During his Oct. 9 State of the District address at San Pedro’s Dalmatian-American Club, Los Angeles Councilmember Tim McOsker reflected on what he called a challenging but hopeful year for the city. Speaking to a packed crowd, he acknowledged recent hardships—from devastating wildfires and a $1 billion budget shortfall to a wave of ICE raids he described as “inhumane.” Yet, McOsker focused much of his speech on progress and resilience across the 15th District. He highlighted restored funding for animal shelters, the long-awaited Los Angeles Convention Center expansion, and community-led wildfire relief efforts. McOsker also shared updates on the One San Pedro redevelopment, the upcoming reopening of Sunken City, and preparations for the 2028 Olympic sailing events. He closed by reaffirming his commitment to clean air, good jobs, and keeping the Harbor community strong, compassionate, and united. spt (photos: John Mattera Photography)
LA City Councilmember Tim McOsker addresses the audience during his 2025 State of the District address. (photos: John Mattera Photography)
San Pedro’s Sportswalk of Fame—now the Los Angeles Sportswalk of Fame—honored six athletes aboard the Battleship Iowa Museum on Oct. 13. This year’s honorees were John Link, Philip D’Amato, Marina Vitalich, Murphy Su’a, Mike Pentecost, and Mike O’Donnell. The event raised $12,000 in scholarships for local high school athletes. Founded in 1978 to celebrate sports achievement and community spirit, the Sportswalk continues its mission to promote sports education and youth scholarships. Past honorees include icons like Jerry West, Jackie Robinson, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and Tommy Lasorda. spt (photos: John Mattera Photography)
When Thomas Monauni was four years old, the circus came to Munich.
Thomas Monauni (right) with his son Michael (left), the father and son duo behind Wunderkammer. (photo: John Mattera Photography)
What caught the young boy’s eye, however, were not the exotic animals, the freak show performers, the fortune tellers, or the burlesque dancers. Instead, he was fascinated by the whale. Stuffed and mounted atop a flatbed trailer, the creature rolled through the crowds of onlookers, a visitor from some alien world. “When you’re a kid, things are larger than life, and they really impact you,” says Monauni. “That was my first exposure to a world you don’t see every day.”
We are sitting in the middle of Wunderkammer, Monauni’s “chamber of wonders,” located in the CRAFTED warehouses in San Pedro. It is equal parts antique store and art gallery, where everything is for sale, but where, Monauni hopes, visitors will experience more than the thrill of mere commerce.
Retro-futuristic, polished aluminum cars by Los Angeles builder Baron Margo occupy a corner across from a life-sized Frankenstein figure and within sight of 500-year-old Christian relics. Down the way sits work by special effects artist Norman Cabrera and a display of Bone Clones skulls, including an 8.5-foot-tall megalodon shark jaw.
Born in Northern Italy to German parents, Monauni grew up in Munich before finding his way to Los Angeles in the 1980s to work in film as a production designer, helping directors create entire worlds on-screen. It was exciting work for a kid who grew up obsessed with films like Jason and the Argonauts and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. “In my work, I was always chasing the Argonauts and 20,000 Leagues and Godzilla,” he says. “This was larger than life for me. It was crazy good.”
The work was also exhausting. Having fallen in love with San Pedro during film productions here, Monauni made it his home. “I needed time away where I could be quiet and plan the sets,” he recalls. “I lived on a boat in Cabrillo Marina. My only friend at the time was a seal. He came up to me. I called him Heinrich. His tail had been caught in a propeller and was damaged, and he was really cool. We just had this moment in that time of my life.”
Wunderkammer is home to approximately 30 different vendors and artists, selling all sorts of curiosities and collectibles. (photo: John Mattera Photography)
What drew Monauni to San Pedro wasn’t just the quiet marina. “I love San Pedro,” he says. “Whenever I come over the Vincent Thomas Bridge and look down, it’s so much Europe. It’s a port town. It’s not a beach town.” He appreciates the cultural history, the working-class character, the way it feels separate from the rest of Los Angeles. For someone who grew up in Munich and spent years creating fictional worlds, San Pedro offered something rare: a real place with its own distinct character.
Monauni also fell in love with the derelict World War II-era warehouses where Wunderkammer now resides. He had been noodling with the idea for his chamber of wonders but never imagined it living in those crumbling harbor buildings. Then CRAFTED opened. After some time in an antique mall, Monauni, along with the help of his son Michael, moved into CRAFTED in 2024. He’s been building his vision ever since. Now home to approximately 30 different vendors and artists, Wunderkammer offers an escape from the online world of pixels and infinite reproducibility.
In an era when most shopping happens through screens, Monauni believes something essential gets lost in translation. “All this stuff is here, and you can look at it and you can touch it and you can feel it,” he says, gesturing around the warehouse. “It’s tangible.” He compares it to travel: looking at a postcard of New York versus actually standing in the city. “Until you go there, you don’t know what New York really is.”
The Bone Clones megalodon shark jaw. (photo: John Mattera Photography)
When children approach the Bone Clones megalodon shark jaw, their imaginations ignite differently than they do when scrolling past an image online. “They see this megalodon jaw of this giant shark with these giant teeth, and their imagination has to put this in context,” he explains. “We sometimes have kids that draw a megalodon shark… they have their fantasy, their creativity about it.”
It’s not just children reconnecting with wonder. Monauni points to Malice Mcmunn’s “Malice’s Wunderland” section, featuring 1980s VHS tapes and a period-accurate living room. “I see the younger people who are in their late teens and how they embrace this analog media,” he says. “It’s so amazing to see, because they are interested in what you went through at a certain time, too.”
But Wunderkammer’s future in San Pedro isn’t certain. The venture is only nine months old in its current form, and Monauni estimates they’re about 60 percent complete. When Brouwerij West, a neighboring brewery and tasting room that drew significant foot traffic, closed, the impact was immediate. “The visitor number here now is a little bit less than it was before, and it made it much tougher,” he admits.
Ongoing construction on the Vincent Thomas Bridge threatens to disrupt access further. “In the end, it will be positive, but in the short term, it could be devastating to the businesses,” Monauni says, his usual enthusiasm tempered by practical concern.
Retro-futuristic, polished aluminum cars
by Los Angeles builder Baron Margo. (photo: John Mattera Photography)
There’s a vulnerability in how he talks about San Pedro. “Pedro is the perfect home for Wunderkammer, and I hope that Pedro embraces it,” he says. Then, more softly: “So far, it’s good.”
Monauni sits surrounded by objects that have outlived their original owners. The ancient religious relics, the skeletons of extinct animals, even the Aurora model kit mummy is a replica of something ancient filtered through 1970s pop culture nostalgia. All of it will be here long after he’s gone.
“We are only custodians of things anyway,” he reflects. “We are mortal, and we will go away one day, and then somebody else will become the custodian. But being a custodian of it is sometimes a wonderful thing to do.”
It’s a surprisingly modest philosophy from someone who spent decades creating worlds that only existed on screen. Now, he curates the actual, the historical, the real, even when that reality includes a life-sized Frankenstein monster and retro-futuristic aluminum cars. The eclectic whimsy is deliberate. “My head looks like this,” he says, laughing and gesturing broadly. “I have these different kinds of rooms and different squirrels in my head that go there, go there, go there.”
That mental architecture—part circus, part museum, part fever dream—manifests physically in Wunderkammer’s layout. Each of the 30 Wunderkammer merchants brings their own aesthetic, their own obsessions. “They all have their own fantasy,” Monauni explains. “And it morphs together like a patchwork of a quilt.”
Wunderkammer features numerous one-of-a-kind artifacts and collectibles. (photo: John Mattera Photography)
What he ultimately hopes it shows is possibility. “You never know when a kid goes through here who has the talent to be a sculptor, to be a writer, to be a photographer,” he says. “And maybe there’s something in here that sparks.” He pauses, then adds, “Kids have a great imagination. We should never, ever let that go. That’s the most important thing. We can’t lose imagination.”
When asked what he wants visitors to experience, Monauni’s answer is one of openness: “I hope they feel something, but I don’t tell them what to feel.” What matters is the feeling itself: curiosity, recognition, wonder, even discomfort. “To explore the human experience without a filter,” he says.
The whale that rolled through Munich all those years ago was mounted, preserved, dead, but real enough to mark a boy for life. That’s what brings people to Wunderkammer: not just objects, but the experience of encountering them. And these visitors come in every weekend, not just to buy but to talk, to spend time, to share a moment. “I don’t see them that much as customers,” Monauni says. “They’re kind of spending time with me, and that’s a huge value.” In a world of frictionless online transactions, Monauni is betting that this experience—human-to-human, object-to-person—still matters. spt
Wunderkammer at the Port of Los Angeles is located at 112 E. 22nd Street, next door to CRAFTED. For more information, visit their Instagram @wunderkammerstore.
Mexican Hollywood was a waterfront neighborhood in San Pedro that thrived for at least 30 years in the first part of the 20th century. A century later, it remains as deeply embedded in the community’s identity as the steel towers of the Vincent Thomas Bridge.
Jose and Consuelo Gonzalez lived on Ancon Street and worked in the canneries for many years on Terminal Island, photo circa 1940s. (photo: courtesy Mexican Hollywood Culture Society)
“El Barrio,” as it was sometimes called, served as an immigrant gateway from the early 1920s to the early 1950s, a period that encompassed a surge in the arrival of Mexicans to the United States following a decade of civil war that began in 1910. Its residents became fiercely attached to one another, bound by a shared history, family ties, and a sense of pride in overcoming poverty and decades of disdain and discrimination from outsiders.
Even today, one-time residents remember the working-class neighborhood with an abiding affection.
“I love the memories,” says Irma Rodriguez Contreras, whose parents, Francisco and Maria Rodriguez, both cannery workers, settled in the neighborhood. It was a place where neighbors felt like family.
That sense of connection and pride in the old neighborhood culminated in the June 7 unveiling of City of Los Angeles markers on Harbor Boulevard at O’Farrell Street, highlighting “Mexican Hollywood Square.”
EARLY HISTORY Now the site of the Los Angeles World Cruise Center, the five-acre barrio sat on lands that had been occupied for millennia. The first people arrived in the region about 13,000 years ago. When Spanish explorers came on scene by ship and by land beginning with the voyage of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542, San Pedro and surrounding areas of what is now Los Angeles were occupied by the Tongva, who established dozens of villages along streams and rivers and in sheltered areas of the coast, hunting and gathering small animals, sea mammals, fish and shellfish, and plants.
After the founding of Los Angeles in 1781 under the crown of Spain and later when Mexico controlled the region from 1820 to 1850, the land that became known as San Pedro was disputed by both the Dominguez and Sepulveda families, until the latter family prevailed in 1834. The harbor became a center for trade in hides and other goods. After the Mexican War in 1848 and admission of California in 1850 to the Union, the harbor was developed by such leaders as Phineas Banning. Mills and sailing ships laden with lumber made the port “the lumber center of the world.” San Pedro was incorporated in 1888 and remained independent until voters decided in 1909 to consolidate with Los Angeles, which wanted the port. Congress designated San Pedro Bay as the port of Los Angeles in 1897, and a decade later, the City of Los Angeles officially founded its port with the creation of the Board of Harbor Commissioners.
THE COMMUNITY’S ROOTS Old maps discovered by the San Pedro Bay Historical Society indicate that, as late as 1908, a knoll or bluff commanded the site of what would become Mexican Hollywood. What had been Orizaba Boulevard was widened and expanded to become Harbor Boulevard. The topography changed, as did the landscape, of virtually all the lands surrounding the Port of Los Angeles.
Armando Terrazas, father of retired LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas, circa 1940s. (photo: courtesy Mexican Hollywood Culture Society)
Research indicates that the Los Angeles Harbor Department leased the land that was to become El Barrio to the Pacific Coal Company, which employed mostly Irish laborers. The company built houses for them or had employees build their own. Some homes were built over grounded boats, while many were built on stilts to escape the surges created by passing ships. A federal study conducted in the 1930s indicated that the wooden houses dated back to the early 1910s. Ancon Street ran unpaved through the middle of the neighborhood, sandwiched roughly between Berths 90-93, Front Street on the east, and Harbor Boulevard on the west. Ancon, like some other streets just blocks from Mexican Hollywood, reflected the influence of the Panama Canal. Ancon is both the name of the town at the western end of the Panama Canal and also the name of the first ship to transit the waterway on August 15, 1914.
Following Pacific Coal’s workers, another wave of residents apparently came from the Pacific Electric Railway Company, with an old trestle along the neighborhood’s eastern edge, as well as from the nearby Kerckhoff-Cuzner Mill & Lumber Co.
MEXICAN HOLLYWOOD EMERGES In the wake of Mexico’s revolution from 1910 to 1920, when our southern neighbor was torn by violence and starvation, Mexican Hollywood emerged around 1922, when first-generation Mexicans began moving into the area.
At its peak, about 80 houses lined its streets, sheltering about 400 residents, among the poorest in San Pedro. Ancon Street remained unpaved until the New Deal of the 1930s, which also brought a sewage system to Mexican Hollywood. Some families stayed for years in their time-worn rentals with wood-burning stoves, while others settled there with an eye toward finding better housing as soon as they could afford it. In the 1920s, monthly rents ranged from about $6 to $9; in the 1950s, about $30. Frequently, both parents worked to support their families, tending vegetable gardens, cactus plants, and fig trees for nourishment and bringing home fish. Some men hunted jackrabbits. One man baked bread for sale in his backyard.
“They called them cold-water shacks, but we called them our little casitas,” Contreras says.
The crowd at the Mexican Hollywood Square unveiling ceremony, June 7, 2025. (photo: Megan Barnes)
“We grew up in this barrio of some 50 to 75 families who were like one big family, many related to each other,” wrote longtime San Pedro resident Alice Gonzales Morales in a 1988 recollection of the neighborhood that was published in the San Pedro News-Pilot. “People shared food and helped one another.”
The names you heard in Mexican Hollywood still abound in and around San Pedro. LaFarga. Lomeli. Olguin. Soto. Sanchez. Ozaeta. Gonzalez. Terrazas. And more.
First-generation Mexican workers found jobs—often dirty, sometimes dangerous—cleaning out boilers at Coast Welding Company or working as laborers in the fish canneries of Terminal Island, in lumberyards along the waterfront, for the old Harbor Belt Railroad or on the docks. An old wooden pier jutted into the harbor, daring young boys to dive from it, while waves lapped up to the shores of a small, sandy beach still jokingly referred to as the B.A.B.—“Best American Beach” in some circles, “Bare Ass Beach” in others. Fearless, athletic Mexican American kids swam across the channel.
Gathering places for education, culture, and faith rose up with the founding of Barton Hill Elementary in 1909, the original Holy Trinity Church, and the Barton Hill Theater on Pacific Avenue in 1924. For a while, the church used space in the movie house. Meanwhile, Toberman Settlement House created an annex to serve Mexican Hollywood, teaching skills such as cooking and sewing, and maintaining a play area for children. Teens attended myriad dances around town.
BEHIND THE NAME Among the earliest documented uses of El Barrio’s colorful moniker calling to mind Tinseltown, came in a March 21, 1930, San Pedro News-Pilot story—about the town’s Garden Club, an advocate of the port community’s beautification. It sponsored three contests, including a “Special Garden contest for Mexican Hollywood, the dwellings east of Harbor Boulevard and north of First Street.” The eight-paragraph story went on to say that “the drive for beautifying Mexican Hollywood will begin at once.”
Mexican dancers Lucielle and Alex LaFarga, brother and sister, became popular professional Flamenco and Spanish dancers in the 1940s. (photo: courtesy Mexican Hollywood Culture Society)
But where does the name come from? With so many movie houses around town showing American- and Mexican-made films, Hollywood, more than 25 miles away, may have felt like it was a dream within reach.
“According to some accounts,” as stated in the book Mexican American Baseball in the South Bay, “Mexican Hollywood got its moniker because some of the barrio’s pretty girls got jobs as movie extras when film crews came to town. Or because several singers, dancers, and musicians lived there. Or because of a local play about the neighborhood that used the name Mexican Hollywood. Meanwhile, some historians theorize that residents may have wanted to latch on to the glamor of Hollywood by adopting the name. The theories seem as plentiful as the descendants of the neighborhood.”
An anecdote from 1985 in the San Pedro News-Pilot recounts a story told by the late John Olguin, who was three years old when he moved into the area. His father, Roy, was a cook and baker but loved writing plays. John said a member of the Mexican Culture Club told him that Roy produced a play about El Barrio and, as a joke, named it Mexican Hollywood.
In her 1988 News-Pilot recollection of the neighborhood, Alice Gonzales Morales credited Mike Lomeli, Sr., an early community leader, with dubbing it “Mexican Hollywood.” Until his death in 1936, he was among the most active managers and players among San Pedro’s Mexican American baseball teams. An oil company boilermaker, he and his wife were Mexican immigrants who came to San Pedro—and Mexican Hollywood—by way of Arizona.
TIME FOR PLAY Just as the lure of Hollywood’s magic captured the eye of El Barrio’s people, so too did baseball, which—like the movies—dazzled audiences from coast to coast. By 1930, Mexican baseball teams flourished throughout San Pedro, from the little neighborhood of La Rambla hugging nearby hillsides to Mexican Hollywood. Young Mexican men—and women—“organized teams that played at Bob Myers Field at the southeast corner of Ancon and O’Farrell streets in Mexican Hollywood,” according to Mexican American Baseball in the South Bay. Myers Field, an apparent reference to Bob and Bernice Myers, who ran a local grocery at Harbor Boulevard and O’Farrell Street, was developed by 1931 and improved and enclosed in 1933.
Maggie de Alba holds a Mexican Hollywood Square sign at the Mexican Hollywood Square unveiling ceremony, June 7, 2025. (photo: Megan Barnes)
Among the teams were the Hollywood Mexicans, which took to the Mexican Hollywood field in 1931, but team members soon voted to rechristen themselves as the San Pedro Internationals, competing under that name until 1934. Among its managers was longtime baseball aficionado, Mike Lomeli, Sr., who lived on Ancon Street. Other Mexican teams also used the field, including the San Pedro International Girls, the Hermosa Athletic Club, the Sonora Club, and the San Pedro Sharks.
Mexican teams from throughout the South Bay and Los Angeles County played there, as did teams representing U.S. Navy ships. Mexican Hollywood teams played against a number of squads fielded along other racial and ethnic lines, including Italians, Croatians, Filipinos, Chinese, and African Americans.
MASSIVE CHANGE For at least two centuries, the port has served as a center of trade and travel. The advent of World War II saw jolting changes unseen before. The young men of Mexican Hollywood went off to serve their country in Europe and in the Pacific. On the waterfront, vast amounts of manpower and capital focused on turning out and repairing ships in local shipyards, while in the decades following, every bit of land around the water’s edges presented an economic opportunity, in particular with the arrival of containerized cargo in the late 1950s and the evolution of the Port of Los Angeles as the busiest container port in the country. The neighborhood gave way to the redevelopment of its lands by the Port of Los Angeles in 1952. The site became home to the Catalina Terminal and then the cruise center. Families had to leave Mexican Hollywood.
“We cried because we met so many beautiful families,” Contreras says. “We were not sure we were going to see them again because they scattered throughout San Pedro. Others moved out of town.”
The Mexican Hollywood Culture Society, a local nonprofit incorporated in 2021, has been researching the origins and evolution of the Mexican Hollywood neighborhood.
The Mexican Hollywood Culture Society (l to r) Richard Gettler, Yomaria Gettler, Richard Gonzalez, Steve Linares, Vince LaFarga, Maggie de Alba, Dickie Chavez, and Rudy Alba, with LA City Councilmember Tim McOsker (third from right). (photo: Bobby Fabro/Mexican Hollywood Culture Society)
Through the work of a board that includes Magdeline Fierro-de Alba, also known as Maggie de Alba, the founding president, and with help from Mona Dallas Reddick of the San Pedro Bay Historical Society, they have sought to preserve and to tell the story of Mexican Hollywood with the goal of obtaining historical designation for the area from the City of Los Angeles. Their mission is to celebrate and honor Mexican American heritage and contributions to the industries and communities of the Los Angeles Harbor area in San Pedro and the surrounding communities. The Mexican Hollywood Culture Society comprises dedicated community ambassadors who seek to educate, honor, and celebrate Mexican American culture.
With the markers now in place, the organization’s longer-term goals include the establishment of a cultural center, exhibits, installation of a half-dozen banners celebrating Mexican American culture in the Port of Los Angeles promenade near Harbor Boulevard and O’Farrell, and designation of the area as Mexican Hollywood Plaza.
Other society members include: Rick Gonzalez, vice president; Paul “Dickie” Chavez, treasurer; Yomaria Gettler, secretary; Vince LaFarga, historian; Richard Gettler, technology adviser; Steve Linares, special events; Rudy Alba, advisor; Robert Maynez, advisory council; and Isela Lopez, volunteer bookkeeper. Bobby Fabro is the official photographer.
As a result of the society’s efforts, the City of Los Angeles prepared four signs for unveiling on June 7, 2025, declaring the area at Harbor Boulevard and O’Farrell Street as “Mexican Hollywood Square.” A half dozen colorful banners were set to be hung in the area, reflecting the old neighborhood’s dual Mexican and American identities.
“One day,” says Fierro-de Alba, “we hope to produce a Mexican Hollywood documentary.” spt
Ron Gonzales, a native of San Pedro, is a co-author of Mexican American Baseball in the South Bay.
When it comes to real estate, location will always matter.
Along with location, neighborhood safety often plays a major role in influencing property values and buyer demand.
San Pedro is a known melting pot of cultures, with many families sharing generations of history in our proud coastal community. It’s one of the wonderful aspects, adding to its authenticity, uniqueness, and desirability. Looking out for our neighbors and the neighborhoods we live in is an extremely important factor in keeping our community safe and desirable to live in.
South Shores is known as one of the most desirable neighborhoods in San Pedro. Of course, the breathtaking Catalina views, proximity to the coastal bluffs and trails, custom homes, strong sense of community, etc., all play a role in the allure of this area. However, one crucial aspect of this neighborhood’s desirability is its safety, and many residents play a significant role in helping keep it that way.
In 2013, a local resident created CyberWatch, with the main goal of making the community safer by preventing home burglaries. As stated on the South Shores Community website, “It does this by bringing the old neighborhood watch system into the digital age. It is not a social media website. It is a responsive email link between us and the LAPD. Since its inception, CyberWatch has grown steadily through word of mouth from neighbor to neighbor. Today, over 600 South Shores homes participate in this vital community effort with more residents joining CyberWatch each month.”
The premise is simple—CyberWatchers email suspicious activity, individuals, and vehicles to a primary community contact. These reports are immediately forwarded to key LAPD contacts for investigation and entry into the Burglary Division’s database. LAPD acts from there and does all the necessary follow-up. This has been instrumental in catching bad guys and deterring potential criminal activity.
On the Palos Verdes Peninsula, automated license plate readers (ALPRs) are installed at entry and exit points, including gateways into Rancho Palos Verdes and cities like Palos Verdes Estates. These have been effective in aiding law enforcement and solving crimes, even in neighboring cities such as San Pedro.
Across the South Bay, homes in areas with a strong sense of security tend to sell faster and maintain value even in changing markets. Buyers are drawn to neighborhoods where people look out for one another, streets are well-lit, and the overall environment feels safe and cared for.
In San Pedro, we’ve seen certain areas experience steady improvement, as revitalization projects, neighborhood watch programs like CyberWatch, and new investment help shift perceptions and restore confidence in our local housing market. Neighborhood safety is more than just a statistic—it’s a cornerstone of community value.
When people feel secure, they’re more likely to invest in, stay in, and take pride in their homes, which benefits everyone in our seaside community. spt
Mike Harper and Peter Hazdovac are co-owners of HH Coastal Real Estate, an independent local brokerage. For more info, visit hhcoastal.com.
I’m scared to do CrossFit because I might get hurt.
That’s a sentence I’ve heard at least four times in the past week, just talking to random people. It always comes up: They ask me what I do, I tell them, and that’s their response.
It’s funny—I just watched a video of Greg Glassman, the founder of CrossFit, being interviewed. The reporter said, “I’ve heard things, and I don’t want to get hurt.” Glassman shot back, “Stay in your chair where you’re sure to get hurt, and you’ll become one of the 300,000 people that will die next year from sitting in their chair doing nothing.”
I’m not denying that people can get hurt doing CrossFit—people get hurt doing everything. Glassman is known for being curt and blunt. His response to the reporter might sound harsh, but there’s truth in it.
When I talk to people about what I do for a living—which happens all the time—most of them don’t actually exercise. The conversation usually turns into how nervous or intimidated they feel about going to the gym. And honestly, I get it. The gym can feel intimidating at first. It looks like everyone in there is already fit and cool.
But here’s the truth: No one in there cares what you’re doing. They’re focused on themselves. No one’s watching you. No one’s judging you. And if someone is, it’s probably because they’re looking for a date, not critiquing your squat.
The other day, my pastor came to work out with me. After the session, we grabbed coffee, and he got to see one of these exact conversations play out. On the way out, he laughed and said, “You’re a gym evangelist.”
He’s right, I am.
I want everyone to experience what the gym can offer. I believe everyone should have a coach. I believe everyone should be in an environment where the people around them genuinely want to see them get better. The gym, at its best, is a place where people want you to succeed.
I wish we could change the way people see the gym. So many people who should be there never go because they’ve built up the wrong picture of it in their heads. The gym isn’t a place to be judged. It’s a place to be supported, to work on yourself, to fail, to grow, and to become a better version of yourself.
If you’re reading this, I hope it gives you the courage to walk through those doors and start your journey. Even the greats—MJ, Kobe—had coaches. So should you. spt
Eddie McKenna is co-owner of Heyday Elite Fitness. For more info, visit heydaytraining.com.
As a baby boomer who was always interested in history, I grew up with a great appreciation for military veterans.
It started with my own family, of course: My dad, three of my mother’s brothers, and my three great-uncles all served in WWII. Naturally, most of my dad’s friends were also veterans. One of my cousins is a veteran. During my newspaper career, and later on the docks, I worked with several Vietnam War veterans. The churches I’ve attended have included many veterans.
One of my favorite childhood memories is attending my Uncle Bill’s reunions with his shipmates. He and his brother Dick served on the repair ship USS Medusa, which was part of the Pacific Battle Fleet. They joined up prewar when the fleet was based in San Pedro; that’s what brought my mother here. The Medusa was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and it served in the Pacific throughout the war. Throughout the `50s and `60s, crew members held reunions annually at Peck Park, and Uncle Bill, a lifelong bachelor, always took me along. Tubs of ice were filled with beer, along with sodas for the kids.
I reflect on this because another Veterans Day is upon us. I’ve written about many veterans here, but sadly, the WWII generation is almost all gone now. We commemorated the 80th anniversary of the end of the war this summer, so the math is pretty obvious. As of 2024, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there were only 66,143 WWII veterans left. All of the ones I’ve known have died except for Roy Jones of Rancho Palos Verdes, who is 99. It’s a fairly exclusive club, and I’d love to know if there are any other nonagenarians (or older) in San Pedro/RPV who served in WWII.
There are still more than a million Korean War veterans as of 2024, but as they age, the numbers dwindle quickly.
The number of Vietnam War veterans gets a little tricky. The VA counts anyone who served on active duty between November 1, 1955, and May 15, 1975 (more than nine million men and women), no matter where they served; 2,709,918 served in uniform “in country” (Vietnam).
Whether they were drafted or enlisted, you have to admire those who have served; they all sacrificed something. I’m not a veteran, but you don’t have to be one to consider anyone who fought in a war to be a hero. There are levels of heroism, of course; those who survived WWII, Korea, or Vietnam will be the first to say the real heroes are those who didn’t return.
San Pedro has had more than its share of heroes, but only a few have been recognized by the armed services for gallantry in combat. Two of those, both former boxers, fought together in Company H of the Army’s 23rd Infantry Regiment in one of the Korean War’s bloodiest battles, Heartbreak Ridge.
Manuel H. Flores, Jr.
Manuel H. Flores, Jr. was a 20-year-old corporal on September 19, 1951, when overwhelming enemy numbers attacked his unit. After rescuing several wounded comrades, he led his squad in a fighting withdrawal. According to the citation for his Distinguished Service Cross, second only to the Medal of Honor, Flores “ordered his squad to move to safety and, resisting all of his comrades’ pleas to withdraw himself, he steadfastly remained at his post, delivering deadly accurate fire until his position was overrun and he was mortally wounded.”
Flores, who left San Pedro High early to join the Army, was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Celso M. Araiza.
Two days before Flores’ heroics, Pfc. Celso M. Araiza, a 21-year-old machine gunner, volunteered to stay at his position and cover his unit’s withdrawal during a counterattack by a superior enemy force. His citation for the Silver Star says he “courageously exposed himself to the enemy fire and inflicted numerous casualties upon the hostile force.” Wounded in both legs, he “employed a heavy concentration of protective fire and refused to be evacuated until his comrades had successfully completed their withdrawal.”
Araiza, a native of Colton, was nicknamed “Sheik” as a hard-hitting lightweight boxer before the war. Returning to San Pedro, he became a longshoreman and died in 1979 at age 49.
Remember Araiza on November 11; remember Flores next Memorial Day. And when you see that old-timer proudly wearing a veteran cap, say, “Thanks for your service.” spt
Steve Marconi is a San Pedro native and a former columnist for the Daily Breeze for 20 years. He is also a retired longshoreman. He can be reached at spmarconi@yahoo.com.
It was one of those perfect San Pedro mornings: a quiet harbor, a little fog burning off over the bridge, and the smell of salt in the air.
A crowd full of familiar faces exchanged hugs, took selfies, and lined up to board a Harbor Breeze Cruises boat in front of the LA Maritime Museum. We pulled away from the dock and within minutes, San Pedro was behind us and Long Beach was straight ahead.
Twenty minutes later, we were there. No bridge, no traffic, no headaches—just an easy glide across the harbor.
That morning, Supervisor Janice Hahn invited us aboard to show firsthand that her idea for a water taxi between San Pedro and Long Beach can work. She’s pushing LA Metro to have it ready for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With San Pedro hosting Croatia House and sailing competitions, and Long Beach hosting 18 Olympic events, it’s clear we need more than just the bridges to get around. But Hahn doesn’t want to stop there; she wants this water taxi to be a permanent part of our harbor’s future.
Hahn is just reviving a great idea that never should have gone away. Before the Vincent Thomas Bridge opened in the 1960s, people used to take a ferry between San Pedro and Terminal Island. It was a normal way to commute.
During the ride, Hahn reminded me of that history. “Before the bridge,” she says, “people didn’t think twice about crossing by boat.” She’s right. But in the decades since the bridges opened, we’ve treated the water as a boundary instead of a boulevard. Bringing back the ferry and expanding to Long Beach means more people can use this as a fun and effective means to get there and back.
Recent problems on the Vincent Thomas Bridge suggest we shouldn’t have abandoned the old ferry model. Remember last fall when a big rig carrying lithium-ion batteries crashed and the resulting fire closed the bridge for two days? And I know all of us are dreading the bridge being closed for repairs for 16 months starting next year. It makes you wish CalTrans had listened to Hahn’s water taxi idea years ago.
Last month’s demonstration wasn’t just for show. The boat was full of folks who can help make this happen—Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, Senator Lena Gonzalez, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán, Assemblymember Mike Gipson, union leaders, Metro staff, and representatives from both ports.
Metro wants the 2028 Olympics to be the “Transit-first Games,” moving millions by bus and train. Hahn is pushing them to get creative; after all, we’ve got a harbor. Why not use it? You can already picture tourists getting off the J line and piling onto the dock in San Pedro, cameras in hand, ready to cross the bay the fun way.
Long after the Closing Ceremonies are through, a permanent water taxi service would be an asset to both the San Pedro and Long Beach economies. With West Harbor opening next year, Long Beach families could leave their cars behind and take the water taxi over to our side of the port for dinner and a concert. I can already picture my wife and me taking the water taxi to the Aquarium of the Pacific or to enjoy Cali Vibes or the Grand Prix. Tourists for years to come could visit both sides of the harbor in one afternoon.
According to Hahn, Metro’s study on costs and logistics is due in November, and yes, there will be hurdles: funding, permits, environmental checks —the usual. But if the water taxi demonstration proved anything, it’s that the support is there. People want this. Our elected leaders want it, our business leaders want it, and residents who remember the old ferry days definitely want it.
As a harbor commissioner, I am keenly aware that our ports belong to the people. And it’s time we make the most of our harbor as a connection between our two waterfronts.
There has been a lot of talk about Olympic legacies. While past Olympics have left us stadiums and statues, I think Hahn has the right idea with this one: using the Games to bring San Pedro and Long Beach a little closer together. spt
Lee Williams is a local real estate expert, community advocate, and harbor commissioner at the Port of LA. He believes in smart growth and investing in community, culture, art, and history. He can be reached at lee@lamove.com.
The Teen Mural Club at Angels Gate Cultural Center offers a free opportunity for teens (ages 13-20) to learn the process of creating large-scale public art.
No experience is necessary, making it an accessible entry point for any young artist. Teens are in a unique stage of life—no longer children but not yet adults. This “in-between” stage can be isolating and confusing. During this time, teens are sometimes treated as nuisances or face a period of emergence and growth all at once. As they search for peer support, there are few places explicitly designed for them outside of school. That’s why programs like the Teen Mural Club are so vital to our community.
The Teen Mural Club is more than just a safe space for teens to learn about art. It provides an escape from the pressures of school, family, and society. The class is intentionally structured to be neither fully rigid nor completely unbound, but something in the middle. This creates what sociologist Ray Oldenburg calls a “third space”—a space separate from home and work, free, informal, and welcoming.
Angels Gate has recognized the need for teens to have a safe space to gather with peers and create art. Located on a hilltop overlooking the ocean, Angels Gate is situated in former World War II-era army barracks that now house artist studios used for exhibits and events. This vibrant art hub is the perfect setting for teens to gather, just a short walking distance from San Pedro High School’s Olguin Campus.
The Teen Mural Club consists of a series of 10 workshops that meet after school. Each series of workshops features a different artist-instructor with a background in mural creation. These instructors share their techniques and passion for art while guiding students in the design and creation of murals. Throughout the class, students collaborate to produce a mural that becomes a permanent part of Angels Gate’s outdoor art collection.
Community paint day at Angels Gate Cultural Center’s Open Studios Day, fall 2023. (photo: Jordan Rodriguez)
Students attending the program come from a range of educational backgrounds, including homeschooling, local high schools, and even the first year of college. With such a diverse group, teens can learn from each other’s experiences, from navigating the challenges of high school to the unique perspectives of students in their first year of college. This mix of ages fosters a sense of community and allows teens to connect on a deeper level, learning valuable lessons not only about art but about life, identity, and overcoming challenges.
The murals created by the teens have drawn inspiration from native plants, Indigenous cultures, local musicians, and even cats. Angels Gate itself is located on the ancestral lands of the Tongva people, and the teens frequently look to the area’s rich history and the local community for artistic inspiration.
“The Teen Mural Club works together as peers, and they are validated as artists through the classes. They become part of the art community at Angels Gate and create lasting art,” says Marissa Sykes, director of arts education. “Teens are exploring their identity, and having a supportive group of peers helps them understand themselves better.”
Thanks to the generosity of the Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation, the Max H. Gluck Foundation, the California Arts Council, and individual donors, the Teen Mural Club remains free for students. The next session will begin in the spring. For more information, visit angelsgateart.org or call (310) 519-0936. spt
Making art, whether it be ballet, a play, or public art, is inherently an act of resistance.
The arts can elevate our sense of community and solidarity by beautifying our surroundings. Through visual storytelling, art can be a catalyst for change, inspire hope, and explain ourselves to each other.
We are grateful to the artists, galleries, and arts spaces who have faithfully kept the First Thursday ArtWalk going for the past 28 years. To celebrate, we will be conducting a guided tour of San Pedro’s public murals using the Downtown San Pedro trolley during the First Thursday ArtWalk on November 6. We will visit the following locations:
SOULFUL SUNRISE by Luis Sanchez 454 West 6th Street (in the Lilyan Fierman Walkway)
Soulful Sunrise. (photo: John Mattera Photography)
Officially unveiled on February 2, 2017, the Arts District was thrilled to announce a mural award to local artist Luis Sanchez. This was part of the City of Los Angeles’ “1% for the Arts” funding, negotiated by Joe Buscaino’s Council 15 office. It is on the east wall of the Lilyan Fierman Walkway.
Born in Mexico City, Luis Sanchez is a fine art painter, sculptor, and muralist who painted two of our DOT boxes. Luis notes, “When looking at the history of our historic theatre, its incredible design and history, I wanted to show a tale of past, present, music, dance, movement, celebration of the arts, as well as the diverse culture of San Pedro. I also used some of the applied design elements from the interior of the Warner Grand.”
LA SERNA DE OJO Sirens Community Mural 402 West 7th Street (parking lot side)
La Serna de Ojo. (photo: John Mattera Photography)
To make the arts more accessible to everyone, we believe an essential part of our mission is promoting public art. When we were given the chance to paint our second mural, the San Pedro Waterfront Arts conducted a mural workshop with a dozen community members, led by Teaching Artist Virginia Broersma.
On June 18, 2017, in the former Machine Studio on 6th Street in San Pedro, the Arts District, in collaboration with Sirens Java & Tea, launched a novel community mural project called Adventures in Public Art. The six-week workshop was designed to give participants a common foundation in the elements of art, color theory, principles of design, analysis of art elements, and the creation of artworks that reflect complex ideas and expressive content. This highly collaborative method of creating public art was completed with the help of over 25 volunteers and the 12 core workshop students.
This mural has a Snapchat Augmented Reality activation, built by Otis Teaching Artist Raul Moreno, with images created by the POLAHS CTE students and funded by a grant from the NEA.
LA PINCOYA EN EL NORTE by Revival Murals LAMI, Berth 73, Building G (on the Harbor Blvd. side of West Harbor)
La Pincoya en El Norte. (photo: John Mattera Photography)
This mural was painted in December 2023 by the Revival Murals team of Alonsa Guevara and James Razko on the Los Angeles Maritime Institute’s shop wall.
Guevara, the Chilean half of Revival Murals, explains, “La Pincoya is a mythological character from the Pueblo Chilote (south of Chile). We think it is interesting to introduce her to this part of the Pacific Ocean. ‘La Pincoya en El Norte’ (in the North), in my opinion, it’s a metaphor for migration and unification of two far-away but similar maritime cultures.”
The 72’ x 15’ LAMI mural is the third community engagement mural in our Adventures in Public Art program and included two community painting days, with over 60 locals helping paint it. Generous contributions from the Port of Los Angeles Community Grant Program, a grant from the LA County Creative Recovery Program, and numerous private donations funded it. This mural also has a Snapchat Augmented Reality activation.
This year, I have discovered two places in town that feed into my love of cultural exposure and make my taste buds very happy.
The Croatian American Club (631 W. 9th St.) offers lunch plates on Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or earlier, if sold out) from late September to June. The lunches are hosted by the club’s president, Frane Jerkovic, and vice president, Glen Adamik. Each week, the options change, and there is something different—and, as far as I am concerned, exciting to try. The menu and cooking are handled by Danny Maricich, who predominantly focuses on Mediterranean options because the majority of folks who stop by are club members or of Croatian descent.
Lamb with pasta and green beans from the Croatian American Hall. (photo: Sanam Lamborn)
The rotating options are lamb, beef, or fish, which is freshly sourced from J&D Seafood here in town. Each plate usually includes two sides—vegetables, potatoes, pasta, or salad—along with a soft dinner roll and butter. Maricich shared with me that the most popular meal is the swordfish plate. He also mentioned that during the cooler months, he leans towards comfort foods such as sarma, stuffed bell peppers, pasta fazol, and goulash.
I have immensely enjoyed every lunch I have had so far because, to me, they taste like a delicious homemade meal.
Lunch can be requested as takeout or enjoyed at one of the many tables in the hall. The bar is also open during lunch. The food is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and is $20 cash.
The weekly Wednesday lunch menu and other events hosted at the hall are posted on the Croatian American Club’s Facebook (@croatianamericanhallofsanpedro) and Instagram (@croatianamericanclub) accounts.
Last year, I was very excited to learn from a post on one of our local Facebook group pages that the Norwegian Seamen’s Church (1035 S. Beacon St.) hosts a fantastic annual Christmas market. Upon following their social media account, I found out that they host lunch events on the first Wednesday of most months from October to June. Each month, the theme reflects the season.
The summer buffet plate from June’s lunch at the Norwegian Seamen’s Church. (photo: Sanam Lamborn)
During my first lunch last spring, there was a delicious Norwegian summer buffet of mostly seafood-based dishes, along with various salads and fresh fruit. My second lunch in October featured Norway’s national dish, fårikål—a comforting lamb and cabbage one-pot stew served with boiled potatoes. Each lunch includes lemonade, water, coffee, and a dessert.
During my first visit, I met Anna Spilling Isaksen, the director of hospitality, who is very welcoming. The two-hour sit-down lunch programs begin with a welcome speech by Petter Piita Isaksen, the diaconal worker, and a light but meaningful sermon by the sailor’s chaplain, Margit Lovise Holte, followed by lunch. Next, the program continues with some lighthearted fellowship, filled with good humor, led by Ole Martin Grevstad, also a sailor’s chaplain, and volunteers.
Sitting at communal tables with other guests provides plenty of opportunities to socialize. Despite not being of Norwegian or Scandinavian descent, much less religious, I have felt very welcomed by all the friendly people I have met; most importantly, the staff is warm and incredibly hospitable. After each lunch event, I have left feeling both emotionally and physically nourished.
The monthly lunch programs require reservations and cost $35 per person, payable upon arrival on the day of the event by cash or credit card.
This year’s Christmas market takes place November 14–23. There are Scandinavian artisanal items, baked goods, and food for purchase, including heart-shaped Swedish waffles. All events are announced on the church’s Facebook and Instagram accounts: @sjomannskirkenlosangeles. spt
Sanam Lamborn created the Eat in San Pedro Facebook group and Instagram page @eatinsanpedro.
It hasn’t been a long, hot summer in San Pedro; in fact, this may have been the coolest summer on record.
Caltrans, however, more than made up for it by making life hell for the thousands of commuters who use Western Avenue. For months on end, almost daily it seemed, at least one lane was closed going either north or south, mostly in the Rancho Palos Verdes corridor. For a major thoroughfare that is always backed up even when both lanes each way are open, it’s been a nightmarish period.
Apparently, the work being done is part of the oxymoronic Western Avenue Traffic Flow Improvement Project, which not only has yet to improve traffic flow but has made it worse. Some enterprising entrepreneur might make some cash selling t-shirts featuring the Western Avenue street sign and the caption “I Survived the Summer of ‘25.”
Just sayin’.
SPEAKING OF TRAFFIC Unlike the voices in these pages and throughout much of San Pedro, I’m not a fan of West Harbor. For all of its failings as it aged, at least Ports O’ Call had character. West Harbor, like its name, is just plain ugly. Am I the only one who sees those giant metal tents and thinks back to the ‘50s and ‘60s when Quonset huts used to occupy an area just a little south of West Harbor known as Lower Fort MacArthur? (And if you don’t know what a Quonset hut is, you’re not a Real San Pedran.)
And you have to pay to park? Don’t you want people to visit and maybe hang around for a while, like we used to do in Ports O’ Call’s heyday when parking was free? As it was once said, “If you want me to wait, you must validate”—or something like that.
But even if you can convince people it’s worth whatever they’re charged to park, in what universe can you build a 6,200-seat venue with only a two-lane street for access?
The port has been constructing a new off-ramp at Harbor Boulevard because the current setup had become untenable with all of the 18-wheelers bringing containers to and from the China and Yang Ming terminals. When finished, traffic should be much improved for “normal” use. Add 3,000 cars or more for a concert at the amphitheater and guess what you’ll have? It’s called a SigAlert.
The ultimate irony is that the amphitheater will be completed just as the Vincent Thomas Bridge is closed down for, what, two years?
We really are heading for ‘Harborgeddon.’
Scott Parker, author of Baseball’s Unlikely: A Constant.
ANOTHER BOOK Scott Parker has lived in San Pedro for 30 years, which makes him a newbie to the “born-and-raised” crowd, but two of his main interests give him a lot of street cred: photography and baseball.
He’s combined those two loves to become a member of that burgeoning group of San Pedrans who have become published book authors.
Baseball’s Unlikely: A Constant is a nearly three-pound, 467-page coffee-table book containing 400 stories and 250 color pictures (explaining its $50.94 price tag on Amazon) covering every team in Major League Baseball. Put together just last year (thanks to editor Rusty Austin), most of the book’s contents had been accumulated over the previous 36 years.
Baseball’s Unlikely: A Constant cover.
Parker, 62, a Torrance High graduate, was a musician before beginning a successful career as a video editor and colorist in television (most recently for Naked and Afraid on Discovery) in 1988.
He’s been a baseball fan since age 9, when he saw his first Angels game, but it was in the early ‘90s that he began collecting clippings and stories and saving screenshots. Vacations took him to stops at every MLB stadium (except the new Yankees venue), where his photography hobby resulted in thousands of pictures. Parker has tied the photos to his own stories about some of baseball’s most well-known moments, from Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig to Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron, and more modern incidents such as the home run off Jose Conseco’s head and Fernando Tatis’ two grand-slam-homer inning.
If you’re a baseball fan with a big coffee table, you’ll want this book.
GALLERY OPEN The Christian-oriented art gallery/studio Kipos (Greek for “garden”), which I wrote about a few months ago, held its grand opening and is now open to the public Thursdays from 2-6 p.m.
The entrance is at the corner of Broadway and 7th, right across from the synagogue. There are still studios available; contact director Gregory Bruick at geoffrey@trinitysanpedro.org with any questions. spt
If you haven’t yet set foot aboard the S.S. Lane Victory, you’re missing out on one of San Pedro’s richest slices of maritime history, entertainment, and San Pedro pride.
More than just a ship, she’s a time machine, a film set, and an event venue, and this October, she becomes your favorite ghost story.
Built in San Pedro on Terminal Island, where SA Recycling now stands, and launched on May 31, 1945, the Lane Victory is one of the few remaining Victory-class cargo ships. She carried supplies in WWII, served during the Korean and Vietnam wars, evacuated thousands in wartime emergencies, and now rests back here in San Pedro as a National Historic Landmark.
After years in the U.S. Merchant Marine Reserve Fleet, she was towed to the Port of Los Angeles in 1989 and transformed into a restored museum ship. Some of you may recall reenactments with annual sails to Catalina, featuring WWII planes and historic costumes.
Although her sailing days are over, she remains an amazing place to visit and step into history. The Spirit of ’45, held on August 10, marked her 80th anniversary and celebrated the end of WWII with swing bands, WWII reenactors, classic cars, vintage vibes, food, and vendors. Part commemoration, part party, these reenactments aren’t just a photo op; they’re immersive. Costumed interpreters, period dress, and displays of equipment provide living history that lets you walk back into 1945. If you love snapping photos and stepping into past eras, this is gold.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 4, when the Lane Victory demurs from the usual war stories and sails into the spooky. It’s the 2nd Annual Haunted Harbor Hop…in Space!, from 12 to 8 p.m. aboard the ship. Think classic sci-fi/horror mash-ups: forbidden planets, UFOs, twilight zones, live bands, DJ sets, a “Queen of the Haunt” costume contest, spooky vendors, and a burlesque showcase in the museum downstairs.
Kids under 12 attend free. Costumes are encouraged. Weather permitting, some of the fun takes place on deck. Dress for atmosphere—and maybe a chill sea breeze.
The Lane Victory isn’t just history; she’s famous, appearing in dozens of films, TV shows, and commercials. Some highlights:
• Pearl Harbor, Flags of Our Fathers, The Thin Red Line, GI Jane, and U-571.
• TV shows like Alias, Baywatch, NCIS, MacGyver, Unsolved Mysteries, and Murder, She Wrote.
• Even its engine has done double duty—it was used in The Sand Pebbles for the fictitious gunboat USS San Pablo.
The ship is built for this sort of thing. Filming and photography are regular parts of her mission. Interior, bridge, holds, engine room, gun placements, lifeboats—many parts have been restored or maintained so they’re film-ready. They will even move the ship via tug if needed for bigger productions.
Here’s where things get especially cool: Lane Victory is both a living museum and a unique event space. There are guided and self-guided tours of the ship, featuring the engine room, command bridge, cargo holds, deck guns, lifeboat, and two onboard museums with artifacts, historical displays, and personal stories of the men and women who served.
For events, Cargo Hold No. 4 has been converted into a flexible space, with a large dance floor and room for guests to dine or mingle. The Officer’s Wardroom remains virtually unchanged since 1945 and is perfect for intimate dinners or business meetings. Tables, chairs, sound and AV equipment, and lighting are available. For major events, public areas can be closed off to keep your gathering private. There’s ample parking available, and proceeds from events are reinvested into preserving the ship and supporting her mission to teach, remember, and inspire.
Why do I love the Lane Victory so much? It’s about telling stories that might otherwise be forgotten and letting us walk through them rather than just read them. Plus, it’s fun. The sensory richness of the ship, the view from the deck, and the sense of history vibrating under your feet; it all adds up.
For San Pedro, she’s a treasured anchor, literally and figuratively, tying us to global history, to film culture, to community gatherings, to creative energy, and this October 4, to spooky vibes. Hope to see you there! spt
These days, I often hear people say, “I’m overwhelmed by everything happening in the world. It’s chaotic, it’s heartbreaking. What can I do? Where is my place in all this?”
It’s a question rooted in exhaustion and longing—for direction, for meaning, for hope. When the news feels relentless and the world seems to be unraveling, it can be hard to process current events without sinking into rage or despair. But moving through those feelings—toward clarity, hope, and action—is essential. The only way forward is to stay engaged, to safeguard the society we want to see.
When I find myself spiraling, unsure how to even start untangling the weight of it all, I call Diane Middleton with the hope she’ll invite me on one of her steady four-mile walks. Diane is a seasoned organizer who has weathered crises before. She is relentlessly optimistic and forward-thinking. Talking with her is part therapy, part reality check, and part ignition—a spark that keeps me moving forward. We could all use a little Diane to help turn our rage and sorrow into hope—and hope into action.
I asked Diane to share her perspective—not just for me, but for all of us—on where we are now and how we can change the course of a country headed down a path none of us want to follow.
Diane:The world may feel unrecognizable right now, but history reminds us: We’ve seen echoes of this before—and we’ve found our way through.
Even the staunchest supporters of our administration are starting to admit: This isn’t what they signed up for. The country is pushing back. Protests are erupting in every state, in cities and towns that once stayed silent. In one upstate New York town of just 5,500, neighbors poured into the streets when a woman who had worked at the local pizza parlor for 20 years was deported. People are done watching quietly from the sidelines, because when injustice comes for one of us, it comes for all of us.
The first step is to recognize and acknowledge that when we get stuck in pure sorrow or pure rage, that’s where burnout lives. The harder path—the one that demands hope and the courage to stay focused on what must be done—is choosing to pursue justice anyway. Reaching that third step—hope—isn’t easy, and we often grapple with how to get there.
Many of you already know that United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has set up operations on Terminal Island, right here in our own backyard. While it’s easy to get swept up in headlines from across the country and around the world, the most urgent place to start is at home.
The author, her daughter, and Diane Middleton at the 2024 San Pedro Chamber of Commerce Women’s History Month Celebration. (photo: Tammy Khan)
In the Harbor area, neighbors have come together to form the Harbor Area Peace Patrol (HAPP) in direct response to recent ICE raids. Their message is clear: Our community will not stand by while people are quietly picked up or disappear. Not here. Not in our town.
HAPP is made up of local volunteers who refuse to accept an ICE foothold in their neighborhoods, and they have the support of our city councilmember, Tim McOsker. On September 20, they held a community meeting and orientation to mobilize residents. Their goal is to create a rapid-response network, using social media to alert neighbors about possible ICE presence, including vehicle license plate numbers.
Because here’s the thing: ICE doesn’t want to be seen. And the one thing we, as everyday citizens, can do—lawfully—is observe, report, and help keep one another safe.
My takeaway from my chat with Diane is: There are no shortcuts to resistance. Like those who came before us, we may not know precisely how to fight the attacks on our standard (values) of living, but they pressed on, believing that victory lay ahead, and so must we.
I attended the HAPP community meeting on September 20 and left feeling prouder of my community than ever. What I’ve always known—and what that day reaffirmed—is that we will not stand by or stay silent in the face of this—or any—administration’s abuse of power.
Harbor Occupational Center, an LAUSD career technical education program, serves adults 18 and older with training in trades, technical skills, and career certification programs taught by industry professionals.
With two sites in San Pedro, the center offers opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience that can lead directly to employment.
At the Fort MacArthur location, a fully licensed teaching auto shop provides a variety of certificate programs—ranging from electrical and brakes to alignment, lubrication, and introductory auto courses—at no cost to participants. In addition, the shop services cars for the public at a fraction of typical repair costs. Customers pay only for parts and a $20 materials fee, since labor is free and supervised by the instructor. Preventive maintenance services, such as tune-ups and tire rotations, are also available to the community on a limited basis.
“I have brought my car here three times for brakes, an oil change, and when my check engine light came on,” shares resident Julie Viloria. “It was so affordable—I brought my own parts, and there was no labor fee. I grew up in San Pedro and didn’t even know this place existed. It’s amazing that it helps kids learn while also helping people like me save money.”
The Auto Shop facility opened in 2018 as part of a settlement following the construction of the Olguin Campus of San Pedro High School, which closed the original vocational center. Classes for SPHS students began in 2020 but were temporarily halted during COVID before reopening in 2022.
The program is a two-year track for high school students: Juniors start with the basics, while seniors focus on specialized skills and certifications. Lessons emphasize project-based learning, with students building everything from small jeeps to classic cars while also developing communication and management skills. Adult classes are at night and run mainly on a semester timeline with summer off. The program serves individuals of all abilities and ages.
The program has produced many success stories. “We have students who didn’t do well in high school and never thought college was an option,” says instructor Marvin Casasola. “They’ve discovered a passion here, turned their lives around, and gone on to work in car dealerships and auto shops.”
In addition to training students, the Auto Shop gives back to the community. It provides car repair services to a local domestic violence nonprofit, helping clients who otherwise couldn’t afford repairs. Casasola notes that reliable transportation gives survivors greater independence and a chance to rebuild their lives.
In many ways, the program reflects the spirit of San Pedro itself—practical, hard-working, and community-centered. It not only prepares the next generation of mechanics and technicians but also strengthens local ties by giving back to residents in need. Whether it’s a teenager discovering a trade, a 65-year-old pursuing a new skill, or a neighbor getting their car back on the road, the auto shop proves that education, service, and community pride can all run on the same engine.
The Auto Shop also welcomes donations to support students who can’t afford essential supplies, such as goggles, coveralls, hand tools, and gloves. To schedule car service, please email Marvin Casasola at marvin.casasola@lausd.net or call (310) 221-4631 (no voicemail available). Adults interested in enrolling in classes can visit harboroccupational.lausd.org or call (310) 241-4800. spt
When Anthony DiLeva first considered applying to be principal of Holy Trinity School, he wasn’t entirely convinced he would be the right fit.
“I don’t think they’re going to hire me,” he remembers telling his wife, Kim. “I was a deputy sheriff, and then I’ve been teaching 18 years in college. I don’t have any experience with elementary school.”
But with encouragement from Kim, DiLeva applied anyway. After several interviews with the board, Rev. Kevin Nolan, and representatives from the LA Archdiocese, he was offered the position. “I know this is an unconventional hire,” he told the board. “Everything’s kind of unconventional. You just kind of have to see what works.”
FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT TO EDUCATION DiLeva’s path to Holy Trinity is anything but typical. A longtime deputy sheriff, he later became a professor of criminal justice at Marymount California University, and after the school closed, he continued teaching at Cal State Dominguez Hills.
“I do know how to teach. I’ve been doing that for a long time,” he says. “I know what makes an environment conducive to learning. I know how to lead because of my experience. And I know how to manage a business because Kim and I have done that… I know how to deal with people. I know how to represent in a good way.”
For DiLeva, who turned 60 in July, those experiences, coupled with his strong faith, gave him the confidence to take on the challenge. “God always kind of took care of me in my career path and my choices, even though some of them were a little bit more risky, because you’re leaving something secure for something that’s not really secure. And I thought this is really a way to actually serve, to do something special for my parish and my community.”
HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING Holy Trinity isn’t just another school for DiLeva—it’s family. “My kids went here. My wife went here,” he says. Though he attended Mary Star of the Sea from first grade through high school, he says he always admired Holy Trinity. “Even when I was at Mary Star, I always had an admiration for Holy Trinity. I liked their closeness.”
That closeness is something he hopes to restore. “The school needs somebody they want to connect with… It’s the same families. It’s just recycled, and they want that connection. And I think maybe that was lost.”
DiLeva officially began on July 1, but he was already working months before. “When I was coming in, there were about six or seven teachers that weren’t returning,” he explains. “Basically, I had to hire people using my laptop and my other work email outside of the facility. And I did it. I was proud of myself for being able to do that because I didn’t want to wait. I couldn’t wait until July 1, because what happens is you lose on certain candidates.”
He also made one of his first bold moves as principal by creating a marketing and advancement position, something rarely found at elementary schools, and hiring veteran professional Angela Perez. “I said, ‘This is what we need. I can’t do all of this. I just don’t have the capacity to do all [of] this.’” With the help of a longtime community donor, DiLeva secured three years of funding for the role. “It’s something that you find maybe in elite high schools and, definitely, college… and she’s already just making huge strides for me.”
Enrollment and budget were the two biggest challenges identified by the board when DiLeva was hired. “They lost a substantial amount of kids last year… And that can’t happen again,” he says.
To begin addressing those issues, he focused first on reconnecting with families. “I went to the last pep rally that they had and then the awards banquet, and just saw some familiar faces. People would come up to me and talk to me, and then they would just tell me how happy they were that I was here. And I was just telling them, ‘Hey, we have a plan. We have a vision going forward. Maybe give me a chance. Put your trust in me to do what’s best, and I think you’ll be pleased.’”
From the beginning, DiLeva has leaned on the experience of others. Retired principal Linda Wiley, who served Holy Trinity for 32 years, remains a phone call away. “I take a lot of credence in what she has to say and her advice. You always want to incorporate your own style, but I listen,” he says.
Assistant Principal Kelli Pham has been a cornerstone of Holy Trinity’s stability during the leadership transition. “She is a tireless worker and dedicated to Holy Trinity School,” he says. “Her mom, Kathy Bertrand, taught at HT for 32 years, and Kelli followed in her footsteps. She has been teaching Kindergarten at HT for a decade prior to taking on the VP role. She knows the intricacies of the school like the back of her hand and is excellent with the curriculum. She also has the respect and strong connection with the faculty and staff, which was essential in the transition.”
A SENSE OF PURPOSE Just a few months into the job, DiLeva says the energy on campus already feels different. “I feel like I have a new sense of purpose. Let’s put it that way,” he says. “For me, I’ve always been somebody who likes to feel like I have a purpose… I think the timing of it has worked out for me, so I’m putting my trust in that. And, like I said, I’m kind of fortunate enough to have this beautiful staff around me.”
And if his first months are any indication, under his leadership, Holy Trinity School is poised for a revival. spt
