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Library Hosts Expeditioner

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Palisadian John Haslett led two expeditions on his self-built balsa raft. His adventures are detailed in his new book, “Voyage of the Manteno: The Education of a Modern Day Expeditioner.”

Join John Haslett at the Palisades Branch Library on Wednesday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m. for an evening filled with images and adventure tales highlighting two expeditions he led in the late 1990s. In his new book, ‘Voyage of the Mante’o: The Education of a Modern-Day Expeditioner’ (St. Martin’s Press), Haslett recounts how he built a series of giant rafts, similar in design to Thor Heyerdahl’s famed ‘Kon-Tiki,’ and then sailed them on the open sea. He and his crews journeyed through a surreal odyssey of “madness, mutiny, obsession, and survival.” From 1993 to 1999, Haslett designed, built and sailed more than 1,500 miles on four replicas of the vessels described by the Spaniards. In 1998, working with archaeologist Cameron M. Smith and a crew including an Ecuadorian mariner, Haslett made his most successful voyage, over 700 miles from Ecuador to Southern Panama. Inspired by Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl, who became famous for his Kon-Tiki expedition in which he sailed by raft 4,300 miles from South America to French Polynesia, and buoyed by his childhood taste for adventure, Haslett has spent the last decade trying to prove the seaworthiness of the balsa wood rafts that the Ecuadorian traders, the Mante’o, sailed as far as Mexico before the Spanish conquest. A Pacific Palisades resident, when he is not on an expedition, Haslett has detailed such journeys in “Voyage of the Mante’o,’ drawing from personal experiences, diaries, ship’s logs and Ham radio contacts. Part adventure and part science, Haslett’s expeditions began in a small fishing village on the southern coast of Ecuador in the early 1990s. There he built a 35,000-lb raft made of balsa wood logs, bamboo decking and manila rope. In 2000 Haslett sat down to write his book, but it took two failed attempts before his book was written. In that time an agent who had read his article in Archeology called from New York City and signed him with St. Martin’s Press. Haslett promised he’d finish the book in six months, but like his first adventure, he was be stilled. “The reader was not on the raft,” he explains. “I wanted this to be an amusement park. You pay your $26 and you get to be right here sailing in this raft.” Two years after deadline, he finished the book and it was published in the December 2006.

PALISADES-WILL ROGERS 5/10K

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Runners Feel Heat at Fourth of July Race

Starting gun in hand, Carl Lewis watches the first wave of runners pass by at the beginning of the 30th annual Palisades-Will Rogers race July 4.
Starting gun in hand, Carl Lewis watches the first wave of runners pass by at the beginning of the 30th annual Palisades-Will Rogers race July 4.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

It was so hot by 8 o’clock on the morning of July 4 that even those people who were not running the Palisades-Will Rogers 5/10K had begun to sweat. And while the temperature was not quite ideal for breaking records, the bright sun and clear skies were welcome for the 30th anniversary of one of the community’s proudest traditions. “It’s fitting that we have such a beautiful day to celebrate the Fourth of July,” Honorary Mayor Gavin MacLeod said before the start. “Let’s give a big hand to our corporate sponsors [Coldwell Banker and William E. Simon & Sons], without whom this race wouldn’t be possible.” After applause died down for Athena Greco’s stirring rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner,” official race starter Carl Lewis stepped up to the stage and took the microphone. “How does everyone feel this morning?” he asked. “It’s great to see all the kids out here. I’m a sprinter and [distance] races like this have too many zeros at the end for me. But I can definitely start things off and I’m thrilled to be here.” A nine-time Olympic gold medalist in track and field, Lewis moved to Pacific Palisades eight years ago and celebrated his 46th birthday last Sunday. He offered advice to the throng of runners packed like sardines at the starting line: “Do not go out to fast,” he said. “So that you can finish fast enough.” With that, Lewis raised the starting gun above his head, pulled the trigger and the race was underway. The absence of local favorite and eight-time winner Peter Gilmore made the 5K field wide open and it was anyone’s guess who would break the tape. The answer came just over 15 minutes later’ or so it seemed. Mark Matusak of Torrance actually finished the race first in 15:02 but he was not recognized as the “official” winner because he didn’t register beforehand. Of course, that didn’t seem to bother the 21-year-old from UC Berkeley, whose time was well off the 5K record of 14:10 set by Gilmore in 2003. “I didn’t get here in time to pay so I just did it for fun,” said Matusak, who was not assigned a bib number and therefore wore no electronic chip on his shoe’a device used to record runners’ times as they cross the finish line. “I actually ran the 10K last year.” The official 5K winner was Andy Atkeson, a 46-year-old from Mar Vista, who completed the 3.1-mile run through the streets of Huntington Palisades in 16:22. “This is a great course, even though it was a little hot today,” said Atkeson, who runs for the “Fluffy Bunnies,” a Santa Monica-based track club sponsored by Nike. “It’s basically made up of post-collegiate runner and we have a great time coming to these things and competing together. You’ll recognize us in the bright orange shirts.” Repeating as the 5K women’s champion was 33-year-old Jenna Dee, who was hardly challenged on her way to clocking 17:54’12 seconds off her personal best time. Despite the oppressive heat, Dee dropped 53 seconds from her winning time last year but did not approach Annetta Luevano’s record time of 16:29 in 1995. “Yeah, I felt pretty good,” Dee said after taking a moment to catch her breath. “My goal was to break 18 minutes and I did that. I learned from last time not to go too fast in the beginning.” Dee, who recently moved to Venice, trains with “See Jane Run,” an elite women’s racing team. The Palisades 5K was her second this spring, following an 18:32 effort at a race in Lomita. “I could’ve sacrificed a few degrees,” Dee said, referring to the weather. “Other than that, this kind of race is fun for our team and the crowd support was great.” This year’s 5/10K drew a combined 2,363 registered runners–19 more than the 2006 race. The 5K field included 1,373 runners and the 10K had 990 participants. “It’s great to see so many people running year after year,” said coordinator Brian Shea, who founded the race in 1978 along with fellow Ridgerunners Chris Carslon and Bill Klein. “Thirty years later and it’s still going strong.” Ethan Meyers was the first Palisades finisher in the 5K, coming in fifth overall and winning the 19-29 age division in 17:08. World kickboxing champion Baxter Humby, who trains at Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center, ran the race for the fifth time in six years and was third in the 30-34 age category with a time of 19:56. “I missed it one year when I was out of town but otherwise I’ve run it every year,” said Humby, who scored a unanimous decision in his first mixed martial arts fight at the Maywood Civic Center in June. “It’s great because you pass so many people you know along the course. It’s nice to have people cheering me on.” Raymond Meyers and Thomas Farnham were first and second, respectively, in the 50-54 age group and fellow Palisadian Bob Gold won the men’s 70-74 division in 30:53. Local runners swept the top three places in the 75-79 category, with longtime participant Ted Mackie finishing first in 31:13. Palisadian Joseph Rossi won the 80-and-over division in 41:38, more than 20 minutes faster than his closest competitor. Ali Riley was the first local female in the 5K, finishing third overall and second in the 19-29 age group in 18:59. Thirteen-year-old Cami Chapus of St. Matthew’s School was eighth overall and first in her age group with a time of 20:36 and fellow Palisadian Kathryn Turner won the women’s 16-18 age group in 21:56. Palisadians Jill Fischer, Carol Gordon and Diane Elander went 1-2-3 out of 71 entrants in the 45-49 age division and local Penny Perez topped the 65-69 division. Palisadian Margie Werker, the only woman in the 75-79 age group, completed the 5K in 46:06. While Atkeson rested in the shade, “Bunnies” teammate Nate Bowen won the 10K race for the fourth time in 33:33. His other wins were in 2000, 2002 and 2003. His best winning time was 31:32. He finished second to Palisadian Brad Becken in 2004. “It was warm today so I took it easy with the exception of a few test moves I put in early on,” said Bowen, a former Crossroads High and UC Davis cross country runner who lives in Menlo Park. “I didn’t pick up my pace until the switchbacks and I tried to hold it the rest of the way.” Bowen, 31, knows Gilmore from their college days and called him a week before last Wednesday’s race to see if he’d be running his hometown race. Gilmore is currently in Flagstaff, Arizona, vying for a spot on the 2008 Olympic team. The first time was a charm for Nancy MacDonald, who won the women’s 10K in 41:29 in her first competitive race at the 6.2-mile distance. “I’m shocked,” the 44-year-old from Santa Monica admitted. “I was hoping to place in my age group and maybe finish in the top 15 overall. I still can’t believe I won.” Primarily a 5K runner, MacDonald and her friend Monica Corrigan (who finished ninth in the 5K) had run the longer course a few times in the weeks leading up to the race and the extra mileage proved beneficial. “I thought for sure there was someone ahead of me but it must have been all 5K runners,” said MacDonald, who is motivated to defend her crown next year. “I guess I’ll have to come back now. The pressure is on.” Local residents John Stapke and Tommy Collins were first and third in the 1-12 age group and fellow Palisadian Gunnar Kohl won the male 13-15 division in 49:02. A notable effort was turned in by lifelong Palisadian David Greifinger, who was 22 years old when he became the first local runner to win the 10k back in 1979. Last Wednesday, Greifinger finished first out of 91 men in the 50-54 age group with a strong time of 38:05, which equates to a 6:08 mile pace. Ted Craver won the 55-59 division in 42:24 and fellow Palisadian Bob Olds was first in the 65-69 category with a 10K time of 53:32. Local girls Claire Meylan (9) and Maddie Zaloom (8) were first and second in the female 1-12 category and Allison Kappeyne and Anna Highberger took the top two places in the 16-18s age group. In the women’s 50-54 division, Palisadians Maria Marrone, Aeri Lee and Catherine Coleman finished 1-2-3, with Marrone running the winding course through Will Rogers State Park in 47:13. * * * The heat took its toll in more ways than one. Not only did it lead to slower times across the board, it also caused several runners to quit before the finish. An unsung hero of this year’s July 4 race was Palisadian Jimmy DeMayo, one of four participants who stopped to assist a 10K runner who collapsed from heat exhaustion at the bottom of the Sunset incline. DeMayo, who swims for the Palisades-Malibu YMCA team, tried to give the man water and keep him from losing consciousness while spectators rushed to call emergency. DeMayo and three others stayed with the man until medical help arrived. Paramedics were quick to the scene and gave the man oxygen until he recovered. DeMayo went on to finish the race in 50:52, placing eighth out of 22 runners in his age group.

Records Set at Youth Triathlon

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Kyle Headrick (foreground) swims his final lap at the YMCA pool, followed closely by his sister Cristina, during the Youth Triathlon.
Kyle Headrick (foreground) swims his final lap at the YMCA pool, followed closely by his sister Cristina, during the Youth Triathlon.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

It was hardly a surprise that David Hafford was the first to finish last Wednesday’s YMCA Youth Triathlon. After all, event founder and organizer Deborah Hafford is a triathlete and passed on her competitive genes to her son. So far, 14-year-old David is making the most of his pedigree. He won the boys competition in 19 minutes, 37 seconds, eclipsing the previous record of 19:43 set by Willy MacMiller last July. Hafford and MacMiller are both runners. MacMiller attends Crespi High School in Encino and runs for the West Valley Eagle Track Club while Hafford runs track and cross country at Palisades High. They entered the pool at the same time and stayed side by side for the first 125 yards of the six-lap swim. ‘Willie was swimming smart,’ said Doug Hafford, David’s father, who times the event every year. ‘I tried to remain impartial. David got a good push-off on the last 25. It was an amazing moment to watch him. He won by heart.’ New records have been set in each of the first five years of the event. This year, MacMiller 10 seconds behind Hafford in 19:47. ‘It was very exciting,’ Hafford said. ‘I don’t know how I got through the announcements.’ Finishing third in the boys’ 13- to 15-year-old age group was Neil Martin, who completed the event in 20:41. Thirteen-year-old Mara Silka was the first female finisher, setting a blistering pace to win in 20:53, shattering the previous girls’ mark by nearly three minutes and finishing fourth overall. ‘It was fun,’ said Silka, an eighth-grader at Paul Revere Middle School. ‘It wasn’t that bad.’ The triathlon course starts with a three-mile bike ride through the streets of Huntington Palisades’the same route used for the early morning Will Rogers 5K race. The athletes then run a mile up Sunset to the swimming pool in Temescal Canyon, where they complete the event with a 150-yard swim. Deborah Hafford reported a record turnout this year, with 160 athletes completing the race. Silka, also a standout on the Palisades-Malibu YMCA swim team, was challenged most of the way by 12-year-old Emily Berkin, who is strongest at the running phase of the event. The two went head-to-head last year in the 11- and 12-year-old category and finished first and second, respectively. They were in different age categories this year but still battled to be the top female finisher. Berkin arrived at the pool first but Silka, who excels at the swimming phase, made up the difference in the water and beat Berkin by 25 seconds. ‘Swimming is easy,’ Silka said. ‘That’s where I catch up to everyone.’ Two-time girls’ champion Natalie Farnham was runner-up in the 13-15 division with a time of 22:52’one second faster than her winning time last year. Third in that category was Olivia Kirkpatrick, also a YMCA swimmer. Berkin took first in the girls’ 11- and 12-year-old division with a time of 21:18. Kennedy Corrin, 11, was second and third place went to Isi Ibarra of Cathedral City. There were 27 entries in the 6- to 8-year-old boys division, with eight-year-old Jack Brew winning and smashing last year’s record of 31.22 with a new clocking of 27.43. Second place went to Addison Button and Patrick McNamara was third. Nine-year-old David Grinsfelder was eighth best overall and won the 9- and 10-year-old division with a time of 21.45. Second out of 21 competitors in the division was Alex Wilimovsky, who chopped three minutes off his time last year with a sparkling 24.26. Third place went to Spencer Nichols. The largest division this year was the 11- to 12-year-old boys with a field of 34 registered competitors. Josh Rodriquez-Irons took first place in 21:43, Chad Kanoff was second Wyatt Reed was third. In the 6- to 8-year-old girls division Leah Timmerman, Clara Saab and Elena Saab took the top three spots. The 2006 triathlon had 15 contestants in that division while this year’s event drew a total of eight. Courtney Corrin, who was the top finisher among 6-8-year-olds last year, moved up to the 9- and 10-year-olds division and won it in 26:18, breaking last year’s record of 27:39. Rachel Martin, who finished third last year, was second in 28:05. Mara Muslea nabbed third out of 22 athletes in the girls’ largest age group this year. The last person to finish the race was six-year-old Kaitlyn Betancourt, whose father Jose helps Deborah Hafford bring a group of students from Ninth Street Elementary to Pacific Palisades every Saturday morning in June to train for the triathlon. This year, 21 students ages 6-11 (and one 14-year-old) competed. On July 4, each child was allowed to bring a guest or family member with them on a bus, which was paid for by the USA Triathlon organization. Hafford arranged for the participants to stay at the pool after the event for a picnic that she also organized. That afternoon, the young triathletes were invited to ride on the YMCA float in the parade. Once again, Cherie Gruenfeld, a six-time division world champion in the Ironman Triathlon, brought eight athletes from the San Bernardino area, where she trains disadvantaged youth. One of her trainees, Rodriquez-Irons, ran the Palisades-Will Rogers 5K less than two hours before the triathlon and finished second in his age group by three seconds, covering the 3.1 miles in 21:35. ‘Watching him run is a thing of beauty,’ Gruenfeld said of her star pupil, who plays AYSO soccer at Loma Linda and likes third base in baseball. As far as the triathlon? ‘Running is the best,’ Rodriguez-Irons said. It is hard for the kids to train on their own for the first portion of the triathlon because they don’t have bikes at home. ‘We can’t give the kids bikes,’ Gruenfeld said. ‘If we do, they’re stolen or someone sells the bikes for drug money.’ Doug Hafford praised Gruenfeld for getting her kids to the athletes. ‘We pick up people at the school to bring them here but Cherie has to go door-to-door.’ Looking for a way to get more kids involved in the Fourth of July festivities, Deborah Hafford, a 15-year resident of Pacific Palisades, founded the Youth Triathlon in 2003 and the inaugural event attracted 50 kids. Her efforts earned Hafford a Sparkplug Award in May 2006. Participation has grown every year, making the triathlon a ‘cool’ alternative to the 5/10K races and Kids’ Fun Run. As Mary Elizabeth Lutz watched her 10-year-old son Tommy finish the race at the Y pool, which was packed with swimmers, she was amazed at how much the triathlon has grown in its short history. ‘Look what she [Deborah] has turned this into,’ Lutz said.

Locals Win PTC Open

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Hundreds of kids from as far away as Florida, New York and Colorado competed in the third annual Palisades Tennis Center Junior Open last week, a USTA-sanctioned tournament at the Palisades and Westwood Tennis Centers. “It was a great week for tennis in the Palisades,” PTC Director of Tennis Ivan Lauzon said. “It was neat to see how well our kids did against players from all over California and across the nation. You get a better understanding of the magic that takes place here on a daily basis by seeing our kids mixed up with so many kids visiting from afar.” An example of Palisades’ success was in the Boys 10s division, where Corpus Christi fifth-grader Brandon Michaels upset top-seeded Reid Shumway in the semifinals, then beat Gabriel Rapoport of Malibu 6-4, 7-5 in the finals. “I was down 5-3 in the second set and won four straight games,” said Michaels, who entered the tournament as the No. 4 seed. Michaels is on a roll, having won the Seal Beach Open two weeks ago. Another PTC standout took the Boys 12s title as Alex Giannini knocked off Joseph Silvers in the semifinals and beat Victor Cheng, 6-0, 6-1, in the finals. The Girls 10s was won by PTC’s Ilana Oleynik, who beat Lily Wu of San Marino, 6-1, 6-2, in the finals after a tough semifinal victory over Cara Kemp of Bakersfield, 6-1, 7-5. In the Boys 18s, Palisadian Chase Pekar lost to eventual champion Ethan Bond of Beverly Hills a three-set semifinal. Playing up in the Girls 16s, PTC’s Krystal Hansard knocked off the No. 4 seed Hazuki Onaga of El Segundo in three sets in the quarterfinals and routed Michelle Grogin of Hidden Hills, 6-0, 6-1, in the semifinals before losing to No. 1-seeded Jordan Brewer of Woodland Hills in the finals. “We don’t do what we do at the PTC to make Wimbledon champions,” Lauzon said. “The weekly summer camps and after-school clinics are geared towards making tennis a lifetime sport for a child and this is the best place for a kid to learn tennis. It’s really rewarding to see so many young kids playing tough competitive tennis.”

CTY Honors Palisadian Students

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From left: Trevor Hanken, Natalie Diehl, Kathryn Clark and Matthew Mazzarella attended the awards ceremony for Grades 2-6.
From left: Trevor Hanken, Natalie Diehl, Kathryn Clark and Matthew Mazzarella attended the awards ceremony for Grades 2-6.

On June 3, several Pacific Palisades students were honored at an awards ceremony at Occidental College for achieving among the highest scores on tests sponsored by the Center for Talented Youth of Johns Hopkins University. For the first time, awards were given to second through fourth grade students in addition to the fifth through eighth-grade students. Second through sixth graders Dylan Beck, Benjamin Bronstein, Sydney Bub, Mitch Burdorf, Rachel Burdorf, Kathryn Clark, Thomas Collins, Natalie Diehl, Charles DuManoir, David Gordon, David Grinsfelder, Matthew Gross, Trevor Hanken, Maxwell Howard, Rachel Hsu, Gavin Kelley, Matthew Koh, Gregory Lehrhoff, Eric Lin, Sacha Lin, Robbie Lowe, Matthew Mazzarella, Brendan Rose, Justin Rose, Sydney Shannon, James Stuart III, Jonah Ullendorff, Marianne Verrone, Claire Whitesell and Savan Whitworth received awards for exceptional achievement on the School and College Ability Test. Seventh and eighth graders Taylor Hanken, Chelsea Shannon, Sajjan Sri-Kumar, Patrick Sullivan and Steven Wrigh received awards for exceptional achievement on the SAT or ACT tests. The SCAT is designed for students two to three grades higher than the students to whom it is given in the CTY program. It measures verbal and mathematical reasoning ability. To receive CTY awards for their SCAT scores, the second through sixth grade students had to achieve scores near or above the 85th percentile for students two or three grade levels above their own. The SAT and ACT tests are college admissions tests normally given to high school juniors or seniors. To receive CTY awards for their SAT or ACT scores, the seventh and eighth grade students had to achieve scores near or above those for the 60th and 75th percentiles, respectively, of college-bound high school seniors. Four Palisadian students (Trevor Hanken, Eric Lin, Matthew Mazzarella and Taylor Hanken) were also honored for exceptional achievement on the Spatial Test Battery (STB). The STB is a test designed by the Center for Talented Youth to identify students with exceptional spatial abilities.

Pintos Reach Sectionals

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Jack Brew (left) jumps for joy as coaches and teammates celebrate after the Palisades All-Stars beat East Long Beach to reach the Pinto Sectionals.
Jack Brew (left) jumps for joy as coaches and teammates celebrate after the Palisades All-Stars beat East Long Beach to reach the Pinto Sectionals.

The Palisades Pony Baseball Association’s Pinto All-Stars are enjoying quite a summer. Facing live pitching for the first time, the squad of 7 & 8-year-olds beat Mira Costa, Pico Rivera and East Long Beach to win the Pinto District playoffs in Lynwood and advance to last week’s Sectionals at Cheviot Hills. Coached by David Howard, Joe Collins, John Hurley, Andy Starrels and Will Winkenhower, the Pali team overcame a pair of four-run deficits, including a five-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning, to beat East Long Beach, 18-17. ‘When you factor in that our kids didn’t face live pitching during the regular season we’ve done remarkably well,’ Howard said. ‘We’ve had to come from behind to win almost every game. These players have shown a lot of heart.’ In the Sectional tournament, Palisades beat Cheviot Hills, 8-7, in its first game last Thursday. Trailing 5-3, the Pali All-Stars rallied to take a 8-3 lead and sealed the victory on a running catch by outfielder Colin Enzer with two on and two out in the sixth inning. Pali beat East Long Beach’s “A” team in its second game Saturday, then lost to Norwalk on Sunday in the championship game of the winners bracket. That set up a rematch with East Long Beach for a berth in the Regionals tournament in Santa Clarita, but Pali lost 12-2, bringing an end to its season. Including the Mid-Valley tournament over Memorial Day weekend and the Father’s Day Classic in Chino Hills, Palisades finished with a 7-6-1 record. Palisades’ Pinto All-Stars include first baseman Spencer Howard, shortstop/pitcher Will Bantle, outfielders Colin Enzer, Jack Brew, Cade Christensen, Zach Lynch, R.J. Sands and Dane Morrow, shortstop/pitcher Emmett Collins, second baseman Dylan Damavandi, catcher/pitcher Nicholas Hurley, catcher/infielder Adam Snyder, and pitcher/infielders Jason Starrels and Will Winkenhower. * * * The Palisades Recreation Center’s Field of Dreams complex will be the host site for this year’s Mustang All-Stars Sectionals tournament beginning this Friday, July 13 and continuing until Sunday, July 15. Games begin at 5 p.m. on Friday.

Gustafson Wins Pentathlon

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Kendall Gustafson clears a hurdle on her way to winning the pentathlon at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Photo: Greg Smotherman
Kendall Gustafson clears a hurdle on her way to winning the pentathlon at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Photo: Greg Smotherman

These are exciting times for 12-year-old Kendall Gustafson, who won a gold medal in the pentathlon at the USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships July 4-8 in Lisle, Illinois. Gustafson will be a seventh-grader at Paul Revere Middle School in the fall, yet already she has begun to make a name for herself in an event that incorporates skills from a variety of sports. “Kendall is a talented young athlete physically, but perhaps her greatest asset is her mental talent,” said Chuck DeBus, owner of Velocity Sports Performance in West L.A., who trains Gustafson three to four hours a week. “She has an exceptional ability to learn technique, which permits her to execute under the pressure of competition.” Gustafson qualified for the USA Championships in four events: the pentathlon, high jump, long Jump and 80 meter hurdles after meeting performance standards throughout the track season. There were over 2,500 athletes competing in five age divisions at the Nationals. The pentathlon consists of five events in one day (80 meter hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put and 800 meter run). Gustafson won despite being new to three of the five events, learning them all from Debus within the past year. Gustafson also finished fourth in high jump, third in the long jump and fifth in the 80 meter hurdles. Her best marks are 4′ 10″ in the high jump, 15′ 7″ in the long jump, 13.22 seconds in the hurdles and 2925 total points in the pentathlon. For the past two years, Gustafson has competed for the West Valley Eagles Track Club, one of 13 track teams in the Valley Youth Conference. This year, she won the Valley Conference in the long jump, high jump and 80 meter hurdles. Eagles alumni include sprinters Alison Felix and Marion Jones and Olympic marathoner Deena Kastor. Gustafson first competed at the Palisades YMCA/Optimist Track Meet, where she set a number of records, including 13′ 9″ in the long jump as a 10-year-old. She was encouraged by Revere teachers Paul and Stacey Foxson to compete in the pentathlon at their summer Sports Mania Camp. A strong overall athlete, Gustafson also played volleyball at Revere and played soccer for the Westside Breakers Soccer Club. Later this month, Gustafson will represent Southern California at the National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships, where she qualified in the same four events in head-to-head competition at local and regional JO track meets. Kendall’s running partner (and biggest fan) is her older sister Lauren, who played JV volleyball and ran for the varsity track team as a freshman at Palisades High in 2006-07.

Alton Cohen, 81; Legendary Figure at State Beach

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Alton Robert Cohen
Alton Robert Cohen

By MARTIN SUGARMAN Special to the Palisadian-Post Alton Robert Cohen, a Pacific Palisades resident who lived a life dedicated to belles-lettres, teaching and creating, and living the California dream, died on May 6 at the age of 81. His son Zachary, 27, summed up his father’s life and persona most succinctly when he said, ‘My father embraced and celebrated life in the extreme. He had an unbelievable loving relationship with my mother, Idell, and was always there for us. He never apologized for his life or felt the need to prove himself. My father was a very lucky soul because he squarely knew who he was.’ There is so much to say about Altie Cohen and not enough words to fully describe him. Many people have commented on his rich life by posting their thoughts on Legacy.com under the tab of Alton Robert Cohen. Family members ask the readers of this article to visit the site and add your individual thoughts. Fortune favored me when I met Altie sitting on the water’s edge at Will Rogers State Beach one summer afternoon in the early 1960s. He complimented me on my surfing. My memory of that day is green and vivid. He was most astute in his observations about life. I loved and admired his intellectual straightforwardness and mental alacrity. His eyes shone with joy when he talked about ideas and transcendental metaphysics. Above all, Altie was most watchful in how we lived; the rest did not matter. He had the mark of a complex thinker and a superb teacher. Most importantly, he was a good friend within and outside his circle. Alton Cohen was born on August 26, 1926 in Los Angeles, in the Jewish ethnic neighborhood of Boyle Heights, into what one can describe as a house of learning. His parents, Jenny and Lazarus, were both well educated. His father was a voracious reader who taught Altie to love books and the marvelous worlds they contained. Jenny, a Yale graduate, instilled in Altie a love and veneration of the English language and its power to communicate and represent the world. The 20th century ushered in radio, television and film, and Los Angeles was home to all three. Lazarus, a carpenter by trade, took advantage of this entertainment boom and became a set designer in Hollywood, winning recognition for his work on the film classic ‘Casablanca.’ In Altie’s middle teens, his family moved to West Hollywood where he graduated from Fairfax High School. He went on to UC Berkeley, earning an undergraduate degree in journalism, and worked as a sportswriter at the Los Angeles Times for a short while before returning to school to obtain a teaching credential. He served in the Army during World War II as a member of a special intelligence unit called the Rainbow Corps. Altie moved to Pacific Palisades in his mid-20s and lived in four different houses there over the course of his life. He first taught at Palisades Elementary in the late ’50s and then at Kenter Canyon Elementary, where he became a household name in the neighborhood. Altogether he was a distinguished teacher for thirty years before retiring in 1967. Locally, Altie Cohen championed and fostered a sense of community at Will Rogers State Beach where he spent most of his free time camped out. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was instrumental in creating a unique sense of place. Membership in this community was unrestricted as long as you understood State Beach etiquette, such as never disturb someone taking a nap on the beach. Altie was one of the best body surfers on the California coast in his day (he mastered the killer waves at the Wedge in Newport Beach) and was also a champion beach volleyball player. The State Beach culture was very much a reflection of Altie’s outlook on life, which emphasized that members have a shared sense of responsibility for each other and there should be an absence of class distinctions, that everyone is on equal footing, living free from intolerance and prejudice. Altie’s life and teaching chartered a course in alignment with these values. He encouraged a deeper understanding of oneself and one’s role in our global village. Altie Cohen not only lived the California dream, he helped create it. What is known as the California lifestyle owes its character to people like Altie Cohen who chose to build their own lives according to their own terms. He leaves his devoted and loving wife, Idell; three children, Nancy Fredgant (husband Dean) of Mar Vista, Cathy Cohen Conklin (husband Ed) of Venice, and Zak of Pacific Palisades; and two grandchildren, Henry and Emmett Conklin. Beyond your grave, Altie Cohen, rest assured that your spirit lives on in each person you touched. You are not alone; your friends are thinking about you.

CLASSIFIED ADS FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 5, 2007

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HOMES FOR SALE 1

BEAUTIFUL WHITEWATER VIEWS, 3 bdrm, 2 ba home above Bel Air Bay Club. $3,195,000. Agent, (310) 459-3493

LOTS FOR SALE 1a

BEAUTIFUL UNOBSTRUCTED OCEAN view lot on Kohala Coast of the big island. 200 yards from water. You can see & hear the whales! 1.1 acres. Flat graded, 600 ft of rock walls. Plans & building permits. $740,000. Option trade for condo or townhouse in Palisades. Call to email photos: (808) 987-8523

HOMES WANTED 1b

WE BUY HOUSES, APTS & LAND! ALL CASH, AS-IS, FAST CLOSE. David, (310) 308-7887

UNFURNISHED HOMES 2a

FULLY RENOVATED 3 story Mediterranean home. 1/2 block from beach. Built by J. Paul Getty for his mistress. 4 bdrm, 6 ba, billiard room w/ wet bar. 800 bottle wine cellar, 4 person elevator, several patios & decks & a multi-level yard w/ jacuzzi. Hardwood flrs, California tile, steam shower, 2 indoor Jacuzzi tubs, 3-car garages, loft storage. $13,000/mo. One or more year lease required. For more information or to set up an appointment please contact us at (213) 494-0059 or at fidel68@sbcglobal.net

CONDOS/TOWNHOMES FOR RENT 2d

PACIFIC PALISADES CONDO. For lease for sr. citizen. Must be over 60 years of age. 1 BR+1 BA with wood floors. Close to shopping and the beach. All utilities are included. Available immediately. $1,399/mo. For more info, please call (310) 979-4170

PALISADES CONDO. 2+2, Walk to village. Woodsy view, open den, AC, W/D in sec/ bldg., 2 car pking, storage, pool, jacuzzi, gym. $2,900/mo. Avail 8/1. Nancy, (310) 995-5257 or (310) 454-5257

WANTED TO RENT 3b

WANTED: SMALL OFFICE space for actor and her assistant in Palisades or surrounding area. Wanting to move in immediately. Please call (310) 573-6288

PALISADES HOMEOWNER would like to use your heated pool 1 hr per day, 4 days a week for physical therapy. Will pay. Call Carol, (310) 573-9314

OFFICE/STORE RENTALS 3c

PROFESSIONAL BUILDING in Pacific Palisades. Newly painted, renovated suite with new pergo laminated floors. Pleasant office space located in village. 862 sq. ft. Call Maria, (310) 230-6712 x114

PALISADES OFFICE SPACES avail in the heart of the VILLAGE including those measuring approximately: 1) single suites ranging between 150-300 sf, windows in each office and balconies; 2) 800 sf 2 room suite and reception area with large windows, great natural, light and a balcony; 3) 976 sf with reception area, 2 private offices, private bathroom, hardwood floors; 4) 1,440 sf penthouse/loft space broken out into 4 separate offices, includes private bathroom and decks with gorgeous views of the Santa Monica mountains; 5) 2,007 sf, great exposure; 6) 2,477 sf; 7) 3,310 sf with a fantastic build-out. Building amenities include high speed T1 internet access, elevator and secured, underground parking. Call Kim at (310) 591-8789 or e-mail leasing@hp-cap.com

OFFICES FOR SHORT to medium term sublet available with potential for long term with the right person in the heart of Pacific Palisades. Prefer media-oriented and creative ventures. Office furniture and many business tools included as well as potential use of world class recording studio. Available immediately. (310) 230-2050

OCEAN VIEW OFFICES for rent in creative suite on Sunset and PCH in Spectrum Club bldg. Near great restaurants. 3 brand new offices available now. DSL/fax and phone lines with call answering will be in. Furnishing available. Shared conference room, kitchen area. Just sit down and do business. $900 to $1,200/mo., depending on size and view and services. Call Pam, Jen or Rob, (310) 230-6866

VACATION RENTALS 3e

RV SPACES for rent across the street from Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades. $1,200-$1,400/mo. Call (310) 454-2515

SUMMER VACATION RENTAL. Sweeping ocean views of the “Queen’s Necklace” to Palos Verdes and Catalina Island! 4,400 sf private home on prestigious Paseo Miramar in Pacific Palisades. Fully furnished home sleeps 6 comfortably in 3 bedrooms (2 King, 1 Queen). 4.5 bathrooms, exercise room, media room with 50” plasma, HDTV, Direct TV, wireless internet, private courtyard patio and huge Oceanside terrace. Staffed with gardener and housekeeper/cook. US $3,500 per week, plus deposit. Avail. mid-July thru August 07. (310) 230-7929

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. Enjoy Problem-Free Computing. 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

OVERLOADED WITH CLUTTER? All Areas Organized can restore order to any home, office or garage w/ effective organizing solutions. Including: paper management, desk overhauls, home office set-ups, clutter control, closet organization, filing & storage systems. Save time, energy, money & space while reducing stress! Professional, reliable & non-judgmental. Locally based in Pacific Palisades. Call (310) 562-7271 for consultation. Member National Association of Professional Organizers.

CAN HELP YOU ORGANIZE areas in your home to create more open space. Housekeeping workshop is also available for you and/or your housekeeper. Workshop includes food preparation. Please call (310) 488-0609

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

MISCELLANEOUS 7k

SEEKING P/T employment as an exec. assist. or personal shopper. Complete bookkeeping & computer skills (Mac & PC). Extensive writing, research & buying experience. Reliable, N/S, mature, Wellesley grad., local refs. SM Cyn. resident. (310) 454-6511

NANNIES/BABYSITTERS 8a

VIP NANNY AGENCY. “Providing very important people with the very best nanny.” (818) 907-1017, (310) 614-3646

WEST LA NANNIES • Caring • Committed • TRUSTED • (310) 584-4555

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

HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTER available M-F 8 a.m.-5 p.m. References, excellent work. Many years experience. Call Rosie, (323) 240-8642

HOUSEKEEPER, EXPERIENCED, MATURE English speaking, car, CDL. Will keep your home sparkling clean w/ personal care+more options. Loves animals. Refs. (310) 754-0545

HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE Monday, Thursday & Friday. Local references. Call Theresa, (323) 567-3032

HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE M-F. References. Call Maria, (818) 398-8137

HOUSECLEANING • Complete Cleaning Service • Limpieza de Casa • Apartamentos • Oficinas • Cuidado de Ninos • Sandra Mendez • Cell (323) 867-1002, Tel (323) 867-1130

ELDER CARE/COMPANIONS 10a

RESPONSIBLE, VERY CARING & patient Chinese female seeks live-in position for assistance & companionship to elderly or special needs persons. Jean, (310) 980-8187

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. Cell, (310) 498-5380, (310) 390-1276. www.TheKingKoi.com

PRECISION LANDSCAPE SERVICES! Tired of mow, blow, let’s go! Specializing in fine maintenance • outdoor lighting • fertilizing • automatic timer repair & installation • artificial grass installation • hillside clean ups • new sod • sprinkler repair. Fair prices. (310) 696-6453

MOVING & HAULING 11b

HONEST MAN SERVICES. All jobs, big or small. Hauls it all. Homes and businesses. 14 foot van/dollies. 15th year Westside. Delivers to 48 states. (310) 285-8688

TREE SERVICE 11d

JOHNSON TREE SERVICE • TREE • SHRUB • STUMP REMOVAL SINCE 1924 • St. lic. #685533. (310) 454-8646, Brad

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

EXPERT WINDOW CLEANER • 21 yrs Westside. Clean & detailed. Free estimates. Can also clean screens, mirrors, skylights & scrape paint off glass. Brian, (310) 289-5279

MISCELLANEOUS 13i

GLASS RESTORATION. Shower doors/windows sparkle! Hardwater deposits expertly removed. Acid graffiti/scratches gone! Glass Saver Tech, (323) 337-2581. Lic. #37810036 glassavertech@yahoo.com

PET SERVICES/PET SITTING 14g

HAPPY PET • Dog Walking • Park Outings • Socialization • Insured. Connie, (310) 230-3829

PET HEAVEN • TOTAL PET CARE • Training. Walking. Playgroups and hikes. 30 years Pali resident. References. Call (310) 454-0058 for a happy dog

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

BE HAWAIIAN ROYALTY. Learn classic longboard surfing this summer from experienced veteran surfer. All equipment provided, private & semi-private instruction. Mark, (310) 529-2340

PERSONAL TRAINER 15c

BASEBALL LESSONS! Enthusiastic about your child’s success and confidence! Improve hitting, fielding, pitching, throwing. Serving West L.A. (626) 827-2278

SCHOOLS, INSTRUCTION 15d

NEED HELP WITH COLLEGE ADMISSIONS ESSAY? Recent graduate & professional writer available. Will help to perfect essay for admissions success. Call (310) 985-1607 or e-mail maxtaves@gmail.com

TUTORS 15e

INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION. EXPERIENCED TUTOR 20+ YEARS. Children & adults, 20+ yrs teaching/tutoring exper. MATH, GRAMMAR, WRITING & STUDY SKILLS. Formerly special ed teacher. Call (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

EXPERIENCED SPANISH TUTOR • All grades, levels • Grammar • Conversational • SAT • Children, adults • 7 yrs exper. • Great refs. Noelle, (310) 273-3593

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 TUTORING. Specializing in math! Elementary thru college level. Test prep, algebra, trig, geom, calculus. Fun, caring, creative, individualized tutoring. Math anxiety. Call Jamie, (310) 459-4722

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

MATURE BRITISH TUTOR offers expert help in math, Latin, etc. Local references. Special summer rates. (310) 399-1975

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

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

HART HARDWOOD FLOORING. Best pricing. Sr. discounts, quality workmanship. Bamboo, maple, oak and laminate. Installation & refinishing. Call for free quote. Lic. #763767. Ron, (310) 308-4988

GOLDEN HARDWOOD FLOORS. Professional Installation and refinishing. National Wood Flooring Association member. License #732286. Plenty of local references. (877) 622-2200 • www.goldenhardwoodfloors.com

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

HANDYMAN • PAINTING • DRYWALL REPAIRS • Water damage repair • Small carpentry work • Tile • 17 years EXCELLENT service & experience. FREE ESTIMATES! Call (310) 502-1168. Not lic.

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING 16p

SANTA MONICA HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING. INSTALLATION: New and old service and repairs. Lic. #324942 (310) 393-5686

PAINTING, PAPERHANGING 16r

PAUL HORST • Interior & Exterior PAINTING • 53 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

SPIROS PAINTING. INTERIOR/EXTERIOR Painting on the Westside since 1980. Lic. #821009. Fax and phone: (310) 826-6097. NO JOB is too small or too big for Spiro the Greek

ZARKO PRTINA PAINTING. Interior/Exterior. 35 years in service. License #637882. Call (310) 454-6604

PLUMBING 16t

BOTHAM PLUMBING AND HEATING. Lic. #839118. (310) 827-4040

JLK PLUMBING. Re-pipe and sewer specialist & all plumbing repairs. Mention this ad & receive 10% off. Lic. #722414. Call (310) 678-6634

WHITTLE’S PLUMBING • Drain & sewer problems • Garbage disposal & H2O heaters • Copper repiping & gas lines • Fixtures, remodels • Gen. Construction • Free est. Lic. #668743. (310) 429-7187

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 homes • Kitchen+Bath remodeling • Additions. Quality work at reasonable rates guaranteed. Large & small projects welcomed. Lic. #751137. Call Michael Hoff Construction today, (310) 230-2930

HELP WANTED 17

DRIVERS: 150K PER YEAR-TEAMS! Earn more plus GREAT Benefits! Western Regional Solo and Team Runs. Werner Enterprises, (800) 346-2818 x123

RECEPTIONIST-ORTHODONTIC OFFICE. Exclusive practice in Pacific Palisades. Exceptional opportunity—Salary DOE. Please call (310) 454-0317

MOVIE EXTRAS/MODELS: Earn up to $200 per day. All looks needed to work with film and TV production companies. No exp. req. Call (888) 585-8870

WANTED: MOTHER’S HELPER. Want to earn some cash for the summer? Overworked Palisades mom needs help with 7-year-old boy. Car+English a must! Saturday’s only. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. $13/hr. Please call (310) 230-2992

EARN $800-$3,200 Monthly to drive brand new cars with ads placed on them. www.AdCarDrive.com

RECEPTIONIST FOR riding stable in Topanga. Organized, good people skills, some computer, good phones, friendly outgoing. F/T or P/T but in particular, Friday/Saturday/Sunday. Call Corey, office (310) 455-1116, or evenings, (310) 454-8751

HAIR SALON IN Pacific Palisades has rental space available. Hairstylist, manicurist. Call (310) 600-7362

ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN, City of Malibu. $45,636-$59,327 annually (salary range to increase July 1, 2007), plus excellent benefits. Performs variety of paraprofessional accounting duties in support of accounts payable/receivable, payroll & specialized accounting & financial functions. Application deadline: July 13, 2007, 4:30 p.m. Check www.ci.malibu.ca.us or call (310) 456-2489 ext. 325 for details

ACCOUNTING CLERK, City of Malibu. $36,032-$46,842 annually, plus benefits (Salary range to increase July 1, 2007). Performs a variety of clerical accounting duties in support of accounts payable/ receivable, and specialized accounting and financial functions. Application deadline is July 13, 2007. Check www.ci.malibu.ca.us or call (310) 456-2489 ext. 325 for details

RECEPTIONIST, P/T, 20-35 hrs. New relaxed holistic MD practice in PP. Start Aug. 13. NO insurance billing/typing. You: warm, dependable, good communication/organization skills. Retiree OK. Call (702) 387-2332, fax (702) 478-5023

EXPERIENCED HEALTH PERSONNEL assisting MD in medical office in West L.A. Flexible hours. Salary open. Fax resume, (310) 231-0337

SEEKING LIVE-IN weekend childcare for Palisades family. Hours: Saturday & Sunday every weekend. Experience with twins helpful. Contact (310) 874-8508

FULL TIME RECEPTIONIST: Physical therapy clinic in Pacific Palisades. Organized, good interpersonal skills, some computer. Ph: (310) 454-0060, fax (310) 454-0065

P/T OFFICE ASSIST. wanted for busy fitness ctr. in Pac Pal Village. 5-6 mornings/wk, incl Sat’s. Must love exercise & people. (310) 459-9845

F/T HOUSEKEEPER WANTED. Position avail. for an exceptional housekeeper. Seeking very organized, detail-oriented, competent, energetic, trustworthy housekeeper to care for a beautiful home. Nice stable work environment. Must have excellent refs., legal status, CDL. Must be available for varied work schedule including weekends. Salary commensurate with experience. Fax: (310) 454-3062

MOTHER’S HELPER WANTED, 1-year-old boy. Weekdays, approx. 3 hours/day, flexible times. High school/college student preferred. Starting $8/hour. Nicole, (310) 926-8826

SOCIAL SERVICES. Day & residential programs for adults w/ developmental disabilities in Malibu. F/T positions w/ benefits: Job coach, M-F, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Direct support professional, M-F, 3 p.m.-10 p.m. Weekend positions also available. (310) 457-6052

JOB OPPORTUNITIES. Palisades Elementary Charter School. Several new P/T positions are currently available working with students on the yard & in the classrooms. Desirable qualities: Enjoys working with children, flexible, reliable, available to start in September. Contact: Human Resources Palisades Elementary Charter School. (310) 245-6144 or email: jackiesidman@yahoo.com

AUTOS 18b

BEAUTIFUL CONDITION 1998 Mercedes E320, Black opal, silver rims, low mileage, grey leather. Call (310) 230-9701

‘92 LEXUS ES 300, garaged, care, tan-leather, moonroof, CD changer, 107K miles, black. $3,950. Private party. To see or demo, (310) 454-0250

FURNITURE 18c

POOL TABLE, excellent condition. 8’ Chelsea Pocket table. English dark oak finish. Dark green cloth with matching cue. $500. (310) 454-8804

STUNNING rectangular dining room set. Approximately 5’ (w/ leaf larger) 6 chairs w/ beautiful custom off white covers. Orig. $5,000. For sale at $1,500 obo. (310) 508-2038

GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 18d

SAT. 7/7 ONLY, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 542 Bienveneda Ave. Danish modern din table+6 chairs, 54”x34”+2/20” extensions, ex cond, $800. 17 cu. ft. freezer, $200. 12 pc Brown & Jordan outdoor furn. $200 & MORE . . .

MOVING SALE: Saturday, July 7th, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 935 Chautauqua Blvd. Antique ice box, stained glass, antique radio bar, wrought iron patio set, twin brass & wrought iron bed and etagere, refrig, W/D, pine picnic set w/ benches & more.

PETS, LIVESTOCK 18e

BEAUTIFUL TOY POODLE puppies for sale. Had first shots & vet check-up. Extremely healthy. Really good with kids. Call (310) 457-3100

WANTED TO BUY 19

WANTED: Old tube guitar amplifiers, working or not. ‘50s, ‘60s, etc. Tommy, (310) 895-5057 • profeti2001@yahoo.com

TV Contest Stimulates Hidden Cafe Makeover

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Inside the remodeled Hidden Cafe in the Highlands are (left to right) Sarah Williams, chef Lorenzo Paz, Danica Hood, Quinne Anderson and owner Mary Autera.
Inside the remodeled Hidden Cafe in the Highlands are (left to right) Sarah Williams, chef Lorenzo Paz, Danica Hood, Quinne Anderson and owner Mary Autera.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

Mary Autera, owner of The Hidden Cafe, was perusing craigslist last fall when she came across a casting questionnaire for restaurant operators. Able to answer ‘yes’ to each of the questions, she responded quickly, knowing that being cast on a restaurant reality show could lead to the revamp of The Hidden Cafe she so desperately wanted. Autera soon received a phone call from the producers, who were interested in using her for a new show, but the project didn’t work out. Though disappointed, Autera still craved a big change for her restaurant, which opened in 2002 at 1515 Palisades Dr. in the Highlands. ‘I think we let the neighborhood down a bit. I knew we needed to do something,’ said Autera, who had been absent from the cafe for nearly a year because of a back injury. ‘[The show] didn’t work out, so I gave up, then months passed by and I thought, ‘We’ve got to do something.” Soon, Autera had torn down the ceiling, changed the electrical wiring and put in a new air conditioning system. In the midst of the beginning of an intense renovation, Autera’s lucky break strolled through the door. ‘All of a sudden these people show up, tell us to stop and ask if we would be interested in a pilot for a major network,’ Autera said. ‘It was just serendipitous!’ For the show, Autera and her staff were given 48 hours to completely make over the entire restaurant’d’cor, menus, service and presentation. Meanwhile, at another restaurant somewhere in the Los Angeles area, another team had two days to completely renovate its establishment. All 48 hours of the process were filmed for the show, and Autera and members of her team were occasionally pulled aside for on-camera interviews and comments. ‘Having cameras on makes you grow, because you’re in your altered self the entire time,’ Autera said. ‘It’s like being super-conscious of everything you say, do and feel.’ After the eateries were made over, a restaurant critic covertly patronized both restaurants before selecting a winner. Autera and her team found out who won the competition on July 2, but everyone else will have to watch the show this fall to find out who wins. (The show’s title and air dates have yet to be made public.) ‘What Mary and her team of Chef Lorenzo Paz, Danica Hood, Quinne Anderson, Sarah Williams and the crew have achieved in just two days with their caf’ has been nothing short of remarkable,’ said the show’s executive producer, Julian Cress. ‘They should be really proud of themselves.’ One major focus of the cafe’s makeover was the d’cor. The caf’, formerly decorated in a sort of country-kitchen fashion, has taken a more elegant turn, guided by an interior designer, provided by the production, as well as The Hidden Cafe’s own Danica Hood, who has a background in interior design and architecture. ‘We needed to get an identity. We didn’t have one,’ Autera said. ‘We were all over the place.’ With freshly painted golden yellow walls, new light fixtures, simplified wall art and fresh white tablecloths, the restaurant looks brand new. The menu at The Hidden Cafe also underwent a drastic change. With the help of Kat Kora, famous for her role on ‘Iron Chef,’ Autera and her team reduced the number of items on the menu from 76 to 14. After Kora tasted the menu items, her only advice for improvement was to reduce the amount of sauce and add some salt. ‘It’s our good fortune that our food has maintained its reputation of great quality. It’s fantastic,’ Autera said. So far, the staff’s hard work has paid off. On their first night open after the renovation, they had a packed house. Many of their favorite guests, as well as many new customers, filled every seat. ‘Everybody was happy. Not a single person wanted something they couldn’t have,’ Autera said. ‘Everything we had on [the menu] was the right stuff.’

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