Home Blog Page 2008

Riviera Camp Makes Tennis Fun

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Palisades High freshman Julie Takakijian (left) watches as 8-year-old Aimee Grijalva of Compton hits a forehand. At right, 11-year-old Jose Ordinario waits his turn.
Palisades High freshman Julie Takakijian (left) watches as 8-year-old Aimee Grijalva of Compton hits a forehand. At right, 11-year-old Jose Ordinario waits his turn.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

A few years ago, Huntington Palisades resident Kurt Hiete drove to Compton with fellow Riviera Tennis Club members to watch a tennis clinic for local kids. They arrived to find one instructor drilling over 40 children on courts that had not been resurfaced in 20 years at a park that had no drinking fountains and no bathrooms. Since then, Hiete and his friends formed a board of nine members, established charitable corporation status and began raising money for the inner-city youth. As a result of The Riviera Tennis Foundation’s efforts, kids can now actually hit tennis balls at their neighborhood clinics. The board also arranges busing for kids and parents who want to train at the Riviera every few months. This week, with the help of Marla Matthias and Mary Hiete, the Foundation held its annual summer camp, replete with on-court coaching and daily clinics, at the historic Riviera courts–and kids came in droves. “It’s amazing, when we first started this they couldn’t even hit balls, now we have kids who are ranked in SoCal,” Hiete said. “Their accomplishments are noteworthy given the environment they live in. What particularly inspires me is that these kids are so polite and appreciative and they have, in spite of their circumstances, such great spirits.” In order to come to Riviera, kids were required to read a tennis article and write a report. Savings bonds and prizes were handed out the best entries. Even the kids who did not win were happy for those who won a prize or certificate of achievement. “Six of our Compton kids are now playing in junior tournaments and one, who was only 4 when we started, is now ranked 10th in Southern California in the girls’ 10-and-unders,” Hiete said. Other programs The Riviera Foundation, Inc. supports include the Neighborhood Junior Tennis Program in Sylmar (with about 200 participants) and the Harvard Tennis Club on Harvard Street in South Central Los Angeles. “On the way one day when he was told he was going to the Riviera Country Club, one boy asked ‘What’s a country club?” Another little girl showed up in flip flops,. We happened to have a new pair of tennis shoes one of our board members donated and when we gave them to her she wanted to know who to give them back to at the end of the day.” This week’s camp has been a huge success. On Monday, over 100 kids flooded the courts to get personal and group lessons. Among the instructors were Julie Takakijian, a freshman going to Palisades High and trying out for the tennis team and Harvard-Westlake High junior (and Brentwood resident) Kei Goldberg. After the tennis camp, kids and parents were invited to a barbecue at a board member’s house. To make a donation, call (310) 230-2490 or send a check to: The Riviera Foundation, c/o Kurt Hiete, Riviera Tennis Club, 1250 Capri Drive, Pacific Palisades, CA. 90272.

‘Football Feast’ Sept. 10

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Russ Howard, Palisades High’s assistant principal in charge of athletics, wants to restore pride in the football program–the same kind of pride and school spirit that generated so much excitement back in the 1970s. “The bleachers used to be filled every game then and that’s what I want it to be like again,” Howard said. “We want students to have enthusiasm for our athletic teams and get the community more involved with the local school.” The first step towards that goal will be a “Football Feast” carnival event on campus from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. on September 10, leading up to kickoff of the varsity’s season opener against El Camino Real. Elementary school, middle school and high school students and their families are invited to attend. “It’s a pupil-free day so everyone is invited to come to the quad that afternoon for the carnival,” Howard added. “Parents, friends, siblings and family of the frosh/soph players can come prior to their game, then stay for the varsity.” The band will play, players will come and meet the kids, there’ll be a dunk tank, lots of fun activities, a pre-sale and discounted tickets. After that, it’s time for some football.

Rec Center Fall Sports

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Fall youth sports registration is ongoing at the Palisades Recreation Center. Girls basketball sign-ups are available through Friday, September 17. Rookie and Bantam divisions play Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:15-5:15 p.m. beginning September 21 while the Minor, Major and Juniors divisions follow from 5:30-7 p.m., also starting September 21. Coed basketball sign-ups run through September 17. Rookie and Bantam divisions play Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. while Minor, Major and Juniors games follow from 5:30-7 p.m. Cost per player is $125. Flag football consists of three divisions (Bantams play Tuesdays from 4-7 p.m.; Minors play Thursdays from 4-7 p.m.; and Majors play Fridays/Saturdays at Barrington Park (practices still at Pali Rec Center). Cost is $125 per player. Roller hockey clinics begin next Monday (4-6 p.m.) and league play starts September 27. Registration is closed and next Friday is the last day to request a refund. Registration for Girls and Coed Winter basketball began yesterday and remains open through September 30. PPVBC Boys Tryouts The Pacific Palisades Volleyball Club will conduct its yearly boys tryouts next Sunday-Wednesday, September 12-15, at Palisades High School. Tryouts for boys 14 and under will be on Sunday, Sept. 12, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and tryouts for boys 15 and 16 and under will follow from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tryouts for boys 17 and 18 and under are Monday, Sept. 13, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Make-up tryouts for all ages will be Wednesday, Sept. 15, also from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Cost is $20 per player. Contact Charlie Stennett at (310) 266-3182. Soccer Referee Class AYSO Region 69 will be conducting a basic soccer refereeing class next Saturday, September 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Palisades High School, Room B101.

CLASSIFIED ADS FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 26, 2010

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OUR OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED LABOR DAY, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6. THE CLASSIFIED DEADLINE WILL BE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, AT 11 A.M.

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

RANCHO MIRAGE CALIFORNIA FAIRWAY ESTATES Beautiful custom Mediterranean 4,000 sf. 4 bedrms, all suites. Powder room, formal dining, 3 large European fireplaces. French Country furnished, salt water pool, misting system, 3 car garage, 17 double French doors, 4 spectacular views. $1,790,000. Apple/Tobin, Coldwell Banker, (760) 567-3809, (760) 408-4374

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. Also avail: separate lg studio w/ garden patio. (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

LIGHT, AIRY SPACE IN TREE-TOPS. Exceptional 1 bd, ba, huge living areas for non-smoker, no pets. Avail. 10/1. FULLY equipped. Short/long term. $2,770/mo. for everything. (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

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 large private patio, washer and dryer in the unit, and a dish washer. Landlord pays water and gardener. It is available September 1st, 2010. Dogs O.K. $3,600/mo. Please contact Tiffany at (310) 849-9592

CHARMING MID CENTURY STYLE BEACH BUNGALOW. 3 bedrooms, 1 3/4 baths, master bath ensuite, natural oak floors, open beam ceilings, front & back yards, close to schools, gardener incl. By appt only. $3,900/mo. Ben, (949) 246-4049

WHITEWATER OCEAN VIEW! 1+1. See & hear the ocean. Community has pool, hot tub, pool table, and rec. room. PCH & Temescal. $1,550/mo. Tony, (702) 433-4634

ALPHABET STREET HOME. 2 bedrooms, 1 bath; separate dining area and kitchen with appliances; nice private yard; $3,500/mo. Wood floors; close to Village, schools, shops. (310) 455-3111

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

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

1 BEDROOM APARTMENT IN PACIFIC PALISADES VILLAGE. (310) 454-4668

CONDOS, TOWNHOMES FOR RENT 2d

WALK TO P.P. VILLAGE. Woodsy view, 2 bdr, 2 ba, open den, AC, W/D in unit, security bldg. 2 car parking. Just redone w/ recessed lighting. $2,850/mo. Available Sept 1. Nancy, (310) 454-5257

GEM IN THE PALISADES, Sunset & Almar. 2 bdrm, 2 1/2 ba. townhouse. Hardwood, tile, carpet, W/D, dishwasher, roof deck, parking. $3,400/mo. (310) 392-1757

BEAUTIFUL 2 BDRM, 2 BA CONDO w/ an additional 2nd story loft. Top floor in 18 unit bldg. H/W flr, wet bar, high ceilings, W/D in unit, F/P, 2-car gated prkng. 1 yr lse. Av. 9/1. $2,900/mo. Donna, (310) 592-6859

ROOMS FOR RENT 3

LOVELY HOME TO SHARE NEAR VILLAGE. 2 bedrooms, 1 bath avail w/ private entrance. Shared kitchen, laundry, storage, garden & spa. Utilities, cable & internet incl. $1,200/mo. (310) 459-7464

MOUNTAIN/OCEAN VIEWS. Studio is located in an exclusive town-house development w/ ocean/mountain views, pool, jacuzzi and gym, w/ parking and laundry. New condo redone in 2008. Private room with closet has new carpets+windows w/ 10 ft. ceilings, bathroom w/ tub+marble tile. Remodeled gourmet kitchen w/ cherry stained cabinets, new chrome appliances, granite counters. All utilities, wireless high-speed internet, DirecTV, and cleaning services are included with rent. Call or text (310) 463-7826 or (818) 602-7947

WANTED TO RENT 3b

ROOM OR GUEST HOUSE WANTED. Preferrably in the $700-$800 range (negotiable). Non-smoking male. References available. Peter, (310) 460-9869

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 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

RENTAL SPACE, STORAGE 3d

2 MANICURING BOOTH STATIONS FOR RENT. Rent is negotiable. Excellent Pacific Palisades location. (310) 345-5457 or (818) 322-5812

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 3f

SHL MANAGEMENT BOUTIQUE FIRM ‘ Manage apartments, houses, and commercial buildings. Experienced, reliable, honest & local. Member of IREM. (310) 392-1757, ask for Loren.

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

DAYCARE CENTERS 8

PALISADES LEARN & PLAY ‘ Now enrolling for Fall! Educational themes, Art & Socialization. Ages 16 mo.-5 yrs. Balanced nutritious meals provided. Come & see what all the fun is about! (310) 459-0920

NANNIES/BABYSITTERS 8a

CHILD & PET CARE. Peace of mind for parents. Former Kindergarten teacher. Experienced with infants through school age. Working in the Palisades for 6+ years. Loving care for children, pets & home. Flexible with days, hours & overnights. References letters & phone numbers available. Phyllis, (818) 340-7183. Leave message if needed.

EXPERIENCED NANNY SEEKS WORK. 27 years of experience, 13 in Palisades. Caring, kind, motivated, and responsible. Superb references. (310) 779-1139

MY OUTSTANDING NANNY/HOUSEKEEPER of 10 yrs is now avail Mon.-Fri., full time/flexible hours, as our kids are in school full time. She drives her own SUV with a perfect driving record. Speaks fluent English. Does all cooking, shopping, errands & cleaning. She is simply the best w/ children of all ages & all household responsibilities! Please call Natalie at (310) 467-3769 or call Lorena directly at (323) 572-5306

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

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

EXPERIENCED HOUSEKEEPER is looking for a job. Speaks English, has own car, and excellent local references. Please call Francis, (818) 472-8119 or (323) 299-1797

HOUSEKEEPING/BABYSITTING, washing, ironing. Available everyday. Experienced, good references, live-out. Has own transportation. Call anytime. (323) 712-5732

HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE 2-3 days a week. 22 years experience, own transportation, good references, honest, speaks English. Call Aida, (323) 735-7603 (leave a message)

HOUSEKEEPER LOOKING FOR A JOB. Speaks English, 5 years experience, responsible person, local references. Monday-Thursday only. Call any time. Carolina, (213) 570-3862

PALISADES HOUSEKEEPER, 15 yrs. experience. Excellent refs, honest, dependable. Legal resident. No driving. Child & pet care. Available every Tues., Thurs., Fri., Sat. & Sun. Carmen, (323) 460-6473

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, 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

CORTEZ & OLIVERA LANDSCAPING & GARDENING SERVICE. Full gardening service. Pruning, topping, removing, new lawns, sprinklers & brush clearance. ‘ 25% off for the 1st 3 months! ‘ Free estimates! (323) 641-2319

GARDEN SERVICE. Maintenance, clean-up, tree trimming, seed planting, fertilizer, sprinkler systems. Free estimates. Concrete, brick & stone. Weekends. 24 hours. 19 yrs exper. Personal. Free cement work. 7 days a week. (310) 256-0734 (c), (310) 838-2429 (h)

MASSAGE THERAPY 12b

HEALING MASSAGE THERAPY. Enjoy a mini-vacation today! Ten years experience. Deep tissue, Swedish. Excellent references available. Cheryl Baldinger, CMT. (310) 592-8474

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

MONSTECH AUDIO & VIDEO ‘ HDTV’s & Custom Home Theater Install ‘ Whole House Audio & Video ‘ Pre-wiring, Phone Systems, Surveillance & much more! FREE ESTIMATES! Roberto, (310) 357-4010

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

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

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

ISEE/HSPT CLASSES START SOON! * Class size limited, central Palisades location. Private tutoring for math, chem, physics also available. (310) 459-3239 or www.clc90272.com

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

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

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

PROFESSIONAL GUITAR TEACHER. BA graduate, 2003. (UK) Rock, Blues, Funk, Music Theory. All ages, individual tutoring. (310) 454-6962

CABINET MAKING 16

SMI CUSTOM CABINETS & MILLWORK. ‘Where quality, craftsmanship and customer satisfaction matters.’ Lic. #858954. SMICustomCabinets.com, (310) 537-4674

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

ALAN PINE, GENERAL CONTRACTOR ‘ New homes ‘ Remodeling ‘ Additions ‘ Kitchen & bath ‘ Planning/architectural services ‘ Insured ‘ Local refs. Lic. #469435. (800) 800-0744 or (818) 203-8881

ELECTRICAL 16h

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

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

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

FENCES, DECKS 16j

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

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

FLOOR CARE 16m

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

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

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

HANDYMAN 16o

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

NANNY. Permanent. Part time. Twins, boy & girl. 4 yrs. 4-5 days weekly. 20+ hrs. Start time 4 p.m. daily. (310) 454-6271

CLERICAL ASSISTANT, P/T, required to work in my home office (Sunset Mesa). Must have some computer skills & be willing to work between 16-20 hrs/wk. Times flexible. Call Len, (310) 459-8242

GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 18d

HUGE MULTI FAMILY SALE! Furniture, household, Disney, clothes, Star Trek, gifts, etc. EVERYTHING MUST GO! Friday Aug. 27, 7-4 and Saturday Aug. 28, 7-1. 947 Galloway Street.

MOV. SALE! High end antique furn/furnishgs/household goods. Great collectibles/clothes/linens/jewelry, lots of surprises! 1170 Monument (off Sunset, north). Fri.-Sat., Aug. 27-28, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit www.bmdawson for photos/details.

PETS, LIVESTOCK 18e

OWNERS LOOKING FOR A LOVING HOME for Gus. 10 year old neutered male indoor/outdoor cat. Loves dogs. Call Shirley, (310) 625-6781

MISCELLANEOUS 18g

YAMAHA LIVING ROOM GRAND PIANO for sale: mint condition. 1991 G2 Yamaha 5ft. 7in. Satin ebony finish. 1 owner. Smoke free home in Santa Monica. $8,000 firm. Serious buyers only. (310) 721-6090

PaliHi Hires Michael Smith as Interim Executive Director

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Mike Smith takes the helm at Palisades Charter High School as the interim executive director.
Mike Smith takes the helm at Palisades Charter High School as the interim executive director.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

Since assuming Palisades Charter High School’s executive director position on July 1, Michael Smith has stayed busy overseeing the construction of the state-of-the-art aquatic center and taking the lead on school fundraising.   Smith, an educator for 37 years, is doing all this in lieu of retirement.   ’I missed being around students and education,’ Smith said of why he wanted to return to work after retiring from the Los Angeles Unified School District in June 2009.   ’I saw this as an opportunity to come into an environment that has flexibility for what is right for kids,’ Smith, 61, continued. ‘The charter school movement is the next step for educating youth in America.’   After former Executive Director Amy Dresser-Held accepted a position at Citizens of the World in Hollywood, PaliHi’s board of directors decided to hire an interim executive director so the school community could continue to work another year with UCLA School Management Program consultants. The UCLA consultants are helping to define the school’s vision, leadership structure and hiring process.   Interim Principal Marcia Haskin (also a retiree) is returning this fall. Her job will be to evaluate teachers in the classroom as well as resolve conflicts among students, teachers and parents, while Smith will be in charge of facilities, transportation and fundraising. He will also serve as the liaison with LAUSD and the community.   The full-time position will earn Smith an annual salary of $120,000, and he will still be able to collect his retirement benefits.   Smith heard about the job through Haskin, whom he worked with at LAUSD from 2002-04. ‘I am glad to reunite and work with Marcia again,’ said Smith, who lives in Culver City with his wife, Diana Garcia-Smith, the principal of a charter school in Huntington Park.   Smith, who earned his bachelor’s degree and teaching credentials from Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena and his master’s degree and administrative credentials at Cal State Los Angeles, believes his extensive experience in education will be an asset to PaliHi.   A diverse student population travels here from communities all over the city. Smith has worked in many of those communities, having begun his career in 1973, teaching and working as a bilingual coordinator at LAUSD elementary schools in South Los Angeles and Maywood.   Smith has also worked in a community with similar demographics to the Palisades as an assistant principal at Lincoln Middle School in Santa Monica and an assistant principal at Santa Monica High.   In addition, Smith has worked for Little Lake School District as a bilingual specialist, as a principal of an elementary and a middle school in the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District, and as an administrator of an adult and alternative education program for Paramount Unified School District.   He spent the last seven years of his career at LAUSD, working for two years as the Local District I coordinator of English Learning Services and then as the director of School Support Services for District 7, where he supervised principals.   In his year in retirement, Smith enjoyed time with his family. He has two daughters, Nicole Smith-Carmona of South Pasadena and Ashley Smith of Culver City, and two grandchildren, Alana Raye and Francesca Rose.   Smith also taught an administrative credentialing class at Cal State Northridge and has taught teacher and administrative credentialing courses in the evenings throughout his career.    This year, however, will certainly prove more challenging. Smith will oversee the opening of the $4.9-million Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center. The contractor will announce the exact date the 12-lane competitive pool and two-lane teaching pool will be filled with water at the August 31 Pool Committee meeting.   Once the pool is filled with water, it will take a couple weeks for the plaster on the sides of the pool to cure and to make sure the water is filtered properly. The facility will also have to pass inspections by Division of State Architects and the L.A. County Health Department before opening.   The aquatic center was originally supposed to be finished in April. In response to the delay, Smith said, ‘The reality is that we have to do it so it’s right; we want it to be the best facility for the community and the school.’   Smith has also assumed the work of Candice Koral, a fundraising consultant whose contract was not renewed after one year. He will focus his energies on raising money to supplement the general fund and help support busing transportation.   In February, LAUSD officials decided that the district could no longer afford to provide busing transportation to PaliHi. This spring, LAUSD and PaliHi officials reached an agreement to continue transporting the incoming sophomores through seniors to provide continuity in their education. PaliHi will pay a maximum of $600,000 for transportation this school year and the goal is to raise the entire amount. Thus far, parents of traveling students have pledged $120,000.’   Smith has authorized the purchase of a software program to compile a list of donors and fundraisers taking place on campus. The database will allow school officials to target donors and recognize their contributions. PaliHi and the Booster Club have partnered for the annual giving campaign, agreeing to split the first $500,000 raised. For amounts above $500,000, the school will receive 80 percent and the Booster Club will receive 20 percent. This campaign focuses on parents of PaliHi students.   ’The Booster Club has been very supportive in these hard economic times,’ Smith said.

‘Enchanted’ Marquez Orchard Produces a 5-Pound Grapefruit

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Mia Meronen, 12, holds a gigantic grapefruit produced by a grafted tree in the family front yard on Enchanted Way in Marquez Knolls. She's joined by her sister, Hayley, 13.
Mia Meronen, 12, holds a gigantic grapefruit produced by a grafted tree in the family front yard on Enchanted Way in Marquez Knolls. She’s joined by her sister, Hayley, 13.

By NANCY MERONEN Special to the Palisadian-Post When I moved into my house on Enchanted Way in Marquez Knolls in September 1995, I wanted my own edible growing yard.   My ex-husband, Mikko Meronen (a creative director at a toy design company), and I had just moved from New York City, where I had a small rooftop garden. I was terribly excited to now have a quarter-acre yard to grow fruit trees and edibles.   Since I was accustomed to small Manhattan apartments, I used every bit of space efficiently. I managed to plant about 50 fruit trees. You might think you would need acres to accomplish this, but when you espalier apple trees along a fence and incorporate dwarf citrus tucked here and there within shrubs and along a border, you would be surprised how many fruit-producing trees you can have in one yard.   In Southern California, we are lucky because we can grow almost anything. While making dinner, it is not uncommon for me to ask my 13-year-old daughter Hayley to pick a couple of tomatoes for the salad and some parsley for a sauce or ask my 12-year-old daughter Mia to grab a lemon and pick some lettuce for the dinner salad.   We grow peaches, plums, tomatoes, artichokes, squash, limes and more. We enjoy going out and picking what we need or trying to figure out what to do with a bunch of apricots. The money saved on groceries is a plus. We do not use fertilizers, and sometimes we don’t even use compost.   Last year, my daughters and I started to dig up what we thought was an orange tree in the front yard because I wanted to relocate the tree to another location. However, after we began, I was told that the tree might not survive if we transplanted it, so we left it with some of the roots still exposed to figure out what to do next.   In the meantime, the tree kicked into overdrive, survival mode, and suddenly produced an abundance of oranges. We were giving bags away. Then, when the oranges were gone, the tree started to miraculously grow the biggest looking grapefruits (or perhaps pomelos) we ever saw. The grapefruits grew to the size of a human head and eventually weighed in at nearly five pounds. Though the oranges were delicious, the grapefruits were sour.   We discovered that the tree is a two-in-one tree, meaning a branch of a different kind of fruit was grafted onto the trunk to produce more than one fruit on one tree. Around the yard, I have a few trees, sometimes referred to as fruit salad trees, which have anywhere from three to five different fruits grafted onto one trunk with a strong rootstock. I apparently forgot that this particular tree had a graft. We are trying to keep the tree now, as it has proven itself valuable.   During the last month of school, Hayley brought one of the grapefruits to Paul Revere Middle School and Mia took several to Marquez Elementary for the teachers. Paul Revere teacher Craig Honda sat the grapefruit, which had a face drawn on it, on his desk.   (A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Nancy Meronen recently restarted her graphic design company, Chameleon Design-LA/Enchanted Graphics. She has a master’s degree in computer art from School of Visual Arts in New York City and a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from the Ohio University.)

Highlands Residents Embrace Their Park

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Celebrating a Park: Six kids formed this pyramid during a celebration party at the Palisades Drive Recreation Association's park in the Highlands on Friday evening, August 20. Tyler Duffy is at the top of the pyramid, Kaitlynne Henney (left) and Amelia Koblentz (a friend of Natalie Williams) are in the middle and Jackie Sannett, Emma Waring and Carly Duffy form the bottom row.
Celebrating a Park: Six kids formed this pyramid during a celebration party at the Palisades Drive Recreation Association’s park in the Highlands on Friday evening, August 20. Tyler Duffy is at the top of the pyramid, Kaitlynne Henney (left) and Amelia Koblentz (a friend of Natalie Williams) are in the middle and Jackie Sannett, Emma Waring and Carly Duffy form the bottom row.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

About 500 members of the Palisades Drive Recreation Association enjoyed a Friday evening party at their popular pocket-park in the Highlands on August 13.   Admission was free to this second annual PDRA community gathering, which featured an In & Out Burger truck, a screening of the animated feature ‘Up,’ and plenty of room for kids to play and adults to visit.   The gated park, accessed by a small turnoff at 1950 Palisades Drive, is managed by the PDRA board, consisting of president Jeff Outcalt and members Dave Powers, Peter Culhane, Steven Abraham and Judith Harch.   According to Greg Schem, the PDRA’s first president back in 1998 and a key player in the park’s ultimate contruction, four homeowner associations comprise the PDRA: Palisades Hills, Vista Del Mar, Vista Catalina and the Summit.   After years of negotiations with the owners of the Highlands development, and then battles with a small group of dissenting neighbors who objected to having the three-acre property developed into an actual playground, playing field and picnic area that would attract a wide array of participants, the park was finally completed in 1994.   That year, the PDRA spent $100,000 to install a fenced play area (equipped with swings, a sandbox and climbing bars/apparatus) in a 50- by 60-ft. space, while also adding new benches, picnic tables and a walking path around the park.    ‘We now have a park that people of all ages enjoy every day, from morning to night,’ said Powers, who served as board president for many years. ‘Many families love to bring their children to play here, and there are wonderful views of the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.’   Members are allowed to have their dogs off-lease twice a day’8 to 10 a.m. in the morning, 5 to 7 in the evenings (4-6 in winter).   ’We keep good control of the dogs,’ Powers said. ‘If there’s a serious problem, the dog is banned from the park. We’ve only had to do this about twice.’   Powers noted that various young athletes use the park’s grassy field for practicing soccer, baseball and lacrosse (which is gaining in popularity). ‘We’re now looking at putting in a teather-ball pole.’   He added, ‘Many families have had private parties at the park (which require reservations, with a $300 deposit to cover any clean-up costs). It’s great for birthdays and family reunions.’   All Highlands residents are eligible to join the PDRA. To do so, they must fill out an application form, which takes about three to four weeks to process. Contact: Debbie Lanford of DRL Management at (818) 712-9532. There’s a one-time recording fee of $350 and the monthly dues are $25. Membership is permanent and is added to the property title.

A Summer Tradition: Monday Night Picnics in Rustic Park

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Left to right, Amelia Saltsman, Ralph Saltsman, Jill Walsh and Carolyn Perry enjoy a recent Monday night picnic at Rustic Canyon Park. They have all lived in the canyon for 25-plus years. Photo: Debbie Alexander
Left to right, Amelia Saltsman, Ralph Saltsman, Jill Walsh and Carolyn Perry enjoy a recent Monday night picnic at Rustic Canyon Park. They have all lived in the canyon for 25-plus years. Photo: Debbie Alexander

By DEBBIE ALEXANDER Special to the Palisadian-Post Every summer since the mid-1970s, Mondays have gone from manic to magical with the neighborhood evening picnic in Rustic Canyon Park.   This enduring and endearing tradition traces back to Rustic Canyon resident Carolyn Perry, who told me, ‘They started in my front yard on Sundays as a way to entertain my sons and all the young boys in the neighborhood. ‘People would bring food and my ex-husband, Doug, would barbeque.”’   Soon the crowd outgrew Perry’s space.’Moving to the park seemed ideal, but there was a caveat: ‘Saturdays and Sundays are busy days there,’ Perry said, ‘so we agreed to do it on Mondays instead.’ Once at the park, her husband would get the grill ready, others brought meat to share, and the men manned the barbecue.   ’At first,’ said Jean Brady, another picnic veteran, ‘many families brought their own dinners, but then at some point we switched to potluck.’   Yet as that initial generation of kids matured, the picnics almost died out until Brady began knocking on doors and making phone calls to neighbors to convince them to keep attending.   Picnic season kicks off the first Monday after Memorial Day and really come alive once school’s out.’ Anywhere from a couple of dozen to more than 60 people converge at the tables in between the basketball court and baseball diamond.   Our family has been enjoying the gathering since 2000, when our eldest son, Casey, finished kindergarten. A friend invited us and the instructions were simple: arrive at the park about 6:30 p.m. with a potluck contribution that serves eight.   Technically, we were squatters because we lived above the canyon in the Riviera. I hesitated answering the question of where I lived, but now no one really cares because folks who show up week after week span a greater geographic area.’We gained acceptance by always bringing a piping hot gourmet entr’e, straight out of the oven.   When we arrived the first time, we recognized other families from school and met many residents of the canyon.’I felt we entered a time warp of a bygone era.’I was struck by how neighbors were actually hanging out as friends at a designated social event on a weekly basis, enjoying a smorgasbord of food offerings.   Sometimes, dinner can be extremely light: heavy on the salads and pastas with very little protein. However, the dessert table always rocks with tons of homemade fruit crisps and cookies. My boys, Casey and his younger brother, Jeremy, got to run around and play the way I did growing up.’As soon as we sat down, they went off exploring on their own with the other kids. In fact, I quickly learned to feed my children beforehand.’If I forgot, then their dinner became the dessert table goodies.   Anne Roberts and her son, Spencer, began making signs advertising the ‘Monday Night Picnics in the Park’ in 1996 when the turnout again began declining. After 12 years, they retired when Spencer applied to college.’   ’Each summer had a theme,’ Roberts recalled. ‘It changed with whatever Spencer and his friends were into, like skateboarding or tennis.” That might be true for those kids, but my own children have preferred perennial favorites such as killer, tag and water balloons.’   During middle school, Casey became less enthralled with the picnics. At 16, he promises to join us, but continually flakes out. Jeremy, at 14, is barely hanging in, but he loyally goes riding his bike there to arrive on time.’He visits with his elementary school buddies and winds up shooting hoops, or playing baseball.’My 10-year-old daughter, Lily, only knows of life with the picnics because we’ve always dragged her along. Now, she and her friends are at the zenith of picnic enjoyment.’She eagerly waits to go and doesn’t want to leave until the park is pitch black.   ’When our kids were young they couldn’t wait to get out the door to go,’ Heidi commented to her friend, Laura, a few weeks back. ‘Now that they’re 18, we hardly come any more, but we’re glad to be here tonight.’   What makes this neighborhood institution so unique is that you never know who might turn up. Anyone who does is a friend to break bread with while chatting about life during this carefree time of year.”   Occasionally, old-timers like Caroline Perry do return with a third generation in tow, but ‘it’s a much younger crowd now,’ she said. Jean Brady’s still a presence, but she strongly feels that Canyon School families have taken over. After scanning the crowd, I know she’s right.’   Yet, I am grateful because this way the picnics keep chugging along as a vital, shared community experience. Now, I just need to shop for the dish I’m planning to prepare for this year’s finale on August 30. I’ve decided on an incredibly impressive but simple dish: Miso Marinated Black Cod.

Thursday, August 26 – Thursday, September 2

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 26

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. at the Stone Amphitheater in Temescal Gateway Park, through tonight. The program, complete with an interpretive nature program, campfire songs and activities, is free, along with the marshmallows and skewers. Parking is $7. Former Pacific Palisades resident Mary Lou Chayes reads and signs ‘In Our Quiet Village,’ 7:30 p.m. at Village Books on Swarthmore. For more information about the author and her book, visit inourquietvillage.com.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 28

Movies in the Park ends its 2010 series with ‘Enchanted’ (rated PG), starting at about 8 p.m. on the Field of Dreams at the Palisades Recreation Center, 851 Alma Real. Admission is free, thanks to sponsorship support by the Pacific Palisades Junior Women’s Club, the Galier family, the Palisadian-Post and Post Printing, and various individual donors.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 29

String Project Los Angeles, comprising kids age 10 to 17, will play Beatles music and hits from the ’80s in the final performance of the Music on the Green series this summer, 2 to 3 p.m. on the Village Green, between Sunset, Antioch and Swarthmore. The program is free. Bring low chairs or blankets. Palisades Symphony presents highlights from the opera ‘Carmen’ by George Bizet, 7:30 p.m. at the Palisades Lutheran Church, corner of Sunset and El Medio. The concert is free.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

UCLA law professor Paul Bergman discusses and signs ‘Reel Justice: The Courtroom Goes to the Movies,’ 7:30 p.m. at Village Books on Swarthmore. His book goes behind the scenes of nearly 70 riveting courtroom movie dramas and comedies to demonstrate how directors make the legal system accessible to moviegoers. Bergman will show a few clips from films that ‘Reel Justice’ discusses, and read brief excerpts relating to those movies.

Where Have All The Bobcats Gone?

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New research points to rat poison as a culprit in the animals’ decline

Laurel Klein, wildlife biologist and UCLA graduate student, carries a tranquilized bobcat captured in the Santa Monica Mountains for study. Assisting her is Tiffany Teng, former UCLA undergraduate in biology. Photo courtesy Laurel Klein
Laurel Klein, wildlife biologist and UCLA graduate student, carries a tranquilized bobcat captured in the Santa Monica Mountains for study. Assisting her is Tiffany Teng, former UCLA undergraduate in biology. Photo courtesy Laurel Klein

By RENNIE CHAMBERLAIN Special to the Palisadian-Post For the past dozen years, the National Park Service has been tracking mountain lions, coyotes and bobcats in the Santa Monica Mountains to study how these animals are adapting to the urban environment, gathering data on genetics, diet, movement patterns, number of kittens, size of home ranges, and mortality rates.   Laurel Klein, a wildlife biologist and UCLA graduate student, is at the forefront helping the Park Service with its study of bobcats.   In 1997 the bobcat survival rate was about 84 percent.’ In 2002, there was a sharp decline, and by 2003 the survival rate had dropped to 28 percent.   Klein wants to know why the bobcat population is declining and why the cats are behaving so erratically, wandering onto freeways and into backyards in broad daylight.   Klein and the Park Service believe the culprit is a special kind of mange, an ectoparasitic disease called notoedric mange. Oddly, notoedric mange does not usually attack wild cats. And mange alone does not kill normal animals.   Heading out to Thousand Oaks where the NPS has trapped a bobcat, my friend Terry Matkins and I listen as Klein discusses the recent decline in bobcat numbers. On our way we pass a dead coyote on the road, and Laurel hopes it will be there when we return. Not only can she use the coyote fur in her traps, but she will also check the coyote’s liver for anticoagulants.’   Anticoagulants, a main component in rat poison, have become a big problem in the area, especially for carnivores. The substance is everywhere, around homes, public parks, public buildings, golf courses, landfills, farms and gardens.’   Since 1996 the Park Service has gathered blood and tissue samples from more than 190 cats that have died.   Before 2000, there were no bobcat deaths due to mange, and the population was holding steady.’ Then in 2001, one bobcat was found dead from mange. In 2002 it was eight, and in 2003 it was 10.’ The Park Service began doing necropsies on the dead cats and found that in 90 percent of the cats with mange, there were also high levels of anticoagulants in the liver. This was also true for coyotes and mountain lions.   But why this sudden increase in anticoagulants?’   The answer is simple. By 2002, a new generation of rat poisons was on the market.’ Before that, Warfarin was the main ingredient in rat poisons, but eventually the rats developed a genetic resistance to it. Companies then began creating compounds known as second-generation anticoagulants that were longer lasting and more potent.’   These new anticoagulants have become a problem for wildlife because the poisons are stronger. Unfortunately, they are advertised as safe to use outside the home and people use them and they do the job.   Although there are few studies to document how non-target wildlife is affected by the anticoagulants, it is known that the poison moves up the food chain: the bobcat eats the poisoned rat, or the mountain lion eats the dead coyote that has eaten the poisoned rats. ‘   One might think that as the poison travels from one animal to the next it would become diluted, but the opposite is true.’ The potency of the poison increases because the poison doesn’t act immediately. The first dose is lethal, but because it takes several days to act, the rat has plenty of time to ingest more poison. It’s the same with the coyotes and bobcats.’ The more rats they eat, the weaker they become, thus the more rats they continue to eat because the poisoned rats are easy prey for a weakened carnivore.’   On the whole, bobcats appear to be quite tolerant of anticoagulants. Necropsies performed on dead bobcats show that the cats have been exposed multiple times to multiple anticoagulants before they end up dying from a secondary cause, usually mange.   These multiple exposures mean the cats are getting one brand of poison from around a home and a different brand of poison from a golf course. And because the animals are now living in an urban environment where their home range has become extremely restricted, they continue to hunt in a very small area, typically a golf course or along edges of wilderness between housing developments, where they continue to ingest the poisons.’ But what do all these new anticoagulants have to do with bobcats dying of notoedric mange?   Of the 19 bobcats that died of mange between 2001 and 2003, all of them were exposed to anticoagulants and 17 of them were exposed to levels as low as .05 parts per million. This small amount is all it takes to compromise a bobcat’s immune system, making it weak and susceptible to mange, as well as affecting its behavior.   One cat that was strong and had lived in the area for a long time, three or four years, became exposed to anticoagulants and began changing his activity patterns. Ultimately, he became so disoriented he wandered onto the 101 Freeway and was killed.’ By that time he was emaciated and had a severe case of notoedric mange. ‘   Although there’s still much to learn, scientists have pinpointed many contributing factors to the bobcat population decline: loss of habitat; the fragmentation of home ranges; increasing urban developments; and shrinking genetic pools. As for the mountain lions and coyotes, the anticoagulants have been a direct source of mortality instead of a secondary source such as mange.   As Klein drops us back at Topanga Park and heads off to take her samples to UCLA for processing, I find myself wondering what is it going to take to make people realize that their desire for the cheap, easy fix can have devastating results? The irony, of course, is that in our insistence on using convenient poisons we are killing the very predators that help keep the rodent population in check, as well as endangering our own health and the health of our pets.’   Bobcats are solitary animals and their dying happens in secret. Few of us even know it is happening.’ But if we need a clearer picture of what our desire for the cheap, easy fix is doing to our wildlife and our environment, we need look no further than the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.   For more information, visit urbancarnivores.com (Rennie Chamberlain serves on the advisory board and Terry Matkins is the wildlife photographer for The Nature of Wildworks, a Wildlife Care and Education Center in Topanga. Both are Pacific Palisades residents.)

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