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SaMo Rugby Club Claims Title

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Palisadian and captain John Lemoine breaks through Fullerton's defense in the Southern California Youth Rugby Championship game.
Palisadian and captain John Lemoine breaks through Fullerton’s defense in the Southern California Youth Rugby Championship game.

Trailing by 10 points at halftime, the Santa Monica Rugby Club’s U14 boys team came back to beat Fullerton, 12-10, in the Southern California Youth Rugby championships May 25 in San Luis Obispo. Last minute heroics by winger Chris Collins tied the score, with Dylan Pritchard slotting the game-winning two-point conversion as time expired. Winning the championship was impressive for a team playing in just its second season. The squad included players from such area middle schools as Paul Revere, Malibu, Lincoln, Lycee Francais, Campbell Hall and Harvard-Westlake. The Fullerton win capped off an impressive playoff run for Santa Monica, which included a 20-12 semifinal victory over Hacienda Heights and the previous week’s 22-10 victory over Belmont Shore of Long Beach. Santa Monica’s U14 roster, coached by Kilian Kerwin, consists of Dylan Pritchard, John Torres, Lucas Benacerraf, Andrew Green, Johan Zoeteman, Chris “Kentucky” Collins II, Marcus Sheppard, Max Stirling, Kai Watanabe, Ignacio Guerineau, captain John Lemoine, Nathan Larouche, Charlie Sharpe, Anthony Kodomichalos and Christian Falcon. Meanwhile, Santa Monica’s U19 boys lost in the semifinals to South Orange County, but rebounded the next day to win the consolation final, 10-5, over San Diego North County. The two successful boys teams are part of the growing youth rugby program of the Santa Monica Rugby Club, which also includes a U12 boys team and girls tackle rugby teams at both the middle school and high school levels. Founded in 1972 as a men’s rugby team by graduates of UCLA, USC and St. Mary’s College, the Santa Monica Rugby Club now fields up to 10 sides every weekend during the regular season, which runs from January to May. Teams range from U8 and U10 co-ed non-contact squads to an adult women?s team to the Club?s premiere men’s side, which plays across the country in the national Rugby Super League. For more information about Santa Monica Rugby, visit the Web site at www.santamonicarugby.com.

Dolphins’ Duo Falls in Finals

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Jeremy Shore (pictured) and Matt Goodman lost in the finals of the City individual doubles tournament Monday in Encino.
Jeremy Shore (pictured) and Matt Goodman lost in the finals of the City individual doubles tournament Monday in Encino.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

It’s no surprise that Palisades High had two doubles teams playing on the final day of the City Individual tournament. After all, Dolphin duos have won more City titles than any other school, including a record seven in a row from 1993-99. Jeremy Shore and Matt Goodman were trying to add to Palisades’ storied history on Monday, but they lost in the finals at Balboa Sports Center in Encino. Seeded third in the 56-team draw, Shore and Goodman couldn’t solve the hard serving and opportunistic poaching of Carson’s top-seeded Andrew Sarawasi and Sammy Macias, who won, 6-2, 6-4, to claim the program’s first doubles crown since brothers Roel and Rene DeVera won in 1991. Shore was broken to open the match but Palisades’ pair broke back to pull even at 2-2. Carson broke Shore again for a 3-2 lead and broke Goodman to go up 5-2, then Sarawasi held serve to win the first set. In the second set, Shore double faulted to give Carson a 3-2 lead and the Colts’ tandem held serve from there. One court over, Palisades had another doubles team playing for third place, fourth-seeded Kyung Choi and Ren Nielsen. However, after a strong start they were defeated by second-seeded Aaron Teitelbaum and Alex Freeman of Taft, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3. The Toreadors’ tandem lost to Shore and Goodman in last week’s semifinals. As runner-ups, Shore and Goodman earned first-team All-City honors while Choi and Nielsen made the second-team by virtue of finishing fourth. Palisades last won the section doubles title in 1999 with Peter Shirley and Blake Baumgarten.

Register Now for Will Rogers Race

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Pre-registration has begun for the 31st annual Palisades-Will Rogers 5/10K run on Friday, July 4. The race will begin at 8:15 a.m. at the Alma Real-Toyopa intersection at the entrance to the Palisades Recreation Center. Pre-registration costs $30 for the 5/10K or $20 for the Kids’ Fun Run. Pre-registration is available through Friday, June 27. Pre-registration packet pick-up will be July 2-3 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bentons The Sport Shop (1038 Swarthmore Avenue). Once again, the corporate sponsor will be William E. Simon and Sons and the new title sponsor is Pacific Palisades Bank. Other sponsors include the Santa Monica Orthopedic Group and Sports Medicine Group and Arrowhead Water. Presented by the Palisades-Will Rogers Ridge Runners and The Palisades Optimist Club, the 5K is a flat course through Huntington Palisades streets while the 10K winds through the switchbacks at Will Rogers State Park. Online registration is also available through Tuesday, July 1. Checks should be made payable to Brian Shea, 15332 Antioch Street #340, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272. To download an entry form or to register online, visit the race Web site at www.palisades10k.com.

CLASSIFIED ADS FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 29, 2008

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HOMES FOR SALE 1

HAWAII EXISTS IN LA! NEW INVENTORY. 11 HOMES AVAIL. Terrific Opportunity! PCH/Sunset. Up to 1,600 Sq. Ft. $179,000-1.1 million. Some completely remodeled, many upgrades. Ocean views, wood floors, new kitchens, sun deck, rec center w/ pool/spa/gym. Steps from the sand. Condo alternative. Agent, Michelle Bolotin, (310) 230-2438

ONE OF THE LOWEST PRICED HOMES IN THE PALISADES! Priced to sell $1,389,000 • 2 BR, 1 BA. Hardwood floors, breakfast nook, dining area on a large lot. Located between the Huntington and the Palisades Village. Remodel or build new. Call for details. Broker, Marco Rufo, (310) 552-3017

PRICE TO SELL! PRIME RIVIERA * LARGE LOT! * $3,795,000 • 4 BR, 4 BA. Breakfast room, formal dining, LRG living room, master suite, pool, guest house, etc., Remodel or build new. Don’t miss this opportunity! Broker, Marco Rufo, (310) 552-3017

THE BEST DEAL in the PALISADES by owner. Sale price. $1,750,000. Owner will carry $1,650,000. Marginal credit ok. (No qualifying required.) 4 bdrm, 3 ba. Exquisite shape. Great neighborhood. Must be ready to close. (818) 307-6434

HOMES WANTED 1b

WE BUY HOUSES, APTS & LAND! ALL CASH, AS-IS, FAST CLOSE. David, (310) 308-7887

USC PROFESSORS (husband & wife) wanting to purchase guest house/guest garage w/ living qtrs or detached livable bldg in Pac Pal. (310) 433-3436, (310) 433-2984, friedmac@rockisland.com

FURNISHED HOMES 2

FULLY FURNISHED/UNFURN & tastefully remodeled. 3 bdrm, 2 ba cul-de-sac home in Marquez school district. Great floor plan. New kitchen & bath. 6 mos.-1 yr. $5,500/mo. Agent Gwen, (310) 749-8821

UNFURNISHED HOMES 2a

3 BDRM, 1 BA. $4,000/mo. util. incl. 2 car pking, close to village, schools, shops & beach. No pets. Appliances, W/D, D/W refridg. By appt only. Eric, (310) 428-3364

EL MEDIO BLUFFS 3 bdrm, 2 ba, Cape Cod. Corner lot, charming. 1/2 blk walk to bluffs. $6,000/mo. Call Elizabeth, (310) 293-8999

VIA BLUFFS 1-STORY, 3 bdrm, 2 ba. Plus bonus room, new kitchen & baths. Hardwood, granite, ref, w/d, patio & yard. Walk to schools & village, $5,950/mo. (310) 454-5601

UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS 2c

BEAUTIFUL 2 BDRM guesthouse + fam rm, view, rec/rm, NO KITCHEN. Small ref., hot plate, MIC/W, AC/heat. Cable, internet, util. incl in rent. $1,800/mo. (310) 454-9337

HALF BLOCK TO BEACH off Sunset. Patio, newly tiled flrs thru out, 1 bdrm, 1 ba, pool, security building, parking, hiking close by. $1,650/mo. (310) 459-6369

PALISADES SINGLE apt, with dinette, new paint, carpet, large kitchen, gas stove, fridge, one year lease, covered parking, storage, laundry. No Pets. Non-smoker. $1,085/mo. (310) 477-6767

1 BDRM, 1 BA six unit vintage building. Hdwd & tile, ldry in bldg. Front & back patio. Light and bright. Parking avail. $1,700/mo. 1 yr. lease. (424) 228-4570

PAC PAL APT w/ mtn & ocn vus. Unfurn upper 1 bdrm, 1 ba quiet ‘bldg w/ pool. Light & airy. Laundry on-site. Hdwd flrs, granite cntrs, vaulted ceiling. 1car prkg inclded. 1 yr min lease. Credit ck. Sm pet ok w/dep. $1,795/mo. + $1,795 dep. Call Jay, (310) 200-0063 (shown by appt only.)

APT 4 RENT IN EDGEWATER TOWERS. 3 BR, 3 BA with beautiful ocean view. Avail unfurn or furn. Call or email for pictures. (310) 887-1333; cybersepehr@yahoo.com

CONDOS, TOWNHOMES FOR RENT 2d

REDUCED RENT! LUXURY PENTHOUSE with panoramic unobstructed ocean views. Walk to beach. 5 min. to SM. 2 bdrm+2 ba. All new interior: Hdwd, granite, stainless steel. Ocean view, deck. W/D, garage. Quiet & safe. $3,980/mo. (310) 230-4200 • www.MalibuCoastline.com

SHORT OR LONG term, furn/unfurn. Flexible dates. Immaculate, nicely furnished 1 bdrm condo. Minimum age 62 yrs, close to everywhere. $1,350/mo. Broker, (310) 795-3795 or (310) 456-8770

WANTED TO RENT 3b

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

GUESTHOUSE/STUDIO wanted to rent. Local employed male. Trustworthy. Contact Alex, (310) 454-6463

FEMALE PALISADES resident seeks housing. Guest house/studio/condo or home to share. Quiet, clean, responsible, spiritual, genuine. N/S, Local refs. (310) 801-8877

OFFICE/STORE RENTALS 3c

PALISADES OFFICE suites available in the heart of the VILLAGE including 1) Single office suites with windows in each office and some with balconies starting from $975 per month and 2) Office suites ranging in size from 950 sf to 5,000 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

MORTGAGES, TRUST DEEDS 4

MORTGAGE & FORECLOSURE DEALS * Over 100 foreclosure opportunities in Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Santa Monica & West L.A. NOW. Why pay retail? Up to 50% price reductions. We have the data systems, financing & contacts for these discounted properties. Visit www.thecreditcrisis.net for more details. Sign in & receive a FREE copy of my book, The Credit Crisis Deals. ** Purchase & refinance loans: jumbo mortgages, $500,000 to $20 million+. Stated income, wide ranging credit, 1sts, 2nds, fixed & adjustable rates, cash out, and LTVs to 97%. Foreclosure bailout programs. Call Rick at First Financial Bancorp, (310) 571-3600 ext. #203 Visit my other website at www.realloans.com. email: info@realloans.com CA DRE #01144023

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES 5

BETTER THAN BOTOX & SURGERY! Motivated people call me, (310) 454-4121! Looking for the latest in skin care treatment from Europe? It’s about to take the USA by storm. Make serious money!

REALISTICALLY earn more money in the next year than the past 5 years combined. (800) 687-2735

INCOME INVESTMENTS 5a

SEEK PRIVATE INVESTOR for short term $200K bridge loan. 10 pts. for 6 mos or less. Secured by real estate. No brokers please. (310) 454-0685

LOST & FOUND 6a

FOUND: GOLDEN ELEPHANT necklace on Via de la Paz near Palisades Elementary. 5/22. Call the Palisadian-Post to identify: (310) 454-1321

COMPUTER SERVICES 7c

COMPUTER SOLUTIONS & SUPPORT. HOME & BUSINESS–Windows Vista/XP–20 Yrs exp. frankelconsulting.com (310) 454-3886

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

GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 7f

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

SOLAR/WIND ENERGY 7l

ALTERNATIVE ENGINEERING SOLAR • GO SOLAR • TAX INCENTIVES! Design & engineering solar/wind systems • Huge rebates • Financing available • Local Palisades contractor • Lic. #912279 • Call for free consultation: (877) 898-1948

NANNIES/BABYSITTERS 8a

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

BABYSITTER w/ lots of experience & references in the Palisades. F/T or P/T. L/O preferred. Sorry don’t drive. Please call Loweeda, (310) 390-5308

SMART RUSSIAN NANNY/CAREGIVER. Experienced, excellent local references. Great cook, juice maker, housekeeper. Flexible. Lucy, (310) 490-9051

GREAT PRE-SCREENED nannies available. Let us help you with your nanny search. We are a dedicated, professional agency and we will find the right match for you. Whether you are looking for F/T or P/T, L/I or L/O help, we can help you. Call Sunshine Nannies at (310) 614-5065

DOMESTIC AGENCIES 9

NEVERLAND NANNIES & DOMESTICS. We assist local families in finding domestic professionals for their household needs. Caring nannies, doulas, nurses; attentive assistants, housekeepers, chefs & more. Please call at any time. (818) 888-9894, (818) 653-6999. www.NeverlandNannies.com

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

SUNSET HOUSE & CARPET CLEANING • Window washing • House cleaning • Carpet cleaning. Over 33 years experience. Call Barry at (818) 887-7150

HOUSEKEEPING/BABYSITTING available F/T Mon-Fri. Own car, clean DMV, great references. Call Doris or Aurlene Stella, (424) 208-3051

HOUSEKEEPERS/BABYSITTERS full time Monday-Friday. Excellent local references. Own transportation, clean DMV. Call Imelda or Carolina, (323) 944-7210 or (818) 941-9768

HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE Monday-Friday. References. Experienced. Call Violeta, (310) 425-9015

HOUSEKEEPER, ELDERCARE, BABYSITTER Own transportation. Excellent references. Please call Irma, (310) 280-0785

HOUSECLEANING AVAILABLE every other Tuesday. Own car. CDL, Excellent Pac Pal Refs. Call Maria, (323) 938-8108

HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTER/ELDERCARE experienced many years. Avail Mon-Fri, Excellent refs. Own car. Trustworthy. Call Sandra, (323) 979-7265

HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTER/CARETAKER avail Mon.-Sat. Many years experience. Great local refs. Call Jovita, (813) 389-1439, (213) 389-1439

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

WATERFALLS & POND CONSTRUCTION: Water gardening. Japanese Koi fish. Filtration pond service, repair & maintenance. Free estimates. (310) 435-3843, cell (310) 390-1276. www.TheKingKoi.com

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES 12c

NEIGHBORHOOD THERAPIST: Caring, patient & local Palisades Psychotherapist available for help and insight into issues relating to your personal and interpersonal life. To make an appointment with Dr. Aunene Finger, Board Certified MFT, please call (310) 454-0855. www.neighborhoodtherapist.com. Lic. #37780

NUTRITION 12d

CERTIFIED NUTRITIONIST/LIFESTYLE COACH. Been less energetic, having sugar cravings, feeling heavy around your middle, want to make a few changes and need help? Call Karen Cohen, (310) 444-9755. Local.

WINDOW WASHING 13h

HAVING A PARTY? SELLING some real estate, or just want to do some spring cleaning? Get those WINDOWS SHINING by calling No Streak Window Cleaning, where we offer fast friendly quality service you can count on! For a free estimate, call Marcus, (323) 632-7207. Lic. #122194-49, insured.

EXPERT WINDOW CLEANER • Experienced 21 yrs on Westside. Clean & detailed. Can also clean screens, mirrors, skylights & scrape paint off glass. Free estimates. Brian, (310) 289-5279

THE WINDOWS OF OZ. Can’t see the view? Call the Wizard of Clean Windows! Professional interior/ exterior glass cleaning at a great price. Owner operated. Free est. Discounts avail. (310) 926-7626

AUTO DETAILING 13i

ECOPRO DETAILING.COM Mobile auto detailing. Big or small. We do it all. Serving the westside, local Palisadians. (310) 993-9299

HOUSESITTING 14b

LOOKING TO HOUSESIT. Greenwich Connecticut Realtor, wonderful person looking to locate to area, looking to housesit for negotiable period of time. Exceptional references, including local refs. Call Silvanna, (203) 912-4022

PERSONAL SERVICES 14f

ORGANIZER/PERSONAL ASST that specializes in personal shopping. Highly experienced, works with upscale clientele. Can handle projects minute or grand with ease. Impeccable references. Kristin Bungart, (310) 922-7142

PET SERVICES/PET SITTING 14g

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

PERSONAL TOUCH. DOG WALKING/sitting service. Cats included. Pali resident over 25 yrs. Very reliable. Refs. available. If you want special care for your pet, please call me. Jacqui, (310) 454-0104, cell (310) 691-9893

PET HEAVEN • TOTAL PET CARE • Training. Walking. Playgroups and hikes. 30 years Pali resident. References. Call (310) 454-0058 for a happy dog!

FITNESS INSTRUCTION 15a

HAVE FUN! GET FIT! NORDIC WALKING CLASSES. Certified Advanced Nordic walking instructor, Palisades resident teaches private/group classes in the Palisades. Weekends. (310) 266-4651

TUTORS 15e

INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION. Children & adults. 25+ years teaching/tutoring exper. MATH, GRAMMAR, ESSAY WRITING & STUDY SKILLS. Formerly Sp. Ed. Teacher. Call Gail, (310) 313-2530

SCIENCE & MATH TUTOR. All levels (elementary to college). Ph.D., MIT graduate, 30 years experience. Ed Kanegsberg, (310) 459-3614

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 & Spanish! 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 grades • Levels • Grammar • Conversational • SAT/AP • Children, adults • Great references. Noelle, (310) 980-6071

SPANISH TUTOR CERTIFIED TEACHER for all levels. Has finest education, qualifications, 20 yrs exper. Palisades resident, many good references, amazing system, affordable rates. Marietta, (310) 459-8180

CREDENTIALED MATH & STUDY SKILLS TEACHER (BA-UCSD, M.Ed-UCLA, Ph.D. candidate-USC) Tutor K-College. Most subjects. 15 years recent classroom experience in the Palisades. Libby, (310) 963-0093

FRENCH TUTORING by Native. Experienced • grammar • conversation • test prep. Reasonable rates • Any level • (310) 459-1417

PERSONALIZED SPANISH TUTORING! South American teacher with Univ. degree. All ages & levels. Learn, improve, get confident for studies & traveling. Exp. with children. (310) 741-8422

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

R.N.D. MASONRY & REPAIR. Brick, block, stone, concrete, stucco. No job too big or small. Free est. (310) 924-0959, (424) 298-7374

CONSTRUCTION 16d

CASTLE CONSTRUCTION. New homes, remodeling, additions, fine finish carpentry. Serving the Westside for 25 yrs. Lic. #649995. Call James, (310) 450-6237

PROFESSIONAL CARPENTER. Custom kitchen cabinets & installation. 1003 E. Young St. Wilmington, CA 90744. Free est. Antonio Velasquez, (310) 740-6336, (323) 821-9149 or fax (424) 477-5567

CONTRACTOR, bonded, insured for remodeling rms, additions, bathrms, kitchen, windows, painting, construction on hillside, blueprints, deal w/ city inspections. Lic. #887326. Call for free est.: (888) 783-7195

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. Lic. #775688. Please call (310) 454-6849 or (818) 317-8286

FENCES 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.

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

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 24 HR. I specialize in repairing, plumbing, doors, window, electric, plaster, tile, driveways, wood fence, drywall, wood flrs. Non-lic. Nicolas, (213) 925-7943

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. Ref’s. 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

PACIFIC PAINTING SINCE 1979 • Interior/Exterior Residential/Commercial • Custom painting • Wallpaper removal • Drywall repair • Bonded & Ins. Lic. #908913. (310) 954-7170

REMODELING 16v

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

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

HELP WANTED 17

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

WORLD-RENOWNED PLASTIC surgeon looking for an admin assist & patient relations coordinator to join our team in Pac Pal. Will train & reward generously. Call (310) 459-6792

COSMETIC RN. World-renowned plastic surgeon. Pacific Palisades. Injectables/laser. Call (310) 459-6792

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT. Immediate F/T. Pacific Palisades solar company. Requires 3+ yrs exp. Excellent communications & computer skills. Submit resume to info@sunkingsolarpv.com

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER. Immediate F/T. Pacific Palisades solar company requires 2+ yrs. power systems exp. CAD, proposal writing, excellent computer & communications skills. Submit resume to info@sunkingsolarpv.com

P/T ADMIN ASST for top Pacific Palisades realtor. Must have initiative, be reliable and a multi-tasker and have professional/communication skills. Word, Outlook & Publisher proficiency a must. Please email hollydavis@earthlink.net or call (310) 230-7377

AUTOS 18b

1999 FORD F250 Super Duty V10 Supercab Longbed, Black w/ lumber rack & Weatherguard tool box. 265K miles. Great work truck! $8,500. Call John, (818) 621-0061

FOR SALE: 1992 Mercedes Benz 190-26. Papers with history. Superb condition. Maintained. A GEM! (310) 459-4239

FURNITURE 18c

FANTASTIC DAYBED * New condition metal daybed, trundle, linens, $600 obo. Custom ks platform bed, nightstands, chest, light wood, granite, $800 obo. (310) 454-3117

GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 18d

MULTI-FAMILY SALE. Sat., May 31, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 1284 Monument St. Clothes, children’s toys & furniture. Art, collectibles, books and much, much more!

MULTI-FAMILY SALE! Furn/furnishgs/Hsehold/kitchen goods/linens/clothes/Hi-end & costume jewelry. 17321 Av. de la Herradura (off Michael Ln), TG 590 f-7. Fri.-Sat., May 29-30; 8 a.m-4 p.m. Photos/info: www.bmdawson.com

WANTED TO BUY 19

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

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: THURSDAY, MAY 29 – THURSDAY, JUNE 5

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THURSDAY, MAY 29 Palisadian Stephanie Helper and Palisades High grad Margery Schwartz talk about the chapters they contributed to ‘Hometown Santa Monica,’ a guidebook that includes Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Topanga, Malibu, Venice and Marina del Rey, 6:30 p.m. at the Palisades Branch Library community room, 861 Alma Real. SATURDAY, MAY 31 Annual birthday luncheon for all residents 90 years old and up, hosted by the Palisades Junior Women’s Club, 12 p.m. at the Woman’s Club, 901 Haverford. (See Updates, page 1.) SUNDAY, JUNE 1 The Palisades Art Association presents its annual “Art on the Village Green” show, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., continuing a tradition that has been part of the local scene for many years. MONDAY, JUNE 2 Horticulturist and former nursery owner Annika Knoppel will offer tips on buying plants to Palisades Garden Club members and guests, 7:30 p.m. at the Woman’s Club, 901 Haverford Dr. TUESDAY, JUNE 3 Storytime for children ages 3 and up, 4 p.m., Palisades Branch Library community room, 861 Alma Real. The Temescal Canyon Association hiking group will ascend Trailer Canyon to gain a spectacular view from Radio Peak. Public invited. Meet at 6 p.m. in the Temescal Gateway parking lot. No dogs. Expect to be back between 8 and 9 p.m. Contacts: visit temcanyon.org or call (310) 459-5931. Author Ann Kerr (‘Come With Me From Lebanon’) discusses her daughter Susan Kerr Van de Van’s book, ‘One Family’s Response to Terrorism: A Daughter’s Memoir,’ a personal account of an American family during Beirut’s tumultuous 1980s amid political strife, 7:30 p.m. at Village Books on Swarthmore. THURSDAY, JUNE 5 Author Susan O’Brien will discuss and sign her ‘The Gluten-Free Vegan’ and ‘The Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free Cooking’ cookbooks, 7:30 p.m. at Village Books on Swarthmore.

Sarah Kelly’s “Lather Effect” Hits DVD

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Filmmaker Sarah Kelly at Palisades High, where scenes of her movie, “The Lather Effect” were shot. “There was something about PaliHi that was the Holy Grail,” says Kelly, who attended Marymount High School.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

‘The Lather Effect,’ starring Eric Stoltz, Ione Skye and Tate Donovan, arrives in stores this week. This 2006 ensemble comedy has local appeal in more ways than one, originating with its Palisadian filmmaker, Sarah Kelly. In ‘Lather Effect,’ a group of young marrieds and singletons”essentially, over-the-hill Palisades High students”survive a wild, ’80s-themed house party to spend an extra day together. At a Palisades mansion, they go through a Generation X midlife crisis as they drink, smoke pot poolside at night, play Truth or Dare (to ill effect), and relive their glory days, back when Madonna was queen and ‘Miami Vice’ ruled the airwaves. They also struggle to get over each other (former flames being among them). In the process of wallowing in ’80s nostalgia, Kelly’s film resurrects the Ghosts of Palisades Past. ‘Is that Mort’s Deli?’ becomes a running gag as each character eyes the copious deli spread. One recalls Mort’s Chevy Chase Special, while another quips about her allegiance to ‘Mort’s Deli Turkey Hangover Club.’ Seeing that the Village Pantry recently usurped the local landmark’s space, Mort’s has joined Twisted Sister and the ‘Flashdance’-inspired ripped sweater as a warm memory. When various characters wake up hung-over, the lead (Connie Britton) is dressed as a Madonna wannabe, circa ‘Like a Virgin,’ while Jack (William Mapother) apes the ‘Miami Vice’ look. ‘They wake up in their adolescent mindset and, as the story progresses, they change,’ says Kelly, 38. ‘Tom Cruise, Don Johnson, they’re such icons.’ Eighties staples such as Billy Idol and Blondie make up the robust soundtrack, as does music by Kelly’s younger brother, Dominic Kelly, 35. Donovan plays Britton’s uptight husband, Will, who warns that they must clean up this ‘$2.1-million home to its worth so the new owners don’t default on the escrow.’ When the veteran actor (‘Good Night and Good Luck,’ ‘Friends’) read the script, the role he wanted to inhabit stood out. ‘It was the only one that makes sense to me because I didn’t have any nostalgia for high school,’ Donovan tells the Palisadian-Post. ‘He’s like, ‘Listen, high school wasn’t that great. Now is the best time.” Donovan believes that one does not have to come from the Palisades to relate to ‘Lather”s scenario. ‘I grew up in New Jersey in kind of a similar town,’ Donovan says. ‘Not near the ocean, but it was a similar vibe. There were all these people that had the best time of their lives in high school, but high school for me was miserable. I didn’t really enjoy my life until I got to college.’ Stoltz portrays the off-kilter, 41-year-old eternal party boy. ‘I’ve known him for 20 years,’ Donovan says of Stoltz. ‘He’s probably the best thing in the movie.’ The real party took place off-screen, both in the movie and during the movie shoot. ‘We rented the house that we shot in, and about three doors down, we all inhabited a house,’ Donovan recalls of the 18-day Studio City shoot. ‘We would just hang, it was so much fun.’ While the movie bills itself as a new ‘Big Chill,’ it feels closer to the 2001 Jennifer Jason Leigh/Alan Cumming collaboration, ‘The Anniversary Party,’ or a second generation Henry Jaglom film, in which our cast voices ribald observations on relationships and pop culture, lathered (so to speak) with four-, eight-, and twelve-letter words. To say that this movie has a lot of “heart and soul” would not be effusive praise”it’s gospel. ‘Lather”s characters literally play “Heart and Soul” on piano throughout the film. Incidentally, this comedy-drama would translate well as a Theatre Palisades production. Currently a Mar Vista resident, Kelly knew the Palisades back when the Pearl Dragon was the House of Lee and Hacienda Galvan had “the best taquitos in the world. ‘There’s a lot of things I’m nostalgic for the Palisades of old,’ she continues. ‘I think the Mobil station is the only thing left.’ Married to Steve Prough (PaliHi Class of 1984), whose father, John, formerly owned a Palisades bookstore, Kelly met her husband growing up in the Alphabet Streets neighborhood where Kelly’s parents still live. Stoltz not only appears in Kelly’s film, he co-produced it. “He sort of believed in me a long time ago,” says Kelly of the quintessential indie movie actor. Kelly worked with Stoltz on the seminal Quentin Tarantino odyssey “Pulp Fiction,” on which she was a production assistant. “He treated me like a filmmaker even when I was aspiring.” Also encouraging were director Robert Rodriguez (for whom Kelly chronicled the making of his film, ‘From Dusk Til’ Dawn,’ in her documentary, ‘Full-Tilt Boogie’); and Tarantino. ‘It was magic working on ‘Pulp Fiction.’ We all sort of knew that we were part of something special.’ Remember that notorious adrenaline injection scene? ‘That turned out to be one of the best days of my life because that was the day I met Richard Linklater. We watched them put the hypodermic into Uma [Thurman]. ‘Slacker’ [Linklater’s first film] is the movie that made me want to become a filmmaker.’ Donovan enjoyed working on ‘Lather’ with his first-time director. ‘She’s been involved with so many great filmmakers. She was egoless.’ Kelly”who is currently writing the script for the next film that she will direct”admits that movie-making in today’s climate, as a woman and as an independent filmmaker, is much harder than a decade ago. ‘Even Amy Heckerling just directed a movie with Michelle Pfeiffer that went straight to DVD,’ she says of the ‘Clueless’ filmmaker. ‘It’s a different time. ‘A lot of that has to do with a lack of distribution. These films live on DVD. The romance of going to see an independent movie in the theater no longer exists. That’s why film festivals are a filmmaker’s best friend.’ Women seem shut out of helming big-budget blockbusters, she says. ‘I believe we would also love the opportunity to blow stuff up and make horror movies. I think we can take on any of those big genres.’

Petrick Spotlights Schalek’s Physics Skills at PaliHi

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At Palisades High, David Schalek teaches his honors physics class about Huygens' Principle.
At Palisades High, David Schalek teaches his honors physics class about Huygens’ Principle.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

A fortunate thing happened to David Schalek as he pursued his goal to become an astrophysicist. ‘I was at the University of Arizona, with a double major in astronomy and physics,’ he said. ‘I was doing research in the lab and I was also a teaching assistant, and I discovered I liked teaching more than research.’ After graduating from Arizona, Schalek worked as an environmental chemist in private industry in order to earn money for graduate school, which only confirmed that he didn’t belong in a lab. ‘I didn’t like it, and I started looking for a graduate program in physics, where I could earn my teaching credential at the same time.’ UCLA gave the Chicago-area native a free ride, and while at graduate school he met professor Bill Layton, who also taught at Palisades Charter High School. Layton was ready to retire and looking for a replacement. ‘You want my job?’ Layton asked Schalek. After student teaching at PaliHi in the spring of 1996 and completing his master’s degree, Schalek was hired full-time that fall. Now teaching physics, honor physics, AP physics and physical geology, he was one of five local teachers to receive a 2008 Lori Petrick Excellence in Education Award on May 18. Sitting in Schalek’s honors physics classroom as he explained Huygens’ Principle–how light behaves in waves and how the formulas are derived to make calculations’a reporter could easily see why Schalek is such a successful teacher. His explanations of potentially confusing material were clear and methodical. More impressively, his students were treated more like colleagues than students. Several times, students had questions about the material Schalek was covering, and he answered them promptly and respectfully. Schalek uses different ways of illustrating techniques to make the class interesting. When students first entered the darkened classroom on the day I visited, a table lamp was hidden in a cardboard box, which was positioned so that with the use of a parabolic mirror, the lamp appeared to be in front of and on top of the box. A simple experiment to show refractive light used a pencil in a water glass that was passed around, allowing the students to see the principle being discussed. Yet another experiment involved a laser pointing at two tiny, closely spaced slits whose light was then cast onto a board at the front of the classroom. The permeating pattern of nodes and antinodes was clearly seen. After the students were able to see the tiny alternating dark and light patterns, Schalek explained, through formulas, the phenomena that students had observed. A fourth experiment required that students look through the slits on a four-by-four-inch card towards a light bulb in a darkened room. ‘Oh, amazing!’ one student remarked, and a second said simply, ‘Wow!’ Using the card like this allowed students to look at multiple interference patterns, which meant that they were able to see the different colors of light simply by looking at a regular light bulb. Schalek’s focus in all of his classes is ‘to develop the student’s analytical problem solving skills. A person succeeds in our society by being able to solve problems; therefore, my physics classes provide an opportunity to address these necessary skills.’ The most difficult problem he faces is dispelling a campus myth, spread by students who are not in his classes, that physics is hard. ‘Physics has an undeserved reputation of being difficult,’ he said. ‘I’m always fighting against that mentality of fear.’ Schalek obtained his national board certification in teaching in 2000 and, as part of his duties, now teaches courses in classroom management to other teachers. He and his wife, veterinarian Stephannie Tallent, live in Hermosa Beach where they have a dog and three cats. When Schalek’s not teaching or encouraging students to take the most rigorous classes they can, he surfs, scuba dives, runs triathlons and lifts weights.

Unforgettable ‘P10’ Encounter in Marquez Knolls

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U.S. National Parks Biological Science Technician Jeff Sikich draws blood and replaces the GPS collar on P10, an 18-month-old mountain lion that was discovered in Marquez Knolls on May 19. He was later released unharmed into the local mountains. Photo: Bill Fado
U.S. National Parks Biological Science Technician Jeff Sikich draws blood and replaces the GPS collar on P10, an 18-month-old mountain lion that was discovered in Marquez Knolls on May 19. He was later released unharmed into the local mountains. Photo: Bill Fado

By BILL FADO Special to the Palisadian-Post Monday, May 19, started out as a very ordinary day. However, that changed quickly when, early in the afternoon, I saw two uniformed men standing across the street from my house on Luna Vista Drive in Marquez Knolls. They had parked their truck in front of my neighbors’ driveway, so I decided to find out what was going on. The men were Jeff Sikich and Emmanuel Larra, biological science technicians with the U.S. National Park Service. I was stunned when Jeff informed me that he was there to keep an eye on an 18-month-old male mountain lion, designated as ‘P10′, that had decided to hunker down in the bushes adjacent to my neighbors’ driveway. Almost certainly P10 had been there when my neighbor got in his car earlier in the morning, not more than 15 feet away! Jeff was able to pinpoint the lion’s location because a GPS collar had previously been placed on him as part of the Mountain Lion Project of the National Park Service. In the past year, USNP technicians have captured and collared three mountain lions, P9, P10 and P11. Tragically, P9 was struck by a vehicle and died on Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon Road last July. P10 and P11 were captured in February. The two young males are suspected to be brothers, which will be confirmed once the blood samples are compared. Both are now independent from their mother and looking to find their own home range. According to Jeff, while it is unusual for lions to travel within a residential area, it is not at all unusual for lions to travel in the hills adjacent to the Marquez Knolls residential area. After observing P10 for three to four hours, Jeff concluded that the cat felt secure in his current location and was not likely to move if struck with a tranquilizer needle. After making sure the surrounding streets were clear, Jeff injected the tranquilizer into P10 using a blowpipe. Approximately five minutes later, P10 was ‘out.’ Jeff and Emmanuel pulled P10 out of the bushes, allowing my neighbor, Jeanette Kowell and me to one of these animals up close. There is no way to adequately describe just how beautiful this cat was and unbelievably clean as well. P10 weighed approximately 100 pounds and had huge paws, about 50 percent larger than my outstretched hand. He will ultimately reach 150 to 160 pounds. We could see traces of blood on his claws from a recent kill. Observing his sleek, muscular body, teeth and paws, I could see why catching and killing deer and coyotes (the primary diet of mountain lions) would be no problem. What a thrill to be able to pet this big guy while he was out. Jeff and Emmanuel examined P10, drew some blood and placed a more advanced GPS collar on him that would greatly facilitate tracking him. Then he was placed in a large cage and transported to a meadow in the hills above Lachman Lane. The level meadow would minimize the risk of a groggy P10 falling down a steep slope and injuring himself. We waited until P10 regained consciousness and then Jeff turned him loose. He was still groggy, so not much of a threat. As I watched P10 slowly walk away from us, occasionally looking back, it brought to mind images of the plains of Africa. Then he was gone, or so we thought. Suddenly, there he was, 50 feet away looking right at us. He stared at us for 10 seconds as if to say, ‘Thanks for getting me out of that jam,’ then turned away and went off into the night. It was a mystical experience that I will never forget. Thanks to their professionalism and expertise, Jeff and Emmanuel were able to resolve a potentially dangerous situation without harming P10. They are truly passionate about their work and dedicated to the wellbeing of wildlife. For more information about their research, visit the Web site samofund.org. If you want to make a donation to support their activities, please specify ‘Wildlife Conservation.’ Mountain lions are vital to our ecosystems. Without them, the deer and coyote populations would increase exponentially. The increased deer population would mean many more ticks, and this would substantially increase the risk of contracting Lyme disease. Attacks by mountain lions on human beings are rare. On average, one attack in California occurs every two years and one fatal attack occurs every five years. If you encounter a mountain lion by yourself, you should make yourself look as big as possible by waving your hands and aggressively defending your position, making as much noise as you can. You should not run away, because this will normally trigger the ‘prey’ instinct in the lion. For more information, a Google search on ‘mountain lion’ will give you a number of excellent Web sites.

Council Weighs Street Furniture Fight

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The Brentwood Community Council has asked the Pacific Palisades Community Council to help in an effort to prevent the installation of bus shelters, newsstands and kiosks displaying advertising in their communities. The Los Angeles City Council entered into an agreement in 2001 with CBS/Decaux to install 3,350 street furniture items citywide in the next 20 years. The city receives a guaranteed share of the total profit (about $150 million) from the advertising revenue and uses the money for beautification projects. The Brentwood council has sought legal advice regarding the issue and is requesting a financial contribution from the Palisades council, said member Gil Dembo at last Thursday’s Palisades meeting. Dembo will invite a representative to speak at the June 12 meeting about how the money will be used, so the Council can vote on the matter. On February 28, the Community Council voted unanimously to oppose the street furniture proposed for five locations in the Pacific Palisades, and the Los Angeles City Council honored the request. The city was planning to install those items by March 15. Brentwood Community Council’s attorney Beverly Grossman Palmer of Strumwasser & Woocher found that the contract the City of Los Angeles has entered into with CBS/Decaux (formerly Viacom) violates the city’s General Plan, which protects scenic highways, scenic corridors and specific plans for communities that outline how land will be used. Palmer has written a letter to the City Council. The Pacific Palisades Commercial Village and Neighborhoods Specific Plan, which went into effect in 1985, says that the following signs are prohibited: off-site commercial, roof, bench, pole, monument and window signs (except store names, store hours, logos and holiday paintings, which must be removed five business days after the holiday). Palmer’s findings also indicate that there should not be street furniture on Sunset Boulevard because it is a scenic highway. Pacific Palisades has bus shelters with advertising on the boulevard. ‘What we may have here in the city is an illegal situation. We would like to have them removed,’ Dembo told Mark Antonio Grant, special assistant to Councilman Bill Rosendahl, at Thursday’s meeting. Grant said Rosendahl does not want to ‘shove anything down someone’s throat,’ and he will strive to honor his constituents’ wishes. Two-thirds of the pillars, newsstand vending kiosks and public-amenity kiosks must be placed in areas that have the potential to generate revenue. That means some districts, including Rosendahl’s District 11, are required to install more, Grant said. Rosendahl is proposing the street furniture items be distributed more fairly. Council vice chair Richard G. Cohen said he thinks it may be a good idea to help the Brentwood council. ‘I read the letter, and they mentioned our Specific Plan,’ Cohen said. ‘They did not narrowly address the needs of Brentwood. They have already supported us.’

Justice Arthur Gilbert’s Book: Poetic Justice

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Judge Arthur Gilbert and his wife, Barbara, have a grand piano in the living room of their home in Pacific Palisades. Among their many talents, he's a jazz pianist and she's a singer.
Judge Arthur Gilbert and his wife, Barbara, have a grand piano in the living room of their home in Pacific Palisades. Among their many talents, he’s a jazz pianist and she’s a singer.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

‘They’re the only tools judges have. You have to treat them with care and respect.’ So says Justice Arthur Gilbert, not about gavels or gowns, but about words. Dubbed the ‘Court of Appeals Poet Laureate,’ Gilbert wins praise for his clear, well-crafted opinions. ‘They should be understood by anyone,’ he says. ‘I think the craft of writing is really important. It’s a reflection of thinking.’ Gilbert’s gifted prose style shines in places other than legal documents. For 20 years, he’s written a monthly column for the Los Angeles Daily Journal. The pieces entertain with musings about everyday life while illuminating little-known facets of the judicial system. Now the popular columns are compiled in one volume titled ‘Under Submission’ (The Rutter Group, $20), with all the proceeds from sales going to Legal Aid. Gilbert, the presiding Justice of Division 6 of the California Court of Appeal, Second District, is a longtime resident of Pacific Palisades. He will discuss and sign copies of the book when he appears at Village Books on Swarthmore Avenue on Friday, June 6, at 7:30 p.m. Along with being a respected jurist and accomplished columnist, Gilbert is also a talented jazz pianist. His next gig at the Jazz Bakery in Culver City happens on Sunday, June 8, at 8 and 9:30 p.m. ‘Part of me wanted to be a full-time musician, but I knew it wasn’t for me,’ says Gilbert, who studied both music and literature before deciding to attend law school at UC Berkeley. ‘I don’t like to stay up late, I can’t stand cigarette smoke, and one drink is usually enough for me.’ Gilbert and his wife, Barbara, share their El Medio Bluffs home with two cats, Tatum and Powell, named after jazz greats Art and Bud. The couple, married 26 years, both share a passion for music. Barbara, a singer, often accompanies her husband on stage, and performs as a soloist at Kehillat Israel and Beth Am synagogues. ‘I started out wanting to be a jazz singer and became a classical soprano,’ says Barbara, who, like Arthur, comes from a musical family. The Gilberts also confess to being Disney Hall junkies who need regular doses of Brahms and Beethoven. ‘It’s an important part of our lives,’ says Gilbert, who is 70. ‘The music reaches me in a far different way these days. I’m truly transported.’ Always ruminating about cases, Gilbert jots down notes while at the symphony. He also listens to music while working in his office and even takes breaks at the piano. ‘One seems to feed the other,’ he says. It’s no surprise to find a grand piano at the center of Gilbert’s living room. During a recent interview at his home, a relaxed, personable Gilbert, by turns witty and serious, weighed in on a range of subjects, from Shakespeare and Robert Frost, to the landmark decision on same-sex marriage by California’s Supreme Court, to life in the Palisades. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Gilbert began his legal career as a deputy city attorney in the criminal division, where he met and became friends with the late Johnnie Cochran. Later he headed a private law practice. In 1975, Governor Jerry Brown, a classmate at Berkeley, appointed Gilbert to the Municipal Court. From there, he elevated to the L.A. Superior Court and to the Court of Appeal. Governor Gray Davis appointed him Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal (Second District, Division 6) in 1982, the position he still holds. His court hears appeals from courts in Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. Gilbert’s first judicial assignment was as supervising judge of L.A.’s traffic court, the largest in the world, where he made his mark by creating traffic citations in Spanish. The innovation led to reaching a much larger number of offenders and enabling them to appear in court. Decades later, Gilbert’s former status as ‘king of traffic court’ took an ironic twist when he got speeding tickets on PCH and had to attend traffic school– twice. He transformed these episodes into humorous columns: Traffic School Part I and Traffic School Part II. In Part I, he writes: ‘I signed up for one of the many Comedy Traffic Schools. The only joke turned out to be on me. I called to make an appointment, and picked what turned out to be the nicest Saturday of the year. Over the phone I was told what they tell buyers in drug deals’bring cash and be on time. On the way there, I panicked over the thought of getting a traffic ticket. This, I later learned, was a common phenomenon.’ In his columns, Gilbert brings his judges-are-human-too theme to any number of subjects, including getting a colonoscopy and running the L.A. Marathon. Other essays focus directly on legal issues: ‘The Activism of Supreme Restraint’ and ‘Freedom to Express All Points of View.’ When teaching judicial philosophy to new superior court justices, Gilbert makes Shakespeare’s ‘Measure for Measure’ required reading. ‘It’s so relevant today,’ he says. ‘The play highlights how if you’re too liberal in your interpretation of statutes, you have chaos, and if you’re too strict, too literal, you have injustice. Actually, you have injustice either way. The courts are walking a fine line. People may criticize some opinions, but there’s always a delicate balance. The play is all about the impossibility of achieving justice. We do the best we can.’ Gilbert says he’s proud of the California court’s decision ruling it unconstitutional to deny same-sex couples the right to marry. ‘There’s an irony about this case that knocks my socks off,’ he says. ‘In many respects, it’s a conservative case, because it talks about the sanctity and social importance of the marriage institution. The dissent talks about tradition by saying ‘Marriage is always between a man and a woman. Where does the court get off changing the definition?’ The court says marriage is such an important institution that we can’t deny it to a certain class of people. So both are using tradition to support their positions. I think in 30 or 40 years, people are going to say ‘What was the big deal?” Gilbert continues to relish sitting down with colleagues and wrestling with issues, so much so that retirement seems a long way off. ‘I feel young, take care of myself and love what I’m doing,’ says the judge, who intends to once again tackle the 10K in the local Will Rogers Run on July 4. He’s fervent, too, about life in Pacific Palisades. ‘It’s like being on vacation every day. They’re going to have to carry me out of here.’ (Selected columns by Arthur Gilbert appear on his blog, Gilbert Submits, at www.gilbertsubmits.blogspot.com.)

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