Banning's Landing Community Center Brings Enriched Learning Opportunities; July Classes Will Offer Dancing, Water Colors, Martial Arts and More.

SAN PEDRO, Calif. -- Four years ago, the Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, General Services Department and the Friends of Banning's Landing opened the Banning's Landing Community Center, a 10,000-square-foot facility in Wilmington, Calif. The development of the center, which was financed by the Port of Los Angeles, has brought cultural understanding to hundreds of adults and children through art, folklore dancing, martial arts and other classes.

One of these classes -- Soo Bahk Do, a classical Korean martial art -- gives a unique opportunity for siblings and even parent and child to spar with each other. Sisters Erica, 9, and Daniela Barrantes, 11, spend two hours each week punching and kicking as they learn to master the discipline of Soo Bahk Do, which was the first class offered by the Friends of Banning's Landing at the community center.

"This training has taught me to be confident. I'm not nervous anymore to speak in front of class," said Daniela. "I have learned how to have good eye contact and to be focused."

Erica's schedule is full with homework and soccer, but she makes sure that she practices Soo Bahk Doo at home two to three times a week. Her practice has paid off, earning her first place last year in a regional competition in sparring.

"I'm proud of myself," said Erica. "I like the class. I've learned a lot about self-defense."

Patricia Barrantes said that her daughters have been studying for the past four years with Josh Duncan, a national certified Master Instructor of Soo Bahk Do, and is pleased that they have been able to incorporate its key principles such as courage, honesty, and humility to their way of life at school and at home.

Duncan, a 31-year-old Harbor City resident, has been teaching Soo Bahk Do for 12 years. Though Soo Bahk Do classes are often offered at higher prices elsewhere, he has strived to keep the classes affordable so that everyone can participate and is glad to have a chance to give back to the community he grew up in.

Those interested can sign up next month for Soo Bahk Do at 310-519-3245 or for information on other classes such as folklorico dance, watercolors, and making comic books, contact Banning's Landing Community Center at 310-522-2015. The center is located at 100 East Water Street (at the foot of Avalon Boulevard).

The center, a unique building shaped like a ship, serves as a resource to the community through its arts and educational classes and providing a meeting place for events and functions.

Nearby, is the site of the Avalon Triangle Park project, a forerunner of the larger Wilmington Waterfront Development project. This $2 million park will create an inviting corner plaza and give residents a central lawn area, jogging pathway and picnic benches. The park is expected to be complete in the summer of 2006.

Later in 2006, the Port will move the parking lot at Banning's Landing Community Center across the street, which will allow the current parking area to be redeveloped into a plaza. Future plans also include adding restaurants and shopping along Avalon Boulevard and more park areas between Harry Bridges and C Street.

"The future projects in Wilmington demonstrate our commitment to giving the community access to the water," said Chris Brown, Port Project Manager for the Wilmington Waterfront Redevelopment Project.

The Port of Los Angeles is America's premier port. As the leading container port in the nation and a critical hub in the international supply chain, the Port generates thousands of stable jobs and billions of dollars in annual wages and tax revenues. The Port of Los Angeles also places a high priority on responsible growth initiatives combined with high security, environmental stewardship and outreach. The Port of Los Angeles is a proprietary, self-supported department of the City of Los Angeles. The Port of Los Angeles ... Anchoring a bright future.