Home Blog Page 2123

Studio Makes Local Impact

By
dev
-

Instructor James Gavsie teaches proper technique to students Alex Ercoli (left) and Kevin Stolper during a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class at MAX Impact.
Instructor James Gavsie teaches proper technique to students Alex Ercoli (left) and Kevin Stolper during a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class at MAX Impact.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

His name is James Gavsie but he is known at his studio simply as “Mr. G.” As owner and chief instructor of MAX Impact Martial Arts, Gavsie understands how important it is for people of all ages to be able to protect themselves and that’s why he has made self-defense the focus of his teaching since he opened his business in Pacific Palisades in March 1995. “Simply put, if it’s not effective, we don’t teach it,” says Gavsie, a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. “The best way to stay safe is to avoid a bad situation altogether and I teach seminars on things like ‘How to Deal with Bullies’ and ‘How to Avoid Drugs’ because those are issues kids are faced with every day at school.” MAX Impact offers much more than the typical karate dojo, which focuses on one specific discipline. In addition to traditional martial arts like Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, kickboxing and Kali (stickfighting), Gavsie and his staff, which includes seven other instructors, offer self-defense classes for adults as well as for kids as young as 3 to 5 years old. “We’re like a dojo and a gym all rolled in to one,” Gavsie says. “We offer private lessons and group classes, we have weapons training and sparring. We also have a workout room in the back for people who are really into fitness.” Gavsie and his staff stay on the cutting edge of their industry. Fellow instructor and fitness coach Fred Cerrato has started a revolutionary ‘brain training’ company called Elite Sports Performance. In addition to knife and gun disarming skills they now also offer pepper spray training. “I have a 3-year-old myself so I know the dangers lurking out there for our children,” says Gavsie, who started his martial arts training in Canada before moving to the United States in 1996. “Also, it’s very important for women to learn basic self-defense techniques.” Kevin Stolper grew up in the Palisades and has been training at MAX Impact for about a year. “I didn’t want to join a gym because lifting weights isn’t much fun,” says Stolper, who is already a white belt in Jiu-Jitsu and a yellow belt in total defense. “It’s been a lot of fun and it teaches you great discipline.” MAX Impact offers 25 classes a week and typical classes range from 10 to 20 students with a minimum of two instructors. “Many of our students are local business owners who do our training and are good at it,” Gavsie says. “But we also have students from the San Fernando Valley and even Pasadena. Once they give it a try people love coming back because what we’re teaching is so practical. A lot of our business has been generated through word of mouth.” Gavsie estimates about 35 percent of the 150-200 students at MAX Impact are women and he attributes the high ratio to the healthy environment at his studio, where safety is the utmost priority. In fact, he offers incentives for families to get involved. He has also developed a working relationship with personal trainers from the Spectrum Club. “Everyone here is very respectful of each other and our motto is ‘My safety is my partner’s responsibility,'” he says. “I’ll have men sparring with women and seniors sparring with beginners. That way, no one gets hurt.” Alex Ercoli, co-owner of Caf’ Delfini on West Channel Road, has trained at MAX Impact for three years and attained his purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in October: “All of the instructors are great and the atmosphere here is very friendly. You get to know everyone by name.” MAX Impact is located at 16632 ‘ Marquez Avenue near Ronny’s Market. For more information or to sign up for a class, call 310-454-7105.

Dolphins Close the Show

By
dev
-

Palisades receiver Joe Hyman (left) makes a one-handed catch but was ruled out of bounds in Friday night's homecoming victory.
Palisades receiver Joe Hyman (left) makes a one-handed catch but was ruled out of bounds in Friday night’s homecoming victory.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

It took more than three and a half quarters for Palisades’ offense to awaken but it did so just in time to rally for two fourth-quarter touchdowns and a 19-13 homecoming victory over University last Friday night at Stadium by the Sea. “This was a much tougher game than we expected or wanted but I’m proud of the way we hung in there,” Palisades Head Coach Kelly Loftus said. “The game ball tonight goes to the entire defense. They sucked it up and got it done.” The Dolphins still trailed, 14-7, with less than six minutes remaining when quarterback Conner Preston rolled to his left and found Loren Artis in the corner of the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown pass. Alex Anastasi’s ensuing extra-point kick was blocked, leaving Palisades one point behind. Palisades forced University to punt on its next possession and took over at the Wildcats’ 41-yard line, setting the stage for Khalid Stevens’ game-winning touchdown run on first down. Stevens took a pitch from Preston, swept left, beat three defenders to the sideline and cut upfield to paydirt. “For me, being a senior, I’m moving on to bigger and better things, but this is right where I want to be,” said Stevens, who finished with 160 yards in 11 carries. “The pre-game ceremony was a beautiful thing but I think it made us a little lackadaisical. Luckily, our defense kept us in the game.” Preston completed 8 of 12 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns’the first a 42-yard strike to Joe Hyman that gave Palisades a short-lived 7-6 lead in the third quarter. It was Palisades’ defense, however, that carried the day. The Wildcats blitzed on practically every play throughout the first half, throwing the Dolphins’ offense out of whack. However, University was unable to move the ball, either, resulting in a 0-0 deadlock at halftime. “We really wanted to win this game for the seniors,” PaliHi sophomore linebacker Deandre Nelson said. “This is the last game they’re ever going to play here so we wanted to make it memorable. Uni came to play and I was impressed with their defense. But by the fourth quarter we had them figured out.” Senior linebacker Chris Hanuscin wreaked havoc in the Wildcats’ backfield all night, finishing with 15 tackles and one sack. Nelson added 11 tackles and Artis had six tackles and made one interception. The win ensured Palisades at least a .500 record and kept its postseason hopes alive. Perhaps Assistant Coach Al Heath summed up the game best: “The kids played with heart tonight.” Frosh/Soph John Lemoine and Willie Anderson each rushed for a touchdown but Palisades lost its third straight game, 22-15, at Stadium by the Sea. University led, 8-7, at halftime. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Playoff Spot on Line at Hamilton There will be a lot at stake when the Palisades High varsity football team travels to Hamilton for its regular season finale on Friday afternoon. Not only can the Dolphins clinch third place in the Western League, but a win could also secure them a spot in the City’s upper division playoffs. “If we win I think we’ve got a great shot of making the playoffs,” Head Coach Kelly Loftus said. “If we lose, we have a remote chance at best.” One factor helping Palisades is that Fairfax, which will finish second in league with a victory over last-place University, opted for the lower division playoffs, opening the door for the third-place finisher to sneak into the upper bracket. “Basically, we’re playing for a chance at that 11th game,” Loftus said. “That would be a huge step for our program.” Loftus said eight varsity players will be academically ineligible for Friday’s game, which kicks off at 3 p.m. The frosh/soph game is today at 3 p.m., also at Hamilton.

Spikers Sweep into Quarters

By
dev
-

Palisades High players (left to right) Sam Jaffe, Laura Goldsmith, Meghan Middleton and Lauren Gustafson celebrate a winning point against West Adams Prep in last Thursday's playoff opener.
Palisades High players (left to right) Sam Jaffe, Laura Goldsmith, Meghan Middleton and Lauren Gustafson celebrate a winning point against West Adams Prep in last Thursday’s playoff opener.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

Prior to Monday night’s second round playoff match, Eagle Rock Coach Tim Bergeron wasn’t convinced that Palisades should’ve been awarded the top seed in the City Section playoffs. It took all of 75 minutes for the Dolphins to convince him otherwise. “I thought Granada Hills or Chatsworth should’ve gotten #1 but Palisades made a believer out of me,” Bergeron said after his team was eliminated, 25-20, 25-7, 25-16. “Those West Valley schools have good hitters but they don’t play defense or serve as well as Palisades.” The Dolphins (14-1) have won 21 games in a row in the playoffs dating back to last season when they swept all five postseason matches on their way to the title. Their latest triumph earned them a spot in the quarterfinals, where they will host a familiar foe–Western League rival Venice–tonight at 7. The ninth-seeded Gondoliers (12-3) ousted #8 Carson in four games, avenging a nonleague loss to the Colts. Palisades won both meetings over Venice this season. “That match will be much tougher than these first two,” Palisades Coach Chris Forrest told his players. “No matter who we play.” Though less experienced than last year’s squad, these Dolphins appear every bit as formidable. “To me, it’s such a memorable experience being part of this team again,” said senior Kelly Yazdi, who played at PaliHi as a freshman, moved away, but decided to come back to the place she started for her final year of high school. “I don’t have a set position, but I like that. Rotating in and out is never a negative. It’s like a battery charge.” Laura Goldsmith led the way with 16 kills and 23 digs, Tait Johnson had 15 digs and Hannah Faggerbakke added two solo blocks and five kills, ending the match with a crosscourt spike. “The first game I was concentrating more on blocking,” Yazdi said. “After that Coach Forrest told me ‘You’re six feet tall so slam the ball!'” Senior outside hitter Chelsea Scharf said 17th-seeded Eagle Rock (9-6) was a step up in competition from Palisades’ first round match, but it didn’t take long to adjust to what the Eagles were doing: “We had to get used to their style but once we corrected a few things in the second game it was a lot easier.” The Dolphins barely broke a sweat in last Thursday’s opening round, serving 28 aces in a 25-7, 25-9, 27-11 sweep of West Adams Prep. If Palisades wins tonight it will host either #4 Sylmar or #5 Van Nuys in a semifinal match at 7 p.m. next Tuesday. * * * * * * * * * Palisades’ junior varsity team lost in the semifinals of the City tournament last Saturday at Venice High. The #2-seeded Dolphins rallied from a 14-9 deficit to take the lead in the third game before falling to Taft, 25-21, 9-25, 17-15. The #3-seeded Toreadors went on to upset #1 Granada Hills in the championship match. Palisades swept #15 Manual Arts in the first round and #10 Van Nuys in the quarterfinals.

Runners Prep for City Finals

By
dev
-

Junior Carlos Bustamante will lead Palisades' cross country team at today's City preliminaries in Woodland Hills.
Junior Carlos Bustamante will lead Palisades’ cross country team at today’s City preliminaries in Woodland Hills.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

Palisades High’s Carlos Bustamante said his main goal at today’s City Section cross country preliminary meet is just to qualify for next Saturday’s finals. However, he won’t mind running a personal-best time in the process. The Dolphins’ junior took first place at last week’s Western League finals, running the three-mile course at Pierce College in 15:36’five seconds faster than his previous best effort. “Last year I made the finals but I finished 28th so I expect to do a lot better this time,” said Bustamante, who wants to break the school record for juniors’15:13’set by Peter Gilmore. “The San Pedro twins [Pablo and David Rosales] are going to be in my heat so they’ll be tough. The top time at Pierce so far this year is 15:31 so I’m pretty close.” Bustamante ran a 16:09 at City finals last year’the fastest time ever by a Palisades sophomore. Senior Michael Fujimoto ran a personal-best 16:34 at league finals, helping the Dolphins to second place behind University. Led by Grant Stromberg (17:22) and Danny Escalante (17:33), Palisades’ frosh/soph boys won league and will be strong contenders for the City title. Led by Michelle Collato (third overall), the Dolphins’ varsity girls finished second in league behind Venice.

Barzilli Signs with Fresno State

By
dev
-

Senior shortstop Julian Barzilli will head to Fresno State after patrolling the Dolphins' infield this spring.
Senior shortstop Julian Barzilli will head to Fresno State after patrolling the Dolphins’ infield this spring.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

Palisades High shortstop Julian Barzilli signed a national letter of intent with Fresno State on Wednesday after impressing Bulldogs scouts over the summer. “I’m very excited and I can’t wait to get up there,” Barzilli said. “I took my official visit over the weekend and I feel very confident in my decision.” Barzilli transferred to Palisades from Sherman Oaks Notre Dame prior to his junior year and became not only a stalwart on defense but a force at the plate for the Dolphins. He batted .325 and, despite sitting out half of the season with a dislocated shoulder, was named second team All-Western League. “Julian is an instinctive player and he’s so much better now than he was when he got here,” PaliHi Coach Mike Voelkel said. “He’s worked hard and he’ll fit in well up there.”

Palisadians Power Archer

By
dev
-

You might see them weekday afternoons in the large gym at the Palisades Recreation Center, hitting ball after ball over the net while their coaches barks out instructions. They are members of the Archer School for Girls’ JV and varsity volleyball teams, both of which have had stellar seasons under the guidance of Jonathan Lotz and Kristen Benjamin. The Panthers’ junior varsity, coached by Benjamin, finished undefeated in the Junior Delphic League, winning all nine of its matches. Leading the way was Palisadian Leslie Baker, co-team captain and outside hitter. Setter Caitlin Topkis, libero Shelby Gussman, hitters Giulia Nunnari and Megan Loughman and middle blockers Abby Kelso, Lauren Rubin and Nicky Marquez were key contributors all season along with Palisadian Jessica Pelikan, Natalie Berkowitz, Savvy Birnbaum, Josie Craven, Julia Gordan and Kendall York. “The girls had a lot of fun on the court but knew when they needed to buckle down and focus in order to win,” Benjamin said. “Overall, it was an amazing group of girls to coach and there was a lot of talent. Everyone worked hard in practices and gave their best effort during games.” In its first match against Montclair Prep, Archer rallied for a 16-14 win in the third and decisive game. In the second meeting, it took a 28-26 effort in the first game to pull out the victory. Archer School, located on Sunset just west of the 405 Freeway, has not been known for its volleyball program in recent years. That is, until now. The varsity team, coached by Lotz, finished the regular season with a 9-3 overall record (8-2 in league), runner-up in the Delphic League to Sierra Canyon. The Panthers earned a berth in the CIF Division V-AA playoffs on Tuesday. Led by captain Emily Ibarra, Merissa Acosta, Megan Andersen, Maddy Boudousque, Emily Dell, Kayla Foster, Jamee Hourani, Nrttany Howard, Chloe Makhani, Georgina Stage and Palisadians Lindsay Thomas and Elisa Glubok, the Panthers triumphed in three five-game matches over league rivals CAMS, Pacific Hills and Marshall.

CLASSIFIED ADS FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 6, 2008

By
dev
-

HOMES FOR SALE 1

MANUFACTURED/MOBILE HOMES. Local R.E. broker specializing in manuf./mobile hms, representing buyers & sellers. For information & free evaluation call Franklin, (310) 592-6696. Broker Lic. #01039561, Manuf. Home Lic. #SP1136798

RETIRE TO NATCHITOCHES, LOUISIANA. Chosen as top retirement destination by U.S. News and World Report & Where to Retire magazines. View properties at www.boltonrealty.com. Call BOLTON REALTY, (877) 354-0303

UNFURNISHED HOMES 2a

MARQUEZ: 3 BR+2 BA, great room w/ open beamed ceiling, country kitchen & designer baths, new AC, patios & zen garden for entertaining. $5,750/mo. (310) 502-3665

$4,500/MO. 3 BEDROOM, 2 bath+den house with white picket fence, just steps from the village, hardwood floors, newer appliances, lovely garden with paid gardener. (310) 266-9387

ALPHABETS: 6 BD, 5 BA. Quiet cul-de-sac, walk to village. Granite kitchen, new appliances, Rustic Canyon view. Available now. $6,000/mo. (310) 454-3710

EL MEDIO BLUFFS home built in 2006. 4 bdrms, 4 baths, large great room, quiet street. Avail. 1/1. $10,000/mo. (310) 595-0080

MARQUEZ: 2 bedroom, 1 bath, hardwood floors, great neighborhood, $3,000/mo. (310) 721-7403

STROLL TO THE VILLAGE from this cozy 2 bd, 2 ba home. Fireplace, detached garage, will consider small pet. Avail Nov. $4,100/mo. Jim, (310) 459-6545

UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS 2c

$1,500/mo. VERY CUTE BACHELOR, garden setting, full bath & kitchen, breakfast nook, plantation shutters, in triplex near bluffs. No pets. Non-smoking. 1 yr lease. (310) 804-3142

1 BDRM UPPER Hardwood floors. Laundry room. Covered parking. $1,490/mo. Walking distance to village and beach. (310) 589-9195 x203

ADORABLE GUEST HOUSE, UPPER ALPHABETS. STUDIO. Furnished/unfurnished. $1,500/mo. including utilities. W/D available. (310) 454-4318

PALISADES 1 BDRM apt, refrigerator, gas stove, upper, near village, one year lease, covered parking with storage, laundry. No pets. Non-smoker. $1,300/mo. (310) 477-6767

CONDOS, TOWNHOMES FOR RENT 2d

GEM IN THE PALISADES, 2 bdrm, 2½ ba, townhouse, hdwd, tile, carpet. Large roof deck, own laundry room, W/D, dishwasher. Additional storage. Parking. $3,500/mo. (310) 392-1757

FURNISHED OR UNFURNISHED immaculate, one bedroom. Minimum age 62 years. Close to everywhere. $1,300/mo. Broker, ofc, (310) 456-8770 or (310) 795-3795

LUXURY CONDO for rent in village. 2 bdrms, 2 baths, 2 balconies, 2 fireplaces, security parking. 9 month minimum lease. $3,950/mo. Full built-in kitchen. Stackable washer/dryer in unit. Call (310) 999-4425

1 BDRM, AMAZING OCEAN VIEW, resort condo in Pacific Palisades. Pool, tennis, 24 hour security. $2,850/mo. See details on website: www.oceanview750.com

ROOMS FOR RENT 3

LOVELY BRENTWOOD HOME (north of Sunset). Private garden level furnished rooms w/ bath. W/D, pool, some kitchen privileges, N/D, N/S, no pets. $850/mo. incl util. (310) 472-6466

WANTED TO RENT 3b

LOCAL EMPLOYED male seeks guesthouse. Quiet, local references. Non-smoker, no pets. Call Palisadian-Post, (310) 454-1321

OFFICE/STORE RENTALS 3c

BRIGHT, OPEN AND AIRY OFFICE SPACE available in the Pacific Palisades Village near shops and restaurants. Approx. 1,000 sf. Call (310) 459-5800

PALISADES OFFICE SUITES AVAILABLE in the heart of the Village including: 1) Last remaining single office suite at $1,500 per month and 2) Office suites ranging in size from 1,015 sf to 3,235 sf, all with large windows with great natural light. Amazing views of the Santa Monica mountains, private balconies and restrooms. Building amenities include high speed T1 internet access, elevator and secured, underground parking. Call Brett at (310) 591-8789 or email brett@hp-cap.com

STORE FOR RENT, 875 Via de la Paz. Formerly a dress boutique. In excellent condition. Call (310) 459-4441

LARGE 378 SQ. FT. WINDOW OFFICE on Sunset in Pacific Palisades Village. $1,800/mo. Call (310) 600-3603 or (310) 454-0840

RENTAL SPACE, STORAGE 3d

FOR RENT: DOUBLE GARAGE. Pacific Palisades. Parking, storage. Safe area. Enclosed, 19’ x 20’. $300/mo. (310) 454-1159

VACATION RENTALS 3e

FOUR FULLY SELF-CONTAINED TRAILERS for rent across from Will Rogers State Beach & about 2 miles from Santa Monica Pier. $1,095/mo. & $995/mo. (310) 454-2515

LA QUINTA PGA WEST GOLF RESORT. Beautiful 3 bdr, 3 bath, home plus detached casita on golf course. Flat screen TVs, waterfall, Jacuzzi & fruit trees. No broker. $2,000/wk., $6,000/mo. (310) 454-1683

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES 5

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS IN THE PALISADIAN-POST. Call Kendy, (310) 454-1321 x40 for display advertising

LOST & FOUND 6a

LOST: RING AT FARMER’S MARKET. Lost 10/26, Sunday. Sentimental value. Please call (310) 459-8740

BOOKKEEPING/ACCOUNTING 7b

BANK STATEMENT & INVESTMENT RECONCILIATIONS, small business or personal bookkeeping, property, staff & nursing care management/scheduling are available in the Palisades. This can include QuickBooks gathering of data for 2008 to prepare for your visit to your CPA. Call (310) 570-6085 or email: saekorn@aol.com

BOOKKEEPING & FINANCE SERVICES for home & office: organize mail, pay bills, reconcile banks/credit cards/investments accounts, financial analysis/planning/budgeting/counseling. Computer expertise. Caring & thorough. (310) 218-6653, (310) 459-2066

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 * SET-UP, TUTORING, REPAIR, INTERNET. Problem-Free Computing, Guaranteed. Satisfying Clients Since 1992. If I Can’t Help, NO CHARGE! COMPUTER WORKS! 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

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

ORGANIZING SERVICES 7h

LET’S SIMPLIFY! Organization for Home and/or Office. • Moving • Readying home to show • Downsizing. Kathleen, (310) 463-0800, kmurphyparadise@yahoo.com

MISCELLANEOUS 7n

MEDIA TRAINING. You just landed a book deal! Or your 1st big TV role! Or that new CEO position! Now what? I’ll teach you how to give great interviews. Call Sivak Entertainment Media Training, (310) 459-6931

NANNIES/BABYSITTERS 8a

NANNY NEEDED, Marquez area, Tues.-Sat., F/T, L/O. English & refs req’d. Must drive. Call (310) 459-8895 & lv msg.

LOVING NANNY, 30 yrs experience; 8 yrs in the Palisades; excellent references; does not drive but walks everywhere; great English; perfect for babies & small kids; housework too; like a member of the family; 100% reliable; full or part time. Call Teresa, (310) 367-8521

EXPERIENCED EUROPEAN NANNY is looking for afternoon or weekend job. Clean DMV. Legal and references. Call Monika, (818) 481-1549

NANNY/PERSONAL ASSISTANT/DRIVER. Reliable, college graduate seeks permanent or temporary placement. Live-out. Great references. Open availability. Feel free to call Alexandra, (323) 799-7012

EXPERIENCED NANNY seeking job Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Excellent references. Please call Norma, (323) 599-8954 or Lisa, (310) 569-4993

EUROPEAN EXPERIENCED NANNY looking for F/T or P/T position. Legal to work. Clean DMV. Verifiable excellent references. Call Vera, (951) 454-4079

DOMESTIC AGENCIES 9

VIP NANNY AGENCY • “Providing very important people with the very best nanny.” • Baby Nurses • Birthing Coaches • Housekeepers. (818) 907-1017, (310) 614-3646

HOUSEKEEPERS 9a

“PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.” We make your home our business. Star sparkling cleaning services. In the community over 15 years. The best in housekeeping for the best price. Good references. Call Bertha, (323) 754-6873 & cell (213) 393-1419

HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTER/ELDER CARE, day or night, available Monday-Sunday. Own transportation, excellent ref’s. Call Maria, (310) 948-9637

HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTING available anytime. Own transportation. Reliable, 15 years experience. References. Call Nidia, home, (310) 477-4157 or cell, (310) 422-7624

HOUSECLEANING AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY. Own transportation, live-in or live-out, for one day or 5 days a week. Good references. For more information call Marina, (562) 408-2068

HOUSEKEEPER OR BABYSITTER available Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday. 5 years experience. Great references. Own car. CDL. Good record. Call Gloria, (323) 812-0504

HOUSEKEEPERS & BABYSITTING, local references, own transportation, very experienced & pleasant! Avail Mon thru Fri. Live-out. Call Elva, (310) 966-7244 (cell) or Lilliana, (310) 741-1808

HOUSEKEEKPER AVAILABLE Monday thru Friday, 5 days a week. Live-in or out. Good references. Speaks English. Two years experience. Call Haydi, (323) 392-6059

HOUSEKEEPING, 20 years experience. Good references, available Mon.-Sat. Love pets and children. N/S. Lives local. Call Marina anytime. (310) 572-7984, cell (310) 817-9515

HOUSE CLEANING, 15 yrs experience, references if needed. Free estimate. Available Monday thru Friday. Speaks English. Call Nury, (323) 907-2213 (cell), or (323) 232-4287 (home)

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

MY WONDERFUL HOUSEKEEPER is available on Weds. & a half-day every other Thurs. Bright, efficient, conscientious, total integrity. Kind to kids, pets. Joyce, (310) 454-1905

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

EUROPEAN CAREGIVER. Any days & some nights. Over 12 yrs experience in private homes, hospitals, convalescent homes. Excellent local references. Call Martine, (310) 458-3037 or (424) 214-9091

LIVE-IN COMPANION & HELPER will trade services for lodging. Mature, responsible female, looking for live-in helper situation, will trade for living quarters. Run errands, shopping, some food prep. Care for dog(s), etc. Longtime Westside resident, great local references, healthy lifestyle, n/s, n/d. English speaking only. (310) 720-6103

GARDENING, LANDSCAPING 11

PALISADES GARDENING • Full Gardening Service • Sprinkler Install • Tree Trim • Sodding/Seeding • Sprays, non-toxic • FREE 10” Flats, Pansies, Snap, Impatiens. (310) 568-0989

JEFF MAYER LANDSCAPE DESIGN. Custom residential landscaping, irrigation, lighting, maintenance. C-27#853041. Certified Arborist #WE-5991A. Phone (951) 236-9891

BUDGET SPRINKLERS and LANDSCAPING. Installations, upgrading & sod. Repairs, wood fencing. Free est. (310) 398-8512. St. lic. #768354. Free houseplant w/ every estimate. “You call, we haul”

DON’T PANIC. IT’S ORGANIC!® 100% organic lawn, trees, garden. Monthly nutritional spraying & fertilization services. Free house call with ad. Time to feed your property! Invisible Gardener, (310) 457-4438. organicdatabank.info

MOVING & HAULING 11b

HONEST MAN SERVICES. All jobs, big or small. Hauls it all. 14 foot truck. 20th year Westside. Delivery to 48 states. (310) 285-8688

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES 12c

STEPHEN FELDMAN, M.F.T. • PSYCHOTHERAPY • “Moving yourself/a loved one forward” • (310) 535-0515 • therapist.psychologytoday.com/45652

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. Licensed & bonded. (310) 926-7626

CATERING 14

HOLIDAY EVENT PLANNER & CULINARY STUDENT. Le Cordon Bleu student and event planner to help with your holiday prep, cooking, serving, menus & all event details. 10+ years experience. $40/hr. Please call Danielle, (310) 691-0578 • daniellesamendez@gmail.com

PERSONAL SERVICES 14f

GREAT ORGANIZER! Declutter your home, office, closet, etc. Errands, bill paying, etc. No project too large or too small. Local references! Please call “T”, (310) 488-9575

GIRL FRIDAY—HOME ORGANIZATION! Errands, driving, dog walking, light housekeeping, cooking, babysitting. 20 yrs. exp. Local references upon request. $15/hr. Call Michelle, (310) 459-3313

PET SERVICES/PET SITTING 14g

HAPPY PET • Dog Walking • Park Outings • Socialization • Insured. Connie, (310) 230-3829

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

PERSONAL TRAINER 15c

GET THE BASEBALL EDGE: LEARN FROM A PRO, PLAY LIKE A PRO! Featuring: Brennan Boesch, Cal All-Pac 10, Detroit Tigers 2006-present; Chris Errecart, Cal All-Pac 10, Milw. Brewers 2006-present; and other guest instructors. Private lessons and info: (310) 454-8244

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, (310) 459-4722

EXPERIENCED SPANISH TUTOR • All grade levels • Grammar • Conversational • SAT/AP • Children, adults • Great references. Noelle, (310) 273-3593, (310) 980-6071

POSITIVE KIDS • • • HAPPIER FAMILY! Exceptional teacher/consultant. Change performance. Increase skills. Improve grades K-8. Call Alexis, (310) 854-9627

SPANISH TUTORING. South American teacher, university degree, all levels. Learn, improve, get confident for studies, work & traveling. Call (310) 741-8422

SCIENCE & MATH TEACHER FOR HIRE. Super organizer. Start on the right foot! B.S. Biochemistry, SUNY Stony Brook, M.A. Columbia University, Teacher’s College. Certified New York (Westchester) public school teacher, now teaching in LA! Prefer students 7th grade to College. I work in the Palisades, but prefer to tutor at your home. Practice tests available! SAT II subject test coaching! Academic progress monitoring & notebook organization! Alex Van Name: (310) 295-8915, www.310tutoring.com

SPANISH TUTOR, CERTIFIED TEACHER for all levels. Has finest education, qualifications, 21 yrs exper. Palisades resident, great references, amazing system, affordable rates. Marietta, (310) 459-8180

SPANISH TUTOR. All grade levels. UCLA adult student. Lived in Spain and Mexico. Affordable rates. Call evenings, (310) 434-1578

MUSIC LESSONS & INSTRUCTION 15h

FIND YOUR VOICE! Singing & Performance Coaching • All ages • Singing • Songwriting • Recording • Demos • Talent Shows • School Plays • Laurie, (310) 579-5668 • Native Palisadian • soundeyes@aol.com

CARPENTRY 16a

FINE WOODWORKING: Carpentry of any kind. Bathrooms, kitchens, doors, cabinets, decks & gates. State lic. #822541. No project too small. References available. Reasonable prices. Contact: Ed Winterhalter at (310) 213-3101

CONCRETE, MASONRY, POOLS 16c

MASONRY, CONCRETE & POOL CONTRACTOR. 36 YEARS IN PACIFIC PALISADES. Custom masonry & concrete, stamped, driveways, pools, decks, patios, foundations, fireplace, drainage control, custom stone, block & brick, tile. Excellent local references. Lic. #309844. Bonded/insured/ workmen’s comp. Family owned & operated. 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. (800) 800-0744 or (818) 203-8881

DOORS 16f

“DOOR WORKS” • Residential and commercial, door repairs, replacements. Handicap services, weatherstripping. Free est. Premium service. Lic. #917844. (310) 598-0467, (818) 346-7900

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

ELECTRICAL WORK. Call Dennis! 26 yrs experience, 24 hours, 7 day service. Lic. #728200. (310) 821-4248

FENCES, DECKS 16j

THE FENCE MAN • 14 years quality workmanship. Wood fences • Decks • Gates • Chainlink & overhang. 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.

DECK REPAIR, SEALING & STAINING. Local resident, local clientele. 1 day service. Marty, (310) 459-2692

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

GOLDEN HARDWOOD FLOORS. Professional Installation and refinishing. National Wood Flooring Association member. License #732286. Plenty of local references. (877) 622-2200 • www.goldenhardwoodfloors.com

JEFF HRONEK, 39 YRS. RESIDENT • HARDWOOD FLOORS INC. • Sanding & Refinishing • Installations • Pre-finished • Unfinished • Lic. #608606. Bonded, Insured, Workers Comp. www.hronekhardwoodfloors.com (310) 475-1414

GLASS & MIRRORS 16n

PROFESSIONAL GLASS INSTALLER/DESIGNER. Call Tony for free quotes: (818) 518-5168. Non-lic.

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

HANDYMAN. Painting exterior/interior, baseboard, water damage repair, drywall repair, tile. 18 yrs. Excellent service & experience. Free estimates. Non-lic. Call Fortino Matias, (310) 502-1168

HANDYMAN SERVING PALISADIANS for 14 years. Polite & on time. No job too small. Ref’s available. Non-lic. Ready for winter? (310) 454-4121 or cell, (310) 907-6169. djproservices@yahoo.com

PETER PAN HOME REPAIR. Serving all of the Westside!! (310) 663-3633. Non-lic.

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 • 54 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. 25 years. Local Service. (310) 454-8266. www.squirepainting.com

ZARKO PRTINA PAINTING. Interior/Exterior. 35 years in service. License #637882. Call (310) 454-6604

PLUMBING 16t

GENERAL PLUMBING, repiping, remodeling, new construction. 8 yrs experience. Excellent references. Call Betto Robledo, (310) 502-4742 or (310) 966-7891. Non-lic.

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

COMPLETE CUSTOM CONSTRUCTION • New/Spec Homes • Kit+bath remodeling • Additions • Quality work at reasonable rates guaranteed. Large & small projects welcomed. Lic. #751137. Call Michael Hoff Construction, (310) 823-3137

HELP WANTED 17

DRIVERS: TEAMS EARN TOP DOLLAR plus great benefits. Solo drivers also needed for Western Regional. Werner Enterprises, (800) 346-2818 x123

ADMIN. ASSIST., Malibu: Career-oriented, organized, detailed. Excellent communication, phone, writing skills. Computer literate (Quickbooks, Word, Excel, Photoshop). Resume: adam@amazingtaste.com

MAINTENANCE COUPLE NEEDED. Salary and living quarters. Please call (310) 454-2515 or (310) 633-0461

MOTHER’S HELPER NEEDED. Must have car. Drive kids MWF. References. Light cooking a plus. Needed immediately. Call for interview. (310) 230-4191

MAKE MONEY NOW! Revolution in anti-aging technology. Promoting younger looking skin naturally. No need for Botox or Restylane. Representatives wanted. Join our sales team now! (310) 795-1515

OFFICE & GENERAL HELP NEEDED for Sales Engineering Company. No experience necessary. $8/hr. P/T. Flexible hours. Call Chuck at (310) 295-0869 (ofc) or (626) 676-6894 (cell)

LITIGATION LEGAL SECRETARY. Well-established Westside law firm seeking an energetic Legal Secretary who is well versed in personal injury litigation. The ideal candidate works well under pressure and is a skilled multi-tasker who is able to take direction as well as work independently. Keen professional communication and interpersonal skills required. Candidates are required to have knowledge in WP9, Microsoft Outlook; Legal Solutions, Courtcall; court filings in both state and federal; and experience in e-filing. Must have the ability to maintain attorney calendar, accurately prepare pleadings, discovery and motions. Excellent spelling, grammar and proofreading skills required along with composing and editing correspondence with an astute attention to detail. In addition, should have outstanding organizational skills and a positive and professional attitude. Candidate will be required to process tape dictation as well as have extensive calendaring knowledge with regards to litigation and trial dates. Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits include: medical, vision, life, 401K, paid vacation and sick time, parking. Please include salary history with your cover letter and resume. If you think it has what it takes please email to ResumesWLA@aol.com

LITIGATION PARALEGAL. Well-established boutique law firm in West Los Angeles seeking full time Litigation Paralegal with a minimum of five (5) years experience in plaintiff personal injury. Must be computer savvy, well organized, detail-oriented and possess excellent communication skills. Your duties will include heavy client contact, legal research, case work up from inception to trial, and propounding and responding to discovery. You must be able to easily and effectively respond to frequently changing priorities and circumstances as well as the ability to use good judgment, meet deadlines & follow through. Candidate must have a Paralegal Certificate. Please include salary history with your cover letter and resume. If you are going to law school and/or have a J.D. please DO NOT APPLY. Send to: ResumesWLA@aol.com. Computer skills required: Microsoft Office, Word Perfect, Outlook, Legal Solutions, Westlaw/LexisNexis Research, Choicepoint

SITUATIONS WANTED 17a

WANTED: TEMPORARY OR P/T office position &/or help w/ holiday events. I’m a TV/entertainment executive between projects avail now & willing to work. Palisades resident. Cindy, (646) 528-3917 (cell)

AUTOS 18b

REDUCED! 1999 FORD F250 Super Duty V10 Supercab Longbed, black w/ lumber rack & Weatherguard tool box. Great work truck! $5,000 OBO. (310) 576-0622

1990 VOLVO 240 WHITE 4-DOOR SEDAN. One owner, 39,700 miles, standard 5 speed transmission, P.S. $4,900 or best offer. Call (310) 600-3603 or (310) 454-0840

GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 18d

HUGE ESTATE SALE. Saturday, Nov. 8th, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Furniture, dressers, dining and bedroom sets, household, kitchen items, toys. 770 Amalfi Drive, Pacific Palisades.

PETS, LIVESTOCK 18e

LAB PUPS. Yellow & black, male & female, AKC, gorgeous, 8 wks old. Dew clawed, wormed, shots. Excellent quality & temperament. Parents on premises. (310) 922-4117

WANTED TO BUY 19

WANTED: Old tube guitar amplifiers, working or not. ‘50s, ‘60s, etc. Tommy, (310) 895-5057 • profeti2001@yahoo.com

Casting Votes in a Historic Election

By
dev
-

Poll worker Tracie Bradley of Long Beach gives an “I Voted” sticker to Olivia Smith, 5, as sister Allegra, 9, and mom Madeline Smith look on at the Bel-Air Bay Club, one of the most beautiful polling stations in the country with its panoramic ocean view.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

Pacific Palisades voters helped return U.S. Representative Henry Waxman to office for the 18th time on Tuesday, while reelecting State Assemblywoman Julia Brownley (D-Santa Monica), who received 67 percent of the vote. Former Assemblywoman Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) will succeed termed-out State Senator Sheila Kuehl in the 23rd District after collecting 68 percent of the vote. When the polls opened at 7 a.m., there were already long lines at the seven Palisades voting stations: the Summit Club in the Highlands, Bel-Air Bay Club, Calvary Christian Church, Rustic Canyon Recreation Center, Palisades Lutheran Church, Palisades Recreation Center and the American Legion Hall. Calvary’s first voter was Robert Schibel, who arrived at 6:08 a.m. ‘I have to be downtown by 8 a.m. and I wanted to be sure I would make it,’ he said. Second in line was 90-year-old Arnold Jensen, who arrived at 6:10. ‘I was watching television and I thought there would be a big line,’ he explained. By the time he received his ballot, 85 people were behind him. Not surprisingly a shortage of parking spaces was a problem at most locations, as was the fact that several precincts shared the same polling station, causing an uneven distribution of people waiting in lines. Poll workers at the Lutheran Church, for example, were asked why no one was in one line, while 45 were in the other. ‘Our theory is, we’re fast,’ joked worker Pat Nahigian. Perhaps one of the most beautiful places to vote in the nation is the historic Bel-Air Bay Club, with its panoramic view of Santa Monica Bay. As a bonus, voters were treated to coffee and cookies supplied by the Club. ‘The view is intoxicating,’ said poll worker Alfina Colber, who lives in West L.A. Les Frost, headmaster at St. Matthew’s School, was one of the first in line at Bel-Air, arriving at 6:45 a.m. ‘It went smoothly,’ he said, ‘and took about 20 minutes once they opened up.’ Gena Bell, who cast her vote at the Club, told the Palisadian-Post that she voted for Ronald Reagan in her first presidential election in 1984. ‘My views have changed since then,’ she said, though she declined revealing who she voted for on Tuesday. At Rustic Canyon, Leslie Steiner was in front of the building with her three golden retrievers. ‘I usually vote with the dogs, but I heard the lines were long,’ said Steiner, as she headed home with the dogs before voting. Inside, workers said they had 92 voters in the first hour. ‘The only election that was nearly this big was when Arnold Schwarzenegger was on the ballot,’ said Carolyn Perry. ‘This precinct usually has a high turnout, but this is unusual. The last election we worked, only 35 people voted during the entire eight hours we were here.’ Palisades historian and author Betty Lou Young, 89, was also working at Rustic. ‘I may be the oldest poll worker,’ she said. Helping with provisional ballots at the Lutheran Church was Palisade Jerry Brown, a Wildwood senior who said he had 11 ballots by 9:10 a.m. ‘I have no idea why they aren’t in the book,’ he said of residents who had to vote provisionally. If a person has moved and his or her new address hasn’t been recorded or there is a snafu at the registrar’s office, provisional voting allows that person to vote. The votes are placed in a pink envelope and sent to the registrar, who then checks if the voter is registered. Ballot-box worker Shelley Cohen said the large turnout was proof that ‘They want to make sure the right man wins.’ He refused to say who the ‘right’ man was, because workers are required to remain impartial. Casting her ballot was Eugenia Rohberg, who voted in her first presidential election in 1952 and could easily recall his famous slogan: ‘I Like Ike.’ ‘In retrospect, I don’t know if he was the best choice,’ she said, ‘but I was a college student and I remember it being exciting.’ The Palisades Rec Center had no lines at 9:25. ‘It was insane from 6 a.m. because people were already lining up,’ said Inspector Deirdera Sloyan. ‘At 8:30 it eased off.’ She worked the George Bush/John Kerry election four years ago: ‘It was crazy. We were at Mort’s and we were more disorganized and in a smaller space.’ When the American Legion opened at 7 a.m., voters were lined up outside the building, along Swarthmore almost to CVS Pharmacy, but by 10 a.m. there were 15 people in line. With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, the following state measures gathered the following votes according to the California Secretary of State: 1A. Passenger Train Bond (yes’52.3 percent, no’47.7 percent) 2. Farm Animal Initiative (yes’63.3 percent, no’36.7 percent) 3. Children’s Hospital Bond (yes’54.8 percent, no’45.2 percent) 4. Parental Notification of Pregnancy of Minors (yes’47.7 percent, no 52.3 percent) 5. Nonviolent Drug Offenses (yes’40.1 percent, no 59.9 percent) 6. Police/Law Enforcement (yes’30.6 percent, no 69.4 percent) 7. Renewable Energy (yes’35.1 percent, no 64.9 percent) 8. Same Sex Initiative (yes’52.2 percent, no 47.8 percent) 9. Criminal Justice System (yes’53.3 percent, no 46.7 percent) 10. Alternative Fuel (yes’40.2 percent, no 59.8’percent) 11. Redistricting (yes’50.6 percent, no 49.4’percent) 12. Veterans Bond Act (yes’63.5 percent, no 36.5’percent)

Palisadians Fight for YMCA Pool’s Future

By
dev
-

The Palisades-Malibu YMCA swimming pool in Temescal Gateway Park has been closed since February, and awaits its fate: filled in with dirt, or repaired and reopened.
The Palisades-Malibu YMCA swimming pool in Temescal Gateway Park has been closed since February, and awaits its fate: filled in with dirt, or repaired and reopened.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

The former Palisades-Malibu YMCA pool in Temescal Canyon may soon be filled with dirt and converted into a public picnic area. Gary Timm, California Coastal Commission coastal program manager, told the Palisadian-Post that his staff is recommending the Commission grant the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy a coastal development permit waiver to pack the empty pool with 650 cubic yards of fill material. In October, the Conservancy submitted an application requesting the waiver, citing liability concerns. The Coastal Commission will make a decision at its next meeting on Friday, November 14, in Long Beach. If the Commission decides not to grant the waiver, there will be a public hearing at the Commission meeting in December or January. The pool had to be closed in February because of a recirculation leak, which the Y had hoped to repair. The Y, however, discovered that the 50-year-old pipes need to be replaced for an estimated cost of $400,000. Since then, the Y and Conservancy have struggled to reach an agreement on a new lease and the Y has vacated the premises. The Coastal Commission has received numerous letters from Pacific Palisades residents protesting the proposal to fill in the pool, but ‘that is a local issue,’ Timm said. His staff studied the application to determine whether it complies with the California Coastal Act and determined that it did. The Coastal Act outlines standards of development within the coastal zone and is focused on protecting resources.   ’We don’t outline specific uses within public parks if there is not a Coastal Act issue,’ Timm continued. On October 22, Y Executive Director Carol Pfannkuche encouraged Conservancy Executive Director Joe Edmiston to withdraw his application and to negotiate a lease agreement with the Y before filling in the pool. In June, the Y had asked the Conservancy for a 55-year lease agreement, but Pfannkuche has since said the Y would be willing to negotiate a shorter lease. ‘The pool and the future of the entire canyon and all of its facilities and future needs must be considered before a long-term lease is given of state park property for any private purpose, no matter how meritorious such lease may appear to local swimmers,’ Edmiston told the Post on Tuesday.   ’If the YMCA wants to keep the status quo, with the pool empty, skateboarders breaking-in, and the potential (however likely or unlikely) for geological liability, then it can step up to the plate and assume such liability ‘   ’The YMCA can’t try and force a shotgun long-term lease upon the State of California in order for the state to avoid liability for the empty pool,’ Edmiston continued. ‘The state has the right to avoid current liability by doing what its consultants have advised without being forced into a long-term lease situation with a sole-source private entity.’ The Conservancy’s consultants, Penfield & Smith Engineering, recommended filling in the pool, and the Conservancy wants to do so before rainy season begins, said Lisa Soghor, deputy executive officer of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. The pooling of rainwater could be attractive to rodents and the leaky pipes could destabilize the slope. Even if the pool is filled in, Edmiston said, that doesn’t mean the ‘YMCA can’t or won’t ultimately have a pool in Temescal Canyon.’ His staff will propose that the Conservancy board adopt a planning process for the canyon’s future at a December 8 meeting in Temescal. At the end of that planning process, the board may decide to have a pool in the canyon, and then the Y and other entities could bid on operating it, Edmiston said. Pfannkuche told the Post in an October 23 article that ‘By filling in the pool and then negotiating, the Conservancy removes the option to fix the existing facility.’ Friends of the Temescal Pool (a group of citizens advocating the re-opening of the pool) ‘are going to do everything we can to stop [Edmiston],’ said Ilene Cassidy, who has been swimming at the pool for 26 years. Cassidy and John Yeh, who serves on the Y’s facilities committee, recently formed the coalition, which has collected about 75 letters protesting the pool’s closure. The coalition has sent the letters to the Conservancy board, Coastal Commission and other political leaders who may have some influence. The coalition has collected more than 550 signatures at the farmers’ market on Swarthmore. The petition urges Edmiston to negotiate a new lease with the Y. ‘We really need community support,’ Cassidy said. ‘Edmiston has to feel the heat.’ The coalition is insisting that the Conservancy re-open the pool because Proposition A funding, which was used to purchase the park, stipulates the land be used for senior facilities in addition to at-risk youth services. Many senior citizens with medical conditions used the Y pool for therapy, said coalition member Jean Rosenfeld. Friends of Temescal Pool’s next meeting will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday, November 7, at the YMCA. The group’s Web site is www.friendstemescalpool.org.

Arts Center Moves, Adds Dance Classes

By
dev
-

Stephanie Scaggs works with five-year-old ballet student Wesley MacMiller at her Village Arts Center.
Stephanie Scaggs works with five-year-old ballet student Wesley MacMiller at her Village Arts Center.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

Moving to a new upstairs location, Village Arts Center has expanded, and owner Stephanie Scaggs is both excited about the larger space and nervous about the increased financial responsibilities. ‘My overhead is so grand, I have to be inventive to pay the rent,’ she said, but after three years at her old space in the Washington Mutual building on Sunset, she felt ready to gamble. ‘I didn’t have a single window to open, and I wanted cross-breezes and ventilation,’ says Scaggs, who now has a skylight, windows, an additional bathroom and newly painted walls. Her space above Wachovia Bank (15230 Sunset) also features two separate rooms: a toddler area with a spongy-mat floor and a dance studio with a state-of-the-art spring floor. The added studio space enables Scaggs to add ballet and hip-hop classes for teenagers and adults in the evening, drawing on her previous experience: she graduated from SUNY Purchase with a bachelor of fine arts in dance and danced professionally in New York (while also working along the way as a massage therapist and wardrobe stylist for Tina Turner and Janet Jackson). Village Arts Center is known for imaginative classes that allow toddlers and young children full experimentation with the tactile senses. One recent day, two- and three-year-olds played ‘car wash,’ taking plastic play cars that had been ‘dirtied’ with paint and potting soil, and washing them with soapy water that splashed everywhere. Scaggs, 32, was entirely unconcerned about the mess and explained another favorite activity. ‘We put tarps on the floor or on the walls and let the children paint. Many parents like to bring their kids here because they don’t want a mess like this in the house.’ Three years ago, after moving to the San Fernando Valley from New York, Scaggs was working in Hawaii when she was contacted by Palisades clients, who told her that Village Arts was for sale and urged her to buy it. She bought the business sight unseen from Arthur Mortell (who was relocating his family to Washington), using an inheritance from her grandparents. Scaggs admits that she didn’t have a business background when she started and ‘I didn’t have a back-up plan.’ It turns out she didn’t need one, because with her guidance Village Arts continued to thrive. She expanded from having morning programs designed for younger children to include afternoon programs like ballet and music and movement. She currently has about 150 students, ages 2 to 8, and has added Palisades School of Dance to her business name. The ballet classes are age-specific. For example, princess ballet is for two- and three-year-olds who dress up in costume. ‘It’s socialized play,’ Scaggs admits, ‘but we’re also teaching them how to be in a ballet class.’ She teaches the children positions and posture through story telling using Andre, the ballet dog, and friend Froggy, who does yoga but gets everything all mixed up. For example, students try to make ballet legs, versus froggy legs, or Scaggs tells them that Andre has a tickle, which makes the dog tap her toe. As the students pattern themselves after Andre and start tapping, they naturally point their toes without being told. Scaggs finds this method more effective and entertaining for children than just asking them to assume ballet positions. The male version of the princess dance class is called drum and tumble, which allows ‘little boys to be boys,’ Scaggs says. She has also started a dance-based gymnastics class, noting that ‘in the dance world, you need to be able to tumble.’ Students are taught cartwheels, handstands and back handsprings. While expanding her dance program, Scaggs remains committed to the early-childhood classes, the youngest being for three- to nine-month-old infants and their parents. For the slightly older child, Scaggs says she supports ‘attachment’ parenting, which means that she welcomes parents who want to sit and watch. ‘They’re close by and involved, but don’t have to participate,’ she says. ‘Coming here is peaceful for them; they can just sit and relax.’ ‘Children in my class are under no pressure to do anything,’ Scaggs adds. ‘I tell them when they’re ready, they can join us. My motto is to have classes that are engaging and explore creativity, but we’re careful not to overstimulate. Kids leave in a balanced state.’ Scaggs lives in Santa Monica with her boyfriend of five years, Paul Kirkland, also a dancer, who is currently on tour with Madonna. For a schedule of classes, visit www.VillageArtsCenter.com or call (310) 454-4245.

1...2,1222,1232,124...2,525Page 2,123 of 2,525
© Pacific Palisades Post, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272