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Going for the Gold

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Palisades Boxer Carlos Arce Hoping to Earn Spot on 2008 U.S. Olympic Team

Carlos Arce sharpens his reflexes on the speed bag at Gerry Blanck's Martial Arts Center.
Carlos Arce sharpens his reflexes on the speed bag at Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

Carlos David Arce can only laugh when he tells the story of the first time he met one of his boyhood idols, boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard. It was at Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center in 2003 when Arce was training for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. “I walked right up to Ray, introduced myself and said ‘Hi champ. You’re talking to the future of boxing,”’ Arce recalls. “He had no idea who I was and he just said ‘Okay, kid.”’ When Arce failed to make the team he was devastated and quit the sport: “I couldn’t dig a hole big enough to bury myself in. I thought I’d never lace up a pair of gloves again.” Four years later, Arce is giving boxing another try and the confident Palisadian is poised to make the most of his second chance. In January, he moved back in with his mother and stepfather in the Alphabet Streets and is determined to make his gold medal dream a reality. “I’ve seen the other fighters,” says Arce, who turned 25 in April. “I’ve seen what they can do and I know what I can do.” Born in Nicaragua, Arce moved to Pacific Palisades when he was 10 years old. He attended Paul Revere Middle School and graduated from Palisades High in 2000 with good enough grades to earn a full-ride scholarship to UCLA. He lived in Westwood for seven years, taking classes off and on while he pursued his boxing career. After hanging up his gloves in 2004, Arce worked briefly as a stuntman on movie sets and even tried out twice for “The Contender,” a reality television boxing show hosted by Leonard and actor Sylvester Stallone. He graduated from UCLA with a degree in French and Spanish last year, but all along Arce was itching to get back in the ring. In May, Arce reached the semifinals at the Olympic Western Trials in Salt Lake City, Utah, earning the bronze, but the medal he covets is a different color. At a tournament in Cocoa Beach, Florida earlier that month, Arce was well ahead on points in his semifinal bout when the the referee inexplicably gave two standing eight counts even though he was unhurt. The experience taught him a valuable lesson: stay in the middle of the ring where you are more visible. “There are five judges and they each have two buttons in front of them, one for each fighter,” Arce explains. “An electronic scoring system registers a point whenever at least three judges press a button within a second of each other. Otherwise, it doesn’t count as a punch.” Although Arce’s style more closely resembles skilled technicians like Leonard, Muhammad Ali, Alexis Arguello and Oscar De La Hoya, he got hooked on pugilism after watching Felix Trinidad defend his welterweight title against ‘Yuri Boy’ Campas in 1995. “I’ll never forget it,” Arce says. “Tito [Trinidad’s nickname] came back to win by knockout after being knocked down himself. That fight gave me inspiration because it proved that in boxing you always have a shot as long as you don’t give up.” Arce has befriended world kickboxing champion and fellow Palisades resident Baxter Humby, whom he sees “almost every day” at Blanck’s studio. He even attends some of Humby’s fights. “Boxing shouldn’t be a brutal sport,” says Arce, who earned his blackbelt in Yoshukai Karate at Blanck’s studio in 1997 and expects to test for his third degree sometime this year. “That may be entertaining for the audience but it’s not good for the fighters. To me it’s an art, a science. The idea is to hit and not get hit.” His style would serve Arce well in the Olympics, where matches consist of four two-minute rounds and landing clean punches is more important than inflicting physical damage on an opponent. “I don’t engage my opponents toe-to-toe,” Arce says. “I fight Cuban-style. I stick and move, use my jab and counterpunch. One thing I’ve really improved since I started boxing again is my stamina.” Arce has an amateur record of 35-13 and is currently ranked sixth in the United States in the lightweight division (132 pounds). In January, he started working with former Olympic boxer Seb Zewdie, who coached Ethiopia’s national team at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. So far, Arce has won nine of 11 bouts with his new trainer. Only one boxer from each weight class will make the Olympic team, so Arce knows he has some work to do before he punches his ticket to Beijing, China, site of the 2008 Summer Games. “I still have to move up five spots to be where I want to be so it’s important that I win from here on out,” Arce says. “You accumulate points every fight you win so I need to beat the guys ahead of me or get further in a tournament than they do.” Dedicated to his craft, Arce trains up to three times a day for six weeks in preparation for a tournament. He works out from 6 to 10 every morning at a gym in Reseda, drives back to the Palisades for a rest, then goes for a run down Temescal Canyon. After another short rest, he heads to Blanck’s studio for a sparring session. “When I’m training, I’m so focused,” Arce says. “It’s like I have tunnel vision.” Despite having asthma, a condition he eventually overcame, Arce began learning kickboxing at a young age. One reason was to learn how to protect himself from kids at school. “I don’t know what it was, but for some reason bullies always had it out for me,” Arce says. “They used to pick on me all the time and when I told the teacher that just made things worse.” The turning point came in sixth grade when he finally decided enough was enough and stood up to one of his classmates. “One boy in particular used to beat me up all the time and one day I hit him in the stomach and from then on he wanted to be my best friend,” Arce says. “He used to give me comic books and trading cards. I have no idea where that guy is today, but I’ve sort of used that incident as a stepping stone. From that moment on, I’ve always wanted to do something big with my life.” Arce has already been offered a spot on the Nicaraguan Olympic team but if he competes in the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, China, he wants to be donning the red, white and blue. “Winning the gold medal is all that matters right now,” Arce says. “I live here in America and I want to represent my country and the Palisades.” He also isn’t thinking about a professional career. Not yet, anyway. “I’m not in boxing for the money,” he says. “I’ve had so many people tell me to turn pro but without that medal, forget it!”

PaliHi Hires Athletic Director

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Rich McKeon is the new athletic director at Palisades Charter High.
Rich McKeon is the new athletic director at Palisades Charter High.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

Although he was hired at the end of May, Monday was Rich McKeon’s first official day as athletic director at Palisades High and his first order of business was organizing his cramped office adjacent to the boys’ locker room and delving into the stack of mail piled up on his desk. He joked that his second priority was to make sure he gets all the buses running on time. Aside from the grisly details of his job, however, McKeon has much loftier goals in mind for his new school. Chief among them is filling coaching vacancies for sports like varsity baseball, cross country and track and creating a positive athletic environment on campus. “I consider this a great opportunity to work at a great school with a proud sports tradition,” said McKeon, who was previously a P.E. teacher and coach for 20 years at Taft High in Woodland Hills. “Knowing the football field is being redone is exciting because in a few months I’ll be responsible for overseeing a brand new facility and I’m looking forward to that.” With over 25 years of teaching and coaching experience in the Los Angeles Unified School District, McKeon brings a wealth of knowledge to the job. He grew up near Hartford, Connecticut and earned his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education at Springfield College in Massachusetts. Upon moving to Southern California McKeon spent three years teaching at a junior high and another two years at Hamilton High before transferring to Taft, where he coached baseball for 13 years, boys golf for six years, girls golf for two years and also coached frosh/soph football. He currently resides in Culver City. McKeon replaces David Keese, who resigned May 7 due to health problems.

Howland’s Camp is “Slam Dunk”

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UCLA Coach Teaches Finer Points of Basketball to Youth at Palisades High

UCLA men's basketball coach Ben Howland congratulates players from his camp during Friday's awards ceremony in the PaliHi gym.
UCLA men’s basketball coach Ben Howland congratulates players from his camp during Friday’s awards ceremony in the PaliHi gym.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

Lorenzo Mata left the gymnasium with a big smile on his face last Thursday afternoon after entertaining a camp full of wide-eyed kids with a dazzling display of post moves and dunks. No, Mata wasn’t at Pauley Pavilion. He was one of the UCLA players who gave a demonstration to kids during Coach Ben Howland’s week-long youth basketball camp at Palisades High. “I really enjoyed being here,” said Mata, who stayed an hour afterwards to autograph balls and shoes for a line of aspiring youngsters. “Just looking at the kids and seeing the smiles on their faces makes it all worth it.” Open to boys and girls ages 6-14, Howland’s camp offered specialized instruction with an emphasis on the fundamentals essential to a developing a player’s skills in areas like rebounding, ball-handling, passing, defense, free throw shooting and jump shooting. Players were separated into three age groups and, after a week of drills, practice and games, a ceremony was held Friday afternoon with Howland presenting the awards. “Every one of you should be proud for making it through the week,” Howland said. “We wanted you to have fun but we also wanted you to learn about basketball. I’ve seen so much improvement from so many of you throughout the week.” Howland pointed to Arron Afflalo, the leader of last season’s UCLA squad who was picked in the first round of the NBA draft, as an example of how important playing defense is at the college level. Auburn was champion of the SEC Division (grades 1-2), Washington won the PAC-10 Division (grades 3-5) and the Lakers edged the Spurs , 66-64, in the finals of the NBA Division (grades 6-8). In addition to Howland’s own staff, Palisades High basketball coaches James Paleno, Mike Sutton and Torino Johnson and former Dolphin players Steve McMaryion and Ed Estavan also volunteered as coaches and referees. “I had a blast coaching the Spurs,” said McMaryion, a 2000 PaliHi alum who played at the University of Hawaii-Hilo from 2003-05. “We played our best game of the whole week in the finals.”

Locals Lead SaMo Softball

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After a grueling seven games in two days, the U-10 Gold of Santa Monica emerged as champions at the Amateur Softball Association Fastpitch All-Star Tournament June 23-24 in Diamond Bar. With the help of four Palisadians, the Gold compiled a 6-1 record in the 16-team tournament, losing only their first game to El Segundo, 3-1. After that, the Gold reeled off six straight–beating Chino 12-4, Diamond Bar Silver 12-2, Diamond Bar Gold 8-2, Garden Grove 3-0, Northridge 2-1, and finally Paramount 9-3 in the championship game. Stellar defense, gutsy pitching, timely hitting and aggressive baserunning were the difference-makers for Santa Monica. “Northridge was our toughest opponent,” Gold Manager Deana Cavanaugh said. “They had scored in double digits against everyone before playing us, and we shut them down with our pitching and defense.” The game went into extra innings, with the winning run being scored after a delayed steal of third base by Gold pitcher Jackie Carr and a sharp RBI grounder by shortstop Christine Maddox. Carr and first baseman Courtney Carswell attend St. Matthew’s School while second baseman Erin Samuel lives in Sunset Mesa and outfielder Miranda Andrew goes to Calvary Christian Elementary. The Gold’s defense was rock solid throughout the tournament, led by Maddox, Carswell, Caitlin Cavanaugh at third base, Natalie Montelongo at catcher, Andrew and fellow outfielders Frankie Golic, Coco Schwartz, Ruby Toolin and Dylan Gee. “We had the best defense, especially up the middle, of any team in the tournament–period,” Gold Co-Coach Dave Carr said. Santa Monica’s offensive attack was led by Samuel, Carr, Maddox, Cavanaugh, Montelongo and designated hitter Annie Quine, who led the team in RBIs. Carr was voted Most Valuable Player after pitching the Gold to four victories in five starts over two days. In the championship game, Santa Monica needed four pitchers–Maddox, Carr, Cavanaugh, and Samuel–to secure victory. Montelongo threw to Maddox, who tagged out a Paramount runner attempting to steal second, for the final out. “This team grew up over the weekend,” Gold Co-Coach Alan Juarez said. “We had to learn how to push through the fatigue at the end of tournaments against the best teams.”

CLASSIFIED ADS FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 28, 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

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD A BUTTERFLY FLY BY? Now you can. Beautiful 4.9 acres in Atascadero, San Luis Obispo County, CA. Awesome views, total privacy, paved road, ocean breezes. All utilities underground. Incredible reduced price, only $375,000. Call Alex, Agent, (805) 440 4418

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

PERSONALS 6b

SEMPER FI: To be always faithful to God, country, fellow Marines & all people who fight for freedom & peace. Ray Nasser, U.S. Marine, 16321 PCH #63, Pacific Palisades CA 90272. (310) 454-7432

BOOKKEEPING/ACCOUNTING 7b

EXPERIENCED BUSINESS MANAGER can help you with organizing mail, paying bills, balancing checkbooks, followup, correspondence, arranging travel, research, Internet sales, computer support. (310) 218-6653, (310) 459-2066

COMPUTER SERVICES 7c

COMPUTER SOLUTIONS & SUPPORT. HOME & BUSINESS–Windows Vista/XP–20 Yrs exp. frankelconsulting.com • (310) 454-3886

MARIE’S MAC & PC OUTCALL • I CAN HELP YOU IN YOUR HOME OR OFFICE WITH: • Consultation on best hard/software for your needs • Setting up & configuring your system & applications • Teaching you how to use your Mac or PC • Upgrades: Mac OS & Windows • Internet: DSL, Wireless, E-mail, Remote Access • Key Applications: MS Office, Filemaker, Quicken • Contact Managers, Networking, File Sharing, Data backup • Palm, Visor, Digital Camera, Scanner, CD Burning • FRIENDLY & PROFESSIONAL — BEST RATES • (310) 262-5652

YOUR OWN TECH GURU * Set-up, Tutoring, Repair, Internet. 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

CLARE’S SECRETARIAL SERVICES. Providing all aspects of administrative/bookkeeping support in the home or office. (310) 430-6701

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

AVAILABLE MONDAY THRU FRIDAY. Experienced, local references, own transportation. Imelda or Yolanda, (818) 941-9768, (213) 618-1969 or (213) 804-7778

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

HOUSEKEEPER available Monday, Wednesday, Thursday. Full time. I love dogs. Wonderful references. Some English. Call Hilda, (323) 788-4052

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/BABYSITTER AVAILABLE Monday-Friday, own transportation, CDL, local references. Call Blanca, (213) 487-9302

HOUSEKEEPER, EXPERIENCED, 17 YEARS, reliable, local references, own car, CDL, insurance. Available Monday & Wednesday. Please call Rufina, (310) 836-8853 or (310) 663-4853

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

ELDER CARE/COMPANIONS 10a

ELDER CARE in your home. Available in the day, M-F. Excellent local references. 10 years experience. Own transportation. CDL. Insured. Call Sandy, cell, (818) 272-3400, or hm, (818) 896-7696

LIVE-OUT 12 hrs/day (more if necessary). $15/hr. Certified nursing assistant w/CPR. Excellent local references. Insured, CDL, own transportation. Cell, (213) 712-0231 or hm (323) 661-0799

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

NUTRITION 12d

NEEDED! 12 PEOPLE to lose 20 or more pounds in the next 30 days! Send $5.00 plus a 9×12 self-addressed $1.75 stamped manila envelope to: B. Beggs, P.O. Box 1688, Pacific Palisades 90272.

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

CATERING 14

LUAU PARTY SUPPLIES for 200+ people. Torches, leis, paper/plastic dinnerware, glasses, limbo dance set, decorations etc. (310) 471-1240

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

LOSE WEIGHT, TONE UP, and FEEL GREAT with DQT FITNESS. Experienced trainer with B.A. in Kinesiology. Individual and outdoor all female sessions. Call or e-mail today! (310) 383-7081 • DQTfitness@yahoo.com

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

LANGUAGE ARTS TUTOR AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER. Grades 6-12: Test Prep., College Apps., Homework Help, Study Skills. Credentialed teacher w/ classroom experience. Excellent refs. Christa, (310) 210-6222. www.geocities.com/christabackstrom

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

MEDICAL ASSISTANT NEEDED: Busy, fast-paced Family Practice/Internal Medicine office in Pacific Palisades seeking a full time experienced medical assistant. Immediate opportunity with great growth potential. Please fax your resume to Crystal/Audrey, (310) 230-0284

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

PART-TIME BABYSITTER wanted to care for boys age 4 & 2. Help needed Wednesdays or Thursdays and 1 night a week. English speaking preferred and valid CDL a plus. Call Cory, (310) 990-2626

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

TEMPORARY P/T assistant work for broadcaster/ producer. We organize materials/files/errands. Must be computer savvy. Choose your hours. P/T one month with opportunity for lengthier more full time. Call (310) 459-0271

LOOKING FOR HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTER. Must speak English, drive, good references, F or P/T. Live out. Call Debbie, (310) 459-9270 or (310) 200-0931

SEEKING LIVE-IN weekend childcare for Palisades family. Hours: Friday noon until Sunday 7 p.m. every weekend. Experience with twins helpful. Contact (310) 874-8508

FULL TIME RECEPTION: 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. (310) 454-5062

AUTOS 18b

2005 PORSCHE CAYENNE S, prosecco, black interior, 41K miles, navigation, xenon lights, new tires, new brakes, heated seats, local owner. $39,000. (310) 612-1676

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

FURNITURE 18c

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

STANLEY ENTERTAIN. CENTER, cherry, shaker style, 3 pieces, 2 w/ shelves and lwr doors, one tv cab. w/ doors. 78” h x 105” w x 41/24” d. $950. Buyer transports. (310) 471-4128.

WHITE LACQUER KAWAI studio model piano with bench. (310) 454-7018

Brand New Custom Linen Sectional (marine blue). NEVER BEEN USED! 84” by 72.” Please call Kristin Keefe, (310) 459-8314

GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 18d

MOVING SALE! EVERYTHING MUST GO! Friday & Saturday, July 6th & 7th, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 470 Wynola St. No early birds!

WHOLE HSE! Antiques! Coffee, side tables/night stands/cabinets/chairs/ottomans/bar/DR set, 6 chairs/kids beds/queen bed/hsehold Kitch goods/patio set/electronics/clothes/toys/Tools/lots more grt stuff! 545 Lucero (Sunset/Paseo Miramar). FRI.-SAT., June 29-30, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Photos/details:www.bmdawson.com

MULTI-FAMILY GARAGE SALE! 507 Via de la Paz. Sat., June 30, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. No early birds. Baby changing table, bikes, jogger stroller, electronics, clothes, books, toys, gifts, cool stuff galore!

GREAT REDECORATG/MOVING SALE! ‘50s pottery, Outdoor table/chairs, Antique mirrors, ironwood bedside tables, Subzero frig, microwave, wrought iron curtain rods, Fantastic light fixtures, bookshelves, and SO much more. 16854 Livorno Dr. (near Marquez). FRI.-SAT., June 29-30, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

PETS, LIVESTOCK 18e

BORZOI PUPPIES AKC. First shots • First visit to vet. $1,500 firm. Call Scott at (323) 663-1664

WANTED TO BUY 19

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

OUR OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED INDEPENDENCY DAY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4. THE CLASSIFIED DEADLINE FOR THE JULY ISSUE WILL BE FRIDAY, JUNE 29, AT 11 A.M.

Class of 2007 at PaliHi Graduates

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At left, Dana D'Arcy's hopeful smile reflects the mood of many grads. At right, Jason Weintraub rejoices on graduation day.
At left, Dana D’Arcy’s hopeful smile reflects the mood of many grads. At right, Jason Weintraub rejoices on graduation day.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

The Palisades Charter High School Class of 2007 graduated at the Stadium by the Sea last Thursday, June 21. The ceremony was fairly long, featuring numerous speakers and musical interludes. The audience, which filled the stadium to the point that many were forced to stand, entered to the sounds of the PaliHi orchestra, directed by Terry Henderson. Vendors selling magenta leis, graduation teddy bears, balloons, and air horns, whose loud honks could be heard throughout the ceremony, surrounded spectators. At 6:30 p.m., as the seniors filed in solemnly through the tunnel and the orchestra played the traditional processional, ‘Pomp and Circumstance,’ by Edward Elgar. Girls wore white robes, while boys wore blue robes. All students wore a lei around their neck, though some who chose to purchase theirs had larger ones. Students could also have one of three cords around their neck: a gold Sealbearer cord, a silver Ephebian cord, and/or a blue and gold Honor Thespian cord. The valedictorian and salutatorian each had an official medal, and several athletes chose to wear their sports medals as well. Then, student body presidents Genevieve Fox and Tracy Kambara (also the salutatorian) led the graduates and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the national anthem, performed by Eric Rosenstein. The multi-lingual welcome featured 10 speakers, who greeted the stadium in Farsi, Spanish, Korean, Hebrew, Russian, Nigerian, French, Tagalog, Japanese and Chinese. Finally, everyone was welcomed in English by Genevieve and Tracy, who each gave a short address. Ronald Sirin, a former member of the marching band, performed ‘So Amazing,’ by Luther Vandross, as the first musical interlude. He was accompanied by Josh Ceranos on the keyboard. This year’s valedictorian, Amelia Arbisser, who will attend MIT in the fall, then gave her own address, on the friendships made in high school. She was followed by the second musical interlude, which was ‘Seasons of Love,’ from the musical ‘Rent,’ performed by the senior members of the PaliHi choir. Michael Ibrahim gave the first independent speech of the night, and told the very personal story of his own transformation into a successful student. Lauren Tizabi then performed an original song, entitled ‘Drive.’ Kevin Orbach gave the next speech, on the cynicism of youth and the sometimes-hidden high points of high school. Close on his heels was Michelle Kim, who performed ‘Annie’s Song,’ by John Denver, on the flute, accompanied by teachers Josh Elson and Terry Henderson on the guitar. The final student speaker was Kate Matsumoto, whose humorous address drew laughter from the audience, as she poked fun at high school, but also showed her affection for it and for her classmates. Lastly, Joseph Herrier, on guitar and vocal beatboxing, and Sean Kubota, on vocals, performed their own original song, called ‘Where are We Going.’ After all the student performances and addresses, Ann Davenport, assistant principal, presented the class of 2007, while Dr. Gloria Martinez, academic principal, presented the diplomas. Each senior was called up individually by his or her counselor, receiving cheers from friends, family, and fellow classmates. Students lined up by section behind the gazebo, posed for a photograph, then walked to the center of the ceremony to shake hands with Dr. Martinez and receive an empty diploma case. They returned to their seats through the center aisle, hugging and shaking hands with various teachers along the way. When the applause and cheering that followed the final student’s name died down, Elane Roepke, senior class president, accepted the diplomas on behalf of her class, and led the long-awaited tassel ceremony, as students moved their blue and white tassels from the right to the left side of their graduation caps. The Class of 2007 was saluted by a pyro-spectacular show from the ocean-side of the stadium. As they watched, students burst from their seats, hugging one another, crying, laughing, and throwing their hats. At the end of the fireworks, they sat down, and then left the stadium in two lines, accompanied by the recessional, ‘The March from Aida,’ performed by the orchestra. The newly graduated seniors were met by their guests on the Center Quadrangle, where friendly chaos erupted. Students said good-bye to classmates for possibly the last time, they hugged their friends and family, they took photographs with the people they knew and loved, they accepted flowers and gifts, and of course’they collected their official diplomas. After 13 years of formal schooling, the elegant ceremony and the enthusiastic celebration that followed provided a fitting and fulfilling end for the Palisades Charter High School Class of 2007.

Renewed Fun in the Sun

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The Bel-Air Bay Club ushers in its new beachfront facility with three days of grand celebration.

Six-year-old Caitlyn Caputo makes the most of the Bel-Air Bay Club's beachfront swings at the party held last Saturday, June 23.
Six-year-old Caitlyn Caputo makes the most of the Bel-Air Bay Club’s beachfront swings at the party held last Saturday, June 23.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

Fireworks exploded over the Bel-Air Bay Club last Saturday night, punctuating an elongated beach party that began Friday and didn’t end until late Sunday. By the time it was over, nearly 1,500 members and friends of the historic private beach club were brushing sand from their feet, having enjoyed all forms of ocean-side merrymaking. The event marked the official unveiling of the renovated Lower Club, which has been two years in the making (and another five years mired in a protracted city and state entitlement process that concluded in 2005). The new complex is cast in the same Spanish Colonial architectural style as the Upper Club, the majestic, more formal building perched hillside that had its opening in 1931. Pacific Coast Highway separates the two structures, located between Temescal Canyon Rd. and Sunset Blvd. The $8 million-plus remodel, designed by architect and club member Doug Burdge, boasts a light-filled second-story private dining room, where every table has an ocean view, a walk-up grill, and a new state-of-the-art fitness room, among many other enhancements. One of the most distinctive features of the Lower Club, the coveted cabanas, grew in number from 80 to 104. These beach “cabins” allow individual styles to emerge, with decor ranging from shabby chic to chandeliered luxury. The presence of the cabanas, with their closeness to the beach not intersected by a public bike path, is an amenity unique to the Bel-Air Bay Club. “Our new cabana is upstairs, which we share with three other families,” says longtime member George Browning, whose wife, Sharon, is the club’s current president. Residents of Rustic Canyon, the couple has two adult children and four grandchildren. “This is a new requirement, having four families share, which spreads the use of these cabins throughout the membership,” he adds. “With our seniority, we were able to select an upstairs one, where the views are magnificent.” Browning’s affiliation with the club is typical of many, stretching back to the earliest days. “My father was one of the first members,” Browning says. “Now we’re moving on to the fourth generation.” It all started when legendary oil man and developer Alphonzo Bell had a vision of a private beach club. It became a reality in 1927 when he purchased 31 acres of oak-covered hillside and 900 feet of shoreline. Temporary facilities on the beach–including a pavilion with tables and chairs, dressing rooms, showers and a small grill–were opened on June 11, 1927 to 29 initial members. Today, membership stands at 852. Eighty percent of the members come from Pacific Palisades and Brentwood. While much has changed in the intervening years, the traditions endure, especially the club’s devotion to athletics, particularly paddle tennis and volleyball, and family-centered activities. Old-fashioned fun ruled during the three-day weekend. At Sunday’s “Back to the Beach” celebration, a tug-of-war between kids and adults found the latter, narrowly, the victors. There was a treasure hunt so challenging that a tractor needed to unearth the buried bounty. Musical chairs brought out the best–and worst–among adult revelers. Paddle tennis and volleyball tournaments reigned outdoors while bridge and rummy tiles gave purpose to the more sedentary crowd. The cabana open house provided yet another dimension to the day. The Friday night dinner, attended by more than 600 people, was exclusively for members and featured food stations throughout the Lower Club. “We tried to get everyone together for a picture, but that was a hopeless effort because we could not get people to stop talking,” president Sharon Browning said. The more formal occasion was a thank-you to members for their patience and their contributions toward getting the club built. Saturday night, open both to members and invited friends, is when the real party began, with more than 1,000 people in attendance for dinner, dancing and singing, with the Wayne Foster Band, a 26-piece orchestra, taking center stage. The evening was described as the club’s “biggest party ever” and the fireworks display as rivaling the club’s own legendary Fourth of July show. Members can be judge of that when celebrations resume on the Fourth. The club will host two nights of fireworks–July 3 and 4–to satisfy its enthusiastic crowd.

Turtle Guy’s Mission Gains Support

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Floating on a screen in a darkened Marquez school auditorium are Pacific leatherback sea turtles, which are one of the largest living reptiles in the world. Mitchell Bolt, a.k.a. ‘The Turtle Guy,’ explains to fourth and fifth graders that this turtle, which can grow up to nine feet and weigh 2,000 pounds, is critically endangered. Bolt’s 45-minute assembly provides the children with information that he also hopes the kids will share with others. ‘We could see the extinction of some species of turtles in our lifetime,’ Bolt told his audience. The leatherback and Kemp’s ridley (which is the smallest of the sea turtles) are both critically endangered. The remaining six: olive ridley hawksbill, Australian flatback, black, green and loggerhead are also on the endangered list. Sea turtles have lived on the earth for 150 million years, since before the time of the dinosaurs, and some have been estimated to live up to 189 years. At the time of Columbus, scientists estimate that sea turtles numbered in the millions. Some species like Kemp’s ridley, the most endangered, had an estimated 92,000 nests in 1947, but now that number is 350. The loss of sea turtles could be disastrous to the ocean environment. They are responsible for eating sea grass, which grows on the sea floor. The grass, used as a breeding and development area for many species of fish, must be kept short to remain healthy. Bolt tells his captive audience that there are four main reasons sea turtles are disappearing: fishing nets; ocean pollution; habitat destruction; and killing by man for meat and trinkets. Shrimp trawl boats drag large nets behind them and since one of sea turtles’ favorite foods is shrimp, the turtles are often caught as well. Turtles are reptiles so they need to come to the surface to breathe. Once they’re in the net and can’t surface, they drown. Sea turtles are also caught on longlines, which are fishing lines that can be 60-miles long and covered with hooks. Not only do fishermen hook turtles, but also dolphins and seals. The sea turtle population is also being decimated by ocean pollution. Bolt urges his young audience not use helium balloons because many end up in the ocean where turtles ingest them mistaking them for jellyfish. Another threat to turtles is pollution from cruise ships. Bolt points out that some ships spew out as much as 30,000 gallons of raw sewage a day. He wants legislation passed that would require cruise ships to treat the sewage before it is dumped into the ocean. Sea turtles are highly sensitive to the earth’s magnetic field and use it to navigate. Most species return to nest at the same location where they were born. Those beaches are being destroyed to build hotels and homes. Although all nations have laws against killing sea turtles for meat and artifacts, they are often unenforced. Bolt tells his young audience that if they go to a country that sells turtle trinkets, not to buy them. After his presentation, Bolt took time to talk to the Palisadian-Post. ‘I’m an average dude off of the street. I don’t have a Ph.D. in marine biology,’ Bold said. ‘But individuals can make a difference. I’ve talked to a thousand kids and I want to help them do a better job as stewards of the world than our generation did.’ Bolt grew up in the Lake Isabella area in the San Joaquin Valley and attended UC San Diego, where he earned degrees in economics and theater. He first became involved with saving sea turtles when he helped get signatures for a law to ban gillnets. He collected over a 1,000 signatures to give to then-governor Gray Davis; this is when he became known as ‘The Turtle Guy.’ ‘At first I didn’t like it,’ he said. ‘Then I thought–if it helps, let them do it.’ Bolt works fulltime at the Kern Country Waste Management Department in Bakersfield, and on his days off he visits schools to bring his message of saving sea turtles. ‘Litigation, which includes laws and enforcement, direct action and education all have to work together to help the sea turtles,’ he said. ‘I’m not a lawyer, but education is what I can do. ‘By telling the next generation about our failures, I am hoping they’ll pick-up the torch and do a better job,’ Bolt said.

Getty’s Internship Program Celebrates 15th Year

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The Getty Foundation recently celebrated the 15th anniversary of its Multicultural Undergraduate Internship Program and welcomed the 153 new interns of 2007 with special presentations by L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and theater troupe Culture Clash at the Getty Villa. Launched in the wake of Los Angeles’ civil unrest in 1992, the Multicultural Undergraduate Internship Program seeks to increase staff diversity within visual arts organizations. ‘This is a wonderful way to encourage students to develop an interest in careers in the visual arts while at the same time to support organizations in our community,’ says Deborah Marrow, director of the Getty Foundation. The selective program attracts outstanding students for internships at more than 86 organizations across Los Angeles County. Since 1993, more than 2,000 students have completed internships at museums and arts organizations large and small across Los Angeles County. The program’s success inspired the Los Angeles County Art Commission to create a parallel program in 2000 focusing on the performing and literary arts. As a Multicultural Undergraduate Intern at the Getty in 2004, Rafael Frausto, a Van Nuys native and UC Santa Cruz student, glimpsed a whole new world. ‘It opened up so many doors for me–not just building relationships, but mentally demystifying the art world,’ he says. ‘I didn’t know how large the art world was; I saw how art gets made and I realized it wasn’t impossible for me to be part of it.’ Encouraged by his experience as an intern, Frausto spent a year studying design in Barcelona, and is now freelancing as a graphic designer, while applying for a Fulbright scholarship to study design in Germany. The students are not the only ones who benefit from the program. For many of the arts organizations, the interns provide much-needed staffing each summer. The California African American Museum, under the leadership of executive director, Charmaine Jefferson, is entering its second year as a participant in the Getty Institute’s Multicultural Undergraduate Internship Program. “This program provides invaluable assistance for organizations like CAAM through access to future leaders who are not only training to be critical thinkers but whose hearts are already in sync with our mission,’ Jefferson said. ‘At the same time, we can offer an equally important opportunity for students to be mentored and learn what it truly takes to run a nonprofit business through an experience that is hands-on, up close and public service oriented.’ Throughout the summer, in addition to their daily responsibilities as interns, the students will participate in workshops and field trips to broaden their exposure to the regional arts community. They will be visiting the arts community of Pasadena, the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, the African American Museum in Exposition Park, 18th Street/Highways in Santa Monica, the Fowler and the Hammer Museums at UCLA, and other sites.

Rosendahl Mulls Motion To Spur Incline Mitigation

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Senior Transportation Planner Bob Cheung at a public hearing on the California Incline Project last week. Cheung, who is creating transportation plans for the City of Santa Monica, expects that 20 percent of afternoon commuters will use West Channel Road in Santa Monica Canyon, when the Incline is closed for one year during construction. Many Palisades residents fear that closure of the Incline will mean a year of gridlock.
Senior Transportation Planner Bob Cheung at a public hearing on the California Incline Project last week. Cheung, who is creating transportation plans for the City of Santa Monica, expects that 20 percent of afternoon commuters will use West Channel Road in Santa Monica Canyon, when the Incline is closed for one year during construction. Many Palisades residents fear that closure of the Incline will mean a year of gridlock.
Photo by Max Taves

Encouraged by Pacific Palisades community leaders, Los Angeles Councilman Bill Rosendahl might introduce a motion in City Hall that would encourage Santa Monica to mitigate the potential traffic congestion of the California Incline Bridge Rehabilitation Project on Palisades residents. Many Palisadians expect nothing less than a traffic disaster when the Incline is closed, which will prevent commuters from traversing the bluffs from Pacific Coast Highway to Ocean Avenue and vice versa. Engineers consider the 1940-era Incline structurally unsound and conclude that replacing it is necessary to avoid future calamity. At the request of many local community activists, Rosendahl staff members met with Santa Monica officials this week to discuss mitigation. Staff members say a motion would be needed if they believe that Palisades residents’ concerns are not going to be addressed in the final construction plans. Rosendahl’s District Director and Chief Counsel Norman Kulla told the Palisadian-Post on Tuesday, ‘We’re going to talk further with Santa Monica before going the motion route on the Incline. Assuring mitigation as completely as possible is a high priority we are pursuing with all due vigor.’ In addition to Rosendahl, community leaders have asked State Senator Sheila Kuehl and L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky to use their offices to pressure Santa Monica to reduce the effects on the Palisades. Yaroslavsky’s Senior Field Deputy Flora Gil Krisiloff told the Post that the supervisor is ‘greatly concerned about the traffic impacts to the adjacent residential communities, and he will be writing a letter to the City of Santa Monica and Caltrans to urge that all possible mitigation measures be implemented during reconstruction.’ Kuehl’s transportation specialist Laurie Newman could not be reached for comment. The draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was released late last month. And the period to send public comments, which must be addressed by planners in the final EIR, ends on July 9. Although the project is federally funded and must meet state and federal environmental and transportation guidelines, Santa Monica is expected to have broad authority over many of the details of the project. That has Palisadians scared. Despite its name, Santa Monica Canyon is part of the city of Los Angeles, not Santa Monica. Canyon residents and Palisadians worry that the political unaccountability of Santa Monica will translate into construction and transportation plans that could put the interests of non-Santa Monica residents on the back burner. One issue that already seems to divide the two constituencies is 24/7 construction. The Palisades Community Council and the Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association have both unanimously endorsed around-the-clock construction. And Kulla has said that Rosendahl’s office is lobbying for the same. Project planners say that it could reduce construction time up to 25 percent. But they say this alternative was ‘eliminated from further consideration’ because the noise and vibration of nighttime construction would inconvenience Santa Monica residents living on PCH. At a public hearing last week at the city library, the engineers and consultants working on the project presented some of the other controversial aspects of the plan. Planners say construction could take one year, beginning as soon as March 2009. According to current projections, there could be as much as a five-month overlap with Santa Monica’s plans to fortify the bluffs, which would necessitate closing 1,000-foot sections of bluff-side, northbound lane on PCH. Also, a traffic signal at 415 PCH’the future site of the Annenberg Beach Club, formerly known as the Marion Davies Estate’is expected to begin operating sometimes next year. Engineers say they intend to use one lane of the Incline to stage building equipment. Currently, two lanes connect Ocean Avenue to PCH; and one lane connects PCH to Ocean. But many residents want the lane to be kept open to one direction of traffic. Engineers discounted that possibility, arguing that it would delay construction and imperil construction workers’ safety. The transportation planner hired by Santa Monica, Bob Cheung, estimates that 20 percent of re-routed afternoon traffic will use West Channel Road to reach Santa Monica, rather than the Moomat Ahiko-Ocean Avenue intersection or the Lincoln Avenue exit of the freeway. Cheung told the Post that no other intersections have been studied. ‘We already have gridlock on West Channel three different times of the day,’ said Steve Olson, an architect who lives on Channel and attended the hearing. Olson, like many other Canyon residents, believes that Channel cannot absorb any excess traffic. Like many other Canyon residents, he wants Santa Monica to divert commuters away from the Canyon. Local residents were also surprised that no other routes were studied. They expect that commuters will turn off PCH onto Temescal Canyon Road, and they predict that Sunset Boulevard will see more traffic as people try to reach Santa Monica via 26th Street. Cheung did not answer a Post request by e-mail about whether these routes will be studied. Santa Monica Principal Engineer Mark Cuneo said that Palisades’ residents fears of unmitigated traffic congestion are ‘probably unjustified.’ ‘We have many projects in L.A.,’ Cuneo explained. ‘We’re sensitive to regional cooperation. And we frequently cooperate with Bill Rosendahl’s office.’ It is unclear what Rosendahl’s motion would deman–and even less clear is what effect it would have on final construction plans. If Santa Monica’s plans meet state and federal guidelines, it does not need its large, municipal neighbor’s support. It is expected that the motion’s wording would draw heavily from a recent Palisades Community Council motion. Among other suggestions, the motion recommends that Santa Monica require 24/7 construction; provide large financial incentives for early completion; delay the project until the improvement of the bluffs is complete; finish Incline construction before a traffic signal on Palisades Beach Road is operational; reconfigure Moohmat Ahiko to allow for two right-turning lanes onto Ocean Avenue; and open Appian Way (which runs under a bridge to the Santa Monica Pier) to through traffic during the entire construction period. —— To contact Staff Writer Max Taves, e-mail reporter@palipost.com or call ext. 28.

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