The Parish of St. Matthew and St. Matthew’s Parish School will join forces for the annual Christmas Faire on Friday, November 20 at Sprague Center on campus, 1031 Bienveneda Ave. All proceeds will be distributed among the Parish outreach partners’23 charitable organizations in total. St. Matthew’s outreach partners include those who provide vital assistance close to home, like the Westside Food Bank, which is trying to cope with the increase of hunger in low-income families in Los Angeles; and global partners GAIA (Global Aids Interfaith Alliance) which fights AIDS and malaria among the poor in Malawi, Africa. The Faire offers something for everyone to enjoy; the gift boutique features a combination of handmade goods and specialty items; the food boutique sells baked items wrapped and ready to go; the St. Matthew’s Thrift Shop showcases its best finds; the wine and silent auctions promise a wide selection; and the parties auction will offer a variety of fun gatherings for adults and children alike. Last year the Ojibwe table was added, which is near and dear to the heart of St. Matthew’s rector, Howard Anderson. He grew up in Minnesota, right next door to the Ojibwe Indian reservation. For the Faire, he brings some of the tribe’s most delicious products, including maple syrup, wild rice and muskrat coffee, all of which are made on the reservation. Purchasing these organic products supports not only St. Matthew’s outreach partners, but also the Ojibwe economy. This year’s raffle will include a Kindle, an iPod Nano, and many other items. The proceeds from this raffle will support Angel Interfaith Network, a St. Matthew’s outreach partner that provides baby supplies and clothing to homeless and low-income families with newborns at Los Angeles County Hospital and USC Medical Center. The Christmas Faire begins at 6 p.m. and admission is free. Because of the wine bar, the Faire may be enjoyed by adults over the age of 21 only.
Mississippi Delta Stories Told in Photographs at Gallery 169
Walking into the exhibit of photographs by Rex Miller at g169 in Santa Monica Canyon feels a bit like traveling back in time. The black-and-white images of bluesmen’and women’of the Mississippi Delta look as if they had been taken in the 1930s or ’40s, when some of the blues songs were first recorded. ’He’s so young,’ one gallery-goer whispers behind Miller’s back, clearly surprised to discover that the filmmaker/photographer is only 47. It’s in part because his work looks like that of an old soul, comfortable ‘just setting a spell’ in a juke joint in Clarksdale or Greenville, listening to the music. But also in part because the photos, taken in the early 1990s, reflect a world less changed than most of this country in the last half century. The show opens a window into the Delta blues culture through music, words and images; recordings made by Miller play in the background and stories told by the musicians and others who lived the blues are posted alongside the photographs. The images hang in rough-hewn frames, and the words alongside are often rougher yet, describing lives filled with hard roads and much pain ‘- but all released, if only for the length of a song, in the blues. ’Blues is a remedy for whatever it is that ails you. It’s like a pressure value’when you release it, it releases some of the pressure. If you hurt, if there is something you don’t like, sing the blues,’ reads one quote in the show. It’s scribbled on the wall next to a large print showing dozens of prisoners gathered in a yard at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman. Four men in the center of the crowd are dancing, giving their bodies up fully to some unheard music. A camera, in the right hands, can always catch someone off guard and reveal something the subject may not intend. But the sentiments expressed in the printed stories here seem raw and honest enough that it’s hard to imagine how Miller was able to elicit them, until he explains that he has been gathering them over nearly eight years. Frank Langen, the owner of g169, said that at first he wasn’t interested in including the narratives in the exhibit, faithful to the idea that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words.’ But the words here illuminate the pictures, giving them additional power ‘- something Langen now appreciates. The images show the hard edges of the lives lived in the Delta, but the interviews are almost shocking in what they reveal. ’I was sharecropping too long ‘ If you sharecropping with Mr. so-and-so, and you make 20 bales of cotton, you got to give him 10. He gets that free. No debts come of his 10. The debts be on you. All the poison, the tractor, the gas and all that come out of your 10, and when it winds up, you ain’t got nothin’. That’s the way sharecropping works. So, I said I’m gonna let that alone. I imagine you would, too,’ reads part of an interview with blues musician James ‘Son’ Thomas. The words remind us that people still alive today grew up picking cotton, got a dollar a day ‘if you was a good worker,’ and lived with the fear of physical violence if they didn’t do as they were told. The stories surely ‘take the candy off the music,’ as Arthneice ‘Gas Man’ Jones, one of Miller’s subjects, says. Miller recorded the words and images while traveling through backwoods into tiny rural crossings and sleeping in shacks, making the acquaintance of bluesmen like Roosevelt ‘Booba’ Barnes and Mitch Pendelton and talking with gravediggers and preachers. A shoot with B.B. King took Miller down the path to a serendipitous meeting with Worth Long, a folklorist and historian who organized black voters and documented the civil rights battles of the 1950s and ’60s. Long opened doors for Miller across the Delta. And Miller himself was persistent in getting access to places like Parchman, working through a series of wardens and frustrating restrictions. But the artist also learned the value of just hanging around. There’s something to be said for being in the right place at the right time ‘ but some of that luck is just relaxing into the moment enough to let something happen. ’You couldn’t show up, take a photo and leave,’ Miller says, in the midst of a story about Barnes’ Playboy Club. The venue is caught in one of Miller’s images with a wild-eyed Barnes out front of an old brick furniture store, with many of its windows boarded-up and its signage spray-painted. Not much to look at, it was still a powerful music scene. Miller is clearly captivated by the blues, drawn by the ‘amazing intensity of experience’ to be found in the music. The photographer/filmmaker is currently shooting a documentary on Althea Gibson, a world-class tennis player in the 1950s and the first black, man or woman, to win Wimbledon. He’s off to Forest Hills (once home to the U.S. Open), Palm Beach and other locations far removed from Mississippi. Miller cites his art as ‘my excuse to go to strange, exotic places.’ But the blues can’t ever be that far behind. A minister interviewed by Miller quotes an ‘old fella’ as saying ‘things that’s come from the heart reaches the heart.’ And Miller’s heart is full of the Delta blues. ‘All the Blues Gone’ remains on view through January at 169 West Channel Rd. The gallery is open by appointment. Contact Frank Langen at 310-459-4481.
Bienenfeld’s Focus Is with Hellerwork
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
You have body aches and you carry stress, but massage, acupuncture and a visit to the chiropractor haven’t helped. Dan Bienenfeld, who specializes in Hellerwork Structural Integration, offers a different way of treating the discomfort, as well as teaching you about your body posture and how that might be a result of your mental state. Bienenfeld, author of ‘Align For Life,’ has opened an office at 881 Alma Real and specializes in structural integration. Put simply, those aches that one experiences might be tied to emotional issues and until those are examined, no amount of manual manipulation is going to make the pain go away, or let us live life as fully as we might like to. He uses the Heller method, which was developed by Joseph Heller, a scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, who studied humanistic psychology, including Rolfing. ‘The method is more long lasting because we teach people how to use the body,’ Bienenfeld said. ‘We align and balance. The result is different than what you’d get with a chiropractor or massage. ‘ He explained that as we age, the way we move determines what our bodies become, and thus it is important to be self-aware. ‘We need to learn how to use our body to move it effortlessly.’ As an example, Bienenfeld noted that if someone has been in a car accident, that person may tense up every time they drive, unaware of what they’re doing. ‘That person is still living out an old event. These tensions can be cleared out of the body.’ Bienenfeld said that although Hellerwork is in the here and now, ‘our bodies are completely stuffed with past events that were not completed and not processed. It gets stuck in our body, filed away.’ Working with a client, Bienenfeld moves different parts of the body, while also applying pressure. He asks the client to focus on breathing while he tries to loosen the rigidity that is stored in the body. Surprisingly, while focusing on the person’s breath, different memories surface, which Bienenfeld listens to and asks for the client’s introspection about the memory. Bienenfeld’s father, Mickey was a cantor and helped start Kehillat Israel on Sunset Boulevard in the early 1950s. Growing up on the Westside, Bienenfeld attended University High and graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 1980 with an major that included anatomy and psychology. He then attended the Hellerwork Institute in Santa Monica, and for many years ran the Alternative Medical Center in West Los Angeles, which included acupuncture, homeopathic doctors, biofeedback, Rolfing and Hellerwork. In 1997, Bienenfeld joined his brother Joel, who was a Pacific Palisades chiropractor. The two worked together until Joel accepted a position at Cedars-Sinai Hospital. This past April, Bienenfeld moved to the Alma Real building, where his son, Jesse, who just finished his Rolfing training, will soon join him. Bienenfeld and his girlfriend, Anne Stifter, live in Topanga. Visit: www.danbienenfeld.com or call (310) 459-2140.
The Fight for Fence/Hedge Variances
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
Sixty-one Palisades residents, including Jack Allen and Gary Boyle, received notices in March that their front-yard fence, wall or hedge was in violation of a 1946 city ordinance specifying that front-yard fences, walls and hedges can be no taller than 42 inches. ‘We had 61 complaints in writing,’ said Frank Bush, the assistant chief of the code enforcement bureau, who said the addresses were from a single source. ‘We do not look for them [violations], we respond to complaints only.’ Most of the addresses were from the upper Alphabet streets and streets south of Sunset Boulevard from Chautauqua over to Temescal Canyon Road. After a city inspection, 18 complaints were dismissed, but the remaining 43 owners were given 30 days to bring their over-sized hedge or structures into compliance or else face a fine of $100. If they do not ultimately comply, ‘the case is forwarded to the City Attorney and ultimately a criminal case could be filed,’ Bush said. The residents could also ask for an extension or apply for a variance that would allow them to keep the offending hedge or structure. Allen, a longtime community activist, contends that his hedge and a retaining wall are in compliance because the wall was originally built in 1926, and ‘The height limit is based on the natural ground level,’ he wrote by e-mail to the Palisadian-Post. ‘The building inspector used the sidewalk level but that is not the natural ground level because Bestor Boulevard was carved out of the hillside, so that the natural ground level is the height of the top of the wall.’ Allen, an attorney and an area representative on the Pacific Palisades Community Council, was given 30 days to comply, or else pay a non-compliance fee (NCF) of $100. Thus far, he said, he has spent more than $800 in non-compliance and appeals fees and is still waiting for his hearing. ‘I heard that instead of a single fine of $100, the Department of Building and Safety was proposing that it be $100 a day for every day that there is non-compliance,’ Allen wrote. Code Enforcement Bureau Assistant Chief Frank Bush told the Post on Friday that the NCF’s increased from $100 to $500 on October 23. ‘Orders issued prior to October 23 will be assessed $100,’ Bush said. ‘The NCF is a one-time assessment fee (per order) and is not compounded daily. There are, however, penalties that will be assessed if residents don’t pay the NCF.’ Boyle, who lives on Haverford Avenue and has a long six-foot high front-yard fence, was shocked when he received the March notice that he was in violation of city ordinance LAMC Section 12.22C.20.(f)(2). According to city planner Tom Rothmann, who is supervisor of code studies, the law was originally passed in order to establish a suburban standard throughout the city. ’It makes for a safe and walkable neighborhood that appears friendly and pedestrian-oriented,’ said Rothmann, who noted that ‘high fences detract from the eyes-on-the-street character of our neighborhoods.’ ‘This is crazy,’ argued Boyle, a third generation Westsider. ‘The duplex was built in 1949 and there were three owners prior to me’so why now?’ Boyle’s neighbor, who also received a notice to comply, had a handyman cut about three feet off his wood fence. ‘The worker didn’t even measure it, he just took a saw to it,’ said Boyle, who thought his own fence (constructed in 1975), was old enough to be grandfathered in. Since he lives in a duplex, and doesn’t have a backyard’in essence his front yard is his backyard’Boyle wanted to keep his privacy. He also has a German Shepard that can easily jump a lower fence, and didn’t want to have to chain his dog. And thus began Boyle’s quest to keep his fence and avoid paying any fine. He began by visiting a city zoning office in Westchester to have the fence approved, but was told the original code went into effect 53 years ago, which meant his fence was not exempted. Directed to another city office on Vermont, Boyle paid $35 to get an extension to file for a variance. ‘I wanted to do it the right way,’ he said, recounting his odyssey through the L.A. Department of Building and Safety in the San Fernando Valley. On his first trip to Van Nuys, Boyle learned that he needed a blueprint of the property and a mailing list of his neighbors. He was also required to print special gummed labels, which he was able to purchase for $35 from another city department. Back in the Palisades, Boyle visited 17 neighbors and got their signatures. Later he learned that the majority were renters, and he needed the building owners’ names and addresses, which he found on the tax rolls. Armed with everything that had been requested, he returned to the Van Nuys office, only to be told he was still missing papers. ’It seems like every time I went, they asked for something different,’ said Boyle, who during that trip learned about a private expeditor who, for $1,500, would make sure the paperwork was properly handled. Boyle, who is in the film industry but currently out of work, couldn’t afford it. He made two additional trips to the Valley and two trips to Kinkos for special printing. On his fourth trip, Boyle was told ‘you have everything right’ and paid his $1,000 non-refundable deposit for a variance (as of August the new fee is $3,488). He was told he would be contacted in three to five months for a hearing. Three weeks later he received a letter that stated, ‘Your application is insufficient.’ He returned to Van Nuys and the man behind the counter told him that the blueprint that Boyle had carefully and painstakingly drawn, including every detail of the house and yard on a scale of one foot to 1/16 of an inch, was a little off in the back of the lot by the garage. Completely frustrated, Boyle shouted an expletive at the man behind the desk, who threatened to call security. An elderly lady standing at a window next to Boyle tugged on his arm. He felt ashamed at his language and was sure the woman was going to reprimand him, but instead she said, ‘Excuse me, are you from Pacific Palisades? I am and they want me to cut down my 40-year-old oleander bushes.’ Boyle was told to go across the hall, pay $5 for a plot plan, make a copy and bring it back to the administrator, which he did. He was once again told he would be notified of the hearing. He wasn’t notified, only learning about his hearing from his neighbors who did receive notification. On October 8, Boyle pled his case before Lourdes Green, associate zoning administrator at the City’s building on Corinth Avenue in West L.A. After looking through Boyle’s file and hearing his story, Green verbally approved a variance because of the multi-storied apartments across the street, a wide shared driveway on one side of his property and no driveway on the other. If none of Boyle’s neighbors raise further objections, he will keep the six-foot fence and receive a covenant allowing whoever buys his property the same right. Boyle is happy that he won, but is still upset by his seven-month ordeal. ‘I remember years ago when they [the City] didn’t honor tattletales,’ he said, referring to the anonymous person who set off the whole chain of events.
CLASSIFIED ADS FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 5, 2009
DUE TO THE POST OFFICE’S OBSERVATION OF VETERAN’S DAY, THE CLASSIFIED DEADLINE THIS WEEK IS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5 AT 11 A.M.
CONDOS/TOWNHOMES FOR SALE 1e
$249,000. IMMACULATE SENIOR UNIT, very cheerful and quiet. 1 bd, 1 ba. Minimum age 62, 2 car parking, elevator, patio, close to everything. Broker, (310) 795-3795 (c), (310) 456-8770 (h)
FURNISHED HOMES 2
PICTURE PERFECT LEASE, Huntington Palisades. Beautifully decorated 3 bd, 3 ba, LR w/ FP, FR w/ FP, FDR, den, lovely garden, pool. Furn or unfurn at $11,000/mo. Contact Dolly Niemann, (310) 230-3706
UNFURNISHED HOMES 2a
3 ROOM GUESTHOUSE, Full kitchen, balcony, hardwood floors, quiet garden setting. Washer & dryer in garage. Cat o.k. 1 year lease. $2,200/mo. Utilities included. (310) 454-8150
2 BDRM, 2 BA, 2 car garage, private deck & garden, lndry, new kitchen, dishwasher, microwave, hardwd floors. Nice quiet area. Pets o.k. Reduced rent to $3,500/mo. O.B.O. (310) 454-4599, (310) 266-4151
ONE LEVEL REMODELED bright home 3 bd, 2 ba, PL, TC, gym, private backyard, $4,500/mo. Judy, (310) 454-0696
HUNTINGTON PALISADES. 3 bdr, 2 ba. Large beautiful yard, corner lot, viking stove, includes W/D, pristine condition. $8,000/mo. (310) 454-8632. Owner has real estate license.
UPPER SANTA MONICA CANYON. 3 BR, 2 BA Home. Peek of ocean. Hardwood floors. Fruit trees. Sunny yard. Flexible terms. Pets ok. Canyon school. $4,895/mo. loggiedog@aol.com. (310) 871-4415
2 BD, 1.5 BA, FIREPLACE, hardwood floors, appliances, gardener. Walk to schools, village, bluffs. No dogs. $3,400/mo. Leave message. (310) 454-0054
UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS 2c
CUTE & COZY SINGLE mediterranean triplex near village & bluffs. Full kitchen, bath, laundry, garden, and carport. 1 year lease. Non-smoking building. No pets. $1,500/mo. (310) 804-3142
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
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
OCTOBER SPECIAL, one month free. One bdrm. $1,285/mo., or large studio $1,125/mo. refrigerator, gas stove, laundry, covered parking, storage. No pets, non-smoker. (310) 477-6767
SPACIOUS, LIGHT UPPER UNIT in unique mediterranean triplex. 1,850 sq. ft. 2 bdrm, 1 ba + office, fireplace, fans, shutters, balconies & garden. Perfect for a couple. $2,900/mo. No pets, non-smoker, 1 year lease. (310) 804-3142
SANTA MONICA ‘COTTAGE’ $2,950/mo.!!! A RARE FIND in lovely 4 unit complex on Yale and Montana. Perfect for those who love their gardens and desire privacy. This unique and charming one bedroom has the feel of an East Coast Hamptons Cottage. Beautifully maintained with a feeling of ZEN. HAS EVERYTHING: ‘ High wood beam ceilings. ‘ Peg and grooved hardwood floors. ‘ Brick wood burning fireplace. ‘ French windows and shutters throughout. ‘ New stainless steel appliances with washer-dryer in unit. ‘ Surrounded by spacious private garden patio. ‘ Fenced and gated entry with intercom. ‘ Great security & completely separate from other units. ‘ Enclosed garage and unlimited street parking. (No permit required) ‘ No pets, one year lease. Call: (310) 826-7960
CONDOS/TOWNHOMES FOR RENT 2d
SPECTACULAR OCEAN VIEW from this 2 BDRM, 2 BA, 1,850 sq. ft. condo. Watch the surfers at sunset and look out over the entire S.M. Bay from this large third floor Penthouse. Entire unit newly remodeled with wood floors, granite counters, and much more! Large private balcony, pool & gym. Located at 17337 Tramonto Drive, near beach and trailheads. $4,250/mo. Must see to believe. (310) 459-7030
SPACIOUS 3 BDRM, 3 BA TOWNHOME in Pacific Palisades. Tennis court & swimming pool. $3,500/mo. Call Judy, (310) 454-0696
LARGE VIEW TOWNHOME * Beautiful ‘villa’ with mtn/cyn views! Great floorplan features high ceilings, skylite, A/C, shutters, wood floors, and private 2-car garage. 2 bd + 2 ‘ ba. Plus FR, FDR. Large master suite with FP, balcony, W.I.C., and views. $3,200/mo. Sharon/John/Victoria. Coldwell Banker Company, (310) 573-7737
ROOMS FOR RENT 3
CHARMING, SERENE GUEST HOUSE. Special guest house near village. Private entrance, kitchenette, serene and quiet. No pets. Professionals only. $2,500/mo. (310) 454-7978
OFFICE/STORE RENTALS 3c
THE SKI CHANNEL in the 881 Alma Real building has 2 offices and 2 cubes for sub-lease featuring shared use of many amenities. (310) 230-2050
PALISADES OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE, $900/MO.: In the heart of the Village. Single room office with large window & private restroom. Building amenities include high speed internet access, elevator & covered parking garage. Office has a/c, beautiful hardwood floors & is professionally cleaned on a regular basis. Call Kate at (310) 663-8127, please leave your contact info.
ONE OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT in Pacific Palisades Village. $1,250/mo. Call (310) 230-8335
PROFESSIONAL BUILDING in Pacific Palisades village for lease. Lovely and spacious suite available. 850 square feet. Reasonable rent price. Excellent tenant improvement. Please call Ness, (310) 230-6712 ext. 105, for more details.
LARGE FABULOUS OFFICE in private, quiet, intimate setting. Tons of storage and light. Available October 1, 2009 at $849/month. Parking available. (310) 991-9434, ask for Jessica.
PALISADES OFFICE, RETAIL SUITES & EXECUTIVE SUITES NOW AVAILABLE in the heart of the village: Single room offices & office suites ranging in size up to 3,235 sf & 700 sf retail suite. Executive suites now available w/ conf rm, kitchen, copy machine, etc. Building has amazing views of Santa Monica mountains, private balconies & restrooms. Amenities incl high speed T1 internet access, elevator & secured, underground parking. CALL BRETT AT (310) 591-8789 or email brett@hp-cap.com
FURNISHED OFFICE TO SHARE on Sunset, near village. Mountain view, quiet, light & bright. $750/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
BOOKKEEPING/ACCOUNTING 7b
PART-TIME BOOKKEEPER TO GO! * F/C bookkeeper specializing in small businesses & private individuals. QB, Quicken & Peachtree proficient. PC or MAC. Refs upon request. Call (310) 486-1055
ACCOUNTANT/CONTROLLER. Quickbooks/Quicken setup. Outsource the hassle’all bookkeeping needs including tax prep for home or office. Get organized now! (310) 562-0635
COMPUTER SERVICES 7c
MARIE’S MAC & PC OUTCALL ‘ I CAN HELP YOU IN YOUR HOME OR OFFICE WITH: ‘ Consultation on best hard/software for your needs ‘ Setting up & configuring your system & applications ‘ Teaching you how to use your Mac or PC ‘ Upgrades: Mac OS & Windows ‘ Internet: DSL, Wireless, E-mail, Remote Access ‘ Key Applications: MS Office, Filemaker, Quicken ‘ Contact Managers, Networking, File Sharing, Data backup ‘ Palm, Visor, Digital Camera, Scanner, CD Burning ‘ FRIENDLY & PROFESSIONAL ‘ BEST RATES ‘ (310) 262-5652
YOUR OWN TECH GURU * EXPERT SET-UP, OPTIMIZATION, REPAIR. Problem-Free Computing Since 1992. Work Smarter, Faster, More Reliably. If I Can’t Help, NO CHARGE! ALAN PERLA, (310) 455-2000
THE DETECHTIVES’ ‘ PROFESSIONAL ON-SITE MAC SPECIALISTS. PATIENT, FRIENDLY AND AFFORDABLE. WE COVER ALL THINGS MAC ‘ Consulting ‘ Installation ‘ Training and Repair for Beginners to Advanced Users ‘ Data recovery ‘ Networks ‘ Wireless Internet & more ‘ (310) 838-2254 ‘ William Moorefield ‘ www.thedetechtives.com
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/
DECORATING 7d
HOLIDAY DECORATING SERVICES. Starting with the 2009 Christmas season, we are offering our very special and personalized holiday design services. Let us do all the work and create a Winter Wonderland for the interior and exterior of your home. We proudly feature the use of low energy lighting and unique decor. We are the only creative design team that knows what it takes to make a home look beautiful for busy people who love to celebrate in style! (424) 227-9210. www.dbholidaydecor.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
MESSENGER/COURIER SERVICES 7n
MESSENGER & COURIER SERVICES (S. Cal.). Direct, same day or overnite, 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
BABYSITTER/HOUSEKEEPER/COMPANION: 15 years in Palisades, good local references, has own vehicle. Available Wed-Sat. Honest & hardworking.. Call Martha, (323) 596-8758
FULL TIME NANNY AVAILABLE. Excellent references, clean driving record, own a car (S.U.V. Lexus), bilingual, experience with newborns. Nancy, (310) 740-1047 or (310) 741-2758
FT NANNY SEEKS LOVING FAMILY. Honest, responsible, and reliable. Speaks little English but studying. (425) 256-2310
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
HOUSECLEANER AVAILABLE Monday & Thursday. 10 years experience, local references, legal, own transportation, neat person, reliable. Call Marisa, (323) 215-6526, (323) 232-7668, or (323) 328-5205
EXCELLENT HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE, Mon. thru Sat., own transportation, 15 yrs experience, good references, hardworking, & great with children. Call Yaneth at (818) 581-5473 (c) or (818) 834-1341 (h)
WOULD YOU ENJOY a delicious home cooked meal? How about fresh laundry and a sparkling home? Trini is your solution! (310) 573-5040
HOUSEKEEPER, live out. Speaks English, local references, 3 years experience. Call Estella, (310) 839-7643 (h) or (310) 994-4652 (c)
FULL TIME HOUSEKEEPER. Experienced, good references, flexible, legal, drives, single. Call Doris, (323) 445-7636 (c) or (323) 225-0349 (h)
HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTER: Experienced, own transportation, excellent references. Available Tuesdays and Fridays in the Santa Monica area. Call Elena, (323) 793-2862
HOUSEKEEPER & BABYSITTER available Monday-Friday. Has own transportation, experience, and excellent references. Call Maria at (310) 869-9121
EXCELLENT HOUSEKEEPER. Available Mon-Sat. Good refs. Own transportation. CDL. Over 19 yrs exper in Malibu & Palisades. Speaks English. Call Yolanda, (h) (323) 731-6114, (c) (323) 580-2859
HOUSEKEEPER, 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE. Good references, drives, available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Call Ruth, (323) 731-1510
HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTING, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Live out. Speaks English, good references, 3 years experience, DL & good w/ newborns. Call (310) 721-5622 or (323) 455-0708, Jeanette M.
PALISADES HOUSEKEEPER, 15 yrs. experience. Excellent references, honest, dependable. Legal resident. Child & pet care. Available every Tues., Fri., Sat. & Sun. Carmen, (323) 460-6473, (213) 618-9671
HOUSEKEEPERS AVAILABLE. References. We work as a team to clean your house. Many years experience. Please call Amanda or Ruben, (213) 481-2545 (h) or (213) 422-6746 (c), call anytime.
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
CAREGIVER WANTED in the Palisades for an elderly female. Mon, Wed, & Fri. from 5-8 p.m. The perfect way to earn a little extra cash. Judith, (310) 459-2227
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
HAULING. Local students will haul your stuff. References. (310) 922-8475
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! Stanford Connect, (310) 829-0872. Lic. #515929
WINDOW WASHING 13h
THE WINDOWS OF OZ. Detailed interior/exterior glass & screen cleaning. High ladder work. 10% new customer discount. Next day service available. Free estimates. Lic. & bonded. Insured. (310) 926-7626
PERSONAL SERVICES 14f
DRIVER WANTED. Dependable, careful driver wanted to take professor from Palisades home to UCLA and back 3x/week. Call Betsy at (213) 891-2880
Chauffeur/Bodyguard/Personal Ass’t. Certified CPR. Luxury 2008 sedan available 24/7. $200 per day. Licensed & insured. Robert, (310) 902-1945. rpiscottano@yahoo.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
PUPPY HEAVEN ‘ TRAINING/WALKING ‘ Play groups and hikes. 30 years Palisades resident. References. Call (310) 454-0058 for a happy dog!
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
SCHOOLS, INSTRUCTION 15d
MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH TUTOR. Individual w/ undergrad degree avail. to tutor middle school math. Lives in Palisades. (310) 874-9707
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
TUTORING FOR GRADES 1-8 by a California credentialed teacher and the author of 14 educational books. Affordable prices. Call Linda, (310) 820-7580
GROZA LEARNING CENTER. Tutoring K-12, all subjects. SAT, ISEE, HSPT, ACT, ERB, STAR. Caring, meticulous service. GrozaLearningCenter.com ‘ (310) 454-3731
MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH & SCIENCE teacher. Pomona College graduate. Has lived in Palisades for 8+ years. Has coached football and soccer. Willing to travel to your home. (310) 384-4507
STANFORD-EDUCATED MATH TUTOR-BSME ’96, tutoring Pali High kids in math and physics since ’02. Familiar with Pali curriculum and teachers. I can help! Chris, (323) 309-6687
HOMEWORK HELPER/TUTOR FOR 1-5. Are you tired of fighting with your child about homework? STOP’You no longer need to struggle with this. I am a CA Credentialed retired teacher from LAUSD with 20+ years teaching experience. Looking for students after school to help with their homework/tutor. Specialty: Reading, Math, Lang. Arts, Social Studies, Study Skills, & TIME MANAGEMENT. I am affordable & will travel to your home. References upon request. See positive results! Call: Pam (310) 393-1771
GIVE YOUR CHILD THE BEST TUTOR. National Board Certified. Credentialed retired teacher with 40+ years of experience. Most subjects. Call Jan, (310) 454-6774, ecrnord@aol.com
ENGLISH TUTOR. College, HS, MS. Writing, reading comprehension, study skills, test preparation. Experienced private school teacher, MA UCLA. Reasonable rate. Arthur, (310) 459-9100
SOUTH AMERICAN SPANISH INSTRUCTOR. Palisadian, excellent background, experienced, patient. Individual, groups, adults & children. Learn, improve skills, feel confident in Spanish. (310) 741-8422
SCIENCE & MATH SECRETS . . . expert teacher offering after school help for elementary, middle school, and high school. Loc: CoAmericaBuilding in BRENTWOOD 90049. M.A. Columbia University, Teachers College. Credentialed in NY AND CA. FREE PRACTICE TESTS! SAT/SAT II/BIO/CHEM/PHYSICS/MATH. Individual or group sessions (4 students max) available! Call now’space is going fast! (310) 295-8915. www.310Tutoring.com
10 YEARS EXPERIENCE. Professional tutor specializing in reading & writing. Excellent refs and great results. Palisades resident. Northwestern & London centre grad. Samantha, (626) 864-7444
MUSIC LESSONS & INSTRUCTION 15h
PIANO LESSONS. Kids: gain an academic edge! Adults: increase your brain plasticity! Have fun and learn to play with passion. Conservatory Grad/Music Therapist, 20+ years exp., ages 4-up, all levels. Karen, (310) 230-7804
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 www.reemodeling.com
ELECTRICAL 16h
PALISADES ELECTRIC. ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR. All phases of electrical, new construction to service work. (310) 454-6994. Lic. #468437. Insured. Professional Service
ELECTRICIAN HANDYMAN. Local service only. Non-lic. Please call (310) 454-6849 or (818) 317-8286
LICHWA ELECTRIC. Remodeling, rewiring, troubleshooting. Lighting: low voltage, energy safe, indoor, outdoor, landscape. Low voltage: telephone, Internet, CCTV, home theatre, audio/video. Non-lic. Refs. LichwaElectric@gmail.com, (310) 270-8596
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
INDEPENDENT SERVICE CARLOS FENCE: Wood & Picket Fences ‘ Chain Link ‘ Iron & Gates ‘ Deck & Patio Covers. Ask for Carlos, (310) 677-2737 or fax (310) 677-8650. Non-lic.
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. 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
YANKEE CRAFTSMAN, CARPENTER & HANDYMAN. 20 yrs exp. All phases res. renov. Consultation for the do-it-yourselfer & as much help as req’d. Ref’s. Non-lic. (323) 691-2265, Mark
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
ZARKO PRTINA PAINTING. Interior/Exterior. Serving Palisades/Malibu over 35 years. Lic. #637882. Call (310) 454-6604
A PACIFIC PAINTING. Residential, commercial, industrial. Interior/exterior. Drywall, plaster, stucco repair, pressure washing. Free estimates. Bonded & insured. Lic. #908913. ‘Since 1979.’ (310) 954-7170
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
THE SKI CHANNEL & THE SURF CHANNEL located in the Palisades village have immediate openings for interns in programming, production & marketing. (310) 230-2050
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
PALISADES PUBLISHING CO. needs a good salesperson for high commission advertising sales. You can work from home. Pleasant clients, no unwanted cold calling. Send resume to: editor@ies-ed.com
FURNITURE 18c
THOMASVILLE HARDWOOD 5 PIECE country French bedroom set, 4 poster king bed, side cabinets, 9 drawer dresser, adjustable winged beveled mirror. Excellent condition. $2,000 OBO. Price includes designer accessories. (310) 454-1031
NAME YOUR PRICE!!! Horizon Elite treadmill in mint condition with a 30 yr. warranty. Rapid response drive system & folds up to take up less room. Burgundy velvet Pottery Barn club chair and a large beige lounge chair also up for grabs. Name your price . . . (310) 310-3949
GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 18d
GARAGE SALE, Nov. 7 & 8, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Everything! Holiday items, china, crystal, books, cds, home decor, furniture, artwork, appliances. Everything must go! 140 S. Gretna Green Wy. Brentwood, 90049
PALIS. MARQUEZ! Annual pre-Xmas sale! Lots of fun gift stuff! 16620 Merivale Ln. (N. of Sunset/Bienvenida) FRI.-SAT., Nov. 6-7; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Photos/details: www.bmdawson.com
YOU CAN’T MISS THIS * We’ve got it all! Clothes, furniture, antiques, collectibles, craft supplies, housewares, many new with tags. Famous artists paintings, tons of holiday decorations. Saturday only, Nov. 7th, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 710 Hartzell, corner of Sunset & Hartzell.
Thursday, November 5 – Thursday, November 12
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5
Former Pacific Palisades resident Jan Loomis signs and discusses ‘Images of America: Pacific Palisades,’ 6:30 p.m. in the Palisades Branch Library community room, 861 Alma Real. Loomis will join a panel that includes authors of historical books about Santa Monica, Venice and the early Universal City. The public is invited. Dr. Michael Murray, author of ‘What the Drug Companies Won’t Tell You and Your Doctor Doesn’t Know,’ will speak at 7 p.m. at Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy, corner of Sunset and La Cruz. Murray, a naturopathic doctor, has published almost 30 books on health-related topics and has a best-selling supplement line.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6
Pacific Palisades resident Alan Eisenstock, co-author of David Allan Grier’s autobiography ‘Barack Like Me: The Chocolate Covered Truth,’ will discuss Grier’s humorous and compelling story, from growing up in Detroit, where he marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to attending the inauguration of President Barack Obama, 7:30 p.m. at Village Books on Swarthmore. (See story, page 15.) Theatre Palisades presents ‘Things We Do For Love,’ a comedy by British playwright Alan Ayckbourn, 8 p.m. at Pierson Playhouse, 941 Temescal Canyon Rd. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m., through December 13. For tickets, call (310) 454-1970. Los Angeles Metropolitan Opera presents ‘La Traviata,’ 8 p.m. at the Community United Methodist Church, 801 Via de la Paz. The suggested donation at the door is $25. Other performances are November 8 (at 3 p.m.), 13 and 15. Information: (310) 570-6448 or visit www.losangelesmet.com.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7
California State Parks will serve cake to celebrate the legendary actor and humorist Will Rogers’ 130th birthday, 12 noon at Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades. The public is invited. The Pacific Palisades Art Association hosts a reception in honor of its’judged member show featuring photography and mixed media, 2 to 4 p.m. at the Palisades Branch Library on Alma Real. The public is invited.’The show runs through November. Poet Judith Pacht signs copies of ‘User’s Guide,’ 3 p.m. at Village Books on Swarthmore. Pacht’s poems have been published in Ploughshares, Runes, Cider Press Review and numerous literary journals. ‘
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8
California State Parks celebrates the 130th birthday of Will Rogers, 12 noon at Will Rogers State Historic Park. The public is invited.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Moonday, a monthly Westside poetry reading, 7:30 p.m. at Village Books on Swarthmore. (See story, page 16.)
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Artwork and storytelling with Rebecca Martin, for children ages 3 and up, 4 p.m., Palisades Branch Library community room, 861 Alma Real. This is a special Read-To-Me L.A. program. (See story, page 3.)
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Monthly meeting of the Palisades AARP chapter, 2 p.m. at the Woman’s Club, 901 Haverford. The public is invited. Local historian Randy Young will be the guest speaker.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Iao Katagirl, director of community relations for The RAND Corporation, talks about ‘Brain Damage in Six Easy Lessons: Building an Office Project in Santa Monica,’ 7:15 a.m. at the Palisades Rotary Club meeting at Gladstone’s restaurant on PCH. 310-442-1607. Pacific Palisades Community Council meeting, 7 p.m. in the Palisades Branch Library community room, 861 Alma Real. The public is invited. Ben Fuchs, a registered pharmacist and cosmetic chemist, speaks about ‘The Science of Beautiful Skin,’ 7 p.m. at Pharmaca, corner of Sunset and La Cruz. Fuchs has been formulating custom skin-care products for over 20 years.
For Peter Graves, A Hollywood Star
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
Actor Peter Graves, best known for the TV series ‘Mission: Impossible,’ received his star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame last Friday. And the illustrious section of sidewalk bearing his name, an acknowledgment of his achievements in television, thankfully did not self-destruct after 15 seconds. On hand to celebrate Graves, who also starred in movies such as ‘Airplane!,’ ‘The Long Gray Line’ and ‘Night of the Hunter,’ were his wife Joan, friends such as longtime buddy and ‘Mannix’ star Mike Connors, and (as Graves playfully dubbed his daughters and grandchildren), ‘all of my brood.’ As nearly 100 people gathered behind a barricaded area on Hollywood Boulevard outside of Musso and Frank Grill, Graves’ sidewalk tribute was unveiled, next to stars belonging to William Demarest, Harrison Ford (not the ‘Indiana Jones’ actor), and country legends Gene Autry and Buck Owens. Spectators included Dan St. Ledger, who came to see one of his favorite actors get his star. ’He’s had such a long career in movies and TV, he commands old-time star quality,’ St. Ledger said. ‘He was hilarious in ‘Airplane!,” referring to the classic 1980 comedy send-up of the ‘Airport’ disaster films. ‘For that alone, he deserves a star.’ Front and center behind the barrier was Ashley Granada from San Bernardino, who had chanced upon the ceremony while spending the morning in Hollywood with her friend Casey Duffy, visiting from Pittsburgh. Cameras in hand, the teenage girls seemed excited to be there. ‘We wanted to see a real star while she was visiting,’ Granada said.. Leron Gubler, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, who presided over the ceremony, was excited to be presenting Walk of Fame star No. 2391 to Graves. ‘It’s been a long time coming,’ Gubler told the Palisadian-Post moments before introducing Graves. ‘I’ve been a fan of his since I was a kid. ‘Mission: Impossible,’ ‘The Winds of War.” Ever since Hollywood Honorary Mayor Johnny Grant passed away, Gubler has officiated all but one star ceremony. The nomination process is extensive, as only 20 celebrities are selected each year from hundreds of potential recipients. ‘It’s tough making the final cut,’ Gubler said. To the fanfare of ‘Hooray for Hollywood’ blaring from a set of speakers and a terrific round of cheers from fans in attendance, Graves emerged, looking dapper in a black suit with matching cane, a red necktie and a cool pair of shades. He stepped up to the microphone as more than two dozen photographers from various publications snapped away. Front and center to root Graves on: Joan, his wife of 59 years; their daughters, Kelly McCalsin, Claudia King and Amanda Graves; son-in-laws Mark McCaslin and John King; and grandchildren Victoria, Peter, Jennifer, Katie, Skyler and Trevor. Graves, who has played in such films as ‘Stalag 17’ and who won an Emmy Award for hosting A&E’s ‘Biography’ (1997-2002), was in great spirits. Gubler declared this warm, sunny Friday ‘Peter Graves Day’ in Hollywood, to which Graves added enthusiastically, ‘And what a day it is!’ From the podium, Graves thanked producers Frank Melford and John Rollins for giving him his big break in the 1951 film ‘Rogue River.’ He noted that the word ‘rogue’ was an anagram for ‘rouge,’ and had the film been called ‘Rouge River,’ he joked, ‘I wouldn’t have done the film unless I could go out there with my tangerine lip gloss!’ As Graves spoke, a Starline Tours bus cruised by slowly, its passengers taking snapshots. Looking out at the cordoned-off area before him and the slow-moving street traffic, Graves joked that he felt as if he was speaking before ‘a used car lot!’ Graves recounted his early years in Minnesota. He joked that for a Minneapolis boy like himself to court Joan, from St. Paul, ‘That’s like the Montagues and the Capulets.’ He traveled ahead of Joan to Hollywood in the late 1940s, when his brother, actor James Arness, who had preceded him to Pacific Palisades, picked him up at Union Station. ’He said, ‘What are you doing here? This is a terrible time [in Hollywood],” Graves recalled. ‘He was right. Things were kind of a mess.’ At the time, the studios were being forced to divest themselves from controlling movie theaters, and the age of television was yet to take off. ’People told me, ‘If you do television, your career is through!” Graves said. ‘That turned out not to be true.’ After some cheers from the crowd, he added, ‘Television and I grew up together.’ His TV series included ‘Fury,’ ‘Whiplash,’ ‘Court Marshall,’ and episodes of ‘Route 66’ and ‘Alfred Hitchcock Presents.’ Graves shared some anecdotes about his early years in Hollywood with Joan, and the time he followed a triumphant audition by opening what he thought was the exit door and walking straight into a closet. The most poignant part of Graves’ acceptance speech came when he brought Joan up onto the stage. ‘She was the one who held onto me and kept me steady, folks!’ he said. Following Graves’ talk, he and Joan and Gubler knelt down on a plush carpet platform on the sidewalk where Peter’s star was unveiled before the flashing paparazzi. Connors said the Walk of Fame honor was ‘well-deserved. I’ve known Peter and Joan for more than 50 years. We’ve shared great laughs, done a lot of traveling. Peter is one of the most delightful friends I have.’ After the unveiling, the Graves family and about 40 guests entered Musso and Frank for a private luncheon reception in Hollywood’s most historic restaurant. Grandson Trevor, down from Lake Tahoe for the weekend, quickly identified his favorite Graves project: ”Airplane!’ ‘I’m 19 so I’m not into older movies.’ He also noted his grandfather’s work in shows such as ‘Seventh Heaven’ and ‘Cold Case’ before admitting he did like one of grandpa’s oldies: 1951’s ‘Rogue River.’ Daughter Claudia, whose favorite Graves project was the TV show ‘Fury,’ which she watched as a little girl, said of her father’s big day, ‘I’m overwhelmingly proud. Mom deserves this almost more than he does. It was a team effort!’ Graves’ next honor arrives this week at the Ojai-Ventura International Film Festival, where he and cinematographer Haskell Wexler are the Lifetime Achievement Award honorees and where Graves will appear for a November 7 screening of ‘Airplane!’ In addition, all seven seasons of ‘Mission: Impossible’ will be released on DVD this week. At one point in his speech, Graves said: ‘I worked my tail off all these years in Hollywood and I hope I deserve this award I’m getting today.’ Judging from the reception he received, Graves was certainly deserving.
Foundation Has Plans for Will Rogers Park
The Will Rogers Ranch Foundation is no longer asking California State Parks for permission to operate Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades. ’We engaged in that process to become a park operator because we thought the worst ‘ that the park would be closed,’ said Todd Vradenburg, a board member of the foundation, which was incorporated in January 2008 to help preserve the park. ‘We have since learned that it is not closing and not suffering the severe operational cutbacks as other parks.’ After the state cut $14.2 million from State Parks’ budget in July and threatened to close as many as 100 parks, the foundation petitioned to operate the 186-acre park that once belonged to legendary actor and humorist Will Rogers. However, in September, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled a plan that called for reduced spending and fee increases rather than closing parks. Instead of operating the park, the foundation would like to strengthen its partnership with State Parks to provide new programs and services, Vradenburg said. ’The foundation is committed to helping State Parks personnel, any way we can, to minimize the effects of the cuts to the general public,’ Vradenburg told the Palisadian-Post. The Angeles District (which includes Will Rogers, Leo Carrillo, Malibu Creek, Malibu Lagoon, Point Dume, Point Mugu and Topanga) suffered a budget reduction of $2.2 million. Funding for natural resources, facility maintenance and operations was slashed in half, and there will be no money for road repairs or new equipment, said Angeles District superintendent Ron Schafer. Schafer told the Post on Monday that the district has reduced some services and is hoping that it does not have to cut more. ‘We are looking at a variety of different funding sources to reduce the impact to the public,’ Schafer said, noting that he should have a better sense of the funding situation by the end of the week. At Will Rogers, the cost for parking was recently increased from $8 to $12. Park superintendent Lynette Hernandez said she is understaffed, with two vacant positions (a field ranger and supervising ranger). Given the budget situation, Hernandez doesn’t know if she will be able to fill those positions. The two field rangers at Will Rogers often receive help from the three field rangers at Topanga State Park. The rangers, three field maintenance workers, the maintenance chief and the groundskeeper at Will Rogers are also required under a state mandate to take three furlough days a month. ’We’re at bare bones,’ said Hernandez, who also oversees Topanga State Park. At Topanga, the Dead Horse Trail parking lot is now closed on weekdays, and Musch Campground is closed from Sundays through Thursdays. The reduction from seven days a week to two means that Hernandez’s staff does not have to clean the area and restrooms as often. On a bright note, Hernandez said the visitor center and gift shop, located inside Will Rogers’ garage, is nearly complete. The $170,000 project was delayed because the Pooled Money Investment Board (PMIB) froze bond-funded projects from December 2008 until this spring. The Will Rogers Ranch Foundation has agreed to operate the gift shop. Vradenburg said the foundation plans to focus on increasing tourism by hosting more special events and partnering with L.A. sightseeing tour companies. The foundation would also like to recruit more volunteers to the docent program, so that tours can include the entire property. Right now, docents only give tours of the historic ranch house. ’The entire park has history,’ said Vradenburg, a Pasadena resident and executive director of the Will Rogers Motion Pictures Pioneers Foundation. ‘Will Rogers graded the polo field himself with a mule.’ In addition, the foundation is advocating guided horseback riding for the general public. Dario Perez offered guided horseback riding rentals through his business, Broken P Horse Rentals, in fall 2008. However, according to Hernandez, it was too expensive for Perez to transport his horses to and from the ranch. State Parks is currently fixing Bone Canyon and Mitt pastures, so that a rental group can store its horses at the park, Hernandez said, adding that State Parks is considering several proposals from rental groups. Another foundation goal is to raise enough money to purchase a welcome sign and interpretive signs that can be placed around the park, Vradenburg said. ’Our job is to enhance the park and grow it, so that the public knows it is there and utilizes it to its full capacity,’ said Vradenburg, who sits on the board with Jennifer Rogers-Etcheverry (Will’s great-granddaughter), Trudi Sandmeier (whose grandfather was Will Rogers’ personal assistant), Wyatt McCrea (grandson of actor Joel McCrea) and Diane Keaton (an Academy Award-winning actress). The board recently added four new members: Christopher Aronson (senior vice president and co-general sales manager for Twentieth Century Fox), Felice Densa (executive director of the Will Rogers Polo Club), Brian Shea (a Pacific Palisades resident who co-founded the Palisades-Will Rogers 5K/10K Run) and Lester Wood (a Palisadian and Will Rogers State Historic Park docent).
3 Palisadians Honored at Caritas Gala
Actor Chris O’Donnell received the top honor on October 24 at the 2009 Caritas Gala, hosted by the Saint John’s Health Center Foundation Trustees and the hospital’s Irene Dunne Guild. Nearly 500 supporters attended the Beverly Wilshire event. ‘Chris is an outstanding role model for the future generation of Saint John’s supporters and community leaders, which makes him the perfect honoree,’ said Lou Lazatin, Saint John’s chief executive officer. In addition to O’Donnell, who lives in Pacific Palisades, fellow Palisadians Jack and Joan Michel, along with Waldo and Jean Burnside, received the Spirit of Saint John’s Awards for their charitable contributions over the years. O’Donnell, 39, has starred in such feature films as ‘Batman and Robin,’ ‘The Chamber,’ ‘The Bachelor’ and ‘Kit Kittredge: An American Girl.’ He is currently starring alongside L.L. Cool J in the CBS series ‘NCIS: Los Angeles.’ In winning the Caritas Award, O’Donnell was honored for giving back to the community. In 2003 and 2004, he co-hosted the Saint John’s Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon, an event that benefits the Saint John’s Child and Family Development Center. He also emceed the 2007 Santa Monica 5000 Race, which raises money for the Health Center, and he has helped raise funds for the Motion Picture and Television Fund. At the gala, he was introduced by his Pacific Palisades neighbor, Foundation Trustee Mark Gibello. From the podium, O’Donnell expressed his appreciation for the honor, deferring to those in the room who have served Saint John’s for many more decades than he. ‘I recently toured the new facilities,’ O’Donnell said. ‘It’s unbelievable”the thoughtful design, the state-of-the-art technology.’ He added, only half-jokingly, ‘With five active kids of my own, there’s a good chance the emergency ward will have my involvement. I’ve certainly had enough trips to the maternity ward.’ The Michels have been involved with Saint John’s for more than four decades. Jack is a third-generation Californian whose family owned the Venice-based Edgemar Farms dairy (which they sold in 1987). He was elected as a trustee in 1975 and has served as chairman of the Health Center Board (1995’98) and the Health Center Foundation (from 1999’2001). Joan has volunteered for years at the Health Center and is a founding member of the Guild. ‘I’ve seen it grown from 25 members to 114, and I can’t speak highly enough about this group of women,’ Joan Michel said of the Irene Dunne Guild, as she and her husband accepted their award. ‘We do it in order to help others, not ourselves.’ All three of their children were born at Saint John’s. In addition to the Palisades residents honored onstage, the banquet tables were packed with Palisadians, including Dr. Peter Pelikan, president of Saint John’s medical staff, and wife Rose; Melinda and Terry Casey; Robert and JoAnn Klein; Charles and Carol Smith; Richard Alonso; Toni Turner; Janie and Dick Crane; Mary Martin; Fran and Terry Flanagan; and Ann and Bob Hacter. Rose Pelikan said that she and her husband were proud to be in attendance. ‘Our daughters were born there,’ she said. ‘We want to have a good hospital in our community. The people here are very warm and easy to talk to.’ Also in attendance was Ann Marie Streibich, granddaughter of the Irene Dunne Guild’s namesake, the late actress who had played in movies opposite Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Charles Boyer, and, with Cary Grant, defined the screwball comedy genre in such films as ‘The Awful Truth’ and ‘My Favorite Wife.’ Streibich flew in from her home in Chicago to attend the fundraiser in honor of the woman who raised her. ‘I lived with her, she was my best friend,’ a visibly moved Streibich told the Palisadian-Post. ‘She was gracious, witty, supremely giving. As a woman of ethics, her mission was to be a celebrity of goodwill, for the greater good. She brought [into the Saint John’s fundraising fold] Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, Ronald Reagan and Elizabeth Taylor.’ Indeed, Dunne would have been pleased: the banquet raised more than $700,000. All the proceeds will go towards building the new Irene Dunne Guild gift shop in the Howard Keck Center (which opened over the summer).
Elia Cochenour, 86; Traveled to China, Lapland, Nepal and Serengeti
A Pacific Palisades resident since 1951, Elia Cochenour passed away at home on October 15, having been diagnosed with cancer the previous week. Her daughters, Teri Walker and Julie McCormick, were at her side. She was 86. Ellie, as she was known, spent her early years growing up in Inglewood, along with her sister, Alma. Her father, Mike, was a barber and her mother, Delfina, was a homemaker. Ellie spoke only Italian until attending kindergarten. After she graduated from Inglewood High, her compassionate nature led her to a job as a doctor’s nurse, working first for two ob-gyns in Inglewood, a job she enjoyed for several years. The summer of 1946, Ellie joined her sister and several friends and rented a cabin at Lake Arrowhead. It was there on the beach that she met C.R. ‘Coke’ Cochenour, a handsome guy just out of the service. They were married in June 1947, and the summer vacation tradition continued for Ellie for 62 years. The lazy days of summer were spent on the dock, water-skiing (yes, she skied), driving the boat and sharing good times with family and friends. Ellie and Coke designed and built their first home in Pacific Palisades in 1951, where they raised their two daughters. The early years were enjoyed with a close-knit group of friends, sharing potlucks and bowling leagues. Socially, the Cochenours were actively involved with the Shriners. Life was never dull. Ellie found time to volunteer with her best friend Merle at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, working in the burn ward. Ellie was always up for Coke’s latest business adventure. Whether it was a cattle ranch operation or a start-up laundromat, The Wash House, in Blue Jay, she was supportive, and his biggest cheerleader until his death in 1967. Ellie loved to travel, and her bag was always packed. Proud of her Italian heritage, she enjoyed many trips to Italy visiting relatives with her sister Alma. She also regularly relaxed in the blue lagoons of Tahiti and the beaches of Hawaii. Other, more adventurous travels had her walking on the Great Wall of China, standing in Red Square, motoring down the Amazon in a rickety boat, driving a snowmobile in Lapland (with a reindeer license to prove it!), flying in a hot-air balloon over France, riding an elephant in the jungles of Nepal, and watching the sun set on the Serengeti with the lions. Palm Springs was Ellie’s home away from home for the month of March for the past 25 years. She and Alma loved the poolside chats, bridge, crossword puzzles and all the dear friendships they made. The sisters were affectionately known as ‘The Snoop Sisters’ and were special to all. When the residents of Pacific Palisades joined together to refurbish Swarthmore, the main commercial street in town, Ellie donated money for a street lamp requested the following inscription on its plaque: ‘It’s a wonderful life.’ This wasn’t a reference to the movie; rather it is what she lived. She was known and admired for her optimistic outlook and cheerful disposition. Ellie is survived by her daughters, Teri Walker (husband Larry) and Julie McCormick (Patrick), both of Pacific Palisades; her grandchildren, Ryan and Whitney McCormick; her sister, Alma Reed (Bill); her nephew, Doug Reed (Sue) and her niece, Holly Williams (Don). A funeral was held on October 21 in Santa Monica with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery. Donations in Ellie’s name can be made to Childrens Hospital, 4650 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027, or Shriners Hospital, 3160 Geneva St., Los Angeles, CA 90020.
