PORT OF LOS ANGELES HIGH SCHOOL CELEBRATES TWO DECADES OF GROWTH, GRIT, AND POLAR BEAR PRIDE
+ 2025 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW + SIPS & SOUNDS + BIDS FOR KIDS + SUPPORTING REX’S CAFE & TROY’S BURGERS + GRAND ANNEX ARTS SALOON DEBUTS + SEPTEMBER EVENTS & MUCH MORE!
Modern Dentistry, with Old Fashion Values.
Our office is a multi-specialty private practice located in Weymouth Corners in San Pedro. With 28 years of experience, we provide high-quality modern dentistry at an affordable cost in an inviting setting. Our office is equipped to provide most specialty dental services efficiently under one rooftop. We use cutting-edge technology and are versed in all aspects of Cosmetic, Restorative, Dental Implants, Orthodontic, and Oral Surgery services.
I’dlike to warmly invite everyone to the San Pedro Heritage Museum’s 3rd Annual San Pedro On Film event, happening Sunday, September 21, at 3 p.m. at the Grand Annex in Downtown San Pedro.
I’ll be back as your host for the afternoon—for better or worse.
This year’s theme is “Bars & Bites,” and we’ve had a blast putting the program together. Expect scenes and trivia from movies, TV shows, and commercials filmed inside and outside many of San Pedro’s favorite eateries—some still serving, others long gone. I don’t have the space here to spoil which shows and films will make the cut, but I can promise you a fun afternoon.
As many of you know, the SPHM hosts this event each September to honor the birthday of Angela “Romee” Romero, a dear friend to many of us who left us far too soon. Angela’s birthday is September 16—she would have turned
47 this year. Please join us on September 21 to celebrate her life, keep her memory alive, and support the legacy she left through the SPHM. You can purchase tickets at sanpedroheritagemuseum.org. I hope to see many of you there. On a related note of celebrating legacies, I’m also excited to mark the 20th anniversary of Port of Los Angeles High School, featured on our cover this month.
I became editor of the original San Pedro Magazine just six months before POLAHS opened its doors in September 2005. Since then, we’ve published many stories about the school, watching its growth and success unfold in real time.
My thanks to Erin Loveridge, Principal Tim Dikdan, and the ever-amazing Camilla Townsend for their help in putting this story together. Congratulations, POLAHS, on 20 years! Maybe when it turns 100, we can finally stop calling it the “new high school.” spt
Mike Harper, Peter Hazdovac, Linda Grimes, Sanam Lamborn, Steve Marconi, Eddie McKenna, Sophie Schoenfeld, Amber Sheikh, Jamaal K. Street, Dr. Ja’nae Brown, Lee Williams
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VOLUME 17 | NUMBER 8
ON THE COVER: Port of Los Angeles High School celebrates 20 years (l to r): Camilla Townsend, Tim Dikdan, and Erin Loveridge. (photo: John Mattera Photography)
San Pedro Today publishes the last Thursday of every month and is produced monthly by Empire22 Media LLC. No portion of this publication can be reproduced without written permission by Empire22 Media LLC. 20,000 copies are delivered to portions of San Pedro and Rancho Palos Verdes. San Pedro Today is a product of Empire22 Media LLC. Empire22 Media LLC, their subsidiaries and affiliates are released from all liability that may involve the publication of San Pedro Today. Copyright 2009-2025, Empire22 Media LLC.
6 I SAN PEDRO TODAY I SEPTEMBER 2025 I sanpedrotoday.com
SEPTEMBER 2025
Every Friday – SAN PEDRO FARMERS MARKET (396 W. 6th St., corner of 6th and Mesa), 10a-2p. – Pick up essential fruits and vegetables from certified, small family farms. Get a head start on weekend meals with so many delicious and fresh options. For more info, visit sanpedrochamber.com/ san-pedro-farmers-market.
Every Monday - ACTING-WRITING CLASSES at Collage Theater (731 S. Pacific Ave.), 6p. –All levels—beginners to working actors and writers—come bring your work to life! On-camera, live stage performance, TV, and film. Collaborate on scripts in development. This is the place to learn and improve, network, and follow your dreams. For more info, call (310) 864-4000, email actorsjungle@gmail.com, or visit actorsjungle.com.
Every Tuesday, Friday, & First Thursday Evening –OPEN GARDEN at Feed and Be Fed (429 W. 6th St.), Tuesdays 10a-12p, Fridays 10a-1p, & First Thursday evenings. – Open every Tuesday and Friday and on First Thursday evenings. Organic produce is for sale at the San Pedro Farmers Market (corner of 6th and Mesa) on Fridays 10a-2p. Come share nature’s bounty and beauty as we grow vegetables, flowers, and community. Get your hands in the dirt as a volunteer, get expert advice,
or just relax. For more info, visit feedandbefed.org.
Every Tuesday & Every Saturday – BELMONT SHORE MODEL RAILROAD CLUB at Angels Gate Park (3600 S. Gaffey St., Building 824), Tuesdays 7-10p & Saturdays 12-4p. – The best kept secret in San Pedro! The Belmont Shore Model Railroad Club is the oldest and largest N scale club and offers clinics on modeling and an opportunity to explore a new hobby. Admission is FREE and open to the public. For more info, call (310) 831-6262 or visit belmontshorerr.com.
Every Friday – LAFD HARBOR MUSEUM at Old Fire Station 36 (639 S. Harbor Blvd.), 10a-3p. –The LA Fire Department Historical Society invites you to tour and experience San Pedro and Wilmington’s fire protection and rescue history with vintage fire apparatus and displays. Come to visit or to volunteer. FREE admission. For more info, visit lafdmuseum.org/harbor.
Various dates – BRIDGE GAMES & CLASSES at South Bay Bridge Club (24100 Narbonne Ave., #105, Lomita), various times. –Have fun exercising your brain and playing bridge at South Bay Bridge Club. Adults and teenagers can take lessons and play cards almost every day. For more info, call (310) 325-7222 or visit southbaybridgeclub.com.
3 & 10 (Wed) – NEW DOCENT OPEN HOUSE & TRAINING CLASSES at Point Vicente Interpretive Center (31501 Palos Verdes Dr. W, RPV), Sept. 3 at 7p & Sept. 10 at 12:30p. – Los Serenos de Point Vicente is seeking adults who are eager to learn about the local geology, flora and fauna, and history, and share their knowledge by conducting tours of the Point Vicente Interpretive Center and various trails scattered on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. On September 3 at 7p, Los Serenos de Point Vicente is hosting an Open House to introduce community members to how they can become and participate as volunteer docents. New Docent Training Classes will follow on September 10 at 12:30p. For more info, visit losserenosrpv.org/become-a-docent.
4 (Thurs) – FIRST THURSDAY in Downtown San Pedro, 6p. – The popular First Thursday ArtWalk is back in the historic core of Downtown San Pedro. The redesigned First Thursday will feature guided ArtWalk tours, open galleries, outdoor dining, and live music on the corner of 6th and Mesa streets.
4 (Thurs) – THE GRAND ANNEX ART SALOON at The Grand Annex (434 W. 6th St.), 5:30-8:30p. – Grand Vision is proud to announce the debut of The Grand Annex Arts Saloon, a new
First Thursday series celebrating live music and visual art in a friendly community setting. See story on page 10.
6 (Sat) – SUNSET SAIL ON THE LA WATERFRONT at West Harbor Promenade (boarding at W. 6th St. and Harbor Blvd.), 5p. – Join the Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI) to enjoy the sunset and views of the harbor from the deck of a tall ship on their monthly sunset sail. You can sit back and relax or become part of the crew—your choice! Tickets $60 for adults, $30 for children (12 and under). For tickets and more info, visit lamitopsail.org/events.
6 (Sat) – GALA GRUNION GALA ‘25 90th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (3720 Stephen M. White Dr.), 5-11p. – Don’t miss the best beach party in town! For this special occasion, the aquarium will be transformed into a 90th anniversary celebration. We’ll kick off the evening with craft cocktails, appetizers, and a silent auction at 5p, followed by a gourmet dinner, program, and live auction in the courtyard. Then join us for dancing to a live band! Tickets $275 per person (members $225 per person). For tickets and more info, visit friendsofcabrilloaquarium.org/grand-grunion-gala.
13 (Sat) - SECOND SATURDAY CRAFTERS at St.
Peter’s Episcopal Church (1648 W. 9th St., church social hall), 10a-12p. – Calling all knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, needle pointers, cross-stitchers, weavers, quilters, scrapbookers, paper crafters, jewelry makers, and any other crafty folks! Bring your current project and come enjoy crafting with other like-minded people in a FREE, welcoming, and relaxed atmosphere. We meet every second Saturday of the month and provide time for crafters to give and get help from others, as well as share resources to enhance our crafting experience. For more info, text (424) 350-1543 (text only, please).
13 (Sat) – 3rd ANNUAL ‘SIPS & SOUNDS’ CHARITY EVENT at West Harbor (1150 S. Harbor Blvd.), 6-10p. – Join the San Pedro Education Foundation (SPEF) for their 2025 Sips & Sounds charity event to support San Pedro schools! The evening will include a silent auction, live music, food & drink, raffle and prizes, and fun with family and friends. For tickets and more info, visit sipssounds. com. See story on page 14.
14 (Sun) – MONTHLY GARDEN MAINTENANCE GATHERING at 25th Street Mosaic Mural (1322 W. 25th St.), 11a-2p. – Volunteers are needed to help maintain the garden space in front of the mural. Monthly volunteer gardening days are
GRAND ANNEX LAUNCHES ARTS SALOON
New First Thursday series brings live music and local art together in a community-friendly setting
San Pedro’s First Thursday art walks will have a new centerpiece this fall. On September 4, Grand Vision Foundation debuts The Grand Annex Arts Saloon, a monthly series at the Grand Annex Music Hall blending live music and visual art in a welcoming community setting.
The inaugural event, Night of the Makers, is presented by fINdings Art Center and will showcase the work of three local artists. Alan Johnson, an award-winning woodworker, will display handcrafted furniture and organic sculptures. Henry Krusoe, an Otis College MFA graduate and current artist-in-residence at Angels Gate Cultural Center, will exhibit multimedia pieces, including a collaboration with Johnson. Camilla Townsend will present Insights Through Art, a collection of paintings and wall hangings inspired by poetry and nature. A portion of the proceeds will support both fINdings and Grand Vision Foundation.
The evening will be emceed by father-daughter duo Chris and Emily Huff, well-loved local musicians who will also perform their Americana-style harmonies to open the show. Headlining the night is Kevin Fisher, a multi-platinum songwriter whose credits include hits for Rascal Flatts, Sara Evans, and Uncle Kracker. His music has been featured in True Blood, Pretty Little Liars, and The Frozen Ground Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with art on display throughout the evening; live music begins at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, with a suggested $10 donation to support community arts programming. Future Arts Saloon dates are scheduled for November 6 and December 4. For more information, visit grandvision.org. spt
SEPTEMBER 2025
held on the second Sunday of each month, any time between 11a and 2p. For more info, contact lynndee. conley@yahoo.com.
17 & 27 (Wed & Sat) –PECK PARK CANYON HIKES at Peck Park (560 N. Western Ave.), 9a. – Exercise walks are led on the third Wednesday of each month at 9a and last 1 to 1½ hours. Nature walks are family-friendly and led on the fourth Saturday of each month at 9a. All walks leave from the trailhead in the lower parking lot at Peck Park, just behind the Community Center. For more info, email diananave@gmail.com.
19 (Fri) – GRAND VISION PRESENTS ‘A WUNDERFULLY GRAND EVENING’ at the Wunderkammer Gallery/CRAFTED at the Port of LA (112 E. 22nd St.), 6p. – Sip, savor, and be surprised! A special event to support the Warner Grand Theatre, San Pedro’s historic movie palace. Join fellow Warner Grand lovers, arts supporters, and friends for this whimsical night of cocktails, canapes, and curiosities. Immerse yourself in the Wunderkammer world with generous appetizers and desserts, Warner Grand Theatre updates, music, magic, and more. Retro cocktail attire suggested. For tickets, visit grandvision.org/event/a-wunderfully-grand-evening.
21 (Sun) – SAN PEDRO ON FILM: BARS & BITES at The Grand Annex (434 W. 6th St.), 3p. – The San Pedro Heritage Museum presents this live talk event, showcasing bars and eateries of the port town’s past and present through the eyes of Hollywood! The program, hosted by Joshua Stecker (San Pedro Today publisher), will feature clips from notable films, TV shows, and commercials shot in familiar restaurants and watering holes. The program will include historical photos, fun facts, raffle prizes, merch, and more. Several artifacts from the museum’s collection will be on display. Tickets $25 regular; $45 premier (includes special SPHM T-shirt—standalone shirt price $25). Doors open at 2:30p. For tickets and more info, visit zeffy. com/en-US/ticketing/sanpedro-on-film--2025.
27 (Sat) - 30th ANNUAL ‘BIDS FOR KIDS’ GALA at Torrance Marriott Redondo Beach (3635 Fashion Way, Torrance), 5-11p. – Help our youth dive into a world of opportunity, education, and success! Now in its 30th year, the “Bids for Kids” gala is the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor’s signature annual special event raising important funds for our mission. For tickets and more info, visit bgclaharbor.org/bidsforkids. See story on page 14. spt
Email events@sanpedrotoday.com to place a listing. Find more events at sanpedrotoday.com.
To be included in the print edition of San Pedro Today, event submissions must be received by the 15th of the month prior to publication.
Life is full of moments worth celebrating—and now you can share them with the entire community.
San Pedro Today is now featuring Life Announcements, a special way to honor milestones both in print and online. Whether you’re welcoming a new baby, announcing a wedding or engagement, celebrating a special anniversary, marking a personal achievement, or honoring a loved one with a Celebration of Life, we’ll help you spread the word. Each announcement appears in the magazine and on sanpedrotoday. com. Space is limited each month—reserve yours today. To reserve space or for more info, email announcements@sanpedrotoday. com. spt
Father-daughter duo, Chris and Emily Huff. (photo: courtesy Grand Annex)
HELLO, WORLD! MEET KAI!
Benny and Reyna Farillas are thrilled to announce the birth of their baby boy Kai Cruz Farillas on August 1, 2025
“We hope you grow to be kind, loving, and adventurous. We love you, Kai Cruz!”
Celebrating 75 Years of Love! Tony & Nancy DiBernardo
Tony and Nancy DiBernardo were married on August 5, 1950, at the original Mary Star of the Sea Church in San Pedro.
On Saturday, August 9, the couple celebrated their 75th anniversary with a special mass at Mary Star of the Sea Church. Long-time family friend and priest, Father Issac Kalina, officiated the blessing of their vows and renewal in front of family and friends.
Following the mass, a dinner honoring the lovely couple was held at Raffaello Ristorante in Downtown San Pedro.
Tony and Nancy have been a fixture in San Pedro and at Mary Star of the Sea Parish throughout their entire marriage. They have five wonderful children and, along with their spouses, enjoy a loving family that includes 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Celebrating the Life of
HELLO, WORLD! MEET KAI!
VIOLET (URSICH)
MORETTI | 1932-2025
Violet (Ursich) Moretti was the quintessential “Pedro Girl.”
Born to Josip and Ljubica Ursich, immigrants from Brac, Croatia, she grew up surrounded by other Croatian kids. Running down the ‘bluffs’ below Crescent Street and dodging quicksand where Crafted and the brewery warehouses were later built, Violet spoke fondly of her idyllic childhood. As the child of a fisherman, she and her brother Slavko (Sam) took part in many of the Fishermen’s Fiesta parades.
Violet arrived at 15th Street School with limited English but learned quickly once she was surrounded by kids beyond her Croatian neighborhood. At 16, she took the bus to the Wigwam Lodge on Shepard St. to get her first driver’s license. She graduated from SPHS in Winter 1951.
Benny and Reyna Farillas are thrilled to announce the birth of their baby boy Kai Cruz Farillas on August 1, 2025
Violet worked at Douglas Aircraft in El Segundo before marrying and having children, Marilyn and Kathy. She married a longshoreman, a Croatian immigrant, and rarely felt the need to leave town for anything. She looked forward to the monthly “Moonlight Sales” along Pacific Avenue. Among her favorite stores were Lewis’, Hartfield’s, Lilyan’s, Al Murray’s, Lad’N Lassie, The Bunny Shop, and Newberry’s. La Rue Pharmacy soda fountain was an occasional treat. Our mom would tell us stories about ‘old San Pedro,’ including watching live chickens run around with their heads cut off at Slavko’s Poultry!
“We hope you grow to be kind, loving, and adventurous. We love you, Kai Cruz!”
Violet passed away peacefully at her home just before her 93rd birthday. We will miss her smile and sparkling blue eyes. Her memories and stories of her beloved San Pedro will serve as a blessing.
SAN PEDRAN BLAZES TRAILS OF HIS OWN AFTER NEAR-FATAL ACCIDENT
VICTOR WAGONER HASN’T LET LOSING A LEG SLOW HIM DOWN IN THE POOL OR WILDERNESS
BY STEVE MARCONI
The John Muir Trail in California is one of the world’s most famous hiking destinations.
The 211-mile trek through the picturesque High Sierra begins in Yosemite Valley, at an elevation of 4,035 feet, and ends at the summit of Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States, at 14,505 feet.
Thousands have made the journey, and while records of this sort aren’t kept, it’s probably safe to assume the only above-theknee amputee to have accomplished the feat is San Pedro’s Victor Wagoner. It took him 30 days (hikers with two good legs usually take about three weeks), making it to the top of Whitney on July 30.
Wagoner, 69, has done it before. “I did it in 15 days back then, when I had two legs,” he says. In fact, he had hiked the trail in the fall of 2013, just months before the January 2014 accident that cost him a leg and nearly killed him.
Fifty-seven years old and enjoying a successful career as a Delta Airlines pilot, Wagoner was cruising down the 215 Freeway on his motorcycle when, in stalled traffic, he was “taken out by a Subaru Outback.” Thrown into the back of a stopped SUV, the impact broke his helmet. His left leg was shredded, his pelvis and hips shattered, plus internal injuries; he was in a coma for 10 days.
“I almost bled out on the freeway,” Wagoner says. “I only had a couple of pints left. I’d severed all the veins in my leg and foot,
but they got a tourniquet on. They didn’t expect me to survive. They said the only reason [I didn’t die] was because [I was] in such good shape. I always enjoyed working out.”
Working out is an understatement. Wagoner began running marathons in junior high and swam for the legendary San Pedro YMCA. He was a three-sport athlete at San Pedro High (1974). Swimming for the league champion Pirates, he was undefeated over three years. He ran cross country his first two years, then played tight end and defensive end in football as a senior. He went on to Harbor College, where he swam and played football, and then, following in the footsteps of his father and older brother, Ray (my W‘69 classmate), went on to UCLA with an ROTC scholarship. Like his father and brother, Wagoner also ended up in the Navy, graduating from UCLA in 1979 and going straight to flight school. Active duty, which included ejecting from an A-7 fighter when the engine failed, ended in April 1987, and he started at Delta a week later.
With flying in his blood, there was no way losing a leg was going to end his aviation career. By April 2014, Wagoner was able to bear his weight on crutches. He requalified as a pilot in November, and in January 2015, a year after his devastating accident, he was back on the flight deck of an airliner. He worked seven more years before reaching the mandatory pilot retirement age of 65.
His running days may have been over, but Wagoner wasn’t going to let a little thing like being an amputee keep him out of the pool. He had returned to competitive swimming
in the masters program in the 1990s and was participating in the U.S. spring nationals three and a half months after the accident as a one-legged breaststroker.
Wagoner also returned to coaching, helping out the Holy Trinity football team. He did that for 20 years while his wife, Lea, taught there. He also got in a few days as a one-legged dockworker, amazingly requalifying for a casual card he first got in 2001. His John Muir triumph came on his third post-accident try. The first one ended about halfway through when his prosthetic leg broke in half, and he had to be helicoptered out. The second one ended when Wagoner and his brother Ray caught COVID from a fellow hiker. He decided to make another attempt after he had successful surgery in January for AFib.
“One of the reasons I wanted to give it a try,” Wagoner says, “is it’s good advertising [for amputees]. People see that…I can’t tell you how many responses I got. They’d see where you’re headed and [think] to find the courage you have. Just being out there and the public seeing you do it does more than talking about it.”
In the pool or on the trail, Wagoner has shown that actions do speak louder than words. 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.
MOUNTAIN MEN: Victor Wagoner (left) with his brother Ray on top of Mount Whitney. (photo: courtesy Victor Wagoner)
TWO NIGHTS, ONE PURPOSE SUPPORTING
SAN PEDRO STUDENTS THROUGH MUSIC, MENTORSHIP, AND COMMUNITY
BY LEE WILLIAMS
Twoevents that directly affect the quality of education for San Pedro students are selling tickets now and could really use your support. It’s not just about raising money. It’s about raising the bar for what our kids can dream of and achieve.
SAN PEDRO EDUCATION FOUNDATION: A NIGHT OF SIPS, SOUNDS, AND STUDENT SUCCESS
So many born-and-raised San Pedrans had their first jobs at Ports O’ Call Village and remember those times fondly. The legacy continues with West Harbor hosting this year’s Sips & Sounds fundraiser, with a behind-thescenes update on what’s underway along the Los Angeles Waterfront.
Presented by the San Pedro Education Foundation and now in its third year, this Sips & Sounds event combines live music, cocktails, and catered cuisine with a heartfelt mission: to provide every San Pedro student with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive.
More than just a celebration, Sips & Sounds is a catalyst for change. The event directly supports programs that go beyond textbooks, fueling hands-on science education, next-generation and tech initiatives, inclusive learning tools for students with special needs, innovative teacher training, and classroom grants that bring big ideas to life.
But perhaps the most touching part of the evening? Dinner will be prepared and served by the incredible students of Willenberg Special Education Center. For them, the event offers more than experience; it’s a
moment of pride, visibility, accomplishment, and belonging.
The foundation is already in motion. In just the past year, donor support helped:
• Rebuild Cabrillo Elementary’s library after flood damage
• Send White Point 5th graders to Emerald Bay for hands-on field science
• Provide adaptive PE equipment at Park Western Place Elementary
• Fund sensory-friendly seating for special education students at Barton Hill
• Outfit San Pedro High athletes with stateof-the-art football helmets
• Launch the Pedro Pen Writing Contest, the foundation’s first writing competition, awarding scholarships and publishing student authors in San Pedro Today.
For one evening, a ticket to Sips & Sounds is more than access to an unforgettable waterfront party; it’s a statement that San Pedro believes in its students—all of them.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF LA HARBOR: BIDS FOR KIDS—UNDER THE SEA
On September 27, the Bids for Kids gala returns as the signature fundraising event for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor (BGCLAH). Hosted at the Torrance Marriott Redondo Beach, the night will bring together community champions, local leaders, and longtime supporters for an evening of dinner, auction, and purpose, all benefiting the 13,000 members served by the Club.
For nearly 90 years, BGCLAH has served as a lighthouse for young people in San Pedro, Wilmington, Harbor City, Lomita, and the Harbor Gateway. Today, with 25 sites and 2,800 kids coming through its doors daily, the Club’s reach is both deep and wide.
What they offer is more than a safe space; it’s a launchpad. With robust after-school programs, academic support, arts education, and athletics, BGCLAH gives kids, especially those facing the toughest odds, the tools to rise.
And the results speak for themselves:
• 98.5% of students in the Club’s College Bound program graduate high school.
• 96% of those graduates went on to college last fall.
• Career Bound is placing more young people in the trades than any other program, leading to union jobs that have literally built this community.
That’s not just impact—it’s transformation.
But this year, the Club faces one of its toughest challenges yet. With reduced public funding and a growing pool of charitable dollars being allocated to wildfire relief efforts in the Palisades and surrounding areas, BGCLAH must raise an additional $1 million to keep pace with the demand and ensure that no student is turned away.
That’s what makes Bids for Kids more than a celebration—it’s a lifeline.
If ever there was a moment to show up for Harbor youth, it’s now. Please consider joining me on one or both nights. Or, even better, consider donating to these organizations by visiting their websites: San Pedro Education Foundation (sanpedroeducationfoundation. org/events) and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor (bgclaharbor.org/events). 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.
Board members of the San Pedro Education Foundation present a check to White Point Elementary School.
(photo: courtesy SPEF)
SHIFTING THE CONVERSATION ON HOMELESSNESS
WORDS MATTER, POLICIES MATTER MORE— THE PRESIDENT’S NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER THREATENS PROGRESS, BUT LA COUNTY IS SHOWING WHAT WORKS
BY AMBER SHEIKH
Ihaveoften spoken about how the words we choose matter—especially when we talk about people experiencing homelessness. Referring to them as our “unhoused neighbors” reminds us they are part of our shared community, deserving of dignity, compassion, and inclusion. Shifting our language in this way is more than semantics; it is a step toward reshaping how we understand, respond to, and support those who have been marginalized.
On July 24, the President of the United States issued an executive order targeting homelessness. Once again, the rhetoric and directives used by this administration threaten effective, humane solutions while further stigmatizing unhoused individu-
JOE’S DINER HOUSE
als. I completely understand the general public’s frustration with what appears to be slow progress in alleviating homelessness. None of us wants to see our neighbors struggling.
First, language matters. The executive order employs criminalizing language—referring to unhoused individuals as engaging in “disorderly behavior,” “sudden confrontations,” and “violent attacks.” This framing falsely associates homelessness with criminality, reinforcing stereotypes that justify aggressive enforcement tactics. Such rhetoric diverts attention away from systemic causes, such as housing shortages and social policy failures. As advocates note, this narrative absolves policymakers of responsibility and scapegoats individuals, rather than addressing the root causes.
Second, the order rolls back evidence-based strategies. It undermines proven approaches such as “Housing First,” which prioritizes stable housing as the foundation for addressing other challenges. Instead, it promotes involuntary commitments and encampment sweeps—policies that have long been shown to be ineffective. Jennifer Mathis of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law condemns these shifts as a move away from care and support toward warehousing vulnerable people.
Third, it escalates risks for vulnerable groups. The order is particularly alarming for margin-
alized populations, including immigrants and transgender people. One directive suggests labeling unhoused individuals as “sexually dangerous persons,” a category historically used to justify severe institutional confinement. Given existing biases and the high mental health risks among trans individuals—44 percent report severe psychological distress—the potential for abuse is immense. Legal advocates warn this revives dangerous precedents of involuntary institutionalization and fails to protect basic rights and dignity.
Fourth, there are troubling civil rights concerns. The order has sparked bipartisan backlash. States like Connecticut reaffirm their commitment to “Housing First,” while critics argue the directive criminalizes homelessness, stigmatizes vulnerable groups, and neglects long-term solutions in favor of punitive action. In Washington, D.C., encampment sweeps justified as public safety measures have drawn objections from the ACLU, which warns that such removals break trust and worsen the crisis.
A CALL TO ACTION
The National Alliance to End Homelessness urges leaders to resist these regressive policies and recommit to evidence-based practices. Housing-focused, harm-reduction approaches are essential, while carceral and institutional tactics will only deepen disparities and erode trust. The
president’s order represents a troubling shift away from compassion and research-informed strategies to punitive, enforcement-driven measures that neither solve homelessness nor treat people with dignity.
PROGRESS CLOSE TO HOME
Amid federal turbulence and erratic policy shifts, LA County is making meaningful strides. The Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count shows homelessness has declined 4 percent countywide, with a nearly 10 percent drop in unsheltered cases—the second year of progress. In San Pedro, intentional investments are creating a visible impact. Beacon Landing, one of the first permanent supportive housing developments in LA County, opened last year with 89 new homes, on-site services, and energy-efficient, LEED Gold–certified amenities. It offers neighbors a stable foundation to rebuild their lives and demonstrates what’s possible when solutions prioritize housing, dignity, and inclusion.
Doubling down on the punitive and inequitable systems that got us “in this mess” won’t get us out.
Solving homelessness can’t happen overnight. And solutions—real solutions—move at the speed of human trust. spt
Amber Sheikh is a San Pedro resident, mother of two, community advocate, and owner of Sheikh/ Impact, a nonprofit consulting firm.
(photo: MART PRODUCTION)
ART, HERITAGE, AND IDENTITY
LOCAL ARTIST HARMONY VASQUEZ REFLECTS ON FAMILY, CULTURE, AND CREATING VISIBILITY THROUGH THEIR WORK
BY LINDA GRIMES
NationalHispanic Heritage Month is annually observed from September 15 to October 15 to recognize the contributions and influence of Hispanic culture on the nation’s achievements, culture, and history. Signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968, the commemorative week was expanded to a month and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. It is the anniversary of the Cry of Dolores (September 16, 1810), marking the start of the Mexican War of Independence.
There is immense joy in witnessing young people grow into their full potential. Harmony Vasquez is the daughter of two Hispanic artists—Cora Ramirez and Ray Vasquez who I have had the honor of knowing since they moved here when Harmony was six years old.
As you may already know, Gallery Azul offers opportunities for emerging and established artists from diverse cultural backgrounds. Cora and Ray believe that, as artists, they have the power and obligation to raise awareness and promote discussion and critical thinking about the various sociocultural issues affecting all of us.
Harmony has worked as an art installer and handler at the CSUN Art Galleries and, with their parents, at Gallery Azul. Their artistic journey is highlighted by several notable accomplishments, including receiving the Bob and Lynn Bassler Painting Scholarship, the Orndorff Scholarship, and the CSUN Dean’s Purchase Award. Harmony contributed to the murals on the back wall of Sirens Java & Tea. They recently received their Master of Arts from Cal State University Northridge and hold a Bachelor of Arts from the same institution.
Their work has been featured in several
exhibitions, including The Power of Visibility: Boldness in LGBTQ+ Art at the Rod Briggs Gallery in Long Beach and the CSUN Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition at the CSUN Main Gallery in Northridge. Harmony’s paintings are deeply inspired by the vulnerabilities of transgender and nonbinary individuals, exploring themes of fantasy and the queer gaze.
Curious about their process, I asked Harmony the following questions:
You are the daughter of two artists. How did they encourage you to explore your gifts?
I grew up around the arts. At six years old, I remember our living room was converted into an art gallery, and I was surrounded by proud Chicano artists, queer artists, loud music, and artwork. Both of my parents are
painters and makers, so there were always canvases and crafting supplies around the house for me to play with. I went to art museums and local art shows almost every weekend. Because of my parents, it was less about encouraging me to paint and more about exposing me to the arts and the effect that art has on people.
Your art is full of characters clad in armor. What does that mean to you?
To me, armor represents the ways in which transgender people have had to protect themselves both recently and historically. The historical significance of armor alludes to the presence queer people have had throughout history, acknowledged or not. Additionally, the cold, hard metal emphasizes the warmth and delicacy of the flesh exposed by my knights. It serves as a reminder, these characters in clad armor are human, and the trans people I paint are human.
Why is being an artist important to you?
It’s important to me because it allows me to explore ideas I care deeply about. Along with my parents and the goals of Gallery Azul, I believe as an artist I have a responsibility to use my art to uplift my community and educate others about the transgender experience. There is nothing more fulfilling than someone coming up to me and telling me that they feel seen in my paintings.
To see more of Harmony’s work, Gallery Azul (520 West 8th Street) will be hosting an artist’s reception on September 13, 12-5 p.m., or visit their website: harmonyazulart.com. spt
Linda Grimes is the executive director of the San Pedro Waterfront Arts District and can be reached at 55lindagrimes@gmail.com.
Gallery Azul. (photo: Harmony Vasquez)
Siren’s Plea (2024) by Harmony Vasquez.
GOOD FOOD, BAD BREAKS
BY SANAM LAMBORN
Food
businesses, which typically have smaller profit margins, have faced greater difficulties in recent years due to rising costs of ingredients, goods, and labor.
Inevitably, the increased expenditures result in higher prices for customers who, in return, dine out less.
As someone who enjoys eating out and writes a food column, I have experienced this shift firsthand. I have noticed that menu prices have steadily risen everywhere. At some restaurants, the serving sizes have shrunk, and in some cases, so has the quality. In general, people have become choosier about how they spend their money because everyone is feeling the pinch of the higher cost of living.
Between higher overhead and decreased customer numbers, restaurants must find a type of
equilibrium to generate enough profit to keep their doors open. This fragile balance is disrupted when unforeseen losses or expenditures are introduced by forces outside the proprietor’s control. Naturally, these circumstances feel more detrimental to small businesses.
This month, I’d like to tell you about a couple of businesses that have been victims of unfortunate circumstances and could use your patronage.
Earlier this summer, Troy’s Burgers (2017 S. Pacific Ave.) found itself all over local social media and the news because of a random act of violence that took place in their parking lot. Although the incident was unrelated to the business, it affected their foot traffic, as some customers worried about their safety.
On a recent visit, I ordered their California burger combo, which includes a soda and a generous pile of fries. My burger, which included bacon,
avocado, and cheese, was not only visually appealing but also really delicious. The fries were perfectly crispy on the outside and seasoned and, dare I say, one of the best Pedro has to offer. Undoubtedly, they have the best fried zucchini I have had in town. Also, don’t snooze on the pickled hot peppers that are offered to you upon your food’s delivery to the table.
Overall, the establishment is very clean and inviting with efficient staff who diligently balance orders from the drive-through and from inside the restaurant. In fact, their service is prompt and friendly. Besides burgers, the menu features sandwiches, select Mexican items, salads, a few combination plates, and breakfast options. Troy’s Burgers is a great small business alternative to a national chain.
In early August, a car crashed into the side of Rex’s Cafe (2136 S. Pacific Ave.) and the attached WC Cleaners & Laundry in an accident that happened in the intersection. The restaurant’s right façade, the cleaner’s whole front, and the internal shared wall between the two businesses were completely damaged. Both businesses were innocent bystanders
in the wake of this collision, resulting in a disruption to their service. Rex’s Cafe initially lost the use of the dining spaces on the side affected by the damage. Obviously, there is revenue loss and the cost of quick repairs to make their business presentable and back to regular operation. In the past, I have always opted for breakfast here. I usually gravitate towards their omelets. However, in a post-accident visit, I opted to try a lunch item. I was in the mood for a sandwich, and I chose the turkey bacon melt, as recommended by our server. My melt was made with sourdough bread and served with a generously sized crisp side salad. I also ordered a flavored latte, which is served in a huge ceramic mug. It was a very tasty meal that left me completely satisfied.
Despite the unfortunate setback, Rex’s Cafe is still a cozy and inviting neighborhood eatery with very friendly service. There is plenty to choose from on their menu for an enjoyable breakfast, brunch, or lunch. spt
Sanam Lamborn created the Eat in San Pedro Facebook group and Instagram page @eatinsanpedro.
Troy’s Burgers California burger combo with fried zucchini. (photo: Sanam Lamborn)
STILL THE NEW KID
PORT OF LOS ANGELES HIGH SCHOOL CELEBRATES TWO DECADES OF GROWTH, GRIT, AND POLAR
BY JOSHUA STECKER
Twentyyears ago, the idea of Port of Los Angeles High School (POLAHS) seemed far-fetched at best.
The public charter high school, rooted in San Pedro’s maritime history, initially lacked a building, funding, and students. Still, a small group of community leaders believed in the vision. Despite these challenges, POLAHS opened in 2005 with just over 100 students, many of whom attended classes on the beach while waiting for the first classrooms to be ready.
“When we opened the doors in 2005, it was a miracle. Nobody thought it could happen,” recalls Camilla Townsend, who’s credited as the school’s founder. “We had no building, no money, no students. We didn’t even have furniture. But we had a mission.”
That mission was to create a college preparatory school with a maritime focus—one that honored San Pedro’s history while preparing its students for the future. Townsend and her allies wrote grants, courted donors, and persuaded the Port of L.A. to purchase the former Evergreen Marine Corp. buildings at Fifth and Centre streets to serve as the school’s home. Little by little, POLAHS took shape.
IT STARTED WITH A VISION
The story of POLAHS begins with Townsend, a beloved educator and longtime San Pedro civic leader who served on the Los
BEAR PRIDE
Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners and was the past president of the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce. In the early 2000s, while leading the Chamber’s Business, Education, and Arts Committee, she spearheaded efforts to revitalize Downtown San Pedro. A visit to a charter school in Orange County convinced her that San Pedro needed its own.
“I was driving back over the Vincent Thomas Bridge after visiting the Orange County School of the Arts in Santa Ana,” she recalls, “and I said, ‘We’ve got to do this in San Pedro.’ We had plenty of buildings. It was just a matter of getting the money and getting started.”
Townsend had long championed connecting the Port’s resources with San Pedro’s future. She believed education was the key.
“None of this would exist without Camilla,” says Erin Loveridge, POLAHS’s longtime director of development. “She’s a force of nature. Her vision and determination created this school, and we’re still building on that foundation every day. What she started wasn’t just a school, it was a movement. She inspired others to believe it could happen. I deeply value her years of mentorship.”
Townsend wasn’t alone. Along with a dedicated Board of Trustees and help from her friend and fellow former educator, Sandy Bradley, she assembled a team of early teachers, administrators, and community partners who were willing to take a leap of
faith. “It was about giving kids opportunities they weren’t going to get anywhere else,” Townsend says.
LEARNING ON THE BEACH
When POLAHS first opened in September 2005, the school had just 100 students, five teachers, and not a single classroom to call its own. Classes met at the Cabrillo Beach Youth Waterfront Sports Center, where cafeteria tables doubled as geography classrooms, workout rooms became English class, and one science class was taught outdoors with a whiteboard strapped to a signpost with bungee cords.
“Whenever people complain about not having materials, I remind them, ‘You don’t even know,’” says current principal Tim Dikdan, one of the original teachers. “We started teaching on the beach with bungee cords and clipboards.”
Dikdan also recalls the day the school’s mascot was chosen. “We were on the beach, trying to decide on colors and a mascot. One of my students jokingly said ‘polar bears,’ and at first, the kids laughed. But I thought, ‘Oh my God, that’s genius.’ It tied into our name— POLAHS, Polar Bears—it’s a marine animal, an endangered species, something students could rally around. And it wasn’t just ferocious or just cuddly. It had both sides, which is what a mascot should be.”
Port of Los Angeles High School. (photo: John Mattera Photography)
PROGRAMS WITH PURPOSE
From its earliest days, POLAHS set itself apart by offering more than a typical high school curriculum. Today, the school provides career technical education (CTE) pathways in skilled trades, digital media, and maritime studies, giving students practical training and industry credentials in sectors closely connected to San Pedro’s economy and beyond.
Students in the maritime program learn skills closely tied to the waterfront, ranging from nav-
igation and seamanship to boat building and port operations. The skilled trades pathways introduce them to construction, plumbing, electrical, and welding, while the digital media program develops their skills in film, photography, and graphic design—fields essential to a modern creative economy.
These programs, combined with rigorous college-prep coursework, ensure POLAHS graduates leave with both academic and real-world experience. “From our international study
abroad program to the annual scholarship fund, it’s about creating opportunities,” says Loveridge. “We’re not just preparing students for college, we’re preparing them for life.”
ALUMNI MAKE WAVES
Two decades later, POLAHS alumni can be found all across the country and around the world. Some are pursuing advanced degrees in law, medicine, and education; others have built careers in the military, maritime trades, or public service.
Loveridge notes that the true success of POLAHS alumni isn’t just in their professional achievements but in their ongoing ties to the school and community. “It’s amazing to see how far our graduates have gone,” she says. “But what really matters is that they give back, and they carry San Pedro with them wherever they go.”
BUILDING FOR TOMORROW
As POLAHS celebrates 20 years, the school is already planning the next chapter. With nearly 1,000 students enrolled now, the school that once held classes on the beach is getting ready for a major campus expansion.
“We’re not done,” says Loveridge. “Our students deserve the best, and we’re going to keep pushing for them.” Under her guidance, POLAHS has already secured more than $20 million in grants and donations for programs and capital improvements. The biggest project yet, however, is still on the horizon.
The school has proposed a new multi-story addition to be built on the blacktop behind the
main building. The facility would house existing CTE pathways while also providing space for a gym, science labs, and collaborative learning areas. The expansion aims to reduce overcrowding and give POLAHS the room it needs to continue growing.
Currently, the project hinges on winning a competitive state grant. “We’ll apply this fall, and if we’re awarded the funding, it will be transformative for our students and community,” Loveridge says.
TWENTY YEARS YOUNG
Because San Pedro is San Pedro, even after 20 years, some still call POLAHS the “new high school.” But for its founders, faculty, alumni, and the San Pedro community overall, the school is anything but new. They have become a Downtown San Pedro fixture, uplifting the surrounding neighborhood and supporting the local economy.
As POLAHS celebrates 20 years, the school that started with 100 students and no classrooms now stands as one of San Pedro’s proudest accomplishments. They continue to grow, innovate, and show what’s possible when a community invests in its future.
For Townsend, the school highlights the power of vision and perseverance. “I still look at the school and think, ‘We did this,’” she says. “It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.” spt
For more information on Port of Los Angeles High School, visit polahs. net.
POLAR BEAR LIFE (l to r): POLAHS founder Camilla Townsend, Principal Tim Dikdan, and Erin Loveridge, director of development; POLAHS cheerleaders performing; students learning skilled trades. (photos: John Mattera Photography; courtesy POLAHS)
PIRATES AND STARS READY FOR TAKEOFF
AFTER DEEP PLAYOFF RUNS LAST YEAR, SAN PEDRO HIGH AND MARY STAR RELOAD WITH VETERAN TALENT, BIG EXPECTATIONS, AND TOUGHER SCHEDULES
High school football is back in San Pedro. With both the Pirates and the Stars coming off milestone seasons, the 2025 campaign promises more fireworks under the lights.
SAN PEDRO HIGH SCHOOL
San Pedro High football had a marvelous 2024 campaign, becoming the program’s 10th in history to reach a CIF-Los Angeles City Section championship game, finishing as Open Division runner-up after a spectacular 24-0 comeback to defeat Marine League foe Carson, 40-34 in an overtime thriller.
Last year also provided another program first: two victories in one season over Banning of Wilmington in the Battle of the Harbor, 34-33 in overtime at the Harbor Classic Marine League showdown at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and again, 37-36 in the CIF-LACS Open Division quarterfinals.
With several returning players
coming back, including the 2024 Marine League and CIF-LACS Open Division Offensive Player of the Year in senior wide receiver Elias Redlew, the Pirates, who went 9-4 in 2024, are primed for another strong run for the upcoming 2025 season.
However, Redlew is just one of many from a solid senior class of returnees, which also features the likes of running backs Derrick Johnson, Dylan Ashford, and Darren Riingen, WR/DB Isaiyah Banks, and offensive linemen Quincy Couch and Nuriel Rodriguez
The Marine League will be highly competitive as usual, with Carson and Banning both being among the top threats alongside San Pedro. Still, the Colts and Pilots, along with Gardena and Narbonne of Harbor City, will all enter 2025 with first-year head coaches, leaving the Pirates’ own Corey Walsh, who coached the 2022 San Pedro team to the league title, as the veteran coach of the league entering his fourth season.
“We’re excited about this group,” Walsh says. “Our pro-
gram is built on trust, care, and a commitment to excellence, and this senior class has really embraced that. We return a strong core on offense, led by our star quarterback, who’s one of the best players in the city.”
That quarterback’s name is junior Seth Solorio. Backing up three-year veteran Marcus Jeronymo a year ago after transferring from perennial power St. John Bosco, Solorio still saw quality time under center and flourished, going 13-for-19 for 187 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions, which also included throwing for a pair of touchdowns in the Open Division final against Narbonne (who later vacated the title months later).
Solorio will now be the main man behind an experienced and talented offensive line that also features juniors David Medina (All-City returner) and Joaquin Fernandez. Another talented junior will be on the flanks with Redlew and Banks in WR/DB Jaxon Brown, the speedster of the wideout core that also returned a kickoff for a touchdown
BY
JAMAAL K. STREET
last season.
San Pedro is in good hands in the special teams department with junior kicker Dylan Moreno, who really came into his own last year, garnering All-Marine League and All-City honors and now being rated as a four-star kicker.
Defensively, the Pirates will also be stingy, with senior linebackers K’Shawn Davis and Ty Contreras, along with Banks, Brown, Johnson, and junior WR/ DB Braeden Villegas, another returning standout, manning the secondary.
In what will arguably be San Pedro’s most challenging nonleague schedule to date, the Pirates open against Torrance at Mike Walsh Pirate Stadium on Friday, August 22. That’s just the start of a slate that also features three long road trips against the CIF-Southern Section trio of Great Oak (Temecula), El Modena, and Laguna Beach, along with home games against Kennedy of Granada Hills and Bell, in battles against two defending league champions from the City Section.
“Our kids are tough, and they
San Pedro High School varsity football team players. (photo: John Mattera Photography)
bring that grit to the field every day,” Walsh says. “We know the Marine League is always a battle, but we’re confident this group can compete for a championship.”
MARY STAR OF THE SEA
Mary Star High football brought it like none other before them in program history in 2024.
After several different offensive philosophies and coaches in the prior decade, the Stars’ air-raid attack shattered every single passing record the school had previously set, carrying the program to the brink of reaching its first CIF-Southern Section divisional championship game since its 1960 runner-up year.
Only one yard separated Mary
Star, who went 10-3 in 2024, from battling for a section title when the Stars lost by a touchdown in overtime to eventual Division 12 champion Palmdale. Still, second-year head coach Tyler Sestich sees even more excitement to try to surpass last year as their 2025 season draws near.
“We’re much improved after last year’s run to the CIF semifinals,” Sestich says. “The team has worked extremely hard since December in the weight room and on the practice field. We have many key returners and some new faces that will be key to our success.”
And it all starts with their returning senior quarterback Tanner Rollins. The All-CIF returning slinging southpaw set new standards for passing last year, completing 161-of-251 passes (a 64.6% completion rate), 2,922 yards, 35 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
Not having Andrew Washington around will sting a little, but Rollins has junior WR/CB Dallas Christopher, and seniors Aden Sierra and Jeremy Coughlin around. Christopher went down with an injury in his first game and didn’t return. However, he still has the same level of talent and offensive productivity capability that Washington (54 catches, 1,336 yards, 19 TDs) leaves behind via graduation. Rollins even gained a third option to throw to in Amari Powell, a senior wideout who transferred from Carson.
Senior RB/LB Giuseppe Virzi and sophomore RB/LB Johnny
Rivera will power the running game for Mary Star, while the defense will be anchored by the likes of junior LB/FB Daniel Lomeli. The Stars will also have two gifted two-way linemen in sophomore DE/T Lotu Taufa and junior C/DL Ethan Mejia. Sierra will also play a significant role defensively at linebacker.
Mary Star opens its 2025 season on Friday, August 29, at home against Eastside of Lancaster, while the rest of the nonleague slate also will include battles against Valley Christian of Cerritos and Lawndale on the road, and home games against CIF-Los Angeles City Section foes South Gate and Open Division hopeful Palisades Charter.
The Camino Real League will be tough with the likes of defending champion St. Genevieve of Panorama City, St. Monica of Santa Monica, and surging rival Bishop Montgomery of Torrance. Still, the Stars should be right in the mix again after going 4-2 in league play last season.
According to Sestich, this is the most talented and deepest Mary Star team that he can remember.
“We have a lot of size and athleticism on both lines with a big, punishing running back like Virzi. Our passing game should be dynamic again,” Sestich says. “We want to make a push at league and a CIF championship. If we play with the passion, energy, and teamwork that our culture is based on, the sky is the limit.” spt
Mary Star of the Sea High School varsity football team players. (photo: John Mattera Photography)
TRAIN SMARTER, PLAY STRONGER
HOW SAN PEDRO ATHLETES CAN BUILD SPEED, AGILITY, AND RESILIENCE THIS SEASON
BY DR. JA’NAE BROWN
Anew school year brings a fresh season for San Pedro’s high school athletes. Whether it’s football, volleyball, soccer, cross country, or another sport, three qualities distinguish good athletes from great ones: speed, agility, and staying injury-free. At Physical Therapy San Pedro, we help athletes develop all three. Here’s what every student-athlete should know.
SPEED IS A SKILL
Most athletes believe speed is innate, but the truth is speed can
be developed. Fast athletes run efficiently, and it all begins with mechanics. Your arm drive sets the pace for your legs, stability in the core and hips generates power in your stride, and the posterior chain—glutes, hamstrings, and calves—serves as your engine. Drills like wall drives, resistance sprints, and ladder work improve technique and boost explosiveness. Remember: You can’t have fast feet without fast arms and a strong core.
AGILITY = CONTROL + INJURY PREVENTION
Agility isn’t just about being quick; it’s about how well you can stop, cut, and change direction
under pressure. When athletes skip agility training, their risk of injury skyrockets. Safe and powerful agility comes from learning proper deceleration mechanics, practicing lateral movement to protect hips and knees, and running reactive drills with cones, lights, or partner cues to sharpen decision-making. If your body doesn’t know how to land or absorb force, it will eventually break down. Agility training builds control—and that control prevents injuries.
STRENGTH: THE FOUNDATION OF EVERY SPORT
No matter what sport you play, strength is your base. Without it, speed and agility fall apart. Foundational lifts and sport-specific exercises build power while reducing injury risk. Movements like Bulgarian split squats for single-leg stability, trap bar deadlifts for full-body power, and med ball rotational throws for core explosiveness create a solid training foundation. Strength training should always be combined with mobility and plyometrics, because strength without flexibility can quickly become a liability.
TRAINING THE BRAIN
Athletic performance isn’t just
physical—it’s also neurological. The best athletes don’t only move fast; they think quickly. Incorporating neuro-based training enhances reaction time, coordination, and body awareness. Exercises—such as ladder drills combined with reaction balls, shadowing a partner’s movements, or responding to sound and light cues—challenge both the brain and the body. Train the mind to move fast, and train the body to move smart.
INJURY PREVENTION BUILT INTO TRAINING
Injury prevention isn’t an extra step—it’s the foundation of performance training. Every athlete should include dynamic warmups and cooldowns, hip mobility and core stability work, landing mechanics, safe deceleration practice, and recovery strategies like sleep, hydration, and proper fueling.
If you’re a high school athlete gearing up for the season, keep this in mind: Speed can be trained, not gifted; agility is control, not just quickness; strength is the foundation of performance; and injury prevention should be built into every workout. Train with purpose, and you’ll not only perform better—you’ll stay in the game longer. spt
Dr. Ja’nae Brown is the owner and founder of Physical Therapy San Pedro, bringing 19 years of expertise as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. For more info, visit physicaltherapysanpedro.com.
THE HIDDEN PSYCHOLOGY OF MANIPULATION—AND HOW GASLIGHTING, GUILT, AND REPETITION CAN CONTROL MINDS FROM HOMES TO HALLS OF POWER
BY SOPHIE SCHOENFELD, MFT
Every day, people are persuaded to act against their own interests— not by brute force but by subtle psychological manipulation.
From high-conflict divorces to authoritarian regimes, similar patterns emerge: distorting reality, isolating the target, and implanting new beliefs that serve the manipulator’s end goal. This isn’t science fiction—it’s behavioral science, and it’s happening in courtrooms, living rooms, and voting booths across the world.
I think it’s important to understand the blueprint of a manipulator in the name of guarding against their hypnotic grip on an individual’s mind. Manipulators rely on predictable psychological tactics: gaslighting, guilt, fear, and love bombing. These tools exploit a person’s need for safety, validation, and love. Psychiatrist Robert Lifton’s foundational work on brainwashing showed that consistent repetition, emotional pressure, and isolation can fracture an individual’s self-concept—making them ripe for reprogramming.
When narcissists are wounded, their revenge often takes the form of covert psychological warfare. One of the most tragic and frequent applications of these tactics occurs during custody battles, where children are weaponized as tools of revenge.
Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS), though controversial in legal circles, is a widely observed
dynamic where one parent systematically manipulates a child to reject the other parent in the form of systematic reprogramming. This is a relentless process of consistently portraying the target in a negative light, not by simply bad mouthing, but by undermining, ridiculing, and reshaping memories by taking things out of context and deliberately presenting accidental or minor missteps as intentional and sinister.
It does not stop there; these individuals reward their children’s hate and distaste for the other parent and covertly punish any trace of loyalty or love toward the object of alienation. Relentless distortions and lies aimed at convincing the child that the parent is negligent, unloving, and dangerous begin to distort a child’s sense of reality, creating a deep psychological split between two parents—one is without reproach and the other is responsible for all the ills in the family drama.
Often, these narcissistic parents present themselves as helpless and victimized, where the child becomes parentified and responsible for the adult’s emotional regulation.
According to a 2018 study by Dr. Jennifer Harman and Dr. Edward Kruk, approximately 22 million adults in the U.S. report having been targets of parental alienation. Children caught in this dynamic show elevated rates of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, identity confusion, and difficulty forming relationships— often into adulthood.
Notably, those who alienate
tend to show traits of narcissistic or borderline personality patterns, and a disproportionate number are found among socioeconomically advantaged, educated individuals—those with the resources to weaponize the legal system and craft persuasive narratives.
The impact on children is profound. Deprived of a stable attachment figure and coerced into black-and-white thinking, they may develop disorganized attachment patterns, struggle with trust, and internalize a sense of shame or betrayal. In severe cases, this can resemble complex PTSD, where the child’s core sense of self is formed under duress and emotional manipulation.
FROM HOMES TO HALLS OF POWER
These same manipulation tactics scale easily. In cults, for instance, leaders isolate followers, bombard them with doctrine, and manufacture threats from the outside world. The goal is total dependence. Whether it’s Jonestown or NXIVM, the pattern repeats: breakdown, dependency, devotion.
Political campaigns and mass media also engage in what some psychologists call “mass hypnosis”—a term used loosely to describe the strategic use of fear, repetition, and emotional rhetoric.
When individuals are stressed, uncertain, or economically insecure, they become more susceptible to suggestion. Politicians and propagandists exploit this by repeating simple slogans,
evoking powerful emotions (such as fear of outsiders and nostalgia for a mythic past), creating false binaries by blaming outsiders, and using phrases designed to shut down critical thinking and simplify complex realities.
Over time, entire populations can be manipulated to support policies or leaders that harm their own economic, medical, or civil rights interests. Undoing such programming, whether within a family or across a nation, requires more than truth-telling. Psychological deprogramming, rebuilding trust, and restoring the victim’s sense of self can take a long time and often fail.
For children affected by alienation, this usually means therapy, exposure to the alienated parent, and long-term relational repair. For adults influenced by mass propaganda, it means developing media literacy, seeking community support, and sometimes, the slow and painful work of recognizing cognitive dissonance.
We like to think we are rational beings, but history and psychology remind us that we are relational beings first. Whoever controls the emotional narrative often controls the choices we make— even if they lead us straight to ruin. Awareness is key to cutting these marionette strings and reclaiming agency.
“The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed.” – Steve Biko spt
Sophie Schoenfeld, MFT is a local marriage and family therapist. For more info, visit sophiemft.com.
(photo: Cottonbro Studio)
DON’T LET ‘I USED TO BE FIT’ BE YOUR
STORY
WHY FITNESS SHOULDN’T BE A SEASON OF LIFE—AND HOW TO REFRAME YOUR STORY FOR LONGEVITY AND HEALTH
BY EDDIE Mc KENNA
WhenRich Froning the four-time CrossFit Games champion, once crowned the “Fittest Man on Earth”—was asked about his training today, he didn’t hesitate. At 38, he’s not chasing medals anymore, but his commitment hasn’t changed. “I don’t ever want to say, ‘I used to be the fittest man on earth,’” he told Men’s Health. That statement resonates more deeply than the competitive world of CrossFit. It’s a mirror to the average person—to the countless men and women who shrug and say, “I used to be fit when I was younger.”
THE TRAP OF 'USED TO BE'
We’ve all heard it. “I used to run marathons.” “I used to have abs.” “I used to play sports every weekend.”
For many, fitness is often treated like a chapter of youth,
something that gets left behind as careers, families, and responsibilities accumulate. But “used to be” is just another way of saying “I quit prioritizing myself.”
FRONING’S REFRAME: FITNESS AS LONGEVITY
Rich Froning isn’t chasing podiums anymore. He’s chasing longevity. He’s shifted his focus from winning events to winning decades. His training now focuses on durability, function, and staying capable—the kind of fitness that enables him to play with his kids, carry heavy loads, and still thrive under the barbell. That perspective is something anyone can adopt. You don’t have to train like a CrossFit champion. But you can embrace the idea that fitness isn’t a season of life— it’s a lifestyle.
YOUR TURN: FROM “USED TO” TO “STILL AM”
Here’s how to break the cycle: 1. Stop comparing to your peak. You don’t need to be as fast,
lean, or strong as you were at 20. Aim to be capable today.
2. Pick non-negotiables. For Froning, it’s four core movements he’ll never give up. For you, maybe it’s daily walking, pushups, or lifting twice a week. Build anchors you won’t abandon.
3. Think decades, not days. Fitness isn’t about a quick fix before summer. It’s about building habits you’ll carry into your 40s, 50s, and beyond.
REWRITE YOUR STORY
Imagine being 50, 60, even 70, and saying, “I am fit”—not “I used to be fit.”
That’s the challenge Rich Froning throws down without even meaning to. If the man who once stood atop the fitness world refuses to let go of his identity as an athlete, why should you let go of yours?
You don’t need medals, you just need the mindset.
So the next time you catch yourself saying, “I used to be fit,” stop. Reframe it. Decide instead: “I’m still fit—and I’m not done yet.” spt
Eddie McKenna is co-owner of Heyday Elite Fitness. For more info, visit heydaytraining.com.
(photo: Yan Krukau)
FLIPPING A HOME: A LOCAL
PERSPECTIVE
HIGH VALUES, HIGHER STAKES—WHY LOCAL KNOWLEDGE, PLANNING, AND PATIENCE ARE KEY TO TURNING A PROFIT IN TODAY’S MARKET
BY MIKE HARPER & PETER HAZDOVAC
you ever found yourself watching home flipping or remodeling-to-sell shows and thought, “I could totally do this?” We sure have. House flipping, while having the potential for considerable financial upside, has become more challenging in recent years due to fluctuating market conditions, increased cost of materials/labor, and challenges with securing available contractors that can meet your project deadlines. Success in the San Pedro and Rancho Palos Verdes real estate markets requires a level of diligence, local knowledge, and financial planning that goes far beyond a weekend DIY project.
In our coastal region, where median home prices can range from over $1 million in San Pedro to nearly $2 million in
Rancho Palos Verdes, flipping isn’t just a minor home renovation project—it’s the management of a high-value, high-risk financial asset. This form of real estate investing can come with a serious monetary and time commitment. Whether you have had dreams of doing this with your own home, a property you have inherited, or an investment home that you are considering buying to flip, here are some recommended steps to success, especially in our local real estate market.
RESEARCH: Knowing the local real estate market is number one on the list. Being able to gather and analyze data on housing trends, recent sales activity, and pricing is where it begins. Is the home in a “desirable neighborhood” and does it have upside potential? Can you acquire the house at an attractive price that will give you enough “room” to make the necessary improvements and resell the
property at a reasonable profit?
In our evolving market, proper pricing is imperative, as the days of listing a home at any price and receiving multiple offers are somewhat behind us. We have transitioned into a more balanced market between seller and buyer over the last several years.
FINANCIAL PLANNING:
Now that you have found a home, let’s talk numbers. Securing financing, understanding renovation costs and timelines, and creating a realistic budget are huge. We would even recommend giving yourself a pad, as there always seem to be unanticipated costs and repairs that will arise. There are also holding costs associated with owning a property that need to be considered, including monthly mortgage payments, utilities, property taxes, and landscaping, among others.
EFFICIENT RENOVATIONS: Doing a home inspection before buying a home is
highly recommended. Once this is complete and you are ready to close escrow, focus on improvements that offer the best return on investment, which is what we tend to see done most often: painting, flooring, lighting, finishes, kitchen and bathroom improvements, and landscaping. We also recommend hiring reputable, licensed contractors for any construction projects. It’s all about completing your project within budget, meeting your renovation timelines, and selling quickly. This will minimize holding costs and hopefully allow you to capitalize on the market trends with a profitable home sale in our beautiful coastal region. spt
Mike Harper and Peter Hazdovac are co-owners of HH Coastal Real Estate, an independent local brokerage. For more info, visit hhcoastal.com.
(photo: courtesy HH Coastal Real Estate)
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