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LAUSD Proposes Ending PaliHi Buses

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Budget Move Would Impact Some 1,180 Students at Racially Diverse School

In order to save about $2 million next school year, the Los Angeles Unified School District has proposed eliminating 25 buses for about 1,180 Palisades Charter High School students, who travel from more than 100 zip codes to the campus.
In order to save about $2 million next school year, the Los Angeles Unified School District has proposed eliminating 25 buses for about 1,180 Palisades Charter High School students, who travel from more than 100 zip codes to the campus.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

Faced with a $640-million budget deficit, the Los Angeles Unified School District has proposed eliminating bus transportation this fall for about 1,180 Palisades Charter High School students who travel from more than 100 Los Angeles zip codes.   ’When I found out, I was shocked,’ said PaliHi freshman Maria Morfin. ‘I thought my future is gone.’   Morfin, whose bus trip from Sun Valley takes her an hour and a half, told the Palisadian-Post that her parents would be unable to drive her. Meanwhile, the public high school in her gang-infested neighborhood does not provide the same high quality of education or a safe environment to study, she said.   ’Here, possibilities come true,’ said the 14-year-old, who hopes to become a physician’s assistant.   Last Thursday, 200 parents and students, who travel from communities such as East Los Angeles, South Los Angeles and Inglewood, attended a meeting in Mercer Hall at PaliHi to find out more about the proposal and talk about solutions.   ’This is your school; we want you here,’ PaliHi Executive Director Amy Dresser-Held told the group, adding that the traveling students comprise 42 percent of the student population. ‘Diversity is a key part of our success at this school.’   She explained that PaliHi recently submitted its charter application to the district for renewal, which gives the district an opportunity to renegotiate terms. As a result, the district has proposed cutting transportation (25 buses a day) for a savings of about $2 million.   '[We] cannot continue to transport students to an independent charter school at district expense when we are facing larger class sizes, layoffs and substantial cuts to district programs,’ Estelle Luckett, director of LAUSD’s Student Integration Services, told the Post.   PaliHi, which opened in 1961, separated from LAUSD in 2003 as an independent charter school, by which it receives funding directly from the state and operates under its own governing board. LAUSD, however, continues to oversee the charter to make sure the school is being governed properly.   Since the late 1970s, LAUSD has also paid to transport students to the school through the Permits with Transportation (PWT) program, which provides transportation for Hispanic, black, Asian and other non-Anglo-Saxon students to predominantly white schools and vice versa. LAUSD also transports students to PaliHi’s magnet program, which is one of 173 programs within the district that provide students of different ethnicities the opportunity to focus on a specific subject. Pali’s magnet is geared toward math, science and computer technology.   The district is required to offer these integration programs under a 1963 lawsuit, Crawford v. Board of Education of Los Angeles, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in 1982. PaliHi has educated about 10,000 students in the PWT and magnet programs since their inception in 1977, according to Dresser-Held.   Students are also bused to PaliHi through Public School Choice, a No Child Left Behind mandate that requires the district to provide transportation from low-performing schools to higher-performing schools and through the Capacity Adjustment Placement program, which is intended to alleviate overcrowded schools.   Luckett argues that PaliHi should pay for the busing if the school wants to continue to educate these students. Racial diversity has been a key provision of the school’s charter since 1993, when the school initially gained charter status.   ’Palisades Charter High School receives the full state allocation (based on average daily attendance) for each of those students and the district does not,’ Luckett said.   Schools are paid a certain amount per student annually based on their attendance rate. This year, the state is giving PaliHi $5,831 per student, or about $6.9 million for the 1,180 traveling students. If those students attended other LAUSD schools that are not fiscally independent charters, the district would receive that money from the state instead. Dresser-Held responded that the school cannot afford to bus the students. The $2- million cost is nearly 10 percent of PaliHi’s $22-million operating budget. Eighty percent of the budget is dedicated to teachers’ salaries and benefits, while the remaining 20 percent covers the costs of utilities, food service, textbooks, custodial services and more.   She argues that LAUSD has the money to pay for the transportation from a Targeted Instructional Improvement Grant, which the district receives from the state to support court-ordered integration programs. PaliHi is not eligible for this grant.   ’We are trying to negotiate with the district on the best way to proceed,’ Dresser-Held said, adding that she and PaliHi’s Operations Manager Maisha-Cole Perri met with LAUSD’s Director of Transportation Enrique Boull’t to discuss options.   They analyzed the number of riders per bus traveling to and from PaliHi and Paul Revere Middle School, which also educates students from all over Los Angeles. They discovered that the 45 buses are not filled to capacity, and by aligning PaliHi’s and Paul Revere’s drop-off and pick-up times, the district would save $1.2 million. PaliHi has also proposed reducing the number of 5:45 p.m. pick-up buses from five to three for a savings of $500,000. The buses pick up students in the afternoon at 2:15 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5:45 p.m. The evening buses are for athletes and students participating in after-school sports and clubs. Luckett told the Post that the district is verifying the accuracy of PaliHi’s proposal. ‘No final decision has been made,’ she said. ‘We continue to hope that Palisades will reimburse the district for transportation, so there is no disruption. If that doesn’t happen, we will work closely with parents to find other options for these students.’ However, Dresser-Held believes that PaliHi’s program is the best option. ‘We’re serving the traveling students better than their home schools,’ she said. PaliHi’s African American and Latino students are performing better than their respective racial groups at their neighborhood schools such as Crenshaw, Dorsey, Manual Arts, Los Angeles High and Jefferson. Last school year at PaliHi, African Americans received an Academic Performance Index (API) score of 704 and Latinos a score of 762. At their neighborhood schools, the African Americans and Hispanics are generally scoring in the 500s and 400s. API is based on test results from the Standardized Testing and Reporting program (STAR) and the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE). Dresser-Held continued that the cuts will disrupt education because Paul Revere and PaliHi teachers collaborate, and the district would continue to bus students to Paul Revere. ‘We would still give preference to Paul Revere students, but they would have to figure out how to get here on their own,’ she said. PaliHi officials are considering other alternatives if LAUSD does not accept the proposal, Dresser-Held said. These include working with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Santa Monica Big Blue Bus to provide reduced-cost bus tickets. Parents could also pitch in to fund bus transportation or arrange carpools. PaliHi mother Cherry Goff, who lives near the intersection of Crenshaw and Hyde Park, said she would be willing to work overtime at her job at Metropolitan State Hospital in Norwalk to help pay for busing. She doesn’t want her son, Christian Allende, to ride the MTA bus because she believes he would be more susceptible to gang activity, and she can’t drive him. ‘I have always had a good experience with these schools,’ Goff said, adding that Allende, a freshman at PaliHi, attended Brentwood Elementary Magnet School and Paul Revere. ‘Plus, I don’t have to worry while I am at work. I don’t get calls that ‘We’re going to have to close down the school [because of a shooting].” She fears he would have to attend his neighborhood school, Crenshaw. Luckett said if LAUSD stops providing transportation to PaliHi, these traveling students would still have alternatives. ‘The district could accommodate the magnet students by relocating [PaliHi’s] math/science magnet program to another campus,’ Luckett said. ‘The Permits with Transportation students could be accommodated at other successful LAUSD high schools.’ In addition, the district would identify another school that is considered high achieving under No Child Left Behind. Dresser-Held is rallying parents and students to help save the buses. At last Thursday’s meeting, she asked them to sign a petition that will be sent to LAUSD. ‘United is the only way to confront this,’ Dresser-Held told the group. ‘There is power in community.’ PaliHi will post up-to-the-date information regarding this issue on its Web site, www.palihigh.org.

Ignacio Romero, Friendly Blue Bus Driver

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Ignacio Romero is one of several Big Blue Bus drivers who work the No. 9 line between Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades every weekday morning.
Ignacio Romero is one of several Big Blue Bus drivers who work the No. 9 line between Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades every weekday morning.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

If you depend on the Big Blue Bus line No. 9 to travel between Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades weekday mornings, you know Ignacio Romero”even if you don’t know him by name. The mustached bus driver cuts a distinctive presence with his sunglasses, his uniform, the number 7 on the silver pendant pinned to his black vest”all topped with a dark beret that may suggest a hint of military commando. However, front and center are the warm greetings and the avuncular smile Romero offers his riders as they board and depart his bus. ‘Working for the Big Blue Bus is a privilege,’ Romero told the Palisadian-Post last week. Likewise, Santa Monica’s bus company thinks highly of him. On February 2, the City of Santa Monica honored Romero” alongside other municipal service people, such as dedicated employees of the police and fire departments”at a service awards ceremony. The City singled out Romero from among some 300 employees of Big Blue Bus, presenting the veteran driver (or motor coach operator, as he is officially classified by his employer) with a certificate, a ring and a gold watch, to honor his 30 years of service. ‘Everyone is excellent,’ Romero said. ‘I have a good relationship with all of the drivers and with the public.’ Just like the days of the week, no two trips are alike. ‘Every trip is a new adventure, even if it’s a small one,’ said the 60-year-old Palmdale resident, who has been married to wife Ruthie (whom he met at a Venice High School party) for nearly 40 years. The couple has three daughters: Elizabeth, a teacher in Antelope Valley; Serena, who lives in Valencia and gave birth to their first grandchild, Jadon, two years ago; and Gina, a registered nurse in Massachusetts. When he’s not working, Romero sometimes operates a bus of his own”a Winnebago”that he likes to drive up to Lake Elizabeth or Lake Hughes to go fishing. The City of Santa Monica’s bus system, however, is his daily domain. ‘The people on board, we call them ‘precious cargo,” said Romero, whose driving record, after three decades, remains impeccable: not one accident. Ignatio Romero, Jr. (his friends call him ‘Nacho’) was born in Tepatitlan, Mexico, to Ignatio, a construction worker, and Juanita, a homemaker. In a family of five brothers and three sisters, Romero was the baby boy. In the same year the Beatles invaded America, Romero’s family moved to America in 1964. Romero was 14 when they settled in Santa Monica, where he attended John Adams Junior High and Santa Monica High. ‘It was very hard going to school and not knowing the language,’ he said, adding with a laugh, ‘I’m still picking it up!’ After graduating, Romero worked for a few years as a truck driver for the now-defunct Bush Moving and Storage before segueing into the bus-driving profession. Romero originally worked the No. 2 line (Venice/UCLA) and drove various other routes before settling into No. 9 about six years ago. Beginning at Olympic Boulevard and Avenida Mazatlan every weekday at 5:40 a.m., he makes seven round trips daily from downtown Santa Monica to western Marquez Avenue (at Sunset Boulevard) in the Palisades. Each trip takes about an hour to complete. ‘What I like about the 9, it’s the same people,’ Romero said. Citizens such as the 84-year-old doctor who boarded the bus last week in downtown Santa Monica wearing a vintage purplish suit and fedora. Or the 45-year-old woman who talks about her relationship problems. Or the senior citizen at the Mesa Road stop who rides up the hill to go shopping in the Palisades. Or the eccentric property owner who gets on in Santa Monica and blows Romero kisses after exiting the bus at San Vicente and Seventh Street. Years ago, Romero recalled, he used to drive members of the Marquez family into Santa Monica Canyon. One relative even invited him to San Lorenzo Street to visit the Marquez family’s private cemetery (Romero never took her up on it). Romero realizes how crucial his service is. A healthy portion of the domestic workforce coming to the Palisades every day depends on his bus. Often, people who work in the village are recognizable on the 9, such as the employees in their black Caf’ Vida t-shirts and caps. ‘A lot of people in Pacific Palisades come here to work,’ Romero said. ‘It’s a very important line.’ The fact that the friendly, gregarious Romero also speaks Spanish fluently makes his rapport with many daily riders that much smoother and homier. As the Mexican and Central American housekeepers and babysitters get off the bus along Chautauqua and on Sunset, they shower Romero with a bevy of small talk and ‘Gr’cias!’ as they would a friend. Riding the 9 up Chautauqua Boulevard in the morning”with the loud, cheerful bursts of Spanish in the air”can often resemble a moving party. The lively atmosphere suits the friendly driver just fine. ‘They talk about their life, their experiences, the people they work for, their problems,’ Romero said of the Spanish-language workers. ‘They also talk about the world and the economy.’ By now, Romero’s trained ear can often discern four or five conversations at a time without ever looking back. So what’s with the beret, Nacho? Did you once serve a tour in Vietnam? ‘This is part of the uniform,’ Romero said. ‘So is the vest! I love it!’ As it turns out, while some other bus drivers forego the beret, Romero wears his with pride. Of course, the driver has seen the area change across three decades. ‘There’s more traffic, more people than when I started,’ he said. ‘[Santa Monica] was like Pacific Palisades before. Now, it’s a big city. ‘Always show compassion to people,’ he continued. ‘And give the kids respect and they give you respect in return. The kids are not animals. They’re very smart. They know more than I do with the computers and everything. They grow up faster today.’ One woman, a panhandler who picked up the bus on Fourth Street, interrupts a conversation to give Romero an unsolicited endorsement to a reporter. ‘He’s a good guy,’ she said, before departing to occupy a spot on PCH and Chautauqua, where she begs for change. Indeed, the homeless who sometimes congregate along that corner, such as a man regularly seen sweeping outside the restaurants, throw waves at Romero, even though most of them never ride his bus. They’re evidently happy to see his friendly, familiar face. Rich or poor, whatever their background, ‘I treat everyone just the same,’ Romero said. ‘I’m just doing my work.’ After his decades-long connection to the area, Romero is still enchanted by the beautiful scenery along his route and the ocean view at PCH. ‘It’s so nice,’ Romero said. ‘In the summer, you can feel the breeze coming in. I see the beach all the time. It’s very relaxing. That’s why I’m always smiling!’ On a recent afternoon after his shift, Romero was recognized by some of his regulars as he sat to discuss his career over coffee with the Post. A customer named Theresa, on her way into the coffeehouse, came over to the affable driver and asked him, ‘You want me to buy you a cookie?’ She wasn’t making chit-chat; she was serious. Romero politely declined, but he did offer her some warm words and a smile. As he will the next time Theresa boards line No. 9.

Retiring Rabbi Sheryl Lewart Will Be Honored on Sunday

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Rabbi Sheryl Lewart in 2005
Rabbi Sheryl Lewart in 2005

When Rabbi Sheryl Lewart joined the Kehillat Israel congregation a dozen years ago, she was excited although not quite certain how she would fit in with two strong, charismatic men’Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben and Cantor Chayim Frenkel’let alone the Jewish patriarchal foundation. ‘Right from the beginning,’ Lewart recalls, ‘Steven was open and generous of heart and even though I was the associate, he was eager to have it be more of partnership, and to keep it from being hierarchical.’ Lewart did carve out a vital role in service to the KI community for which she will be honored with a tribute featuring keynote speaker Gloria Steinem on February 21 at the Skirball Cultural Center. One of the first female Reconstructionist rabbis to be ordained, Lewart plans to retire in May to pursue more study and teaching.   KI was the first full-time position for Lewart, who came to the rabbinate in mid-life, following a traditional path, with marriage, raising two children and operating an antique store.   She returned to school in 1988 to study at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia. She was ordained in 1994.   The Reconstructionist movement, primarily an American form of Judaism, emphasizes a more modern approach to Jewish custom, aiming toward communal decision-making through a process of education and distillation of values from traditional Jewish sources.   The Reconstructionist movement is the newest movement in Judaism, and the school, founded in 1967, has always admitted women. ‘Thank goodness for that,’ Lewart says. ‘It was hard enough in every other area.’ Lewart did encounter skeptics within her adopted congregation, especially among some of the older members. ‘They wanted the father figure, especially around issues of death and dying,’ Lewart recalls. ‘They were not willing to know me. Older gentlemen would come up to me and say ‘Honey, so nice to see you,’ not having a clue. It was always surprising where patriarchy would rise up. But I was always respectful, and over time one’s reputation becomes the best way to be seen as a caring human being.’ For Lewart, it was the call to spirituality that not only led her to study Jewish theology, but also motivated her ministry. ‘My focus was bringing a sense of increased spirituality to the congregation.’ One of the first things she did when she arrived in California in the summer of 1998 to join KI staff was to get involved with the Institute of Jewish Spirituality, a national gathering of rabbis who look at esoteric, meditative and Eastern traditions. Lewart pursued her studies further with the Sisters of Mercy’s Mercy Center Burlingame, known worldwide for its pioneering work in spiritual direction. Over the two-year program, Lewart would fly to the Bay Area once a month for two days of study and prayer. For the KI community, Lewart taught the growth of spirituality through social responsibility. ‘People who are affluent have a responsibility not only to give back, but also to train and expose our children to walk in that path,’ she says. ‘The challenge is to find a place of humility and gratitude and from there comes generosity.’ Lewart also felt it important for Jews to deepen their knowledge of their religion through a course of adult education. ‘We are always learning to realize our lives, to grow our souls, our hearts and friendship community. That comes out of study and learning and leads to action.’ In the years since she started the Jewish primer, participation has been steadily growing, she says. ‘Over the years, it has been gratifying to see the numbers reach more than a couple of hundred for this course,’ she says.   A typical week for Rabbi Lewart is awe-inspiring. It begins with preparatory work on the Torah portion that will be read and discussed at the Friday evening and Saturday morning Shabbat services. There are baby namings, marriages, funerals and new-home blessings. There are visits to the hospital, counseling and even meeting with young women who are working for their Gold Level in Girl Scouts. Lewart’s respect for and engagement with women has certainly been another keystone of her ministry at KI.   ’The focus comes back to expanding and deepening the Jewish practice by considering different voices, not just male voices, but women’s stories, as well as other traditions perhaps more subtle, mystical traditions, contemplative traditions both in Judaism and Christianity and finding God’s presence and holiness in nature, silence, a baby’s cry.’ Last year, Lewart published her first book, ‘Change Happens: Owning the Jewish Holidays in a Reconstructionist Tradition,’ which offers understanding Judaism in a Reconstructionist context. She is currently working on a second book in which she is taking the weekly blessings from the Bible and the book of Psalms and organizing them around people’s lives as an aid in times of loss, celebration and gratitude.   As she looks over the past 12 years, Lewart points to several high points. ‘What is still vivid in my memory is the way the community came together after 9/11 and this remains a moving part of my life. It is very intensely spiritual to heal together as a community.’   She is also proud of the success of the Jewish Learning Initiative at KI, the adult education programs that provides an umbrella for a living, breathing entity.   When Lewart arrived at KI, the congregation numbered 550; now it is over 1,000. ‘Often people approach me who want to learn and ask questions. I don’t know if they are Jewish or not,’ she says. ‘These new members are singles who are looking to understand this really ancient tradition, people in mixed marriages, and empty nesters who now have time to approach their own spirituality. They want to figure out questions like ‘Why am I here? What is life all about?”   ’This is the most open and welcoming community,’ Lewart says. ‘What I hold in my heart is getting to be a part of families’ lives and offering support.’   Lewart and her husband of 10 years, Bob Auerbach (‘the gift of my life’), live in the Sunset Mesa neighborhood (near the Getty Villa), so she will not be going away. She will spend time on her studies and teaching, and also with her son Mark Shulewitz and his wife Sarah in the Bay Area, as well as her daughter Judy Amidor and son-in-law Boaz and their two children, Ohr and Eitan, who live in Israel. ‘I am so grateful for this amazing, wonderful ride,’ Lewart says. ‘It has been a great part of my life.’

Richard Ver Steeg, 85; Former American Legion Commander

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Richard William ‘Dick’ Ver Steeg, a resident of Pacific Palisades since 1982, passed away peacefully on January 25. He was 85 years old.   Born on July 30, 1924 in Des Moines, Iowa, Dick moved to California with his mother Ruth and father Clarence in 1928, traveling in a Model T touring car along Route 66 to Los Angeles. After graduating from Gardena High School in 1942, Dick enlisted in the Navy and served as an aerographer’s mate in the Pacific until 1946. Following his honorable discharge in 1946, Dick attended Whittier College (class of 1948). It was there that Dick first met his future wife, Donna Lorraine Frank (class of 1951), while performing in school theatrical productions.   In 1949, Dick began teaching at a junior high school in Victorville. Assigned to teach a ninth grade ‘dumbbell math’ class, he recognized that the students weren’t dumb ‘ they simply had different needs. He divided the class into smaller groups and provided curriculum targeted to each group’s needs. The keen observations, patience, and teaching skills that Dick demonstrated with that math class proved to be hallmarks of his career.   Dick and Donna continued to see each other despite her enrollment at the Stanford University School of Nursing, many miles from Victorville. They became engaged in 1950 and, that summer, Dick moved to San Francisco, where he continued teaching at a junior high school. He and Donna were married November 23, 1950 at St. John’s Presbyterian Church in San Francisco.   In 1951, Dick was offered a management training position at Prudential Insurance. Their first child, Juliana Marie, was born in 1953; in 1954, Prudential Insurance and the family moved down the peninsula to Menlo Park. In 1958, their second child, Anne Lorraine, was born and Dick was offered a job at Systems Development Corporation (SDC) in Santa Monica. At SDC, Dick found an opportunity to exercise his talent for teaching by developing training materials and curriculum for complex systems. Dick remained with SDC until his retirement.   From 1959 to 1967, Dick and his family were on the move with SDC: Newburgh, New York; Tacoma, Washington; Grand Forks, North Dakota; San Rafael (where their third child, Richard Bruce, was born); and finally back to Santa Monica. The family settled in, with all three children graduating from Santa Monica High School’but SDC still kept Dick on the move, sending him at various times on extended business trips to Illinois, Boston and Turkey.   Dick earned his master’s degree and a letter of commendation from the University of Southern California’s Institute of Safety and Systems Management in 1970.   After their youngest child moved out in 1982, Dick and Donna looked for a new home and found what they were looking for in Pacific Palisades just a few blocks from the village. Dick retired from SDC/Unisys in 1989 and set to work enjoying his new community. He joined American Legion Post 283 and served as Post Commander in 1997-98. He and Donna became regular patrons of village restaurants and businesses, and attending the Fourth of July parade became a tradition for them and their extended family.   In 1971, Dick started drawing stick-figure cartoons for his own amusement and for the family Christmas cards. For 29 years he illuminated the key moments of his family’s life with pithy, humorous drawings. He drew from his experience of spending much time working and playing with his family. He taught his children how to fix and build things, and to share work equally.   A celebration of Dick’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 20, at Legion Post 283 on La Cruz.   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the West Los Angeles Fisher House Foundation (www.westlafisherhouse.org) or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org or (800) 272-3900).

Kathleen Barienbrock, 104-Year-Old Canyon Resident, World Traveler

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Kathleen Scott Barienbrock, a 68-year resident of Santa Monica Canyon, died on February 2. She was 104 years old.   Born in Germiston, South Africa, in 1905, Kathleen immigrated to Santa Monica, via Ellis Island, along with her family in 1923 and began working for what has now become Wells Fargo Bank. While on a cruise in British Columbia, she met fellow traveler Fred Barienbrock, a young architect from the Santa Monica area. They married in 1930 and settled in Santa Monica, where their son Gordon was born.   In 1942, the Barienbrocks moved into the home Fred designed and built on San Lorenzo Street in S. M. Canyon. Active in many civic associations, especially related to the canyon, Kathleen remained in the home until her death.   ’Kathleen wrote me on her dues envelope about eight years ago, relating that she had to be a member because the association was formed in her living room, about 1964,’ recalled George Wolfberg, current president of the Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association. ‘I used to see her all the time working on the landscape in her yard. She lived a long block from Entrada and used to walk down and take the bus to the Palisades to shop.’   From 1952 until 1970, Kathleen worked as an executive assistant for a number of local businesses, including the Santa Monica Land & Water Company. Following her retirement, she and Fred spent a year traveling through Europe in a VW camper. They brought the camper to California and a few years later traveled down the newly completed Baja Highway.   Kathleen was often seen in the Pacific Palisades/Santa Monica area along with her sister, Sheila Thompson. The two never lived more than five miles apart until Sheila’s death in 2001 at age 92. Both sisters enjoyed traveling and visited Ireland together after they were widowed. Kathleen’s most recent trip was in 2002, when she rode the train from Calgary across the Canadian Rockies to Vancouver.   Her family will gather in May on what would have been her 105th birthday to celebrate her life.   Since 1925, Kathleen had been a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica. She is survived by her son Gordon of Newport Beach, and granddaughters Nadia and Vanessa.

Jane Arthur, Former Longtime Palisadian

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Jane Arthur, a former resident of Pacific Palisades, passed away in Missoula, Montana, on February 8, after a short illness. She was 91 years old.   Jane had lived in the Palisades from 1948 to 2000, and was greatly attached to her home on Embury Street, as well as to the Palisades community. With some reluctance, she left the Palisades to be near her son Jim and his wife Kristi.   While residing here, Jane worked for 20 years as an administrator for UCLA Extension. After her retirement, she became an active member of St. Matthew’s Church, where she served on the Altar Guild, and with the Assistance League of Santa Monica. Most importantly, she enjoyed the companionship and company of her family, as well as the many friends she had in the area.   Predeceased by her husband, James Arthur, in 1972, Jane is survived by her son, James, Jr. (wife Kristi) of Missoula; daughter Susan Watson of Sausalito, California; granddaughter Cindy Welch of Escondido; granddaughter Beth Arthur of Phoenix; and great-granddaughter Lauren Welch and great-grandson Alec Welch.   A private ceremony will be held later this year at St. Matthew’s Church, where Jane’s ashes will be interred.

CLASSIFIED ADS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 18, 2010

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LOTS FOR SALE 1a

MALIBU LA COSTA BEACH RIGHTS * Malibu residential vacant land at PCH and Carbon Cyn. Burn-out site w/ good geo. Activated La Costa Beach Club & tennis court rights including showers, kitchen, courts, doggie gate, private beach, etc. $129,000. (310) 317-0700

CONDOS/TOWNHOMES FOR SALE 1e

$245,000. PRICE REDUCED! 1+1 condo+patio on Palisades Drive. Quiet, park-like setting, lots of trees. Min. age 62. 2 car garage, elevator, 1/2 mile to beach. Broker, (310) 795-3795 (c), (310) 456-8770 (h)

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

UNFURNISHED HOMES 2a

3 BD, FRANKLIN SCHOOL DIST. Beautiful 3 bd, 2 ba Santa Monica hm w/ large yard, updated, fireplace, north of Wilshire. $3,995/mo. seller pays utilities. Call James (310) 704-0007

FULLY RENOVATED 3 story Mediterranean home. 1/2 block from beach. Built by J. Paul Getty for his mistress. 4 bdrm, 6 bath, billiard room w/ wet bar. 800 bottle wine cellar, 4 person elevator, several patios & decks & a multi-level yard w/ jacuzzi. Hardwood flrs, Cali tile, steam shower, 2 indoor Jacuzzi tubs, 3 car garages, loft storage. $9,000/mo. One year lease required. For more info or to set up an appointment, please contact Fidel @ (213) 494-0059. fidel@benleedsproperties.com

FURNISHED APARTMENTS 2b

$2,000/MO. SPACIOUS MASTER BEDROOM SUITE + DEN (ENTIRE 2ND FL.). Use of beautiful pool and gardens, kitchen including laundry facilities and maid service once a week. Parking available. Short (3 months) or long term rental accepted. Personal and professional references required. Ideal for single professional female. No pets. Reply to: swyndon@aol.com (for fastest response); or may call (310) 478-4495 between hours of 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. or between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.

UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS 2c

CUTE & COZY SINGLE mediterranean triplex near village & bluffs. Full kitchen, bath, hardwd flrs, laundry, garden, and carport. 1 year lease. Non-smoking building. No pets. $1,500/mo. (310) 804-3142

CHARMING, SUNNY UPPER UNIT. 1 bdrm. + office/den. Hardwood floors, 2 fireplaces, 2 bthrms., 1 car garage, on-site laundry, small pet considered. $2,200/mo. (310) 459-5576

UNUSUAL, HOME-LIKE, SPACIOUS 1 bed, 1 bath, 800 sq. ft. in triplex near bluffs and village. Fireplace, bay window, hardwood, garage, laundry, garden. NS, NP. 1 yr. lease. $2,300 (310) 804-3142

2 BD, 1 BA UNIT AVAILABLE. $1,850/mo. upper unit available now. Vintage 6 unit building. Includes water. Approx. 800 sq. ft., Hardwood, tile floors. Lite & brite. Shared laundry. Pet o.k. with approval. 1 year lease. (424) 228-4570

CLOSE TO THE BEACH & SHOPPING. One bedroom, one bathroom, wood floors, in a great complex with fabulous grounds in P.P. Appliances are included. Must be over 62 years of age. (310) 979-4170

BRIGHT, LARGE, 3 BD+2 BA, 1,500 sq. ft., top floor, 1 garage+1 tandem, new carpets. Great closet space. 1 yr lease. N/S. $2,500/mo. (310) 498-0149

PALISADES 1 BEDROOM apt, Large remodeled, carpet, gas stove, refrigerator, one year lease, new paint, laundry, storage, covered parking. No pets, Non-smoker. $1,325/mo. (310) 477-6767

TWO UNITS AVAILABLE, two blocks from Starbucks in the village. Two bedroom $2,400/mo., studio $1,250/mo. lease. Quiet, sunny, small pet considered. (310) 883-8049

PAC. PAL. 1+1 condo. Maple floor, 800 sf., pool/tennis, view, gardens, sec. bldg., utilities inc. Across from beach. No pets. Avail. 4/1, earlier. $1,995/mo. (310) 230-7737, eskovner@aol.com

BRENTWOOD. $2,350/mo. ‘Best Location’ on Montana Ave. and Gretna Green across from golf course. Spacious and sunny 2 bed. 2 bath upstairs apt. HAS IT ALL. Large living room, woodburning fireplace, shutters, delightful sun deck with retractable awning overlooking lovely Italian courtyard. Champagne carpets throughout, spacious kitchen with new stainless appliances. Enc. garage, no pets, one year lease. (310) 826-7960

CONDOS/TOWNHOMES FOR RENT 2d

CHIC PALISADES VILLAGE CONDO. Remodeled 2 BR, 2 BA, stainless appliances, includes wshr/dryr, storage, security building. Small pets considered. $2,750/mo. 1 year lease. (310) 454-6058

WANTED TO RENT 3b

WANTED: APARTMT/GUESTHSE/ROOM FOR RENT. Financially reliable, single, male Palisadian-Post reporter and indoor cat-owner is looking for an apartment/bachelor/studio/guest house to rent. Preferably in the $700-$800 range (negotiable). Palisades/Santa Monica area preferred. Looking for a quiet environment relatively close to the village. Please contact Michael at: Michael@palipost.com or (424) 645-3709

NURSE. RN, middle-aged female, quiet, non-smoker desires guest house/apartment/rooms unfurnished for rent. Call Vita, (310) 826-7894 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

PROFESSIONAL COUPLE, 9 year residents of Pacific Palisades with small parrot seeking guest house. Please call (310) 435-5468

OFFICE/STORE RENTALS 3c

PACIFIC PALISADES OFFICE SUITE: Atrium Bldg., 860 Via de la Paz. 900+ space, reception, two offices & bathroom. 18 month sublease. Call (310) 459-5353 to see.

PROFESSIONAL BUILDING in Pacific Palisades village for lease. Lovely and spacious suite available. 750 square feet. Reasonable rent price. Excellent lease hold improvement allowance. Please call Ness, (310) 230-6712 x105, for more details.

LARGE, BRIGHT & QUIET executive office. For rent part-time: evenings+1 morning. Fully furnished in heart of Palisades village. $500/mo. Call (310) 573-2175

OFFICES FOR RENT on 2nd floor in First Federal Bank building on Sunset Blvd. in Palisades Village. Call Ev Maguire, (310) 600-3603 or (310) 454-0840

FURNISHED OFFICE ON SUNSET, near village. Mountain view, quiet, light & bright. $800/mo., terms negotiable. (310) 459-3493

LARGE EXECUTIVE OFFICE SUITE with 2 separate rooms in the heart of Palisades village. $1,050/mo. lease, negotiable terms. (310) 573-2175

PALISADES OFFICE, two rooms, 2nd floor, 15115-1/2 Sunset Blvd. Across from Ralphs. $950/mo. (310) 459-3493

VACATION RENTALS 3e

MAMMOTH SKI CHATEAU RENTAL. Blocks from Canyon Lodge, brand new 2400 sq. ft. premium luxury townhome with limestone and hardwood floors throughout. Sleeps up to 14 people. Call: (310) 699-9972

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 3f

HERITAGE REALTY & INVESTMENTS. Property management services, sales & leasing, commercial & residential. (310) 459-3493

ATTORNEYS 7a

WHY GIVE IT ALL TO UNCLE SAM? Don’t use an ordinary income tax service when you can use a tax attorney who is an experienced CPA. Also probate, trusts & wills. John R. Ronge, CPA. Attorney at Law. (310) 441-4100

BOOKKEEPING/ACCOUNTING 7b

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

Local Bookkeeping Service. WWW.BIGSISTERWORKSHOP.COM. (310) 570-6085

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 ‘ bmdawson@verizon.net ‘ www.bmdawson.com ‘ Furniture ‘ Antiques ‘ Collectibles ‘ Junque ‘ Reliable professionals ‘ Local References

ORGANIZING SERVICES 7h

NEED TO GET ORGANIZED? * Simplify and find more balance in your life. Let me help you get organized and stay organized. Call me, Jennifer Brook, Professional Organizer, (310) 916-7745 or visit BeeOrganized.la

WE OFFER BOOKKEEPING, assistant services and project management. (818) 591-7729

MESSENGER/COURIER SERVICES 7n

MESSENGER & COURIER SERVICES (S. Cal.). Direct, same day or overnight, PU & Del. 24/7 guaranteed, on-time service. All major credit cards accepted. Santa Monica Express Inc. ‘ Since 1984 ‘ Tel: (310) 458-6000 www.smexpress.com

NANNIES/BABYSITTERS 8a

NANNY EXTRAORDINAIRE. Smart, kind and capable 46-year-old woman with a lifetime of experience taking care of families seeks full time, live-out employment. Can drive, organize schedules and household, and is a gifted cook. Great with kids. Call Mary at (713) 478-5624

HOUSEKEEPERS 9a

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

HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE every other Monday and every other Thursday. Speaks English, good local references. Call Lupe, (310) 454-7383 (local number Mon.-Wed.) or (323) 898-2766 (cell.)

MY NAME IS ALICIA. I’m looking for a job as a housekeeper or babysitter. Available Mon., Wed. & Fri. Experience, drivers license, good references. Please call (323) 394-5901

PALISADES HOUSEKEEPER, 15 yrs. experience. Excellent references, honest, dependable. Legal resident. Child & pet care. Available every Tues., Thurs., Fri., Sat. & Sun. Carmen, (323) 460-6473

GREAT HOUSEKEEPER available! Excellent references, fluent English, warm and reliable. Wonderful with kids and pets. Please call Raquel at (213) 736-5362

HOUSEKEEPER/NANNY with 10 yrs. experience. Available Monday thru Friday (own transportation). Great references. For more information please call Imelda, (818) 941-9768 or Carolina (323) 817-8311

LOYAL, TRUSTWORTHY, METICULOUS . . . Ticvah is available full or part-time for childcare and/or keeping your house sparkling! Bright, loving, educated, has own transportation, lives close by, and comes with highest recommendations from current local Palisadian family of 12 years. Call Ticvah at (310) 207-4894

HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTING. 25 years experience. Excellent references. Reliable. Pet friendly. Willing to work weekends. Available now. Call Elizabeth, (323) 463-7889

HOUSEKEEPER with 6 years experience & great references. Available Monday through Saturday. Please call Ana anytime at (310) 482-9937 or (310) 570-3852

LOOKING FOR HOUSEKEEPING/NANNY job. Good references. Monday through Friday. Own car & license. 20 years experience. Please call Elvia, (323) 578-5323

ELDER CARE/COMPANIONS 10a

GOOD COMPANY Senior Care. A premiere private duty home care agency. Provides in-home care and companionship to help people remain independent and happy at home. If you are a caring individual who would like to join our team, please call (323) 932-8700. joni@goodcopros.com

FANTASTIC CAREGIVER. Kind, gentle and highly capable woman with 20 years of experience caring for elderly woman seeks full time employment. Can drive, cook, and nurse. Smart, fun. Call (713) 478-5624

CAREGIVER/PERSONAL ASSISTANT/COMPANION. Mature, experienced & reliable female with own transportation. Flexible. Good local references. Please call (310) 442-3524 or (310) 383-6593

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

MOVING & HAULING 11b

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

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

CATERING 14

CHEF & EVENT MANAGER! Cordon Bleu Chef and 15 year veteran event manager wants to help you plan your event! $60 per hour. Please call or email Danielle . . . (310) 691-0578 or daniellesamendez@gmail.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

HORSE STALLS FOR RENT ‘ 3 horse stalls for rent near Will Rogers Park. Easy park access, rent $600-$700 dep. on feed and cleaning needs. Call Bob, (949) 305-2110

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

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 TUTOR * Credentialed with 15+ years experience. Will come to you late afternoons or evenings. Specializing in GED, CAHSEE, SAT & homework. Pomona College Graduate. Call Hal, (310) 384-4507

STANFORD MATH & SCIENCE TUTOR, 7 years exp. tutoring Pali kids. For my bio, list of classes tutored, and contact info, check out my new site: westsidestanfordtutor.com. Call (323) 309-6687

MATH TUTOR. Harvard-Westlake Junior in advanced math and science classes is available to tutor students in elementary math thru Algebra II. $20/hour. (310) 795-8249

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

MUSIC LESSONS & INSTRUCTION 15h

SINGING & PERFORMANCE COACH ‘ All ages ‘ Singing ‘ Songwriting ‘ Recording ‘ Demos ‘ Talent Shows ‘ School Plays ‘ Laurie, (310) 457-4661 ‘ Native Palisadian ‘ soundeyes@aol.com

CONCRETE, MASONRY, POOLS 16c

MASONRY, CONCRETE & POOL CONTRACTOR ‘ 39 YEARS IN PACIFIC PALISADES ‘ New Construction & Remodels. Hardscapes, custom stone, stamped concrete, brick, driveways, retaining walls, BBQs, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, foundations, drainage, pool & spas, water features. Excellent local refs. Lic #309844. Bonded, ins, work comp. MIKE HORUSICKY CONSTRUCTION, INC. (310) 454-4385 ‘ WWW.HORUSICKY.COM

CONSTRUCTION 16d

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

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.)

A-1 SUPER CONCRETE & BLOCK. Concrete patio, blockwall, stucco, foundation, driveway, painting, stamp concrete. FREE ESTIMATES. Lic. #902840 Call Tangi, (310) 592-9824 or (818) 793-4415

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

ELECTRICAL 16h

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

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

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

FENCES, DECKS 16j

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

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. Experience do it, not lic. 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

ALL AMERICAN HANDYMAN! Quick home/office repairs. Furniture assembly, plumbing, appliances, electric & fixtures. F/T technical student. Local refs. Non-lic. Thomas, (310) 985-2928

PALISADES HANDYMAN & CONST. 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

ALL SEASONS PAINTING. Kitchen cabinets, garage doors, deck & fences. Interior/exterior painting specialist. ‘Green’ environmentally friendly paint upon request. Excellent referrals. Free estimate. Lic. #571061. Randy, (310) 678-7913

REMODELING 16v

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

ROOFING 16w

AFFORDABLE ROOFING & General Contracting Co. (800) 806-8688

HELP WANTED 17

MYSTERY SHOPPERS earn up to $150 per day. Undercover shoppers needed to judge retail and dine-in establishments. No experience required. Call (877) 648-1571

GARDENER. Professional for residence. References. (310) 459-4746

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.

ANTIQUES 18

ANTIQUES. Italian professional restorer specializing in waxing your home furniture. For an estimate call Lamberto at (310) 994-2986

AUTOS 18b

HONDA MINI VAN, LOW MILES. Honda Odyssey Mini Van EX; 2002; great shape; 46K miles; well cared for; $8,400. Call: (310) 283-2076

PETS, LIVESTOCK 18e

AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD PUPPIES. Gorgeous black tri’s. AKC and ASCA registered. Born 2/10/10, ready to go 4/10/10. $2,000; includes 6 week obedience training class. Los Angeles Breeder Permit #U09-074617. Call Julie Sterling for more info: (310) 573-1150

MISCELLANEOUS 18g

DODGERS SEASON TICKETS! 20 games, 4 seats. Behind home plate, parking included. Call Jill, (310) 459-3458

PENDANT LIGHT FIXTURES. Traditional glass lanterns w/ bronze finish $175 each or 2/$300. Excellent condition; used for staging new Palisades home. Please call owner: (213) 925-8128

Thursday, February 18 – Thursday, February 25

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18   Storytime for children ages 3 and up,’4 p.m. in the Palisades Branch Library community room, 861 Alma Real. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19   Theatre Palisades Youth presents the musical ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes,’ 7:30 p.m. at Pierson Playhouse, 941 Temescal Canyon Rd. The show continues today through Sunday, then again February 26 through 28, at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. on Sundays. For tickets ($12), call (310) 454-1970. (See story, page 11.)   Janet Salaff and Ivan Light discuss ‘Hong Kong Movers and Stayers: Narratives of Family Migration,’ 7:30 p.m. at Village Books. The book features in-depth tales of nine Hong Kong families by Salaff, professor of sociology, emerita, at the University of Toronto, and Light, professor emeritus in the Department of Sociology at UCLA. Their multifaceted study began in 1991, when migration was attributed primarily to the political anxieties of the time and the notion that Hong Kong residents were seeking a better life in the West. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20   The Friends of the Palisades Library hold a gently used book sale, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the library parking lot, 861 Alma Real. All proceeds from these periodic sales are donated to the library to purchase new books and CDs.   A concert by the Formalist Quartet, 8 p.m. at the Villa Aurora, the artists residence and historic landmark on Paseo Miramar. Admission is $20 for nonmembers. Please RSVP to (310) 573-3603. Visit: infola@villa-aurora.org. (See story, page 11.) SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21   The Temescal Canyon Association hikers will walk from Zuma Beach over Pt. Dume to brunch at Paradise Cove (about $15). If you would like to join the group, please call Carol Leacock at (310) 459-5931 and leave a message. Meet for carpooling at 8 a.m. in the Temescal Gateway parking lot at Sunset and Temescal Canyon Road. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22   The Pacific Palisades Civic League board holds its monthly meeting, 7:30 p.m. in Tauxe Hall at the Methodist Church, 801 Via de la Paz. The public is invited. The agenda has three homes under new business: 1158 Chautauqua (new two-story residence), 946 Fiske (single-story addition) and 810 Iliff (second-story addition). ‘ TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23   Judith Delaney will discuss ‘Normal or Abnormal Age-Related Memory Decline,’ a free talk, 7 to 8 p.m. at Sunrise Senior Living, 15441 Sunset. Please RSVP to the concierge at (310) 573-9545.   Photographer and painter Bernard Fallon will be the guest speaker at the Pacific Palisades Art Association meeting, 7 p.m. at the Woman’s Club, 901 Haverford. Fallon will discuss interpreting photographs in order to create better paintings. The public is invited. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24   Sunrise Senior Living hosts a free Alzheimer’s support group on the second Monday and fourth Wednesday of each month, 6:30 p.m. at 15441 Sunset. RSVP: Bruce Edziak at (310) 573-9545. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25   Pacific Palisades Community Council meeting, 7 p.m. in the Palisades Branch Library community room, 861 Alma Real. The public is invited.   Dr. Charlotte Reznick, a child educational psychologist, discusses and signs ‘The Power of Your Child’s Imagination: How to Transform Stress and Anxiety into Joy and Success,’ 7:30 p.m. at Village Books on Swarthmore. Her book provides nine simple tools that can help children tap into their imagination to access their own natural strength and confidence.

Three Americans Absorb the Disaster

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Pacific Palisades native Robert Larson photographed Haiti after the earthquake.
Pacific Palisades native Robert Larson photographed Haiti after the earthquake.

  Los Angeles-based friends Robert Larson, Jordan Vaine and Matthew Paneno sent these spontaneous impressions of their two weeks in earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Each of them has contributed to a blog journal, which summarizes their feelings, opinions and thoughts as they continue to ponder the meaning of it all. Robert Larson, 24, was born in Dallas and grew up in Pacific Palisades. A writer and photographer, he is currently working on multiple photo books, including one about the earthquake in Haiti. Jordan Vaine, 23, was born in Temecula and raised in Keen, New Hampshire. A graduate of Azusa Pacific University with a degree in communications, she’s an excellent writer and no-nonsense girl currently looking for a job. Matthew Paneno, 23, is a West L. A. native. An aspiring firefighter, he is currently working as an EMT with McCormick Ambulance. Photos by ROBERT LARSON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20–Robert Day 1 – Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo   Matt and I arrived in Santo Domingo yesterday afternoon. As usual, the first taxi ride in a brand new country was wonderful. This place is so green.   My anxiety keeps changing. For awhile it was about… ‘How the hell are we going to get into Haiti? And if we do, what the hell then?’ But now, I feel I have a solid plan to get us into Port au Prince.   Whenever Jordan gets here (which should be sometime on Thursday) we will spend one last night here in Santo Domingo. The next morning, we will get on a bus and head down to Jimani, where a military base is being used for a staging area for aid workers and supplies heading into Haiti. Every morning, a U.N. convoy heads towards Port au Prince; most of the aid workers, journalists… etc., are heading in with that convoy each day. If you miss the convoy, you have to find your own way in, which we are not going to risk. So we’ll camp out at the staging area until we manage to get that ride. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22–Matthew H’la from Jimani   The adventure started today. No more ice water, fresh linen, or CNN. We boarded a small bus in ‘little Haiti,’ Santo Domingo. Bound for Jimani, we were instantly bombarded with the sounds and smells of a world unfamiliar.   We passed a few dozen small villages and seas of banana and sugar cane. The road carved tunnels through miles and miles of dense tropical forest. This place is beautiful. We arrived, and are staying at Fort Aleza, a small camp protected by Dominican Civil Defense. SUNDAY, JANUARY 24–Jordan I am sweaty, stinky, and there is immovable grime under my nails. Today has been a good but frustrating day. Mix one part rock mattress, one part music from a nearby bar, a splash of sweat and grime, and garnish with a twist of 6 a.m. wake-up call… and you have three Americans in a foreign country ready to start the day. When we arrived AT the Good Samaritan orphanage and hospital, we noticed the place was absolutely brimming with doctors and nurses milling about. Boxes and boxes of food, water and medical supplies piled on the porch of the hospital. Medical supplies in boxes marked ‘For Haiti,’ and shipped UPS next-day shipping. For some reason, the popular item to send is gauze. I am telling you from first-hand experience’earthquake survivors do not need 5,000 boxes of gauze. These do-gooders even had the audacity to put smiley faces on the boxes. I am not bitter. I am disillusioned. While I and the other foreigners worked in the hot sun organizing boxes, Haitians stood around and watched. The air was thick with a slave mentality: Come and help us while we sit around and watch. Boxes of food and water are turned into chairs for the Haitian children and are crushed as a result, causing the water they need so badly to leak all over the medical supplies. Their reaction? Kick back, sit, and wait for someone else to clean it up. There is one more element of being among aid workers that I had not expected or planned for: Egos. There are 50 or so doctors and nurses who have all volunteered here and most are wonderful, caring and generous people. But there is a large portion of those who relish in the fact that they are doctors. These certain doctors seem to be more interested in the fact that they will have some new stories to tell their friends at home while they smoke cigars on their sailboats. They look down their noses at anyone who does not have MD written on their nametags. THURSDAY, JANUARY 28–Jordan   Today we went to Port au Prince. We woke up at the crack of dawn to make a 6 a.m. bus with food service workers who are shipped every day to what is called the ‘free zone’ in PAP. This zone allows businesses to buy and sell tax-free, but with the earthquake this zone is now a safe haven and camp for aid workers complete with high fences and armed guards.   Jimani is about 30 miles from Port au Prince, but the bus ride takes two to four hours. Four hours after we boarded our chariot we arrived in the free zone. We wandered around for all of five minutes before running into Marcos, an ACU worker. ACU is the Dominican equivalent of our ASPCA minus depressing commercials with Sarah and her golden retriever. If we would pay for some gas, Marcos offered to have us squired around Port au Prince. We agreed, though slightly worried that this amazing offer was too good to be true.   Lucky for us, the ACU workers are legitimately gracious and kind. We were driven all over PAP and were even allowed to get out and snap a few pictures. The smell of decaying bodies is unmistakable and the damage is extensive in certain areas. However, there were no riots, no wailing and no one clamoring on our vehicle begging for a ride. Port au Prince was business as usual. Tomorrow we leave Jimani and will stay with the ACU workers in the free zone. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1–Robert   I managed to get all the pictures I thought I wanted, and to see all the things I thought I wanted to see. I am not too sure how it is all going to affect me. I was just sitting here wondering if this is really what I want to do with my life. Shooting dead bodies. Sometimes I want to laugh and sometimes I want to throw up. Of course, there are also times I want to cry, but I don’t really know why. It is not sadness. Just this overwhelming experience of being alive, and of never wanting to end up that way. Rotting, smelling, peeling apart, being un-identified. I think that is the worst part. Being unidentified. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6–Robert I’ve been home for four days. All the things I experienced have begun to fall into their rightful place. I feel changed. I feel thankful’which would seem to be a major ‘Duh!’ I’ve also noticed that I am having much more violent thoughts than I used to have. Or maybe I should call them fantasies. But these daydreams are more vivid than any I have ever had before. Maybe because it is all that much more real now. The greater experiences a person has in life, the more information at their disposal, the easier I think it is to dream. I am interested to know where it will all settle from now.

Formalist Quartet Concert Set at Villa Aurora February 20

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  The Formalist Quartet returns to Villa Aurora for the second of four concerts this season presented by Villa Aurora Fellows and California composers on Saturday, February 20, at 8 p.m. at the Villa, 520 Paseo Miramar.   Members Andrew Tholl, violin; Andrew McIntosh, violin, viola; Ashley Walters, cello and Mark Menzies, violin, viola and piano will present works by 2009 Fellow Marko Ciciliani, 1997 Fellow and current CalArts faculty member Ulrich Krieger, paired with compositions by Sean Friar and Menzies.   Admission is $20 for non-members and $10 for members and students with valid ID. A reception with the Formalist Quartet and attending composers will follow.   For reservations, please leave names and contact information at 310-573-3603 or by email to invite@villa-aurora.org. Please note: a message is sufficient for reservations to be held, and no call by the staff will be made unless capacity has been exceeded. Audience members will be shuttled from street parking on Los Liones Drive, beginning at 7 p.m.   Contact: 310-454-4231 or e-mail infola@villa-aurora.org

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