Getting Back Into Business

I have slumped off for too long with this blog. It is time to get back into writing about issues that need pondering.

The Daily Breeze has an article about local business owners attempting to get the meter fees lowered throughout downtown.

I hope they are successful and I would sign a petition supporting their goal.

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BrewHaHa is coming to the Warner Grand Theatre opening Friday evening.

At least one great comic followed by a movie comedy will be presented by The Relevant Stage Theatre Company.

There will be two consession stands open during the events with one selling beverages of different types to audience members 21-years and older.

www.therelevantstage.com provides all the information you can stomach and offers great bargains, too.

Buy a season pass for all of 2010 and you can attend BrewHaHa and "The Christmas Carol" for free!

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If you haven't visited San Pedro: Block By Block yet, do so as soon as possible.

http://sanpedrobxb.com/ is written by Romee who is determined to touch every street in San Pedro and she is already doing a great job and providing incredible pictures and words for all of us to enjoy.

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A former Honorary Mayor of San Pedro who is also an advocate for harbor area business and industry is running for a seat on the Rancho Palos Verdes city council.

There is not much industry in R.P.V. and I still have not found that city's harbor. Perhaps the fellow should stick closer to his profession and advocacy in San Pedro and the real harbor area and let two others serve Rancho Palos Verdes residents.

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It's on its Maiden Voyage and I was WRONG about how many passengers it can carry.

The Oasis of the Seas has departed from its birth berth and gone through the Baltic and onto the Atlantic Ocean.

Just about every single new large cruise ship has called on our port even though few of them call on it regularly.

We've seen the Freedom of the Seas, until the Oasis was spotted, it was the largest cruise ship afloat. It carries a mere 3,700 passengers.

We've seen the 'small' Queen Mary II and Queen Victoria but they only carry 2,093 passengers.

Currently the largest ship carrying passengers in and out of our port carries about 3,100-passengers.

But the Oasis of the Seas was originally touted as being able to carry 5,400-passengers. That was based on double occupancy in its 2,700 rooms.

But the maximum number of passengers the Oasis of the Seas can carry is 6,360!

Along with 2,100 crew members, that could put as many as 8,460 humans onto any berth that ship visits in San Pedro.

And it will probably stop by in the next few years.

Now might you be more able to ponder why the traffic supporting such large ships would create nightmares with traffic through much of San Pedro IF a new cruise ship terminal is built in the Outer Harbor?

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Please reserve any further pondering about Ponte Vista until something new is released by the developer or Outreach Team.

There will be some information provided at the November 11 L.A. Planning Commission meeting, but it will most likely be only a status report on where the project currently stands......or sits.

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Pondering Where the 2010 Taste in San Pedro Might Be Held

They are fed up near the Point.

Many residents living in the Point Fermin area and in parts of the south side of The Palisades are fed up with the traffic and parking for Taste in San Pedro when it is held at Point Fermin Park.

Many Taste participants are fed up too. Some received parking tickets for parking illegally on Paseo del Mar. Some folks eager to taste great food later found out their cars were towed for being parked in a tow-away, no parking zone.

Still there are many others fed up with parking at the lot on 22Nd. and Miner and having to take the bus ride to and from the site at Point Fermin Park.

So it looks like next year's Taste in San Pedro will be held somewhere other than Point Fermin Park.

But where, oh where can San Pedro's Taste go.

Oh where oh where should it be?

First we can and should rule out the Middle Reservation of Fort MacArthur. That was the spot where it was held many years ago and years before 2001. Taste in San Pedro outgrew that spot some time ago and there simply is not enough space on the old parade grounds, whether security issues come into play or not.

There is a really big piece of asphalt that makes up the parking lot for Ports O Call, but a catch to that is offered by some.

Sure the Lobster Festival has been held there in past years. Sure, a re debut of the Fisherman's Fiesta made a try near the old Whaler's Wharf.

But there are rumblings around that the management and business owners at that historic, but now pathetic venue don't want thousands of folks there for something they may not profit from.

There is probably enough space at Eastview Park. There are two large parking lots for businesses near the park on Westmont. There is ample street parking in the area.

There is just one little problem having Taste in San Pedro at Eastview Park. Eastview Park is not in San Pedro.

So what about Peck Park. Nobody can say there isn't enough lawn space for Taste in San Pedro at that giant park.

There would be great objections to folks parking for Taste in the parking lot closest to the park. There is only some parking available at the park. Western Avenue is long and there is parking along quite a long stretch of that avenue.

But please take it from somebody who has about 54+ years dealing with the weather very, very close to that park. We would melt in early August is Taste were to be held at one of the hottest parks in San Pedro.

Ken Malloy Park is out. it is not in San Pedro.

Friendship Park. Not enough parking nearby.

There is a large area of parking at two spots that are somewhat close to each other. The parking area at Cabrillo is just a short walking distance from the parking area near the hotel down at the Cabrillo Marina.

There is enough asphalt at both sites for Taste, but then again, there are conflicts because boaters probably don't want their marina parking disturbed or boating fans having their trailer parking altered while they enjoy a day on the water.

Now down by Berth 93 there is a large area that saw the launches of the two Johnson sailing ships. A car show was recently held there and there is California's largest wading pool....sorry, fountain right there.

Unfortunately, there is probably not enough parking there. Traffic would be a nightmare and if a ship were calling on the hub, then that would only add to the problem.

What is needed is a large piece of land. The land needs to be in San Pedro if the event is still to be billed as Taste in San Pedro. Parking should be plentiful and nearby. Or parking could be dealt with, with a closer proximity to outlaying lots. Grass on the ground would be great. The site should be convenient for San Pedrans and folks coming to the event from out of town.

But wait folks! There is a brand new site coming along that just might fit the bill.

The good folks keeping our tideland from baseball diamonds and permanent structures and the great folks associated with the Port of Los Angeles and the L.A. Department of Recreation are building a large open space park along 22nd. Street, right close to the big parking lot at that street's intersection with Miner.

Sure it may not be the flattest park to have Taste in San Pedro, but there are advantages having it there that, I feel, should be pondered.

The new park is in San Pedro.

There is a parking lot nearby. There is parking available along Fisherman's Wharf and at Ports O Call.

Taste will offer a great event to highlight the new park and get more folks to learn about it and probably return to it.

Just like Point Fermin Park, a government agency owns the land. Taste in San Pedro would not be using private land.

So, what do you think? Are there sites I didn't ponder that I should?

What might your pondering be about a site I didn't think of?

We have some time, but not much, to ponder this as a community.

I hope this post is a start in finally finding a home for Taste in San Pedro that meets the needs and wants of the majority of OUR community and the participants of Taste in San Pedro.

Pondering Whether San Pedrans Will Speak Up About Marymount

The Rancho Palos Verdes City Council has begun its final push at the Marymount College Facilities Expansion Project.

There will be a meeting of the Council on the matter on Saturday Sept. 12 at the Council Chambers at Hesse Park, beginning at 9:00 AM.

San Pedrans have been very quiet with regards to the project that will impact folks dealing with Palos Verdes Drive North between Western and Five Points and around the area of 24th Street and Cabrillo Avenue, in San Pedro.

San Pedrans' time to speak up about the issues relating more to the college's Palos Verdes North and Pacific Heights off-campus housing sites is running out.

If San Pedrans have problems with the college's apartment building on 24th and Cabrillo or the larger housing along Palos Verdes Drive North, September 12 may be the final date to aire issues and concerns.

Posts on this and other blogs have mentioned the project and how it could impact San Pedrans and San Pedro with increased traffic and more students needing places to reside while attending classes.

I have heard and read comments about the Pacific Heights facility at 24th and Cabrillo and issues neighbors and others have.

The time to speak up is about to end and if folks choose not to speak up, then they will receive what they will receive.....and maybe it will then be too late to try to change things.

"The Wiz" and "The Last 5 Years" and "What the Butler Saw"

San Pedro has a big theatre week this week with three entertainment choices for you.

On Wednesday August 19, and for just two showings only, the late Michael Jackson stars in "The Wiz" at WOW-Warner's on Wednesdays.

Prior to the 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM showings there will be a short tribute presented.

Tickets for each show is a mere $3.00 per person to watch a great movie on the large screen.

Parking should be available free after 5:00 in most spaces and free in other spots after 6:00 PM.

If you want popcorn, sodas, and savings, consider the $10.00 'Date Night Special'. It's two movie admissions, two small popcorns, and two small sodas. The full price for the items would be $18.00 so you ca see the savings you would get.

"The Last 5 Years" ends its run at the historic Warner Grand Theatre this coming weekend.

With 8:00 PM performances on Friday and Saturday, with a closing show on Sunday at 2:30, this show received a good number of great reviews including one featured in The Daily Breeze.

There must be something magical about the thirteenth row of the Warner Grand Theatre because John recommended it as the best row to view the show from.

Don't worry about seating though, there are 1,492 seats in the theatre built in 1931.

Tickets for "The Last 5 Years" are reasonable at just $20.00 per person as a regular admission.

Tickets are just $15.00 each for Seniors and College Students. If you can pass for someone under 18-years of age, you would pay a mere $5.00 to see the show.

"The Last 5 Years" chronicles the 5-year relationship between Jamie and Kathy and viewed by each character either from beginning to end or from end to beginning.

Kathy looks back on her relationship with Jamie, a successful author.

Jamie looks forward to his relationship with Kathy, a successful actress.

The show is a musical with melodies and lyrics that are easy on the ear and easy to understand.

The show includes a slide show of the couple's relationship through the years and it was photographed by San Pedro's own John Mattera.

www.therelevantstage.com/ is your access to the theatre company's Web site.

"What the Butler Saw" is the newest production from the Little Fish Theatre Company in San Pedro.

The show which opened last weekend doesn't include a butler but it is a comedy from a theatre group that consistently offers first class entertainment to the entire community.

Information about "What the Butler Saw" and Little Fish's mid-week show can be found at:

http://www.littlefishtheatre.org/

Terri and I will be taking in the production just after "The Last 5 Years" closes and we hope you all can come to see "The Last 5 Years" and then "What the Butler Saw" which runs until September 19.

Pondering Taste In San Pedro

This weekend is Taste in San Pedro weekend.

It began with a first-ever Friday night concert.

Terri and I were first in line at the Saturday opening of Taste because we wanted to take in the boots and friendships and food before I taped the Youthorizons kids doing bits from High School Musical 2.

I liked the idea and took the opportunity to purchase our tickets online. The Convenience charge was $1.00 per ticket but we got a $1.00 discount on each ticket so it made it a wash and no additional fees were charged.

I was very impressed with the knowledge that the organization administering Taste in San Pedro met all of its volunteer needs days before the event. It shows that OUR community can come together with a great number of volunteers to help out.

Heck, there were volunteers serving who don't live in San Pedro and even some from the Eastview area of Rancho Palos Verdes. (Joshua and I are commenting to each other about my thoughts concerning Eastview and its residents.)

I don't know if my perception that there seemed to be fewer paying participants this year over the same hours as last year is correct. It seemed to me there were fewer folks enjoying the first hours on Saturday than I remember last year.

I hope I am wrong about that but I can understand If I am closer to being correct.

Perhaps more folks came after we left and there may be a big crowd for the music and fireworks later today.

Terri and I tried different food booths than we have enjoyed in the past and we were very pleased that we try new offering each year. We already know the quality of many of the food vendors at the event is wonderful.

It was tough to avoid a slice of Buono's Pizza or the Thai food we feasted on before.

Taste in San Pedro also allows folks to catch up with friends they have been meaning to get in touch with, but haven't.

The idea of even the normal 2-3 degrees of separation San Pedrans normally have gets shot out the window at Taste. It is more common to see people you know from around town. than just about any other place or event in San Pedro, moseying around Taste.

Great food. Great entertainment. Unusual shopping. OUR community uniting to do good works for OUR community.

For Real San Pedrans, folks who want to be thought of as Real San Pedrans, or great friends and residents just wanting to gather and participate in OUR community, Taste in San Pedro is not something to be pondered, really.

This is one of the events that we all just do.

It Flies AND It Travels!

On Tuesday, the Warner Grand Theatre's main curtain was replaced!

The aging red curtain was replaced with one looking golden to most of us.

The new curtain flies in and out, just like the old one did.

"Flying in and out" means something on a stage can be raised out of view or brought down from an overstage storage area known as a fly gallery and be viewed by an audience.

Things that are lowered to be viewed by an audience are "flown in" and when things are removed from the viewable portion of a stage by raising it out of sight, they are "flown out"

The new curtain can fly in and fly out, but it also is able to 'travel'

When something relating to stages or performances on a stage area move from out of sight and move from the sides and into a viewable area, it is said that those items 'travel'

The new curtain, when closed and viewed by the audience, can be made to open from the center to the sides.

The new curtain can either fly or travel, but it cannot do both at the same time.

Some of the more expensive ways for curtains to open and close allow for them to go up and down and from center to side at the same time.

The new one can't do that and that is probably a good thing because it was less expensive to purchase and will cost less to maintain over the coming decades.

One of the best things the new curtain will allow for is the ability to have only a portion of the stage viewable to the audience. It can be completely closed and then completely opened AND it can be completely closed and then only opened a small distance.

More options are now available at the Warner Grand and I hope everyone takes the opportunity to be entertained and informed by visiting this historic theatre, right in downtown San Pedro.

Pondering the Reemergence of Ponte Vista and Some Other Ponderings

They are baaaaaaaaaaaaaack. Actually they never left but it seems they went into hiding for a spell.

The Ponte Vista project comes back into focus with a new post at www.yourpontevista.com and some other revelations that can be read about at: www.pontevista.blogspot.com.

Now please ponder the concept of seeing The Dark Knight while the Sun still shines over the Warner Grand Theatre.

Two showings of the latest in the series related to Batman occur at 6 PM and 9PM on Wednesday July 22 at the historic Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro.

Please ponder: http://www.cspnc.com/index.php where you can find a printable pass for two free entries to "Warner On Wednesdays" or WOW for short.

While pondering free tickets you may want to ponder the concept that free can cost more than $10.00 at WOW.

Let's say you want two movie admissions, two small sodas, and two small bags of popcorn.

If you use the free printable pass and still want the popcorn and sodas, the charge would add up to $12.00 at the concession stand, based on their regular prices.

Now please ponder the $10.00 Special. You would receive the two admissions, two small bags of popcorn, and two small sodas for less than using the free pass.

I don't care which option you choose, but I want you to know about pricing.

Regular admission tickets for each showing is $3.00 per person.

I am the fellow in the ticket booth you will see receiving either money or printed passes and I want you to have the best time possible.

If you are in a party of four persons, you may want to use the pass for two admissions and pay $10.00 for two other admissions and two sets of small popcorn and small sodas.

You are most welcome to print passes and come to different movies showing twice a Wednesday through the first half of September.

The Board of Governors of the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council just voted to oppose the construction of San Pedro's fifth 7-11 which might be built on the corner of Pacific Avenue and 19th Street.

There was much to ponder during the lively discussions and comments from all over the room.

7-11 representatives stated they needed to have the convenience store open 24 hours per day, just like the other four are in San Pedro.

Since there are not other convenience stores in San Pedro other than 7-11, essentially they would be competing with themselves.

Noise, traffic, and possible unlawful acts around the proposed store provided interesting debate by almost everyone in attendance.

Have you pondered or wondered about what type of water is being used at the largest wading pool in the State of California? Strike that! I meant to write the largest fountain in the State of California. Does any of your pondering or wondering include what type of water is used to irrigate the new grass and trees in north San Pedro along Gaffey and THAT Welcome Park at the end of the Harbor Freeway?

The answers to those questions currently is potable water or the same type of water coming out of taps in homes and businesses in San Pedro.

There are plans to use reclaimed water at the three sites and other sites, and the pool/fountain did have reclaimed or gray water in it. But that is not the case at this time.

Now ponder on the fact that the city of Los Angeles has mandated a water conservation plan on everyone living in San Pedro. I think we can all agree we are in a long draught cycle.

Did it really make good sense to build a long park-like area along north Gaffey using the grass and other foliage used over more draught tolerant vegetation? How many of us use the north Gaffey parkland or the Welcome Park?

Perhaps the decision makers should have thought more about creating greater need for tap water on sites that have few visitors or could have been postponed until reclaimed water was available.

I use red apple in our parking area. It is really draught tolerant, but then again, I don't live within the limits of the city of Los Angeles.

Do you ever ponder about a land swap between the Port of Los Angeles and another entity to secure Knoll Hill for permanent ball fields for Eastview Little League?

Have you pondered on whether that private organization should have government agencies working on its behalf to provide the solutions it did not adequately plan for?

If a land swap does occur, I hope that OUR community get more benefit from the Port of Los Angeles than what the other entity gives up.

Music By The Sea has one last Sunday at Point Fermin Park this year.

For those of you who have pondered about parking in the area and feel you don't need to follow parking guidelines.....BE WARNED!

This coming Sunday and for Taste in San Pedro the following weekend, L.A. Parking Control Officers and tow trucks will be in the area.

I know there is not enough parking in the area for everyone who wants to come to the park. Please consider walking if you can or taking the bus, or arriving early enough to secure a reasonable and LEGAL parking spot.

This is my mid-summer pondering and  I will write more in the near future.