The Queen Mary received a special honor during last week’s Anastasia K. Mann Awards Luncheon, which the Travel and Tourism Marketing Association hosted aboard Long Beach’s iconic ship.
The Queen Mary received the Landmark Award, while Gary C. Sherwin of Visit Newport Beach was presented with the Leadership Award. Sherwin’s career has included management roles at Visit Long Beach and working with the Queen Mary.
Previous winners in the Landmark category include the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Original Farmers Market and Dodger Stadium.
The Queen Mary’s award was accepted by Steve Caloco, the ship’s managing director, and Eric Romero, Long Beach’s bureau manager for waterfront development. The ship was nominated by Alamitos Beach resident Tere Stamoulis.
“I nominated the Queen Mary for the Landmark Award because she is more than a ship,” Stamoulis said. “Just as she bonded with the passengers, her crew or the soldiers who sailed her, she formed a lasting bond with Long Beach from the day she arrived, one built on loyalty, commitment, history and joy.
“Generations of residents built careers aboard her,” Stamoulis added, “and she has supported the local economy for decades, bringing visitors to Long Beach.”
Stamoulis worked on the Queen Mary as a tour guide shortly after the ship opened to the public. The experience launched her career in tourism and gave her friendships that have lasted more than 50 years, she said.
Stamoulis also acknowledged Long Beach for its dedication to keeping this icon accessible for generations of residents and visitors to come.
Kelly’s Steakhouse
Kellys Steakhouse had been Naples go-to restaurant for decades, ever since it opened 1958. But then it closed in 2013 and the once beloved restaurant’s location, 5716 Second St., spent the next decade going through multiple iterations.
But now, Kellys Steakhouse is primed for a comeback thanks to veteran restaurateur George Miouk, who also owns Nico’s Restaurant, 5760 E Second St.
Details about what’s to come, however, are few, with Miouk saying in a text message that there’s no new information to share.
The steakhouse’s Naples location has gone through several iterations over the past decade — and Miouk has had a front-row seat from his eatery just a few steps away. Miouck is a hands-on owner and is at Nico’s often.
Miouk’s business philosophy was documented when he described Nico’s in the Grunion Gazette in 2013 as “a classic theme done right, the way it used to be done.”
“Others have to get corporate approval,” Miouk said. “When we find a good product, we can add it to the menu the next day. That’s what makes us different from the others.
“Our filet mignon is to die for,” Miouk added. “The halibut is great and we make everything here, pastas, ice creams and pastries.”
Miouk might be quiet about the details — but fine dining fans know we are in for a treat. No opening date has been announced.
Black Dahlia
Every October, I revisit the 1947 murder of Elizabeth Short, one of Los Angeles County’s oldest unsolved cases. A 1947 Press-Telegram article identified her nickname as “Black Dahlia” and reported that she frequented a downtown drugstore at Linden Avenue and First Street.
Short arrived in the Long Beach area by bus in late July 1946 and stayed until December that year. She lived first at the Atwater Apartments, 65 Linden Ave., now Holly House, and later at The Washington Hotel, 53 Linden Ave., according to various source.
Filmmakers Kimberly Lupini and Jeff Thomas have been investigating the case and claim to have uncovered new evidence. Most recently, their team identified what they believe to be the crime scene and recovered blood evidence that is now undergoing ancient DNA testing.
They’re behind a petition that has more than 10,000 signatures calling on the Los Angeles Police Department to release Short’s withheld case file and autopsy report — records the filmmakers say could be critical to finally resolving unanswered questions.
And in a recent phone call with the filmmakers, they said there are some Long Beach connections with the new evidence.
Pirates and beer
Ballast Point’s annual Victory at Sea pirate celebration will return to Long Beach next month. (Courtesy of Ballast Point)
Ballast Point’s annual Victory at Sea pirate celebration will return to Long Beach next month. (Courtesy of Ballast Point)
Show Caption
1 of 2
Ballast Point’s annual Victory at Sea pirate celebration will return to Long Beach next month. (Courtesy of Ballast Point)
Ballast Point’s annual Victory at Sea celebration will return to the brewery’s Long Beach location, 110 N. Marina Drive, overlooking Alamitos Bay. In addition to beer, there will be buried treasure, pirate crews and duels, two cannon shows, a live band, two DJs, and a costume contest with prizes on Nov. 14 and 15.
General admission is free, but upgraded tickets are available via Eventbrite.
Halloween cocktail
Teleféric Barcelona, in the 2nd & PCH shopping center, has created “The Joker” cocktail, inspired by one of cinema’s most captivating villains, available through Oct. 31. Crafted with wasabi-infused gin, Sherry and parsley syrup — and it has a special Halloween glow to it. The secret behind its glow is riboflavin, a naturally fluorescent ingredient that comes to life under UV light.