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Stephanie Powell Murphy, Adventurous Traveler

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Stephanie Powell Murphy, granddaughter of Hollywood legends Joan Blondell and Dick Powell, lost her swift but courageous battle with lung cancer on November 20 at age 48.   Born on September 26, 1962, and a longtime resident of Pacific Palisades, Stephanie had a life of adventure. She traveled the world and got to experience living in a way most people never do.   She is survived by her loving family, mother Ann Traub, father Norman Powell, brother Scott Powell, sister Sandra Espe Powell, brother Matt Powell, sister-in-law Laurie Powell, ex-husband Sean Murphy, stepmother Ellen Levine, and best friend Denise Mangimelli.   Stephanie’s adventurous spirit, her sweetness, her love for her animals, her creativity and her generosity will forever remain in the memories of all those who knew and loved her.

Lamont Johnson, 88; Director, Local Activist

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Lamont Johnson, an Emmy-winning director, known for his sensitive treatment of controversial subjects in made-for-TV movies, including interracial romance, homosexuality and civil rights, died at his home in Monterey on October 24. He was 88.   A former longtime resident in the Paseo Miramar neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, Johnson was an effective activist during the controversy involving Los Liones Canyon during the 1990s.   Proposals for developing the canyon included relocating the Palisades-Malibu YMCA and Kehillat Israel onto the state-owned property. Johnson advocated a botanical garden and produced a 17-minute video on the history of Los Liones and the ambitious project proposed by the Los Liones Botanical Gardens Association.   ’The Los Liones Botanical Gardens Association favors developing the canyon as it was intended,’ Johnson said. The plan included a public-contact facility that would orient visitors to the facilities available throughout the Topanga State Park, a self-guided trail, a botanic garden and arboretum emphasizing native plants, a parking area and a trail head. Much of this plan was ultimately incorporated in the development of Los Liones Gateway Park.   Johnson, who directed more than 150 television shows, miniseries and movies of the week, received 11 Emmy nominations during his 45-year directing career.   He won critical acclaim for ‘My Sweet Charlie’ (1970), a look at tensions in interracial relationships; ‘That Certain Summer’ (1972), one of television’s first attempts to explore homosexuality; and ‘Crisis at Central High’ (1981), about the civil rights movement.   In 1986, he won a directing Emmy for ‘Wallenberg: A Hero’s Story,’ a mini-series about Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat who saved the lives of approximately 100,000 Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust. Three years later he won another Emmy for ‘Gore Vidal’s Lincoln,’ starring Sam Waterston, which examined the Civil War through Abraham Lincoln’s eyes as he contended with generals who balked at going into battle and politicians who undermined him.   Johnson is survived by his son, Chris; a daughter, Carolyn Bueno; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Thursday, December 9 – Thursday, December 16

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9

  Chamber of Commerce mixer, hosted by Palisades Cares, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Taste, a restaurant in the Highlands Plaza off Palisades Drive. The public is invited. Non-members: $25.   Pacific Palisades Community Council meeting, 7 p.m. in the historic dining hall in Temescal Gateway Park. Free parking. The council will hand out its annual Community Service Awards to Andy Frew and Arnold and Sigrid Hofer.   Paul Revere Charter Middle School holds its annual holiday choral concert, 7 p.m. in the school auditorium, 1450 Allenford. Free admission.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10

  Marquez Charter fourth graders read original poetry created with Michelle Bitting Abrams and California Poets in the Schools, a community-based poetry education program cultivating children’s imagination since 1964 (www.cpits.org), 6:30 p.m. at Village Books on Swarthmore.   Theatre Palisades’ production of ‘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 12. For tickets ($18-$22) call (310) 454-1970.   Chamber Orchestra at St. Matthew’s and the choir and soloists of St. Matthew’s Parish present holiday concert, 8 p.m. at the church, 1031 Bienveneda Ave. Program features Bach’s Magnificat in D Major and the Fourth Brandenburg Concerto, featuring violinist Yi-Huan Zhao and flutists Nancy Gilman Marfisi and Eileen Holt.’Tickets are $35 at the door. Contact: 310-573-7421.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11

  Will Rogers State Historic Park hosts a Holiday Horses Parade of Lights, 4:30 to 7 p.m. on the park’s polo field. The public is also invited to view the vintage holiday Ranch House decorations during an open house, 4 to 7 p.m. Complimentary eggnog and cookies will be served. Parking is reduced to $6 after 3 p.m.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12

  The Formalist Quartet performs a program featuring works by Villa Aurora Fellows and California composers, 3 p.m. at Villa Aurora on Paseo Miramar. For tickets ($10 for non-members, $5 for members and students with ID), call (310) 573-3603 or visit: info@villa-aurora.org. Shuttle service starts at 2:15 p.m. on Los Liones Drive.   The Temescal Canyon Association hiking group visits the Venice Canals to see the Christmas lights and perhaps the boat parade. The public is invited to join the walk. Meet at 5 p.m. for carpooling at the front parking lot in Temescal Gateway Park. Information: temcanyon.org.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 13

  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.   Moonday, a monthly Westside poetry reading, features poets C.J. Sage and J.P. Dancing Bear, 7:30 p.m. at Village Books on Swarthmore.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14

  The Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club presents its annual Christmas Boutique, 11 a.m. at the clubhouse, 901 Haverford. Opera-Kadabra, a one-man show by Patrick Bell, baritone and magician, is scheduled for 11:45 a.m.’For lunch reservations ($15), call (310) 454-7144 or (310) 230-2792 by noon on December 10.   Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association board meeting, 7 p.m. at the Rustic Canyon Recreation Center. The public is invited. Visit www.smcca.org for the agenda

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15

  Village Books celebrates the launch of Paul Almond’s ‘The Alford Saga,’ a series of romantic adventures that begins with ‘The Deserter,’ 5 to 7 p.m. at the store, 1049 Swarthmore. Just published in Canada, ‘The Deserter’ has made bestseller lists there. Come enjoy a glass of wine while hearing a few words from Almond.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16

  Fred Keller discusses ‘Spearing the Wild Blue Boar: Shakespeare vs. Oxford: The Authorship Question,’ 7:30 p.m. at Village Books on Swarthmore. Is William Shakespeare the true author of the poems and plays attributed to him? This book silences those who say that he isn’t. It takes particular aim at those who champion Edward de Vere, the 17th-century Earl of Oxford, whose crest was a wild blue boar.

CLASSIFIED ADS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 2, 2010

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UNFURNISHED HOMES 2a

MALIBU RANCH ESTATE FOR LEASE. 5 acres, room for large animals, ocean view, 1st driveway off PCH, stream, pond, 1 minute from Malibu Seafood and surf! Main home (2+2), hardwood, stainless, granite. Guesthome (1+1), travertine, stainless, granite. $6,500/mo. incl utils. Call (818) 307-9510 for details.

GUEST HOUSE. 3 rooms, garden setting, French doors, hardwood floors, laundry, very quiet. Available Dec. 1st. $2,100/mo. Utilities included, cat okay. (310) 454-8150

PACIFIC PALISADES. Bright 3 BR, 1 3/4 BA. Walk to Village. Yard with some citrus trees. HW floors in living rm/dining area. No dogs. $3,200/mo. (310) 454-7275

FURNISHED APARTMENTS 2b

P.P. GUEST HOUSE, WRITER’S RETREAT Light, bright, quiet studio, 17′ x 22′. Garden setting. All utils, laundry, maid. Near shops, trails, beach. No pets. No storage. $1,135/mo. + $800 sec. Avail. 1/05. Ph. (310) 459-6462

UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS 2c

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.

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

MOVE IN SPECIAL! 1 mo. free rent! Sunny 1 bd. 1 bth. Parking, laundry, carpet, fridge, stove, miniblinds. Small pet w/ pet deposit. 1 yr lease. $1,400/mo. (310) 589-5073, sunset.laslomas@gmail.com

LARGE STUDIO W/ GARDEN PATIO Kitchenette, 3/4 bath & bonus room. $1,600/mo. unfurnished, $1,900/mo. furnished. (310) 795-3999

OCEAN VIEW’1+1 Wood floors, granite kitchen. $1,695/mo. $600 off first 3 months! Available now. (310) 261-1488

CONDOS, TOWNHOMES FOR RENT 2d

$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

BEAUTIFUL 3 BDRM, 2 1/2 BA Highlands townhouse with mountain views. Spacious, 2 fireplaces, 2 balconies, pool, gym, spa, W/D. Unfurnished: $3,500/mo. Elegantly furnished: $4,100/mo. (310) 459-9111

2 BD, 2 BA. Center of town condo. Pool, 1,300 sq. ft., new carpet, large rooms, open kitchen, washer & dryer. $2,600/mo. Available now. Great deal! (310) 403-5113

PALISADES HIGHLANDS TOWNHOME $2,800/mo. 2 bd, 2 ba, 2 garage. Vaulted ceiling & fireplace, mountain views, patio & deck, pool & tennis. 3 mi. to beach. DiamondPalisades@gmail.com, (909) 861-4493

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

HIGHLANDS TOWNHOME Elegant tranquility. Home is where the hearth is. Spectacular mountain views, 2 BD 2 BA + additional workspace. Direct entry garage $2,850/mo. Photos, email: fine1mouche@gmail.com (310) 569-8719

ROOMS FOR RENT 3

BEAUTIFUL FURNISHED ROOM FOR RENT. Bedroom w/ walk-in closet + shared bathrm available now. Palisades home in upper Alphabets. Utilities, cable TV, internet, weekly housekeeper, washer/dryer, kitchen privileges incl. Female preferred, non-smoker. $825/mo. Call Judith, (310) 454-4318

WANTED TO RENT 3b

3 MONTHS SUBLET WANTED 1-2 bedroom condo/cottage, near town, furnished sublet. Single lady, no pets, 3 months, January-March, 2011. nanvee@aol.com or (212) 799-2146

FURNISHED HOME NEEDED German family of 5 needs furnished home. July-Aug 2011. Local references available. Mitch, (310) 454-1844

DO YOU HAVE A GUEST HOUSE? Quiet single female and current Palisadian looking for guest house. Palisades, SM, Venice, Malibu. Min. 850 sq. ft. Great references. (310) 459-3777

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.

WRITERS RETREAT * Quiet office suite with private access and bathroom. This 350 sq. ft. space is bright and airy. Available in December. (310) 702-1107

PROFESSIONAL BUILDING In Pacific Palisades Village for lease. 950 sq. ft. lovely and spacious suite available. Reasonable rent price. Build-To-Suit tenant improvement. Please call Ness, (310) 230-6712 x105 for more details.

VACATION RENTALS 3e

LAS VEGAS VINEYARD VILLA luxury home offers 3,500 sq. ft. tri-level half acre with amazing strip view. Available now! Call Ramona for a reservation at (702) 222-0608

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

ACCOUNTANT/CONTROLLER. Quickbooks/Quicken setup. Outsource the hassle’all bookkeeping needs including tax prep for home or office. Get organized now! (310) 562-0635

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. 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

CONSCIOUS COMPANION Have you lost a spouse and feeling disconnected? Or retired and feeling ‘stuck?’ As your Conscious Companion,I will greet you in the morning and help start your day. We can delve into stimulating conversations over current events, critique a good book or movie. We can conquer crossword puzzles, play cards, learn fun skills on the computer and read the newspaper together. We can sip tea or coffee and enjoy nature. With integrity, will find what YOUR passions are as we set goals for the week, month and year. I guarantee you will find yourself laughing out loud (again). References are available and space is limited. Let’s start today! Weekday mornings 1-2 hour intervals. Call Marguerite, (310) 403-2391

NANNIES/BABYSITTERS 8a

FRENCH NANNY AVAILABLE. A responsible, active, and kind nanny. I’ve got a first aid certificate and lots of experience with children. Clean driving license, references, resume. Michele at (310) 430-9253

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

HOUSEKEEPER Looking for work on Tuesdays. Excellent cleaning & references. Dependable & good English. Please call Raquel at (213) 736-5362

HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTER AVAILABLE. Good references, own transportation, friendly with pets, speaks English. Available Fridays & Saturdays. Marlene, (323) 423-2558

PAULA IS LOOKING to work as a housekeeper, Monday thru Friday. Has 10 years experience and good references.
Please call (323) 219-6984

HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTER/DRIVER Available Monday through Friday. Has own car, CADL & insurance. Local references. 10 years experience. Daisy, (323) 732-8192 or (323) 793-8287

HOUSEKEEPER & BABYSITTER AVAILABLE Monday through Saturday. 12 years experience, good references, own transportation, great with children. Call Teresa or Ruth, (323) 641-7522 or (310) 590-9763

ELDER CARE/COMPANIONS 10a

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU offering eldercare, childcare, and housekeeping. Professional and experienced. References available upon request. (818) 645-1775 or (310) 903-1434

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

MISCELLANEOUS 12f

PILATES HOME STUDIO has openings for first timers or advanced. Professionally trained. Evening & weekend appointments available. Call for appointment and info. (310) 459-0911 or (310) 508-7706

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

WATERCOLOR PORTRAITS of your beloved children and pets. Specializing in vivid and realistic watercolors and pen & ink. BA in art UCLA. Professional artist. Renee, (310) 454-1821

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

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 WARDROBE CONSULTANT to solve all of your fashion dilemmas! Closet re-organizing, personal shopping & holiday gift buying services avail. Denise Scher, (310) 398-0921, www.styledbydenise.com

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 Assessment ‘ 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

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

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

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

READING & WRITING TUTOR Credentials in general ed. & special ed. 30 years of teaching / tutoring experience. Offering individual / small group sessions. Elaine, (310) 454-6070

EARLY ELEMENTARY TUTORING, UCLA graduate.32 years experience as owner/director of two Californian Montessori Schools. Specialize in reading & writing. Your home. References. Renee, (310) 454-1821

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

MUSIC LESSONS & INSTRUCTION 15h

GUITAR INSTRUCTOR From hard rock to blues, funk. Any age or level, music theory and ear training. BA Music degree, great with kids, excellent local references. Danny Day, (310) 745-2792

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

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

K&Z HARDWOOD FLOOR EXPERTS Refinishing, installation, recoat, water & fire restoration. Free est. Lic. #804641. (800) 500-1146, (818) 905-0428

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

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!

A-1 SUPER HANDYMAN ‘ All concrete & brick work ‘ Blockwall ‘ Fencing ‘ Stucco ‘ Electrical ‘ Plumbing ‘ Painting ‘ Roofing ‘ Clean up ‘ Drywall ‘ Plaster ‘ Tree trimming ‘ FREE ESTIMATES! ‘ Lic. #902840 Tangi, (310) 592-9824, (818) 793-4415

HANDYMAN. Skilled labor/Jack-of-all-trades. $30/hr. or will bid job. Non-lic. Bill Clark, (310) 435-9754

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

COMPLETE CUSTOM CONSTRUCTION Kitchen+bath ‘ Additions ‘ Tile, carpentry, plumbing Quality work at reasonable rates guaranteed. Large & small projects welcomed. Lic. #751137. Call Michael Hoff Construction, (310) 774-9159

HELP WANTED 17

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

PERSONAL ASSISTANT NEEDED * Phone calls, emails, lite errands around Palisades and SM for local builder. Must have own car. (310) 741-1507

SCARLETT’S CUPCAKES IS HIRING! Need baking assistants w/ decorating ability & cupcake sales associates. Please call (310) 625-2448 or email Susan@ScarlettsCupcakes.com for application. Thanks for your interest.

ADMIN. ASST./RECEPTIONIST needed for small, established law firm in Pacific Palisades. Duties include front office and administrative support. Must be detail oriented and computer literate. Fax resume to (310) 459-1606 or email resume to randy@palisadeslaw.com

AUTOS 18b

NEED USED CAR! For teenage driver. Good condition, clean, automatic, compact style, low mileage, front airbags. Great deals only! (310) 573-2004 or varelae@aol.com

FURNITURE 18c

FURNITURE FOR SALE! Black upright Yamaha piano, $4,500. 3 piece wall unit, $600. White hand painted vanity, $150. White bunk bed unit with built in desk, $350. Hand painted upright bookshelf, $150. All in excellent condition! (310) 230-2018

HIGH QUALITY RATTAN FURNITURE designed by the ‘Seven Seas.’ Dining room table with oval shaped beveled glass, 39 ” x 72′, with sculptured rattan base w/ 4 linen chairs. Francis, (310) 454-5195

MOVING SALE!! ‘ Sofa, club chairs, ottoman, coffee & end tables, pine kitchen table with 6 chairs, brown jordan 60 inch round glass top table with 6 chairs, Ethan Allen chair. $$ CHEAP! $$ (310) 459-7776

GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 18d

ANNUAL XMAS BLOW OUT! Furnishgs/art/collectibles/hsehold goods. Linens/ clothes/jewelry. Fri.-Sat. Dec. 3-4, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 16620 Merivale Ln., PP. Photos/details: www.bmdawson

PaliHi Band Wins Sweepstakes Crown

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Members of the Palisades High band demonstrate the skills that helped them win the Highlander Marching Band Competition in Granada Hills. Photo: Mark Galasso
Members of the Palisades High band demonstrate the skills that helped them win the Highlander Marching Band Competition in Granada Hills. Photo: Mark Galasso

Palisades High’s marching band won the Sweepstakes title at the Highlander Marching Band Competition in Granada Hills on November 13, outscoring 27 other bands. PaliHi marchers also took first place in both percussion and band and second in color guard.   Band Director Arwen Hernandez explained how the Sweepstakes title is determined by a band’s overall performance.   ’All aspects of program design, execution and coordination are analyzed,’ she said. ‘Judges note their impression of the emotional, intellectual and aesthetic efforts and the judge thinks, ‘Which band did I like the most?’ In this case, it was us!’   The songs and overall marching design were crafted by Hernandez, Paul Revere Band Director Yosuki Miyoshi, PaliHi percussion instructor Jeremy Miller and marching instructor Sean McDermott.   ’We decided that our 2010 show needed to be entertaining and appeal to Pali’s diverse student body,’ Hernandez said. ‘Our show title is ‘Beyond The Sea,’ and includes songs ‘La Mer,’ ‘Misirlou,’ ‘Surfer Girl’ and ‘Good Vibrations.”’   The sweepstakes victory was a testament to Hernandez, who was hired in the summer of 2008 after repeated cries from Paul Revere Middle School parents that the high school’s program was lackluster. At the time, the marching band was student-led and the band hadn’t participated in a competition since 1994.   Hernandez had 35 students the first year, 49 last year and 62 instrumental members and a six-member color guard this fall.   Color guards, which are common in marching bands, are used to heighten the field drills’through the addition of color, and to interpret the music visually.’   ’These six girls [Alex Cordova, Judy Joo, Chanel Lee, Lauren Madrid, Ashley Madrigal and Natalie Mena] are the reason the color guard exists this year,’ Hernandez said.”They wanted do to it and kept asking.”   With the growth of the band, PaliHi has moved from Division 1A (for bands with 50 musicians or less) to 2A, for bands with 51 to 70 members. Drum majors are Alex Dale and Daniel Ward, the drum captain is Jesse Victoroff and the’color guard captain is Judy Joo.   Hernandez modestly credits Revere for the growth of the band. ‘They have a wonderful program,’ she said. ‘They send the musicians to us and we are so happy to have a program for them to join.’   PaliHi, which has entered four competitions this season, is now preparing for the LAUSD Championship at East Los Angeles College on December 11.   Additionally, the band performs at halftime of PaliHi football games, at the Village Green on various Sundays to raise money, and in the Palisades Fourth of July parade.   Donations to help purchase additional instruments can be made by check to Palisades Charter High School (write Marching Band in the memo) and mailed to the school, c/o Arwen Hernandez, 15777 Bowdoin St., Pacific Palisades, CA 90272.

Construction Shack on PCH Demolished

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Photo: Stuart Muller
Photo: Stuart Muller

A long-abandoned construction shed along Pacific Coast Highway that had been turned into a home by a transient was bulldozed by a Los Angeles Recreation and Parks crew on Tuesday morning, near the mouth of Potrero Canyon. Thus ended the homesteading by Tachowa (‘Rollerball’) Covington, following months of complaints by Pacific Palisades residents that the shack was an eyesore. Their next goal is to have the City remove the adjacent water tank, where Covington has also been living.

Work to Begin on PCH Sewer Project

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In mid-December, the City of Los Angeles will begin construction of a 4,500-foot Coastal Interceptor Relief Sewer that will increase capacity of the existing sewer and is intended to keep dry-water runoff from draining into Santa Monica Bay.   About 3,100 feet of the sewer will be built on Pacific Coast Highway between Annenberg Community Beach House and the Will Rogers State Beach’s parking lot (across from Potrero Canyon) and 1,400 feet in the parking lots for Will Rogers and Santa Monica Beach Club. Lanes on PCH will not be closed while work is taking place in the parking lots.   The entire $10-million project should be complete by fall 2012. The sewer is part of Proposition O, which was passed in 2004 by Los Angeles voters to improve water quality in the city’s beaches, harbors and lakes.   The contractor, Blois Construction, based in Oxnard, will first begin work on the channel that runs under PCH, north of Entrada Drive and south of Channel Road, said Michelle Vargas, public information officer for the L.A. Department of Public Works. A portion of the sewer will run beneath the channel.   In January, construction will begin on PCH and result in lane closures, Vargas said. She has not yet received an exact schedule from the contractor, but she said that throughout the two years of construction, there will be reduced southbound traffic lanes Mondays through Fridays when work is being done on PCH.   One of the three southbound lanes between the Will Rogers State Beach parking lot and the Annenberg will be closed from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Two lanes will be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. The three northbound lanes will not be affected.   The Pacific Palisades Community Council asked Andy Flores, project manager of the Proposition O Clean Water Bond Program, during its August meeting to take all possible measures to reduce traffic on PCH. Since then, Flores has consulted with Caltrans to come up with a traffic mitigation plan.   At last Thursday’s Council meeting, Flores reported that two weeks before any construction begins, portable electronic signs will be placed on the 101 Freeway at Kanan Road, Los Virgenes Road and Topanga Canyon Road.   ’The goal is to keep those vehicles on the 101 and discourage them from coming down to the PCH,’ Flores said of the commuters.   To inform local drivers, electronic signs will be placed on the PCH at Topanga Canyon Road and Sunset Boulevard. Two additional signs will be installed on Sunset near Temescal Canyon Road.   Since the electronic signs cost $500 a day to operate, the city will have them up for only two weeks before construction begins, Flores said. After that, the city will put up traditional signs at those locations to notify drivers of the construction.   Information on the lane closures will be available at www.lapropo.org, on Twitter @ PCHPartners or by calling (877) 700-3069 or (213) 978-0333.

Council Honors Andy Frew for His Three Volunteer Roles

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Andrew Frew at the sound and light board inside the Pierson Playhouse, where he has volunteered for Theatre Palisades since 1994.
Andrew Frew at the sound and light board inside the Pierson Playhouse, where he has volunteered for Theatre Palisades since 1994.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

Andrew Frew, who works behind the scenes at Theatre Palisades, Movies in the Park and the Chamber of Commerce Teen Pageant, will receive a Community Service Award from the Pacific Palisades Community Council on December 9.   The Council’s annual award recognizes Pacific Palisades residents who have made important contributions to the community through their longtime volunteer efforts. This year’s other winners are Arnold and Sigrid Hofer.   Frew, a neuroscientist at UCLA, said he was surprised he won because he calls himself ‘the geeky guy.’   At Theatre Palisades, Frew has been a volunteer in the Pierson Playhouse control booth since 1994, running the sound and light cues for TP productions.   A co-founder of Movies in the Park in 2004, Frew’s role has been to ensure that sound, screening and projection occurs without a hitch every Saturday night in August at the Recreation Center.   He has worked the teen pageant at Pierson Playhouse for eight years, handling the technical aspects of production. ‘Arnie would pay me, even though I asked him not to,’ said Frew, referring to Arnie Wishnick, the Chamber’s executive director. ‘I joined the pageant committee three years ago because I figured if I was on the committee, he couldn’t pay me.’   Frew’s numerous volunteer commitments are actually a break from his serious professional life at UCLA, where he uses a software program called BrainLAB to map brain tumors after a person has undergone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).   Using the 3-D ‘maps,’ Frew works with surgeons to guide brain-tumor operations, allowing doctors to cut away the tumor and leave areas of the brain responsible for speech, vision, memory and movement intact.   When not mapping, Frew uses a high-field small-bore MRI machine to examine brain tumor tissue with the hopes of improving imaging. ‘I have no aspiration of curing cancer, but if I can do one little step that leads someone else to maybe discover an enzyme, then I’ve done something,’ he said.   Born in Phoenix, Frew graduated from the University of Arizona with an engineering degree in 1982, and moved to Los Angeles to work for the L.A. Department of Water and Power.   In 1989, he purchased a condominium on Via de la Paz, within walking distance to all his eventual off-hour ‘jobs.’    ‘I really didn’t take advantage of the community in the beginning, just some weekend hiking,’ Frew said. But after reading a blurb in the Palisadian-Post in 1994 that Theatre Palisades was looking for volunteers, he offered his services. ‘I’ve never left. It’s like family.’   Although his initial position at the DWP was water plant structural designs, Frew eventually transitioned to waste-minimization recycling, which meant working with City Council members and the Mayor’s office. The experience was frustrating.   ’If there was a city furniture auction, a councilman might want it for his office, so we had to cart it over to him to look at and if he didn’t want it, then we had to move it again,’ Frew said, noting that with all the manpower and effort used, ‘We might as well have set fire to it’ and bought new furniture.   Frew’s life took a turn when a close friend, Steve DePesa, was diagnosed with brain cancer in 1996 and underwent surgery. Frew spent time investigating the disease and the prognosis. He also helped his divorced friend obtain MediCal funds, and moved him in his spare bedroom. The two wrote an informational Internet guide about the disease, treatments and contacts.   ’I decided engineering was pointless and started volunteering at UCLA,’ Frew said.   After DePesa died in Frew’s arms in July 1998, Frew quit his job and took time off. Fluent in Portuguese, he went to Brazil for two months to visit his ‘other’ family, which he had known since spending a college semester in Rio de Janeiro.   When Frew returned to the United States, he was accepted into a Ph.D. program in biomedical physics at UCLA, which included CT scans and MRI imaging, neuroanatomy, the effects of radiation, and health. He completed his degree in 2005.’   ’Everything I do [in Pacific Palisades] is all about feel good, have fun,’ said Frew, who has worked in the Pierson Playhouse booth for every production except one musical since joining the crew.   As a Community Service Award winner, Frew plans to ride in the Fourth of July parade with his long-time girlfriend, Paula DeSano, although this presents a dilemma.   ’I’ll have to find someone to drive the Theatre Palisades float,’ said Frew, who has driven it for 16 years and professes it is great fun. ‘I get to run every signal on Sunset, even if it’s at two miles an hour.’

Palisadian Saves Elephant in Thailand

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Juliette and Lek, nicknamed Thailand’s “Elephant Lady,” purchase bananas for Ratree, whom they rescued in Surin. Photo Courtesy of Lee West

By TIM GORSKI Special to the Palisadian-Post Each November, the city of Surin plays host to Thailand?s annual Elephant Roundup with 300 captive elephants performing for thousands of spectators. Elephants and their mahouts (handlers) travel hundreds of miles to perform a host of historical reenactments, tricks and circus routines for eager spectators. It is the largest elephant event in Southeast Asia and possibly the world.   In 2009, Pacific Palisades resident Juliette West joined Lek Chailert of Thailand, who has rescued elephants for the past 30 years, to save an elephant from the Elephant Roundup, while I captured it all on video for a documentary project called ?How I Became an Elephant.? The film premieres at the Artivist Film Festival at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood tonight at 9:30 p.m.   ?What the handlers do to the elephants behind the scenes is cruel,? says Juliette, a ninth grader at Harvard-Westlake. ?The elephants are separated from their mothers when they are babies and beaten with a bullhook to break their spirit. They are starved for days and sometimes even weeks. Then, they are taught tricks and abused daily for the rest of their lives to stay submissive.?   I met Juliette, who was then 14 years old and an eighth grader at St. Matthew?s Episcopal School, while attending the 2009 National Animal Rights Conference in Los Angeles. I have been filming Asian elephants in Nepal, Burma and Thailand for six years and was looking for an angle to bring my elephant stories to an American audience.   Juliette first became interested in animal rights at age 9 when she adopted a cat from the Voice for the Animals Foundation in Santa Monica. After that, she asked her friends to donate money to the foundation rather than give her birthday presents.   Last year, the foundation?s Executive Director Melya Kaplan alerted her to the controversy over the living arrangements of Billy, an elephant who has lived alone in a half-acre enclosure at the Los Angeles Zoo for 20 years. The city planned to construct a new $42-million elephant habitat, the Pachyderm Forest, with a roaming area of 3.6 acres for Billy and additional elephants.   Juliette wrote letters to the L.A. City Council advocating that Billy instead be transferred to a wildlife sanctuary.   ?Elephants need to walk at least 20 miles a day,? Juliette told the Palisadian-Post, pointing out that the Pachyderm Forest would not be large enough. She also noted that it was cruel to keep Billy alone for so many years: ?Elephants are social just like human beings, and they should not be isolated.?   The Council decided to move forward with constructing the Pachyderm Forest, set to open with two additional elephants, Jewel and Tina, this month.   The controversy, however, made Juliette more interested in elephant rights, and she met with representatives of the L.A. Zoo, Oakland Zoo, Oregon Zoo and Performing Animal Welfare Society, a wildlife sanctuary in Galt, California, to educate herself about the treatment of elephants.   I immediately saw the spark in her eyes and an idea was born. ?Juliette, how do you feel about going on an adventure?? I asked.   I took her to Thailand for three weeks last November to work alongside Lek, an unlikely hero from a small village who overcame overwhelming odds in her lifelong quest to save Asian elephants. Born in 1963 in a small hill-tribe in northern Thailand, Lek was one of the first girls in her village to receive an education. She learned a great deal about elephants in captivity after witnessing wild captures and the ?breaking? of wild elephants in rural Thailand. After rescuing dozens of sick and injured elephants, Lek quickly earned the nickname ?The Elephant Lady.? In 2000, she incorporated Thailand?s first sanctuary in Chiang Mai for abused elephants. She also earned the TIME Magazine accolade as one of Asia?s 50 most influential women.   ?Lek was almost like a celebrity to me because I had read so much about her before meeting her,? Juliette says. ?She?s this tiny woman, 4-feet 9-inches tall, next to these huge elephants that all love her. She is so amazing with them.?   At the Surin Elephant Roundup last November, the stands were filled with excited spectators. Smoke permeated the thick humid air as pyrotechnics exploded and 300 elephants and mahouts poured onto a football-field-sized fairground. A 10th-century mock battle ensued; opposing elephants locked trunks and swords clashed. The morning progressed with demonstrations of elephant strength and agility. They pulled logs, twirled hula-hoops, threw darts, played soccer and painted portraits.   ?It was heartbreaking and really hard to watch,? Juliette says. ?I could see the bullhook wounds. Everyone was cheering and so happy because they don?t know how the elephants are treated.?   Lek, Juliette, and I slipped out to choose an elephant in the worst condition to save. We selected a 40-year-old female named Ratree (Thai for midnight) who was used for decades in an unsuccessful breeding program.   Elephant transactions are not uncommon here. It cost about $10,000 to purchase Ratree and to transport her to the sanctuary. Through generous donations from family members and her father?s colleagues, Juliette raised the finances necessary to save the elephant. Her father, Lee, works as a money manager and her mother, Kimberly is a homemaker. Her brother, Jameson, is a junior at Harvard-Westlake.   Ratree suffered from a broken hip and broken ankle, common injuries in captive breeding programs. Mahouts restrain and force female elephants into a submissive position and encourage visiting bulls to mount them. Many females die of internal injuries and less than two percent of the newborns survive.   Ratree, who was blind in one eye, displayed serious mental issues, evidenced by moaning, blank staring, continuous drooling, a listless trunk and constant swaying; she panicked easily and cowered fearfully at everything around her, including approaching elephants. ?In Thailand, they drug the elephants, so they are comfortable in a crowd,? Juliette says. ?Ratree had been drugged for so many years.? Lek and Juliette purchased Ratree and transported her 18 hours to the sanctuary. They also bought bananas, watermelon and sugarcane to feed Ratree on the long journey.   ?Unfortunately, she ended up dying a few months later in March,? Juliette says. ?It was just so sad because she had been through so much and had finally reached the sanctuary. At least she died in a happy place.?   Since returning from Thailand, Juliette says her goal is to create awareness about elephants? rights by speaking at local schools.   In the documentary, Juliette?s genuine curiosity and compassion, her charm and on-screen charisma all serve to deliver Lek?s message loud and clear in a compelling and entertaining (at times heart-wrenching) manner. (Tim Gorski founded Rattle the Cage in 2003 and has filmed all over the world. ?How I Became an Elephant? was filmed by Gorski and his Rattle the Cage crew, produced by Rattle the Cage Productions, Juliette West and Jorja Fox (star of ?CSI?) and edited by Synthian Sharp. Palisadian-Post staff writer Danielle Gillespie edited and contributed additional reporting to this article.)

Garden Club Hosts Talk on Home Vegetable Gardening

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Christi Wilhelmi is growing four varieties of Kohlrabi in her backyard. This vegetable has the look of an organic green Sputnik, with a taste like fresh, crunchy broccoli stems accented by radish. Photo: Courtesy Christi Wilhelmi
Christi Wilhelmi is growing four varieties of Kohlrabi in her backyard. This vegetable has the look of an organic green Sputnik, with a taste like fresh, crunchy broccoli stems accented by radish. Photo: Courtesy Christi Wilhelmi

With four different varieties of kohlrabi, red and golden Swiss chard, plus parsnips, carrots and peas growing happily in her garden, Christi Wilhelmi knows a little about vegetable gardening at home.   She will be sharing this knowledge with members and guests of the Pacific Palisades Garden Club on Monday, December 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the Woman’s Club, 901 Haverford.   Wilhelmi’s enthusiasm for organic gardening started while she was a student at UC Irvine, where she ‘got a huge nesting urge and wanted to make bread and grow food. I became a vegetarian, which pulled me more toward planting gardens on balconies and patios,’ the Mar Vista resident recalls.   Nowadays, she grows vegetables in her own back yard as well as at the Ocean View Farms Organic Community Garden in Mar Vista.   ’When I moved back to Los Angeles in 1997, I drove by Ocean View and thought, ‘Here is an oasis in the center of the city.’ I stopped, sighed up for a plot and eight months later I got my own 15 x15 space.’   Wilhelmi has served on the board of directors of the community garden for 12 years, during which time she started offering her four-week gardening workshops publicly and for private groups. Topics range from soils and composting to planning garden on a seasonal basis.   For her Garden Club talk, Wilhelmi says that she begins with the foundation of ‘gardening’ the soil. ‘I emphasize the importance of creating your own ecosystem that welcomes beneficial insects’and you. I also touch on timing,’ adding that she adjusts the information in most gardening books to reflect the benign climate in Southern California. ‘Most garden books and seed catalogues are geared for parts of the country where there is snow.’   She also talks about space: ‘You don’t need as much as you think you need, so I talk about bio-intensity gardening.’ This organic agricultural system focuses on maximum yields from the minimum area of land, while simultaneously improving the soil.   As the seasons come and go, Wilhelmi has dedicated herself to the study of organic gardening and through her Web site (Gardenerd.com.) she offers links and resources in her blog and newsletter archives.   Wilhelmi, who is married to ‘a Renaissance man’ who is currently producing interactive digital play games for Mattel, focuses her teaching on the benefits of gardening. ‘It unifies both physical activity and healthy food choices, while providing a grounding spiritual and creative outlet.’   Currently, Wilhelmi is working with the Dream Center to develop a horticultural therapy program. She has designed raised beds for a vacant lot adjacent to their facility in the Silverlake area.   If this activity weren’t enough to keep any sensible person busy, Wilhelmi is also completing a novel’set in a community garden, naturally.

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