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The Grapes of the Santa Monicas

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The Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu, owned by the Semler family, started making Cabernet Sauvignon in 2000. Now they are also producing Merlot and Syrah, all under the Semler and Saddlerock labels. Photo: The Semler family
The Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu, owned by the Semler family, started making Cabernet Sauvignon in 2000. Now they are also producing Merlot and Syrah, all under the Semler and Saddlerock labels. Photo: The Semler family

By MERV HECHT Palisadian-Post Columnist Before Prohibition, Los Angeles County looked much more like Italy and the south of France. There were grapevines everywhere. It all started in 1833 when Jean-Louis Vignes planted the first vines. Then in the 1850s a Hungarian named Agoston Harazsthy brought 165 varieties of grape vines into California. The wine industry settled primarily into the Cucamonga Valley, where Secondo Guasti started to plant vines on a major scale. By 1917, 20,000 acres had been planted, and Guasti’s 5,000-acre vineyard was the largest contiguous vine area in the world, he claimed. By that time grapes had become one of the most important crops in California. This began to change when Prohibition was voted in during 1919, and the 18th Amendment was enacted in 1920. By the time Prohibition was repealed in 1933, Los Angeles had become more urbanized. Now only a few of the original wineries continue to do business in the Cucamonga Valley. But a resurgence is now taking place. I read recently that 2,700 people are making wine for personal use in Southern California. The Los Angeles Times featured attorney Mark Beck in Pasadena, making ‘in vino felicitas’ wine. Tom Jones has the Moraga Vineyard in Brentwood, and several architects have vineyards in Pacific Palisades. In Malibu, there are over 30 wineries, some of which are making fine wine for commercial sales. For many years, some of the best California Cabernet in the state has been made at Moraga Vineyards, across the freeway from the Getty Center. Jones, retired president of Northrop, has owned about 15 acres for a long time, and has been making fine wines there for many years. I last saw a bottle of it, for about $100, at Campanile Restaurant, and I understand it’s available at Wally’s Liquors on Westwood Boulevard for about $125 per bottle. In Pacific Palisades, there is the Ardie Tavangarian vineyard on upper Bienveneda, which was the subject of a Palisadian-Post feature in 2005. And then there is Cosimo Pizzulli, well known as the interior architect of some of the best Italian restaurants in Los Angeles. Cosimo describes his small vineyard as being in a small canyon offering a microclimate similar to Apulia, an area of southern Italy where his grandfather made wine. The grape of choice for the Palisades seems to be the Sangiovese Grosso, the same grape from which the fine Brunello of Montalcino is made in Tuscany. Cosimo’s vineyard is the southernmost of the ‘Malibu Group,’ a concentration of about 30 winemakers in and around Malibu who help each other grow better grapes and make better wines. But because of legal restrictions, most grow grapes on their property but make the wines somewhere else. Only those making less than 200 gallons (typically fewer than 1,200 bottles) can legally make wine on their own premises. Many of the others make their wines in the bonded facility of John Daum’ in Camarillo. That’s an interesting place where private parties can bring their grapes and, under their own supervision, participate in the winemaking process, including bottling and labeling (visit www.homebeerwinecheese.com). Malibu’s Newton Canyon has received the designation AVA (American Viticultural Area). So what does that mean? Well, it’s not the same as the DOC in Italy, or the AOC in France, but it’s similar: it’s a state government designation, and I guess the hope is that by giving a region a special designation, that region will begin to produce wines that are distinctive to the area. But it’s somewhat different from the European system because in California, when the government gives an area a designation, it neither sends out inspectors, nor imposes rules of quality control, nor enforces winemaking regulations as the governmental authorities do in Europe. The only winery within the Malibu AVA area is the Rosenthal Malibu Estate. The successful entrepreneur George Rosenthal first planted vines at this 250-acre estate in 1987. There are now 28 acres of hillside vines that include a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc. Each is separately vinified and barrel-aged before blending. The Rosenthal wines are excellent. The first release was a 1991 Cabernet Sauvignon, followed soon after by a Chardonnay and a Merlot, all from grapes grown at the ranch. Christian Roguenant, who comes from the Burgundy region of France, supervises the winemaking process. Neil McNally, a very knowledgeable wine guy, handles sales and marketing. The ranch is beautiful, and they are set up for visits, with a tasting room that used to be a horse stable. And these horses lived in style! To visit, call 456-1392. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Visit online at www.rosenthalestatewines.com). Of the more than 30 winemakers in Malibu, some are local restaurant owners, such as Michael McCarty of Michael’s restaurant. And there are four or five commercial vineyards in Malibu. One, which I think stands out and is worth a visit, is the Saddlerock Ranch, owned by the Semler family. They started making Cabernet Sauvignon in 2000. Their wine was first released in 2003. Now they are also producing Merlot and Syrah. The wines are marketed under the Semler and Saddlerock labels. Currently not all the grapes are grown in Malibu; some are from central California. The Semlers’ nine children, who are often there to show visitors around, are a lot of fun. There are new vines to look at, and caves with paintings and artifacts from the Chumash Indians. The ranch is often used by Hollywood studios for movie shoots, and a number of famous movies have been shot there. Within a few years, Saddlerock Ranch will have more than100 acres of vines planted, and will then be the largest vineyard anywhere in Malibu or perhaps Los Angeles County. To visit, call (818)- 889-0120, 888-433-wine, or visit www. malibuwine.com. As is often the case, antiquated laws are holding back wine production at many of the Malibu wineries. Those vineyard owners who want to make wine for commercial sale have a difficult time becoming licensed for wine production and have to go to the Daum’ facility in Camarillo, or perhaps to a facility in Napa, to produce the wine. I believe this will change in time, and we will then have our own little ‘Napa Valley-like’ wine region right here in Malibu!

Pali Elem Wins Recycling Award

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Palisades Elementary student Jeff Goldsmith and parent Kelly Williams recycle plastic in the city's recycling bin.
Palisades Elementary student Jeff Goldsmith and parent Kelly Williams recycle plastic in the city’s recycling bin.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

By MELISSA BEAL Palisadian-Post Contributor Palisades Charter Elementary and Kenter Canyon Charter Elementary were selected by the City of Los Angeles as runners-up for this year’s Recycling Excellence Award. More than 200 schools participated and only nine received recognition. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton presented the awards to the schools on the steps of City Hall at the ‘Keep Los Angeles Beautiful’ kick-off event on March 3. Palisades Principal Tami Weiser and fifth-grader Mara Greenwald accepted the award and a $1,000 check for the school. ‘It was pretty cool, not an everyday thing,’ Greenwald said of receiving the award from Sen. Clinton. The ceremony began an event that was part of the national ‘Keep America Beautiful’ campaign and attracted more than 5,000 volunteers who targeted four zones in downtown L.A. and Hollywood for clean up and beautification activities including litter pick up, graffiti removal and tree planting. Groups of students, teachers and parents from both schools attended the ceremony. Five months ago, Pali parents Kelly Williams and Sid Greenwald developed the Green Team to raise awareness about recycling and the environment at Palisades Elementary. One of their first initiatives was to reduce the amount of trash from student lunches. Before taking any action, students weighed the trash following one day’s lunch. Then, for $1, students were able to purchase plastic containers and cloth napkins that could be reused, thereby reducing the amount of waste made by one-time-use packaging like single-serve applesauce containers and sandwich bags. All students were provided with free Green Team sports bottles to reduce the number of drink containers thrown away each day. When students reweighed their lunch refuse the following month, they discovered that they had decreased their waste by half. To add incentive to reducing trash at lunch, the class whose post-lunch rubbish weighs the least is rewarded with an ice cream party. ‘Kids realize that this is their earth and if we don’t take care of it they’re going to grow up and not have the resources they need,’ Weiser said. In their endeavor, students discovered that the classic little school lunch milk carton is not recyclable. Since hundreds of these cartons were used daily, Pali Elementary switched to milk pouches, which can be recycled. Although the recycling contest is over, the school will continue its commitment to greener living. Earlier this month, as part of the ‘California Recycles’ program, the school collected electronics, like TVs and computers, that cannot be thrown away. Last week, students planted fruit trees around campus with planters decorated with recycled materials, and in April the school will have a mini eco-film festival, where they will show environmental films like the Academy Award-winning documentary ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ in the auditorium. They are also looking into starting a carpooling program. With blue recycling bins and boxes throughout campus and in every classroom, students are reminded to continue with their everyday recycling. ‘Recycling is better for the environment,’ Mara Greenwald said. ‘We can have a healthier world.’

Everychild Grants $1 Million For At-Risk Kids

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Palisadian Jackie Caster is founder of the Everychild Foundation.
Palisadian Jackie Caster is founder of the Everychild Foundation.

More than 2,300 at-risk youth will have an enriching safe haven, inspiring learning spaces and a wireless technology center at L.A. Recreation and Park’s Lafayette Community Center in the heart of the Rampart District, thanks to a $1-million grant provided to Heart of Los Angeles by the Everychild Foundation. 

Four years ago, Heart of Los Angeles, forced to move its home after 13 years and with only eight months to find a home for over 1,100 at-risk youth, mounted an aggressive effort to secure private funding to sustain critical programs at the youth center. 

Started in Los Angeles in 1989 with just five kids and a basketball, Heart of Los Angeles has grown into a multicultural center that offers fine arts, athletic and education programs for more than 1,300 underserved youth annually throughout the city. It provides elementary, middle and high school programming for a growing population of children in urgent need of supplemental services. 

Each year, the Everychild Foundation invites roughly 30 to 50 nonprofit organizations to apply for its single annual grant. Everychild Foundation comprises 225 Los Angeles women, each of whom donates $5,000 in annual dues in lieu of putting on fundraising events. Founded in 2000 by Pacific Palisades resident Jackie Caster, the group has now given more than $4.5 million in grants. Prior grants have funded a mobile dental clinic, construction of 15 new libraries in public elementary schools, renovation and expansion of a child-abuse counseling center, the building of a youth learning center at a home for troubled teens exiting from the juvenile justice system, the purchase of a transitional home for emancipating foster youth and construction of a universally accessible playground. This year will be the foundation’s first $1 million gift. Funds will provide for additions and alterations to the HOLA/ Lafayette Community Center capital project, a fully equipped wireless technology learning center, expanded classroom space for job training and college preparatory classes and middle and high school enrichment programs, an office for HOLA program staff, and furnishings. ‘Heart of Los Angeles was selected for this grant because of its tremendous and proven ability to transform the lives of children living in an overcrowded, underserved, gang-ridden area,’ Caster said. ‘It provides real hope for these youth.” Back in 2001, Caster told the Palisadian-Post that the Everychild Foundation ‘focuses on projects where we can have maximum impact within a short time frame,’ and that she wanted ‘the money we raise to go where it is supposed to go, not on a lot of overhead,’ as traditionally incurred by having major fundraising banquets. Thus her group’s sole reliance on $5,000-a-year dues. Caster will be honored by the Wonder of Reading at its annual Explore-A-Story fundraiser on March 18. The organization expands and renovates public elementary school libraries, provides funds to restock libraries’ collection of books, and trains volunteers to read one-on-one with struggling readers in the new library.

Lacrosse off to Fast Start

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Dolphins’ Program on the Rise After Three Wins

Palisades High attacker Max Gross (left) shields the ball from a defender on his way to a goal against Windward in last Friday night's varsity lacrosse game at Stadium by the Sea. The Dolphins won, 16-6, and remained undefeated.
Palisades High attacker Max Gross (left) shields the ball from a defender on his way to a goal against Windward in last Friday night’s varsity lacrosse game at Stadium by the Sea. The Dolphins won, 16-6, and remained undefeated.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

Palisades High boys lacrosse coaches Dave Schaller and Scott Hylen could not have asked for a better start. Three games into the season, the Dolphins are 3-0 and have outscored their opposition by an average of 7.6 goals per game’a testament to how far the program has come in such a short time. “The boys worked extremely hard during the 3-4 week period leading up to our first game,’ Schaller said. ‘We did a lot of conditioning and we also managed to add a lot of different things compared to last year. For instance, we are running a new offense, man-up, clears, etc.” As the first City Section school to field a lacrosse team last year, Palisades merely sought respectability playing against the top Southern Section schools. Now, with over 60 boys participating in the sport this spring, the Dolphins are out to establish themselves as the best team in the area. Palisades’ varsity made an early statement by routing Harvard-Westlake, 9-2, last Wednesday at Stadium by the Sea in a game featuring many local kids on both sides. The Dolphins avenged last year’s loss to the Wolverines, with five different players scoring for Pali. On Friday, the Dolphins drubbed visiting Windward, 16-6, and on Tuesday they notched their first road victory, 13-7, up the coast at Malibu. Not surprisingly, it is the seniors leading the way for the Dolphins’namely captains Sudsy Dyke, Josh Packer and Colin Vining. Dyke was named most valuable player at Army’s 2006 summer camp and has signed to play for the U.S. Military Academy (Prep School) next year. Packer is fourth on the team in scoring with five goals and one assist so far and also handles most of the face-offs. The Dolphins’ fourth captain is junior Eric Rosen, who joined the squad straight from the varsity soccer team and has tallied seven goals and two assists. Despite an illness that sidelined him for most of Tuesday’s game, Riley Gitlin scored a goal to improve his team-leading totals to 10 goals and two assists. Wyatt Kauffman was Pali’s top gun against Malibu, netting four goals and two assists in the first half before sitting out the last two quarters with a knee injury. Travis Dezarn and David Lee also scored. ‘This is the first time our varsity boys have beaten Malibu,’ Hylen said. ‘We fought hard to keep the ball on our offensive half for 70 percent of the game. The kids knew they were missing some key teammates and stepped it up.’ In only its second full season of varsity competition, the Dolphins are both deep and talented. Billy Ortwin and Alex Quinonez have each scored multiple goals and Dyke leads the squad with 11 ground balls. Goalie Jesse Poller has 47 saves against 15 goals allowed’good for a 75.8 save percentage through three games. What impresses Schaller more than the stats, however, is the attitude his players bring to practice. “This team comes ready to play every day and their hard work is paying off,’ he said. ‘Everyone is really enjoying how far this program has come and this has everything to do with the parent support as well as the boys’ commitment to getting better in the offseason.” The Southern Section now has 44 boys varsity lacrosse teams and Palisades is one of several City schools to field a team. Palisades will try to keep its perfect record intact with home games at 6 p.m. today against New Jewish Community and Friday against Oaks Christian. Meanwhile, Palisades’ varsity girls squad, coached by Juliet Mittleman, won its season opener, 12-4, over New Jewish Community on February 28 and went 2-1 in three scrimmages at the Rose Bowl tournament on March 3 in Pasadena. The Dolphins’ next game is at 10 a.m. this Saturday at Brentwood.

Pali Baseball Bounces Back

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Palisades High shortstop Andy Megee rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the Dolphins' 12-6 victory over Malibu Saturday at George Robert Field. Megee had four hits and five RBIs.
Palisades High shortstop Andy Megee rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the Dolphins’ 12-6 victory over Malibu Saturday at George Robert Field. Megee had four hits and five RBIs.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

If the Palisades High varsity baseball team lost confidence after losing its first three games of the season you wouldn’t know it by the way the Dolphins responded in their final two games of the Southern California Invitational. Palisades’ offense, which had managed to plate only four runs in its first three games, came to life against St. Bernard last Thursday. The first eight Dolphins reached base before the home team recorded an out and things got so lopsided that, by the fourth inning, the home plate umpire was calling anything above the ankles and under the arm pit a strike to Pali hitters. No matter, the Dolphins still won 16-0, led by J.R. Bromberg, who went three-for-three with a double, two home runs, a walk, three runs scored and eight runs batted in. One swing accounted for half of Bromberg’s RBIs, as he belted the Dolphins’ first grand slam homer of the spring in the top of the fifth inning. The momentum generated by Palisades’ first win carried over to Saturday’s game against Malibu at George Robert Field. The Dolphins won 12-7 and this time it was shortstop Andy Megee who did the most damage’going four-for-four with a double, a solo homer, five RBIs and three runs scored. On Tuesday, Palisades evened its record with a 5-1 nonleague victory at Carson. Rob Rosenberg pitched a five-hitter with five strikeouts and Eric Verdun went two-for-three with two runs scored for the Dolphins (3-3). Palisades continued its tough nonleague schedule with a nonleague game at Carson on Tuesday and travels to Woodland Hills on Friday to play El Camino Real, which routed the Dolphins in the quarterfinals of the City playoffs last season. Palisades begins its defense of the Western League title next Tuesday at L.A. Hamilton.

CLASSIFIED ADS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 8, 2007

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HOMES FOR SALE 1

OCEAN VIEW 3 BDRM, 2 BA open floor plan. 1,440 sq. ft. Tahitian Terrace mobil home park, rent control, pets ok, all ages. $450K. Agent, Franklin, (818) 577-7116

HOMES WANTED 1b

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

FURNISHED HOMES 2

CHARMING COTTAGE, fully furnished, 1 bdrm, 1 ba, fireplace. Close to village & bluffs. No pets. Flex terms. (310) 459-0765

UNFURNISHED HOMES 2a

SERENE CANYON VIEW. 761 Chautauqua, 2 bdrm, 2 ba, den, lanai, formal din/rm, fireplace, hdwd flrs, enclosed backyard, gardener incl., 2 car garage. Reduced to $3,800/mo. lease. (310) 454-8282 UNFURN/FURN 1 bdrm, 1 3/4 ba, guest quarters. Ocean views, office, like new kit/ba, limestone flrs, behind gates. $3,000/mo., util incl. 6 mos or longer. Call agent Holly Davis, (310) 230-7377 PACIFIC PALISADES MOBILE home 2 bdrm, 2 ba, new carpet and paint, rear deck. $2,500/mo. (310) 454-7557 MID-CENTURY ARCHITECTURAL 3 br, 2 ba in prime Palisades location, private wooded lot, 2 fireplaces, wood floors, built-ins, marble/granite finishes, approx. 1,900 sq. ft. $6,000/mo. (310) 230-7901 OCEAN VIEWS. Castellammare in Pacific Palisades, 3 bdrm, 1 3/4 ba, large family room, F/P, hdwd flrs. $5,300/mo. for lease. Call agent, Debby Harrington, (310) 454-5519 LOVELY FAMILY HOME on private road to the beach. Children ok. 3 bdrms, den, living room/great room, 2 car garage, lots of storage, gardener included. Available May 1st. Call (310) 383-8055, (310) 578-7884, (310) 455-7055 PALISADES HIGHLANDS 1 level home. Totally remodeled. 3 bdrm, 2 ba, with private backyard, community pool and tennis court. $5,500/mo. Call Judy, (310) 454-0696

UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS 2c

PALISADES SINGLE, large, remodeled, new carpet, stove, refrigerator, covered parking, storage, new paint, non-smoker, No pets, one year lease, laundry. MUST SEE. $1,065/mo. (310) 477-6767 CHARMING 1,800 SQ. FT. upper apt. in Mediteranean triplex near bluffs. 3 bdrm, 1 ba, tiles, wood floors, plantation shutters, frplc, ceiling fans, garden. $3,500/mo. N/S, no pets. (310) 804-3142 GUEST HOUSE, completely remodeled. High-tech guest house Palisades. Includes small yard, private entrance. Ultra high tech. One of a kind. Must see. Street parking. $1,750/mo. Will consider small pet with deposit. Showing by appointment only. (310) 309-8272 UPPER 2 BDRM, 1 BA, freshly painted, berber carpet, front and back door, plenty of light, 1 garage parking, laundry, No pets. $1,750/mo. Call agent Loren, (310) 870-1757 2ND STORY ARTIST loft, high vaulted ceilings, F/P, W/D, 2 lg sundecks, private entrance, Marquez area. Must see! $1,950/mo. $4,500 deposit. (310) 741-8276 FABULOUS TWH STYLE unit in Pac Palisades. Spacious 2+1 brand new remodel. Granite & stainless steel kit. All hdwd flooring, crown mldg. Private fenced yard. $2,650/mo. (818) 222-7595 PALISADES BRIGHT 1 bd+1 ba, renovated, hardwood flrs, A/C, laundry, less than 1 mi to ocean, priv garage. 1 yr lease, $1,550/mo. Call (310) 395-8422 x16, cell (310) 991-6450

CONDOS/TOWNHOMES FOR RENT 2d

LARGE 2 BD, 2 BA with formal dining and great master. Oversized patio. Hardwood floors throughout. Sunny pool. Walk to village. Laundry in unit. $2,900/mo. Janet, (760) 902-2090 for easy showing TOWNHOUSE, LIKE NEW. 3 bdrm+2.5 ba or 2 bdrm+ den. Extra storage, view, balcony/patio, pool/tennis. Master with jacuzzi/steam shower. Hardwood, gran’ite, marble. $4,500/mo. (310) 433-7008

WANTED TO RENT 3b

GARAGE SPACES WANTED for classic Bentleys. Insured, limited access. Office: weekdays (310) 822-2436, or hm, (310) 454-0468 A KNOWER OF ‘THE SECRET’ desires living quarters in Palisades area, donated by someone who desires her companionship or wishes to support her peace activism and memoir writing while she substitute teaches at Palisades Charter High School, known affectionately as ‘The Quote Lady.’ Call (310) 425-5433 URBAN MINISTRY WORKER seeks quiet room or guest house at a miraculous rate! Local references available. P.O. Box 1282, Pacific Palisades 90272. Cell, (213) 446-1557

OFFICE/STORE RENTALS 3c

OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE in professional building in Palisades village. Completely renovated. 862 sq ft. Call Ness, (310) 230-6712 x105 TIRED OF COMMUTING DOWNTOWN? Furn/unfurn office for lease near Pacific Palisades Village (on Sunset). Prices range from $300-$1,000 for desk cubicles or executive office suites. Receptionist, copy machines, laser printers, fax, kitchen, conference rm w/ computer, monitor, TV & VCR. Incl cleaning service & alarm system. Call (310) 254-5496 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 SANTA MONICA 8-LAWYER SUITE has one window office now available for lease overlooking Clover Park. $1,500/mo incl. parking. Additional optional amenities: online library with public records, conference room, fax, photo copier, DSL, kitchen, etc at cost. Call Peter, (310) 450-9582 x214 PALISADES OFFICES FOR RENT, 2nd floor. 15115 1/2 Sunset Blvd. Across from Ralphs. $950/mo. and 1 furnished office, $650/mo. (310) 459-0765 PALISADES HIGHLANDS SPACE AVAILABLE to rent in spa. Looking for healers (reflexologist, acupuncturist, therapist, energy work). Contact Donna, (310) 779-3840

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES 5

ATTENTION AFFLUENT PROFESSIONALS: HASSLE-FREE BUSINESS with proven track record. Not everyone will qualify. (570) 971-7527 * www.SeekFinancialFreedom.com

LOST & FOUND 6a

LOST: MEN’S STAINLESS STEEL Hermes watch. March 5th, early morning near sunset and Via de la Paz. Reward. (310) 850-2852 LOST: MARMALADE 20 pound male cat called Dyramus. Missing since Sunday a.m., March 4th. Call (310) 454-7170

COMPUTER SERVICES 7c

COMPUTER SOLUTIONS & SUPPORT * HOME & BUSINESS’20 Years Microsoft Experience * HELPING WITH: Windows XP’Windows Media Center. www.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. End Run-around. Pop-up Expert! Satisfying Clients Since 1992. If I Can’t Help, NO CHARGE! COMPUTER WORKS! Alan Perla, (310) 455-2000 THE DETECHTIVES TM. 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: Business support company specializing in the organization of your home or office. Trained in U.K. References available. (310) 430-6701 GARAGE ORGANIZING. Make your garage more usable and organized. Call (310) 403-1845 or (310) 493-1008 OVERLOADED WITH CLUTTER? All areas organized. Can restore order to any home, office or garage w/ effective organizing solutions. In’cluding: 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 Pali’sades. Call (310) 562-7271 for consultation. Mem’ber National Association of Professional Organizers.

HOME INVENTORY SERVICES 7j

HOME INVENTORY SERVICES for fire, theft, earthquake, wills/estates, rentals, divorce. Includes video, photos & detailed reports; Palisades resident. (310) 230-1437 * www.homesweethomevideo.com

NANNIES/BABYSITTERS 8a

VIP NANNY AGENCY. ‘Providing very important people with the very best nanny.’ (818) 907-1017, (310) 614-3646 GREAT PRE-SCREENED Nannies available. Let us help you with your nanny search. We are a dedicated, professional agency and we will find the right match for you. Whether you are looking for full time or p/time, L/I or L/O help, we can help you. Call Sun’shine Nannies at (310) 614-5065 or (310) 801-8309

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 AVAILABLE Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday. Many years experienced. Good references. Call Paula, (818) 922-4062, cell HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTER available Monday & Tuesday. References. 17 years experienced. Call Gisela, (323) 428-1677 EXPERIENCED HOUSEKEEPER available Monday & Friday. Own transportation, honest, reliable. References upon request. Call Teresa, (323) 569-8193 HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE Tuesday & Saturday. Own transportation, CDL, insured, very good references. Call Emilia, (323) 235-9184 HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE Monday-Saturday. Many years experienced. Very reliable. Refs. Call Gloria, (323) 571-8299 HOUSEKEEPER EXPERIENCED 17 YEARS, reliable, local references, own car, CDL, insurance, Available Tuesday & Sunday. Please call Rufina, (310) 836-8853 or (310) 663-4853 CLEANING LADIES, PART-TIME. Mother-daughter team. Excellent cleaners. Speak English. Have car. References. Call Yolanda, (310) 488-8526 HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTER AVAILABLE M-F own transportation, CDL, local references. Call Blanca, (213) 487-9302 HOUSEKEEPER FOR small family available Mon-Fri, live-in, good references. Call Ludmila, (310) 490-9051, cell INFANT/CHILD OR elder care. Wednesdays & Thursday’s available. Excellent references. Reasonable rates. Call Lydia, (323) 238-0416 EXPERIENCED HOUSEKEEPER available Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Will clean, cook and do errands. Pet friendly. References from Pacific Palisades and more. (310) 382-7883 MY FABULOUS HOUSEKEEPER/nanny. Available Tuesday & Wednesday. Excellent cleaner. References available. Great with kids. Call Barbara, (310) 454-4030 HOUSECLEANING OR MEAL cooking. Available Monday & Friday. Excellent references. Please call Marta, (323) 663-4622 HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE Monday, Wednesday & Friday. Own transportation. Very good refer’enc’es. Many years experience. Call Maria, cell (310) 873-8028 or (323) 937-1862

ELDER CARE/COMPANIONS 10a

HEALTHY LIVING-ORIENTED & dedicated caregiver/ personal assistant. Excellent local refs. Over 10 years exper. in home, hospital & convalesent homes. Call Martine, (310) 458-3037, or cell (310) 403-6790

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 gar’den’ing. Japanese Koi fish. Filtration pond service, re’pair & maintenance. Free estimates. Cell, (310) 498-5380, (310) 390-1276. www.TheKingKoi.com

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

MASSAGE THERAPY 12b

AWARD WINNING MASSAGE by Natalie. Deep tissue specialist. Call (310) 993-8899. www.massagebynatalie.faithweb.com

WINDOW WASHING 13h

HAVING A PARTY? SELLING some real estate, or just want to do some spring cleaning? Get those WINDOWS SHINING by calling No Streak Window Cleaning where we offer fast friendly quality service you can count on! For a free estimate call Marcus, (323) 632-7207. Lic. #122194-49, Bonded

LIMOUSINE SERVICE 14c

DRIVER AVAILABLE to pick-up your kids for school or for your errands. Own transportation, CDL, insured. Call Sandra, cell, (323) 422-4921

PERSONAL SERVICES 14f

JUST ASK’DON’T PANIC! For last minute rescue call Theresa Hansen. Services include: dinner party preparation, shopping, gift buying. Pet care & much more. Impeccable references. (310) 428-0088

PET SERVICES/PET SITTING 14g

PET HEAVEN * TOTAL PET CARE * Training. Walking. Playgroups and hikes. 30 years Pali resident. References. Call (310) 454-0058 for a happy dog. HAPPY PET. Dog Walking * Park Outings * Socialization * Insured. Connie, (310) 230-3829 DOG WALKER. Flexible hours. Call Travis, (310) 795-2170

FITNESS INSTRUCTION 15a

HAVE FUN! GET FIT! NORDIC WALKING CLASSES. Certified Nordic walking instructor teaches private/group classes in the Palisades. Weekends. Call for schedule & rates. (310) 266-4651

SCHOOLS, INSTRUCTION 15d

PIANO INSTRUCTION. Give the life-long gift of music! Very patient, creative teacher. Music degree, USC. Qualified, experienced, local. Lisa Lukas, (310) 454-0859. www.palisadesmusicstudio.com 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 VIOLIN INSTRUCTION. Expert, friendly guidance at all levels by highly qualified teacher. Home or studio. Teaching in Palisades 20 years. Laurence Homolka, (310) 459-0500

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 MATH & SCIENCE TUTOR Middle school-college level. BS LAUSD credentialed high school teacher. Test Prep. Flexible hours. Available to help NOW! Seth Freeman, (310) 909-3049 EXPERIENCED (7 YRS.) & PROFESSIONAL tutor; Ph.D. (physics) UCLA; distinguished teaching fellow awards; physics & math (algebra, precalculus, calculus, AP) high school to college levels, SAT 1 & 2, ACT; student-friendly. Call (310) 280-8624 ENGLISH TUTOR. All ages, flexible and fun. Recent graduate. English/Philosophy major. Call Travis, (310) 795-2170 NEED HELP acing the SAT Verbal/Essay and AP English Exams? I’m a top ranked SAT Essay scorer and AP Language and Comp scorer for the College Board. My students have matriculated to Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Prince’ton, Tufts, USC, UCLA and many other top univer’si’ties. I also provide help with college essays and ap’plications. I have fifteen years of professional experience helping students realize their potential. Contact M.L. Rosenthal, (310) 387-9054 EX-TEACHER/EXPERIENCED tutor. All subjects. Specializes in math, sciences and French study skills, test preparation. K-12. My home or yours. References. Jackline, (310) 454-1919 SPANISH TUTOR, CERTIFIED TEACHER for all levels. Has finest education, qualifications, 18 yrs exper. Palisades resident, many good references, amazing system, affordable rates. Marietta, (310) 459-8180

KIDS’ ACTIVITIES 15g

SPRINGBREAK/AFTER SCHOOL BEACH CLUB. Kids ages 5-14. Located at Will Rogers State Beach. Sports, arts & crafts, games, fun activities. M-F, (310) 399-3098. www.afterschoolbeachclub.com

CONCRETE, MASONRY, POOLS 16c

MASONRY, CONCRETE & POOL CONTRACTOR. 36 YEARS IN PACIFIC PALISADES. Custom masonry & concrete, stamped, driveways, pools, decks, patios, foun’dations, fireplace, drainage control, custom stone, block & brick, tile. Excellent local references. Lic. #309844. Bonded/in’sured/ work’men’s comp. Family owned & oper’ated. MIKE HORUSICKY CONSTRUCTION, INC. (310) 454-4385 * www.horusicky.com

CONSTRUCTION 16d

J. BELL CONSTRUCTION * Custom new homes * Additions * Kitchen remodels * Bathroom Remodels * Established 1979 * Lic. #00376978 & Bonded * (310) 714-1116 GENERAL CONTRACTOR. Dennis Frederick. Lic. #695411. Call today, (310) 821-4248

DRAPES/BLINDS 16g

SILK DRAPES CUSTOM made Frenchpleat, Boxpleat, Rodpocket. We import SILK fabric. Manufactured in Cali’for’nia. Designer quality, wholesale prices. (310) 230-0484, silk@plumridge.com www.plumridge.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 (Not lic.). Please Call (310) 454-6849 or (818) 317-8286 BRIGHT ELECTRIC over 23 yrs experience. Fast elec’trical repair * New construction * Remodeling * Meters upgrade * Rewiring * Recessed lighting * Light control * Trouble shooting, etc. Lic. #843079. (310) 800-5210 NEED ELECTRICAL WORK DONE? Call Dennis Frederick. 25 yrs experience. Lic. #728200. (310) 821-4248

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.

FINISH CARPENTRY 16k

CUSTOM CRAFTSMANSHIP * Crown moulding * Mantles * Stairs * Doors * 20 years experience. Lic. #886995, Bonded. (818) 384-6114

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 challeng’es. Work guaranteed. License #B767950. Ken at (310) 455-0803 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 HOFF PAINTING. Professional * reliable * clean * efficient expert stucco & dry wall repairs. Lic. #751137 Bonded & Insured. Local resident. (310) 230-2930

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) 455-0803 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

ROOFING 16w

PERMANENT ROOF SINCE 1924 * Repairs * Re-roof * New construction. Lic. #868864. (310) 838-ROOF

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 ADVERTISING SALES REP for weekly community newspaper. Experienced self-starter, full time, excellent benefit package. Resume attention: Publisher, P.O. Box 725, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272, or fax (310) 454-1078 or email:?info@palipost.com ACCOUNTANT/TAX/PARALEGAL wanted for estate planning law firm in Pacific Palisades. Computer skills and congenial personality a must. Email resume to bjornson@3destateplanning.com SALES REPRESENTATIVE Spectrum Club Pal’i’sades. Min. 2 yrs sales exp. Exp. in health club industry pref. Competitive pay! Email cover letter & resume to hrspectrumla@spectrumclubs.com. (310) 459-2582 x222, fax (310) 727-9310. www.spectrumclubs.com SEEKING ORGANIZED ADMINISTRATIVE assistant in fine arts & antiques. Full Time, salaried position will run our home office. Minimum 2 years office experience & college degree. Resumes to gardenantiques@hotmail.com RESTAURANT hiring crew members. Mgmt potential for right candidate. Noah’s Bagels. Competitive pay & free bagels! Call Peter, (310) 230-1461 HOUSEKEEPER/DRIVER Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. 3-8 p.m. CDL & car. Local references, must speak English. Call (310) 387-7722 PINOCCHIO & CUCINA is looking for delivery driver P/T. Inquiries call (310) 454-0709 OFFICE HELP: Part time, flexible hours, good phone skills. Home office, (310) 454-9743 ADMIN. Exclusive office in Pacific Palisades. Exceptional opportunity. Call (310) 454-0317 JUST OPENED! New in the village, ‘The Secret Garden Spa,’seeking professional manicurist and facialist. Please call Angelica, (310) 692-0063 PART TIME ADMINISTRATIVE assistant for a better woman’s clothing sales co. Computer, phone and bookkeeping skills. Hours flexible. Please call Susan, (310) 454-7901

AUTOS 18b

2002 VOLVO Sedan. Excellent condition, leather, moon roof, very low mileage. (310) 459-3266 2005 TOYOTA SIENNA LE minivan. Good condition, 25,000 mi. Phantom grey, 8-passenger, S&R side airbags, DVD, automatic power sliding dr. Bluebook $24,000, asking $21,000. Marcelo, (818) 633-6869 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER limited. Champagne, leather, 21K miles. DVD system. 6-Disc CD. Third seat. Immaculate. (310) 459-3723 1998 JAGUAR XJ8 champagne, loaded, 14,000 miles, excellent condition, original owner. $13,950. Original owner. (310) 454-3194

GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 18d

ANTIQUES/CHANDELIER/collectibles! Large assortmt antique(mostly American) tables/cab’i’nets/shelves/hall tree/smoking stand/stools/muffin stand/towel rack/copper tub/egg crate/wrought iron shoe tree. Xquisite walnut desk/lawyer’s book case w/lead glass doors/knick-knacks/old wood toys/tins/vintage doll/fun collectibles. Orig. artwork. 1344 Marinette (Chautauqua to Paskenta), FRI.-SAT., Mar 9-10; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Pix/more info: wwwbmdawson.com

PETS, LIVESTOCK 18e

GOLDENDOODLE puppies (1/18/07) are looking to join a lovable family. Adorable wavy apricot and champagne color. Bred for temperament, health guarantee, parents AKC. $2,000. Call for pictures/questions, (310) 498-9730

MISCELLANEOUS 18g

CANYON FIREWOOD. Featuring local soft & hardwood. Delivery & stacking anywhere on premisis with no hidden cost. Also willing to haul away wood of any kind for a nominal fee. Contact Doug, (323) 293-7675 or (310) 753-3307 or email RobinQueen@sbcglobal.net

WANTED TO BUY 19

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

Edwards Woos Local Democrats

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Presidential hopeful John Edwards spoke to about 400 members and friends of the Pacific Palisades Democratic Club at Shutters Hotel in Santa Monica last Friday evening. The former senator from North Carolina spoke broadly about several issues likely to affect the race for the Democratic nomination, including global warming, access to affordable health care and the war in Iraq, ‘I voted for this war and I was wrong to vote for it,’ said Edwards, who trails Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in the early polls. ‘I thought that I couldn’t go on without admitting that I was wrong.’

At Home with Architect Suisman, Artist Thompson

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Architect Doug Suisman and his wife, artist Moye Thompson, prepare to walk their two children (Claire, 7, and Teddy, 5) to school one morning last week.
Architect Doug Suisman and his wife, artist Moye Thompson, prepare to walk their two children (Claire, 7, and Teddy, 5) to school one morning last week.

Architect Doug Suisman remembers well his first visit to Los Angeles. He came West in 1983 looking for work, after graduating from Yale (1976) and then obtaining his master’s degree at Columbia University. “I got off the plane from New York, rented a car at LAX and found myself on the 405, then the 10, then PCH,” he recalled last week at his home in Santa Monica Canyon. “I had no idea where I was going, really, but I was so happy to have suddenly found the beach. Since I couldn’t make a right turn onto the California Incline I took the next right at Entrada, then another right at the light by Canyon School. While I didn’t know it at the time I was literally circling the neighborhood within 50 yards of this house.” However, it would be a decade before Suisman would purchase the house, built in 1952. One day while biking around the canyon–one of his favorite things to do on a Saturday afternoon–he came upon the property which was in “serious disrepair. The gate was open so I walked in to find the garden overgrown and graffiti and dry rot everywhere. It looked like it had been abandoned and it turned out it was. In fact, it was in foreclosure, like many other properties at the time.” Suisman spent about three months renovating the then 1,000-sq.-ft. house which he described as “a poor man’s Eickler,” referring to a builder in the San Francisco Bay area well known for his mid-century ranch-style homes. “However, this house had no pedigree, ” Suisman said. “It was really very modest.” Initially Suisman was “just going to paint,” but he ended up taking the house “right down to the studs.” He moved in during November 1993–two months before the Northridge earthquake. While his house sustained no damage because he had “luckily” had some seismic work done during the rehab, the houses on both sides of his were red-tagged. “Here I was all excited at having just moved in, only to find my neighbors, who had both lived here for a long time, moving out,” Suisman said. “The repairs on both their properties took over a year by the time they settled with the insurance. ” In early 1997 Suisman met magazine writer Moye Thompson, a Harvard fine arts graduate (1985) who worked for Consumer Reports in New York. The couple were introduced by a mutual friend–fiction writer Mona Simpson, who now lives a block away from them in the canyon. Just four days before Thompson met Suisman on one of his many business trips to New York, she had purchased Earthworks, a pottery studio on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. However, the couple’s commuting back and forth soon took its toll, though not on their romance. Within a year Thompson sold the studio and the couple got married in their canyon back yard. One of Suisman’s first gifts to his wife was a pottery wheel which he suggested she set up on the back deck that offered both ocean and canyon views. Having been brought up on the East Coast and unfamiliar with the California climate, Thompson asked him, “But what if it rains?” He answered: “It won’t rain until the fall,” which “turned out to be true,” she recalled. In 2000 the couple embarked on a major renovation of their home, nearly tripling the space by adding a second story to accommodate their growing family, as well as “recycling everything we could,” Thompson said. “We preserved the original fireplace and there is no air conditioning. This house is perfect for us.” Suisman and Thompson have an enviable urban lifestyle, and feel “fortunate to be living in this magical canyon,” said Suisman, who served as president of BOCA, the local neighborhood association, for five years (1999-2004). Both work at home in separate studios on the 7,500-sq.ft. lot. There is a tree house for their two children whom they walk or bike to and from school almost every day. Claire, 7, attends Canyon Charter Elementary while Teddy, 5, goes to the nursery school in Rustic Canyon Park. Thompson often bikes with the children to Santa Monica where they enjoy shopping at the farmers’ market and Michael’s on 4th Street for art supplies. Thompson, 43, said her transition from writer to artist “just evolved.” While she started out by making more “functional pieces” such as simple clay bowls and vases, some of her most recent work has been “pure art.” Bandshells, currently on display in her living room, was featured in an exhibit at the Graystone Mansion and has been purchased by Barbara Lazaroff, the former wife of Wolfgang Puck. Vertical in shape, the sculpture consists of a number of cracked, oversized ceramic eggshells piled one on top of the other. Perched at each level are birds playing musical instruments. Thompson said that the technical aspects of the work sometimes take the longest to sort out, and that her color palette has changed since moving to the West Coast. “It’s lighter,” she explained. “I use more sand colors and earth tones. In New York I used a lot of black. She has also been adding more objects to her designs–“anything of beauty, really. Things I see, like a nice piece of driftwood at the beach, could end up in one of my pieces.” The artist said she does not find it difficult to part with her work and revels in the fact that it is “out there,” in people’s homes in Paris, London, even China. “Like my children I like to see them fly.” In this case she just hopes “they don’t fall and break!” Suisman, 51, works with public agencies, private developers and community groups to reshape the urban environment. His firm is committed to creating more humane, sustainable cities–from main streets and squares in small towns and villages to parks and boulevards in larger areas. Locally, he has been helping Canyon School develop a long-term vision for the campus which will eventually see a reconfiguration of the entrance and the administration building and replacement of the portable classrooms. Suisman Urban Design was selected by the City of L.A. to develop the master plan for First Street downtown which calls for a walkable urban corridor along the two-mile stretch from Bunker Hill to Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights. The street runs by City Hall and across the Los Angeles river. “We call it ‘from Mozart to mariachi,’ because it includes the Disney Center,” Suisan said. The architect’s particular expertise is in mass transit, currently a hot topic in L.A. He has been working with the MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority) on the design of the Metro Rapid bus routes and shelters in an effort to make them more user friendly. Solving the problem of traffic and gridlock “is going to take some time,” Suisman said. “While there is progress being made, it’s hard for the public to see because the problem is not just physical but in people’s minds. They have to be ready to get out of their cars and start using mass transit where it exists instead of waiting for it to come to them. That’s what’s happening downtown where a whole new inner city is shaping up around transit.” Suisman said the need for urban transportation is “never-ending as long as a city is growing.” He points out that while an urban center like New York may be light years ahead of us, even that city desperately needs more public transit and is “seeking three more subway lines. ” The Arc, Suisman’s award-winning proposal for a new Palestinian state developed in partnership with the Rand Corporation, would link Jenin in the northern West Bank to Gaza City and Gaza Airport. Along the route would be high-density residences capable of supporting the projected increase in population even after the repatriation of refugees. Suisman became involved in the Rand project through Palisadian Ann Kerr, whom Thompson, ironically enough, met in 1985 in Cairo, where Kerr was teaching, “We have been friends ever since,” explained Thompson. “She’s now part of our family.” Four years ago Kerr invited the couple and their children to one of her regular weekend barbecues. In attendance was a man who worked at Rand. He and Suisman got to talking about the viability of a Palestinian state. In January 2004 Suisman joined the Rand team. While the project was stalled following the election of Hamas, Suisman is now planning a trip to Tel Aviv in May.

Riordan Closes Deal for Mort’s Deli

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Bobbie Farberow, proprietor of Mort's Deli on Swarthmore, has sold her business to former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan, who has been a loyal customer for many years. Bobbie and her late husband, Mort, were Citizens of the Year in 1995.
Bobbie Farberow, proprietor of Mort’s Deli on Swarthmore, has sold her business to former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan, who has been a loyal customer for many years. Bobbie and her late husband, Mort, were Citizens of the Year in 1995.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

Former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan reached an agreement last week to acquire Mort’s Deli and Oak Room, a landmark on Swarthmore that has been the town’s most popular and important hangout since 1974. ‘We’ll be closing Mort’s for about three months of renovations on April 1,’ Riordan told the Palisadian-Post on Tuesday, ‘and we’ll create two different restaurants’ in that space. The deli itself will be upgraded, Riordan said, but will return ‘very much like the existing one.’ The Oak Room will be converted into a restaurant (open for lunch and dinner) and bar, taking advantage of the fact that owner Bobbie Farberow has a hard-liquor license that she is selling to Riordan. ‘She has the best kind of license in the world,’ Riordan said, ‘because it allows us to sell wine, beer and liquor for on-site consumption, and for people to take off the premises.’ What about names for the new establishments? ‘Of course, Mort’s is the best, and it’s high in my mind, but I just don’t know yet,’ said Riordan, a Brentwood resident who has long been a breakfast customer at Mort’s and a friend of Farberow and her late husband, Mort, who died in 2002. Riordan emphasized that he hopes to find an ongoing position for Farberow, perhaps as ‘an ambassador of good will who can bring the good will that she earned over the years to our new enterprise. Everybody loves her, including me.’ Farberow, 67, has wrestled with the sale of her business for more than a year, ever since learning she faced a stiff rent hike by the landlord, Palisades Partners, who especially wanted more income generated by the Oak Room space. When Riordan revealed last December that he had reached a verbal agreement to buy Mort’s, Farberow told the Post: ‘It would be so wonderful if the landlord gives the mayor a written agreement. He loves our town, he will be generous with the community, and he loved Mort. That means a lot to me. I don’t want to sell to some stranger; I’ve wanted somebody I knew who would feel strongly about the community, like Mort and I did’and I think I’ve come as close to that as I could.’ Indeed, Riordan said Tuesday that he intends to invest in the town in an interesting fashion. ‘We’re going to set up a charitable trust and donate a percentage of our profits to be used for projects that better the Palisades community.’ He didn’t offer any more details. Riordan also owns The Pantry in downtown L.A. (where an adjacent sports bar will soon open, named Riordan’s Tavern) and Gladstone’s 4-Fish on PCH at Sunset in Pacific Palisades. When Farberow called the Post last Friday to announce that Mort’s would close on March 31, she had already broken the news to the Chamber of Commerce board of directors, her 45 employees, and her two children’Stuart, a policeman in Maui, and Karen, who buys restaurant requipment for El Torito Acapulco restaurants. She drove to Palm Springs the next day to break the news to her 98-year-old father, Abraham Kordish, and her wife Ruth. ‘He was happy,’ Farberow said. ‘It’s tough, after all these years here,’ she continued, ‘but when one door closes, another door opens. Right now I’m just overwhelmed and feeling numb’like I’m in another world. But I’m blessed. I have my family and a circle of friends who care, and a community that cares. How can you not love this community?’ She came close to tears when she thought about Mort and the business they originally started on Sunset before moving to a sliver of space on Swarthmore, across from the current location. ‘I can’t believe I was in my early 30s when we started. It boggles my mind how young we were at that time, and that our kids were in elementary school.’ Farberow said she wants to plan a festive closing day on March 31 (a Saturday), which may include giving 50 percent off any purchase to those who bring in a written memory of Mort’s Deli.

Junior Women Give $101K To Local Organizations

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Over 50 community members and 40 club members attended the Junior Women Club’s annual grant-giving ceremony Tuesday evening at the Woman’s Club, where a record-breaking $101,095 was distributed among 31 organizations in the Palisades’twice as much as the cumulative total of $560,000 from 2000 to 2006. Continuing its commitment to public education, the Junior Women’s Club awarded a total of $30,000 to Palisades’ schools. Significant amounts were also awarded to help support Palisades beautification ($13,000), recreation ($28,755) and community service organizations ($29,340). For the past 30 years, the club has donated proceeds from its annual holiday home tour and boutique to deserving non-profit organizations serving the Palisades community. This year’s home tour chairperson Laura Brau credited the success of the annual home tour to ‘the incredibly close- knit Palisades community.” The PPJWC fundraising efforts are also supported by The Fiesta Party, coordinated by Elaine Seidel, and the club’s annual men’s Texas Hold Em’ Poker tournament, coordinated by Hilary Wynperle. ‘This year there were a large number of worthy organizations,’ Club President Megan Webber told the Palisadian-Post. ‘There was no standout, but rather a pretty diversified group.’ The recipients are listed according to category as follows: BEAUTIFICATION Palisades Beautiful’tree-planting in the Huntington Palisades P.R.I.D.E. ‘Improve plants on Chautauqua monument Palisades Garden Club’earmarked for beautification Village Green Committee’Upgrade irrigation system EDUCATION Palisades Charter School Foundation’support autonomous financial decisions Palisades Charter High school Booster Club’Pali college center Paul Revere PRIDE Booster Club’Upgrade eighth grade quad P.E.P. Palisades Charter Elementary School’New server for tech lab Friends of Marquez Charter Elementary’printers and projectors for computer program Canyon Charter School Booster Club’computer upgrades RECREATION Palisades-Malibu YMCA’beautify Sunset/Temescal area Palisades Recreation Center’shelves and computer Friends of Film’movies in the park Chamber Music Palisades’annual concert series Palisades Symphony Orchestra’2006-2007 free concerts AYSO Region 69’replace and upgrade three goals Calvary School’s field (YMCA soccer)’benches for inside field Oom Pa Pa Band’repair instruments and buy uniforms and music Palisades Art Association’support the organization’s exhibitions COMMUNITY SERVICES Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club’paint the outside of the clubhouse Palisades Americanism Parade Association’parade and fireworks Chamber of Commerce, Street Maintenance’keep Village streets clean through Chrysalis assistance Chamber of Commerce, Disaster Preparedness’Print 1,000 folders free to residents Fire State #23’ice machine Fire Station #69’exercise room and landscaping Boy Scout of America Pack 223’camping programs Boy Scouts of America Troop 400’support for needy scouts The Kris Kelly Foundation’Spay and neuter pets Meals on Wheels West’Adopting a client for one year Nature of Wildworks’nature programs in the Palisades and Los Liones Community service is an important component of the Junior Women’s Club. ** Members staff the Meals on Wheels program every Wednesday, delivering food to the elderly and other less mobile people in the community, ** At the bi-monthly Library Book Fair, members help the Palisades Branch library sell gently used books. ** The Palisades Halloween window-painting contest is organized and judged by the Junior Women’s Club. ** Vision screening, administered by Junior volunteers, takes place at local preschools each spring. ** The club organizes and hosts a 90-Plus birthday party every June for all Palisadians 90 years and older.

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© Pacific Palisades Post, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272