The term ‘geek’ brings to mind the nerds, the kids shunned by the popular kids in class, but Marybeth Hicks, author of ‘Bringing Up Geeks,’ argues that GEEK is an acronym for ‘Genuine, Enthusiastic Empowered Kids,’ and something for parents to encourage. Hicks will discuss her parenting style and her book on Wednesday, February 11, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Calvary Church Sanctuary, 701 Palisades Dr. The lecture will be hosted by Calvary Christian, Carlthorp, St. Matthew’s and Village Schools, and is open to the public. Hicks, a columnist for the Washington Post and the mother of four children, argues that geeks are what parents should be raising, instead of deferring to a media-saturated environment that encourages children to reach pseudo adulthood, depriving them of childhood innocence. She will share her ’10 Rules,’ each coinciding with a chapter. They include: ‘Raise a Brainiac,’ ‘Raise a Sheltered Kid,’ ‘Raise a Late Bloomer,’ ‘Raise a Homebody,’ and ‘Raise a Principled Kid.’ At the end of each chapter, Hicks includes parenting tips for all ages, with more specific tips for elementary, middle and high school children. For example, in the chapter about raising a principled child, she suggests that parents talk about ethical choices, and to use that phrase so that kids understand it is a question of right or wrong. For elementary kids, she suggests watching or reading ‘Pinocchio’ and talking about the importance of Jiminy Cricket’s role, as well as discussing the moral of the story when reading books. For middle school kids, parents should make it tough to cheat by staying on top of schoolwork, making sure that homework is done at home, and setting Internet use rules. With high school students, she recommends discussing the importance of hanging out with ethical friends and establishing a ‘truth bonus,’ which rewards teens for telling the truth. In her book, Hicks points out that being popular today is different from when she was a child. ‘If the ‘cool crowd’ once was good-looking, athletic and socially successful, today’s adolescent ‘A-list’ is bold and cynical, and even jaded.’ She argues that popularity among teens today is dictated by materialism, competition and exposure to the adult world. And research confirms that popular kids are more likely to engage in experimental or deviant behaviors in order to keep their elevated status. ‘What struck me as common sense”that as they get older, cool kids are more likely to drink, do drugs, have sex, and seek out danger . . .What’s the alternative to pursuing popularity and social prominence? In my home, the answer is: bringing up geeks.’ Contact: Jasmine Patterson at (310) 563-0082, ext. 123.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6 Theatre Palisades presents Neil Simon’s “Lost in Yonkers,” through February 15 at Pierson Playhouse, 941 Temescal Canyon Rd. Directed by Sherman Wayne and produced by Martha Hunter and Pat Perkins, the play runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets: call (310) 454-1970 or visit www.theatrepalisades.org.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8 The Palisades Symphony, conducted by Joel B. Lish and Peter Senchuk, will perform a concert of strings and winds, 7:30 p.m. at Mercer Hall on the Palisades High School campus. The concert is free. Contact: (310) 454-8040.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9 Moonday: A monthly westside poetry reading, featuring Steve Williams and M, 7:30 p.m. at Village Books on Swarthmore. Come early to sign up for the open mic.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10 The Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club presents the Santa Monica Oceanaires at their monthly meeting, 11:45 a.m. at the Clubhouse, 901 Haverford Ave. The popular a cappella singing group will perform Valentine’s Day favorites. The public is invited. Those wishing to reserve a place for lunch must RSVP to (310) 454-7144 or (310) 230-2792. Family storytime, “suggested” for ages 3 and up, 4 p.m. in the Palisades Branch Library community room, 861 Alma Real. Stories, fingerplays, rhymes: building reading skills while having fun!
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11 The monthly Pacific Palisades AARP meeting takes place at 2 p.m. at the Woman’s Club, 901 Haverford. The public is invited. Washington Post columnist Marybeth Hicks, author of “Bringing Up Geeks,” will discuss her book and answer questions from the audience, 7 to 9 p.m. in the Calvary Church sanctuary, 701 Palisades Dr. The public lecture is hosted by Calvary Christian, Carlthorp, St. Matthew’s and Village schools.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12 Katie O’Laughlin, owner of Village Books on Swarthmore, will be guest speaker at the Palisades Rotary Club meeting, 7:15 a.m. at Gladstone’s Restaurant on PCH at Sunset. Contact: (310) 442-1607. American Legion Post 283 hosts the monthly Chamber of Commerce mixer, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at 15247 La Cruz. Public invited. The Pacific Palisades Community Council meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Palisades Branch Library community room, 861 Alma Real. Public invited. Ted Ashby discusses “The Resurrection of the Lone Ranger and Tonto,” hosted by the Pacific Palisades Historical Society, 7 p.m. at the Pierson Playhouse, corner of Temescal Canyon Road and Haverford. Public invited. Hollywood producer, director, writer and actor Tony Bill discusses and signs “Movie Speak: How to Talk Like You Belong on a Film Set,” 7:30 p.m. at Village Books on Swarthmore.
Friends of Nicholas Rosser gather at a roadside memorial along Palisades Drive on Monday morning. Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
Nicholas Rosser, a senior at Palisades High School, was killed instantly last Saturday on Palisades Drive when his car spun out and struck an oncoming vehicle about 6 p.m. Los Angeles West Traffic Division Detective Hutchings said that based on witness reports, speed was the most likely cause of the accident. Rosser, 18, who lived with his family in the Highlands, had worked at the Santa Ynez Recreation Center in the Highlands Saturday afternoon before driving down Palisades Drive, a notorious speedway. According to Fire Station 23 Captain James Varney, as Rosser drove back uphill from Sunset, he lost control of his 2005 Acura SRX and spun out. The right rear of his car struck a 2001 Dodge Dakota that was heading downhill, and then went into the brush in a ditch. Rosser was wearing his seat belt and the airbag deployed, but to no avail. ‘Both cars were upright,’ Varney said, but both cars were totaled. He confirmed that Rosser was the sole occupant in the Acura. The accident occurred about three-quarters of a mile north of Sunset at the start of the S-curves. Mario Cadenas, the 41-year-old Dodge driver, was transported to Santa Monica Hospital with minor injuries. According to Varney, the road was closed in both directions during the investigation, angering many people who were prevented from attending a large party in the Highlands. Varney, who retires in six months, is usually one of the first people on the scene at accidents on Palisades Drive. ‘Another one,’ he said Monday morning, his voice weary. ‘I’ve seen too much of this: we’re losing too many people.’ He pondered how a program could be put together to try and save young lives. Varney said that when Rosser’s father came to the accident scene, his sobs were heart-wrenching. ‘If people could see the face of the father when he saw his son, it said it all,’ Varney said. Cadenas, the truck driver, wrote in an L.A.Times blog: ‘Although my injuries were minor, my wounds of my heart will never heal.’ Amy Held, Palisades Charter High School executive director, said that Rosser was a member of the varsity lacrosse team and a surfer. Friends and family held a memorial paddle at Zuma Beach Sunday. ‘There are tributes to him all over Facebook,’ Held said. ‘We have our crisis team activated today [Monday] visiting his classes and providing support and counseling in the library and study center.’
Police Sergeant Curtis Massey, a Pacific Palisades resident with a wife and three children, was killed in a head-on collision on the Santa Monica Freeway just west of National Boulevard at about 5 a.m. on Wednesday, January 28. The driver of a silver Toyota Camry, who was driving the wrong way on the eastbound freeway, was also killed in the collision. Massey, a 17-year veteran with the Culver City Police Department, was driving to work in an unmarked police car when his Dodge Charger was struck by Camry driver Luis Palma, 21, of Van Nuys. Massey’s car was instantly engulfed in flames and both cars were totaled, closing eastbound traffic. Wreckage spilled across the highway divider into the westbound lanes, closing several lanes of that side of the freeway. According to California Highway Patrol Officer Travis Ruiz, an eyewitness placed Palma entering the freeway at Fairfax Avenue. He drove nearly four miles before hitting Massey’s car. Ruiz told the Palisadian-Post on Monday that Palma’s final 24 hours are being scrutinized to discover why he made the fatal mistake of entering and driving on the wrong side of the freeway. According to Ruiz, Palma was at his home until about midnight, when he left accompanied by a woman. Investigators are trying to track down the woman. As of Monday, the CHP was still awaiting a toxicology report. According to Corpus Christi Church spokesperson Carol Sanborn, a vigil service will be held tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Corpus Christi Church on Sunset Boulevard, with a reception to follow immediately in the parish hall at 890 Toyopa Dr. A funeral mass will be held tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles. Parking fees will be waived for the funeral and burial will follow at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City. Those wishing to contribute to the Sergeant Curtis Massey Memorial Fund can go to www.culvercitypolice.com.
Palisadian Paulo Emanuele, flying his plane above the Los Angeles coastline.
Paulo Emanuele, general manager of Airliners.net, died in a plane crash on Wednesday, January 28 at 5 p.m. as he attempted a takeoff from the Santa Monica Airport. The Pacific Palisades resident and father of a teenage daughter was piloting a red, two-seat Marchetti F260 when he lost power and then attempted to return to the airport. According to media reports, the plane went down at the west end of the runway and burst into flames, killing Emanuele, 46, and his passenger Martin Schaedel, 23, a Swedish business development consultant for the Web company www.farecompare.com. No one on the ground was hurt. Eyewitness reports say that the plane may have encountered engine failure before crashing nose first into the runway. Following the crash, the airport was closed for takeoffs and landings. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident. A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration said the plane was registered to Malibu-based Wingspan. The Web site that Emanuele managed, www.Airliners.net, has more than a million photographs of every type of airplane, including pictures of airplanes used by airlines that are no longer in business. There’s a dedication page on that site, with the following tribute to Emanuele: ‘He will be remembered for his passion, his kindness, and his love for life. Paulo was an amazing pilot, an amazing photographer, an amazing friend, and an amazing father.’ A memorial for Emanuele was held at Corpus Christi Church on Tuesday this week.
Highlands resident Nicholas Rosser, who was killed last Saturday evening on Palisades Drive, is the third teenager killed in an automobile accident on local roads in the past two years. The others were 17-year-old Dillon Henry in July 2007 on Sunset, and 18-year-old Travis DeZarn in November 2007 on Palisades Drive. Community outrage over the senseless deaths was channeled into a public meeting on Monday night at Rustic Canyon Park. Although the meeting could only be publicized through e-mail and word of mouth, more than 100 people attended. Steve Henry, Dillon’s father, led the meeting, which included parents, youth, members of the Pacific Palisades Community Council and representatives from Councilman Bill Rosendahl’s office, the L.A. Department of Transportation and LAPD. On behalf of Rosendahl, field deputy Jessyca Avalos offered condolences to the Rosser family. ‘We’re here because it’s another tragedy,’ Henry said. ‘It’s time that we as a community say ‘No More!’ We want something to be done now.’ ‘My son died 15 months ago tomorrow on Palisades Drive,’ Tim DeZarn said. ‘The answer from the city was to put up reflectors [on the roadway].’ Henry urged those in attendance to sign a letter to Councilman Rosendahl and Mayor Villaraigosa requesting immediate action implementing traffic safety measures on Palisades Drive and Sunset Boulevard (near Evans Road). He then opened up the meeting to possible suggestions. ‘Have a neighborhood watch,’ one mother suggested. ‘I would be willing to write down [a speeder’s] license plate and send out a letter.’ Someone suggested that additional signage be placed on Palisades Drive, especially a warning of the S-curves, where many accidents have occurred. Many wondered why photo-enforced speeding tickets couldn’t be issued, and were told that they were legal in some states, but not in California. Others wanted to know why a photo-enforced traffic light couldn’t be put in the middle of the canyon. Other suggestions included putting up streetlights in the canyon and a concrete barrier that would divide the two lanes. ‘My brother lives on Palisades Drive, so I know how easy it is to pick up speed,’ said DOT engineering associate Hamed Sandoghdar. ‘The road could be redone so that there are two lanes going north [uphill] and one lane going south.’ Teens in the audience were clear about the one single change with the most impact: enforcement. ‘I’ve raced in that canyon for four years,’ one youth said, referring to Palisades Drive. ‘But I stopped on January 31.’ He then suggested that police enforce the road’s speed limit (45 mph) at different times and in different locations in the canyon. He recounted that after Rosser’s death, ‘many kids talked about how lucky they were because they had done the same thing.’ Adults in the room made it clear that speeding isn’t limited to adolescents, recounting the accident last February when a BMW driven by an adult went off the side of the road. ‘It’s not the street, it’s the drivers going 80 miles per hour,’ one man said. ‘I’m disturbed by people not taking responsibility for breaking the law,’ West L.A. LAPD Captain James West said. He explained that he had limited resources to police streets and expressed frustration that when police officers are targeting the road, oncoming drivers often warn other motorists by blinking their lights. During the meeting he e-mailed Captain Nancy Lauer, who is in charge of enforcement, and asked for increased enforcement, as well as a speed trailer for Palisades Drive. ‘Be aware that enforcement includes everything,’ West said. ‘We’re not only going to look at speeding, but if you don’t have a front license plate, we’ll pull you over for that as well.’ Former Palisades Senior Lead Officer Chris Ragsdale summarized the three options: engineering, education and enforcement. ‘Every six months there’s a fatality on either Palisades Drive, Sunset Boulevard or PCH,’ Ragsdale noted. YMCA Executive Director Carol Pfannkuche offered to facilitate education efforts for traffic safety. She can be reached at CarolPfannkuche@ymcala.org. A second meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, at 8 p.m. in Rustic Canyon Park, 601 Latimer Road. The agenda will include immediate safety measures and long-term plans for Palisades Drive and Sunset. Rosendahl and members of DOT will be present. Rosendahl has asked residents who have new safety or traffic ideas to call his office (310) 575-8461.
Our community has lost a true hero. Early last Wednesday, January 28, Curtis Massey, a lifelong resident of Pacific Palisades, was killed on the 10 Freeway. Curt was traveling eastbound, in his unmarked police car, when he was struck, at high speed, by a wrong-way driver. Curt was born on June 1, 1967, the son of Steven Massey and Padric Davis, who lived in Pacific Palisades. Curt was born at Santa Monica Hospital, where his grandmother, mother and brother were also born. Curt attended St. Matthew’s School and Palisades High School, graduating in 1985. He furthered his education at Northern Arizona University, where he received his bachelor’s degree. His devotion to helping others led him to his career in law enforcement. He graduated from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy in 1992 and worked for the Culver City Police Department his entire career. Curt met his wife Melody Marschall, also a lifelong resident of the Palisades, through Curt’s sister, Jill. They married in 1994 and soon after started their family. Curt and Melody found their faith at Corpus Christi Parish, where two of their three children are currently attending school. Curt became extremely involved with the church and the church community. He volunteered much of his time to the safety of the church and emergency preparation, among many other things. Thanks to his dedication to duty, as well as an admirable drive to protect and serve the public, Curt was chosen Officer of the Year three times within the Culver City Police Department. He also received the Medal of Valor, the department’s highest honor. Curt was most recently assigned as the supervisor of the juvenile detective section, and would spend a lot of his own time working with at-risk children. Curt’s primary focus was his family. You could count on finding Curt with his family during his time off. He would frequent the local Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and ice cream store with his kids, and he volunteered to carpool children to and from school when his shift would allow. He also enjoyed coaching for his son’s sports. Curt was a devoted husband, father and a committed public servant who touched the lives of many people. He leaves behind his wife, Melody, children, Emily (10), Nicholas (8) and Christian (3); mother Padric Davis (stepfather John); father Stephen Massey (Jan); brother Brett Massey; stepbrother Eric Davis, and stepsisters Jill McArthur, Holly Parker and Christie Mazuera. He will be greatly missed and always remembered. Memorial services will be held on Friday, February 6, at 9:30 a.m. in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 W. Temple St., downtown Los Angeles. Donations may be made to the Culver City Employees Federal Credit Union, Attn: The Sgt. Curt Massey Memorial Fund, 9770 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232. Telephone: (310) 253-6060.
Paulo Emanuele, 46, of Pacific Palisades died on a flight from Santa Monica Airport at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28. Paulo, along with another passenger, were heading out on one of his many flights along the beautiful coast that he called home. Immediate family survivors include Paulo’s beautiful daughter, Eden, of Pacific Palisades; his parents, Anna Louise Fournet and Peter Vincent Emanuel of Lafayette, Louisiana; and his brothers Christopher John (wife Anne Bellipanni Emanuele) of Rayne, Louisiana and Philip Vincent Emanuele of Atlanta, Georgia. Paulo is also survived by his girlfriend, Stephanie Quayle, and an extensive and loving family of 32 first cousins as well as aunts and uncles in Lafayette, Louisiana; Westerly, Rhode Island; and Northern California. Paulo was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on August 9, 1962. He attended high school at Jesuit-now Loyola College Prep in Shreveport and continued his education at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. While at LSU, Paulo was an active and contributing member of the local chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, as well as many other educational and social organizations. After college, Paulo joined Motorola, Inc., in the Annapolis/Washington, D.C. region. He moved with the company to the San Diego area and stayed there until the calling for more entrepreneurial ventures took control. While in San Diego, Paulo opened the popular Green Circle Bar. However, his true love came with his direct relationship with Demand Media and his position of general manager of Airliners.net as well as other aviation-based Web sites. Along with his love of flying, Paulo also established and was active up to his death with the Air Conditioned Bar in Santa Monica and San Diego and the Air Conditioned Supper Club in Venice Beach. Paulo was a profound lover of animals and always had one near his side. This included many dogs that he rescued from his trips to the beautiful beaches of Punta Chivato in Baja, Mexico. While Paulo will be missed, his spirit will be found on any given day along the coast of this beautiful area of Southern California. The family of Paulo wishes to express their profound gratitude to all those who called and wrote to them during this time, and especially to the love and hope given to them by the Corpus Christi Church in Pacific Palisades, the friends and patrons of Santa Monica Airport, and the community of Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades and San Diego. Contributions to Paulo’s daughter’s college education can be made by calling Nathan at (310) 443-0510 for details.
Palisadian Nicholas ‘Nick’ Rex Rosser, 18, died on Saturday, January 31, in an automobile accident on Palisades Drive. Nick was a senior at Palisades Charter High School. He played midi on the varsity lacrosse team and forward on the Venice High club ice hockey team. He was a longtime lifeguard and employee at the Santa Ynez Recreation Center and a camper and counselor at St. Matthew’s Day Camp. He was also an avid surfer, skateboarder and budding photographer. Nick is survived by his 14-year-old sister, Alessandra ‘Ali’ Ponticello Rosser, an eighth grader at Paul Revere; his parents, Stacey and Richard Rosser; and grandmothers May Ponticello and Linda Rosser. He leaves four aunts and uncles and three cousins. Born on December 21, 1990 in New York City, Nick spent his earliest years in Brooklyn Heights, just outside Manhattan, before the family moved to Short Hills, New Jersey. In June 1999, the Rossers moved to Pacific Palisades, living first on Las Lomas and quickly becoming deeply involved in community life. Three years later, the family moved to the Highlands, where Nick was immersed in what his parents fondly refer to as the ‘Highlands Crew,’ a group of adventurous playmates including Gray and Conor Ishimatsu, Max and Chris Groel, Timmy Galier, Evan Biscow, Zach Sherman, Nicky Giggins, and Matt Girard, all of whom roamed between houses and the Santa Ynez Rec Center to skateboard, swim or play airsoft and videogames. Nick graduated from Marquez Elementary and St. Matthew’s Parish Middle School. A regular St. Matthew’s Sunday school and youth group attendee, he became a confirmant of the Episcopal Church while in the eighth grade. The highlight of Nick’s summers was as a camper at St. Matthew’s Day Camp, where he had so much fun he could hardly wait to become a counselor himself. After sixth grade, his father asked Nick how he would spend the summer. Nick came up with the idea of a Videogame Camp and presented his concept to the board of the Santa Ynez Rec Center. After hearing the 14-year-old’s proposal, the board unanimously approved. With Timmy Galier, his business partner and fellow gamer, Nick’s camp hosted four to eight kids two times a week all summer. The next summer, Nick participated in the Los Angeles Junior Lifeguard program and ultimately became an American Red Cross certified lifeguard. The summer following ninth grade, Nick’s greatest childhood dream came true. His winning smile, solid work ethic and desire to work with children got him hired for a coveted spot on the St. Matthew’s Day Camp staff. For the next three years Nick served as a co-counselor, but this job was not enough to satisfy his love of working with kids. Each of the following two summers he worked a second job, first as a lifeguard at the Santa Monica Beach Club, then at the Santa Ynez Rec Center, where he continued working until the afternoon of his death. Nick loved to read and was rarely without a book in progress. It started with Harry Potter in the second grade and continued as he read Philip Pullman, and later Michael Crichton, Robert Ludlum and Orson Scott Card. Nick had eclectic musical tastes, ranging from rap and hip-hop to techno and classic rock. He loved watching ‘Scrubs,’ ‘Lost’ and ‘The Office,’ especially when relaxing with family. He was fond of hanging with an extended group of friends, often talking late into the night. Inspired by his graphic arts class at PaliHi (taught by John Buse), Nick bought a camera with his own money and was becoming quite a photographer. As an East Coast kid by birth, Nick appropriately became a hockey enthusiast and player in elementary school. In the days when a blacktop area at the Palisades Recreation Center was surrounded each Friday night by curb bumpers, he played rollerhockey for three years. During his middle school years he transitioned to the rollerhockey program at the Mar Vista Recreation Center. Rollerhockey led to ice hockey. Nick started playing at Culver City for the in-house league and subsequently embarked on a three-year stint at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, where he spent his freshman, sophomore and junior years playing for the Venice High club team. These hockey years paid off as Nick discovered his true sports passion. His junior year, a friend suggested he try out for lacrosse at PaliHi. Having never played the sport, Nick was hesitant but tried out for fun. He made the junior varsity team. Coach Scott Hylen claims Nick was a natural and bumped him up to the varsity team after less than a month. Fast on his feet and adept with a stick, Nick played varsity midi his junior year and had begun practice for his senior season two weeks before his death. Nick approached his college applications with the same focus, ethics and solidly developing manhood that he brought to his various jobs and sports. His essay recounted the challenges and satisfaction experienced as a co-counselor for a special needs camper. Nick knew he wanted to play lacrosse in college and this became his priority selection criteria. He received invitations from coaches at UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz and Chapman University and San Diego State, and visited a number of teams. Within hours of Nick’s death, a stunned community reverberated with memories of his constantly flashing smile and reached out to the family with meals, prayers and shared loss and grief. There will be a visitation on Saturday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. at Gates Kingsley & Gates, 1925 Arizona Ave., in Santa Monica. The memorial service will be held at St. Matthew’s this Sunday February 8, at 2:30 p.m., with a reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: The Nick Rosser Memorial Fund, 15332 Antioch St., #419, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272. ‘BETTY-JO TILLEY
Jimmy Alexander marched in last year’s Fourth of July parade.
Jimmy Alexander, an employee of Ralphs Market in Pacific Palisades, died unexpectedly in November after collapsing at his home in Santa Monica. He was 47. Alexander, who was also known around town as ‘Jimmy the Weatherman,’ attended Paul Revere Junior High School and Palisades High School. ‘I first met Jim when I was 13 and had just started surfing,’ Palisadian Richard Evans wrote in an e-mail to the Palisadian-Post. ‘Back then, there was no good forecast for waves. Jim would always assure me of the systems brewing off the coast that would bring us either wind or ground swell and on what days the waves would peak. I always admired the dedication he had for his passion.’ ‘The surfers loved him because every day he brought a surf report to school,’ Post graphic designer Tom Hofer said of his high school classmate. Chris Demos, the service manager at Ralphs, said that he had known Alexander for more than 25 years. Alexander had started working in the store in the 1980s, stopped for a while, but returned several years ago. ‘He loved the Palisades and especially liked participating in the Fourth of July parade,’ Demos said. ‘We all know how much he loved the weather and really connected with everyone through it. He not only knew the local weather, but he’d see someone who had a relative in another part of the country and he’d know the forecast for that area as well. ‘He was a great guy and I loved seeing him at Ralphs,’ said Pepperdine’s Vice-Chancellor of Athletics Sam Lagana, who graduated with Alexander from PaliHi in 1980. ‘If I told him that I was going to New York, he’d send me e-mails about the weather in New York.’ ‘I’ve worked at the store for over 30 years and I can’t recall anyone who brought a smile to as many faces as Jimmy did,’ Demos said. Alexander is mourned by his wife Margie and his teenage daughter Jasmine. He was proceeded in death by a sister, Julie. There was a small gathering for Alexander and his father (who passed away on December 29) on January 25 at a private home in Mar Vista.
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