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‘We Do Language’

By
the Palisadian-Post
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Author P.C. Verrone Reflects on the Pacific Palisades Library Association Summer Creative Writing Contest, Which is Now Underway for 2024

By P.C. VERRONE | Contributing Writer

P.C. Verrone
Photo courtesy of P.C. Verrone

When I sold my first short story last year, I thought back to the stories that I wrote for the Friends of the Palisades Library Summer Creative Writing Contest.

I remembered the award ceremony, which, of course, looked so much grander in my memory: the warm wood and tall windows of that side room, those rows of chairs leading up to a table of certificates for winners.

Though it has been almost 20 years, I can easily recall my hands gripping my seat as the host read off the names of the prize-winning entries, praying that mine might come next. On that October afternoon, I couldn’t help but think that this must be exactly like being nominated for an Oscar.

I’d always felt like a misfit growing up. I think, to some extent, everyone does. That was why I made up new characters to go on fantastical adventures in distant locales.

Coming of age at the height of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, I felt at home in realms of myth and magic, though I also held a deep love for classics like “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “The Phantom Tollbooth.” I wrote down daring escapades like a scribe recording some magnificent history. A wonderful feedback loop emerged: Writing made me want to read more, which inspired me to write more.

Christine Kludjian read winning contest stories each year.
Photo by Steve Galluzzo

When the Summer Writing Contest came around, I saw it as an opportunity to take these worlds to a wider audience. It was motivation to write something really stellar: something somebody might actually pluck off a bookshelf to discover this new realm I had chronicled.

I recall sitting in the family van on a road trip to Sequoia National Park, knowing that the contest was coming up and furiously scribbling into a composition notebook a tale of getting lost in the woods, climbing waterfalls and fighting (then befriending) bears. It was my riff on Jean George’s “My Side of the Mountain,” which had made me dream of earning my own falcon familiar in the wilderness.

Nothing ever came of that story, I think, but memory of it remains. I can visit those woods and that boy and his bear and falcon now, if I please.

Year after year, I submitted new stories to the Summer Writing Contest, hoping for that elusive first prize. I learned that you can work very, very hard, pour all your time and effort into something, and still only get runner-up or a participation ribbon. I also learned to keep writing after that.

These are two invaluable lessons, not just for making a career as a writer, but for life. I have received countless rejections since I was that kid on the edge of his seat in Palisades Branch Library. But weathering those storms has made the international prizes and recognition of my work even more meaningful.

Bill Jones read winning contest stories each year.
Photo by Steve Galluzzo

In the words of Toni Morrison: “We do language.” No matter how we prefer to engage with storytelling—whether through books or television or video games—we have a spark within us to tell our own tales.

When I teach creative writing to young adults, it excites me to see the light enter their eyes when they realize what “doing language” truly means. Creating entire worlds and scenarios just from our own minds is one of the most empowering experiences we can have. There is an extra special shift that happens when we write it down and pull our creations just a bit more into reality.

These days, as we are inundated with ceaseless flows of information from across the globe, doing something meaningful can seem futile or overwhelming, especially for young folks. But by doing language, by actively crafting a story, we can workshop the worlds we want to live in and the people we want to be.

I often say that my writing career began submitting stories to Palisades Branch Library. It was through these opportunities to showcase and celebrate my writing as a young person that I built my voice and my confidence in it. Those stories made me the writer I am today.

P.C. Verrone is an awarded author and playwright. His short stories have appeared in FIYAH Magazine, “Bridport Prize Anthology” and the forthcoming “Elemental Forces Anthology” (Flame Tree Press). His novel, “The Nightlife,” won the inaugural Black Creatives Revisions Workshop (We Need Diverse Books/Penguin Random House). His theatrical work has been featured Off-Broadway and across California. His play, “Crocodile Day,” was published by Playscripts, Inc. He holds a B.A. from Harvard University and an M.F.A. in creative writing from Rutgers University-Newark. He will be a resident at Tin House this fall. For information about the Friends of the Palisades Library and this year’s contest, visit friendsofpalilibrary.org.

Equestrian Compound Formerly Owned by Michelle Pfeiffer, Will Rogers Sells

By
Sarah Shmerling
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Photo courtesy of Anthony Barcelo

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

A 3.3-acre equestrian compound in Rivas Canyon that was previously owned at times by Will Rogers and Michelle Pfeiffer sold in July for $14,044,000.

“Built as the personal residence of Will Rogers in the 1930s, this ultra-private equestrian estate set on 3.3 acres of luxuriant grounds is hidden in the heart of Pacific Palisades where neighbors ride their horses down the street,” the property description read. “This historic compound boasts five distinct structures: an expansive single-story main house, a staff house, a pool house, stables converted into a state-of-the-art home gym and a newly constructed two-story guest house.”

Since its construction, the home has been “restored and expanded” by former owners, including Pfeiffer. It was “reimagined” by “renowned interior designer” Michael S. Smith.

“This property exudes understated refinement, complementing the rustic setting with its luxuriant park-like grounds, magical gardens and meandering pathways,” the description continued.

The 6,250-square-foot main residence—with four bedrooms and five bathrooms—includes high ceilings and rustic wood beams throughout the living spaces, including a “country-style kitchen” which opens to a “romantic” dining room and “enchanting” two-level library.

“The tranquil primary retreat has direct access to the garden and a spa-like en suite bath,” read the description.

The living spaces “flow out” to covered patios, which feature “stately columns.” The outdoor amenities include a pool and spa, as well as a “fully equipped,” 1,031-square-foot pool house, offering “the ideal summer sanctuary.”

At 446 square feet, the staff house has one bedroom and one bathroom, while the guest house has two stories, each with a bedroom and bathroom, at 1,244 square feet. The gym is approximately 800 square feet.

“This estate is also uniquely suited for equestrian lovers wishing to keep their beloved horses close to home,” the property description concluded. “A rare opportunity for only the most discerning buyers, this unparalleled estate is an enduring piece of Palisades’ history.”

R. Ron Smith and David Berg of Smith & Berg Partners at Compass represented the buyer, while the seller was represented by Cindy Ambuehl, Elizabeth Gottainer and Jeeb O’Reilly of AKG | CHRISTIE’S International Real Estate.

Pfeiffer is an Academy- and Emmy-Award-nominated actress whose career began in the late 1970s, with starring roles in films like “The Russia House” and “What Lies Beneath.”

Vaudeville performer, actor and social commentator Rogers was in 70-plus films throughout his career. He also wrote over 4,000 nationally syndicated newspaper columns. He ran a production company while living in the Palisades—where several areas are now named for him, including Will Rogers State Beach and Will Rogers State Historic Park.

The Market in a Nutshell: Fewer Sales, at Lower Prices; More Leases, at Higher Prices

By
the Palisadian-Post
-

By MICHAEL EDLEN | Special to the Palisadian-Post

As of July 31, there were 72 single-family Palisades residences listed in the Multiple Listing Service, which is 14% lower than this time last year. So far this year 127 Palisades homes have sold, which is 5% fewer sales than last year’s first seven months. There are currently 22 Palisades homes in escrow.

The median sale price per square foot has fallen by 5% as compared with the same period in 2023 and is now at $1,492 per square foot. The median sales price has decreased by 16% and is currently $3.75 million, as compared to $4.45 million a year ago.

Sales in the beginning of 2023 were unusually strong due to the interest rates being at near-historic low levels at that time. As a result, homes were selling for far more than was feasible during the same period this year, with interest rates about doubled.

The lowest-priced available home is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom on Sunset Boulevard asking $1,895,000. The highest-priced property is a seven-bedroom, 11-bath on Casale Road, asking $49.95 million. The median list price for Pacific Palisades is now $5.89 million.

The lowest sale price so far this year was a three-bedroom, three-bathroom on Chalet Terrace, which sold for $1,395,000. The highest sale so far this year was a six-bedroom, 12-bathroom on Chautauqua, which sold for just over $32 million.

There are 17 Palisades condominiums/townhouses on the market now, which is a 15% decrease in the level of inventory from this time last year. They range from a two-bedroom, two-bathroom on Sunset Boulevard offered at $1,349,000 to a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo on Haverford offered at $1,949,000.

Five condos are currently in escrow. There have been 39 condo sales so far this year, ranging from a one-bedroom, one-bathroom on Sunset Boulevard, which sold for $500,000, to a two-bedroom, three-bathroom unit on Sunset, which sold for $2.5 million. The current median sale price is $1,355,000, which is an 11% drop from last year.

There are currently eight pieces of raw land available, ranging from a 3,703-square-foot lot on Castellammare being offered at $699,000 to $14,995,000 for approximately six acres off Casale Road in the Riviera. So far this year, one lot sold—nearly two acres off Via Santa Ynez, which sold at a 40% discount for $550,000.

There are currently 73 available leases in the Palisades, which is a 29% decrease from this time last year. They range from a one-bedroom, one-bathroom on Sunset asking $2,650 per month to an eight-bedroom, 11-bathroom home on DePauw asking $98,000 per month.

There have been 179 units or homes leased so far this year—11% higher as this period last year. The highest lease so far this year was a four-bedroom, seven-bathroom on Toulon, which leased for $65,000 per month. The lowest was $2,700 per month for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit on Sunset Boulevard, and the median leased price was $11,600 per month, up 16% from this time last year.

Michael Edlen, an agent with Coldwell Banker, has been keeping statistics on Pacific Palisades housing prices for the last 38 years.

How Spending $1,000 Could Have Saved $50,000

By
the Palisadian-Post
-
Michael Edlen

By MICHAEL EDLEN | Special to the Palisadian-Post

Sometimes, the smallest of details results in significant costs in home maintenance and repairs. This is especially true regarding the constant battle with water-related issues in or around a house. Vigilance can save huge expenses.

Scenario One

A home we sold had a refrigerator with a built-in ice maker. Water entered the fridge from a line connected to it from the rear.

Several years after it was installed, that line began to leak, and a small amount of water came out on the floor underneath the unit. The owner’s housekeeper thought nothing of a tiny bit of water on the floor and wiped it up.

After several months, the owner also noticed the small amount of water. She, too, assumed it was nothing of consequence.

After a year or so, the flooring showed signs of slight warping in front of the refrigerator, and the owner mentioned it to a friend. Although urged to have a refrigerator repairman come out to investigate and repair whatever was causing the leak, the owner turned off the icemaker and assumed that would take care of the problem, at least for the time being.

Although periodically some moisture was noticed again on the floor, no further action was taken for another year when a relative noticed an odd odor in that area of the house. It did not take long to realize that the source of the smell was immediately around the refrigerator, and no spoiled food was found to be the cause. Subsequently, it was discovered that there was some mold on the back of the cabinet adjacent to the refrigerator.

Remediation of the problem became a complicated process because by then, the mold had spread several feet in the wall in each direction behind the refrigerator and under the wood flooring for more than 10 feet, fed by the continuous flow of moisture from the small leak in the line.

Eventually, when the owner hired a remediator to clean all the mold and replace the damaged materials, new cabinetry and countertops were also required. The new flooring alone was costly, as the entire kitchen and breakfast area had to be replaced.

Scenario Two

We recently sold a home that had been well maintained by a meticulous owner for many years. During the inspection process, someone discovered that water had often entered the crawl space, creating several problems.

The water source was a mystery at first since it was not low on a hill where water would logically come downhill and either into or under the foundation, and it looked like far more water had gotten in there than would be probable from a leak in the plumbing system.

The problems included surface mold from apparent continuous moisture, uneven settlement of the foundation because the soil was much softer where the water tended to flow, some cracking in the foundation due to the soil movement and several supports that had become dislocated by the other issues.

The solutions proposed by a drainage expert included repairing all of the under-house issues, installing an entirely new property drainage system, regrading all the soil around the perimeter and increasing the number and size of the ventilation holes on all sides.

A structural engineer was called out for a second opinion, as the drainage expert’s proposal was quite costly. It took about 20 minutes of general exterior assessment for the structural man to identify the causes of the problem—and without even having been under the house yet.

A simple attention to landscape changes years before could have prevented the entire scenario. It would have required two actions: change the sprinkler heads so they only sprayed away from the structure, rather than in a full circle toward the foundation, and slope the ground away from two ventilation openings rather than toward them.

Conclusion

In many instances, costly problems stemming from water issues could be avoided entirely by simple and inexpensive actions if taken as soon as an issue is noticed. Many other signs of apparent water-related problems might cost a fraction of the later repairs and remediation expenses required if dealt with promptly upon discovery.

Have you ever noticed paint bubbling on a wall below a window sill? It could be a sign that water from rain or sprinklers is getting through the frame or that a tiny hole in caulking needs attention.

Do you have a shower with some deterioration of the plaster at the bottom outside corner near its door? It could indicate a leak from the fixture inside the wall or that the door seal requires caulking.

Is there a slight staining visible on the ceiling below a bathroom? Possibly there is a small pipe leak under a sink or the toilet seal has begun to fail.

Are there darkish spots in the back wall of a closet? Maybe your clothes or shoes have been a source of moisture that has resulted in surface mold. Improving the air circulation in any way and watching not to put damp things in the closet until they are dry could eliminate the situation before it becomes a possibly serious mold issue.

There are many more such examples of how to win the battles with moisture around your home. The key lies in being proactively aware of potential problems and regularly assessing at least a few times yearly to check all possibly affected areas.

Michael Edlen has counseled thousands of homeowners on various home maintenance and safety issues. Please contact him for a confidential, complimentary conversation about any questions about such issues or any other real estate matter. He can be reached at 310-600-7422 or michael@edlenteam.com.

Affleck Purchases Brentwood Home for $20.5 Million

By
Lily Tinoco
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Photo courtesy of Redfin

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Ben Affleck has closed escrow on a five-bedroom, six-bathroom home in Brentwood for $20.5 million, according to Architectural Digest.

Enveloped in nature, the 6,247-square-foot home is set on two-thirds of an acre in an “ultra-exclusive enclave” of Sullivan Canyon, according to the listing.

“Through the walled and gated entrance, you’re met with lush, landscaped gardens and grounds that whisk you away to the pages of a storybook,” the listing read.

The home, built in 1941, was renovated in 2010. The original home was designed by architect Cliff May, and later reimagined by architect Steve Giannetti with interior design by Kelly Harmon.

The main house boasts an open floor plan with “soaring” wood-beamed ceilings and garden views all throughout. As guests ascend the stairs, they are met with an office with a fireplace.

The “serene” primary suite features a fireplace, steel windows and doors that allow access to the gardens.

As an equestrian estate, the grounds are complete with stables, a walking ring and tack room. Additional amenities include a pool, spa and two-story guest house.

The home is “conveniently close” to Brentwood Country Mart, both Riviera and Brentwood Country Clubs, and Sunset Boulevard. The listing described the home as “the epitome of a garden retreat in an ultimate private and luxurious setting.”

Affleck is an Academy Award-winning actor and filmmaker who has appeared in more than 50 films, including “Good Will Hunting,” “Armageddon” and “Pearl Harbor.” He has also taken on the role of Batman in the DC Extended Universe.

The actor has previously called Pacific Palisades home—which is a stone’s throw from his new home.

Garden Tips: Horses—and Water, Water Everywhere

By
the Palisadian-Post
-
Photos courtesy of Bruce Schwartz

By BRUCE SCHWARTZ | Contributing Writer

I got back last night from my cousin’s horse farm in Oakland County, Michigan—30 miles outside of Detroit—just in time to write this August column.

My cousin, Robin, is an equestrian of the highest order. Last weekend, Robin and her horse, Wally, were the champions in class at the World Equestrian Center show in Wilmington, Ohio. She is phenomenal.

I like to compare Robin and Howard’s horse farm to the 1960’s TV show “Green Acres,” starring late Palisadian Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor. The farm is immaculate. Unlike the characters on “Green Acres,” Robin runs the farm while Howard is like the wife in the show and watches.

When I say “water, water everywhere,” Oakland County is quite unique. It has 387 lakes—70 of them unnamed—and 1,329 miles of shoreline. California has 840 miles of shoreline.

Nearly all the hills and lakes in Oakland County were formed during the retreat of the last continental glacier 14,000 years ago. In the proceeding 60,000 years, Oakland County was covered intermittently with as much as one mile of ice.

The state of Michigan has 29,470 miles of shoreline. The four Great Lakes that border Michigan (Superior, Michigan, Huron and Erie) have 3,641 miles of shoreline.

Do the math and you will see that the inland lakes in Michigan have 25,829 miles of lake shoreline. Compare that with California and you can see how dry we are here.

America contains 45% of the world’s fresh water, most of it around the Great Lakes. Going to the Great Lakes region this time of year you can see why Indigenous Americans and European settlers were in awe of the “Water-Winter Wonderland.”

Not only that, the industrial revolution was centered around the Great Lakes, moving abundant raw materials by ships to build this country. Detroit is located in Wayne County, next to Oakland County.

General Anthony Wayne was dispatched to the Great Lakes to keep the British from launching a surprise attack during the Revolutionary War. General Wayne also led the Battle of Fallen Timbers that took place near present day Toledo, Ohio.

I would like to emphasize the beauty of green forests, abundant water and beautiful, blue skies that make up this region of our great country that was, and is, so important to all of us.

Bruce Schwartz is a 24-year resident of the Palisades Highlands. He was an agricultural consultant for 20 years, specializing in soil nutrition for crops grown in the Central Valley. He was named Pacific Palisades’ Citizen of the Year in 2017 and a Golden Sparkplug award winner in 2013, and is a member of several community organizations. To reach Schwartz, call 310-779-1773 or email bruceschwartz@rodeore.com.

Barbara Eleanor Kamb Marinacci

By
the Palisadian-Post
-

September 19, 1933 – July 18, 2024

Born on September 19, 1933, Barbara grew up with her older twin brothers and mother in the San Francisco Bay Area and San Jose, California, before relocating to Pasadena.

After graduating from La Rue School for Girls, she attended Reed College, the University of California at Berkeley and the Chouinard Art Institute (later, CalArts), at which she met Rudy Marinacci. They soon embarked on a promising new life together in New York, establishing their careers: Barbara’s as an editor for Dodd, Mead & Co. and Rudy as an art director for J.C. Penney.

Marriage followed, and the birth of their first child, Michael. Eventually returning to Southern California, the family settled in Santa Monica, California, and produced two more children, Christopher and Ellen.

Barbara was a published author of six nonfiction books, as well as a coauthor, editor, researcher and ghostwriter of numerous books on subjects as diverse as 19th century actresses, the poet Walt Whitman, commodity speculation, California Spanish place names (cowritten with Rudy) and a pioneer in dietary therapy.

Most notable was her editing of legendary scientist Linus Pauling’s book “In His Own Words,” detailing more than 60 years of his life and work. Additionally, she was instrumental in Dr. Pauling’s book “No More War!” being published, and many years later worked with him at the Linus Pauling Institute.

In the mid-1980s, Barbara worked as editor-in-chief for the history book division of Windsor Books in Woodland Hills; later, post-divorce and residing in Mar Vista, as a consultant to Los Angeles-area nonprofit organizations dealing with mental health, education and ethnic-minority issues. With her project the Cosmos Circle, she created an HIV/AIDS psychosocial support group and networking program, despite a climate of fear and stigmatization.

The early 1990s brought another change in residence for Barbara, with her moving to Saratoga to live with and care for her elderly mother atop the vineyards at Mount Eden, her winemaker stepfather’s property in the Santa Cruz mountains.

Rudy joined her there for several years, along with an array of dogs and cats. They continued their horticultural endeavors together on the rugged land, until such time that they returned to their separate lifestyles; it was not long after that Barbara moved back to Southern California, to Pacific Palisades.

A lifelong gardener and environmental conservationist, Barbara was active in countless organizations, most recently including TreePeople, the Mountains Restoration Trust and the Palisades Garden Club. She volunteered throughout Temescal Canyon and Los Leones by planting, restoring and maintaining native species, as well as participating in local school gardening programs.

Her one-woman quest to eradicate the thorny, invasive yellow star thistle weed that choked areas of Pacific Palisades was a testament to her tenacity and determination. In 2011 she was presented the coveted Sparkplug Award by the Pacific Palisades Community Council in honor of her tireless contributions to the community.

Barbara resignedly lost her battle with cancer at her home in Pacific Palisades with family at her side on the afternoon of July 18. She was preceded in death by her ex-husband Rudy (Rudolph) Marinacci and her brother Dr. Barclay Kamb. She is survived by her brother Dr. Peter Ray; her children, Michael and Christopher Marinacci and Ellen Baldecchi; and her grandson Dante Baldecchi.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to any organization who would honor her remarkable spirit are welcome.

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

—Dylan Thomas

Phillip T. Chase

By
the Palisadian-Post
-

Fifty-seven-year Palisades resident Phillip T. Chase passed away on July 17 at the age of 94. A truly unique and accomplished individual, Phil was a devoted husband to his beloved wife Judy (1938-2021) for 56 years.

Phil was born March 26, 1930, in Schuyler, Nebraska, where his family operated the town drug store and his grandfather had been the very first mayor. After Schuyler High School, he obtained a BS in engineering from the University of Nebraska and an MBA from Stanford.

Phil served in the U.S. Navy as an electronics officer in the latter part of the Korean War. After moving to Los Angeles, he first worked at North American Aviation, then moved to Hughes Aircraft where around 1962 he designed one of the first ever computer software systems for managing industrial equipment and tooling.

Forming Property Management Systems in 1965 as a side job at first, Phil provided seminars and consulting on topics including Test Equipment Utilization and Integrated Property Management Databases.

By 1971 he had left Hughes and designed a unique computerized equipment specification catalog, which quickly became popular and later was patented. Phil’s first customers included Idaho National Laboratory, McDonnell Douglas, Texas Instruments and TRW.

Phil was a true pioneer in the earliest days of business software and was deeply passionate about what has evolved into the leading AssetSmart® asset and logistics management software suite. Current clients include AT&T, Boeing, Johns Hopkins, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and many other premier high-tech companies.

As a patriotic American particularly concerned about government overspending, inefficiency and corruption, Phil was twice inspired to run for national office representing Nebraska, first trying for U.S. Senate in 2002 and in 2004 aiming for a Congressional seat.

In addition to his other endeavors, Phil was a serious amateur sailboat racer and completed the grueling Transpac race from California to Hawaii. Among many career victories, in 1989 he won the Pacific Class national championship in his 1943 wooden Kettenburg PC “Sea Chase.”

He was a classic car aficionado as well, regularly spotted cruising around in his Bentley and Cadillac convertibles. Just recently Phil enthusiastically restored his 1959 Thunderbird and 1972 Country Squire Station Wagon.

Phil is survived by four children—Elizabeth, Mary, Francesca and Charles—and eight grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at Corpus Christi Church in Pacific Palisades at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 10, with a reception following at the Chase residence.

Isabelle Smissaert

By
the Palisadian-Post
-

April 7, 1929 – June 15, 2024

Isabelle Teresa Arnold Smissaert was born April 7, 1929, in New Braunfels, Texas. One of nine children of Helen and Elmo Arnold, Isabelle grew up as the middle child in a rambunctious, loving family. She and her older sister and best friend, Dorothy, received their degrees in nursing from the University of Texas at Austin. Isabelle and Dorothy worked as nurses in San Antonio until Isabelle was recruited by American Airlines, which at that time valued nursing experience almost as much as strictly enforced age, physique and marital-status criteria.

Isabelle subsequently followed her older sister to California and settled with her in San Francisco, where she continued flying for American Airlines until she began her long career as an operating-room nurse at Chinese Hospital. In addition to honing her nursing skills there, Isabelle developed a life-long love of Chinese culture and cuisine, including her favorite dish, char siu bao, which she delighted in sharing with others.
In 1960, she began dating her sister’s one-time suitor, John Smissaert, and they married in 1961. In 1970, seeking adventure and a change of scenery, Isabelle and John along with their 4-year-old daughter, Laura, moved to Victoria, British Columbia. Missing their beloved City by the Bay, they returned there after less than a year away and made their home in Tiburon, California.

In addition to her professional career in nursing, Isabelle indulged John’s never-ending interest in trains by accompanying him on countless rail adventures and volunteering with him at the Railroad & Ferry Depot Museum in Tiburon. John lovingly referred to Isabelle as “The Great Mechanic,” such were her skills with repairing almost anything.

Isabelle was also a gifted seamstress whose aptitude was tested by having to whip up the occasional genie costume or flapper dress for Laura, usually at the eleventh hour. She and John were also life-long and avid tennis players whose regular mixed-doubles matches with their friends on the courts in Tiburon brought them enormous pleasure.

In 2008, Isabelle and John relocated to Pacific Palisades to be closer to Laura, her husband, Tim, and their growing family. Isabelle took great joy in participating in the lives of her grandsons, Luke and Jack, and never missed their school performances or athletic competitions. Just as importantly, she was always “in” for her grandsons’ impromptu poker games at the kitchen table. Isabelle also enjoyed traveling with her daughter and family, with her favorite destination being the Island of Kauai where she would romp with her grandsons on Mahaulepu Beach and teach them the finer points of hula dancing.

Isabelle moved in with Laura, Tim, Luke and Jack after John passed away in 2015. To celebrate her 90th birthday, she enjoyed a grand tour of Europe with Laura, visiting Germany, Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic. But for Isabelle, visiting world capitals and exotic destinations was not a prerequisite for having a good time. Among Laura’s cherished memories is the way that Isabelle could turn a humdrum local errand into an entire day filled with laughter.

Though she had been long retired from nursing, Isabelle continued to be the go-to resource for medical information and a constant caregiver for her family and friends. She died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on June 15 at age 95. Isabelle’s loving presence, unending patience and resolute good nature will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Contributions in Isabelle’s memory are suggested to the Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society, 1550 Tiburon Boulevard, Suite M, Tiburon, CA 94920 or online at landmarkssociety.com.

Isabelle’s favorite poem was by the Sanskrit author Kalidasa. She kept a yellowed clipping on a bulletin board in her kitchen that read:

Look to this Day,
for it is Life …
… For yesterday is already a dream
and tomorrow is only a vision;
but today, well-lived,
makes every yesterday a dream of happiness
and every tomorrow a vision of hope…

On the Rise

By
Steve Galluzzo
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Lexi and Kiki Wolf at the Palisades Tennis Center, where they used to practice while growing up in the Riviera.
Photos by Steve Galluzzo

Sisters Alexandra & Kingsley Wolf Are Taking the Junior Tennis Circuit by Storm 

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Kiki is eager to climb the rankings in the 16-and-under division.

Sisters Alexandra and Kingsley Wolf have each had their share of individual success on the tennis court, but in July they had the rare opportunity to play with one another and they proved quite a formidable twosome. Together they won the silver ball in the 16-and-under doubles division at the USTA Clay Court Nationals in Huntsville, Alabama.

Seeded fourth out of 128 teams, they upset the top-seeded duo in the semifinals before falling to the No. 2-seeded tandem in the final to take second place. Alexandra, who goes by “Lexi” is an 11th-grader while Kingsley, who goes by “Kiki,” is entering ninth grade and they look forward to being teammates at Notre Dame High in Sherman Oaks.

“It was Kiki’s first silver ball in the 16s and my third, so it was nice to win one with her in my last event before aging up,” says Lexi, who turns 17 next week on the day school starts. She attended Marymount as a freshman and sophomore but did not play for the team. “Now that Kiki’s starting high school we want to be together.”

Both started playing at the age of 5 and their mom Alisha was their coach, though she encouraged them to play all sports. Lexi practically did—ice skating, volleyball, dance, skiing, softball and swimming— while Kiki played for the LA Bulls Soccer Club until COVID, after which she went “all in” on tennis.

They live in the Riviera, graduated from Corpus Christi and trained at the Palisades Tennis Center for six years but now they work with a private coach in La Canada for one and a half hours a day, five days a week along with their 12-year-old brother

Lexi is ready to take on the best in the 18-and-under division.

Wesley, who also excels at flag football and baseball. In June he helped his Yankees win the PPBA Bronco championship. Older sister Eliza was also an athlete. She played tennis and golf at Marlborough High in Los Angeles and now attends the University of Michigan.

Lexi uses heavy topspin on both the forehand and backhand wings  and describes herself as “an aggressive baseliner” who likes to finish points at the net whenever possible.

“I used to be scared to come to net because one time I got pegged right in the face, but I’ve improved my volleying a lot and now it’s one of my strengths,” Lexi says.    

Kiki uses an Eastern grip to hit the ball flat. Her mother  describes her game as “multi-dimensional” and  “calculated” since she knows how to exploit her opponents’ weaknesses.

Both possess a fighting spirit born from years of competition on the junior circuit and thousands upon thousands of hours spent practicing.      

Kiki’s favorite players are Steffi Graf and Daniil Medvedev while Lexi is inspired by Novak Djokovic.

“Tennis teaches you the value of hard work—that its’s never over til it’s over,” Lexi says. “So much of it’s mental. Believe in yourself and never give up!”      

Kiki credits her sister for accelerating the development of her own game and also instilling confidence in her from a young age.

“She’s taught me how to defend myself,” Kiki acknowledges. “She’s very strong and she’s given me a sense of empowerment to help me realize my worth.”

Lexi likes being the person her younger sister looks up to, saying: “The best advice I can give is enjoy the process and cherish the friendships you make along the way.”

The Wolfs were in San Diego this week for the USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 16s & 18s National Championships, a Level 1 Hard Court event with draws of 256 players in singles and 128 teams for doubles.

Doubles partners Kiki and Lexi Wolf display their finalist plates at the USTA Clay Court Nationals in Alabama.

Kiki, now 15, paired with Jensen Diianni of Marietta, Georgia, in the 16-and-under doubles division and after sweeping their first match 6-2, 6-2 they pulled off a huge upset, ousting ninth-seeded Adla Lopez of Boynton Beach, Florida and Nancy Lee of Belmont, Massachusetts, 6-2, 0-6, 10-7, in the round of 64.     

Meanwhile, Lexi was making her debut in the 18-and-under division and after a bye she beat Sasha Dimitrov of Alpharetta, Georgia 6-4, 6-1 in the second round and upset 11th-seeded Julieta Pareja of Carlsbad, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (5) in the third round. Wolf also played doubles with Daniela Borruel of Buena Park, a senior committed to USC, and the duo made it to the round of 64.     

Last August, Lexi and her partner Kristina Nordikyan of Panorama City won a silver ball in the 18s division at the National Doubles Championships in Orlando despite Lexi turning 16 two weeks earlier. That summer she also competed in her first International Tennis Federation event at the Junkanoo Bowl in The Bahamas, reaching the semifinals in singles and taking the doubles crown with Natalie Oliver of Maryland. As a freshman she won three national tournaments in a row in the 16s.

One of Lexi’s biggest thrills was meeting 18-time Grand Slam singles champion Chris Evert at the Hall of Famer’s tennis academy in Boca Raton—although Lexi did not recognize her at first.

“I was 14 and we were there visiting my grandparents for Thanksgiving,” she recalls. “They live close by [in Boca] and I went to the Evert Academy for a week. So I was talking to one of the coaches on a changeover and Chris came over and starting giving me really technical advice and complimenting me on my form and I was  wondering ‘who’s this mom trying to talk to me? I didn’t know who she was.”          

Over Memorial Day weekend in 2022 and only two days after her 13th birthday, Kiki captured the Girls 14s singles championship at the Woody Hunt Junior Tennis Tournament in Palm Desert.

“The older we get the closer we become and now it’s like we’re connected at the hip,” Kiki admits. “We used to fight a lot— mostly from what happened on the court because both of us are super competitive— but now she’s my built-in best friend.”

They enjoy shopping in Caruso Village or Century City, hanging out at Will Rogers Beach and the Via Bluffs or ordering Lexi’s favorite menu item at Blue Ribbon Sushi: “Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice.”

Kiki claims the game is 60 percent physical, 40 percent mental while Lexi believes it is the opposite.   

Lexi is more math oriented and is considering majoring in Business or Finance.

“I’m keeping my options open,” she says. “I’ve spoken to a bunch of schools but I haven’t made any decisions. I’ll make some official visits at the end of the summer but I definitely want to keep playing in college.”

Both sisters believe tennis has taught them valuable life lessons that will better prepare them for the journey ahead.

“One thing it’s helped with a lot is my time management skills,” says Kiki, who is one of the top doubles players in her age group in Southern California.     

“So much preparation is involved from Pilates to gyrotonics to strength and conditioning,” Lexi adds. “Failure is merely a step towards success. Without failure, you can never get better.”

Despite her ability in singles, Kiki prefers the teamwork aspect that doubles provides: “I enjoy doubles more and winning a silver ball at Nationals with my sister is probably my biggest accomplishment so far.”

Most top tournament players who travel as regularly as the Wolfs are homeschooled, but Lexi and Kiki are excited about playing for their high school program this fall. A natural leader, Lexi is open to being captain if asked. She has even hit with a few players on Notre Dame’s boys varsity team, which won the CIF Southern Section Division 3 title in the spring.       

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