By DEBBIE ALEXANDER Special to the Palisadian-Post The international Olympics are not until this summer in Beijing, but Canyon Charter Elementary School got a head start last week at its annual Olympics Day here in Pacific Palisades. The event arrived early this year, but children were pumped up and ready to run nevertheless. ‘The kids did extremely well and it was tough because the date got pushed up, but I trained them pretty hard,’ Coach Joey Medaglia said. Olympics Day is also a school fundraiser and some of the funds are already earmarked to purchase more sports books for the library. ‘It was great,’ shared parent Karen Parcell, who helped organize the event. ‘And we had a surprise guest later in the day future [National Football League] Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk from the St. Louis Rams and Indianapolis Colts. He was just terrific with the kids.’ Faulk set numerous school records at San Diego State and played in two Super Bowls with the Rams’a 23-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000 and a 20-17 loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI two years later. ‘He tossed the ball around with them and they were thrilled to meet a real big name athlete,’ Medaglia said of Faulk. According to third-grader Hank Korsan, the running seemed harder because he graduated to the big track, but proved worthwhile. ‘It was so cool to meet Marshall Faulk, even though I am a Green Bay Packers fan because my dad played for them.’ The object is for the students to do their best running in 10 minute intervals around the grass field. The two track sizes are 90 feet x 40 feet for grades K-2 and 120 feet x 60 feet for grades 3-5. ‘Thirteen laps on the big track is a mile,’ Medaglia added. On average the upper classmen top out at about 17 laps while the younger grades average about 20. Prior to hitting the track there is a quick warm-up with lots of stretching. Mrs. Durand’s first grade class agreed that Olympics Day was a blast. ‘Did anybody run 25 laps?’ Medaglia asked. A name was mentioned, but most kids shook their heads no. Olympics Day kicked off with the opening ceremonies, where each class paraded a colorful handmade banner around the yard. Ms. Henderson had everyone recite the ‘Olympic Oath,’ which encourages good sportsmanship. Prior to the big day, track & field star Khadevis Robinson and his trainer Ann Merrem visited the school and inspired the children. “The high level of enthusiasm, sportsmanship and positive energy generated by our Olympics Day created a very special day for our students, staff and parents,’ observed Principal Carol Henderson. “It was great to see everyone working together and having so much fun.” Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Gorman was worried because, for the first time, her class was scheduled to run right at 8:30 a.m. ‘It actually was wonderful and perfect,’ she shared. ‘I would be glad to do it that way again.’ Once again, donating old sneakers was encouraged for Nike’s ‘Reuse a Shoe’ program that recycles the rubber into sports courts in under-privileged neighborhoods. ‘My kinder, Peter had the most fun and he was so proud,’ parent Chiara Sussman said. ‘It was very festive, well-organized and the weather was fantastic.’ Each child got a special Olympics Day t-shirt, water, a Popsicle and a metal. As a special lunchtime treat, ice cream from Cold Stone was donated for the entire student body. Instead of gold, silver and bronze medals, two bikes from Helen’s Cycles and a $100 Best Buy gift card will be randomly given away to three lucky students after spring break.
Rox! All-Stars Win Santa Ynez Classic
Pali Rox!, a local U12 girls AYSO All-Star team, emerged victorious at the Santa Ynez Classic last weekend. After an early afternoon forfeit on Saturday, Coach Phil Pecsok?s team took on the Santa Barbara ‘A’ squad and won 4-0 on a hat trick by Elizabeth Seaman and another goal by her sister, Emma Seaman. The offense was led by Taylor Pecsok, Cassie Jernigan, Laila Touran, Brooke Reece, Carmen Flood and Elizabeth Seaman. On Sunday, Pali Rox! played three games and won all three. First they beat Beverly Hills’ B team, 5-0, on goals by Brooke Reece, Hannah De Silva, Natalie Messing, Elizabeth Seaman and Carmen Flood. The defense, including Jules Barlow, Natalie Messing, Katie Jones, Emma Seaman and Gillian Ondaatje, was stellar throughout the tournament. In the semifinals, the Rox! beat San Luis Obispo’s A team, 3-1. The finals pitted Palisades against the host Santa Ynez ‘A’ team and Rox! won a hardfought game, 2-1, with goalies De Silva and Ondaatje making big saves.
New PTC Camps Start Monday
The Palisades Tennis Center begins its next camp session next Monday, March 17, and also debuts its new, more structured format. “We have a number of goals this year,” PTC Director Andy McDonnell said. “We want to produce more tennis players. This camp is really geared towards taking kids who have little to no experience on the court and getting them up to speed quickly. Over the years so many kids who have started in the camp have gone on to get college scholarships, win national titles and get into schools they wouldn’t have gotten into because of tennis. The PTC hasn’t focused on all the great things that have happened to the previous generations of kids, but now we have quantified those results and really have baked that into our mission. We want to build tennis players that can use tennis as a lifelong tool for exercise, social skills and fun.” Spring break camps run March 17-28 and will be broken down into two sessions to accommodate community members ages 4-18. The PTC will also be holding morning and evening LiveBall clinics for adults throughout the spring break sessions. Each week, campers will hit balls, play competitive games, build skills and get fit and make new friends. “Nearly every local school has kids signed up now for the spring camp,” Director Thomas Dawson said. “We have never been more prepared to make these kids learn a ton and have a ball.” To sign-up for a camp, call the PTC at (310) 573-1331.
VERT Fitness Sponsors Pali Blues
VERT Fitness, a training facility owned by Dr. Walter Theis of Pacific Palisades, has become an official sponsor of the Pali Blues Soccer Club. “VERT has the technology and equipment to make weight training more sport and athlete specific,” Pali Blues captain Kendall Fletcher said. “It combines strength with agility and quickness. It’s exactly what I’m looking for in a strengthening program.” Along with on-site physical therapy at the Santa Monica facility, VERT staff will also conduct private training sessions for the Blues twice a week. “VERT is the perfect partner as they are on the cutting edge of technology in their field,” Pali Blues Coach Charlie Naimo said. “The players that have already used the facility are as excited as I’ve ever seen athletes when it comes to strength and fitness training.” VERT is a fitness company focusing on the aspects of fast-twitch training, revolving around the science of isokinetics and its application to sports performance. “VERT of Santa Monica is excited to sponsor the Pali Blues,” VERT general manager Kelly Stamp stated. “We’re looking forward to working together with the Blues and seeing our training translated to on-field play.” A couple of famous athletes that have worked with VERT Fitness are NBA center Shaquille O’Neal and Holly McPeak, the all-time winningest women’s volleyball player in AVP history.
CALENDAR – MARCH 6 Through MARCH 14
THURSDAY, MARCH 6 Opening night of the three-day Pacific Palisades Film Festival, 7 p.m. at Pierson Playhouse on Haverford. Tonight’s feature is a documentary, ‘Fields of Fuel.’ For a complete schedule, visit www.FriendsOfFilm.com. Tickets can be reserved by calling the Theatre Palisades box office at (310) 454-1970, or purchased at the door if available. Susan Stiffelman, a licensed family, marriage and child counselor in Malibu, discusses ‘Principles of Passionate Parenting,’ 7 p.m. at Westside Waldorf School, 17310 Sunset. Public invited. Admission is free. Contact: (310) 454-7064. Pacific Palisades author and filmmaker Nicholas Clapp discusses his book, ‘Who Killed Chester Pray? A Death Valley Mystery,’ 7:30 p.m. at Village Books, 1049 Swarthmore. Clapp has received more than 70 major film awards, including Emmys and Academy Award nominations. SUNDAY, MARCH 9 Poetry reading by philosopher poet Steven Friedman, 3 to 5 p.m. at the Summit Club in the Palisades Highlands, 1501 Chastain Pkwy West. Light refreshments will be served. (See story, page 13.) MONDAY, MARCH 10 Moonday, a monthly Westside poetry reading, 7:30 p.m. at Village Books on Swarthmore. (See story, page 14.) TUESDAY, MARCH 11 The Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club holds its annual ‘Coming Up Roses’ fashion show and auction at the clubhouse, 901 Haverford. The reception is at 11 a.m., followed by the luncheon at noon. Fashions will be provided by Vivian’s Boutique on Monument. Tickets are $40. Contact: Jean Aroeste at (310) 230-2792. Storytime for children of all ages, 4 p.m. in the Palisades Branch Library community room, 861 Alma Real. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12 Baby and toddler storytime, a lap-sit mix of songs, finger plays, stories, and flannelboards, for babies and toddlers under the age of 3 and their grown-ups, 10:15 a.m., Palisades Branch Library on Alma Real. The Palisades League of Women Voters group meets at noon in the Palisades Branch Library community room, 861 Alma Real. Public invited. (See story, page TK.) Monthly Palisades AARP chapter meeting, 2 p.m. in the Woman’s Club, 901 Haverford. Public invited. The guest speaker is Palisades author Jeanette Griver. A 12-Step writing meeting for all 12-Step programs or anyone with a habitual problem or illness meets every Wednesday, 7 to 8 p.m., at 16730 Bollinger Dr. Contact: (310) 454-5138 or e-mail info@12stepsforeverybody.org. Heather Summerhayes Cariou discusses and signs ‘Sixtyfive Roses: A Sister’s Memoir,’ 7:30 p.m. at Village Books on Swarthmore. Cariou’s book chronicles how her sister’s battle with cystic fibrosis led to the founding of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation by Cariou’s family. THURSDAY, MARCH 13 Chamber of Commerce mixer, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., hosted by Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center in the 881 Alma Real building (Suite T-14). Event features live martial arts demonstrations and hosted hors d’oeuvres from Tivoli Caf’. Non-Chamber members: $25. Pacific Palisades Community Council meeting, 7 p.m. in the Palisades Branch Library community room, 861 Alma Real. Public invited. Betsy Braun discusses and signs ‘Just Tell Me What to Say: Sensible Tips and Scripts for Perplexed Parents,’ 7:30 p.m. at Village Books, 1049 Swarthmore. Braun covers everything from sibling rivalry to food wars, to questions about death, sex and divorce. (See story, page 12.) FRIDAY, MARCH 14 Editor Victoria Zackheim and contributors Barbara Abercrombie and Amy Liu discuss and sign ‘For Keeps: Women Tell the Truth about Their Bodies, Growing Older, and Acceptance,’ 7:30 p.m. at Village Books on Swarthmore. Professor Ismail Bardhi, a Muslim scholar, lectures about his work on interreligious dialogue, 8:30 p.m. at Kehillah Israel, 16019 Sunset Blvd. Public invited.
Talking Straight to Tots
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
The New York Times heralds Betsy Brown Braun as ‘the parenting guru.’ The popular child development specialist seems to channel Dr. Spock with her sage, straightforward advice; an approach peppered by an Erma Bombeck-style wit. ‘My dream house has no kitchen. That’s not my area. But I’m really good with kids,’ Braun said during a recent interview at her Pacific Palisades home. Braun’s first book, ‘Just Tell Me What to Say,’ was recently published by Harper Collins and is already garnering good reviews. ‘Just Tell Me’ offers ‘sensible tips and scripts for perplexed parents.’ Braun will sign copies of her book at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 13 at Village Books, 1049 Swarthmore. The book’s cover addresses many issues specific to the 2- to 6-year-old crowd–throwing tantrums, picky eating, whining, sibling rivalry, potty talk and swearing–all ripe for strategic parental responses. Braun’s book tackles these irritants along with weightier subjects such as illness, divorce and death. Learning about the birds and the bees gets apt attention, too, with a chapter titled ‘How Did That Baby Get in Your Tummy?’ Another section, ‘Is the Fire Going to Come to Our House?’, guides parents in answering tough questions about natural disasters, terrorism and war. ‘Doing what I’ve done for such a long time, you realize there’s nothing new on the planet,’ says Braun, who has more than 35 years of experience in elementary education and as a parenting educator. The founder of Parenting Pathways, Inc., Braun offers both private consulting and parent seminars. Her authority also stems from raising her own kids”triplets Jesse, Ben and Lucas, who are now 30”with her husband Ray Braun. ‘Parents kept asking me the same questions over and over,’ Braun says, pointing out that the difficulty of getting kids to listen is by far the most common parental lament. ‘I realized I could reach a much bigger audience by writing a book. Everyone should have this information. Everyone should know you start talking to kids about death when they’re two, not when they’re five.’ In the chapter devoted to learning about death (‘Why is My Goldfish Floating in the Toilet?’), Braun counsels parents to throw away the euphemisms–‘the doggie went to play in the country’ or that Grandmother ‘passed away’–in favor of ‘real’ words such as dead, death, die and dying. ‘Many of these topics aren’t loaded for kids, they’re loaded for the parents,’ she says. ‘The book is meant as a starting point. It is not meant to imply ‘This is what you have to say.’ I hope it will give readers confidence to craft their own response to their own individual child. ‘I’m also hoping it will be timeless, that it will sit on people’s shelves like a security blanket. Each chapter really stands alone.’ Though ‘Just Tell Me What to Say’ is officially geared to parents and grandparents of children ages 2 to 6, parents with kids of all ages will find it useful, according to Braun. She acknowledges how the Information Age presents new challenges to the job of parenting. ‘There are so many ways for kids to go off track,’ she says. ‘We could protect kids in ways we can’t now. It’s more important than ever to set limits.’ What hasn’t changed is how critical it is for parents to demonstrate the behavior and values they hope their kids will take with them into adulthood. ‘Healthy parents lead to healthy children’ is one of Braun’s favorite mantras, and she is quick to refer clients to therapeutic settings when indicated. While a parent who spends time nurturing his or her child is optimal, becoming overly involved (what Braun refers to as a ‘helicopter’ parent) is an all-too-common trait. Braun sees this trait unfold often, particularly among older parents, who apply the same determination and zeal to raising kids as they did to their careers. ‘In order for kids to grow up and be satisfied, competent human beings, they need to struggle and make mistakes,’ Braun says. ‘They need to figure out who they are, not who you want them to be.’ At public appearances, such as her forthcoming one at Village Books, Braun really enjoys fielding questions. ‘I like that I’m known as someone who tells it like it is,’ she says. ‘I think it’s always in the best interest of the family.’
James A. McIntyre, Jr., 52; Passionate Sportsman, Biker
Longtime Pacific Palisades resident and active sportsman James Albert McIntyre, Jr. passed away unexpectedly on February 28. He was 52. Born at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica on May 11, 1955, Jim lived his entire life in the Palisades. He attended Marquez Elementary, John Thomas Dye, Paul Revere Junior High, and Palisades High School, graduating in 1973. After graduation, Jim began his long and distinguished career with the General Telephone Company, now Verizon. He had a meteoric rise through the ranks to become an engineer. Jim exhibited an unbelievable exuberance for life. He was passionate about every one of his undertakings. He was an avid sportsman and shared his love of sports and knowledge by participating all his life in community sports leagues. Later, Jim would become an ‘awesome coach’ to many of the teams on which he played as a child. Jim was an avid cyclist, riding from his home atop Bienveneda Place to his work in Santa Monica. He treasured his weekend rides on his beautiful Gold Wing motorcycle with his beloved wife Lynn holding on to him for dear life. Jim and Lynn loved to travel, especially to their home in Cabo San Lucas, where they visited frequently. Most important, Jim loved his home and spending countless hours there surrounded by his family and friends. Jim is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Lynn Edlund-McIntyre, also a native of Pacific Palisades; his mother, Gail Randazzo of the Palisades; his father, James A. McIntyre Sr., of Brentwood and Carpinteria; and his children, Christopher, Sarah (Israwi), James III, Molly and Lily. He was a beloved brother to Melinda (Kolpin) of Pacific Palisades, William of Malibu, Tracy (Fredricks) of Carlsbad, and Kristina (Gough) of Carlsbad. He was a beloved grandfather to his first-born grandson Leighton. Jim is also survived by his many brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws, and the many nieces and nephews who worshiped their ‘Uncle Jimmy.’ He will be remembered by everyone as an individual with great passion for life and having lived it to the fullest. He will be missed by the people who knew him throughout the years. There will be a private family service. The family invites all of those whose lives were touched by his love and friendship to join a celebration of his life at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, March 15 in the cul-de-sac at Bienveneda Place.
Arnold Anchordoguy, 86; Resident Since 1952, Loved the Outdoors, Photography
Arnold Raymond Anchordoguy, a longtime resident of Pacific Palisades, died at his Highlands home on February 20 after a two-year decline in health. He was 86. Born on January 15, 1922 in Red Bluff, California, Arnold grew up in a happy, warm, sheep-raising family. He left home to attend UC Berkeley, and graduated from there with a degree in engineering in 1943. He then served as a radar and radio intelligence officer in the U.S. Army Signal Corp, and through that position attended Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1949, Arnold married the love of his life, Dorothy Emmenegger, who had also attended Berkeley, though they did not meet at school. They moved to the Palisades in 1952, where together they raised six children. Arnold spent his career working in the aerospace industry, mainly in the early years at Hughes Aircraft and later at TRW. He worked on several projects of national significance including the Thor and Atlas missile programs. Dorothy died in 1995, and Arnold began to rebuild his life without her. An electrical engineer by profession and scientist by nature, he was a kind and gentle man who loved his family, flowers, fall leaves, sunshine and the mountains. He especially enjoyed spending time in Mineral near Mount Lassen with his children, grandchildren and large extended family. After retirement, Arnold took up photography and that hobby greatly enriched his later years. With camera in tow, he chased the wild flowers in the spring and the colorful leaves in the autumn. “Arnold’s memory will live on always in our hearts,” said his family, “and we can be with his spirit whenever we look at his beautiful photographs.” Arnold was predeceased by his son, Arnold Jr., in 1993. He is survived by five children: Ed Anchordoguy of Sebastopol; Rosalie Anchordoguy and Henry Shebitz of Willits; Marie Anchordoguy and Leslie Helm of Seattle; Tom Anchordoquy (wife Hannah) of Lakewood, Colorado; and Jean Anchordoguy of Santa Monica. In addition, he had five grandchildren: Jacob, Mariko, Eric, Carlene and Raymond. A memorial mass will be held at Corpus Christi Church in Pacific Palisades on Saturday, March 29, at 11 a.m., with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your favorite charity.
CLASSIFIED ADS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 6, 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
LIKE NEW, BUILT IN 2006. 2 bdrm, 2 ba mfg. home across from the beach in sought-after Tahitian Terrace Mobile Home Park. Rent control $738/mo. All ages, Pets ok. Asking $359,000. Agent, Franklin, (310) 592-6696
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
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, 1 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
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. $1,695/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
PALISADES 1 BDRM, sunny, remodeled, new paint, carpet, gas stove, refrigerator, covered parking, 1 year lease, Non-smoker, no pets, laundry, storage. $1,290/mo. (310) 477-6767
ROOMS FOR RENT 3
PRIVATE ROOM & BATH, Ocean view, access to gym, pool, cable, carport, N/S, N/D, References required. $900/mo. Please call (310) 454-5195
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
GUEST ROOM WANTED to rent. Contact Alex, (310) 454-6463
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 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.
SPACE AVAILABLE, long term lease possible. 925 sq. ft., currently Village Arts Center located in the heart of village. Call Stephanie, (310) 454-4245
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
BOOKKEEPING & FINANCE PERSON can help you with handling mail, paying bills, balancing checking and other accounts, preparing for taxes and related planning. (310) 218-6653, (310) 459-2066
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
PERSONAL ASSISTANCE, ORGANIZATION & bookkeeping. Superior services provided w/ discretion & understanding. Pali resident, local references. Call Sarah, (310) 573-9263
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
CHILDREN’S CARETAKER, 15 years exper. Loves kids & animals. Very good refs. Pleasant, easygoing male. Trustworthy, reliable, flexible. Clean DMV. Safe transport. (310) 597-1617 or (310) 463-7125
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
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
SUNSET HOUSE & CARPET CLEANING • Window washing • House cleaning • Carpet cleaning. Over 33 yrs. experience. Call Barry at (818) 887-7150
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
CAREGIVER/HELPER, Live-in or out. Available for elderly & sickly. $25-$60/hr. Depending on need. Edwin, (323) 470-4510
MALE COMPANION available full-time Mon.-Sun. Experienced, excellent w/ adults & children. Very gd references. Trustworthy, reliable, clean DMV. Own transport. Call (310) 597-1617 pr (310) 463-7125
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
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
WINDOW WASHING 13h
HAVING A PARTY? Selling some real estate, or just want to do some spring cleaning? Get those WINDOWS SHINING by calling No Streak Window Cleaning, where we offer fast friendly quality service you can count on! For a free estimate, call Marcus, (323) 632-7207. Lic. #122194-49, Bonded.
HOUSESITTING 14b
WRITER INTERESTED in housesitting or senior companion/assistant. Professional female with references. Contact (310) 828-4643 or (310) 346-4340
VERY RESPONSIBLE, PROFESSIONAL COUPLE will housesit your home for 6 mos. or more. References available. Call Tim, (310) 889-8257
PERSONAL SERVICES 14f
BAR/BAT MIZVAH SEMINAR. We can show you how to do it yourself on a budget. We’re the ladies who created Young Angels. We can teach you all the secrets of producing a great event for less than you thought. Call for info: (310) 573-9913, Brook & Debbie
PET SERVICES/PET SITTING 14g
HAPPY PET • Dog Walking • Park Outings • Socialization • Insured. Connie, (310) 230-3829
PERSONAL TOUCH DOG WALKING/sitting service. Cats included. Pali resident over 25 yrs. Very reliable. Refs. available. If you want special care for your pet, please call me. Jacqui, (310) 454-0104, cell (310) 691-9893
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
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
TRAVELING TO MEXICO, South or Central America or Spain? For tourism or work? I can help you with Spanish communication. I am a Palisades resident from South America. Great experience. I teach all ages, students, businesspeople. All professionals, groups ok. (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
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
CONSTRUCTION 16d
THE TOWN & COUNTRY BUILDERS, General Contractors • State Lic. #441191 • Remodeling • Additions • Masonry • Concrete • Flagstone • Patio • Stone Wall • Tile • Fireplace • BBQ • Deck • Brick • Steps • Retaining Walls • Driveway • PLEASE CALL (310) 578-7108 • FREE ESTIMATES
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
L.A. UNION CONSTRUCTION. Electric, plumbing, painting, drywall, texture roofing. Free est. Refs avail. Non-lic. Call (818) 849-4144
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
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
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE CLERK for Malibu business. Must have Quickbooks experience. Part-time. Fax resume with salary history to (310) 456-8986
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
2002 TOYOTA 4-Runner SRV, V6, 62k, silver w/ grey interior. Features: moonroof, racks, tow hitch (should you want to tow your boat 🙂 ), tinted windows, CD, tape & radio player. $12,999 obo. (310) 425-6834
2000 DODGE RV, 2,000 miles, good condition, new battery. Small tune-ups recommended. Very low mileage! $30K obo. Carol, (310) 454-0234
1987 MERCEDES BENZ 560 SL. 42,000 miles, mint condition, like new, cherry red. A jewel! $23,000, Possible trade. (310) 710-7798
GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 18d
BRENTWOOD PARK. Huge Estate Sale! ‘50s-’60s Time Warp! 32K sf lot! Whole hse & guest hse incldg fixtures. Fab furn/furnishings/chandelier/lite fixtures/sm. Kendall BG piano! ‘68 Caddy Eldorado! Old iron patio furn & fence. Grt collectible! Fine China/glassware/ linens/Fab hi-end & costume jewelry. Much more! FRI.-SAT. Mar. 7-8; 8 a.m.-4 p.m! 200 No. Cliffwood (N. of Sunset). Info/pix: www.bmdawson.com.
ESTATE SALE. Sunday, March 9th, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Beautiful home furnishings, French urns, designer pillows, silver, china, artwork, jewelry and much much more. 871 Hartzell St. Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
STUFF, STUFF & MORE STUFF! Saturday, March 8, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 17250 Sunset Blvd. (Adjacent to Lake Shrine). Park in front of building or Palisades Dr.
Brentwood Director’s Elegant Estate Sale. 169 S. Rockingham. Sat./Sun., March 8/9, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Movie memorabilia, rugs, major contemporary art work, furniture, depression+cut glass, Spode, Coalport, Staffordshire, silver, crystal, Betty Boop collectibles, extensive library, records, garden items, more.
BIG SALE! GREAT STUFF! 810 Galloway. Sat. 3/8; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ikea furn., Luna Garcia dishes, clothes, curtains, ex. bike, books, CDs, videos, decor, kitchen, beach, etc. Much new!
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
There Will Be Bob: “Bob Dylan’s American Journey 1956-1966” exhibit charts the creation of an icon
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
‘Dear Mummy’I’ve gotten very close to Bobby in the last month. We have such FUN! ‘He is beautiful to me. He bought me a beautiful coat and a dress and earrings and he’s just a joy to be with. We understand each other’s need for freedom and there are no chains, just good feelings and giggles and a lot of love. And I enjoy his genius!’ ‘ excerpt from a 1963 letter by Joan Baez to her mother As a Jewish Minnesotan named Robert Allen Zimmerman, he was known to relatively few. As the musician Bob Dylan, he became ‘The Voice of a Generation.’ His evolution from the former to the latter, and his skyrocketing early career trajectory, informs Experience Music Project’s traveling exhibit, ‘Bob Dylan’s American Journey: 1956-66,’ now at the Skirball Cultural Center through June 8. And like one of Dylan’s signature songs, ‘Blowin’ in the Wind,’ the show is a solid, thought-provoking hit. Let’s be honest: there’s an inherent contradiction in seeing a subject as singular, as rebellious, as underground and as revolutionary as Bob Dylan featured in a museum. But Dylan has become so comfortable with and cavalier about his potent artistic legacy that he can let his anti-establishment flag slacken. In the last decade, he’s contributed tunes to studio film soundtracks, released CDs exclusively through the decidedly corporate Starbucks, and has appeared in Victoria’s Secret commercials (!!). The man known for his literary lyrics has even shrugged off a plagiarism controversy in which he was accused of liberally lifting passages from a Japanese novel. So, hey, perhaps it’s about time Dylan endured some scholarly scrutiny. In projecting early Dylan up on several walls, ‘American Journey,’ neither stuffy nor pretentious, hits the right note (so to speak). Enter the exhibit, and what you’ll find is a chronological journey beginning with Dylan’s humble roots in Hibbing, Minnesota, and ending with the high-octane, celebrity-frenzy period immortalized by 1967’s ‘Don’t Look Back,’ D. A. Pennebaker’s cornerstone documentary capturing his chaotic 1965 British tour at the height of Dylanmania. Born in Duluth on May 24, 1941, Dylan was the son of an appliance store owner. His American journey evidently starts at age 15 with his discovery of rock ‘n’ roll and American roots music. A historical timeline at the onset of ‘Journey’ places the development of Dylan’s youthful musical interest in the larger context of what was happening on the U.S. pop charts (the usual suspects’Chuck Berry, Elvis, etc.). Along the way, visitors will find a section of a classmate’s 1959 Hibbing High School yearbook dedicated by the young Zimmerman; encased acoustic guitars belonging to Dylan heroes Woody Guthrie, Bruce Langhorne and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott; even a guitar and harmonica used by Dylan himself during his Greenwich Village days. Another glass showcase boasts original vinyl LPs of contemporaries making waves during Dylan’s folk phase”Harry Belafonte, Carolyn Hester, Dave Van Ronk. The singer/songwriter’s lyrics (always Dylan’s strongest suit) from early gems”’Masters of War,’ ‘A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall”’adorn the exhibit’s far walls. Taking some academic wind out of Dylan are interactive set-ups designed to let museum-goers fully experience his musical path. A room dubbed the Interactive Music Experience (designed by the Skirball, in conjunction with Roland Corp. U.S. and Boss U.S.) allows laymen without any musical skill to isolate and manipulate instrumental tracks on ‘Like a Rolling Stone,’ with the same type of Hammond B3 organ used by Al Kooper to famously open Dylan’s acid-tongued kiss-off with. Other installations include drum pads and a kit on which anyone can rhythmically accompany ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’ and other early ditties. A listening booth lets you don headphones and dig clear-as-a-whistle audio of Dylan’s first concert (November 4, 1961, Carnegie Chapter Hall), caught on tape by sound engineer Toni Mendell. We learn from this historic recording that Dylan, at 20, was already quite the raconteur with his rambling song segues. The same month of that performance, Dylan scraped together $402 to record his eponymous 13-track debut. Initially, ‘Bob Dylan’ sold only 5,000 copies. In addition to his first album, visitors can enter listening booths and hear his seminal early Columbia Records albums ‘The Freewheeling Bob Dylan’ (1963), ‘Another Side of Bob Dylan’ (1964), ‘Bringing It All Back Home’ (1965), and, of course, ‘Highway 61 Revisited’ (1965), home to ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ and considered by many to be his early masterpiece. All are annotated with footnotes. Throughout this horseshoe-shaped, Dylan-themed art crawl, you’ll find push-button booths where you can access his musical influences, both developmental and contemporary. The former includes Hank Williams (‘Cold, Cold Heart’), Odetta (‘Buked and Scorned’), Woody Guthrie (‘Tom Joad); the latter includes The Beatles (‘I Wanna Hold Your Hand)’, Lotte Lenny (‘Pirate Jenny’), Robert Johnson (‘Hellhound on My Trail’). For all of the high-tech aspects of ‘American Journey,’ the exhibit’s strength comes from its ephemera in pencil, ink, paint”in the hand of Dylan or someone connected to the troubadour. There’s a visceral charge from seeing the original lyrics of ‘It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)’ decorated with Dylan’s sketchy pen noodling along the sheet. Another highlight: a pair of Guthrie’s original pen-and-ink illustrations for his ‘Bound for Glory’ autobiographical account”the book that became the bible and style guide for Zimmerman’s ‘Bob Dylan’ persona, and roused the University of Minnesota student to borrow his ‘rustic attire and Okie accent and memorize his songbook.’ A definite ‘Journey’ highlight is a pair of letters to Joan Baez’s mother by Dylan and by Baez, famous folk singer and the lover via whom Dylan coat-tailed his way into the folk music spotlight and onward to greater fame. In every sense, the contrast between these two missives is glaring. Baez gushes, while Dylan disguises, pretending to be Baez in his letter and wasting her mother’s time with some crazy Seussian yarn. Baez’s correspondence, personal and clean, looks carefully, neatly and respectfully handwritten in pencil. Dylan’s is typed and appears distant, rushed, sloppy with errors. Baez is obviously smitten with Dylan, while Dylan comes off as sardonic and mocking of Baez. These letters stand as a strong testament to the romantic inequity and the careerist nature of Dylan’s whirlwind love affair. ‘Journey’ curator Jasen Emmens has ensured that booths and benches make for a comfortable viewing experience. Monitors play scenes from ‘Don’t Look Back’ and other archival footage. Clips from the Martin Scorsese-produced 2005 Dylan doc, ‘No Direction Home,’ illuminates key Dylan topics”such as ‘Highway 61’ guitarist Mike Bloomfield”in Dylan’s own words. ‘I always thought he should’ve stayed with me instead of go to the Paul Butterfield band,’ Dylan tells the camera. ‘He was the best guitarist I ever heard, on any level. He could flat pick, he could finger pick. It looked like he was born to play guitar, you know.’ Sadly, Bloomfield”a fellow Jewish, Midwestern-bred musical prodigy”died a tragic heroin-overdose death in 1981, not even two decades after he left Dylan to follow his Chicago blues muse. The year 1965 became a turning point in both Dylan’s career and pop music at large. He went electric at the Newport Folk Festival, effectively turning his back on the folk movement, which by the mid-sixties had calcified into a pallid rainbow of pat clich’s that no longer moved its most prominent associate. When Dylan plugged in, he tuned out folk music and everyone involved, including Baez. It was an AC/DC charge that resonated around the world. You could easily call this ‘American Journey’ show ‘Bob Dylan: The Early Years.’ The exhibit wisely ends with 1966, right after the moment in time captured by Pennebaker. In doing so, ‘Journey’ keeps its overview tight and finite, and the exhibit stops short of the wilderness years that followed, which included Dylan’s bust-up with Baez and subsequent marriage to Sara Lowndes, as well as the July 29, 1966 motorcycle accident that nearly claimed his life. ‘American Journey’ serves as an excellent primer for younger fans unfamiliar with Dylan’s musical legacy. Given the Skirball’s Jewish culture mandate, it’s interesting to note that there is no real mention of Dylan’s Jewish origins or background. But recall that during these formative, chameleonic years, Dylan essentially modeled himself after the poor white Appalachian and the blues-playing African-American. He would not embrace his Judaism for another few decades. ‘American Journey’ serves as an excellent primer for younger fans unfamiliar with Dylan’s musical legacy. Given the Skirball’s Jewish culture mandate, it’s interesting to note that there is no real mention of Dylan’s Jewish origins or background. But recall that during these formative, chameleonic years, Dylan essentially modeled himself after the poor white Appalachian and the blues-playing African-American. He would not embrace his Judaism for another few decades. ‘American Journey’ serves as an excellent primer for younger fans unfamiliar with Dylan’s musical legacy. Given the Skirball’s Jewish culture mandate, it’s interesting to note that there is no real mention of Dylan’s Jewish origins or background. But recall that during these formative, chameleonic years, Dylan essentially modeled himself after the poor white Appalachian and the blues-playing African-American. He would not embrace his Judaism for another few decades. In terms of information, Dylanheads may not derive much new data on their idol. Even the accidental fan might go into this exhibit knowing the name of ‘Journey”’s tune. After all, there’s been a recent (apologies to the artist Picabia) ‘Adoration of the Bob’ going on lately, and this period of his life is literally well-documented. A 40th anniversary edition of ‘Don’t Look Back’ came out in 2007. Both the Scorsese documentary and ‘The Other Side of the Mirror: Bob Dylan at the Newport Folk Festival’ are current PBS pledge drive staples. Cate Blanchett, who won a Golden Globe and several critics prizes for her role in last year’s ‘I’m Not There,’ is expected to win the Oscar for her performance on tonight’s Academy Awards broadcast. Even Dylan weighed in on Dylan with his well-reviewed 2004 memoir, ‘Chronicles, Vol. I,’ a New York Times bestseller. Yet for the casual fan and the diehard Dylan fanatic alike, ‘Journey’ is a must-see. Just ask guests at the Skirball’s preview night festivities (which featured a Dylan tribute band), such as Jamie Levenson, who eagerly attended because he considers Dylan ‘a modern day Mozart. He forever stands so far apart from any other artist, including but not limited to, himself. Unlike any other living cultural icon, he gets better with age. He’s tuned into the great big inspiration channel, broadcast universally to a select few, of which he is a lifetime subscriber.” Perhaps it’s best we wrap up our appreciation of ‘American Journey’ with some wise words by Dylan himself, from the lyrics of ‘Up To Me’: ‘If I’d thought about it I never would’ve done it, I guess I would’ve let it slide/ If I’d lived my life by what others were thinkin’, the heart inside me would’ve died/ I was just too stubborn to ever be governed by enforced insanity/ Someone had to reach for the risin’ star, I guess it was up to me.’ Sam Peckinpah’s 1973 Western ‘Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid,’ which features Dylan in a supporting role and on the film’s soundtrack (most famously, the song ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door’), screens tonight at 8 p.m. A gallery tour led by musician/producer David Was will take place on Thursday, March 13 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $10 general, $7 seniors and full-time students with ID; $5 children 2-12. Free to Skirball members and children under 2. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. Visit www.skirball.org.
