Nina Janes, whose late husband Ben was founding pastor of Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church, passed away on July 11 at the age of 97. She and her husband lived here from 1949 to 1959. Born in Fellows, California to Henry and Clara Dustin, Nina was raised on the oil lease in Fellows and attended Taft High School and Taft Junior College. In 1929 she met Ben F. Janes, a student minister, at choir practice. They were engaged on Valentine’s Day and married on June 10, 1930. Nina and Ben attended Fresno State College together and graduated in 1934, whereupon Nina received her teaching credential. The couple moved to Richmond for Ben’s first ministerial assignment at the Steege Presbyterian Church. After his graduation from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1938, the family moved to Santa Cruz where Ben became the minister at First Presbyterian Church. By now the couple had two children, Dustin (Dusty) and Nancy. During World War II, while Ben served in the South Pacific, Nina was a substitute teacher in the Santa Cruz schools. In 1949 the family moved to Pacific Palisades to organize a new Presbyterian church at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and El Medio Avenue. During this time Nina taught post-polio children at the Cabot Kaiser Institute. In 1959, Nina and Ben moved to Taft. She returned to classroom teaching and was a pioneer in the field of special education. She taught in Taft city schools and was an expert in diagnosing and developing programs for children with learning disabilities. Following retirement in 1972, Nina and Ben returned to Santa Cruz. They enjoyed wonderful times together until Ben’s passing in 1986. Seven years later, Nina moved to Dominican Oaks Retirement Community, where she enjoyed every aspect of social and community life, taking part in exercise classes and attending the ballet, opera and symphony. She never missed an outing. Nina was an active member of P.E.O. Sisterhood and belonged to several other organizations. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother and lived her faith throughout her life. All who knew her benefited from her serenity and her character; she accepted each of life’s challenges with dignity and grace. Nina loved to host dinner parties, barbeques and teas. Her table settings were elegant with flowers, candles, ruby glassware and silver. She was the consummate minister’s wife: she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, was hostess for church events and was a gracious and loving friend to all in the congregation. However, she never learned to type since she didn’t want to take on secretarial duties. She was the center of family events and was usually found holding a baby on her lap. She loved the holidays, dyeing Easter eggs, picnics and fireworks for the Fourth of July, and Christmas parties, but Thanksgiving was always her favorite day since her birthday was celebrated at the same time. Music was a great part of her life; she played the piano, sang and was in the church bell choir. Nina is survived by her son, Dustin (wife Jo Ann) of Portland, Oregon; her daughter Nancy Pascal (husband Roland) of Santa Cruz; seven grandchildren and their spouses; 10 great-grandchildren and their spouses; and two great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her beloved husband, Nina was preceded in death by her sister, Thelma Louise Flanagan. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 19, at First Presbyterian Church in Santa Cruz. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts in Nina’s memory may be made to the International Peace Scholarship (IPS) of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, P.O. Box 5617, Whittier, CA 90607-5617, or to another educational scholarship fund of your choice.
Dorothy Howard Mimms, former longtime resident of Pacific Palisades, passed away peacefully on January 10. She was 96. Born November 30, 1911 in Hillsboro, Texas, Dorothy moved to California in 1931 shortly after her marriage to Bethel Mimms. They settled in the Palisades in 1945, and Dorothy became a charter member of the Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church. She was active in numerous local organizations, including the Temescal chapter of the DAR, United Presbyterian Women’s Association, and the Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club. Dorothy was a secretary at McDonnell-Douglas from 1957 to 1971. In 1990 she moved to Thousand Palms, where she lived for 12 years before moving to Vista. While living in Thousand Palms, she helped Habitat for Humanity, collect eyeglasses from all over the area to fund the building of many homes in the community. She was preceded in death by her husband Bethel and her daughter Jo Anne Poston. She is survived by her son John Mimms (wife Dorothy) of Texas; granddaughters Mary Beth Poston of Vista, Sue McKinnon of Thousand Oaks and Donna Ciarmoli (husband Michael) of Simi Valley; grandsons Dan Poston of Whittier and Howard and Frank Mimms of Texas; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held today at 9:30 a.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church of Vista. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity or a charity of one’s choice.
Edward Frederick Earnest ‘Fred’ Craver of Falls Church, Virginia, died on Saturday, December 22, in Arlington, Virginia. He was 53. Born July 29, 1954 in San Antonio, Texas, Fred completed his education in California after his family moved to the Brentwood area. He attended Paul Revere Middle School and Palisades High School (class of 1972) and graduated from the University of San Diego in 1977. Fred was entrepreneurial, and shortly after graduation from college he opened Sea & Sky Artifacts in San Diego, where he imported and sold maritime and aviation artifacts. While in San Diego, he spent much of his leisure time sailing the coastal waters of Southern California and Mexico. After several years in business for himself, Fred moved to Northern Virginia to join his father’s commercial real estate business in Fredericksburg. He later obtained his real estate license and joined Long and Foster Real Estate in Fairfax, Virginia. Fred was loyal to his friends and especially dedicated to his family. He made a special effort to attend all birthdays, graduations, weddings, reunions and family events wherever they may have taken him. He always made time to support and celebrate his family, and they will miss his wonderful humor, warmth and love. Fred is survived by his father, Theodore Craver (wife Clair) of Hilton Head, South Carolina, and his mother, Frances Bussells (husband Bud) of White Stone, Virginia; his brother, Theodore, Jr. (wife Marian) of Pacific Palisades; and his sisters, Cynthia Ann Holmes (husband Dennis) of Milpitas and Molly Craver-Shaw of Modesto. Surviving nephews and nieces include college student Elizabeth Craver of Pacific Palisades. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Fred can be sent to one’s favorite charity.
Captain Trevor Shelden, whose father Geoff and stepmother Kathy Caldwell live in the Palisades Highlands, was home from Iraq last week (above, on the Village Green) but returned Tuesday to complete his deployment. Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
By THERESA HEIM-KILKOWSKI Palisadian-Post Contributor The heat surpassed 100 degrees and their packs weighed 100 pounds. The soldiers trudged through an abandoned Al Qaeda stronghold, clearing out improvised explosive devices (IEDs) used by enemy insurgents. Dust stung their eyes and sweat soaked through their camouflage uniforms, not just from heat, but from fear. In a 300-meter radius, 28 explosive devices were found and detonated. But nerves were still tense and anxiety still plagued the soldiers, for there were more. There were always more. The soldiers walked through the sewage-ridden streets of Mugdadiya and into a house looking for insurgents. The windows were blown out and there was no furniture, only blankets to sit and sleep on. The soldiers, who were accustomed to hostility from the Iraqis, received a different greeting this time. Standing before them was a seven-year-old girl. Her wide eyes lit up and she smiled as the soldiers came into her home. She talked excitedly in her native tongue while looking at the refrigerator, atop which sat a Barbie doll, an icon of Americana. She told the soldiers all about her doll, her most valuable possession, capturing the hearts of the entire platoon, but there was one soldier who was especially taken with her. He handed her some American bills and told her to buy herself a new doll either in Baghdad or on the black market. This soldier still thinks of this little girl many months later and many miles away. A week ago, Captain Trevor Shelden of the 2-23 Infantry Regiment out of Fort Lewis, Washington, was home for 18 days of R&R, visiting his family in Pacific Palisades. He returned to Iraq this week to complete his deployment in the Diyala Province, where on January 9 a booby-trapped home exploded and killed six American soldiers. As Trevor sat across from me at his speaking engagement at the Optimist Club meeting with his stepmother, Kathy Caldwell, and father Geoff, a retired airline pilot who now sells real estate for California Prudential Realty, I saw the quintessential American family. They looked like a portrait one might find in California Lifestyle magazine, a far cry from the ugliness of what is happening in Iraq. Shelden, 29, was born in Fullerton and moved with his family to Park City, Utah, in 1986, eventually graduating from the University of Utah, where he majored in criminology. After graduation, he came to a crossroads in his life. “I looked to my family for influence,” Shelden said. “My choices were either real estate or the military. I was looking for adventure, so I chose the military. But I knew it was the right choice, I knew it was my calling.” In April 2007, Shelden arrived in Iraq. Two years of military training could not prepare him for what he would experience. “They did a pretty good job at maneuver training, but they couldn’t prepare me for the fear I would experience once I arrived in Iraq,” he said. His first day there, five mortar rounds exploded 500 meters away. That was when Shelden realized, “Holy cow, we’re really in Iraq.?” It’s not just the fear that overwhelms him, but the living conditions as well. “Even after being there for nine months, I still walk around in awe,” Shelden said, during our interview. “You just can’t fathom the way people think the standard of living should be. Open sewer lines run through the street while people in sandals walk through the muck. The sewage dries up and mixes with the dirt, and when it dries, the smell is indescribable. They’ll throw their trash in the street and let it pile up. Eventually, a pack of wild dogs will come and rip it apart and the people just leave the mess there. After a week or two of buildup, they’ll finally burn it. These are the harshest conditions you could ever think of.” Shelden is an infantry platoon leader who commands 36 of what he calls “the greatest guys.” As Rangers, they are transported via vehicle to the fight. They then go on foot, conducting raids, traffic control and large-scale clearance operations, dismantling explosive devices–from military-grade munitions to homemade explosives. “Everything looks like an IED. It really takes a toll on you,” Shelden said. “You sleep with your pistol next to you and you sleep on the ground.” “At times, the soldiers are able to sleep in the beds of the houses they have cleared, but it’s terrible,” Shelden said. “You wake up wondering why you’re itching so much. The beds are full of mites. There are a lot of guys over there with staph and ringworm. I mandate my men to take showers. Even if they don’t want to, I make them. I don’t want them spreading sickness around.” In Shelden’s first deployment, his platoon encountered 11 explosions and lost three vehicles, but suffered no fatalities. In one of these attacks, Shelden was standing up in the hatch of his vehicle when an explosive went off in front of his path. The debris hit him in the face, knocking him unconscious. His family received word that Shelden had been injured in Iraq, but no other details were revealed. For two days they knew nothing of the fate of their son, only that he was in a field hospital. “They don’t tell you what happened,” Geoff Shelden said. “They only tell you that your son’s been injured. Everybody back here got excited. Then Trevor calls us up two days later saying, “Oh, I just got knocked out, but everything’s fine. The tube got shook up, but the TV still works.” “You worry about it every day,” Geoff added. “One day Trevor called me and said, “I hear you haven’t been eating, Dad. You have to understand, I want to be here, so you just have to let it go. If anything happens to me, it’s my choice.” The day after his injury, Shelden was back out in the field. “You get hurt, you get pushed right back out of the gate,” he said. “You have no choice but to conquer the fear.” And fear looms close at every moment.” It’s pretty much constant. It’s the unknown that?s the worst. My biggest fear is driving down the road, because you know they hear you coming.” Considering all he’s been through, Shelden’s morale remains high. “After seeing movies about World War II and Vietnam, you realize this isn’t so bad.” Every so often the generals will do assessments to make sure the men remain motivated. And for the first time in history, the army has offered officers a retention bonus of up to $35,000 to continue their contract. There is now a 35-percent stay rate for officers. “My morale’s especially high at night when I can lay my head on a pillow and sleep,” Shelden said. “The surge also helped. Before, there was no end in sight. Now there’s hope.” At home on leave, Shelden’s spirits remained elevated, although the deployment took its toll in a personal way. Two days after Christmas, he was at the airport in Utah holding flowers and candy as he awaited the arrival of his girlfriend’s plane. As the passengers disembarked the aircraft, Tammy, whom he dated for 2-1/2 years, was nowhere to be seen. He tried calling her, only to receive no answer. He was finally able to reach her father. “She can’t go through this anymore,” he told Shelden. “It’s too hard for her. She can’t handle another deployment.” “That’s my Dear John story,” Shelden said. “And it will probably be my only one, since I won’t be meeting anyone in Iraq.” When Shelden returns to Iraq, he will join up with his regiment to finish his deployment. In June, he redeploys and in September, he goes to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to try out for Special Forces. If he makes it, he will be in training for at least a year and could possibly return to Iraq. Shelden has no specific plans after his commitment is up. “I just have to focus on getting through these three years,” he said. “But I can’t ever imagine not being in uniform.” When asked if he thought he might someday return to Iraq as a tourist, he said, “I’d like to go back someday, but even in 40 years, I don’t think it’ll be very different.” To support Captain Trevor Sheldon with letters, care packages or toys for the local children, you can contact him at: CPT Trevor W Shelden, Bravo Co. 2-23 IN, FOB Normandy, APO AE 09324
Pacific Palisades resident William Idelson, a television comedy writer and an actor best known for his role in ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show,’ passed away on December 31, 2007. He was 88. Born on August 21, 1919 in Forest Park, Illinois, near Chicago, Idelson attended local schools before beginning his acting career in 1931 on Chicago’s WGN radio show, ‘Uncle Walt and Skeezix.’ One year later he was cast as Rush on the long-running serial radio show, ‘Vic and Sade.’ He remained on the show until he joined the Navy in 1943. Initially, Idelson was assigned to Navy public relations, but he wanted to fly, and the only way for him to do that was to take private flying lessons, which he did. Idelson flew night fighter missions over Japan and was awarded four Air Medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Following the war, Idelson moved to Los Angeles. He met his wife, actress Seemah Idelson, in 1950 at the Actor’s Lab in Hollywood. The couple married in 1951 and lived in Laurel Canyon and Encino before moving to Rustic Canyon in 1964. Idelson landed his most notable role on ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’ as Sally Rogers’ (Rose Marie) boyfriend Herman Glimcher. He also appeared in ‘Dragnet,’ ‘Perry Mason,’ ‘My Favorite Martian,’ ‘My Three Sons,’ ‘Happy Days’ and ‘Leave it to Beaver.’ A successful television writer, Idelson wrote for many series, including ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show,’ ‘The Twilight Zone,’ ‘The Odd Couple,’ ‘MASH,’ ‘Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C,’ ‘The Bob Newhart Show,’ ‘Happy Days,’ ‘Bewitched’ and ‘The Flinstones.’ He won the Writers Guild Award for best episodic comedy twice, once for an episode of ‘Get Smart’ and once for an episode of ‘The Andy Griffith Show.’ He also produced ‘The Bob Newhart Show,’ ‘Anna and the King’ and ‘Love, American Style,’ for which he shared an Emmy nomination in 1971 for outstanding comedy series. Idelson later taught a popular script-writing class at his home and is the author of three books, ‘Writing for Dough,’ ‘Bill Idelson’s Writing Class’ and most recently, ‘Gibby,’ an autobiographical novel about a World War II fighter pilot. An avid freshwater fisherman, Idelson enjoyed traveling to lakes and rivers in Mexico, Florida, Oregon (the Klamath) and nearly anywhere else where he could fish for bass, trout or salmon. Idelson also had an avid interest in photography, and was always taking pictures and buying new cameras. Even in the digital age, he developed his own photographs, while also teaching each of his four children the process. He also dabbled in painting. ‘He was always very busy, always doing something creative,’ his wife said. Idelson served as president of the Rustic Canyon Tennis Club several times and coached local youth baseball teams when his children were young. At one point, Idelson and his wife lived in London for a year with their four children. Later, in 2001, the children surprised their parents by taking them back to London for a week to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. ‘They visited their former neighbors and had a fabulous time,’ said their son, Paul. In addition to his wife of 56 years, Idelson is survived by his sons, Jonathan Idelson of Santa Monica, Paul Idelson of Westchester, and Howie Idelson of Pacific Palisades, and three grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter Ellen, a TV writer and actress. A memorial service will be held on February 21 at 7 p.m. at the Writers Guild Theater, 135 South Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Writer’s Guild Foundation and/or the Strike Fund.
In what might have been the most charged Community Council meeting in years, Joe Edmiston forcefully defended his decision to use two automated stop-sign cameras in Temescal Gateway Park. A group of Palisades residents are critical of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, which began giving out tickets to stop-sign violators in Temescal and its parks at Franklin Canyon and Topanga Canyon in July. Those Palisadians accuse fellow resident Edmiston, the executive officer of the MRCA, of inflating the public safety risk in the quiet, tree-lined canyon, and violating state law to justify raising park revenue through $100-per-ticket violations. Edmiston shot back at those critics last Thursday night, repeatedly emphasizing that the decision was based solely on safety. “I?m not going to be the one that they come up to at Gelson?s after kids get mowed down going to the pool,” Edmiston said, speaking to the Community Council. “You know that if there?s an accident there, this council is going to call me here to explain. This is all about safety.” On more than one occasion during the council?s meeting, Edmiston encouraged skeptical residents, like longtime critic Jack Allen, to sue the state?s joint-powers authority. “Sue us, Jack!” Edmiston yelled. “Sue us. Maybe the court will settle this clearly. This body doesn?t have adjudicatory authority. It?s not a court. I invite people to sue us!” Allen, the former city attorney for Beverly Hills, has become the fiercest critic of Edmiston?s plan. He has dedicated hours researching the legal rationale for MRCA?s cameras, and has even spent 10 hours with a radar gun counting park traffic and stop-sign violations. His conclusion? The MRCA has snubbed California law. As previously reported, the state?s Vehicle Code authorizes automated traffic enforcement at stop signals, not stop signs. That omission prohibits the MRCA from using cameras to issue tickets, according to Allen. “This isn?t a safety issue, and any argument based on that is meritless!” Allen said during a presentation he made to the council. “It?s a rotten way to treat people who visit the canyon. There are countless cases that say you can?t do this. I?ve done more research since the last time, and I?m more convinced now than ever.” Edmiston pointed to a loophole in the code that gives the MRCA the right to bypass the Vehicle Code. “It?s true that this isn?t done according to the Vehicle Code?and for a good reason!” Edmiston replied. “That is an internal road or driveway, not a state roadway. Your driveway is not subject to the Vehicle Code! Because this isn?t a public road, we?re held to a different standard.” Allen and other members asked Edmiston if this interpretation of the law was vetted by the state attorney general, who represents state agencies. “We have gotten advice from the attorney general, not an opinion, which can take sometimes a couple of years,” Edmiston said. “We?ve received the informal advice from the Land Law section [of the attorney general].” Edmiston added that the MRCA?s plan was reviewed by its two law firms. He also said that a certified traffic engineer studied the traffic flow there and recommended that the cameras would reduce liability. But few council members were convinced. “There?s stop signs throughout the city and as far as I know there aren?t stop-sign cameras,” said Harry Sondheim, a retired county prosecutor. “The city would be liable for all of them if your logic is carried [out].” Said Mike Streyer: “The question is: Why don?t we have these cameras everywhere?” “Why is this a legal issue?” Edmiston asked the Council. “Why is this not a moral issue?to stop at a stop sign?” “The answer is that in the United States we expect our law enforcement to uphold the law,” replied Richard G. Cohen, who chaired the Council?s meeting. In the first three months of operation, the MRCA has ticketed more motorists in Temescal than in Franklin or Topanga Canyons. According to the most recent data from the MRCA provided to the Palisadian-Post, in an average day18 motorists received tickets?on average, that?s six more motorists than at its other parks. Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc., the Australian company that owns and operates the cameras, receives 20 percent of the revenue collected from those tickets. Because the MRCA is not following the Vehicle Code, the tickets are not part of a motorist?s record and insurance companies are not notified. “You?re not doing the public any favors,” Allen said to Edmiston. “If this is about safety, then these violators should go into the court system, and it should be reported to insurance companies.” At the request of council members and the Palisadian-Post, Edmiston said he would provide copies of the legal justification from MRCA?s lawyers and the official traffic study that were not considered confidential information by “attorney-client privilege.” As of press time, neither the council nor the Post has received either of these documents. But community leaders are not likely to take no for an answer. “We are entitled to see any traffic engineering studies demonstrating the necessity of photo enforcement in the park,” wrote Cohen, vice-chair of the council. “Furthermore, the introduction of this previously unseen enforcement technology in our community, apparently in violation of California Vehicle Code pre-emption, should be fully explained and legally justified.”
The Santa Monica Performing Arts Center will provide Westsiders with a new venue, conveniently located close to home, allowing for stress-free enjoyment of the arts.
The Santa Monica Performing Arts Center broke ground in 2005 at Santa Monica Boulevard and 11th Street in Santa Monica, it is scheduled to be completed this year. Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
As traffic grows more and more appalling on this side of town, as well as all over the city, Westsiders have spent increasingly more leisure time close to home, preferring to patronize local establishments; and not necessarily because of some kind of neighborhood or community pride, but because even the mere thought of venturing east of the 405 is enough to trigger a migraine. As a result, many local residents have sacrificed a great deal of what Los Angeles has to offer, especially when it comes to the arts. What good is a Tony Award-winning play at the Ahmanson or Pantages, or a performance by the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Walt Disney Concert Hall if those on the Westside miss half of it while they battle through the nightmare that is evening rush hour in L.A.? Even performances in Westwood have become difficult to attend. Still, Palisadians and Westsiders should not have to surrender their desires to be entertained, but where can they go? Beginning sometime in 2008 (the official opening date is yet to be released), locals will be able to enjoy acts by national, international and local artists in a variety of performance genres at The Stage at the new Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center. Dubbed The Madison Project, the new center broke ground in January of 2005 under the artistic direction of Palisadian Dale Franzen, a former professional opera singer, and will be completed this year. In the meantime, though, patrons of the arts can enjoy performances at the Center’s Second Space, which opened in October 2007 with the ‘Under the Radar’ series which was presented free of charge in the small, but very accommodating space located within the Performing Arts Center. ‘We’ve really built a real state-of-the-art theater,’ Franzen said, ‘The only one of its kind in this area. ‘I raised my children here and we didn’t have a performing arts place. If I wanted to see something locally, I didn’t have that option. I felt, as a community member, that this was a big hole.’ The new $45-million theater will feature 504 seats: 2,025-square-foot rehearsal room; four dressing rooms (three ensemble and one star); full fly house, single purchase counterweight rigging; ample wing space (26 ft., stage right, 20 ft. stage left); variable proscenium (42-to-46 ft. width, 24 ft. high); hydrolicized orchestra pit lift; fully trappable stage floor; live broadcasting capabilities for video truck positioned in the loading dock and; state-of-the-art sound system, art performance lighting and screening capabilities. ‘The Westside of Los Angeles has never had anything of its kind,’ said Dustin Hoffman, chairman of the Artistic Advisory Board and alumnus of SMC. ‘What makes it unique is that it’s a stage for dance, opera and musicals. It’s also an intimate theater and it looks great.’ Hoffman, who lives just 10 minutes from Performing Arts Center was an early champion for the theater. ‘He took his first acting class at SMC and has been involved since the beginning. He gave money, raised money and has been an incredible advocate,’ Franzen said. ‘We’re hoping he’ll find wonderful projects to do here. This will be his sandbox and we’re eternally grateful and wouldn’t be here without him.’ Franzen was also involved from the beginning. The transition from opera singer to artistic director of a multi-million dollar theater seems difficult, but was quite natural for Franzen, who spent her entire life surrounded by the arts. ‘I was given an extraordinary opportunity that few are given. It’s incredibly different and incredibly hard, but it’s like a dream in a way,’ she said. The new theater is based primarily on her vision of an intimate, versatile and professional space on L.A.’s Westside. Franzen, a self-proclaimed ‘Hollywood brat’ grew up in a beautiful old neighborhood in Los Feliz where Cecil B. DeMille and many silent movie actors had lived. Her father, Selig J. Seligman, ran ABC during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and despite her show business background and upbringing in Hollywood, she lived what she called a ‘very low key’ life, even walking herself to school everyday. She began singing when she was just three years old, and by the time she was seven, had appeared on her first television show. At age five, she began attending the opera. Years later, when she was given the opportunity to study opera at USC, she moved back to Los Angeles from Canada, where she was attending school, and began her opera studies. Her professional opera career spanned over 20 years, and proved integral to her success in the Madison Project. ‘I know how to sing for my supper,’ she said. While fundraising for the Project, one prospective donor said to her, ‘We understand you’re an opera singer; sing something,’ Franzen, without hesitation, let loose with her lyric soprano, and the donor quickly wrote her a check for $50,000. Franzen moved to Pacific Palisades from Topanga in 2005 when ground was broken on the Performing Arts Center and she wanted to decrease the length of her commute. Her husband Don is an entertainment attorney, who is currently involved in a land use case in Castellemarre. The couple has three children, Ben, a professional musician, Alexandra, a writer and Olivia, who attends PaliHi. The Franzens live in the Las Pulgas neighborhood. ‘It was a really easy transition. I like being in a community where can walk around the little town,’ she said. ‘The Palisades still has a low-key charm to it, no movie theater, no mall. You always run into people you know and it’s just so beautiful.’ Franzen will confirm the opening date of The Stage in February, when she reveals the first season, which will be comprised of 25 events. ‘I’m trying to put together a balanced season, peppered with local and lesser-known artists,’ she said. ‘I see this theater as a place where young artists can get their first start. They might go on to Disney Hall or Royce Hall, but they can start here. ‘At the end of the day,’ Franzen said, ‘this incredible facility will be here. And that feels good.’ The Stage and Second Space at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center are located at Santa Monica Boulevard and 11th Street in Santa Monica, just a short drive from Pacific Palisades. For updates visit: www.thestagesm.com.
Jay Schroeder quarterbacked the Los Angeles Raiders to the AFC Championship game in 1990.
It’s been almost 30 years since Jay Schroeder threw a pass at Palisades High and he has achieved much success in his life since then. Yet he still looks back fondly on his days with the Dolphins and how they shaped his future. Schroeder is perhaps most famous for his 11-year NFL career from 1984-94, which included a Super Bowl victory with the Washington Redskins in 1988. On Super Bowl Sunday, however, the former Palisadian will make his mark in an even more significant way by participating in the third annual “Run for Mobility” to support the Free Wheelchair Mission, an Irvine-based charity. “I’m excited about the opportunity to celebrate Super Bowl Sunday in such a healthy and rewarding way,” Schroeder says. “Once I heard about the great work the Free Wheelchair Mission does, I knew it was a cause I wanted to support. I encourage all runners to fundraise and all of my former neighbors, classmates and fans in Southern California to sign up or sponsor a runner.” In addition to running in the event in Huntington Beach, Schroeder will also be the keynote speaker for the fundraising dinner at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort on February 2, the eve of Super Bowl XLII. Sure, reaching the Super Bowl is every football player’s dream. Schroeder’s first taste of fame, though, came on Friday nights at Stadium by the Sea, where he set the school single-season record (since broken) for most yards passing (1,257). The two-sport star (he was also a catcher on the baseball team) won the Post Cup Award as Palisades’ outstanding senior athlete in 1979. One Dolphins teammate in particular stands out in Schroeder’s mind–Academy Award-winning actor Forrest Whitaker. “He was our left tackle,” Schroeder remembers. Now 46, Schroeder recalls that when he played for Palisades the Dolphins were primarily a running team under co-coaches Dick North and Merritt Stanfield. “I only threw the ball 10 or 11 times a game,” he says. “I remember we lost to Granada Hills [and John Elway] twice in the playoffs.” Schroeder’s family moved to Pacific Palisades (near the village) in time for Jay to attend sixth-grade at Paul Revere. He played baseball at Palisades High at the same time future major league all-star Darryl Strawberry was at Crenshaw. After two years at UCLA, Schroeder played in the Toronto Blue Jays’ minor league system before being drafted in the third round of the 1984 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins. Schroeder was called into action his freshman year after starting quarterback Joe Theismann suffered a career-ending leg injury. As a starter the following year, Schroeder led Washington to the NFC title game and made the Pro Bowl, throwing for a franchise-record 4,109 yards. He separated his shoulder in the first game of the 1987 season and was replaced by Doug Williams, who led the Redskins to victory over Denver in Super Bowl XXII. “We were hard to beat that year,” Schroeder says. “That was sweet. I got my revenge on Elway.” The next season, Schroeder was traded to the Los Angeles Raiders. He led the Raiders to the AFC Championship game in 1990 and played another two seasons for the silver and black before finishing his career with one-year stints in Cincinnati and Arizona. Schroeder says he was lucky to have had such a lengthy NFL career. “If you can last as long as I did, you’re pretty fortunate,” he admits. “I enjoyed every last minute of it. I have no regrets!” Schroeder visits the Palisades a few times each year (his brother’s wife works at Festa insurance on Sunset) but much of his time in retirement is spent giving back to the community in St. George, Utah, where he moved three and a half years ago from San Diego. He and his wife Debbie have three kids—Brian (22), Christopher (20) and Katelyn (9). Asked what current player he enjoys watching most Schroeder cites New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. “What’s he’s doing this season is amazing,” Schroeder says. “He makes playing quarterback look so easy but believe me, it’s not that easy.” Schroeder is an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Utah and serves as the offensive coordinator for Snow Canyon High. His main focus right now, though, is reaching his goal of raising $5,700–equaling the cost of one wheelchair for each of the 114 touchdown passes Schroeder threw in his NFL career. To support Schroeder’s “Touchdown Team” by making a donation, visit www.RunforMobility.org.
AnnaLisa Erickson plays actress Lily Garland, who refuses to sign a contract with her ex-lover and Broadway producer Oscar Jaffe played by Donald Heath.
Having seen the 1934 ‘Twentieth Century’ with John Barrymore and Carole Lombard and the 1978 Broadway musical ‘On the Twentieth Century,’ both based on the original play written by Charles Millholland, I was eager to see Theatre Palisades’ production. The plot revolves around Oscar Jaffe (Donald Heath), who discovers actress Lily Garland (AnnaLisa Erickson) and makes her a star by putting her in his Broadway productions. They became a romantic item but, alas, their big egos interfere sending Garland to Hollywood, where she becomes even more successful. Jaffe stays in New York, and starts producing flop after flop, including his most recent ‘Joan of Arc.’ His financial situation is dire and the only way he can stop his downhill slide is to sign Garland for his next production. Jaffe intends to accomplish that in the 16 hours it takes for the Twentieth Century Unlimited train to get from Chicago to New York. Garland, who now has a boyfriend as well as an ‘Oscar,’ has no intention of signing with him. Screwball comedies don’t have the luxury of slowly unfolding events, characters and action like dramas. The pacing has to be tight and fast. The first act of the Palisades’ production was slow and at times tedious, which is a shame because Erickson plays the diva to a tee. She is the epitome of a spoiled star who is used to getting exactly what she wants. Her counterpart Heath, with a strange, slightly crazed look in his eyes, was equally believable as the egotist who drove her off and now wants her back. Susannah Myrvold, who has a minor role as the girlfriend of a married doctor, has that interesting on-stage charisma that causes your eyes to focus on her, even when she’s not in the center of the action. Another actor who deserves mention is Brett Erickson, who plays Garland’s agent. He has a nice presence and with stronger directing could’ve had more fun with the role. Sherry Coon, who in addition to designing costumes also directed the show, is to be commended for her choice of costumes, especially Garland’s and Myrvold’s. They were stylish and evoked an earlier time. The set is problematic; it looks like two hotel rooms and a lobby, rather than giving theatergoers the feel of a train. Since it is a period piece, the set should also take theatergoers back to the 1930s. When the action is focused in one room, actors in the lobby pretend to talk to each other, which becomes annoying. Perhaps focusing the lights strictly on one part of the set and darkening the other would take care of that irritating problem. Some of the staging was extremely clumsy; two different situations come to mind. In both cases, in different rooms and at different times, the staging seemed to be exactly the same. In the first case, the doctor and girlfriend started making out on a chaise lounge causing one to fall off. That same scenario seemed to be repeated with Gantry and her agent George Smith (Brett Erickson). I found myself drawn to the awkward positioning and the adjusting of costumes, rather than listening to dialogue. Stronger direction would’ve helped actors fine-tune their timing, which in comedies is everything. Waiting that beat between set-up and delivery is essential, and there were many jokes that went by the audience because of rushed delivery. In a community filled with ‘Hollywood’ people, I’m surprised that more of the truly talented and artistic people who live here don’t become involved on some level with Theatre Palisades. The play runs through February 16, Pierson Playhouse at 941 Temescal Canyon Blvd., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. For tickets call (310) 454-1970 or visit www.theatrepalisades.org.
Charles Arnoldi, “Pilgrim”, 1981, acrylic and flasche on sticks, 96 x 80 x 9 inches. Collection of Iris Mink.
The Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art is exhibiting ‘Charles Arnoldi: Wood’ through March 30 at Pepperdine, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway. Featuring over 25 large-scale works in wood from the 1970s and 1980s, the exhibition is the first major museum survey devoted to this seminal Los Angeles artist.??”Charles Arnoldi rose to prominence during the 1970s and 1980s, a period that corresponds to the growth of Los Angeles as a major center for contemporary art,” says Michael Zakian, director of the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art. “His works in wood from the period–especially the Stick and Chainsaw paintings–helped define the L.A. style.’ Born in 1946 to a blue-collar family in Dayton, Arnoldi came to California soon after high school. After a short stint in construction, he studied briefly at the Art Center School of Design and then the Chouinard Art Institute before winning the Los Angeles County Museum of Art New Talent Award in 1969. Originally a painter, he began to experiment in the early 1970s with wood. At first he lashed together thin strips of wood to create open lattice structures. After Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, he created a series of “logjams”–dense and aggressive accumulations of branches that emulate nature’s cataclysmic power. He embarked on another new direction in the early 1980s when he began using a chainsaw to cut, carve, and “draw” into large sheets of plywood. These Chainsaw Paintings have lines that are ripped, torn, and appear intensely expressive. A Family Art Day is set for Saturday, January 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.??The Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art is open Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and one hour prior to performances through intermission. There is free admission. Contact: (310) 506-4851; visit http://www.pepperdine.edu/arts/museum?.?
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