Teachers from Paul Revere Middle School’s Physical Education Department ran the Los Angeles Marathon on Sunday, finishing in 3 hours, 48 minutes and 55 seconds. As a four-person relay team, Revere teachers Holli Omori, Justin Koretz Paul Foxson and Michelle Hernandez each ran a little over six miles. Entered under the name ‘Revere PE,’ they passed off the timing chip from running shoe to running shoe at specified intersections. Koretz had run the marathon the previous eight years. Seven of those years he ran it alone but last year he tapped Omori to run the first 13 miles, while he ran the second half. The pair finished in four hours and 45 minutes. This year’s newcomers, Foxson ran at a six-minute mile pace and Hernandez was happy to be the person that crossed the finish line. ‘I decided to get more of the teachers involved to set a good example for the kids,’ Koretz said. ‘We make the students run every week.’ [The legendary one-mile Sunset run, as well as the Around the World, Big Bear and Grass Mile, are required of all students at least once a week.] This year he enlisted the entire department for the marathon, including Marty Lafolette and Ray Marsden, who both begged off at the last minute. One had family reunion to attend, the other a Bar Mitzvah. ‘We tried to get them to change the date of the L.A. Marathon,’ Koretz joked. ‘How are you coming with that?’ Foxson asked. The boys’ P.E. office at Revere is a gathering place not only for students, but parents as well because of the quick wit, the easy-going personalities and the optimistic nature of the teachers, who last year were the recipients of the Lori Petrick Award for Excellence in Education. To train for the marathon, Koretz arrived at the school by 6 a.m. ‘I run to the beach and back,’ he said. ‘It takes about an hour.’ More often than not, he was accompanied by one of his teammates. In addition to setting a good example, the teachers sought sponsors with all proceeds going D.R.E.A.M.S. (Developing a Responsible, Educated and Moral Society) Foundation, a non-profit organization that Koretz started 10 years ago to provide scholarship assistance to high school seniors. ‘I had a student whose father passed away at an early age with a brain tumor,’ he said. ‘I wondered how could I help him?’ Since 2000, 24 students have been selected to receive a $5,000 scholarship, including three students from Palisades High School, Lillee House-Peters (George Washington), Christine Kalinowski (UCSC) and Danielle Rochlin (Princeton).
CLASSIFIED ADS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 28, 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
MANUFACTURED HOMES, OCEAN & MT. VIEWS. Pacific Palisades-Pt. Dume. REPRESENTING BUYERS & SELLERS. Assoc. Broker/Realtor, Franklin, (310) 592-6696. Mfg. Home Consultant. Lic. #SP1136798
HOMES WANTED 1b
WE BUY HOUSES, APTS & LAND! ALL CASH, AS-IS, FAST CLOSE. David, (310) 308-7887
FURNISHED HOMES 2
FULLY FURNISHED, CHARMING & quiet 1 bdrm, 1 ba cottage. FP, walking distance to village & bluffs. Short term available. No pets. $2,500/mo.+security. (310) 459-0765
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
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
3 BDRM, 2 BA in ABC streets. Large lot, nice yard. 2-car garage. Gardener. Quiet. $5,000/mo. Call (714) 526-9046
2 BDRM, 2 BA GUEST HOUSE, semi-furn with family room, no kitchen, hdwd flrs, central heat & air. Cable, internet & util incl. Rec. center. $1,950/mo. Mary, (310) 454-9337
OCEAN VIEW 4 bdrm, 21⁄2 ba. F/P, hdwd flrs, patio, quiet neighborhood. Sunset Mesa, Palisades/Malibu (off PCH). $5,850/mo. (310) 795-8867
UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS 2c
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
WALK TO BEACH! 1 bdrm, hdwd, gated entry, pool and parking. Quiet location near Sunset/PCH. $1,745/mo. (310) 230-7804
PACIFIC PALISADES APARTMENT. Pets ok. Available within walking distance to village with Gelsons, CVS, library, many great restaurants and stores. Beautiful and quiet building with swimming pool. 1 bdrm. Apt. #5. $1,495/mo. Call Jay, (310) 200-0063
CONDOS/TOWNHOMES FOR RENT 2d
GEM IN THE PALISADES! 2 bdrm, 2½ 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
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
PEPPERDINER SEEKING ROOM in quiet non-drug, N/S Palisades home. Call (818) 274-2640
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
OFFICE FOR RENT. Available March 1st. Heart of the Palisades. (310) 454-3521
PALISADES OFFICE SUITE available on Via de La Paz. Approx. 1,103 SF, it includes 2 offices with large windows overlooking a courtyard, front office area for 2 receptionists, conference room, kitchen w/ appliances & 1 bathrm. 2 reserved parking spaces. Perfect for any type of business. $3,305/mo. Call (310) 386-2466 or email info@dslrf.org.
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
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.com
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
EXPERIENCED NANNY & HOUSEKEEPER. Reliable, caring & flexible. Bilingual and I provide my own transportation. Great local references. Call Nancy at (818) 209-6024
DOMESTIC AGENCIES 9
NEVERLAND NANNIES & DOMESTICS. We assist local families in finding domestic professionals for their household needs. Caring nannies, doulas, nurses; attentive assistants, housekeepers, chefs & more. Please call at 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
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.-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
HOUSEKEEPING available Monday-Friday. Own transportation. Excellent local references. Call Dinora, cell (213) 447-5865
PLEASANT, EXPERIENCED HOUSEKEEPER available Mon., Thurs. & Fri. Live out. Excellent local references. Some English. Please call Reyna, (323) 635-6173
HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE Mon.-Thurs. Live out. Experienced. Good references. Available now. Call Yesenea, (323) 662-6751
HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE, 17 yrs experience. Trustworthy, reliable, local references. Has car. Call Teresa, (323) 754-8058
EXCELLENT HOUSEKEEPER Great with kids & cleaning. Prefer live-in. Perfect references. (310) 689-8015
HOUSEKEEPING, 20 years experience. Good references, available Mon.-Sat. Love pets and children. N/S. Lives local. Call anytime. (310) 572-7984, cell (310) 817-9515
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
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
“CALL CALVIN’S” for rose pruning organic feeding & spraying. Interior/exterior plant care serving the Westside over 50 years. Call for free est. (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
TREE SERVICE 11d
ECCONO TREE SERVICE. Prof. tree trimming & removal. LAFD brush clearance. Monthly gardening service. Lic. #780501. Bonded, insured. Worker’s comp. Free est. (310) 497-8131. www.ecconotreecare.com
COOKING/GOURMET 14a
PERSONAL 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
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
CREATIVE HEARTS MUSIC presents 2008 Teen Artist development workshops. • Songwriting • Recording • Performance • Pro-tools • Make-up • Photography. Please call Laurie McNulty, (310) 457-4661
LEARN MANDARIN. Outstanding teacher now forming kid’s & adult classes for conversational Chinese. • Masters Degree-Language Education from CSULA • Friendly, enthusiastic, patient • Excellent with both children & adults • Tuesday evenings-Palisades Village location. One Palisades family has already joined the class. Please call for referral & more details. Chris, (310) 459-3408
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
JOHN & TANGI CONSTRUCTION & Home repair. All concrete • Blockwall • Brick • Stucco • Patio cover • Stamp • Painting • Stone • Foundations • Free Est. (310) 592-9824, (818) 731-6982, (323) 401-1128
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
EXPERT HANDYMAN, very experienced. Repairs for small projects: Replacing windows, tilework, doors carpentry, painting. Local refs. Lic. #2190206. Emilio, (213) 272-9699
D.J. CARPENTRY & REPAIRS. Serving the Palisades 13 yrs. Non-lic. No job too small. Prompt, friendly service. (310) 454-4121, cell (310) 367-6383
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING 16p
SANTA MONICA HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING. INSTALLATION: New and old service and repairs. Lic. #324942 (310) 393-5686
LOCKSMITH 16q
LOCKSMITH • (310) 396-7784 • Bill Walter, Residential & Commercial. License #LCO-4438 Emergency Service 24/7
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. (310) 954-7170
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
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
PERSONAL ASSISTANT FOR Broadcaster/Dr./producer part time/flexible, personal/business/home/ office activities, some clerical and errands. Must have car and like dogs. hensel_b@yahoo.com
OFFICE MANAGER FOR Malibu office: career oriented, organized and detailed, excellent communication, phone and writing skills, computer literate (QuickBooks, Word, Excel, Photoshop). Please e-mail resume to adam@amazingtaste.com
BABYSITTER NEEDED in Palisades 2 days a week, after school (starting at 1:00 or 2:30 p.m.) until 6:30 p.m. Extra hours are available, but not necessary. Must drive, car provided. English required to assist with homework for 2 grammar school children. Must be happy, active person with experience with children. (Tuesdays and Thursdays would be ideal.) Call (310) 740-1266
DRIVERS: CEVA LOGISTICS now hiring CDL-A drivers. Competitive wages! Home daily! Apply online: Cevalogistics.com. Call (937) 603-3092 or (937) 642-2910.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Part time, $15/hr, computer skills necessary, knowledge of Quicken. (310) 459-0765
AUTOS 18b
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
POKER GAMING TABLE with three rolling swivel chairs. Octagonal top reverses to dining table. $400. (310) 573-1025
BAKER DINING ROOM chairs (10). Red rattan Chinese Chippendale. Retail at $1,000, will sell for $300 each. Go to bakerfurniture.com, search by 17-458-1. Phone (310) 573-9712 or (310) 463-6323
GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 18d
GREAT MOV. SALE! Mix antique/contemp furn. Parsons/side tables/huge pine credenza/bar/Teak patio set (seats 10)/Rest. Hardware bed/Electronics/ Hsehold-kitch goods/collectibles/Linens/clothes/ hi-end-costume jewelry/sports equip/books/CDs/ DVDs! More! FRI.-SAT., Feb. 29-Mar. 1; 8 a.m.-4 p.m.! 1180 Fiske (corner Bestor). Info/pix:www.bmdawson.com
MULTI-FAMILY GARAGE SALE! Great stuff. 15015 Altata Drive in Huntington. Sat., 3/1/08, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Furniture, kids clothing and toys, artwork, carpet, electronics and much more.
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
Garden Club Focuses on Exotic Trees for Sheiks
Dick Lahey, part nurseryman, part Indiana Jones, will speak to Palisades Garden Club members about his 21 years searching the world for exotic trees for Middle Eastern sheiks, on Monday, March 3, 7:30 p.m. at the Woman’s Club, 901 Haverford. Although Lahey worked for a company that provided specimen trees for customers throughout the world, including the majority of trees for Disneyland France, he was primarily contracted to find and deliver trees to various princes in the Middle East. ‘I facilitated in finding and delivering trees to 36 different palaces in places like Oman, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar,’ Lahey says. Eighty percent of his product was palms, everything from cycads to date palms from Morocco and Mediterranean fan palms, which ironically often came from places other than the Middle East, such as Florida and Mexico. One of the longest and most complicated jobs involved providing the majority of the large and small specimen trees for the Islamic Conference Center in Kuwait. Lahey explains that many of the trees came from France and Lebanon because of the lower cost to transport them. ‘Every year, the Arab countries come to together for a conference,’ Lahey says. ‘ The project was huge, it would be like building a Santa Monica college in a year.’ Although Lahey was not responsible for landscaping, he purchased the trees with a guarantee for up to a year. ‘I documented the entire process, from the selection to landing. I noticed if they had been fertilized and irrigated sufficiently, and if there was any damage’like if a crane had dropped on one.’ In 1983, Lahey managed nurseries used for growing grounds in Sri Lanka and Thailand, which provided stock for the company. A year later, while preparing ficus tress cuttings from a forest in Anuradhapura, one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, he was inadvertently caught up in the coup d’etat. The itinerant Lahey returned to the United States in 2004, and soon after purchased Merrihew’s Sunset Gardens on Ocean Park Boulevard. And even though retail is a change of pace for him, he continues to indulge his interest in different and unusual things. ‘I like to go out all over the county and look for unusual stuff; I buy from 81 different growers.’ The meeting is free and open to the public.
Palisadian Dr. Christine Schultz Wins State
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
Santa Monica College political science professor Dr. Christine Schultz, who is known for her deep love of teaching and her success in growing and diversifying SMC’s honors transfer program, has been named one of four winners of the prestigious statewide 2008 Hayward Award for Excellence in Education. ‘I’m excited,’ said Schultz, who will also receive a $1,250 cash prize. “I never cared about this kind of thing but it is nice when you get recognized.” Schultz, 56, a Palisades resident, has taught at SMC for the past 24 years. In 2004, she took over as chairperson of the Philosophy and Social Science Department–which includes political science, economics, sociology, philosophy and women’s studies. A specialist in the effects of the mass media on presidential politics, Schultz also taught from 1979 to 1997 at UCLA, where she earned her doctorate. She has twice been named SMC Alpha Gamma Sigma Outstanding Professor of the Year and twice named UCLA Professor or the Year. Although colleagues praise Schultz for her intellectual heft and impeccable academic credentials (she is the author of three college textbooks on American government and politics), they single out her passion for teaching. “The happiest moments of each of my days are those spent in the classroom,’ Schultz says. “With my students I learn, laugh, embark on uncharted seas, and push the boundaries of knowledge. My love affair with the classroom is so consuming that I have never opted to take a sabbatical leave and I have accumulated 238 days of unused sick leave.” Demanding of her students, Schultz has produced results, chalking up one of the highest student retention rates at the college. More than 90 percent of her pupils have finished her courses, and more than 75 percent receiving A’s or B’s. “I am not an easy grader,” Schultz said. “Rather, I have developed a complex system of working individually with each of my students, tailoring my assignments to their particular interests and talents. “In a 16-week semester, I offer more than 42 assignments from which students pick and choose. It is not uncommon for me to be meeting individually with students the week of finals trying to provide them additional opportunities to express themselves and what they have learned. My students thrive in this environment of choice.” From 1986 to 2002, Schultz served as the faculty coordinator of SMC’s prestigious Scholars Program, an honors program whose students are essentially guaranteed admission into such schools as UCLA as long as they follow a prescribed curriculum and maintain the required grade point average. During her tenure, the program grew from approximately 30 students to more than 800. Reflecting on her decades long experience, Schultz has seen numerous cycles in student involvement in the politics. ‘I’ve taught so long, I’ve seen so many changes,’ she says. ‘At UCLA, students were so politically aware, then during the Ronald Reagan presidency, they were more interested in careers and making money. After Reagan, there was a lull for a lot of years. Now, this year, I’m beginning to see some interest again, not necessarily in the war, but they are really involved in the environment, there is real enthusiasm. They are see their world destroyed.’ With her specialty in mass media and presidential politics, Schultz admits that she is currently reveling in one of the most dramatic and exciting presidential races in contemporary American history. ‘The 2008 presidential campaign is exciting this young generation of first-time voters,’ Schultz said. “This moment in history presents an opportunity for this nation to invite them in and encourage and foster their voice in politics.’ Schultz and her husband, Greg, have two daughters, Katlain and Courtney, both of whom are involved in post-graduate work. Schultz jokes that, thanks to Greg, who is in real estate, she has always been able to do what she loves. When she is not in the classroom, Schultz enjoys her morning walks with her neighbor in the Riviera and the local mountains. ‘I love to hike and I love to be with my kids,’ she says. ‘Teaching has been a perfect job for a mother.’ The Hayward Award, named for former California Community Colleges Chancellor Gerald C. Hayward, is given each year to four instructors from four regions in the state.
An Honorable Actor: Seymour Cassel
Seymour Cassel will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
‘Seymour is a Hollywood legend; he supported indie film before it became an institution. His philosophy was that he’d play a role he connected with for the price of a ticket.’ So comes homage to acclaimed actor Seymour Cassel from an unlikely source”Slash of Guns ‘n’ Roses. As the iconic rock guitarist explains in his 2007 memoir, Cassel’s son, Matt, was one of his closest friends during Slash’s Fairfax High days. In fact, it was Seymour Cassel who christened the erstwhile Saul Hudson with the nickname that became his professional nom de rock. Summing up Cassel’s colorful career evokes several words: ‘charmed’ and ‘eclectic’ among them. Cassel’s talent has landed him roles in more than 180 movies. Which is why Cassel, alongside fellow actor Robert Guillaume, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Fifth Annual Pacific Palisades Film Festival on March 6 through 8. ‘These are two well respected people in the industry today who, as far as I know, have not been honored locally,’ says Palisadian Bob Sharka, director and founder of the PPFF. The future Slash was just one of many rock legends Cassel befriended over the decades. The Rolling Stones showed up to many a Cassel house party in the 1970s, and ‘when Dylan saw ‘Faces,’ he invited me up to Woodstock,’ Cassel, 73, tells the Palisadian-Post. In retrospect, the 1970s have been viewed as Hollywood’s last hurrah: a golden time of formula-bending narratives and stylistic experimentation inspired by Kurosawa, the French and Italian New Wave, and other non-traditional approaches to cinema that had ripened in the preceding decade. Hopper, Fonda, Nicholson, Beatty”you name ’em, Cassel worked or partied with ’em…Hal Ashby, Kris Kristofferson… ‘I knew Kris when he was a musician,’ says Cassel, who was supposed to play the title character in Kristofferson’s big break, ‘Cisco Pike’ (1972). ‘I was offered the part of Cisco. They were giving the writer [B. W. L. Norton] a hard time about directing the movie.’ So Cassel dropped out. But he did get to work with Kristofferson on the Norton-scripted 18-wheeler comedy ‘Convoy,’ directed by renegade filmmaker Sam Peckinpah. ‘Sam was a demon in the sense that he liked to do things that stirred people up,’ Cassel says. ‘And he was fun to work with, fun to drink with. ‘What they didn’t take into consideration when you’re doing the movie is that you’re shooting trucks. Every time you shoot, they have to turn the trucks around and drive them back. That takes a lot of time. We fell behind. Kris had to tour in August. They had to change the actors’ contracts and we had to wait another six weeks before they could start up again.’ Cassel filed a grievance with the Screen Actors Guild after the studio tried to call back the actors and crew gratis. ‘You can’t call me back without paying me,’ says Cassel, still indignant over the breach of contract. Ultimately, he prevailed. By the time he was shooting ‘Convoy’ Peckinpah had started down his tragic booze-and-coke-laden freefall. ‘It was the beginning of the end for a lot of us,’ Cassel half-jokes. ‘When you were close to Sam, he was a great friend. He really wanted me to play in ‘Osterrman Weekend’ [Peckinpah’s final film]. They shot one day with another guy. Sam kept telling the producers, ‘Give me Seymour!’ and they kept telling him, ‘No, you can’t have Seymour.” Cassel also knew and loved a key Peckinpah player”’Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia’ star Warren Oates. ‘Warren was such a great guy,’ says Cassel, who worked with Oates on a 1967 episode of ‘Cimarron Strip.’ ‘I remember one day he had a Nikon on the set and he’s sleeping on the set so I had some guy hold the horses tail and I shot closeups of the horse’s ass.’ Cassel later quizzed Oates: ‘Listen, did you ever develop that film?’ ‘You son of a bitch, that was you!’ Oates shot back. Cassel says that he influenced Monte Hellman to cast Oates opposite musician James Taylor in the director’s most famous film, ‘Two Lane Blacktop,’ originally with black and white leads. As a third cameraman, Cassel spent 11 days on the New Orleans set of the seminal ‘Easy Rider.’ He insists that the cult favorite, for which script credit continues to be a bone of contention, as the son of legendary scribe Terry Southern (‘Dr. Strangelove’) claims that director Dennis Hopper and star Peter Fonda did not earn the screenplay credit they received with Southern. According to Cassel, the writing was incidental on the gratuitously improvised ‘Rider.’ ‘Terry didn’t write a word,’ Cassel insists. ‘Terry was doing everybody’s drugs.’ Cassel’s candor and his yen for acting was ‘implanted’ in him during his peripatetic upbringing. ‘My mother was in burlesque,’ the actor says. ‘She was with Minsky, a burlesque house in New York. They would show a movie and have some dancing. We went to Baltimore, St. Louis, Buffalo, Boston.’ When Cassel talks about ‘John,’ you sense there’s only one John he could be referring to: Cassavetes. Cassel remembers how he first spotted the groundbreaking actor-cum-filmmaker who became the defining professional and personal relationship of his life when he dropped by the John Cassavetes Workshop in Manhattan to wrangle a free acting scholarship. ‘John said, ‘They’re gone,’ but he called me into his office and he talked to me for an hour.’ Cassel tagged along on a shoot ‘that turned out to be footage for ‘Shadows’ [Cassavetes’ revolutionary 1959 directorial debut]. I just kept coming back. John was that way”if you wanted to be involved, you were. He became the older brother I never had and the best friend I had never known.’ Cassel co-starred in such Cassavetes classics as ‘A Woman Under the Influence’ and ‘Minnie and Moskowitz.’ They also acted together in Don Siegel’s ‘The Killers.’ ‘John probably knew people better than anyone that I had ever known and I thought I knew people very well,’ Cassel says. Contrary to the popular belief that Cassavetes’ films are totally improvised, Cassel insists that ‘they were the best parts ever written. They were totally scripted, but he gave you freedom. The music in ‘Faces,’ all the songs I sing, are mine. I always make up these goofy little songs.’ Cassavetes and Cassel were close friends by the time they made Don Siegel’s ‘The Killers’ in 1964, the same year that Cassel married Betty Lou Deering. The Cassels had three children”Matthew, Lisa, and Dilyn”before divorcing in 1983. ‘Every time we did a movie, it always was a good time. John drove me to the hospital when Matt was going to be born.’ Today, Matt Cassel works as a film editor, but as a tyke, he not only shunned acting, he did it with panache. ‘Matt turned down Woody Allen when he was five,’ Cassel laughs. ‘He had glasses, the muscles in his eyes needed correcting’.I took him with me to [a movie premiere]. Woody said, ‘Hi, do you want to be in a movie?’ And Matt said, ‘No.’ He asked Matt, ‘Can you do a British accent?’ and Matt said, ‘Why?” So while young Matt missed out on playing young Woody in Allen’s directorial debut, ‘Take the Money and Run,’ he did act in Cassavetes’ ‘Women Under the Influence’. ‘The reason Matt did the movie was because he knew John.’ Cassel had a blast shooting 1992’s ‘Honeymoon in Vegas’ with his buddy, James Caan, and Nicolas Cage. ‘I know he does a lot of diverse crazy things,’ says Cassel, ‘but Nic truly loves to act.’ Cassel has also connected with a new generation of filmmakers, including Wes Anderson, for whom he played roles in ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ and ‘The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.’ In Anderson’s second outing, ‘Rushmore,’ Cassel played the barber father of the character played by Cage’s cousin, Jason Schwartzman. Before casting Schwartzman as Max Fischer, Bill Murray’s precocious teen rival, Anderson ‘went through a couple of thousand kids,’ Cassel says. ‘Wes takes me to dinner one night, he says, ‘Listen, I don’t know what to do. Bill wants me to fire this kid.’ I said, ‘What, are you kidding?’ ‘He told me the kid’s not funny.’ You see, Bill has to get the laugh. In order for this film to work, you’ve got to love this kid. Wes talked to Bill, and Bill was smart enough to understand that.’ As a prank gift, Schwartzman bought Murray a prosthetic leg. ‘He asked me, ‘Do you think he’ll like it?’ Cassel remembers. ‘I said, ‘I think you’ll find it in the trash can.’ Which he did.’ Cassel still shakes his head as he recalls the antics of an underage Schwartzman on the set of the 1998 comedy. One night, Schwartzman convinced Cassel to get the young actor into a nightspot. ‘I thought, What the hell!’ Cassel says. ‘So I take the kid out to a club and I get him a drink” Afterwards, Schwartzman insisted on stopping at a pharmacy to pick up some Robitussin. ‘I thought he had a cold,’ Cassel says. ‘I didn’t know that all these Beverly Hills kids liked to get high on cough syrup!’ The next day on the set, Schwartzman doesn’t show up”but his mother, ‘Rocky’ actress Talia Shire, does’and she’s furious. Turns out Schwartzman was in the hospital, getting his stomach pumped. Shire accosts Cassel, under the assumption that Schwartzman was hospitalized after Cassel had taken him drinking. ‘She’s screaming, ‘A hell of a father figure you are!’ says Cassel. ‘I said, Wait a minute, Talia, I’m just playing his father. I’m not his father.’ Even after working with the greatest talent in entertainment, Cassel still supports an underdog. He just worked on ‘Staten Island,’ co-starring Ethan Hawke, for a first-time director. And in one of his most challenging roles, Cassel portrays a mute in ‘Reach for Me,’ directed by LeVar Burton. Cassel appreciates the Palisades Film Festival ‘because people don’t want to see a lot of the crap that’s out. The kids will go see anything ‘ ‘Hannah Montana.’ A lot of films don’t get seen and it’s a way to be seen. ‘There’s a lot of studio films by the Coen Brothers, Wes, Paul Thomas Anderson. They made their name and then they take that confidence from the studio and they fight to make what they want to make. But they’re more the exception.’ Seems fitting that Cassel should receive the Festival’s accolade on the evening of March 6. After all, the actor’s goal and the PPFF’s mission are identical”supporting the vision of independent filmmakers. So support both. If you want to see a good film, hit the PPFF. And if you’ve got a good part for Cassel, hey, will you at least cover his airfare?
Stephen Dennis, 46; Real Estate Investor
Stephen Brooks Dennis, who loved to play basketball, fish and spend time with his children and wife, died on February 11. He was 46. Stephen was born on November 15, 1961 in Los Angeles. He grew up in Hancock Park and attended Loyola High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from UCLA and his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern California. On September 20, 1998, he married Noreen O’Leary, a graduate of Occidental College. They moved to Pacific Palisades in 2003 with their two children, Jake and Isabella, who both attend Corpus Christi School. Stephen was self-employed, running a real estate investment company, while Noreen cared for the children. They were members of Corpus Christi Church and the Jonathan Club. In his spare time, Stephen loved to watch the sunset on the beach with his family. He also enjoyed going to the Sunday farmers market on Swarthmore Avenue. In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by his parents, Margo and Jack Dennis, and his brother, Michael. His brother Matthew preceded him in death. Funeral services were held on February 19 at Corpus Christi Church. Donations can be made to the Dennis Family Memorial Fund c/o Laura Lee, 801 Iliff St., Pacific Palisades, CA 90272.
New Sculpture Dedicated at Library Celebration
An enthusiastic crowd of library supporters, Garden Club members and neighbors gathered Saturday afternoon at the Palisades Branch Library, eager to see the new sculpture unveiled in the library’s patio courtyard. Commissioned by longtime Palisadian Harry Sondheim for his late wife, Branka, the sculpture by Los Angeles artist Peter Shire is a gift to the city and the community. Councilman Bill Rosendahl and L. A. City Librarian Fontayne Holmes were on hand, along with Tim McGowan from the L.A. Department of Cultural Affairs and Palisades Senior Librarian Janet Gass. Sondheim, a former chairman of the Palisades Community Council who has two sculptures in his own yard, said that Shire’s colorful tile and steel free-standing piece represents aspects of Branka’s life: her love of books, baking, boogie boarding, family and friends. Shire even incorporated Branka’s word of endearment’bussi, which means kiss in Austria. The artist suggested that the sculpture really is like a book that contains her knowledge and her story, with a beginning and an end.
Village Books Owner Laments Dutton’s
Village Books owner Katie O’Laughlin felt as if she had lost a good friend when she heard the news that Doug Dutton will close Dutton’s Brentwood at the end of April. ‘I felt sick to my stomach,’ she told the Palisadian-Post Tuesday afternoon. ‘I am feeling really anxious about the future of independent bookstores reaching a tipping point.’ O’Laughlin, whose bookstore on Swarthmore opened 11 years ago, has focused her business on the community, adjusting her inventory over the years to reflect her customers’ tastes and needs. ‘The inventory has changed over time,’ she said. ‘I have expanded the mystery section and increased the travel section, particularly since the California Map Store on Pico closed. I have the summer reading lists from all the schools in place, which builds up the classics section. And, I keep my ear to the ground with what people in Pacific Palisades are reading.’ O’Laughlin added that she carries few computer books now because the technology is constantly changing. But success in the independent book world comes from pointing out to readers the advantages of a neighborhood bookstore. ‘I look at ways to have something new and different in the bookstore, and try to keep things lively,’ O’Laughlin said. With the success of her ‘road trip’ to Arcadia last fall, where a Chinese cookbook author accompanied guests to a full-course Chinese banquet, O’Laughlin will continue making quarterly field trips. In addition, she has revamped the Village Book Web site (www, making it more interesting and providing an easy and efficient way for customers to buy books online. With the news still fresh about Dutton’s, O’Laughlin was unsure how the loss of the store in Brentwood would affect her business. She suggested that there might be some inventory to buy and store fixtures, but she couldn’t predict if she might gain some of the popular authors who have made regular appearances at Dutton’s over the years. But, in the end, O’Laughlin sees the survival of independent bookstores as more than day-to-day revenue coming in. ‘I am in a unique position of knowing what Doug has been going through,’ she says. ‘It’s about not knowing what’s in the future. It’s a whole different world.’
PaliHi Faces $1 million in Cuts Board Votes to Increase Enrollment to Cover Shortfall
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed funding cut for education this fall may force Palisades Charter High School to reduce spending by about $1 million. Pali will receive about $500,000 less from federal, state and local revenues, said Chief Business Officer Greg Wood on Tuesday. In addition, the costs of employee benefits and the rent for the school building will increase by about $500,000. The Pali board of directors responded on Tuesday by voting unanimously to increase student enrollment to generate more revenue for the school. ‘If we can increase our attendance, that can increase our revenue,’ Wood said during the meeting at the library. The state pays schools a certain amount per student based on their attendance rate. Pali is paid about $8,300 per student this year, but that amount is predicted to decline to approximately $8,100 this fall, Wood said. The school’s capacity is 2,760 students and the total enrollment now is 2,670, which includes students in the magnet program. Pali has a 95.3 percent attendance rate. By increasing enrollment and slightly improving attendance, the school could recover $500,000 of the shortfall, Wood said. Admissions and Attendance Director Margaret Evans said she doesn’t think it will be challenging to enroll more students this September. As of Tuesday, Pali had received 1,157 applications for admittance, mostly from incoming ninth graders. Prospective students have until Monday, March 3 to submit their applications. The high school received applications from 644 Paul Revere Middle School students. First preference will be given to Revere students who live in the Palisades, attended a Palisades public elementary school or are part of the Permit with Transportation (PWT) and Capacity Adjustment Programs (CAP). The PWT program is designed to integrate students of different ethnicities, resulting in youth being bused to public schools in the Palisades from other areas of Los Angeles. CAP students are transferred to Palisades’ schools when their neighborhood school does not have enough room. ‘We were able to accept all Revere students last school year, and we are hopeful to do the same this year,’ Executive Director Amy Dresser-Held said. The high school will give second preference to Palisades residents who did not attend Revere. The school has received 143 applications from this group. However, many of these applicants are also considering private schools, so they may not attend Pali even if admitted, Evans said. After residents are accepted, siblings of Pali students who are not residents will be enrolled. Twenty-three siblings have applied. In addition, the school has set aside 60 spots for public school choice transfers, those students from area schools identified as needing improvement through the No Child Left Behind Act. Students at these low-performing schools have the option to transfer to another school. A lottery will be held on March 26 for all other applicants. ‘I always over-enroll 100 kids or so on paper, so that we don’t have a huge drop,’ Evans said. ‘I know they are not all going to come.’ Pali admitted about 800 freshmen for the current school year and now has 695, Evans said. Wood suggested that she consider enrolling even more students this fall, so the school can be near capacity. Some board members during Tuesday’s meeting expressed concern that the additional students could increase class size, which is already an issue. Some classes have more than 40 students. Dresser-Held assured the board that the school plans to expand online classes and community college offerings to lower class size. In addition to increasing enrollment, administrators plan to trim spending by another $500,000 throughout the school. Administrators are asking teachers to review their expenses and determine the resources they’ll need with the smaller budget in mind. They are requesting teachers not to purchase new textbooks this fall if they bought books recently. Administrators are not considering a reduction in personnel, but if teachers retire or leave they may be replaced by less experienced teachers, Wood said. The school pays teachers based on education and years of experience. ‘2008-09 is going to be a lean year,’ Wood admitted. ‘We are all going to have to chip in to be in a good place for the future.’ Enrollment applications are available at the school’s front office. The first round of acceptance letters will be mailed March 7.
A Palisadian’s “Golden” Oscar Moment
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
‘We were convinced that we were not going to win,’ said Michael Fink, senior visual effects supervisor on New Line’s ‘The Golden Compass.’ Indeed, the Palisadian and his partners on the adaptation of the Philip Pullman novel ” Bill Westenhofer, Ben Morris and Trevor Wood”attended Sunday’s 80th Annual Academy Awards ceremony knowing they were up against tough competition in the Achievement in Visual Effects category. ‘Everyone had seen ‘Transformers’ and nearly everyone had seen ‘Pirates,” Fink told the Palisadian-Post. ‘We really felt the cards were stacked against us. So to have won it, I thought it was a real recognition for a movie that was relying on intimacy to carry the special effects.’ After the ‘Golden Compass’ team was announced as the winner, Fink could barely explain what transpired next. ‘I had no idea what happened,’ he said of his podium time. ‘I was in this cloud of euphoria ‘ I saw nothing. ‘I saw my life pass before my eyes,’ he said, laughing. ‘Your head explodes and you’re lucky to get your words out.’ Fink explained that from the dais, he could not spot his wife or even a shades-sporting Jack Nicholson in the front row. ‘The stage is lit so people can see you; it’s not lit so you can see them.’ As designated representative for his nominated group, Fink delivered the acceptance speech, in which he quoted Walt Disney: ‘It’s fun to do the impossible.’ In addition to his three named partners, Fink was quick to credit visual effects producer Susan MacLeod: ‘She was half of the equation.’ Following the awards ceremony, the Finks and their 17 year-old son, Alex, headed to the Governor’s Ball, where Fink was congratulated by Best Supporting Actress winner Tilda Swinton (he worked on her film ‘Constantine’). ‘As soon as you have the Oscar in your hands,’ Fink said, ‘people come up to you and ask if they can touch it, they want to hold it. We sat at a table right by John Travolta and Forrest Whitaker’I spoke to Ethan Coen. It was just a lot of fun.’ Fink explained how crucial his team’s services were to ‘Compass,’ which is laden with talking animals such as the polar bear Iorek Byrnison. ‘We created a world where these people and their animals could exist,’ Fink said. ‘The relationships in the movie were very dependent on the quality of the effects.’ He was in charge of ‘supervising the entire movie, executing the visual effects shop, and post-production and completing the shots’ over 22 months. According to Fink, ‘there were about 1,200 special-effects shots used out of about 1,600 created for the movie.’ By contrast, ‘there were 130 shots on ‘Batman Returns’ ‘ I could do everything myself.’ Fink noted that he had worked with some of the effects guys on the competing films, such as Scott Farrar of the ‘Transformers.’ ‘Scott and I once spent months making sparks while sitting in a corner with a camera and a Tesla coil,’ said Fink, recalling their work on ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture’ in 1979. Fink, whose credits also include the first two ‘X-Men’ movies and ‘Road to Perdition,’ received his first Academy Awards nomination in 1994 for Tim Burton’s ‘Batman Returns’ (which lost to ‘Death Becomes Her’). Last month, ‘Compass’ won a British Academy of Film and Television Arts Award (BAFTA, but because of his current obligations on Ben Stiller’s next comedy, ‘Tropical Thunder,’ Fink could not travel to England to pick up his trophy. ‘We moved to London for a year while he was working on this film and it’s the first movie where I feel like it’s a family effort,’ said Fink’s wife, Melissa Bachrach. ‘It was an amazing job on his part.’ The Finks have been proud Palisadians for about a decade. ‘We were comfortable in the Palisades from the minute we visited,’ said Fink, recalling that he and his wife witnessed the Halloween season here while house-hunting. ‘It’s my wife’s favorite holiday. We saw all the kids walking home from school in their costumes: the perfect Norman Rockwell moment.’ Sunday night, other talented persons with Palisades connections at the Oscar ceremony included actress Amy Adams, who sang a nominated song from her film, ‘Enchanted.’ In August 2000, Adams played Babe McGrath in the Theatre Palisades production of “Crimes of the Heart.” Two years ago, she landed a best supporting actress Oscar for her performance in “Junebug.” Palisades resident Colleen Atwood was nominated this year for Achievement in Costume Design, but her film ‘Sweeney Todd’ lost out to Alexandra Byrne for ‘Elizabeth: The Golden Age.’ Atwood previously won Oscars for ‘Chicago’ (2002) and ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ (2005). Another local, Mindy Marin, was casting director on ‘Juno,’ which received three nominations and won for Best Original Screenplay. However, Marin’s craft is not recognized by the Academy. Marin was a Pacific Palisades Co-Citizen of the Year in 2003. As for Fink, he believes that he and his team definitely earned their Oscar gold. ‘I’ve been doing it for 30 years,’ he said. ‘You really have to like it. This work is way too hard.’
