The Skirball Cultural Center holds its 13th season of free Sunset Concerts on Thursdays from July 16 through August 13 at 8 p.m. The Skirball is located off the 405 freeway in Bel-Air. This summer’s opening concert next Thursday will showcase the electronica-fueled Malian grooves of Issa Bagayogo. Despite remarkable talent on the three-stringed n’goni lute, a long-lost relative of the banjo, Bagayogo was down and out in Bamako, working as a bus driver, when he ran into French record producer Yves Wernert. They teamed up to create a sound that showcases Bagayogo’s sixth sense for honoring treasured traditions while grooving to edgy beats. Other concerts will feature the trans-Atlantic, bluegrass-meets-Swedish folk encounter of Mike Marshall, Darol Anger and V’sen (July 23); the Roma and klezmer-inflected jams of Montreal’s Gadji-Gadjo (July 30); the serious funk of New Orleans’ beloved Mardi Gras Indian ensemble, the Wild Magnolias (August 6); and the Sufi-inspired virtuosity of Turkish multi-instrumentalist Omar Faruk Tekbilek Ensemble (August 13). Doors open at 7 p.m. No reservations are needed, but seating is limited to a first-come, first-served basis. On-site parking is $5 cash. Visit www.skirball.org.
Village Books Hosts Father/Daughter Poets
Moonday will host a father/daughter poetry reading featuring Mel and Stefi Weisburd at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, July 13, at Village Books on Swarthmore. The event will contrast Mel’s 1950s perspective of Los Angeles with Stefi’s present-day sensibility. Mel, a Brentwood resident, co-founded Coastlines literary magazine in the ’50s. He is the author of ‘A Life of Windows & Mirrors, Selected Poems,’ and the recently published chapbook about his late wife (and Stefi’s mother), ‘The Gloria Poems: A Short Memoir of a 50-Year Marriage.’ Stefi, a Palisades High graduate, has degrees in physics from UC Berkeley and Stanford. She is the author of ‘The Wind-Up Gods,’ which won the St. Lawrence Book Award, and ‘Barefoot: Poems for Naked Feet,’ a collection for children. She received a Discovery Prize from The Nation, was a scholar at Bread Loaf, and was awarded a writing residency by the Lannan Foundation. She currently lives in Albuquerque with her husband and two children.
Race Day in the Palisades
32nd Annual Will Rogers 5/10K Run Kicks Off Town’s July 4th Festivities
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
By the time Jennifer Rogers-Etcheverry took the stage to fire the gun that officially started the Palisades-Will Rogers Run last Saturday morning, the sun had begun to creep out of the clouds–a bright beginning to the community’s most patriotic day of the year. “It’s all of you who keep my great grandfather’s legacy alive,” she said, referring to the famous actor/comedian after whom the landmark holiday event is named. “Thank you all so much.” Moments later the field of the 32nd annual July 4 race–some 2,612 strong–began its journey into the Huntington Palisades and, for the 1,050 runners in the 10K, up Sunset to the dreaded switchbacks of Will Rogers State Park. Just past the 15-minute mark the first winner rounded the bend on Toyopa at the entrance to the Palisades Recreation Center. That was 20-year-old Ravi Amarawansa, who won on his fourth attempt in 15 minutes, 13 seconds. “I was hoping Peter Gilmore would run because I would’ve liked to test myself against the best,” he said. “This is my best time for a road race. It’s a nice flat course. Good for running a PR.” Gilmore, a former Palisades High/UC Berkeley distance runner and now one of the nation’s top marathoners, has won his hometown race eight times and set the course record of 14:10 in 2003. Amarawansa ran track and cross country at Venice High, graduating in 2007, but he got his start in the sport at Paul Revere Middle School, where he trained under Paul and Stacy Foxson. “They introduced me to the long jump, the mile, the 400, everything,” said Amarawansa, a psychology major at the University of San Francisco. “It all started with them.” The last time Amarawansa ran the 5K here was his freshman year at Venice when he clocked 19:38. He would have run it at least once since except he got stung in the ankle by a bee the day before, the ankle swelled up and he decided not to run. “I think I’ll try the 10K next year,” he said. A sleepless night might have affected her time but it couldn’t keep Therese Fricke from winning the women’s 5K for the second time in 18:47. In her first prep race since getting back into training with Coach Eric Barron’s Track Club L.A. before Christmas, Fricke was first in her division and third overall at last month’s Brentwood 5K, won by 2008 Palisades-Will Rogers 5K champion Vivien Wadeck. Fricke, 35, lives in Santa Monica. She won the Palisades-Will Rogers 5K for the first time in 2005 and her goal is to crack the 18-minute mark. “Even though I won today I would’ve preferred a faster time,” said Fricke, who has her own business (“On the Move” Pilates & Fitness) and is a singer/songwriter and guitarist. “I think it takes a good three or four races so I plan to continue getting my time back down, closer to where I left off with racing a couple years ago when I won the Heart of the City in 18:01.” Fricke’s personal-best 5K time is 17:52, which she ran in college at Pacific Lutheran University in Washington. Another of Fricke’s personal goals is producing her music CD. She recently sang at the Summer Soulstice in Santa Monica and her band “Tereza & the Banditz” is performing at the House of Blues in Hollywood at 10 p.m. Sunday night. “It’s so great that my hobbies–my passions–became my career,” Fricke said. “It’s awesome that I can motivate, heal and inspire others through fitness and music! It’s the greatest job!” The women’s 5K record is 16:29 by Annetta Luevano in 1995. Mikal Sandoval, a ranger at Will Rogers State Historic Park set the mood for the race with her stirring rendition of the national anthem. Then, announcer Bob Benton asked for a round of applause for Brian Shea, who was recognized for his tireless work as race coordinator every year since the race began in 1978. As usual the Fluffy Bunnies, a men’s track club based in Santa Monica, showed up in force–and properly attired in white bunny rabbit ears. Having completed the Seattle Half-Marathon in one hour and 10 minutes just a week before, the 10K must have been a walk in the park for men’s winner Lewis Eliot, a 29-year-old from Phoenix. At first, Eliot turned up Alma Real instead of proceeding through the 10K chute, but race officials yelled “You’re going the wrong way!” and quickly re-routed him to the finish in 33:29 with plenty of time to spare. Four-time winner Nate Bowen of Redwood City finished second in 34:10. “I’m staying in Santa Monica right now doing a lot of smaller races,” Eliot said. “This was my first time doing it and it was so cool.” Eliot is a triathlete and his goal is to qualify for the Olympic Triathlon in London in 2012. He has completed about 30 half-triathlons and seven full triathlons. His best Ironman time to date is 8 hours and 53 minutes. “I plan on sticking around for the Nautica [Triathlon] in Malibu and the L.A. Triathlon,” he added. “I’m going back to short course for a while.” The dreaded switchbacks were no big deal for Eliot, who got used to hilly courses while racing for the U.S. national cycling team before attending college at Montana State. Russell Edmonds of New Zealand holds the 10K course record of 29:46, set back in 1983–the same year that Katie Dunsmuir set the women’s record of 35:09. Shawna Burger wore a neon gold outfit and matching shoes on her way to winning the women’s 10K last year. This time, she arrived with a new color (pink) and a new strategy: follow the Fluffy Bunnies. “I thought to myself ‘Just try to keep up with them,'” said Burger, who charged to the front of the pack right away and was never challenged, covering the 6.2 miles in 38:02. “It helped a lot having run it last year and being more familiar with the course.” The 24-year-old Burger recently moved to Santa Monica and is majoring in fine arts at Cal State Los Angeles, where she ran cross country and track before using up her athletic eligibility. Burger finished almost two minutes ahead of VS Athletics Track Club teammate Laura Conley. Burger’s only regret is that she couldn’t run the 5K too: “Maybe I’ll try that next year. I love this race and I want to keep coming back.” Amarawansa and Burger celebrated their victories by riding in the parade that afternoon. Camille Chapus won the 13-15 age division and was second overall in the women’s 5K, finishing in 19:31 and 12-year-old Palisadian Mackenzie Howe won her age group in 21:56. Carol Gordon won the 45-49 division in 21:14 and Diane Goldberg won the 75-79 age group in 45:40. Palisadian Andrew Bland won the men’s 13-15 age division of the 5K in 17:34, Ron Graham won the 50-54 age group in 18:11, Anthony Reading won the 55-59 category in 21:12 while locals Ted Mackie, Tom McKiernan and Ken Adams swept the top three places in the 80-99 division. In the 10K, Gregory Dunne, Sawyer Pascoe and Tommy Collins swept the top three spots in the 13-15 division and Adam Gooch was first in the 65-69 age range in 47:20. Michaela Keefe, Elisabeth Lomis and Caitlin Keefe finished 1-2-3 in the 12-and-under division, Hannah Cranston won the 16-18 division in 47:24 and Eleanor Keare won the 40-44 category in 44:17. Jennifer Levi, Brianna Becker and Tanya Bentley swept the 35-39 age division while Jamie Halper, Susan Harbert and Maria Marrone were 1-2-3 in the 50-54 age group. Pacific Palisades-own kickboxing champion Baxter Humby, in training for his July 25 fight in Las Vegas, took it easy in the men’s 5K, completing the 3.1 miles in 23 minutes flat. For complete results visit the official race website at www.palisades10k.com or try the Race Central website at www.runraceresults.com.
“Rudy” Tackles Every Challenge
Since His Story Went Hollywood Former Notre Dame Player Has Inspired Others
Photo by Steve Galluzzo, Sports Editor
Riding in the backseat of a convertible, waving to throngs of spectators lining neighborhood streets during Pacific Palisades’ Fourth of July Parade last Saturday must have brought back memories for Daniel Ruettiger. Memories of a Saturday 35 years earlier when he was hoisted onto the shoulders of teammates and carried off the field. That was a monumental moment in his life, but one that might never have been remembered outside of South Bend, Indiana, had it not been for Ruettiger’s will and determination to make his story known–the same attributes he had used to fulfill his childhood dream of playing college football at Notre Dame. “I got into a game and I made a tackle, not exactly the most distinguished career, right?” Ruettiger joked. “Thousands of other players accomplished more in football than I did, but for someone like me that meant as much as winning the Super Bowl.” Thanks in part to Hollywood, Ruettiger is known now simply as “Rudy,” the title of a 1993 movie that turned out to be as big a longshot as a 5′ 6,” 165-pound walk-on senior playing two downs for the Fighting Irish in the final home game of 1975. Ruettiger sacked Georgia Tech’s quarterback on the final play and, in 2005, an ESPN poll named “Rudy” one of the 20 best sports movies of the previous 25 years. “It took me 10 years to get the film made,” Ruettiger said. “The first time I met [screenwriter] Angelo Pizzo he told me ‘I’m not interested in doing a sports story and I hate Notre Dame.’ I just wasn’t about to give up and two years later he ended up writing the script.” Not only did Ruettiger have to convince a studio to back the project, he also had to get permission from his alma mater’s administration to shoot the movie on campus. Such a request had not been granted since “Knute Rockne, All American” in 1940. “There were so many obstacles,” said Ruettiger, who is now a motivational speaker and author. “You know, it wasn’t like Sony and Universal were fighting for the rights. Everyone was skeptical about the idea at first but I believed in it so much that I was willing to risk everything I had to make it happen.” The movie, in fact, launched Ruettiger into a new and rewarding career, one he did not anticipate: “It all started shortly after the movie was released when a corporate executive called and said he just saw the movie and wanted me to speak to his company. He thought I might be able to inspire his employees the way the movie had inspired people. I agreed to do it, then I began to get requests, from corporations, clubs, high schools, universities–you name it.” Ramis Sadrieh, an Executive Committee member of the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, was the first to inquire about Ruettiger but didn’t know how to contact him. That is, until he talked to Palisadian Kevin Quinn, a Notre Dame alum and friend of the real-life Rudy. Ruettiger was honored to be invited to this year’s parade and was even more honored to meet one of his childhood idols, 1964 Heisman Trophy winner and Pacific Palisades resident John Huarte, at lunch one hour earlier. “I was in high school in Joliet, Illinois, and he was like a god,” Ruettiger recalled. “John was the quarterback for one of Notre Dame’s finest teams ever. We watched the games every week!” Huarte seemed just as thrilled to meet Ruettiger: “Of course I remember him. The movie was terrific, really inspiring. And I think there are a lot of Rudys on a lot of teams.” Ruettiger has a wife and two kids and now lives in Henderson, Nevada. His newly-established Rudy Foundation, based in Las Vegas, helps children around the world reach their full potential by developing and supporting programs that positively impact young people’s lives cognitively, emotionally, physically and spiritually. “We just showed the movie to 400 foster kids in Florida and they loved it,” said Ruettiger, who has 13 brothers and sisters. “See, it’s really not about football or about Notre Dame. The message is that our thoughts change our lives. Believe you can do something and you’ll do it.” Ruettiger graduated from Notre Dame with a Sociology degree. Although actor Sean Astin played the role of Rudy in the movie Ruettiger appears in one scene–as a fan in the stands during the final game–standing right behind Ned Beatty (who played Rudy’s father).
Pali Blues “Toss” Fusion Aside
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
The Pali Blues waited a day later to put on their own Fourth of July fireworks show, lighting up the visiting Ventura Fusion 4-0 last Sunday afternoon at Stadium by the Sea. Fans didn’t have to wait long for the first goal. Tobin Heath re-directed a pass from Iris Mora into the goal in the 33rd minute–just the cue the crowd needed to rain brightly-colored bears onto the running track for the club’s first-ever “Teddy Bear Toss.” The stuffed animals were donated to the Upward Bound House and the Elevate Hope Foundation. “Today was a great day,” Blues Head Coach Charlie Naimo said. “The performance on the field was very entertaining. The players really gave the fans a treat.” The defending W-League champion Blues (7-0-3) turned up the intensity in the second half and were rewarded with three goals against the Fusion (1-5-3). Then, in the 51st minute, Lauren Cheney made a well-timed pass to Nikki Washington, who beat goalie Kay Hawke for a 2-0 lead. Nine minutes later Kelley O’Hara got behind the defense for an easy goal. Mora applied the finishing touch to the one-sided contest in the 74th minute, kicking home a loose ball after Washington’s initial shot was blocked. “Outside the lines the operations were completely in line,” Naimo said, referring to the Blues’ noisy hometown fans and their spirited cheers. “I loved our new hooligans. They are the best I have seen in our league.” The Blues host the Colorado Force this Friday at 7 p.m. at Stadium by the Sea. For more information or to order tickets, call 310-264-4649.
Lippman’s Legacy Runs On
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
All it takes to start a tradition are a touch of ingenuity, a degree of organization and, most importantly, a willingness to stay the course. Those qualities can all be attributed to Jim Lippman, who loved the Palisades-Will Rogers Race so much that he wanted to get his whole company involved. Suffice it to say the former Palisadian has succeeded’and then some. It started back in 1989 when he and his family ran in the race for the first time. Each year he invited more of his friends and extended family to run. In 1991, his third year living in Pacific Palisades, Lippman started his company JRK Property Holdings. He began encouraging his employees to participate in the race. The idea gained momentum from there until for the first time in 1995 company employees all wore Hotel Oceana t-shirts for the first time in recognition of the charity associated with the race. “I think we had around 20 or so the first time and today we have 102 people registered to run, which is the most we’ve ever had,” Lippman said proudly from underneath the gigantic tree at the entrance to the Palisades Recreation Center–the place his group always gathers on the morning of the race. “It’s hard to believe we’ve been doing this for 18 years already.” The mix of red, white and blue t-shirts they wore on Saturday were a tribute to the group’s dedication to fitness and honoring America’s birthday. The commitment, however, starts long before July 4. “We train as an office from May until race day every Tuesday and Thursday,” Amy Ruka said. “So this is a big deal for all of us.” Lippman and his wife Linda lived in the Palisades until 1994. Their children, Alex (21), Matthew (18) and Danny (15) all went to Village School. Since the company is located in nearby Brentwood, employees can run local streets leading up to the race. “I always do the 10K but we have some people who do the 5K,” said Lippman, 51, who completed this year’s race in 58:33. “Some of us have run it many times, others might be trying it for the first time. What’s important is that we’re all doing something fun and healthy and for a good cause.”
Locals Win PTC Open
The Palisades Tennis Center held its third annual Junior Open last week and, not surprisingly, several of its best players took home trophies in their respective age divisions. Julia Goldberg and Sophie Bendetti won the Girls’ 12s doubles title while Lucas and Robbie Bellamy won the Boys’ 10s and 16s singles titles. Last weekend was also the start of the Boys 14s National Championships and PTC players are still alive in several divisions. Deiton Baughman advanced to the semifinals after winning four matches. First, he outlasted Yannik Mahlangu of Las Vegas, 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, then he beat Carson Williams of Chico, 6-3, 6-1, Max Hawkins of Rancho Palos Verdes, 6-4, 6-2, and Brandon Sutter of San Jose, 6-2, 6-1. Baughman, who just turned 13 and was the top 12-year-old in America, was recently the subject of a feature on Fox Sports Television. Robbie Bellamy won three rounds, beating Ryan Rosen of La Jolla, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, Adam Bagdy of Aliso Viejo, 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 and Andrew Dykeman of Leawood, Kansas, 7-5, 6-3, before losing to Robert Seby of Oro Valley, Arizona, 5-7, 6-1 6-2. Blake Anthony beat Ciro Riccardi of Los Angeles, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, in the first round, then lost to Ben Vierra, 6-2, 6-2. Bellamy and Baughman made the quarterfinals in doubles where they fell to Brandon Sutter and Tim Tan of San Jose, 8-4. Meanwhile, Anthony and Mahlangu advanced to the semifinals with 9-8, 9-8 and 8-4 pro set victories.
Races, Parade, Fireworks Set to Go ‘Fourth’
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
Miss America Katie Stam and L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will ride in Saturday’s Fourth of July Parade as Pacific Palisades once again celebrates the nation’s birthday with morning-to-night festivities. ‘We came up with the idea to invite Miss America as a way to add a new, exciting element to the parade, and it worked,’ said Rob Weber, president of the Palisades Americanism Parade Association (PAPA). ‘Mayor Villaraigosa joined us three years ago and we look forward to his return.’ The day begins with the 32nd Annual Will Rogers 5K/10K Run, starting at 8:15 a.m. at the entrance to the Palisades Recreation Center and involving about 2,500 runners. The 1K Kids Fun Run for children 12-and-under will follow at 9:15 a.m., same location. Prior to the parade, a VIP luncheon is held in the Methodist Church courtyard, where those who have donated more than $150 to PAPA can enjoy a buffet meal donated by several dozen Palisades businesses, while also mingling with parade dignitaries, including Honorary Mayor Gavin MacLeod, Reviewing Officer Major General Richard Mills of Camp Pendelton and Parade Marshal Bud Petrick, a longtime realtor and community leader. Once the Carey Peck Skydiving team lands at Sunset and Swarthmore at 2 p.m. and the parade gets underway along Via de la Paz, watch for politicians (County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, State Senator Fran Pavley and Assemblywoman Julia Brownley), various community activists and honorees, and notables such as Notre Dame’s Daniel ‘Rudy’ Ruettiger, 1964 Heisman winner John Huarte (also of Notre Dame) and Palisadian Matty Whitmore, who survived to the final four in last year’s ‘Survivor Gabon.’ Spectators will enjoy a crowd-pleasing array of marching bands, from the town’s OomPaPa Band and the lively New Orleans Traditional Dixieland Band to a pair of world-class drum and bugle corps: the Bluecoats and Pacific Crest. ‘This is one of our best years ever for parade music,’ Weber said. Early in the evening, the stadium at Palisades High School will come alive with two main events. ‘I’m really looking forward to the concert that we’re holding at 6:30 before the fireworks show,’ Weber said. ‘In past years, the pre-fireworks entertainment was mostly an after-thought, not very well organized, and typically featuring just one performer. This year we will have three rock-and-roll bands plus other musical entertainment, thanks to the inspiration and hard work of several new PAPA committee members, most notably Keith Turner.’ The $20,000 fireworks show, sponsored by the Occidental Petroleum Corporation, will begin about 9 p.m.
Parade Chairs, Street Closures on July Fourth
The Bureau of Street Services reminds the community that no spectator chairs should be placed along the parade route prior to 6 p.m. on Friday, July 3. Starting at 7 a.m. on July 4, all access to the Huntington Palisades neighborhood from Sunset and Chautauqua will be closed for the Will Rogers 5K/10K Run. In addition, Sunset Boulevard from Amalfi Drive to Monument Street will be closed in both directions. The roads will reopen after the race course is closed at about 11 a.m. The parade route and staging areas, which include Via de la Paz, Sunset, Drummond, Toyopa, Alma Real and La Cruz, will have road closures starting at 1 p.m., and will not be reopened until about 4 p.m., when the parade route begins clearing. Bowdoin Street in front of Palisades High School will be closed at 5 p.m. for a music concert and the traditional fireworks show on campus, and may remain closed until 10 p.m. or longer. People are reminded to observe the barricades and not try to remove them. They are placed to ensure the safety of pedestrians and drivers alike.
Beglaris Appeal Yet Another Legal Decision
L.A. City Associate Zoning Administrator Patricia Brown has denied Rustic Canyon residents Mehr and Vickey Beglari’s request for a variance to avoid lopping off 14 feet of their two-story home at 909 Greentree Rd. The Beglaris pleaded before Brown at a hearing on March 5 to permit the height of their home at 39 feet 7 inches in lieu of the maximum permitted of 36 feet, and for a reduced front-yard setback of 14 feet in lieu of the prevailing setback of 27 feet 6 inches. In her June 5 letter, Brown wrote, ‘There is nothing unique about the property that prohibits the strict adherence to the zoning regulations. The structure was built subsequent to the regulations addressing height and setbacks.’ The Beglaris sought the variance from the city after nearly eight years of unsuccessfully battling in court to save their home. The courts have repeatedly found that the home is out of compliance. In Brown’s letter, she noted that the homes along Greentree have open lawns, so the setbacks are obvious. The Beglaris argued that their measurements were skewed because they and their architect had thought the garage of a neighboring property was attached, so that was calculated into the prevailing setback. ‘Although the adjacent garage was incorrectly utilized in the setback calculation, the detached garage roof line can be seen from the street and therefore should not have been used for the setback calculation,’ Brown wrote. In addition, the height established by the Hillside Ordinance was in effect prior to the start of construction. ‘Hence, the regulations governing the site are not new and should have been apparent. Hence, it appears that any hardship is self-imposed,’ Brown wrote. Attorney Robert Glushon said the Beglaris have decided to appeal Brown’s decision, and an appeal hearing before the West L.A. Area Planning Commission will likely be set in the next 60 days. The dispute over the property began in 2001 when the Beglaris began constructing their home and neighbors thought the structure was too close to the curb. Five current and former neighbors (attorney Ronald Oster and his wife, Superior Court Judge Diana Wheatley; attorney John Rosenfeld; and Superior Court Judge David Horwitz and his wife, Jacki) took the Beglaris and the city to court. Orange County Superior Court Judge David Velasquez ruled in 2003 that the house did not comply with the zoning ordinance and ordered the city to revoke the Beglaris’ permits, including their certificate of occupancy. To bring their house into compliance, the Beglaris attempted to alter the prevailing setback (front-yard regulations based on an average for the street) by building a canopy on another house they owned at 921 Greentree. The city accepted the alteration and reissued the permits and certificate of occupancy. In response, Velasquez ruled in September 2007 that the Beglaris and city improperly applied ‘the provisions of the projecting building exception in determining the prevailing setback requirement,’ and the permits and certificate of occupancy were again revoked. The Beglaris appealed to the California Court of Appeals, which upheld Velasquez’s decision on April 2 of this year. The Beglaris recently asked the Supreme Court of California to take the case and were denied. If the latest appeal with the city fails, Rosenfeld (a plaintiff) said, ‘It is difficult to see what additional avenues they can pursue short of modifying the building.’
