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Elliott Has Texas Thinking Big

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PaliHi Graduate Has Turned Longhorns’ Volleyball Program into National Power

Elliott gives instructions to his players during a timeout. He has coached Texas to No. 2 in the national rankings. Photo: Univ. of Texas
Elliott gives instructions to his players during a timeout. He has coached Texas to No. 2 in the national rankings. Photo: Univ. of Texas

Some people just have a knack for winning. One is University of Texas women’s volleyball coach Jerritt Elliott, who was hired nine years ago to resurrect the Longhorns’ program. Since then, he has rebuilt the squad from the ground up, culminating in back-to-back Big 12 Conference titles and currently a No. 2 national ranking. So what’s the secret to Elliott’s success? For starters, growing up playing the sport in Pacific Palisades gave him a wealth of experience at an early age, and that exposure, along with his genuine love of the game, enables him to connect with players in an uncanny way. When contacted earlier this week at his office in Austin, where his team was preparing to battle Big 12 rival Baylor the next night, Elliott relived some of his earliest memories–first at Marquez Elementary, later at Paul Revere Middle School and finally at Palisades High, where he played middle blocker on maybe the finest team in school history. “I was a senior in 1986 when we had Kent Steffes, Adam Unger and J.B. Saunders,” Elliott recalled. “We went 36-0 that year and won the City title.” Ironically, Elliott almost missed his calling. Although he played for fun, he skipped volleyball tryouts because he didn’t think he was good enough to make the team. Longtime PaliHi coach Howard Enstedt finally convinced Elliott to play and the rest, as they say, is history. After playing at Pepperdine and Hawaii, the exuberant Elliott graduated from Cal State Northridge and soon became volunteer coach for the Matadors’ men’s team as well as the head coach at Marymount High, an all-girls Catholic school near UCLA. Eventually, he worked his way up to interim coach at USC, guiding the Trojans to two straight No. 1 recruiting classes and the NCAA Final Four for the first time since 1985 . During his stint with the Trojans, he coached some of the top players in the nation, including FIVB World Champions April Ross and Jen Kessy and Nicole Davis (a libero on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team). The sport has grown in leaps and bounds, both in the United States and internationally, since Elliott got into coaching. Besides various rules changes–most notably the switch from side-out to rally scoring’the biggest difference in the game today is the size and strength of the athletes who play it. “The thing I’ve noticed the most on the women’s side over the last 10 years is how much more physical the players are,” Elliott said. “Our front row players are 6′ 3″ now and very athletic.” Elliott’s wife, Sarah, was a USA National Team member and six-year professional indoor player. A two-time All-American and 1996 Pac-10 Player of the Year, she still holds the school records for single game, single season and career kills at Washington State. Their 11-year-old daughter Kahle was the inspiration for the couple to found the Youth National Volleyball Association, a non-profit organization aimed at teaching kids fundamentals at the grassroots level. “It started as kind of a fluke when I told some friends I would get our kids together and teach them and the response I got was overwhelming,” Elliott said. “Most dads are good at teaching basketball or baseball but very few know the finer points of volleyball so that’s why there’s such a need for this. My dad is the President and he oversees it all now.” Mel Elliott, the proud papa, was a world class track athlete and formerly served as Executive Director of the YMCA, having created all of the sports programs, including the Olympic Development Track Meet. The YNVA began in Austin where the Elliotts live but has now branched out to other locations, including Jerritt’s hometown. Heading the Pacific Palisades site is Caitlin Lawson, a four-year letterwinner at Pepperdine, a Premiere Club coach for Sports Shack and the head coach at the Archer School for Girls in Brentwood. YNVA’s fall VolleyGirlz/Spike Guyz program is open to boys and girls in grades 3-6 and meets Sundays from 3-5 p.m. through October 25. Register online now at www.theynva.org this Sunday at 5:30 p.m. at the Palisades High baseball field. For details, call 1-877-333-9682.

Shocked by the Sheiks

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Palisades High Football Team Drops Season Opener to Hollywood, 27-9

Joe Brandon (#42) stretches the ball over the goal line with help from Ben Ingram for Palisades' only touchdown of Friday night's game at Hollywood.
Joe Brandon (#42) stretches the ball over the goal line with help from Ben Ingram for Palisades’ only touchdown of Friday night’s game at Hollywood.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

One play late in the third quarter put last Friday’s varsity football game in a nutshell. Palisades High defensive back Lawrence Villasenor tipped a ball in the end zone right to Hollywood receiver Bryan Silva, who snatched it out of mid-air for the final points of the Sheiks’ shocking 27-9 nonleague victory. The play was symbolic of the freakish misfortune that plagued the Dolphins all night long beneath the bright marquees of such landmarks as the El Capitan Theatre and Hotel RooseveIt. It was also the play that salted away Palisades’ first season-opening loss in four years. Even more surprising was that it came at the hands of the Sheiks, whom the Dolphins had beaten three years in a row by an average of 16 points. Hollywood, playing its first night home game, was fired up and confident, having defeated Manual Arts, 14-10, the previous week. It appeared Palisades would go to the locker room ahead 9-7. Instead, wideout Motu Veavealaagi caught a 53-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Steven De Guzman with 25 seconds left in the second quarter. Villasenor blocked the extra point but the Sheiks suddenly had the lead and the momentum. Silva caught a 31-yard touchdown pass midway through the third quarter, then found Jeffrey Lawrence over the middle for the two-point conversion that increased the Sheiks’ lead to 21-9. Head Coach Kelly Loftus said the Dolphins were out-hit and out-played, but his message was clear: one bad game does not make a season. “Gentlemen, we have a long way to go,” he said. “I’m not happy with the way we played but I am proud of our effort. Execution can improve but hustle and desire have to be there every game, every series, every play.” Quarterback Branden Sanett, a junior transfer from Trabuco Hills, completed nine of 19 passes for 70 yards and ran four times for 45 yards, but threw an interception to Veavealaagi deep in Hollywood territory that killed a 35-yard drive early in the fourth quarter. Afterwards, Sanett made no excuses: “We came over here maybe expecting an easy game, but you can never underestimate an opponent. No matter who the quarterback is or who the running back is, if one person doesn’t block, the play breaks down. We have to work better as a team.” Making matters worse, Palisades racked up 120 yards in penalties and had to play without defensive captain Casey Jordan for the entire second half. Jordan, a senior linebacker, got his bell rung during a kickoff and could not hear his coaches’ pep talk at halftime. He was taken by ambulance to Cedars Sinai Medical Center with a concussion. “We tried hard in the second half but yeah, we were a little down because of what happened to Casey,” said senior linebacker Joe Brandon, who was ejected after being whistled for his second personal foul penalty late in the game. “I just hope he’s okay. We have to persevere. We have to use this as fuel and play our hearts out next week.” Brandon did his part on both sides of the ball. He led the team with 11 tackles and rushed six times for 59 yards, including the Dolphins’ only touchdown 1:10 before the half. He was wrapped up by several defenders at the two-yard line but officials ruled that the ball, cradled in his outstretched arm, broke the plain of the goal line before his knee touched the ground. The two-point conversion pass fell incomplete. After both teams failed to score on their first two possessions, the Dolphins marched 54 yards in 10 plays. The drive stalled at the Sheiks’ 8 but Alex Anastasi booted a 28-yard field goal from the right hash mark to get Palisades on the board first, 3-0, with 7:30 left in the second quarter. Hollywood answered right back Chris Martin ran a fade and De Guzman hit him in stride in the corner of the end zone for the game’s first touchdown. One week before the Dolphins lost their first game, they lost quarterback/defensive back when senior Preon Morgan suffered a ligament strain in his right ankle during Palisades’ scrimmage against Washington. He showed up at practice the next day on crutches and had to watch Friday’s opener from the sideline. “At first they thought it might be a torn meniscus (knee injury) but fortunately it wasn’t,” Morgan said. “Still, it was really frustrating not being out there. It’s a helpless feeling.” Despite the loss there were plenty of positives. Malcolm Creer had 13 carries for 61 yards and Kemonta Reed added seven carries for 46 yards. Kevin Mann had four receptions for 35 yards and Ben Ingram had four catches for 32 yards. Defensively, linemen Juan Climaco and Tommy Brown had eight tackles apiece, Villasenor had seven, Devyn Reyes and Roman Thomas each had six and Jordan had five in the first half alone. Samuel Robertson and John Bolon also made five tackles apiece and Jeremy Smith added four tackles and intercepted a pass to end Hollywood’s opening drive. “We’ve owned them the last few years, but Hollywood turned the tables on us tonight,” he said. “This game is history. The key now is how we bounce back. We have maybe our toughest opponent [Santa Monica] coming up next so as much as this loss hurts, we can’t afford to dwell on it.” Junior Varsity Willie Anderson scored on runs of 15 and 8 yards and fellow sophomore Kristian Hawkins scored on a 70-yard punt return as Palisades built a 21-0 halftime lead on its way to a 27-6 victory over host Hollywood last Friday afternoon. Fullback Max Smith scored the Dolphins’ final touchdown on a 10-yard dive in the third quarter. Tyler Hildreth had an interception on defense. First-year coach Ray Marsden liked what he saw, especially from quarterback Nathan Dodson, who earned the starting job by completing three of five pass attempts for 50 yards. “I’ll take the win but we have a lot to work on,” Marsden said. “We were up big at halftime but I wanted to see the same intensity in the second half. We can’t be content just playing two quarters.”

CLASSIFIED ADS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2009

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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

OCEAN VIEW near Pali schools. 4 BDRM, 3 BA, LR & master BDRM w/ frpls. W/D, 2 car garage. Jacuzzi bath. Gardener incl. 1 yr lease min. $6,400/mo. (310) 908-8390

2 BDRM, 2 BA, 2 CAR GARAGE, private deck & garden, laundry, new kitchen, dishwasher, microwave, hardwood floors. Nice quiet area. Pets o.k. Reduced rent to $3,900/mo. OBO. (310) 454-4599

FURNISHED APARTMENTS 2b

LOVELY 3 BDRM, 3 BA apartment at Edgewater Towers, across from beach, ocean view. $4,000/mo. Call or e-mail for pictures, (310) 887-1333, s@90210law.com

UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS 2c

RARE, CHARMING FIND in lovely neighborhood. Large, upper unit, 2 bd + bonus room, 1 ba. Plantation shutters, fireplace, ceiling fan, balcony, garden, garage, light & airy. 1 yr lease. Cooperates w/ brokers. N/P, N/S. $3,500/mo. (310) 804-3142

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

SEPTEMBER SPECIAL 2 WKS FREE! 1 Bdr. $1,600/mo. or large studio $1,300/mo. Tile floors in kitchen & bath, closet space, pool, pet friendly, laundry, parking, walk to village & beach. (310) 454-8837

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

2 BDRM, 1 BA, NEW KITCHEN, built-ins, hardwood floors, jacuzzi tub, large private garden, off street parking. Pets o.k. $3,000/mo. (310) 454-4599

CONDOS, TOWNHOMES FOR RENT 2d

WALK TO P.P. VILLAGE. WOODSY VU, 2 br, 2 ba, open den, AC, WD in unit, security bldg. 2 car parking, storage, pool, jacuzzi, gym. $2,850/mo. Avail 9/1/09. Nancy, (310) 454-5257

CHARMING TWO BEDROOM, two bath condo in the heart of the village. Wonderful building. Available furnished or unfurnished. $2,600/mo. (310) 869-1612

ROOMS FOR RENT 3

$900/MO. ROOM IN CONDO on Albright St. Utilities and cable included. Pool. Walk to village and shops. (310) 890-2961

OFFICE/STORE RENTALS 3c

OFFICE TO SHARE, $950/MO. Two treatment rooms in Holistic Chiropractic Center in village on Sunset. Light filled, cheerful, healing environment. Includes use of large reception, front office, kitchen. Utilities included. Convenient parking. (310) 612-9111

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.

OFFICE SPACES FOR RENT. Individual offices for rent in Pacific Palisades Village. $750 to $1,250/mo. Call (310) 230-8335

IN VILLAGE QUIET UPSTAIRS OFFICE with soft natural lighting. Available September 1, 2009 at $849/mo. $2,300 security deposit. (310) 991-9434

PROFESSIONAL BUILDING in Pacific Palisades village for lease. Lovely and spacious suite available. Lease hold improvement allowance. 850 square feet conveniently located in the village. Please call Ness, (310) 230-6712 ext. 105, for more details.

FURNISHED PSYCHOTHERAPY SUITE & OFFICE for part time sublet. Includes waiting room, kitchen, bath & private consultation room. Evenings, Fridays, weekends available. Minumum 4 hrs. per week, $35/hr. E-mail srl@ucla.edu or call (310) 230-2233

VACATION RENTALS 3e

THREE FULLY SELF-CONTAINED trailers for rent across from Will Rogers State Beach & about 2 miles from Santa Monica Pier. $1,195/mo. & $995/mo. (310) 454-2515

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES 5

SEEKING INVESTOR for thriving local business. Fax offers and letters of interest to (310) 230-4536

MISCELLANEOUS 6c

OFFERING SMALL ROMANTIC house by the sea. Periodic weekends & longer durations, in exchange for house/pet sitting. Must love animals, be mature & responsible. (310) 454-6744

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

COMPUTER SERVICES 7c

MARIE’S MAC & PC OUTCALL. I CAN HELP YOU IN YOUR HOME OR OFFICE WITH: ‘ Consultation on best hard/software for your needs ‘ Setting up & configuring your system & applications ‘ Teaching you how to use your Mac or PC ‘ Upgrades: Mac OS & Windows ‘ Internet: DSL, Wireless, E-mail, Remote Access ‘ Key Applications: MS Office, Filemaker, Quicken ‘ Contact Managers, Networking, File Sharing, Data backup ‘ Palm, Visor, Digital Camera, Scanner, CD Burning ‘ FRIENDLY & PROFESSIONAL ‘ BEST RATES ‘ (310) 262-5652

YOUR OWN TECH GURU * EXPERT SET-UP, OPTIMIZATION, REPAIR. Problem-Free Computing Since 1992. Work Smarter, Faster, More Reliably. If I Can’t Help, NO CHARGE! ALAN PERLA, (310) 455-2000

THE DETECHTIVES’ ‘ PROFESSIONAL ON-SITE MAC SPECIALISTS. PATIENT, FRIENDLY AND AFFORDABLE ‘ WE COVER ALL THINGS MAC ‘ Consulting ‘ Installation ‘ Training and Repair for Beginners to Advanced Users ‘ Data recovery ‘ Networks ‘ Wireless Internet & more ‘ (310) 838-2254 ‘ William Moorefield ‘ www.thedetechtives.com

EXPERT COMPUTER HELP ‘ On-Site Service’No travel charge ‘ Help design, buy and install your system ‘ One-on-One Training, Hard & Software ‘ Troubleshooting, Mac & Windows, Organizing ‘ Installations & Upgrades ‘ Wireless Networking ‘ Digital Phones, Photo, Music ‘ Internet ‘ Serving the Palisades, Santa Monica & Brentwood. DEVIN FRANK, (310) 499-7000

USER FRIENDLY’MAC CONSULTANT. User friendly. Certified Apple help desk technician and proud member of the Apple consultant network. An easy approach to understanding all of your computer needs. Offering computer support in wide variety of repairs, set-ups, installs, troubleshooting, upgrades, networking, and tutoring in the application of choice. Computer consulting at fair rates. Ryan Ross: (310) 721-2827 ‘ email: ryanaross@mac.com ‘ For a full list of services visit: http://userfriendlyrr.com/

GARAGE, ESTATE SALE SERVICES 7f

PLANNING A GARAGE SALE? an estate sale? a moving sale? a yard sale? Call it what you like. But call us to do it for you. We do the work. Start to finish. ‘ BARBARA DAWSON ‘ Garage Sale Specialist ‘ (310) 454-0359 ‘ bmdawson@verizon.net ‘ www.bmdawson.com ‘ Furniture ‘ Antiques ‘ Collectibles ‘ Junque ‘ Reliable professionals ‘ Local References

SOLAR/WIND ENERGY 7l

SOLAR ENERGY with ALTERNATIVE ENGINEERING SOLAR. Go green, save 40% to 50%! Huge rebates and tax incentives! Call for free estimate or questions. Local Palisades contractor. Lic. #912279. (877) 898-1948. e-mail: sales@alternativeengineering.net

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

FULL-TIME NANNY/CAREGIVER 20 years experience, plus newborns. Speaks English, safe driver, employer references available. Kind, reliable, and punctual. Call Blanca, (323) 770-3600

BABYSITTER AVAILABLE Mon.-Fri. after 4 p.m. and all day Sat. & Sun. Speaks English, own transportation, trustworthy, trained in CPR. Call Claudia, (323) 559-6212, galvezc77@yahoo.com

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

HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE every Friday and every other Monday. First day is free! Good references, experience, own transportation, speaks English. Call Zoila or Francisca, (323) 336-1649

HOUSECLEANING or HOUSESITTING. Experienced, own transportation, local references. Please call Delmy, (323) 708-4327

HOUSEKEEPER looking for a job. Wednesdays and Saturdays. Speaks English, has references, drives her own car. Call Francis, (818) 472-8119

HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE for 1 or 5 days of the week. Good references. Drivers license & own transportation. 15 years experience. For more information, call Marina, (562) 408-2068

HOUSEKEEPING OR BABYSITTING Monday to Friday. I have good local references. I drive my own car. Call Connee, (c) (323) 377-5138 or (h) (323) 735-5725. Leave a message.

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

WE OFFER COMPASSIONATE CARE to clients in their home, hospital, or residential facility. Live-in or hourly caregivers will provide hygiene & grooming, light housekeeping, transportation. (213) 368-3880

FUNDAMENTALLY THE FINEST. Licensed nurses, caregivers & nannies. Calm old-school values! Lowest rates, free smiles!! Also call us for MOBILE NOTARY. (310) 795-5023 ‘ yourextraspecial.com

PAID COMPANION FOR SENIOR CITIZENS. Attention relatives and caretakers: Mature/warm/cultured/bi-lingual (English-German) professional educator, wellness consultant & Yoga therapist in private practice for 20+ years. Offers fill-in services (including physical & emotional support, exercise movement & light body work, conversation & correspondence, errands & [doctor] visits) on hourly basis. Contact Annemarie at boegliwellness@yahoo.com or (310) 429-6393

NURSING CARE 10b

CAREGIVER/MAID. Young, energetic, experienced nurse. Great references. Have car. Zula, (323) 812-3135

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

GARCIA GARDENING * Landscape, planting, maintenance, sprinkler systems, cleanup, low voltage lights. Everything your garden needs! Many yrs exp. Free estimates. Call Efren, (310) 733-7414

INDEPENDENT LANDSCAPE GARDENER. Expertise in: Planting ‘ Plumbing & irrigation drip systems ‘ Sprinklers ‘ Timers & repairs on existing systems. Landscape lighting, fencing, arbors & trellises ‘ Pruning & trimming ‘ Sod removal or installation ‘ Soil preparation ‘ Right plants for given conditions ‘ Regular maintenance. Client references upon request. Bulmaro, (310) 442-6426 or cell, (310) 709-3738

MOVING & HAULING 11b

FRANK’S CLEANUP INC. Hauling, garage cleanup, yard, construction debris, light demolition, tree and concrete removal. Any size job. Lic. & ins. Call Frank, (310) 666-9797

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

HOUSEMAN/DRIVER. BODYGUARD. Personal contact for all your needs including catering, plumbing, electrical. Excellent references. 10 years experience. Full time, part time. Salary negotiable. Call Big John Mueller, (310) 709-9143

PERSONAL ASSISTANT will run errands, organize your home, shop, and provide childcare. Palisades Resident, valid lic. & ins., experienced. References available. (310) 459-5529

GIRL FRIDAY/HOME ORGANIZER/Personal Assistant. Excellent references, 10 years experience. Reasonable rates. 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

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

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

CLEARLY MATH & MORE! Specializing in math & now offering chemistry & physics! Elementary thru college level. Test prep, algebra, trig, geom, calculus. Fun, caring, creative, individualized tutoring. Math anxiety. 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. SAT, ISEE, HSPT, ACT, ERB, STAR. Caring, meticulous service. GrozaLearningCenter.com ‘ (310) 454-3731

HSPT/ISEE PREP CLASSES. Central Palisades location. Small class size, 12 classes. September 25th start. (310) 459-3239

EXPERIENCED TEACHER AVAILABLE FOR TUTORING. Reading, math, social studies, science, high school french, swimming, and piano. References available. Mrs. Davis, (818) 880-8178

TUTORING FOR GRADES 1-12 by a California prudential teacher with a BA/Masters from UCLA, and the author of 14 educational books. Call Linda, (310) 820-7580

MUSIC LESSONS & INSTRUCTION 15h

SAXOPHONE LESSONS. By professional. All levels and ages welcome. Call (310) 283-9975

PIANO INSTRUCTION. Specializing in childrens creative lessons. Piano and Harpsicord performer. J. Nadler, (310) 453-1064

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

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

ELECTRICAL WORK. 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. Lic. #560299. 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

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

PAINTER, SMALL JOBS PREFERRED. Interiors only. 20 years experience. References available. Very reasonable rates. Excellent craftmanship. Non-lic. Tim, (310) 433-9610

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING Interior/exterior. Residential & commercial. Refinishing wood, stain, textured walls & ceiling. Handyman service. 15 yrs. exper. Non-lic. Hector Lopez, (c) (213) 910-7274

REMODELING 16v

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

LABOR OF LOVE HOME REPAIR & REMODEL. Kitchens, bathrooms, cabinetry, tile, doors, windows, decks, etc. Work guar. Ken Bass, General Contractor. Lic. #B767950. (310) 487-6464

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

PACIFIC PALISADES patent law firm with a busy practice concentrating in high profile medical devices and internet related technologies seeks a patent legal secretary. Candidates must be organized, detail oriented, and have at least two years experience in patent application preparation and prosecution. We are seeking an individual with immediately transferable skills who can work independently. We offer competitive compensation and benefits in a collegial and fiendly enviroment. Please submit resume and salary requirements in confidence to patenthiring@gmail.com

P.P. DENTAL OFFICE SEEKING Administrative staff scheduling client follow-up & care. Answering multiple telephone lines. MUST BE: Friendly, well-organized professional able to multi-task. Word and Excel experience. Compensation commensurate with skills and experience. Email resume to info@palismiles.com

GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 18d

FOR SALE! Tables, chairs, electronics, guitars and more! Very good quality at reasonable prices. Photos and prices at our website: http://web.me.com/sleeperassist/Site/Welcome.html. (310) 471-1005

MOVING!! ALL MUST GO! Furniture, art, clothes, knick-knacks . . . 1397 Palisades Drive. Sunday, 9/20, 12 p.m.-4 p.m.

Historical Murals at Canyon Elementary

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One of four new photographic murals adorning the walls at Canyon Elementary shows the original one-room schoolhouse, established in 1894, which is now the school library. The building was moved from its original location on Sycamore Road in the late 1980s.
One of four new photographic murals adorning the walls at Canyon Elementary shows the original one-room schoolhouse, established in 1894, which is now the school library. The building was moved from its original location on Sycamore Road in the late 1980s.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

‘A picture is worth a thousand words,’ goes an old clich’. If that’s the case, about 4,000 words have hit the walls of Canyon Elementary, via four new murals reflecting the venerable Santa Monica school’s history. The murals enjoyed something of an inaugural party last Friday evening at Canyon’s Back to School Picnic, where about 200 parents and children shared meals on the schoolyard. Among the picnicking parents was Doug Suisman, who, with Pacific Palisades historian Randy Young, worked on the murals. Suisman selected four images from Young’s archival photos and then printed them onto vinyl mesh that now adorn the exterior walls of various school buildings. The murals were part of a larger parent-teacher initiative to revitalize the school, which has been repainted the past six months. History is what Suisman wanted to express with these vintage photographic images. ‘This school is so deeply connected to the Canyon,’ said Suisman, who lives in Santa Monica Canyon with his wife, Moye Thompson, and their kids, Claire, 9, and Ted, 7 (both Canyon students). ‘There are very few schools in L.A. that have that kind of history, and that’s part of what makes Canyon Elementary special.’ The Palisadian-Post took a walking tour with Young, who discussed each individual mural. The image outside the school, taken from a 1900 postcard, shows the original schoolhouse, established in 1894, at its original Sycamore Road location. ‘You can see it was a bucolic scene,’ said Young, a Rustic Canyon resident and a founding member of the Pacific Palisades Historical Society. In 1912, Canyon Elementary moved to its present location, where an annual fiesta, depicted on a second mural inside the school premises, has been held since 1934. Young pointed out how the background echoes the mid-century homes perched along West Channel Road on the hill along the view to the north. One home, with its Spanish-flavored, pantile-interlaced roof, once belonged to MGM art director Cedric Gibbons and his wife, pioneer Latina actress Dolores del Rio. A third mural depicts an early 20th-century classroom of two dozen kids and instructors, including Latina assistant teachers. The turn-of-the-20th-century schoolhouse in the photo was transplanted to the school grounds in the late 1980s, when parents banded together and ‘paid for this building to be moved and converted into a library,’ Young said. ‘The whole community came together to adopt this. I think it’s a wonderful touchstone.’ The final mural, across the school grounds, depicts a student with her kitten, circa 1954. A note lists Canyon teachers ‘Mrs. Kenney’ and ‘Mrs. Stoker.’ ‘Our idea is to rotate them,’ Suisman said of his quartet of illustrated banners. ‘There’ll be more. They only last a few years on vinyl mesh. So this will become a rotating gallery over time.’ At Saturday’s picnic, the school’s new principal, Joyce Dara, served water and lemonade to kids while chatting with parents Marie Reimers, Lisa Spence and Kim Holland, all of whom welcomed the new murals.   ’It’s interesting timing [for the murals] as we’re currently rewriting the school charter,’ Dara said. ‘Every five years, we have to rewrite the charter and set new goals. It’s a reflective process for us.’ ‘It’s a foot in the past and the present,’ Holland said. ‘I think that’s what learning is about.’

Rose Gilbert: 91-Year-Old Dynamo

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Palisades High English teacher Rose Gilbert in her classroom on Monday. She has taught at PaliHi since the school opened in 1961, and has donated $2 million towards the Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center (named in honor of her late daughter), scheduled for completion late next March.
Palisades High English teacher Rose Gilbert in her classroom on Monday. She has taught at PaliHi since the school opened in 1961, and has donated $2 million towards the Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center (named in honor of her late daughter), scheduled for completion late next March.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

English teacher Rose Gilbert says she’s ’91 and going strong’ as she begins her 48th year of teaching at Palisades Charter High School.   ’I love teaching; it’s not a job ‘ it’s a joy,’ Gilbert said on Monday.   Gilbert, nicknamed ‘Mama G,’ returned on the first day of school, September 9, ready to share her passion for the classics such as Homer’s ‘Iliad’ and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s ‘The Scarlet Letter’ with a whole new group of students. She is teaching four Advanced Placement classes to juniors and seniors.   ’It’s been busy,’ Gilbert said of the first week. ‘I give a lot of homework, so that means I have a lot of papers to correct.’   She has already assigned and collected college admission essays from the seniors and persuasive essays from the juniors. The students in her classes will read between 18 and 23 books this semester.   When asked whether she is the oldest teacher in the United States, she giggles and says she doesn’t know. She’s definitely among the oldest, and she’s certainly the spunkiest.

Playground Closure Irks Neighbors

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Marquez Elementary School Principal Phillip Hollis has announced that the school’s expansive playground will be closed to the public during non-school hours.   ’The Marquez playground will no longer be a viable option to come and play [during] after-school hours or on the weekend due to the lack of a liability agreement between the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Unified School District,’ Hollis wrote in the school’s weekly newsletter on September 3.   The city and LAUSD had a joint-use agreement to keep the playground open to the public during non-school hours, and the city paid for the liability insurance.   ’I was informed by LAUSD that there is no longer an agreement, and that I must keep the playground locked until further notice,’ Hollis wrote.   Pacific Palisades resident Barbara Marinacci, who volunteers in the school garden at Marquez, alerted the Palisadian-Post in July that the playground had been closed erratically this summer.   She reported vandalism, saying the playground was used as an off-leash dog park, with some owners neglecting to clean up their dogs’ messes. The restrooms were closed, so some children would relieve themselves outside. She also said skateboarders damaged benches, and beer bottles and cans were scattered around, indicating that partying had occurred at night.   In response, Hollis told the Post in July that the playground was not supposed to be locked this summer and that there was occasional vandalism, but ‘by and large, [the playground] is kept in pretty good order.’ At that time, he told the Post that there was no intention to close the playground.   However, he later learned that the city’s liability insurance had expired, thus forcing the closure by LAUSD.   The playground is now open Monday through Friday from school dismissal at 1:50 p.m. until 5 p.m. through the Youth Services and the Beyond the Bell Program. This free after-school program allows second- through fifth-grade students to play on the playground under adult supervision.    Marquez parent George Kalmar has taken action to reopen the playground at other times. He collected 130 signatures on a petition at the Marquez Elementary ‘Back to School Pick Nick’ and wrote a letter to the Post. [See Letters page 2].   ’They’re locking kids out of their only playground [on this side of town],’ Kalmar said in an interview.   The only other comparable playground is at the Palisades Recreation Center, several miles away. The Marquez playground has climbing structures, basketball courts and a kickball field.   Kalmar and his 6-year-old son, Jonah, like to roller skate to the playground, so they can play hockey. Jonah, a second-grader at Marquez, also shoots hoops and kicks the soccer ball around there.   ’We utilize the place a lot and so do a lot of others,’ Kalmar said, adding that he hopes an agreement between the two parties can be reached soon.   Marquez parent Peter Duke has posted a Web site (www.openplayground.org) for those interested in protesting the closure. The Web site contains a petition and the contact information for government officials.   Marquez Knolls Property Owners Association President Haldis Toppel wrote in an e-mail to the Post that she is saddened to hear that the playground has been closed.   ’Even with liability coverage reinstated, it would be difficult to support reopening the grounds without some sort of security in place to prevent the vandalism and unsanitary conditions caused by irresponsible citizens,’ she wrote. ‘Perhaps we can get some assistance from the newly installed private patrol in Marquez Knolls.’   Marquez residents recently hired ACS Security to provide 24-hour patrol service of the neighborhood.

Al Werker Wins: Beach Projects Are on the Way

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Pacific Palisades resident Al Werker’s two-year effort to have Los Angeles County complete a sidewalk, build a new fence and landscape the area along Pacific Coast Highway at Castle Rock has yielded results, with construction now planned for early 2010. In addition, the county has approved constructing a north exit at Will Rogers State Beach parking lot 3, across from Las Pulgas Canyon, to help drivers exit southbound onto PCH. The total cost of construction for both projects is estimated at $452,000, with completion scheduled by next summer. Gregory Woodell, planning specialist for the Department of Beaches and Harbors, sent Werker minutes from an August County Board of Supervisors meeting that stated: ‘The chain-link fence in parking lot number 5 will be replaced with a cable and post fence. The existing unpaved pedestrian path between the restroom in parking lot 5 and the Castellammare pedestrian overpass will be paved to provide beach patrons with an improved path from the overpass to the beach facility and restroom.’ Woodell told the Palisadian-Post on Monday that the supervisors also approved construction of the new right-turn-only exit onto PCH at the north end of Will Rogers parking lot, which will help alleviate delays for beach patrons exiting from the main entrance/exit at Temescal Canyon Road. The proposed driveway will also enable emergency vehicles to exit the parking lot more quickly. Werker, a retired McDonnell-Douglas computer service and software salesman who frequents the beach at Castle Rock (just north of Sunset Boulevard), began his beach-improvement quest in 2007 after renovations on Will Rogers beaches were deemed complete. In particular, he noted that at parking lot 5, the entrance to the beach was unsightly and filled with trash. ‘They may never want to do anything, I thought,’ Werker told the Post in a 2007 interview, ‘but as long as they complete one area they should finish the job.’ He speculated that the county had run out of money by the time they reached that location. (The two-year project that began in 2005 originally had a budget of more than $12 million, but ended up costing more than $13 million.) Werker contacted Woodell, who said that everything was completed. Disagreeing with the specialist, Werker invited him to come see for himself. At first, Woodell didn’t think that strip of the land belonged to the county. The location was originally the entrance to parking lot 5, but when the lot was reconfigured to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), the entrance was moved south, leaving the former driveway vacant. After checking a map, Woodell realized it was county property and had the area cleaned up. Werker also asked for a sidewalk and landscaping that would run along PCH from the Castellemmare overpass south to the new bathrooms. He was told there was no money. Undeterred, he contacted Maria Chong Castillo in County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky’s office to press for funds. After a two-year period of contacting government officials, Werker’s persistence has paid off. Regarding the requested landscaping along PCH by the fence and sidewalk, Woodell said money hasn’t been budgeted, but promised some landscaping would be done in-house. ‘It took a lot longer than I hoped,’ Werker said. ‘But knowing how government works, it seems that patience is the key.’

Whitworths Host Pizza Fusion S.M. Party

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Veteran Palisades restaurateurs David and Theresa Whitworth enjoy the grand opening of their latest endeavor, the Pizza Fusion franchise on Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica. The organic, earth-friendly chain's motto:
Veteran Palisades restaurateurs David and Theresa Whitworth enjoy the grand opening of their latest endeavor, the Pizza Fusion franchise on Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica. The organic, earth-friendly chain’s motto: “Saving the Earth, One Pizza at a Time.”
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

Call this another feather in Pinocchio’s cap! David and Theresa Whitworth, owners of Pinocchio’s in Cucina on Monument near Sunset, threw an official grand opening party on September 12 for their latest restaurant, Pizza Fusion Santa Monica. About six years ago, the Whitworths, who have lived in Pacfic Palisades for 19 years, teamed up with longtime chef Giuseppe Barravecchia to open Pinocchio’s, an Italian restaurant and delicatessen at 970 Monument. Barravecchia had worked as a chef for the Whitworths’ previous restaurants (two years at La Luna Ristorante in Larchmont Village, and five years at La Luna Mare in Santa Monica), both of which closed in 2007. Pizza Fusion, located in an Ocean Park Boulevard strip mall complex, is the Whitworths’ first foray into running a franchise restaurant, after operating their independently owned eateries for more than a decade. ‘It’s very different, and a little frustrating,’ Theresa told the Palisadian-Post. ‘There are a lot of [Pizza Fusion franchise] guidelines you need to follow. However, the product is wonderful.’ Indeed, the 50 or so adults and children lining up for platters of pizza last Saturday sure thought so. At record speed, they devoured Pizza Fusion’s gluten-free, organic style of thin-crust pizzas, which were served up in plain, barbecue chicken, farmer’s market (laden with artichokes) and vegan varieties. Also served were chicken panini sandwiches and the house salad. New Belgian beer and Parducci wine rounded out the beverages. Among the attendees were, of course, friends from the Palisades. Sue Quinn and Jennifer Bracco brought about 10 hungry kids to the event, while Jim Stein came down to enjoy some pizza and beer at the bar, where he watched the USC-Ohio State football game. ‘The pizza is great,’ said Etsuko Yumite. ‘It’s organic but better than general pizza.’ Also on hand were bloggers John Berardi (losangeles-pizza.blogspot.com) and Whitney Lauritsen (EcoVeganGal.com), who were covering the event for their respective blog angles: L.A.’s best slice pizza and L.A.’s best vegan spots. Berardi, who has tasted more than 250 pizza joints citywide, had some nitpicks with the pies at the event, but he still ranked Pizza Fusion high on his list (3-1/2 out of 5 slices), considering its alternate ingredients. ‘The crust was thin and crispy,’ Berardi said. ‘The sauce was the strongest part. It was seasoned well and tasted fresh. The cheese was pretty good. The best part about it was that it is organic. It’s great when someone tries to defend pizza as being healthy. I like that they have a vegan pizza and multi-grain crust. It’s clear to see why this chain is growing fast.’ Santa Monica’s Pizza Fusion is the latest in a chain of restaurants in 11 states, including Arizona, Texas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida. Lauritsen, with pal Aimee LeMaire, told the Post that the grand opening was her fifth visit: ‘I come here a lot. This is the best vegan pizza.’ She appreciated that David Whitworth recently upgraded to a new vegan cheese that hit the market. LeMaire, who is not vegan, also enjoyed her piece of the pie: ‘The texture is so much better and less greasy than at other pizza places.’ Claire Heron, who owns the mall where Pizza Fusion is located, was elated to have the Whitworths aboard as tenants, especially with their health-minded, environmentally correct restaurant. ‘I’d like to see everyone be LEED-worthy, doing it right,’ she said. ‘That should be the thrust, the impetus.’ Though Pizza Fusion actually opened in late June, the Whitworths waited until mid-September to celebrate their new endeavor. ‘We wanted to wait until the end of summer for everyone to be here,’ said David, while Theresa was excited that proceeds from the evening were going toward charity-of-choice Autism Speaks. ‘I’m glad so many people showed up,’ said Theresa, smiling. Pizza Fusion is located at 2901 Ocean Park Blvd. Contact: (310) 581-2901; www.pizzafusion.com

Judith Johnson Simili, 52; PaliHi Alumna, Model, Actress, Teacher

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Judi Simili (nee Johnson) was first runner-up in the 1972 Miss Palisades contest.
Judi Simili (nee Johnson) was first runner-up in the 1972 Miss Palisades contest.

Judith (Judi) Anne Simili, who grew up in Pacific Palisades and graduated from Palisades High, died on August 29 at her home in Thousand Oaks, after a seven-year battle with cancer. She was 52. Judi was born October 11, 1956 in Santa Monica to Beverly and Roger Johnson. After the family moved to the Palisades when Judi was 9, her mother attended a Miss Palisades contest and remembers thinking, ‘She’s going to be Miss Palisades some day.’ In 1972, Judi indeed entered the contest and was first runner-up to Anne de Varennes. One of the judges at the contest, producer Jerry Paris, liked Judi and gave her a job as a regular extra on the popular television series ‘Happy Days.’ A year later, Judi was selected as Miss Santa Monica (a city where her dad was a fire department battalion chief) and Junior Miss California. Famed Santa Monica Canyon photographer Peter Gowland sought Judi out after her Miss Santa Monica win and took her modeling portfolio pictures, considered a signal honor. Family friends Joe and Betty Weider, titans of the body-building industry and partners of Arnold Schwarzenegger in his pre-acting days, took Judi under their wings and oversaw her career in modeling and acting (including an appearance in ‘Jaws’). Top modeling agencies Nina Blanchard and Ford also sought Judi out for her fresh California-girl look, which radiated off the pages of magazine ads for Cover Girl makeup and in clothing catalogues. In addition, she worked as a flight attendant for Golden West Airlines.   Judi married Nicholas Simili and they raised three children (Aundrea, Gina and Nicholas) in Thousand Oaks. Most recently, she taught autistic and special-needs children in the Thousand Oaks-Conejo Valley area. Judi was predeceased by her father in 2001 and her brother, Bruce, in 2007. She is survived by her husband, Nick; daughters Aundrea Simili Webb (husband Doug) and Gina Simili; son Nick Simili; and her mother, Beverly Johnson. A memorial service was held on September 4 in Thousand Oaks at the Saint Paschal Baylon Catholic Church. ‘My daughter was loving and had so many friends,’ Judi’s mother said. ‘She even had a friend from Florida who came to the service.’

Bill Schoneberger, 83; U.S Aviation Historian

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William A. Schoneberger, a prominent aviation historian and former longtime resident of Pacific Palisades, died on August 31 in Santa Barbara. He was 83.   Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on March 27, 1926, Bill graduated from high school in 1943 and earned an accelerated B.S. degree in naval science from the University of South Carolina in 1945. He served in the Navy as an ensign, then began a career that included working at the General Electric Aircraft Engine Division in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Lynn, Massachusetts and at Northrop Aviation in Los Angeles. He later started W.A. Schoneberger Communications.   Bill was married three times: to Betty Depperman (deceased), Shirley Archer and Pat Olsen, but was unmarried at the time of his death.   In 1972, he moved to Coastline Drive in the Sunset Mesa neighborhood, close to the beach where he enjoyed taking walks. He relocated to Santa Barbara in 2006 to be closer to family.   Bill spent more than half a century participating in and chronicling the progress of U.S. aviation. He authored nine books on aviation history and played a key role in the communications organizations of both General Electric’s jet engine division and the Northrop (now Northrop Grumman) Corporation. He served four terms as president of the Aero Club of Southern California, and in the late 1970s helped arrange with the estate of Howard Hughes to have the club display the giant Hughes Flying Boat, nicknamed ‘the Spruce Goose,’ in a large dome on the Long Beach waterfront. In the early 1990s, Bill headed a team from the club that arranged for the enormous wooden aircraft to be relocated to its present home in a new museum in Oregon. He also worked with the Hughes Estate to create the Aero Club’s Howard Hughes Memorial Award, which for 30 years has honored lifetime achievements in aviation and aerospace.   In 1998, Bill was presented the aerospace industry’s prestigious Lyman Award, given to him for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Aviation Writing.’ Last year, the Flight Path Learning Center at LAX, of which he was one of three founders, named its research library after him and filled it with a large collection of his documents and books. Bill is survived by his son William, daughter-in-law Marion and grandsons Andrew, Eric and Brian, all of Santa Barbara. Donations can be made in his name to the Flightpath Learning Center and Museum, P.O. Box 90234, Los Angeles, CA 90009.

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