Paloma Mohn

The SBM 2026 conference in Chicago is all wrapped up, leaving behind a whirlwind of fresh inspiration and purpose. Presenting a poster went smoothly, even had a few persons seeking it out based on the content, The sessions were mostly packed with the kind of content that makes the trip from San Diego feel entirely worth it. Chicago really made for a memorable this week. Staying at Sentral on Michigan Ave provided a front-row seat to the city: the lake, the park, and the towering Sears Tower were right outside the window (I think it's not called Sears Tower anymore). Staying right next to the Hilton made the daily trek to the conference a breeze, allowing for more time to wander after hours. The best moment happened while walking to a talk, there was Laramie, a fellow San Diegan was also attending the conference. What started as a chance encounter turned into a fantastic night of hanging out and catching up. It’s funny how a familiar face can make a massive city feel a little more l...

 

Renee Laura Sluman The Stairs San Pedro High School circa1987 RNA & RNE Birth: 22 May 1970 Death: 6 May 1990 (aged 19) Orange County, California, USA Burial: Green Hills Memorial Park Rancho Palos Verdes, Los Angeles County, California, USA Plot: Vista Verde, 107, B Memorial ID 72145666

At 20 years old in 1989, I walked away from The Grand House and into the role of sous chef at the Savage Court . It felt like stepping into a new chapter, trading the familiar for a gleaming new kitchen and joining a team that would help shape one of San Pedro’s most beloved spots along its growing restaurant row. I can still feel the spark of those early mornings, the sense that we were part of something being built with heart. The soul of the place was its owner, Rick Hankus. Rick had this fun and bouncy presence, and he was the cheesecake‑and‑tart master, his desserts were the kind people talked about long after they left the restaurant. Rick could be a stress ball, and who could blame him? Running two restaurants, one in Hermosa Beach and one in San Pedro, meant long, grinding days and endless driving back and forth; t his was before cell phones were a thing, before the convenience of constant communication, so he carried the weight of both places on his shoulders every single day....