked Wikipedia. There, I learned that a spider climbs to an appropriate high point and lets out a long strand of silk into the wind. It waits for the opposite end to catch onto something at a distance. When it senses that it has, it pulls the strand taut, attaches the strand at the starting point, and walks across to the opposite end. It then walks back to the starting point, while letting out a second, looser thread that creates a “v” shape between the strands. The two threads then become the starting structure upon which the spider builds the familiar spiral web we’ve all seen. That spiral web, with its sticky strands, serves to catch prey as unsuspecting bugs fly into it. Ingenious. Fascinating! The more I took in my natural surroundings, the more fascinated, and the more curious, I became. A bird in a nearby tree was doing the equivalent of vocal gymnastics. The small bird was producing a loud and amazingly complex range of high notes, low notes, clicking sounds and, sometimes, what sounded like two notes at the same time. How did it do that? A ladybug landed on my knee, started up my leg and then flew to a nearby bush. I know ladybugs are supposed to be beneficial to gardens, but why? And why are they called ladybugs? Between the patio stones I spotted a potato bug. It had what looked like a tiny armadillo shell on its back. My dog also spotted it and started to sniff it. It curled up into a ball, making itself look like a perfectly round pebble. How did it develop that defense mechanism? Questions, questions and more questions. Back to the iPad, Wikipedia and Google for answers. For most of us, everyday life is a tense whirlwind of activity in an office or store, oblivious to the natural world around us. Even those who work outdoors are likely so intent on the job they’re doing, they have neither the time, nor the energy, to truly engage with nature. Sitting quietly on the patio, however, open to the world around me, I came, once again, to appreciate how we humans are just one part of a multi-species community, with each of us playing a role in the earth’s complex ecological system. And, as some anonymous poet wrote, while communing with nature, “tension crawled up and out of me, twisted in the air, and was gone.” As I said at the beginning, I love technology. But, I’ve come to realize that its highest use is to reconnect us with the natural world around us. Watching one YouTube video of a spider building an intricate web can be far more fascinating, and stay in your memory longer, than any Netflix movie you’ll ever see. spt Herb Zimmer owns PriorityOne Printing in downtown San Pedro
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Our Parks: Removing the Negative and Inserting the Positive
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by Councilman Joe Buscaino With a new playground at Alma Park and Rena Park, the opening of the Olguin Pool to the public, another very successful San Pedro Shred: Festival of Skate and the talk of a dog park at Cabrillo Beach, I am on a mission to activate San Pedro's public spaces that have been underutilized or overlooked in the past and give them back to the community. For the past couple of decades, knuckleheads have inflicted a special kind of torture on the residents of our city who were scared to use our public parks because they were dominated by gang members, drug users and homeless. I grew up around the corner from Alma Park. Even back then, I remember being scared to walk through the park because it was a creepy place. Last month, we unveiled a familyfriendly playground where children can frolic freely and safely. We trimmed a lot of the vegetation and trees so that LAPD can more easily patrol and keep the illegal activities away from this wonderful park. The more we restore and utilize our public spaces, the lower the possibility those spaces will be used by riffraff and the knuckleheads, as proven by Leland Park, and the more likely San Pedro and our Waterfront will be seen as a regional destination. Just over a year ago, Leland Park was infested with inappropriate activities including sex and drug use. The park looked post apocalyptic with dead grass, broken and tagged playground equipment, and inappropriate activities. Today, families flock to Leland Park on weekends. Groups like the Port of Los Angeles High School uses Leland Park, as does Mary Star High School, the Firecrackers Softball Team and the Harbor Teacher Prep Academy. We have removed the negative and inserted the positive. While not every idea to activate underutilized space will materialize, it is important that we are always exploring new ways to make the public spaces in our hometown more public, inviting, engaging, safe and accessible. Just last week, as Chair of the Public Works Committee, I pushed an ordinance through City Council to restrict the possession or use of non-permitted bulky items and tents in parks and to prohibit the storage of personal property within the limits of any park. We are lucky to call home some of the best geography in the region and it is incumbent that we as residents take ownership and stewardship of these spaces that we have been blessed with. My office is collaborating with the San Pedro Waterfront Arts District to have artists paint ugly gray electrical boxes around town, creating wonderful new public art. Last year, we started in downtown San Pedro on Pacific Avenue and most recently expanded the program to Harbor Blvd. I look forward to having all of the electrical boxes in town turned into colorful art. The downtown San Pedro business improvement district recently applied for a grant to build a permanent stage at the corner of Sixth and Center Streets in an effort to enhance the entertainment area and host live music on a weekly basis. We are fortunate to have to have so many events in San Pedro and so many opportunities to have a fruitful quality of life. We are lucky to have the Port of L.A., Downtown San Pedro Harbor, Cabrillo Way Marina and Cabrillo Beach, Sunken City, Point Fermin, Paseo del Mar, Royal Palms and so many other majestic public spaces. I call on all residents and organizations, especially the Neighborhood Councils in town, to invent ways to activate public spaces with events and productions, because if we don’t figure out how to take advantage of our assets, I’m sure the knuckleheads will be happy to have a place to make trouble. spt Ed. Note: This column was edited from the original printed version.
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Yellowfin tuna tartare garnished with mint, prepared over a dry ice presentation, by Chef Dustin Trani at J. Trani’s Ristorante. (photo: John Mattera)
The Taste Grows Up After a three-year hiatus, The New Taste of San Pedro is ready to make its debut. But is San Pedro ready for it? It was a San Pedro summer tradition. You got up early on a hot weekend in August, packed the car with blankets and sunscreen (and probably a cooler, even though they were prohibited, but you still found a way to sneak it in), and headed down to Point Fermin Park. You’d spend all day listening to great local music from the same bands you’ve seen for years but never got tired of, catching up with old friends you would only see at this event, even though you probably lived just a few blocks away from each other, and of course, eating great food and getting toasted on beer and wine. A $10 admission fee turned into $100 (or more) spent on food tickets. That was the Taste in San Pedro in a nutshell… and we loved it. Times have changed, though. When the Taste was officially cancelled in July 2012, there was a huge gap in San Pedro’s summer entertainment that needed to be filled. The Taste was, by far, the biggest family-friendly event in town every year. But soon,
a number of new events entered the race to collect those family entertainment dollars, including ones put on by the USS Iowa, CRAFTED, the Legends Car Club, Port of Los Angeles, Music by the Sea, and most recently, the San Pedro Shred: Festival of Skate. Knowing this to be the case, the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce decided to relaunch and, more importantly, reinvent the Taste for 2015. To put it bluntly, the Taste has finally grown up.
A Restaurant Town
Reinventing this beloved community event was always going to be an uphill battle. If there’s one thing people have a hard time with, it’s change. And this reinvention of the Taste wasn’t going to be minor. In fact, it was going to be like nothing San Pedro has ever experienced before. Yes, there would be food, but only delicacies provided by local restaurants. Yes, there would be beer, wine and spirits, but they
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by Joshua Stecker
Scene from the last Taste in San Pedro at the L.A. Waterfront in 2011 (photo: Joshua Stecker)
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would be provided mostly by our local breweries and wine bar. All the non-food vendors? Gone. Carnival rides? Gone. Children? Gone. Instead of a weekend, it’s just one evening, five hours. That’s it. It’s an entire evening dedicated to the sustenance of San Pedro. It’s not just redefined, it’s an entirely reimagined event. Serious discussions about bringing back the Taste started in May of 2014, just after Elise Swanson took over as the Chamber’s CEO. Swanson, a familiar face in the community (she was the former district director for U.S. Rep. Janice Hahn, D-San Pedro, and vice president of governmental affairs for the Ponte Vista housing development), knew bringing back the Taste was a top priority, especially since the Taste used to be the biggest revenue generator for the Chamber. “There had been a lot of discussion about it with the Chamber’s board of directors,” recalls Swanson, “and we were getting a lot of comments from the public. People kept asking when we were bringing it back and what was happening.” In 2001, an Urban Land Institute report on San Pedro that focused on downtown and the waterfront noted that one of San Pedro’s greatest strengths was its restaurant community, which should come as no surprise given how many restaurants have lasted decades, even generations. (J. Trani’s Ristorante, for example, is celebrating their 90th anniversary this August.) Couple that with San Pedro’s rich cultural heritage of Croatian, Italian and Mexican immigrants who also brought over dishes from the homeland that have become town staples (mostaccioli and ćevapčići are the first that come to mind), and one can say that great food has always been San Pedro’s specialty. “We have outstanding independent restaurants that are the backbone of our community,” says Swanson. “So we really looked at bringing a Taste back that reflected
the restaurants, plus we’ve tied in with Brouwerij West’s opening, because that’s a game changer.”
Back to Basics
The first thing you’ll notice about The New Taste of San Pedro is the name. Gone is the “in,” which is now replaced with “of,” changing the event from a destination to an experience. The former event had vendors from across Southern California, which made it less representative of San Pedro itself, and more of a smorgasbord of random restaurants and vendors. In fact, the entertainment during those years was more representative of San Pedro than the actual food. “We kept harkening back to how the Taste started,” says Swanson. “It was a food event focused on our restaurants. We wanted it to be the Taste of San Pedro, not just a Taste in San Pedro. We had lost our focus.” The original Taste started as a small event in a parking lot back in 1989. It was originally conceived to be a celebration of local cuisine, but it continued to grow through the years, adding live entertainment, artists, jewelry and clothing vendors, and carnival rides. It grew into a mega-event at Point Fermin Park for a number of years, before the Chamber’s financial struggles forced a move from Point Fermin to the L.A. Waterfront in 2011. The move was met with derision from the community, resulting in low attendance and an overall feeling that the event just couldn’t survive in its current form. In 2012, the event was officially cancelled just a month before it was scheduled to happen. Except for the live entertainment, nothing else from the original Taste is returning for The New Taste of San Pedro, which will be held at CRAFTED for one-night only, Saturday, August 1, from 5 to 10 p.m., and will also include a preview of what’s to come from Brouwerij West. “We’re very excited about The New Taste of San Pedro being hosted at CRAFTED and Brouwerij West being a featured part of it,” says David Holop, vice-president of operations and finance for Brouwerij West. “There’s still a lot of work to do here at the brewery between now and then; so while we are very hopeful to be fully up and running, it’s hard to say where we’ll be at that point and what we’ll do at The Taste. But no matter what, we’ll be a part of it.” Another change separating the old from the new Taste, probably the biggest change of all, is the price. Gone are the $10 admission and $1 food tickets. The new Taste is a being marketed as a classy, upscale event (21 and over only) and the prices reflect that. General admission starts at $45 per person if you buy before July 1, $55 by July 30, and $65 at the door. A general admission ticket will get you five food tastings and three beverage (craft beer, wine and craft spirit) tastings. Extra food tickets can be bought for $5 each (or three for $10). “It’s about a full pound of food for the ticket price and is competitively priced with other food events throughout Los Angeles and the country,” says Swanson. VIP tickets are also available, starting at $85 per person ($100 at the door), which nearly doubles the food and beverage tastings, and also includes VIP seating accommodations. And because most San Pedrans are allergic to parking fees, parking for the New Taste is free. “The delicate dance was the pricing,” reveals Swanson. “There’s been a lot of discussion
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Scenes from the 2007 Taste in San Pedro at Point Fermin Park (photos: Joshua Stecker)
around the pricing. Coming out with a higher ticket price reflects what the event has turned into. They’re buying into a party under the stars with their friends. There was a lot of discussion about value, making sure that people were getting something of value for their money. It’s a different Taste.” Even though the event will be completely unrecognizable from Tastes gone by, the food will be prepared by a number of familiar faces. Although the list of participating restaurants wasn’t finalized at press time, the Chamber is expecting more than 20 participants. Some confirmed restaurants include Ports O’ Call Restaurant, J. Trani’s Ristorante, San Pedro Fish Market, San Pedro Brewing Company, Whale & Ale, Taxco, and Big Nick’s Pizza. Even restaurants that one wouldn’t normally consider Taste material are stepping up their game for the event, like the Omelette & Waffle Shop (preparing a “savory waffle”), and a local caterer who’ll be preparing ćevapčići. In addition to Brouwerij West’s craft beers, Tito’s Handmade Vodka will be providing their spirit as the exclusive vodka sponsor. Wine will be provided by San Pedro’s own Off the Vine Wines. As for entertainment, this is where the Taste becomes less about San Pedro, and more about drawing from around Southern California. Unlike in Tastes past, where the entertainment was more local than the actual vendors, this time around it’s the opposite. Hoping to attract a regional audience, the Chamber has recruited the Grand Annex to curate the night’s entertainment, which will consist of four or five bands, one each hour. While the night’s entertainment wasn’t fully confirmed at press time, committed acts include Trio Ellas (an all-female Latin-American group), Andy & Renee & Hard Rain (Torrance-based rock/folk/blues band), Masanga Marimba (African/Latin-American) and John Kraus & the Goers (rock/roots/sea shanties).
Are We Ready?
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When news spread online of the relaunch of The New Taste of San Pedro, reaction was quick and blunt. “For those prices, there are some pretty amazing all-inclusive wine and food festivals,” said one commenter on Facebook. “What about the families?” asked another. When I broached the topic of the Taste at a recent local event, one person opined, “It sounds wonderful, but is this town ready for something like that?” That seems to be the overarching question. The Taste may have grown up, but has San Pedro? “San Pedro is ready,” claims James Brown, owner of the San Pedro Brewing Company and a Chamber board member. “We don’t really have anything like this. We have those t-shirt and shorts, live band events all the time. I think something a little more intimate, a little more upscale like this is going to be great. I hope this raises some money for the
Chamber and we put on a great event.” This town has always positioned itself as the antithesis of other South Bay communities like Redondo and Manhattan Beach, places where this type of Taste would easily be appreciated. (LA Weekly didn’t call us “surly” for nothing.) But the truth of the matter is, this Taste isn’t necessarily for San Pedro anymore, at least, not in the way we used to perceive it. This new Taste is being positioned as a destination event for all of Southern California. A night where San Pedro’s best culinary delights are showcased to folks from outside the Harbor Area, to show a side other than the “surly” or “edgy” reputation this town’s been known for. “We want to bring visitors into San Pedro and show people from all over what we have to offer,” says Swanson. And as far as families go, there are plenty of other local family-friendly events that have taken that torch and ran with it, including last month’s San Pedro Shred: Festival of Skate, which between that and Music by the Sea, have evolved into what everyone remembers about the old Taste. “This year, the San Pedro Shred really came into its own,” explains Angela Romero, blogger at That’s So Pedro. “As I was sitting there on a Pedro street, surrounded by families eating Pedro food, listening to Pedro music and enjoying the coastal vistas from a hill above the Pacific, I got a strange sense of déjà vu. The San Pedro Shred has become the reincarnation of what San Pedrans affectionately knew as the Taste. A family-friendly event that celebrates what San Pedrans love the most: freedom, food, music and the beauty of Point Fermin.” People respond to what they’re familiar with, and the Taste was something very familiar to San Pedrans. The chance to change, coupled with fiscal responsibilities, dictate that a Taste the size and scope of the Point Fermin days is no longer a possibility. “We looked at the fact that we could not afford putting on the old Taste anymore,” says Swanson. “It’s financially not feasible. Plus, there’s a lot of competition for that kind of event now. “Crafted gives us a venue that has all of the infrastructure built into it – fencing, restrooms, staging – and made it financially more feasible and within reach. We’re bringing this New Taste back for one day to see how it goes. Maybe next year it becomes a two-day event. We really want to see how people respond.” spt For more info on The New Taste of San Pedro and to buy tickets, visit www.sanpedrochamber.com.
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CHERYL AMALFITANO Fantasyland/Toontown Restaurants Hostess (1995-1998) Disney Vacation planner (2000-2001) 40 Years of Adventure: I remember working during the 40 Years of Adventure Celebration and watching as they buried a time capsule in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. It’s hard to believe that 20 years have passed, but my former fellow cast member family still remains close and we have reunions all the time for our “BTR Crew.” I also worked as a vacation planner and remember selling admission tickets to [late actor] Paul Walker and his adorable daughter, Meadow. The excitement I witnessed on their faces before they entered the park was priceless. The sweetest and most unforgettable memory that I have of working there is when a little girl came up and asked me to sign her autograph book because she thought that I looked like I could be Snow White’s sister! One of the greatest things about working there were the Disney Family Christmas Parties where my mother and I would get a lot of our Christmas shopping done and get on lots of rides with practically no waiting in line. Even after working there and braving the crowds during the farewell season of Disneyland’s Electrical Parade, I could never get sick of being there. It’s my favorite place in the world. I can’t wait to create many more happy memories there with my three children, Annabella, Antonio & Dominic.
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On July 17, 2015, Disneyland will officially turn 60. Even though the iconic theme park is down in Anaheim, a number of San Pedrans, including this magazine’s editor/publisher, have spent time working at the “Happiest place on Earth” through the years. San Pedro Today put out the call on our Facebook page to see if any San Pedrans wanted to share their memorable moments and pictures from their time working at Disneyland. Here are a few of their stories…
KATIE BASURA Fantasyland Restaurants Hostess and Lead (1985-1994) Theme Park Operations Time Recording/Payroll Hostess (1994-1996) Disney/ABC Studios Legal & Business Affairs Executive Assistant/Paralegal (1996-2001) Elizabeth Taylor’s 60th Birthday Party: In 1992, I worked a bar near the castle when Elizabeth Taylor’s coach drove up. It was unlike anything I’ve ever seen in my 11 years at the park. I was pouring champagne in glasses when I was instructed by a manager to take a full bottle, go into the crowd and ask if anyone wanted a refill. I walked up to a group of men and asked if they wanted more. The gentleman in front of me looked up and I nearly fell flat on my bottom. It was Elton John! He declined my offer, took my arm and walked me a few feet over to pour it into David Bowie’s glass! Tinker Bell: A nightly ritual for millions of Disney guests is watching Tinker Bell take her nightly flight during the summer months. While the guests were preoccupied waiting for Tinker Bell, us cast members had our own private ritual. During the lull we would gather in the backstage area and watch four big guys climb a tower and position themselves to “catch” the cast member playing Tink. Other than the guys and the mattress, all Tink could do to control her speed was flail her arms wildly. Needless to say, this system was less than perfect and, depending on the weight of the cast member playing Tinker Bell and the reflexes of the four guys, she could hit with quite a wallop. I just hope that now, 25 years later, they have a better system for her.
NICOLE PADILLA Disney Store Del Amo, Disneyland Main Street Guide 1 Photo Sales, Mickey & Friends Photographer (1994-1997) My Disneyland “magic moment” actually began while working at the Disney Store before I transferred to the Park. Disney is where I met the love of my life. At the age of 18 you take a job with Disney for the “fun” of it, little did I know it would change my life when I met my husband, Adam Hernandez, on our first day on the job. In 1994, we had no idea that we would still be sharing our Disney memories and all of the fun Disney dates that we had. When you work there, you live there, you play there… you can’t get enough. I guess it takes a special person to have the passion for Disney that you can share with the guests that walk through the gates each and everyday. I worked on Main Street at “Guide 1” and got to see all of the faces when they first enter the park, bright eyes and big dreams! This also meant that I was the last person to see their tired smiles as they left the “Happiest place on Earth.” Great days, great memories! DONNA MARIE ATMUR Food Service (1989) Disneyland Character (1989-1994) While my years working as a Disneyland Character were certainly rewarding, my most memorable moment happened in the park, after one of my work shifts: when I met my husband, Ron. I signed two friends into the park after my shift. One of them had family members who had been there since that morning, so I was invited to join them. They introduced me to everyone, including Ron. Afterwards, we stood in line at Mickey’s House in Toontown so that the small child with us – my future nephew – could meet Mickey Mouse. Ron and I joked and chatted while we waited. Since I worked as a Disney Character and was friends with the person portraying Mickey, the kid was given extra special treatment. At the end of the evening, Ron walked me to my car in the staff parking lot and asked for my phone number. I had a warm feeling telling me that we would eventually marry. We did, nine months later, and have now been together for more than 21 years. A special event I was a part of occurred in the park where several of us characters greeted a 106-year-old-woman on her first visit to Disneyland. I was dressed as Perla, one of Cinderella’s mouse friends. The woman posed with us in her wheelchair, staring at us in wonder as her family members snapped pictures.
Cheryl Amalfitano (right) with her mom at a Disneyland Cast Member Christmas party, and with her “BTR Crew” (below)
Nicole Padilla (above) with her husband, Adam Hernandez, both former Disney Store employees when they met
Donna Marie Atmur as the Chipmunk Dale and Perla from Cinderalla (below)
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KAY MYREGARD Disneyland Costuming (1974-1980 and 1990-1992) Imagineering – Toyko DisneySeas, Hong Kong Disneyland (1998-2008) Space Mountain: In earlier days in the 1970s the Disneyland costume department; where I worked, was located near Space Mountain. It was all too tempting to take a quick ride early morning before the park opened. The ride was always super fast early, since it was fresh and had not been put through it’s daily paces. We did this every few months. It was better than coffee and great fun. Cast Member Christmas Party: Those that worked in the offices in the backlot would fill in for the park employees so that they could come on a special night arranged just for them with their families. My choice to work was as one of the characters – one year as Sleepy and another year as Dopey. Even though I worked in the costume department and was familiar with the character costumes, none of it compared to actually wearing one. My young son and mom would visit during that time. He was delighted to know his mother’s temp job at Christmas. To this day, the memory of me as a dwarf is one of his fondest memories. President Reagan: We all rushed into the park to see Ronald Reagan riding in a fire truck next to Michael Eisner in 1990 on the parks 35th anniversary parade one afternoon. That was a big moment for us all to see and I snapped the photo of them. So many things happening, some expected, some not. It was truly a magical time.
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GINA ALVARADO-SAMPERIO Attractions (1988-2005) When I started at Disneyland in 1988, not long after graduating from San Pedro High School, I really didn’t know what I was getting into. It takes a lot of patience and compassion for people to work for the Disneyland Resort. I started out working in Fantasyland as an attractions hostess. My first ride was It’s a Small World and I loved it. Everyone always asked me if I heard that song in my head all the time. I told them after awhile you learn to zone it out. Elizabeth Taylor’s 60th Birthday Party: The only areas open for the party was Main Street and Fantasyland. I was working the Tea Cups that night and David Bowie spent time talking to me while we were waiting for the ride to stop. He was the most down to earth, polite gentleman. At a certain time of the night we stopped all the attractions to go to the front of the castle to sing “Happy Birthday” to Elizabeth Taylor and help pass out cake. It was definitely a magical night. I still have lavender napkin with her name on it and
60th birthday. Paving the Way: I’ve had many achievements working at the Disneyland Resort. I was picked to be a part of the construction crew for new Autopia attraction and spent many days testing, training and writing the operation guidelines for how the attraction will operate. Also, I was asked to be the VERY FIRST female train conductor at Disneyland. Up until the mid-1990s, men operated certain attractions only, like steam trains, vehicles, trollies, and the Jungle Cruise. Finally, women were allowed. It was great, but I remember the engineers giving me a hard time thinking a woman couldn’t handle it. I proved them wrong! I later became the first female foreman/lead on the steam trains. JOSHUA STECKER, editor/publisher, San Pedro Today Disneyland Character (1995-1999) I’ve told people through the years that working as a “World Famous Disney Character” was the best job in the world, and it truly was. It’s a job where you’re shown nothing but unconditional love by everyone that sees you. You’re hugged, kissed, told how happy you make people feel just by your very presence. You make people cry tears of joy just by giving them a hug. What other job offers such an amazing experience? I’m not exactly tall, I’m only 5’8”, so I was considered “Pluto height,” which put me in a category with a certain number of characters to play. During any given week, I would play Pluto, Eeyore (those were the two characters I played the most), Buzz Lightyear, Br’er Fox, the Tweedles (Dee and Dum), Geppetto, and a few others. Since you’re in a costume and not allowed to talk, you learn to communicate by using physical gestures, not unlike playing Charades. Each character had to be played differently and each costume offered their own challenges when it came to walking, seeing, and how guests would approach you. It was a fascinating study in social anthropology. I had a number of memorable experiences while in costume, but one in particular stands out. I was playing Eeyore one morning in Goofy’s Kitchen, a restaurant at the Disneyland Hotel. Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid were hosting their son, Jack’s, birthday party that morning. I remember walking out as Eeyore and Meg Ryan gave me a huge bear hug and a kiss on my “snout.” Then, as the party progressed, Dennis Quaid called me over, put his arm around my shoulder, and sang the Winnie the Pooh theme song to me and ended it with a huge bear hug of his own. It was surreal. I don’t think they thought for one second that I was some 20-something college student sweating his butt off inside that costume. To them, I was Eeyore, and that’s all that mattered. spt
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Kay Myregard (above) with her costume designs for Tokyo DisneySeas
Gina Alvarado-Samperio (above) on the Matterhorn Bobsleds attraction
Joshua Stecker, editor/publisher of San Pedro Today, in a Buzz Lightyear costume in 1995
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The Art of the Game Artist Jillian Shundo combines her two passions – art and baseball – in a unique way, by sketching on stadium cardboard trays.
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by Roseanney Liu
Blue skies, a packed stadium of fans from all walks of life, hot dogs and peanuts, and the smell of newly mowed grass. These are what make the national pastime so awesome as we support our home team dressed in Dodger blue. Here to add a little bit of art flair to that mix is Jillian Shundo, 31, graphic designer born and raised in San Pedro. Between pitches or during replays on the Jumbotron, Shundo doodles cross-hatch style with a blue ink roll-on pen on the bottom of cardboard food trays, depicting players, logos or stadium- or L.A.-inspired sceneries. “Impromptu ideas come to me as I’m sitting there at the game,” says Shundo as she points to a sketch of pitcher Kershaw revving up for a pitch and one of the Star Wars character Yoda standing at bat with a green lightsaber. Two hundred drawn-on trays and 30 pens later, she has quite the collection that is ready for print and gallery exhibit. Kind of puts to shame our mundane complaining of foul plays and checking Facebook on iPhones during the game, doesn’t it? “I started four [baseball] seasons ago,” she remembers. “I didn’t know that people behind me were watching me and it was like entertainment for them and soon they were asking me, ‘Are you going to draw today?’ Some have offered to buy them but they are not for sale yet as I’ve been building a collection.” Shundo draws one or two sketches for every game she attends with her family’s season tickets and she goes to 30-50 home games a season. “I just love the ambience… everybody is there to support the team. You have the fans that are chanting and cheering and those that are booing. There’s the food, the [great] players… it’s just such a great pastime,” shares Shundo, who played softball in middle school and occasionally plays a pick-up game on Sundays with friends. With plans to organize her sketches of Dodger art into various collages and subcollections based on themes, Shundo envisions creating prints and posters out of the art as well as sharing them at gallery exhibits. “I’m seeing if [galleries] would like to collaborate on showing these sketches. I’d love to participate in a First Thursday art walk in San Pedro,” says Shundo. “There are a lot of people that would like me to put these out there. From seeing the sketches, people also have asked me to paint a mural in their bedrooms, some people want me to design their tattoos, so there have been offers from a number of fans.” More than 600 fans follow Shundo’s Instagram account for the Dodger art (@ dodgertrayart). “The same day I uploaded a bunch of photos (a year ago), more than 200 people started following and sharing them,” remembers Shundo. “There have been fans who tweeted them to the players.” The growing social media presence for her Dodger tray art has also led to the unexpected camaraderie between fans and Shundo. “Some people would share how long they’ve been going to the Dodger games as they tell me how much they love this or that sketch,” she says. Besides her ability to instill and share her love of baseball on- and offline, Shundo had to overcome adversity at a young age. Having had to have three toes amputated due to infection from an accident at age 6, Shundo was told that she wouldn’t be able to play sports or that certain activities would be extremely difficult. “I wanted to prove the naysayers wrong and I just wanted to be a kid and do kids’ stuff, so I did,” says Shundo. From playing soccer to softball, from running track to dancing, and doing art that she has always loved since age 3, Shundo has certainly risen through the challenges of physical hardship.
Jillian Shundo
(photo: John Mattera)
Today, she is not only the creator of a vast, wonderful collection of Dodger art sketches, she also finds success in graphic design work for small businesses and nonprofits. The San Pedro Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 Holiday Parade design as well as L.A. Waterfront’s Dining Guide are just two of the recent examples that have benefitted from Shundo’s artistic talents. In her free time, besides going to Dodger games, Shundo can be found painting, drawing, sculpting, crafting and baking. spt For more information on Jillian Shundo’s art, visit www.facebook.com/dodgertrayart, Instagram: @dodgertrayart, or on the web at www.jshundo.wix.com/dodgertrayart.
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Port Town Becomes Host Town San Pedro will host the international delegations of Croatia and Kazakhstan as part of the Special Olympics World Games Host Town program.
Special Olympics delegations from Croatia and Kazakhstan (below). (photos: Special Olympics World Games)
by Monica Simpson Every two years, the world gathers to watch international athletes triumph over their challenges as they compete in the Special Olympics World Games. This month, more than 500,000 spectators will gather in Los Angeles to watch more than 7,000 athletes from 177 different countries compete in this year’s Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015 (LA2015). Contributing to the largest sporting and humanitarian event this year, San Pedro will be welcoming and celebrating the international delegations of Croatia and Kazakhstan as part of the Special Olympics World Games Host Town program. A vital part of LA2015, the Host Town program offers a unique opportunity for communities to engage in an international cultural exchange while allowing local residents and businesses to promote their town by volunteering or donating their services. Community involvement is key to the Host Town program but Patrick McClenahan, President and CEO of LA2015, says that program “more importantly provides citizens with a better understanding of intellectual disabilities that will lead to acceptance and inclusion for all.” Fostering that same support and enthusiasm, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Honorary Host of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games with Governor Jerry Brown says, “The Host Town program provides an opportunity for residents across Southern California to promote that spirit of hope, opportunity, and inclusion by showcasing their communities while welcoming athletes from around the world.” With scattered arrivals of international teams descending on the city of Los Angeles later this month, San Pedro is ready to greet their international guests. The incoming Croatian and Kazakhstani delegations, which include athletes, teams, and coaches, will spend three days over July 21-24 exploring our harbor side community while they acclimate to the local environment, time zone, and weather. With training facilities, meals, and lodging provided to 137 participants, the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce and L.A. City Councilman Joe Buscaino have also arranged a variety of activities, entertainment, and recreation. Visits and tours of the USS Iowa, Cabrillo Beach, Fire Boat 2 at Station 111 on the Harbor (complete with a water display), Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, and the L.A. Maritime Museum are just a few of the events scheduled for the teams. With a dinner planned at the San Pedro Fish Market and Restaurant and an ice cream social at
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the waterfront, the delegations will also get a local taste of San Pedro flavor. Thrilled to host the two international delegations, Elise Swanson, President and CEO of the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce says, “We are excited about both delegations, but it makes it particularly special for us to host a delegation from Croatia with our rich [Croatian] cultural heritage in our tight community.” In strong support of Croatia’s team, the Croatian-American club has also volunteered to host a dinner for the Croatian athletes. “The community is really coming together. It’s really special,” says Swanson. Councilman Buscaino is also personally honored to host the inbound teams in his hometown of San Pedro and wants to ensure they have a memorable stay. “San Pedro has a lot to offer and we hope to leave an everlasting impression on the athletes, coaches, and parents from Croatia and Kazakhstan,” he says. For San Pedro, the privilege to take part in such an internationally renowned event will reap benefits for years to come. With tourism in the area on the rise, the San Pedro Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (SPCVB) expects more events like this in San Pedro’s future. “There’s always value in that we have some great attractions and that we’re able to pull off having something as major as this happen here,” says Scott Gray, president of the SPCVB. With largely free events and programs like “Fans in the Stands” (where a team captain can organize a large group of attendees to any sporting event), citizens of Los Angeles are being encouraged to attend any or all of the 25 different Special Olympic events ranging from Judo to Kayaking. The Opening Ceremony, to be held July 25 in the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, site of the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games, is expected to attract 80,000 spectators. However, before the event officially starts, if you see these teams around town be sure to extend a hand and welcome them warmly. “Long after the World Games are over, the memories of those three days spent at Host Town will leave a lasting legacy for Special Olympics Southern California and everyone who was touched by our athletes,” says McClenahan. “Let me win,” states the motto of the Special Olympics. “And if I cannot win, let me be brave in my attempt.” While not all 7,000 participants can expect to win, the citizens of Los Angeles will remember their brave attempts. And San Pedro, for its part, will remember their international delegates fondly. spt For more information on the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015 (LA2015) please visit www.la2015.org
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ETSY Craft Party Crafters of all ages gathered at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles for the 4th Annual Etsy Craft Party on June 12 - the biggest one on the West Coast. CRAFTED and its shop owners designed special crafts centered around this year’s theme, “Paper Takes Shape,” including origami, paper flowers and printmaking. The night was filled with fun for the whole family- enjoying some great food, crafting together and even joining in on the impromptu dance party that broke out in front of the DJ booth.
American Ninja Warrior A team from NBC spent an entire week in June building an obstacle course in front of the USS Iowa for a taping of the popular summer hit, “American Ninja Warrior.” San Pedro's very own battleship was the perfect backdrop for a very special all-military episode that will air close to the Fourth of July. During the two overnight shoots, the USS Iowa was washed in dramatic lighting and smoke effects that made the ship appear ghostly and majestic at the same time.
John M. and Muriel Olguin Campus Pool Opening The joint efforts of the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council, the council office, the Dept. of Rec & Parks and LAUSD finally paid off with a splash June 13 when the John M. and Muriel Olguin Campus pool was opened to the public for the summer. Kaiser Permanente helped sponsor the event and presented the Dept. of Rec & Parks with a check for $240,000 to aid in teaching children to swim. The pool was christened in true Pedro fashion with a community cannon ball, led by Councilman Joe Buscaino.
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San Pedro Shred Local skaters and their families kicked off the summer right with the 3rd annual San Pedro Shred: Festival of Skate on June 6. Gaffey Street was closed from 32nd Street south to Shepard in what Councilman Buscaino dubbed SkateLAvia, San Pedro’s skateboarding version of CicLAvia, a popular event that shuts down streets for cyclists. Bombers braved the Gaffey drop while the shorter boards zipped back and forth between ramps. The food was local, the music was local, the views from the bluff were breathtaking and even the San Pedro book bike showed up. This event was SO PEDRO!
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Growing up in Southern California, summer was my favorite time of the year (and I’m sure just about every other school-aged kid agreed with me). It was the time of year to hit the beach or poolside and catch some rays. I spent many summers baking under the sun, trying desperately to get the perfect tan. Sure, I would always burn first, but that’s the price you pay for some nice, “healthy” color, right? Well, not exactly. Flash forward to a couple decades later, and I found myself in the dermatologist’s office with “abnormal” biopsies one too many times (not to mention, I began to notice how sun damage was starting to prematurely age my skin). Not only had my years of sun worship caught up with me, but as my Crohn’s disease progressed. I learned that the medication I was taking at the time actually accelerated potential skin cancer. In a panic, I immediately retracted my sun worshiping ways and opted for a whole lot of hats and sunscreen instead. In a nutshell, I went from one extreme to another. On top of that, I would soon learn that the conventional chemical sunscreens I was using were potentially just as harmful as the sun exposure I was trying to avoid. But if both too much sun exposure and conventional sunscreens are bad for us, what are we to do? While you’ll hear conflicting opinions depending on which expert you listen to, I like the explanation that certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Liz Wolfe, provides us. In her book, Eat the Yolks, Wolfe says that we need “responsible sun exposure” to produce sufficient vitamin D, which is critical to our health. But how much exposure is the right amount? According to Wolfe, our bodies tell us exactly what we need. Just like pain is a signal that it’s time to remove our finger from that burning hot stove, sunburn is the body’s natural indicator that we’ve gotten enough vitamin D and it’s time to get out of the sun. Hence, those with fair skin require less sun exposure, while those with darker complexions require more. I like this explanation greatly, because it provides an easy-to-remember approach for those of us who might be confused by all the conflicting information out there, and it reminds us to listen to what our bodies are telling us. But what about those of us fair-skinned folk who burn rather quickly? It’s great to know I can swiftly get my daily dose of vitamin D, but what does someone like me do when I plan to be out in the sun for an extended period of time and I’m concerned about potential sun damage? Enter: mineral (or physical) sunscreen. Chemical sunscreens (such as oxybenzone) are likely to penetrate the skin and, as some studies argue, also the bloodstream, potentially disrupting hormones and actually contributing to cancer development (which might help explain why skin cancer rates have grown even with our increased use of chemical sunscreens). Yes, mineral/physical sunscreens (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) take a little longer to rub onto the skin, but they do not penetrate the skin or enter the bloodstream like their chemical counterparts; they are considered (by many) a safer alternative and less likely to cause allergic reactions (just be sure to only use them in lotion form and always avoid sprays). Not a fan of mineral sunscreens? There are other safe options, such as coconut oil or carrot seed oil, which can provide mild to moderate sun protection in a more natural form. And of course, sun protective clothing is probably the safest choice of all. All in all, if you are concerned about potential skin cancer or premature aging of the skin, it’s important to understand our individual limitations so that we can enjoy the sun’s benefits while protecting ourselves accordingly. My love/hate relationship with the sun has now turned into a relationship of better understanding and respect, and I’m glad I can be more at ease while enjoying my time in the sun (even if that time has its limits). I’ve found a happy medium, and the future looks sunny and bright. spt You can follow Lori Garrett on her healthy lifestyle blog: www.adventuresofasickchick.com.
HEALTH & FITNESS
How a Popular Record Producer Lost 140 Pounds by Ricky Magana
For some sample workouts to help you get better, email ricky@heydaytraining. com.
JULY 2015 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 37
He was at the top of his game. Rick Rubin is one of the most prolific record producers in music history. He’s worked with the top artists in every genre and is responsible for some of the most memorable songs in your music library. He has achieved a level of success that most will only dream of. But he had one problem: Rubin weighed 300 pounds. It’s the one area of his life he had never been able to “fix.” Rubin is disciplined, having been a staunch vegan for 20 years, but continued to get bigger every year. Nearing the end of his rope, he employed a famous doctor to live with and coach him hoping it would help. The doctor convinced him to change his sleeping habits and add protein to his diet. Rubin worked all night and slept till 3 p.m. all his adult life. These changes were tough, but he did it. These shifts helped. He had a lot more energy and his health improved. But after a year, still no weight loss. In his middle age, Rubin was starting to believe there simply wasn’t a solution. A concerned friend referred him to another nutritionist. Rubin thought it was hopeless. He tried everything: changing his sleep, eating healthy, adding protein and exercise. Still, he went to the specialist. The specialist told Rubin, you’re going to keep your diet highprotein and keep all the positive changes you’ve made, but now you’re going to track your calories. Rubin, despite having been resigned to the fact that his body just won’t lose weight, complied. Then the craziest thing happened. Over the next 14 months, Rubin lost 140 pounds. He discovered that while he was eating “healthy,” he was doing things like wolfing down a jar of almond butter every couple days. He was eating far more that he realized. He made a common mistake: consuming calories as if it didn’t matter as long as you eat healthy food. Rubin, now in his forties, is in better shape than he was in his twenties. His fitness journey illustrates an important lesson. A weight problem is a whole-life problem. If one thing is off, it can stall your fitness goals completely. You may be stuck and if you are, here some things to consider: Are you adding when you should be subtracting? Lots of people pursue fitness with a “more is better” mentality. They figure if they just do more cardio or go on an extreme diet then they’ll get where they want to go. You need to take a hard look at what you’re doing to decide whether you truly need to add something in or eliminate. Sometimes it’s not a good idea to add more, but subtract aspects of your lifestyle that continue to hold you back and harm you in the long run. Create fertile ground. Rubin’s work life flourished but his lifestyle was out of whack. If doctors simply told him to eat less before he fixed the other stuff, he probably wouldn’t have gotten nearly the same results. Your life needs to be conducive to creating the body you want and until it is, nothing will happen. If you’re looking for a quick-fix, this isn’t what you want to hear, but you got to look at all the aspects and establish a rhythm. Get adequate rest. Be active. Eat the right foods. Then learn to eat the right amounts. If you’re constantly struggling, are you seeking guidance? You have to know yourself. Some people have the iron will to quit bad habits cold turkey. But like Rubin, he sought the help of experts who could see blind spots and hold him accountable. Are you really trying all available solutions or haphazardly dabbling (and really just doing what you’ve always done)? Kind of doing something for two or three weeks does not constitute as trying. If you say something isn’t working, ask yourself, “Have I done this with 90 percent compliance for a minimum of six weeks?” If you haven’t, then it shouldn’t surprise you if nothing’s changed. Rubin’s changes took well over a year. Understand that serious progress takes time. And finally: Be persistent. When you start to think you’ve exhausted all the alternatives, just remember: you haven’t. spt
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*WINNER - 2015 San Pedro Restaurant of the Year* *WINNER - 2015 California Small Business of the Year*
(*Awarded by the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce and State Senator Isadore Hall, III)
DID YOU KNOW...?
In over a half century since we started, here’s a short list of the accomplishments we are proud to share with our hometown: •
We are the largest fish market/restaurant in Southern California and of one of the largest in the entire country with seating for nearly 3,000 and more than ONE MILLION served in the last 12 months.
•
We draw seafood lovers from all over the country, from every walk of life and every demographic. We have fans in at least 38 states!
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We co-host the World’s Largest Lobster Festival drawing tens of thousands of visitors to San Pedro every year since 1999 AND we’ve been awarded four Guinness World Records for our work on the Lobster Festival.
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We employ over 100 local residents with starting pay well above minimum wage while also offering healthcare, 401k and paid vacations.
•
For hundreds of local kids, San Pedro Fish Market was their first job. Many have come back to thank us for the invaluable lessons of hard work and responsibility that carried them into successful careers as doctors, teachers, nurses, attorneys, accountants, longshoremen, police officers, POLA workers and even as an L.A. City Councilman.
•
We support many local organizations in San Pedro, including the YWCA, Boys and Girls Club, Mary Star, Holy Trinity, San Pedro High School, POLA High School and dozens of other non-profits.
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We are moving to make San Pedro nationally synonymous with fine seafood by launching our World Famous Shrimp Trays into retail stores. San Pedro Fish can be found in more than 800 grocery stores across six states and we’re growing! These include Safeway, Food4Less, Sam’s Club as well as others.
1190 Nagoya Way, San Pedro, CA 90731 | (310) 832-4251 | www.SanPedroFish.com
40 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I JULY 2015
7/31/15
TOP 5 REASONS TO CHOOSE DR. GIRI PALANI
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Clean, ultra-modern, relaxing office. The latest diagnostic & imaging hardware and software. Patient concierge, numerous patient amenities & friendly professional staff. Computer-guided surgery.
Entire Procedure in One Office
Dr. Palani expertly performs every aspect of your procedure. Unlike some offices, you are not referred to 2 or 3 additional dentists and/or appointments. In most instances the patient can receive a fixed set of teeth the same day.
The Best Equipment & Material
Dr. Palani uses only the finest materials, from start to finish you can be assured that we will use only the best materials both in office and in our Adanced Milling Center
Most Experienced Provider
With more than a decade of experience, Dr. Palani has been credentialed by the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. His experience in both Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry is second-tonone. Thousands of patients agree.
TRUST THE EXPERT, DR. GIRI PALANI
7/31/15
Lowest Fees & Highest Quality
Because Dr. Palani and his staff have perfected the protocols, has a full-service Dental Lab & Milling Center, and performs the entire procedure himself, he can offer a higher quality product at the best price.