When Pacific Palisades resident Nancy Howell started having back pain two years ago, she had never heard of lumbar spinal stenosis, which most commonly affects the middle-aged and elderly. ‘All of a sudden, my back started hurting and it got worse and worse,’ Howell said in an interview. ‘I had pain in my buttock and both legs. I thought it was a pinched nerve.’ After suffering for six months and enduring pain so severe that she had trouble sleeping, Howell went to see her regular physician, who prescribed pain medication. ‘The medicine didn’t help much and it messed up my stomach,’ said Howell, now 72. She was accustomed to walking along the beaches and canyons that are characteristic of the Palisades, but the pain became so intense, ‘I got to the point that I couldn’t walk anymore.’ Howell, a retired bookkeeper who has volunteered 26 years as a manager at the Santa Monica Hospital gift shop, finally happened to read an article about Dr. A. Nick Shamie and a new transplant surgery he was doing for back pain’only a few miles from her home. ‘This sounded like something I needed to check on,’ Howell said. Shamie, who is chief of spine surgery at the VA hospital and director of spinal deformity surgery at UCLA Orthopaedic Hospital, was one of the first doctors in the country to use X-stop, an implant that relieves back pain in certain patients. The implant is designed to help patients who have problems with lumbar sacral pain, a condition caused by degeneration of the spine. ‘As we age,’ Shamie explained, ‘the discs of the spine, which are like inflated tires, start to deflate. Since the discs hold the bones of the spine apart, their deflation causes bones to collapse on each other and rub.’ Although age and gravity cause this condition, not everyone suffers as much as Howell did. Some people may have more space between the bones in the spinal column and not be affected. Others may have not have lost as much fluid from their discs, which means their ‘tire’ remains inflated. Shamie also noted that the vertebrae are held together with ligaments, which are normally stretched. As the ‘tires’ in the front deflate, the ligaments in the back of the spine “crinkle” up, crowding the space for the nerves and causing the symptoms commonly known as sciatica. Until two years ago, with the exception of major back surgery, few medical options were available for stenosis. Then the X-stop device became available to physicians, following FDA approval. The device is inserted between the boney structures that stick out of the lumber vertebrae, keeping the spacing between the vertebrae–a straightforward solution that gives patients immediate relief. ‘It’s so simple, I wish that I had thought of it,’ Shamie told the Palisadian-Post. On September 21, 2006, Howell went into surgery at 10 a.m., and was home from the hospital by noon the next day. ‘I was out of pain,’ Howell said. ‘My husband has had four back surgeries and he couldn’t believe I was pain-free.’ Shamie said that Howell’s experience is typical. The operation usually takes under an hour and involves an overnight stay in the hospital. An IV sedation and local anesthesia are used, which means patients are awake during the procedure and generally feel instant relief afterwards. Lumber spinal stenosis patients typically are over 50, and complain of lower back pain or pain in their legs. They experience significant relief from that pain when they sit down or lean over, like when pushing a shopping cart. When seeing patients, Shamie orders an MRI to determine if they are candidates for this procedure. ‘The X-stop is a big improvement because it replaces major back surgery,’ said Shamie, who was one of the first surgeons in the country to do the procedure. ‘With this surgery there is no risk of damage to the nerve and the nerve sac.’ The implant is removable and does not limit further treatment options; no bone or soft tissue removal is typically required; and the bone surrounding the spinal canal is left intact, protecting the spinal cord from damage. Well over a year after her surgery, Howell remains pain-free and has been enjoying her long daily walks. Contact: UCLA Spine Center (310) 440-2999.
There Could Have Been Oil Drilling along PCH!
In 1985, as part of its 20-year quest to secure oil-drilling rights along Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades, the Occidental Petroleum Company applied for a coastal development permit through the City of Los Angeles. According to Malcolm Abzug’s 1991 book ‘Palisades Oil,’ Occidental’s application included an artist’s rendering of the proposed 155-ft. drilling derrick, camouflaged to resemble a bell tower. The rendering, reproduced here (above left), shows a tower that ‘looks like a romantic relic of the days when California belonged to Mexico,’ Abzug wrote. He also quoted Abney Shure, a member of the opposing No Oil group, saying that ‘enclosing the derrick in a fake bell tower is like the fig leaf on Forest Lawn’s reproduction of Michelangelo’s David.’ The actress added, ‘Papier-mache swallows would be a nice touch on the bell tower.’ A second rendering (above right) presented a far more realistic image of what the oil derrick would look like, situated just across the highway from Will Rogers State Beach, near the mouth of Potrero Canyon and just east of Temescal Canyon Road. The battle between Occidental and No Oil! continued back and forth, featuring heated public hearings and political machinations, until November 8, 1988, when the city electorate was asked to vote on two propositions: pro-drilling Proposition P and drilling-ban Proposition 0. When Prop 0 received 52.3 percent of the vote and Prop P received only 34.3 percent, this effectively repealed earlier Palisades drilling ordinances and forced Occidental to finally abandon its plans in 1991. Roger Diamond, president of No Oil at the time, told the Palisadian-Post that he wanted to see the property donated to the city for a park, ‘so the children and great-grandchildren of No Oil members can prance in the sunlight.’
The Bizarre Tale of Murderer Louise Peete In 1944, Her Crime on Hampden Place Led to the Gas Chamber
When realtor Bill Kerbox received a listing for a house on 713 Hampden Place (off Swarthmore Avenue), owner Ruth Wollbruck gave him a brief history of the property that she has rented out for the past 40 years. Kerbox instantly knew he was faced with the most bizarre disclosure in his real estate career. Fact: one of the home’s previous owners had been murdered and buried in the backyard by housekeeper Louise Peete, a notorious murderer who was sent to the San Quentin gas chamber in 1947. Since the murder happened more than 60 years ago, Kerbox wasn’t required to disclose it to prospective buyers, but he chose to go the other direction by bringing the story to the Palisadian-Post. ‘My feeling is that it was such a documented event, that it would be inappropriate not to disclose it up front,’ Kerbox said. ‘We decided to turn it into part of the marketing for the house because there might be someone who finds the history fascinating.’ Several sources, including The Palisadian (before its merger with the Palisades Post) and a 1945 article in Time magazine, provide the facts of the story. Louise Peete was born into a wealthy family in 1883. Her father was a prominent newspaper publisher in New Orleans and Peete was bought up as a classic Southern Belle and given a good education at the best private schools. Unfortunately, Louise was expelled from an expensive finishing school because of her sexual escapades. In 1903, she married Henry Bostley, a traveling salesman, and went on the road with him. Alas, he shot himself after finding Peete in bed with a local oilman. Louise sold Bostley’s belongings and moved to Shreveport, where she worked as a prostitute until she could afford a trip to Boston. She specialized there as a hooker who made house calls. At the homes of wealthy clients, she stole the wife’s jewelry and sold most of the pieces to supplement her income. When she was eventually discovered, she high-tailed it out of town to Waco, Texas. Wasting no time, Peete met and wooed oilman Joe Appel, who was known for the diamonds that studded his belt buckle and even the buttons of his clothing. A week later, he was found dead with a bullet hole to his head and his diamonds were missing. Peete was arrested and called before a special grand jury, but when she explained that Appel had tried to rape her and she acted in self-defense, members of the jury openly applauded as they set her free. In 1913, low on cash, Peete married hotel clerk Harry Faurote in Dallas. Her flagrant adultery drove him to suicide and left her a widow for the second time. Moving to Denver, she took another husband, Richard Peete, and had a daughter with him, but she soon tired of her lifestyle and moved to Los Angeles in 1920. . While looking for a place to rent, Peete met wealthy oilman Jacob D. Denton. They soon shared a residence and it was rumored that Peete wanted Denton to marry her. He refused, but Peete took it in stride. She had the caretaker dump dirt in the basement, explaining that she wanted to grow one of Denton’s favorite foods: mushrooms. Denton disappeared on May 30, and a weeping Peete helped the police look for clues, but nothing turned up. She sublet the house and moved back to Denver to resume her married life. In September, however, investigators returned to Denton’s house and discovered his body buried in the basement. Peete was convicted of murder in 1921 and sentenced to life imprisonment. Her husband faithfully wrote letters to her while she was in prison, but when several went unanswered, he committed suicide in 1924. San Quentin’s warden, Clinton Duffy, later described Peete as projecting ‘an air of innocent sweetness which masked a heart of ice.’ But Peete was a model prisoner, and thanks to the help of a probation officer, Emily Latham, she was released in 1939. Peete returned to Los Angeles and found a job as a housekeeper for Jessie Marcy, age 60, who died shortly afterwards. Peete then kept house for Latham, who also died. After both deaths, police investigated and listed the deaths as ‘natural’ causes. Peete finally made her way to Pacific Palisades in 1944, when she became a housekeeper on Hampden Place for mentally-ailing Arthur Logan and his wife Margaret, a real-estate broker. While working for them, Peete married her third husband, a Palisades bank teller named Lee Judson. Shortly after their marriage, Margaret Logan disappeared. Peete told the aged Arthur Logan that his wife was in a hospital and wasn’t allowed visitors. A few months later, she convinced authorities that Arthur was insane and he was committed to a state hospital. Bank teller Judson, who was living in the Logan house with Peete, grew suspicious of his wife when he found a bullet hole in the wall and a mound of earth by the avocado tree, but said nothing. He became even more suspicious when the missing woman’s life insurance policy listed Peete as the sole beneficiary. As The Palisadian later reported: ‘Suspicion was first directed at her [Peete] when signatures on Mrs. Peete’s regular parole report, purported to be those of Mrs. Logan, failed to correspond with known signatures and were detected by an alert parole officer.’ Authorities came to the house and discovered Margaret Logan’s body buried in the back yard on December 20, 1944. She had a bullet hole in her head. Brought to trial, Peete had a logical story: Arthur had killed his wife in a fit of insanity and she didn’t want to report the death because of her background: she had been convicted of first-degree murder in 1921, sentenced to life imprisonment and was out on parole. When she moved in with the Logans, she confided her past, but rather than dismissing her, they were empathic and embraced her, which was ultimately their undoing. The Logans were among many who liked and trusted Peete. By all accounts, she was charming, sweet and believable. During her trial fellow prisoners rallied to her side by keeping her hair dyed and waved, as well as washing her nylons. ‘A jury of 11 women and one man, sitting in the court of Superior Judge Harold B. Landreth on Monday found Mrs. Louise Peete guilty of murder in the first degree for the killing of Mrs. Margaret Logan,’ reported the The Palisadian on June 1, 1945. ‘The decision was reached on the first ballot after three hours of deliberation.’ Shortly after Peete’s conviction, her husband, who had been acquitted, committed suicide by jumping from the 13th floor of a Los Angeles office building. Peete was widowed a third time. On April 11, 1947, the motherly Peete went to the gas chamber at San Quentin–one of only four women ever to be executed in California. While the matron and fellow prisoners wept, Peete said: ‘Don’t be troubled, my dears. Death is merely an eventuality in all our lives.’ ****************** Open house for the 713 Hampden Place listing is planned February 23 and 24. The two- bedroom, one-bath, 900-sq.-ft. house is listed at $1,010,000. Awasabi Green Living is overhauling the property with an environmental staging that includes new landscaping, an eco-friendly paint job, restoring existing flooring and using environmental materials whenever possible. The company is also bringing in a feng shui specialist. Contacts: Realtor Bill Kerbox at Miramar Coastal Properties (310) 600-4484 or Awasabi Green co-owner Erin Garrity at (310) 795-1899.
A Look at Some Odd Local Housing Statistics
By MICHAEL EDLEN Special to the Palisadian-Post Economists will tell you that housing prices should fall as available inventory increases and the volume of sales decreases. In January 2008, home sales in Pacific Palisades were 44 percent lower than in January 2007, and the number of homes available for purchase was 51 percent higher on February 1 than it was a year ago. Yet despite conventional logic, the median sales price here was more than 40 percent higher than in January 2007. A combination of factors can account for this anomaly. Performing statistical comparisons for a period as short as one month can be highly misleading, as many readers of the L.A. Times real estate section have already noticed. Since only 10 homes sold in the Palisades during January, calculating the median price is less reliable than when 18 homes sold last January. Second, buyers for whom financing issues are far less relevant seem to have been more committed to making home purchases in recent months, with 70 percent of January’s sales exceeding $3,000,000. We have recently observed that the ratio of escrows closed compared with new listings has remained almost identical in Pacific Palisades for the past four years. For example, there were 258 closed escrows in 2007, as compared with 317 closed in 2006. However, there were 370 new listings in 2007, as compared with 452 new listings in 2006. The same relationship has been consistent since the beginning of 2004, resulting in almost exactly a 70 percent ratio of escrows closed to new listings for each year. The traditional economic model would suggest that this ratio would have gone down towards 50 percent by this time. However, since that ratio is based on full-year statistics, it is premature to project 2008 numbers this early in the year. Perhaps the single most significant contributing factor to our local market’s median price strength is that relatively far fewer homeowners are strongly motivated to sell Palisades properties. Far more sales here are discretionary than in most other areas. Indeed, I frequently have discussions with local homeowners who then decide to lease their homes rather than sell, or who defer a sale until some later time if and when it might become imperative to sell. One of the most common concerns I hear repeatedly is, ‘Where else would I go?’ Not a lot of people living in this community want to retire to Oregon, Montana or Colorado, let alone Florida, Arizona or Palm Springs. However, the decision to sell and move becomes easier when the homeowners have grandchildren in other cities they would like to be closer to, or in the event that their local property becomes burdensome to maintain. It has been my experience that a minimum of three months’ sales results are necessary to have greater confidence in statistical analyses. Thus we all need to wait another month or two before having a clearer picture of the local housing market in 2008.
Brits, Europeans Seek Westside Real Estate Strong Euro + Weak Dollar+ Soft Housing Market Equal Buying Opportunities
By ANTHONY MARGULEAS Special to the Palisadian-Post The British are coming! There’s never been a better time for Brits and Europeans to buy a home in Pacific Palisades. Softening in the Los Angeles real estate market, combined with a 32 percent strengthening of the pound vs. the dollar since 2002, means that there are bargains to be had. It’s no surprise that the number of inquiries from Brits and Europeans about buying homes in Los Angeles is on the rise. Homes are staying on the market twice as long and many sellers are more motivated. With the British now being better off than Americans for the first time since the 19th century, according to the respected Oxford Economics consultancy, Brits have additional buying power. According to a study by the National Association of Realtors, about 20 percent of realtors sold a second home in the year ending April 2007 to a foreign buyer. A third of these buyers come from Europe, a quarter from Asia and 16 percent from Latin America. Sharp drops in the dollar against the Euro and pound have made homes in the U.S. much more affordable for Europeans. In February 2007, the dollar-to-pound sterling exchange rate was $1.95 to one pound. By November, the exchange rate had increased five percent to $2.05 to one pound, so a home selling for $2 million would now sell for $1.89 million with this added buying power. Added to this, there is less competition from U.S. buyers since it is harder to get financing due to the subprime fallout. Many Europeans have seen large increases in their home prices while U.S. prices have either stayed flat or come down. The Euro is doing even stronger against the dollar. In January 2007 the dollar to the Euro was at $1.29; by February 2008 it had weakened 14 percent to stand at $1.48 to the Euro. On a $2 million home (the average price for a Palisades home) that allows for $280,000 in additional buying power for those with Euros. California continues to be the No. 1 destination for Brits moving to the U.S.A. In 2003, for example, 9,527 Brits were issued Green cards, and California was the most prominent state of residence for these new green-card holders). The Palisades has become a special favorite because it is one of the only walking villages in Southern California. The small-town feel, the Sunday farmers’ market, the family-friendly atmosphere, the beach, and miles of accessible trails in the adjacent Santa Monica Mountains are a big draw to many people from the UK and Europe. Europeans love to walk and be active and what better place than Pacific Palisades? Last weekend I talked with Adam, a recent buyer here who came from central London (where real estate is the most expensive in the world, at $4,600 a foot!). He said he rented for a year here before he bought. ‘I chose the Palisades to be near the ocean, as that was a huge plus. Palisades real estate prices seem like a much better value when compared with London prices.’ A lot of people are crunching the numbers and realizing there are great buying opportunities on the L.A. Westside, especially in the Palisades. It’s an investor’s market, especially for overseas buyers. So will Mayberry and other local restaurants start gearing up for some Fish and Chips and Yorkshire pudding? (Anthony Marguleas is president of Amalfi Estates in Pacific Palisades. Contacts: (310) 573-4245, ext. 100, and am@LAestatehomes.com)
CLASSIFIED ADS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 14, 2008
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
HOMES WANTED 1b
WE BUY HOUSES, APTS & LAND! ALL CASH, AS-IS, FAST CLOSE. David, (310) 308-7887
FURNISHED HOMES 2
MOVE WITH A SUITCASE. Space, light, luxury in treetops greenhouse patio with spa, lndry, frplc, cable, TVs, VCRs, micro, linens, dishes et al. Short term fine. 1-2 N/S, no pets. $2,680/mo. Includes everything. Available March 1. (310) 454-2568
UNFURNISHED HOMES 2a
1 bdrm, 1 ba MOBILE HOME GEM overlooking beach. Nice yard, fresh paint, new fridge & oven. $2,000/mo. (310) 454-2515
MAR VISTA CHARMER! 3 bdrm, 1.5 ba, hdwd flrs, F/P. Updated kitchen and bath. $3,700/mo. Dolly Niemann, agent, (310) 230-3706
STUDIO GUEST HOUSE in Palisades village. All new kitchen, W/D, travertine floors, two closets, utilities included. $1,450/mo. unfurnished, $1,500/mo. furnished. (310) 459-2913
FURNISHED APARTMENTS 2b
FURNISHED STUDIO guest apartment in Palisades village area. Separate entrance, private bath, W/D. Avail Feb. $1,500/mo. includes utilities. (310) 459-6191, evenings
LOCAL—EMPLOYED. Short-term guesthouse. (310) 782-4258
UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS 2c
PALISADES SINGLE, sunny upper apt, new paint, carpet, gas stove, refrigerator, covered parking, one year lease, Non-smoker, No pets, laundry, storage. $1,095/mo. (310) 477-6767
PRIVATE OCEAN VIEW GUESTHOUSE, partially furnished; small but cool; gated, tropical gardens, patio. Near old Getty villa. No pets, no smoking. $1,300/mo. Ready now. (310) 459-1983
BRENTWOOD “MINI Penthouse.” 1 bdrm+den/office. Near Brentwood Country club. Charming ambiance. High beam ceilings, brick woodburning fireplace, hardwood floors. French doors to private balcony, shutters throughout. Stainless stove & micro. Privacy & quiet. Nestled among trees & gardens. Immaculate condition, A/C garage, no pets $2,250/mo. (310) 826-7960
CONDOS/TOWNHOMES FOR RENT 2d
GEM IN THE PALISADES! 2 bdrm, 21⁄2 ba townhouse, hdwd, tile+new carpet. Large roof deck w/ ocean views, W/D, dishwasher, additional storage, parking. $3,500/mo. Agent, (310) 392-1757
DELIGHTFUL LARGE LIGHT studio, separate eat-in kitchen, office alcove, ocean view. Walk to beach. Partially funished. One person. $1,200/mo. (310) 613-1572
ROOMS FOR RENT 3
PACIFIC PALISADES. Large sunny room. Opens onto own private patio and yard. Private full bath, share kitchen and laundry. Walk to village. $1,400/mo. (310) 230-1670
WANTED TO RENT 3b
LOCAL EMPLOYED male seeks guesthouse. Quiet, local references. Non-smoker, no pets. Call Palisades Post, (310) 454-1321
GUEST HOUSE WANTED to rent. Contact Alan at (310) 454-0531
USC VISITING SCHOLARS, Italian couple, N/S, looking for a private guesthouse or apt. in Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Mar Vista. Phone Michaela, (310) 570-0425
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 s.f. to 4,000 s.f., 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
OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE. Could be one or two offices. In the village. Private bathrooms. (818) 487-8983
GREAT LARGE PRIVATE office for lease. Light & bright, hdwd flrs, heart of the village, available now. $1,000/mo. Contact Sue, (310) 293-8961
VACATION RENTALS 3e
FULLY SELF CONTAINED 24’ Fleetwood Terry trailer across the street from Will Rogers State Beach. Pacific Palisades. $1,400/mo. (310) 454-2515
FULLY SELF CONTAINED 28’ Kit Road Ranger trailer across the street from Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades. $1,600/mo. (310) 454-2515
MORTGAGES, TRUST DEEDS 4
RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL LOANS. Avoid the “Credit Crunch” with our flexible portfolio jumbo loans. No income verification & cash out options. 5, 7, 10, & 30 year fixed (interest only), & 40 year adjustables. $500,000-$20 million+ (high LTVs). Most property types. 100% financing available up to $5 million+. Please visit realloans.com (email: info@realloans.com) for more information. Call Rick at First Financial Bancorp, (310) 571-3600 x203, for a confidential analysis. CA DRE #01144023
BOOKKEEPING/ACCOUNTING 7b
BUSINESS OR PERSONAL bookkeeping & organizing available in the Palisades including financial reports, everything to prepare for your visit to your tax person. Highly experienced, fast, discreet, estate sale management w/ detailed reporting also avail. Excellent local references. Call Shirley, (310) 570-6085
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
ORGANIZING SERVICES 7h
WILL HELP YOU de-clutter & organize your home. Assistance in preparing your home for special occasions is also available, affordable & confidential. (310) 477-6489
HOME INVENTORY SERVICES 7j
HOME INVENTORY SERVICES for FIRE THEFT, Earthquake, wills/estates, rentals, divorce. Incl video, photos & detailed reports. Pali resident. (310) 230-1437 www.homesweethomevideo.comINFANT HOMECARE. Openings for 10 weeks & up. Local refs. Lic. #197410978. Call Celia, (310) 454-7800
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
BABYSITTING/HOUSEKEEPING: Full time, live-out, Mon.-Fri. Local references, own transportation. Good English. Please call Leticia, (310) 339-5634 OR (213) 739-1480
BABYSITTER AVAILABLE M-F. Many years experience. Excellent references. Very good worker. Call Maria’s cell, (323) 810-9248
DOMESTIC AGENCIES 9
NEVERLAND NANNIES & DOMESTICS. We assist local families in finding domestic professionals for their household needs. Caring nannies, doulas, nurses; attentive assistance, housekeepers, chefs & more. Please call at anytime. (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
HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE Tues & Thurs. Live-out. Local references. Own transportation. Call Marta, (213) 365-6609, after 5 p.m.
HOUSEKEEPER EXPERIENCED Weekends Will keep your home sparkling clean with personal care. CDL, Car, English speaking. Pet friendly. Housesitting while you are away. Refs. (310) 227-5132
I CLEAN HOUSES for one day or five days per week. I have CDL & good references. Call (310) 673-8758
HOUSECLEANER AVAILABLE Thursday & Saturday. Own transportation. CDL Excellent local references. Call Nora, cell (323) 252-2642, (323) 750-4441
HOUSEKEEPERS AVAILABLE. GREAT REFERENCES. We work as a team to clean your house. Many years experience. Please call Ruben, (213) 481-2545 or Amanda, (323) 828-4770
HOUSECLEANER with many years of experience. Available Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. References. Own transport. Call Lidia, (213) 235-8512, Lidia4172@att.net
HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTER Available Monday & Thursday. Own transportation. Local references. CDL. Call Marion, (323) 424-5671
HOUSEKEEPERS AVAILABLE Monday-Friday. Own transportation. CDL, insured, very good references. Call Emilia, (213) 718-0716, or Mercedes, cell (323) 365-7748 or (323) 299-2510
HOUSEKEEPING/BABYSITTER avail. Mon./Tues./ Thurs./Fri./Sun. Own transportation. Excellent references. Call Maria, (310) 948-9637
HOUSEKEEPER OR BABYSITTER. Monday-Friday. Own transportation. Very experienced. CDL. Call Jannett, (310) 820-8985
HOUSECLEANER AVAILABLE Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday. Many years experience. References. Own transportation. Call Edith, (310) 622-5567
ELDER CARE/COMPANIONS 10a
HOUSEKEEPING CHILD & ELDERLY care, experienced CPR, first Aid certified with medical background L/I or L/O, fluent English, references available. Call (888) 897-5888, (818) 486-6432
SUGAR & SPICE Nannie Service. Elder/child care. Experienced (special needs), Alzheimers & dementia. Can cook. Personal & house sitting. Call (323) 474-8943, (323) 758-6271
EXCELLENT EXPERIENCED caregiver with men & women. Flexible hours. 8 or 12 hour shift. L/O. Ask for Mark, (323) 234-1193
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
PRECISION LANDSCAPE SERVICES! Tired of mow, blow, let’s go! Specializing in fine maintenance • outdoor lighting • fertilizing • automatic timer repair & installation • artificial grass installation • hillside clean ups • new sod • sprinkler repair. Fair prices. (310) 696-6453
CALL CALVIN’S for rose pruning. Interior & exterior plant care serving Malibu over 50 years. Call Randy & Casey for free estimates, (310) 460-8760
MIRANDA’S LANDSCAPING for your landscaping needs and more. 25 yrs. Pacific Palisades. Concrete, fencing, tree trimming. Call Moses for free est. C: (310) 428-1937, hm: (310) 672-5792
MOVING & HAULING 11b
BC HAULING & CLEAN-UP • Houses • Garages • Apts • & Yards. All junk removed. Home demolition, i.e., patios, yards & walls. Truck with lift-gate. (310) 714-1838
HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE 12a
HAIRSTYLIST STATION for rent in established salon. Friendly atmosphere. For more details, please call (310) 454-3521
COOKING/GOURMET 14a
DAILY PERSONAL HOME CHEF SERVICES. Fill your refrigerator & freezer with delicious home cooked meals! Expensive but worth it, references available by request. Please contact James, (310) 713-0101 or james@culinarycoach.com
PERSONAL SERVICES 14f
DRIVING, ERRANDS, light housekeeping, cooking, home organization, baby sitting. Refs upon request. $15/hr. Please call Michelle, (310) 453-5577
PET SERVICES/PET SITTING 14g
HAPPY PET • Dog Walking • Park Outings • Socialization. Insured. Connie, (310) 230-3829
PET HEAVEN • TOTAL PET CARE • Training. Walking. Playgroups and hikes. 30 years Pali resident. References. Call (310) 454-0058 for a happy dog!
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
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
SUPERIOR PERSONAL TRAINING • www.latrainer.com • (310) 772-5105 • A new body in 8 weeks! Check out the before and afters!
SCHOOLS, INSTRUCTION 15d
FRENCH COOKING CLASS for children ages 5 & up. My home or yours. $45/hr. Call Nicole, (310) 477-7079
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
READING SPECIALIST • Master of Education—Reading and Learning Disabilities • Special Education Teaching Certificate: K-12 • Regular Education Teaching Certificate: K-9 • Elementary Education Teaching experience: 12 yrs • Services provided for special & regular education students of all levels • Academic areas taught include reading (phonics and reading comprehension) writing and spelling • Private tutoring includes accessing the student’s needs, developing an individualized education program and implementation of that program. Palisades resident. Call Brandi, (310) 230-9890
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
TUTORING & HOMEWORK HELP. Teacher with credentials in Elementary, Special Ed. and Reading. Masters in Education & 23 years classroom teaching experience, 2 years as Reading Recovery specialist. Palisades resident. Affordable rates. Diana, (310) 717-5472 dianaleighw@yahoo.com
SPANISH TUTOR & PALISADES resident from South America is back in town!. All ages, students, housewives, travelers, business people, all professionals, SAT & AP Prep. Call (310) 741-8422
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
HOMEWORK HELPER. Credentialed Special Education teacher, K-6, all subjects. Reasonable prices. (310) 863-4496. Palisades resident.
ENGLISH TEACHER. I can tutor in essay writing, grammar and important test preparation. Call Louise, (310) 459-2433
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
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
HARDWOOD FLOORS. Professional Service Since 1987. Installation, refinishing, repair. www.designerhardwood.com • Lic. #799101. (310) 275-9663
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
ALL AMERICAN HANDYMAN! Inside/outside quick home repairs. Furniture assembly, plumbing, appliances, electric & fixtures. Emergency service avail 24 hours. Local refs. Non-lic. Thomas, (310) 985-2928
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
ALL SEASONS PAINTING, Interior/exterior, local licensed color specialist for 30 years. Kitchen cabinet clean-up. Fast, clean & on time. Lic. #571061. Call (310) 678-7913
PACIFIC PAINTING • SINCE 1979 • Interior / Exterior • Residential / Commercial • Wallpaper removal / Competitive rates. Quality workmanship & materials. Bonded & ins. Lic. #908913. Refs. avail. ( 818) 355-6480
PLUMBING 16t
JLK PLUMBING. Re-pipe and sewer specialist & all plumbing repairs. Mention this ad & receive 10% off. Lic. #722414. Call (310) 678-6634
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. Michael Hoff Construction today, (310) 230-2930
CASALE CONSTRUCTION Since 1977 • New homes • Additions • Remodeling • Kitchens • Bathrooms • BBQ islands & more. Full service from inception to move in. Free consultation: (323) 964-9707, (800) 974-7420. www.remodeling-4u.com • Lic. #512443
HELP WANTED 17
DRIVERS: TEAMS EARN TOP DOLLAR plus great benefits. Solo drivers also needed for Western Regional. Werner Enterprises, (800) 346-2818 x123
DENTAL-ORTHODONTIC ASSISTANT. Exclusive office in Pacific Palisades. Exceptional opportunity. Call (310) 454-0317
BILLING/COLLECTOR position. 1 year min. Exp. knowledge of ICD9 & CPT codes. W/C exp. a plus. Efficient, reliable, self starter, punctual. Fax: (310) 550-0367 & admin@bluestonemedical.com
AUTOS 18b
1998 HONDA ACCORD EX/V6 sedan, silver, only 41,300 miles! Excellent cond! Great family car. $8,750 obo. One Palisades owner, all service records. AM/FM/CD, cruise control, power: locks, driver seat, windows, sunroof. A/C, ABS, airbags, leather interior. (310) 804-6373
2003 BMW 325i wagon. Spotless, 65,000 miles, Runs great! Heated seats, premium sound package, iPod adapter, all windows tinted. Warranty 11/08. One driver. Blue w/ tan leather interior. $16,000. (310) 455-3455
FURNITURE 18c
NEVER USED LARGE entertainment wall system. Holds flat screen TV & components. $895. Microfiber sofa/chaise sectional, $495. Queen Simmons beauty rest mattress set, $495. Chest of drawers, $195. (310) 393-2338
“LIKE NEW”: Ethan Allen Medallion collection. Buffet, China Cabinet, Glass top rectangle dining table and 6 chairs (2 with arms). Must see to appreciate. $2,500 OBO. (310) 968-8987
GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 18d
BIG COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE! Feb. 23, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Community Church, 801 Via d la Paz
MOV. SALE! Fab LR/DR/BR furn/furnishgs/mirrors/kitch, hsehold goods/clothes/jewelry/knick-knacks. FRI.-SAT., Feb. 15-16; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 726 Enchanted Way. Info/pix: www.bmdawson.com
TWO FAMILY SALE. Books, side tables, kitchenware plus everything from A-Z. Saturday, Feb. 16th, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 1050 Embury St.
PETS, LIVESTOCK 18e
LOVING HOMES NEEDED for 2 adorable “brother” BIZUS, 3 years young, fun & playful. Moving from house to condo. (310) 413-6878, Claire
WANTED TO BUY 19
WANTED: Old tube guitar amplifiers, working or not. ‘50s, ‘60s, etc. Tommy, (310) 895-5057 • profeti2001@yahoo.com
Robert Bolduc, 69; Active Volunteer in the Palisades
Robert H. Bolduc, businessman, volunteer, husband, father and friend, died on February 10, after a 22-year battle with cancer. He was 69. Bob was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and raised in Chicopee, Massachusetts by a large extended French-Canadian family. At 18, he moved out to Los Angeles and attended El Camino College before transferring to UCLA, where he graduated with a degree in accounting. While in college he worked full-time as an accountant, supporting himself and his mother. After college, Bob worked at IBM as a salesman in the downtown garment district. During this time he met his future wife, Linda Vos (whose parents lived in Rustic Canyon). They married on November 6, 1965 at St. Matthew’s Church in Pacific Palisades and later moved north to Saratoga. They had three children during these years. When a job transfer brought the Bolduc family back to Los Angeles in 1972, they settled in a home above St. Matthew’s. Bob worked for ITEL during this time, but in 1982 founded his own management consulting firm, Bold Associates, with clients such as MCI and Honeywell. In 1984, Bob and Linda built a house on Earlham. He was an active community member, particularly at the YMCA. He could be seen cheering on the swim team, at T-ball, softball and soccer games, and track meets. Bob ran in the Fourth of July 10K for many years and always enjoyed the parade. In later years he was often seen walking around town, waiting for the bus or eating at Mort’s. All who encountered him found him friendly, funny and helpful. Bob loved to swim, ski, bodysurf, run and play basketball, tennis and volleyball. He was also an avid backpacker and loved taking his family on weeklong treks in the High Sierras. In addition, he loved music, especially jazz, and singing. He had a lovely voice. In restaurants, when ‘Happy Birthday’ was sung, he was always the loudest, strongest voice to be heard. He loved to sing with and to his children when they were young, and many hours on road trips were spent singing. Bob lived life with gusto. When told in 1986 he had four months to live due to brain cancer, he threw himself into survival. He used conventional medicine (including an experimental treatment that involved having radioactive pellets inserted into his brain for five days) and alternative medicine, going on a complete macrobiotic diet for many months and using prayer and visualization. Something worked, because he remained cancer-free for many years. After his diagnosis and surgeries, Bob sold his business and became passionate about volunteer work. He couldn’t drive but he took the bus to all of his activities, staying self-sufficient for many years. He was a longtime member of the Wellness Community, volunteered at the Palisades library (where he read books to children in the afternoon) and was active with the Epileptic Society, Camp Ronald McDonald, and Good Samaritan Hospital. In 1998, Bob and Linda moved to Santa Monica. He was a devoted husband for 43 years and he would be the first to admit that he and his wife fought cancer together. Without her, Bob would not have been able to sustain the independent life he did for so many years. In addition to his wife, Linda, he is survived by his daughters, Michelle Gleeson (husband Rufus) of Los Angeles and Nicole Schmidt (husband Mathew) of Davenport, Iowa; his son, Brad Bolduc (wife Mona) of Monrovia; and six grandchildren: Ashley, Christian, Henri, Nathan, Dora and Louis. A memorial service will be held on February 17 at 12 noon at the Subud House, 5828 Wilshire. Contacts: (310) 430-0703 or (323) 702-0070. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wellness Community of West L.A., 2716 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405. Telephone: (310) 314-2557.
John McCrone, 76; Oil Industry Businessman
John Joseph McCrone, better known as “Jack” by those who knew him, passed away quietly on January 19, following a long battle with pneumonia. He was 76. Jack was a world-class businessman, a loving and dedicated husband and father, an international traveler, a volunteer and a solid pillar of support to everyone who knew him. Born in 1931 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to William and Clare McCrone, Jack was the younger of two sons and spent his childhood and teen years in Scranton. After World War II, the family moved to Batavia, where William started a coal business. Alas, when Jack was just 17, his father died of a heart attack. Penniless, Jack begged the funeral director for help with William’s burial arrangements. This defining moment informed Jack’s lifelong iron will to succeed. Jack moved with his mother to Buffalo, New York, where he attended the University of Buffalo. The move allowed Jack and Clare to be closer to Jack’s brother’s family. In Buffalo, Jack met his one and only true love, Patricia. Living in the projects, dirt poor, working the third shift on the railroads to support his mother, Jack still graduated from college as president of his senior class. He was the first in his family to graduate from college. Wed in 1957, Jack and Patricia embarked on their nearly half-century marriage, as Jack started a sales job with Texaco, where he excelled. Promotion after promotion followed, and the couple moved from Buffalo to Elmira, New York, to Pittsburgh. During this time, he and Patricia adopted a baby boy, whom they named James Patrick. In 1967, Jack risked his secure and successful position at Texaco to work for a new oil company that he would help lead to global success. Imperial Oil & Grease hired Jack as a sales representative working solely on commission. Soon, he advanced to become Pittsburgh district sales manager, then regional manager for the North Central Region, and eventually general manager of North American Operations. Relocating his family to Pacific Palisades in 1979, Jack worked for Imperial from his home office and traveled to different countries, where he inspired those around him. He and his team continued to break sales records for Imperial until Jack left the company in 1996. In retirement, Jack stayed active by volunteering for the Diabetic Support Group at St. John’s Hospital and keeping close relations with the charities that he supported. Jack was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 46 years, Patricia, in December 2003. ‘Mom and Dad were able to travel all around the world because of the work that he did,’ said their son James. ‘It was their shared love of adventure that always made each trip memorable. Everywhere they went, they made new friends and deepened the friendships they had.’ Jack is survived by his son, James, and girlfriend Jennifer; nephews, Bill, Tim and Brian; and niece, Clare. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 18, at Saint Monica’s Church in Santa Monica. In lieu of flowers, arrangements will be made for donations to selected charities in Jack’s honor.
Palisades High Staffers Wrestle With
More than a third of the staff at Palisades Charter High School have the option to return to Los Angeles Unified School District this fall, but school leaders say they don’t think turnover will be that high. ‘I’m not worried,’ said Colleen McCarthy, the new human resources director. ‘I think people want to stay here. They love this school.’ LAUSD gives teachers, administrators and classified staff the option to take a five-year leave of absence to work at a charter school. At the end of the five years, they must decide whether to stay at the charter school or return to LAUSD. This is PaliHi’s fifth year as a fiscally independent charter school, meaning that the school receives funding directly from the state. Before that the school was a dependent charter school receiving funding from LAUSD. Until 2003, the school’s staff were considered employees of the district. Ninety-two of the school’s 235 employees were granted the five-year leave of absence to stay at the school. They will now have to decide by April 15 whether or not to return to LAUSD. A major concern among PaliHi’s 74 administrators and faculty and 18 classified employees is whether they will receive their lifetime retirement benefits from the district, McCarthy said. LAUSD has promised that after they retire, employees will have access to the same medical, dental and vision benefits they receive now. This health coverage is meant to supplement Medicare. LAUSD officials have yet to decide if they will give Pali employees lifetime retirement benefits after June 30, according to Amy Dresser-Held, the school’s executive director. LAUSD is reviewing the situation and will make a decision soon, said district spokeswoman Nadia Gonzalez. Because of the uncertainty, the PaliHi board of directors has set aside $1.5 million in a trust fund to offer lifetime retirement benefits to employees, said board chair Rene Rodman. ‘We want to ensure that they receive the benefits that they were promised,’ she said. ‘We’re managing the fund, and we know where the money is going.’ Obviously, the money is not enough, McCarthy said, but it’s a start for saving toward the future. Pali’s board currently purchases health benefits from the district and gives the district an additional $600,000 a year for retirement benefits. At this moment, the board does not know how the retirement money will be allocated to Pali employees. Dresser-Held said the district and PaliHi do not have a written agreement regarding the matter. School officials are working with the district to resolve this issue. As for the future, ‘Pali will either continue purchasing benefits through LAUSD if we have a clear agreement or will purchase them independently,’ Dresser-Held said. On February 26, the board will meet to discuss purchasing health benefits independently. The board will later vote whether to set aside the $600,000 for retirement in the newly created trust fund rather than giving it to LAUSD. Photography and yearbook teacher Rob Doucette, 61, said he had planned to retire in another year, but has chosen to retire this June while he is still considered an LAUSD employee. This will ensure that he receives his lifetime retirement benefits from the district. ‘It would have only been another year,’ Doucette said. ‘I don’t feel forced. It’s time.’ He has taught at Pali for 34 years and hopes to continue to work part-time at the school. McCarthy and Rodman said they understand why teachers who are close to retirement may decide to leave now rather than gamble with their retirement benefits. ‘It’s such a personal decision,’ Rodman said. ‘It depends on where they are in their career and their plans for the next three to five years. It’s hard to guess what will happen.’ Board vice chair James Paleno wonders whether LAUSD can even provide lifetime benefits because the district itself could be financially strapped in the future. McCarthy said she has heard that the money given to LAUSD for retirement, including the annual $600,000 from PaliHi, is being spent now for retirees. According to discussions she’s had with LAUSD, lifetime benefits are a $10-billion unfunded liability. The cost to fund those benefits is expected to increase from 4.1 percent to 20 percent of the district’s general fund annual budget in the next decade. ‘It’s a question of do you trust them?’ said Paleno, the boys basketball coach and special education teacher, who started working at the high school in 1981. He and Spanish teacher Ruth Mills, who taught at Pali from 1976 to 1982 and returned in 1996, plan to stay. They said they feel secure financially because the school board has set aside money for retirement benefits. They also agree with Pali’s educational mission. With fiscal independence, the school can directly spend money to improve the academic environment, Mills said. Officials have purchased more books, refurbished the library, hired additional counselors and installed bungalows for additional classroom space. If the school had remained financially attached to LAUSD, Mills doesn’t think those changes could have occurred. ‘I’ve been a big supporter of Pali going charter from the beginning,’ she said. Health teacher Susan Ackerman, who has taught at Pali for 10 years and is not close to retirement, has also chosen to stay. ‘To go where?’ she asked. ‘I can’t imagine why anyone would leave.’ Ackerman likes how the charter school gives teachers the opportunity to develop new educational programs. English teacher Dennis Danziger, however, is concerned about the vitality of the school and has decided to return to LAUSD. Pali has had three principals and two executive directors in the past five years, which is a sign of instability, he said. Danziger, who has taught at Pali for 12 years and is at least six years away from retirement, also thinks school leaders do not have a history of openness regarding the budget. He doesn’t trust them with his retirement benefits. In 2003-04 and 2004-05, Pali administrators failed to contribute money from employees’ checks to the California State Teachers’ Retirement System because of computer glitches. School officials put the money in a private bank account until the matter was resolved. Danziger said administrators did not inform teachers of this decision until a retiree asked why her contributions to CalSTRS were not made. Dresser-Held, who has headed the school for two years, said school leaders make decisions in a public forum and are always working to improve communication between teachers, parents and the community. Danziger and the other teachers who leave PaliHi will be assigned to a LAUSD school where there is an opening. Teachers can interview for open positions of their choice, but if a mutually agreeable spot is not found, the district will place the teacher, according to the United Teachers Los Angeles-LAUSD contact. In addition, the past five years teachers spent at Pali do not count toward their seniority status at LAUSD. Their seniority will be the same as when they left the district to work for the charter. This means they may have to teach a lower grade level. At this point, McCarthy hasn’t heard that many teachers are leaving. She estimates an eight to 15 percent turnover rate from this spring to next fall. In the U.S., schools typically have a 15 percent annual turnover rate, she said. Last year, Pali had a turnover rate of 10 percent for the entire staff. McCarthy plans to recruit at 15 job fairs and post openings on teacher employment Web sites. She hopes to hire experienced and new teachers. ‘I will be out early and be visible,’ she said.
Bob Jeffers Named 2007 Citizen of the Year
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
Bob Jeffers, who led the community-driven campaign to renovate the football/soccer field and running track at Palisades High, has been named the Palisadian-Post’s Citizen of the Year for 2007. Jeffers and the Community Council-selected Golden Sparkplugs will be honored at the Post’s annual Citizen dinner on Thursday, April 24 in the American Legion Hall. Pacific Palisades resident Jeffers and Brentwood’s Jim Bailey have served as co-chairmen of the $1.7-million makeover at the Stadium by the Sea. The final phase of the work, laying down the blue rubber topcoat and painting lanes on the all-weather track surface, began this week. Construction started after graduation last June, when the natural grass football field was replaced with synthetic sports turf. “In reviewing the nominations, we felt Bob Jeffers was by far the most deserving of this award,’ said Post Publisher Roberta Donohue. ‘In addition to the stadium renovations, Bob’s work with PRIDE has been tireless, as he spearheaded both the Sunset median at Chautauqua and the Marquez Avenue business-block projects.’ Instituted in 1947 by The Palisadian (before its merger with the Palisades Post), the Citizen award honors the man or woman who, in the opinion of an impartial committee of judges, did the most to benefit the community of Pacific Palisades the previous year. ‘Bob was adamant that the condition of the track and field was not deserving of this community,’ wrote Greg Wood, Palisades High’s chief business officer. ‘Almost single-handedly, Bob took it upon himself to contact the high school, make a presentation to our Board of Directors and approval for the project. He then worked tirelessly on obtaining the necessary funding and convinced ‘Olympian of the Century’ Carl Lewis to lend his name to the track.’ In their nomination letter, Shari and Russell Wollman wrote: ‘Bob has been our neighbor for eight years and his willingness to dedicate his time and effort to make the Palisades a better place to live is exemplary and merits our community’s appreciation and recognition. His proven track record of community involvement and leadership is truly inspirational.’ Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Arnie Wishnick noted that ‘Bob kept a close eye on the day-to-day operations, from groundbreaking to completion. And when he wasn’t there he was out fundraising.’ Jeffers grew up in Denver and Bethesda, Maryland, and attended Duke University, where he played soccer. After working for large ad agencies in New York City for six years he moved to Los Angeles and earned his master’s degree in film at USC. Now he is a freelance copywriter in entertainment advertising, specializing in writing movie trailers and promotions for TV shows. He and his wife, Karen, live in the El Medio bluffs neighborhood with their two sons: Dylan, a freshman at nearby PaliHi, and Charlie, an eighth-grader at Paul Revere Middle School. As it turned out, Bob’s support of his boys’ athletic endeavors played a role in making the field they’ll now have the opportunity to play on a reality. The field makeover idea came to Jeffers when he and his sons were in San Diego at Karen’s alma mater, Patrick Henry High: ‘I saw that they had one of these turf fields,’ Jeffers told the Post. ‘My boys and I were enthralled with the soft perfect surface. We played some ‘tackle’ football just so we could fall on it. That’s when I thought to myself, ‘Why can’t we do this at Pali?” Six months later, Jeffers heard that Jim Bailey had already begun researching the idea and he jumped in to help. The new stadium field was inaugurated last November 2, when Palisades hosted its homecoming football game against Venice, culminating over two years of fundraising in the community by Jeffers and his team, along with planning and overseeing the construction. ‘It’s been the most rewarding thing in my life after my two sons,’ Jeffers said. ‘I get so much pleasure watching kids play on it. It even seems like they’re putting more energy into morning P.E. This is the kind of facility this school and this community deserve and I’m grateful to all the people who have helped make it possible.’
