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Empty Storefronts in Village Cause Concern

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Tabitha owner Carly Kamerman stands on the empty sidewalk along Swarthmore Avenue on Monday. Parking on the street, which used to be a challenge, is now easy. Empty storefronts have been a source of concern for business owners on the street.
Tabitha owner Carly Kamerman stands on the empty sidewalk along Swarthmore Avenue on Monday. Parking on the street, which used to be a challenge, is now easy. Empty storefronts have been a source of concern for business owners on the street.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

With several storefronts available to rent and several spaces rented but not yet occupied, the economic impact of empty stores on other businesses in the Village is unclear. Some tenants have reported that sales were slow this summer, but that business is always slow in the summer. Others say that decreased foot traffic on Swarthmore has had a ripple effect on other retail businesses in town. ‘Mort’s being closed and the Picnic space [formerly Fernworks] being empty for almost two years has definitely affected business,’ said Roy Robbins, owner of a gifts and stationery store at 1030 Swarthmore. ‘All these years, Mort’s was the centerpiece for the street and a meeting place for the community. When that goes away, it leaves a void.’ On the 1000 block of Swarthmore, three unoccupied stores are on the same side of the street: Mort’s Delicatessen, Fernworks and The Prince’s Table (which relocated to a patio space on Swarthmore below Sunset). Mort’s space, leased by former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan, has been closed since March 31 for renovations. Demolition of Mort’s interior has been completed and the exterior design for awnings, fa’ade upgrade and signage will be presented to the Pacific Palisades Design Review Board on September 26. The projected opening for the new deli (in Mort’s original space) and a bar and grill (in the former Oak Room) is late November. After Fernworks closed in November 2005, the space was leased to Lisa Fielding, who planned to open Picnic, a gourmet food store. After encountering numerous difficulties, Fielding gave up the lease. This June, the space was rented to Maury Rubin, owner of City Bakery, a cafeteria-style eatery with franchises in New York City and in the Brentwood Country Mart. Rubin said he is currently filing papers with the city in order to open a new store. The Prince’s Table vacated the corner of Swarthmore and Monument at the end of June. The Palisadian-Post contacted leasing agent Gregory Pawlik for comment on the possible rental of that space but has not yet heard from him. ‘Nobody walks on this side of the street,’ said Carly Kamerman, owner of Tabitha, a maternity and baby clothes store at 1047 Swarthmore, next to Village Books. ‘When I opened last October, it seemed so much more lively.’ Kamerman admitted that since this is her first year in business, she cannot compare previous years’ sales, but said, ‘There are days when the whole street has parking spaces.’ ‘We’ve been so affected. Thank goodness I have repeat customers,’ said Andreea Benuciu, who co-owns the Andana shoes and handbags store next door to Tabitha. ‘The Farmers’ Market on Sunday helps; I get more exposure that way.’ In an earlier Palisadian-Post article, Stan McElroy, vice president of CB Richard Ellis, said Swarthmore is isolated, relatively speaking, unlike famous shopping streets such as Rodeo Drive and Montana Avenue. He noted that it is mainly locals who shop in the Village, which means that sales potential is limited. In general, people don’t come here from elsewhere because this is not a destination stop. He did comment that restaurants play an important role because they help bring residents to the street. ‘August was dead, but August is always dead,’ Village Books owner Katie O’Laughlin said. ‘There are fewer people on the street and you can see empty parking spots. ‘When Riordan’s new restaurant opens, it will generate excitement on the block,’ O’Laughlin said. ‘I do look forward to the opening.’ In addition to Swarthmore, there are two empty spaces on Sunset between Swarthmore and Monument. The first housed The Office Supplier, which lost its lease in March 2006 and moved to the Atrium Building. The 2,800-sq.-ft. space between The Nest Egg and Self-Centre has been vacant ever since. It is rumored that Madiaon, a high-end women’s clothing franchise with stores on Melrose, Robertson, San Vicente in Brentwood and Cross Creek Road in Malibu, is considering opening a branch in the Palisades. ‘It’s in the works and we’re interested,’ Madison co-owner Mark Goldstein said. ‘But I can’t confirm as of yet.’ Although Coldwell Banker has a lease on the 5,800-sq.-ft. office space at 15240 Sunset, directly across from The Office Supplier vacancy, the space has remained empty since Coldwell left in August 2006. Palisades storeowners would like to see all of the spaces occupied. ‘The most important thing we can do is keep people shopping in town,’ said Robbins, a former Chamber of Commerce President. ‘The more choices you can offer to keep people in town the better it will be for all the merchants.’ Robbins suggested that the Post ask readers, ‘What businesses do you go out of town for? What would you like to see open in the Palisades?’ (To submit ideas about businesses that are needed in the Palisades, e-mail features@palipost.com.)

Calendar for the Week of September 20

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 Chamber of Commerce mixer, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., hosted by Dr. Robert Bornstein at his office, 984 Monument (corner of Bashford). Members and guests enjoy hosted hors d’oeuvres, a no-host beverage bar and a drawing for gifts donated by Chamber members. Non-members: $25. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Palisades Beautiful meeting, 10 a.m. in the Palisades Branch Library community room, 861 Alma Real. Upcoming neighborhood tree planting will be discussed. Members, friends and the general public are welcome. Contact: www.palisadesbeautiful@earthlink.net ‘The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes,’ directed by Billy Wilder, screens at 2 p.m. in the Palisades Branch Library community room, 861 Alma Real. Admission is free. This monthly movie program is co-sponsored by the Palisades AARP chapter and the Palisades Library Association. Theatre Palisades presents its summer musical, ‘The Boy Friend,’ book, music and lyrics by Sandy Wilson, 8 p.m. at Pierson Playhouse, 941 Temescal Canyon Road. The show, directed by Lewis Hauser, runs Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees through October 14. Ticket reservations: (310) 454-1970, or visit www.theatrepalisades.org. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 Actor/activist Mike Farrell and two others speakers will address the Pacific Palisades Democratic Club, 3 p.m., at a Palisades residence. RSVP: (310) 230’2084. (See story, page 5.) MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 ‘An Evening with George Bernard Shaw,’ 6:45 p.m. in the community room of the Palisades Branch Library, 861 Alma Real. (See story, page 10.) Monthly meeting of the Pacific Palisades Civic League, 7:30 p.m. in Gabrielson Hall, 801 Via de la Paz. Public invited. (See agenda story, page 5.) Temescal Gateway Park program explores history of the park on an evening walk from 7:30 to 9:30 at the park. Meet at the cafeteria. Parking is $5. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 Storytime for children of all ages, 4 p.m. in the Palisades Branch Library community room, 861 Alma Real. Pacific Palisades Art Association hosts local artist Diane Hajnal at its first meeting of the season, 7 p.m. at the Woman’s Club, 901 Haverford Ave. (See story, page TK) WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 Weekly writing meeting for members of all 12-Step programs or anyone with a habitual problem or illness, 7 to 8 p.m. at 16730 Bollinger Dr. Telephone (310) 454-5138 or e-mail info@12stepsforeverybody.org. A public meeting focused on the City of L.A.’s Master Plan to Achieve Zero Waste by 2030, 7 p.m. in the Palisades Presbyterian Church library, 15821 Sunset. (See story, page TK). THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 Pacific Palisades Community Council meeting, 7 p.m., Palisades Branch Library community room, 861 Alma Real. Public invited. (See story, page 5.) Victoria Foyt discusses and signs ‘The Virtual Life of Lexie Diamond,’ a suspenseful ‘Whodunit’ novel, 7:30 p.m., Village Books on Swarthmore. Fourteen-year-old Lexie copes with alienation at school and her divorced parents’ disappointment with her computer-driven life. When her mother is killed in a mysterious car crash, Lexie finds credible evidence of foul play, and is forced to adapt and grow as a person in order to follow the clues.

Locals Brave Nautica Triathlon

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Wheelchair athlete Jeremy Newman competed in the Celebrity Relay at the Nautica Triathlon at Zuma Beach.
Wheelchair athlete Jeremy Newman competed in the Celebrity Relay at the Nautica Triathlon at Zuma Beach.
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Several Palisadians from the Los Angeles Triathlon club stood out amid a field of more than 3,000 competitors at last Sunday’s Nautica Malibu Triathlon. The 21st annual event at Zuma Beach, which raised $718,000 for the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, consisted of a half-mile swim, 18-mile bike ride and four-mile run. “This year was extra special because of the weather conditions–very little surf, no wind on the bike, and the perfect race temperature,” said LA Tri Club Coach Ian Murray, who lives in the Palisades Highlands. He finished third in the elite men’s division (ages 35-39) with a time of one hour, 23 minutes and 14 seconds. Murray was proud of LA Tri Club’s overall performance. “The LA Tri Club always does well here,” Murray said. “It’s in our backyard and we train on the course regularly. We had over 200 club members competing today with many on the podium–most with personal best performances.” Since 2000, Murray has run clinics with the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). One of his athletes, 23-year-old Evan Morgan of Bakersfield, is a double amputee who was a U.S. soldier in Iraq and was introduced to triathlons while in the hospital for his injuries. “I realize that I work with “able bodied” athletes all the time who are crippled by fear,” Murray said. “Most of the Challenged Athletes I’ve met are seriously brave individuals who are ready to take on any challenge. Lack of fear is the most liberating thing a human can have.” Murray was pleased with his performance Sunday. “I’ve raced this race as a newbie, an elite, I’ve raced it injured, and my wife [Alexandra Paul] and I raced it the morning after we were married seven years ago,” he said. “This day was my best result ever with a third-place finish and just seconds out of the win–and that’s with far less training than in the past.” CAF athlete Jeremy Newman a self-described lover of challenge from the Palisades, also competed Sunday, filling in for Jericho’s missing teammate during the running portion of the Celebrity Relay. Newman brings his celebrity clients to the Nautica Triathlon in order to bring exposure to the event. A personal trainer and motivational speaker, Newman trains in the Palisades three to five days a week. The wheelchair athlete uses a special seven-foot long bike when competing. “There are a lot of hairpin turns during the run,” Newman said. “So for runners its not a big deal but I physically stop and re-position. The fact that I didn’t crash into anyone and no one crashed into me was wonderful.” Newman was one of two wheelchair athletes selected to represent the United States in the 2002 World Triathlon Championships in Cancun, Mexico. Another Palisadian, 46-year-old Alan Morelli, placed third in the Clydesdale Division in 1:36:31. “It’s an incredible opportunity to race,” Morelli admitted. “Sometimes I think ‘Do I really deserve this?'” Morelli, a Georgetown graduate and CEO of a growing health company, leads a one to two mile LA Tri Club swim on Friday mornings at Gladstones. Originally from New Jersey, Morelli spent nine years as a young adult lifeguarding, rowing and competing in Ironman races. Fond of warmer weather, he and his wife Terry moved to the Palisades in 1997. “I sort of retired,” Morelli recalled. “I had some time on my hands and my wife wanted me to get out of the house. So I bought a beach cruiser and I guess I have a bit of a competitive spirit. Soon I was racing people on the bike path, which isn’t good.” A member of the USA team, Morelli has competed in over 50 triathlons in places such as the East Coast, France and Australia. Palisades Highlands resident and LA Tri Club member Renee Brown, 50, was a yacht interior designer before catching the triathlon bug. “I saw a triathlon on TV and I thought I could do that,” Brown said. In preparation for Sunday’s event Brown biked four to five times a week and routinely attended a Wednesday morning ocean swim in Santa Monica. She finished ninth out of 19 competitors in her division, completing the course in 2:18:21. Her son Jared finished first in the 14-17 age group with a time of 1:38:08. The Browns, who live in the Palisades Highlands, began competing in triathlons together two years ago at UCLA. “He’s a hotshot now,” Renee joked. “I’m a forever beginner.” What Renee will remember most about Sunday’s triathlon is helping a panicking woman during the swim phase of the competition. “I told her to do what I say and do it when I say it,” Brown said. “We got past the waves and she thanked me. It was like everything I learned clicked in when I needed to help someone, it was the most incredible feeling.” Fifteen-year-old Kimberly Tartavull, who lives in Castellammarre and swims for the Palisades-Malibu YMCA, placed first out of 500 women in the half-mile swim, finishing in 12 minutes. Tartavull crossed the finish line in 1:53 to finish fourth in her age division. Other Palisades competitors included Claudia Campos who finished first in her age divison, Greg Roberts and Richard Sherman.

Cathie Wishnick, 60; Treasured Local Activist

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Cathie Wishnick.
Cathie Wishnick.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

The Talmud legend says that there are 36 special people who sustain the entire world at all times. Cathie Wishnick was one of them, said Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben in praise of the longtime Kehillat Israel member and community volunteer who passed away Sunday, September 16 after a three-year battle with cancer. She was 60. Coincidentally, Wishnick died during the Jewish High Holidays, a time when every year she renewed her dedication to one of her most noteworthy outreach projects–feeding the hungry at the Turning Point shelter in Santa Monica. This was just one of the many volunteer activities for which she was honored in 2000 by the Jewish Reconstructionist Foundation for her Tikkum Olam work at KI. An honorary resident of Pacific Palisades by virtue of her involvement in many of the town’s activities with her husband Arnie, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, Cathie was a familiar face and uplifting spirit to many. She was a doer whose leadership skills always included hands-on participation. When she volunteered for the Feed the Hungry program at Turning Point, she not only enlisted volunteers to help, but also planned the meals, tried them out on Arnie, and often, happily, ended up at the stove. Just as her love of cooking led to Turning Point, her ability to swing a hammer led to the Handi-Corps home repair task force. ‘I’m handy; I do fix-it work around the house,’ she told the Palisadian-Post in 2000, after she got the idea of starting a task force to assist older people with home repairs. ‘What stops most people from being handy is fear; they’re afraid to try,’ she said. ‘A single woman across the street called us at home. She said ‘Send Arnie over.’ I said, ‘No, you don’t want Arnie, I’ll be right there.” Cathie, the daughter of Franklin and Ethel Benson, grew up in Westwood, attended local public schools and graduated from UCLA in 1968. She was a member of Sinai Temple in Westwood, where she met Arnie at a special service for college students. ‘I met Cathie at the dreaded College Nite at Sinai, when parents drag their college-age kids to the service,’ Arnie later recalled. ‘Her parents dragged her, and my parents dragged me. I brought along my buddy, also named Arnie. Cathie always said that, at first, she liked the other Arnie better. He was more friendly.’ But Arnie Wishnick won out, and Cathie married him in August 1968. They lived in Santa Monica for five years before buying a home in Beverlywood. Arnie’s career as a banking executive brought him to the Palisades, first with Southern California Savings and then with Glendale Federal. He began his Chamber job in early 1993. Together and separately, Arnie and Cathie became an integral part of the Palisades community, generously offering their time and talents to the town’s major events, including the annual Teen Pageant and Fourth of July parade, and their temple on Sunset. In college Cathie was a runway model, a talent Arnie capitalized on by recruiting her to emcee events and perform skits on numerous occasions. One of their signature donations was a themed party in which lucky bidders were treated to a sit-down dinner and ‘dubious’ entertainment. Cathie would cook a gourmet meal for 15 to 20 guests. Arnie would come dressed as the perfect butler while she played the ‘Maid from Hell,’ attired in a torn housecoat, dangling an unlit cigarette and shocking with her face painted green after a presumed night of binge drinking. ‘She insulted all the guests,’ Arnie said, ‘but they loved her insults.’ Cathie also provided ‘color’ on the Fourth of July as one of the parade announcers, standing out in the middle of Sunset with her microphone and introducing the bands and floats as they passed by, while also interviewing celebrities and town leaders riding in convertibles. Although Cathie and Arnie did not have their own children, they were keenly interested in Palisades youth. Candida Piaggi remembers the years she and Cathie worked on the Chamber’s Teen Pageant. ‘I started working with Cathie in 1993 after my daughter, Allegra, won the Miss Palisades title,’ Piaggi told the Post. ‘Cathie was the co-emcee, and I always admired her for her grace, class and posture. She also came up with the famous question that the contestants always feared. It was often on a current-events topic, not very hard, but made the kids think on their feet.’ For 25 years, Cathie’s day job reflected her organization and administrative skills. She was an office administrator for several CPA firms. After retiring 10 years ago, she expanded her volunteer activities at KI and joined the Brandeis University National Women’s Committee, almost on the spur of the moment. ‘Although Cathie was already involved in many volunteer organizations at the time, she met a lady at a tea party,’ Arnie recalled. ‘The lady asked Cathie if she had time to take on one more organization. Shortly after that meeting, Cathie was introduced to Brandeis, and in a few years she was president of the L. A. chapter, which has a membership of 1,800 women. Cathie was honored last April 12 at Brandeis University’s Authors and Celebrities Day at the Beverly Hills Hotel. She looked radiant, and spoke brilliantly.’ When Cathie was diagnosed with cancer three years ago, her prognosis was dire, but one could say that her powerful, shining spirit not only brought an Indian summer of remission, but also buoyed her up during the bad times. In October 2005, Cathie and Arnie attended a Halloween party, in which she managed to integrate her condition. ‘ I went as FDR in my wheelchair, and Arnie was the lovely Eleanor,’ she told the Post. ‘For such a handsome man, Arnie makes a truly scary woman.’ ‘Cathie was funny and clever and loved being involved in other people’s lives,’ Rabbi Reuben said. ‘I felt privileged to have her as part of my congregation and community. She was a constant blessing to everybody.’ In addition to her husband Arnie, Cathie is survived by her sister-in-law Audrey Greenberg, her nephew Dr. Joshua Greenberg, and numerous relatives on her mother’s side, who all live in the East. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 30 at 1:30 p.m. at Kehillat Israel, 16019 Sunset. Donations in Cathie Wishnick’s name can be made to: Brandeis University’s National Women’s Committee, c/o Shirley Pollock, 8883 Collingwood Dr., Los Angeles 90069 (checks payable to BUNWC (Brandeis U. National Women’s Committee). And/or: The Cathie Wishnick Memorial Fund, c/o the American Cancer Society, 3333 Wilshire Blvd., L. A. 90010. Attention: Bette Bergsman (checks payable to the American Cancer Society/Cathie Wishnick Memorial).

Blowout by the Beach

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PaliHi Football Takes Step Back in 35-0 Shutout at Hands of Rival Santa Monica

Santa Monica tailback Vince Lawrence dives for extra yardage in Friday night's intersectional game against Palisades. The Vikings won 35-0 at Santa Monica College.
Santa Monica tailback Vince Lawrence dives for extra yardage in Friday night’s intersectional game against Palisades. The Vikings won 35-0 at Santa Monica College.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

Football is a game of emotion but Palisades High Head Coach Kelly Loftus understands the importance of keeping his cool through the highs and lows of a long season. One week after winning his first game as the Dolphins’ pilot, Loftus tasted his first defeat and although disappointed with last Friday night’s 35-0 loss at the hands of Santa Monica, he is not writing his team off. “I knew going into the game that we would have to play a lot better and we didn’t progress from the week before,” Loftus admitted. “You never like to lose and you certainly never like getting shut out, but hopefully this is a wake-up call that we are a long way from being a quality team. Can we be a quality team? Yes, but we have work to do.” Loftus realized his team was up against a formidable opponent after he and his coaches scouted Santa Monica’s first game–a 46-21 rout of visiting Hueneme. “It was obvious that they were very sharp in their execution and very well-coached,” Loftus said. “I expected this to be one of the tougher games on our schedule and it was.” Meanwhile, Vikings Head Coach Zach Cuda dubbed Friday’s intersectional meeting a potential “trap” game. With City power Venice looming next on the schedule, he was worried his players might overlook their “other” beach rival. Cuda need not have been concerned, however. Quarterback Ryan Katz completed eight of 11 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns and Vince Lawrence rushed for 106 yards and one score in 13 carries as the Vikings cruised to a 28-00 halftime lead at Santa Monica College. “We make an effort not to underestimate any opponent,” Cuda said. “It was important to get ahead early and keep the foot on the gas. Now we can concentrate on Venice. Our kids are really pumped up for that one.” Middle linebacker Max Monbouquette made 13 solo tackles for host Santa Monica (2-0), which allowed Palisades only four first downs. In fact, the Dolphins never crossed the 50-yard line. “Our line was too tall,” Loftus said after reviewing tape of the game on Monday. “We had the size advantage and yet we were being pushed back because their guys were quicker off the ball. We couldn’t run the ball because they constantly had players in our backfield.” The Dolphins were kept off the scoreboard for the first time since a 47-0 defeat at the hands of Sylmar to open the 2005 season. The 35-point loss matched last year’s 42-7 defeat as the most lopsided by either team in a rivalry that began in 1979. “There are a few positives we can take from this game,” Loftus said. “We didn’t give up any big plays so at least we made them earn their points. We only committed two penalties as opposed to nine against Hollywood. Also, we were much better at sending the right guys on and off the field and getting in and out of huddles faster.” Palisades never got in range for kicker Joe Berman to attempt his first field goal of the season but he was plenty busy–punting eight times against Santa Monica. Berman was held out of the Hollywood game while he recovered from a back injury. Up Next: Palisades (1-1) travels to Rolling Hills Estates for an intersectional game against Palos Verdes Peninsula (0-2) Friday at 3 p.m. The frosh/soph game kicks off at 3 p.m. on Thursday.

Spauldings Live Large in Small House

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Five years ago, when Lucas Spaulding went house-hunting in Los Angeles, no agent thought to show him the modest one-story modern tucked behind a hedge and perched above a quiet cul-de-sac in Rustic Canyon. ‘They didn’t imagine it would be a good fit for a family of four,’ says Spaulding, whose wife, Elisabet and two young children were still living back in New York City. The realtors clearly didn’t know the Spauldings, a couple, both 36, whose taste leans towards casual living and good design over showiness and square footage. Spaulding found the 1,800-sq.-ft. house listed online, pursued a showing and, taken by the home’s laid-back charms and mod dynamic, called his wife and said they had to buy it. A film editor, Spaulding had secured a position at Spotwelders, an editing house in Venice. It wasn’t hard to convince Elisabet, enduring freezing temperatures in New York and nursing her kids’ winter colds, to move. Plus, the new house boasted three times the space of their New York condo. ‘After six years living in New York City, we were definitely ready for a major lifestyle change,’ recalls Elisabet, a freelance graphic designer who has big-city roots as a Barcelona native. ‘I grew up in a small apartment in a very urban environment where all the streets were busy and congested,’ she adds. ‘Living in Pacific Palisades feels like being on vacation.’ Spaulding met his wife-to-be while studying in Spain during his junior year at UC Berkeley. After both had graduated from college, Elizabet moved from Barcelona to San Francisco, and the couple married three months later. ‘All the big decisions we’ve made together have been pretty spontaneous,’ says Spaulding. ‘We just go with what feels right.’ The house on Greentree felt right from the start, so much so that the couple–dedicated anti-McMansionists–never toy with the idea of expansion. ‘The thought of moving out for a year is so traumatic,’ Elisabet says. ‘We’re so happy and everything works so well; we don’t need any more space.’ A master bedroom on one end and two kids’ bedrooms and a home office on the other flank a long, narrow main room, where the living, dining and kitchen areas flow together in one open, loft-like space accented by a tall, angled ceiling. A Steinway grand piano dominates the stylish, minimal living room, where a large-scale color photograph of a vacant chapel in the Vatican by French photographer Patrick Tourneboeuf, an artist who specializes in evocative images of empty spaces, lends the room depth and drama. Via a large indoor-outdoor opening, the main room connects to a tidy patio with a lap pool and spa. ‘Everything’s on a mini-scale’the pool, the hot tub’-even us, we’re small people,’ Spaulding says with a laugh. ‘It makes it easy to take care of this place.’ He adds: ‘When it comes to architecture, people seem to want to get all the stuff everyone else has rather than what suits them. So everybody ends up with four bedrooms even though they have two kids and two ovens even though they don’t cook.’ Originally built in 1953 by Clifford Yates, the ranch-style house underwent major renovations in 1991 by Warren Wagner of W3 Architects in Venice, one of the noted architect’s first projects out of college. Among the striking enhancements he made are a custom 12-foot-long sliding glass door that unifies house and garden and a massive kitchen window that tips out to view the hillside. The front door is a work of art in steel by Charles Fine. Beyond the elegant simplicity of the house, what the Spauldings treasure most is the family-friendly vibe of Rustic Canyon. Their son, Pablo, 9, and daughter Elsa, 7, both students at Canyon Elementary, especially like the Monday night picnics during the summertime at the park, a longstanding Rustic Canyon tradition, when they’re free to roam with other kids. ‘The park is great because it’s so self-contained,’ says Spaulding. ‘We feel comfortable saying ‘Go, we’ll see you in a couple hours.’ They love it, they think they’re getting away with something.’ Spaulding remembers a similar freedom as a young kid growing up in the Palisades. He was born in Los Angeles and his family lived in the Huntington until he was 5, when they moved to San Francisco. The Spauldings take advantage of local hiking trails, making the trek to the Sunday farmers market on Swarthmore by way of trails off Rivas Canyon. They walk around the neighborhood together a lot, too, something Spaulding says surprises some of his fellow Los Angelenos. ‘Oh look, they’re walking, that’s so cute,’ he mimics jokingly. Spaulding often bikes to work in Venice, where he’s involved in editing a variety of film projects and high-profile commercials. Meanwhile, Elisabet works out of their home designing everything from art work for fabrics to company logos. ‘I wasn’t sure I could focus at home,’ she says. ‘But I love it. Every single room has windows on both sides and I’m able to get a lot done.’ The couple confesses that they’re on the brink of some minor renovations’including adding a second oven, since they do cook’but the footprint of the house will remain intact. ‘On a philosophical level we believe people tend to put more things in their life than they really need,’ Elisabet says. ‘It doesn’t necessarily make you happier.’ ‘After living in New York, you learn to live with less,’ Spaulding adds. ‘That’s a good thing.’

Then-and-Now on Sunset Boulevard

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Shot in the mid-1960s, the photograph at right shows the harsh urbanscape greeting westbound motorists as they drove through the Pacific Palisades business district. We are guessing 1964 because of the American Airlines billboard (back before billboards were banned in town!) advertising a trip to the World’s Fair, which that year was in New York. Below right, a photograph from the same vantage point this June shows how the sign clutter has been largely eliminated, ficus trees have grown up along Sunset, and a landscaped mini-green has softened the triangle at Monument and Sunset. Looking at the old photo from left to right, notice Jack Sauer’s old Union 76 station at the corner of La Cruz, behind which was Del Wright’s auto repair garage. That property is now the two-story Washington Mutual professional and retail business building. Next came Fire Station 69 (now located at the corner of Carey and Sunset) and the Palisades Meat Mart, where a young butcher named Mort Farberow worked until he bought the business and renamed it Mort’s Palisades Deli. Moving up the street, there was Woodbury’s 5-and-10 Cents store, Pacific Palisades Florist, the Town Talk Caf’ (now Kay ‘n’ Dave’s Cantina), Harrington’s Camera Corner and the notorious Standard Oil gas station, which was purchased by local citizens in 1973 and transformed into the Village Green. Across the street, and out of sight in this photo, was Rocco’s Mobil Station (owned by Rocco Ross, father of Palisadian-Post Publisher Roberta Donohue), Art Poole’s restaurant (now a green belt), Santa Monica Bank (now U.S. Bank), Denton Jewelers, the House of Lee, Glendale Federal Savings (with a sign that was visible from all corners of town), and the Richfield station, featuring gas for 33.9-cents a gallon. ‘This is exactly what prompted me to get involved in eliminating the blight in the business district,’ said Wally Miller last week as he studied the old photograph at right. ‘Sunset looked like Pico Boulevard.’ Miller, who had owned Denton Jewelers since 1960, recalled that he could see ‘a lot of things that weren’t getting done’by the landlords, merchants or the city. The Standard station, for example, had their trashcans on Antioch and they would put oil in there that would run down the street. It was awful.’ So Miller got involved, eventually serving as Chamber of Commerce president and chair of the Palisades Design Review Board and the committee that created the Brentwood-Palisades Specific Plan, while also founding the Standardization committee (which was responsible for overhead sign removal and control) and prompting the Village Green campaign. ‘We created a village,’ said Miller, who also founded Palisades PRIDE to pursue and maintain beautification projects in the community. Miller has passed the baton to people like Mark Singleton, former president of the Palisades Garden Club, who maintains the mini-green at Monument and Sunset and is custodian of the landscaped hillside along Swarthmore adjacent to Palisades Elementary. The Garden Club and the Village Green Committee created the 50-ft-long Monument triangle in 1979, adding low-growing junipers, a circular brick flower basin with rose bushes, and two benches for bus riders or pedestrians and shoppers who simply want to relax beneath the Aleppo pine tree. Singleton, a retired Rockwell engineer who has lived here with his wife, Marilyn, since 1955, lives just two blocks away and enjoys maintaining the flowerbed throughout the year. ‘I like to plant annuals so that it’s eye-catching and colorful throughout the year,’ Singleton said. At Christmas, he plants pointsettias and hangs large wreaths, and he hopes that the firemen from Station 69 will once again string lights in the pine tree. ‘That garden is Mark’s labor of love,’ said local resident Susan Oakley. ‘He’s very clever and creative. This summer I saw him planting marvelous purple cabbages in between the roses.’ ‘I bought a six-pack of cabbage at Home Depot,’ Singleton said with a laugh, ‘because I wanted color in the garden’-not cole slaw.’

PaliHi Spikes San Pedro

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Palisades High girls volleyball players had revenge on their minds when they traveled to San Pedro High for a nonleague match last Wednesday. San Pedro eliminated Palisades from the City Section playoffs in November, but the Dolphins was determined to prove that they are the team to beat this season. Without All-City hitter/blocker Alex Lunder, Palisades spotted the host Pirates the first game before sweeping the next three. The victory sent an early message that the Dolphins will be a formidable foe come playoff time. ‘It was a really important match for us,’ said PaliHi senior outside hitter Jennifer Donohue, who ended the match with a kill. ‘We’ve been looking forward to playing San Pedro again since we lost to them last year.’ Tennis Wins “First Serve” Palisades remained undefeated by winning the inaugural Wilson ‘First Serve’ tournament Saturday at West Torrance High. The Dolphins (6-0) beat Marymount, 5-1, in the championship match just two days after beating the Sailors, 4-3, in an intersectional match. Kathryn Cullen went undefeated in four matches on Saturday, winning 8-6 at No. 2 singles in the finals. Audrey Ashraf teamed with Erika Lee to win 8-4 at No. 1 doubles against Marymount in the last round of the one-day event. In pool play, Palisades blanked West Torrance and Woodcrest Christian by 6-0 scores and beat Alhambra 5-1. The Dolphins opened the Bay Area Classic against Beverly Hills on Monday.

Lights, Camera… Touchdown!

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Pali Routs Hollywood 22-2 in Opener

Tailback Josh Giles (left) breaks loose from the clutches of Hollywood linebacker Christian Gomez in the Dolphins' 22-2 win last Friday.
Tailback Josh Giles (left) breaks loose from the clutches of Hollywood linebacker Christian Gomez in the Dolphins’ 22-2 win last Friday.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

One of the biggest concerns Palisades High Head Coach Kelly Loftus had heading into last Friday afternoon’s season opener at Hollywood is that the Sheiks already had a game under their belts. Yet it was the Dolphins who looked like the sharper, more prepared team and the result was a resounding 22-2 victory for their new coach. “I would’ve liked to throw the ball a little more but as long as we win I’m happy,” said Pali quarterback Michael Latt. “I was pretty relaxed because I’ve been preparing myself all summer for this. It’s a credit to our coaches that we came out ready to play.” Palisades took control in the opening minutes when Hollywood punter Oscar Yanez bobbled a snap and was tackled at his own 15-yard line. The Dolphins needed three plays to take a 8-0 lead. Brandon Quarles scored on a four-yard touchdown run and Miles Nelson ran in the two-point conversion. Gerald Ingram caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from Latt in the second quarter and the Dolphins recovered two fumbles to lead 16-0 at halftime. Hollywood drove inside Pali’s 10-yard line on its first possession of the third quarter but the Dolphins held on fourth down at the 11 and marched 89 yards for the game-clinching score. Latt clinched the game on a 3-yard keeper. “Overall I’m not satisfied,” Loftus said. “Our offensive line stunk it up and at times we looked poorly coached. However, I was happy when we made that defensive stand and drove it right downfield for a touchdown. That’s an indication of a good team.” Quarles, Josh Giles, Toney Hatter, Vosper Awize and Bobby Powell all rushed for big yardage against the smaller Sheiks in a victory that much more impressive because kicker/punter Joe Berman played only one down–a punt from the 35-yard line following a Hollywood safety in the fourth quarter. “Joe was cleared to play but we sat him just to be on the safe side,” Loftus said. “It was a bit of a gamble but we want to make sure he’s 100 percent for the next one.” The win was much more decisive than the Dolphins’ lackluster 20-13 victory over Hollywood in last year’s opener, but Loftus knows there is a lot of work still to be done. “A win is a win but we really should’ve won by more if we’d been able to finish drives,” he said. “I’ll take an ugly win, though. Hopefully, we can get 10 of them.”

Tennis Tops El Segundo

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Genna Rochlin hits a forehand winner against El Segundo's Becca Goetz during her 8-5 victory at No. 4 singles.
Genna Rochlin hits a forehand winner against El Segundo’s Becca Goetz during her 8-5 victory at No. 4 singles.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

Even without its No. 1 player, the Palisades High girls varsity tennis team can still put a formidable lineup on the court. With freshman Samantha Kogan playing No. 1 singles, the Dolphins defeated El Segundo, 5-2, in their season opener despite the absence of senior Katy Nikolova. Kogan lost to El Segundo’s Hazuki Onaga 9-7 at No. 1 singles and Pali’s Kathryn Cullen lost 8-2 to Amy Romeo at the No. 2 spot. But the Dolphins swept the remaining five matches to win the intersectional match using the City’s head-to-head rules. “It was a good start,” PaliHi Coach Bud Kling said. “It’s always nice to start the season with a victory.” Kogan trailed 7-4 but rallied to tie her pro set, 7-7, before losing the final two games. Audrey Ashraf won 8-2 at No. 3 singles and Genna Rochlin won 8-5 at No. 4 singles. In doubles, Phoebe Driscoll and Erika Lee won 8-0 at No. 1; Rose Schlaff and Yasmin Ghiasi won 8-3 at No. 2 and Marina Sterngold and Amy Gore won 8-4 at No. 3. Palisades’ junior varsity team also won. Ann Doyle and Liz Silvers teamed to win 6-3 at No. 1. Other duos winning were Stephanie Taft and Debbie Shamsian; Gina Doland and Ashley Navas; Saba Youseffzadeh and Dalia Shamsian; and Charlotte Farrant and Josielle Abrot. Palisades played Marymount on Tuesday. Girls Volleyball The Dolphins opened the season at the Gahr tournament last Friday, sweeping the host school in three straight games. In the second round Saturday, Palisades lost in four games to Los Alamitos. In the third round later the same day, Pali fell to Alta Loma in four games–a match during which senior blocker/hitter Alex Lunder sprained her ankle. After Monday’s loss to Lakewood St. Joseph, Coach Chris Forrest pulled the Dolphins out of the tournament in order to prepare for Wednesday’s nonleague match against City finalist San Pedro (result unavailable at press time).

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