June 9, 2016
Volume 46, Issue 45
Hurricane Street veteran
Ron Kovic
Photo by David Fairchild
Angelo’s Big Wave
Pak’s paintings
Baran bairns
Beach Happy Hour Guide
Considering a Major Remodeling Project?
RSVP Today
for our Complimentary
Wine Tasting Wednesday,
June 15th at 6 pm
Architectural Design &
Remodeling Seminar
This seminar will include:
• Functioning Design
• Choosing a contractor
• Exploration of materials
Join us on
Saturday
June 11 th
at 10:00 am
Join us on
Thursday
June 16 th
at 6:00 pm
Living Through
Your Remodel
This seminar will include:
• ‘Livable Remodeling’ tips
• The latest trends in the South Bay
• The advantage of true design / build
June 9, 2016
Volume 46, Issue 45
ON THE COVER
Born on the Fourth of July author
Ron Kovic at his Hollywood
Riviera home.
Photo by Brad Jacobson
Michael Burstein is a probate and estate planning
attorney. A graduate of the University of California,
Hastings College of the Law in 1987, he is admitted
to the California, Kansas and Oklahoma Bars and
is a member of the Order of Distinguished Attorneys
of the Beverly Hills Bar Association.
As an estate and probate lawyer, Michael has prepared
approximately 3,000 living trusts and more
than 4,000 wills.
An Estate Planning,
Estate Administration,
and Probate Attorney
l Living Trusts
l Wills
l Powers of Attorney
l Asset Protection
l Veterans Benefits
l Advance Health
Care Directives
l Insurance Trusts
l Probate
l Conservatorships
BEACH PEOPLE
16 Eye of the hurricane by Paul Teetor
Author Ron Kovic follows up on his best selling war memoir Born on the
Fourth of July with an equaling searing post war memoir Hurricane Street,
chronicling the government’s treatment of wounded warriors.
20 Team Kat by Randy Angel
Four-year, Sea Hawk varsity patcher Kat Ung has led her team to four consecutive
Bay League Championships.
24 Angelo’s big day by Ed Solt
Angelo Luhrsen stopped off at the Redondo Breakwall on his way to look
for bigger, cleaner waves up north. Instead, he paddled out and caught a
30-foot bomb that earned him the South Bay Boardriders Club’s Big Wave
Challenge Award.
42 Ocean abstracts by Bondo Wyszpolski
Physician turned artist Samuel Pak discusses the ocean-influenced
abstract paintings he will exhibit at the Hermosa Beach Fine Arts Festival
this weekend.
46 Highway Barans by Richard Foss
Baran family siblings Jason, Jenna and Jonathan and chef Tyler Gugliotta
team up to bring fine dining to the Hermosa highway.
12 Beach calendar
14 Tour de Pier
22 Beach Bar Guide 2016
32 El Segunda Ed Foundation Gala
36 South Bay Medal of Valor lunch
BEACH LIFE
38 SB Boardriders Big Wave Awards
40 Young at Art
44 Richstone Pier to Pier
48 Yacht clubs Opening Day
51 Service Directory
l Pet Trusts
l And Much More!
Call us to schedule an appointment or for our
FREE Guide:
Selecting the Best Estate Planning Strategies
111 North Sepulveda Boulevard, Suite 250
Manhattan Beach, California 90266
310-545-7878
STAFF
PUBLISHER Kevin Cody, ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Richard Budman, EDITORS Mark McDermott, Randy Angel, David Mendez, Caroline
Anderson and Ryan McDonald, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Bondo Wyszpolski, DINING EDITOR Richard Foss, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ray Vidal and Brad Jacobson, CALENDAR Judy Rae, DISPLAY SALES Adrienne Slaughter, Tamar Gillotti, Amy Berg and Shelley Crawford
CLASSIFIEDS Teri Marin, DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MEDIA Jared Thompson, GRAPHIC DESIGNER Tim Teebken, DESIGN CONSULTANT Bob
Staake, BobStaake.com, FRONT DESK Judy Rae, INTERNS Sean Carroll
EASY READER (ISSN 0194-6412) is published weekly by EASY READER, 2200 Pacific Cst. Hwy., #101, P.O. Box 427, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254-0427. Yearly domestic
mail subscription $100.00; foreign, $200.00 payable in advance. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to EASY READER, P.O. Box 427, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. The
entire contents of the EASY READER newspaper is Copyright 2016 by EASY READER, Inc. www.easyreadernews.com. The Easy Reader/Redondo Beach Hometown News
is a legally adjudicated newspaper and the official newspaper for the cities of Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach. Easy Reader / Redondo Beach Hometown News is also
distributed to homes and on newsstands in Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, Torrance, and Palos Verdes.
CONTACT
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n Fictitious Name Statements (DBA's) can be filed at the office during regular business hours. Phone 310.372.4611 x101.
6 Easy Reader / Beach magazine • June 9, 2016
June 9, 2016 • Easy Reader / Beach magazine 7
10 Easy Reader / Beach magazine • June 9, 2016
June 9, 2016 • Easy Reader / Beach magazine 11
S O U T H B AY
CAL ENDAR
June 9, Thursday
Mix it up
South Bay Professional Association
Business & Fun After 5
networking group connects
employers with professionals
and executives for employment
opps. 5 - 7:30 p.m. Lido
di Manhattan, 1550 Rosecrans
Ave, Manhattan Beach. No
charge to attend and Happy
Hour will be in full swing.
sbpa-la.org.
June 10, Friday
Cancer Nutrition
Cancer Support Community
Redondo Beach (CSCRB) hosts
Lilly Padilla, certified integrative
nutrition coach, chef and
cancer survivor. The relationship
between healthy microbes
and the immune
system during and after cancer
treatments will be examined. 1
- 2:30 p.m. 109 West Torrance
Blvd., RB. Lunch provided, advance
registration required.
(310) 376-3550 or cancersupportredondobeach.org.
June 11, Saturday
The highest bidder
Manhattan Wine Auction,
the largest charity wine auction
in SoCal, raises funds for
the Manhattan Beach Ed Foundation.
Doors open at 4:30
p.m. Manhattan Country Club,
1330 Parkview Ave, Manhattan
Beach. For tickets visit
manhattanwineauction.com or
call 310-303-3342.
Unique flowers
36th annual Fuchsia Festival.
Beautiful Fuchsias for sale
including hanging baskets,
standard trees, and patio
shrubs. Free potting when you
buy a plant, container and soil.
Ask the experts. Bring your
questions on pruning, potting,
and propagation. Door Prizes.
Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. - 4
p.m. South Coast Botanic Garden,
26300 Crenshaw Blvd.,
Palos Verdes Peninsula. Southcoastbotanicgarden.org
Get yer summer on
Summer Open House at
Dockweiler Youth Center,
12505 Vista Del Mar, Playa del
Rey. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Enjoy inflatables,
carnival games, and
entertainment. Learn all about
the exciting recreational programming
offered at the center
coming this summer. For information
and hours call (310)
726-4131 or visit beaches.lacounty.gov.
June 12, Sunday
Redondo Tri’s harder
Haven’t signed up? Come
down and cheer on racers in
the sprint or mini-sprint
events. 7:30 a.m. Veterans
Park, Redondo Beach. rbtriathlon.com
for more info.
Ferrari Car Show
With their beginnings in racing,
the legendary Ferrari has
been in production since 1943,
racking up over 5,000 successes
on race tracks and roads
all over the world. See these
legendary cars on the Upper
Meadow as displayed by the
Ferrari Club of America –
Southwest Region. No registration
required. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Included with paid Garden admission.
South Coast Botanic
Garden, 26300 Crenshaw
Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula.
southcoastbotanicgarden.org.
Democrats meet
Robert Greenwald, noted
filmmaker, will talk about his
latest documentary. “Making a
Killing: Guns, Greed and the
NRA,” will be shown. 2:30 -
4:30 p.m. Palos Verdes Peninsula
Center Library Community
Room, 701 Silver Spur
Rd., Rolling Hills Estates. Free
and open to all. For information
contact David Hall at
(310) 377-7334.
June 14, Tuesday
Storytime
Children ages 1 - 5 years old
and their caregivers join in a
fun storytime full of songs,
rhymes, stories and movement.
Limited to 50 individuals.
Starts at 10:15 a.m., get
your numbered pass at the
Children’s desk starting at 10
a.m. Redondo Beach Library,
330 Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo
Beach. redondo.org.
The 12th annual Redondo Beach Triathlon is Sundya, June 12. The race starts at
7:30 a.m. at Veterans Park in Redondo Beach and follows a scenic course
through the PiKing Harbor and on to the Redondo Pier. For more information visit
RBTriathlon.com
June 18, Saturday
Pool Party
Begg Pool Kick-Off Party.
Event is free for the entire
family. Water games, balloon
toss, swimming, and music.
No food will be provided, but
you are more than welcome to
bring a picnic to eat on the
grass area. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
1402 N. Peck Avenue, Manhattan
Beach. citymb.info/pr.
(310) 802-5428.
Friends for sale
Hermosa Beach Friends of
the Library Book Sale. All proceeds
go toward Hermosa Library
acquisitions and
programs. 9 a.m. - noon. 1309
Bard Street, behind Stars Antiques,
Hermosa Beach. (310)
379-8475 or for future sales
visit hbfol.org.
Kick off summer
Terranea Resort’s 3rd annual
Music on the Meadows. Enjoy
an afternoon filled with musical
headliners including Colin
Hay (of Men at Work), Kate
Voegele, The Walcotts, Barley,
and more.Noon - 7 p.m. General
admission tickets $39. For
tickets and reservations terraneasocial@destinationhotels.com.
For more info call
Guest Relations at (877) 701-
2758. Terranea.com.
Recycle
Waste Collection Event. Get
rid of your used motor oil, antifreeze,
cleaners with acid or
lye, pesticides or herbicides,
batteries, pool chemicals and
lots more. 9 a.m. American
Honda, 1919 Torrance Blvd.,
Torrance. For future collection
events and for a list of acceptable
waste visit lacsd.org.
June 19, Sunday
Beat it with Sabina
Free To Be Me Community
Drum Circle family drumming
event, every third Sunday
noon - 3 p.m. Meet at the
water's edge north of the Hermosa
Beach Pier. Bring
friends, family, drums and percussion
instruments (otherwise
provided). Volunteers
welcome. For information
contact Sabina Sandoval (310)
944-5475, or visit freetobemedrumcircle.com.B
South Bay’s Largest Retailer
of Stationery Products
Wedding Invitations ● Personal Notes ● Business Letterhead
Envelopes ● Boxed Notes ● Holiday Cards
● Graphic Services
“GREAT GIFTS FOR GREAT PEOPLE”
● Root and Trapp Candles
● Huge Selection of Olukai Footwear
● Graduation Gifts
Simply Tiles Design Center
Nantucket Crossing
867 Silver Spur Road (next to Bristol Farms), Rolling Hills Estates
310.377.7201
www.nantucketcrossing.com
Fine Ceramics, Natural Stone, Hardwoods, Cabinetry, Faucetry.
Kitchen & Bathrooms Specialist.
3968 Pacific Coast Hwy., Torrance • (310) 373-7781 • www.simplytiles.com
License #904876
12 Easy Reader / Beach magazine • June 9, 2016
each charity
TOUR DE PIER
Riders cruise past $1 million mark
O
ver 1,000 stationary cyclists helped raise over $1
million to fight pancreatic cancer during the
fourth annual Tour de Pier at the Manhattan
Beach pier on Sunday, May 15. Among the teams was the
Pancreatic Cancer Victory Tour All Stars. Each of the five
members had either fought pancreatic cancer personally,
or had a loved one who did.
“The Tour was epic and emotional from start to finish,”
said Laurence Cohen, who organized the team and
celebrated his 65th birthday at the event. The team’s
MVP, Lupe Romero-De La Cruz, ran the Los Angeles
Marathon in 2013, just two months after surgical treatment.
“Not one day goes by that I don’t get emotional and
thank God for my life,” said Romero-De La Cruz. Teammember
Julie Weiss lost her father to the disease six
years ago. In 2012, she ran one marathon a week to
honor his memory and raise money for research.
“When my father passed away of pancreatic cancer in
November 2010, I realized how poorly funded this disease
was,” Weiss said. The team’s other members included
Shawn Veronese, who ran a marathon a month
to honor her mother Virginia, and Eric McIntyre, who
rode over 6,000 miles through 18 states after his wife Liz
passed away from the disease.
In just four years, Tour de Pier has raised over $2 million
for the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer
Research, the Cancer Support Community of Redondo
Beach and the Uncle Kory Foundation. Tour de Pier was
founded by Manhattan Beach residents Heath Gregory
and Jonathan Hirshberg, who lost his father to pancreatic
cancer in 1997. For more information, visit
TourDePier.com. — by Caroline Anderson
1
3 4
2
5
PHOTOS BY BRAD JACOBSON
(CIVICCOUCH.COM)
1. Manhattan Beach Parks and Rec Director Mark
Lehman outgunned.
2. The Los Angeles Rams sent their advance team to
Manhattan Beach.
3. Pedal to the mettle.
4. Stand and be counted.
5. A good year for the Bruins.
6. An Inglewood police officer takes in the view.
7. Leading by example.
8. Bruin recruiter, in disguise.
9. The Pancreatic Cancer Victory Tour All Star team
(left to right) Shawn Veronese, Eric McIntyre, Laurence
Cohen, Lupe Romero-De La Cruz and Julie Weiss.
Photo by Carol Finley.
6 7
8
9
14 Easy Reader / Beach magazine • June 9, 2016
June 9, 2016 • Easy Reader / Beach magazine 15
Eye of the HURRICANE
Ron Kovic left one war to fight another, this time for something he believed in.
The "Born on the Fourth of July" author’s new book, Hurricane Street,
tells the tale of the Vietnam veterans’ anti-war movement
16 Easy Reader / Beach magazine • June 9, 2016
by Paul Teetor
When he can’t sleep late at night or needs
a caregiver’s help to get out of bed in
the morning, Ron Kovic has a mantra
that keeps him going forward: dignity over despair.
It’s a reminder of how the Redondo Beach resident
wants to live his life.
It also helped inspire him to write his first
book, the timeless anti-war classic "Born on the
Fourth of July." That powerful 1976 memoir told
the story of his All-American childhood in Long
Island, New York, where he and his friends
played war games imitating the heroic battles
their fathers had fought in World War II. It told
how they thrilled to the John Wayne war films
they saw every Saturday at the local movie theatre.
And it told how the war games, where they
“killed” hundreds of Japanese and Germans, and
the war films starring a guy who never served in
the military all contributed to the patriotic fever
that led him to enlist in the Marines after graduating
from high school in 1964.
But the raw, beating heart of the book was his
description of the harrowing physical, psychological
and institutional trauma he suffered in Vietnam
– and later back in the U.S. — after a North
Vietnamese bullet severed his spinal cord on January
20, 1968. It left him, at age 21, a paraplegic
destined to live the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
His graphic narrative of the bullet entering his
body, of being carried off the battlefield by men
who were strangers to him, and of the appalling
conditions and under-trained, neglectful staff in
the string of hospitals he was sent to were equal
parts shocking, revolting and revelatory to an
American public that was increasingly turning
against the war.
Late in the book he finds a measure of redemption
as an activist member of the Vietnam Veterans
Against the War. It gave him a cause and a
reason to go on living that helped him overcome
the why-me? feelings that destroyed many other
severely wounded vets.
“I saw pictures in the Santa Monica newspaper
of veterans throwing their medals away,” he recalled.
“I was very moved by that. We had a small
group of veterans in the LA area that merged
with the larger group called Vietnam Veterans
PHOTOS BY DAVID FAIRCHILD
against the War.”
Secretary of State John Kerry, who famously
asked Congress “How do you ask a man to be the
last man to die in Vietnam? How do you ask a
man to be the last man to die for a mistake?” was
part of that group of veterans throwing their
medals away.
“John Kerry has shown a great deal of moral
courage,” Kovic said. “He learned from that war.
He’s not repeating the same mistake over and
over again.”
In addition to purging some of his own inner
demons and calling the public’s attention to a war
he considered a tragic mistake with tragic consequences,
Kovic had a more personal motivation
for writing his first book.
“I wanted my parents to know that I was more
than a victim in the war,” he said in a recent interview.
“I wanted to take what happened to me
and turn it into something positive. It’s very rewarding
to know that you can take something
like that and turn it into art, into a book and ultimately
into a film.”
Twelve years after "Born on the Fourth of July"
hit the best-seller lists, director Oliver
Stone and actor Tom Cruise turned it
into an award-winning film that
opened America’s eyes — in a way
that a mere book never could in
these times — to the brutal consequences
of war and the often inadequate
care that its wounded veterans
received. It was a case study of the
power of film to draw an audience in
by entertaining them and then use
the images flickering on the screen to
educate them about important social
issues – a subtle, subliminal process
that is becoming rarer and rarer as
Hollywood concentrates on popcorn
films built around comic book super
heroes.
Kovic, unlike many people whose
life story has been adapted to film,
has nothing but good things to say
about the film and nothing but great
memories of making it. He was a cowriter,
along with his fellow Vietnam
vet Stone, of the screenplay that won
a Golden Globe award. It was
awarded on January 20, 1990, exactly
22 years after he was shot and
wounded.
“Every January 20 I raise it over
my head to remind myself that something
good happened on that day as
well as something very bad,” he said.
The film was also nominated for
eight Academy awards and won two,
including Best Director for Stone.
“Oliver did a fantastic job of keeping
the integrity of the story intact,”
he said. “And Tom Cruise brought
real depth to the role, something I
wasn’t sure he could do before we
started filming.”
Little known fact: "Born on the
Fourth of July," with Martin Bregman
producing and Al Pacino in the Ron Kovic
role, was only a few days away from starting
principal photography in 1978 when the financing
fell through. But Stone, who was the original
screenwriter, promised Kovic that if he ever became
a real player in Hollywood, he would revive
the project. And after he directed the blockbusters
“Platoon” and “Wall Street” in the mid-
1980s, Stone had enough Hollywood juice to find
the financing to make "Born on the Fourth of
July."
“He kept his promise, without my ever reminding
him of the promise,” Kovic said. “And he
made a film that has stood the test of time as an
important document of the Vietnam War.”
Now, 40 years after his first book was published,
Kovic’s mantra of dignity over despair
helped him write his newest book, "Hurricane
Street," which will be released on his 70th birthday,
July 4. Kovic will read from "Hurricane
Street" Wednesday, July 6, at 7 p.m. at the Manhattan
Beach Library at 1320 Highland Avenue.
He will also discuss "Born on the Fourth of July"
and how the two books are connected, how they
are two parts of one man’s ongoing, never-ending
story of war, remembrance and redemption.
Ron Kovic helps Tom Cruise on the set of “Born on the Fourth of July.” Kovic was
impressed with the actor’s dedication to learning his role by spending hours in a
wheelchair. Photo courtesy Ron Kovic
After being so outspoken about the Vietnam
War for more than 40 years, Kovic knows that he
is a controversial guy, even among some of his
fellow Vietnam vets. He is a leader on one side
of a divisive debate that still rages more than four
decades after the last Americans were airlifted
out of Saigon.
Former Manhattan Beach Mayor Bob Holmes
is one of those Vietnam vets who does not agree
with Kovic’s strong stand against the war. He says
he made a conscious choice not to read "Born on
the Fourth of July" nor watch the film when it
came out.
“People like Ron who strongly opposed the war
draw a mixed reaction from those who served in
the war, and I don’t think it’s a surprise to Ron
that opinion of him in the veterans community is
very mixed,” Holmes said. “Some may feel there’s
an element of disloyalty in what he says. But I
know there are plenty of others who agree with
him that we wasted our time there.”
Regardless of where veterans stand on the debate
over the righteousness of the war, Holmes
says, there are two things they can all agree on.
“I think all of us agree that the U.S. government
has not properly taken care of those who served
their country,” he said. “And second,
that regardless of how I feel about
Ron and his activism, I respect his
service to our country, I respect that
he has suffered greatly, and God
bless him.”
For his part, Kovic said he feels the
same about veterans who feel differently
than he does about the war.
“We are all brothers, and all one
family,” he said. “I have great respect
for all those who traveled 13,000
miles to serve our country. How
much more can a citizen give than
that? I honor my fellow vets.”
"Hurricane Street" is taken from
the name of the Marina del Rey
street Kovic lived on in the mid-
1970s and tells the riveting, long-forgotten
tale of how he and several
other disabled veterans in wheelchairs
traveled from the Long Beach
Veterans Administration Hospital to
Los Angeles, where they occupied
Senator Alan Cranston’s office in
1974. They protested the poor treatment
in the VA Hospitals. They also
demanded better treatment and a
face-to-face meeting with the head of
the VA, Donald Johnson. To show
they were serious they staged a sit-in
that turned into a 17-day hunger
strike and attracted first local and
then national media attention.
Johnson came to LA to the building
that housed Cranston’s office on
the 13th floor, but he refused to meet
with the veterans unless they came
to the VA office on the seventh floor
of the same building. Kovic, aware
that many of the men had physical
problems that limited their movement,
problems that were getting
worse the longer they were away
from the VA Hospital, was just as adamant that
Johnson should take the 30-second elevator ride
to Cranston’s office to meet with them. Neither
side budged, so Johnson went back to Washington.
But the media uproar was so loud that President
Richard Nixon, already dealing with the
final, fatal months of the Watergate scandal, ordered
Johnson back to LA, where he finally met
with the vets on their captured turf.
Johnson resigned several months later and the
first of many VA reforms were begun. Even today,
however, there are still plenty of complaints
about VA care and Kovic insists the VA still has a
long way to go. He notes with a mixture of sadness
and anger that 22 military veterans commit
suicide every day.
“A whole new generation of veterans is coming
back from Iraq and Afghanistan with the same
problems we had,” he said. “It’s unconscionable,
a national outrage, that the VA is not prepared to
care for them properly. These are men and
women in severe emotional crisis.”
The poignant subtext of the "Hurricane Street"
Ron Kovic cont. on page 18
June 9, 2016 • Easy Reader / Beach magazine 17
Ron Kovic cont. from page 17
story is how this small band of brave, desperate
men, who had fought so hard for their country
only to feel betrayed once their bodies were broken
and they were no longer useful to the war
machine, were now so broken spiritually that
they were unable to remain united after their
protest was successful.
The vets’ physical and
mental problems were so
severe that the group fractured
into factions under
the growing internal and
external pressures bearing
down on them and ultimately
disbanded just a
few months after the
hunger strike.
And after it was all over
and Johnson was gone and
the VA had pledged to
make reforms, most of
them died within a few
years from causes directly
linked to their traumatic
injuries or indirectly
through drug and alcohol
abuse and suicide.
Kovic, unlike so many of
his wounded comrades
who couldn’t find a reason
to go on living or a lifestyle
that worked for them,
went on to a long career of
social activism embracing
multiple causes, from the
environment to human
rights to the anti-nuclear
movement.
But in "Hurricane Street" he returns to his original
anti-war cause.
“I wrote it so that people would never forget
what happened during those two and a half
weeks. I want people to see the consequences of
what war does to human beings,” he said during
a long, wide-ranging interview at the Yellow Vase
Café in the Hollywood Riviera section of Redondo
Beach. “How absurd it was that severely
wounded veterans who had given three quarters
of their bodies were forced to go on a hunger
strike in a senator’s office because they weren’t
18 Easy Reader / Beach magazine • June 9, 2016
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being properly cared for by the wealthiest country
in the world.”
As he approaches his 70th birthday, Kovic has
mellowed considerably from the angry, embittered
young man he wrote about in "Born on the
Fourth of July."
“I now realize that we all need to listen to each
other, whether we agree or not,” he said. “We
can’t just scream at each other and expect to
Tom Cruise, Ron Kovic, and director Oliver Stone celebrate a sweep of the top awards at the 1990
Golden Globes. Photo courtesy Ron Kovic
solve our problems.”
He knows he has been lucky to outlive most of
his wounded brothers who joined him in the sitin
and hunger strike. Now he has the perspective
to see the big picture of his life story as he enters
his eighth decade on this earth.
“I’m grateful just to be alive,” he said. “I’m
thankful for every day.”
Part of what makes him so grateful to be alive
is his girlfriend of nine years, TerriAnn Ferren, a
Torrance resident who handles marketing and
public relations for the Torrance Cultural Arts
Center.
Buying or Selling
Office: 310.546.3441
Cell: 310.643.6363
Email: Donruane@verizon.net
“I dedicated ‘Hurricane Street’ to her,” he said
quietly. “She is very special and has become the
anchor in my life.”
Their meeting and courtship is a classic case of
serendipity.
After moving to Redondo Beach about 12 years
ago, Kovic had become friendly with Bill Sharman,
the basketball Hall of Famer – as both a
Boston Celtics player and a Los Angeles Lakers
coach – and his wife
Joyce. They also lived in
Redondo Beach. She had
lost a brother in the Vietnam
War, a loss that affected
her deeply. After
watching "Born on the
Fourth of July" she
reached out to Kovic.
“She called me, and we
got together and talked
about a lot of things,” he
said. “I soon became close
friends with her and Bill.”
A few years later they
invited him to a dinner
party at their home where
he met Ferren.
“I had heard about Ron
from Joyce and Bill but I
had never met him,” Ferren
recalled. “When I saw
him over by the pool I introduced
myself. I had
never read his book or
seen the movie, but we
just started talking and
talked and talked and
talked. Right from the
start it was so easy to be
with him.”
Even at that first meeting she noticed what an
evolved man he was, so unlike the bitter young
man lashing out at the world as described in his
first book.
“He was sincere and very gracious and very interested
in others,” Ferren said. “Other people
would come up to him and he would go out of
his way to make them comfortable. He is a kind,
generous, big-hearted man. I feel blessed to know
him.”
Attracting a great girlfriend: another benefit of
choosing dignity over despair.
Contact: teetor.paul@gmail.com Follow: @paulteetor. B
“Since 1992”
Don Ruane
Serving the South Bay Beach Cities and beyond
DRE#01036347
Redondo senior Kat Ung was the ace of the Sea Hawk pitching staff for four seasons,
capturing Bay League titles each year. Photo by Ray Vidal
A Humble
Hurler
All-CIF Redondo softball pitcher Kat Ung has seen her
hard work pay off with a trip to the CIF-SS Division 3
championship game.
by Randy Angel
She has been the ace of the Redondo softball pitching staff for four seasons.
Yet despite her many accomplishments, Kat Ung is quick to deflect
attention away from herself and toward her teammates.
The left handed pitcher will most likely earn her third straight All-CIF selection
this season after leading the Sea Hawks to their fourth straight Bay
league championship and first trip to the CIF-Southern Section finals since
1994.
Going into last Saturday’s CIF-SS Division 3 championship game against
top-seeded Grand Terrace, Ung was the winning pitcher in all four playoff
games, tossing three shutouts along the way. She had a 14-6 record with a
1.32 ERA, striking out 153 batters while walking only 20 in 111.2 innings.
Ung was excited about the possibility of finishing her prep career with a
championship ring.
“Losing humbles me and makes me grateful for every win,” Ung said. “Losing
two games in Bay League this year proved we should not take any team
for granted. I’m so proud of our team particularly (sophomore) Laura Chafe,
who stepped up when I sprained my elbow early in the season.”
Although she will go down as one of the top pitchers in Redondo school
history, posting a career record of 53-18 entering her final game, Ung said
the highlight of her high school career has been the relationships she has
made with her teammates.
“We’ve fought some tough battles to win four Bay League titles,” Ung said.
“We’d lose seniors but have had freshmen come in and produce at a high
level. It’s been exciting to see the different makeup of the teams each season.
It makes me look back and see how different my mentality is compared to
my freshman year.”
Along with being a southpaw, Ung is recognized by the face mask she
wears while pitching in the circle.
“I was in middle school and remember Redondo’s pitcher Brett Aspel being
hit in the face by a comebacker,” Ung recalled. “My dad thought paying $40
for a mask was a cheap investment to help prevent a serious injury. I’m not
afraid of the ball by any means and, fortunately, I have not been hit in the
face.”
Ung feels her vast experience is the strength of her game. As a freshman,
she relied on the rise ball but when hitters began to catch up to it, she
switched to throwing the changeup during her sophomore year.
After going back to the rise ball as a junior, she spent hours working with
Redondo pitching coach Tom "Jud" Judson and her personal coach of three
years Savana Lloyd to perfect her curveball, while focusing on inside pitches.
“Kat’s strength as a pitcher definitely lies in her lefty talents,” Lloyd said.
“She has amazing natural movement on her pitches, she spins the ball very
well and has fantastic command of her pitches. She trusts herself as a pitcher
and knows that if she gives 100 percent that is enough. I love this mentality
about Kat because often pitchers and athletes in general want to be bigger
and better. Kat recognizes her strengths, owns who she is, and has pure confidence
in herself and her pitching abilities. Because of this she extremely
solid on the mental side of the game.”
Ung has developed a close relationship with Redondo head coach Jennifer
Dessert. She has mentored Ung longer than any other coach.
“Honestly, at this point in time it’s hard to accept that Kat is leaving,”
Dessert said. “I have had some special kids go through my program over the
years and to say she will be missed is an understatement. She is poised and
tough and communicates with coaches and teammates well.”
Dessert admits Ung has put extra pressure on herself this year after getting
so close to the CIF finals in 2015.
“Being forced to go to the sidelines and rest was really what she needed to
get things back in order,” Dessert said. “I feel like she was able to finally rest
and take the weight of the season off her shoulders. The girls who have gone
through the last four years with Kat know that her presence here has raised
our level of play and expectations for players coming in the future.”
Off the field, Ung has the reputation of being a jokester and story teller,
but on the field she is all business.
“It’s just not me on the field. A pitcher just helps the team stay in the
game,” Ung said. “You have to trust your defense and offense to win the
game. My team lifts the pressure off me and I’m so grateful for all of the
teammates I have had.”
She also values her relationship with Dessert, who has relied on Ung to
be a sparkplug for the Sea Hawk offense. She has batted .355 this season.
“Our relationship has grown and is based on honesty,” Ung explained. “I
respect her so much and she has done so much for softball in Redondo
Beach. I’ll always remember her saying ‘You are worth every ounce of positive
thinking you can give yourself every single day.’”
With the end of her high school playing days ending soon, Ung had time
to reflect on her four-year varsity career.
“I’ve played with and against so many different players and I have
learned a lot from them,” Ung said. “I remember facing Mira Costa’’s Taylor
Glover when I was a freshman. I remember every pitch I threw. She
was a big senior and I was so intimidated.
“Beating Costa that year for the Bay League title was special. It was an
amazing game. They beat us 12-0 the first time we played but I was sick
and didn’t get to play. I figured I had nothing to lose and just played my
hardest and we won 5-3. That win gave me the confidence that I can help
my team and trust my teammates. Our defense made every play and Korynn
Ben Amor made an outstanding catch in right field to help us win
the game. It was the first big win in my softball career and the feeling of
being a part of that team was so exciting.”
Ung remembers senior infielder Kristen Currie taking her under her
wing during her freshman season.
“Kristen was an impact player but missed most of her senior season because
of injury,” Ung said. “She was so encouraging and made me feel very
comfortable as the youngest member of the team along with Allison Betty.
My advice to young players coming up is to stay humble and never expect
the game to be easy. Give it all you can and don’t play to inflate your stats.
Put the team first.”
Growing up, Ung played tennis and soccer but stopped in eighth grade
to focus of softball. She was introduced to softball by a soccer teammate
who encouraged her to play fall ball when she was eight years old.
Her career as a pitcher, however, got off to a slow start.
“I mocked my teammate while I was at the batting cages so I basically
taught myself how to pitch,” Ung explained. “But I had the wrong mechanics
and dislocated my elbow.”
Along with playing for Redondo, Ung has competed on various travel
ball teams. She began to excel as a pitcher playing for the South Bay Dynasty.
She currently is a member of the South Bay Diamond Girls and
teaches pitching to younger kids with Lloyd and Hermosa Beach Little
League.
Ung’s favorite player is former University of Texas All-American and
Olympic softball gold-medalist Cat Osterman.
“Like me, she’s left handed and not the fastest pitcher, but the movement
of her pitches makes her a winner,” Ung said.
Ung has attracted the attention of college softball programs and will be
attending Azusa Pacific University in the fall, a choice that was not difficult
to make.
“Academics was my top priority and I love the atmosphere there,” Ung
said. “I met the Azusa coaches at a camp when I was a sophomore and the
staff gave me some great pointers on pitching. I was invited to a second
camp that happened to be on my sister Kristen’s birthday. I was so grateful
for the offer to play there and being a religious school made my decision
to go there extremely easy.”
Ung has a 3.9 GPA and, although her major is undeclared, she has an interest
in business, history and athletic training.
She credits her parents Wayne and Bridgett for teaching hard work ethics
and humility and is a big fan of younger sister Kristen, a 15-year-old sophomore
who is captain of Redondo’s Junior Varsity softball team.
“My parents taught me so many important things and stressed the importance
of an education,” Ung said. “I thank them for dragging me to
practices and driving to Lancaster on a Friday afternoon for tournaments.
They taught me to be selfless and to always give credit to teammates.”
A self-proclaimed nerd who enjoys reading, particularly history, Ung is
also involved with her church youth group and is a Redondo Beach Youth
Commissioner.
Kat's biggest improvement has been in her ability to make adjustments
from one pitch to the next, Lloyd said. “The small adjustments that are the
hardest to make she does it and she does it well. She is extremely patient,
yet competitive and that combination takes her a long ways.
“ Her attitude is the best. She is always smiling, and is just a great girl,
teammate and student. She brings up everyone around her. I also enjoy
how consistent she is in everything she does. From being punctual, to always
working her hardest, to having a great attitude. She's a leader. No
matter what day it is, she shows up with the same level of greatness.”B
20 Easy Reader / Beach magazine • June 9, 2016
June 9, 2016 • Easy Reader / Beach magazine 21
Bottle Inn Riviera
Beer and wine $4 - $7; pizza, crab
cakes and a variety of appetizers $6
and under. 4-6 p.m.
The Bull Pen
Well spirits $4.50, house wines
$4.50, domestic beers $3, imported
beers $4, $2 off appetizers (Lounge
and Bar only). 4-7 p.m.
China Grill Bistro
Food and drink specials 4-7 p.m.
Frida Mexican - Del Amo
Food and drink specials (Bar Area
only), 3-6 p.m. and 9 p.m.-
close.
Greenbelt
Food and drink specials 4-6 p.m.
Hennessey’s
$5 selected cocktails, wines, drafts,
well drinks and more. $5 seared ahi
street tacos and other food Items. 4-
7 p.m.
2016
Happy Hour
Guide
Bull Pen bartender Kevin Norris prepares a martini to accompany tri tip
sliders and sauteed mushrooms.
Guiding you to the Happiest Hours at the Beach
Monday
HT Grill
$4 select drafts, $5 select wines by
the glass and select cocktails, $7
treats - from the Bar Eats Menu
(Lounge, Bar and Fire Pit only). 4-
7 p.m.
Patrick Molloy’s
$3 domestic draft beers; $4 import,
craft and IPA beers; half-off drinks
and liquor; $5 - $6 food specials. 3-
8 p.m.
P.F. Chang’s
$4 craft beer, $6 small plates, $6
cocktails and wine (available
throughout the restaurant). 3-6
p.m.
R/10 Social House
$5 snacks and libations 3 p.m.-
close
Ragin Cajun Café
$1 off drinks and appetizers 3-6
p.m.
Ramen Spott & Sushi Duke
$1 sushi and rolls 5-6 p.m.
Free
Parking
Free
Wifi
Join Us for Happy Hour Tuesday - Saturday!
4-6pm (bar only)
Late Night Happy Hour
Thursday to Saturday 9pm to 11pm
20% off pizza
Serving over 25 Hand-Tossed
Pizzas & Homemade Pastas!
Specializing in Montreal-style
Smoked Brisket , Poutine,
Osso Buco, Lamb Shanks &
fresh-grilled Salmon!
1000 Torrance Blvd., Redondo Beach
(310) 792-9300 www.pizzeriaorlandos.com
JOIN US TO CELEBRATE
OUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY!
HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS
Mon-Thurs 5-6pm $
1
SUSHI & ROLLS
Jicama pork street tacos and
agave margaritas are two of the
choices at P.F. Chang's Happy Hour.
Open 7 Days A Week for Lunch & Dinner
www.RamenSpott.com Facebook.com/RamenSpott
25412 Crenshaw Blvd. Torrance (Rolling Hills Plaza)
310-530-3900
22 Easy Reader / Beach magazine • June 9, 2016
June 9, 2016 • Easy Reader / Beach magazine 23
Frida Mexican
Cuisine’s
Maria Padilla,
Lorena Negrete,
Diana Flores and
Emma Jaramillo
in Del Amo.
The Slip Bar & Eatery
$3 - $5 beers, $1 off all wine and
well drinks, 3-6 p.m. $7 Food
Specials, 3 -7 p.m.
Power Hour - Buy 1 beer, wine or
well drink, get 1 for $1 (of same
kind), 6-7 p.m.
The Standing Room
Food and drink specials 3-6 p.m.
Ws China Bistro
Food and drink specials 4-7 p.m.
Tuesday
Bottle Inn Riviera
Beer and wine $4 - $7; pizza, crab
cakes and a variety of appetizers $6
and under. 4-6 p.m.
The Bull Pen
Well spirits $4.50, house wines
$4.50, domestic beers $3, imported
beers $4, $2 off appetizers (Lounge
and Bar only). 4-7 p.m.
China Grill Bistro
Food and drink specials 4-7 p.m.
Frida Mexican - Del Amo
Food and drink specials (Bar Area
only) 3-6 p.m. and 9 p.m.-
close.
Greenbelt
Food and drink specials 4-6 p.m.
Hennessey’s
$5 selected cocktails, wines, drafts,
well drinks and more; $5 seared
ahi street tacos, and other food
items. 4-7 p.m.
HT Grill
$4 select drafts, $5 select wines by
the glass and select cocktails, $7
treats - from the Bar Eats menu,
(Lounge, Bar and Fire Pit only). 4-
7 p.m.
Orlando’s Pizzeria & Birreria
$5 selected appetizers, selected
craft beers; $6 selected house
wines. 4-6 p.m.
Patrick Molloy’s
$3 domestic draft beers; $4 import,
craft and IPA beers; half off drinks
and liquor; $5 - $6 food specials. 3-
8 p.m.
P.F. Chang’s
$4 craft beer, $6 small plates, $6
cocktails and wine (available
throughout the restaurant). 3-6
p.m.
R/10 Social House
Half price bottles of wine; $5
snacks and libations. 3-6 p.m.
Join Us for HAPPY HOUR Mon-Fri 4-6pm AND Sun 3:30-6pm!
bites $5
chicken wings, kale caesar (add chicken $2),
meatball marinara sliders,
mushroom flatbread, margherita flatbread,
truffle fries, hummus
drinks 1/2 off
draughts and bottled beer, select wines
by the glass, mango bellini & sangria
“Bold and contemporary, the ingredients top shelf”
16 Craft Beers Homemade Sangria Peach & Pomegranate Bellinis
Farmer’s Market Vegetables Catering Grass-fed Beef Outdoor Dining
Open 7 Days A Week Mon-Fri 11am-11pm, Sat-Sun 10am-11pm (Brunch)
36 Pier Avenue Hermosa Beach (310)798-6585 www.greenbelthb.com
Bottle Inn
Riviera offers
Happy Hour
specials and a
comfortable
outdoor
ocean-view
patio.
TORRANCE
www.fridarestaurant.com
SUNDAY MARIACHI BRUNCH
10 am - 3 pm • Adults $ 29.95 • Kids (5-12) $18.95
Mimosas, House Margaritas, Sangria and Draft Beer only $5
Del Amo Fashion Center • 21438 Hawthorne Blvd. • Torrance • (310) 371-0666
24 Easy Reader / Beach magazine • June 9, 2016
June 9, 2016 • Easy Reader / Beach magazine 25
Greenbelt’s Evan Stinson, Mandi Thomas and Tyler Lewis.
Patrick Molloy’s at Happy Hour.
Orlando’s Pizzeria & Birreria offers Happy Hour specials on craft beer,
wine and appetizers.
HT Grill’s Luke Caler prepares a specialty
cocktail for Mimi Dodson, Darlene Takahashi
and Billy “The Mayor” Fletemeyer.
Hennessey’s Kristina Reyes.
Ragin Cajun Café
$1 off drinks and appetizers 3-6
p.m.
Ramen Spott & Sushi Duke
$1 sushi and rolls 5-6 p.m.
The Slip Bar & Eatery
$3 - $5 beers, $1 off all wine and
well drinks, 3-6 p.m. $7 food
specials, 3-7 p.m.
Power Hour - Buy 1 beer, wine or
well drink, get 1 for $1 (of same
kind), 6-7 p.m.
The Standing Room
Food and drink specials 3-6 p.m.
Ws China Bistro
Food and drink specials 4-7 p.m.
Wednesday
Bottle Inn Riviera
Beer and wine $4 - $7; pizza, crab
cakes and a variety of appetizers $6
and under. 4-6 p.m.
The Bull Pen
Well spirits $4.50, house wines
$4.50, domestic beers $3, imported
beers $4, $2 off appetizers (Lounge
and Bar only). 4-7 p.m.
China Grill Bistro
Food and drink specials 4-7 p.m.
Frida Mexican - Del Amo
Food and drink specials (Bar Area
only) 3-6 p.m. and 9 p.m.-
close.
Greenbelt
Food and drink specials 4-6 p.m.
Hennessey’s
$5 selected cocktails, wines, drafts,
well drinks and more. $5 seared
ahi street tacos, and other food
items. 4-7 p.m.
HT Grill
$4 select drafts, $5 select wines by
the glass and select cocktails, $7
treats - from the Bar Eats menu,
(Lounge, Bar and Fire Pit only). 4-
7 p.m.
Orlando’s Pizzeria & Birreria
$5 selected appetizers and selected
craft beers, $6 selected house
wines. 4-6 p.m.
Patrick Molloy’s
$3 domestic draft beers; $4 import,
craft and IPA beers; half-off drinks
and liquor; $5 - $6 food specials. 3-
8 p.m.
P.F. Chang’s
$4 craft beer, $6 small plates, $6
cocktails and wine (available
throughout restaurant). 3-6 p.m.
Martinis and Margaritas Coming Soon!
CELEBRATING TWO YEARS IN
RIVIERA VILLAGE!
Join Us for HAPPY HOUR
Everyday 4-6pm
Offering the SAME
Traditional Italian Cuisine
Outdoor Patio Seating
Open 7 Nights A Week
1700 S. Catalina Ave. Redondo Beach (310) 543-6800
26 Easy Reader / Beach magazine • June 9, 2016
June 9, 2016 • Easy Reader / Beach magazine 27
The Bull Pen
R10 Social House’s Portia Tsotesi and Marina Mora.
Ramen Spott/Sushi Duke offers Tuna, Yellowtail, Salmon and Shrimp during
its $1 Happy Hour.
Ragin Cajun Cafe’s Corey Cohen fixes a Blue Voodoo for Shyrl Lorino and
Holly Riddel.
The Slip’s bartender Betty Smith (on right) takes a quick break with Happy
Hour regulars.
314 Avenue I Redondo Beach
www.TheBullPenRedondo.com
(310) 375-7797
R/10 Social House
$5 snacks and libations 3-6 p.m.
Ragin Cajun Café
$1 off drinks and appetizers 3-6
p.m.
Ramen Spott & Sushi Duke
$1 sushi and rolls 5-6 p.m.
The Slip Bar & Eatery
$3 - $5 beers, $1 off all wine and
well drinks, 3-6 p.m. $7 food
specials, 3-7 p.m.
Power Hour - Buy 1 beer, wine or
well drink, get 1 for $1 (of same
kind), 6-7 p.m.
The Standing Room
Food and drink specials 3-6 p.m.
$15 Bulleit flights all day.
Ws China Bistro
Food and drink specials 4-7 p.m.
Thursday
Bottle Inn Riviera
Beer and wine $4 - $7; pizza, crab
cakes and a variety of appetizers $6
and under. 4-6 p.m.
The Bull Pen
Well spirits $4.50, house wines
$4.50, domestic beers $3, imported
beers $4, $2 off appetizers (Lounge
and Bar only). 4-7 p.m.
China Grill Bistro
Food and drink specials 4-7 p.m.
Frida Mexican - Del Amo
Food and drink specials (Bar Area
Only) 3-6 p.m. and 9 p.m.-
close
Greenbelt
Food and drink specials 4-6 p.m.
Hennessey’s
$5 selected cocktails, wines, drafts,
well drinks and more. $5 seared
ahi street tacos, and other food
items. 4-7 p.m.
HT Grill
$4 select drafts, $5 select wines
and select cocktails, $7 treats -
from the Bar Eats menu, (Lounge,
Bar and Fire Pit only). 4-7 p.m.
Orlando’s Pizzeria & Birreria
$5 selected appetizers and selected
craft beers, $6 selected house
wines, 4-6 p.m. $5 selected craft
beers and $6 selected house wines,
pizza 20% off. 9-11 p.m.
28 Easy Reader / Beach magazine • June 9, 2016
June 9, 2016 • Easy Reader / Beach magazine 29
The Standing Room’s Lucine Dounamalian, Colleen Rambeau, Kyle Rambeau
and Dennis Kawecki.
Ws China Bistro Happy Hour regulars Warren Brouillette, Thomas Aydelotte
and Rick Lloyd.
Patrick Molloy’s
$3 domestic draft beers; $4 import,
craft and IPA beers; half-off drinks
and liquor; $5 - $6 food specials. 3-
8 p.m.
P.F. Chang’s
$4 craft beer, $6 small plates, $6
cocktails and wine (available
throughout the restaurant). 3-6
p.m.
R/10 Social House
$5 snacks and libations 3-6 p.m.
Ragin Cajun Café
$1 off drinks and appetizers 3-6
p.m.
Ramen Spott & Sushi Duke
$1 sushi and rolls 5-6 p.m.
The Slip Bar & Eatery
$3 - $5 beers, $1 off all wine and
well drinks, 3-6 p.m. $7 food
specials, 3-7 p.m.
Power Hour - Buy 1 beer, wine or
well drink, get 1 for $1 (of same
kind), 6-7 p.m.
The Standing Room
Food and drink specials 3-6 p.m.
Ws China Bistro
Food and drink specials 4-7 p.m.
Friday
Bottle Inn Riviera
Beer and wine $4 - $7; pizza, crab
cakes and a variety of appetizers $6
and under, 4-6 p.m.
The Bull Pen
Well spirits $4.50, house wines
$4.50, domestic beers $3, imported
beers $4, $2 off appetizers (Lounge
and Bar only). 4-7 p.m.
China Grill Bistro
Food and drink specials 4-7 p.m.
Frida Mexican - Del Amo
Food and drink specials (Bar Area
Only). 3-6 p.m. and 9 p.m.-
close.
Greenbelt
Food and drink specials 4-6 p.m.
Hennessey’s
$5 selected cocktails, wines, drafts,
well drinks and more. $5 seared
ahi street tacos, and other food
items. 4-7 p.m.
HT Grill
$4 select drafts, $5 select wines by
the glass and select cocktails, $7
treats - from the Bar Eats menu,
(Lounge, Bar and Fire Pit only). 4-
7 p.m.
30 Easy Reader / Beach magazine • June 9, 2016
Orlando’s Pizzeria & Birreria
$5 selected craft beers, $6 selected
house wines, 20% off pizza. 9-11
p.m.
Patrick Molloy’s
$3 domestic draft beers; $4 import,
craft and IPA beers; half-off drinks
and liquor; $5 - $6 food specials. 3-
8 p.m.
P.F. Chang’s
$4 craft beer, $6 small plates, $6
cocktails and wine (available
throughout the restaurant). 3-6
p.m.
R/10 Social House
$5 snacks and libations 3-6 p.m.
Ragin Cajun Café
$1 off drinks and appetizers 3-6
p.m.
The Slip Bar & Eatery
$3 - $5 beers, $1 off all wine and
well drinks, 3-6 p.m. $7 food
specials. 3-7 p.m.
The Standing Room
Food and drink specials, 3-6 p.m.
Bulleit cocktails $6, Ward 8 $7,
beer and a Bulleit $3, all day.
Ws China Bistro
Food and drink specials 4-7 p.m.
Saturday
Bottle Inn Riviera
Beer and wine $4 - $7; pizza, crab
cakes and a variety of appetizers $6
and under, 4-6 p.m.
Orlando’s Pizzeria & Birreria
$5 selected beers, $6 selected house
wines, 20% off pizza. 9-11 p.m.
R/10 Social House
$5 snacks and libations 3-6 p.m.
The Standing Room
Food and drink specials 3-6 p.m.
Tito’s cocktails $6, Tito’s Mules $7,
all day.
Sunday
Bottle Inn Riviera
Beer and wine $4 - $7; pizza, crab
cakes and a variety of appetizers $6
and under, 4-6 p.m.
Greenbelt
Food and drink specials 3:30-6
p.m.
R/10 Social House
$5 snacks and libations 3-6 p.m.
The Standing Room
Food and drink specials 3-6 p.m.
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June 9, 2016 • Easy Reader / Beach magazine 31
each charity
ED! GALA
A success in El Segundo
T
he annual El Segundo Education Foundation
Gala attracted more than 750 people and
raised a new Ed! Gala record of $210,000. The
event featured nine major sponsors, 20 table sponsors
and more than 230 auction items provided by
local businesses while 30 restuarants provided food
and drink.
1
2
PHOTOS BY MARK MCDERMOTT
1. More than 30 local
restaurants
contributed food to the
Ed! gala, including
Sausal’s Nancy
Vrankovic and Chef
Anne Conness.
2. Ed! Foundation
CEO Carol Pirsztuk,
ESUSD Superintendent
Melissa Moore, Ed!
chairman Alex Abad,
and ESUSD Board of
Education president Jim
Garza accept a check
from Chevron Government
and Public Affairs
manager and refinery
general manager
Henry Kusch. The
$250,000 check
granted at the Gala is
used in support of
STEM programing,
specifically the Engineering
Pathway for
students K-12.
3. El Segundo’s Douglas
and Lara Carrigan
with Balletto
Vineyard’s sales manager
Jon Niemann.
4. El Segundo Unified
School District’s finest
— its teachers —
turned out in large
numbers, including (left
to right) Carolyn Elder,
Grace Kim, Alice Lee,
Lindsey Sharp, Kim
Stern, Celia Plotkin,
Rachel Salsev, Kelly
Wu, and Lisa Hong.
5. Former councilman
and mayor Carl Jacobson
shares a moment
with newly elected
councilmen Don Brann
and Drew Boyles.
6. Carol Pirsztuk, Ed!
CEO, with Alex Abad,
Ed! Chairman of the
Board, Jim Garza,
president of the ESUSD
Board of Education,
Ken Riesz, general
manager of NRG El
Segundo, Ahmed
Haque, NRG director
of asset management,
and ESUSD Superintendent
Melissa
Moore. NRG was recognized
with this
year’s Eddy Award for
its support of local
schools.
7. A group of what
Palm Realty’s Amie
Schneider (Ed! Chairman
Alex Abad’s
daughter) called El Segundo’s
“power
women” — mothers,
teachers, and businesswomen
— enjoy the
gala.
8. Miriam Vared and
El Segundo Mayor
Suzanne Fuentes
9. LA County Supervisor
deputy Steve
Napolitano,
center, with a group of
friends and supporters.
10. El Segundo
Mayor Suzanne
Fuentes, Steve Napolitano,
and Councilman
Drew Boyles.
3 4
5
7
9
6
8
10
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32 Easy Reader / Beach magazine • June 9, 2016
June 9, 2016 • Easy Reader / Beach magazine 33
Angelo Luhrsen on his Big Wave Challenge Award winning wave at the Redondo Breakwall on January 7. Photo by Charles Scholz
Challenge answered
Derek Brewer, Big Wave Challenge runner-up, January 12 at the Redondo Breakwall.
Photo by Charles Scholz
Angelo Luhrsen and Connor Beatty hadn’t planned on surfing the Breakwall. It looked too big and unruly. Then a ride-able
wave came through.
by Ed Solt
Angelo Luhrsen and his number one surf bro and fellow big wave
charger Connor Beatty could not decide whether to paddle out or
not. The Redondo Breakwall was macking. The other Breakwall locals
were sitting on the wall, watching. Spectators were gathered on the
beach next to the Chart House, drawn by the Thursday, January 7 forecast
for the biggest Southern California swell in over a decade.
Their surf check was supposed to be a quick one. After riding mostly
closed-out Torrance Beach earlier that morning, Luhrsen and Beatty had
stopped at the Breakwall with their big guns, enroute north, to a better
known bombora that handles large swells.
“Breakwall was big and ugly but after seeing one rideable wave, we were
on it,” Luhrsen said.
The decision would earn Luhrsen the South Bay Boardriders 2015-16 Big
Wave Challenge award, which was accompanied by a Pat Reardon big wave
gun and $3,000.
In large Breakwall surf, the whitewater is too powerful to paddle out
through from the beach, so surfers walk out roughly 200 yards along a walkway
near the top of the wall. Then, when they sense a lull between swells,
they climb down the boulders and jump into the water.
Later that morning, veteran Breakwall surfer Doug “Doc” Scheller would
Chris Wells, Big Wave Challenge runner-up, January 6 at the Redondo Breakwall. Photo by Brad Jacobson
be knocked down on the rocks by a wave and suffer a broken shoulder, a
broken arm and internal bruising. He said he would have died had
Luhrsen’s dad Michael and fellow surfer Jeremy Griffin not pulled him
from the cave in the rocks that he had been knocked into.
Luhrsen and Beatty had better luck getting off the rocks. But then their
luck ran out. A giant set rolled through before they could paddle past the
impact zone.
“We got smoked.” Luhrsen said. “The set took us all the way back to the
beach. I came up gasping for air and saw the whitewash was dragging us
back to shore like we were being towed behind a car,” Luhrsen recalled.
“We had our little walk of shame on the beach,” he added.
After a pep talk and some suggestions on where to jump off the rocks
from Luhrsen’s dad, the two walked back out along the breakwall and during
a rare lull between sets, made it out to the lineup spot.
“It was the furthest out that I have ever sat at the Breakwall,” Luhrsen
said. “I was way past the end of the breakwall and could see all of Palos
Verdes.”
Luhrsen was just getting comfortable on his Pat Ryan shaped, 7-foot-2 ET
gun, when another macking set came through. Cameras on the beach began
clicking.
When big, north swells hit the north facing extension of the Breakwall,
Angelo Luhrsen feeling at home at the Redondo Breakwall.
Photo by Mike Balzer
they bounce back and up, forming a jacking peak, which is the signature
of a solid Breakwall swell. Surfers generally take off at or
north of where the wave jacks up.
Luhrsen took off behind peak. The decision may be what accounted
for his Big Wave Challenge award.
“It was a big wall,” Luhrsen said, “It began to shift after I dropped
and entered my bottom turn.”
Photos from that day show him at the bottom of the wave barely
outracing the lip. The peak is jacking up ahead of him, 30 feet in the
air.
“I kept thinking, ‘Wow, I can’t believe I caught a wave this big at
my home break,’” he said. “When I got back to the beach and saw
the pictures, it looked even bigger than I thought it was.”
Beatty caught the wave behind Luhrsen’s. Beatty’s wave was almost
as large as the one he caught last winter at Mavericks, near San
Francisco, which earned him a nomination in the World Surf League
Big Wave Award paddle division. But it wasn’t as big as Luhrsen’s.
The 23-year-old Luhrsen recently received his college degree in engineering
and plans to move from his family’s home in Palos Verdes
to San Francisco.
“I’ve surfed Mavericks two times as well as quite a few other secret
Central California spots,” he said. “I’m eager to go back. At one of
these secret spots, I got blown to the rocks holding my uncle’s 10-
foot gun. I was so worried I’d mess his board up.”
“I have learned a lot from my dad and my uncles, James, Jude, and
Chase and give them credit for inspiring me,” Luhrsen said.B
Matt Meistrell, Big Wave Challenge runner-up, January 7 at the Redondo Breakwall.
Photo by Photo by Charles Scholz
Trevor LaShure, Big Wave Challenge runner-up, at Burnout. Photo by Tim Tindall
June 9, 2016 • Easy Reader / Beach magazine 35
each honors
SOUTH BAY MEDAL OF VALOR
Responders from the Beach Cities and beyond
receive their due
R
edondo Beach Harbor Patrol Officer David Poirier was one of two men
receiving top honors at the 42nd Annual South Bay Medal of Valor
Luncheon, alongside Hawthorne Police Officer Alex Khan. Last May,
Poirier rescued a hostile swimmer, one who didn’t want to be saved, in a 40-
minute battle by the Redondo Pier.
The luncheon, held by the South Bay Police and Fire Memorial Foundation
at the Torrance Marriott Redondo Beach, brought officials from cities around
the South Bay together to honor the 14 officers from seven agencies whose actions
went above and beyond to save lives.
PHOTOS BY DAVID MENDEZ
1. Redondo Beach Police
Captain Tom Krafick, Lt.
Todd Heywood, Redondo
Beach City Manager Joe
Hoefgen and Capt. Jeff
Hink.
2. Manhattan Beach Police
Chief and Medal of
Valor board president Eve
Irvine.
3. Redondo Beach Police
Chief Keith Kauffman and
Hawthorne Police Captain
Michael Ishii.
4. Redondo Beach Fire
Chief Robert Metzger
congratulates Redondo
Harbor Patrol Officer
David Poirier.
5. Manhattan Beach Police
Officers Carlos Olivares,
Derek San Agustin,
Chad Swanson and Don
Brown with MBPD Chief
Eve Irvine, center.
6. David Poirier and
family.
7. Redondo Beach officials
turned out to support
their city’s honoree, including
Mayor Steve Aspel,
City Treasurer Steve Diels,
City Manager Joe Hoefgen,
Asst. City Manager
Mike Witznansky, Fire
Chief Bob Metzger, and
Division Chiefs Isaac Yang
and Mark Winter.
8. Redondo Beach Police
Department Command
Staff.
9. Master of Ceremonies
Glen Walker, Hawthorne
Police Officer Alex Khan
and Hawthorne Police
Chief Robert Fager.
1
2 3
4
5
6 7
8
9
36 Easy Reader / Beach magazine • June 9, 2016
June 9, 2016 • Easy Reader / Beach magazine 37
T
sports
SB BOARDRIDERS BIG WAVE
Challenge Awards night
he best South Bay winter surf since the turn of the
century was celebrated during the South Bay Boardriders
Big Wave Challenge Awards night on Friday,
May 27 at the Hermosa Beach Community Center.
Palos Verdes surfer Angelo Luhrsen received the top
award for catching the biggest, documented wave of the
2015-16 winter. Photographer Charlie Scholz snapped
Luhrsen on January 7, making a bottom turn on a barreling,
Redondo Beach Breakwall wave, with an estimated 30-
foot face. The surprise presentation of the evening was the
inaugural Howard Eddy Award, presented by brothers
Derek and Keith Brewer, Greg Browning and Matt Walls.
When the four were groms surfing 16th Street in Hermosa
Beach, Eddy, who lived on 16th Street and was a retired
Panasonic employee, videotaped them almost every morning.
The Brewers, Browning and Walls said the tapes were
of enormous help in their development as young surfers.
Mike Balzer was selected as the first recipient of the award
for his co-founding of the South Bay Boardriders Club,
whose annual contest series is credited with spurring a
local resurgence in surfing, especially among groms and
gromettes.
Among those groms are Nathaniel Harris and Billy
Atkinson. When the SBBC contest series began five years
ago, they competed in the assisted (push in) grom division.
At the awards ceremony, the two were presented with the
Big Wave Hard Charger Award for holding their own in
triple overhead surf at the Redondo Breakwall.
Also honored were Breakwall regulars Jeremy Griffin
and Michael Lurhsen for rescuing surfer Doug “Doc”
Scheller after a wave knocked him down on the breakwall
the day Luhrsen’s son Angelo caught his award winning
wave.
Runner-up Big Wave Challenge honorees were: Matt
Meistrell, photo by Charlie Scholz at the Redondo Breakwall;
Derek Brewer, photo by Charlie Scholz at the Redondo
Breakwall; Chris Wells, photo by Brad Jacobson at
the Redondo Breakwall; and Trevor LaShure, photo by Tim
Tindall at Burnout.
For more information about the South Bay Boardriders
Club visit SouthBayBoardriders.com. – Kevin Cody B
1
2 3
PHOTOS BY STEVE GAFFNEY
(STEVEGAFFNEY.COM)
1. Big Wave Challenge honorees Trevor LaShure, Matt
Meistrell, Chris Wells, Derek Brewer, Angelo Luhrsen,
Brad Jacobson, Charlie Schultz, Tim Tindall and Boardrider
president Mike Balzer.
2. Howard Eddie Award recipient Mike Balzer with
presentees Derek and Keith Brewer.
3. Big Wave Hard Charger Award recipients
Nathaniel Harris and Billy Atkinson
4. Doug “Doc” Scheller thanks Jeremy Griffin and
Michael Luhrsen for saving his life after he was knocked
down by a wave at the Redondo Breakwall.
4
38 Easy Reader / Beach magazine • June 9, 2016
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June 9, 2016 • Easy Reader / Beach magazine 39
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YOUNG AT ART TAKES A
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A
pproximately 300 docents met at the O’Donnell Hall at
American Martyrs in mid-May to celebrate another
year of bringing art projects to the 7,000 children in
Manhattan and Hermosa Beach schools. After six years Cindy
Middler and Janie Hindle passed the baton to new co-chairs
Marisa Checa and Regina Patton.
The co-chairs thanked each school’s chairmen, introduced
the new Executive Board and unveiled the six projects selected
by the Design Committee for the 2016-17 school year. The Design
Committee solicits over 100 artists to produce art projects
suitable for kids pre-K through grade 8 to explore a variety of
media, many in the style of famous artists, allowing the kids
to learn art history as well as artistic processes.
Young at Art is an all volunteer non profit. For more information
contact your school’s PTA.
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1. New co-chair Regina Patton, outgoing chairs Janie Hindle
and Cindy Middler, and new co-chair Marisa Checa.
2. Kim Fortune and Roxi Henry, School Chairs for Our
Lady of Guadalupe.
3. Ellen Padnos and Kim Waterson, school chairs for
Grand View Elementary.
4. Meadows School docents Yvonne Riethmiller, Esther
Reyes, co-chair Cynthia Milstein and Aisha Davila.
5. Syliva LeSage, and Jenny Brearton, School Chair for
American Martrys.
6. Young at Art Design Committee Member Cindy Middler,
Lisa Barrios, Julie Johnson, Robin Kirk, Janie Hindle
and Design Committee Co-Chairs Amy Frank and Lee Tunila.
7. Hermosa docents.
8. Montessori Peck docents with school chair Theresa
Masse, center.
9. Design Committee Lisa Barrios, Erin Pieronok, Lisa
Welch, Sarah Mullen, Elizabeth Hiatt, Julie Johnson, Robin
Kirk, Co-Directors Amy Frank and Lee Tunil.
10. Catherine Wojick of Savory N Sweet, located in Redondo
Beach, catered the brunch.
8
40 Easy Reader / Beach magazine • June 9, 2016
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June 9, 2016 • Easy Reader / Beach magazine 41
art
Physician turned artist
Samuel Pak to
exhibit at Hermosa Fine Arts Festival
Please Stay on the Grass
“Deep Breath II (Bridging Union),”
by Samuel Pak
“Long Ago,”
by Samuel Pak
“Orange Islands,” by Samuel Pak
“Drench Kiss Soulmates Travel,”
by Samuel Pak
by Bondo Wyszpolski
What started in 2002 as the Hermosa Beach Art Walk has developed
over the years into a large-scale event, now called the Hermosa
Fine Arts Festival. This year’s show takes place Saturday
and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the lawn of the Hermosa Beach
Community Center.
The featured artist is Dr. Samuel Pak, who was a physician in Houston
for seven years before moving to Southern California late 2014.
“Samuel Pak was selected for the uniqueness of his artwork's design,”
said Art Walk president Robyn Alatorre. “His paintings work with the
beach and ocean themes, which have traditionally been a part of our event,
and the expressive and powerful abstract qualities of Sam's paintings communicate
the fresh direction the board is taking with the festival.”
Much of Pak’s work is dreamily abstract, with soft cloud-like forms
swirling this way and that. Then again, recognizable forms do emerge to
pull us back into the canvas.
Pak didn’t become a professional artist until he moved to the West Coast.
As with many of us, making a decent living came first, and the scales were
tipped in favor of a career in medicine.
“When people ask me where I get my inspiration, I often say, ‘I don’t
know,’ and perhaps that is not entirely true. It may be that my mind cannot
possibly put into words all the beauty of the things that I see, hear, touch
and feel. It may be the memory of a spectacular evening sky at the beach
with hints of emerging stars above, or a dense morning fog that slowly unveils
a magnificent mountain in the distance.
“It could be a classical music piece,” he continues, “with its inspirational
rhythms and melodies harkening back to the ancient truth discernable only
through the eternity in our hearts. It may be a person or people, and their
emotional state that my eyes have witnessed and my mind has captured
long ago. It could be a flash of certain photos or a painting or even just a
simple combination of colors that has embedded into my subconscious,
constantly merging with the inexpressible emotions of personal triumph
and painful loss.”
Pak doesn’t seem to have any doubts about the road ahead of him.
“One thing I do know,” he says, “is that all of my life experiences and
everything that I have done, including my career as a physician, have led
me to this decision. I am committed to being the best artist that I can possibly
be. Creativity is not a thing to be extracted from your mind but a vision
to be built continuously and relentlessly.”
This year’s 13th annual Fine Arts Festival has over 100 booths, with half
of the artists showing for the first time. They come from all over, their artwork
varied and diverse, with paintings in many different styles, plus photography,
sculpture, prints, and wearable art. For those hoping to buy,
there’s something for every budget.
There will of course be food and entertainment, including a craft beer
and wine garden. Also of note is the interactive booth created by installation
artist JonMarc Edwards. Called Debriti, it features thousands of tiny
letters that are made of natural, bio-degradable tag board. Participants are
encouraged to "choose their words carefully" as they combine texts to create
words and phrases to create their own poetry.
Proceeds from the festival will provide four scholarships to local students
pursuing the arts in college. They also support local art projects.
Other highlights include free face-painting and a free kids arts and crafts
area. The student art section features local students’ artwork, from the elementary
grades through college. Raffle tickets for sale will give visitors a
chance to ride home on a beautiful new Strand Cruiser, donated by Hermosa
Cyclery. B
“Super Nova (Laurentian),” by Samuel Pak
The 13th annual Hermosa Fine Arts Festival takes place Saturday
and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the lawn of the Hermosa Beach
Community Center, 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. Information, hermosafinearts.com.
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June 9, 2016 • Easy Reader / Beach magazine 43
each charity
RICHSTONE PIER-TO-PIER
Walkathon
T
he Richstone Family Center raised over $120,000
during its 29th Annual Pier to-Pier Walkathon on
April 30. State Assemblyman David Hadley and
KTLA Meteorologist Vera Jimenez kick off the event. Participants
solicited pledges from supporters and walked
from the Manhattan Beach Pier to the Hermosa Beach
Pier and back. Red and white balloons and free
Cream’wiches from Manhattan Beach Creamery were
presented to the walkers at the finish line.
The Richstone Family Center is “dedicated to preventing
and treating child abuse and trauma; strengthening
and educating families; and decreasing violence in families,
schools and communities.”
1
PHOTOS BY CAROLINE ANDERSON
1. Volunteers wait for the walkers to arrive at the Hermosa
Beach Pier.
2. Popular cover band Once More performs each
year for the walk.
3. A young walker is rewarded with a balloon.
4. Walkin’ and talkin’ at the finish.
5. The coolest hats at the beach
6. Father, son and prized pup at the end of the walk.
7. Manhattan Creamery welcomed walkers with
their famous Cream’wiches.
8. State Assemblyman David Hadley and KTLA Meteorologist
Vera Jimenez helped kick off the event.
2 3
Save $40
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44 Easy Reader / Beach magazine • June 9, 2016
June 9, 2016 • Easy Reader / Beach magazine 45
described as being made with pancetta, tomato jus, and parmesan, and
that tells you everything that’s going on here but for the dots of basil oil
that decorate the plate and provide aroma. I recommend ordering this the
way Italians do, as a simple refreshing shared plate between more strongly
flavored starters and main courses.
Those bolder items include a remarkable multi-step fried chicken, which
is first smoked and then fried, then coated with a soy sauce and chile gastrique.
This has layers of flavor and you can perceive them all: lightly
smoky, rich chicken overlaid by a cornmeal crust with herbs, overlaid with
the sweet and spicy and salty sauce. There was plenty of meat on the half
bird we were served, but we were finding new flavors all the way to the
last bite.
Another item that was a special on one visit was pork jowl with gooseberries,
a dish some people might find challenging. Jowl meat is fatty and
so tender that it’s slightly gelatinous, but the tart berries made a fine contrast
to the rich flavors. Gooseberry season is short and supplies are limited,
but if you like variety meats and new experiences you should see if this is
available.
Baran’s 2239 doesn’t serve hard liquor but has a well-curated list of beer,
wine, and cider, almost all available in four or six ounce pours, as well as
by the bottle. We tried the Virginia Dare and Decelle Villa Pinot Noirs to
experience an old and new world expression of the same grape, and both
went quite nicely with the chicken. Our server suggested Curran Grenache
Blanc with the endive and strawberry dish, and we admired his wine savvy
because it was a splendid choice. Most of the people who work here seem
to be extended family. They know every item and explain it clearly. They
make up for the terse menu very well, though it must take a lot of extra
time and training.
I’ve tried two desserts, an orange-pistachio panna cotta and coffee-toffee
pudding cake. The latter was my wife’s idea and I regarded it with trepidation,
as toffee isn’t one of my favorite items. Surprise, this one wasn’t
over-sweet and the espresso glaze made it a delight. The creamy panna
cotta was topped with artistically arranged ground nuts and dollops of jellied
citrus. Now that I know this can be done I want to explore these flavors
more.
The Baran siblings Jason, Jenna and Jonathan.
Dinner at Baran’s 2239 is remarkably reasonable for cooking of this quality.
We paid an average of about $50 per person with moderate portions of
wine and cider. High style has come to the highway in Hermosa. It’s an
almost perfect experience, and you don’t have to fight for parking downtown
to enjoy it.
Baran’s 2239 is at 502 Pacific Coast Highway in Hermosa. Open Tues. -
Sun. at 5 p.m. Closes 10 p.m. Tues. - Thurs. and Sun.; 11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Parking
lot, wheelchair access OK, wine and beer served. Menu (unpriced) at
Barans2239.com, phone 424-247-8468. B
Highway to perfection
The chicken is first smoked and then fried. Photos by Brad Jacobson (CivicCouch.com)
Baran’s 2239 has brought high style to PCH in Hermosa
by Richard Foss
All-You-Can-Eat Lunch Buffet
MONDAY - FRIDAY
11:30am - 1:30pm
$
7 99
plus tax
Includes: Pizza,
Salad Bar and
Garlic Parmesan
Twists
DINE-IN ONLY
46 Easy Reader / Beach magazine • June 9, 2016
Carpet weavers in Persia leave one, tiny flaw in their patterns, reasoning
that only God can create perfection. This is handy for modern
connoisseurs as a way of detecting counterfeits. Flawlessly symmetrical
carpets are the product of machine looms that care nothing for theology.
This probably explains the menu at Baran’s 2239, a new restaurant that
is otherwise close to perfect. The flaw in this case is minimalism taken to
the extreme, so that no matter what an item is, it is described only by three
ingredients no matter how many there actually are, with no hint of how it
is prepared. This would be fine in a diner where “burger, fries, and salad”
really tells you all you need to know, but some items here have very unusual
preparations. As an example, the item called an Indian egg, described only
as “lamb sausage/curry jus/cucumber,” is actually an exotic twist on the
Scotch egg, which is usually a bland pub snack that needs to be washed
down by several beers. This version is beautifully presented and fragrant
with South Asian spices. When one was delivered at a neighboring table
the scent was beguiling.
This dish and almost everything else at Baran’s 2239 is a creation of chef
Tyler Gugliotta, an underappreciated master who ran the kitchen at The
Shore and several other local restaurants, including the highly touted, but
ill-fated Brix@1601. He teamed up with Jason Baran and other members
of the Baran family to open this restaurant in a strip mall on PCH in Hermosa
Beach. Something about this environment and management has set
Gugliotta free, and he’s doing the most accomplished cooking of his career.
That doesn’t mean that everything is complex. One of the things that
grabs your attention right at the beginning of the meal is the simplest. The
fresh-baked focaccia may be the best bread I’ve had in the South Bay,
crunchy-crisp outside with a perfect light interior, and it’s served with a
bright orange herb butter that has a cheesey richness. Yes, it’s $5 for four
pieces of focaccia, but trust me, it’s worth it.
That bread reflects Tyler’s Italian heritage, and so does the spigarello with
cauliflower, white beans, and breadcrumbs. Spigarello is an heirloom cousin
to broccoli that is slightly more fibrous but less bitter. It shines in this simple
rustic Mediterranean preparation. Mine had a bit of char that suggested it
had briefly hit the grill or been pan-seared before being combined with the
other ingredients along with some garlic and a little oil.
Another standout starter is the endive leaves topped with goat cheese,
peas and pea tendrils, strawberries, almonds, and mint – an odd but successful
combination of bitter greens, funky cheese, and sweet fruit and vegetables.
The strawberries are briefly roasted to make them aromatic and
concentrate the flavor, and lightly peppered to give just a hint of sharpness.
It’s a complex and flawless harmony, and yes, I’m about to use the word
perfect again.
The entrees also include some very simple dishes. The house spaghetti is
Limited time only. One coupon per order. Not valid with any other offer, promotion or discount.
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June 9, 2016 • Easy Reader / Beach magazine 47
each boating
YACHT CLUBS CELEBRATE
Opening Day
Y
acht club opening days began on the East Coast
to celebrate the day the waterways began to melt.
A canon was traditionally fired to help break up
the ice. Despite year ‘round sailing weather on the west
coast, the opening day tradition at King Harbor’s three
yacht clubs is as strong as at any East Coast club.
This year’s Sunday, April 10 opening day was a typically
breezy blue sky day, despite a forecast for rain. The
Redondo Yacht Club began the ceremonies with three
trumpeters from Redondo High Jazz band, under the direction
of director Ray Vizcarra, performing “The National
Anthem.”
King Harbor’s Yacht Club ceremony followed with
performances of “God Bless the USA” by Dave Barrette
and “Amazing Grace” by Michael Forbes. The ceremony
was attended by U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Halibut Commander
James Hurtt. Following the ceremony, Commander
Hurtt and his crew led tours of their 87-foot
cutter, which was docked at the club. In the afternoon
Port Royal Yacht Club began its opening day ceremony
with the “Pledge of Allegiance” led by Boy Scout Troop
966, followed by “The National Anthem” sung by director
Russell Densmore.
1. Redondo Union High Jazz
band’s Sam White, Joaquin Escalante
and Anthony Gallardo
perform the “National Anthem” at
the Redondo Beach Yacht Club
opening day ceremonies.
2. Redondo Beach Yacht Club’s
John Ellinwood rings eight bells in
memory of club members who
passed away over the past year.
3. Outgoing Redondo Beach
Yacht Club Commodore Eric
Hardt presents his wife Deb with
the traditional bouquet of flowers.
4. Former Port Royal commodores
Lynda Madden (left)
and Brenda Bloom (right) are
welcomed into the Order of the
Blue Gavel by District 11 President
Susana Araico and Vice
President Sheila Anderson.
5. Attending the Redondo Beach
Yacht Club opening day are
councilman Jeff Ginsberg, Pam
Aspel and husband and mayor
Steve Aspel, Harbor Patrol Officer
and Firefighter Grant Currie
and Fire Chief and Harbor Master
Robert Metzger.
6. Michael Forbes performs
“Amazing Grace” at the King
Harbor Yacht Club.
7. Outgoing King Harbor Yacht
Club commodore Bob Duncan
presents his wife Nancy with the
traditional flower bouquet.
8. Members of the King Harbor
Youth Foundation sailing team.
9. Commodore Bob Duncan receives
a commendation for his
service from State Assemblyman
David Hadley.
10. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter
Halibut Commander James Hurtt
with crewmembers Matthew
Crawford and Bryan Welsh.
11. The Port Royal cannon is
ready to declare opening day.
PHOTOS BY KEVIN CODY
12. Port Royal Vice Commodore
Barbara Smith welcomes guests.
13. Port Royal director Russell
Densmore sings the “National
Anthem.”
14. Boy Scout Drake Mathers
and fellow members of Troop
966 lead Port Royal members in
the Pledge of Allegiance.
15. Newly installed Port Royal
Commodore Craig Funabashi
keeps a close eye on Redondo
Mayor Steve Aspel.
16. Redondo Mayor Steve
Aspel puts in a call to the powers
that be, assuring members a boat
launch will not dislodge the King
Harbor Yacht Club from Mole A.
Having three club members on
the Harbor Commission might
help, he noted.
17. Port Royal master lessee
Gerald Thomas.
6 7
8
9 10
12
1
2
11
13
3 4 5
14 15 16 17
48 Easy Reader / Beach magazine • June 9, 2016
June 9, 2016 • Easy Reader / Beach magazine 49
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