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Roberta Herr, 52; Native Palisadian

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Roberta Beagles Herr, a native of Pacific Palisades, passed away on October 30 at the age of 52, after a three-week fight with ‘poorly differentiated small cell cancer occurring in the liver.”   Born at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica in 1958, Roberta lived her childhood on the Castellammare mesa. She had a congenital hearing loss, but with great determination became an extremely good lip-reader. She attended Marquez Elementary, Paul Revere Junior High and graduated from Palisades High in 1975. She attended UC Irvine and San Jose State University, where she earned a degree in occupational therapy.   Roberta married Norman Herr in 1981 at Palisades Presbyterian Church, and enjoyed 29 wonderful years of marriage.’   During the early years of her marriage, Roberta worked as an occupational therapist at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, but gave it up to be an at-home mom, the job she enjoyed most in life. She was active with her family at Valley Presbyterian Church in North Hills, where she was involved in children’s ministries for the past 25 years. ‘   Roberta was a quiet servant and friend who blessed many, many lives.   She enjoyed time with her husband, children and friends, and she spent many days camping and hiking with her family throughout national parks and wilderness areas in the United States and Canada. Recently, she had acquired a great interest in European travel because her son-in-law is from the Netherlands. ‘   Roberta is survived by her loving husband, Norman Herr, a professor at Cal State Northridge; her mother, Alice Beagles, a long-time resident of Pacific Palisades; her sister, Jessica Roos, a former school board member in Culver City;’her daughter, Christiana Naaktgeboren, who with her husband Marten serve in Uganda with Water Missions, a’Christian engineering organization serving the water and sanitation needs of people in developing countries and disaster areas; her son Stephen, a recent graduate of UC Santa Barbara; and her youngest son, John, a sophomore engineering student at UC Santa Barbara.   Memorial services will be held on Saturday, November 6, at 2 p.m. at Valley Presbyterian Church, 9200 Haskell Ave., North Hills.’Memorial donations may be made to the Reformed University Fellowship (UCSB chapter), or Water Missions International.

Science, Song and Myths

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A Pre-History of Southern California

Author Susan Suntree in Temescal Canyon. Suntree is a poet, performance artist and teacher at East Los Angeles College.
Author Susan Suntree in Temescal Canyon. Suntree is a poet, performance artist and teacher at East Los Angeles College.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

By Stephen Motika Palisadian-Post Contributor Susan Suntree, a Santa Monica resident, is a poet, performer and teacher deeply engaged with Los Angeles’s prehistoric past. Her new book, ‘Sacred Sites: The Secret History of Southern California,’ (University of Nebraska Press) culminates a more than 25-year effort to transform her understanding of the region’s dynamic geological and early human history into a unique poetic account.   She’ll be reading from the book at Village Books at 7:30 p.m on Monday, November 8, and giving a slide talk derived from her research at the Santa Monica Public Library on Wednesday, December 8.   Suntree’s 300-page book has been described by the writer Carolyn See as an ‘absolutely unique work of art,’ and a ‘symphonic epic in verse’ by UCLA professor Peter Nabokov. Yet, it’s also an important gathering of the natural history and myths and songs of the indigenous people of Southern California. Although it has some of the trademarks of a scholarly book, with an introduction by anthropologist Lowell John Bean, a large section of notes and an extensive bibliography, Suntree’s rich and expansive account of the restless land and the ancient singers defines the heart of this book.   The project began simply enough, in the mid 1980s, when Suntree hoped to answer a question that was nagging her: ‘Where am I?’ A recent transplant to Los Angeles, she was shocked by the city after living in the Sierra Nevada foothills for the previous five years. ‘In Northern California,’ she told the Palisadian-Post, it was not uncommon for people to have knowledge of the geography and the indigenous culture. Here, no one knows where they are.’   Suntree, who studied folklore and English at the University of Arizona and theater at the University of Kent, had been working in performance, so she applied for funding by the newly created Santa Monica Art Commission.   Inspired by her friend, poet Gary Snyder’s experience in Kyoto, Japan, where he visited the sacred Shinto sites in order to be acquainted with the area, she proposed the creation of a performance titled ‘Sacred Sites/Santa Monica.’ She received the grant and proceeded to write a script for a group of actors who performed the piece in schools and theatres in the region. After that, the show went dormant until 1992, when Cal Sate L.A. commissioned a ‘Sacred Sites/Los Angeles.’   The next iteration included a one-woman show, enlivened by different masks, which Suntree wears while performing, and development of a tour to prehistoric sites that she gave to classes and other interested groups. She took the show to Australia and, through the support of the 18th Street Art Center, to Utrecht, Holland. People began to ask if she was working on a book.   The project ‘was burning a hole in my filing cabinet, and I had to make a decision about whether to do the book or not,’ Suntree explained. We either needed to break up or get together. I decided to do it.’   But writing the book involved filling in gaps in her understanding of geological and Native American oral history that didn’t even exist in books. Suntree spent hours interviewing all manner of paleo-scientists, from archeologists and ethnographers to botanists and geologists. She visited many archives, including that of Constance Goddard DuBois, a late 19th-century bluestocking, lesbian novelist from New England who came to Southern California after reading Helen Hunt Jackson’s ‘Ramona.’   ’DuBois became an amateur anthropologist, collecting objects, but even more importantly, the oral tradition of Luise’o Indians,’ said Suntree, who believes that without DuBois’s work, we wouldn’t have valuable songs and stories of the local tribes. For the Native people of Southern California, Suntree added, ‘The songs are the core of the cultural contract. The history of your family is in a song. The myths are sung.’ Suntree also canvassed key Native American and geologic sites. She was taken around by people like Chester King, the foremost archeologist of the Southern Chumash and Northern Tongva, the two tribes that lived in the Santa Monica Mountains. Other locations included the site where the San Andreas Fault is exposed in the Palmdale road cut of the Antelope Valley Freeway. She recalled witnessing ‘the dramatic twist and turn of the fault, a ribbon of breakage of this absolutely dramatic piece of fault. To stand there and really contemplate it was amazing, as though seeing one coil of the primordial snake.’ Joined by a Native American leader, her visit to Juitgait, known to us as Mt. Baldy, and one of the peaks in the ring of Seven Sacred Mountains that surround the greater Los Angeles area made a powerful impact. Each of the peaks is important in the Native people’s vision of the world. The valley between Frazier Mountain and Mount Pinos ‘is the arena of the center of the world,’ Suntree said. ‘Castle Peak in the Simi Hills means ‘Place of the tongue’ and is particularly charged with energy.’   The Santa Monica Mountains are rich with petroglyphs and village sites. Suntree noted that you can find cemeteries and places for doctoring, where ‘human beings enacted their connections with the rest of the universe,’ throughout the range. There were large Tongva villages at Topanga, which means ‘village in the mountains that run to the sea,’ in Malibu creek, and in Temescal Canyon.   A key Tongva village stood where University High School is today. Called Koruuvanga, which means ‘place where we are in the sun,’ it sits on the Santa Monica-Malibu fault line, where a separation in the bedrock causes a line of fresh water springs. Suntree said: ‘It was a perfect location for a village, with fresh water, a wetland area that attracted birds, an upland going up to the Santa Monica mountains, and right on the old Indian trail.’ It’s where Cabrillo camped on the Feast of Saint Monica in 1769 and gave the bay and region its name. Today, several acres are preserved and maintained by the Gabrielino/Tongva Springs Foundation.   Suntree explained that one of the most difficult things for her to understand was the rotation of the tectonic plates, from east to west. ‘The plasticity and motion of landscape is constant. All this land came twirling up from Mexico.’ She added with a laugh, ‘We’re heading to our demise in the Aleutian trench.’   In the book, Suntree starts her narrative well before the Earth was formed, going back more than 14 billion years, before space and time, and takes us up to the arrival of the Spaniards.   She found the act of converting her performance scripts into the book manuscript to be a natural transition and believes that the long poem reflects the musicality of the performance piece. She wanted to score the poem so that the reader would get a sense of the rhythm of language and promote her readers’ inner ear, so that ‘they think there’s a storyteller in their head. I didn’t want people to be able to read this in blocks (like prose), but experience a landscape on the page, like a topographical map.’   The book includes 29 photographs by Juergen Nogai, the architectural photographer and a neighbor Suntree hopes to work with on a coffee-table book of photos of the sacred sites. ‘I think his architectural eye, and eye for structure, brought another way to seeing to the text, and added contrast to the writing.’ She is amazed how differently people look at sites once they know how rich the places are; knowing something happened there before gets them to ‘crack open the concrete’ and visualize a very rich history.   After experiencing many rejection letters, Suntree caught a break when she showed the manuscript to William Deverell, the Los Angeles historian and USC professor. He thought the University of Nebraska Press editor Matt Bokovoy might like it. He was right. In advance of publication, Suntree’s manuscript was carefully vetted by a historian, a Native American scholar, and a paleontologist, who ‘went through it with a flea comb,’ Suntree said. ‘While the paleontologist found errors, he also said that he had learned a few things he didn’t know.’ Suntree takes satisfaction in correctly representing the science and myths, but also hopes that she has written a book that will ‘elevate the story and carry it forward.’

St. Matthew’s Concert to Highlight Principal Players on November 12

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  Music at St. Matthew’s 2010 – 2011 season continues on Friday, November 12, at 8 p.m. with chamber music by Beethoven, Mozart and Strauss.’Tickets are $35 at the door; $10 for students.   The program will bring together principal players from the critically acclaimed Chamber Orchestra at St. Matthew’s for performances of Beethoven’s Septet (Opus 20), Mozart’s Oboe Quartet and an arrangement of Richard Strauss’s tone poem, ‘Til Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks.’   ’World Class Music Close to Home’ is the Music Guild’s slogan and well describes the quality of programs offered by St. Matthew’s in the acoustically and visually brilliant space by architect Charles Moore.’   For details about future Friday night programs, visit MusicGuildOnline.org. For additional information, call (310) 573-7422. ‘

Rogers Birthday Party Offers Music, Tours, Gift Shop Deals

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Dutch Newman and the Musical Melodians will entertain at Will Rogers State Historic Park on Sunday.
Dutch Newman and the Musical Melodians will entertain at Will Rogers State Historic Park on Sunday.

Will Rogers State Historical Park is hosting the Will Rogers’ Dust Bowl Birthday Party on Sunday, November 7, from noon to 3 p.m. at the park in Pacific Palisades. (Rogers was born on November 4, 1879.) Dutch Newman and the Musical Melodians will perform 1920’s and 1930’s music from noon to 2 p.m., while ranch house tours and kids’ activities are also offered. Period-attired guests will add to the Dust Bowl theme. ‘Newman, influenced by Duke Ellington, Ted Weems, Louis Armstrong, Fletcher Henderson and the California Ramblers, finds inspiration from silent and classic-era films and by listening to his collection of 78-rpm records on his portable Victrola. A regular performer in the Los Angeles area since 2002, Newman and his band incorporate the sounds of ukulele, stand-up bass, piano, clarinet, trombone and other horns as well as guitar and violin to fully realize that special sound.’   Chanteuse Mikal Sandoval, also a Will Rogers park ranger, is a veritable encyclopedia of songs from that era. With her trained voice, dance skills and the art of costume, Sandoval provides the finishing touch.   The new Will Rogers Ranch Foundation gift shop will also offer a 10-percent discount to celebrate Will’s birthday.   In honor of Will Rogers’ legacy of philanthropy, a canned food and fund drive to benefit the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is ongoing through Sunday. Non-perishable food and personal hygiene items are gratefully accepted at the ranger’s office at the park. All monetary contributions are tax-deductible. Guests who donate five or more items will receive a complimentary ‘Will Rogers Cookbook.’   Contact: (310) 454-8212, ext. 6.

Thursday, November 4 – Thursday, November 11

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4

  Storytime for children ages 3 and up, 4 p.m. in the Palisades Branch Library community room, 861 Alma Real.   Amy Lee Coy discusses and signs ‘From Death Do I Part: How I Freed Myself From Addiction,’ 7:30 p.m. at Village Books on Swarthmore. The book is an intimate exposure of Amy Lee Coy’s courageous journey through recovery from over 20 years of substance abuse’without the aid of conventional methods such as AA, psychiatry or medication.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5

  Jeff Sherratt reads and signs ‘Detour to Murder,’ a film noir mystery, 7:30 p.m. at Village Books on Swarthmore.   Opening night of Theatre Palisades’ ‘Putting It Together,’ a musical revue showcasing the songs of Stephen Sondheim, 8 p.m. at Pierson Playhouse, 941 Temescal Canyon Rd. Performances are Friday and Saturday nights and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m., through December 15. For tickets ($18-$22) call 310-454-1970.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6

 Friends of the Library book sale, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Palisades Branch Library parking lot, 861 Alma Real.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7

  Will Rogers State Historical Park hosts a Dust Bowl Birthday Party in honor of Will Rogers, noon to 3 p.m. (See story, page 14.)

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8

  Sunrise Assisted Living hosts a free Alzheimer’s support group on the second Monday and fourth Wednesday of each month, 6:30 p.m. at 15441 Sunset. Please RSVP by calling the front desk at (310) 573-9545.   Dean Pasch and Susan Suntree are featured at Moonday, a monthly Westside poetry reading, 7:30 p.m. at Village Books on Swarthmore. (See story, page 13.)

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9

  The Palisades Woman’s Club presents The Ceora Winds, 11:45 a.m. at the clubhouse, 901 Haverford. The program is free. For lunch ($15) call (310) 454-7144.   Monthly meeting of the Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association, 7:30 p.m. at Rustic Canyon Park. The public is invited.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10

  Coldwell Banker realtor Michael Edlen will be guest speaker at the monthly meeting of the Palisades AARP chapter, 2 p.m. at the Woman’s Club, 901 Haverford. The public is invited. Refreshments will be served.   Renata Stih and Frieder Schnock will speak about art installations they have created for German and U.S. museums, 8 p.m. at Villa Aurora, 520 Paseo Miramar. For tickets ($10) call (310) 573-3603.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11

  Diane Lefer and Hector Aristizabal discuss ‘The Blessing Next to the Wound: A Story of Art, Activism and Transformation,’ about a torture survivor from Colombia who has dedicated his life to healing the pains of others.

CLASSIFIED ADS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 28, 2010

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HOMES FOR SALE 1

SANTA MONICA CANYON BEACH HOUSE. Updated Cape Cod 3 bd+3 ba. 4 blks to ocean + cafes. MLS #S611839. $1.85 mil. FSBO. Open Sun. 1-5. (310) 230-8605.

GREAT DEALS. Homes Steps from Sand. Right in the Palisades! $125-450,000. Fab ocean views. For use as homes/offices/weekend retreats/condo alt. Terrific opportunity! PCH between Sunset and Temescal. 8 sold last year. Heated pool and rec center. Agent: Michelle Bolotin, (310) 230-2438, www.michellebolotin.com

BUILD YOUR DREAM ESTATE! Giant, flat, rectangular property, 18,300 sq. ft., all buildable. Unique opportunity for any builder’s imagination. Being sold for land value. Don, agt, (310) 230-1981

LOTS FOR SALE 1a

BEAUTIFUL ONE ACRE parcel in River View Estates, located just minutes from Paso Robles. Gated community featuring custom homes, fabulous views and all the amenities of Heritage Ranch are included. Across the street from the lake and new school and shopping center makes this a wonderful place to build your dream home, plan for your retirement or just vacation. Only 20 minutes from Paso Robles where you can enjoy world renown wine and fabulous restaurants. Call Alex, (805) 440-4418. Possible owner financing! ONLY $159,000.

HEADS UP INVESTORS. This lot is in an excellent location for a commercial/retail endeavor in the quaint town of San Miguel just minutes North of Paso Robles. Prime Mission St. frontage makes this parcel a great opportunity for an investor to participate in the future growth of this attractive downtown district. $127,000. Seller financing possible. Seller is extremely motivated. Call Alex (agent), (805) 440-4418

CONDOS, TOWNHOMES FOR SALE 1e

Remodeled Lrg 2 Bed Townhome * Functional floorplan. Private & quiet. $629K. No agents please. (310) 882-8262

LOCATION! LOCATION! Stunning Palisades village 2 BD, 2 BA under $500K. Unique open floor plan, quiet/pvt unit w/ upgrades, greenbelt vu & pool. Amenities. Great value! $495K. Don, agt, (310) 230-1981

FURNISHED HOMES 2

EXECUTIVE RENTAL! MOVE RIGHT IN! Immaculate, fully furnished, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath. Pool, gym, spa, near trailheads, mountain view, minutes to the beach. Also avail: separate lg studio w/ garden patio. (310) 459-9111

UNFURNISHED HOMES 2a

3 BDRM, 2 BTH HOME. 18 ft. ceilings, 2 decks, gas fireplace, spectacular mtn. views, new tile, s.s. appliances, separate 2 car garage, lrg closets, updated. Available 11/15. $3,700/mo. (310) 459-2692

UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS 2c

HOME-LIKE, SPACIOUS 1 bd, 1 ba, 800 sf. in triplex near bluffs & Village. Fireplace, bay window, hardwood, garage, laundry, garden. Non-smoker, no pets, 1 yr lease. $2,200/mo. (310) 804-3142

BEAUTIFULLY REMODELED 1 BDRM APARTMENT. Best ocean views in town. Stainless steel appliances, wood floors, fireplace, pool, laundry onsite & parking. Small pets ok. Please call (310) 227-9612. Equal housing opportunity.

CHARMING DUPLEX overlooking the Village. 1 bdrm, 1 ba. Quiet and quaint. Fantastic location. Walk everywhere. $1,695/mo. (310) 459-1220

ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT 1/2 block from Gelson’s and ‘village’ shops, two blocks from Temescal Cyn hiking. Quiet building, little street traffic. Call Michael, (310) 883-8049

CONDOS, TOWNHOMES FOR RENT 2d

GEM IN THE PALISADES, Sunset & Almar. 2 bdrm, 2 1/2 ba. townhouse. Hardwood, tile, carpet, W/D, dishwasher, roof deck, parking. $3,350/mo. (310) 395-1073

$2,900/MO. BRIGHT, SPOTLESS TOWNHOME. 2 beds+2 baths. High ceiling master, plenty of storage, private garage with direct entry. Quiet, quiet. Broker, (310) 740-0302

ROOMS FOR RENT 3

PRIVATE BRENTWOOD HILLS STUDIO. Exclusive Brentwood studio with canyon view. Quiet, relaxed environment & attached to a gorgeous 2-story home north of Sunset off of Kenter Canyon. Features a private entrance, patio, 2 bathrooms, Direct TV, Wi-Fi, deck, housecleaning services & laundry room. Heating/air conditioning and all additional utilities are paid by owner. Perfect for out of town executive or commuter. Conveniently located near Brentwood Village for grocery, banks, post office & restaurants. $1,900/mo. (310) 471-1011

FURNISHED PRIVATE GUEST BEDROOM & bathroom available November 1st. Beautiful Palisades home. All utilities, housekeeper, washer, dryer included. No pets. (310) 709-7383, coquisrocks@gmail.com

OFFICE/STORE RENTALS 3c

OFFICE SUITE in the Atrium Building on Via de la Paz. 2 offices, reception area and restroom. Attractive space approx. 900 sq. ft. One year plus sub-lease. Rent negotiable. Great space. (310) 459-5353

OFFICE FOR LEASE. Professional building in Pacific Palisades Village for lease. Lovely and spacious suite available. Reasonable rent price. Excellent tenant improvements. 850 square feet. Please call Tracy Rasmussen at (310) 459-8700 for more details.

VACATION RENTALS 3e

PARK CITY. Unique and charming historic church converted to home. (435) 649-8298

MISCELLANEOUS 4b

BAD CREDIT? NO PROBLEM!!! Back to school. Holidays around the corner? Need some extra cash? Apply for a loan! Bad credit? No credit? No problem! Call (888) 593-7775. No fees.

LOST & FOUND 6a

LOST: LEXUS KEY w/ remote and housekey. Lost 10/13 on Via de la Paz. Reward if found. Please call (310) 472-1504

BOOKKEEPING/ACCOUNTING 7b

NEED HELP WITH PAPERWORK? Mail & bills, bookkeeping, reconcile accounts, business mgmt, computer help. Caring, thorough, confidential. (310) 459-2066 or (310) 218-6653

COMPUTER SERVICES 7c

MARIE’S MAC & PC OUTCALL. I CAN HELP YOU IN YOUR HOME OR OFFICE WITH: ‘ Consultation on best hard/software for your needs ‘ Setting up & configuring your system & applications ‘ Teaching you how to use your Mac or PC ‘ Upgrades: Mac OS & Windows ‘ Internet: DSL, Wireless, E-mail, Remote Access ‘ Key Applications: MS Office, Filemaker, Quicken ‘ Contact Managers, Networking, File Sharing, Data backup ‘ Palm, Visor, Digital Camera, Scanner, CD Burning. FRIENDLY & PROFESSIONAL ‘ BEST RATES. (310) 262-5652

YOUR OWN TECH GURU * EXPERT SET-UP, OPTIMIZATION, REPAIR. Problem-Free Computing Since 1992. Work Smarter, Faster, More Reliably. If I Can’t Help, NO CHARGE! ALAN PERLA, (310) 455-2000

THE DETECHTIVES’. PROFESSIONAL ON-SITE MAC SPECIALISTS. PATIENT, FRIENDLY AND AFFORDABLE. WE COVER ALL THINGS MAC ‘ Consulting ‘ Installation ‘ Training and Repair for Beginners to Advanced Users ‘ Data recovery ‘ Networks ‘ Wireless Internet & more. (310) 838-2254. William Moorefield. www.thedetechtives.com

USER FRIENDLY’MAC CONSULTANT. User friendly. Certified Apple help desk technician and proud member of the Apple consultant network. An easy approach to understanding all of your computer needs. Offering computer support in wide variety of repairs, set-ups, installs, troubleshooting, upgrades, networking, and tutoring in the application of choice. Computer consulting at fair rates. Ryan Ross: (310) 721-2827. email: ryanaross@mac.com ‘ For a full list of services visit: http://userfriendlyrr.com/

EXPERT COMPUTER HELP ‘ On-site service’no travel charge ‘ Help design, buy and install your system ‘ One-on-one training, hard & software ‘ Troubleshooting, Mac & Windows, organizing ‘ Installations & upgrades ‘ Wireless networking ‘ Digital phones, photo, music ‘ Internet. Serving the Palisades, Santa Monica & Brentwood. DEVIN FRANK, (310) 499-7000

DECORATING 7d

INTERIOR DESIGN AND STYLING. From ordinary to unique. Space planning. Paint specs. Furniture. Accessorizing. Hourly design consultations welcome. Carol Fox, ASID. (310) 454-0601, www.carolfoxdesign.com

GARAGE, ESTATE SALE SERVICES 7f

PLANNING A GARAGE SALE? * an estate sale? a moving sale? a yard sale? Call it what you like. But call us to do it for you. We do the work. Start to finish. ‘ BARBARA DAWSON ‘ Estate/Garage Sale Specialist. (310) 454-0359. barbdawson@roadrunner.com ‘ www.bmdawson.com ‘ Furniture ‘ Antiques ‘ Collectibles ‘ Junque ‘ Reliable professionals ‘ Local References

ORGANIZING SERVICES 7h

PERSONAL ASSISTANT/ORGANIZER. Outgoing & cheerful individual available for office or home organization. Office skills, errands, event & travel planning. Part time or temporary ok. 3 hour min. Reasonable rates.

FEELING THE HOLIDAY CRUNCH? I can address cards, take care of your holiday shopping, Christmas decorating, gift wrapping, or party planning. Pam, (310) 733-8433

MISCELLANEOUS 7o

ESTATE ADMINISTRATOR. Years of experience. Impeccable references. Background check welcome. (626) 692-9688, lv message, rudig63@yahoo.com

HOUSEKEEPERS 9a

PROFESSIONAL MAID SERVICES. In Malibu! We make your home our business. Star sparkling cleaning services. In the community over 15 years. The best in housekeeping for the best price. Good references. Licensed. Call Bertha, (323) 754-6873 & cell (213) 393-1419. professionalmaidinmalibu@google.com

LOOKING FOR A HOUSEKEEPING JOB. 2-3 days. 12 years experience, own transportation, legal, local references. Call Delmy, (323) 363-9492, delmycleaning.com

HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE. Excellent worker, dependable, trustworthy, excellent cook & excellent references. Call Arlina, (323) 229-9327

HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE Friday. Very good worker & excellent local references. 20 yrs experience. Own car. CDL. Can speak English. Call Marina, (323) 644-0090 (home) or (323) 829-9424 (cell)

GARDENING/LANDSCAPING 11

PALISADES GARDENING ‘ Full Gardening Service ‘ Sprinkler Install ‘ Tree Trim ‘ Sodding ‘ Sprays, non-toxic ‘ FREE AZALEA PLANT ‘ Cell,(310) 701-1613, (310) 568-0989

INDEPENDENT LANDSCAPE GARDENER. Expertise in: Planting ‘ Plumbing & Irrigation Drip Systems ‘ Sprinklers ‘ Timers & Repairs on existing systems ‘ Landscape Lighting, Fencing, Arbors & Trellises ‘ Pruning & Trimming ‘ Sod Removal or Installation ‘ Soil Preparation ‘ Right plants for given conditions ‘ Regular maintenance. Client refs upon request. Bulmaro, (310) 442-6426 or cell, (310) 709-3738

MOVING & HAULING 11b

HONEST MAN SERVICES. All jobs, big or small. Moves and hauls it all. 14 foot truck. 20th year Westside. Delivery to 48 states. (310) 285-8688

POOL & SPA SERVICES 13e

PALISADES POOL SUPPLY. SWIMMING POOL SERVICE & REPAIR. 15415 Sunset Blvd., P.P. 90272 (310) 459-4357. www.PalisadesPool.com

STEREO, TV, VCR SERVICES 13g

1 REMOTE CONTROL THAT WORKS! Is your entertainment system not entertaining you? We can tune up your system, bring it up to date, hide wires, mount TVs, install speakers, etc. We can even reprogram or replace your remote control so it is easy to use. Call us, we can help! Lic. #515929. Stanford Connect, (310) 829-0872

WINDOW WASHING 13h

THE WINDOWS OF OZ. Detailed interior/exterior glass & screen cleaning. High ladder work. Solar panels/power washing also avail. Owner operated. Lic., bonded & insured. Free estimates. (310) 926-7626

MR. CRYSTAL WINDOW CLEANING. Please call Gary: (310) 828-1218 Free estimate, friendly service, discounts. Licensed & Insured.

PERSONAL SERVICES 14f

EXCELLENT PERSONAL ASSISTANT to help w/ tasks of the day. Organizing, driving, appointments, shopping, errands, property manager, banking deposits, etc. Excellent references. Evelyne, (310) 395-4660

PET SERVICES/PET SITTING 14g

PRIVATE DOG WALKER/housesitter, Palisades & Santa Monica. S.M. Canyon resident. Please call or email Sherry, (310) 383-7852, www.palisadesdogwalker.com

ClubHappyDog.com. Doggie Day Camp Play Group Excursions. Enroll Your Puppy at 4 Months Old. (310) 359-3433

MISCELLANEOUS 14k

FINE ART INSTALLATION. Confused about where or how to hang your art collectibles? Rick Strauss has been installing fine art for years in homes and offices throughout the Westside. Reasonable rates. (310) 459-8212

PERSONAL TRAINER 15c

IN HOME PERSONAL TRAINER * Kirstin Webb, NASM Certified Personal Trainer/AFPA Certified Pilates Instructor. I blend many different types of fitness & nutrition programs to accomplish your specific goals! Visit www.BalancedFitLA.com or call (918) 645-8511 to schedule a complementary health assessment.

SCHOOLS, INSTRUCTION 15d

PIANO INSTRUCTION. Give the life-long gift of music! Very patient, creative teacher. Music degree, USC. Qualified, experienced, local. Lisa Donovan Lukas, (310) 454-0859, www.palisadesmusicstudio.com

TUTORS 15e

INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION. Children & adults. 20+ years teaching/tutoring exper. MATH, GRAMMAR, ESSAY WRITING & STUDY SKILLS. Formerly Sp. Ed. teacher. Call Gail, (310) 313-2530

MS. SCIENCE TUTOR. Ph.D., Experienced, Palisades resident. Tutor All Ages In Your Home. Marie, (310) 888-7145

PROFESSIONAL TUTOR. Stanford graduate (BA and MA, Class of 2000). Available for all subjects and test prep (SAT & ISEE). In-home tutoring at great rates. Call Jonathan, (310) 560-9134

MATH & CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS: COLLEGE ESSAYS, SAT/SAT II/ACT/ISEE/HSPT MATH PREP. All math subjects thru calculus. Jr. high thru college level writing skills. Fun, caring, creative, individualized tutoring. Local office in Palisades Village. Call Jamie, (888) 459-6430

EXPERIENCED SPANISH TUTOR. All grade levels ‘ Grammar ‘ Conversational ‘ SAT/AP ‘ Children, adults ‘ Great references. Noelle, (310) 273-3593, (310) 980-6071

SCIENCE & MATH TUTOR. All levels (elementary to college). Ph.D., MIT graduate, 30 years experience. Ed Kanegsberg, (310) 459-3614

GROZA LEARNING CENTER. Tutoring K-12, all subjects & reading. SAT, ISEE, HSPT, ACT, ERB, STAR. Caring, meticulous service. GrozaLearningCenter.com ‘ (310) 454-3731

EDUCATIONAL THERAPY ‘ Assesment ‘ Motivation ‘ Remediation ‘ Personalized academic, cognitive, & behavioral support. ADD, Gifted, LD, School & Family Challenges. Free Consult ‘ Pre-K – Adult ‘ Local office 10+ years. Arlana J. Morley, MS, MFT, BCET. (310) 459-4125

ARE YOU FRUSTRATED? Want a new system of learning for children with AUTISM that really works? Private in-home sessions. WORLD TOURS TECHNIQUES, (310) 455-2505

MATH & SCIENCE TUTOR. Middle school-college level. BS LAUSD credentialed high school teacher. Test prep. Flexible hours. AVAILABLE to help NOW! Seth Freedman, (310) 909-3049

STANFORD-EDUCATED MATH & SCIENCE TUTOR. Young (ish) & personable, experienced, in-home. Algebra thru calculus, physics, chemistry, SAT. Refs. www.westsidestanfordtutor.com, (323) 309-6687

MATH TUTOR. 15 years in-home tutoring experience. Have excellent skills to deal with lack of motivation & experience to make math fun. Palisades resident. Call Jelica, (916) 302-6129

WORLD’S BEST TUTOR is now available in the Palisades. All ages, most subjects. Let me help your child succeed. References on request. Jan, (310) 454-6774

MATH TUTOR, 10 years + in West L.A., Geometry, Algebra 1 & 2, Statistics, Calculus. Michigan MBA. Very reasonable rates. Call Bill, (310) 454-9821

MATH, CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS TUTOR * All math through AP calculus, AP chemistry and AP physics. Ask about homework club!!! www.clc90272.com or (310) 459-3239

Alex Van Name, a NAME you can TRUST! for k-12 Science and Math Tutoring. www.310ScienceMath.com. Summer Assignments, S.A.T. and A.C.T. Prep, Academic Tutoring and Support. Math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, pre-Calc, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Honors and AP too! ‘Mr. Van Name is such a patient and creative instructor. He explains the material thoroughly and is always ready to explain it in different ways until it makes sense.’ Call: (310) 295-8915. Email: alexvanname@tmo.blackberry.net. 12011 San Vicente Blvd. Suite 540, Los Angeles, CA 90049

NYU EDUCATED ENGLISH TUTOR. Elementary-High School. Develop reading, creative and analytic writing skills; college applications. $35/hr. Palisades resident: (310) 220-9799

EXPERIENCED LOCAL CHEMISTRY teacher available for tutoring in chemistry. Specializing in honors & AP chemistry. Please call Carole, (310) 749-3378. For math tutoring, algebra through calculus, call Shane at (310) 749-3397. Reasonable rates.

COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAYS * EXPERT GUIDANCE AND TUTORING. English professor with 15 years of experience. Please, call Diana at (310) 663-5606. engelmann_diana@smc.edu

SPANISH: Palisades resident from South America, patient & friendly, offers Spanish tutoring to all student levels. Learn, improve & gain self confidence at school, traveling, work, etc. (310) 741-8422

MATH/SCIENCE/SAT TUTOR. Widely used by Palisades residents. Excellent references. Dozens of satisfied clients at top schools. Call Will at (510) 378-7138

KIDS’ ACTIVITIES 15g

PRIVATE FITNESS FOR KIDS ‘ Coach Corey provides one-on-one sports & fitness training for children 3-13. Specializing in coordination and motor skill development for all levels, including Autistic Spectrum (OT references). This unique program guarantees transformational RESULTS! Featured in London Times, Details & Good Morning LA! Call (310) 712-5758

MUSIC LESSONS & INSTRUCTION 15h

TRUMPET & MUSIC LESSONS. Phrasing, musicality, music theory, ear training, composing, songwriting. USC & Juilliard graduate. (310) 497-2929

CARPENTRY 16a

YANKEE CRAFTSMAN CARPENTER HANDYMAN specializing in home repairs and renovations. Frame to finish. No job too small. 20 years experience. Not lic. Call Mark at (424) 672-0645

CONCRETE, MASONRY, POOLS 16c

MASONRY, CONCRETE & POOL CONTRACTOR. 40 YEARS IN PACIFIC PALISADES. New Construction & Remodels. Hardscapes, landscapes, custom stone, stamped concrete, brick, driveways, retaining walls, BBQs, outdr kitchens, fireplaces, foundations, drainage, pool & spas, water features. Exlnt local refs. Lic #309844. Bonded, ins, work comp. MIKE HORUSICKY CONSTRUCTION, INC. (310) 454-4385 ‘ WWW.HORUSICKY.COM

CONSTRUCTION 16d

SEME TILE. License #920238, insured. All phases of tile work. Kitchens, bathrooms, walkways, etc. No job too small! Call Steve, (310) 663-7256. FREE estimates! Email: semetile@gmail.com & website: www.semetile.com

PALISADES HOME REPAIR SERVICE. Super reliable, super clean’over 200 completed home repairs. There is no one better! Lic. #294-272 Call Mark, (310) 622-2773

CASALE CONSTRUCTION CO., LLC ‘ Lic. #512443 ‘ Kitchen and Bath Specialist ‘ General Contractor ‘ Residential ‘ Commercial ‘ New Construction ‘ Additions ‘ Remodeling ‘ (310) 491-0550 (o) ‘ (310) 927-1799 (c) ‘ www.reemodeling.com

ELECTRICAL 16h

PALISADES ELECTRIC. ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR. All phases of electrical, new construction to service work. (310) 454-6994. Lic. #468437 Insured Professional Service

ELECTRICIAN HANDYMAN. Local service only. Non-lic. Please call (310) 454-6849 or (818) 317-8286

LICHWA ELECTRIC. Remodeling, rewiring, troubleshooting. Lighting: low voltage, energy safe, indoor, outdoor, landscape. Low voltage: telephone, Internet, CCTV, home theatre, audio/video. Non-lic. Refs. LichwaElectric@gmail.com, (310) 270-8596

FENCES, DECKS 16j

THE FENCE MAN. 18 years quality work ‘ Wood fences ‘ Decks ‘ Gates ‘ Chainlink & patio ‘ Wrought iron. Lic. #663238, bonded. (818) 706-1996

CARLOS FENCE COMPANY. Wood & picket fences, wrought iron, chain link, gates, handrails, balconies, decks, pergola, arbor. Custom jobs available. (310) 677-2737, (310) 677-8650 (fax), carlos_fence@yahoo.com

FLOOR CARE 16m

GREG GARBER’S HARDWOOD FLOORS SINCE 1979. Install, refinish. Fully insured. Local references (310) 230-4597 Lic. #455608

CENTURY HARDWOOD FLOOR. Refinishing, Installation, Repairs. Lic. #813778. www.centurycustomhardwoodfloorinc.com ‘ centuryfloor@sbcglobal.net ‘ (800) 608-6007 ‘ (310) 276-6407

JEFF HRONEK, 40 YRS. RESIDENT. HARDWOOD FLOORS INC. ‘ Sanding & Refinishing ‘ Installations ‘ Pre-finished ‘ Unfinished ‘ Lic. #608606. Bonded, Insured, Workers Comp. www.hronekhardwoodfloors.com (310) 475-1414

HANDYMAN 16o

HANDYMAN ‘ HOOSHMAN ‘ Most known name in the Palisades. Since 1975. Member Chamber of Commerce. Non-Lic., but experience will do it. Call for your free est. Local refs available. Hooshman, (310) 459-8009, 24 Hr.

LABOR OF LOVE carpentry, plumbing, tile, plaster, doors, windows, fencing & those special challenges. Work guaranteed. License #B767950. Ken at (310) 487-6464

LOCAL RESIDENT, LOCAL CLIENTELE. Make a list, call me. I specialize in repairing, replacing all those little nuisances. Not licensed; fully insured; always on time. 1 Call, 1 Guy: Marty, (310) 459-2692

DJ PRO SERVICES ‘ Carpentry, Handyman, Repairs. ALL PROJECTS CONSIDERED. See my work at: www.djproservices.com. Non-lic. (c) (310) 907-6169, (h) (310) 454-4121

SAM DE LA CRUZ’EXPERT CRAFTSMAN ‘ Painting ‘ Plumbing ‘ Tile-work ‘ Carpentry ‘ Electrical. No job too small! Rain or shine! Good references & reasonable rates. Sammy, (310) 386-2244

I CAN FIX THAT! ‘ HOME REPAIRS. PALISADES RESIDENT, call today for help today. See ripmx.com/handyman for a list of services or call JOHN now, (310) 745-3200

PALI HANDYMAN & CONST. SERVICES. LOW COST HOME IMPROVEMENT. All jobs welcome such as all painting exterior-interior-walls-moldings etc., un-sticking of doors & windows, concrete, tile, brick/block, carpentry, woodwork, patios, decks, all fencing, gates, doors, cabinetry, drywall repair, roofing, additions, flooring, bathrooms, kitchens, water damage, electrical, plumbing, pressure washing, picture hanging, lighting, stucco, repair, sanding, clean up and trash removal and all other projects or fix it problems needed. Call now for a FREE ESTIMATE! Kevin, Brian Nunneley, (310) 488-1153 (always working in Palisades). Licensed, bonded and insured. 24 hr/7 days service available also!

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING 16p

SANTA MONICA HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING. INSTALLATION: New and old service and repairs. Lic. #324942 (310) 393-5686

PAINTING, PAPERHANGING 16r

PAUL HORST ‘ Interior & Exterior ‘ PAINTING ‘ 56 YEARS OF SERVICE. Our reputation is your safeguard. License No. 186825 ‘ (310) 454-4630 ‘ Bonded & Insured

TILO MARTIN PAINTING. For A Professional Job Call (310) 230-0202. Refs. Lic. #715099

J W C PAINTING. Residential & commercial. Years of experience. Affordable & reliable. Local references. Lic. #914882. Free estimates. jwcpnc@yahoo.com. Call Jason Childs (Charlie), (310) 428-4432

JIMENEZ PAINTING ‘ Interior & exterior. Residential & commercial. Cabinet refinishing. Over 15 yrs exp. References avail. 100% quality work. For free estimates call Javier, (818) 268-3311 or (818) 489-7268

REMODELING 16v

KANAN CONSTRUCTION ‘ References. BONDED ‘ INSURED ‘ St. Lic. #554451 ‘ DANIEL J. KANAN, CONTRACTOR, (310) 451-3540 / (800) 585-4-DAN

ONE WEEK ROOM REMODELS. Let us transform a room in your home in one week! Pali resident. Website: debonairenovations.com (310) 877-5577

TILE 16x

Tile. Nancy Lee Douglass, Lic. #742322 ‘ Regrout ‘ Recaulk ‘ Repair ‘ Install ‘ Beautify ‘ Consult ‘ 25 yrs. exp. ‘ References ‘ Local ‘ (310) 450-6427

HELP WANTED 17

FUDDRUCKERS HIRING cooks, cashiers, shift leaders! Apply 2-4 p.m. daily. 10250 Santa Monica Blvd. 221 North San Fernando. Great Oppty’s! (310) 277-7756

NURSERY COORDINATOR to manage nursery at Pali. Lutheran Church. Sundays, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Childcare exp., 21 yrs or older. Starting $16/hr. (depending on exp.). Daryl, (310) 459-2358, dcedaryl@plc.cc

HAIR STYLIST * Station for rent in Palisades established beauty salon. Reasonable rent. Information: (310) 454-3521

ESTABLISHED INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM, Pacific Palisader, seeking motivated designer. Partnership possible. JoAnn, (310) 459-7300, fax (310) 459-1001

WILL PROVIDE UNFURNISHED GUEST HOUSE for housekeeping & cooking services. Must have car & speak English. No/S/P. (310) 454-2801

GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 18d

SANTA MONICA CANYON ESTATE SALE. 606 Adelaide Drive. Saturday & Sunday, October 30 & 31, 10-3. Major artworks, crystal, furniture, antiques, silver & more!

S.M. HOUSE! No. of Montana! Collectibles/books/clothes/jewelry/hsehold goods, Fri.-Sat. Oct. 29-30, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 339 24th Street. www.bmdawson.com for photos/details.

ESTATE SALE/MOVING SALE * A collector’s dream . . . Furniture/furnishings/art/clothes/jewelry/kitch/hsehold goods/glassware/china set/decorative items/electronics/books. 14959 Camarosa Drive (between Toyopa and Alma Real) Pacific Palisades: Fri.-Sat., Oct. 29-30; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. No early birds.

Assembly Candidates Address Key Issues

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California State Assemblywoman Julia Brownley, Republican candidate Terry Rathbun and Green Party candidate Linda Piera-Avila are vying to represent the 41st District in Tuesday’s election.   Since Brownley took office in November 2006, she has concentrated mainly on education. This past two-year term, the Democrat said she is most proud of two education bills she carried that were passed into law. One bill gives community colleges the option of raising non-resident student fees, while the other helps foster children stay at their home school even when they must move to a different neighborhood.   ’A lot of foster children move a lot and school is their family,’ said Brownley, a Santa Monica resident who served on the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District board for 12 years and was board president three times.   If elected, Rathbun, an Encino resident who owns a small informational-technology consulting business, said he would focus on school financing. He would like to reform Proposition 98, which passed in 1988 and requires a minimum percentage of the state budget to be spent on K-14 education.   ’There is a lot of corruption, and the money is being misdirected,’ Rathbun said, noting that he thinks the money is being spent on administration rather than in the classroom.   Brownley disagrees, saying, ‘I actually think we are disinvesting in education.’   She doesn’t think that the formula for distributing money established by Proposition 98 needs to be changed, but the system needs to be more transparent, so that it is easier to see how money is distributed and spent at the local districts.   This past term, Brownley carried a bill, AB 8, that would have convened a working group to create a simple, more transparent accountable system, but Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed it. She plans to introduce a similar bill and is hopeful that if Jerry Brown is elected governor, he will sign it.   Piera-Avila, a Santa Monica resident and physical therapist, agreed with Brownley that schools are inadequately funded. Fixing the problem, she thinks, calls for changing how the government functions.   ’We need to reboot and start over with a new constitution,’ said Piera-Avila, noting that she would advocate for a constitutional convention. She believes the current constitution is ineffective and the root cause of the state’s budget problems.   The state had to close a budget gap of $24.3 billion in 2008 and $60 billion in 2009. The 2010 budget closes a gap of $19.3 billion by a combination of expenditure reductions, federal funds and other solutions.   All three candidates agree that the two-thirds vote required to pass a budget is ineffective, so they all support Proposition 25, which changes the vote required to a simple majority.   ’Our state legislature is constitutionally mandated to pass a budget on time, yet they have not done that for the last 20-plus years due to the two-thirds majority requirement; we need to fix this problem,’ Rathbun said. Rathbun, who served for nine years in the U.S. Navy and earned his associate’s degree in business from Pierce College, said he thinks one way to help balance the state’s budget is to reform pensions and increase the retirement age of government employees.   ’From a business perspective, when you are low on income, you scale back on spending,’ Rathbun said. ‘In Sacramento, they don’t take that approach.’   Brownley responded that government officials should be responsible and that the government is already working closely with unions to make difficult decisions regarding pensions.    ‘People who work hard and have a full career deserve a pension,’ Brownley said. ‘I believe this should be negotiated locally.’   Piera-Avila, who attended California Lutheran University and Cal State Long Beach, earning degrees in medical technology and physical therapy, respectively, pointed out that healthcare benefits are a huge part of pensions, so she thinks a universal healthcare system would help lower the cost.   ’Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege,’ Piera-Avila said, noting she would advocate for a single-payer healthcare system.   Piera-Avila added that another way to help with the budget crisis would be to establish a state bank, so that loans could be made to businesses and students at a fair interest rate and the interest could be invested in California.   Brownley, who has a bachelor’s degree in political science from George Washington University and a master’s degree from American University, has also directed her energies towards environmental conservation. This past term, she attempted to pass legislation that would ban single-use plastic bags. If re-elected, she plans to continue to pursue legislation.   Rathbun, who serves on the L.A. County Republican Central Committee for the 41st District, criticized her efforts, saying he thinks incentive programs are more effective than mandates. In addition, he believes local municipalities should make such decisions.   Plus, ‘it’s going to force more businesses out of the state,’ Rathbun said.   Brownley contends that the legislation would create a market for reusable-bag manufacturers.   ’Critics say it’s a job killer for California, but it’s just the opposite,’ Brownley said. ‘It’s a green-job creator.’   There are three plastic manufacturing companies in California and making plastic bags is a small part of their business, Brownley said. As part of the bill she tried to pass, the companies would have received money to retool so they could make reusable bags.   She also explained that a statewide ban is needed because if each city has different regulations, it would be too confusing for the consumer.   Piera-Avila, a member of the City of Santa Monica’s Urban Forest Master Plan Task Force and the Pico Neighborhood Association, said she supports Brownley’s efforts to ban plastic bags.   ’We need to do more,’ said Piera-Avila, who ran for Santa Monica City Council in 2008. ‘We need to prepare for the time when the availability of oil is over.’

Scarecrow Winners in YMCA Contest

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YMCA scarecrow contest originator Cindy Simon poses with the grand-prize winner
YMCA scarecrow contest originator Cindy Simon poses with the grand-prize winner “Wolfgang Yuck,” created by Kiley (right) and Hayden McKay. Photo: Suzanne Trepp

A scarecrow is placed in fields to discourage birds from feeding on crops, but the creative entries in Palisades-Malibu YMCA scarecrow contest were fashioned to scare sea creatures, UCLA and USC fans, and even Dementors (from Harry Potter). Inspired by Pacific Palisades resident Cindy Simon in 2007, the contest asks visitors to the Y’s pumpkin patch at Simon Meadow to vote for their favorite scarecrow. This year’s grand-prize winner was ‘Wolfgang Yuck,’ constructed by Palisadians Kiley (10), Hayden (4) and mom Kim McKay. The werewolf scarecrow came complete with a table, food samplings and a restaurant letter grade of A. The Halloween menu featured ‘whine pairings’ such as Edward Cullen’s 2005 pinot noir to accompany ‘Type O consomm’ with spicy fresh road kill.’ Customers are warned at the bottom of the menu, ‘Please allow 20 minutes for preparation and six to eight weeks for recovery.’ The idea for the scarecrow came from Kiley, who attends Calvary Christian School. ‘I watch the Food Channel and I wanted to have a scary food guy,’ she said. ‘Mariko,’ a beautiful mermaid scarecrow designed by retired Canyon Elementary School teacher Dorothy Miyake, took first place and won the handicraft artistry award. Peter Straus, executive director of Prime Time Sports Camp, accepted the Fairy Tale Award for his K-8 students’ entry ‘Old Skool.’ His students at the Westside Leadership Magnet in Marina del Rey built it during an after-school program. Cub Scouts from Troop 223 (Den 4) constructed an ‘Elvis’ scarecrow, and a ‘Professor Snape’ was the brainchild of Cad, Sophia and Zora Magner. Moritz, Nichoh and Chamonixe Brighton built a ‘Baby Superhero Mickey Mouse’ scarecrow; Chelsea Trotti made ‘Mr. Budget Cuts’ complete with a sign reading ‘What the hay, it’s tough all over,’ and the Reid family constructed a colorful entry titled ‘Ringie Reid the Ringmaster.’ A ‘Tommy Trojan’ scarecrow constructed by FOC (Friends of Cindy) and a ‘Coach Wooden’ scarecrow built by the Trepp family kept the USC/UCLA rivalry alive in the pumpkin patch. ‘It was fun,’ said Palisades Elementary mom Laura Schneider, who created ‘Pegleg Pumpkin Pete’ with her sons Luke (8) and Jake (3). ‘The hardest part was coming up with a creative idea and then figuring out how you get the scarecrow to stand up.’ Cindy Simon emceed the awards ceremony, while fellow organizer Suzanne Trepp snapped photographs. ‘This year we had 15 entries, which is the most we’ve ever had,’ Simon said. Simon and Trepp became friends while working on the YMCA board and co-chaired the kick-off event for the pumpkin patch on October 10. The pair is already planning the winter festival kickoff, which includes the sale of trees and hand-blown glass ornaments, children’s games and arts and crafts. ”We love to find excuses for families to visit Simon Meadow,’ Trepp said.

Robertson Details How Budget Crisis Impacts Street Services

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As a result of the city’s budget crisis, the L.A. Bureau of Street Services has lost 349 staff positions and has fewer working days, which will result in a reduction in services, according to William Robertson, the bureau’s director. In fiscal year 2009-10, the department had 1,155 employees, and it now has 806. In addition, ‘the bureau uses 220 working days as the base for planning operations, which is now reduced by 26 days for mandatory furloughs,’ Robertson told the Pacific Palisades Community Council on October 14. Robertson said he intends to continue to deliver as many services as possible, but his main focus will be on resurfacing and maintaining streets. His department received $94 million for the pavement preservation program, and he plans to make improvements to 735 miles of streets, which includes 235 miles of resurfacing, 400 miles of slurry sealing and 100 miles of crack sealing. L.A. has 6,500 centerline miles and more than 28,000 lane miles. Robertson would like to maintain the street-cleaning program with non-posted residential streets being swept on a four-week frequency and posted routes once per week. However, the department has lost 15 motor-sweeper operators to the city’s early-retirement incentive program. He assured the Council that street sweeping would continue in the Village portion of the Palisades. ‘We are working with the city administrative officer to lift the hard hiring freeze on these positions,’ Robertson later told the Palisadian-Post. ‘Initial impacts from the lost positions have resulted in missed posted route cleaning and an increase in non-posted routes frequencies up to six weeks.’ Robertson plans to use $5 million from the state’s gas tax (paid at the pumps) to pay contract workers to trim about 50,000 trees this fiscal year. He recognizes that this is hardly enough, since there are 700,000 trees (1,000 species) in Los Angeles. ‘We will select the trees based on our prior years’ trim cycles and actual need,’ he said. On October 14, community members asked for repairs to specific streets. Robertson responded that the bureau plans to repave Akron Street between Lachman Lane and Bienveneda Avenue and fix the broken warning rail at 705 Enchanted Way.   He offered to send one of his workers to investigate the street collapse on El Oro Lane and the dead trees in the Highlands around Michael Lane and at the bottom of Palisades Drive. He also said an investigator would look at the camphor trees on Toyopa Drive and the standing-water problem on the 600 block of Radcliffe Avenue near Haverford Avenue.   Residents desiring to trim a tree in front of their home can apply for a permit from the city at no cost, and they can utilize their own contractor to perform the work, Robertson said. Communities may also consider renting a pothole truck, small tree trimming crew or motor sweepers for street cleaning through the department’s personal services program.   ’The work is scheduled for weekends, and we sit down with the community beforehand to identify the work they want done,’ he said. ‘We provide an estimate and the community knows exactly what they get for their money.’   Anyone interested in purchasing such services should e-mail Robertson at william.robertson@lacity.org. For other service requests or inquires, call 311.   ’I receive approximately 175 e-mails a day regarding normal city business,’ Robertson said. ‘I read all my own e-mails and answer them as quickly as possible.’

Mary W. Sullivan, 89; Teacher, 49-Year Resident

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Longtime resident Mary W. Sullivan, a beloved family member, extraordinary teacher and cherished friend, passed away October 20 at the age of 89.   Born Mary Harriet Ward in Brookline, Massachusetts on August 16, 1929, she earned a B.S. in education at Framingham State College, a master’s degree in education at Harvard and a master’s degree in special education at Chapman College.’   In 1947, Mary married Arthur F. Sullivan, and proceeded to live in Solvang, Cheyenne (Wyoming) and Santa Monica before moving to Pacific Palisades in 1961. She had three daughters, Nancy, Debbie and Cary, before the marriage ended in 1972.’   Mary taught elementary school for more than 35 years in Massachusetts and California, including several years at Corpus Christi School and 20 years at LAUSD’s Birdielee Bright Elementary.’ She was a longtime member of Corpus Christi Parish and active in the community, including the PTA and the Girl Scouts (as a troop leader). She was also a member of the Junior Women’s Club, Las Doradas and the Delphian Society.   ’Mary W’ was often described as one of the coolest ladies on the planet.’   She is survived by her daughters Nancy Sullivan of Beverly Hills and Cary Sullivan, husband Rocky Dawuni and their daughter Safiyah Dawuni of Pacific Palisades, and granddaughter Riley O’Donnell of Nipomo, California. Her beloved daughter Debbie Sullivan, last of Long Beach, passed away in 2004.’   A memorial mass will be held at Corpus Christi Church in Pacific Palisades on Saturday, October 30, at 11 a.m. In her honor, pledge time to read with a child at www.target.com/reading or to the LA Youth Network at www.layn.org.

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