Saturday Events Trace Harbor History

This morning, the curious and adventurous are going off limits at Ft. MacArthur. The annual Upper Reservation walking tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at the site’s coastal defense mission through most of the 20th Century.

In addition, the Port of Los Angeles is presenting a narrated bus tour of six historical Harbor Area sites from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The “Steppin’ Back in Time” tour is free and open to the public. Buses will make a continuous loop to the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, Point Fermin Lighthouse, Fort MacArthur Military Museum, Drum Barracks Civil War Museum and the Banning Residence Museum.

‘Shakespeare by the Sea’ Premiers Thursday

The 2008 season of “Shakespeare by the Sea” opens Thursday with A Midsummer Night’s Dream. As always, performances are free and held in Pt. Fermin Park.

The following week, the non-profit theater troupe will present Antony and Cleopatra. In late June, it will perform The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at the Little Fish Theatre in downtown San Pedro.

“This is our first year opening three shows back to back to back,” said Lisa Coffi, producing artistic director. “We’ve got our bases covered offering something a little different in each show.”

A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Antony and Cleopatra will run in repertory for five weeks on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights until July 12. They will return for grand-finale performances in early August after an 11-city tour through L.A. and Orange County.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) will run from June 27 to July 27 at the indoor venue. Tickets are $25. Proceeds help to fund the free performances in the park.

Downtown Buzz

Crimes on First Thursday? More than a dozen artists delivered a protest message on First Thursday, expressing their opinions about a proposed tax (assessment) by running yellow crime-scene tape across their walls. The assessment is part of the proposed downtown business improvement district initiative, which is being put to a vote among business and property owners. The artists say it would be a crime for landlords to pass the costs down to tenants, such as studios and galleries.

Open: Models are now open in the Bank Lofts development, which spans Mesa Street between Seventh and Eighth Streets.

Closed: Cutting-edge Catwalk Shoes has closed in the 300 block of Sixth Street.

Coming soon: Port Gelato lives again. The ice cream shop struggled for more than two years through the permitting process then the death of owner Jan Cooper. It is expected to open this month under a newfound manager who plans to serve breakfast items and other selections in addition to gelato.


Party time: Red-hot Crimsin bar and lounge continues to set the tone for classy nightlife in downtown San Pedro. Tonight it hosts a Tommy Bahama party. Whether it’s a tropical islands theme or any other night at Crimsin, the strict dress code and highly-trained doormen all but ensure an upscale experience. (Crimsin is located at 345 W. Sixth St., 310-833-8818).

San Pedro News will report further on these developments in upcoming issues.

Civic Duty, Part I

Tuesday is Election Day. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voters will decide two state ballot measures and elect candidates for Congress, state Senate, state Assembly, Los Angeles County district attorney, county supervisor and Superior Court judges.

The LA County Registrar-Recorder can answer basic questions, locate polling places and display sample ballots.

To help voters make informed decisions, the Los Angeles County Bar Association has published biographical information and ratings of the judicial candidates.

Civic Duty, Part II

Voting continues locally in San Pedro the following week.

The Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council election is among the many civic activities coming up in mid June.

Here’s a preview of the busy calendar:

Monday, June 9: Regular monthly meeting of the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council. 6:30 p.m. at Peck Park Auditorium, 560 N. Western Ave., (310) 732-4522, www.nwsanpedro.org

Tuesday, June 10: Special program in conjunction with the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council monthly meeting. TV station ABC7 is conducting a town hall meeting to hear from the community about newsworthy local issues. The meeting is open to the public, but seating is limited. See our full story below for information on reserving a seat. 6 p.m. at the Port of Los Angeles High School, 250 W. Fifth St.

Wednesday, June 11: The Los Angeles City Planning Department invites interested parties to a meeting regarding the San Pedro Community Plan. It’s San Pedro’s turn for a head-to-toe evaluation of land-use needs and your opinion is sought. The community plan will address housing, parks, transportation, economics, business and other related issues. This meeting will focus on land use along Gaffey Street and Pacific Avenue. 6:30 p.m. at the San Pedro Municipal Building, 638 S. Beacon St., Room 452. Contact Debbie Lawrence at (213) 978-3034 or debbie.lawrence@lacity.org.

Thursday, June 12: Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council election. 1-7 p.m. at Peck Park Auditorium, 560 N. Western Ave., (310) 732-4522, www.nwsanpedro.org

Your Turn to Deliver the News

Senior managers from TV station ABC7 are coming to listen to San Pedro.

The station is holding an “ABC7 Listens” town hall meeting on June 10 to hear from residents about local issues and stories.

The meeting is one in a series of dialogs between Channel 7 news executives and community leaders throughout Southern California. It is free and open to the public.

Community members will learn how to submit news to ABC7, request sponsorship of non-profit events and access job openings.

During the “open mic” segment, people will have the opportunity to tell the station about newsworthy local issues.

“If we don’t know about it, we can’t consider covering it,” said community relations manager Diane Medina.

The Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council is hosting the town hall meeting.

“We invite the community to come out and learn how to become part of local government and access the newsmedia,” said Central communications officer Joe Donato.

The meeting takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. on June 10 at the Port of Los Angeles High School, 250 W. Fifth St.

Seating is limited and RSVPs are advised. Contact (818) 863-7238 or abc7communitymeeting@abc.com to reserve a seat.

For more information, call Diane Medina at (818) 863-7231.

Business News from 25th and Western

New businesses are opening in the shopping centers at 25th Street and Western Avenue in coastal San Pedro.

Here’s a look at recent developments:

South Shores Flowers and Gifts is opening on Sunday, June 1. The shop is located between Sorrento’s restaurant and the Village Pub in a space that a computer repair shop briefly occupied. It will hold a grand opening on Saturday, June 7.

Three-month-old Tobacco Leaf is holding a grand opening party on Friday, June 6. The shop specializes in cigars at discount prices and features an in-store cigar lounge.


It also carries a wide range of gifts and accessories. The grand opening party begins at 7 p.m. at 2470 S. Western Ave., Suite C, next to Starbucks and around the corner from Cox Communications (where Fantastic Sam’s used to be). Call (424) 772-6400 for more information.

Ship N Mail Express is under new management following the May 15 death of owner Creig Sharp. Sharp’s wife, Leyta Fuentes, is running the shop and maintaining the services and hours previously in effect. (Fuentes could not be reached for comment.)

Aloha Ice Cream and Coffee is “coming soon” to the former Billy Baker’s location between Chicago for Ribs and Hollywood Video.

A few doors down, the Remax real estate office has closed and relocated to the Terraces on Western Avenue.

The former Dick’s Hallmark in the Vons center is now Enchanted Eve Cards and Gifts, under new ownership.

Malaga Bank has opened in the former South Shores Hardware building across the parking lot from Vons.

Corporate has mailed a notice that the Vons remodel is almost done, but the shorter hours remain in effect for the time being.

Go Down and Meet the Neighborhood Pizza Man

Just downhill from 25th and Western, Pavich’s Brick Oven Pizzeria has opened.

The six-week-old pizzeria serves whole pizzas, Croatian barbecued sausage (cheyapi), sandwiches, chili with Polish kielbasa, Caesar salad and a few side dishes. There is no dining room, just the take-out counter.

“We serve thin crust, brick-oven pizzas made to order by hand,” said Zdenko Pavic, who co-owns the pizzeria with his wife, Mirela.

Pizza by the slice will be added to the menu in mid June. Delivery will also be offered in the coming months.

Pizzas go beyond the familiar pepperoni to include American with roasted pork and barbecue sauce; Croatian with smoked beef, roasted peppers, feta, mozzarella and garlic sauce; 4 Gusti with artichokes, ham, mushrooms and mozzarella; Latina with jalapeño peppers; and Hawaiian with ham and pineapple.

More than a half and half, this pizza is one-fourth of four house specials: Hawaiian, Croatian, 4 Gusti and American (clockwise from bottom).


The Pavics live three houses from the pizzeria with their daughter Maya, 14, and son, Antonio, 10, students at San Pedro public schools. This is the Pavics’ first business since moving to San Pedro in 1999.

Antonio, Mirela and Zdenko Pavic next to the brick oven.

Pavich’s Brick Oven Pizzeria, 2311 S. Alma St., (310) 519-1200. Open daily 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays until 9 p.m.

New Month Brings First Thursday

San Pedro’s monthly artwalk takes place on Thursday, June 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the downtown district.

The community will welcome Joanne’s Closet with a 6:30 p.m. ribbon-cutting. The contemporary women’s clothing and accessories boutique moved from Western Avenue to be part of the downtown scene. 389 W. Sixth St. at Mesa Street, (310) 514-3219 (just down from Niko’s Pizzeria).

The grand opening of the Boardroom Gallery will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the San Pedro Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, 390 W. Seventh St., (310) 832-7272.

Following last month’s debut, the Crowne Plaza hotel will again present live music and refreshments. 601 S. Palos Verdes St., (310) 519-8200.

D & D Gallery will also stage a repeat performance, holding a fundraising preview reception on June 4 and showcasing Part II of its San Pedro photographic exhibit for First Thursday.

For a complete overview of First Thursday, visit the website, print this one-page map or take a closer look using the interactive maps of galleries, restaurants and shops.

Go Off Limits at Ft. MacArthur

Learn about the underground tunnels and the off-limits areas of Fort MacArthur at the annual Upper Reservation walking tour on Saturday, June 7.

The four-hour guided tour traces the history of the former Army post, which protected the Harbor Area coast from 1914 to 1974.

The tour begins at 9 a.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online or at the Fort MacArthur Museum.

Participants must wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and long pants and bring a flashlight. The tour is not recommended for children under 14 years.

Shoulder to Shoulder at Croatian Festival

Members and friends of San Pedro’s Croatian community ate, danced and celebrated in the streets over Memorial Day weekend at the annual Croatian Festival.

The day-long event at the Croatian American Club included food, music and dancing by dozens of youth in national costumes.




Organizers estimate that 3,000 people attended the festival, creating a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd at peak times.

The festival pays tribute to Croatian independence, achieved in 1990 during the fall of Eastern European Communism.

“It was very, very festive,” said Croatian American Club President Vladimir Lonza. “Everyone enjoyed themselves, especially the young people.”


San Pedro is home to one of the largest Croatian populations in the U.S.

All photos by Robert Matesic of San Pedro.

Mouse at Sea via SP

The Disney Magic arrived in San Pedro on May 25. The ship will sail from the World Cruise Center to the Mexican Riviera and back this summer.

‘Spring for White Point’ Home Tour Sunday

As reported last week, a self-guided tour of unique San Pedro homes is taking place on Sunday, June 1. The event is a fundraiser for the White Point Nature Preserve. It includes a wine and cheese reception following the afternoon tours.

First Look at Drafts of Port Redevelopment

The Port of Los Angeles is preparing to release a draft report on waterfront redevelopment from the Vincent Thomas Bridge to Cabrillo Beach.

The report will assess six options for the San Pedro waterfront project, a multi-phase revitalization to enhance recreational and commercial activity along the waterfront.

The study, formally known as a draft environmental impact statement/environmental impact report (EIS/EIR), will be released in early July for public comment.

Port officials have been presenting the plans to neighborhood councils and other civic organizations.

Highlights include proposals to create a pedestrian promenade, build water cuts along the Main Channel, add as many as three cruise ship terminals, develop a conference center at Ports O Call Village, realign streets, de-industrialize some areas extend the Red Car routes to Cabrillo Beach.

Additional details about the proposed project can be found in these port documents (posted to our sister site).

Distinctive Harbor Homes on Display for Fundraiser

Some people read high-brow books and magazines to see stunning, avant-garde, historic and architecturally significant homes.

Others know about the annual opportunity to see these works of art in person.

June 1 is this year’s Spring for White Point event, a self-guided home tour and reception to benefit San Pedro’s White Point Nature Preserve.

The home tour is a first-hand look at San Pedro’s hidden gems. The luxurious and noteworthy homes aren’t movie sets but the everyday – if extraordinary – living spaces for fortunate San Pedrans.

Homes on the tour include:


An impressive Art Deco loft at Eighth Street and Pacific Avenue. The museum-like home was a Montgomery Ward store in the 1930s. The current owners completely gutted and reconstructed the space, decorating it with antique collectibles and Art Deco relics. It features a curved glass/wood/brass revolving door, cast bronze elevator doors from the downtown LA Cooper Building, an old Wurlitzer jukebox, an Otis birdcage elevator and many other captivating elements.


A New Orleans-style French Colonial on Sepulveda Street, with a Palos Verdes rock wall built by the Sepulveda family that originally owned the land. The home is decorated with museum-quality antiques collected through five generations.


A remodeled contemporary owned by a couple with the credentials to create a masterpiece: he’s a contractor and she’s an artist.

An historic home inside the Fort MacArthur military base. (Tour guests must show ID to enter the base; drivers must also show car registration).

***

The event concludes with a 4:30 p.m. reception at the Plaza at Cabrillo Marina, featuring wine and appetizers, live music, a raffle and a silent auction of works by local artists.

Organized by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, the event raises funds to restore and improve the White Point Nature Preserve, the last non-beach open space along the Los Angeles coast.

The home tours are from 1 to 5 p.m., followed by the reception. Tickets are $50 per person in advance. They may be purchased online or by calling (310) 541-7613.

Woodies Bring Blast from Past

San Pedro hosted the 20th annual LA Wood car show on May 17 in Ports O’ Call.

Here are some of the oldies but cuties, all dolled up for their admirers.

Farmers Market Rounds the Corner

The San Pedro farmers market has moved around the corner.

Now operating on downtown Sixth Street between Pacific Avenue and Mesa Streets, the market has more room to spread out and accommodate more booths.

The market is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Friday. It is sponsored by the San Pedro Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.

Summer Fun All on 1 Page

The San Pedro Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has launched a website to bring major summertime events together on the same page.

Summer in San Pedro is a cheat sheet for months of high-profile activities.

Note the dates of Taste in San Pedro (Aug. 2-3) and the lobster festival (Sept. 19-21) , plus – surprise! – the Tall Ships are here this year (Aug. 15-17) and the Warner Grand Theatre is getting into the act with nautical-themed films.

From Vandalism Comes Activism

San Pedro residents from north to south are looking for answers – and solutions – to last week’s vandalism spree that damaged as many as 100 cars.

The morning of May 9 proved expensive and frustrating for dozens of San Pedrans, who awoke to find their car tires slashed or stolen.

A Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman said police have no leads, suspects or a total number of cars vandalized.

Residents swapped stories at American Tire Co. on Western Avenue, which was overwhelmed by the volume of business.

Cars were vandalized in Pt. Fermin, the Palisades, Vista del Oro and north San Pedro neighborhoods bordering Western Avenue.

Vandals struck nine of the 10 cars along Eileen Barrett’s stretch of Via Sebastian, located east of Western Avenue between Park Western Avenue and Capitol Drive.

Barrett was at home on the night of May 8 when she heard voices outside at approximately 11:30 p.m.

Barrett said it sounded like young people in their late teens laughing and using some type of rolling object such as a shopping cart or skateboard.

If there’s a silver lining to the costly inconvenience Barrett and her neighbors faced, it’s that the incidents were “one way to get this side of the street together.

“It was a good opportunity to meet [Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council President] Dan Dixon and to become more active,” said Barrett.

Galvanized by the experience, Barrett intends to get involved in the Northwest council. The grassroots governing body is holding its board election in June and has ongoing openings for committee members.

The Automobile Club of Southern California advises vehicle owners to take preventive measures reduce risks to their cars. Tips include:

• Put your car in a locked/closed garage. Often, drivers who have accessible garages just leave their cars in the driveway.
• Install an anti-theft device, whether it’s an alarm or a tracking mechanism
• Park in a well-lit area
• Seek out the safest possible place to leave your car

In addition to neighborhood-specific residents associations, community members can take action through San Pedro’s three neighborhood councils. Police officers and aides to Councilwoman Janice Hahn attend the councils’ monthly meetings to answer questions and help advance solutions to crime and other community issues.

Project, Pipe, Politician Play to Palisades

The auditorium at White Point Elementary School was jammed Tuesday for the Palisades Residents Association annual meeting.

The proposed high school at Angels Gate Cultural Center drew an overflow crowd of skeptical neighbors who peppered Los Angeles Unified School District officials with questions.

The meeting also included a report on a new sewer pipe slated for the Harbor Area and remarks by Councilwoman Janice Hahn.

School opponents have organized a group called NOISE to voice concerns about traffic, parking, noise and safety issues potentially associated with the school.

“We want a partnership with you,” LAUSD Region 8 superintendent Linda Del Cueto told residents.

In addition to the required public hearings, district officials have appeared before the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council and convened a “focus group” of community members.

LAUSD facilities official Rod Hamilton spoke about the proposed high school ...

... while skeptical community members listened intently.

Until Tuesday’s meeting, though, officials had said the planned school at Angels Gate would be a separate facility, not affiliated with San Pedro High.

At the Palisades gathering, Del Cueto said, “a ninth-grade academy is a definite option … magnet programs can be considered.”

District bureaucrats have proposed that the school serve roughly 1,200 students, an idea that doesn’t sit well with the Harbor Area’s school board member.

David Kooper, chief of staff for board member Richard Vladovic, said “Dr. Vladovic is saying no to 1,215 (students); 500-800 is what we’re looking for.”

The environmental review process continues to contemplate the larger school, although LAUSD has said it will build classrooms to accommodate only 810 students.

Councilwoman Janice Hahn, who spoke prior to the LAUSD representatives, said she opposes the 1,215-seat alternative.

Hahn indicated she would “support a small learning academy at Angels Gate with an emphasis on cultural arts.”

Assessing the battle ahead, Hahn told the crowd, “I will listen to you loud and clear. I will advocate for your position.

“But, I will warn you, they (LAUSD) never listen to me.”

Councilwoman Hahn addressed the meeting.