Beach magazine Aug 2017
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<strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong><br />
Volume 48, Issue 1
Foodies!<br />
We will be hosting a<br />
Visiting Chef Event<br />
5 Sauces You Need to Know!<br />
Tuesday, <strong>Aug</strong>ust 29th @ 6:30 pm<br />
RSVP TODAY<br />
@ VisitCustomDesign.com<br />
Or 310.815.4815<br />
THURSDAY<br />
AUGUST 10 TH AT 6:00 PM<br />
SATURDAY<br />
AUGUST 19 TH AT 10:00 AM
<strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong> • Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> 5
6 Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> • <strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong>
<strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong> • Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> 7
<strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong><br />
20 “Summer of ‘71” by Chris Lawler<br />
A lonely high school students finds solace and then<br />
disappointment in a love not meant to be.<br />
24 “Going Home Again” by Dave Siemienski<br />
Home isn’t where it was, but where it is now.<br />
28 “A Long Overdue Confession” by Pete Whalon<br />
A Vietnam send-off party leads to a four-decades-old<br />
secret, kept to protect a job.<br />
Volume 48, Issue 1<br />
47th Anniversary thank you<br />
Each year, as a reminder that Easy Reader was founded in 1970 with a staff of<br />
community volunteers, we invite readers to submit their stories and photos. We<br />
wish to thank all who took the time to send in submissions and regret we lack<br />
the space to print more of them.<br />
– Kevin Cody, publisher<br />
GRAND PRIZE WRITING<br />
GRAND PRIZE<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY<br />
On the cover<br />
“Malaga Cove Kelp”<br />
by Joel Gitelson<br />
16 “Patamon, Prince of El Porto” by J.E. Marshall HONORABLE MENTION<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY<br />
Inherent vice in El Porto leaves a trail of victims, some deserving of<br />
punishment, some not.<br />
HONORABLE MENTION WRITING<br />
BEACH PEOPLE<br />
38 Volleyball player Presley Forbes by Randy Angel<br />
Undersized Mira Costa graduate Presley Forbes lands a college<br />
volleyball scholarship, as do other members of a beach training program<br />
founded just three years ago by her mother Daron.<br />
42 Basque food reimagined by Richard Foss<br />
Veteran chef Bernard Ibarra gives rising young chef Michael Mazzotta<br />
the run of A Basq Kitchen, with creative results.<br />
16 Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong> Pier<br />
by Don Adkins<br />
18 Super Moon over El Porto<br />
by Mark Towle<br />
20 Lifeguard tower<br />
by Jaime Brown<br />
24 Tall Ladder<br />
by Mike McKinney<br />
26 Hummingbird Moth<br />
by Mike Barbee<br />
27 Dahlia<br />
by Mike Barbee<br />
28 City lights<br />
by Dylan Marin<br />
44 Redondo Breakwall<br />
by Gus McConnell<br />
Surf’s up, Hermosa and Manhattan<br />
by John Post<br />
46 Downtown to <strong>Beach</strong> Town<br />
by Cathi Lundy<br />
47 Reflections<br />
by Homer Hernandez<br />
STAFF<br />
PUBLISHER Kevin Cody, ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Richard Budman, EDITORS Mark McDermott, Randy Angel, David Mendez and Ryan<br />
McDonald, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Bondo Wyszpolski, DINING EDITOR Richard Foss, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Ray Vidal and Brad<br />
Jacobson, CALENDAR Judy Rae, DISPLAY SALES Amy Berg, Shelley Crawford and Tamar Gillotti, CLASSIFIEDS Teri Marin, DIRECTOR OF<br />
DIGITAL MEDIA Daniel Sofer / Hermosawave.net, GRAPHIC DESIGNER Tim Teebken, FRONT DESK Judy Rae<br />
EASY READER (ISSN 0194-6412) is published weekly by EASY READER, 2200 Pacific Cst. Hwy., #101, P.O. Box 427, Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong>, CA 90254-0427. Yearly domestic mail subscription $100.00; foreign, $175.00 payable in<br />
advance. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to EASY READER, P.O. Box 427, Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong>, CA 90254. The entire contents of the EASY READER newspaper is Copyright <strong>2017</strong> by EASY READER, Inc.<br />
www.easyreadernews.com. The Easy Reader/Redondo <strong>Beach</strong> Hometown News is a legally adjudicated newspaper and the official newspaper for the cities of Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong> and Redondo <strong>Beach</strong>. Easy Reader / Redondo <strong>Beach</strong><br />
Hometown News is also distributed to homes and on newsstands in Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong>, El Segundo, Torrance, and Palos Verdes.<br />
CONTACT<br />
n Website www.easyreadernews.com Email news@easyreadernews.com n Mailing Address P.O. Box 427, Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong>, CA 90254 n Phone (310) 372-4611<br />
n Fax (424) 212-6780 n Classified Advertising see the Classified Ad Section. Phone 310.372.4611 x102 n Email displayads@easyreadernews.com<br />
n Fictitious Name Statements (DBA's) can be filed at the office during regular business hours. Phone 310.372.4611 x101.<br />
BEACH FEATURES<br />
10 <strong>Beach</strong> Calendar by Judy Rae<br />
17 Lifeguard Medal of Valor dinner<br />
30 49th Annual Seawright Volleyball Tournament<br />
34 White Light White Night Walk with Sally<br />
49 Home Services<br />
8 Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> • <strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong>
B E A C H<br />
CAL ENDAR<br />
Thursday, <strong>Aug</strong>ust 10<br />
Lunch and learn<br />
Cancer Support Community Redondo<br />
<strong>Beach</strong> (CSCRB) hosts David Hart<br />
PhD. Hart will present a cognitive fitness<br />
regimen including novel activities<br />
that stimulate neurogenesis and synaptic<br />
connections in the brain. Attendees<br />
will exercise multiple regions of the<br />
cerebral cortex for a full brain workout.<br />
A nutritious lunch will be provided by<br />
The Spot Restaurant, Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong>.<br />
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 109 West Torrance<br />
Blvd., Redondo <strong>Beach</strong>. Call (310)<br />
376-3550 or visit the website at cancersupportredondobeach.org.<br />
A Historical happy hour<br />
Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong> Historical Society<br />
presents Happy Hour with History.<br />
Learn the history of surf photography<br />
with John Grannis. 6 - 8 p.m. Hermosa<br />
<strong>Beach</strong> Museum, 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa<br />
<strong>Beach</strong>. RSVP by calling or leave<br />
a message at (310) 318-9421 or email:<br />
hermosabeachmuseumRSVP@gmail.co<br />
m. Hermosabeachhistoricalsociety.org.<br />
Summer of music<br />
Come down to the Redondo <strong>Beach</strong><br />
Pier and listen to classic rock group<br />
1969. Bring a blanket or chair to sit on.<br />
6 - 8 p.m. 100 Fisherman’s Wharf, Redondo<br />
<strong>Beach</strong>. Free, For a complete list<br />
of future events go to redondopier.com.<br />
Friday, <strong>Aug</strong>ust 11<br />
Community Ed Series<br />
Join the MemorialCare Todd Cancer<br />
Institute at Long <strong>Beach</strong> Memorial to<br />
learn about cognition, aphasia, shortterm<br />
memory strategies and brain<br />
training. Anita Robin, speech therapist,<br />
will lead a presentation on the effects<br />
of chemotherapy on the brain. She’ll<br />
explain how to use cognitive-linguistic<br />
rehab to help with memory. 12:15 –<br />
12:50 p.m. Todd Cancer Pavilion Treatment<br />
Planning Room, 3rd Floor, 2810<br />
Long <strong>Beach</strong> Blvd., Long <strong>Beach</strong>. RSVP<br />
by calling (562) 933-7815. Free event<br />
open to the public.<br />
Hermosa 5-0!<br />
Beginning Ping Pong is offered at the<br />
Hermosa Senior Center, 2:30-3:30 p.m.<br />
Come learn to play! Free for members;<br />
annual membership is only $10. 710<br />
Pier Ave. (310) 318-0280.<br />
Where’s that spot?<br />
For audiences seeking quality, family<br />
entertainment, Shakespeare by the<br />
Sea’s free performances can’t be beat.<br />
Pack low beach chairs, gather loved<br />
ones, and settle in under the stars for a<br />
night of classic entertainment. The<br />
tales are timeless, the admission ticketless,<br />
and the experience priceless.<br />
Shakespeare by the Sea presents Macbeth<br />
at Polliwog Park, 7-9 p.m. (Tomorrow<br />
it’s Taming of the Shrew.) Free but<br />
donations always welcome. 1601 Manhattan<br />
<strong>Beach</strong> Blvd., Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong>.<br />
Shakespearebythesea.org for more info.<br />
<strong>Beach</strong> movie nights<br />
Enjoy a free family-friendly movie<br />
screening on the sand, by the waves,<br />
and under the stars at the Dockweiler<br />
Youth Center. Movie starts at 8 p.m.<br />
Storks. Bring chairs and blankets to sit<br />
on. Gourmet food truck on-site starting<br />
at 6 p.m. 12505 Vista Del Mar, Playa<br />
del Rey. For questions call the Dept. of<br />
<strong>Beach</strong> and Harbors at (310) 726-4128.<br />
Saturday, <strong>Aug</strong>ust 12<br />
Bite at the beach<br />
Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong> Chamber of Commerce<br />
hosts the annual Bite at the<br />
<strong>Beach</strong>, food and beer event, featuring<br />
decadent food and craft beer pairings.<br />
MB Studios Campus, 1600 Rosecrans<br />
Ave., Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong>. 2 - 6 p.m. General<br />
Admission $55; day of event $65.<br />
For tickets go to<br />
eventbrite and<br />
search Bite at<br />
the <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>2017</strong>.<br />
For information<br />
call (310) 545-<br />
5313.<br />
A trophy<br />
wife<br />
Shakespeare<br />
by the Sea presents<br />
Taming of<br />
the Shrew at<br />
Polliwog Park,<br />
7-9 p.m. Free<br />
but donations<br />
always welcome.<br />
1601<br />
M a n h a t t a n<br />
<strong>Beach</strong> Blvd.,<br />
M a n h a t t a n<br />
<strong>Beach</strong>. Shakespearebythe-<br />
sea.org<br />
for<br />
more info.<br />
Friends of<br />
movie<br />
P o p c o r n ,<br />
beach setting,<br />
families, blankets<br />
and a great<br />
classic movie<br />
on the big<br />
screen when<br />
Friday and Saturday, <strong>Aug</strong>ust 11 and 12 are among the<br />
last chances to catch the <strong>2017</strong> season of Shakepeare<br />
by the Sea’s summer performances. Beginning at 7<br />
p.m. at Polliwog Park in Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong> enjoy Macbeth<br />
on Friday and Taming of the Shrew on Saturday. <strong>Aug</strong>ust<br />
17 Macbeth will be performed at Terranea. Season ends<br />
<strong>Aug</strong>ust 18 and 19 at Point Fermin Park in San Pedro. For<br />
a complete schedule or more information, ShakespearebytheSea.org.<br />
the sun goes down. Friends of the Parks<br />
presents Movies on the <strong>Beach</strong>, in Hermosa.<br />
Meet at the south side of the<br />
Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong> Pier, fun begins at twilight.<br />
The featured movie, Moana, begins<br />
at 7:30 p.m. sharp. Bring blankets,<br />
picnics and beach chairs. Popcorn and<br />
water available for purchase. Free, but<br />
donation is greatly appreciated. For future<br />
movies on the beach visit<br />
hbfop.org.<br />
Art of coloring books<br />
Cancer Support Community Redondo<br />
<strong>Beach</strong> (CSCRB) presents a stress<br />
reduction workshop on adult coloring<br />
led by cancer survivor Lynde Hartman.<br />
Participants will relate back to a childhood<br />
pastime and discover the many<br />
benefits of coloring books. Health advantages<br />
include exercising fine motor<br />
skills and training the brain to focus<br />
and center the mind. 10:30 a.m. - noon.<br />
109 West Torrance Blvd., Redondo<br />
<strong>Beach</strong>. All supplies provided. Advance<br />
Calendar cont. on page 12<br />
Nothing Feels Better<br />
Than Creating Something<br />
@ Destination: Art<br />
CLASSES BEING OFFERED<br />
Paint-In Tuesdays-Paint Your Heart Out<br />
with others instead alone<br />
• Oil Painting - basics or pros<br />
• Painting on Silk - make your<br />
own scarf<br />
• Watercolors - take a chance<br />
• Botanical Art - every little<br />
detail<br />
• Studio Landscape Painting<br />
• Pastel, Collage + Acrylics<br />
classes on demand<br />
Plan a Wine & Canvas Party<br />
Info on any of the above<br />
www.destination-art.net<br />
1815 W. 213th St., #135<br />
Torrance CA 90501<br />
310-742-3192<br />
10 Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> • <strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong>
B E A C H<br />
CAL ENDAR<br />
Everclear rocks the Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong> Pier Sunday, <strong>Aug</strong>ust 13. Presented<br />
by Subaru Pacific, the Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong> Summer Concerts are held on the<br />
sand next to the beautiful ocean. 5 p.m. Free. South side of the Hermosa<br />
<strong>Beach</strong> Pier. Bring a picnic dinner, lawn chairs and a blanket. Come to wind<br />
down the weekend with a free concert at the beach. NO glass containers or<br />
alcohol on the beach. Hbsummerconcerts.com.<br />
registration required. Call (310) 376-<br />
3550 or visit cancersupportredondobeach.org.<br />
Family fun<br />
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy<br />
presents “Stories, Songs and<br />
More for All”. All ages are welcome and<br />
the program is free. Reservations appreciated<br />
but not required. 10 a.m.<br />
White Point Nature Preserve,1600 W.<br />
Paseo del Mar, San Pedro. To sign up<br />
for the outdoor volunteer day, please<br />
call Jill Wittman at (310) 541-7613 or<br />
pvplc.volunteerhub.com. Wear comfortable<br />
shoes and bring sun protection.<br />
For more information, please visit:<br />
pvplc.org.<br />
Sunday, <strong>Aug</strong>ust 13<br />
That’s tasty!<br />
The Succulent Society hosts Woody<br />
Minnich who relates his adventures<br />
photographing some of the world’s<br />
weirdest plants in a truly out-of-theway<br />
place, Socotra, an island just south<br />
of Yemen. 1 p.m., South Coast Botanic<br />
Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos<br />
Verdes Peninsula. For more information<br />
visit southcoastcss.org.<br />
Monday, <strong>Aug</strong>ust 14<br />
Kids’ stories<br />
Enjoy a free storytime geared towards<br />
kids ages 3-8, at pages a bookstore.<br />
Mondays 10:30 a.m. 904<br />
Manhattan Ave., Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong>.<br />
310-318-0900.<br />
Welcome meeting<br />
Every Monday at 6 p.m. drop-in to<br />
the welcome meeting and learn about<br />
the philosophy and free programs from<br />
cancer patients who have participated<br />
at the Cancer Support Community Redondo<br />
<strong>Beach</strong>. No appointment necessary.<br />
109 W. Torrance Blvd., Redondo<br />
<strong>Beach</strong>. For questions call (310) 376-<br />
3550 or visit CancerSupportRedond-<br />
<strong>Beach</strong>.org.<br />
Free Fitness<br />
Get moving and de-stress with <strong>Beach</strong><br />
Cities Health District’s Free Fitness Series,<br />
a free community-wide event that<br />
brings together <strong>Beach</strong> Cities residents,<br />
fitness and fun. Zumba. All ages and<br />
ability levels are welcome to participate.<br />
Invite your friends and family to<br />
join. 6:30 p.m. Lincoln Elementary<br />
School, 2223 Plant Ave., Redondo<br />
<strong>Beach</strong>. Visit bchd.org/freefitness for a<br />
full schedule of events and to register.<br />
Print photo critique<br />
Mark Comon of Paul’s Photo will critique<br />
print images submitted by SBCC<br />
members. Free and open to anyone<br />
who is interested in photography. All<br />
are welcome. 7 p.m. Torrance Airport<br />
Admin. Building meeting room, 3301<br />
Airport Drive, Torrance. For more information<br />
call Harry Korn at (805) 340-<br />
3197 or visit sbccphoto.org.<br />
Dem ‘crats<br />
State Senator Ben Allen will be the<br />
featured speaker at the Torrance Democrats<br />
monthly meeting. There will<br />
be a moderated Q&A session. 7 p.m.<br />
Toyota USA Automobile Museum,<br />
19600 Van Ness Ave., Torrance. facebook.com/benallencalifornia.<br />
Tuesday, <strong>Aug</strong>ust 15<br />
Melt Method<br />
Cancer Support Community Redondo<br />
<strong>Beach</strong> (CSCRB) hosts Nancy<br />
Starr, massage therapist and Melt Instructor.<br />
The Melt Method is a self-help<br />
technique that uses small balls on the<br />
hands and feet to balance the nervous<br />
system and rehydrate connective tissue.<br />
11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. 109 West<br />
Torrance Blvd., Redondo <strong>Beach</strong>. All<br />
equipment will be provided. Advance<br />
registration required. Call (310) 376-<br />
3550 or visit cancersupportredondobeach.org.<br />
Wednesday, <strong>Aug</strong>ust 16<br />
Library playtime<br />
Play is essential to your child’s development.<br />
Enjoy quality playtime with<br />
your child while meeting other parents<br />
and children. Free. 10:30 a.m.- noon.<br />
Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong> Library, 1320 Highland<br />
Ave., Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong>. For questions<br />
call (310) 545-8595 or visit<br />
colapublib.org.<br />
Bird walk<br />
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy<br />
presents Wild Birds Unlimited<br />
special guided bird walk. Explore the<br />
birds now making a home in the restored<br />
habitat at the preserve. Free and<br />
open to the public. All ages are welcome.<br />
Binoculars are available. Reservations<br />
are not required. 8:30 a.m.<br />
White Point Nature Preserve, 1600 W.<br />
Paseo del Mar, San Pedro. For more information<br />
call (310) 541-7613 or visit<br />
pvplc.org.<br />
Get to the Point<br />
Summer music series with Rice and<br />
Beans (4 piece, country) at The Point,<br />
850 S. Sepulveda Blvd., El Segundo.<br />
Free. Bring your blanket or chair and<br />
enjoy. 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. For questions<br />
call (310) 414-5280 or visit<br />
thepointsb.com.<br />
Thursday, <strong>Aug</strong>ust 17<br />
Volunteer Day<br />
Businesses, organizations and residents<br />
of the <strong>Beach</strong> Cities are invited to<br />
come together to volunteer in school<br />
gardens in Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong> and Redondo<br />
<strong>Beach</strong> to help prep them for the<br />
upcoming school year. Activities include<br />
planting, harvesting and removing<br />
weeds in the gardens. Efforts<br />
support <strong>Beach</strong> Cities Health District’s<br />
LiveWell Kids obesity prevention program.<br />
Check in at 8 a.m. Alta Vista<br />
Park, 801 Camino Real, Redondo<br />
<strong>Beach</strong>. Register online at bchd.org/volunteerday.<br />
Mommy, me & daddies too<br />
Get ready to sparkle, sing and dance<br />
with Twinkle Time and friends. Plus,<br />
enjoy the Funky Divas of Fashion and<br />
Calendar cont. on page 36<br />
12 Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> • <strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong>
OPEN NOON<br />
PEDAL YOUR CRUISER<br />
Redondo <strong>Beach</strong> Pier and Boardwalk<br />
14 Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> • <strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong>
<strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong> • Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> 15
G R A N D P R I Z E W I N N E R<br />
Patamon, Prince of El Porto<br />
by J.E. Marshall<br />
“That’s him?” Flint grimaced.<br />
“I thought you knew him.” Harry looked at his<br />
friend Edison.<br />
“I’m a reporter. I took photos 20 years ago in<br />
Hawaii.” Lester was old and tired.<br />
Patamon was sleeping on the floor, wearing<br />
boxer shorts and his deceased wife’s bathrobe.<br />
He was emaciated. His hip length hair and matted<br />
beard went off in all directions. The smell<br />
was unbearable. The art studio portion of the<br />
house was dusty and obviously not in use.<br />
The men went to the rooftop patio to talk.<br />
“Shouldn’t you put him to bed?” Lester suggested.<br />
“He’ll tear your head off,” Edison nodded.<br />
“He speaks from experience,” Harry agreed.<br />
“This is how you live?” Lester’s head tilted.<br />
“This is how it’s been since his daughter died<br />
three months ago,” Edison said.<br />
“It took more than three months to grow that<br />
hair,” Lester exclaimed.<br />
“Patamon stopped cutting his hair when his<br />
wife Birdie died. He wore it in a man bun and<br />
was going to cut it off on his daughter’s wedding<br />
day,” Harry explained.<br />
“Is that a millennial thing?” Lester wet his pencil<br />
tip with his tongue.<br />
“You could get lead poisoning.” Harry had<br />
only seen old people in movies do that.<br />
“Birdie isn’t dead,” Lester leaned in.<br />
“You don’t know what you’re talking about!”<br />
Edison declared.<br />
“I know things you don’t know. You tell me<br />
what Patamon was running from. I’ll tell you<br />
about Birdie.” Lester bargained.<br />
“You’ve been looking for Patamon for 20<br />
years!?” Harry’s jaw dropped.<br />
“I’ve been looking for Patamon for 42 years!”<br />
Lester got up to stretch his legs. The FBI’s SUV<br />
was parked across the street.<br />
“Back in the day we were THE DOORS of El<br />
Porto. Patamon’s sculptures sold for outrageous<br />
amounts. We paid off the mortgage. We never<br />
wanted for anything. One day this character<br />
named Freddie Boult pulls up in a limo and<br />
drags Patamon off to this gazillionaire’s mansion<br />
in Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong>. That day our lives blew<br />
up.….” Edison drifted.<br />
“Patamon comes back screaming that we have<br />
to leave. We closed our bank accounts, cut up<br />
our credit cards, sold our cars and smashed our<br />
phones. We took a bus. We hitchhiked. At a<br />
truck stop in the middle of nowhere we met<br />
Leon and Dee Dee Pine. They offered us a home<br />
cooked meal and when we saw their circumstances<br />
we knew we found a hideout. It used to<br />
be a rustic resort but from the look of it, the heyday<br />
must have been in the 1920s. The sauna,<br />
steam rooms and pools were repulsive. We<br />
worked day and night in exchange for a safe<br />
place to sleep. Leon and Dee Dee had no money<br />
so we paid for the materials. We did a lot of trout<br />
fishing in the stream that ran through the property.<br />
One morning Patamon said we better move<br />
on. Leon and Dee Dee thanked us. We thanked<br />
them,” Harry sighed. “They seemed like nice<br />
people.”<br />
“Where did you go next?” Lester asked.<br />
“Hawaii. We hid in plain sight on a beach<br />
crammed with tourists. I did some bartending.<br />
Harry took up lounge singing. Patamon became<br />
a lifeguard. That’s where he met Birdie. Met her<br />
on the beach. She was having a birthday party.<br />
Birdie was a rich kid but she wasn’t spoiled. It<br />
killed Patamon that he couldn’t be an artist any-
more, that Birdie’s father could think<br />
he was after her money. He tried not<br />
to fall in love but couldn’t help himself.<br />
They got married in the courthouse.<br />
Patamon told Birdie’s parents<br />
that they would have another wedding<br />
once he got his finances in<br />
order. Birdie got pregnant on the<br />
honeymoon in Fiji. A week after<br />
Maribelle was born the news about<br />
the gazillionaire was in all the papers.<br />
It was gruesome but it meant<br />
we could finally go back to El Porto<br />
and resume our lives,” Edison looked<br />
sad.<br />
Lester tapped the patio table with<br />
one finger like he was sending a telegraph.<br />
He pulled the photos out of<br />
his jacket and put them on the table.<br />
In the SUV Agent Gower explained<br />
to his young partner how<br />
Bargus, his daughter and henchman<br />
Freddie Boult died in a freak accident,<br />
struck by lightning while having<br />
an orgy in a hot tub.<br />
“Shut the door! Who has an orgy<br />
with their children present!” Agent<br />
Curtis was disgusted.<br />
“Technically, the coroner called it<br />
an ‘<strong>Aug</strong>ust sandwich’.”<br />
“Lordy!”<br />
“Nothing explains Patamon’s actions.<br />
We don’t know if Patamon<br />
knew about the incest. We know he<br />
wasn’t blackmailing Bargus. We do<br />
know Patamon’s biggest patron,<br />
Oliver Mowbray completely disappeared<br />
from the face of the earth<br />
shortly before Patamon disappeared.<br />
This time tomorrow we’ll know if<br />
Patamon’s real name is Dovico, if<br />
he’s Senator Thaliard’s grandson.<br />
The world agreed that the Dovico<br />
child met the same fate as the Lindberg<br />
baby.<br />
“When King Tomas Dovico and his<br />
Hollywood bride Margaret died in<br />
the avalanche that derailed their<br />
train car, the kidnappers probably<br />
figured they were in over their<br />
heads. Along comes Lester Flint. The<br />
old geezer flew all the way from Vermont<br />
to Hawaii on his own dime just<br />
because a drunk war buddy called<br />
and said there was a lifeguard on the<br />
beach who was the spitting image of<br />
His Majesty Dovico. Flint trots up<br />
and down that beach wearing a ratty<br />
tweed suit. He follows Patamon<br />
everywhere. Patamon is head over<br />
heels for the heiress Birdie Ratcliff.<br />
Patamon wouldn’t have noticed if<br />
Barney the purple dinosaur was tailing<br />
him,” Gower handed Curtis an<br />
iPad loaded with Flint’s photos.<br />
“Flint also stole a vial of blood<br />
when he followed the happy couple<br />
to their prenuptial blood tests and<br />
kept the blood in his freezer in Vermont<br />
all this time. Flint lost track of<br />
Patamon and now he thinks he’s<br />
found him again,” Gower was suddenly<br />
distracted.<br />
“What?” Agent Curtis looked up.<br />
“Listen. Flint’s not talking to them.<br />
He’s talking to us,” Gower turned<br />
the sound up.<br />
“I think we should finish this conversation<br />
later,” Flint told the men.<br />
“You didn’t tell us about Birdie!”<br />
Edison protested.<br />
“Your friend needs medical attention,”<br />
Flint asserted.<br />
“We told you he won’t listen. We<br />
don’t want him locked up in some<br />
mental ward!” Harry cried out.<br />
“Yeah. What are you, from Social<br />
Services? Did one of those tight ass<br />
Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong> bitches call you<br />
because Pat bought a carton of milk<br />
wearing his wife’s bathrobe? The<br />
manager of the grocery store knows<br />
Pat. Who do you think made the<br />
sculpture in the parking lot? He’ll be<br />
ok. He just needs time,” Edison’s<br />
face was beet red with anger.<br />
“I’m no doctor but Patamon looks<br />
dehydrated. You say he fights anyone<br />
who tries to help. He doesn’t have a<br />
Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong> Pier<br />
by Don Adkins<br />
Adkins wanted to do something<br />
different with the<br />
Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong> pier, which<br />
has been a magnet for<br />
photographers for decades.<br />
He photographed the pier in<br />
color, converted it to black<br />
and white, made a 14” by 30”<br />
inch print, cut the print into<br />
sections, then reassembled<br />
the image with spacers<br />
between the sections. The<br />
print is part of the Artists<br />
Groups exhibit at the PV Art<br />
Center, through <strong>Aug</strong>ust 19.
Super Moon over El Porto<br />
by Mark Towle<br />
Monday, November 14, 2016 when the full moon<br />
was closest to earth. Canon EOS Rebel T6<br />
gun. He’s weak from not eating. A medic<br />
could be advised to give him an injection<br />
before trying to move him. Your friend is<br />
dying of a broken heart. He might not<br />
make it to tomorrow,” Flint said.<br />
Flint met the FBI at the door and showed<br />
them where Patamon was curled up on the<br />
cold floor. Patamon was given an injection<br />
of Haldol and transported to the ER.<br />
Flint, Harry, Edison, and Agents Gower<br />
and Curtis waited for hours in a private<br />
waiting room.<br />
“Maribella almost died. Leon and Dee<br />
Dee Pine took out a huge life insurance<br />
policy and began slowly poisoning her. We<br />
got a tip and let them think they succeeded<br />
while we continued to collect evidence. We<br />
had no idea Patamon would show up,”<br />
Gower told Harry and Edison.<br />
“Patamon lost his mind the day he came<br />
to pick up Maribelle and was directed to<br />
the graveyard. Who killed Dee Dee and<br />
Leon and their daughter Evelyn?” Edison<br />
was confused.<br />
“The Russian hitman, Freddie Boult. He<br />
thought he was killing Patamon, Birdie and<br />
Mirabelle. The same insurance flag that<br />
alerted us of a suspicious policy was accessed<br />
by Russians hackers and they accessed<br />
Mirabelle’s birth certificate. Then<br />
Patamon’s name on that certificate triggered<br />
another Russian flag and the hitman<br />
was dispatched,” Gower explained.<br />
“You saved Mirabelle twice. Then a<br />
Russian hitman named ‘Boult’ goes home<br />
and gets hit by a bolt of lightning! Patamon<br />
learns that Boult and Bargus are dead so<br />
he comes back to pick up his daughter before<br />
you have time to correct the tombstone!”<br />
Harry marveled at the mess.<br />
“What the hell are the Russians doing<br />
monitoring our medical and insurance<br />
transactions?” Edison asked.<br />
“Information is power. They almost got<br />
Maribelle,” Curtis replied.<br />
“Birdie’s parents died when the tidal<br />
wave hit the island resort. The whole family<br />
had gathered there to celebrate their<br />
first wedding anniversary and the birth of<br />
their daughter,” Harry said.<br />
“Birdie survived but was rescued by pirates<br />
who planned to sell her. She tried to<br />
kill herself by jumping overboard but was<br />
rescued again, this time by kind fishermen<br />
who took her to the priory on an impoverished<br />
island far from the ravaged resort.<br />
The nuns nursed Birdie’s cuts and broken<br />
bones. Birdie decided to live out the rest of<br />
her days there, which she did until a photo<br />
taken by a tourist put her back on the<br />
grid,” Agent Curtis filled in the blanks.<br />
Birdie had no hope that the baby the<br />
water ripped from her arms could survive.<br />
She couldn’t know that Patamon’s lifeguard<br />
training kicked in and combined<br />
with a father’s love, empowered him to<br />
snatch his daughter back from the sea.<br />
“Edison and I were still in Hawaii. We<br />
flew to Fiji to help Pat find Birdie. It was<br />
too brutal for an infant, so we flew to California<br />
and asked Dee Dee and Leon to<br />
look after Maribelle. Dee Dee had just<br />
given birth to Evelyn and promised to treat<br />
Maribelle as Evelyn’s twin while we<br />
searched for Birdie,” Harry shared his<br />
piece of the puzzle.<br />
The waiting room door creaked and<br />
there stood Birdie and her daughter Maribelle.<br />
An hour later a stern, elderly man in<br />
a black suit and overcoat entered the room.<br />
“Maribelle, meet your great grandfather,<br />
Senator Gunther Thaliard,” Gower introduced<br />
them.<br />
A nurse appeared and informed Gower<br />
he could speak to Patamon. Gower went<br />
in alone. They had a very interesting conversation.<br />
“Curtis, don’t react,” Gower said into his<br />
communication device.<br />
Curtis kept his poker face and pushed<br />
his earpiece in deeper.<br />
“Look at your watch, calmly tell the Senator<br />
it’s time to meet his grandson. When<br />
he is clear of the waiting room, cuff the<br />
bastard. I’m right outside. I got your back.”<br />
On the night in question when Freddie<br />
Boult whisked Patamon from his studio in<br />
El Porto to the Bargus mansion in Manhattan<br />
<strong>Beach</strong>, Patamon did indeed witness<br />
acts of incest. <strong>Aug</strong>ust Bargus was having<br />
sex with his daughter while Senator Gunther<br />
Thaliard sodomized her. Freddie Boult<br />
was watching it on his laptop while commissioning<br />
a work of art from Patamon.<br />
“Our country needs your country to<br />
change some outdated policies. Everybody<br />
is happy.” Boult laughed at Patamon’s<br />
naivete.<br />
The obscene amount of money Patamon<br />
was offered shocked him. What turned his<br />
bones to rubber was the sight of a skull on<br />
a spike in the tropical themed pool area.<br />
Most people would shrug it off as tacky<br />
décor but anyone who knew Oliver Mowbray<br />
would recognize that skull. Patamon<br />
walked past the pool to the beach. Once he<br />
reached the moonlit shore he ran like the<br />
wind to El Porto to protect his business<br />
partners Edison and Harry.<br />
Senator Thaliard was taken out of the<br />
hospital in handcuffs.<br />
“I guess this explains the senator’s voting<br />
history. God, I wouldn’t want to be Patamon,”<br />
Curtis mused.<br />
“I think the Prince of El Porto is feeling<br />
better now than he has in years,” Gower<br />
patted his partner on the back.<br />
Indeed, Patamon was hugging his wife<br />
and daughter, shedding tears of relief and<br />
joy. B
H O N O R A B L E M E N T I O N<br />
Summer of '71<br />
by Chris Lawler<br />
The last South Bay house I lived as a<br />
teenager was on Blossom Lane in North<br />
Redondo <strong>Beach</strong>, just east of Aviation and<br />
south of Aviation High School. Compared to my<br />
previous home on Fourth Street in Manhattan,<br />
it felt like Siberia. I was a freshman at Mira<br />
Costa and this was Aviation High School turf<br />
and none of my few friends lived anywhere near<br />
me. I had the feeling this was where people<br />
lived if they couldn't live at the beach but<br />
wouldn't give up the dream. Of course, now, I<br />
would kiss the ass of my lucky stars to live that<br />
close to the beach.. Alas, I have become a<br />
refugee.<br />
My dad was out of the picture by this time<br />
and my Mom a waitress trying to support four<br />
kids and our bi-polar Grandma. She was burning<br />
out and becoming an addict from the stress.<br />
I had no idea how common this Gulag was for<br />
women during the 'swinger' era of the early<br />
seventies.<br />
I was self absorbed with teenage angst and<br />
had little perspective. Man, I needed my dad<br />
back then! He was off, starting a new life married<br />
to a rich banker's daughter. Again, this was<br />
Lifeguard tower<br />
by Jaime Brown<br />
Torrance <strong>Beach</strong>. Nikon d70, 1/60, f8<br />
a pretty common situation back then. There<br />
were no video games to soak up all the alone<br />
time. Instead, I had a dog, and a front yard. I<br />
was outside a lot. There was a pack of younger<br />
boys who hung on my street. I got them organized<br />
enough to play baseball in front of my<br />
house. Home plate was in front of my garage<br />
door. I chalked out a 'strike zone' on the door<br />
and would pitch tennis balls to them. It was fun.<br />
The boys really looked up to me and, I was able<br />
to suppress my feelings of desperation.<br />
Another single mom ( no names, to protect<br />
privacy) from across the street noticed my rapport<br />
with her two sons and offered me a babysitting<br />
job while she worked her waitress gig at<br />
night. I took the job to help out my mom and to<br />
get away from her alcoholism. This lady left for<br />
work about 6 p.m. and I had these knuckleheads<br />
until 11 p.m.<br />
Her boys were 8 and 10 and wild as raccoons<br />
but I had a lot of fun with them. We would<br />
make crank calls, wrestle around and have epic<br />
pillow fights. I would chase them around with a<br />
broomstick singing the Rotor Rooter song threatening<br />
to impale them. We just clowned all night<br />
until they fell asleep on the sofa watching TV<br />
Then I would go in the kitchen and wash her<br />
dishes. There were maggots that can only be explained<br />
by a single mom too exhausted to care.<br />
Washing dishes wasn't part of the job, but I<br />
couldn't leave her kitchen that way. This started<br />
a little trouble.<br />
She was a very attractive lady in her cocktail<br />
waitress outfit. At 15 years old, I was already an<br />
inch or two taller than her. She fit me. I started<br />
to have a 'Summer of '42' crush on her. She was<br />
always so very grateful for me and made me feel<br />
important. She called me 'My man, CJ' and sent<br />
me home every night with a kiss on the forehead<br />
and an unrestrained hug. That, and a<br />
pocket full of her tips. She was especially moved<br />
by my cleaning her filthy kitchen. I know she<br />
was embarrassed by how she left them for me.<br />
This babysitting gig lasted about a half the<br />
summer. Then she got a new boyfriend and<br />
moved away. Saved by the bell. I was falling in<br />
love with her. It never went any further but the<br />
trouble this made for me lasted a long time, until<br />
the memory of her was a tattered thing in my<br />
mind.<br />
I came away from that experience with a gold<br />
doubloon; Attraction is powerful, but love drops<br />
the Heavy Hammer when you humble yourself<br />
and serve. B
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each awards<br />
MEDAL OF VALOR DINNER<br />
County lifeguards honor their own<br />
The 56th annual International Surf Festival kicked off <strong>Aug</strong>. 2 with the Los Angeles County<br />
Lifeguard Medal of Valor Dinner at Seaside Lagoon in King Harbor. Now in its 37th year, the<br />
dinner recognizes heroism and bravery in the line of duty in the past year by L.A. County Lifeguards.<br />
The county lifeguards are the largest beach lifesaving organization in the world, with<br />
over 800 full time and lifetime lifeguards. Civic officials from surf festival host cities Manhattan<br />
<strong>Beach</strong>, Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong>, Redondo <strong>Beach</strong> and Torrance mingled with lifeguards and county officials,<br />
including County Supervisor Janice Hahn.<br />
Nine guards were honored. Captain John Greger and Ocean Lifeguard Specialist Jeff Martinez<br />
received the Distinguished Service Award for helping save the life of an unconscious cyclist<br />
near Dockweiler <strong>Beach</strong>. Ocean Lifeguard John Newton received the Distinguished Service<br />
Award for pulling an unconscious man from the surf at Silver Strand <strong>Beach</strong> in Oxnard during<br />
an outing with his family; the victim made a full recovery. Captain Chris Staffiled and Ocean<br />
Lifeguard Specialist Chris Maloney received the Medal of Valor for rescuing multiple victims<br />
from drowning amidst rocks and high surf on the south side of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Rescue<br />
boat captains Rob Pelkey, Lance Dempsey and Matt Rhodes, and Ocean Lifeguard Specialist<br />
Brian Kari received the Medal of Valor for a harrowing rescue of multiple victims who had<br />
been tossed from a power-boat that capsized and ran aground on the south side of Catalina Island<br />
during high surf. Randy DeGregori, a former Chief Lifeguard, received the LIfetime<br />
Achievement Award for his decades of service and work to modernize the department’s fleet<br />
of Baywatch boats.<br />
1. Los Angeles<br />
County Fire Department<br />
Chief Daryl<br />
Osby.<br />
2. Event emcee and<br />
retired lifeguard Dick<br />
Douglass.<br />
3. Councilmember<br />
Nancy Hersman,<br />
Mayor David Lesser,<br />
Councilmember<br />
Steve Napolitano,<br />
Mayor pro tem Amy<br />
Howorth and Councilmember<br />
Richard<br />
Montgomery, all of<br />
Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong>,<br />
the host city for the<br />
<strong>2017</strong> Surf Festival.<br />
PHOTOS BY RYAN MCDONALD<br />
4. Ocean lifeguard<br />
John Newton, winner<br />
of the Distinguished<br />
Service<br />
Award.<br />
5. Ocean Lifeguard<br />
Specialist Jeff Martinez<br />
and Captain<br />
John Greger, winners<br />
of the Distinguished<br />
Service<br />
Award.<br />
6. Osby and interim<br />
Chief Lifeguard Fernando<br />
Boiteux.<br />
7. Ocean Lifeguard<br />
Specialist Chris Maloney<br />
and Captain<br />
Chris Staffield, winners<br />
of the Medal of<br />
Valor, with L.A.<br />
County Supervisor<br />
Janice Hahn.<br />
8. Former Chief<br />
Lifeguard Randy De-<br />
Gregori received the<br />
Lifetime Achievement<br />
Award.<br />
9. Rescue boat captains<br />
Rob Pelkey,<br />
Lance Dempsey and<br />
Matt Rhodes, and<br />
Ocean Lifeguard<br />
Specialist Brian Kari,<br />
winners of the Medal<br />
of Valor, with Supervisor<br />
Hahn.<br />
1<br />
2 3<br />
4 5<br />
6<br />
7 8<br />
9<br />
22 Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> • <strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong>
<strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong> • Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> 23
H O N O R A B L E M E N T I O N<br />
Going home again<br />
by Dave Siemienski<br />
You Can’t Go Home Again” was a novel<br />
published in 1940 by Thomas Wolfe. The<br />
expression has since transformed into a<br />
common cultural idiom. It is most commonly associated<br />
with wistful yearning for the past and<br />
the times, events, and childhood experiences<br />
that evoke the warmest of feelings. It is a brand<br />
of sentimentality that seldom matches up to biases<br />
in memory when taken to its most literal<br />
application.<br />
This emotional longing is also generally interpreted<br />
as nostalgia. That word derives from a<br />
Greek compound, consisting of “nostos,” or a<br />
Homeric word for “homecoming” and “algos” for<br />
pain or ache. These kinds of recollections of the<br />
past can represent important events with people<br />
and places that were the most pleasant in memory.<br />
As a lifetime unfolds it often leads to desires<br />
to literally “go home” once again.<br />
I was passing through the South Bay recently<br />
with some time to kill when I decided to drive<br />
to Inglewood to see the places of my youth. As I<br />
approached the city, I began thinking of an old<br />
“Twilight Zone” episode called “Walking Distance,”<br />
written by Rod Serling and starring Gig<br />
Young. It was about a world-weary advertising<br />
executive who leaves his car at a gas station<br />
(when you could do that sort of thing) and sets<br />
off on foot to his hometown, which coincidentally<br />
is just down the road. He finds things exactly<br />
the same as when he was a child, and<br />
quickly senses he has gone back in time. He<br />
finds his old home, and attempts to explain to<br />
his parents parents that he is their son, now<br />
grown up. They think he’s crazy.<br />
When his father eventually believes the impossible,<br />
that this man is his son from the future,<br />
-- the son asks why he can’t fit back into his past<br />
life? His father pointedly replies, “I guess because<br />
we only get one chance.”<br />
I decided to get off the 405 at the Florence /<br />
Manchester off-ramp. Quickly that neighborhood<br />
of the freeway brought memories rushing<br />
back to me. I was driving right over the spot<br />
where my Uncle Leo used to live. This represented<br />
progress in the 1950s -- where blocks of<br />
families became lanes of traffic. I miss those visits<br />
to my Uncle’s house.<br />
I noticed that the “Big Donut” has now become<br />
“Randy’s Donut.” At least the donut was<br />
still there. I continued my slow journey into the<br />
past by driving south on Aviation until I reached<br />
Century. Carolina Lanes should be right here on<br />
the corner. This was where I bowled my first<br />
200 game. It’s not there anymore. Only sleazy<br />
strip-joints occupy those once wonderful bowling<br />
lanes where I had so much fun with my<br />
friends. I found out later the Inglewood Bowl<br />
and Jola Bowl are also ancient history.<br />
I drove down Century towards the Hollywood<br />
Park Race Track. That parking lot is where my<br />
dad first took me to practice driving a car. That<br />
was so special when Pops first let me take the<br />
Tall Ladder<br />
by Mike McKinney<br />
April 29, <strong>2017</strong> during the Torrance Airport "Wings of Freedom" tour of WWII airplanes. Nikon D-600 with infrared conversion.<br />
24 Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> • <strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong>
wheel. That was also where Bill<br />
Shoemaker pulled up on Swaps at<br />
the quarter-pole, and cost my Uncle<br />
a lot of money. How could they take<br />
away that beautiful landmark and<br />
so many of my memories?<br />
I stood on some graded dirt and<br />
looked around for the Inglewood<br />
Golf Course, which should have<br />
been just yards away. All I could see<br />
was that old “Forum” sitting where<br />
the ninth green used to be. It was<br />
like somebody took a big eraser to<br />
the chalkboard of my childhood. All<br />
that was left was dusty chalk and<br />
smeared images.<br />
I got back into my car, and tried<br />
to picture myself in one of the vintage<br />
autos from the film American<br />
Graffiti. Maybe this little “detour”<br />
could magically transition into a<br />
cruise from the old days instead of<br />
a jolt of modern reality. Maybe if I<br />
blare the radio with rock ‘n’ roll<br />
music I could bring back the past.<br />
I turned the wheel west again. I<br />
knew Sears was just down the<br />
street on Manchester at Hillcrest. I<br />
wanted to check out their sporting<br />
goods department where I bought<br />
my first Converse basketball shoes.<br />
I also wanted to see if that traffic<br />
controller still sat atop the tower in<br />
the parking lot. Wait a minute! I<br />
didn’t expect old Dr Tanton would<br />
still have his offices across the<br />
street, but I never dreamed Sears<br />
would cease to exist.<br />
Oh well, maybe I would head<br />
downtown and see what’s playing<br />
at the Fox Theater or the United<br />
Artists. On no! The Fox is boarded<br />
up. No UA either. Has the “Invasion<br />
of the Body Snatchers” come true?<br />
Have Aliens taken over Inglewood?<br />
I saw “The Hustler” at the Fox in<br />
1961. Now Market Street looks like<br />
a bad movie set. Where is Mike &<br />
Bob’s Records? I bought my first<br />
Beatles album there.<br />
I thought I would seek some<br />
peace and quiet at the Inglewood<br />
Public Library. It should be just<br />
around the corner. I turned down<br />
Queen Street, but couldn’t understand<br />
why it now dead-ended at La<br />
Brea. Where is that beautiful standalone<br />
building that took up a whole<br />
block? The impressive structure I<br />
remember had an elegant stairway<br />
out front leading to the front doors,<br />
and the rich old wood of the lobby<br />
and book shelves. It smelled like an<br />
old-fashioned museum. Alas, this<br />
cherished landmark has also disappeared.<br />
The whole city block is<br />
now the Inglewood City Hall. If<br />
those people only knew what books<br />
I enjoyed and how that little piece<br />
of lost history inspired a lifetime of<br />
reading.<br />
As I pulled away from the curb<br />
looking for something of the past I<br />
could hang onto, I noticed that at<br />
least Inglewood High School looks<br />
basically the same. But<br />
Scarpellino's Pizza is gone, the<br />
DMV has moved, and most of the<br />
area looked nothing like I remembered<br />
it. I was getting desperate to<br />
find something historical that I<br />
could cling to. Just one thing that<br />
would make this new town seem<br />
like my old home.<br />
I finally thought of a place where<br />
changes would be unlikely. Centinela<br />
Park is 55 acres of grass, trees,<br />
and ball diamonds that will never<br />
get replaced. I spent huge parts of<br />
my life there, playing ball, watching<br />
fireworks, hiking the Indian trails,<br />
and playing fast-pitch softball as an<br />
adult. Sure enough, it was still<br />
down the street from where I grew<br />
up, but it is now called “Edward<br />
Vincent Jr. Park.” Who the hell is<br />
he? Why did they have to change<br />
the most iconic name of all of Inglewood’s<br />
parks?<br />
I was now just a few blocks from<br />
where I grew up at 329 E Hazel<br />
Street. I drove slowly up my old<br />
street, and approached the address<br />
with cautious anticipation. I was<br />
looking for the two banks of ivy and<br />
elm trees that marked the front of<br />
our property. When the address I<br />
saw indicated that I had gone too<br />
far, I was shocked. I stopped and<br />
backed up a few yards. Where was<br />
329? Unbelievable! It is a vacant lot.<br />
This cannot be! Something is dreadfully<br />
wrong here. Where is my<br />
house? Our driveway? Where is my<br />
basketball setup and the wiffle ball<br />
field? Who bulldozed my adolescence?<br />
What is that dirt doing<br />
where my life sprouted in our backyard<br />
garden? What did they do with<br />
the apricot and peach trees? My<br />
mind started spinning like a dream<br />
sequence from a bad movie.<br />
I thought back to the Twilight<br />
Zone closing by Rod Serling from<br />
“Walking Distance.” “Martin Sloan,<br />
age 36, vice-president in charge of<br />
media. Successful in most things,<br />
but not in the one effort that all<br />
men try at some time in their lives<br />
— trying to go home again….”<br />
That line from Martin’s dad<br />
echoed in my ears: “We only get<br />
one chance.”<br />
Even though most everything has<br />
changed, I would not change anything<br />
about how or where I grew<br />
up. I no longer feel a need to go<br />
home. “Home is where the heart<br />
is.” Mine now has moved on. B<br />
<strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong> • Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> 25
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26 Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> • <strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong>
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<strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong> • Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> 27
H O N O R A B L E M E N T I O N<br />
A Long Overdue Confession from 1968<br />
by Pete Whalon<br />
On <strong>Aug</strong>ust 15, 1968, the day of my Bon<br />
Voyage Private Whalon celebration, I<br />
was 18 days away from becoming an extremely<br />
reluctant soldier in the United States<br />
Army. I had joined the Army in hopes of avoiding<br />
the draft and being sent to Vietnam as an infantry<br />
soldier. The prevailing wisdom at that<br />
time was that joining the military for three years<br />
would reduce your chances of being sent to Vietnam.<br />
Getting drafted for two years usually<br />
meant being sent to infantry training after basic<br />
training and then shipped off to the jungles of<br />
Nam. Vietnam was the absolute last place on<br />
earth I wanted to be. (For the record, in 1969, I<br />
did end up in Vietnam).<br />
A few days earlier, while planning my “goodbye<br />
cruel world” party, a group of friends and I<br />
mulled over the perfect place where a sizable<br />
group of raucous, under aged teens could chug<br />
alcohol undetected. Lenny had lived in El Segundo<br />
for a few years growing up and recalled a<br />
secluded public park in the city with an isolated<br />
picnic area concealed by trees and bushes and<br />
conveniently tucked away from busy streets. He<br />
City Lights<br />
by Dylan Marin<br />
Canon Rebel t5i<br />
also described a quiet, bucolic town where they<br />
rolled up the sidewalks at 7 p.m. Although I had<br />
lived in Redondo <strong>Beach</strong> since six, I had only<br />
been to El Segundo one time in my life. Growing<br />
up in Redondo, with the quintessential beach<br />
cities of Hermosa and Manhattan nearby, taking<br />
a road trip to sleepy El Segundo never appealed<br />
to me. So, with a unanimous vote, on Saturday<br />
night 15 of my closest friends would join me to<br />
bid a fond, alcohol fueled, farewell. The thought<br />
thrilled and depressed me at the same time.<br />
As the caravan of four cars, carrying our spirited<br />
pack, pulled into the empty parking lot, I<br />
thought this place is perfect for my “last hurrah.”<br />
It appeared to be a remote location, with dense,<br />
foliage everywhere. There were roughly 20 picnic<br />
tables spread out over a considerable grass<br />
area, complete with dim lighting. We bolted<br />
from the cars, grabbed our Styrofoam coolers<br />
packed with Boone’s Farm-Strawberry Hill and<br />
Bali Hai wine, Colt 45 Malt Liquor and a bottle<br />
of Jack Daniel’s (for the serious drinkers). Let<br />
the party rage!<br />
During the first 30 minutes our congregation<br />
had separated into three groups, each occupying<br />
a different picnic table. I had just finished my<br />
first beer when a blinding light hit me right between<br />
my eyes. Out of nowhere seven or eight<br />
police officers appeared, shining high powered<br />
flashlights in our faces and barking out orders.<br />
“Put your hands on your heads and do not<br />
move!” While obeying the order I glanced to my<br />
left and noticed that five of my buddies had disappeared.<br />
My first thought was, crap, it’s my<br />
party and they get away…unbelievable! The<br />
cops ordered us to stand and put our hands behind<br />
our backs. They then handcuffed us, led us<br />
to the parking lot and told us to sit along the<br />
fence. I leaned over to Larry sitting next to me<br />
and optimistically whispered, “Maybe this bust<br />
will keep me out of the Army.” He didn’t respond.<br />
Eleven (one short of a Dirty Dozen) of us<br />
had been apprehended and five had vanished<br />
into the night (years afterward we would refer<br />
to their daring getaway as The Great Escape).<br />
We Were herded into police cars and taken to<br />
the El Segundo Police Station on Main Street. We<br />
were fingerprinted, then placed in three separate<br />
28 Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> • <strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong>
cells. Soon after the doors clanked shut a police officer informed us that<br />
our parents had been notified and we would be released to them when they<br />
arrived. It was the first time any of us had been in the clink. When Lenny’s<br />
mom appeared in front of our cell she glared in my eyes and curtly demanded<br />
“Whose idea was this Pete?” I shrugged my shoulders. I couldn’t<br />
blame her for being furious. Of her four kids, three of them shared a cell<br />
with me.<br />
I was the last suspect picked up, by my mom the next morning. She had<br />
been working a 12-hour shift at the Royalwood Convalescent Hospital and<br />
wasn’t about to take off work early to pick up her wayward son until. Consequently,<br />
I had to endure the arrival and wrath of everyone’s disapproving<br />
mother.<br />
The next phase of my embarrassing ordeal would be the court date. I still<br />
held out a glimmer of hope that this youthful indiscretion would keep me<br />
out of the Army, however, I definitely did not want to do jail time. Several<br />
of my co-conspirators were under 18 years of age and would appear in juvenile<br />
court with their parents.<br />
And since the consensus of the concerned parents involved appeared to<br />
be that I acted as the “ringleader”, it proved a plus to be heading to court<br />
alone.<br />
Eight days after my arrest I appeared in a Torrance court room, prepared<br />
to plead guilty to the charge of “minor in the possession of alcohol.” I had<br />
begged my parents and threatened my friends to stay away from court and<br />
let me deal with this situation alone. When the judge barked out my name<br />
I almost threw up. “Please come forward Mr. Whalon. Have you been<br />
drinking today sir?” He flashed a wry smile. “No sir.” I blurted out. He continued,<br />
“So, you and your idiot underlings were getting drunk in a public<br />
park…please explain.” Sweat poured from my forehead and dripped onto<br />
my neatly pressed shirt. “Sir, your honor, we were having a going away<br />
party for me. I am going into the Army in 10 days” The judge interrupted,<br />
“So, Pete, you thought it would be ‘groovy’ to get drunk and create havoc<br />
before your military induction, interesting? Since you are going into the<br />
Army are you also looking forward to going to Vietnam?” No, don’t say that<br />
word, please! He continued. “Very honorable, even though you and your<br />
ignorant friends wasted lots of time for lots of people. What do you have to<br />
say in your defense, before I sentence you.” Thank God my mom wasn’t<br />
here. She’d be bawling her eyes out right now, thinking, my dear Catholic<br />
boy Peter, a criminal? “Your honor, I am truly sorry and will never do anything<br />
like this again. It was supposed to be just a going away party.” The<br />
judge cleared his throat, “Good for you Pete, I think you might be headed<br />
in the right direction. after all. I am suspending your probation and your<br />
record will be expunged. Good luck in the Army and keep your head down<br />
in Vietnam.” Geez, enough with the Vietnam taunting already, judge. I<br />
turned and hustled out of the courtroom.<br />
In March of 1973, while looking at the job placement board at El Camino<br />
College, I noticed a part-time position with a local city. Since I was a Physical<br />
Education major it seemed like the perfect job to get my career kick<br />
started. I called the phone number and set up an interview for the following<br />
week.<br />
While driving to my interview I tried to calm myself. I really wanted this<br />
job. It seemed a perfect fit for my plans. I made the turn onto Sheldon Street,<br />
parked my car, got out, stepped onto the sidewalk and froze in place. In an<br />
instant, my mind raced back to that fateful night in 1968. There, just in<br />
front of me, on the other side of the short, wire fence sat the very picnic<br />
table from my big bust. Unbeknownst to me, I was applying for a job at<br />
the very scene of my crime. I hadn’t thought about that night in a long time.<br />
I jumped back in my car to clear my head. After calming down, I decided<br />
to go ahead with the interview and keep quiet about that chaotic night and<br />
hope for the best.<br />
I did get that part-time job, and in 1978 was promoted to the full-time<br />
position of Sports Supervisor. I ended up working for the El Segundo Recreation<br />
Department for twenty-eight years. On many occasions over that span<br />
I would stroll through the area and sit on picnic table #5, the center of that<br />
1968, police raid. I would often wonder, if I had been honest during my interview,<br />
would I have still been hired that day. During my entire career<br />
with the city I kept my mouth shut about that memorable night I spent in<br />
jail. Now I am coming clean, after forty-nine years. I understand that confession<br />
is good for the soul. B<br />
<strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong> • Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> 29
each sports<br />
THREE GENERATIONS COMPETE<br />
in 49th Annual Seawright Tourney<br />
The 49th Annual Seawright Volleyball Tournament, held at 28th Street, in front<br />
of the former Strand home of Hermosa pioneers Bunny and Roy Seawright, drew<br />
32 four-player teams. Many of the players were second and third generation Seawright<br />
veterans. The Seawright Memorial Award was presented to Dave Lucero,<br />
who began playing in the tournament in 1977.<br />
1. Dave Lucero accepts the Seawright<br />
Memorial trophy from Annie Seawright.<br />
2. Annie Seawright-Newton with <strong>2017</strong><br />
Seawright tourney champions Mike Doll,<br />
Clint Coe, Jay Gleason, and Nick Palmer.<br />
3. Many of the Seawright tourney players<br />
were third generation tournament<br />
PHOTOS BY CHRIS MILLER<br />
veterans.<br />
4. The Schneider family competed in<br />
memory of Doug Schneider, who died in<br />
a motorcycle accident two years ago.<br />
5. Over 100 players competed in the<br />
49th Annual Seawright Volleyball Tournament.<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
30 Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> • <strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong>
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<strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong> • Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> 31
32 Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> • <strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong>
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<strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong> • Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> 33
each charity<br />
WALK WITH SALLY HONORS<br />
Volunteers, mentor/mentee<br />
The Beacon of Light Award, honoring individuals who work throughout the year<br />
for Walk with Sally, was presented to Suzanne Sharer and Bob McDaniels at the charity’s<br />
annual White Light White Night fundraiser on June 22, at the Top of the Plaza<br />
at Continental Park. McDaniels mother was diagnosed with cancer when he was 11.<br />
The couple owns South Bay Automation in Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong>. The Lifetime Friendship<br />
Award was presented to mentor Chris Martinez and his mentee Patrick. Martinez lost<br />
his father to pancreatic cancer. Chris and Patrick were matched in 2012 when 13-<br />
year old Patrick and his sister were in the throes of their mother’s 4-year battle with<br />
cancer, a battle she unfortunately lost. The 11th Annual White Light White Night<br />
raised nearly $400,000. Over 1,000 guests, dressed in white, attended the event, which<br />
supports the organization’s work with children whose parents or siblings suffer from<br />
cancer. The white theme was selected by founder Nick Arquette because his mother,<br />
the program’s namesake, believed in the healing power of white light.<br />
For more information visit WalkWithSally.org.<br />
1<br />
PHOTOS BY SHELLEY CRAWFORD, ADRIENNE SLAUGHTER<br />
AND WALK WITH SALLY<br />
1. White Light auctioneer.<br />
2. TMZ executive producer Charles Latibeaudiere and friend.<br />
3. Cutting loose.<br />
4. Sugar Ray Mark McGrath and Walk with Sally founder Nick Arquette.<br />
5. Bibi and Mark Goldstein, of Redondo <strong>Beach</strong>.<br />
6. Baran 2239’s Alex Schwartzman, partner/executive chef Tyler Gugliotta and<br />
Adam Stone.<br />
7. Shade Hotel’s Mike Zislis and friends.<br />
8. Variations on the White Light White Night dress code.<br />
9. Sugar Ray singer Mark McGrath ramps up the energy.<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4 5 6<br />
7 8 9<br />
34 Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> • <strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong>
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F R E E<br />
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s e t t i n g u p a p p o i n t m e n t .<br />
3 1 0 . 5 4 3 . 2 0 0 1<br />
fun too. 10 a.m. - noon. Mommy &<br />
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questions call (310) 414-5280 or visit<br />
thepointsb.com.<br />
Sunset <strong>Beach</strong> party<br />
Businesses of Downtown Manhattan<br />
<strong>Beach</strong> present Sunset <strong>Beach</strong> Party<br />
on the AVP Skydeck of the Manhattan<br />
<strong>Beach</strong> Open Volleyball Tournament.<br />
Hangout with players from the tour,<br />
last year’s champs as they are<br />
crowned at the Pier Ceremony, while<br />
sampling food from MB’s finest<br />
restaurants. 5 - 8 p.m. South side of<br />
the Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong> Pier. $55. general<br />
admission. For tickets go to<br />
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Party.<br />
Macbeth<br />
Almost the last chance to catch<br />
Shakespeare by the Sea’s performance.<br />
$10 parking; no outside food or<br />
beverages. Picnic fare and cash bar<br />
available. 7 p.m. Terranea Resort, 100<br />
Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes.<br />
For questions call (310) 217-7596 or<br />
visit shakespearebythesea.org.<br />
Friday, <strong>Aug</strong>ust 18<br />
Vintage car show<br />
Cruise at the <strong>Beach</strong> 4 - 8 p.m.<br />
Ruby’s Diner Parking Lot, 245 N. Harbor<br />
Dr., Redondo <strong>Beach</strong>. Contact<br />
Larry Neville at (310) 962-7438 Join<br />
the facebook page: Ruby’s Diner Redondo<br />
<strong>Beach</strong>.<br />
Saturday, <strong>Aug</strong>ust 19<br />
Book sale<br />
Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong> Friends of the Library<br />
used book sale. Hardcover<br />
Thank You<br />
For Your<br />
Vote!<br />
2013<br />
ON CALL<br />
24 HOURS<br />
7 DAYS<br />
books, paperbacks and children’s<br />
books. 9 a.m. - noon. 1309 Bard<br />
Street, Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong>. Book donations<br />
for the sales may be left at the library<br />
any time it is open, at the Bard<br />
Street facility most Monday mornings,<br />
9 a.m. - noon (Closed on Holidays).<br />
For help with picking up large book<br />
donations, contact: Folhb16@gmail.<br />
com or C.Gazin@verizon.net or leave<br />
a message at the Hermosa Library:<br />
(310) 379-8475. Hbfol.org.<br />
Eclipse Prep<br />
Have fun and protect your eyes by<br />
creating a pinhole camera out of<br />
household materials at the library.<br />
Take the camera home, so you can<br />
watch the 50% solar eclipse as it<br />
passes over Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong> at 10:20<br />
a.m. on Monday, <strong>Aug</strong>ust 21. For children<br />
and families. 3 - 4 p.m. Hermosa<br />
<strong>Beach</strong> Library, 550 Pier Ave., Hermosa<br />
<strong>Beach</strong>. For questions email Kay<br />
Wantuch: kwantuch@library.lacounty.gov<br />
or call (310) 379-8475. colapublib.org.<br />
Bonedaddys<br />
The Bonedaddys play upbeat, fun<br />
and danceable hits driven by topnotch<br />
vocals, rocking guitars, horns<br />
and percussion. From Latin to rock,<br />
from reggae to Louisiana zydeco, their<br />
live shows are exciting, entertaining<br />
and unpredictable, leaving the audience<br />
cheering for more. Free. 4 - 6<br />
p.m. The Amphitheatre at Wilson<br />
Park, 2200 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance.<br />
Bring a blanket, lawn chairs and a picnic<br />
and enjoy the music. For information<br />
call (310) 328-5310.<br />
La La Land<br />
Popcorn, a beach setting, families,<br />
blankets and a great classic movie on<br />
the big screen when the sun goes<br />
down. Friends of the Parks Hermosa<br />
<strong>Beach</strong> presents La La Land. Free but<br />
donations are appreciated. All profits<br />
will fund the organization’s efforts to<br />
preserve, improve and promote the<br />
use of Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong> parks and<br />
recreation programs for the benefit of<br />
the entire community. Bring blankets,<br />
picnics and beach chairs. Popcorn and<br />
water will be available for purchase.<br />
6 p.m. South side of the Hermosa<br />
<strong>Beach</strong> Pier. hbfop.org.<br />
Sunday, <strong>Aug</strong>ust 20<br />
Vintage Car rides<br />
Every Sunday the Automobile Driving<br />
Museum (ADM) takes guests for a<br />
ride in three of their magnificent automobiles.<br />
This may be the only automotive<br />
museum in the world that<br />
offers such an opportunity. No more<br />
admiring from a distance. This is your<br />
chance to experience the thrill of riding<br />
in a piece of history. A donation of<br />
$5 per adult is suggested and children<br />
are admitted free. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 610<br />
Lairport Street, El Segundo. For addi-<br />
36 Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> • <strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong>
tional information, visit the website at<br />
automobiledrivingmuseum.org or call<br />
(310) 909-0950.<br />
Train training<br />
Mini-train rides at Charles H Wilson<br />
Park. noon - 3 p.m. 2290 Washington<br />
Ave, Torrance. The trains are<br />
located at the eastern end of the park<br />
near the picnic tables. The rides are<br />
free but donations are appreciated to<br />
keep the trains running so they can<br />
share their love of trains with the public.<br />
For information on events and a<br />
schedule of run days visit southerncalifornialivesteamers.org.<br />
Free to be you<br />
The Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong> Drum Circle<br />
takes place on the south side of the<br />
Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong> Pier from noon - 3<br />
p.m. Local rock star drummer Sabina<br />
Sandoval facilitates the drum circle<br />
which draws crowds of onlookers and<br />
participants. Drums and percussion<br />
instruments are provided so that no<br />
one is left out. Any donations received<br />
are used for the purchase, maintenance<br />
and repair of instruments and<br />
to keep the circle alive. Everyone is invited<br />
to take part. For additional information,<br />
visit the website at<br />
freetobemedrumcircle.com.<br />
Trump’s beer wine fest<br />
The 9th Annual Wine and Beer Festival<br />
presented by Joe Giacomin’s<br />
Martin Chevrolet and benefitting the<br />
Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of<br />
Commerce. World class wineries and<br />
breweries, gourmet food trucks, live<br />
entertainment and raffle. Gates open<br />
for check-in at 11:30 p.m., Festival<br />
starts at 12 - 4 p.m. Trump National<br />
Golf Club, 1 Trump National Drive,<br />
Rancho Palos Verdes. Tickets are<br />
available through eventbrite.com only.<br />
Taste at the <strong>Beach</strong><br />
Sample delicious foods from local<br />
restaurants, sip on fine wines and<br />
hand-crafted beers. Silent Auctions<br />
and live music. The Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong><br />
Kiwanis Taste at the <strong>Beach</strong> is a great<br />
way to spend the Sunday afternoon. 2<br />
- 5 p.m. Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong> Community<br />
Center, 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa<br />
<strong>Beach</strong>. $55 per person gets your ticket<br />
inside, a commemorative wine glass<br />
and all the food and drink you can<br />
sample. Purchased online at<br />
tasteatthebeach.org/purchasetickets.html.<br />
Summer Depot Fest at<br />
the Depot<br />
There will be dancing in the street<br />
at the <strong>2017</strong> Summer Fest in Torrance.<br />
Live Band, great BBQ by Chef Shafer<br />
and silent auction. 4 - 9 p.m. The<br />
Depot, 1250 Cabrillo Ave., Torrance.<br />
Tickets are $125 and can be purchased<br />
online at<br />
TorranceChamber.com/Summerfest or<br />
by calling (310) 540-5858. B<br />
Robert T. Downs, Sharon A. Bryan* ** + ++, Christopher M. Moore* ** + ++, Rebecca L.T. Schroff** + ++, Jan T. Inoue*<br />
* Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization;<br />
** Certified Trusts & Estates Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization;<br />
+ Chosen to 2016 Super Lawyers; ++ Chosen to 2015, 2016 and <strong>2017</strong> editions of Best Lawyers of America ©<br />
Honored by our peers for our professional excellence,<br />
Moore, Bryan, Schroff & Inoue LLP<br />
2016 Super Lawyers<br />
Certified Family Law and Trusts & Estates Specialists<br />
Complex Property • Custody • Support Issues<br />
Personal Service • Exceptional Results<br />
Cost Effective • Timely Resolutions<br />
Redondo’s Own…<br />
Mickey Turner<br />
(310) 408-9051<br />
(310) 540-8855<br />
21515 Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 490, Torrance<br />
www.mbsllp.com | mail@mbsllp.com<br />
CRP , CRS , GRI , CLHMS , SRES , CDPE , QSC<br />
A Top Agent for Over 25 Years at<br />
RE/MAX Estate Properties Redondo <strong>Beach</strong>!<br />
GORGEOUS TOWNHOUSE<br />
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with approximately 2920 sf! Built in 2003<br />
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<strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong> • Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> 37
each sports<br />
38 Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> • <strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong><br />
Their Endless Summer<br />
Members of the Endless Summer Volleyball Club’s 14U National Championship team include (left to right) Club Director Daron Forbes, Eden McCoy,<br />
Colby Bennett, Tatiana Rusich, MayMay Brown, Kevyn Clark, Ella Dreibholz, Ava Guerra, Lauren Bays, Madeline Bonanni and Coach Rob McClean.<br />
Missing: Serena Ramirez, Ava Kirunchyk and Natalie Myszkowski. Photo courtesy of Daron Forbes<br />
Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong>-based Endless Summer Volleyball Club allows girls to train<br />
and compete year round while showcasing their talents to college coaches<br />
by Randy Angel<br />
When recent Mira Costa High School graduate Presley Forbes began<br />
playing for an indoor volleyball club in 2010, she didn’t foresee it<br />
becoming a life changing decision. With her father, James, gravely<br />
ill, her mother Daron had stepped up to pave the way for Presley to receive<br />
an athletic scholarship from the University of Hawaii, where she will begin<br />
her career in beach volleyball this fall.<br />
“My impression was that I should do more for Presley and her twin<br />
brother Niko,” Daron said. “The year my husband passed away, I created<br />
the We Are Volleyball Elite indoor volleyball club in his honor. The club<br />
soon picked up the nickname “Team WAVE.”<br />
Team WAVE began offering beach volleyball training in 2014, when it<br />
evolved into a club and took the name Endless Summer Volleyball Club<br />
(ESVC).<br />
With women’s beach volleyball now an NCAA-sanctioned sport offering<br />
athletic scholarships, the growth of the sport for young girls continued to<br />
rise.<br />
Endless Summer trains only twice a week on the north side of the Hermosa<br />
<strong>Beach</strong> Pier. There are no tryouts and players are grouped together by<br />
their level of ability with no more than six to eight athletes on a court.<br />
“ESVC has a different vibe, with fewer girls on a court,” Presley Forbes<br />
said. “It's very nice to get special attention from the coaches. Getting more<br />
touches on the ball is key to improvement.”<br />
The training has paid dividends for Forbes, who is the first ESVC player<br />
to attend college on an athletic scholarship. She began playing beach volleyball<br />
at the age of 8, competing in the Great American Volleyball Tournaments<br />
in her hometown of Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong>. She is currently among the<br />
top five AAA players in the California <strong>Beach</strong> Volleyball Association (CBVA).<br />
Daron believes her daughter is the youngest player ever to earn an A rating,which<br />
she received when she was 11. Presley’s journey through the<br />
sand has not come easily. She has not grown since she was 12 and is just 5-<br />
foot-3.<br />
“Presley serves as a role model for undersized players,” Daron said. “She<br />
was first noticed by a collegiate coach at a Get Noticed <strong>Beach</strong> Volleyball<br />
college recruiting showcase where athletes and coaches come together for<br />
high level play and recruiting.”<br />
“Height isn't everything. You just have to work harder and make those<br />
special plays that other girls don't make,” Presley explained. “Sometimes it<br />
makes me better because people underestimate me. My style of play is<br />
short, fast ball. I'm not quite sure why I like faster sets and like to pass<br />
low.”<br />
Before she leaves the mainland, Forbes will compete in the AVP Manhattan<br />
<strong>Beach</strong> Open (<strong>Aug</strong>ust 17-20) with Alyssa Slagerman, who will be attending<br />
UCLA in the fall.<br />
Along with the ESVC, Daron Forbes co-founded the Get Noticed <strong>Beach</strong><br />
Volleyball (GNBV.net) recruiting showcase in 2014. The event brings players<br />
and college coaches together for players to display their talents and for<br />
coaches to start relationships.<br />
GNBV events have included coaches from Pepperdine, UCLA, University
of Arizona, Stetson, South Carolina, Tulane, LB State, Pepperdine, Northridge,<br />
Cal Poly, and TCU.<br />
The next event will be Sunday, Oct. 22 at Ocean Park in Santa Monica.<br />
Earlier this year, Forbes and Team WAVE co-founded the Junior <strong>Beach</strong><br />
Volleyball League (jbvl.org). It’s operated similarly to indoor and runs the<br />
same season, from January through June. Players participate through their<br />
clubs in five divisions. The championship tournament is in June.<br />
At the <strong>Beach</strong> Volleyball Clubs of America (BVCA) National Championships<br />
held in Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong> July 10-13, ESVC finished second to Elite<br />
in team points, led by a strong 14U team that won the national title. Six<br />
ESVC teams finished in the top 10 out of 125 teams.<br />
ESVC 14U teams also won the JBVL and captured the top four spots at<br />
the AAU Best of the <strong>Beach</strong> tournament in Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong> July 26-27.<br />
Local players Ava Kirunchyk (Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong>, Redondo Union) and Natalie<br />
Myszkowski (Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong>, Mira Costa) paired to place fifth at<br />
the BVCA and second at the AVPFirst National Championships, where<br />
ESVC players medaled in the 12U, 14U 18U divisions.<br />
Both events were held in Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong>.<br />
“Playing in the championship match was was so exciting because I got<br />
to experience what it was like to play in front of many people,” said<br />
Kirunchyk, who began training with ESVC in the spring. “So many of my<br />
former partners were playing with ESVC and the group of players I train<br />
with are not only talented, but they are also very competitive and supportive<br />
of each other.”<br />
Kirunchyk, who will be trying out for the indoor team at Redondo Union<br />
High School, said she hopes to earn a college scholarship and play in the<br />
Olympics.<br />
“My older sister,Karina trained at Endless Summer and they taught me<br />
at age 13 the same skills the high school girls were learning,” Myszkowski<br />
said. “I’m getting the technical training I need as well as experience playing<br />
‘big girl’ volleyball. It’s a chess match, not ping pong.”<br />
She feels dedication is her strong point in beach volleyball. She has<br />
dropped club soccer and club indoor volleyball.<br />
“I’m focused on all aspects of the game,” Myszkowski said. “The coaches<br />
at Endless Summer are always pushing us to be our best and to advance<br />
to the next level.”<br />
The ESVC 14 team also includes Mira Costa students Madeline Bonanni<br />
and Kevyn Clark and San Pedro’s Serena Ramirez.<br />
“Our most memorable time as a club was the AVP Hermosa this year.The<br />
coaches and players were all competing at the same time and the players<br />
and families had an opportunity to watch and cheer on our coaches and<br />
see them in action,” Daron Forbes said. “Coach Ozz Borges won entry into<br />
the AVP Hermosa main draw.”<br />
Other ESVC coaches include Andrew Dentler, Miles Evans, Jason C Dibelius,<br />
Nate Yang and Rob McClean.<br />
ESVC coaches are current players at the professional open level, with<br />
AVP, FIVB, and Norceca.<br />
ESVC is more than a local club, attracting players from throughout Southern<br />
California and beyond.<br />
Players on the 14U team include Colby Bennett (Tustin, Mater Dei High<br />
School), Santa Monica’s Ella Dreibholz and Ava Guerra, Lauren Bays<br />
(Irvine, Santa Margarita Catholic High School), Eden McCoy (Los Angeles,<br />
Marlborough) and Tatiana Rusich (Tustin, Beckman).<br />
The team also includes MayMay Brown of Wichita, Kansas.<br />
“MayMay travels out several times a year to train with ESVC,” Forbes<br />
said. “When she's at home she does mobile beach coaching. She records<br />
practices and sends the video to Andrew Dentler, who provides corrections<br />
and suggestions.”<br />
McCoy and Rusich teamed to win bronze in the 14U division at the AVP-<br />
First tournament. The year-round training has made it more convenient<br />
for the teenagers, particularly McCoy who has played the role of Josslyn<br />
Jacks on the ABC soap opera General Hospital since 2015.<br />
“My schedule is not easy, but I am really lucky to have support from my<br />
fellow players, friends, coaches and family,” McCoy said. “There are definitely<br />
sacrifices that I make in my social life so that I can keep my grades<br />
up and still work on my show and train, but I am usually happy to make<br />
them because I'm getting an opportunity to do what I love.”<br />
McCoy feels she has become a stronger defender and passer this year<br />
while improving court awareness and gaining confidence with her cut<br />
shots and specialty shots. She continues to work on her defense and plans<br />
to compete in women’s tournaments in the fall when the youth season<br />
ends.<br />
“When I first came to Endless Summer I had a really good feeling,”<br />
McCoy said. “Daron and the coaches seemed very focused on working on<br />
each player's strengths and what skills we needed to focus on to improve.<br />
No one got any more attention than anyone else just because they had<br />
played longer or had more tournament experience or wins.<br />
“It was unbelievably exciting to win the BVCA national championship<br />
because we did it as an entire team. Daron treats us like daughters, but<br />
she also spends time encouraging sportsmanship, bonding with each other<br />
and respect for each other as athletes and people.”<br />
Dreibholz, who travels from Santa Monica, captured first place at the<br />
AAU Best of the <strong>Beach</strong> tournament. She believes playing the outside hitter<br />
University of Hawaii-bound Presley Forbes is the first Endless Summer player<br />
to attend college on an athletic scholarship. Photo by Roland Villapando<br />
position as an indoor player has translated to offensive strength on the sand<br />
court.<br />
“I started training with ESVC at the beginning of <strong>2017</strong>.” Dreibholz said.<br />
“I chose ESVC for two reasons: we train in small groups and we only train<br />
with girls at our level, which pushes all of us to improve.”<br />
Several ESVC players who will be high school seniors in the fall have<br />
been recruited this year, including Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong>’s Georgia Kobel (Arizona<br />
State) and Karina Myszkowski (USC), Lauren Lanesey (Woodland<br />
Hills, Long <strong>Beach</strong> State) and recent Redondo Union graduate Madi Relaz<br />
(Grand Canyon University), who joined ESVC in June.<br />
Two other senior prospects are Katherine Hofmann and Selene Ramirez.<br />
ESVC trains Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6 p.m. on the north side of<br />
the Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong> Pier. The next season starts Tuesday, Sept. 5. For more<br />
information, visit endlessvb.com. B<br />
<strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong> • Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> 39
Our Lady of Guadalupe School<br />
Celebrating 55 years of growing in faith,<br />
academic excellence, and service to others.<br />
340 Massey Street • Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong>, CA 90254 • 310-372-7486<br />
www.ourladyofguadalupeschool.org<br />
High Holy Day Tickets Available Now!<br />
40 Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> • <strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong>
<strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong> • Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> 41
each dining<br />
A Basq Kitchen chef Michael Mazzotta with partner Jessica Lo Ibarra. Photos by JP Cordero<br />
Basq on the Boardwalk<br />
Veteran chef Bernard Ibarra expands his vision through rising young chef Michael Mazzotta<br />
by Richard Foss<br />
Basque cuisine might not seem like the obvious springboard for creative<br />
fantasies. There are delicious dishes based mainly on seafood<br />
and the excellent local cheeses and breads, but there isn’t a wide variety<br />
of seasonings or vegetables to work with. It’s hearty and based on natural<br />
goodness rather than innovative combinations. Nevertheless chef<br />
Michael Mazzotta, who previously worked at the Ace Hotel, Hot’s Kitchen,<br />
and R10 Social House among other venues, has been bringing unconventional<br />
ideas to A Basq Kitchen on the Redondo Boardwalk.<br />
The restaurant was opened as a passion project by Chef Bernard Ibarra,<br />
who spends most days as executive chef at the Terranea Resort. He established<br />
the original menu and a succession of assistants executed it with precision<br />
but without variation. Then Chef Ibarra met Chef Mazzotta, who<br />
impressed him so much that Ibarra invited him to join the business as a<br />
partner. Since then Mazzotta has brought careful reevaluations of the cuisine<br />
to the foreground with a menu that changes on a weekly basis.<br />
Those who have been enjoying traditional tapas like the pintxos (open<br />
faced sandwiches on sourdough rounds), seafood, and shellfish in fragrant<br />
broths don’t have to worry – they’re all still there. There does seem to be a<br />
new energy and an influx of seasonal items to complement those standard<br />
offerings.<br />
On a recent evening a friend and I tried three specials – cashew-mushroom<br />
soup, a “Gilda pintxo” topped with anchovy, spicy pickled pepper,<br />
and green olive, and an order of fried sunchokes with caramelized garlic,<br />
parsley, and espelette pepper. The soup was a mix of roasted wild mushrooms<br />
in pureed cashew broth, and though it was based on a Brazilian nut<br />
it fit the Basque aesthetic of simple natural flavors. Cashews don’t have a<br />
strong flavor but lend the broth a sweet, nutty richness that went very well<br />
with smoky, earthy mushrooms. It wasn’t a combination I had experienced<br />
before, and I’m glad I ordered it.<br />
The Gilda pintxo took advantage of seasonal fresh anchovy and arrived<br />
looking like an avant garde sculpture, with the little fish filets sharing a<br />
wooden skewer with olives and a pungent pickled pepper. It made a pretty<br />
presentation atop sourdough toast with a dash of green salad and pickled<br />
red bell pepper on the side, but the elaborate construction had to be dismantled<br />
in order to actually eat it. My companion found the spicy peppers<br />
with olives and fish to be a little overwhelming, but I was happy to eat the<br />
part of his that he didn’t finish. He was happily chowing down on the sunchokes<br />
and on an order of patatas bravas, the spicy fried potatoes that are<br />
the Iberian equivalent of French fries. Though both were fried root vegetables<br />
there was quite a difference in flavor. Sunchokes are the edible root of<br />
the sunflower and taste somewhat like artichoke hearts. If you like those<br />
edible thistles but can’t be bothered with stripping off the leaves, this is the<br />
dish for you. The crème fraiche dipping sauce had a hint of peppery and<br />
herbal flavors and didn’t overwhelm the sunchoke, and added creamy<br />
smoothness as much as anything else.<br />
The patatas bravas were a classic done well, crisp-fried potatoes drizzled<br />
with a tomato-garlic mayonnaise with a dash of the mild espelette pepper.<br />
This is offered with extra garlic and cheese for an additional 50 cents. It’s<br />
half a buck well spent, because really, the only thing better than potatoes<br />
with garlic is potatoes with more garlic and some cheese. The portion was<br />
substantial, and if you order this with a few of the small tapas you have a<br />
42 Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> • <strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong>
meal right there.<br />
We had decided on a main<br />
course, the beef cheek stew, and<br />
another pintxo to fill in the corners.<br />
Whatever other small plates you<br />
get, that shrimp pintxo is a must.<br />
The plump prawns marinated in<br />
garlic and sautéed with herbs and<br />
white wine were superb. It’s a<br />
small plate that packs a big punch<br />
when it comes to flavor. I’m glad<br />
it’s on the regular menu because I<br />
intend to order it again.<br />
Some people won’t order the<br />
beef cheek stew because they’re<br />
not used to the idea of eating part<br />
of a cow’s head. The rest of the<br />
world finds it weird that Americans<br />
only consider eating either big<br />
steaks or ground meats, and therefore<br />
waste meat with superb flavor<br />
and texture. Cheek meat is very<br />
lean but does have some marbling,<br />
so when it’s slow-cooked every<br />
morsel is incredibly tender and<br />
richly flavored. The stew here is<br />
slow-cooked for five hours and the<br />
silky broth of tomato and spices<br />
has to be tasted to be believed. This<br />
is your best opportunity in the<br />
South Bay to taste this delicacy. I<br />
predict that when you do, you will<br />
be converted to eating cheeks.<br />
The Basques have been making<br />
A Basq Kitchen’s brunch features ABK Ceviche and (background) Breakfast<br />
Pipperada.<br />
wine at least since the days of the<br />
Roman Empire, and they’re particularly<br />
good at whites involving a<br />
grape called Txakolina (pronounced<br />
chocko-lena, but don’t worry,<br />
they’re used to people fumbling<br />
with this). We sampled a crisp<br />
white and a rosé made with this native<br />
varietal. For comparison, we<br />
tried them alongside a glass of True<br />
Myth, a California Chardonnay. We<br />
both liked True Myth but the pickled<br />
flavors and seafood in some of<br />
the tapas were better paired with<br />
the Txakolinas. The Garnacha was<br />
a better pairing with the beef cheek<br />
stew, though if we had really been<br />
drinking like Basques we might<br />
have opted for Kalimotxo, the rustic<br />
drink of strong red wine mixed<br />
with Coca Cola. This sounds horrible,<br />
but it’s weirdly enjoyable.<br />
For dessert I’d recommend the<br />
housemade chocolate mousse and<br />
a shot of the Basque vermouth, either<br />
straight or with a little soda.<br />
Most Americans aren’t used to vermouth<br />
as a drink by itself, but the<br />
aromatic herbed wine can be a<br />
great pairing with lightly sweet,<br />
rich chocolate.<br />
The atmosphere at A Basq<br />
Kitchen is casual, the bill modest –<br />
our food ran about $60 for a meal<br />
of many small plates, with the<br />
wine just about doubling that. For<br />
an experience of a rarely encountered<br />
cuisine both in its traditional<br />
form and modified by a fine chef,<br />
it’s a bargain, and you get a view<br />
of the marina for free.<br />
A Basq Kitchen is at 136 North<br />
International Boardwalk in Redondo.<br />
Wednesday - Thursday 4 p.m., Friday<br />
3 p.m., Saturday, Sunday noon. Close<br />
9 p.m. Parking in Redondo <strong>Beach</strong><br />
pier lots. Wine, beer, and cider<br />
served. Menu at abasqkitchen.com.<br />
(310) 376-9215. B<br />
ony’s On The Pier today is known for its fresh seafood, ocean<br />
Tview sunsets and best customer service. Back in 1952, when<br />
Tony Trutanich opened its doors, it had that same positive reputation.<br />
Growing up in San Pedro, Tony was a successful tuna fisherman,<br />
and as the boat Captain, would be out to sea for months<br />
at a time. Just plain “tired of the long hours and extra hard work,”<br />
Tony decided to bring that tuna to the tables of his own restaurant<br />
- Tony’s On The Pier.<br />
With only 20 tables at first, Tony’s On The Pier grew quickly and<br />
was soon frequented by movie stars, as hundreds of photos on<br />
the walls depict. In 1964, Tony added the famous “Top of Tony’s”<br />
where guests, still today, walk up stairs to enjoy the most beautiful<br />
sunsets, full bar, food and live entertainment. His son,<br />
Michael, started working there when he was just 15, as a busboy<br />
and dishwasher, doing anything he could to help his father’s business.<br />
Moving up the ladder to become General Manager, Michael<br />
continued working with his father until he passed away in 2006.<br />
“Dad stayed active all the way to the end,” Michael recalls. “He<br />
taught me everything. I worked for him all my life.”<br />
Retiring three years ago, Michael still works for Tony’s, ordering<br />
all of the seafood, even living in Idaho. He communicates daily<br />
with now GM Regina Fong, who’s been at Tony’s for 40 years. And<br />
that’s not uncommon. In fact, the average employee has worked<br />
there for over 20 years. Downstairs bartender Billy Morgan has<br />
been there for 47 years while upstairs bartender Manny Jimenez<br />
just hit his 38 year anniversary. Tony’s son Michael says his father<br />
was such a “role model” and treated everyone at his restaurant<br />
like family. Today, Tony would be proud as everyone at Tony’s On<br />
The Pier is still his family.<br />
Tony’s On The Pier<br />
210 Fishermans Wharf Redondo <strong>Beach</strong> • (310) 374-1442 • www.oldtonys.com<br />
<strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong> • Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> 43
Surf’s up, Hermosa and Manhattan<br />
by John Post<br />
November 2016. Nikon P510<br />
Redondo Breakwall<br />
by Gus McConnell
South Bay Multi-Family Investment Properties For Sale<br />
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Michael Burstein is a probate and estate planning<br />
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Hastings College of the Law in 1987, he is admitted<br />
to the California, Kansas and Oklahoma Bars and<br />
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Downtown to <strong>Beach</strong> Town<br />
by Cathi Lundy<br />
Sunday May 7, <strong>2017</strong>, from Palos Verdes Estates during a storm that<br />
raced through the South Bay. Nikon D5300<br />
As an estate and probate lawyer, Michael has prepared<br />
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• Serving the South<br />
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46 Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> • <strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong>
V ilicich<br />
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Not affiliated with Rolex USA<br />
Reflections<br />
by Homer Hernandez<br />
November 9, 2016, from the Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong> Pier. Nikon<br />
D810 camera with a 300mm lens and a 1.4 teleconverter at<br />
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Looking to Buy Property?<br />
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<strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong> • Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> 47
48 Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> • <strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong>
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<strong>Aug</strong>ust 10, <strong>2017</strong> • Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> <strong>magazine</strong> 49