South Shores RV Parking: A pilot program is underway in South Shores to enforce limits on RV parking. Under a 30-day experiment announced Thursday by Councilwoman Janice Hahn, oversized vehicles are not allowed to park from 2 to 6 a.m. between Western Avenue and the Palos Verdes border.

Oversized is defined as longer than 22 feet or higher than seven feet, according to Friday’s Daily Breeze story. Violators will be ticketed beginning today. RVs may still park in the area if owners have purchased a three-day permit from the city Department of Transportation.

Downtown Redevelopment: The Los Angeles City Council voted to expand the pool of those paying a special tax to revitalize downtown San Pedro. The measure, authored by Councilwoman Hahn, widens the existing business improvement district (BID) to include all property owners.

Currently, only businesses are part of the BID. Now, it’s up to all property owners to vote on whether to implement the P-BID, writes Donna Littlejohn in Friday’s Daily Breeze.

At Monday’s Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council meeting, prospective candidates can learn more about running for the council’s governing board. Eight seats are open for the June 12 election. Candidates must file by Tuesday. The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. in the Peck Park auditorium, 560 N. Western Ave.

At Tuesday’s Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council meeting, board members will report on a new committee that’s being formed regarding future uses for Knoll Hill. Representatives from each of San Pedro’s three neighborhood councils will serve on the committee, which will propose uses for the hilltop land after Eastview Little League’s temporary permit expires in 2010. Those interesting in serving are encouraged to attend the meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Port of Los Angeles High School, 250 W Fifth St.

The Palisades Residents Association will discuss controversial local issues, hear reports from government leaders and elect board members at its annual meeting Tuesday.

High-ranking officials from the Los Angeles Unified School District will attend and undoubtedly face questions about the proposed high school at Angels Gate Cultural Center, which has drawn vocal neighborhood opposition.

Councilwoman Hahn will also speak at the meeting, taking place at White Point Elementary School, 1410 Silvius Ave. Refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the business meeting will begin at 7 p.m.

The San Pedro School Safety Collaborative is holding a peace vigil Thursday to honor San Pedro homicide victims and push for ways to reduce violent crime in the harbor community.

The event will pay tribute to each of the 181 people killed in San Pedro over the past 20 years. It will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the San Pedro High School stadium, 1001 W. 15th St.

As previously reported, the project is spearheaded by community activist and blogger Diana Chapman and LAPD senior lead officer Joe Buscaino, a lifelong San Pedro resident.

A longtime coastal family is organizing a series of special events to mark the 100th birthday of Royal Palms and White Point beaches this year.

The Hedley family, which established roots in the area in 1937, is presenting historic tours of the two beaches on May 17. The 30-minute tours will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visitors will learn the history of the area by walking through the beaches and the grounds where a Japanese hotel and spa operated in the 1920s and ’30s, said Bungy Hedley.

Descendants of the founding Sepulveda family will also attend to talk about their ancestors’ leadership in early Harbor Area development.

For more information, call Bungy Hedley at (310) 831-6397.

San Pedro News will publish a more complete report of the centennial events in next week’s issue.

Just six months old, a downtown wine shop is providing a new outlet for learning, tasting and socializing.

Owners Michael Koth and Alison Shaw are eager to share their self-taught love of fine wine with San Pedro.

Their growing customer base – from novices to experts – is equally eager to enjoy Off the Vine’s personal service and warm, inviting atmosphere.

The result is a thriving Sixth Street shop premised on “unique wines for everyday life,” said Koth.

Michael Koth and ...

Alison Shaw are shameless grape worshippers.

The majority of wines are from California’s central coast and valley, with a number of European and Australian selections. More than three-fourths of the wines cost less than $25 a bottle.

Koth and Shaw go to great lengths to put wine newbies at ease. Customers are encouraged to describe what they like and let the staff make recommendations.

The couple is passionate about educating customers and helping them enjoy the taste and sociability of wine combined with food and friends.

Annotated shelf tags offer insights into each wine. Frequent email bulletins cheerfully announce the couple’s latest acquisitions, with liberal use of exclamation points for emphasis.

“We’ve created an environment to make everyone feel comfortable,” said Koth.

The movie “Sideways” may have popularized Central California wineries, but Koth and Shaw tend to shun the big labels in favor of smaller, independent wineries they find off the beaten path.

They share their discoveries in their tasting room on Fridays (4 to 9 p.m.) and Saturdays (2 to 9 p.m.). Tastings are usually $15.

Downtowners Eugene and Kathy Kovshilovsky are regular customers. “It has a great, eclectic selection and it adds a lot of class to our downtown neighborhood,” said Eugene Kovshilovsky.

The Kovshilovskys are first-time homeowners who bought in the Centre Street Lofts last spring, moving from Torrance to be part of San Pedro’s downtown renaissance.



Off the Vine has a wine of the month club, in which members receive a monthly shipment of three hand-picked bottles of wine, plus discounts on single bottles, tastings and other special events.

The shop also carries special-occasion wines, artisan beers, coffee, chocolate, wine accessories and giftware.

This month, the deli case is on sale. Domestic and imported cheese, pâté and other items are 10% off.

Off the Vine will stage wine dinners beginning next month and is developing plans for day trips to central coast wineries.

Off the Vine Wines, 600 S. Pacific Ave., Suite 103 (entrance on Sixth Street, just below Pacific Avenue), (310) 831-1551.