After an hourlong discussion, no new motion was proposed at last Thursday’s Community Council meeting regarding the Landmark condominium/townhouse development on Tramonto Drive in Castellammare, recently downsized from 82 units to 61. Although the council voted last March to send an appeal to the California Coastal Commission in support of Castellammare residents who objected to the controversial project, the commission is expected to approve the ocean-view project at its February 8 meeting near San Diego. The council learned at last Thursday’s meeting that while the proposed development now has the support of two of its most critical opponents, it is still opposed by the Castellammare Mesa Homeowners Association, as well as Council advisor Jack Allen. “One of the reasons the Council originally objected to the Landmark project was that the applicant did not provide a shoring plan indicating how the hillside would be stabilized during the excavation. A shoring plan is still not available,” Allen said at the Council meeting. “If they start excavating they could trigger a slide. With temporary shoring we could at least know how they are going to hold that hill up there.” Allen, a retired attorney, was also concerned about who would be liable in the event that the hillside did give way. “If there’s a slide, who’s going to pay for it?” he asked. “Inevitably, the city pays for it and we get hammered. That’s why we have to be concerned.” Andrew Martin, president of the CMHO, who has been involved in the appeal process for the last six years, is also opposed for the same reason. He noted that in the staff report recently released by the Coastal Commission that both the “applicant and the City of Los Angeles acknowledge, for the first time, I believe, that excavation could reactivate the slide” and poses a risk to the stability of single-family homes adjacent to the slide. “However, there is no remedy for these homeowners other than suing the developer, the City or the Coastal Commission,” said Martin, who asked that the developer be required to post a bond indemnifying those homeowners for a period of 10 years from the date of the project’s completion. He also asked that the number of units be further reduced to 50, in an attempt to mitigate the traffic impact on Tramonto, Los Liones Drive and Sunset. Castellammare residents have been battling the project since it was proposed by developer Ken Kahan in the fall of 2000. Their concern centers on the advisability of building on the Revello landslide, where a 12-unit apartment building collapsed in 1965. The property, located at 17331-17333 Tramonto, will occupy 3.98 acres of hillside, overlooking Santa Monica Bay, above the Sunset/PCH intersection. The design, which resembles an Italian hillside town, will consist of several buildings built into the bedrock, with parking provided in a subterranean garage. Once the project is approved, the existing structures on the lot will be demolished, including two apartment buildings, requiring the relocation of residents in 20 units. The biggest challenge for the builder is to repair and stabilize the existing landslide, which requires digging down to bedrock and replacing it with compacted fill to support the proposed buildings. The plan also includes embedding soldier piles in the bedrock. While an environmental impact report (EIR) has been done, it in no way negates the risk. “The risk is there whether we do the project or not,” noted Kahan, who believes that building on the hillside “will improve it.” That was also the conclusion of the Ocean Woods Terrace Homeowners Association, which includes 36 condominium owners who reside immediately adjacent to the proposed project. Council member Barbara Kohn, who represents Area 1 (Pacific View Estates, Castellammare, Paseo Miramar), read a letter from the association’s lawyer which stated that having “worked tirelessly” with the developer to preserve their views, they were now in support of the project, which they believe will resolve prior soil and geologic problems and “provide a safer site than what exists today.” Also now in support of the project is Todd Sadow, who along with two of his neighbors, has reached a tentative settlement with Kahan, which they expect to sign this week and which would bring an end to the lawsuit they currently have against the City. “Because of where our homes are we would be the most seriously affected if there is a slide and it is because of the geological concerns that we were originally opposed,” said Sadow, who explained that his group had hired a forensic soils engineer who concluded that there were not enough borings for the depth of the slide, which the developer has now apparently addressed to their satisfaction. “In your agreement, are the homeowners going to absolve the city?” Allen asked Sadow. Before Sadow could respond, Kahan pointed out that while there are still issues to be resolved, he felt the project had already come “a long way” in answering residents’ concerns, “even going so far as to switch architects” to provide greater view protection and, now, “by downsizing the number of units.” Kahan also pointed out that residents could still voice their concerns not only at next week’s Coastal Commission hearing which will focus on environmental protection issues, but also during the building permitting process, during which time specifics regarding the shoring plan and liability will be dealt with. In further trying to appease Council members, Kahan said that since the owners of the new units “can sue us for 10 years after the project is complete, you can be sure we are going to get it right,” and that his company would be adequately insured against any losses. When Kahan, president of California Landmark and principal manager of Palisades Landmark, was asked specifically how much insurance he would have, he responded “at least $10 million.” Alice Beagles, who lives adjacent to the site and is the Palisades Historical Society representative on the council, felt this amount was far too low. “That would be enough for only five to seven homes,” she said, passing around a copy of a photo of the 1965 Revello slide. “This is a picture that haunts me,” said Beagles, pointing to a collapsed apartment building. “Last time there was a slide there was redlining. People couldn’t sell their homes in Castellammare because buyers couldn’t get a mortgage. That went on for a long time.” Paul Glasgall, the council’s Highlands representative, said he was in favor of the Landmark project, considering “that in 40 years the City has done zip about that slide. At least this way we get a nicer view and I think it will improve the area. Hopefully it won’t come down the hill.” (Editor’s note: The Coastal Commission hearing on the Landmark project is scheduled for 10 a.m. on February 8. It will be held at 276 4th Avenue in Chula Vista, south of San Diego.)
Pali Loses Foothold on First
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
It would be easy to argue that Palisades’ boys soccer team was superior to L.A. Hamilton last Thursday but for one small detail: the score. Despite outshooting Hamilton by a 3-1 ratio and enjoying an overwhelming advantage in time of possession, the Dolphins were unable to finish chances and suffered a costly 2-1 defeat that dropped them into third place. “It was frustrating because we felt like we dominated the whole game,” Pali senior Henry Argueta said. “We hit the crossbar three times and they only had two good chances. But they scored on both so you have to give it to them.” Argueta scored the Dolphins’ only goal on a header off of a cross from Jose Vasquez 15 minutes into the second half, which tied the score 1-1. It remained deadlocked until the 79th minute when Pali defender Esteban Moreno was red-carded and the Yankees scored off of the ensuing free kick. A victory would have vaulted the Dolphins (5-6-3 overall, 4-1-2 in league) into first place ahead of Hamilton. Instead, the loss dropped Pali to third, two points behind Hamilton (6-1 in league) and one behind Venice (5-2-1 in league). Palisades dealt Hamilton its only loss of the season, 3-1, in their first meeting January 10. “Even though we lost today, we still feel like we have the best team in this league,” Argueta said. “We’re generating lots of scoring opportunities, we just have to do a better job of converting. I’m still confident that we can win the league.” Capitalizing on scoring chances was not Pali’s problem at University on Tuesday. Vasquez scored an unassisted goal in the first half. Early in the second half, Ben Tom scored off of a throw-in by Argueta to increase the Dolphins’ lead to 2-0. Shortly after Uni answered with a goal in the 55th minute, Osbaldo Garcia scored off of a free kick flick by Brock Auerbach-Lynn. Moreno added the finishing touch to Pali’s 4-1 victory by converting a direct free kick in the 75th minute. Pali hosts Venice today at 2:30 p.m. and could overtake the Gondos in the standings with a win. The Dolphins wrap up regular season play at home against Fairfax next Tuesday and Westchester next Thursday. Girls Soccer The Dolphins’ varsity remained tied for first place with Fairfax in the Western League with three games left. Senior striker Lucy Miller scored twice in the first half at Hamilton last Thursday, but the Yankees answered with two second-half goals to forge a tie. However, Palisades (6-3-3, 4-0-2) did not lose ground in the standings because Fairfax tied University the same day. “It was one of those things where we had the game well in hand but we let them get back into it and they rode off that momentum,” Pali Coach Kim Smith said of the Hamilton game. “Fortunately for us, Uni tied Fairfax so our tie didn’t cost us as much as it could have.” Pali got its turn against University Tuesday night at Stadium by the Sea and the Dolphins made it clear from the opening whistle that they would not be satisfied with a tie. Needing a win to keep pace with Fairfax, which routed Venice 6-1 that afternoon, Palisades kept constant pressure on the Wildcats’ defense, eventually breaking through for three second-half goals. “We had a team talk right after the Hamilton game and that brought our spirit up a little bit,” fullback Sarah McNees said after the Dolphins’ 3-0 victory. “As a defender, it’s always nice when you can shut the other team out like we did tonight.” Despite outshooting the Wildcats 21-5, it took Pali awhile to fin the back of the net. Early in the second half, Miller scored off of an assist from Teal Foster. Moments later, Sam McCamey hit the crossbar on a shot from the right wing. Kelly Mickel dribbled through a crowded penalty area and scored in the 70th minute and Miller re-directed a cross from six yards out two minutes later for the final goal. Palisades plays at Venice today and travels to Fairfax next Tuesday afternoon for a game that could decide the league title. The Dolphins and Lions tied 0-0 in their first meeting January 19.
Tryout Time at Field of Dreams
A new season is fast approaching for players in the Palisades Pony Baseball Association. Tryouts were held last Saturday at the Palisades Recreation Center diamonds with hundreds of local kids vying for spots on their favorite teams this spring. Each perspective player fielded grounders and fly balls, threw to first base to demonstrate his throwing arm, and took cuts at the plate. As always, more players tried out than the fields are able to accommodate. Practices start next week and continue until opening day March 18. The PPBA is broken down into four age divisions. Pinto consists mostly of 8-year-olds, with a few outstanding 7-year-olds and some nine-year-olds to help provide experience for their younger teammates. Mustang consists of 9- and 10-year-olds, and players do their own pitching. Bronco is for 11- and 12-year-olds and Pony is for 13- and 14-year-olds. Draft day for all divisions is this Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at the Palisades Recreation Center. A mandatory coaches meeting will be held at Corpus Christi School next Wednesday at 7 p.m. for anyone interested in coaching a PPBA team. This year marks the 52nd season of youth baseball in the Palisades. Commissioner Bob Benton and Mike Skinner, who was instrumental in getting the Field of Dreams complex built three years ago, are at the top of a long list of parents, volunteers and local supporters who keep the organization going strong year after year. Opening day festivities include the traditional pancake breakfast fundraiser and the tossing of the ceremonial first pitch, thrown last year by actress and Palisades mom Mary McDonnell. Last year, the Indians beat the Braves to win the Pinto World Series, the Dodgers beat the Indians to win the Mustang Division and the Dodgers ousted the Braves to win the Bronco World Series.
Scott to Defend at Nissan
Adam Scott, a 25-year-old golfer from Australia, traveled a long way and felt many rain drops on his way to winning the Nissan Open at Riviera Country Club last February. Even though his victory was not deemed “official” by the PGA because weather shortened the event to only 36 holes, Scott is still considered the defending champion and he has announced he will return for this year’s event, which begins February 16 at Riviera’s hallowed greens. Most professional golf tournaments end on Sunday, but Scott had to wait until Monday morning before beating Chad Campbell in a sudden-death playoff. After two rounds, 19 players were within four shots of Scott and Campbell, who were both 9-under par. It appeared to be anyone’s tournament to win with two rounds left. But when continuous thunder showers saturated the course beyond playability, the event was cancelled and the co-leaders met at the 18th tee for a playoff to determine who would be awarded the winner’s trophy and check. Scott hooked his drive into the rough while Campbell’s ball landed smack in the middle of the fairway, giving him the early advantage. But Scott’s second shot from 242 yards out left him in good position while his opponent hit into the sparse crowd assembled just off the green. Scott’s chip landed three feet below the pin while Campbell’s attempt rolled to a stop four feet above it. Campbell’s putt veered left at the last instant, rolling off the edge of the cup and stopping three feet to the right of the hole. Scott took a few moments to line up his own shot and drained it. Darren Clarke and Brian Davis finished tied for second at 8-under, Colin Montgomerie and J.L. Lewis were 7-under and six players were at 6-under through 36 holes. Tiger Woods, who has never won at Riviera, was four shots off the pace. This year will mark the tournament’s 80th anniversary and only twice has it been shortened due to inclement weather’last year and in 1993 when Tom Kite won in a 54-hole event.
Riviera Tennis Club Hosts “Fun Day” Fundraisers
Two years ago, several members of the Riviera Tennis Club formed The Riviera Foundation, a non-profit volunteer group that provides tennis opportunities for disadvantaged youth in the Los Angeles area. The Foundation runs clinics and tennis “Fun Days” at Riviera, sponsors weekly instruction programs and a summer camp in Compton, and gives children tennis balls and equipment. ”The Foundation held its most recent “Fun Day” January 8 on Riviera’s famed courts. Over 50 kids and their coaches from Compton, West Hollywood and Sylmar joined Riviera members and dozens of local children for an afternoon of tennis instruction, games and a barbecue. ”In November, the Foundation held its first fundraiser’a tennis round robin and fundraiser’which was attended by 70 Riviera members and pros, local supporters and numerous tennis-playing celebrities, including singer/songwriter Randy Newman, actor Eric Braeden and actress Rae Dawn Chong. The event raised enough money to fund the weekly and summer programs plus six to eight “Fun Days” this year. ””Riviera has one of the best tennis facilities in the country,” Palisadian and Foundation board member Lisa Bittan said. “The children love every minute of their time at the club. It’s inspiring to see these kids play tennis and to know we are making a positive difference in their lives.” For more information about the Foundation, call Bittan at 573-2038.
U-12 Teams Win Area Championships
Ayso All-star Roundup
Pali Storm, coached by Chuck Davis and Nancy Babcock, won the girls’ under-12 AYSO Area 1-P soccer championship last weekend and was crowned the top team in Los Angeles. The top-seeded Storm defeated Santa Monica, 1-0, in the finals Sunday at Culver City High School. Izzy DeSantis took a pass from Eve Babcock and scored the only goal with five minutes left to give Pali the title. Earlier Sunday, Pali defeated Culver City, 1-0, in the semifinals. Left winger Virginia James made a pinpoint pass to Kei Goldberg, who scored the winning goal in the 46th minute. In Saturday’s quarterfinal game, the Storm shut out South Los Angeles, 9-0, with eight different girls scoring. Jordan Gruber scored twice and Goldberg, DeSantis, James, Zoie Aliado, Lily McGuire, Nicole Savage and Natasha Wachtel each added a goal for Pali. The Storm went 6-0-1 in the seven-game tournament, counting games from the previous weekend (January 21-22). The Storm’s heralded defense, led by sweeper Jenna Davis, fullbacks Sarah Thorson and Deborah Abber, stopper Lucy Tilton and Grady Gitlin, did not allow a goal over the two-weekend tournament. Pali outscored its Area P competition, 25-0, over the seven games and improved its record to 16-2-2 heading into the Section 1 playoffs on March 11. While the Storm was dominating its competition, the Banditz, Palisades’ U-12 boys team, was busy winning its third consecutive tournament and keeping its undefeated record alive. Playing against the best teams from eight regions in the Los Angeles area, the Banditz ran away with the Area 1-P championship, outscoring their opposition 22-4 in seven games, including four shutouts. With a lineup consisting of most of the same players who had won the Area P tournament and finished third in the Sectionals at the U-10 level, the Banditz defeated West Los Angeles, 2-1, in the finals Sunday at Culver City High. Shane Centkowski scored the winning goal on a header off of a throw-in from Charlie Porter in the second half. Coached by Alex Gansa and Gary Gray, the Banditz’ offense was paced all tournament long by Aidan Gray, Chris Stenseth Doering, Jack Ramsey, Judd Liebman, Sawyer Pascoe and Willy Gansa. Defensively, Pali was led by Porter, Quaid Walker, Jordan Lewis, Ryan Kahn, Nick Ledesma and goalie Jake Tenzer. Also contributing were Andrew Tinger, Chase Pion and Cole Kahrilas. As champions of Area P (consising of Hollywood, Culver City, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Brentwood-Pacific Palisades-Topanga, West Los Angeles, South Los Angeles and L.A. Central), the Banditz earned the right to join the Storm at the Sectionals in Riverside. U-10 Girls The Pali-Cats, the Brentwood-Palisades “A” all-star team coached by Steve Morris, came within a whisker of the Area 1-P championship following two weeks of quality competition. After scampering through pool play with a 3-1 record, the Cats entered last weekend’s elimination round as the No. 2 seed. On Saturday, the Cats rode three goals by Dani Cohen, two more by Jillian Apel and a clincher by Lizzy Thomas to eliminate South Los Angeles. In the semifinals against a fast and tough squad from West Los Angeles, the Cats needed solid defense from Emma Schwartz, Emma Sanderson, Dori Morris and Dani Cohen to shut down the West L.A. attack. Cohen, Thomas, Sanderson and Sarah Trenton each tallied for Pali in the 4-1 victory. The final game served up a rematch against season-long rival Culver City, the only team to beat the Cats in the tournament. The Pali girls dominated play from the opening whistle thanks to forwards Sanderson, Trenton, Thomas, Mackenzie Gray, Mikaela Hong and Mackenzie Howe. In the third quarter, Howe snuck a goal past the opponents’ keeper and the Pali sideline erupted with cheers. But Culver City answered with two late fourth-quarter goals to win 2-1. However, by virtue of finishing second, the Cats have many more lives left and still advance to the Sectionals in March. Three other Palisades-based all-star teams competed in the Area 1-P tournament last weekend but missed qualifying for the Sectionals. In the U-10 boys’ division, Frederick Gillette’s Ferrets fell just short of reaching the semifinals. In the girls’ U-14 division, the Pali Shock, coached by Cameron Dager, also was eliminated prior to the semifinals. Led by head coach Ardi Nozari along with assistants Steve Gleitman and Larry Webster, the Pali All-Stars U-14 boys team enjoyed an amazing run, finishing fourth overall and narrowly missing a trip to the Sectionals. But along the way, Pali upset second-seeded Beverly Hills, 1-0’a team it had lost to 5-0 in the preliminary round.
Clyde Johnson, 92; Founded CPA Firm
Clyde W. Johnson, a CPA and founder of the Pacific Palisades accounting firm of Johnson, Harband, Foster & Darling, passed away of natural causes on January 11 in San Diego. He was 92. Born on March 28, 1913 in Salt Lake City, Utah, Clyde was a 75-year resident of Los Angeles. He was devoted to his profession and was a past president of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. His accounting firm was founded in Westwood in 1953 and moved to the Palisades in 1984, around the time Clyde and his wife Carroll moved to Sunset Mesa. A UCLA graduate, he remained actively involved in alumni affairs his entire life. Predeceased by his wife Carroll Welling, he is survived by his sons, Greg and Chris, and his daughter, Lynne Fese. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Clyde and Carroll Johnson Gold Shield Scholarship Fund, c/o gold Shield Alumnae of UCLA, P.O. Box 84-493, Los Angeles, CA 90073. Checks should be made payable to the UCLA Foundation.
Willa Harrington, 89; Former Palisadian
Former Pacific Palisades resident Willa Harrington died on January 3. She was 89. She and her husband Dr. George Leonard (“G.L.”) Harrington lived with their family in the Palisades from 1955 to 1997. G.L passed away in 1988. Willa was a concert pianist in her younger years. She was also a life member of the L.A. National Charity League and the Westside L.A. Philharmonic Association. She moved to Coronado in 1997 to be near family. She is survived by her two sons, George of San Diego and Carter (wife Susan) of Seattle; daughter Deborah (husband Lee) of Coronado; and eight grandchildren. Contributions may be made to the Vitas hospice. Checks should be made payable to The Vitas Charitable Fund, 16030 Ventura Blvd., Ste. 600, Encino, CA 91436.
Edlen, Coldwell Banker, Donate $13,000 to Chrysalis Maintenance
Local realtor Michael Edlen and Coldwell Banker Southern California have once again donated $6,500 each to the Palisades Chamber of Commerce in support of the street/sidewalk maintenance program in the Village. Residents and merchants donated nearly $30,000 to the Chrysalis fund last fall, enabling the program to continue all through 2006 with the Edlen/Coldwell donations. Since February 2003, the Chamber has contracted with Chrysalis Works, a nonprofit back-to-work program, to conduct twice-weekly street cleaning and maintenance in what was becoming an increasingly garbage-strewn business district. In 2004, Edlen asked Coldwell Banker to match his donation “dollar for dollar, and they did. I feel that since we’re in the middle of the Village, it’s an opportunity to give back to the community in a tangible way. I know that everyone appreciates that the Village looks so much more appealing these days with Chrysalis on the job.” Edlen also hopes that his donation and the Coldwell Banker donation “will get more of our community involved in other community-based projects that enhance everyone’s quality of life. We all share responsibility for investing in our town at the grassroots level.”
Swarthmore Merchants Face Deadline
In the last two months, Palisades Partners, which owns 18 of the 22 retail and commercial properties in the 1000 block of Swarthmore, has stepped up its efforts to conclude lease agreements with merchants on the street. Early last month several store owners received letters detailing the proposed terms and conditions. Then earlier this year, those merchants were again contacted by the landlord and must now decide to either accept the new leases or be replaced by more upscale retailers. Merchants in the coveted half-block of Swarthmore have been in turmoil since March, when they first learned the details of the rent increase by Palisades Partners, a multifamily trust. The new monthly rate would see them paying double (from $2.50 a square foot to nearly $5), which some of the store owners said they simply cannot afford. Another problem is the term of the leases. While most of the merchants, who are currently on month-to-month agreements, want the longer term leases being offered (from three to five years), they also want options to renew, since they have to bear the full cost of any improvements to their establishments. Marice McCrory-Irwin, who with her family has operated Michele International hair salon on Swarthmore for 24 years, is looking forward to concluding lease negotiations. “I would like to apologize to our clients for the outdated look of the salon,” said McCrory-Irwin, whose family also owns Palisades Beauty Supply across the street. “As soon as we sign the lease we look forward to remodeling.” To date, only two of the store merchants on Swarthmore involved in protracted negotiations with the landlord have signed lease agreements. Bob Benton, owner of Bentons The Sport Shop which has been on Swarthmore for 23 years, was the first to sign a long-term lease in May. Benton, who is bound by a confidentiality clause with the landlord, told the Palisadian-Post in September that while it “hurt to pay the new rent,” and that in the end “there wasn’t one concession made,” he was determined to “make the new lease work.” Contacted by the Palisadian-Post this week, Benton could only say that he moved forward on the assumption “that I have the support of this community. That’s why I’m still here.” Equally tight-lipped is Angelo Sambeat, who with his wife Cynthia has been doing business on Swarthmore for over 25 years. The couple recently refurbished both of their eating establishments’Dante’s and Atrio Cucina. While Sambeat acknowledged having signed a five-year lease in the fall, he said this week: “I have no other comment.” Palisades resident Katie O’Laughlin, founder and owner of Village Books at 1049 Swarthmore, said she was writing a response to the landlord’s proposed lease Monday night, “and I should have a new lease signed in about two weeks.” The increased rent will pose a difficult challenge, “but I really don’t have a choice,” she acknowledged, if she wants to continue owning a store she loves. The owners of Terri’s restaurant and The Prince’s Table are also not commenting. While Ivy Greene has secured a long-term lease for Rumours, the new girls clothing store she co-owns with Palisadian Ceci Dean which opened in September at 1014 Swarthmore, she is still working on an agreement for her children’s store location at 1020 Swarthmore, as is Roy Robbins, owner of Roy Robbins Gifts & Stationery. “I’m still in a holding pattern,” said Robbins, “Right now it’s business as usual, but I’m sure that will change.” A la Tarte at 1037 Swarthmore is not seeking a lease. Owners Bert and Bonnie Yellen put their popular French 2,400-sq.-ft. restaurant up for sale in September. Advertised on craigslist.org as “A bistro/bakery with super-large kitchen. Looks like you walked into Provence,” Bert told the Post at that time that “We’re not selling because of any rent increase. We have a good relationship with the landlord and they’ve offered to help us find somebody to buy the place. Basically, we’re tired, after nearly 10 years building the business, and Bonnie [a la Tarte’s renowned pastry chef] is still recovering from an automobile accident a year ago.” Unknown at this time is the lease status of Palisades Playthings, as well as Mort’s Deli and the adjoining Oak Room. While the landlord took back some 500 sq. ft. of the Oak Room in October, which was being used by Bobbie Farberow as an office, the space is still unoccupied. It was believed at the time was that the area was going to be turned back into a candy shop (as it was from 1985 to 1987). The only other storefront currently available on Swarthmore is the former Emerson-LaMay Cleaners, which has been vacant since April 2003. (Editor’s note: Three Swarthmore merchants who lease from Palisades Partners, including Wells Fargo Bank, Baskin-Robbins and BOCA Woman, are not currently in negotiation with the landlord, since all three already have existing lease agreements. There are four businesses on Swarthmore that do not lease from Palisades Partners, including Whispers, Solis Salon, Paliskate and Intima.)
