Pali Tennis Aces Westchester, 7-0

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March 30, 2010

Brett Alchorn serves an ace during last Wednesday's home match against Westchester. Palisades won 7-0 to remain unbeaten in Western League matches. — Brett Alchorn serves an ace during last Wednesday’s home match against Westchester. Palisades won 7-0 to remain unbeaten in Western League matches.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, *Staff Photographer*

Having endured its toughest stretch of the season, the Palisades High boys’ tennis team got a breather of sorts last Wednesday against Westchester. Glad to be back on their home courts at the Palisades Recreation Center after a week battling nationally-ranked programs, the Dolphins made short work of their Western League rivals, winning 7-0 and dropping only nine games in 14 sets in the straight-up City Section format. Oliver Thornton won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 singles, Brett Alchorn won 6-0, 6-1 at No. 2 singles, Max Licona won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3 and Robbie Bellamy won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 4. Bellamy won easily despite an ailing shoulder that forced him to have to serve underhand the match. “I can’t serve normally but I still wanted to play,” he said. The Dolphins (12-5 overall, 5-0 in league) were almost as dominant in doubles. Spencer Pekar and Joseph Silvers won 6-0, 6-2 at No. 1, Robert Silvers and Kyung Choi won 6-1, 6-3 at No. 2 and Jee Moon Woo and Myles Rodgers won 6-1, 6-2 at No. 3. The Dolphins edged host Beverly Hills 10-8 in a intersectional round robin match last Tuesday in a rematch of their match the previous week at the National High School Invitational when Palisades won 6-2. The Normans were anxious to avenge their loss but Thornton won a crucial set in a tiebreaker, 7-3, to notch the clinching point. “That was a good win for us because the pressure was on in several sets and we came through,” Palisades Coach Bud Kling said. “It didn’t look good after the first round but by the end we had the lead in games even if it would’ve gone 9-9 [in sets].” Palisades players will try to keep their games sharp over Winter Break at this week’s Dudley Cup Junior Tournament in Santa Monica. The Dolphins wrap up Bay Area Classic competition April 13 against crosstown rival Santa Monica. “All of these matches against good teams will help us in the City playoffs,” Thornton said. “We’re the favorites for sure and we know we should win it again but we don’t want to underestimate any team.” Lacrosse Palisades’ varsity boys lost 3-2 to visiting Harvard-Westlake last Friday, despite 17 saves by goalie Turner Hanley. Warren Satz scored in the first quarter and Charles Black scored in the third quarter for the Dolphins (6-2 overall, 3-0 in City). On Friday, the girls’ varsity (6-2) blanked host Manual Arts 16-0 in its second game against a City opponent, having routed host L.A. Jordan 17-0 last Monday. Softball Hannah Fagerbakke went 4-for-4 with a home run, a double and five runs batted in as the Dolphins (4-6, 1-3) trounced Fairfax, 10-4, for their first Western League victory last Thursday at Stadium by the Sea. Fagerbakke improved her batting average to a team-high .600. Amber Flores had a hit and two runs batted in, Jenna Paul scored three runs and Reyna Zaragoza pitched a complete game, allowing nine hits with two strikeouts. Boys’ Volleyball Kene Izuchukwu had 15 kills, 11 digs and eight aces in last Wednesday’s 25-17, 25-11, 25-19 sweep over visiting Westchester, moving the Dolphins to 4-0 in Western League matches and a perfect 12 for 12 in sets. It was Palisades’ first best-of-five match since going 1-2-1 at the Dos Pueblos Invitational, where the Dolphins beat Saugus 2-0, lost to Agoura 2-0, tied Oxnard 1-1 and lost to Harvard-Westlake 2-0. The Dolphins traveled to Las Vegas for the Easter Invitational on Monday and Tuesday, taking on Chula Vista Otay Ranch and Woodland Hills Taft in their first two matches. Palisades hosts reigning league champ Venice next Monday. sports@palipost.com * * * * Garrett Nevels, a 6-3 senior wing, was one of 12 players named to the 2009-10 All-City boys’ basketball second team. As Palisades’ captain he led the Dolphins with 20.7 points per game. Donae Moguel, a 6-2 sophomore center, made the All-City girls’ basketball second team after averaging 16.6 points and 7.6 rebounds for Palisades this season.

Poulos Fans 13 in Rout of Comets

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March 30, 2010

Ace Julian Achez (above) pitched Palisades to victory in its Western League opener against Westchester last Monday and Nick Poulos followed with a one-hit masterpiece Thursday against the Comets.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, *Staff Photographer*

Junior Nick Poulos overcame a shaky start to pitch a one-hit complete game with 13 strikeouts in leading Palisades High’s varsity baseball team to a 12-1 trouncing of host Westchester last Thursday. Poulos’ performance on the mound was just what Head Coach Mike Voelkel wanted to see. “This is the best he’s pitched,” Voelkel said. “He has the ability to dominate opponents and this game him the confidence to know he can finish games.” After the Dolphins stranded runners at second and third in the top of the first inning, Poulos walked the first batter, who promptly stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a groundout. Poulos then allowed two more walks before striking out the last two batters to prevent further damage. The Comets’ only hit was a double to center field in the third inning. Palisades, meanwhile, racked up 15 hits, scoring four runs in the fourth inning to take a 7-1 lead. Julian Achez led off with a single and Chase Holmes was safe on a bunt. Dylan Jeffers drew a walk to load the bases for freshman Julian Harrison, who singled to score two runs. Cary Jacobson walked and Josh Korn hit a ground rule double that plated two more runs. Jacobson smacked a line drive past the diving third baseman and down the left field line to put Palisades ahead to stay in the third inning after Jeffers and Harrison reached on errors. Poulos struck out two Comets in the first inning, one in the second, two in the third, two in the fourth, two in the fifth, two in the sixth and two in the seventh. The Dolphins put the game out of reach with five runs in the seventh. First, Phillip Joseph scored on Adam Levin’s infield single. Then, with the bases full of Dolphins, catcher Cary Jacobson hit a bases-clearing double, then scored on a wild pitch. “Obviously, this is the best we’ve hit too,” Voelkel said. “Our leadoff and No. 2 hitters really set the table and we put the ball in play when we needed to today and that’s a big key for us. We’ve played one of the two or three toughest schedules in the City, so maybe that’s starting to pay off.” The defending champion Dolphins improved to 2-0 in the Western League, having nipped Westchester 4-3 at George Robert Field three days earlier. The Comets returned their three best pitchers from a team that won the City Section Division II championship last year and were expected to challenge for the league title this spring. “It’s a long season and anything can happen,” Voelkel warned. “We’ve been challenged and that’s good. Nick [Poulos] pitched the San Pedro game [a loss] so this was a good way to bounce back.” On Saturday, Palisades fell 5-2 at crosstown rival Santa Monica in a Redondo Tournament game. On Monday, the Dolphins (4-6) got edged 7-6 by Valhalla in the first round of the San Diego Lyons Tournament. sports@palipost.com

Blues Players Seek Host Families

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March 30, 2010

Getting your child interested in soccer is even easier than driving to Bentons The Sports Shop on Swarthmore and picking up a ball and a pair of cleats. The Pali Blues Soccer Club, the local semi-pro women’s team, is looking for families to host players for the upcoming season from mid-May through the end of July. “We are especially looking for folks within walking distance of the Palisades High field for those players who do not have cars,” said Blues General Manager Jason Lemire, noting that the Blues are back-to-back W-League national champions. More than 20 Blues players have already been drafted into the new Women’s Professional Soccer League. Gina Kornfeind, whose family has hosted Blues players for the past three years, told the Palisadian-Post that there are some pleasant and unexpected rewards: “It has been the most unbelievable, rich, exciting experience. It was like having two new daughters,” said Kornfeind who has four girls ages 7 to 17. “My kids learned that if you want to be that good, you have to do more than practice two times a week.” Debbie Breech and husband Andy hosted Ella Stephan last year and will once again open their home to her. “The experience was very positive,” Debbie said. “Ella really became a part of the family.” The Breech’s home even became the meeting place for the entire Blues team before it marched in the Fourth of July parade. This year, the Blues hope to continue their relationships with the 2009 host families while reaching out to new ones. “We are proud and grateful to play for such a supportive community willing to host our players during this formative time in their careers and we are intent on our players giving back to the community and their host families as well,” Lemire said. The Pali Blues Soccer Club is a non-profit organization. Future stars of the game who are committed to finishing their college educations can compete and train with the Blues in a professional environment. Those interested in becoming a host family can call Lemire at (310) 264-4649. The team opens its third season against the Santa Clarita Blue Heat at Stadium by the Sea on Saturday, May 22 at 6 p.m. Call (310) 264-4649 or visit www.beat627.com for details.

2010 L.A. MARATHON RESULTS

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March 25, 2010

Diane Bleak, a Palisades Highlands resident and mother of two Calvary Christian School students, holds up her medal at the finish line in Santa Monica shortly after completing her first L.A. Marathon last Sunday. “For a novice like me the great thing is not racing the clock but simply enjoying the experience,” she said. “When I got to the VA Hospital I hit my wall but when I saw San Vicente [in Brentwood] my second wind kicked in and I just finished with ease. It was absolutely the most difficult yet gratifying activity I’ve ever done.” Photo: Brian Bleak

Below is a list of Pacific Palisades residents who completed last Sunday’s 25th Los Angeles Marathon. The 26.2-mile course began at Dodger Stadium and ended on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. Overall, 22,229 runners and walkers finished the race. Name Sex Age Time Place Gary Bub M 44 2:58:57 110 Nell Stephenson F 35 3:02:39 143 Chris Stephenson M 45 3:04:19 163 Todd Martin M 40 3:07:39 213 Jesse Erwin M 27 3:16:35 379 Ken Heisz M 52 3:25:57 629 Richard McAndrews M 51 3:28:22 718 Matthew McKinney M 33 3:34:50 969 Paul Silka M 48 3:37:54 1,118 Laird Malamed M 42 3:38:55 1,165 Tricia Baak F 40 3:39:54 1,214 Romney Resney F 41 3:41:13 1,271 Damir Pavec M 57 3:45:34 1,490 Matthew Powell M 37 3:45:44 1,497 Eleanor Keare F 41 3:46:01 1,520 Rebecca Martin F 45 3:46:10 1,529 Susan Harbert F 52 3:47:10 1,593 Jill Fischer M 48 3:47:58 1,647 Zachary Treadwell M 34 3:49:13 1,740 Michael Ewbank M 47 3:50:38 1,831 Claudia Campos F 48 3:58:40 2,433 Peter Longo M 42 4:00:06 2,560 Rick Rivera M 43 4:03:45 2,821 Chiara Santagostino F 44 4:04:42 2,910 Alexander Bentley M 45 4:05:15 2,959 Janna Kohl F 46 4:09:35 3,298 Diana Vogel F 42 4:10:10 3,336 Angela Caprioli F 45 4:13:55 3,695 Jacqueline Pack F 36 4:18:22 4,133 Joshua Bingham M 39 4:20:57 4,379 Gunnar Kohl M 18 4:23:47 4,705 Felicia Alexander F 34 4:30:08 5,467 Cameron Crane F 22 4:33:13 5,806 Harry Johnson M 41 4:34:12 5,913 Charles Crane M 52 4:35:31 6,039 Roshen Goshen M 50 4:36:13 6,126 Michael Creamer M 56 4:40:30 6,670 Kim Schaefer F 40 4:45:32 7,279 Erik Schaefer M 46 4:45:32 7,280 Robert Scheff M 27 4:47:07 7,475 Karen Warner F 55 4:51:37 8,030 Craig Fischer M 47 4:52:45 8,178 Ren Sun M 45 4:54:41 8,411 Bev Lowe F 56 4:58:28 8,926 Sean Ryan M 33 5:01:15 9,215 Caroline Bird F 46 5:02:46 9,387 Rick Garcia M 43 5:03:05 9,422 Nazly Westernoff F 34 5:04:09 9,515 Billy Jones M 39 5:04:26 9,547 David Brittain M 48 5:08:11 9,988 Neil Smith M 53 5:08:12 9,991 Melissa K. Davis F 37 5:09:35 10,123 Veronica Nol F 24 5:12:16 10,418 Rumi Mayeda F 31 5:12:24 10,430 Jim Cooper M 40 5:12:36 10,471 Andrea Arena F 39 5:17:05 10,989 Kristen Boling F 42 5:23:13 11,729 Jean-Baptiste Nadal M 49 5:25:12 11,958 David Martorano M 39 5:32:20 12,830 Sue Kohl F 59 5:35:37 13,180 Sharon Brecher F 42 5:35:58 13,221 Helga Jessen F 66 5:41:38 13,820 Samantha Lloyd F 41 5:43:17 13,990 Jeffrey Tipton M 48 5:49:48 14,719 Rachel Burch F 42 5:53:49 15,149 Melissa Fasano-Burns F 43 5:58:22 15,581 Alysha Nizam F 41 5:58:28 15,593 Jane Holmes F 35 5:59:18 15,681 Vee Cristobal F 57 6:13:54 16,739 Jami Cimbolo F 41 6:19:13 17,148 Jodi Senk F 39 6:20:42 17,259 Joe Cirillo M 69 6:23:59 17,508 Dan Mellinkoff M 59 6:24:28 17,535 Diane Bleak F 48 6:25:20 17,596 Ronald Levenson M 67 6:25:33 17,620 Scott Wendelin M 55 6:28:46 17,868 Marycarmen-Guzman F 49 6:35:22 18,324 Pauline Stevens F 27 6:40:27 18,630 Leonard LaBella M 69 6:47:09 19,003 Gary Burdorf M 45 7:21:35 20,552 Rachel Burdorf F 13 7:21:36 20,554 Deborah Fried F 49 7:50:57 21,353 William Masters M 59 8:10:50 21,690

Ping Pong Is a Hit at Paul Revere

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March 25, 2010

Paul Revere Middle School P.E. teacher Paul Foxson keeps his eyes on the ball during the school's first annual Ping Pong tournament. — Paul Revere Middle School P.E. teacher Paul Foxson keeps his eyes on the ball during the school’s first annual Ping Pong tournament.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, *Staff Photographer*

As the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament enters the Sweet 16, so too does Paul Revere Middle School’s own version of “March Madness.” It is a new single-elimination ping pong tournament for students and faculty, with the first two rounds played in Revere’s Town Hall on the school’s three tables. The tournament started with 64 players consisting of 19 faculty members and 45 students. Now only 10 students and six teachers remain. The students are eighth-graders Ryan Potter, Anthony Poulos, John Collier, Luka Kosanin, Wes Gallie and Nicholas Jackson, seventh-grader Erel Israel and sixth-graders Jack Carpenter and Jack Ginsberg. Faculty members still alive are English teachers John Slaven, John Hyman and Robert Schwartz, history teachers Darren Bates and Michael Fulling, P.E. teacher Marty Lafolette and assistant principal Peter Hastings. The winner will be crowned this week before the school goes on Spring Break. The idea for the tournament came from Fulling and Bates, who wanted to give students the opportunity to interact with faculty in a non-academic setting. Unlike the NCAA Tournament, the Revere draw did not seed, but P.E. teacher Paul Foxson, an early favorite to make it to the finals, was “upset” by Lafolette in the Round of 32. Students who weren’t playing offered cheers and handmade signs such as “Korean Club supports Mr. Hyman,” and “Go Blake Beitler.” A glass display case on campus as well as morning announcements has kept students and faculty informed of the players moving to the next round. “I think the most interesting aspect of the tournament has been the buzz among students and teachers concerning matchups and predictions,” Bates said. “It’s really helped bring students and faculty together in friendly competition. It’s been a wonderful experience.” Bates said Pacific Palisades residents donated two of the tables being used for the tournament. Anyone who wants to donate a table in good condition can e-mail Bates: dxb9334@lausd.net.

Tennis 6th at All-American Tourney

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March 25, 2010

Joseph Silvers follows through on a forehand winner. He and the Dolphins finished sixth at the National All-American Invitational in Newport Beach.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, *Staff Photographer*

It was a busy week for the Palisades High boys’ tennis team, which took sixth out of 16 teams in the National All-American Invitational at Corona del Mar in Newport Beach. Considering that the Dolphins were seeded 11th and were up against a field of local and national powerhouses, it was a better result than Coach Bud Kling expected. “We played very well and playing teams of this caliber will definitely serve us well come playoff time,” Kling said. “Every one of those teams is loaded with ranked players.” Palisades got off to a good start by upsetting Waccamaw of Pawley’s Island, South Carolina, on Friday, then fell to Northern California titan Saratoga, the Division I winner at the California Classic in February. After a 6-2 victory over Beverly Hills on Saturday, the Dolphins met San Jose Bellarmine Prep for fifth-place and lost 5-3 despite a strong effort by Oliver Thornton at No. 1 singles. The Dolphins lost to Harvard-Westlake 12-6 in a intersectional match at Studio City Tennis Center on Monday and lost 10-8 at Brentwood last Tuesday. Baseball Clinging to a 4-3 lead with the bases loaded and one out in the top of the seventh, closer Dylan Jeffers got Westchester to hit into a game-ending double play as Palisades won its Western League opener Monday at George Robert Field. The Dolphins took a 4-2 lead on two hits by freshman Julian Harrison and a double by first baseman Phillip Joseph. The varsity lost 9-3 at San Pedro last Thursday despite three infield hits by Harrison and a double off the wall by fellow freshman Sam Wasserman. On Saturday, the Dolphins lost a Redondo Tournament game to Westlake Village Oaks Christian. Lacrosse The boys’ varsity crushed Los Angeles Jordan 23-0 on Monday at Stadium by the Sea as Evan Shaner netted four goals and Charles Black, Nathan Cutler and Vince Van Norden each added three for the Dolphins. Track & Field Palisades competed at the USC Invitational last Saturday and the varsity boys’ foursome of Carlos Bustamante, Solomon Israel, Eric Lopez and Grant Stromberg ran the Distance Medley in 10:50.6, the fifth fastest time in school history. The girls’ varsity relay of Sophia Stone, Amber Greer, Kendall Gustafson and Jacklyn Bamberger ran the Distance Medley in 13:06.7 and the foursome of Erika Martin, Gustafson, Greeg and Bamberger ran the Sprint Medley in 4:22.3.

Olympics Day at Canyon School

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March 25, 2010

Two days before the Los Angeles Marathon, Canyon Charter School students participated in a marathon of their own last Friday at the school’s annual Olympics Day. Fifth-grader Olivia Allchorn proudly led the parade of classes in her wheelchair because for the first time ever the theme honored the Special Olympic Games. Many banners celebrated the Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Ms. Hamilburg’s kindergarteners were amazed: “To them it’s just P.E.,” she said laughing. “They’ll understand it better when they’re actually running.” Olympics Day also serves as a school fundraiser and parents mobilized support for public education with preprinted letters addressed to federal, state and local government officials. Dressed for the occasion, Principal Joyce Dara opened the assembly. Fourth-grader and Junior Olympics rhythmic gymnastics candidate Desiree Webb encouraged good sportsmanship by reciting the “Olympic Oath.” Then Allchorn returned to the spotlight, placing the homemade torch into position. Parent Ellie Laita announced “this torch will burn for the duration of these games. Never ever give up in the spirit of this flame.” Students warmed up with stretches before hitting the two tracks on the grass field in 10-minute intervals. “Thirteen laps on the big course is a mile and it’s about 17 laps on the smaller one,” Coach Joey Medaglia claimed. “I know they’re ready because I’ve built them up to run for six minutes and we’ve been playing a lot more running games like Capture the Flag.” First-grader Owen Cooper called it “my favorite day at school because I love sports.” Fourth-grader Cameron Shine felt he reached a new personal-best of 20 laps and third-grader Jade Hosoi said Olympics Day is exciting because “I didn’t know what was going to happen.” Everyone got a special Olympics Day t-shirt, water, a popsicle and a ribbon necklace. Instead of gold, silver and bronze medals, an iPod Touch and two iPod Nanos will be randomly raffled off to lucky students after spring break. The class with the most pledges will get to an enjoy an ice cream party. “It’s all about the kids and that’s what makes Olympics Day so worthwhile and special,” said outgoing chairperson Karen Parcell. Experiencing the event for the first time, Dara was beyond impressed: “It was an incredible community event exemplifying fitness, community, spirit, and peace! What a joy to see the children run together with parents and staff cheering them on–all to help support our school and its student body.”

CLASSIFIED ADS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 18, 2010

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March 25, 2010

LOTS FOR SALE 1a

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

FURNISHED HOMES 2

EXECUTIVE RENTAL! MOVE RIGHT IN! Immaculate, fully furnished, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath. Pool, gym, spa, near trailheads, mountain view, minutes to the beach. (310) 459-9111

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CUSTOM HOME IN HUNTINGTON PALISADES. 6 bd, 5 ba, complete theater room, large lot and pool. $18,500/mo. Call Dolly Niemann, (310) 230-3706. Lic. #00416255

NEWLY REMODELED 2 BD, 1 BA with canyon views on quiet street. $3,400/mo. Call Dolly Niemann, (310) 230-3706. Lic. #00416255

CHARMING HOME in great neighborhood of Cheviot Hills. 3 bd, 2 ba plus den. $3,950/mo. Dolly Niemann, (310) 230-3706. Lic. #00416255

FURNISHED APARTMENTS 2b

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

BEAUTIFUL & QUIET 2 BDRM, 2 BA. (1,400 sq. ft.) AC, 2 car garage parking, fireplace, pool, balconies, W/D. Walk to village. No pets, non-smoker. $2,875/mo. (310) 454-0593

UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS 2c

REDUCED PRICE! CHARMING, sunny upper unit. 1 bdrm.+office/den. Hardwood floors, 2 fireplaces, 2 baths, 1 car garage, on-site laundry, small pet considered. $2,100/mo. (310) 459-5576

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Santa Monica ‘Delightful’ SMALL COUNTRY HOME. Montana and 14th Street neighborhood. Charming designer’s 1 bedroom. Wood burning fireplace, hardwood floors, high beam ceilings, shutters, French doors to private vine covered brick garden patio. Stainless appliances, limestone bath. Security and privacy with gated entry & intercom. Enc. garage, no pets. $2,650/mo. Call (310) 826-7960

PALISADES SINGLE/STUDIO apt. New paint, full kitchen, new carpet, gas stove, refrigerator, laundry, covered parking, storage, Non-smoker, no pets. One year lease. $1,085/mo. (310) 477-6767

TWO BEDROOM, ONE BATH, sunny & roomy upper floor, glimpse of bay, walk to daily errands. Small pet considered. Available now. Call Michael, (310) 883-8049

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STEPS FROM THE BLUFFS. Fabulous large studio, newly designer decorated. Full kitchen, granite, stainless appliances, full bath, private patio entrance, partially furnished. Laundry. Utilities, WIFI & HDTV included. No pets. 6 mo. lease minimum. N/S. $1,700/mo. (310) 454-3806

CONDOS/TOWNHOMES FOR RENT 2d

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ROOMS FOR RENT 3

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LARGE BEDROOM, den w/ kitchenette, private bathroom & private entrance. W/D, furnished or unfurnished. Best rental deal in Palisades! Available 4/4. $850/mo. (310) 454-1159

OFFICE/STORE RENTALS 3c

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

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

VACATION RENTALS 3e

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ATTORNEYS 7a

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BOOKKEEPING/ACCOUNTING 7b

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

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

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

EUROPEAN CLEANING SERVICE. Relaible, local references. Experienced. Own supplies. Call today. (818) 324-9154

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

ELDER CARE/COMPANIONS 10a

GOOD COMPANY SENIOR CARE. Provides in-home care and companionship to help you remain independent and happy at home. March special $49 for 3 hrs of service to new clients. For more information please call (323) 932-8700

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

HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE 12a

CUSTOMIZED SUPPLEMENTS ‘ Well-known billionaire partners with health products related company to provide unique customized supplementation, healthy energy drink alternatives, adult weight management products and healthy snacks for children. Anti-aging skin care and cosmetics line coming soon! Eva Baez, (310) 722-8651, http://www.TrumpNetwork.com/EvaBaez

STEREO, TV, VCR SERVICES 13g

1 REMOTE CONTROL THAT WORKS! Is your entertainment system not entertaining you? We can tune up your system, bring it up to date, hide wires, mount TVs, install speakers, etc. We can even reprogram or replace your remote control so it is easy to use. Call us, we can help! Lic. #515929. Stanford Connect, (310) 829-0872

WINDOW WASHING 13h

THE WINDOWS OF OZ. Detailed interior/exterior glass & screen cleaning. High ladder work. Solar panels/power washing also avail. Owner operated. Lic., bonded & insured. Free estimates. (310) 926-7626

MR. CRYSTAL WINDOW CLEANING. Please call Gary: (310) 828-1218 Free estimate, friendly service, discounts. Licensed.

MISCELLANEOUS 13j

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

CATERING 14

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

PERSONAL SERVICES 14f

PERSONAL ASSISTANT/EXTRA HANDS. Help with errands/children. Excellent references. Longtime Palisadian, ready to go. (310) 459-3222

DID YOU EVER WISH someone could do that for you? Let HOMEBUDDY Wait for your deliveries or repairmen. Visit palisadeshomebuddy.com or call (310) 459-2374 for more ideas on how HomeBuddy can help you.

GIRL FRIDAY/PERSONAL ASSISTANT/HOME ORGANIZER. Excellent references, 10 years experience. Reasonable rates. Pacific Palisades resident. Call Michelle, (310) 433-6362

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

GROZA LEARNING CENTER. Tutoring K-12, all subjects & reading. SAT, ISEE, HSPT, ACT, ERB, STAR. Caring, meticulous service. GrozaLearningCenter.com ‘ (310) 454-3731

MATH, ALL LEVELS thru Calculus. 10 years tutoring experience in West LA. Michigan MBA. Former college adjunct professor. References available. Call (310) 454-9281

LET ME PUT YOUR ANXIETY TO REST. Call the best, Ms. Petz! (310) 597-9601. Credentialed teacher. SAT, essay, ESL, K-12 and adults. References available upon request.

MATH/SCIENCE/SAT TUTOR. Widely used by Palisades residents. Excellent references. Dozens of satisfied clients at top schools. Call Will at (510) 378-7138

CARPENTRY 16a

RESTORATION & MAINTENANCE. Home improvement. No job too small! Carpentry of any kind. Bathrooms, kitchens, doors, cabinets, decks & gates. State license #822541. Reasonable prices. Contact Ed Winterhalter at (310) 213-3101

CONCRETE, MASONRY, POOLS 16c

MASONRY, CONCRETE & POOL CONTRACTOR. 40 YEARS IN PACIFIC PALISADES. New Construction & Remodels. Hardscapes, landscapes, custom stone, stamped concrete, brick, driveways, retaining walls, BBQs, outdr kitchens, fireplaces, foundations, drainage, pool & spas, water features. Exlnt local refs. Lic #309844. Bonded, ins, work comp. MIKE HORUSICKY CONSTRUCTION, INC. (310) 454-4385 ‘ WWW.HORUSICKY.COM

CONSTRUCTION 16d

PALISADES CONST. SERVICES. All phase construction and remodeling. All interior and exterior construction. Additions, concrete, tile, wood work (all), brick, patios, bathrooms, fences, bedrooms, permits. We have built (2) new 2,500 sq. ft. Palisades homes in last 3 yrs. Please contact us to schedule your free consultation and free estimate. ALL JOBS WELCOME. Please call: Kevin, Brian Nunneley, (310) 488-1153. Lic. #375858 (all Palisades referrals avail.)

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

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

ELECTRICAL 16h

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

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

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

FENCES, DECKS 16j

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

FLOOR CARE 16m

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

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

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

HANDYMAN 16o

HANDYMAN ‘ HOOSHMAN ‘ Most known name in the Palisades. Since 1975. Member Chamber of Commerce. Non-Lic. Experience do it, not lic. Call for your free est. Local refs available. Hooshman, (310) 459-8009, 24 Hr.

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

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

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

PALISADES CONSTRUCTION SERVICES. All jobs and calls welcome!! All phases of const. and home repair. A fresh alternative from the norm, very courteous, very safe, very clean!! Call for a free estimate and consultation. Please call: Kevin, Brian Nunneley, (310) 488-1153. Lic. #375858

HAGGAI’THE HANDYMAN. General Construction and Repair Services. 25 years experience. Non-lic. Local references. Call Shannon, (310) 367-5529. FREE ESTIMATES

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING 16p

SANTA MONICA HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING. INSTALLATION: New and old service and repairs. Lic. #324942 (310) 393-5686

PAINTING, PAPERHANGING 16r

PAUL HORST ‘ Interior & Exterior PAINTING ‘ 56 YEARS OF SERVICE ‘ Our reputation is your safeguard. License No. 186825 ‘ (310) 454-4630 ‘ Bonded & Insured

TILO MARTIN PAINTING. For A Professional Job Call (310) 230-0202. Refs. Lic. #715099

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

J W C PAINTING. Residential & commercial. Years of experience. Affordable & reliable. Local references. Lic. #914882. Free estimates. jwcpnc@yahoo.com. Call Jason Childs (Charlie), (310) 428-4432

THE ULTIMATE PAINTING CO. 36 yrs int/ext residential & TI painting/wood staining/ drywall & plaster/metal coatings/wood decks/powerwashing. Ask for Tim, (818) 815-7464. Lic. #522464

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

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 FAMILY SEEKING live-in housekeeper with car Monday to Friday. No childcare, just cleaning. Cooking experience a plus. Some English required. Please call (310) 459-1310

MANICURIST & HAIRSTYLIST WANTED for rental with clientele. Contact Nikki, (310) 459-1616

AUTOS 18b

2006 SCION xb Release series 4.0. Limited edition plaque. 30K miles. Excellent cond. A/C, auto., tinted windows. Copper penny paint job. Hip car! Great MPG! $12,000. (310) 455-1155

FURNITURE 18c

HOSPITAL BED. Twin, extra long, works perfect, electric or manual. $550. (310) 454-3883

GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 18d

BRENTWOOD! Whole hse on Mandeville! Furn/furnishgs/accoutrements/accessories/decorative items. 2738 Mandeville Cyn. Fri.-Sat., Mar. 26-27, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Details/photos: www.bmdawson.com

BRENTWOOD! Antique furn/furnishgs/power tools/ sports equip./TVs/linens/ clothes. 2930 Mandeville Cyn. Fri.-Sat., Mar. 26-27, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Details/photos: www.bmdawson.com

PETS, LIVESTOCK 18e

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

MISCELLANEOUS 18g

1990 ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA volume 6. Complete set. Excellent condition. Gold leaf pages. $250. Also 1990-1994 Britannica Annuals, $100. Palisadian. Call (310) 266-4651

Sparkplug Bollens Seeks Safe Driving

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March 24, 2010

Eric Bollens received a Sparkplug Award for promoting safe driving in Pacific Palisades.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, *Staff Photographer*

Highlands resident Eric Bollens, a self-described adrenaline junkie and former street racer, will receive a Golden Sparkplug Award on April 22 for his efforts to promote safe driving among teens and adults alike in Pacific Palisades. ’The culture of speed is alluring,’ Bollens, 20, said during an interview on Monday. ‘When you want to have fun or are depressed or want to impress someone, you put your foot to the floor and press the pedal.’ That attitude changed after his close friend, Nick Rosser, a senior at Palisades High School, died in a car crash on Palisades Drive in early 2009. As he drove uphill to his home in the Highlands, Rosser’s car spun out and struck an oncoming vehicle at about 6 p.m. ’I still remember every second from the first phone call I received about him to the texts that followed,’ said Bollens, now a junior at UCLA. ‘I didn’t believe it; I couldn’t believe it’We got away with it [speeding] for so long.’ On the night of the accident, Bollens gathered with other friends of Rosser to try and understand why the tragedy happened. ‘A year later, it still doesn’t make sense,’ Bollens said. ‘Whenever anyone was involved in an accident before, I could always rationalize that it was because they were drinking or another reason, but this time the cause was speeding.’ As Bollens spoke about the street-racing culture, his eyes became intense. ‘Speed takes everything away,’ he said. ‘It’s just you and your car.’ He and his friends would sometimes drive to the Valley to street race, and have admitted that racing up and down Palisades Drive was not uncommon. ’I never comprehended until that moment [Rosser’s death],’ Bollens said. ‘I never believed until then that someone I knew would die [because of speeding].’ Bollens and friends attended the first community meeting held in Rustic Canyon to address the speeding problem on Palisades Drive and Sunset Boulevard. ‘We wanted to give a wakeup call,’ he said, remembering how he challenged the police and the city for being lazy about enforcement. After Rosser’s death, Bollens stopped going to classes at UCLA and said his instructors were sympathetic. He passed all of his courses by getting A’s on the finals. During that time of reflection, he decided that the best way he could honor Nick was to educate other teens. He then had to make a conscious effort not to speed. ‘Changing myself was the first piece,’ Bollens said. ‘Nick’s death has become part of my life.’ Striving to prevent future tragedies, Bollens became an active member on the education committee of Safe Westside, a newly formed group that was investigating ways to stop accidents and deaths on local roads. He encouraged youth to sign the Pledge to Save Lives and developed the group’s Web site. He organized a panel of experts, including police, defense and prosecuting attorneys, insurance representatives and an advanced driving instructor, that he brought before students and parents at Palisades High and Crossroads. In the coming year, Bollens wants to expand the program to other high schools. He will be one of the guest speakers for the ninth- and tenth-grade segment of Every 15 Minutes, a two-day safe driving program that will take place in late April at PaliHi. ’Because speed is so alluring, the only way to get them [teens] to stop is to tell my story and make them understand,’ Bollens said. ‘It’s become one of my jobs.’ Bollens, who is majoring in computer science and technology management, works 20 hours a week as a security analyst in UCLA’s Office of Information Technology (IT) security, which means he tries to hack into their system to show programming weaknesses. Since 2004, when he was a sophomore at Crossroads, he has run Bollens Information Technology, delivering a variety of solutions including office support and training, Web application development, and IT infrastructure deployment. He is also the senior partner and director of core development for AnodyneSoft, a start-up IT firm. After Bollens joined a group of residents who learned to use the speed radar gun on Palisades Drive in conjunction with LAPD West Traffic, he found his attitude about the police changed. ‘Some people don’t like it because they blame us when they get tickets, rather than blaming themselves,’ he said. ‘I would’ve been that way before Nick died.’ When citizens use radar guns, they note the license plate of the speeder and then letters are sent by the LAPD as a warning. ‘If Rosser’s parents had gotten one of these letters, they would have taken away his car,’ Bollens said. Winning the Community Council Sparkplug’s Award is an honor, but Bollens doesn’t feel his work is complete. ‘This has been about getting stuff done,’ he said. ‘I’m asking DOT (Department of Transportation) for K-rails on Palisades Drive. It’s been an ongoing effort.’ When he has spare time, the full-time student likes to surf, work on his Krav Maga (martial arts) and frequent the Habibi Cafe in Westwood. His parents, Gene Lewis and Dr. Ross Bollens, also have a daughter, Katherine, who attends Viewpoint School.

PaliHi and LAUSD Resolve Busing

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March 24, 2010

To the relief of more than 1,000 Palisades Charter High School students who have held protests and signed petitions, PaliHi and the Los Angeles Unified School District officials have reached an agreement to continue busing for the next three years. ’Yay, we have busing!’ exclaimed PaliHi junior Ashley Gomez-Lopez when the Palisadian-Post told her the news. ‘I’m like speechless right now.’ In February, LAUSD, which faces a $640-million budget shortfall, proposed eliminating busing for 1,180 students who travel from various communities all over Los Angeles, for a savings of about $2 million annually. Gomez-Lopez, who lives in Van Nuys, said she was determined to graduate from PaliHi, but she and her parents hadn’t figured out transportation. Her parents had discussed dropping her off and picking her up at a city bus stop on Sunset Boulevard. On March 19, PaliHi Executive Director Amy Dresser-Held met with LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines and his senior staff, and they agreed to consolidate PaliHi and Paul Revere’s buses and to streamline PaliHi’s pick-up times in the afternoon for a savings of about $700,000. The buses board students at 2:15 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. LAUSD officials offered to continue busing the current juniors to provide continuity in their education. PaliHi will pay as much as $600,000 next school year and in 2011-12 to transport the current freshmen and sophomores. The school will pay a maximum of $300,000 to bus the current freshmen in 2012-13. Incoming freshmen in September will not receive busing. LAUSD agreed to charge PaliHi $1,000 annually for each student who rides the bus. PaliHi will not have to pay for current freshmen and sophomores who have other means of transportation this fall. ’We will finalize the roster [for the kids needing busing] by June,’ Dresser-Held said, adding that each student riding will receive a bus pass. The cuts would have affected students who attend PaliHi through the Permits with Transportation (PWT) and magnet programs, which are court-mandated and intended to desegregate schools. PWT provides transportation for Hispanic, black, Asian and other non-Anglo-Saxon students to predominantly white schools and vice versa, while the magnet gives students of different ethnicities the opportunity to focus their studies on a specific subject area. PaliHi’s magnet program, which is one of 173 programs within the district and is geared toward math, science and computer technology, will be phased out over the next three years. LAUSD plans to start a new magnet at University High to replace PaliHi’s for incoming freshmen and build that program over the next four years, Dresser-Held said. The district will continue to provide transportation to Paul Revere, so PaliHi officials will meet with Revere staff later this week and then with parents to discuss alternative transportation options, Dresser-Held told the Post on Tuesday. Paul Revere students have preference for admissions into PaliHi. The district will also continue to transport about 150 PaliHi students in all grade levels through Public School Choice (PSC), a No Child Left Behind mandate that requires the district to provide transportation from low-performing schools to higher-performing schools. LAUSD receives federal funding for PSC, while the PWT and magnet programs are covered under a state grant, the Targeted Instructional Improvement Grant. PaliHi is not eligible for this grant. Dresser-Held explained that Paul Revere eighth graders who are in the PWT or magnet programs cannot simply re-apply to the PSC program to receive busing next school year. They have to transfer from a low-performing school, and Paul Revere is considered high-performing. PaliHi, with an operating budget of $22 million, cannot afford to pay for busing beyond the three years. ‘It would redirect funding out of the classroom,’ Dresser-Held said. In fact, the school faces a budget shortfall of $725,000 next school year. The deficit is down from an earlier projection of $1.1 million because of possible salary reductions and a recent freeze on textbook spending, reported PaliHi Chief Business Officer Greg Wood. On March 9, PaliHi’s board of directors feared that the school could lose a large number of students if LAUSD eliminated busing transportation, so the board voted to send out letters to 24 teachers and three certificated administrators, warning them that they could be laid off this summer. PaliHi junior Cecila Placido-Mejia, who would have lost busing transportation from Venice, told the Palisadian-Post that ‘now that we are keeping busing, I hope we get to keep all our teachers’We would be so disappointed since those teachers have been with us since freshman year.’ Dresser-Held explained that according to the contract with the teachers’ union, United Teachers Los Angeles, the board was required to notify teachers and certificated administrators (who work on academics) about potential layoffs by March 15. The final layoff notices must be issued by May 15. The board postponed issuing layoff notices to classified staff and non-certificated administrators (who work on business and operations, such as the chief business officer, human resources director and operations manager) because they did not have such a stipulation in their employment contracts. ’My hope is to bring to the board on April 8 a plan to balance the budget and cover the transportation costs and a motion to rescind the layoff notices,’ Dresser-Held told the Post.