The best way to find Bill Maniscalco these days is to visit the Palisades Recreation Center and look for a man with a wide grin on his face carrying a bag of basketballs over his shoulder and a bag of footballs under his arm.
Three weeks into his new position as the Recreation Coordinator for the public facility off Alma Real, Maniscalco loves the quiet, the weather and people at the park.
“[Director] Erich Haas and his staff have established a strong foundation for the leagues so I’m just trying to get as many kids as I can to sign up,” Maniscalco said. “We’re in full prep mode for flag football and basektball and I’m looking forward to our special events like Spooktacular on Oct. 29 and the Egg Hunt in April.”
Born in Boston, Maniscalco naturally became a diehard Red Sox fan and his favorite player as a child was Carl Yastrzemski. He also roots for the New England Patriots and is a fan of quarterback Tom Brady. His two favorite sporting events he’s attended were his first game at Fenway Park as a 10-year-old and the Indy 500 in 2005 when Danny Wheldon won.
After earning his communications degree from Framingham State College in Massachusetts, Maniscalco moved to Venice Beach at the age of 25, working in automotive and still advertising production. He became filming coordinator at Venice Beach Recreation Center in 2008.
“Venice was totally different. That was an all-exterior facility and featured more adult-oriented programs. It didn’t have a gymnasium, but it was in a much busier area. It’s much more peaceful here and I have longtime friends in the Alphabet Streets so I can go visit them from time to time.”
Maniscalco replaced Juchell Wardlow, who relocated to the San Fernando Valley. She had taken over in February for Keith Rice, who was promoted to Director of Oakwood Recreation Center in Venice.
Maniscalco lives in Mar Vista with his wife Carie and their dog Zoey, a Ridgeback Labrador mix.
Signups for co-ed basketball, girls basketball and co-ed flag football are underway, but close Aug. 19. Flag football games start Sept. 13 and basketball starts Sept. 17.
— Steve Galluzzo
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