OCTOBER 2019
PLUS: MACBETH AT THE GRAND ANNEX | SAN PEDRO'S HAPPY HOURS | 2019 PREP VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW
THE SPT Q&A
FINDING SOLUTIONS HOMELESS ADVOCATE AMBER SHEIKH GINSBERG DISCUSSES SAN PEDRO'S HOMELESS CRISIS, WHAT'S BEING DONE TO SOLVE IT, AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP
Dr. Souzan Ardalan & Associates
Comprehensive Dental Care & Implant Center Backed by 25 years of experience
WHEN YOU VISIT OUR DENTAL OFFICE IN WEYMOUTH CORNERS, YOU FEEL RIGHT AT HOME. Whether you require a cleaning, teeth whitening, invisible braces by Invisalign®, crowns, implants or any other General or Specialty dental procedure, our office will ensure that you are comfortable and have a pleasant experience. OLD-FASHIONED STYLE OF PATIENT CARE IS WHAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT!
Great Smiles Begin Here! 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
ASSOCIATES Ian Woo, D.D.S., MD. Education: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Los Angeles County / University of Southern California Medical Center
Dr. Marvis Sorrel, D.M.D., M.D.S.
SERVICES & SPECIALTIES • General Cosmetic and Children’s Dentistry • Oral Surgery • Dental IMPLANTS • Permanent Implant Supported Dentures • Orthodontics (Traditional Braces & Invisalign) • Periodontics • Sleep Apnea
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(310) 832-5559
Education: University of Pittsburgh, Master of Science in Dentistry, Doctor of Dental Medicine Advanced Education in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Orthognatic Surgery Externship / Invisalign Certification
Dr. Rebekah Coriaty Education: University of Pacific Professional Association: American Dental Association California Dental Association
Dr. Miles Madison Education: 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
Ready to Learn about Dental Implants? What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is surgically anchored into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in place. The benefit of using implants is that they don’t rely on neighboring teeth for support and they are permanent and stable. Implants look and feel like natural teeth.
What is an Implant Support Denture?
While a regular denture rests on the gums and are not stable, An implant-supported denture is a type of overdenture that is supported by and attached to implants by special attachments for better fit and retention. There are two types of implant-supported dentures: bar-retained and ballretained. In both cases, the denture will be made of an acrylic base that will look like gums. Porcelain or acrylic teeth that look like natural teeth are attached to the base. Both types of dentures need at least two implants for support.
Your dentist can help you . . .
Can anyone receive dental implants?
Talk with your dentist about whether you are an implant candidate. You must have the proper bone structure for the implant to stay in place. People who are unable to wear dentures may also be good candidates.
What can I expect during this procedure?
The dentist must perform surgery to anchor the “artificial root� into or on your jaw bone. The procedure is done in the dental office with local anesthesia. The gum is then secured over the implant, which will remain covered until it fuses with the bone. The dentist then uncovers the implant and attaches an extension, or post, to the implant. Finally, the dentist makes an artificial tooth, or crown, or dentures that attach to the implant post.
What is the cost of implants?
Dental implants for replacement of a single tooth are affordable and most dental and medical insurance policies cover portion of the cost. Your dentist can help you with this process.
Dr. Souzan Ardalan & Associates
Please call to make an appointment for a complimentary consultation
Located in WEYMOUTH CORNERS 1409 W. 8th St., San Pedro
We accept all PPO insurances
Dr. Ian Woo, Oral Maxillofacial surgeon, M.D.
310.832.5559
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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One can’t help but feel inspired after having a conversation with Amber Sheikh Ginsberg. At a moment when the homeless crisis seems to have reached a tipping point in San Pedro, and people are frustrated at what seems like the lack of positive progress, it’s good to know folks like Ginsberg are leading the charge towards finding real and sustainable solutions. Ginsberg, the managing senior associate for Thurlow/Associates, a nonprofit consulting firm, is one of the organizers of the CD15 Working Group on Homelessness, and has been a passionate and outspoken authority on the topic for more than a decade. Her advocacy work was recognized earlier this year when she was awarded the Leadership Award by the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce at their 2019 Business Awards Luncheon. In our interview, we spoke about a number of topics regarding the homeless crisis, including fact versus fiction in identifying San Pedro’s real homeless population, the proven solutions (hint: it’s housing), and what is being done specifically in San Pedro to help alleviate our current homeless situation. It’s a fascinating conversation that clears a lot of the confusion many people may have regarding this issue. I
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hope that after you read our interview, you come away with a better understanding of the problems we’re facing, and how so many other societal issues are intermingled with homelessness. We all have a role to play in helping solve this problem. BUKOWSKI SUPPORT Thanks to those who have already donated to the San Pedro Heritage Museum’s Bukowski in Bronze statue project we featured last month. At press time, the project has raised more than $4,000 with a goal of $150,000. We have 10 months left to meet the goal by Bukowski’s 100th birthday on August 16, 2020. (Full disclosure: I’m on the board of the SPHM and am also on the Bukowski in Bronze committee.) If you’d like to contribute, visit gofundme.com/bukowski, or you can attend two upcoming fundraising events: the Haunted History Tour (10/12) and the All Souls Day Mediumship Reading (11/2). The events are expected to be a lot of fun, with all of the proceeds going to fund the Bukowski in Bronze project. All the information on these events can be found on page 8. For more information, visit sanpedroheritage.org. spt Joshua Stecker is publisher/editorin-chief of San Pedro Today. Letters to the Editor can be emailed to contact@sanpedrotoday.com.
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OCTOBER 2019 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 5
OCTOBER 2019
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ADVERTISING:
ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION
Patricia Roberts (562) 964-8166 | patricia@sanpedrotoday.com
AT-LARGE CONTRIBUTORS
Shana Ghekiere (310) 753-5176 | shana@sanpedrotoday.com
Joshua J. Stecker
Joseph A. Castañeda
Pastor Nathan Hoff, Ricky Magana, Steve Marconi, Jennifer Marquez, Joshua Parker, MA, Anthony Pirozzi, Jr., Angela Romero, Jamaal K. Street, Jennifer T. Taggart
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 11 | NUMBER 9
General Inquiries: ads@sanpedrotoday.com
EMPIRE22 MEDIA LLC OWNER/PUBLISHER Joshua J. Stecker
San Pedro Today publishes the last Thursday of every month and is produced monthly by Empire22 Media LLC. No portion of this publication can be reproduced without written permission by Empire22 Media. 25,000 copies are delivered to San Pedro and portions of Rancho Palos Verdes. San Pedro Today is a product of Empire22 Media LLC. Empire22 Media LLC, their subsidiaries and affiliates are released from all liability that may involve the publication of San Pedro Today. Copyright 2009-2019, Empire22 Media LLC.
ON THE COVER: Amber Sheikh Ginsberg, homeless advocate and consultant, photographed at San Pedro United Methodist Church (photo: John Mattera Photography)
6 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2019
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OCTOBER 2019 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 7
OCTOBER Every Tuesday — SEWING CLASS FOR BEGINNERS at Waterfront Studio (525 N. Harbor Blvd across from the fountain), 5:30 - 7:30p. Taught by Jennifer from Donna Jason Designs. $25 per class. For more info, email jennifer@donnajason.com. Every Wednesday – CREATIVE WRITING CLASS FOR KIDS at The Corner Store (1118 W. 37th St.), 4:30 – 5:45p. Taught by San Pedro Today columnist, Jennifer Marquez. $10 per class. For more info, email jennifermarquez@yahoo.com. Every Friday – SAN PEDRO TEEN SUPPORT GROUP. 4p. A safe place to explore issues like making friends, dealing with bullies, peer pressure, managing stress, self-esteem, body image & much more. For more info, visit artemiscenter.net or call (310) 809-2011. 3-6 (Thurs-Sun) – SAN PEDRO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL at the Warner Grand Theatre (478 West 6th St.). SPIFF celebrates the diverse culture and community of San Pedro with a wide spectrum of independent film, documentaries, and shorts. This year’s films include: Misty Button (10/4), Lords of Flatbush 45th anniversary screening, (10/5), and Robert Scheer: Above The Fold (10/6). For complete schedule and tickets, visit SPIFFest.org. 3 (Thurs) – FIRST THURSDAY ARTWALK in Downtown San Pedro, 6 – 9p. Live music, food trucks, art gallery displays, and food and drink specials from local bars and restaurants. Experience the most anticipated monthly event in San Pedro. 5 (Sat) – ECOFEST at Dane Dana Friendship Park (1805 W. 9th St.), 9a2p. FREE arts, environment and garden festival! Learn about nature and the environment. A family event sponsored by the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council. For more info, visit nwsanpedro.org.
5 (Sat) – SAN PEDRO MOMS CLUB TRUCK OR TREAT at Christ Lutheran (28850 S Western Ave., RPV), 9a-12p. Food Trucks! Bake Sale! Candy! Jumpers! Costume Contest! Fundraiser for Harbor Interfaith and Salvation Army. Advanced tickets $15/family can be purchased at moms-club-of-san-pedro. square.site, or $20/family at the door. 9 (And Every Wed in Oct.) – MASTER GARDENER CLASS at the Point Fermin Lighthouse (807 W. Paseo Del Mar), 9:30a-12p. Master Gardener classes every Wednesday in October (9, 16, 23, and 30). Organized by the UC Regents, classes will cover topics that are a part of the "Grow L.A. Victory Garden Initiative." Sign up for one class or all four. $15 per class or $55 for the series. Please call (310) 241-0684 for more info. 12 (Sat) – SAN PEDRO BAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL BEER TASTE at The Muller House Museum (1542 S. Beacon St.), 3-6p. Enjoy a lovely afternoon overlooking the waterfront with great beer, delicious hors d'oeuvres, and an exciting silent auction! Tickets $25/per person (suggested donation). For more info, visit sanpedrobayhistoricalsociety.org or call (310) 365-8873. Space is limited. Don't miss the fun! 12 (Sat) – HAUNTED HISTORY TROLLEY TOUR. 6p. Join us for the first ever Haunted History Trolley Tour! Hear all about the spooky sightings and learn the history behind these San Pedro locations. It wouldn't be a true local ghost tour without stopping at the site of one of the most famous hauntings in the country. Primarily a trolley tour, there will be some walking. Tickets $50. Space is limited. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go to support the San Pedro Heritage Museum. For more info and tickets, visit sanpedroheritage.org. 13 (Sun) – PUMPKIN CARVING at Miraleste Library (29089 Palos Verdes Drive E, RPV), 2 - 4p. Join us a for a
8 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2019
family-friendly pumpkin carving class! Jim Morey of VIP Carvings will host this fun and creative event. No reservations required. For information please call (310) 377-9584 x452. For more info, visit pvld.org. 19 (Sat) – SPOOKY NIGHT AT THE LIGHT at Point Fermin Lighthouse (807 W. Paseo Del Mar), 5-7p. Enjoy a family fun night of old-fashioned spooky entities and occurrences at the historic 1874 lighthouse. Gather around the bonfire; sip some apple "spider"; enjoy crafty activities; and tour the lighthouse for trick or treats. Costumes encouraged. Admission: Non-members – Adults $10/Family $15; Society Members – Adults $8/ Family $10. Admission FREE with new membership. Text (310) 293-8000 for reservations. Provide name; phone #; number in party; and number of children. All children need to be accompanied by an adult (over 21). 24 (Thurs) — FRIENDS OF SAN PEDRO LIBRARY ANNUAL DINNER at Michael's Tuscany Room (470 West 7th Street), Doors at 6p, dinner at 6:30p. Guest speaker will be Angela Romero, San Pedro Historian and founder of the San Pedro Heritage Museum. $35 per person. Reservations are available online at friendsspl.org and at San Pedro Library. For more info, call (310) 832-6288. 25 (Fri) 10th ANNUAL TRUNK OR TREAT at Christ Lutheran (28850 S Western Ave., RPV), 7-8:30p. FREE! For more info, call (310) 831-0848 or visit christrpv.com. 26 (Sat) – 17th ANNUAL SCARY STORIES at Angels Gate Cultural Center (3601 S. Gaffey St.), 6:30p. Snuggle up for an all-new program of spellbinding stories suitable for young and old, living and…shhh! Radio theatre under the stars! Bring your own seating
and dress warmly. Picnics welcome. Free folding chairs on site. $5 general admission. Children 6 and under – free. For information call (310) 519-0936 or info@angelsgateart.org. 26 (Sat) – HAPPY HAUNTING at the Point Fermin Lighthouse (807 W. Paseo Del Mar), 1-4p. All children are invited to trick or treat at the lighthouse on Saturday, October 26. Kids can make a treat bag, Halloween crafts and play games and trick or treat through the “haunted” lighthouse. Free popcorn for all kids dressed in costume. FREE Admission! All children should be accompanied by an adult. Please call (310) 241-0684 for more info. Nov. 2 (Sat) – ALL SOULS DAY MEDIUMSHIP READING at Angels Gate Cultural Center, Building H (3601 S. Gaffey St.), 6:30p. Tradition has it that the veil between this world and the spiritual realm is thinnest on All Souls Day. Join local award-winning psychic Mary O'Maley for a special night of communing with loved ones beyond the veil and learning ways to continue the connection on your own. Whether you're curious or you've got a question, Mary urges you to come and Just Ask! Tickets $50 presale, $60 at the door. Space is limited. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go to support the San Pedro Heritage Museum. For more info and tickets, visit sanpedroheritage.org. Nov. 9 (Sat) – MOANA OUTDOOR MOVIE SCREENING at Bogdanovich Park (1920 Cumbre Dr.), 4p. FREE outdoor movie showing of the Disney animated film Moana. The fun starts at 4p, movie starts at sunset. Bring chairs & blankets to enjoy this Disney classic under the stars. Also collecting packages of NEW SOCKS to help our friends in need. Sponsored by the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council. For more info, visit nwsanpedro.org. spt
Want to see your event here? Email events@sanpedrotoday.com to place a listing. Deadline for the November 2019 issue is Friday, October 18. Find more events at facebook.com/sanpedrotoday.
FEEDBACK
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, Steve Marconi's article is right on ("What Should Be Trending Downtown Is the Past", Sept. 2019). San Pedro’s downtown is more of a disgrace than being "trendy or boutique like." The homeless problem is out of control, law enforcement is limited to enforce laws because of our liberal politicians. Bob Nizich, a local attorney, has been complaining about the conditions around the downtown post office and surrounding areas for years, yet things are getting worse daily. We have citizens cleaning up the messes these vagrants create, which is commendable for them, but these conditions shouldn't be allowed to happen. The September edition also [featured a story] about raising money to erect a bronze statue of Charles Bukowski who was a "legendary poet" who lived in San Pedro during the later years of his life. While this person may have been well-known elsewhere, I can think of a least two people, Matty Domancich and Mel Bobich, who lived here most of their lives and have contributed to San Pedro in numerous ways, but there is no mention of erecting anything for them. In my opinion, recognition should be given to those who contributed to the community, not to those who happen to live here. Kenneth M. Bezich
Dear Editor, Just read Steve Marconi’s article concerning some current trends in the downtown/San Pedro development ("What Should Be Trending Downtown Is the Past", Sept. 2019), and I couldn’t agree with him more. One of the main attractions of San Pedro is its link with the past. This link with the past architectural styles is something that completes the history of San Pedro for residents and visitors alike. Hiding underneath the “modernization” of the store fronts that has taken place are often the original facades that, with some sympathetic repairs,
could be spectacular and help give San Pedro back its identity. I hope our councilman and staff in the Los Angeles Planning and Development Department can insist that the future developments retain the visual link with our historic past. Christine Sanburg
Hi Joshua, Yesterday, I picked up the latest issue of San Pedro Today at Colossus Bread, which is only a block and a half away from my house. I'm a very recent San Pedro transplant after bouncing around L.A.'s Westside for 15 years. Reading your magazine filled me with excitement about my new community and helped validate the big move I've just made. I especially loved the feature article you wrote on Sirens. Kudos on a great cover story and a great issue! Also, as a longtime Bukowski fan, I was thrilled to read about the statue project and, as a writer, immediately began drafting of the inspiration of his spirit, remembering the first time I came to San Pedro to visit his gravesite. "Don't try," two words that really stick to you. I work for the Recording Academy/GRAMMYs as senior editor, where I write and edit for GRAMMY. com, conduct interviews, host a podcast, and more. I'm also a songwriter/musician, playing 2-3 gigs/ week all around town. I believe in supporting local music and arts and can't wait to explore and contribute to San Pedro's creative community. Above all, just wanted to let you know I enjoy the magazine. It made this San Pedro newbie feel a little more at home.
V
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Thanks! Nate Hertweck Letters to the Editor can be emailed to contact@sanpedrotoday.com. Letters may be edited for length, grammar and clarity. Letters must include your full name in order to be considered for publication. OCTOBER 2019 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 9
VOICES
COUPLE’S MARRIAGE, LIKE THEIR HOUSE, WITHSTANDS TEST OF TIME by Steve Marconi
It wasn’t planned, but you get stories about two long marriages in this month’s magazine, one just ended (see Pastor Nathan Hoff’s column on pg. 36) and one ongoing. World War II had been over only two years when Ljubo Matulich married Mary Valich in Los Angeles. They soon moved to San Pedro, where Ljubo, now 103, and Mary, 92, celebrated their 72nd anniversary on Sept. 7. The Matuliches have lived in the same house on the 1900 block of S. Walker (not to be confused with the
non-related Matuliches who lived three doors down on the corner of 19th and S. Walker) for 65 years. They paid $8,000 for it, and he had to borrow money from his brother to make the purchase. It’s where they raised the three Matulich boys, all of whom attended Leland Street Elementary, Dana Junior High and San Pedro High. All three – John (W`67), Bob (S`69) and Joe (`72) – played basketball for the Pirates. Ljubo has a story many San Pedro Croatians can relate to. He was born on the Adriatic island of Molat in 1915 and, while still a teenager, joined the merchant marine, where he wore shoes for the first time. He jumped ship in New York and headed west, where he had a brother, and joined
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the burgeoning Croatian fishing community in San Pedro. He later went to work for Todd Shipyards, where he injured his back and retired on workers’ comp at age 65. Mary was born in New York in 1926. According to daughter-in-law Lisa, Ljubo heard about Mary through the Croatian grapevine and decided, sight unseen, he wanted to marry her. When she moved to Boyle Heights, they met. He took the Red Car across town to take her dancing. After courting her for eight months, they got married. Ljubo told Lisa that if Mary had turned him down, he was prepared to return to what was then Yugoslavia. For her part, Mary was disappointed in Ljubo’s dancing skills, but obviously it wasn’t a deal breaker. With all of her boys going through Leland Street, it’s no surprise Mary ended up working there herself as an office assistant for 20 years. In retirement, the Matuliches traveled, frequently to Las Vegas and a couple of trips to Croatia. Lisa said her in-laws were creatures of routine: washing day was Monday, family dinners were Wednesdays. Ljubo made sweet wine at his nephew’s cellar. Lisa said it was only about four years ago when age finally began to catch up to them. They remain in their home, but require full-time care. Ljubo has outlived six brothers and sisters; Mary has outlived four siblings. They have eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Who says marriages don’t last? Bragging Rights I don’t write often about my family, mainly because they don’t want me to, but I’m rather proud of what the women in my life have accomplished lately. My daughter-in-law, Liz, recently received her chief mate’s license after a grueling testing process. As I’m writing, she is somewhere in the Central Pacific, second in command of an APL container ship delivering cargo to far-
flung ports in Guam, South Korea, and Japan. How rare are women chief mates? Well, according to Wendy Karnes at the Masters, Mates and Pilots office, there are some 200 qualified chief mates in the union, and perhaps a dozen are female. Liz, who was born in San Pedro and grew up in Long Beach, graduated from Cal Maritime Academy in 2003 with her degree and a third-mate’s certificate. That was where she met our son, who was attending Chico State. Her advance through the ranks was delayed by motherhood, but she and our son agreed early on that theirs would be an unconventional marriage. Wendy said, “Getting to chief mate level with children is difficult,” noting that having a devoted stay-at-home husband makes a big difference. The fact they have given us two brilliant, beautiful granddaughters is a credit to both of them. We’ve always felt our son married well, but now that his mate is a chief, she deserves a real salute. Closer to home, my wife is back at work as a kindergarten teacher for LAUSD after missing an entire year. She fell and broke her shoulder last summer, just a week before school was to start, and as a result of that break suffered a stroke in November. She fell again and broke her wrist. She’s overcome much adversity; she could have retired but wants to leave a career she loves on her terms. She’s worked hard to get back in the classroom, but there is no discounting the impact of faith and prayer on her recovery. It’s been a long, painful road, and it took a special woman to complete the journey. I married well, too. spt Steve Marconi can be reached at spmarconi@yahoo.com. Note: column has been edited from print version.
OCTOBER 2019 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 11
VOICES
CHALLENGE FOR CHARITY by Anthony Pirozzi, Jr. Over the past decade writing for San Pedro Today, you may have realized that I have a deep passion for making San Pedro a better place for the future, as well as supporting our youth to believe in themselves to accomplish their dreams. I have enjoyed sharing my story with thousands of youth over the years regarding my personal journey of growing up in San Pedro to becoming an aerospace executive. I continue to share this journey in hopes of inspiring, motivating, and mentoring our youth. Today’s youth also inspire and motivate me with their stories of personal struggles and how they work to overcome adversity and to push higher and farther for their future. It is an amazing experience for me each and every time the focus is on our youth and their future. So, when Councilman Joe Buscaino asked me to join him in raising money for the Boys & Girls Club athletic program, I was all in. When I asked how we were going to raise the money, he said we’d do it through All Fit Gym’s six-week challenge to lose 20 pounds. We had discussed doing something similar in the past, but now it seemed like the right time. I watched my wife succeed in this challenge, but never planned on doing it myself, especially knowing how difficult it could be. Fundraising was simple: for every pound Buscaino and I lost combined, his office would donate $100 to the club. The opportunity to raise money for the kids was exciting, but I quickly realized that the commitment would require me to take the 5 a.m. class five days a week so as to not interfere with my work and personal schedule. Getting workouts done first thing in the morning seemed like a good idea, but getting up at 4:30 a.m.? I began to think about the opportunity to improve my personal health throughout the challenge and began to get fired up. The need to improve our health requires focus, commitment, and planning each day. It is also important to understand what health risks run in 12 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2019
your family so as to truly work towards a healthier lifestyle. On too many occasions, we avoid this self-evaluation until something critical happens, and we find ourselves hospitalized or on medications. None of us are immune. For example, diabetes runs in Buscaino’s family as it does mine, but heart disease is more prevalent on my side. I started this year weighing 247 pounds, diagnosed as pre-diabetic, and in need to lower my bad cholesterol. Sound familiar? So, my New Year’s resolution turned to action. I began eating better, cutting out sugar in my coffee, reduced snacking, reduced sweets, and walked a few miles every night. By June, I dropped 15 pounds. When we returned from our family vacation in Italy (walking 140 miles while we were there), my cholesterol dropped, and I was no longer pre-diabetic. I was pretty happy with the results but knew I had more to do. This challenge came at the right time. At the challenge weigh in, I ramped back up to 238 pounds. After three weeks of eating the right foods and working out six days a week, I am now down to 220 pounds, two pounds away from the 20-pound challenge goal. There is no doubt the councilman and I will achieve the 20-pound challenge and raise $4,000 for the Boys & Girls Club. Promoting healthy living and being able to endorse and fund athletic programs for kids was a winning recipe for me, personally. Programs for kids are so important today, especially with the work demands on families and getting our kids off of their phones to enjoy what is around them. Sports is one way that brings both of these elements together. Who knows, with the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, we could be cheering on a local athlete who becomes an Olympian. The real challenge for me will begin once the six weeks are over in order to maintain the weight loss and sustain the health improvements I made. I will take it one step at a time. spt Anthony Pirozzi, Jr. is a Los Angeles Harbor Commissioner. He can be contacted at apirozzi@yahoo.com.
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DISCOVERING SAN PEDRO’S HAPPY HOURS by Jennifer Marquez Happy hours have evolved over the years, especially here in San Pedro. The term, which goes back to the 19th century as U.S. Naval slang, became associated with drinking during the Prohibition Era where the term was “a euphemism for drinking sessions ahead of dinner in public restaurants where serving alcohol was illegal." (Origin of Everyday Things by Johnny Acton, Tania Adams, Matt Packer). Today, happy hours are often associated with drink deals, but many local restaurants also offer deep discounts on food, as well. Restaurants like Think Prime offer 35 types of appetizers at half price during their happy hour, while across town at 22nd Street Landing, one can enjoy great deals on food and cocktails while taking in a beautiful view of the marina. Happy hours are a great way to save on a night out while trying out different restaurants around town. Select drinks and appetizers are up to half off at some local spots. Whether you are meeting for your book club or having a special night with a significant other, San Pedro has a great offering of happy hours to choose from. (Note: Happy hour times and prices listed are subject to change. Be sure to confirm with the restaurants for their current specials.) J. Trani’s Ristorante One of San Pedro’s oldest and most beloved restaurants, the Trani family has been feeding San Pedrans for close to a century. Their half-circle bar is one of the most recognizable in town. Domestic beers are $4 and house wines are $5 (imports are only a dollar more). Their happy hour menu ranges from $4-$7 and includes their famous calamari, French fries, prime beef ribs, fish tacos and chicken wings. Get there early as this is one of old San Pedro’s most popular watering holes. Happy Hour: Tues.-Wed. 4-5:30 p.m., Thurs.Fri. 3-5:30 p.m. 584 W. 9th Street, (310) 832-1220.
(photo: Helena Lopes/Pexels.com)
The Whale & Ale Sample English favorites like good ol’ English fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and sausage rolls. Dishes are offered as half-sized portions ranging from $4-$8. Draft beer, well cocktails, and house wines are $5. Be sure to say hello to the owner, Andrew Silber, while you are there. With his British accent and deep San Pedro knowledge, he is part of the charm of the restaurant. Happy Hour: Mon. 5-9 p.m., Tues.-Fri. 3-6 p.m. 327 W. 7th Street, (310) 832-0363. 2800 Kitchen & Lounge Don’t let the ever-changing name fool you. The restaurant inside of the Doubletree Hotel has a large, outside patio overlooking the Cabrillo Marina with heaters, and a large area inside that includes a pool table, tables, and couches. Nachos, wings, quesadillas and cheese fries are $4, select beers and wines are $5, and well drinks are $4. Parking is free with a large lot in front of the hotel. Happy Hour: Sun.-Thurs. 4-7 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 7-10 p.m. 2800 Via Cabrillo-Marina, (310) 514-3344. San Pedro Brewing Co. San Pedro’s version of Cheers, where you’ll probably run into someone you know. Appetizers and half orders are priced under $4. Order a few for the table to sample the calamari, sliders, wings, ceviche and Gaffey fries. Don’t forget the infamous Pedro Punch or 6th Street Mule for $6.75. House wine $4.75 and draft beer brewed in-house for $5.75. Happy Hour: Mon.-Fri. 2-6 p.m. 331 W. 6th Street, (310) 831-5663.
artichoke dip, and a charcuterie platter of cheese and sliced meats. Select drinks are $5. Happy Hour: Daily from 4:30-7 p.m., and Monday until closing. Sat. & Sun. have an additional happy hour from 10 p.m. to midnight. Consider taking a rideshare as parking is limited. 29601 S. Western Ave., (310) 221-0415. 22nd Street Landing Seafood Grill Overlooking the Cabrillo Marina, this waterfront view can’t be beat. Well drinks, beer, and wine are $5, and appetizers like fish tacos and other assorted items are discounted in the bar only. Happy Hour: Tues.-Fri. 3-6 p.m. 141 W. 22nd Street, (310) 832-8304.
Green Onion This large Mexican restaurant always seems to be the place to be with regular margaritas for $4 and domestic bottled beer for $2.50. Assorted appetizers are $5.95. Happy Hour: Mon.-Fri. 4-7 p.m. in the bar only. Consider taking a rideshare as parking is limited. 145 W. 6th Street, (310) 519-0631.
Babouch Moroccan Restaurant The décor is exotic, and the food has a Middle Eastern flair. Enjoy $5 drinks and appetizer specials like kabobs, hummus, spicy cigars, and spanakopita. Happy Hour: all night Tues., Wed.-Fri. 5-7 p.m. Belly dancers perform after happy hour. 810 S. Gaffey St., (310) 8310246.
Crazy Fish Grill & Market San Pedro’s newest fish restaurant, conveniently located across from Cold Stone Creamery, offers half-off beer and wine and 20% off appetizers for their happy hour. Crazy bowls are also 15% off. Happy Hour: daily 2-5 p.m. 28158 S. Western Ave., (310) 547-9968.
Pappy’s Seafood On the corner of 6th and Centre in the old Papadakis Taverna building, this maritime-themed restaurant offers draft beer for $5 and assorted well drinks for $6, with discounts on appetizers like a la carte tacos for $3. Happy Hour: Mon.-Fri. 3-6 p.m. 301 W. 6th Street, (424) 224-5444.
Blu Restaurant & Lounge Come meet the regulars on the first floor of the hotel. Happy hour deals are served at the bar. Beer and wine are $5 with assorted appetizer specials that Think Prime With a large appetizer menu offered include sliders, wings, and fries. Happy at half-price, ranging from $6-$15, there Hour: Mon.-Fri. 5:30-7:30 p.m. 601 S. Palos Verdes St., (310) 521-8080. is something for everybody. Popular dishes include prime rib sliders (don’t forget the horseradish), oysters, wings,
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Iron City Tavern Drink specials and half-price appetizers are offered at this local pub with a dedicated following. You’ll love it if you’re a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Happy Hour: Mon.-Fri. 4-6 p.m. 589 W. 9th Street, (310) 547-4766.
Puesta Del Sol Known for their famous molcajetes (not on the happy hour menu, but I can dream) and jalapeno margaritas, enjoy Margarita Monday with margaritas under $4 in the restaurant. Happy hour deals on food are $3.50- $6.95, and select drinks are under $5 in the bar only. Happy Hour: Mon.-Fri. 3-6 p.m. 1622 S. Gaffey St, (310) 833-9765. Happy hour times and prices are subject to change. Please take a rideshare if you plan to drink. If I missed a cool spot with a happy hour deal, let me know. Cheers! spt Jennifer Marquez can be reached at jennifertmarquez@yahoo.com and @jenntmqz on Twitter and Instagram.
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PSA
PREPARING FOR THE ‘BIG ONE’ by Jennifer T. Taggart, special to San Pedro Today
California residents often talk about getting prepared for earthquakes and wildfires, but few take the steps necessary to be truly prepared for such an emergency. Sure, you may have bought a kit, but do you even know where it is and whether it is up to date? Have you discussed your plans with your family? Being prepared for a major disaster involves several steps. The first step is figuring out what major disaster you may face. This is called “knowing your risks.” In California, the likely disasters are earthquakes and wildfires. Sure, other natural disasters might occur, but they are unlikely. Certain areas could face flooding and debris flows, but they are probably going to be localized. If you live in a likely area, you may want to add it to your list. The key is you want to plan for the disasters you are likely to face. Once you know your risks, the second step is developing a plan for those risks. This means thinking through the risks and formulating a family plan. If an earthquake strikes while you are at work and your kids are at school, what steps are you going to take? Do you have a place to meet? How are you going to get home? Talk this planning through with the adults in your household, and then your children. Make sure you consult what the school or childcare facility has in place, too. Our family plan changed over time as our kids got older, and we had primary, secondary and tertiary meet up locations depending on the disaster’s scope. When formulating your family plan, also try to identify a primary and secondary contact that is out of the area. Make sure everybody has this contact name and number memorized or written down. An out of the area contact may be the only way you can coordinate locations. Also, make sure that the emergency contact information for all members of the family include these
out-of-the-area contacts. The third step is making sure you have adequate supplies and resources to implement your family plan. In the event of an earthquake, it is quite likely you will need to shelter in place. If you are sheltering in place at home, you need to have adequate food, water, medications, pet food, shelter, etc., to address your needs. Some of this is going to depend on where you live. It is quite possible that parts of San Pedro could be cut off from main thoroughfares for several weeks. As such, you need to have adequate resources. What do you need to have? Food – You need food that you can prepare easily without your typical kitchen appliances in case you have no electricity and no gas. Fire-starting supplies – If you are going to cook, it is likely going to be on a fire, most likely in a barbeque. You may have propane and briquets on hand, but you are going to need to ignite them. Fire-starting supplies are important. Water – Watermains for clean drinking water could fail. The sewage system could be offline. Having water for drinking and to take care of sanitation needs for several weeks may be necessary. For drinking water, the recommendation is to store one gallon per day, per person, and per pet. You should have at least two weeks’ worth of water stored. You can use water bottles, or you might want to invest in water barrels. Consider a storage container that you can place in your bathtub and collect the water in the pipes. Make sure you have an easy way to access it. You should also consider storing extra water for cooking and you may need water for sanitation purposes. Also consider adding water purification tablets. Medical kit – Medical supplies, including prescription medications, for emergency medicine should be part of your preparations. A well-stocked first-
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aid kit may well save your life. In addition to the basic supplies, include bloodclotting bandages, a tourniquet, a bulb suction device (such as a turkey baster) for flushing wounds, a first-aid manual, hand sanitizer, and good scissors. Sanitary supplies – Unfortunately, in the event of an earthquake, you might not be able to take a shower or flush the toilet. In San Pedro, for most of the year, we are lucky, and with some baby wipes and a solar shower kit, you can probably stay clean. With some kitty litter, a 5-gallon bucket, and a pool noodle, you can fashion a toilet to get you through a couple of weeks. Make sure you have extra toilet paper, baby wipes, and hand sanitizer readily available. The additional items you may need are probably available at your house – cash, extra clothes, blankets, multipurpose tool, shovel, pocket chain saw, and pry bar. Other very useful items for an earthquake are puncture and abrasion resistant gloves (for handling debris), sturdy work boots, headlamp, solar chargers, portable generator, extra batteries, solar or hand crank radio, and face masks with filters for dust. Items for wildfires are going to include firesafe blankets, one-hour fire masks, and similar items. If you must be out of the area, your needs are going to change. Similarly, I have a get-home-safe bag that I take to work each day so that I can walk home from Downtown Los Angeles if the roads are impassable or if I cannot get my car out of the work parking garage. My bag includes sunscreen, change of clothes, hat, knives, pry bars, headlamp, flashlight, paper maps of area, solar charger, multi-purpose tool, collapsible walking stick, face mask, copies of personal documents (discussed below), extra cash, mylar blankets, small medical kit, portable chain saw (debris), puncture proof gloves (debris), food, water, sunglasses, baby wipes, sanitizer,
extra batteries, waterproof pouch with paper, pens and pencils, spray paint (for marking), fire-starting supplies, sewing kit, chap stick, my old prescription glasses, extra contacts, and some other items I deemed essential. Your kit may be different. You should always have your personal documents organized and you should keep a copy at home in a fireproof safe and waterproof container. Also store a set out of the area or store online securely. You should also protect your original important documents. This includes birth certificates, home insurance policy, social security cards, passports, etc. I would also scan and put on a flash drive photos of your home and possessions to show proof to your insurance carrier. We update this flash drive every six months with a new narrated video of our home and possessions. One is kept with our copies of our documents and the other is with my dad out of the area. Also keep your important contacts and policy numbers handy. The fourth step is to review your insurance. Make sure that you understand your coverages and update them as needed. Then, make sure you take pictures or a video of your home and your possessions for proof. You will not remember how many pairs of shoes you have or how many pots or how many toys, but replacing all those items is very expensive, so make sure you know what you have and that it is adequately covered. The fifth and final step is to review what you would need to do in the event of an actual emergency. Do you know how to shut off your gas? Do you know how to turn off your water main? Walk through your plan with your family and make sure it works for you. Practice makes perfect. Once you have it down, then you need to update it every six months and adjust as needed. spt
OCTOBER 2019 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 17
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'SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES'
NEW THEATRE COMPANY LAUNCHES WITH PREMIERE PRODUCTION OF SHAKESPEARE’S ‘MACBETH’ by Joshua Stecker
Bringing one of William Shakespeare’s most ambitious tragedies to the stage is no easy feat. Having it be the first production by your brand-new theatre company makes the task doubly impressive. For veteran acting couple Renee O’Connor and Jed Sura, producing a classically staged production of Macbeth as the first show of their new San Pedro theatre company is not only challenging, but also a dream come true. “It’s one of my favorites of Shakespeare’s plays,” says O’Connor. “I have always wanted to reprise the role of Lady Macbeth after performing as her with Shakespeare by the Sea in 2002.” Inspired by San Pedro’s ever-growing arts community, the couple toyed with the idea of doing the play as a standalone show where they could satiate their creative appetite and not have to commit to anything further. According to O’Connor, that idea changed quickly. “As we began the process of producing Macbeth as a stand-alone show, every obstacle we overcame pointed us in the direction of becoming a nonprofit, to share the arts as a traditional theatre company. By [doing that], we have the opportunity to put on more shows with greater production value, engage a greater array of students and members of the community, and give more opportunities for local actors to work in a professional environment.” Sura, who will act opposite his wife
as the titular Scottish general, adds, “We've always appreciated what San Pedro has to offer. Although a bit off the Hollywood grid, we really love the vibe of the Arts District.” In Macbeth, the title character (Sura), a brave Scottish general, is given a prophecy by three witches revealing that he will one day become King of Scotland. Fueled by ambition and coerced by his cunning wife (O’Connor), Macbeth wreaks havoc on his way to claiming the throne for himself, leaving a trail of victims in his wake. Ambition run amok and the struggle between fate and free will are just a few of the themes explored in Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy. “It’s a well-known tale and one of Shakespeare's greatest works, in my opinion,” says Sura. “We also thought this dark and creepy story would be a fun ticket around Halloween.” With limited performance space in San Pedro as it is, finding a stage that worked for a large production of more than 20 actors was a challenge. Fortunately, the intimate atmosphere of the Grand Annex, with its stage stretching 20-feet across, turned out to be the perfect spot to launch House of Bards. “We were looking for a decent-sized theater where we would control the atmosphere to create a seductive, dimly lit, foggy setting, and immediately immerse the audience into this medieval world,” says O’Connor. “The intimate
Jed Sura and Renee O'Connor star in Macbeth at the Grand Annex.
(photo: John Mattera Photography)
size of the Grand Annex lends itself as a moderately adaptable 99-seat theatrical experience.” O’Connor, who’s known around the world for her role as Gabrielle in Xena: Warrior Princess, started acting in Houston, Texas, in youth theatrical productions. After starring in 134 episodes of Xena (from 1995-2001), O’Connor continued working in film and television, but always returned to the stage. “I have always remained connected to the theatre,” says O’Connor, “I recently performed in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo & Juliet.” Sura, originally from Michigan, started acting in the theatre at sevenyears-old. He eventually moved to Los Angeles, winning roles on television shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Masters of Sex, and Criminal Minds, as well as a number of feature films. The couple wed in 2017 and currently reside in San Pedro. “Being that this is our first production as House of Bards, we are very focused on bringing great performances and production value to Macbeth,” says
Sura. “One of the fundamental reasons that Shakespeare’s work is still relevant today is the fact that all of his stories are timeless,” adds O’Connor. “His plays all revolve around issues that people have faced since the beginning of time and will continue to face forever.” The House of Bards Theatre Company's production of Macbeth is directed by Michael Richey and will feature more than 20 local and professional actors. With the anticipated success of Macbeth, House of Bards looks forward to continue producing more shows in the future. “What the future holds is always an unknown,” says Sura. “We will always strive to bring professional, high quality theatre to the community, which will hopefully allow them to engage and be a part of an intimate, unique, and educational experience.” spt Macbeth runs Oct. 11 – Nov. 3 (Thurs, Fri & Sun) at the Grand Annex (434 W. 6th St.). For tickets and more info, visit houseofbards.org.
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THE SPT Q&A
FINDING SOLUTIONS HOMELESS ADVOCATE AMBER SHEIKH GINSBERG DISCUSSES SAN PEDRO'S HOMELESS CRISIS, WHAT'S BEING DONE TO SOLVE IT, AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP interview by Joshua Stecker
Amber Sheikh Ginsberg (photo: John Mattera Photography)
Amber Sheikh Ginsberg is having a moment. The 34-year-old homeless advocate and consultant has emerged as one of the Harbor Area’s strongest voices for finding solutions to our current homeless crisis. Last year, she spearheaded the formation of the CD15 Working Group on Homelessness, which provides up-to-date information to neighborhood councils and advocacy groups in order to find answers to help alleviate the current crisis. A San Pedro resident and mother of two, the UC Davis grad was recently feted by the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce as their 2019 Leadership Award recipient for her continued advocacy work. Passionate and outspoken, Ginsberg recently sat with San Pedro Today to discuss the current state of homelessness in San Pedro, what’s being done to help solve the crisis, and what residents can do to help. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. San Pedro Today: How did you get started in homeless advocacy work? Amber Sheikh Ginsberg: I've worked in homeless services and poverty alleviation for 15 years, working with various nonprofits. I actually started my work in poverty alleviation in India. I grew up in the South Bay and while in college, went to Delhi on a fellowship/ research trip through both the United Nations and UC Davis to research microfinance, which are small loans to impoverished people. I was brought over
What brought you back to working in Los Angeles? I love this city and I love the South Bay. Unfortunately, I realized I didn't need to go to India to work with poverty at its worst, and the systems that created and perpetuate it. It was right here. I ended up at the Downtown Women's Center where I started working in homeless services. I worked on Skid Row right out of college. After that, I worked with an organization serving homeless children and their families in Long Beach and did some work for Marymount California University for a couple of years before ending up at Thurlow/Associates — a nonprofit consulting firm —where I’m the managing senior associate. I still work in homeless services, but as an organizational development consultant. At Thurlow/Associates, I work with social justice and social service organizations, helping them become stronger so they can do the work they need to do. I build the capacity of organizations so that their impact can be greater. Homeless services have always been where I felt most passionate, especially as it pertains to women and children.
because my major was international relations (with minors in women's and gender studies), and I speak Hindi. I'm half South Asian. In Delhi, I worked for a local nonprofit implementing UN microfinance programs. In the end, the nonprofit needed more help with fundraising and strategic planning, and I realized I was better at that than working directly with clients. I have more of a business and strategic mind when it comes to solving issues. I love working You’re known for being a strong with people one-on-one, but I'm just not and vocal advocate for homeless meant to be a social worker. solutions. With your background
22 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2019
and education, you could have gone into any number of industries. What fuels your passion about homeless advocacy? One of the many reasons this issue is so important to me is because I suffered from really intense perinatal mental health issues during my second pregnancy. I think this is why I became such a strong advocate at this point in my life. Halfway through my second pregnancy, I had a massive panic attack in the middle of the night. And they kept going. After three days of not sleeping, I ended up in Torrance Memorial. I felt crazy at that point. At that time, I was actually working back on Skid Row as a contractor for the Downtown Women’s Center. I had this ‘aha’ moment after essentially not sleeping for a week. I’m pregnant, with a two-year-old at home, and I realized the only difference between me and the women we were serving was that I had resources and a safety net. As part of my healing process, I determined that I was never going to look away from someone else experiencing this. Suffering from mental health issues derailed me in a manner that I can't even articulate, but it also grounded me in this work in such a deep way. If I didn't have a safety net, I would have done anything to feel better at that point. I would have lost everything.
OCTOBER 2019 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 23
Ginsberg with Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer at the 2019 San Pedro Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Luncheon where she received the Leadership Award.
(photo: John Mattera Photography)
hear, ‘Oh, we're building this shelter. We're building new housing,’ and they think of those 35 or so people at the post office encampment, I completely understand how folks react. ‘How are we going to move them into that?!’ It's like, ‘Well, I hope we can, but in the meantime, there are 580 others that we need to focus on.’
You’ve lived in San Pedro for a decade with your husband and two children, so you’ve witnessed firsthand how our homeless problem has devolved into a crisis, especially around the Beacon Street post office. As someone who works with these issues on a daily basis, what do you see when you drive past the post office? It's horrible. I actually spend less time in that encampment. I spend more time in Harbor City, which has our largest encampment in the council district around Lomita Blvd. It’s huge. On any given night, you can have between 40 and 90 individuals there. When I drive by any of the San Pedro encampments, I know they represent only 10 percent of the actual homeless population in our area. Maybe 15 percent at most. It's just the tip of the iceberg, and it’s also the most exacerbated and most extreme version of homelessness that we have. I use it like a litmus test of how bad it is at its worst. That's what you're looking at right there. But that's what people see here, and that perception is reality to most. Of course. I have to address and combat this all the time. I constantly tell people that what they see [around the
In your experience, what do you feel are the main contributors to this current homeless crisis? In the San Pedro area alone, we have 616 people with 616 stories. It's so individual. That being said, it is also the manifestation of so many other issues. If you care about domestic violence, you care about homelessness. If you care about workforce development, you care about homelessness. If you care about housing and equity, you care about homelessness. If you care about healthcare and mental illness, all of those things are part of the pipeline. That's also one of the reasons why tackling and advocating for this issue excites me. To solve homelessness, we will have to help solve all of these other issues, and vice versa. If we solve homelessness, we will tackle issues surrounding mental health, domestic violence, workforce and economic development in a very large way. I meet a lot of people throughout the day that say, ‘I could care less about the people that are living by the post office. I just want them out.’ I can't help post office] is one version of homebut remind them that if you care about lessness in San Pedro. But it is a very public education or domestic violence, small version. At last count, we have 616 homeless individuals in San Pedro. or healthcare or mental illness, you care about the system that affects those How many do we see around the post people. And those people affect those office? Twenty-five? Thirty? That does not define the 580 or so other homeless systems. It's much more interrelated than anyone thinks. individuals and families. At the core, the largest issue is housI often ask people, ‘Do you know ing inequity. If you can't get a job, can't how many homeless individuals are find good work, are struggling with actually in San Pedro that could be mental illness, gotten into an accident counted? The ones that are actually that put you out of a job. If you have findable?’ And they’ll answer, ‘Well, 65.’ And I say, ‘It’s more than 600.’ How suffered from domestic violence, childhood trauma, or any of these things, many do you not see? They're not in and then your housing is somehow your face. The vast majority are not taken away or at risk. It’s that simple. having a schizophrenic episode on the Then all these underlying issues become side of Gaffey. The majority of our homeless in San much more vulnerable and exposed. Our homeless issue is our fault. Pedro, at the last count, live in vehicles. Nobody wants to hear that, but it's It’s about 57 percent, which is why we decades in the making. We shut down don't see them. We also have people that are couch surfing. We have people our mental institutions in the 1980s. We dumped them on Skid Row. That's the that are living in hidden, makeshift shelters. They're not part of these visible origin of the vast homeless population encampments that we’re constantly see- of Los Angeles. We have multi-generational homelessness in L.A. We're one ing on social media. The vast majority of the only places that has that. of San Pedro’s homeless population is never really seen at all. In your experience, what part does When you approach this crisis with that understanding and context, it helps mental illness play in this crisis? I come across a lot of homeless everyone get a clearer picture of what you can do, and why we're trying to do individuals dealing with mental illness that either had issues before they were the things we are doing. When people
24 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2019
homeless or issues that have been exacerbated by living on the street. Plus, many do not have access to medication. During a lot of encampment clean-ups, they lose their medication. That means every two weeks they're losing meds and having to scramble to find them again. For anyone who's dealt with mental illness, that inconsistency is no way to deal with mental health issues. And sadly, it's easier to get meth than it is to get Zoloft on the street. What part do drugs play in all of this? Drug issues around the encampments did not come from the homeless population. We have a big drug problem in this city with a lot of criminal activity from very enterprising individuals who look at these encampments like a game of Candyland. It’s the worst of the worst. I see deals all the time at encampments, and it’s the people that do not live there that come in to take advantage of those that do. Ninety percent of women are sexually assaulted while being homeless. I can't even imagine what I would do if I was on the street and had literally no control over my life, or my body, or anything about myself. You can understand why the drug problem is prevalent. What do you say to people who blanketly categorize all homeless people as criminals, or as subhuman? We see that language a lot on social media. How do you respond to that? I hear that a lot. It's the ‘tip of the iceberg’ scenario that we were talking about earlier. It's the most visible element. That's literally all it is. Unless you can understand the totality of our population experiencing homelessness, being the whole 600-plus people, you can’t assess solutions based on the most wellknown and disruptive in San Pedro. I ask everyone who's reading this to do the exercise in their head. How many homeless people do you see with your naked eyes in San Pedro? In the confines of our beautiful, amazing town, how many do you see? And what percentage is that of the 616 homeless counted? It’s not a lot. What do you see happening on the ground in San Pedro to help solve this crisis? There are so many advocates working on this issue in San Pedro, compared to other areas, it’s incredible. We have the CD15 Working Group on Homelessness. It started out as neighborhood council-based, with representatives from the eight neighborhood councils in CD 15. We had a meeting and discovered everyone wanted more
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OCTOBER 2019 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 25
A homeless clean-up takes place (left) while large tents line the sidewalk outside the Beacon Street post office in these file photos from 2017. Not much has changed in the last two years. (photos: Joshua Stecker)
information on the homeless population and the solutions the city was offering. That evening, we emailed Councilman Buscaino’s office and asked for a senior staff representative to come to each of these meetings so they can give us actual updates. They did. Before we knew it, it turned into this large group of people who cared about this issue. About 20 to 85 people come to any meeting, with 300 to 400 people in the group total. One of the biggest challenges in servicing the homeless is convincing them to seek help. How do we help those who do not seek nor want it? Yeah, there's definitely a fraction of that population who falls into that camp. Understanding why they don't want services really helps. Shari Weaver from Harbor Interfaith Services will be one of the first to tell you how long street outreach takes. You may go out and a year later you're finally at the place with someone where they trust you enough to do something. A lot of people just don't trust systems. The reason that they're homeless is because the system has failed them over and over again. Not just one huge system, but many systems — healthcare, foster care, education, incarceration. It’s a horribly traumatic experience. The idea of going back indoors to help them deal with their issues can sometimes be the most frightening thing they can imagine. In your opinion, what do you think is the key to solving the homeless crisis? Housing. Housing is the number one solution. All kinds of housing, from
affordable to supportive. Supply and demand are what we're dealing with here in Los Angeles. That's why housing is so unaffordable. We don't have enough for the people here. We just need more of all kinds. Of course, I still believe in conservation and maintaining plenty of green space, but at the same time, we have room for more dense housing development. The only way for us to fix this problem is for this city not to look like it did 10 years ago, because that city helped create this problem. So, say yes to all kinds of housing. Say yes to fair market housing. Say yes to affordable housing. Say yes to supportive housing. There's always going to be underlying issues. The problem is, unless we have somewhere to stabilize someone, we can't even work on their other issues. Trying to get someone off drugs while they're living in a tent is really, really hard. It's been proven time and time again that Housing First is a model that works. When you look at supportive housing for those individuals that need it, the number of people that stay housed is 90 to 95 percent. Even if you don't care about homeless people at all, and you care about just your own money, house them and support them, because it's a huge cost savings for you as a taxpayer. At the end of the day, if we leave someone out on the street by the post office, and they cycle in and out of the emergency room, or in and out of jail because we need to ‘enforce laws around sleeping on the street,’ it’s costing taxpayers more money than just finding them housing. It's been
proven, for the people that live on the street versus those that we fully house and support, it's between a 20 and 60 percent cost savings for us. Even if you don't care about people and you just care about keeping your taxpayer money out of the system, house them.
neighborhood council meetings and going to planning and land use meetings. Anytime there's a development that comes up that includes housing and you feel like it's not completely out of the picture, say yes. Support it. Know that it's going to make this place better and safer, and more equitable for everyone. What do you think about L.A. Go volunteer at Harbor Interfaith Mayor Eric Garcetti's “A Bridge Services. I mean, even just making eye Home” initiative? contact with a homeless individual I am a huge supporter of “A Bridge helps. Everyone in this community has Home.” We, as a community, need to the opportunity to make someone's support this. Our San Pedro site [at 515 experience in this community better. N. Beacon St.] is going to have roughly Acknowledge someone's humanity, 100 beds. This site has the capacity to because if you do that, it can completely help every single person that's expetransform how much they care about riencing homelessness in San Pedro their own life, and how much they want within two years. It has the capacity to accept help. to do that, because people on average There will always be homeless are going to stay three to six months people, I'm not naive. But we can to stabilize and move forward. But, if absolutely solve this crisis here in San we don’t have housing ready for them, Pedro if we choose to do it. If we can they’ll just sit there, and then the other get out of our own comfort zone to do 500 or so homeless in our community it, we will. Most people think it’s up to are left outside. the city and the systems, but I feel it’s Also, Pastor Lisa Williams at San Pe- really up to this community. You have dro United Methodist Church is walkto be dedicated to saying, ‘I want San ing the walk. The church is building Pedro to be a better place for everyone. permanent, supportive housing on their For me, the homeless population, and church site. It’s setting a great example everyone in between.’ If that happens, I for San Pedro. That congregation said, have no doubt we’ll be a better commu‘We're doing it. This is our faith, and nity for it. this is what we're going to do with our This work has made me fall in love space.’ with San Pedro in the deepest way possible. I can't even fathom leaving this What can people reading this do to town because of all the friendships I've be a part of the solution? made in this advocacy work. It makes Anyone who wants to make San me want to make this place better. This Pedro better needs to make their voice place is already pretty awesome, but we heard. One of the biggest things is have so much more potential here, and advocating for more housing. That I'm not going to stop until we realize means something as simple as going to that potential. spt
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HOME WORK
A LOOK BACK AT THE RETAIL CLERKS STRIKE OF THE 1940S by Angela Romero
Haskell Tidwell (second from left) as president of San Pedro High School's Student Body in the winter of 1930. (Right) One of the many signs reflecting the Retail Clerks Strike. (photos: San Pedro Bay Historical Society)
When I first transferred to Cal State Long Beach earlier this year, I made sure to go to all of my professors’ office hours and introduce myself to them. Mainly, I wanted to warn them about me. They needed to know, if given the option, I would always write about San Pedro. They took the news pretty well and whole-heartedly welcomed my enthusiasm to class. My history methodology class used to be called “historian bootcamp.” It was kind of like an introduction to the profession, and it centered around a single 10-page research paper. We could choose any subject, so long as it was about labor or immigration. That didn’t limit me at all because, as far as I’m concerned, San Pedro is the product of labor and immigration. I used this assignment to finally look into a story I’d always promised to come back to, the Retail Clerks strikes in the 1940s. I’d first become interested in the story after coming across the picture of a young man, Haskell Tidwell. You should know, I’m a huge Harry Potter fan and the reason I was so interested in young Haskell was because he reminded me of Tom Riddle, the ambitious and talented student who would grow to become the most powerful dark wizard in history, Voldemort. Haskell Tidwell, or Hack, “Did a little bit of everything,” as one yearbook
caption read. When he graduated from San Pedro High School in the winter of 1930, he was manager of the football team, student body president, editor of the Black and Gold, and a champion orator. Haskell went on to USC and joined their debate team. He eventually dropped out to work on the congressional campaign of Charles Colden, San Pedro’s former Chamber of Commerce president and L.A. City Councilman. When Colden won, Haskell followed him to Washington, D.C. where he’d become chums with future president, Lyndon Johnson. After a while, Haskell returned to San Pedro where he helped reinvigorate a long dormant Local 905 of the Retail Clerks International Protective Association (RCIPA), the oldest chartered local in Los Angeles in the oldest international union of the American Federation of Labor (AFL). Haskell’s reign as Retail Clerks president began in 1935. After a failed attempt at running for California State Assembly, he devoted all of his attention to growing the fledgling union. In less than ten years, Local 905 had grown in numbers and strength, powerful enough to have won higher wages for fewer hours per week, time and a half, six paid holidays, paid vacation and sick leave, and closed shop (union hires only) in area retail establishments. The recipe for success came down
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to Haskell’s political experience and oratorical prowess coupled with the fact that Local 905 included San Pedro, Wilmington, Lomita and Torrance, some of the most pro-union areas in Los Angeles. The Retail Clerks were so powerful that they ran several chain stores out of the Harbor district during a series of strikes immediately following World War II. Stores like Sontag, Owl Drugs, Montgomery Ward, and J.C. Penney. Most labor unions had agreed not to strike during World War II so that the country could focus on the war effort, but after the war, workers complained that wages had stayed stagnant while profits skyrocketed for business owners. Unions across the country went on strike for better wages, including the Retail Clerks Local 905. Initially, the labor disputes included 150 chain and independent stores in August of 1945. The independent stores proved no match for the union the closer the dispute got to the holiday shopping season. They were picked off one by one, rushing to open their doors as soon as the new contract was signed. The chain stores fought the unions so hard because any contract they signed with this strong local would have the rest lining up for similar deals. Instead of opening themselves up to the headache, the chain stores decided to quit
the district. J.C. Penney held out hope for an entire year before closing their doors for good in San Pedro in 1946. Haskell Tidwell fought hard for his members, but he was also an extremely controversial leader. Business owners accused him of enabling thuggish behavior that lead to a couple of San Pedro business owners being harassed and even assaulted by one of mobster Mickey Cohen’s strong men. Eventually Haskell was seen more as a liability than an asset, and in 1953, he was charged with misconduct and ousted. I learned way more about Haskell Tidwell and the Retail Clerks than I have room to share with you. In the end, I was extremely proud of my research paper and its extra-long, ultraspecific and comically long title, “The Act in Tactic: The Labor Tactics of the Retail Clerks Union Local 905 in the Harbor District of Los Angeles, California Before and After the Taft-Hartley Act, 1945-1948.” Yes, I got an A. This semester, I am learning how to properly conduct oral history interviews. Oral histories play a huge role in my plans for the San Pedro Heritage Museum. If you or someone you know has an interesting story to tell and is interested in sitting for an oral history interview, please email me at angela@ sanpedroheritage.org. spt
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SPORTS
GAME, SET, MATCH! 2019 PREP GIRLS VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW
Volleyball Standouts (l to r): San Pedro: Georgie Smith, Isabella Emerson, Alexis Avitia; Mary Star: Marina Erosa, Sammie Sabra, Serena Ramirez; Port of Los Angeles: Kaylen Scott, Arelyz Matienzo, Lauren Brown
by Jamaal K. Street
(photos: John Mattera Photography)
There wasn't a single league champion to be found amongst the San Pedro prep girls volleyball teams in 2018, as San Pedro, Mary Star, and Port of Los Angeles all came up second best in their respective leagues. The Pirates had the more definitive playoff run, becoming CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division 1 champions. San Pedro returns plenty of talent to try and do it all over again in 2019, but they’ll have to get through the talented league runner-up, Camino Real, and fellow city neighbor, Mary Star of the Sea, who also has high aspirations. Meanwhile, Port of Los Angeles, while finishing with a winning record and coming up several five-set thrillers short of an Imperial League championship, still missed the CIF-LACS (Division 4) playoffs for the first time ever. Who will make the biggest splash at the net for 2019? Here's the first serve on all three teams: SAN PEDRO (26-6 overall, 7-3 in Marine League in 2018) – It was a marvelous run for San Pedro in 2018, as they won their own San Pedro Invitational Tournament for the second time in three years, finished in a tie for second in the Marine League with Narbonne behind nine-time champion Carson, earning the top seed of CIFLACS Division 1, and justifying that lofty position by defeating El Camino
Real in four sets for the title. Now in his sixth season, Christopher Ceballos comes stacked with another team eager to build off that title run, taking dead aim at the Colts in pursuit of their first Marine League title since 2009. The Pirates may have lost All-City Division 1 selections Hanna Gurrola (Cincinnati Christian), Lauren Sutrin, and Sara Peterson to graduation, but the cupboard was not left bare by any means. Senior outside hitters Alexis Avitia and Isabella Emerson are destined to break out, while the Pirates return not one but two All-Marine League setters in junior Gabriella Edwards and senior Rosie Lopez, who sat out last season. Avitia and Emerson played massive roles for San Pedro in the playoffs, which ended with a loss to Beaumont in the CIF Southern California Regional Division 4 playoffs. Not to be outdone, San Pedro has three new faces on the varsity scene that have won Marine League titles at the freshman and/or junior varsity level, ready to make their presence felt in junior middle blocker Adamaris Vega, and junior outside hitters Cassidy Espinosa and Alyson Watson. Senior Georgie Smith will now take over as the starting libero to compensate for the graduation loss of Gurrola.
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San Pedro will compete in four tournaments this season and will also face two top CIF-LACS title contenders for the Open Division in last year’s Open runner-up Taft of Woodland Hills and Eagle Rock in non-league matches. MARY STAR (19-9 overall, 6-2 in Camino Real League in 2018) – Expect the Stars to make a massive splash in the Camino Real League under cohead coaches Lauren Orebo and Sean Zuvich. A trio of gifted all-league juniors in outside hitters Sammie Sabra and Serena Ramirez, along with setter Lily Ruggiero, will make for a deadly pass/ attack combination and make life miserable for the opposition trying to contain them. Sabra is the returning kill leader of all three schools, posting five 20-kill outings. Ramirez is an Arizona verbal commit for beach volleyball and has an incredible vertical, with great instincts to match. Ruggiero is a two-time all-league setter and has a sensational jump serve. Other players to watch out for include senior all-league opposite hitter Marina Erosa, and talented sophomore middle blocker Marlena Rivera. Seniors Mia Scognamillo and Sierra Salas are both looking to fill the starting libero spot vacated by graduated fouryear veteran Jena Denardo. Mary Star only lost twice in league
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play last season to champion Bishop Amat of La Puente and was bounced in the second round by Cate in the CIFSouthern Section Division 7 playoffs. At press time, Mary Star has already posted an impressive sweep of San Pedro and won the Artesia Tournament this current season, building their resume for title contention in CIF-SS Division 6. POLA (7-6 overall, 5-3 in Imperial League in 2018) – The Imperial/Coliseum League connection has flip-flopped for the 2019 girls volleyball season, and now the Polar Bears compete in a traditional six-school format. No longer are they chasing Dymally for league supremacy as the revamped Coliseum League switch now sees POLA competing with last year's CIFLACS Division 5 runner-up Dorsey, along with Fremont, King-Drew, Jordan and Hawkins. Brian Justiniano is now in his second season as coach, and he will rely heavily on senior middle blocker Kaylen Scott and junior outside hitter Lauren Brown to carry the load. Other key players for the Polar Bears are senior outside hitter Arelyz Martinez, and senior opposite hitter Quitze Gastelum. Freshman outside hitter Sasha Suggs appears to be the top ninth grader in town. spt
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WELLNESS
ASPIRIN, HEARING AIDS & DEAFNESS A Q&A with Joshua Parker, MA, Parker Hearing
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I heard that aspirin causes hearing loss and tinnitus. True? Yes, aspirin can cause hearing loss, as well as tinnitus. It depends upon your reaction threshold, dosage, and frequency of use. If using aspirin causes tinnitus, then stop or alter its use, and speak to your physician. If tinnitus is present, then hearing loss is also typically present. Obtain a complete hearing evaluation and otologic evaluation to help define your problem. What is idiopathic sudden loss of hearing? Idiopathic means no known cause. This occurs in 10 of 100,000 persons. It is a sudden hearing loss in one ear. The hearing loss varies from mild to profound, often accompanied by tinnitus and vertigo. It must be evaluated and treated within seven days of occurrence to obtain a minimum of 50% improvement. It is often confused with ear infections or impacted earwax and not taken seriously. Fortunately, most causes of this loss originate in the cochlea or sensorineural system, so it may resolve without treatment within days to weeks. I have had hearing loss since childhood. Will my children also have hearing loss? If the cause of your hearing loss was not properly diagnosed, it will be difficult to determine how your children will hear. If several generations of hearing loss are present on both sides, then the probability is high; 2 out of 4 to 4 out of 4 children will have hearing loss. If from one side, but skipping generations, then 0 out of 4 to 2 out of 4 can occur. A recessive gene can hide for several generations before it reveals itself in your child. Some hearing loss starts as normal at birth but progresses to significant hearing loss by school age. If you suspect a hearing, listening, or attention problem is present, see a pediatric audiologist for as complete hearing evaluation. If one child has a hearing loss, then have all children as well as the parent’s hearing evaluated. If a hearing loss is present, then have a pediatric otologist also evaluate the child. Some hearing loss is syndromic,
that is, has known characteristics with its own statistical occurrence. Genetic counseling is available at most teaching hospitals. Can hearing aids help deafness? It depends how deaf one is, when the deafness occurred, and whether hearing was part of life before the deafness occurred. Most people who are deaf since birth and who use sign language, not speech, to communicate, will not benefit from hearing aid use. If the hearing deteriorated slowly over 20-40 years, then hearing aid benefit is possible. Fewer deaf persons use hearing aids today since cochlear implants have become available. It is an advanced hearing aid that is implanted into the ear. It gives more hearing with a strong ability to understand some speech. Both training and time are necessary to adapt to the new sounds. What is the minimum amount of time a hearing aid should be worn in order for the user to be successful? The answer depends upon your lifestyle, communication needs and degree of hearing loss. Regardless, the standard answer is four hours a day. The number one complaint from wives is: My husband does not use his hearing aids when we are alone! Then, 16 hours a day, seven days a week is an appropriate answer! This is how I wear my aids. When should a hearing aid be replaced? Some reasons for replacement are more obvious than others. Some people want the best and latest gear at all times. A significant decrease in hearing often requires a more powerful hearing aid. Lack of original manufacturing parts requires a new hearing aid. An annual hearing aid evaluation may indicate the hearing aid is no longer improving the hearing to its maximum ability. Problems include acoustic feedback or poor speech clarity in a variety of situations. Plan to actively clean the hearing aids on a regular basis and have your hearing and hearing aids evaluated annually. spt Joshua Parker, MA, is owner of Parker Hearing. For more info, visit parkerhearing.com.
OCTOBER 2019 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 33
HEALTH & FITNESS
WHY IT’S EASIER FOR MEN TO LOSE WEIGHT by Ricky Magana It’s a law as reliable as gravity. Man embarks on a diet and invariably loses more weight in one week than his wife lost in a month. Within a few weeks, he has lost as much, if not more, weight than her. She is both excited for her spouse and thoroughly pissed off, shaking her fists at the inequality. “Why is it so much easier for him?!” There is nothing more frustrating than having to work harder to get the same results as someone else who barely had to try (especially when it’s your husband). While this is wildly unfair, does it mean women are doomed to work twice as hard to lose the same amount of weight as men? Fortunately, no. In fact, I’m going to show you how you can harness this advantage yourself. But first we have to understand why they have this advantage in the first place. While there may be some immutable biological characteristics that give men an advantage for weight loss (one being more testosterone), much of this advantage is due to two reasons: 1.) Men tend to have more muscle. (This is a matter of body composition, not gender), and 2.) 90% of what is sold to women with regards to fitness/diet/ weight-loss decreases muscle, thus widening the gender-muscle gap. Let me explain. Men carry more muscle on their bodies. Their arms, pecs, back, and legs all tend to have more mass on them than women. Much of it is genetic. Muscle is expensive. It requires calories just to exist. Even at rest, muscle requires energy. Hypothetically, two people who do the exact same activity all day, all else being equal, the person with more muscle will burn more calories than the other. To put it simply, they have a higher metabolism, mostly because they have more lean muscle, not necessarily because they are men. Moreover, when men workout, they generally gravitate towards the weight room. A workout that stimulates strength and/or muscle growth expends much more energy than cardio, and does so for days after the workout is over. This additional weightlifting builds 34 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2019
even more muscle and in turn, increases their metabolism further. Women, on the other hand, tend to carry more fat than men. I’m not an expert, but I’d assume the primary reason is that it’s ideal for childbirth. And contrary to men, perhaps by societal conditioning, women are told they’re “supposed to do” cardio, cycle classes, aerobics, very low-weight/ high-rep activity coupled with some variation of extreme calorie restriction and/or low-carb diets. Additionally, all manner of weight-loss teas, drinks, shakes, and detoxes are generally targeted towards women. All of these typical approaches do not build muscle; instead they actively – and quite effectively – decrease it. Low calorie diets in tandem with cardio-heavy workout programs, while temporarily lowering the weight on the scale, lower your metabolism, making every pound very difficult to keep off. Think of it like this: muscle is like money in the bank earning interest. A million dollars just sitting in your 401k earning 10% will yield $100,000 a year and compound. If you build muscle, it’ll work just like that, burning calories and fat. If you deplete all the money in the bank, you’ll deplete the earned interest. Crash diets and excessive cardio empty the muscle bank account. This is why men, who tend to have more muscle, can tighten up their diet just a little bit and see a huge difference. And this is why people, regardless of gender, who constantly diet and yo-yo on the scale, tend to struggle perpetually, because they’ve lost most of their muscle. And if you’re thinking, Wait, but don’t weights make women bulky?! This is absolutely wrong. Cupcakes make you bulky. Mediocre diets make you bulky. Lifting weights makes you lean and strong. Dial in your diet, lift weights, and the fat will melt off. The silver lining is that while most men may start with an advantage, one simply needs to build muscle to reap the same benefits. So, get out there and out lift your husband. spt Heyday Elite Fitness offers a 2-minute scan that provides a full 1-page body fat analysis to help you tailor your fitness goals. For more info, email ricky@heydaytraining.com.
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FAITH
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“Lord, now let your servants go in peace. Your word has been fulfilled.” I’ve never chanted the plural “servants” at a graveside service before September 5 at Green Hills Memorial Park. That day required it because we buried Tadayoshi (Tad) and Harue (Anne) Sugiyama together, and both of them were servants of God. Both American citizens, Tad was born in San Francisco on May 18, 1921, and Anne in Stockton on April 2, 1922. According to the National Park Service, which has oversight of the Manzanar National Historic Site off of U.S. 395 on the way to Bishop, they were among “nearly 113,000 people of Japanese ancestry” living in California when America entered World War II. Even though “No person of Japanese ancestry living in the United States was ever convicted of any serious act of espionage or sabotage during the war,” on “February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order No. 9066 empowering the U.S. Army to designate areas” which would become known as relocation, internment, or concentration camps.* The Sugiyama and Watanabe families were both relocated and incarcerated in the Gila River War Relocation Center 30 miles outside of Phoenix, Arizona. The combination of sun and desert made for a harsh environment for gardens or humans, but it was verdant enough for Anne Watanabe and Tad Sugiyama to meet and grow in love. Before the war ended, they attended Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. After graduation, Anne became a cadet nurse and Tad enlisted in the Military Intelligence Service. Both served valiantly for a nation that was suspicious of them. They were married on July 25, 1945, a month before two atomic bombs were dropped in Japan, followed by the “instruments of surrender” on September 2, 1945. After the war, the newlywed couple made their way west to Berkeley for Tad to finish his degree and Anne to work as a nurse. Finally, they settled in San Pedro. Anne worked at Harbor General as the head nurse in pediatrics and Tad opened and operated, with Anne’s administrative acumen, Sugiyama Dental lab for thirty years. Japanese Lutheran theologian Kazoh Kitamori was ahead of his time when,
in 1946, he wrote about the pain of God. Old religious views of God either protect God from pain or transcend him far above it. Kitamori said that the only way to have a robust view of the love of God is to have a robust view of the pain of God. Love involves pain. The open arms of God’s embrace are the same as the open arms of Jesus Christ crucified. The Sugiyamas experienced the sting of suspicion and the sacrifice of internment, but also the embracing love of a couple in Minneapolis named Dan and Ann Schoof. Unlike so many others, the Schoofs didn’t keep their suspicious distance. Their house and little Lutheran Church in the Twin Cities became a draw for many people of Japanese descent, including the Sugiyamas, who would also become devout believers. The Schoofs were so effective at reaching out to young Japanese that they became targets of an FBI investigation.** The Schoofs and the Sugiyamas would reconnect in the South Bay when they helped plant Saint Thomas Lutheran in Gardena, a multi-cultural congregation. Before that, they were members and leaders of Christ Lutheran Church and School. Current Elder at Christ Lutheran, Bill Riekert, showed me a picture of Tad overseeing the building project, which houses today’s thriving Christ Lutheran School. The climax of the Sugiyama’s story is almost unbelievably romantic. On August 21, 2019, Anne (97) passed away. Tad (98) passed away 10 hours later, without knowing his wife had died. I imagine they walked into God’s loving arms much like their wedding photo displayed at their service: embraced and embracing, realistic and hopeful, thankful for a full earthly life and anticipating eternal life. I asked their daughters Judy and Karen if I could write this article. Judy said, “Please, if we forget the painful and unjust parts of their story, we are bound to repeat it.” Their memory is blessed. Lord, help us never forget. spt * Confinement and Ethnicity: An Overview of World War II Japanese American Relocation Sites by Jeffery F. Burton, Mary M. Farrell, Florence B. Lord, Richard W. Lord. **Los Angeles Times, May 3, 1998. Nathan Hoff is the Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in San Pedro. Follow his blog at: trinitypastor.blogspot.com.
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STEFANI COUGHLIN
• San Pedro • PV • South Bay
2231 Baleria Dr., San Pedro - Fabulous 4-bd, 3-bth home. Move in and enjoy life! Super secluded cul de sac in prestigious South Shores. Beautiful kitchen & baths. Completely remodeled. Panorama ocean and Catalina views. $1,274,000
1055 W. 19th Street, San Pedro. Remodeled Craftsman Bungalow with views of the back harbor, bridges, and mountains. 3-bdrm, 2 bath mini-estate is like an oasis with a one-car garage with direct access to your backdoor. $724,000.
SOL
28701 Mt. Langley Ct., RPV. Sold at $1,084,000!
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1682 Morse Dr., San Pedro. Panorama views. 3-bdrm, 2-bth, modern contemporary.
BUY NOW! SELL NOW! CALL ME NOW! (310) 877-0073
www.stefcoughlin.kw.com
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Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti speaks at a Leadership Luncheon sponsored by the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce at the Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club on August 28, 2019. (photo: John Mattera Photography)
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38 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I OCTOBER 2019
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