Garden expert, landscape consultant and herbalist Kathy Brown will bring her show-and-tell talk to members of the Palisades Garden Club and guests at 7:30 p.m., Monday, May 5 at the Woman?s Club, 901 Haverford. Brown, who divides her time between Lake Isabella, where she gardens on an acre of land, and Hawthorne, plans to focus her talk on herbs, which she relies on for many uses. ?I?ll talk about how I eat and drink them, use them for medicinal purposes and in landscape designs,? she says. Her love for herbs began over 20 years ago when Brown lived in Denver, where she owned a half-acre of land. She developed an herb farm and display garden open to the public. ?I not only demonstrated how they look in the garden, but also showed how they could be used, in salads, dips, tea. ?Whenever I or my pets have a health problem, I immediately turn to herbs. I pretty much treat myself with what I grow.? On the day Brown talked with the Palisadian-Post, she was sipping echinacea tea, an herb known to boost the immune system, to soothe the remains of a cold. In 2002, she wrote a book on the subject ?Herbal Teas: 101 Nourishing Blends for Daily Health and Vitality? (Storey), which contains recipes and ideas for using herbs as ornamentals. Once a year, Brown travels to Tucson to the Native Seed/Search Seedbank, which houses the seeds of crops and wild plants traditionally used as food, fiber and dyes by prehistoric and more recent cultures inhabiting the Southwest. She buys seeds, which she takes home to experiment with in her own garden. This summer, she is trying out 30 different kinds of tomatoes, in addition to melons, corn and squash.
Citzen of the Year Bob Jeffers with Palisadian-Post publisher Roberta R. Donohue. Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer Secret Agent Man: Actor Peter Graves added some levity to the proceedings when he resumed his “Mission: Impossible” espionage guise for the evening. Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
‘I don’t want to leave Mayberry,’ lamented one guest leaving Thursday night’s Citizen of the Year banquet, which celebrated the volunteers who served Pacific Palisades in an extraordinary way in 2007. Undoubtedly, this guest, in tossing off the reference to Andy Griffith’s fictional town was impressed by the roomful of men and women, most of whom have donated time and money to retain Pacific Palisades’ small- town feel within a big city. More than 160 Palisadians came together at the American Legion Hall for the annual party, which celebrates those who have protected the town’s heritage and supported its social, cultural and recreational activities. In the 61st annual event, the Palisadian-Post honored Bob Jeffers for spearheading the $1.7-million renovation of the football field and track at Palisades High School. In addition, Golden Sparkplug winners Amy Madnick and David Card were recognized for their contributions. (See story below) The event is a reunion for so many, who look forward to greeting old friends, whom they may have worked with on a project, served on the Community Council or on one of the many volunteer organizations in the town. The honorees’ families attended, including parents. Jeffers’ mom and dad flew in from Maryland, while Dave Card’s parents could have walked from their home in the Huntington. This year’s event kicked off the 80th birthday of the Palisadian-Post, which was noted by master of ceremonies Sam Lagana, and enlivened in song. As the crowd was encouraged to sit down, which proved challenging to the garrulous, fun-loving group, Lagana good-naturedly moved along the proceedings. Government officials from the state, the county and the city recognized the awardees with handpainted commendations. City Councilman Bill Rosendahl thanked the members of American Legion Post 283 and added his own comments concerning the work each winner had accomplished. ‘PaliHi needed $1.7 million for the athletic field and running track,’ he said. ‘Somebody had to nudge to see that it got accomplished.’ Rosendahl pointed to volunteerism as ‘a way to get engaged and have fun.’ Fun, indeed, ensued with the hijinks and low jinks of ‘On Track,’ produced by Joan Graves with direction and choreography by Babs Warden Lebowsky. The revue, with lyrics by Benny Coma and Michael Aushenker, featured Adam McCrory and the Off Via chorus, including Jenny Donohue, Roberta Donohue, Joan Graves, Ed Lowe, Arnie Wishnick and Randy Young. The program got off to an amusing start with a ‘happy birthday’ salute to the Palisadian-Post, set to Irving Berlin’s classic ‘No Business Like Show Business.’ ‘The lady is 80 and she never tires/Despite the stories she’s covered for you/Retractions, reactions, that five-minute lunch/the letters to the editor by jerks’.’ The troupe then launched into a medley of cool beats for ‘Cool Bob [Jeffers].’ ‘Well, we’re movin’ on up, on a fast track/Bob promised us a blue track by the fall. We’re runnin’round town, on his fast track/Raisin’ funds for our field by this fall,’ set to ‘Movin’ On Up,’ from the ‘Jeffersons’ TV show. ‘Cool’ Bob took the stage to receive the official Citizen-of-the-Year plaque from Palisadian-Post publisher Roberta Donohue, and thanked scores of people, from his parents ‘who came all the way from our nation’s capital’ to fellow PRIDE members and friends. He gave a special nod to his wife, Karen, and to his sons Dylan and Charlie. ‘You boys may be proud of the old man tonight, but I’m proud of you every single day,’ he added, with a catch in his throat. Jeffers encouraged ‘brave souls to get involved. Civic work pays terribly, but the hours are flexible, and the personal satisfaction can’t be beat,’ he said. ‘For me, the Sunset medians, the Marquez makeover, and the Pali stadium renovation are right up there with my two sons as the things I am most proud of’and they eat less.’ Underscoring his efforts towards making PaliHi ‘our friendly neighborhood school again,’ he underscored the importance of supporting the charter school. ‘PaliHi is academically excellent, athletically competitive, socially diverse, geographically desirable, and financially merciful’ or as my friend George says’why pay twice?’ Jeffers concluded his remarks with more thank-yous. ‘ I am proud to call the Palisades my home, and everyone here my neighbors,’ he said. ‘You have made me the Citizen of a paradise.’
Sparkplug winners David Card and Amy Madnick. Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
At first, Pacific Palisades resident Amy Madnick felt embarrassed by the publicity she received for winning one of the 2007 Golden Sparkplug Awards, given annually by the Community Council to civic-minded citizens. ‘But with time, I realized that it has also offered me the opportunity to share my passion about the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life,’ Madnick told a crowd of about 160 community members gathered at the American Legion Hall for the Citizen-of-the-Year dinner last Thursday. Madnick and fellow Sparkplug winner David Card were honored. Community Council Chairman Steve Boyers congratulated Madnick for organizing the first Palisades Relay for Life, an event in which people run or walk for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society. He applauded Card for beautifying the landscape near the sewage pumping station on Temescal Canyon Road and Pacific Coast Highway, and for his work on the Potrero Canyon Community Advisory Committee (PCCAC). ‘Both of you are celebrated individuals who are now an integral part of the history of this community,’ Boyers said. ‘You will always be remembered and respected.’ Madnick asked the principal at Marquez Elementary School to host the first relay in 2004. She convinced merchants to make donations and found volunteers to help out at the event, Boyers said. ‘The Relay for Life is an annual event that has taught many schoolchildren the importance of community service, and it has improved the quality of life in our community,’ Boyer said, presenting Madnick with her award. Madnick, a social worker at Brotman Medical Center in Culver City, lost both her parents to cancer. ‘Relay for Life has made me feel closer to my father and my mother and their legacy than anything I have done as a social worker, mother or wife, since my parents passed away in 1976 and 1984,’ Madnick said, choking back tears. To beautify the area near the pumping station, Card asked the Rotary Club to purchase plants and recruited the labor from Boy Scout Troop 23, Boyers said. He secured funds from the Palisades Junior Women’s Club to pay for a solar-powered irrigation system. Card also convinced L.A. Department of Recreation and Parks and the Public Works Bureau to maintain the new landscaping. ‘The project was just successfully completed last week,’ Boyers said, ‘and because of your efforts, it has beautified and improved our community.’ Card, a landscape designer, was also honored because of his work on the PCCAC. He conducted public meetings to gather input for the long-planned park on 40 acres in Potrero Canyon. ‘We had lots of controversy, but we came together with a plan, which will be fabulous,’ Card said. The committee approved the plan in January and has submitted it to the city for consideration. Card thanked the PCCAC Chairman George Wolfberg and Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl and his staff, along with everyone who participated in the meetings on Potrero Canyon. He acknowledged Rotary Club member Perry Akins, who came up with the idea to beautify the landscape near the pumping station, and Eagle Scout candidate Jamie Hubbs for helping organize the Boy Scout volunteers. ‘Get involved in your community,’ Card said. ‘It’s fun.’
The fourth meeting of Pacific Palisades merchants was held last week at Spanky Lane, a children’s boutique on Via de la Paz, to discuss ways to get the message out to Palisades residents to shop locally, and also to address concerns about the empty storefronts in the business district. Ironically, Spanky Lane’s co-owners Angela Wilder and Marni Diamond notified customers this week that they are going out of business. This follows the closure of Nevicella Apparel and Petique, also on Via, a week ago. The April 22 meeting was sparsely attended but included Palisadian Joe Ziden, who runs Z Gallery (a home furnishing store in Santa Monica), and expressed interest in seeing how local stores were doing. Councilman Bill Rosendahl’s field deputy Jennifer Rivera attended the meeting to hear concerns and to see if Rosendahl could help in any capacity. ‘We’re trying to understand the real issue,’ Rivera said. She was told about the empty storefronts on Swarthmore Avenue and Sunset Boulevard, some of which have been vacant for almost two years. Many merchants were also concerned about the lack of building maintenance on those properties. ‘We’re reaching out to you, to see if there’s anything we can do politically or legally,’ Marni Diamond told Rivera. Many of those who attended said it would be helpful if Rosendahl would speak to Palisades Partners, landlord for nearly all the stores on the 1000 block of Swarthmore, plus the empty spaces on Sunset, vacated by The Nest Egg and The Office Supplier. ‘Hopefully, we can meet with a member of Palisades Partners,’ Rivera said. ‘Bill is willing to talk to them. We need to know their long-term goal.’ Another overriding frustration expressed at the meeting is that local residents buy goods through the Internet under the mistaken belief that it is cheaper than shopping in town. Angela Wilder explained the dilemma in succinct terms: ‘When you buy stuff on the Internet, you’re flushing independent stores down the toilet. That is your choice. But when these stores close, you’ve made that choice.’ The group discussed ways to encourage local shopping, including having waiters and shop owners wear T-shirts with the SHOPP logo, and SHOPP signs posted in the store windows, reminding Palisadians to support local businesses. A SHOPP gift basket is being assembled and will be given by realtors to new residents. The baskets will include a bottle of wine donated by Gelson’s and another local wine dealer, free Theatre Palisades tickets, merchant coupons and a SHOPP merchant directory. The merchant meetings are held the third Tuesday of every month, now at a new location to be announced.
Five local teachers will receive the 2008 Lori Petrick Excellence in Education Awards for their achievements in the classroom. Selected by the Palisades Charter Schools Foundation, the winners are Canyon School teachers Kellie Howard and Akimi Sujishi-Watson and Palisades Charter High School teachers Stephen Klima, John Rauschuber and David Schalek. ‘Teachers are often taken for granted,’ said foundation member Paula Leonhauser. ‘It’s a way of rewarding them for their dedication, time and energy.’ The award, given annually since 2003, honors the late Lori Petrick, who was a popular third and fourth grade teacher at Marquez and Palisades elementary schools, respectively. The teachers will each receive $2,000 and a crystal trophy during an afternoon ceremony at a residence in Pacific Palisades on May 18. Any educator who works within the Palisades Charter Complex for five or more years can apply for the award. Teachers must submit a 2,000-word essay or a 10-minute videotape explaining why their teaching methods represent the best practices in education and how they communicate high expectations to their students. This year, 17 teachers applied for the honor. Topanga Elementary teacher Paul Astin and Marquez teachers Laurie Salzman and Jean Vegas received honorable mention. A group of professional educators reviewed the applications and then visited the teachers’ classrooms. Merle Price, former LAUSD deputy superintendent, and Patty Lancaster, head counselor at Archer School for Girls, observed the secondary-school teachers. Terri Arnold, former Palisades Elementary principal, and Michelle Bennett, former Westwood Charter School principal, evaluated the elementary-school teachers. The secondary school judges wrote that it is apparent that Schalek, a physics and physical geology teacher, loves the subject he teaches. When they visited his class, he had the students involved in problem-solving exercises throughout the period ‘This teacher was a pleasure to watch,’ Lancaster wrote. ‘With a huge class (35) and a difficult subject ‘ everyone seemed engaged.’ Judges described Klima, an English teacher, as an excellent lecturer. They thought he related well to students, who responded to the questions he asked. In addition, ‘He applies content to historical context as well as present day,’ Price wrote. According to the judges, Rauschuber, a social studies teacher, engages students with current events. He also provides them with the support they need to achieve. ‘Wow, this teacher is an inspiration ‘ He is dedicated to his students learning and proficiency,’ Lancaster wrote. Elementary judges applauded Howard, a second grade teacher, for engaging students and having a classroom environment that reflects all subject areas. ‘Kellie is a very strong teacher,’ Bennett observed. Sujishi-Watson, also a second grade teacher, received praise for her instructional strength. ‘It was a pleasure to observe her interaction with students,’ Bennett said. Mark Snyder, board chair of the foundation, said he is pleased with this year’s selections. ‘The members of the foundation board believe there are many wonderful teachers in the community, and we want to do our small part in recognizing their efforts,’ Snyder said. (The Palisadian-Post will profile each winner in future issues.)
After returning home from work on April 18, Bernie R. was in his Marquez Knolls backyard, reading his mail, when he heard a ruckus coming from the front of his house. As he went around the side to investigate, he saw his six-year-old Doberman, Zeke, under attack by two pit bulls. Bernie’s property is surrounded by a wrought-iron fence and gated, but the two dogs broke in through a front gate to gain access to the yard. ‘They jumped on my dog and started tearing him apart,’ said Bernie, who requested that his last name be withheld. He tried to pull the dogs off, but neither pit bull had a leash or a collar. He kicked at one dog, which turned from Zeke and attacked Bernie. The homeowner grabbed a wooden patio chair and started hitting the dog; when the chair broke, Bernie grabbed a second chair to defend himself, and it also broke. Then he threw a ceramic basin at the dogs, which allowed Zeke a momentary escape. The smaller of the pit bulls, which Bernie estimated to be about 70 pounds, ran off. But the larger one, close to 100 pounds, ran after Zeke. Bernie ran into the house for a stick and a hammer, ran back outside and forced the larger dog off Zeke, then chased the pit bull into the street. He saw his neighbor, who was taking her baby out of the car, and asked her to call the police. Another neighbor, alarmed by the tremendous racket, had already called 911. Bernie followed the pit bull into a cul de sac to see if it was going home, but also to make sure nobody would be hurt. A UPS truck was parked in the cul de sac with a door open. Conveniently, the dog jumped into the truck and Bernie slammed the door shut, then waited for the police. Once officers arrived and Animal Control had taken away the larger pit bull, Bernie drove his dog to a local veterinarian, who advised him that Zeke needed to be taken to an emergency facility. At the animal hospital, Bernie was told that Zeke needed to be put down because he had serious puncture wounds on his head, neck and back. His lung cavity had also been punctured. ‘He was the sweetest dog in the world,’ Bernie said. ‘He got along with other dogs and kids. He was affectionate and friendly to a fault. ‘I was pretty much an emotional mess and so was my wife,’ he added. As far as Bernie knows the small pit bull has been euthanized and he’s not sure about the status of the larger one, which was in Animal Control custody. ‘My understanding is that the landlord has told the renters that they had to put the dogs down,’ Bernie said.
Herbert A. Crew, Jr., who had lived in Pacific Palisades for 55 years, died peacefully on April 23 at St John’s Hospital after a struggle with cancer. He was 84. Herb was born July 9, 1923 to Herbert and Hallie Crew in Los Angeles. His family traces its ancestry in California to the Gold Rush era. During the Depression, with his father often away, Herb worked many jobs while going to school in order to help support his mother and sister, including newspaper delivery boy, playground director, aircraft construction worker, and repo man. With the coming of World War II, he joined the Navy and served on the battleship USS Maryland in the Pacific from Tarawa to Leyte Gulf and Okinawa, surviving torpedo and kamikaze attacks while directing fire for the largest batteries. After the war, he graduated from the University of Southern California and later worked on an MBA. He then went to work for Citizens Bank, first in the loan department, then the trust department. He later became an independent investment manager and did philanthropic work. In 1946, Herb married Mildred Miles, with whom he had four boys. After her death in 1964, he married Gail Beckwith, who brought her own son to the marriage in 1967. Together they completed the task of raising five not always cooperative sons. In addition, Herb was active for many years with the Palisades-Malibu YMCA, the Pacific Palisades Baseball Association, and the Methodist Church. Once the boys were finally out the door, Herb and Gail enjoyed their lives together in the Palisades, along with occasional trips and cruises, until Gail passed away one year ago. Herb continued his active life around the Village until very recently, always a recognizable figure on the street with his jaunty bow tie. He is survived by his younger sister and fellow Palisadian, Catherine Tanner; his sons and their wives, Herb and Linda Crew of Corvallis, Oregon, Dick and Deanna (Hubbard) Crew of Scottsdale, Arizona, Don Crew and Laura Nichols of Victoria, British Columbia, John Crew and Sheila Gadsden of San Francisco, and Steve Beckwith and Ellen Breisacher of Santa Rosa; 11 grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. A celebration of Herb’s life will be held at Aldersgate Retreat Center, 925 Haverford Ave., on Friday, May 9 at 12:30 p.m. Since philanthropy was always an important part of Herb’s life, his family suggests that a fitting way to honor him would be through special gifts to charitable causes of the donor’s choice, or to one of Herb’s favorites such as The Norris Cancer Center at USC, St. John’s Health Center Foundation, or the Palisades YMCA.
Gerda Lee, a retired nurse and active resident in Pacific Palisades since 1976, passed away at home early on April 22. She died gently in her sleep with her husband, Peter, by her side holding her hand as the light from the window shone on her lovely face. Born near Haderslev, Denmark, on May 19, 1938, Gerda was the fourth of six sisters born to Nis and Nikoline Pedersen, who owned a farm near that city. Gerda and her sisters grew up on the farm and helped with the farming during their school years. After graduating from public school, Gerda was employed in her first job at 15 as a housemaid living with a family, doing housework and taking care of their four children. She then attended nursing school and began working at hospitals in Denmark. While living in Copenhagen in 1961, Gerda had a ‘chance’ meeting with her future husband, Peter Lee, as arranged by her cousin Carl. The two young men were returning to America the next day after bicycling in Europe, so Gerda secured three tickets to the theater and they enjoyed an evening together. Peter went back to California, served in the military, and attended engineering school. Between hospital jobs, Gerda traveled to several areas of the world. In Israel, she enlisted in an Israeli-Danish work exchange program with her friend Inger to experience life in a kibbutz near the Sea of Galilee. She told stories about how this collective community of farmers shared all their property and combined their labor. The adults ate together in a dining hall, and everyone worked equally. At first, Gerda worked in the field helping with harvesting of agricultural products, but the hot weather was daunting for someone used to the Denmark’s cooler weather. She fortunately learned that with a few Hebrew lessons she could obtain a job in an air-conditioned kiosk. She also traveled to the far regions of Israel, sometimes into areas that were protected by soldiers with rifles. One trip involved thumbing a ride through a desert area with her friend Inger. A retired Israeli-American couple, driving a large American car, felt sorry for them and stopped to give them a ride. The couple, who had experienced the Holocaust, explained that they originally had a difficult time choosing which country to visit, Israel or Denmark. They admired Denmark because of the Danes’ remarkable humanitarian aid to the Jews in World War II. Now they said they felt that their experience was complete, having met up with these two Danish girls who needed help in the desert. Gerda later traveled to Scotland to work on the neurosurgical floor at a hospital in Edinburgh, where she had a difficult time making oral medical staff reports on each patient in English. She had to learn English simultaneously while preparing the patient reports; each report was first written, then given orally with dictionary in hand. In 1967, Gerda’s American cousin, Carl, announced his wedding date. She saw this as an opportunity to attend his wedding and see America. After traveling across the U.S. by bus from New York to Los Angeles, Gerda met up again with Peter Lee (still an eligible bachelor), who was best man at Carl’s wedding. They hadn’t been in contact since 1961, but struck up a friendship before Gerda returned to Denmark and her nursing work. They began corresponding and, after Gerda visited Peter a year later, he proposed to her by correspondence and she accepted. They married on July 12, 1969 in Moltrup, Denmark, on her father’s birthday. The newlyweds settled in Santa Monica, where Gerda obtained a job on the pediatric floor at Santa Monica Hospital, while Peter worked as an electrical engineer at the L.A. Department of Water and Power. They then bought a house in Westchester and Gerda retired from her nursing work when her first son, Paul, was born in 1971. John was born in 1974. Two years later, the family moved to Fiske Street in Pacific Palisades. Gerda was actively involved in her children’s schools (including Paul Revere and Palisades High) and at Palisades Lutheran Church. She soon gained renown as a gourmet baker whose Danish butter cake was especially coveted; at a church silent auction, one of her cakes sold for $200. She was a gracious hostess at church, where she helped to organize the coffee and snack table for many years. She served on the church council, founded the Caring Committee and enjoyed being a church greeter and helping people feel at home. On the 1100 block of Fiske Street, Gerda was an equally warm and generous neighbor to everyone. She and her friend Karen Raiford started a Fourth of July block party 17 years ago and it has become a popular tradition. Gerda will be remembered for her love toward people and reaching out to all she met with love and friendship, always with much grace and warmth. She had a passion for whatever she did in this life, and there was never a job so small that it shouldn’t be done correctly. She maintained a strong positive spirit despite her seven years of chemotherapy, three operations and radiation in her valiant battle against ovarian cancer. She always maintained, however, that prayers and love from friends and family gave her extra years. In those years she took great pride in seeing her three grandchildren born. Most of all, beyond her accomplishments, Gerda loved and lived for her family. She enjoyed being a wife, mother and grandmother and was loved in return by family members and the many people showered by her attentive love. Gerda is survived by her husband Peter; sons Paul, who lives in Alameda, and John (wife Julia Harty) of Livermore; grandsons Nathaniel, Tanner and Griffin; sisters Anna Bodker, Magda Pedersen, Esther Christensen (husband Anders), and Maja Johannesen (husband Gustav). She was predeceased by her sister Clara Mikkelsen (husband Preben). A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. this Saturday, May 3, at Palisades Lutheran Church, corner of Sunset and El Medio. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.
Jeanette (Jan) Somerville, a longtime resident of Pacific Palisades, passed away on Sunday, April 13. She was 88. Although born in Flagstaff, Arizona, on January 21,1920, Jan always considered herself a native Californian. When she was 18 months old, she moved with her parents, Thomas Slattery and Julia Stofel Slattery, along with her older sister, Kathleen, to Montrose. She attended Glendale High School and graduated from UCLA in 1941. After working throughout World War II, Jan married the love of her life, Joe Somerville, in June 1947, and they moved to West Los Angeles. Joe, an Army veteran, started working with Ken Cuthbert, owner of Cuthbert Plywood, soon after the wedding. Six years later, Joe had an opportunity to buy out Ken Cuthbert, but funds were problematic. ‘We just don’t have the money!’ Joe exclaimed. ‘Yes, we do,’ said Jan, who quietly had been saving money from the household budget. Joe and Jan purchased Cuthbert Plywood, changed the name to Somerville Plywood, and the rest is history, thanks to Jan’s well-managed efforts. Meanwhile, the family grew by four children–Joe, Carol, Kym, and Bob–before moving to Pacific Palisades in 1961. Jan was swept off her feet by the community spirit that prevailed in the Palisades, which was similar to what she experienced while growing up in Montrose. The neighbors were real neighbors and the activities of the town, her church and her children’s school were beyond her expectations. Jan developed many deep and lasting friendships as a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, as an active volunteer at Corpus Christi School, and as a member of the Ladybugs Garden Club. She loved to travel and made many trips to Asia and Europe. Her love of family and her deep faith were exhibited in everything she did. Most recently, this extended to the individuals who lived at Sunrise Senior Living as well as those cared for her the last 18 months of her life. Jan was predeceased by her youngest son, Robert, in 1974; her sister, Kathleen Slattery, in 1983; and her husband, Joseph, in 1987. Three children survive her: Joseph Somerville (wife Linda) of Pacific Palisades, Carol Somerville Lampson of Pasco, Washington, and Kym Somerville Gros (husband Richard) of Waccabuc, New York; and six grandchildren: Kate, Anne-Marie and Peter Lampson, and Travis, Hunter and Keagan Gros. A memorial Mass and celebration of this extraordinary lady will be held on Saturday, May 24, at 11 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church. Contributions can be made in the name of Jeanette Somerville to the Music Ministry of Corpus Christi, or a hospice/elder care charity of one’s choice.
Karen Dawn doesn’t take herself too seriously, and neither should you, she insists. But couched within her facetiously titled new book, ‘Thanking the Monkey’ (HarperCollins Books), is a serious concern’ Subtitled ‘Rethinking the Way We Treat Animals,’ ‘Thanking’ supports Dawn’s mission in life, which is, indeed, to win over people into showing compassion for our four-legged friends and combating animal exploitation. On Sunday, May 4 at 4 p.m., Dawn and pals will throw a ‘Thanking’ book-signing and reading party at Mick’s Cafe, adjacent to Cottage Consignment Boutique, at 859 Swarthmore. Actors scheduled to read include Jorja Fox (‘CSI’), Isabel Lucas (‘Transformers 2’), James Cromwell (‘Babe’), Emily Deschanel (‘Bones’), Daniela Sea (‘The L Word’), and veteran news anchor Jane Velez-Mitchell. ‘We’re trying to make this clear that it’s not another animal rights book,’ says the Aussie-accented Dawn of ‘Thanking”s cheeky title. For nine years, the vegan author has based her animal activism in the Palisades. Born in Atlanta, Dawn grew up in Cheviot Hills until her single mom moved her to Sydney. In Australia, Dawn attended the University of New South Wales and became a writer. After working the singer-songwriter thing in New York City through the ’90s, Dawn followed the sun and headed here. Gazing at the spectacular view from her Palisades home’s deck, Dawn, flanked by her placid pit bull, Paula, and her equally affable mutt, Buster (a ‘God knows what”), discussed ‘Thanking’ on a glorious April afternoon. She wants people to pay attention to what goes into the food that we eat and the clothing that we wear, and what animal-cruelty issues might arise during the creation of those necessities. With breezy, bite-size chapters and a coffee table-friendly format, Dawn’s paperback offers statistical and anecdotal evidence evincing how we, as a society, need to treat our fellow creatures with more respect. In ‘Thanking,’ we glean pearls of wisdom from hip musicians such as Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor and Death Cab for Cutie’s Chris Walla, pop stars Pink and Joss Stone, Richard Pryor, and David Duchovny. We learn that Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire) is a vegetarian, ‘V for Vendetta’ anti-heroine Natalie Portman doesn’t consume animal products, and ‘Heroes’ star Hayden Panettiere will, in real life, perform superheroic contortions to save dolphins. Meanwhile, local hero and Olympian Carl Lewis went vegan at the zenith of his career. ‘Thanking’ has fun poking at the absurdities and injustices of our animal-kingdom issues via selected ‘Bloom County,’ ‘Calvin and Hobbes,’ and ‘Bizarro’ comics. The latter came easy, since Dawn is good friends with the cartoonist’s wife. ‘They stay here when they visit town,’ Dawn says of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Piraro. Dawn also turned to ex-boyfriend Anthony Freda for visuals. Art by Freda and Sue Coe help create ‘Thanking”s crazy quilt of paintings, cartoons, and color photos (one publisher wanted a black-and-white book. Dawn says, ‘It was never even an option. It had to be in color!’). Fun factoids and Paula pics abound. Just a teaspoon of sugar, as Mary Poppins would sing, helps the animal-rights message go down. ‘The timing is perfect,’ Dawn says. ‘We’re right at the point where people realize they care about these issues.’ How’s this for timing? Mid-way through the Palisadian-Post’s interview with Dawn, Paula ambles over to this reporter with a small stuffed monkey wedged in her jaws that resembles the love child of Curious George and the Pink Panther. Dawn insists that the Post keep the pink monkey, a small gift from her kind animal. The Post pats Paula while thanking the ‘Thanking the Monkey’ author for the monkey. Reception RSVP a must: www.thankingthemonkey.com/events.php. Visit www.thankingthemokey.com.
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