By CINDY SIMON Special to the Palisadian-Post You never know when you’ll be struck with an inspiration that sends your heart racing. This recently happened to me when I was visiting my son, Willie, at his school on Cape Cod in April. I just love Cape Cod, and every time I’m there, I discover something beautiful, magical and uplifting. Maybe it’s the ocean, the dunes, the green marshes or the down-to-earth people. This particular morning, I was lolling about in a local diner perusing the Cape Cod Times, when I came across an article that caught my eye. The article told the story of Brenda Kowalski, who was watching the news one evening during the Haitian earthquake crisis and saw newscaster Diane Sawyer pick up a little doll from the rubble. Kowalski thought to herself, ‘Some little girl has lost her special doll in the middle of all this chaos . . . how sad.’ Kowalski decided she wanted to help, so she approached a few of her friends from church with the idea of making dolls. With a few bolts of fabric, Kowalski and many volunteers created and shipped 150 hand-sewn dollies to Haiti. Because her church had a connection with a Salesian ministry in Boston (which was already working directly with the people in Haiti), the dolls were sent to Haiti through this organization. One look at the photo in the Cape Cod Times and I was hooked. After the crisis in Haiti occurred, I had wondered how I could contribute to the relief effort, and I realized this was one way. In late May, I returned to Cape Cod and tracked down Kowalski, who could not have been more delightful and enthusiastic about her project. She shared with me her doll patterns and showed me some sewing tricks of the trade. I returned home and immediately contacted my friend and fellow crafter Dorothy Miyake, and she was equally excited about the project. Miyake, a retired Canyon School kindergarten teacher (she actually taught both of my sons, now 22 and 17), is always up for anything that helps children. We sent out a mass e-mail to everyone we thought would be interested in working on the Haitian Dollie Project. We announced that our first sewing session would be held on June 9 at my house in the Huntington Palisades. I bought a bunch of colorful fabric and trim. Miyake already had a big bag of brown and black yarn. A friend who is a decorator dropped off bags of extra fabric. Many neighbors volunteered to bring thread, needles, yarn, ribbon, rickrack and fabric paint. Our neighbors, Peter and Suzanne Trepp, donated boxes of fabric that they had found while cleaning out Peter’s 94-year-old grandmother’s house. They told me Mildred, who had recently passed away, would have wanted it to benefit a good cause. At our first session, about eight of us worked diligently to make only a few dollies, but we learned a lot. Pat Bauer discovered she was good at sewing on curly hair; Rita Cohen was a pro at cutting out and sewing shorts; Millie Villaros and Deirdre Roney liked to ’embellish’ the dresses; Carole Ruge was amazing with bows; and Carrie Scott and Anne Sacks preferred the simple task of stuffing. Teresa Akerblom and Erin Wales enjoyed painting on the faces, while Colleen Morrissey volunteered to paint a heart on each doll. My housekeeper Sofia Pocasangre, an excellent seamstress, volunteered to be in charge of cutting and sewing the brown fabric for the bodies. We met weekly through June and July, and as we worked, we chatted about books, celebrity gossip and politics. Every week, more people joined us, ranging in age from high schoolers to senior citizens. On July 7, our friends in Cape Cod e-mailed us that there was a glitch with the Salesian organization and its distribution center in Haiti. Apparently, the dollies that the Cape Cod group had sent in mid-May were held up at the Port au Prince docks. We decided to look for another organization that could deliver our goods more efficiently and quicker. My husband, Bill, connected us with AmeriCares, an international disaster relief organization, located in Stamford, Connecticut. The CEO told us about the organization’s soon to-be-launched Adolescent Girls 10-19 Initiative, which, in collaboration with Partners in Health, aims to ‘guide and empower Haitian girls in the areas of education, health services, financial literacy, gender-based violence and protection.’ Part of this initiative will be the creation of Dignity & Action Kits, which will include items such as toiletries, sandals, pens and pencils, notebooks and now our dollies. We completed 100 dollies and mailed them to AmeriCares’ headquarters. The dollies, along with 200 from the Cape Cod group, will be shipped to Haiti this week. The Haiti Adolescent Girls Network has a goal of targeting 1,000 girls. Since we have sent a total of 300 dollies, we have 700 more to make. We will start stitching and chatting again in September. How can residents help? ’ We could use any donations of extra trim, colorful yarn, lightweight cotton fabrics, brown cotton fabric, thread and fabric flowers. Buttons are not allowed as a safety precaution. To donate, contact Erin Wales at (310) 500-4276, and she will coordinate the pick-up. ’ We are seeking financial contributions to AmeriCares, so that the Adolescent Girls 10-19 Initiative can attain its goal of reaching 1,000 girls. The cost for this entire initiative is estimated to be $150,000. To donate, visit www.americares.org/HaitiAdolescentGirls. (Cindy Simon and her husband, Bill, have four children, Cary, an aspiring actress; Willie, who attends Riverview School on Cape Cod; Lindsay, a junior at Boston College; and Griffith, a senior at Harvard-Westlake.)
CLASSIFIED ADS FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 5, 2010
HOMES FOR SALE 1
$699K. 4 BD, 2 BA. Palisades native’s home, 5 min. from Yosemite. Solid, quiet, forested 1/3 acre, big garage/shop/deck, pure untreated water, near Tenaya Lodge. A pleasurable investment. AlbostaRealty.com, (559) 676-7444
LOTS FOR SALE 1a
MALIBU LA COSTA ACTIVE BCH CLUB RIGHTS LOT. 3900 Carbon Canyon Road. Own share in private beach and tennis courts. Zoned residential, legal lot: 6,280 sq. ft. burn-out site. 160 feet of road frontage just off PCH. GREAT INVESTMENT. For sale by owner. $129,000. (310) 317-0700
CONDOS/TOWNHOMES FOR SALE 1e
MALIBU CIVIC CENTER CONDO. Single story garden unit with courtyard and private entrance, quiet and secluded 2 BR, 2 full bath, near Pepperdine, shopping and beaches. Entire complex recently refurbished w/ pool, tennis courts and laundry. Great location. For sale by owner: $439,000. (310) 317-0700
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. (310) 459-9111
MALIBU OCEAN VIEW GUEST HOUSE. Carbon Canyon. 1 BR, 1 bath, laundry, full kitchen and storage. Private tranquil setting with amazing canyon and ocean vistas set in acreage far apart from main residence and other homes. Private entrance and parking, pool. Eames, Noguchi modern interior. Available August 1, furnished or unfurnished. Water & electr. included. For rent by owner. $2,500/mo. (310) 317-0700
TRANQUIL WOODED SETTING. Special 2 bed, bath furnished & equipped to move right in for months or years. All utilities, cable, WiFi, phone for $2,770/mo. No smoke/pets. (310) 454-2568
UNFURNISHED HOMES 2a
DUPLEX FOR RENT. 2 bdrm + fireplace, 1 bath, quiet residential area near village. $2,450/mo. (310) 738-4400
HIGHLANDS PANORAMIC MOUNTAIN w/ ocean view, bright, 3 bdrm, 2 ba, high ceilings, fireplace, 2 decks, stainless steel appliances, olympic pool, tennis, gym, gardener incl. $4,200/mo. Marty, (310) 459-2692
3 BDRM, 1 BA. $3,800/mo. 1/2 utilities, 2 car parking, close to village, schools, shops & beach. Pets ok. Appliances, W/D, D/W & refrigerator. Min 1 year lease. By appt. only. Eric, (310) 428-3364
CHARMING 2 BEDROOM UNIT IN THE PALISADES! 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, light, bright unit in a duplex walking distance from the beach, the bluffs, and into town. This unit has high ceilings and an open floor plan. It has a lush private yard, washer and dryer in the unit, and a dish washer. Landlord pays water and gardener. It is available August 15, 2010. Dogs O.K. $3,400/mo. Please contact Tiffany at (310) 849-9592
UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS 2c
PALISADES 1 BEDROOM apt. Large, remodeled, carpet, gas stove, refrigerator, one year lease, new paint, laundry, storage, covered parking. No pets, Non-smoker. $1,335/mo. (310) 477-6767
APARTMENT: ONE BDRM. IN VILLAGE. PRICED TO RENT. (310) 454-4668
SMALL GUEST COTTAGE. Charming studio apt. Separate entrance, built-ins, micro and storage area w/ washer/dryer. $850/mo. Utilities & cable included. Street parking, no pets. (310) 210-8455
DUPLEX LOWER LEVEL, spacious 2 bdrm, 2 ba, built-ins, closets, approx. 1,200 sq. ft., private entrance & patio, utilities included. $2,650/mo. (310) 995-9205
UNUSUAL unique spacious 1 bd/1 bth (800 ft) mucho charm apt in Mediterranean triplex. All appliances, frplc, hdwd, garage, grdn, ldry. 1 mi. to village & bch. N/S, no pets, 1 yr lse. $2,250/mo. (310) 804-3142
TWO BEDROOM, ONE BATH, sunny & roomy upper floor, glimpse of bay, walk to daily errands. Small pet considered. Available now. $2,200/mo. Call Michael, (310) 883-8049
ONE BEDROOM in small complex. Small pet considered, walk to daily errands. Pool, laundry room, one year lease. $1,595/mo. Third month free! Call Michael, (310) 883-8049
ROOMS FOR RENT 3
PACIFIC PALISADES ROOM FOR RENT. $890/mo. Private bedroom/bath. Washer, cable, kitchen, pool, gym & carport. Beautiful ocean view. Jean, (310) 454-5195
OFFICE/STORE RENTALS 3c
CORNER WINDOW OFFICE, cathedral ceilings, 2nd floor, First Federal Bank building on Sunset, in Palisades Village, 320 sq. ft. $1,200/mo. Call Ev Maguire, (310) 600-3603 or (310) 454-0840
SPACE FOR LEASE. (310) 454-9606, (818) 458-4454. Ask for Irena.
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 RENTAL. Unique Village office space. Quiet, quaint setting with Village view, 4 rooms including kitchen & bath. Fantastic location. $1,495/mo. Bob, (310) 459-1220
SHOP: STORE FRONT LEVEL IN VILLAGE. PRICED TO RENT. (310) 454-4668
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 3f
BIG EMPTY HOUSE? Colorado security executive (44) will live on your property, pay some rent and take care of it. Excellent references, Ivy League degree, law enforcement experience. I need to be in Malibu/Westside for one year researching and writing a screenplay. Your house will never be safer! Please contact davefriend496@gmail.com or call (303) 815-5911
LOST & FOUND 6a
LOST: READING GLASSES. Bronze frames in Village Wednesday, July 21st. Please call the Post (310) 454-1321. Thank you.
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
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. Pam, (310) 733-8433
DO YOU NEED HELP GETTING ORGANIZED? Executive level business and personal assistant services available. Office organizing, writing, project and event planning. Concierge services on a project or weekly basis. Call Patty, (310) 394-3085
NANNIES/BABYSITTERS 8a
CERTIFIED NEWBORN SPECIALIST and baby sleep trainer available for overnight shifts of 10, 9 or 8 hours. (310) 226-7097, thebabyguru.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
EUROPEAN CLEANING SERVICE. Reliable, local references. Experienced. Own supplies. Call today. (818) 324-9154
EXCELLENT, HONEST & RELIABLE HOUSEKEEPER available Monday through Friday. Experienced with children and pets, own car, speaks English, local references. Please call Susie at (323) 299-7186
ELDER CARE/COMPANIONS 10a
SPECIALIZE WITH SENIORS. Friendly/patient personal trainer. Customize workouts to fit your needs. Enjoy P/T in the convenience of your own home. Call Karen for free consultation and GET STARTED! (818) 626-8670
WESTSIDE HOME HEALTH CARE. Providing quality, compassionate IN HOME CARE. Emilia Polakoff, Caregiver. State certified CNA, HHA. P/T or F/T. FREE assessment with no obligation. Pacific Palisades resident. (310) 592-6695
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
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.
AUTO DETAILING 13i
AMAZING DETAIL ‘ MOBILE CAR WASH & DETAILING SERVICE ‘ Cars ‘ Trucks ‘ Vans ‘ Boats ‘ RVs and more! Why go to the car wash, when WE COME TO YOU with better prices? Call today and ask about our specials! (323) 402-7199
MISCELLANEOUS 13j
MALIBU CLEANING CREW. We provide professional cleaning services. No job too small or too big. 21 years experience. Call (310) 592-3497. Arturo, Sylvia, malibucleaners.vpweb.com
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. ‘This is the Club Med for Dogs!’ (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 through out the Westside. Reasonable rates. (310) 459-8212
LICENSED PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR ‘ Since 1978. ‘ People & Asset Location ‘ Pre-Employment Screening ‘ Process Serving ‘ Pre-Tenant Screening ‘ Small Claims Assist ‘ Background Research ‘ Nanny Cams Available. Murphy Investigative Services, (213) 804-8484, murphypi@yahoo.com
FITNESS INSTRUCTION 15a
HAVE FUN! GET FIT! NORDIC WALKING CLASSES. Certified Advanced Nordic walking instructor, Palisades resident teaches private/group classes in the Palisades. Weekends. (310) 266-4651
PERSONAL TRAINER 15c
Peak Performance Fitness Training. Ivan Baccarat, N.S.C.A., A.C.E. Cert. Personal Trainer. Body Shaping ‘ Strength ‘ Fat Loss ‘ Prenatal/Post Partum ‘ Cardio ‘ Kickboxing ‘ Stretch/Flexibility ‘ Plyometrics ‘ Endurance ‘ Core Work. Individualized Program Design. Balance training for older adults. 20 yrs. experience ‘ Insured ‘ Excellent references. Call for a free consultation, (310) 829-4428
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
MATH/SCIENCE/SAT TUTOR. Widely used by Palisades residents. Excellent references. Dozens of satisfied clients at top schools. Call Will at (510) 378-7138
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
PALISADES CONST. SERVICES. All phase construction and remodeling. All interior and exterior construction. Additions, concrete, tile, wood work (all), brick, patios, bathrooms, fences, bedrooms, permits. We have built (2) new 2,500 sq. ft. Palisades homes in last 3 yrs. Please contact us to schedule your free consultation and free estimate. ALL JOBS WELCOME. Please call: Kevin, Brian Nunneley, (310) 488-1153. Lic. #375858 (all Palisades referrals avail.)
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
HGTV CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN TEAM. We are a full service construction/design team ready to remodel any room for you. We revive any room or outdoor space for you. We can bring your ideas to life. From simple affordable alterations to extensive overhauls and additions. We are the right company for you. Call (310) 877-5577 & (310) 877-5979. http://debonairrenovations.com/home/home.html
PALISADES HOME REPAIR SERVICES. (25 years) Local resident. Services include: ‘ Carpentry ‘ Electrical ‘ Plumbing ‘ Plaster ‘ Drywall ‘ Concrete. (310) 622-2773. Call us for same day service. Fast, clean, best prices. Lic. #294272
AFFORDABLE CONSTRUCTION SERVICE ‘ Roofing ‘ Windows ‘ Painting ‘ Tile ‘ Siding ‘ Concrete ‘ Fences ‘ Decks ‘ Carpentry. All types of home repairs. State License #B-1 746866. Insured. 1 (800) 806-8688
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
NORTH BAY ELECTRIC. Service & Repairs. Lighting Design & Installation. Upgrades, Remodels, New Construction. Est. 1986. Lic. #493652 /electrician90272.com/ (310) 456-7076
FENCES, DECKS 16j
THE FENCE MAN. 18 years quality work ‘ Wood fences ‘ Decks ‘ Gates ‘ Chainlink & patio ‘ Wrought iron ‘ Lic. #663238, bonded. (818) 706-1996
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
COASTAL HARDWOOD FLOORS. All wood flooring service; installations, sand & refinish, custom designs. Since 1975. Local references available. Bonded & insured. Lic. #824437. www.CoastalWoodFloors.com, (310) 277-0860
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
PALISADES CONSTRUCTION SERVICES. All jobs and calls welcome!! All phases of const. and home repair. A fresh alternative from the norm, very courteous, very safe, very clean!! Call for a free estimate and consultation. Please call: Kevin, Brian Nunneley, (310) 488-1153. Lic. #375858
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
CALIFORNIA BEST PAINTING ‘ Interior ‘ Exterior ‘ Residential ‘ Commercial ‘ Plaster ‘ Drywall & Repair ‘ FREE ESTIMATES! Lic. #854322. Bonded & Insured. (877) 430-1112, (213) 382-0020
OWEN GEORGE CRUICKSHANK ‘ Paperhanger ‘ Removal ‘ Repair ‘ Painting ‘ Handyman svc as well. Lic. #576445. (310) 459-5485
PLUMBING 16t
EXPERT PLUMBER 25 YRS. EXP. Intelligent, cost effective solutions for your plumbing problems. Encompassing all aspects of residential and commercial plumbing. Reasonable, reliable, excellent references. Karl Kolpin, (310) 200-7239. Lic. #776518 B-C36 Bonded, insured.
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
PART-TIME OFFICE ASSISTANT: Computer data entry, online research, organizing, filing. Multi-tasking self starter, focused, detail minded. Excel/Word. Flex sked. High energy office. Fax resume: (310) 459-3814
2 MANICURING BOOTH STATIONS FOR RENT. Good location. (310) 454-7588 or (818) 322-5812
AFTERNOON NANNY for pick up, activity driving, homework help, errands, meal prep. Own car, excellent refs, prior experience a must. (213) 861-6416
HALF-TIME HOUSEKEEPER. Seeking half time housekeeper, 5 days per week. CA D/L, English, own car, references. Contact (310) 459-5277
WANTED: Male live-in caregiver for active 92-year-old man. Please call (310) 454-1956, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., ask for Wendy.
FURNITURE 18c
BEAUTIFUL FRENCH FURNITURE. Many pieces; tables, chairs, lamps, etc. Also Shirley Temple door. In Santa Monica. (805) 907-1303
GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 18d
MOVING SALE! Contemp. furn/furnishgs/clothes/linens/jewelry, lots more! 16808 Bollinger (Marquez). Fri.-Sat., Aug. 6-7, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit www.bmdawson.com for photos/details.
VERY CHIC & SHABBY CHIC ESTATE SALE. Artwork, designer clothes, shoes, furniture; patio, vintage & indoor. Dollhouse and furniture. August 7, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. 779 El Medio Avenue, Pacific Palisades.
Ann Pritchard, 74; Former Palisadian, Chamber Director
Charlotte Ann Gamble Pritchard, a former executive director of the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce, died peacefully on Thurs’day, July 29, at her home in Lake Oswego, Oregon. She was 74. Ann was born in Galesburg, Ilinois, to Dr. William B. Gamble, a United Presbyterian pastor, and Charlotte Logan Gamble on November 13, 1935. She attended Washington State University in Pullman and Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, and was a Delta Delta Delta sorority member. After living in Pittsburgh, Ann and her family moved to Fullerton, where she served on the public school district board and completed her B.A. in communications with an emphasis in public relations at Cal State Fullerton. Ann worked as an account supervisor at the Los Angeles office of Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., an international public relations agency, developing campaigns for Orville Redenbacher Gourmet Popping Corn, Kraft Foods, 9 Lives Cat Food, Hunts Foods and other major clients. In 1973, she moved to Pacific Palisades, residing first on Hartzell Street and later in Rustic Canyon. She held her executive position at the Chamber of Commerce for about five years before retiring to Lake Oswego in 1993. In her retirement, Ann wrote two novels (‘Good Taste’ and ‘Out of Harm’s Way’), was an active member of the American Association of University Women and Lake Grove Presbyterian Church, and served on the Lake Oswego Public Library Advisory Board. During her lifetime, Ann lived in 10 states. She loved cooking, enter’taining, reading and travel, and with her husband Ernest I. Pritchard, who preceded her in death, she explored 60 countries and every continent. She is survived by her children, Beth Deveny and David Colledge and their families; her sister, Lee Hart; her niece, Jane Hart; Ernie Pritchard’s children and grandchildren; and her beloved sheltie ‘Sadie.’ A memorial service will be held on August 9 at 1 p.m. at Lake Grove Presbyterian Church in Lake Oswego. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ann’s memory to one of her favorite charities: Lake Oswego Public Library, the Educational Opportunities Fund at AAUW of Lake Oswego, World Vision or Missoula Medical Aid. The online guest book is at youngsfuneralhome.org.
Thomas Keene Jr., 87; Lived in the Palisades for 50 Years
Thomas V. Keene Jr., a longtime resident, passed away on July 23 at his home in Pacific Palisades. He was 87. Tom was born to the late Marion Craig and T. Victor Keene Sr. in Indianapolis, Indiana, on July 15, 1923. He received a B.A. from Harvard College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He worked at Eli Lilly and Litton Industries and retired in 1986 from Hughes Aircraft, where he was the senior VP of finance. He married Doris Dennis (deceased) in 1950 and is survived by sons Dennis of New York City and Thomas Keene of Pacific Palisades; in-laws John Craciun and Margaret Keene; and granddaughter Katharine D. Keene. Tom and Dee Dee lived in Pacific Palisades for 50 years, were members of the Bel-Air Bay Club and the Los Angeles Country Club, and had many wonderful friends. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, August 7 at 3 p.m. at Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church, 15821 Sunset Blvd. In lieu of flowers, please send a contribution to your favorite charity.
Susanne A. MacDowell; Active at St. Matthew’s
Susanne A. MacDowell, a former resident of Pacific Palisades, died in Lake Oswego, Oregon, on July 22, after a brief illness. She was 89. Born in Rye, New York, on January 4, 1921, Sue graduated from Penn Hall School in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. On August 4, 1945, she married Don S. MacDowell at Buckley Field in Denver, Colorado, and they enjoyed a loving 49-year marriage in Pacific Palisades. From 1982 to 1994, they resided seasonally in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and traveled throughout Latin America and Europe. Sue was active at St. Matthew’s Church in a variety of capacities, in’cluding St. Anne’s Guild. She was also a member of the Assistance League of Santa Monica. As a com’petitive rider in school, she developed a lifelong love of horses and other animals. Sue was preceded in death by her husband, Don. She is survived by her son Michael (wife Tina) of Dal’las, Pennsylvania; daughter Donna (husband Alan) of Temecula, California; and son Kirk (wife Sheri) of Lake Oswego; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on December 30 at St. Matthew’s. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Women with Children endowment fund at Misericordia University, Dallas, Pennsylvania 18612, or any animal charity of the contributor’s choice.
Thursday, August 5 – Thursday, August 12
THURSDAY, AUGUST 5
Story-Craft time, 4 p.m. at the Palisades Branch Library community room, 861 Alma Real. Hear a story and make something of it! Suggested for ages 4 and up. Campfire and marshmallow roast, 7 p.m. in Temescal Gateway Park, north of Sunset, and continuing on Thursday evenings this summer. The programs, complete with an interpretive nature program, campfire songs and activities, are free. Parking is $7. Theatre Palisades Youth present ‘The Wind in The Willows,’ an updated musical adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s 1908 classic children’s novel. Shows are tonight, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. at the Pierson Playhouse, 941 Temescal Canyon Rd. Tickets are $12. Reservations: call the box office at (310) 454-1970. (See Sue Pascoe’s review, page 12.)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 7
The Pacific Palisades Art Association hosts photographer and LAUSD teacher Ricky Ngai, 2 to 4 p.m. at the Palisades Branch Library, 861 Alma Real. The show, ‘Amore’ (on view through August), features Ngai’s works of art taken during a trip to Italy.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 8
Patrick Hildebrand and his Amazing Music Ukulele Party Band will provide the second concert of the Music on the Green series, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Village Green, between Sunset, Antioch and Swarthmore. The free series continues every Sunday in August.
MONDAY, AUGUST 9
Moonday, a monthly Westside poetry reading, features poets Lynn Harbough and Kathabella Wilson, 7:30 p.m. at Village Books on Swarthmore. Come early to sign up for open readings.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 10
Temescal Canyon Association hikers will seek out the secret stairways of Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica Canyon. The public is invited to join. Meet at 6 p.m. in the front parking lot at Temescal Gateway Park for carpooling. Contact: (310) 459-5931 or visit temcanyon.org. Pajama storytime for children of all ages (parents and teddy bears welcome), 7 p.m. at the Palisades Branch Library community room, 861 Alma Real.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11
Monthly meeting of the Palisades AARP chapter, 2 p.m. at the Woman’s Club, 901 Haverford. The public is invited.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 12
Story-Craft time, 4 p.m. at the Palisades Branch Library community room, 861 Alma Real. Hear a story and make something of it! Suggested for ages 4 and up. Pacific Palisades Community Council meeting, 7 p.m. at the Palisades Branch Library community room, 861 Alma Real. The public is invited.
Movies in the Park Begin Saturday
‘The Transformers,’ a popular 2007 sci-fi action thriller (rated PG-13), will launch the seventh annual Movies in the Park series this Saturday, August 7, on the Field of Dreams at the Palisades Recreation Center. Admission is free. Movies in the Park-Pacific Palisades, Inc., in association with the Palisadian-Post & Post Printing, presents old-fashioned family fun every Saturday evening in August. The movies start around 8 p.m. or when it is dark. The major sponsor this year is the Pacific Palisades Junior Women’s Club, joined by the Galier family (Pete, Donna, Timmy and Lauren) as co-sponsor. The venue opens for picnics at 6 p.m., and Boy Scouts from Troop 23 will sell candy, soda and other snacks. Pets are not allowed (because of liability issues), and there is no smoking, no alcohol and no stick chairs. Cozy, vivid red-fleece blankets with the Movies in the Park logo will be on sale for $35. Bel-Air/ADT Patrol will provide security, along with teen volunteers from the Santa Monica Police Volunteer Activity League. Spectators are asked to use the park’s recycling bins. Chrysalis-Street Works will provide the maintenance. ‘The Transformers’ screening is sponsored by the Huntington Palisades Property Owners Association.
Frozen-Yogurt ‘War’ Coming to the Palisades This Fall
Just days after Toppings Yogurt announced that it will open a store on Via de la Paz this fall, a competitor says that it will follow suit on Swarthmore Avenue, below Sunset. The Yogurt Shoppe is coming to 873 Swarthmore in space currently comprising about half of Black Ink, the stationery and gift store owned by Patti Black. ‘I’m thrilled,’ said Black on Tuesday. ‘I’ve been looking for a tenant since December.’ Black moved to her Swarthmore location in December 2003, and expanded into the space next door when the hair salon Atocha closed in 2005. Wrestling with a tough retail economy, she decided to downsize back to her original storefront. She had two other applications for the space, but chose the frozen yogurt store because she feels it will ‘draw a lot of activity to the street.’ The wall between the stores that was taken down when Black expanded will go back up today, necessitating Black’s closing for three days during the construction. She will reopen on Monday. Black’s new tenants, Kevin Sabin and Clive Lewis, said their store may not open until October because of the length of time it takes to receive city permits. The men want to open sooner, but they have been told that the earliest they can get a city health permit is anywhere from four to six weeks, and they can’t apply for a building permit until the health-permit approval comes. After a dearth of new stores opening in the Palisades, two frozen-yogurt stores should be open by the end of the year, just a block apart. Toppings will be located at 872 Via de la Paz, in the former Chefmakers space. ‘I grew up in Brooklyn and there was always a neighborhood hangout,’ said Sabin, an executive vice president with KW Commercial who lives in Pacific Palisades with his wife Jennifer and their three children, who attend Canyon School. ‘I’d like to create that same kind of place here.’ Lewis, who grew up in Leeds, England, and came to the United States via Cape Town, South Africa, has a frozen-yogurt shop in Newport Beach. He lives in Woodland Hills with his 10-year-old son and says he looks forward to the drive over Topanga Canyon to the Palisades every day. The two men met a year ago while on a kayaking trip off Catalina Island. ‘I was opening the store in Newport at the time,’ Lewis said. ‘We discussed it [frozen-yogurt stores] while kayaking for two days.’ Sabin sold Lewis on the idea of opening a store in the Palisades. The two men looked at possible locations, but while waiting to inspect a vacant store in the Village, Lewis walked into Black Ink and struck up a conversation with Black. After inspecting the first site, he and Sabin elected to opt for a location nearer the Village Green. ‘Our concept is about quality,’ Sabin said. ‘We also want to give back to the community and be part of the neighborhood, support local schools, churches and temples. Our goal is to be a fixture of the community and to be here for a long time.’ The owners plan to have 40 to 50 toppings and five yogurt machines, with two flavors at each machine. Standard flavors like vanilla and chocolate will always be available, but Sabin and Lewis plan to rotate flavors from a choice of 70, so that customers will always have something new to try. Lewis said they plan to employ local residents. To apply, call (818) 383-1010. The men will also offer store promotions on Facebook.
Construction Worker Dies after Cave-In at Sea Ridge Townhouse
A desperate rescue operation below a townhouse in the Palisades Highlands ended last Thursday afternoon when construction worker Gualfer Lopez-Reyes was found dead in a trench, buried under 11 feet of dirt. The L.A. County Coroner, who was on the scene in the 600 block of Palisades Drive in the Sea Ridge gated community, gave asphyxia as the cause of death. Lopez-Reyes, a 25-year-old worker with McGrath Contracting, was part of a team hired to install a French drain along the foundation of the two-story townhouse, which enters on the second floor. Nancy Hope, president of the Sea Ridge Homeowners Association, said the owner had experienced moisture along the lower-level walls. The contracting crew had dug out an L-shaped, 8-ft.-by-8-ft. by 11-ft.-deep trench along the building. Lopez-Reyes was the first worker to enter the trench at 10:55 a.m., only to have the dirt from the corner of the L collapse on him. Firemen from Stations 23 and 69 arrived first on the scene. Once they realized the depth at which Lopez-Reyes was trapped under the dirt, a search-and rescue team was called. Meanwhile, firefighters began digging through dirt described as adobe-like clay. They cut plywood and beams to use as support to prevent further cave-ins as they worked in the trench. According to Stephen Ruda, a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman who was on scene, once the search-and-rescue team arrived, a ventilation air sock was placed after drilling through a cement block wall into the trench space in the hopes that Lopez-Reyes was in an air pocket and could be rescued. A Vactor 2100 sanitation truck, equipped with an apparatus that works as a large-scale vacuum, was positioned above the hole, and dirt was sucked out in an effort to locate Lopez-Reyes. About five feet down, the top of his white hardhat was reached. ’He was entombed in heavy compacted dirt and there were no signs of life,’ Ruda reported. The rescue attempt ended at 2:50 p.m. Krisann Chasarik of the California State Division of Occupational Safety and Health told the Palisadian-Post that the accident is under investigation and may take three to four months to complete. ‘The construction company had an annual excavation permit,’ Chasarik said. ‘We’re focusing on determining if it [the trench] was shored up properly. Anytime there is an excavation, there are safety regulations that have to be followed.’
Potrero Canyon Fire Threatens Park, Homes
Two separate but simultaneous fires burned in upper Potrero Canyon last Wednesday afternoon (July 28), threatening several homes and even the playing fields at the Palisades Recreation Center. The blazes broke out shortly after 1 p.m. on a breezy afternoon, but were extinguished before they could cause any structural damage. Tiny fires were spotted in several other locations. According to Battalion Chief 17 John Miller, the’official cause of the fires was juveniles playing with fireworks.”It appears from the evidence and burn patterns at the scene that there were two different areas where the fire started,’ said Miller, who was dispatched from Woodland Hills when the Battalion 9 chief in Westwood was not available. ‘We originally got a call that the fire was at the corner of Lombard and De Pauw streets,’ said local Fire Station 69 Captain Mike Ketaily, whose crew went to the backyard and the canyon below the house to douse the blaze. Ketaily said he could also see a grass fire spreading across two hillsides below the Recreation Center mesa, but with Stations 69 and 23 focused on preventing the canyon blaze from reaching the home, they did not have the resources to deploy a second company. When the fire below the Recreation Center reached the hillside near the lower tennis courts off Alma Real/ Frontera, and with heavy smoke billowing into the sky, youth attending a tennis camp were sent away from the area. Alma Real resident Jason Lehel reported the fire when it first broke out in the hillside across the canyon. When he saw the second fire coming across the Recreation Center hillside towards his house, he went into his backyard and watched as a water-dropping helicopter quickly extinguished the blaze. ‘It went so quickly it was ridiculous,’ Lehel said, noting that the L.A. Fire Department had done brush clearance in the canyon four weeks earlier. That fact was mentioned over and over by firefighters as a reason why the blazes were readily contained. Ketaily praised civilian Manuel Sanchez, who was working on a construction job in the Palisades. ‘He and his buddies were phenomenal. They kept the fire on the field near Hampden Place from spreading, until a helicopter could get here.’ ‘I happened to be driving by and saw the smoke,’ Sanchez said. ‘I saw two security guards jump over the fence into private yards off Alma Real, and I thought maybe I could help.’ He followed the guards down into the canyon and over towards Hampden Place, where he saw a homeowner hooking up a garden hose. He took a shovel from him and started throwing dirt on the flames. ‘The fire came around the corner real quick,’ Sanchez said. Ketaily was worried that the 15 mph winds would whip embers onto the large eucalyptus trees on Hampden Place, directly in front of a residence with a wooden deck. ‘I thought it was going to take off, with the dead leaves and the eucalyptus,’ he said, but ‘thanks to Sanchez it didn’t.’ Meanwhile, it took Battalion Chief Miller 30 minutes to reach the Palisades. Additional fire companies arrived from West Los Angeles, Playa Vista, Mid-Wilshire and the Mulholland corridor. Three water-dropping helicopters also fought the blazes after utilizing the Highlands reservoir. ‘The Palisades is really isolated and it takes a long time to get companies up here,’ Miller said, ‘but we were fortunate. Had the fire not been reported as quickly as it was and had the brush clearance not been completed, the fire had the possibility of spreading into denser vegetation or to homes in the area with wood-shake roofs.’ By 2:05, the fires were out, and firefighters continued to work on the hot spots, hosing them with Class A foam, which allows the water to penetrate more deeply. On the fire line, four camp crews from L.A. County Fire help turn over the entire burned areas with a shovel. ‘It’s tough what firefighters do,’ Sanchez said. ‘I’ve always had respect for them, but this elevates them to a whole new level.’