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Tennis Repeats as City Champs

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Dolphins Dump Granada Hills for Second Straight Section Title

Stephen Surjue (left) shakes hands with partner Sepehr Safii after they swept their three sets at No. 1 doubles for the Dolphins.
Stephen Surjue (left) shakes hands with partner Sepehr Safii after they swept their three sets at No. 1 doubles for the Dolphins.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

What separates Palisades High from its opponents is an intangible far more important than acquired skill or natural ability. It may not be noticeable on the court, but the Dolphins’ mystique is alive and well. Just ask Granada Hills. A long-anticipated final showdown pitting the top two tennis teams in the City Section quickly dissolved into a coronation for Palisades, which dominated in both singles and doubles to earn its second consecutive championship and 26th overall with a 19 1/2-10 victory Friday afternoon at Balboa Sports Center in Encino. “The key for us is that when we have to play our best, we’re able to raise our game,” said head coach Bud Kling, who has led the Dolphins to 16 boys titles since he took over the program in 1979. “That’s why we’ve been able to win so many times. We’ve built a tradition of winning. Our players expect to win.” From the moment the first ball was struck, top-seeded Palisades (16-0) played the big points better. The Dolphins won five out of six tiebreakers and the one they lost came late in the match, long after the outcome had been decided. “We’ve had Granada Hills on our radar from day one,” said senior Ben Tom, Palisades’ No. 1 player. “We figured we were probably going to meet them in the finals and we were honestly expecting a closer match.” Tom beat Granada Hills’ top player, Eric Lee, in a tiebreaker, then rallied from a 5-1 deficit and two service breaks to beat the Highlanders No. 2 player, Vinnie Amor, 7-6 (7-4). Each win was worth one point on the scoreboard, but their impact on the opponents’ psyche was just as important. “The whole match came down to a few big points and Palisades won them,” said Granada Hills’ third-year coach Simon Robertshaw. “You have to give them credit. I just hope their guys are sore tomorrow–especially the singles players.” The Dolphins seized control of the match by winning six of seven sets to gain 7 1/2 out of a possible 8 1/2 points in the first rotation of round robin. With a total of 29 1/2 points possible, the first team to reach 15 points wins. “Last year, it was all about ending El Camino Real’s dynasty,” said Palisades senior Seth Mandelkern, who teamed with junior Michael Light to sweep three sets at No. 2 doubles, the first of them in a tiebreaker. “They’d won five in a row and we were the underdogs, so beating them was sweet. This year we were the favorites, so it was about proving our dominance.” “It’s my 17th birthday today,” said Light, who won the City title on his birthday last year as well. “This is the best present anyone can give me.” Freshman Chase Pekar won two sets at No. 2 singles, junior Ariel Oleynik won three of four sets at No. 3 singles and senior Adam Deloje won a crucial tiebreaker at No. 4 singles for the Dolphins. Senior Stephen Surjue and junior Sepehr Safii swept 6-1, 7-6 (2), 6-1 at No. 1 doubles. Juniors George Hudak and Mason Hays won one set at No. 3 doubles. “We were pumping each other up the whole way over on the bus,” said Pekar, who is glad he chose Palisades over Loyola, where most of his friends from Corpus Christi went. “We had the attitude that we were going to win this together, as a team, and we did.” Robertshaw gambled by breaking up his No. 1 doubles team in an effort to bolster his singles lineup. He moved one of his best doubles players, Mark Lewin, to No. 3 singles, but the Highlanders’ fate was sealed when Lewin won only two of four sets and the player he replaced, Dustin Yu, failed to win a set at No. 3 doubles with partner Evan Kopel. “My strategy was to make sure Palisades had to earn each point. I didn’t want to give away any easy sets,” Robertshaw reasoned. “We needed to win between nine and 12 sets in singles and we only got six, so they won that battle.” Kling was surprised by his counterparts’ last-minute change. “He must not have been very confident that they could beat us with their normal lineup. To me, that sends the wrong message to your kids.” Lee swept his last three singles sets but it was too little, too late for the second-seeded Highlanders (14-2), who were vying for their first City title. “This is a great way to go out,” said Surjue, who will attend Howard University next fall. “Not only did we win, we dominated. We’re a stronger team top to bottom than we were last year.” So can the Dolphins make it three in a row next spring? “We’ll have a good chance,” Kling said. “We lose our best singles player and two of our top five doubles players but everyone else will be back. I’m so proud of this team because we played at such a high level all season. In terms of talent it’s not the best team I’ve ever had, but it’s one of the most consistent.”

Different Strokes

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“Enthusiasm” and “experience” are words that can easily be attributed to new Palisades-Malibu YMCA swim team coaches Brian Timmerman and Caroline Ryan, who join current coach Eric Butler on deck. Both Timmerman and Ryan are experienced swimmers, not just coaches. Ryan qualified as a junior national level swimmer in the 100 and 200 Butterfly and was the swim team captain at Columbia University. Timmerman was a high school All-American as well as an NCAA Division II national qualifier at UC Davis. Timmerman started swimming as a six-year-old in Santa Monica and eventually joined the Santa Monica High team. In college he took his first coaching job in Sacramento for a summer league team. He remembers having about 200 swimmers all practicing in a four-lane pool. The team practiced from April through August and ended up with faster swimmers than a year-round USA team. After graduating from UC Davis in 1995 with a BA in English, he went to Steven Weiss and coached their aquatic team. Four of his “boys” made the U.S. national team and he traveled with them as they competed throughout California, Washington and North Dakota. “It was fun to travel around the country and go to the big meets,” says Timmerman, who is anxious to begin his new assignment. “As a head coach, I have a chance to help swimmers improve and get them excited about swimming.” While coaching 11- to 14-year-olds and serving as the head boys water polo coach for the CCAT, Timmerman was approached by Paly Aquatics Program Administrator Gayle Kirkpatrick, who asked him to substitute for departing head coach Kameron Kennedy, who left in the winter to pursue an advanced degree. “I liked the kids, I liked the location,” Timmerman recalls. “So when she offered me the head coaching job, I accepted. I wanted the opportunity to set the program. It’s an interesting mix of kids in the Palisades because you have those that could be national swimmers as well as those who are just acquiring their skills.” Timmerman explains that for many kids swimming is not an exciting sport because their heads are always in the water looking at the bottom of the pool, or in the case of the backstroke, they are on their backs looking at the sky. “It takes a lot of dedication and commitment,” he says. “I try to make practices as interesting, exciting and fun as possible. The kids get faster because they want to come and in the process they also get fitter.” Coaching techniques have evolved over the years and Timmerman says the old school method of “how far” and “how intense” was predicated on repetition–doing the same workout over and over. The new school of thought implements more interesting methods and varied training to achieve similar, if not superior, results. Timmerman’s objective is to increase the intensity and time his swimmers spend in the water in a way that coincides with the individual’s age. Above all else, however, he wants workouts to remain fun. He encourages all ages and abilities to try out for the Paly team, especially novices in the 12-14 age range. He and his wife Lisa, a second grade teacher at Marquez, have two children, Lia, 6, and Quincy, 3. Ryan, meanwhile, is a graduate student in social work at USC, where she is currently on the Dean’s list. She was hired as an age group coach and is looking forward to infusing her energy into the Paly program. “I’m definitely excited and enthusiastic,” she says. “I love it, the kids banter and play around.” Ryan grew up in Arizona and swam competitively on a USS swim club team for 19 years. One summer she even taught swimming to ADHD and autistic children. Despite training 20 hours a week, she made the Dean’s list at Columbia. “Time management was huge, getting everything done–the work, swimming, enough sleep,” Ryan said. “The upside was that when I first got to college I already had a built in network. I also got to travel.” Up at the Y pool in Temescal Canyon, Ryan pointed to a lane of six girls who were finishing their workout. “It’s nice because they’re 14 and 15 years old and you can see they’ve developed close friendships. I definitely remember what it’s like to be in high school. I never had a female coach, so I’m glad I can be for them.” If your child or teen is interested in the Paly swim team, call Kirkpatrick at 454-9637 or e-mail gaylekirkpatrick@ymcala.org. For swimmers in need of more lessons before trying out, the Y is offering a special May Madness session where you can sign up for five private or semi-private lessons and get a sixth free

Bellamy Slams His Way to Cerritos Semis

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Palisadian Robbie Bellamy continued his meteoric rise up the USTA rankings by advancing to the semifinals in the 12-and-under age division of the Cerritos Junior Tennis Open, one of the most competitive tournaments in Southern California. Bellamy, who just moved up to the 12s, attained a No. 9 ranking in Southern California in the 10s, a division in which he won 14 Open and satellite events. At Cerritos, the sixth-seeded Bellamy defeated Jefferey Chen, 6-0, 6-1, in the first round, beat Kevin Pham, 7-6 (3), 6-3, in the second round and beat Kenny Gea, 6-2, 7-5, in the quarterfinals. Fellow Palisadian Alex Giannini, seeded seventh in the 64-player draw, beat Jack Winn in the first round, 6-2, 6-0, beat Brett Silverstein, 6-2, 6-0, in the second round, and lost to top-seeded Garrett Auproux in the quarterfinals. Another local player, Derrick Levchenko, beat Nishanth Yamani, 6-1, 6-0, in the first round before losing to third-seeded Patrick Skopek in the second round. In the boys 10s division, Palisadians Eric Busi and Joshua Rosen advanced to the second round.

Pali Track Gears Up For City Prelims

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Palisades High juniors Bryan Greenberg and Angela Liberatore swept the pole vault events for the second straight year at last Thursday’s Western League finals meet in Culver City. Both train with UCLA pole vault coach Anthony Curran. Liberatore vaulted a personal-best 11 feet, beating her top mark from last year by two feet, to win the girls’ varsity division. Greenberg cleared 13 feet, the same height he reached in winning the gold medal at the Rotary Meet in April. Greenberg and Liberatore will vault at today’s City prelims at Birmingham High. Junior Kristabel Doebel-Hickok took second in both the 1600 and 3200 at league finals and remains a strong contender for the City title in both events. Leah Guerrero won the 100 hurdles, Sara McNees won the 300 hurdles, Tukeha Huntley was second in both the 200 and the high jump, Unique Shanklin was second in the 800 and Alex Cohen was second in the triple jump. Jann Stavro was second in both the 800 and 3200 and Jeff Fujimoto was second in the 300 hurdles.

Optimist/YMCA Track Meet Sunday at PaliHi

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The 35th annual Palisades Optimist/YMCA youth track meet will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Sunday, May 21, at Palisades High’s Stadium by the Sea. Cost to register is $20 per child and the event is open to boys and girls ages 3-15. Running events will include 25, 50, 100 and 200-meter dashes and 4 x 100 relays while field events will be the long jump, high jump and shot put. On an overcast day, 156 athletes competed in last year’s meet and several records were broken. ‘We had a great turnout last year and we’re hoping for an even bigger one this year,” event coordinator Jim Kirtley said. Call the YMCA at 454-5591 or log on to the Web site: www.ymcala.org/pm for more information.

Thomas Griswold, 80: War Vet with Charm and Strong Intellect

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Tom Griswold and his dog, Yodi
Tom Griswold and his dog, Yodi

Thomas William Griswold, a resident of Pacific Palisades since 1958, passed away on May 2 following eight months of health battles. He was 80. Tom’s intellectual power and curiosity, his understanding of the world through physics, and his unexpected knowledge of art (unless you knew his mom) and music (Bach and Gilbert & Sullivan were favorites) were impressive. But, in the months before his death, he also displayed strength and determination. Tom was born in Los Angeles on July 29, 1925 to Robert Raymond and Lillian Mae Huntley Griswold. The third of three sons, he grew up in the Depression, hearing tales of his father’s experiences in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Brothers Frank and Tom built (and Bob blew up) model airplanes together, and rode bikes through various neighborhoods in Los Angeles and later San Francisco as their father pursued a successful career in sales of business systems. In the mid-1930s, the boys were joined by a sister, Sue. Tom graduated from Lowell High School in 1943, and at 17 enlisted in the army. He memorized the eye chart while in line, then passed the exam with his glasses off. Tom was assigned to the ASTP “program for brains” at Caltech. The Battle of the Bulge resulted in such high casualties for the Allies that the program was terminated in order to provide replacements. A week before being shipped out following basic training in Alabama, Tom was hospitalized with German measles. He was separated from his unit, which was later wiped out in France. Tom joined a unit in Gen. Patton’s army and was wounded twice. While he was recovering in the UK from a shrapnel wound in his forearm, Tom’s unit fought on the continent and was destroyed. Tom earned two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star with a cluster. He always brushed off these medals, saying “it was just a scratch.” Tom attended UC Berkeley on the GI Bill and earned his B.S. in physics in 1949, graduating summa cum laude, and being elected to Phi Beta Kappa (in his junior year). After graduation, he married Mary Lee Denman. They made their home in Berkeley as he earned his Ph.D. in physics from Berkeley in 1953. Tom accepted a position in the semiconductor research program (diodes and transistors) of Hughes Aircraft, and they moved to a home on Las Lomas in the Palisades and raised a family. Mary Lee went to work in nuclear medicine research at UCLA, and Tom joined start-up venture Continental Device Corporation, which was acquired by Teledyne in the early 1970s. Tom worked at Semtech Corporation before joining JPL and Caltech in the later ’70s, where he worked on the VLSI program for the Pioneer Deep Space Satellite, and sometimes taught, until retirement in 1989. Having separated amicably from Mary Lee, Tom married Cory Mason Griswold in the year of his retirement. Tom leaves behind a proud and sad group of family members, friends and professionals who supported, and was ultimately awed by, Tom in his last months. The group includes former wife and good friend Mary Lee; daughter Kris Griswold (husband Chris Fabian) of Pacific Palisades; son Bill (wife Jennifer) of Whidbey Island, Washington; grandchildren Max and Finn: brother Bob and sister Sue; and a large extended family (including dog Yodi), and friends who cheered from the sidelines. To Tom’s tremendous team of doctors, nurses, and professionals at St. John’s Hospital and Vitas hospice, the family extends profound gratitude for their knowledge, determination and understanding. They also thank Melvin, who gave his heart along with skilled medical care and compassion for the past eight months. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, second wife Cory, brother Frank, and niece Krista. Donations may be made in memory of Thomas W. Griswold to the Heart Institute Fund at St John’s Health Center Foundation, 1328 22nd St., Santa Monica, CA 90404.

Beth Goodale, 86; Loved Camping, Music, Grandkids

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Longtime Pacific Palisades resident Beth Goodale passed away peacefully at home on May 2. She was 86. Beth (or Bettie as she was called) was born on January 28, 1920 in Cavalier, North Dakota, to Elda and James McEwen. She came to California as a young child and lived in Brawley, Hermosa Beach and West Los Angeles before moving to the Palisades in 1946. She married Charles Goodale in 1940 in Las Vegas. When he returned from service overseas in World War 11, they built the house in the Alphabet streets where she lived for the rest of her life. While Charles (Chuck) was serving in the army, Bettie formed a “sewing club” with other women whose husbands were away. They mended, ironed, and found ways to keep up each other’s morale. The sewing club still exists, 65 years later, and Bettie looked forward to their lunches together, although they no longer darned socks! Bettie graduated from University High School and Santa Monica City College. She worked as a bookkeeper until she retired to devote herself to being a fulltime mother and wife. She was an accomplished seamstress and made almost all of the clothes for herself and her three daughters,? including two wedding gowns and numerous bridesmaid dresses. Bettie was a dearly loved Brownie and Girl Scout leader for her girls’ different troops and taught crafts as well as other scout lore with enthusiasm. Some of her former scouts stayed in touch with “Goodie,” which gave her great pleasure Bettie and her husband loved traveling together in recreational vehicles and visited 49 of the 50 states. After Chuck’s death, she vacationed in Hawaii with family members and was able to say that she had been in all 50 states. She and Chuck loved camping, waterskiing and, above all, spending time with their family and friends. Bettie loved music and could always be counted on to be the only one in tune around the campfire. She also played the violin, organ, piano and ukulele. In recent years, Bettie’s greatest joy was in her expanding number of great-grandchildren. She delighted in their births, knitting blankets by the score, and had cross- stitched personalized tooth pillows for the older ones. Bettie had numerous health challenges throughout her life, beginning with a heart attack in 1946, several strokes and a recent heart attack in November. Throughout it all, she was determined to live a full and vigorous life. She was aided in this achievement by the skilled and loving care of her personal physician, Dr. Roberta Smith, who came to her aid on numerous times. Bettie also appreciated the close proximity of the firefighters and paramedics in Station 69? who responded to emergency calls for both her and Chuck. She took great pride in being able to live independently in her own home until the end; this was only possible because of wonderful, supportive neighbors. Audrey and Tommy Breslin were always there to lend a hand or a ride as well as a good visit. Bettie was preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, Charles Goodale, and a grandson, Michael Cox. She is survived by her three daughters, Patricia Ann Cox of Santa Cruz, Barbara Jeanne Kalty (husband Arthur) of Palos Verdes and Vickie Lee Sparks (husband Peter) of Dinuba; a sister, Elda McEwen and a brother, Harvey McEweir. Her nine surviving grandchildren include Diana Swanson, Debra FitzGerald, Craig Cox, Laura Kalty, Steven Kalty, Holly Sparks, Kevin Sparks, Kristin Bradford and Kyri McClellan, as well as great-grandchildren Andrew, Ryan and Julia Swanson, Blake and Sam FitzGerald, Quinci and Teagan Cox, Nolan Kalty, Curtis and Davis Bradford and Mason McClellan. The family requests that donations be made to Habitat for Humanity in recognition of the appreciation that Bettie had for her home and her hope that other families would be so blessed.

Austin Price, 88; Loved Life, Sports and a Good Joke

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Austin Price, a former Pacific Palisades real estate broker and low-handicap golfer, passed away on May 3. He was 88. Born Lois Austin Price on October 23, 1917 in Kiln, Mississippi, to Beulah Beauregard Parker and Ruben Aloysius Price, Austin was in sales all of his life. He started out by selling newspaper subscriptions door-to-door, as a primary source of income for his parents at the age of 13, during the Depression. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles, class of 1935, and obtained his real estate and broker’s license in 1953. He was an owner of Townsend & Simpson Real Estate in the Palisades and was an active citizen, performing in local plays and serving as president of the Los Angeles Realty Board and the Palisades Optimist Club. He was a lifelong optimist, and a great raconteur who also also enjoyed dancing, A-level tennis and all kinds of fishing. Price was blessed with lifelong health–physically and mentally–and retained his marvelous sense of humor and clever wit, right to the end. He had requested that his ashes be buried with those of his late wife, Margaret O’Brien Price, in the roots of a lovely yellow rose bush that he kept outside his window ever since her death in 1996. He had moved the bush from Sarasota, Florida, to Novato, California and, most recently, to the Veterans Home in Barstow, where he passed away of natural causes. Price is survived by his daughters, Janis Grabowski of Upland and Jean Price Lewis of Novato; his son, Jonathan Austin Price of Seaside, California; and eight grandchildren: Patrick, Michael, and Neal Grabowski, Julie Vaughn, Michelle Marquis, Noelle Barron, Angela Perkins, and Jeffrey Price; and 18 great-grandchildren.

CLASSIFIED ADS FROM THE MAY 11, 2006 ISSUE OF THE PALISADIAN-POST

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HOMES FOR SALE 1

HIGHLANDS 3 BDRM, 3 BA TOWNHOME. Bright, quiet, updated unit. Featuring hdwd flrs, smooth ceilings, updated bathrooms, plantation shutters and much more! 1,823 sq. ft. Offered at $849,000. Contact Rick Chanin, (310) 888-3309, (310) 780-3100. www.RickChanin.com

HOMES WANTED 1b

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

FURNISHED HOMES 2

GUESTHOUSE FOR RENT. Furnished, util included. Prefer professional female. N/S, no pets. $1,300/mo. Call (310) 459-3650

UNFURNISHED HOMES 2a

PACIFIC PALISADES WONDERFULLY UPDATED ’60s style house on the Castellammare bluffs. 3 bdrms, 2 ba, newly refinished hdwd floors, all white modern kitchen w/ all appliances, central heating and a/c. 2 car garage, pvt yd with lap pool and bonus rooftop jacuzzi with sunset views of the Pacific. $7,900/mo. 17929 Castellammare Pacific Palisades, 90272. Call Gary C. at the Beaumont Co., (323) 466-9761 (M-F, 8:30-5), (323) 314-7143 (evenings and weekends) BEAUTIFUL LOW-INCOME CONDO at Casa Gateway, Highlands. 1 bdrm, 1 ba, patio, lovely green belt. Available now. $965/mo. 62 years of age. Income under $41,618. (310) 454-6048 HIGHLANDS TOWNHOME. 3 BD, 2 1/2 BA, new carpet, floors, counter tops, appliances, patio and balcony with views. New HUAC. $3,500/mo. Agent, (310) 459-5886, ext. 250 GUESTHOUSE. PRIVATE, QUIET 1 bdrm, enclosed separate garage, large private patio. W/D, large sunny kitchen, stove, refrig. Convenient location. No pets, N/S. $1,890/mo. (310) 456-5527

UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS 2c

EDGEWATER TOWERS 1 BDRM, large patio, ocean view. Pools, gated security, covered parking, tennis gym and more. Available May. $2,300/mo. Telephone and fax: (310) 454-5652 $1,400/MO. 1 YR LEASE. CUTE, charming studio in tri-plex near bluffs. Full kitchen and bath. Garage, laundry, garden, plantation shutters, no pets, N/S. (310) 804-3142 PACIFIC PALISADES. S.M. BAY OCEAN VIEWS on private drive, gdn style. Pool, private garage, huge patio, 2 bdrm, 2 ba. $2,900/mo. 2 lease until Feb 07. No extension. (310) 459-6369 3 BDRM, 2 BA, F/P, 2-car private garage, huge master suite, sweeping ocean view on private drive, garden style, pool. $3,550/mo. Lease until Feb 07. No extension. (310) 459-6369

WANTED TO RENT 3b

PALISADES FAMILY WITH 2 young children seeks affordable 2 bedroom house with den/office for long-term lease. Excellent credit, references. (310) 454-7020

OFFICE/STORE RENTALS 3c

$950/mo. 15115 1/2 Sunset Blvd. #B. LITE & BRITE 2 room office suite. 2nd floor. Call agent, (310) 459-3493 PRIVATE OFFICE SPACE in the Palisades Village. Excellent location. Flexible. Call for details, (310) 600-4484

RENTAL SPACE, STORAGE 3d

ENCLOSED STORAGE GARAGE in village. Available 1 July. $300/mo., $750 security deposit. (310) 454-4668

VACATION RENTALS 3e

PRIVATE FURN APARTMENT IN PARIS. Services available. 24-hour hotline. Starting at $75 a night for 2 persons (studios to 4 bedrooms). Privacy, economy, convenience as you live like a Parisian. 5 day minimum. Established in 1985. PSR 90, Ave Champs-Elysees. PSR, Inc. (312) 587-7707. Fax (800) 582-7274. Web address: www.psrparis.com. Email: Reservations@psrparis.com

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES 5

MAKE MONEY TRAVELING. $100-$100,000 per month. For more information call (310) 651-0135. This call can make you a millionaire.

MISCELLANEOUS 6c

DO YOU HAVE MEDICARE? I can find the best and least expensive Medicare Part D prescription plan for you. Private and confidential. (Save $$-join by 5/15). Paula, (310) 454-8694 SEMPER FI: TO BE ALWAYS FAITHFUL. US Marines code of honor. A class by Ray Nasser US Marine, CA cred/teacher. Purple Heart. 16321 PCH #63, Pacific Palisades. (310) 454-7432

BOOKKEEPING/ACCOUNTING 7b

ACOUNTING-All Tax Services. Palisades Resident. Silverman & Co., (310) 454-5822. Accounting-Bookkeeping/Quickbooks. Public Accounting Experience in all Service: Retail, Wholesale, Construction & Entertainment Business. Tax Services: Individual, Partnership, Corp, Trust/Estate

COMPUTER SERVICES 7c

PUT YOUR COMPUTER TO WORK – HOME & BUSINESS SURVEILLANCE-Featuring: PC Based Solutions to View your Property Remotely – Live Viewing from Internet & Wireless Handhelds! – FRANKEL CONSULTING – (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 COMPUTER CONSULTANT, MAC SPECIALIST. Very Patient, Friendly and Affordable. Tutoring Beginners to Advanced Users. Wireless DSL internet. MAC/PC SET UP – Repair – Upgrade – OS X. Senior discounts! Home/Office. William Moorefield, (310) 838-2254. macitwork.com

GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 7f

PLANNING A GARAGE SALE? a moving sale? a yard sale? a rummage sale? an estate 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 – Furniture – Antiques – Collectibles – Junque – Reliable professionals Local References

ORGANIZING SERVICES 7h

PERSONAL ASSISTANCE, ORGANIZATION & BOOKKEEPING. Superior services provided with discretion and understanding. Local references. Call Sarah, (310) 573-9263 DO YOU NEED A BUSINESS MANAGER (part-time)? Paperwork, Accounts, Computer, Internet, Organize, etc. Business/Personal. Raymond, (310) 218-6653, (310) 459-2066 Do you have projects you’ll never get around to? ORGANIZERJESS. Your Professional Organizer & Personal Assistant by the Hour – Home & Office Organization Time Management – Clutter Catch up – Bill Paying – Create Effective Systems, More Space & Clarity – Gift Certificate Available – Impeccable Palisades References – Jessica Schooler Gleason, (310) 429-3289

MISCELLANEOUS 7j

CUT IT OUT PRODUCTIONS video & editing services. Family albums (weddings etc.), actor’s demo reels, corporate promos & short films. (323) 580-4557, www.cutitoutproductions.net

NANNIES/BABYSITTERS 8a

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 Sunshine Nannies at (310) 614-5065 or (310) 801-8309 MY WONDERFUL SPECIAL NANNY needs work full time. M-F, Live out. Own transportation. CDL. Legal. Experience with newborns. Call Rosa, (818) 620-7507 BABYSITTER/NANNY available Monday-Friday. Own transportation, CA DL, legal. Excellent references. Speak English. Call Blanca, (213) 925-0046 NANNY/BABYSITTER, 11 years experience. Teacher’s education, citizen, own transportation. Looking for part time job. Have experience with newborns. Nadia, (323) 491-4694 MS. VEE BABYSITTING, dog walking care and services. College student, energetic. Ages 3-10 years. After school, P/T and some F/T days available in your home. No driving. (310) 586-0162 EXPERIENCED BABYSITTER/HOUSEKEEPER Excellent references. Available M-F. Call Miriam, cell, (323) 329-1492

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, 10 YEARS experience. References. Available M-F. I drive. Some English. Call (213) 383-7260 HOUSEKEEPERS/BABYSITTERS AVAILABLE immediately. Can work as a team. Own transportation. Great references. Call Ruth, (213) 925-4049 HOUSEKEEPING/BABYSITTING, Full time, Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Local references, very experienced. No car. Pleasant. Please call Tina, (818) 759-5361 HOUSECLEANING! ALICIA AVAILABLE Tuesday. Cleaning supplies furnished. Call (310) 795-8828 HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTER AVAILABLE M-F. Can work together. Excellent references. 15 years experience. Call Marina, cell, (213) 804-9522 or Arely, (310) 974-8871 HOUSEKEEPER/CAREGIVER AVAILABLE Mon.-Fri., hours open. Great refs, own car, has own equipment if needed. Fluent English. Please call Irma, (323) 525-1960 or (323) 440-7240

ELDER CARE/COMPANIONS 10a

CAREGIVERS/COMPANIONS Live in/out. Minimum 2 years experience. 3 work related references required. CNA’S/CHH’S welcomed. Bondable. Call (323) 692-3692 EXPERIENCED COMPANION/CAREGIVER. Live in 24/7, $9/hr., one-on-one. Capable of light housework, meal preparation and drive. References available. Call Precious @ (323) 404-5043, email preciosazgarcia@yahoo.com PRIVATE CAREGIVER/COMPANION available with car. Reliable with good references. Exchange considered for guest house or private room. (310) 383-6593 CAREGIVER/NANNY with car. Experienced, registered. Great references. Live/in, M-F. Please call Dolores, (626) 536-1232

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 TREE AND LANDSCAPE EXPERT. Horticulturist, arborist, landscape manager/designer. Tree diagnosis, trimming, removal, appraisal/donation for tax deduction. Lawn diagnosis, repair. Sprinklers, drip systems. Expert maintenance. Greenhouse/veggie/herb gardens Comprehensive plant & landscape consulting. Darren Butler, (818) 271-0963 POND CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN: Water gardening. Japanese Koi fish. Filtration pond service, repair & maintence. Free estimates. Cell, (310) 498-5380, (310) 390-1276. Visit us at www.TheKingKoi.com GARCIA GARDENING SERVICE – Maintenance – Sprinkler Systems – Planting – Clean-up – Landscape – (310) 733-7414

MOVING & HAULING 11b

HONEST MAN SERVICES. 14″ van & dollies. Small jobs to 2 bedrooms. Hauls it all. California/Nevada. Over 12 years. Westside experience. (310) 285-8688

WINDOW WASHING 13h

HAVING A PARTY, SELLING some real estate, or just want to do some spring cleaning? Get those WINDOWS SHINING by calling No Streak Window Cleaning, where we offer fast friendly quality service you can count on! For a free estimate call Marcus, (323) 632-7207. Lic. #122194-49 – Bonded EXPERT WINDOW CLEANER 20 years Westside. Clean and detailed. Free estimates, sills and screens included. Up to two stories only. Brian, (310) 289-5279

MISCELLANEOUS 13i

PRESSURE WASHING. Superior cleaning, driveways, walkways, patios. Craig, (310) 459-9000

PET SERVICES/PET SITTING 14g

BE HAPPY TO COME HOME! Trusted house/pet care in & around Palisades since 1986. Educated, responsible. (310) 454-8081 PET HEAVEN TOTAL PET CARE. Training. Walking. Playgroups and hikes. Call (310) 454-0058 for a happy dog. HAPPY PET – Dog Walking – Park Outings – Socialization. Connie, (310) 230-3829

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.pianoteachers.com/ldlukas WOULD YOU LOVE TO LEARN to play piano? Skilled piano teacher specializing with beginners/intermediate children, adults. Karen Barton, B.S. USC trained. (310) 486-1995 INCISIVE SAT Mastery Program developed by Thomas Heys, Stanford graduate. Classes begin end of June. Sign up now: (310) 663-2441

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 grade levels, conversational & all ages. Local refs, flexible hours. Please call Noelle at (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 & AP). In-home tutoring at great rates. Call Jonathan, (310) 560-9134 PIANO TEACHER IN PACIFIC PALISADES! 20 years experience. I teach in your home. Great with children and adults returning to the piano. Call Karen Rae, (310) 383-0200 MATH & SCIENCE TUTOR Middle school-college level. BS LAUSD credentialed high school teacher. Test Prep. Flexible hours. AVAILABLE to help NOW! Seth Freedman, (310) 909-3049 CLEARLY MATH TUTORING. Specializing in math! Elementary thru college level. Test prep, algebra, trig, geom, calculus. Fun, caring, creative, indivdualized tutoring. Math anxiety. Call Jamie, (310) 459-4722 ADMIRAL TUTORING! All subjects. One call does it all! (310) 454-1862 PROFESSIONAL PRIVATE TUTOR (Mathematics, Science, SATs, ACTs). 9+ years experience, UCLA graduate w/ degree in mathematics. First lesson half off! Janice, (949) 351-5717; www.TheLATutor.com FRENCH TUTORING FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. 90 min sessions or more, all ages. Good for speakers or non speaker. Great help for Lyc’e Fran’ais students. (310) 621-3113

CABINET MAKING 16

CUSTOM CARPENTRY – Entertainment Units – Cabinets – Libraries – Bars – Wall Units – Custom Kitchens – Remodeling – Designed to your Specifications – Free Estimates – CA Lic. #564263 – (310) 823-8523 CUSTOM WOODWORK AND CABINETS. Craftsmanship quality, 20 years experience, local resident. Local references available. General Contractor Calif. License #402923. Ron Dillaway, (310) 455-4462. rondillaway@yahoo.com

CONCRETE, MASONRY, POOLS 16c

MASONRY, CONCRETE & POOL CONTRACTOR. 36 YEARS IN PACIFIC PALISADES. Custom masonry & concrete, stamped, driveways, pools, decks, patios, foundations, fireplace, drainage control, custom stone, block & brick, tile. Excellent local references. Lic. #309844. Bonded/insured/ workmen’s comp. Family owned & operated. MIKE HORUSICKY CONSTRUCTION, INC. (310) 454-4385 – www.horusicky.com

CONSTRUCTION 16d

CASTLE CONSTRUCTION. New homes, remodeling, additions, fine finish carpentry. Serving the Westside for 20 yrs. Lic. #649995. Call James, (310) 450-6237

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

FENCES 16j

THE FENCE MAN. 14 years quality workmanship. Wood fences – Decks – Gates – Chainlink & overhang. Lic. #663238, bonded. (818) 706-1996

FLOOR CARE 16l

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. Senior 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 & refinishing. National Wood Flooring Association member. Lic. #732286 Plenty of local references. (877) 622-2200. www.goldenhardwoodfloors.com

HANDYMAN 16n

HANDYMAN, Since 1975. Call for your free est. Local ref. Lic. #560299. Member, Chamber of Commerce. HOOSHMAN (310) 459-8009, 24 Hr. LABOR OF LOVE carpentry, plumbing, tile, plaster, doors, windows, fencing & those special challenges. Work guaranteed. License #B767950. Ken at (310) 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 THE HANDY GUY. Any job, big or small. Over 16 years experience. Lic #B-858574. We’re proud to donate our services to Habitat for Humanity. (310) 216-9034 HANDYMAN SERVICES. No job too small. 10 years experience in the Palisades. Please call (310) 454-3838 for prompt, friendly service. Not licensed. PETERPAN – Quality home repair. Serving entire Westside. (Not lic.) Ask for Peter, (310) 663-3633 AVALON ESTATE MAINTENANCE. Specializing in all aspects of home repair. Reasonable rates. Refs available. Prompt service. Non-lic. Call Dustin, (310) 924-2711

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING 16o

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

PAINTING, PAPERHANGING 16q

PAUL HORST – Interior & Exterior – PAINTING – 52 YEARS OF SERVICE – Our reputation is your safeguard. License No. 186825 – (310) 454-4630 – Bonded & Insured TILO MARTIN PAINTING. For A Professional Job Call (310) 230-0202. Ref’s. Lic. #715099 SQUIRE PAINTING CO. Interior and Exterior. License #405049. 25 years. Local Service. (310) 454-8266. www.squirepainting.com SPIROS PAINTING, INTERIOR/EXTERIOR. Painting on the Westside since 1980. Lic. #821009. Fax and phone: (310) 826-6097. NO JOB is too small or too big for Spiro the Greek ZARKO PRTINA PAINTING. Interior/Exterior. 35 years in service. License #637882. Call (310) 454-6604

PLUMBING 16s

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 – General construction. #1 PLUMBING. Mobile, (310) 429-7187. Lic. #668743

REMODELING 16u

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 BASIX DESIGNS & REMODELING, INC. WE DO IT ALL – Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling Specialist – Room Additions – Interior/Exterior Paint – Windows/Doors – Custom Carpentry – Plumbing – Electrical – Call For Free Estimate – Toll Free: (877) 422-2749 – Lic. #769443

HELP WANTED 17

DRIVERS: RUN WESTERN STATES. Also seeking seasonal and inexperienced drivers. Start! Earn! WERNER ENTERPRISES, (800) 346-2818 x123 AAA HOME INCOME. 23 people needed NOW. Apply online to get started: www.wahusa.com. Enter Ad Code: 235 DRIVER BABYSITTER needed for 3 kids. Monday-Thursday, 2:30-7 p.m. Own car, references. Santa Monica area. C.Raiss@Verizon.net or (310) 617-1170 TEMP POSITION AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY: Art school seeks friendly receptionist to assist w/ admin, tasks & classroom set-up. 25-40 hrs/wk. Could lead to a perm position for the right person. Email resume to info@brentwoodart.com. No phone calls, please. AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY: Art school with 2 positions: Office Mgr & Admin Assist. Must be attentive to detail, friendly & outgoing, have a fantastic work ethic & good phone personality. FT (36-40 hrs), incl some Saturdays. Salary based on exp. Resumes to: info@brentwoodart.com. No phone calls please. ROBEK’S JUICE, CORNER OF ANTIOCH & Swarthmore, is hiring F/T, P/T. Good pay, no prior experience needed. Call (213) 952-5211 or fax resume to (310) 230-3971 SEEKING TEEN SITTER for 14 year old boy when parents travel. Must have references, drive, speak English. Currently seeking someone for 4-day weekend in May, week in June and July. Call (310) 459-5472 SEAMSTRESS WANTED, PART TIME: Small Pac Pal business looking for an experienced seamstress for sewing projects. Not necessary to have professional sewing experience, but should be skillful using a sewing machine. Please speak English, have your own transportation and be a nice, friendly, honest person. (310) 454-9554 PALISADES PROFESSIONAL FIRM needs an experienced bookkeeper proficient in Peachtree, Quickbooks, Excel, and Word, Knowledge of ProFX Tax Program a big plus. Responsibilities include bank account reconciliations; accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll tax returns; financial statements; input of tax data, etc. Organizational skills and detailed orientation a must. Benefits include good salary, health insurance, 401k Plan and flex-time. Please fax resume to: (310) 313-0242 ADMISSIONS & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR: Full time, to work independently and as a team player. Must be MS Word and Excel proficient, have good communication and writing skills, multitasking in a busy office. Duties: coordinatinating events, schedules, admissions, program development, client education on our philosophy and programs. Education background needed. Located in woods of Temescal Gateway Park, a special place to work. The school mission is to foster and promote an educational philosophy dedicated to reaching the inner spirit of each child through experiences in dance, music, visual arts, nature, literature and drama. Position available immediately. Fax resume to (310) 454-7203 or email to skinnertrish@hotmail.com OFFICE MANAGER AND ADMIN SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL. Provide F/T hands-on support, admin, and executive assistance for two executives and one client relations person. Deliver timely, accurate results, juggling many duties with the help of an assistant. $45-52K plus bonus. Send resume to info@milestonesinc.com HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTER WANTED 1 day per week. Thursday, flexible hours, must speak English and drive, wash and iron. Local references. Call (310) 387-7722

AUTOS 18b

1994 FORD EXPLORER SPORT 4×4, 2 door hunter green. Alloy wheels w/ BFGAT’s. Brand new master cylinder and brakes. 125,000 miles good condition. $3,200 obo. GREAT CAR! (310) 576-0622 1999 FORD EXPLORER XLT, Black, leather seats, new tires, 4 wheel drive, excellent condition, 47,800 miles. Call Rhonda, (310) 573-9169 CASH FOR YOUR CARS $ Foreign or domestic. Running or not. Friendly professional buyer. We come to you & handle all paperwork. Local references. Please call (310) 995-5898 2000 BLAZER. 66,000 miles. 4-dr, black/tan, 4 whl dr. Power wds, sunroof, leather seats, cd player, new tires. $7,500. (323) 899-4868

FURNITURE 18c

PLAYER PIANO, BALDWIN, 1988, stainglass panels, bench, 25 rolls, $2,500 obo. (310) 472-9771 2 TWIN BDS, SLEIGH style w/ wood & iron, mattresses incl, good cond, med brown, $550. 2 matching bedside tables, grt cond, $150 pair. Matching bunk beds/desk w/ hutch, 2 side tables, light wood ,grt/cond, mattresses incl, $950. Pine hutch, grt cond, $450. (310) 230-9947

GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 18d

PALISADES GARAGE SALE: Spring Cleaning. Toys, books, H.O. trains, cameras, clothes, sofa, Ikea chairs, dishes, oil heater, knick-knacks. 665 Las Lomas Ave., south of Sunset. Saturday, 5/13 ONLY, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. MOVING SALE: FRI.-SAT.-SUN., May 12-14th, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Rugs, sofa, leather desk chair, dropleaf table, rattan, luggage, Cal-King bedding, Neova cookware, silver coffee service, punch bowls, CDs, collectible; Henn Baskets, Denby Harlequin, Royal Doulton, Lesal. 1526 N. Sorrento, off Capri. (310) 230-9218 MOORE THAN A GARAGE SALE Several estate collections: furniture and accessories, silver, china, knick-knacks, linens, household items, children’s accessories, original art, garden furniture. NEGOTIABLE PRICES. Clothing: new and current designers; purses and shoes. Friday & Saturday, May 12 & 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 3802 Surfwood Dr., Sunset Mesa, Malibu. (turn on Coastline) GIGANTIC MOVING SALE! Furniture, clothing, bicycles, toys and much MORE! SAT., May 13th, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. 16060 Temecula St. W. LA MOVING SALE! LR/DR/BR Furn/Bookshelves/ fridg/large Safe/Console Piano/knick-knacks/Collectibles/kitch/hsehold goods. More! 10425 Almayo (1blk N. of Pico/W. of Beverly Glen). FRI.-SAT., May 12-13, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. TG 632 D-5

MISCELLANEOUS 18g

AMERICAN GIRL DOLL, horse, bedroom furniture and misc. clothes. Like new! Take all for $475 or make offer. (310) 459-9639 TWO US OPEN GOLF TROPHY CLUB TICKETS at Winged Foot Country Club, 6/12-6/18, Mamaroneck, N.Y. Face value, $550 each. (310) 459-0227

WANTED TO BUY 19

WANTED: Old tube guitar amplifiers, ’50s, ’60s, etc. Tommy, (310) 306-7746 – profeti2001@yahoo.com

Marquez Knolls: An Oral History

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Crystal Lachman Pritchard, whose family built Marquez Knolls, grew up on Lachman Lane and still lives there. She has two grown children: Matthew, 32, lives in San Pedro and Elissa, 35, lives in Pennsylvania.
Crystal Lachman Pritchard, whose family built Marquez Knolls, grew up on Lachman Lane and still lives there. She has two grown children: Matthew, 32, lives in San Pedro and Elissa, 35, lives in Pennsylvania.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

When Crystal Lachman Pritchard showed up at the annual Marquez Knolls Property Owners Association’s annual meeting in April, she brought a mother lode of memories with her. Having grown up in the neighborhood, she remembers when the Welcome Wagon arrived to greet each new neighbor and Helms Bakery delivered fresh bread right to the door. She said it was also a time when goats wandered in the chaparral behind the houses, Easter egg hunts were held on Marquez Terrace, and she would decorate her beloved horse Toffee and go Christmas caroling with her friends around the block. “That’s the kind of neighborhood it was back then, very family-oriented,” said Pritchard, who was in the first class to graduate from Marquez Elementary school (1957). “It was at school that we got our polio shots and there would regularly be drills because of the Cold War where we’d have to quickly jump under our desks. And we all loved to dance to ‘Rock Around the Clock,'” recalled Pritchard, who also graduated from Palisades High School (1963), then UCLA. The Palisades resident is now a therapist, dividing time between her chemical-dependency practice in Oregon and her family practice in Woodland Hills. She still lives in her family home on Lachman Lane, which she shares with her mother Lila. Their 3,000-sq.-ft. house was the first two-story on the block and had a built-in fish tank in the downstairs den’a real novelty back then. “We also had quite a view in those days,” Pritchard said. “So many of the trees have grown since we moved here.” Pritchard’s family moved to the Palisades from Culver City when she was eight. Her father, Eugene, along with her uncles Earl, Mel, Henry and Lou, developed Marquez Knolls, starting in the 1940s. When she was young she remembers lots of “earth being moved” and the electrical wires being put underground, “which was not an easy thing to do. They had to dynamite the hill.” Pritchard said that at its peak, the Lachman family had 1,000 employees working for half a dozen companies they owned operating under several names, including Basin Builders, Lincoln Lumber and Centinela Pipe. “The company was unique in that it was involved in every aspect of building the homes and everything was done in-house, including the kitchen cabinets,” said Pritchard. “My uncle Earl was the visionary, Uncle Mel worked with the heavy equipment crews, Uncle Henry was in charge of the lumber yard, my dad supervised the construction and Uncle Lou sold the houses. In the ’50s and ’60s they worked hard just to keep up with the demand and insisted on quality. My father would always tell the workers: ‘Build this house as if it was your own, because if it’s not good enough for you, then it’s not good enough for the people buying it.'” Pritchard, 61, said she is enamored with the style of the original homes in Marquez Knolls, which initially sold for around $20,000. These “mid-century” properties are now selling in the $2 million to $3 million range. When Pritchard asked the more than 150 residents gathered at the MKPOA meeting how many of them are the original owners, she was delighted when three-quarters of them put up their hands. “These ’50s houses are a style onto themselves,” Pritchard said. “The design is almost cosmic to me. What I love are their sweeping lines and simplicity. I look at our house and it sort of looks like it’s about to take off. I think they are a real reflection of the time in which they were designed, when we were just starting to move into the space age and people felt free to use their imagination, even putting fins on cars. These houses were built after the war. Everyone was optimistic then.” In 1955, the Lachman family was honored for the contribution it made building the original Kehillat Israel synagogue on Sunset, donating all of the labor for the rough carpentry and supplying other workers at cost. In the early 1960s, the Lachmans built The Americana at 101 California Ave., the first high-rise in Santa Monica, followed by the Huntley Hotel on 2nd Street. The family also acquired a hotel on Ocean Avenue by default. “It happened at a time when my uncles needed funds to expand,” Pritchard said. “Santa Monica Bank, which they were dealing with at the time, said ‘Okay, providing you take over this debt we have on our books.’ So that’s how our family came to own The Surfrider Motel where the Loews Hotel is now. It had a bar with a jazz band and coffee shop. Actors dropped by all the time. I remember Julie Christie being there. We had a lot of good times. Then when my uncles wanted to tear it down and build a bigger hotel the Coastal Commission put the kibosh on it.” Pritchard said it was the L.A. Planning Commission that vetoed the Lachmans’ plans to build several high-rises and a golf course at the top of Marquez, arguing that the project would generate too much traffic. Pritchard regrets that the golf course was never built “as it would have provided some wonderful green space in the neighborhood.” One of the reasons the golf course was never built was because, in the end, the Lachmans were unable to raise the necessary funds. Pritchard said that soon after that her family fell on hard times, a combination of the late 70s recession, coupled with a devastating fire that hit Marquez Knolls in 1978. The last of the property the family owned on the Westside, a lot in Marina del Rey, was sold off in 2003 and is now a car dealership. Pritchard’s father passed away in 1999. “Although there were a lot of difficult times financially, our family always worked hard,” Pritchard said. “My uncles grew up during the Depression, then had to go to war. My dad was a reconnaissance photographer. When he came back he joined the family business. But there were several booms and busts. I remember a time when my father would put his own paycheck in his night table drawer. He was afraid to cash it and of there not being enough to pay the workers. People think our family made a fortune building Marquez Knolls. We might have if we had only built on the flats. But houses were built up the hill to create views, at tremendous cost.” Sixteen homes are currently for sale in Marquez Knolls. Most of them have views. Asked what she thinks of the ongoing controversy over view protection, Pritchard said she finds it “sad. One would hope in the name of civility, neighbors will do the right thing. We all have to trim back our trees so everyone can enjoy the view. What’s nice is the way the houses blend so well into the landscape around here. This was and still is a beautiful place. I urge everyone to keep it that way.”

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