When most people retire in their late 60s, they look forward to a life of leisure, travel, and recreation.

Not San Pedro native Ron Hoshi. After 32 years in education, the 67-year-old decided to enter politics. When one of its members died in June 2024, he was appointed to the Anaheim Union High School District Board of Trustees. He then ran for election to fill the remaining two years of the term and won handily in November.

The district covering parts of Anaheim, Buena Park, La Palma, Stanton, and Cypress, where Hoshi lives, encompasses 22 schools with nearly 30,000 students. That includes eight high schools, eight junior highs, and the college prep Oxford Academy, where Hoshi worked for 18 years as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal until his retirement. 

He was the choir director at Oxford, creating the OA Singers, and the activities director. He also developed and led the district’s Student Ambassador program, giving students a voice in running the district.

Before Oxford, Hoshi taught at Cypress and Kennedy high schools. There, he coached the swim and water polo teams, founded the Kennedy Singers, and developed one of the district’s most extensive show programs. The program became so extensive that Kennedy had to hire a second director. 

As Hoshi told me, “I was doing Glee stuff before that stuff came out,” referring to the popular high school musical comedy series that aired on Fox. Not surprisingly, many of his former students have careers as professional musicians.

Hoshi is the son of the late Masaki and Dorothy Hoshi, who came to San Pedro in 1949 from Chicago. Masaki worked for the post office and at McCowan’s on weekends; Dorothy worked at the cafeteria at 15th Street Elementary School and the Bandini Pharmacy. Hoshi said he learned his work ethic from them. 

The youngest of five children and the only boy, he and his sisters—Patti, Susie, Terri, and Nancy—all graduated from San Pedro High.  

Hoshi graduated in 1975 and earned his bachelor’s in music education at Cal State Long Beach, where he was “very fortunate” to study under Frank Pooler, who mentored the Carpenters. Hoshi also credits the late Jack Neal, an “incredible band director” who taught at Dana Junior High for 33 years, for his own musical prowess. He got his master’s in educational administration from Alliant University in San Diego.

I can personally attest to Hoshi’s musical prowess from my recollections of him when we attended First Baptist Church in San Pedro together in the late ’70s. The young Hoshi regularly performed “special” music during worship, singing and playing the piano. To anyone who heard him then, his future success was no surprise. 

Among his many honors, he has been named Orange County Arts Administrator of the Year, was a Disneyland Creativity Teacher of the Year, and received the Cypress College Foundation Americana Award.

Far from retiring, Hoshi remains co-owner of Classics Flowers and Confections in Cypress, where he specializes in event planning. He plans to run for re-election in two years for a full four-year term. If only his former students vote, he should win easily again.

REFINERY CLOSING

While technically part of Wilmington, the Phillips 66 refinery, which was Union 76 during my childhood, has been a San Pedro landmark for decades. So its pending closure, devastating to its workforce, also marks the end of an era for generations of San Pedrans.  

I wrote here years ago about how, after an out-of-town journey, the sight of that giant blue-lighted Union sign symbolized we were home. There was the enormous spherical tank that was painted like a baseball to celebrate Dodgers’ championships. And we’ll all miss the bright orange smiling jack-o’-lantern every Halloween and the free bags of caramel corn handed out by a good-neighbor corporation. I went to sleep for years with the flare-ups lighting up my room.

Even worse is what the closure portends. The dismantling will take years, and making the site environmentally safe will take even longer. But when all is said and done, you know developers are already lining up to turn the location into another Ponte Vista housing project, only bigger. Ugh. spt

My youngest son has always had a keen eye for design. As a child, he noticed details others overlooked. 

The best time to travel with our children was when they were in elementary school—past the diaper years but before adolescence. I viewed travel as an opportunity to broaden their horizons. Our road trips often included audiobooks as we explored national parks, visited universities, and toured museums across states and countries. My son would sketch hotel designs inspired by our stays.

These adventures, made possible by travel points and a simple lifestyle, weren’t as extravagant as they may seem.

As he grew older, his observations expanded from hotel designs to cityscapes and infrastructure. He pointed out flaws in intersection layouts, such as the oversized, pedestrian-unfriendly intersection when Harbor Boulevard was reconfigured.

His passion for walkable cities became clear early on. In high school, he embraced public transportation, navigating Los Angeles and beyond on buses and the metro. I was more relaxed with him than his older brother, granting him freedoms I now wish I had given my firstborn.

Today, my youngest is a Regent Scholar at UC Berkeley, studying urban planning. Through him, I discovered the concept of “third places”—spaces beyond home (the first place) and work (the second place), where people gather to socialize and connect with their communities. These spaces are inclusive, where cost isn’t a barrier, and strangers can become friends.

Unfortunately, in our car-centric region, third places are scarce compared to areas with robust public transportation and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.

This realization deepened during my recent international travels. Anticipating changes in my employment that might eliminate my accrued vacation time, I took three international trips in one year—a decision I don’t regret despite the changes not happening yet.

In Turkey, we stayed in an apartment by the coast, surrounded by a bustling downtown. Evenings were a revelation: Young adults drank coffee late into the night, older men played backgammon, and families enjoyed playgrounds past sunset. These vibrant, interconnected third places created a palpable sense of community.

Returning to San Pedro, I longed for similar spaces and a more walkable city. Walkable cities foster connections, promote physical health, and reduce car dependence. Third places are vital for connections and aging in place—a critical need in car-dependent areas.

Seniors, in particular, face isolation when they can no longer drive. While parts of San Pedro are more walkable, I’ve come to appreciate the small neighborhood markets. However, the area still lacks cohesive infrastructure to make connections accessible to all. The natural beauty of places like Paseo Del Mar, Cabrillo Beach, and Royal Palms—informal third places—is an asset to our town.

Rather than waiting for large-scale changes, I’ve sought out and cultivated my own third places. Working with seniors has reinforced the importance of staying connected locally. I’ve started playing Mahjong at Peck Park, where camaraderie expands to other venues.

Volunteering, working from local coffee shops, and playing pickleball at Anderson Memorial Senior Citizen Center are additional ways I’ve found connection. With West Harbor set to open in a year, the community will have more options for gathering and socializing.

I’m deeply grateful for the residents of San Pedro who have worked tirelessly to improve our local amenities—from enhancing the Anderson Memorial Senior Citizen Center and other clubs to organizing activities like Mahjong and pickleball at Peck Park. Their dedication shows how grassroots efforts can create meaningful third places, even in a car-dependent city.

While we may never achieve the walkability of European cities, we can still build a future where connections are prioritized. This could involve creating more pedestrian-friendly zones, supporting local markets as community hubs, and advocating for better public transportation.

Initiatives like community events, shared gardens, or expanding senior-friendly spaces can also foster these vital connections. Together, we can shape a community that values social interaction and ensures everyone, especially our seniors, has a place to connect and thrive.

To find your home’s walkability score, visit walkscore.com. spt

Did you know that last year, the homeless population declined by 0.27 percent to 75,312 in LA County, and by 2.2 percent to 45,252 in the City of LA?  

While these stats may seem small, they are directionally huge—a decrease by any percentage means our solutions are working. The new year begins with immense possibilities—the desire to set (or reset) new goals. But we should also celebrate, recognize, and build on the previous year’s work and progress.

So, on that note, I want to thank the voters of LA County for banding together and ensuring Measure A passed. A significant victory for homeless service providers and housing advocates, Measure A is an investment by all of you in solutions for our region.

Implementing and expanding proven solutions to reduce homelessness while making Los Angeles County more affordable is a win for everyone, and you did this.

Research has demonstrated the link between an increase in public funding for housing and a decrease in the homeless population. Through Measure A, LA County is primed to boost its publicly financed housing supply—36 percent of funds will go to the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACAHSA). LACAHSA is modeled after similar initiatives in New York, San Francisco, and Singapore that scale up housing production and preservation.

Measure A is a prime example of why The Homeless Count, a point-in-time census conducted annually by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), is critical for developing policy initiatives for effective solutions.

This concentrated effort helps us learn where people experiencing homelessness are located—to help identify trends among various populations and other up-to-date information that can inform local policies, strategies, and funding.

Volunteering for this annual effort is a meaningful way to help leaders make decisions to alleviate homelessness in our region. To register to volunteer, go to count.lahsa.org and learn more about how to get involved.

Often, I’m asked, “Why is this not being solved faster?” Currently, for every 100 people we house in LA, 125 individuals become homeless. It’s like working against the power of a firehose.

If we stopped anyone from becoming newly homeless today, we could solve our region’s homeless challenges in less than five years. While those are incredible numbers, the systems and forces that keep so many in housing instability are stronger than my math (for now).

The issue of homelessness is one of the most impactful of our time and also one of the most complex. From policy discussions to societal ripples, this issue triggers folks for a multitude of reasons.

I often get asked questions like, “How can I make a difference?” or “Why am I seeing more homeless individuals around my neighborhood?” I can offer answers or help find them for you. Ask me anything, and I promise to get you the information you need to help you navigate this multilayered topic.

Email me at info@sheikhimpact.com. Let’s answer your questions about the homeless crisis and get you the information you seek. spt

If I come off a little more curmudgeonly than usual, please excuse me, but I’ve been driving up and down Western Avenue a lot the past several months while Caltrans does all it can to make life miserable for commuters. 

I thought getting around San Pedro was bad enough with the nightmare caused by the Harbor Boulevard exit ramp situation (thank you, Port of Los Angeles), and then Caltrans decided to disrupt life for thousands of drivers by tearing up Western for every possible reason but making it better for vehicles. Could those in charge of painting the lane markings have made it any more confusing?

All of which is just a tiny preview of the hell drivers can expect in 2025 when work begins in earnest on what’s being called “Harborgeddon,” the redecking of the Vincent Thomas Bridge that, as of this writing, will be closed to all traffic for 16 months. And what’s the betting line on the over-under on those 16 months?

Things will get even more interesting for the San Pedro Bay ports in mid-January when the International Longshoremen’s Association, representing dockworkers all along the East and Gulf coasts, returns to the negotiating table with shippers and the battle over automation resumes.

Our own ILWU is expecting ships to divert to the West Coast, adding even more truck traffic to the already overburdened area. However, the ILA talks will be taking place right before the beginning of the Chinese New Year, a typically slow period.

Two developments could have a significant bearing on the labor talks. One is the recently publicized 2023 Container Port Performance Index. The CPPI report by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence ranks ports by efficiency, “focusing on the duration of port stay for container vessels.”

It’s an important benchmark because the longer a ship is in port, the more it costs the shipper. And, of course, all costs are eventually passed on to the consumer.

Out of 405 ports ranked worldwide, Long Beach is 373rd and Los Angeles 375th. The top-ranked American port was Charleston (53), while the New York-New Jersey complex came in at 92. Not surprisingly, East and Southeast Asian ports took up 13 of the top 20 spots, with Shanghai’s Yangshan remaining number one in the world and Oman’s Salalah second.

Dennis A. Daggett, executive vice president of the ILA, posted an excellent rebuttal to the report earlier this month that, while not being port-specific, certainly explains why LA and Long Beach rank so low in efficiency.

In one subtopic, Daggett notes, “What no one seems to be talking about is the outdated infrastructure that supports U.S. ports, such as highways, bridges, rail systems, and dredging operations. Many of these critical connections to the ports are decades behind the needs of modern commerce. Trucks transporting goods often face bottlenecks on congested and deteriorating highways.”

Sound familiar? You can read the entire rebuttal at ilaunion.org.

The second and most recent development was a midmonth meeting between Daggett and President-elect Donald Trump. Trump expressed his wholehearted support for dockworkers in their fight against automation.

Daggett reported to his union that the President-elect “was not just attentive to our concerns; he was receptive and genuinely engaged in a discussion about the existential threat automation poses—not only to the Longshore sector but to our communities and very fabric of this great nation.”

Few unions have been as antagonistic toward Republicans and Trump in particular than the ILWU, so Daggett’s words bear repeating:

“Let’s put politics aside for a moment, as I know it can be challenging for some to grasp. But I witnessed something extraordinary firsthand—this man (Trump) truly wants to fight for Americans and its working class. In over 25 years in Washington, I have never seen a Republican take up the mantle for working-class people. President-elect Trump proved me wrong yesterday.”

‘Nuff said. spt

By now, you should have heard about the impending closure of Brouwerij West, one of the most San Pedro spots in all of San Pedro. 

To say this is a blow to San Pedro as a community is an enormous understatement. The brewery has become an event space, a gathering spot, and a uniquely San Pedro destination for almost nine years. It will leave a massive hole in what so many of us enjoy about San Pedro.

Founder Brian Mercer, a fourth-generation San Pedran, traveled around Belgium for almost a decade getting to know the beer industry and eventually started up a company to import a specific type of sugar to help American brewers recreate the sweet taste of old Belgian beers. His passion for beer eventually led him back to San Pedro to create Brouwerij West.

I remember all that went into opening Brouwerij West. It was almost a three-year undertaking that went through countless challenges. Converting an old Navy warehouse built during World War II into a modern and sustainable beer operation was not for the faint of heart.

Countless code and construction obstacles jumped in the way, and the original 16-week construction timeline quickly ballooned to 42 weeks. I distinctly remember a last-minute change that required them to install standard fire doors next to the enormous rolling doors to meet the fire code, even though the big doors are always wide open when the brewery is in operation.

The community couldn’t wait for it to finally open, and every day during those three years, there was another social media complaint about how long it was taking to finish the renovations of a historical building.

Brian and his partner, Dave Holop, are passionate about beer and sustainability. One unique aspect of the operation is it uses 30 percent less water than most breweries and runs primarily on solar power. The two even dreamed of creating a desalinization plant to reach the ocean outside the breakwater.

I’m not much of a beer drinker, but I’ve enjoyed countless events at Brouwerij West, including the Taste of San Pedro, numerous music concerts like POPFUJI and the San Pedro Music Festival, many a trivia night, and sometimes I just went there after shopping at CRAFTED or to grab a Miller Butler pizza.

Brouwerij West is a place to run into old friends and make new ones. Although I’m disappointed it never had a permanent restaurant, I love all of the local food trucks that rotated through there and also that the space is dog-friendly.

COVID-19 may be less of an environmental concern today, but the economic effects remain. Shutting down operations and in-person gatherings and reduced demand for craft beer at that time set the whole industry back financially. The Ghost Ship warehouse fire in Oakland led to severe restrictions on large public spaces, even though the two structures have no comparison regarding access and fire safety.

Events are only a piece of the overall business. Production and distribution are a considerable part of craft brewing at this scale. With changing tastes and demographics, as well as younger folks becoming more calorie-conscious and consuming cannabis edibles for recreation instead of beer, the craft beer industry has suffered nationwide.

The opening of Port Town Brewing Company—and soon, West Harbor—could create a better concentration of breweries, which is helpful for all three, as it creates a draw for folks who love beer.

Brouwerij West has also been a satellite site for other events and music fests. With a new cruise ship terminal that can also function as a convention center and proposed hotels at Cabrillo Marina, Phase 2 of West Harbor, and possibly on top of Warehouse One, Brouwerij West could be a place to hold even more weekday events and private functions.

Countless toasts, hugs, and laughs have been given at this brewery. Brian, Dave, and the whole Brouwerij West family have poured their hearts and souls into this space, and it hurts to see them closing.

I hope Brouwerij West can somehow pull off a miracle with investors, partners, or supporters to remain a uniquely San Pedro destination. I was there for the grand opening and plan to be there for the closure. spt

“Speak comfort to me, Jacob!”  “I have none to give,” the Ghost replied. “It comes from other regions…” –Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Like many of you, I turn to literature in these challenging times for solace, compassion, and perspective. 

Charles Dickens’ timeless tale of redemption and forgiveness, A Christmas Carol, eloquently covers the need to involve ourselves in our local society, where we have the most effective avenues to promulgate change. 

“At this time of the rolling year,” the spectre said, “I suffer most. Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down, and never raise them to that blessed Star which led the Wise Men to a poor abode! Were there no poor homes to which its light would have conducted me!” 

To ameliorate the transgressions of his former life, Scrooge eventually finds atonement and the strength to focus on the present, his family, and contributing to the greater good of his community.

Many of us have experienced the comfort that comes with local involvement, and it can serve as a buffer against the adverse psychological and emotional effects of broader world events by fostering a sense of connection, purpose, and resilience. 

The presence of a supportive network can reduce stress by engaging with others and help us combat feelings of isolation arising during global crises. 

Theatre is also a powerful medium for fostering a sense of community connection. It brings people together through shared experiences, storytelling, and collective participation. The laughter, tears, or moments of reflection during a live performance foster a sense of unity among those present. 

These shared experiences within our associations create opportunities for kinship, collective problem-solving, and emotional expression, making challenges feel more manageable.

Fred and I have found the lessons of A Christmas Carol not only inform our own lives; performing this story forges a stronger sense of community for all participants, actors, and audiences. 

When we produced the staged reading last year, with Sir Patrick Stewart’s permission to use his adaptation, we discovered the many gifts of this seminal work. 

As a community builder, local luminaries and politicians worked with professional actors to bring this story to life and, in the process, were exposed to the power of theatre.

This year, as the first offering in the San Pedro Waterfront Arts District’s Culture TALKS! 2024/25 series, we are bringing back A Christmas Carol to the Grand Annex Music Hall on December 13 and 15. 

These performances will feature local luminaries such as LA City Councilman Tim McOsker, former Councilman Joe Buscaino, Harbor Commissioner Lee Williams, nonprofit advocate Amber Sheikh, and professional actors from Little Fish Theatre, House of Bards, and Encore South Bay. 

Graciously directed again this year by Renee O’Connor-Sura (House of Bards) and Jacob Nye (Encore Theatre Group), we are augmenting this staged reading with sound effects to create an immersive radio theatre experience. 

Our A Christmas Carol performances will also be enhanced by the generous contributions of Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus (Ken and Kathy Creighton), Lucrecia and John Jacobson, Grand Vision staff and volunteers, and Fred’s dance floor company, Mister Marley. 

The Arts District created the Culture TALKS! Arts Appreciation Series in 2018 as an expression of our commitment to community arts education and to seek common ground by engaging participants in conversations about culture and how the arts inspire empathy, understanding, and identity. Topics and speakers are selected based on their art and activism to examine how we rise to challenges and perpetuate healthy, sustainable, and diverse communities.

We sincerely hope that by attending a performance of A Christmas Carol, we can provide a physical space to come together, strengthen our social bonds, and celebrate the season while extolling the many blessings of being in each other’s company. 

Please consider joining us to establish an annual holiday family tradition. For ticket information, visit sanpedrowaterfrontartsdistrict.com.

“And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!” spt

The recent landslide in Rancho Palos Verdes left many residents without gas or electricity. 

One of the unfortunate hardships of this tragedy was the ability to prepare food. San Pedro Meals on Wheels and the San Pedro Salvation Army are collaborating to bring meals to residents in the slide area.

Meals on Wheels prepares the meals, and the Salvation Army delivers them. However, it is uncertain how long the Salvation Army can continue these efforts. Volunteers are sought to help deliver meals locally and to the slide area in RPV. Meals on Wheels is hoping more people affected by hardship in Rancho Palos Verdes will take advantage of their services. 

San Pedro Meals on Wheels, a grassroots nonprofit agency, is known for delivering nutritious meals to local seniors in need at a minimum cost. What many people do not know is that Meals on Wheels serves and provides healthy meals to people who are unable to cook, drive, shop, or leave their homes. 

Meals on Wheels serves a variety of clients, including homebound seniors, individuals recovering at home after a hospital stay, and people unable to use their kitchen due to remodeling, fires, floods, and landslides.

“Sometimes people who need food are too proud to ask for help and do not want to take charity,” says Mike Caccavalla, office administrator for San Pedro Meals on Wheels. “We are a nonprofit agency that makes sure you eat. We are here to help you.”

Each meal delivery costs $8.50 and includes two meals—one hot meal with fresh produce and a sandwich sack lunch to eat later. There is a limited amount of free meals dependent on funding and grants. 

The organization relies on volunteers and donations of food and money to offer meals at such a low price. Local stores and other nonprofit agencies donate surplus food, which Meals on Wheels’ Chef Ish turns into flavorful and nutritious meals. Participants are also eligible for a free monthly box of shelf-stable food delivered to their door for weekends when Meals on Wheels is not open.

On any given morning, San Pedro Meals on Wheels is a busy hive of activity with volunteer drivers coming and going to the church. Caccavalla mans the office and fields calls from clients, donors, and volunteers in his signature-friendly fashion. 

Three times a week, volunteers assist Ish at “Chop and Chat.” Volunteers chop donated produce while being part of the magic of Chef Ish’s cooking skills. Groups can also help—volunteers from Easter Seals sort donated food regularly and help clean. Small gifts are delivered during the holidays, and Santa visits each client at their door.

There is a sense that meaningful work is being done, feeding people who need help while creating a sense of community. With only two part-time staff members and 80 volunteers, Meals on Wheels is a no-frills operation that enhances our community. 

Sometimes, the only person an elderly homebound senior will see during the day is a friendly volunteer who drops off their meal. Recently, Meals on Wheels lost two participants—the volunteers delivering the food were the last to see the clients alive. Caccavalla believes their last hours were better, having seen a friendly volunteer at their door rather than being alone all day.

Personally, one of the last people my dad saw before he died unexpectedly was a volunteer from Meals on Wheels. After he passed, I saw the applesauce cup by his chair that he was nibbling on, brought earlier as part of his meal. Even though someone else was at home with him, I am forever grateful for those meal deliveries and the spark of connection he got when he answered the door.

For more information about donating, volunteering, or receiving meals, visit sanpedromealsonwheels.org or call (310) 832-7335. San Pedro Meals on Wheels is located at 721 S. Averill Avenue. spt

Harbor View House, located at 921 S. Beacon Street, has stood as a San Pedro landmark for over a century. 

This iconic building’s transformation, from a state hospital to a contemporary apartment complex, reflects the dynamic and evolving identity of San Pedro, a port town with many histories and many industries.

Harbor View House was originally constructed in 1925 as the Army & Navy YMCA. Designed in a distinctive Spanish Colonial Revival style, the building served as a recreation center for the service members at Fort MacArthur. It offered 300 dormitory rooms, a gymnasium, running track, banquet room, patio, pool, boxing and wrestling rooms, and a coffee shop. Lucille Ball and Bob Hope even entertained troops at USO events there.

In 1967, it became the Harbor View House State Hospital, a residential care facility for individuals with mental health challenges. As one of the largest facilities of its kind in the area, it housed hundreds of residents and played a crucial role in providing outpatient services to those in need. Its stately architecture, characterized by red-tile roofs, arched windows, and a commanding view of the harbor, made it a recognizable and enduring part of San Pedro’s skyline.

By the 1980s and 1990s, Harbor View House faced challenges typical of aging institutions. Changing attitudes toward mental health care, coupled with funding cuts and the deinstitutionalization movement, led to a decline in the building’s prominence and use. The facility struggled to keep pace with modern healthcare standards, and the sprawling building became underutilized.

Despite its diminished role, Harbor View House remained a significant presence in San Pedro. For many residents, it symbolized a link to the town’s past and a reminder of the community’s responsibility to care for its most vulnerable members. Jennifer Marquez wrote a touching tribute in the December 2018 issue of San Pedro Today, “Harbor View House, a Personal Goodbye.”

Redevelopment and Transformation
With San Pedro experiencing a wave of revitalization, the Harbor View House—with its prime location near Downtown San Pedro and stunning port views—was an ideal candidate for adaptive reuse.

In 2018, a private development group acquired the property with the vision of transforming it into a modern apartment building. I introduced my favorite San Pedro historian, the late Angela Romero, to the developers who were eager to share any historic finds in the building with the San Pedro Heritage Museum. 

The goal was to preserve the building’s historical character while providing updated amenities and housing options in a town increasingly attracting professionals, artists, and families. The redevelopment was part of a broader effort to revitalize San Pedro’s downtown area, overlooking the transformation of Ports O’ Call Village into the West Harbor project.

By 2023, the renovation of the Harbor View House was completed. Rebranded as Harbor House, it now offers 100 modern units, with 10 dedicated to low-income tenants. 

The project retained much of the building’s historic charm, including its original façade, lobby floors, hand-painted ceiling art, and much of the architectural details from its early days. 

The apartments have a sleek, updated design, blending historical character with modern functionality, while capitalizing on the building’s panoramic views of the harbor and the Vincent Thomas Bridge. The units are well-priced in comparison to market rate and are leasing quickly. Tours can be arranged through the onsite management at harborhouse.la. Also, look for special events featuring local businesses during historical tours of the building.

In collaboration with Arts Technologist KamranV, Chef Dustin Trani is preparing a unique dining and entertainment experience called The Majestic in the first-floor café, bar, and pool space. Senior San Pedrans will recognize the name from the original Trani’s restaurant. The Majestic will donate half of its proceeds to help fund arts programs here in San Pedro and beyond. 

Today, the Harbor House stands as a testament to San Pedro’s reinvention with a commitment to preserving its heritage. What was once a facility for healing and care is now a vibrant part of the town’s housing landscape. 

As San Pedro continues to renew and update, the story of Harbor House underscores the importance of honoring history while making old buildings more functional in modern times, ensuring that the spirit of our coastal town endures for generations to come. spt

Traditionally, I use the December column to recommend books for Christmas stocking stuffers written by San Pedro natives or about San Pedro. 

This year, I have two suggestions that fit the bill but in different ways. 

Kelly Dwyer was born and raised in San Pedro, graduating from San Pedro High in 1982. She went on to Oberlin College in Ohio and is a graduate of the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Her third book, Ghost Mother: A Novel, was published this summer by Union Square & Co. and is available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

I make it a point to read the books I recommend, but I read very little fiction and nothing in the horror genre, so in Dwyer’s case, you’ll have to depend on the opinions of others.

Described online as “a mesmerizing psychological ghost story that blurs the thin line between reality and delusion,” award-winning author Kate Christensen says, “Ghost Mother has so many pleasures: a gorgeous old wreck of a house, a charmingly flawed and sympathetic heroine…and an enthralling story.”

Dwyer’s first two novels, published in the late ‘90s, also received high praise. The L.A. Times wrote about her first book, The Tracks of Angels (1995), “Dwyer’s style is engaging; she has an eye for the quirky detail, and creates real, likable characters. This is writing you can trust.” Library Journal said of her second book, Self-Portrait with Ghosts (1999), “Dwyer is a master at depicting the ghosts haunting modern life.”

Dwyer also has written short plays and monologues that have been produced in New York, Boston, Madison, Wis. (near her residence in Baraboo), Los Angeles, and Glasgow, in addition to articles and travel stories. She says of herself, “As a longtime teacher, writing coach, and editor, I am passionate about helping other writers achieve success.”

Co-senior class president in 1982, Dwyer is still remembered for bringing the hardcore punk rock band Black Flag to the steps of San Pedro High. So it’s no surprise that she says, “I laugh hard and often and agree with Oscar Wilde that ‘life is too important to be taken seriously.’”

I may have to give Ghost Mother a read after all.

Unlike Dwyer, the name Phil Kaye won’t ring any bells in San Pedro, unless you’re into spoken-word poetry, but the last name will. Phil is the son of Michael Kaye, who graduated from San Pedro High in 1971, and grandson of San Pedro legend “Cheerful” Al Kaye, the longtime owner of Union War Surplus. 

The connection is important because it’s the reason I’m mentioning his book Date & Time (Button Poetry), published in 2018 and also available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. The collection is described as “a stunning tribute to growing up, and all the challenges and celebrations of the passing of time, as jagged as it may be. Kaye takes the reader on a journey from a complex but iridescent childhood, drawing them into adolescence, and finally on to adulthood.”

Part of that growing up included Union War Surplus, the Sixth Street institution from its opening in 1946 to its much lamented closing in 2009. It was the subject of Kaye’s poem “Surplus,” which he performed in 2018 on the PBS News Hour’s “Brief but Spectacular” spot (pbs.org/newshour/brief/280346/phil-kaye). 

For those of us who remember Union War, the three-and-a-half-minute recitation is a poignant trip down memory lane.

Kaye was raised in Orange County by his father and Japanese mother and graduated from Brown University. He has presented his poetry in hundreds of venues in 15 countries, including a 2015 performance for the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday. His work has been viewed more than 10 million times online.  

He is the co-director of Project Voice, an organization that partners with schools to bring poetry to the classroom. He is a National Poetry Slam finalist and two-time recipient of the National College Poetry Slam award for “Pushing the Art Forward,” given for outstanding innovation in the art of live poetry. He’s also a former teacher of weekly poetry workshops in maximum-security prisons and was the head coordinator of Space in Prisons for the Arts and Creative Expression.

He lives in New York City, but it’s evident from his performance of “Surplus” that a small part of his heart remains on Sixth Street.

I love poetry, but my tastes run mainly to the classics; “Surplus” has been an eye-opener. spt