San Pedro Today - February 2024

FEBRUARY 2024

NOT JUST GOOD...

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Buono’s Pizzeria celebrates 50 years of family, food, and classic Italian traditions

PLUS:

• OUR 15TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE! • NEW FORMAT, FULL-GLOSS PAGES! • WILL WALKER’S CAFE EVER REOPEN? • 25TH STREET MOSAIC MURAL GARDEN • FEBRUARY EVENTS & MUCH MORE! sanpedrotoday.com

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I FEBRUARY 2024 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I 1

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

MOVING FORWARD

BY LOOKING BACK

SAN PEDRO TODAY’S PUBLISHER REFLECTS ON BIG CHANGES AND 15 YEARS OF STORIES

BY JOSHUA STECKER

I

f all goes according to plan, you’re holding the first issue of the newly redesigned San Pedro Today.

I’d wanted to upgrade the magazine’s quality for years, but costs and other considerations made me hesitate. Still, I wanted to do something big to honor our 15th anniversary.

So, with San Pedro undergoing significant changes, I figured we should, too. What better way to embrace change and celebrate the magazine’s longevity than by going full-gloss for the first time?

I admit, I’m incredibly nervous about this change. (I’m a San Pedran, what did you expect?), but everyone I’ve conferred with said this is a great idea, so here we are.

You’ll also notice some new content, including a San Pedro Today crossword on the back page.

I’ve been a New York Times Crossword addict for years and have always wanted to add a similar game element to our pages. Something you can pass the time with at home or the coffee shop.

This month’s crossword is relatively easy. I’ll make sure they get a bit more challenging in future issues.

Our website is also getting a big makeover next month. It’s been completely redesigned from the top down. It will offer a new comprehensive community calendar, an online store with San Pedro Today-branded items, online San Pedro trivia, a back issue archive, moderated forums, subscriber-exclusive features, and more. I’ll have more on that when it goes live in a few weeks.

As you can see, many changes are happening at San Pedro Today, with more to come.

180 ISSUES Fifteen years ago this month, we released the first issue of San Pedro Today. In many ways, it feels like yesterday. In other ways, it feels like a lifetime ago.

I’ve told the story many times in these pages, but for those unaware, before starting San Pedro Today, I ran the original San Pedro Magazine in the mid-2000s when the Long Beach Press-Telegram owned it. My friend

The first issue of San Pedro Today, February 2009. (photo: John Mattera Photography)

and filmmaker, Jack Baric, started San Pedro Magazine in October 2002, and I took it over in March 2005.

In December 2008, the Press-Telegram, like many newspapers during that time, saw significant layoffs, and my managerial position there, along with San Pedro Magazine, ended up on the chopping block.

Not wanting a “real” job, I took my entire severance check from the Press-Telegram and, one month later, used it to pay off the printing bill for the first issue of what became San Pedro Today in February 2009. And the rest, as they say, is history.

(It’s blowing my mind to think that the San Pedro High School varsity football players who appeared on our first cover are in their 30s now.)

Since I’ve been talking about this anniversary, I was asked recently what it feels like to cover my hometown and run this publication for so long.

All I can say is that I feel

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a tremendous sense of gratitude.

There’s that saying, “Pedro shows up for Pedro,” and this publication is a perfect example of that.

It hasn’t been easy, but we’ve been able to produce this publication free of charge to the public due to the amazing support of the small business communities in San Pedro and Rancho Palos Verdes.

As a fourth-generation San Pedran, I’ll never be able to thank our community enough for supporting San Pedro Today.

It’s been an honor and privilege to tell our town’s stories, chronicle our history, and help pave the way for our future. Here’s to the next 15 years and beyond.

Thanks for reading. Until next month… spt Joshua Stecker is the publisher/editor-in-chief of San Pedro Today.

Letters to the Editor can be emailed to contact@ sanpedrotoday.com.

FEBRUARY 2024 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF /PUBLISHER Joshua J. Stecker ASSOCIATE EDITOR Lori Garrett ART DIRECTION Joseph A. Castañeda PHOTOGRAPHER John Mattera Photography CONTRIBUTORS Linda Grimes, Sanam Lamborn, Steve Marconi, Jennifer Marquez, Eddie McKenna, Nadia Nizetich, Anthony Pirozzi, Jr., Sophie Schoenfeld, Amber Sheikh, Lee Williams CONTACT INFO: Phone: (424) 224-9063 contact@sanpedrotoday.com San Pedro Today P.O. Box 1168 San Pedro, CA 90733

ADVERTISING: General Inquiries: ads@sanpedrotoday.com Patricia Roberts (562) 964-8166 patricia@sanpedrotoday.com VOLUME 16 | NUMBER 1 On the Cover: Buono’s San Pedro team: (l to r) Frank Buono, Matthew Juarez, and Teresa Buono-Juarez. (photo: John Mattera Photography)

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 LLC. 20,000 copies are delivered to portions of San Pedro and 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 20092024, Empire22 Media LLC.

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EVENTS

FEBRUARY 2024 Every Friday – SAN PEDRO FARMERS MARKET (396 W. 6th St., corner of 6th and Mesa), 10a-2p. – Pick up essential fruits and vegetables from certified, small family farms. Get a head start on weekend meals with so many delicious and fresh options. For more info, visit sanpedrochamber.com/san-pedro-farmers-market.

Every Tuesday, Friday, & First Thursday Evening – OPEN GARDEN at Feed and Be Fed (429 W. 6th St.), Tuesdays 10a-12p, Fridays 10a-1p, & First Thursday evenings. – Feed and Be Fed farm, San Pedro’s own urban farm, opens its downtown garden space every Tuesday and Friday and on First Thursday evenings.

Organic produce is for sale at the San Pedro Farmers Market (corner of 6th and Mesa) on Fridays 10a-2p. Come share nature’s bounty and beauty as we grow vegetables, flowers, and community. Get your hands in the dirt as a volunteer, get expert advice, or just relax. For more info, visit feedandbefed.org.

Every Tuesday & Every Saturday – BELMONT SHORE MODEL RAILROAD CLUB at Angels Gate Park (3600 S. Gaffey St., Building 824), Tuesdays 7-10p & Saturdays 12-4p. – The best kept secret in San Pedro! The Belmont Shore Model Railroad

Club is the oldest and largest N scale club and offers clinics on modeling and an opportunity to explore a new hobby.

Admission is FREE and open to the public.

For more info, call (310) 831-6262 or visit belmontshorerr.com.

Every Friday – LAFD HARBOR MUSEUM at Old Fire Station 36 (639 S. Harbor Blvd.), 10a-3p. – The LA Fire Department Historical Society invites you to tour and experience San Pedro and Wilmington’s fire protection and rescue history with vintage fire apparatus and displays. Come to visit or to volunteer.

FREE admission. For more info, visit lafdmuseum.org/harbor.

Various dates – BRIDGE GAMES & CLASSES at South Bay Bridge Club (24100 Narbonne Ave., #105, Lomita), various times. – Have fun exercising your brain and playing bridge at South Bay Bridge Club. Adults and teenagers can take lessons and play cards almost every day. For more info, call (310) 325-7222 or visit southbaybridgeclub.com.

1 (Thurs) – FIRST THURSDAY in Downtown San Pedro, 6p.

– The popular First Thursday ArtWalk is back in the historic core of Downtown San Pedro. The redesigned First Thursday will feature guided ArtWalk tours, open galleries,

outdoor dining, and live music on the corner of 6th and Mesa streets.

10 (Sat) – VALENTINE’S DAY NATIVE PLANT SALE at George F Canyon (27305 Palos Verdes Dr. East, Rolling Hills Estates), 10:30a–12p. – Get the best gift for your Valentine that will live long after Valentine’s Day with a beautiful native plant from the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Our native plant expert will give you professional tips on creating a garden waystation and home for local lovebirds! Join us Saturday, February 24 at White Point Nature Education Center, 10:30a-12p, for another chance to get native plants. Presented by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy. For more info, visit pvplc.org/calendar.

10 (Sat) – “LOVE AT” AND “LOVE OF” THE LIGHTHOUSE at Point Fermin Lighthouse (807 Paseo del Mar), 1-4p. –2024 is the 150th anniversary of the lighthouse. Do you have a favorite memory or a photo to share?

A proposal, wedding, Fairy Garden, Easter, or Halloween event?

Young, old, and in between are encouraged to recall and reminisce about their experiences and express why they love the lighthouse.

Look back with us as lighthouse love stories over the past 150 years are shared. Participate

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with your contribution as we embark on the next 150 years. February is also Heritage Month when those who were responsible for saving the lighthouse from demolition are recognized and remembered. Come share memories as you enjoy a cup of cocoa.

Fun activities for kids and adults. For more info, call (310) 241-0684.

11 (Sun) – MONTHLY GARDEN MAINTENANCE GATHERING at 25th Street Mosaic Mural (1322 W. 25th St.), 10a-2p. – Help us maintain the garden in front of the 25th Street Mosaic Mural! Volunteers are needed to help weed and maintain the garden space in front of the mural. Monthly volunteer gardening days are held on the second Sunday of each month, any time between 10a and 2p. No experience needed. Donations of garden items are welcome. Succulents and cacti only.

Rocks are also needed for décor and to help to keep weeds away. If nobody is in the garden, clippings and rocks can be dropped off by the telephone pole at the bottom of the mural near the bus stop. The Facebook group Gardening in San Pedro posts announcements about volunteer opportunities at the garden.

For more info about donating or volunteering, contact lynndee. conley@yahoo.com.

(See story on page 12 for more details.)

17 (Sat) – GUIDED FAMILY NATURE WALK at White Point Nature Preserve (1600 W. Paseo Del Mar), 10:30a. – Naturalists will guide you along a trail to discover a unique variety of wildlife in their coastal sage scrub habitat with amazing views across to the ocean. Meet in front of the Nature Center and come inside to explore after the hike. Preserve parking available at the end of the street in a gravel lot. Presented by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy. Sign up at pvplc.org/calendar.

21 & 24 (Wed & Sat) – PECK PARK CANYON HIKES at Peck Park (560 N. Western Ave.), 9a. – Exercise walks are led on the third Wednesday of each month at 9a and last 1 to 1½ hours. Nature walks are led on the fourth Saturday of each month at 9a.

All walks leave from the trailhead in the lower parking lot at Peck Park. spt

Events deadline for March 2024 is Friday, February 16.

Email events@ sanpedrotoday.com to place a listing.

Find more events at sanpedrotoday.com.

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ABOUT TOWN

SPOTLIGHT

BY SPT STAFF diligently to make these needed improvements and bring the theater back and better than ever for Harbor residents and visitors,” said McOsker in a statement. “This is a beautiful venue, and every show we’ve done at the Warner Grand has been a special moment. It will come back stronger.”

The storefront businesses facing 6th Street, Sacred Grounds Coffee Cafe and fINdings Art Center, will remain open through June 2024. Construction is expected to be completed at the end of 2025. spt

The Warner Grand Theatre.

(photo: John Mattera Photography)

WARNER GRAND OFFICIALLY CLOSES FOR RENOVATIONS On January 1, the Warner Grand Theatre officially closed for abatement work and major renovations, which leaves the 1,489-seat theater inoperable for the next two years.

“This renovation will make the Warner Grand Theatre more accessible, provide important infrastructure upgrades, and ensure that ‘she’ will stand proudly for another 100 years,” says Grand Vision Executive Director Liz Schindler Johnson in a statement. “We also thank Councilmember [Tim] McOsker for keeping this process moving.”

According to Councilmember McOsker, his office worked with city departments to keep the Warner Grand open through the holiday season so the community could have one more year of holiday events in the iconic theater before renovations began.

“The Warner Grand Theatre is a community arts hub for the Harbor Area. It’s important to me that we work

Battleship USS Iowa.

(photo: John Mattera Photography)

USS IOWA STAYS PUT The USS Iowa’s plans to move from its current position to a slip next to the upcoming West Harbor development have officially been cancelled due to rising costs.

Originally estimated at $8 million, current estimates suggest it would take $20 million or more of public funding to make the move. spt

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HOT & COLD

WENDY’S COMING TO WESTERN Square burgers! The fast-food chain is opening a new restaurant at the former Broiler Express location on Western Ave. in RPV.

THE CORNER STORE UP FOR SALE (AGAIN) The iconic neighborhood market/café on 37th Street is up for sale again with an asking price of $1,775,000.

COLDS Because everyone seems to have one right now. Get well, San Pedro!

Send your San Pedro ‘Hot & Cold’ suggestions to contact@sanpedrotoday. com.

VOICES

A GARDEN GROWS ON 25TH STREET

Volunteers create a garden in front of the 25th Street Mosaic Mural BY JENNIFER MARQUEZ

A

group of volunteers has transformed the area in front of the mosaic mural on 25th Street.

Two years ago, the city parkway in front of the mural was filled with weeds, dirt, trash, and dog waste. LynnDee Conley, a San Pedro resident who volunteered with artist Julie Bender on the mosaic mural full-time for two years, wanted to beautify that area. Once the mural was complete, Conley turned her attention to the unsightly parkway in front of the mural.

Conley secured a donation from Kellogg’s to prepare the soil for planting. The dirt was amended with sand, environmentally safe fertilizer, and mulch, creating a friendly environment for the succulents to grow. Conley and her husband donated $1,000 worth of sedum, a low-growing succulent, to start the garden. They selected five colors of sedum that were used to help choke out the weeds.

“We decided to use succulents and cactus

because they require no water, and the space has no water supply. The succulents we use are low in height, so the mural will not be obstructed. Native plants grow too tall and would block the view of the mural from the street,” says Conley. “Many people stop to see the mural, including people from Europe on their way to the airport or playing the geocaching game.”

The garden has pieces of pottery, plates, and an assortment of small and flat rocks mixed in between a variety of succulents that create a beautiful tapestry. Community members brought items from their homes to be part of the mosaic.

Julie Bender would find places on the wall for these unique and personal items. The garden consists of succulents and items from homes in San Pedro, mirroring the community synergy of the mural.

Volunteers are needed to help weed as the succulents continue filling the bare spaces. Plans are underway to continue the garden to the bus bench.

The donated succulents have been primarily green; clippings of succulents in

The garden in front of the 25th Street Mosaic Mural. (photo: Jennifer Marquez)

other colors, like purple and orange, are sought as donations. The area is succulents and cacti only; no other types of plants, like ice plants, will be used.

Rocks are needed for décor and to help to keep weeds away.

If nobody is in the garden, clippings and rocks can be dropped off by the telephone pole at the bottom of the mural near the bus stop. Monthly volunteer gardening days are held on the second Sunday of the month between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

No experience is needed.

As the garden continues to grow, birds and bees are finding their way to an area that used to be neglected. Conley, who envisioned beautifying the space, is grateful to

12 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I FEBRUARY 2024 I sanpedrotoday.com

the volunteers who have come together to make a difference. The mural and sustainable succulent garden were created by women who paid it forward.

Together with volunteers, they created a beautiful space for the community to enjoy.

The Facebook group Gardening in San Pedro posts announcements about volunteer opportunities at the garden. For more information about donating or volunteering at the garden, contact lynndee.conley@yahoo. com. spt Jennifer Marquez can be reached at jennifertmarquez@yahoo.com and @jenntmqz on X and Instagram.

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VOICES

THE COTTON CANDY EFFECT

Share the best of yourself with others, but keep enough to enjoy life BY ANTHONY PIROZZI, JR.

A

new year always makes me feel like I have another chance to make a difference, discover a new place to visit, accomplish a new goal, or just finish one that carried over from the prior year.

One such goal is to finish writing the book about my father, Apricots and Figs.

Just when I thought it was complete, a professional writer asked me, “What about your part of the story? You have to add that in.” I finished writing the stories my father shared over the years and wanted to get the book published, but I agreed to include growing up as an immigrant’s son, which might resonate with others. That decision took all of 2023 to complete.

Now, I am combing through the book’s first draft, hoping to have it published this year, one of my recurring New Year’s resolutions.

Isn’t that true for many of our New Year’s resolutions? In many cases, they end before they are

started. This is true for many things we want to do in life.

“I’ll take that trip one day” or “I’ll wait until tomorrow” are some of the phrases we use even though we tell others that “tomorrow isn’t promised.”

I bring this up because “time is precious,” and the demands on our time don’t always lend themselves to “stop and smell the roses.” Finally, our daily to-do list is so long that “there aren’t enough hours in the day to get it all done.” Do any of these quotes sound familiar?

The tax on our time is what I coined “The Cotton Candy Effect.” Our time can be compared to sharing cotton candy. By the time everyone is done taking a piece, there isn’t a lot left for yourself.

I came up with this analogy one day while at work.

On many occasions, my workday started with the best of intentions. I had my to-do list all written out, prioritized, and scheduled. As the day went on, chunks of my time kept disappearing due to issues throughout the day. Some were bigger than others, while some were quick to resolve. By the end of the

The author with his late father, Tony, in June 2020.

(photo: Pirozzi family)

day, there was not enough time to finish what I planned to do that day, so I had to put off my plan for tomorrow.

Sharing the best of yourself with others makes us a better community. The key is that when it comes to time, keep enough of it for yourself to enjoy things like family, friends, prayer, travel, exercise, entertainment, or whatever motivates and inspires you.

Continue to share, and continue to give, but in the end, if you are not happy with yourself, how can you make others feel happy in your presence?

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For 2024, think about how you will spend time that will leave enough that fills your spirit and prepares you to be good to others around you, and don’t put off to tomorrow what you can get done today.

Life is short. Enjoy every minute of it. Now, that is a New Year’s resolution to consider. spt Anthony Pirozzi, Jr. is a retired San Pedro resident and former LA Harbor commissioner. He can be reached at apirozzi@ yahoo.com.

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VOICES

SARDINE CITY

For the author, two ‘ugly’ projects portend an unattractive future for San Pedro

BY STEVE MARCONI

Skyview at Ponte Vista.

T

wo developments at opposite ends of town fill me with dread for the future of San Pedro.

I’m referring, of course, to Ponte Vista, the housing project on North Western Avenue across the street from Green Hills Memorial Park, and the amphitheater planned for the extreme southern end of West Harbor, the commercial project that’s supposed to replace Ports O’ Call Village.

The apartments and townhomes crammed into Ponte Vista already have earned the epithet “Eyesore Estates” in some quarters for obvious reasons: They’re ugly. Built so close together that it looks like you can reach out from the windows and shake hands with your neighbors, it causes me to think of another way to describe the area: Sardine City.

And we all know how it will impact traffic on the already benighted Western Avenue. As for West Harbor, when I saw the artist renderings and what the completed amphitheater might look like, all I could think was, “Be afraid, be very afraid.”

It’s a beautiful location, on a thin strip of land

(photo: KB Home)

jutting out into the harbor, surrounded by water on three sides. So how did those thousands of people milling about before the stage get there? By boat?

Helicopter? Oh, right, in those thousands of cars that somehow got down a two-lane Harbor Boulevard to the West Harbor exit at Seventh Street.

Nederlander Concerts expects 100 major events there annually. That’s two a week! That’s twice a week Harbor Boulevard, one of San Pedro’s main arteries, will be in constant gridlock. And we all know how sound travels over water. San Pedrans living in that part of Point Fermin overlooking the harbor can expect many sleepless nights.

Fortunately, the amphitheater plans still must go through the environmental impact review process.

As reported, “At the top of the list are noise, traffic, and parking concerns.”

In my books, that’s three strikes, and you’re out.

MORE ON WEST HARBOR San Pedrans have fond memories of Ports O’ Call, especially the early years: the Sierra Nevada, the Sky Tower, helicopter rides, a puppet show, the creepy Occult Shop, Belgian waffles, an art gallery, a smoke shop, and craft and novelty stores of all types.

What made it fun was that almost everything there you couldn’t find anywhere else in town.

Now, I look at the current lineup for West Harbor: A brewery. Don’t we have two just up the street?

A ramen restaurant.

Again, just blocks away from the fine Ko-Ryo on Sixth Street.

A pizza place. Right, that’s what San Pedro needs, another pizzeria.

A breakfast restaurant.

You’re kidding. See above.

A burger joint and a deli. Yeah, we don’t have enough of those in San Pedro. Egads.

A cantina with waterfront dining. Didn’t we just tear down a popular one called Acapulco?

A high-end Mexican restaurant. We all know what “high-end” means.

We’re all going to miss the Green Onion.

From what I read, it looks like a bunch of San Diego-based businesses are coming north that, purposely or not, will add nothing to our landscape and simply siphon business away from downtown.

What we don’t see is something replacing the late, lamented Ports O’ Call Restaurant, a fixture for decades that, when the rest of Ports O’ Call was

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falling apart, still attracted San Pedrans.

And do I really have to write what I think of a dog park you must pay to use?

On top of that, I’m not alone in finding the whole project ugly (see Ponte Vista above). West Harbor’s design is considered “industrial,” a modern concept supposedly meant to reflect the port environment. Well, the port can be called many things, but no one has ever considered it attractive.

And while I wish no ill will toward the new project, I can’t help but point out that the opening will coincide with two roadway projects that portend economic disaster for San Pedro as it is: the planned Harbor Freeway off-ramp reconstruction at Knoll Hill and the rehab of the Vincent Thomas Bridge that will close it either entirely for one year or restrict it for two.

And we all know that no matter what happens, after the first few waves of lookie-loos, most people coming to West Harbor will be there for one reason and one reason only: San Pedro Fish Market. spt Steve Marconi can be reached at spmarconi@ yahoo.com.

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VOICES

WILL WALKER’S CAFÉ EVER REOPEN?

The beloved burger spot faces an uphill battle to open its doors again BY LEE WILLIAMS

T

imes are tough for small businesses.

I’ve been reluctant to write about Walker’s Café for many reasons. The main one is it’s not my fight. As someone who has worked in the real estate industry for 36 years, I can tell you it’s important that commercial properties be run according to their “highest and best use.” If you think it is simply financial, you’re wrong — contributing to the quality of life in a community is equally important. However, a commercial property must remain financially viable for it to be maintained and retained.

In 2009, my 93-year-old grandfather-in-law visited and asked me to take him to Walker’s for lunch.

Grandpa Don had lots of happy memories to share about grabbing a bite with his wife, Dafne, and enjoying the coast. He wasn’t eating the best sandwiches in the world; for him, he was eating nostalgia.

Nothing tastes better than memories.

I have to be honest — I was a bit concerned about

Walker’s Café, circa Dec. 2009.

whether the kitchen was sanitary and all of the deferred maintenance.

I’ve traveled the world and eaten in some scary places, including months traveling the Silk Road in China. This wasn’t that, but my work and experience with the City of LA made me keenly aware that there would need to be improvements if the property were ever to change hands.

For me, the highest and best use of Walker’s is a café that serves the community as a family-friendly, clean, reasonably priced, well-maintained spot for locals and visitors alike. To serve beer and wine, some work needs to be done, possible kitchen expansion, and ADA-compliant bathrooms. While I love motorcycles, I’m not a fan of revving engines during Shakespeare by the Sea or disturbing the neighbors.

The café should be inviting and welcoming to all visitors looking to enjoy the coast and the park without making it hard for others to do the same.

Some people don’t understand Walker’s Café is a commercial business. That means it must be profitable to survive.

(photo: Angela Romero)

When I say that, some folks immediately equate profit to greed. To me, profitable means being able to hire locally at a livable wage and with a short commute. Profitable means being able to provide quality products in a safe, clean, and well-maintained business at a price working-class families can afford. And profitable means being able to support a small family-run business without bankrupting the owners. If it’s not profitable, it’s a hobby and not a business and, therefore, not sustainable for the long haul.

The historical designation has tripled the cost to renovate, tripled the time to do so, and tripled the bureaucratic red tape. The architects, consultants, attorneys, and renovations could easily exceed $1 million. That’s a lot for an 800-square-foot café. It is good to see more people beginning to understand that the historical designation is a hindrance, not a help, and why it may keep Walker’s from ever reopening. However, it’s time to get past that and work toward solutions. I

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estimate Walker’s would need to sell 370,000 burgers at $9, with a 30 percent margin to cover these costs. A good day for McDonald’s is 800 without a drive-thru.

For Walker’s to return, it will need a huge cash investment to make the repairs in compliance with the city, county, and coastal and historical commissions. I would support a nonprofit raising funds to bring Walker’s back to its historic glory. Short of that, the owners plan to build two units behind Walker’s, similar to the existing rentals on that block. This solution could cover the costs and make the property appealing to an owner/operator in the future. Hopefully, the community will come out in support of getting Walker’s reopened in a way that can be sustained, maintained, and enjoyed by many generations to come. spt Lee Williams leads The Lee Williams Real Estate Group at REAL Broker and is a LA Harbor commissioner. He can be reached at lee@lamove.com.

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NOT JUST GOOD...

Buono!

Buono’s Pizzeria celebrates 50 years of family, food, and classic Italian traditions

BY NADIA NIZETICH

Buono’s San Pedro team: Matthew Juarez, front of house manager, Frank Buono, general manager, and Teresa Buono-Juarez, operations manager. (photo: John Mattera Photography)

F

rank Buono didn’t always see himself owning his family’s restaurant — but he came around to the idea in college.

“The last thing I wanted to do was go into the family business,” says Frank, now Buono’s Pizzeria’s general manager. “But I was just going to school for the sake of school, and then the restaurant space on Willow Street [in Long Beach] went on the market.”

Seeing an opportunity to expand the restaurant, Frank had a change of heart. With his family’s

support, he spearheaded Buono’s first venture out of San Pedro. The rest was history. “My dad let me fly, and I took charge of the family business. My brother George and I were responsible for its growth.”

In the following years, Frank and his family grew what started as a small deli into a restaurant that now boasts locations in San Pedro and Long Beach. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in November 2023, selling slices of pizza for just 50 cents a pop. But despite their recent milestone,

success wasn’t always on the menu at Buono’s — in fact, the restaurant was born out of the family’s struggle as a grocer and deli.

In 1965, Frank’s grandparents opened Buono’s Italian Market and Deli on 15th and Gaffey, with Frank and his parents joining them two years later after moving from Italy to San Pedro. Despite being bakers by trade, the store wasn’t doing well — their grocery sales lagged far behind their deli sales and dragged down business.

The Buonos decided they

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needed to adapt and took their strong deli sales as a sign to return to their roots.

“One of the reasons my dad decided to turn the grocery store and bakery into a pizza place was because we knew how to make dough,” says Frank.

“Really magnificent and wonderful dough.”

The family soon pivoted, becoming Buono’s Pizzeria in 1973. Young Frank held two roles at the restaurant, serving as both an English-to-Italian translator who liaised between his family and their

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ON THE COVER

Left: Hilario Ruiz, George Buono, Nicolaniello Buono, and Frank Buono at Buono’s Pizzeria in San Pedro, circa 1980; right: Frank Buono behind the counter on the last day at the Gaffey Street location in 2019. (photos: Buono family)

customers and as a novice dough maker guided by masters of the craft.

Business was booming by the time Frank was in college, and he’d grown to hold more responsibilities in the kitchen, from making pizzas to sauces.

Eventually he came to love what he did, and he’s led the business out of passion since expanding the restaurant to Willow Street in 1980. “I really enjoy what I do. It’s just the best when people come in and say, ‘God, we had your pizza last night, and it was the greatest,’” he says. “That’s a greater success than the financial success, and it feels good.”

Today, Buono’s Pizzeria has two locations in Long Beach in addition to their restaurant in San Pedro.

However, their San Pedro location is no longer at its original site on 15th and Gaffey but instead is located in the heart of downtown on Sixth and S. Centre.

Despite the decades of history at their original spot, Frank didn’t find the move especially difficult —

they had long outgrown the modest space on the busy street, where customers often circled the block to locate a parking spot. Their restaurant now features a spacious, modern interior with room for plenty of guests and a wraparound porch for alfresco dining. It’s also in the heart of San Pedro’s newest cultural district, Little Italy, where Buono’s was the first business to open in 2019.

Their menu, like their location, has also changed over the years. It’s frequently updated with a new “Pizza of the Month,” which is often an experimental pie dreamed up

by Frank and his staff.

Past pizzas have included a Thanksgiving pizza — topped with turkey, of course — and a hamburger pizza, and they’ve even tested the waters with a dessert pie dressed with chocolate and cherries.

For inspiration, Frank and his crew look to both the past and present. “It’s either a recipe that we have in recipe books from years past, or the chefs

and managers come up with their own creations,” Frank explains. If a pizza becomes popular enough, it might even become a mainstay — one example being the Pizza Giorgio, which is topped with Mediterranean vegetables, including eggplant, mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, and feta cheese.

Still, the Buonos hold their traditions close to home. Their meat sauce is the same recipe from their original deli, and they prepare their eggplant parmigiana in the Italian style by slicing their eggplant thin and only using spices like oregano and basil.

Keeping tradition in mind, Frank recommends that first-time customers try one of the classics, such as the lasagna or pasta with meat sauce, while he prefers the most timeless dish of them all. “I happen to love the plain cheese pizza with a thin crust that’s slightly burnt. The kind of crust you couldn’t sell,” he laughs. His preference speaks to a core tenet of Buono’s philosophy: When the ingredients are fresh

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and the basics mastered, great food is made with just a few simple components.

It’s no surprise, then, that the family’s future plans are simply to keep doing what they do best — serving homestyle Italian fare to the communities of San Pedro and Long Beach.

Reflecting on Buono’s greatest successes over the past 50 years, Frank believes making it to that milestone in his hometown is a marvel.

“The biggest success is to have been able to stay in business for 50 years and still be here,” he says. “To have had generations of customers come in with their kids, and then their grandkids, and even their great grandkids — it’s just incredible.” spt Buono’s Pizzeria is located at 222 W. 6th Street R-1 in Downtown San Pedro. For more info, call (310) 5470655 or visit buonospizza. com.

FOOD & DINING

WINING & DINING

Who needs Valentine’s Day when any night can be date night at these two eateries

BY SANAM LAMBORN

F

ebruary seems synonymous with Valentine’s Day and going out to a special dinner. However, I believe that any night can be date night.

In this month’s column, I have some suggestions for restaurants in town where I think they have an edge compared to others for a date night. If you enjoy a nice glass or bottle of wine with your dinner, you must try these two eateries.

My visits to California’s wine country and tastings abroad have helped develop my preferences and palate for wine. Wine tasting experiences have also shown me that pairing wine with food is like chemistry — flavors clash or enhance each other.

Much to my excitement, we now have a couple of places in town where you can have a nice meal with knowledgeable owners who can recommend the ideal wines to pair with your food.

While dining at Compagnon Wine Bistro (335 W. 7th St.), you may physically be in Downtown San Pedro; however,

ambiance- and gastronomy-wise, you’ll be transported to a charming bistro in France.

Their menu, although limited, features well-executed and styled dishes.

Owner Thomas Compagnon, an experienced sommelier, is always on hand to suggest options from a variety of wines, many predominantly French, that complement your meal. I opt for French wine pairings because of the unique finds Thomas has introduced me to.

My favorite classic French starters are the country pork pate, “Maman Compagnon” tomato and mustard tart, and raclette. My favorite regular entrées are mussels mariniere, beef bourguignon, and steak and frites. I also enjoy ordering their nightly specials. Besides dinner, they are now also open for brunch on Sundays.

Also, I am obsessed with their croque madam, and I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t order a glass of Thomas-suggested wine to go with it.

Multi-course special menu dinners are offered on select holidays such as Valentine’s Day. Addition-

Compagnon Wine Bistro’s steak and frites ordered during a French wine tasting event; (right) 5 Pours’ Sicilian caponata and cevapcici for Sicilian and Croatian wine tasting. (photos: Sanam Lamborn)

ally, Compagnon Wine Bistro offers a wine club where members receive two bottles of unique wines each month. There is also an annual wine sale, and occasionally they offer wine tastings.

5 Pours Wine Shop (29050 S. Western Ave. #137) filled a void we had in town for a wine shop.

After a long wait, their adjacent restaurant, 5 Pours Eats (29050 S. Western Ave. #134), opened, and after an even longer wait, they finally acquired their wine and beer license.

I have particularly enjoyed what co-owner Justin Stands has dubbed as “passport series” wine tasting. Each weekend, a flight of five varieties of wine from a specific country or region is offered for tastings. Menu items that complement the wines and, most importantly, are regional to where the bottles originate, are meticulously researched, and are prepared by co-owner Dennis Robbins.

5 Pours Eats is open for lunch and dinner. The menu here is also limited, although it changes based

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on the wine tasting options, allowing for variety.

Empanadas are a popular choice for lunch. A starter that I often order is the olives and Marcona almonds. I also enjoy the spiced mushrooms with toasted baguette.

Depending on the mood, I also really enjoy the cheese platters because of the unique cheeses available. I really enjoyed going in for dinner when paella and Hungarian goulash were on the menu.

Regardless of when you visit, Justin is always available for wine pairing suggestions with your meal. 5 Pours also offers a membership-based wine club. Additionally, the shop offers a small selection of non-alcoholic cocktails and aperitive bottles for those who don’t consume alcohol.

Reservations for both establishments are highly recommended. spt Sanam Lamborn created the Eat in San Pedro Facebook group and Instagram in April 2020 to entice people to patronize San Pedro’s eateries.

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ARTS & CULTURE

USING CREATIVITY TO TRANSFORM

Celebrating Black History Month with artist Adrienne Wade BY LINDA GRIMES

A

drienne Wade is a multi-disciplinary artist and naturalist who has created all her life.

From her celebrated San Pedro Waterfront Arts District murals to her Venice street art happenings, with art on display in Los Angeles and on exhibition in Hollywood’s legendary Barnsdall Art Park, she is dedicated to inspiring change in the world through art, natural living, self-transformation, and (w)holism.

Adrienne is currently focused on two ongoing series: the Soul to Sole Shoe Collection, featuring original shoe design and art on a custom-made Converse shoe created with paint medicine over a 28-day moon cycle, and Rooted, where patrons receive one-of-a-kind hand-painted flower pots also made with paint medicine.

I asked Adrienne some questions about her background and her work: How old were you when you first knew you were an artist?

Creative expression and nature have always been very dear to me. My first art memory is after-school

Adrienne Wade in the studio.

coloring and sketching with friends during daycare. We’d come together after school and make a self-proclaimed doodle club or butterfly and bee club on the playground.

By middle school, I was always writing and coloring on my clothes, thanks to my grandmother, who was a home economics teacher and seamstress.

She shared so much knowledge. She showed us the color wheel, and how to mix colors, sew, and make things. It is more than fair to say that she played a really huge role in unlocking my creative expression!

I am forever grateful to her because she was so committed to sharing all she learned, and it really helped me express myself.

Was your family supportive?

The family is always very supportive. Of course, self-reliance and stability are also valued, so me having these wild visions and a strong desire to express unconventional ways of creating and living often means that I get reminded to remember to be more practical. So, balance is key.

I often wonder what version of reality we can experience when we have

(photo: courtesy Adrienne Wade)

resources that fund, build, and grow authentic, heartbased, artistically inspired, elevated environments.

How would you describe your art?

My art is paint medicine.

Right now, I’d describe my work as alchemical transcendence. I use fabric, acrylic, and found objects, and I pair these things with color therapy and reiki and texture to transform and share uplifting messages that get encoded in wall art, worn on people, or painted for the people on the street.

My earlier works explored root symptoms that society would choose to ignore or face. For years, the creations that were depicted years before would come true, almost like painted omens. This inspired me to use my creativity and the messages as a way to transform things. My newest works are all about honoring authenticity by creating original wearable art that adorns those who take the steps that allow each one of us to participate in a version of the world we desire to create.

What inspires you?

Life inspires me, the opportunity to express

30 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I FEBRUARY 2024 I sanpedrotoday.com

and uplift others inspires me. The lessons that are born from various aspects inspire me. Being committed to being and making room for others to be and do the same also inspires me.

What are you working on now?

I’m currently focusing on original wearable art commissions, and of course, by the summer of 2024, the flower pot series called Rooted returns.

For now, it’s all about creating original custom wearables, from shoes to other wearable creative offerings, such as necklaces, medicine bags, shoelaces, and paintings. I also love creating healing spaces in nature that merge art and sanctuary. spt For more info on Adrienne and her work, visit AdrienneWade.com. Anyone interested in commissioning an original wearable piece can contact Adrienne directly at AWGlobal@ Protonmail.com.

Linda Grimes is the executive director of the San Pedro Waterfront Arts District and can be reached at 55lindagrimes@gmail. com.

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COMMUNITY

SHOWING UP FOR PEOPLE

Pastor Lisa Williams retires from San Pedro United Methodist Church BY AMBER SHEIKH

F

We really were the first faith-based organization in this area to work in collaboration with a government agency and say, “Let’s do this together” — and then we did.

On top of the efforts to create permanent supportive housing, the church houses four families every night through our partnership with Family Promise South Bay. And that should be an example for the community that change starts within, and it can be done.

And the pandemic. Just how we handled it. The power of community has never been more apparent. You and I paused, looked at what was missing, and from that came Lunches with Love — 100 weeks of sandwich deliveries every Saturday. When folks weren’t going into the encampments, especially on the weekends, you and I did. It really was just the simplest thing: seeing gaps and filling What are some of your them. proudest moments as you We know what we do is exit this cherished role? never enough, but we do I’ll start with our conwhat we can. It’s a congregation — they were the stant journey of walking trailblazers when it came with each other, and I’m to creating more permajust so very thankful and nent supportive housing. proud of that. ebruary is the month of love in all of its manifestations.

Someone I feel fortunate to know and love is Lisa Williams, who recently retired from her tenure as the pastor of the San Pedro United Methodist Church congregation. Following in her father’s footsteps, who was also a Methodist minister, she understands the critical role faith-based organizations play in mobilizing initiatives, and she’s led so many in this community.

This month, I sat down with her, and we looked back at all that she’s been able to achieve and some of what we’ve done together, especially during the pandemic, for our unhoused neighbors.

Showing up for people — whoever they are and wherever they may be — is her superpower.

Amber Sheikh, Lisa Williams, and Tamra King.

(photo: Tammy Khan)

What’s your fondest memory/memories of this work?

Oh gosh, it’s not any one thing. It’s really just the people, the connections, the relationships. This community is very connected. You see it; you feel it everywhere.

All of the marriages I performed, being part of the beginning is always such a privilege.

Even the memorials, celebrating a life lived is meaningful. There was this one particular family I will never forget. They weren’t even part of our congregation. Their son had passed due to health complications. They wanted to include a rock ‘n’ roll band as part of the service. And to be able to dance the way their son loved to. Their church wouldn’t allow it, so we welcomed them.

Our 300-seat church was packed that day, and everyone danced. We made space for the people who needed it. That makes an impact.

The Christmas market!

We created an opportunity where kids came and

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picked out gifts for their parents. We wanted them to recognize the power of giving, not just receiving.

Over eight years, we distributed over 5,000 gifts.

So many smiles, always my favorite event of the year.

Just incredible.

What next?

Traveling. And continuing to fill the gaps and needs where I can. I’m still the chair of Harbor Connects, and we continue to make strides and do what we can. _________________________ Lisa is an extraordinary woman and one of my “sheroes.” I’m grateful for the work we’ve done together and look forward to doing more with her in this new stage of her life.

Thank you, my friend.

Your impact is immeasurable. spt Amber Sheikh is a San Pedro resident, mother of two, community advocate, and owner of Sheikh/Impact, a nonprofit consulting firm.

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HEALTH | FITNESS

FITNESS IS NOT A MATTER OF PREFERENCE

Can you move? Are you strong? Do you have the capacity to excel at what life presents you?

BY EDDIE MCKENNA

I

f this were about preferences, I’d be more understanding. It isn’t.

Your capacity to move, bend, throw, push, pull, and jump is precisely that — it’s your capacity to navigate the world we live in with physical competency.

We aren’t talking about preferences. Some people like their coffee black, while others enjoy spicing it up with a bit of milk and sugar. Liking or disliking fitness is neither here nor there.

I think how you spend your time acquiring fitness isn’t a matter of opinion, either. Do you really like your Suzanne Somers’ Toning System Workout at-home DVD set? Great!

You can include Titanic, The Usual Suspects, and Caddyshack in the mix as a list of your favorite movies. Are you obsessed with how much you sweat in your local hot yoga class?

Awesome! You can put it on the list with windsurfing, cooking, and Sudoku as your favorite pastimes.

If your preferred fitness practice doesn’t make you a formidable contender

for life, fine, but don’t stop there. You still have to address that whole fitness thing. None of this replaces, addresses, or remotely relates to the requisite responsibility to navigate our world effectively and independently. You’re either engaged in improving load capacity (how much you can lift/carry), range of motion, and work, or you’re not.

Sure, sometimes we get lucky, and we find something that we like that also covers the bases of health and wellness. But I see a real problem with holding on to, say, cycling as a beall and end-all training discipline because you prefer it when we need to recognize that we cannot trade in personal preference for glaring failures in the basic capacity to squat, jump, or maintain basic posture under load, for (a hypothetical) example.

There are not enough fake fitness videos or cheeseball fitness classes on the planet to replace the answers to fundamental questions: Can you move? Are you strong? Do you have the capacity to excel at what life presents you?

Still can’t find an avenue

A Paseo Del Mar jog.

(photo: John Mattera Photography)

to capture real fitness?

Take an honest look at the practices you’re considering. Are the practitioners of any particular movement style becoming capable humans? Skinny isn’t necessarily capable, either. Furthermore, if one wanted to become remarkable (i.e., the best version of themselves), would this particular practice afford them that opportunity?

Now, what does a formidable contender for life look like? Parents can play tag for 45 minutes at their three-year-old’s birthday party, fall, roll, and get back to their feet without injury. I’d say it was my 90-year-old grandmother

34 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I FEBRUARY 2024 I sanpedrotoday.com

who fell while she was alone at home and was able to pull herself to a chair to call for help and ended up with minor bruises. She preferred not to be in a gym and lift weights but did it anyway with me for the last eight years of her life. She started late, but you know what they say: When is the best time to plant a tree?

Seven years ago, and the second best time is today.

Now, push your preferences aside and start becoming the best version of yourself. spt Eddie McKenna is co-owner of Heyday Elite Fitness.

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WELLNESS

A LOVE SONNET FOR THE LONELY BEAST

BY SOPHIE SCHOENFELD, MFT

A

s February rushes in, red roses line corners of busy streets.

Plastic hearts shimmer through the window panes, and Cupid’s cards sell out on shelves of every store. We shuffle through the eternal words of this affliction: “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” or “Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths, Enwrought with gold and silver light…” for all the beauty in the world with love’s sinew is bound. But what is love? So celebrated, so discussed, and yet, illusive like a ghost, it hovers over all of being without ever being caught.

There is no poetry or music without it, even the eternity is naught. Some say it is insanity that temporarily a soul possesses.

Some say it’s an attachment bond. It’s certainly not brought about by a plaster sculpture of a cherub. Indeed, Cupid’s arrow was meant to be Psyche’s curse. Yet, let’s face it — without those cursed arrows, beauty itself vanishes from earth.

And those that lament

their life without such an affliction focus only on romantic love. And while this type of love brings forth the most artistic of expressions, it is the most rudimentary of loves. The love that one must focus on is bigger. It encompasses the universe at large. It is the compass that steers the ships of all existence and makes meaning out of lonely atoms floating by.

It’s the entanglement of quantum; it is what makes us one.

If I were to define such a concept, I would say that love is warmth. It is a feeling of not being lonely, even when one is mostly alone. And what then makes us feel connected?

Is it the flame of lust or the flame of hope? I would say it’s an ethereal feeling, like some invisible network of support. It goes by many names, one of them being God. Old Egyptians named it Ra, the sun god, the father of all. If I were a poet, then it is a rhyme, a cadence to which a river flows. It is a clock by which an eternity is measured when one awaits a phone call or a simple word.

Love is not something that is given. Love is the ether that is always there.

Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss by Antonio Canova on display at the Louvre in Paris. (photo: Louvre)

It simply takes a moment to breathe it in, and it takes a moment to exhale.

So, if you seek for love to be delivered, like a package by a mailman to your door, then be warned that Valentine won’t be arriving every single year at every door. The one and only infinite supply in us mortals is that of the divine. It’s how a mother’s love is endless, no matter how many babes she has.

Love is the only thing that won’t run empty. Remember that when you prepare your single meal and smile at the wrinkled faces of strangers — they, too, have the divine in them.

When you feel alone, please do remember to nestle under a tree branch and listen closely to the song of the nightingale above you, and understand what they report.

Close your weary eyes for just a moment and think

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of roots beneath the carpet of green grass. Those are your subterranean embraces, like primordial umbilical cords that give us life. It is this ancient conversation, between the trees and birds and beasts alike, that keeps all living things connected since the birth of time.

And you, the loneliest of beasts, with so much apprehension, so much knowledge, missed this love affair and found yourself stuck in some unpleasant dream. Look at the landscape of your very being. Here’s a peak and there’s a valley outstretched, in between an ocean of unspoken verses your quiet soul has written while you slept. spt Sophie Schoenfeld, MFT is a local marriage and family therapist. For more info, visit sophiemft.com.

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You can also order online at sanpedrotoday.com!

SUBSCRIBER INFO:

SEND TO: San Pedro Today P.O. Box 1168 San Pedro, CA 90733

Name __________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________

ACROSS 2. The San Pedro _____ ____, a short-lived 1977 ABC sitcom filmed in San Pedro.

City/State_______________________________________________

4. On ______ 1, 1888, San Pedro became a “city of the 6th class,” under the CA classification system.

Zip _____________________________________________________

5. Actor who played The Dude in The Big Lebowski, parts of which were filmed in San Pedro.

Email __________________________________________________

7. Cynthia & Patrick _______, founders of San Pedro City Ballet.

Phone _________________________________________________ PAYMENT: MAIL-IN CHECK OR PAY BY CREDIT CARD

Name on Card__________________________________________ Card # __________________________________________________ Exp Date ___________________ Security #________________ Signature______________________________________________ Make checks for $39.95 payable to SAN PEDRO TODAY. UPDATED FEBRUARY 2024

8. Point ______ Lighthouse celebrates its 150th birthday in 2024.

9. John ______, “Mr. San Pedro,” and former director emeritus of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium.

DOWN 1. 1995 film directed by Bryan Singer, which filmed many of its iconic scenes in San Pedro.

2. Charles ________, world-famous writer/poet who resided in San Pedro until his death in 1994.

3. Iconic neighborhood store on 37th St. that was recently put up for sale.

6. The _________-American Club was founded May 6, 1926.

38 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I FEBRUARY 2024 I sanpedrotoday.com

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