One of the most anticipated arrivals of the new year is the first baby born to parents living in Pacific Palisades. Launched in 1954 by the Palisadian-Post, the First Baby of the Year contest was first won by Arnold Anchordoguy, and with the exception of 1955, when the contest was skipped, a new baby has been honored every year.   Last year’s first baby was Jackson MacDonald Hubbard, whose first year will be spotlighted in an upcoming issue. This year’s winning infant and his or her family will receive 25 different gift items, such as a free photography session and 8’x10′ print at Christa Meola’s photography studio on Via de la Paz, dinners at Kay ‘n’ Dave’s, the Golden Bull, and the Village Pantry, as well as dry cleaning and other useful gift certificates from merchants in Pacific Palisades (see page 6). To be eligible, parents must have a Pacific Palisades mailing address (zip code 90272). The attending physician must specify time of birth and the baby’s weight in writing. Parents who know their early-January babies are eligible should call the Post’s editorial department (454-1321) with the date, time and location of birth, or e-mail Sue Pascoe at features@palipost.com. Monday, January 4 at 5 p.m. is the deadline for notifying the Post. If a baby has not yet been born by that time, the deadline will be extended to January 11. Last year’s winner was born on January 5. Other recent winners include Devereaux Tae-Jin Dumas (2008), Caden Ezralow (2007), Spencer Rodman (2006), Melanie Papadopolous (2005), Cody Michaels (2004), Harry Haygood (2003) and Skyler Kaplan (2002).
Michael Milder: Physicist, Family Man
Michael Milder, a physicist and family man, died of kidney cancer on December 12 at his home in Pacific Palisades. He was 71 years old. Born at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital on February 12, 1938, Milder graduated from Los Angeles High in 1955 and attended the California Institute of Technology, receiving his bachelor’s degree in physics in 1959. He graduated from Harvard in 1968 with a Ph.D. in physics. Employed at Tetra Tech in Pasadena (1968-1972), Milder moved to R & D Associates in Santa Monica until 1975, when he took a position at Physical Dynamics in Santa Monica. In 1976, with Frank Fernandez, Ken Nelson and Dick Ziemer, he became a founding partner of Arete Associates, Inc., a still-thriving research and development company that serves national-security needs and has offices in California, Virginia, Arizona, Florida and Colorado. Twenty years later, Milder received a Certificate of Commendation from the Secretary of the Navy, John H. Dalton, which reads in part: ”As a scientist and highly motivating team leader, Dr. Milder’s contributions were essential and wide-ranging. His leadership, creativity and extraordinary technical insight are a credit to himself and the nation.’ The accompanying letter from Rear Admiral R.A. Riddell speaks to Milder’s ‘superb leadership, unparalleled technical insight and exceptional dedication,’ stating that they were ‘fundamental to one of the Navy’s most complex and challenging science and technology programs.’ Riddell added, ‘The result of your extraordinary efforts will be vital in maintaining the United States’ position as the paramount world leader in such technology well into the twenty-first century.’ In 2007, Milder established a permanent, endowed, need-based scholarship at Caltech in honor of George P. Mayhew, who was the Master of Student Houses during Milder’s undergraduate years. Milder moved to the Alphabet Streets neighborhood in Pacific Palisades in 1973 and lived there until 1983, when he moved to the Huntington Palisades. He married Maureen (Mo) McGee in 1981, and had two sons, Sam, of Barcelona, Spain, and Max, a junior at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. Throughout his life, Michael valued his ‘obsessions,’ beginning with ham radio in his youth, music including singing in the a capella world-music group ‘Song of Earth,’ photography and 18 years of refereeing AYSO soccer for Region 69. His greatest intellectual obsession was physics, where his natural curiosity combined with his ability to embrace paradoxes enabled him to ‘trip over’ seemingly insoluble contradictions that eventually led to new understandings in wave theory. Known for his integrity, wisdom and compassion, Michael was beloved by his family, friends and colleagues. Through his words and his actions he offered his sons this exhortation: ‘Find your heart’s desire, and follow it.’ He is survived by his wife and his two sons, whom he loved dearly and who were his greatest source of pride, and his cousins Nancy Schimmel of Berkeley and Marissa Mei of Grass Valley. A private memorial will be held for Milder at Caltech in January. Donations in his honor may be made to Doctors Without Borders or Oxfam America.
Images of 2009
For a Lifestyle feature on polo in October, we ran this shot of Manny Ramos cooling off Mistress, a 10-year-old mare owned and ridden by Will Rogers Polo Club president Andrew Bossum. To see the year in photos, purchase a Palisadian-Post at a local news box or at our office on Via de la Paz. Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer
Pop Culture Likes/Gripes 2009
What a year, 2009! Anchored by the Chris Brown/Rihanna incident, the death of Michael Jackson, the unraveling of Tiger Woods and the untimely death of Brittany Murphy, it’s been a year to remember (or forget!) in the pop culture-o-sphere. Here’s a sift through the rubble at some highlights, disappointments, and things in-between. HIGHLIGHTS Admittedly, I have not run out to see as many films as I would have liked to in 2009. But among the ones I caught, ‘Inglourious Basterds’ stood out as my hands-down favorite of the year”maybe even the last few years”to my total surprise, as I’ve never been much of a fan of Quentin Tarantino’s films. Despite Tarantino’s gift of gab and directorial flair, I’ve always found his work derivative; more homage to his DVD collection than original contributions to the cinematic conversation. But ‘Basterds’ I enjoyed, and my theory is that the World War II period backdrop forced the filmmaker to dispense with his dubious pop-culture observations and hip hit-man prattle (that I found grating) and invest in his characters and their epoch. Star Brad Pitt is electric here, channeling Clark Gable via Warren Oates, while Christopher Waltz should definitely be nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award. ‘Inglourious’ is a fun, pulpy thrill ride. ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’ lived up to the superlative in its title, although it’s no mystery why it’s tanking at the box office. While the stop-motion animation may suggest a children’s movie, ‘Fantastic’ is something older viewers will appreciate more, in the spirit of director Wes Anderson’s previous work (‘The Royal Tenenbaums,’ ‘The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou’), down to the eccentric characters, witty banter and dysfunctional-family dynamic. ‘Away We Go,’ a character-sketch piece by Sam Mendes that got lost in the summer blockbuster shuffle, would have probably fared better coming out this month. This offbeat road-trip film”which takes viewers from Tuscon to Montreal and the South”was produced by Pacific Palisades resident Edward Saxon. On television, the single-camera, mockumentary device has become the situation comedy clich’ of the moment, but all of these shows are (so far) funny. Contrary to most long-running sitcoms, NBC’s ‘The Office’ keeps getting better, its fifth and sixth (and present) season outshining many earlier episodes. The season debut (in which Steve Carell’s idiot office manager Michael Scott tries to undo a rumor he has spread) and subsequent episodes (such as Michael causing havoc at a shareholders meeting) were hilarious. Interestingly, half of the Emmy-worthy ensemble cast has written, directed and produced episodes of the show. After a wobbly first season, newbie ‘Parks and Recreation,’ a companion show by the creators of ‘The Office,’ has taken flight. An episode with Fred Armisen leading a Venezuelan delegation through the department run by Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), and in which Tom (the always entertaining Aziz Ansari) gets a divorce party, were standouts. ‘Modern Family,’ an ‘Office’ rip-off on ABC not produced by the creators of ‘The Office,’ follows three households of a related family. It’s pretty good comedy, despite its shortcomings, which includes not being as well-cast as ‘Office’ and ‘Parks.’ Actors such as Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen, often too obvious, are not fluid comic actors. Yet one-third of the show”the household featuring Ed O’Neill, Sofia Vergara and Rico Rodriguez”always delivers. Rodriguez, as a tubby, 11-year-old Romeo named Manny, is often flat-out hilarious (a Colombian-American answer to Bobby from ‘King of the Hill’). In music, N.A.S.A.’s ‘The Spirit of Apollo’ was my favorite album. N.A.S.A. (‘North America/South America’) is a hip-hop project spearheaded by producers Squeak E. Clean and DJ Zegon. Released in March, ‘Apollo’ gathered the pair’s musician friends and musical heroes under one big collective. On this funk-flavored CD, Talking Heads’ singer David Byrne shows up on two tracks, including one in which he and Public Enemy front man Chuck D. expound on the evils of ‘Money.’ My favorite tracks are ‘N.A.S.A. Music’ (featuring Wu-Tang Clan’s Method Man) and the torch song ‘Way Down’ (with Red Hot Chili Peppers’ John Frusciante on guitar). Kanye West, Tom Waits, Parliament Funkadelic’s George Clinton, Seu Jorge and Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ singer Karen O. also pepper this amazing party album. ‘Blackout 2,’ the sequel CD to Method Man and Redman’s 1999 rap masterpiece, finds the duo a decade older and commercially not as potent, but no less funny or fun. GUILTY PLEASURES Whether you listened to rock radio or rap stations, anthems dominated the dial. The Black Eyed Peas (featuring Palisades High grad will.i.am) created ear worms that will burrow in skulls for months with futureshock club bangers ‘Boom Boom Pow’ and ‘I Gotta Feeling’ (earning the group six Grammy nominations). The Drake tune ‘Forever,’ co-starring Lil Wayne, Kanye West and Eminem, was hard to escape or resist. With such songs as ‘Hard’ and ‘Run This Town,’ Rihanna is quickly putting Beyonc’ out of the Beyonc’ business. Meanwhile, Beyonc’s husband, Jay-Z, and Alicia Keys crafted one of the greatest musical tributes to New York City with ‘Empire State of Mind.’ And ‘Uprising,’ the first single from Muse’s ‘The Resistance,’ continued the British rock band’s tradition of epic, over-the-top declarations of rebellion and survival. DISAPPOINTMENTS Summer 2009 was almost universally lousy for popcorn films. The ‘Star Trek’ re-imagining aside (directed by Pacific Palisades native J.J. Abrams), there was little to rejoice over. When low-budget, no-star sleeper ‘The Hangover’ toppled its expensive, big-star comedy counterpart”the kiddie show-inspired ‘Land of the Lost”’it served as a fitting metaphor during the no-school season. Hollywood will probably remember this case of economy and originality slaying bloated excess about as long as it will take for Warner Bros. to overpay the ‘Hangover’ cast for a big-budget sequel. Elsewhere, ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ took the slow train to a finale that was too little too late. ‘Transformers 2: Rise of the Fallen’ conquered the box office but did not improve on the fun original and reminded me why I do not enjoy most Michael Bay films (MTV editing,’vertiginous ‘quiet scenes,’ and layers of faux-Spielberg varnish). And ‘Funny People,’ by erstwhile Palisadian Judd Apatow, was not. ‘Watchmen,’ a summer-flavored film that came out in March, had inspired moments, but this glib, nihilistic superhero parody was bogged down by too much back story. On television, Ken Burns’ documentary ‘National Parks: America’s Best Idea,’ may have been too snoozy and overreaching to sustain more than a single-night special. In music, Weezer’s latest, ‘Raditude,’ failed to top its 2008 release while Wilco continued its freefall into middle-age with yet another yeoman album that, while solid, does not measure up to the Chicago-based rock band’s peak output from the early 2000s. And the Beastie Boys postponed the September release of their new album (and accompanying Hollywood Bowl concert) after member Adam Yauch was diagnosed with throat cancer. While Yauch has since recovered, the release date for their follow-up to 2004’s raucous ‘To The Five Boroughs’ remains in limbo. VERDICT The year 2009: not the best, not the worst, and definitely interesting.
CLASSIFIED ADS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 31, 2009
The offices of the Palisadian-Post will be closed Friday, January 1, 2010, for New Year’s Day.
The classified ad deadline will be Thursday, December 31, at 11 a.m.
FURNISHED HOMES 2
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 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. $2,300/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. $2,350 (310) 804-3142
2 2BD, 1BA 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
BRENTWOOD ‘Best Country Club Location.’ $1,750/mo. Across from golf course. Spacious, delightful and charming 1 bedroom. Woodburning fireplace, hardwood floors, French doors, and shutters to cute garden patio. Lovely setting in beautiful ‘Italian Villa’ style building on Montana Ave. Stainless appliances. Enc. garage, no pets, one yr. lease. (310) 826-7960
BRENTWOOD ‘Top Floor Jewel.’ $2,350/mo. 2 Bedroom, 2 bath. Best location!!! Across from golf course on Montana Avenue. HAS IT ALL: Large living room with woodburning fireplace, French doors open to large garden terrace with retractable awning. Shutters throughout. Lovely bright kitchen with stainless appliances. Beautiful ‘Italian Paladin Style’ building. Manicured gardens in courtyard setting. Enc. garage, no pets, one year lease. Call (310) 826-7960
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 65 years of age. (310) 979-4170
SANTA MONICA ‘COTTAGE,’ $2,750/Mo. This unique and charming 1 bedroom has the feel of an East Coast Hamptons cottage. Beautifully maintained. Has everything. No pets. 1 year lease. (310) 826-7960
CONDOS/TOWNHOMES FOR RENT 2d
HOT PALISADES HIGHLANDS TOWNHOUSE. Immaculate, 3 bdrm., 2.5 bath. Pool, gym, spa, mountain view, near beach. $3,500/mo. unfurnished or $4,000/mo. furnished. (310) 795-3999
DELIGHTFUL, LARGE, LIGHT studio, separate eat-in kitchen, office alcove, ocean view. Walk to beach. Partially furnished. One person. $1,200/mo. (310) 613-1572
RENTALS TO SHARE 3a
LOOKING FOR FURNISHED BEDROOM in house or large condo/apartment. Middle aged, professional, single man. Quiet, neat, non-smoker, responsible. (240) 461-3643
OFFICE/STORE RENTALS 3c
OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT in Pacific Palisades Village. $750-$1,250/mo. Call (310) 230-8335
SUBLET OFFICE(S) WITHIN EXISTING LAW FIRM. Two adjacent offices (14×14 & 11×11) available within confines of existing estate and trust law practice in the Atrium Building on Via de la Paz. Excellent opportunity for a synergistic relationship with the right practitioner. Month to month rate negotiable depending on needs. Internet available. Call (310) 459-5353 to arrange to see.
OFFICES FOR RENT in First Federal building on Sunset, in the village. Will install new carpeting. Call Ev Maguire at (310) 600-3603
FURNISHED OFFICE ON SUNSET, near village. Mountain view, quiet, light & bright. $800/mo., terms negotiable. (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) 454-7313
FOUR FULLY SELF-CONTAINED trailers for rent across from Will Rogers State Beach & about 2 miles from Santa Monica Pier. $995/mo. & $795/mo. (310) 454-2515
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
PERSONAL ASSISTANT: To pay your bills, do bookkeeping with QuickBooks, do your payroll, deposit taxes, provide W2s & 1099s, pick up your mail, track your expenses, prepare estimates for your federal and state tax returns with TurboTax, over 30 years experience. Please call RASCO @ (310) 459-4880 for references.
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
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
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/
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
CONFUSING MEDICAL BILLS? Let personal organizer put your insurance paperwork and medical records in order. Save money by letting me deal with insurance company. Perfect for year end accounting. Call Nicole, (310) 428-6037
ORGANIZER HOME AND OFFICE. There’s no place like home for the holidays’unless it’s a mess. Let me help you get organized. Call Char @ (310) 562-3372 or cbcoaching@gmail.com
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
PROFESSIONAL MAID SERVICES. In Malibu! We make your home our business. Star sparkling cleaning services. In the community over 15 years. The best in house-keeping for the best price. Good references. Licensed. Call Bertha, (323) 754-6873 & cell (213) 393-1419. professionalmaidinmalibu@google.com
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
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
HOLIDAY CHEF & EVENT MANAGER! Cordon Bleu Chef and 15 year veteran event manager wants to help you plan your holiday 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
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
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. (310) 457-5655 or (818) 203-8881
CASALE CONSTRUCTION CO. LLC ‘ General Contractor Lic. #512443 ‘ Residential ‘ Commercial ‘ New Construction ‘ Additions ‘ Remodeling ‘ (866) 362-2573 (o), (323) 503-3049 (c) ‘ www.reemodeling.com
HGTV Design Team (former). HGTV Design Team. We are a full service construction/design team ready to remodel a room for you! Formally on the hit HGTV show, Rate My Space. We revive any room or outdoor space for you. With our inspired, affordable, licensed construction and design staff, we can bring your ideas to life. From simple affordable alterations to extensive overhauls and additions we are the right company for you!! Lic. #858904. Call (310) 877-5577 & (310) 877-5979. http://debonairrenovations.com/Home/Home.html
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
BEST ELECTRICAL * Over 25 yrs experience, All phases of electrical. 24 hrs, 7 day service. (310) 621-3905. Lic. #695411
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 the paper.) 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. Emergency service available 24 hours. Local refs. Non-lic. Thomas, (310) 985-2928
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 ‘ 55 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
SQUIRE PAINTING CO. Interior and Exterior. License #405049. 30 years. Local Service. (310) 454-8266, www.squirepainting.com
ALL SEASONS PAINTING. Holiday specials ‘ 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
Owen George Cruickshank Wallpaper. Installation, removal, painting. Also, handyman services avail. Free est. Lic. #576445. (310) 459-5485
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
BEAUTY SALON * Hair stylist station for rent in a friendly established salon. Call for information, (310) 454-3521
CAREGIVER WANTED for active 92 year old male. Men only. Part time, live-in. Salary commensurate with experience. (310) 454-1956
Season’s Greetings from the Palisadian-Post Administration Department
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
From our family at the Palisadian-Post and Post Printing to yours, a heartfelt holiday greeting to our loyal readers and customers. Happy holidays and all the best in 2010! Publisher Roberta Donohue was born and raised in Pacific Palisades, where her father owned the Mobil station. In 1972, she was hired by the Palisadian-Post as a typesetter in the Graphics Department. She was promoted to various positions in the business department, eventually becoming publisher in 1987. Married for 35 years, Roberta and husband Rich have a daughter, Jenny, a Loyola Marymount University sophomore studying graphic design and art history. An active member of the Chamber of Commerce for more than 20 years, Roberta served as its president in 2000 and received its 2005 Mort Farberow Businessperson of the Year Award. Business manager Cheryel Kanan has been with the Post since 1984. A 46-year resident of the Palisades, she has five children and eight grandchildren. Cheryel has been active with the Chamber of Commerce since 1983, served as president in 1993, and received its 2006 Mort Farberow Businessperson of the Year Award. She serves on various boards, including the Fourth of July parade committee and Santa Monica YMCA. Office manager Sharon Reynolds has been in charge of circulation since 1989. She moved to California from Missouri when she was a high school junior and met husband Jim, the Post’s production manager. They have been married for 46 years and have two daughters, a son, five grandchildren, a great-grandson, and a boxer, Rocky. Office assistant Jolene Knight works four days a week in three departments. A West L.A. native, she attended UCLA. Jolene has a son and a grandson, and she bakes a mean banana bread! Receptionist Julie Antle began working at the Post in August. In 1987, she moved from Maryland to Los Angeles, where she attended Santa Monica High. Julie enjoys shows and movies. For 20 years, she’s been a proud collector of all-things Snoopy. She lives in West L.A. with her daughter, Dej’
Season’s Greetings from the Palisadian-Post Graphics Department
Celebrating his 25th year at the Post, Palisadian Ed Lowe is the Graphics Department manager. He is an avid muscle-car enthusiast and a certified advanced Nordic walking instructor. Ed enjoys sport fishing in La Paz and hiking in Temescal Canyon. He has volunteered his time throughout the years for the Chamber of Commerce. Tom Hofer has worked in the Graphics Department for 20 years. A proud UCLA graduate, he spends his time away from laying out the Post in creating art, solving crosswords and Sudoku, writing and playing music, and developing his photographic skills. Manfred Hofer has worked for 27 years as a graphic artist at the Post.
Season’s Greetings from the Palisadian-Post Advertising Department
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
An English major in college, Grace Hiney first applied to the Post in 1971. When asked if she could write a restaurant review, she replied, ‘I guess so.’ She has been the Post restaurant editor and account executive ever since. An avid home cook and 44-year resident of the Palisades, she has two children and five grandchildren. Longtime Palisades resident Jeff Ridgway has been at the Post for nearly five years and enjoys starting every morning with a nice cup of espresso. He grew up in Sacramento and attended UC Davis, where he majored in English. He is still obsessed with Sudoku on the New York Times Web site. A native of Tennessee, Kendy Veazie lives in the Palisades and has worked for the Post for seven years. She volunteers for various charities and enjoys traveling, yoga and independent cinema.
Season’s Greetings from the Palisadian-Post Production Department
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
Since 1978, production manager Jim Reynolds has had the responsibility of making sure commercial printing jobs and the newspaper get out on time. Jim has a collection of NASCAR toys. Every fall, you’ll find him rooting for the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cincinnati Bengals. A 16-year veteran of the Post, Manuel Tavarez operates the Heidelberg two-color press. He is a native of Zapotlanejo, which is in the heart of Mexico’s tequila plants. Manuel roots for Mexico’s soccer team. He has four children: his youngest is six and his oldest daughter attends UC Irvine. Keith McDaniel joined the Post almost nine years ago as a press operator. He lives in Pico Rivera with wife Carol, who works for Bank of America, and daughters Kayla and Katie. Both of his girls play softball. Keith enjoys biking, running, and playing acoustic guitar. Gregory Morataya has worked at the Post for three years. Raised in Silverlake, he attended John Marshall High School. Previous to the Post, Greg spent two years in Florida working in construction and painting. He enjoys practicing martial arts, working out, and watching the Lakers. Born in Mexico City, Angel Rosas moved to Los Angeles 36 years ago. He has been married for 32 years and has two grown children. Angel spends Saturdays golfing and reserves Sundays for church, family and an occasional movie. Lifelong Pacific Palisades resident Jonathan Merwitzer is the circulation assistant. He enjoys martial arts, the Dodgers and the Lakers.
Season’s Greetings from the Palisadian-Post Editorial Department
Managing editor Bill Bruns worked for Life magazine and TV Guide and co-authored a dozen books before joining the Post in 1993. He and his wife, Pam, have been Palisades residents for 37 years, and their children, Alan and Allison, graduated from PaliHi. Bruns is especially proud of his first grandchild, Sean Perry Mininski. Senior editor Libby Motika heads the Lifestyle section. She grew up in Brentwood and worked for several publications before coming to the Post in 1993. Her enthusiasms run from poetry and art to early-morning bicycle rides. Libby enjoys spending time with her two children and sweetheart Tom. Staff writer Michael Aushenker came to the Post in January 2008 after six years as a staff writer for the Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Originally from Brooklyn, Michael grew up in West Hollywood, where he attended Fairfax High School. A Cornell University graduate, Michael also creates comics and children’s books. When he’s not scrambling around town covering games, sports editor Steve Galluzzo is watching or playing them (especially tennis and soccer). Originally from Bayville, New York, Steve grew up in Southern California, graduating from Cal State Northridge with a degree in journalism. He is an active member of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. Staff writer Sue Pascoe and her husband, John, moved to Los Angeles from New Jersey in 1992 and have lived in the Palisades since 1994. She has three children, two of which attend PaliHi and another at Paul Revere. She is currently shopping around her romantic comedy screenplay. Staff writer Danielle Gillespie began working for the Post in January 2008. A native of Hermiston, Oregon, she graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in journalism and communication. She worked as a reporter at the News-Review in Roseburg, Oregon, before moving to Los Angeles with husband, Peter, a video editor and videographer for Juris Productions. Staff photographer Rich Schmitt received a graduate degree from New York University. Nearly eight years at the Post, the Long Island native has won National Newspaper Association and CNPA awards. He also tackles numerous freelance assignments. Nancy Bryan has served as the Post’s volunteer copy editor since 2002. Married for 40 years to husband Ed, she has two children, Wendy and Greg, and a grandson, Bix. Previously, Nancy was a copy editor for The Rand Corporation and the J. Paul Getty Trust. Cartoonist Ann Cleaves has been contributing to the Post since arriving in Los Angeles in 1988 with husband Courtland. Ann, who taught high school from 1988 to 2004, cartoons full-time from her San Pedro studio.
