Forging Ahead

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February 8, 2024

life020824_08 — Photos courtesy of Jeran Bruce

Jeran Bruce Opens an Engineering Makerspace on Via De La Paz

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Santa Monica native Jeran Bruce has brought his engineering expertise to Pacific Palisades—ready to provide mentorship and tools to the youth in an engineering makerspace for students 10 to 18 years old.

Owned and operated by Bruce, Forge Makerspace opened in December 2023. Located at 869 Via De La Paz, it offers students access to engineering tools, such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and hand and power tools.

Bruce grew up in Santa Monica, he told the Palisadian-Post, and an interest in engineering sparked when he was just 12 years old.

“I was lucky enough that my dad was very hands on, and got me interested in electronics and building things,” Bruce said. “Throughout all of middle and high school, I was just building projects like electric skateboards and solar panels for my room.”

He attended University of California, Santa Barbara, and earned a degree in mechanical engineering before working as an intern at Tesla. After interning, he had the idea to open a makerspace in the Palisades.

“This space provides the tools for the kids, and also provides mentorship and supervision,” Bruce explained. “It’s something that I wasn’t able to find as a kid, and I was lucky enough to have my dad to teach me about stuff, but not all students are … It’s definitely something that I would have been all over as a kid.”

Forge Makerspace has open hours of “workshop time” every day—described as unstructured time for students to use the workshop and tools for their own projects. Students have the option to drop in for $25 per hour or pay $300 per month for unlimited time. In the unlimited plan, all weekly classes are included at no extra charge, and members have their own storage space in the workshop to leave projects.

“There currently isn’t anything else out there like this, at least in LA, and without a parent who has experience in this stuff, students wouldn’t get exposure to these tools,” Bruce said to the Post. “In our world of electronics overload, it seems that many young adults are missing out on learning to work with their hands. Being creative and building things.”

Bruce explained that for young adults interested in pursuing engineering at the university level or as a career, hands-on work is the “number one” way to better their chances of being accepted into engineering schools, as well as landing internships and jobs.

“I know first-hand from working on the battery engineering team at Tesla that recruiters want to see real hands-on experience, not just book knowledge,” Bruce explained. “Having done many of my own personal engineering projects was a big part of why I got my job at Tesla in the first place.”

Of choosing the Palisades, Bruce said he spent a lot of time in the town growing up and saw the value in opening the workshop in the community.

“The Palisades seemed like the perfect place,” he said. “Everyone is so community oriented … And this location popped up and ended up being exactly what I needed, in terms of size. I didn’t want to start too big, I wanted to start small and see if people were interested in it.”

Bruce said the experience has been gratifying.

“It’s so wonderful to see groups of kids actually using the tools and learning things at even a younger age than when I started,” he said. “And knowing how much that is going to compound over the … years before they go to college and how much more they’re going to learn is really incredible to think about. So far, it has been awesome.”

Forge Makerspace is open Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 3 p.m. For more information, visit forgemakerspace.com.

Palisades Neighborhood News

By

the Palisadian-Post

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February 8, 2024

Home Invasion | Marquez Knolls

A home invasion incident at the 16000 block of Charmel Lane in Marquez Knolls led to a pursuit and arrest Friday evening, February 2, according to Los Angeles Police Department Senior Lead Officer for Pacific Palisades Brian Espin.

The suspect reportedly entered the home through an unlocked rear door, drew a gun at the victims, and demanded money and property. The suspect also was reported to demand property from the victim’s safe, before fleeing in a black SUV.

“The suspect was being monitored by a regional surveillance taskforce for other alleged burglaries … committed along the Westside,” Espin wrote. “The surveillance group requested assistance from LAPD West LA to conduct a stop on the suspect to affect an arrest. Once LAPD units were able to get behind the suspect and vehicle, the suspect took off, ensuing a pursuit by LAPD patrol officers down PCH and onto the 10 freeway.

“Due to the unsafe speed and reckless driving of the suspect, for the safety of community members out on the road, the pursuit was called off and our LAPD air unit (helicopter) was able to track the suspect vehicle to an apartment in the city of Torrance.”

The suspect fled into an apartment unit where they barricaded themselves and “refused to come out,” later voluntarily giving up and being taken into custody, Espin said.

“Due to the suspect using force or fear (using a handgun) to coerce the victims into giving up property,” Espin explained, “the suspect was arrested for robbery.”

The victim’s property was returned, and detectives are now working with other agencies to determine if the suspect is connected to additional burglaries, Espin concluded.

—LILY TINOCO

Fourth Annual Palisades Animal Shelter
Donation Drive | Marquez Knolls

The fourth annual Palisades Animal Shelter Donation Drive, hosted by Nancy Jackson and Leslie Buck to benefit the six Los Angeles County animal shelters, began on February 5 and will last three to four weeks, depending on the influx of donations.

Items like dog and cat beds, toys, food, blankets, clothing, collars and leashes, as well as cash donations, can be dropped off Tuesdays to Saturdays at Paws N‘ Claws, located at 16634 Marquez Avenue. In 2023, 18 “massive loads” were donated to the shelters.

“Nancy Jackson started the Palisades Donation Drive four years ago to help bring comfort to the animals stuck in the shelters,” according to a statement. “Leslie Buck of Paws N‘ Claws was kind enough to offer her dog grooming salon as a drop off location for the donations.”

Items that will not be accepted are pillows, expired food, fitted sheets and stuffies with holes. There is also an Amazon Wishlist set up: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/ACB7BWOVCAGN?ref_=wl_share.

“Together, the drive has proven to be a huge success the past three years,” the statement continued. “This year we hope to double what we were able to do last year. Your donations play a pivotal role in enhancing the lives of these animals in need. Please join us in making a difference and helping our four-legged friends.”

For donation inquiries or to volunteer to transport donations to shelters, contact Jackson at athlete1@msn.com or 310-570-6714.

—SARAH SHMERLING

Singing Valentines | Pacific Palisades

Singing Valentines are now available for purchase from The Oceanaires A Cappella Chorus: “the perfect gift for your favorite person.”

“A quartet from The Oceanaires A Cappella Chorus will personally deliver two songs with a balloon and a personalized card from you,” read a flyer.

Those who order before February 10 will receive a discount and guaranteed delivery on February 14. Orders will be $50, or $75 after February 10. The Singing Valentines “sell out every year,” according to The Oceanaires website.

For more information, including a map of delivery range, which includes the West Los Angeles area, visit oceanaires.org.

—SARAH SHMERLING

Think Pink 2024 | Pacific Palisades

Community members are invited to save the date for Irene Dunne Guild’s 18th annual Think Pink for Women’s Wellness fundraiser on May 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Upper Bel-Air Bay Club in Pacific Palisades. The event serves as a fundraiser for Saint John’s Health Center.

“Think Pink is a popular event that focuses on health education and awareness for women and their families,” according to a statement about the event. “The Irene Dunne Guild, a support group of Saint John’s Health Center Foundation, raises funds for women’s health, nursing scholarships, new medical equipment, programs for care givers and family support services.”

This year’s event chairs are Lorena Craven and Suzanne Caldwell. For more information, visit irenedunneguild.org.

—SARAH SHMERLING

Our Town

By

the Palisadian-Post

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February 8, 2024

The Resilient Palisades Vegan Solutions Team hosted Pali Veg Fest, featuring food trucks that serve plant-based options, near Palisades Branch Library/Palisades Recreation Center on Sunday, January 14—which team member and social media coordinator Sara Marti described as a “resounding success.”

Participating food trucks included Word of Mouth, The Plant Lab, Vegan Hooligans, Plant-Based Treaty and more. Resilient Palisades’ Zero Waste Team provided reusable cutlery and water refill stations, as well as composting, recycling and landfill bins.

Toward the end of December, Las Madrinas honored 29 women and their families for their service to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the Southern California community during the Las Madrinas Ball at Beverly Hilton Hotel, including Palisadian debutantes Coco Rose Kennedy, Jessica Kelly Silletti, Riley Wood Sullivan, Lauren Elaine Seidel and Riley Leighton Vincent. Las Madrinas President Kathryne Halverson Garland and the Debutante Chair Hilary O’Rourke Wynperle also reside in the Palisades.

Leena Adeli and Maren Ghaffari—co-founders of Palisades Charter High School Women in STEM Club—have continued fundraising efforts for The Congo Peace School in the Democratic Republic of Congo, an organization supported by the Dillon Henry Foundation.

“They had a very successful evening at BOCA followed up by a backyard concert showcasing 10 Pali High musicians,” according to a statement about the efforts. “Between the two events, they had raised over $13,000, which was used to purchase feminine kits for the girls at The Congo Peace School.”

Adeli and Ghaffari also hosted a 5K run/walk in December where they raised $1,610, which will continue to support the purchase of feminine kits as well as improvements at the school’s computer lab. They later hosted a science experience via Zoom, where attendees learned how to make soap.

Zócalo Public Square, with Palisadian Moira Shourie at the helm as executive director, won four awards at the National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards held at the Biltmore hotel. Award winners were Justine Jablonska for “Why a Polish Resistance Fighter’s ‘Failure’ to Stop the Holocaust Resonates Today”; Brynn Shiovitz for “The Blackface of White Christmas”; Jackie Mansky for “Smile, You’re on Candid Camera!” and Derek Mong “How Is a Poem Like a Political Campaign?”

Love at First Site

By

Sarah Shmerling

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February 8, 2024

estate020824_03 — Photos courtesy of Shain Development Inc.

Greg and Grace Shain Have Developed a Long-Lasting Marriage—and General Contracting Company

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

When thinking about Valentine’s Day, a general contracting firm might not come to mind. But maybe it should—at least when it comes to Shain Development, which was founded—with love and care—by Palisadian couple Greg and Grace Shain.

Greg, who was raised in Pacific Palisades and has lived in the area for more than 50 years, introduced Grace to the community more than three decades ago—making it the space where they raised their son and daughter, as well as where they built a full-service “luxury general contracting firm.”

Grace was born in Poland and moved to Beverly Hills when she was 12. She met Greg through friends at a sushi restaurant on what Greg described as a “sort of blind date” where she was set up with Greg’s friend who asked him to tag along. They ended up hitting it off—and the rest is history.

They have been married for 26 years, together for more than 30. When they met, Greg said he was working with his parents, and, over time, Greg and Grace began building their own business, developing homes together.

“I would say ’97 was the first home Grace and I developed together,” Greg recalled. “It was on Tigertail in Brentwood, and we’ve been doing it ever since.”

The Shains lived above Palisades Charter High School before moving to Rustic Canyon and finally to The Riviera, which is where Greg’s parents still live as well. He attended Marquez Charter Elementary, Paul Revere Charter Middle and Palisades Charter High schools.

“So yeah,” he said, “I’ve seen a lot of change in the neighborhood. It’s been exciting to see.”

Shain Development specializes in new construction, remodels and restorations, according to its website, adding that they are “second-generation builders with over 40 years of experience” that mostly build for owner users, referred by an architect or designer.

“We’re usually building people’s dream homes,” Greg explained to the Palisadian-Post. “That’s usually what it is, it’s their final destination. Most of the homes we do are, they’re large, they’re high end or custom, very luxurious … and we love doing it.”

Prior to its current iteration, in 2008, with the Great Recession, Greg explained that they saw the business “crumble to pieces.” It was then that they pivoted from just developing homes to a general contracting company—with some of their first projects with the new model being things like building a patio or fountain, which Greg described as “extremely humbling.”

Since they first started this approach, Greg said they have spent time growing the company, which has been “a lot of hard work,” but now they are “very grateful” to be building homes that are sometimes 15,000 to 20,000 square feet.

Shain Development is a “boutique company,” with a “great small group of people that work … really hard,” Greg said.

“Our main goal is to provide you with high quality, efficient, cost-effective services and a seamless construction management experience,” according to the website. “The inspiration to create Shain Development, Inc. started with a vision and a desire to build one-of-a-kind, timeless, extraordinary, dramatic and functional homes. We have spent years studying floor plans, researching new styles and trends; this is our passion and we bring these ideas to life.”

Greg said one of his favorite aspects of the work is talking to people—so he encouraged anyone who has questions about construction to reach out.

“I really like helping people, and I like holding people’s hand through the process and giving people advice, even if I don’t build their house, don’t get the job,” Greg said. “I’m always here [with] advice or guidance.”

The company is heavily tied to the community: Shain Development’s communications manager and executive assistant is Heaven Macpherson, who recently moved to the Palisades.

“We’re good members of the community,” Greg concluded. “We’ve been here for a very long time. And we appreciate everything that’s been thrown our way, we’re grateful to be here.”

For more information, visit shaindevelopment.com.

In the Shadow of the Duomo

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the Palisadian-Post

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February 8, 2024

life020824_07 — Photo courtesy of Daniel Winston Gatto

By DANIEL WINSTON GATTO | Junior Reporter

Hot and tired we all got off the train from Venice and started heading to the hotel that we would be staying in. As we were walking we heard a large amount of people fast approaching. When we looked over, we found ourselves in the middle of a parade!

This parade was in honor of the patron saint of the city, St. John the Baptist. Dad, Jennifer, my brother Michael and I tried to walk past them, but it was too late and we were all cut off!

We decided that instead of cutting through it, we would try to find the front and run across. We all sprinted, with our bags in hand, to the front of the parade and finally passed them, hoping to get to our tour to see the Statue of David on time.

We dropped our bags off at the hotel and cruised through the streets towards the tour. On the way there, we weaved through people in the shade of a large building. I realized it was the Cathedral of Santa Maria, also known as the Duomo of Florence!

The tour of the Statue of David was at the Accademia Gallery where he and many other works of art were displayed. The area was extremely chaotic with tourists shouting at each other and just uncountable numbers of people.

During the tour we looked at many beautiful paintings by Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, Nenci and Giambologna. We eventually entered the “Hall of Prisoners,” which was a corridor leading up to David that was filled with Michelangelo’s half-finished statues of people. The statues looked like they were trapped in the stone, hence why they were called “prisoners.”

At the end of the hall was the statue of David. It was huge, towering 17 feet tall over us and was very imposing. Before I had wondered why people cared so much about some statues, but I now understand why it is considered one of the greatest sculptures on earth.

Past David was a bunch of other statues depicting people and animals in all kinds of actions and poses. They were all incredibly lifelike and extremely detailed and I could not help but wonder how Michelangelo had made such lifelike statues with such crude tools. I bet Michelangelo wished he had a 3D printer like we have today.

As we were leaving we realized something … it was super hot! We started walking through the city and saw innumerable amounts of art, be it graffiti, sidewalk art, mosaics in the windows, and street artists creating new works on every corner! Of course, art was everywhere, we were in one of the most creative cities in Italy: Florence.

We kept walking, looking for a place to get out of the heat and came across a Banksy exhibit. The exhibit was in a cathedral which I thought was very cool, visually and physically.

I had never heard of Banksy before, so all this art was completely foreign to me. Banksy is a street artist, political activist, and film director that created street art that incites social commentary.

His art was beautiful but at the same time extremely haunting. As we were leaving, I felt sad and a little bit ashamed of society as a whole. To cheer me up, we all stopped for some gelato. I got chocolate and it was possibly the best ice cream I had ever had.

Our hotel was in the heart of Florence but we didn’t spend much time there. The hotel was nice but there was an even nicer hotel next door with a roof deck that we spent a ton of time at. It had Aperol spritzes and snacks, and we took so many amazing photos showing the Florence skyline.

The next evening, we asked what restaurants were tasty nearby. They recommended the La Buchetta restaurant just around the corner. When we got there, there was a massive line of locals and tourists.

My dad said he was going to ask the maitre’d how long the wait was. A minute later we were sitting at a great table—ready to order. I’m not sure what my dad said to the guy when he shook his hand but it seemed to have worked.

At dinner we had some extremely enjoyable steak. We didn’t know this prior to our arrival at the time but Florence is a very proud meat-eating town. Cuts of beef were displayed and hung in the windows of almost every restaurant.

So for dinner we had steak Florentine, pasta al fungi, local eggplant and very bland bread. The reason the bread was so flavorless was because it did not have a lot of salt. This was because in medieval Florence, salt was so heavily taxed that bakers stopped using it, and this became the tradition of Florence bread making.

The next morning we woke up and rushed to get into a taxi because it was time for our cooking class! We took a 1 hour car ride far into the Tuscany countryside and met our hostess Giuseppina who greeted us with fresh watermelon and smiles.

We also met the other family we would be cooking with. They were a nice family from Chicago and would be making a four course meal of salad, chicken, pasta and dessert with us.

We started by not making the pasta but rather making dessert. It was a flowerless Oreo like cookie roll that needed to be chilled.

After we finished with this we moved on to the actual pasta. We made the dough then rolled it into long strands by hand and everyone seemed really good at it except me. I had trouble making the pasta into a uniform consistent shape though I figured it out eventually with a little help from Jennifer.

We all learned a lot about cooking, the kitchen, and the surrounding area around Tuscany. Giuseppina’s kitchen was 700 years old and made completely of local stone!

After we finished cooking we started eating and it may have been the best food I have ever had. It was made all the better knowing that we had made this ourselves. I think I even saw my brother Michael smile once or twice who had been grumpy this whole trip.

After saying goodbye to our new friends and Chef Giuseppina we headed back to the hotel and went next door to the fancy hotel for our last roof deck viewing of the city’s skyline and the Duomo which was looming over us our whole visit. Then we crashed for the night.

The next morning as we said goodbye to Florence, got on the train and headed to Rome. At that point, I only had one thought in my head, I can’t wait to see my 83-year-old Granny Flo who was meeting us in Rome all the way from New York!

The Pitfalls of Off-Market Home Sales: Why Open Market Listings Prevail

By

the Palisadian-Post

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February 8, 2024

By MICHAEL EDLEN | Special to the Palisadian-Post

Selling a home is a significant decision, and homeowners often explore various avenues to achieve their desired outcomes. One such approach is off-market sales, where a property is sold discreetly without being listed on the open market.

While this may seem appealing for privacy or convenience, it’s essential to consider the numerous disadvantages that sellers may face when opting for this route.

While privacy is often cited as a reason for off-market sales, sellers must weigh this against the potential the cost of potential opportunities. Maintaining privacy can result in missing out on competitive offers and a quicker sale.

In this article, we will explore why selling a home off market may not be the best choice for homeowners and why relatively few decide to agree to a “pocket listing.”

Limited Exposure, Fewer Buyers

One of the most significant drawbacks of off-market sales is limited exposure. When a property is not listed on the open market, it misses out on the vast audience of potential buyers actively searching for homes. This limited exposure can lead to fewer inquiries and offers.

Imagine the homeowner in our competitive real estate market who decides to sell off market. The seller decides to go off market, thinking it will be quicker and more discreet.

However, months may pass without any offers close enough to what they had expected, prolonging the sale process. They fail to tap into the full pool of motivated buyers, potentially resulting in the property languishing on the market, leading to frustration and uncertainty for the seller.

Impact on Property Valuation

The lack of competition that characterizes off-market sales can adversely affect the property’s valuation. Without multiple offers driving up the price, sellers may not realize the full market value of their home. When a property is not professionally prepared and exposed to the open market, it’s challenging to assess its true market value accurately.

For example, a homeowner lists their property off market and receives an offer. However, without other competing offers to drive up the price, they settle for a lower amount than they could have negotiated on the open market. Sellers risk undervaluing their homes and missing out on potentially higher offers.

Limited Negotiation Power

Selling a home off market can put sellers at a disadvantage during negotiations. Buyers would be aware of the limited exposure and use it as leverage to negotiate lower prices or more favorable terms, especially when there are no other buyers the seller might have had in a backup position.

A seller receives an offer from a buyer who knows the property is off market. The buyer may push for concessions during escrow inspections or a lower price, knowing that the seller most likely has fewer alternative offers to consider.

Risk of Undervaluing the Property

A homeowner sells their property off market to avoid the inconvenience of open houses or showings. Of course, if the property would be listed on the open market, showings could be scheduled at times convenient to the owner. The seller who prioritizes privacy and sells their home off market may achieve their strict privacy goals, but at the cost of not realizing the full financial potential of their property.

Conclusion

Limited exposure, reduced negotiation power and the risk of undervaluation are just some of the potential pitfalls that sellers may encounter with an off-market sale. In many cases, the benefits of listing a home on the open market, including competitive offers and a fair market valuation, outweigh the desire for privacy.

Homeowners should carefully weigh their options and consult with more than one experienced real estate professional before choosing the off-market route, ensuring they make a more fully informed decision that aligns with their goals and financial interests.

Michael Edlen has successfully represented more than 1,200 sellers. Only five of them preferred to sell as “pocket listings.” If you are thinking of selling your home or buying another, contact Edlen at 310-600-7422 or michael@edlenteam.com for a complimentary consultation.

Signs of a Softening Market?

By

the Palisadian-Post

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February 8, 2024

As of January 31, there were 56 single-family Palisades residences listed in the Multiple Listing Service, which is 25% lower than this time last year. In the last 12-month period (February 1, 2023, through January 31, 2024) there were 228 sales, down 15% from the previous 12-month period. The median sales were $4,469,500 over that same timeframe, down just 3% from the prior 12-month period. There are now 13 homes in escrow in Pacific Palisades.

The lowest-priced available home is a three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath on Sunset Boulevard at $1,995,000. The highest-priced property is a seven-bedroom, 11-bath on Casale Road, asking $49.95 million. The median asking price for Pacific Palisades is now at $7,045,000.

The lowest sale price so far this year was a four-bedroom, three-bath on Las Lomas, which sold for $1.98 million. The highest sale so far this year was a six-bedroom, eight-bath on Alma Real, which sold for $20 million.

There are 10 condominiums/townhouses on the market now—a 29% dip over the start of January 2023. They range from one-bedroom, one-bath in the Edgewater Towers on Sunset Boulevard offered at $595,000 to a three-bedroom, four-bath townhome on Michael Lane offered at $1,779,000.

Four condos are currently in escrow. Likewise, four condos sold in January, ranging from a two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom unit on Sunset Boulevard, which sold for $1,025,000, to a two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom, ocean-view unit on Sunset Boulevard, which sold for $1,565,000. The median condo sale price is currently $1.1 million.

There are currently seven pieces of raw land available, ranging from a 3,852-square-foot lot on Castellammare being offered at $1.25 million to 10 acres off of Enchanted Way in Marquez Knolls being offered at $6.5 million. So far this year, there are no lots in escrow and no lots have sold.

There are currently 91 available leases in the Palisades, a 28% increase from this time last year. They range from a two-bedroom, two-bath unit on Sunset asking $3,998 per month to a fully furnished, six-bedroom, 14-bath home on Pampas Ricas in the Huntington asking $140,000 per month.

There have been 20 leases so far this year, an 18% increase over January 2023. The highest lease so far this year was a five-bedroom, eight-bath on Spoleto in the Riviera, which leased for $55,000 per month. The lowest was $2,700 per month for a two-bedroom, two-bath on Sunset, and the median was $9,500 per month, which is a 19% jump from this time last year.

Michael Edlen, an agent with Coldwell Banker, has been keeping statistics on Pacific Palisades housing prices for the last 39 years.

Christie’s International Real Estate Names Cindy Ambuehl to 2024 Masters Circle

By

Lily Tinoco

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February 8, 2024

estate020824_06 — Photo courtesy of Cindy Ambuehl

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

The efforts of local real estate agent Cindy Ambuehl were recently recognized as she was named to the Christie’s International Real Estate 2024 Masters Circle—“a select group of top-performing agents within the worldwide Christie’s International Real Estate network” that began in 2019.

“Each agent is nominated by their brokerage and must meet rigorous standards for luxury sales volume, client service and a commitment to professional excellence in real estate,” according to a statement.

The Masters Circle Class of 2024 features over 300 agents that represent over $9 billion in annual sales with market expertise across a range of properties.

“Our 2024 Masters Circle Class represents the best luxury real estate professionals in the world—an elite group of agents who consistently achieve a level of success that few in our industry reach,” said Natalie Hamrick, president of affiliate services for Christie’s International Real Estate. “These agents are leaders in their respective markets, and each has an unwavering commitment to providing their clients with a bespoke, luxury experience. We’re incredibly proud to have them in the Christie’s International Real Estate network, and we look forward to their continued success in 2024.”

The benefits of being part of the Masters Circle include dedicated networking groups, branded graphics for marketing use, a personalized landing page on christiesrealestate.com and more.

Ambuehl, who spent 20 years in the entertainment industry as an actress and model, now leverages her ability to connect with people as a full-time real estate agent, helping clients buy and sell luxury properties in the greater Los Angeles area.

Over the past year, the Santa Monica Canyon resident achieved a total sales figure of $185 million and has closed over $2 billion in total career sales volume. She ranked 20th in California and 40th in the nation, as measured by sales volume.

“Named one of Los Angeles’ Top 100 Real Estate Agents by Los Angeles Business Journal, Hollywood’s Top 30 Real Estate Agents by The Hollywood Reporter and recognized by Variety as one of the ‘Showbiz Real Estate Elites,’ Cindy repeatedly earns a spot on Real Trends’ annual ‘The Thousand’ and countless other accolades,” the statement continued.

In 2020, Ambuehl shared with the Palisadian-Post that she grew up in Orange County and had an “amazing childhood” with her parents and sister. She said she “always had a love for real estate,” and pursued it as a hobby throughout her 22-year acting career.

“I used to take my studio bonuses, and buy duplexes and apartment buildings in Orange County,” she explained. “I also bought a couple properties in Yorba Linda. I always enjoyed it.”

She said her time in the entertainment industry helped her in real estate, how one has “to be OK with the ups and downs.”

“In both industries (entertainment and real estate), there are times when you are working around the clock, day in and day out, and there are other times when things have slowed down, and you are waiting for the next big season,” Ambuehl said to the Post. “The entertainment industry taught me to ride out those lows. Like a plane, we are built to withstand the turbulence.”

Jacqueline Estelle Perkins

By

the Palisadian-Post

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February 8, 2024

December 17, 2023

A life lived beautifully for family and friends … built on kindness, generosity and, most importantly, unwavering faith.

Jacqueline (Jackie) Estelle Bredberg was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 13, 1936. Jackie was an intelligent, kind, thoughtful and Godly woman who always made time for others, was blessed with an infectious smile that would light up a room, possessed an enviable sense of style, and had a loving heart that touched everyone who was fortunate enough to know her.

Jackie, her younger brother Will and her parents moved west to Pacific Palisades in the 1940s … and Jackie never left her beloved “small town by the sea.”

In her youth, Jackie was an exquisite figure skater, competing successfully at the state and national levels. Unfortunately, at the height of her career, she was in a car accident on her way to compete in the U.S. Nationals.

However, despite a severely injured back, she still competed successfully and secured a spot on the U.S. Figure Skating team to compete in the World Championships in Europe. When doctors later advised that continuing to skate with her injury could leave her permanently disabled, Jackie pulled out of the Championships and retired from competitive skating.

Jackie then went on to attend Santa Monica College where she competed on the high-dive team, was elected homecoming queen and met the man who would later become her husband, Robert (Bob) Perkins. Both she and Bob later transferred to UCLA to complete their degrees. While in college, Jackie attended a Billy Graham Crusade and accepted Christ as her Savior; Jackie’s faith in Jesus would become the most important and defining attribute of her life.

After their marriage in 1961, Jackie and Bob purchased their first home together in Pacific Palisades where they began to raise their two children: Robert (Rob) and Laura. The young family eventually moved to their new and final home in the Huntington Palisades, where Jackie lived for the next 50-plus years.

Jackie later turned her innate athleticism toward a passion for golf … keeping her beautiful swing well into her 80s. Jackie steadfastly supported her church (Calvary) for over 55 years. She enthusiastically taught AWANAS every Wednesday night and loved being a “camp counselor” at several youth group summer camps attended by her grandchildren. She was a dedicated and respected leader of Community Bible Study for over 35 years, faithfully shepherding the women in her groups and making lifelong friends.

Jackie was also very active in various charities such as the National Charity League, Ticktockers (with Laura) and the Venice Bible Tabernacle. Closest to her heart, though, was always the children of ThinSpace Africa, the ministry her brother, Will, founded in Uganda. Jackie adventurously went on many mission trips to Uganda, where a piece of her heart will always remain.

Jackie was predeceased by her husbands: Bob Perkins, Bill Williams and Bob Draine. She leaves behind her brother, Will, her two children, Rob and Laura (Brittain), their spouses Mitali and David, and her beloved three sets of twin grandchildren: Tim and Jim, Julia and Graham, and Ava and Pierce.

Jackie’s life was an amazing and beautiful tapestry—daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, athlete, leader, philanthropist, friend and devoted woman of faith. Although she will be deeply missed, all of us who knew and loved her are forever blessed because of Jackie.

A Celebration of Life will be held on February 17.

Mat Mission

By

Steve Galluzzo

-

February 8, 2024

sports020824_14 — Panyarat Litmen (right) looks to shoot against Luke Lawrence of Chatsworth at 192.
Photos by Steve Galluzzo

Pali High Senior Wrestler James Van Wagenen Dominates at Regionals and Wants City Title

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

The pain of losing in the finals at last year’s City Championships was so haunting that Palisades High wrestler James Van Wagenen vowed never to let it happen again.

Having captured the 106-pound title with three successive pins at City Finals his sophomore year, Van Wagenen moved up a weight class to 113 last winter and was uncharacteristically cautious throughout a 6-1 decision defeat to Adrian Escobar of Canoga Park.

This year he has stepped up his weight and his game and he is determined to be standing on the highest step when the finals are over Saturday night.

Displaying his usual cat-quick reflexes and non-stop aggression, the Dolphins senior scored three pins in the first period to take first place in the 128-pound division at the Region 2 Tournament last weekend and establish himself as the City favorite.

“I flipped the switch after I lost my chance at City last year,” Van Wagenen said after last Saturday’s Region 2 Tournament in Canoga Park. “I fell short against Adrian and it really stung. My biggest regret was cutting to 115 [pounds] last year. I’m 5-9 and this is the perfect weight.

One more week until I claim what’s mine—no one’s stopping me!”

Van Wagenen took out Joel Moreno of Chatsworth in 28 seconds in his first match and felled Matthew Valencia of MACES in 1:44 in the semifinals. In the finals, he used a signature move to pin Lincoln McClenahan from Granada Hills in 1:31. Just another day at the office for a young man on a mission.

“I don’t mess around in there… I’m not a decision guy,” added Van Wagenen, who improved to 33-5 this season. “I’m out to make a statement next week and then at state. I’ve won three tournaments and was seventh at Five Counties [in Fountain Valley]. Four of my five losses are by decision to guys ranked in the Top 15 in the state and the only time I got pinned was when I was injured.”

Van Wagenen works at perfecting his craft daily in the wrestling room with teammate Derek Anwar, who lost in the 152-pound final at regionals.

“We’ve been partners since we were 11 when he was 100 pounds and I was 68 pounds,” Van Wagenen joked after leading his team to a tie for fifth in the team standings with 138 points. “We’re like brothers fighting. We want to break each other. I’m the younger brother, Derek is the older.”

Van Wagenen has been accepted academically to USC but his dream is to walk on at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Although Van Wagenen proved to be the Dolphins’ only champion Saturday, several teammates placed high in their weight classes, giving coach Mike Lawlor reason for optimism heading into the City Championships on Friday and Saturday at Roybal Learning Center.

“Our league was tough this year,” he said. “We actually got second to San Pedro but it was no push over. There were a lot of good wrestlers. I like James’s chances obviously, but also Derek [Anwar] has a good chance in his division and so do Matthew [Hsu] and Soushyant [Saberi]. We’re better than we’ve ever been in the upper weights. In the past, that’s been ourt weakness but not this year.”

Soushyant pinned his first two opponents at 140 to set up a finals meeting with John Alvarez of San Fernando and although Soushyant survived the first two periods, avoiding several pins in the process, he ultimately took a three-count with 37 seconds left in the match.

At 167 pounds Matthew Hsu had a stellar day, finishing 4-1 to take third. He got pinned by Banning’s Steve Perez in his first bout but won all of his remaining matches by fall, including a pin of Granada Hills’ Arsen Ghapianyan in 3:52 in an action-packed third-place matchup.

Panyarat Litmen earned Palisades valuable points with a fourth-place showing at 192, winning his first match by fall, losing his second by decision, winning his third by a score of 7-3 and losing on points by the same score to Fremont’s Jesus Valdez in the third-place match.

Parker Field posted a 3-2 record to take fifth at 134 pounds, earning his place when a Chatsworth wrestler defaulted. He was pinned in 1:23 by Omar Menendez of Franklin after pinning his first two opponents in the first period.

Also taking fifth place was Nick Bertram in the 177-pound division.

His final match against Brian Perez of Carson saw both wrestlers gain the upper hand throughout a topsy turvy first period, but Bertam held his opponent down long enough for a three-count as the buzzer sounded.

Connor Kang was sixth at 146, losing to Angel Zelaya of Canoga Park by fall at 2:33 in the fifth-place match. Kang had pinned Zelaya in 3:02 in his first match of the day.

Michael Cahill was eighth in the 217-pound division and Ansar Sherkhanov did not place at 159.

San Fernando took first place in the team standings with 316.50 points, followed by Granada Hills and Banning.

*** Click on any photo below to view slide show ***