Services were held at Calvary Church in the Palisades Highlands on December 9 for Kenneth Harper Neptune, who died December 3 at the age of 94. A long-time resident of the Palisades, Neptune was a successful architect who designed homes, commercial buildings and restaurants. He also worked for the U.S. Government during and after World War II. He was a member of the Rotary Club, the Long Beach Yacht Club and the Tuna Club of Avalon. Neptune is survived by his daughter Joanna Friend of Canoga Park, his brothers Donald and Homer, and several nieces and nephews.
Estelle Chapman, 59-Year Resident
Longtime Pacific Palisades resident Estelle Chapman passed away at home on December 1. Estelle was born in Festus, Missouri, to Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Scott Wolff. The family of seven girls and two boys moved to Kansas City when she was beginning high school. Her father practiced dentistry as a profession, but also had a law degree, and was elected to the U.S. Congress while Estelle was in high school. His passion for politics was no doubt what gave Estelle her active, enthusiastic love for and involvement in the political process. She attended five Republican conventions, numerous senatorial hearings in Washington, D.C., and four presidential inaugurations, beginning with Ronald Reagan. Estelle was an adventurer, a pioneer and an entrepreneur. She was the only one of her sisters to leave the comfort and security of her home in Kansas City to set out fresh in her marriage to William Edward Bredberg for the great unknown of California. In 1946, they purchased a residential lot on Castellammare Drive in the Palisades and built their dream home. Estelle also became an active Palisades resident. She loved to dance, and dancing was always an important part of her life. She often said she married Bill for love and his dancing talents. The jitterbug was their specialty and they entered and won many contests together. She taught dancing at the Egremont French and English school in Encino, Arthur Murray’s in Beverly Hills and eventually at her own dance studio in West L.A. Estelle is best known for her 45 successful years in real estate and for all the happy families for whom she helped find just the right home. Real estate was more than just a business for Estelle, and her clients realized this about her. Many of the families she worked with were second-generation buyers and sellers, and all were her friends for life. Estelle is survived by her daughter Jacqueline Williams (husband Bill) of Pacific Palisades; son Will Bredberg (wife Sandy) of Mar Vista; grandchildren Rob Perkins (wife Mitali) of Boston, Willie Bredberg (wife Kim) of Mar Vista, Laura Brittain (husband David) of Pacific Palisades and Tracey Lane (husband Brian) of Mar Vista; nine great-grandchildren who loved spending time with their GaGa; her sister Dorothy Pierce of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and her sister-in-law Alpha Wolff of Kansas City. There are also 30 nieces and nephews, most of whom reside in the Midwest. Estelle’s beautiful smile and inner joy always reflected her amazing faith and love for her Lord, Jesus Christ. She lived her faith and made sure her family knew Jesus and His love, as well. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be given in the name of “Chapman Memorial,” Mercy Ships, International., P.O. Box 2020, Lindale, Texas 75771. Or, visit www.mercyships.org.
CLASSIFIED ADS FROM THE DECEMBER 8, 2005 ISSUE OF THE PALISADIAN-POST
HOMES FOR SALE 1
RUSTIC CANYON. Rare opportunity. 5 bdrm, 3 ba Ranch home. Corner lot remodel or rebuild later. Asking $2,195,000. PRINCIPALS ONLY PLEASE. Agent, (310) 564-4499 PROBATE SALE: Pacific Palisades, 16910 Bollinger Dr. Redesign on 6900 sf lot. Min. bid $1,487,000. Bring cashiers check for 10% bid amount. Friday 9 a.m. at Santa Monica courthouse Dept. F, 1725 Main St. Call Joyce Flint, (213) 248-2700 or (323) 466-4669FURNISHED HOMES 2
FURNISHED 6 MONTH lease. $7,500/mo. Exquisite ocean view home in PP. 4 bedroom, 3 bath, private backyard, gourmet kitchen, hardwood floors. Ann Christiansen, (310) 454-1111 FURNISHED OCEAN VIEW HOME. 6 mo. lease in Pacific Palisades. Beautifully decorated and fully furnished. 4 bdrm, 3 ba home. Private fenced backyard. Call Ann @ Coldwell Banker, (310) 454-1111UNFURNISHED HOMES 2a
LOVELY OCEAN & MOUNTAIN VIEWS. 3 bdrms, 1.5 ba in Castellammare area. Deck, hardwood floors. $4,500/mo. Debbie Harrington, AM Realty, (310) 454-5519 PALI HIGHLAND BEAUTIFUL guesthouse, 2 bdrm, 1 ba, den, patio, view, refrigerator, microwave, hot plate. Like new. Some furniture. Separate entry. Must see. $1,800/mo. including utilities. (310) 454-9337 PALISADES HOME ON quiet street, blocks from ocean view. Spacious LR, 2 bd, 1 ba, wood floor, fireplace, private yard, gardener included. 1 year lease. $3,000/mo. (310) 454-0697 NEWER HOME in Palisades Village. Available Jan. 1, 2006. 5 bds, 4.5 ba, pool, no pets. Unfurnished $10,000/mo., furnished $12,000/mo. Agent Amy Hollingsworth, (310) 230-2483 MALIBU BEACH HOUSE LEASE! 3 bedroom, 3 bath, hot tub, sauna, large deck. Available now! $8,500/mo. Please contact Katie McCabe, (310) 339-9112 or katie@katiemccabe.com PALISADES HOUSE AVAILABLE for short term lease (until March 06 possibly April). Unfurnished 3 bedroom, 1.75 bath, Via bluff area. Fridge, stove, fireplace, jacuzzi. Gardener included. $4,000 per month. Call John or Adam, (310) 651-8540 $4,500/MO. BEL-AIR BAY CLUB area. 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, private garden/gardener. 2 fireplaces, 2 car garage, great neighborhood. (310) 601-1209 daytime, (310) 455-7055 eves PALISADES HOMES: Ocean & mountain views. 4 bd, 4 1/2 bath, pristine condition. Master has spa tub, large deck, hardwood floors, sub-zero, Viking stove, granite counters, etc. Close to village. $7,500/mo. (310) 237-2267 $4,300/MO. 2,100 SQ FT, 3+2+den, formal dining room, oak floors, marble bath, oak & granite kitchen, 2 car garage. 16769 Livorno (Marquez Knolls). (310) 309-7714UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS 2c
CHARMING PALISADES DUPLEX. 2 bed+1 bath. Large private yard. Stove, fridge, microwave, W/D, d/w, Jacuzzi, tub. Walk to village. 853 Haverford Ave. $3,000/mo. (310) 454-4599 CARMEL IN THE PALISADES. 2 bedroom, beautiful lot. Walk to village. $3,495/mo. Agent. Call Nancy, (310) 230-7305 LUXURY PALISADES CONDO for lease. $2,000/mo. Edgewater Towers @ Sunset/PCH. 1 bd, 1 ba. New paint/carpet. Util inc. Guard, gated entry. 9 acres, ocn vus, tennis crt/pool. Christian, (310) 623-2451 1 Bed+1 Bath. JUST REMODELED! ALL NEW: tile (kitchen & bath), carpet, stove, dishwasher, heater, paint, sinks, tub, plumbing, landscape, and more. Large upper unit. Mountain views. Extremely quiet. Laundry onsite. Carport. Unfurnished. No pets. Just $1,500/mo. One year lease. 1817 Euclid St. SM. Call (310) 450-0252 for appointment. 2 Bed+1 Bath. JUST REMODELED! ALL NEW; tile (kitchen & bath), floors (wood & carpet), stove, dishwasher, heater, paint, sinks, tub, plumbing, landscape, and more. Upper or lower unit. Extremely quiet. Laundry onsite. Carport. Unfurnished. No pets. Just $1,850/mo. One year lease. 1817 Euclid St., SM. Call (310) 450-0252 for appointment.RENTALS TO SHARE 3a
FABULOUS PRIVATE OFFICES to rent. PCH & Sunset, ocean views. 4-5 offices available. Shared conference room, reception & common areas. Call (310) 230-6866WANTED TO RENT 3b
GARAGE STORAGE SPACE wanted in the Palisades for a car. The owner lives on Chautauqua & drives it twice per month. Please call (818) 557-0135 GRADUATE STUDENT SEEKS quiet sunny space to study/live. Reasonable rent. Responsbl mature woman. Longtime Pali resident. Local refs. Out of town 3-5 days/wk. H (310) 230-1018, cell (310) 430-5768OFFICE, STORE RENTALS 3c
LARGE CORNER OFFICE in Palisades village on Sunset. Second floor. $1,370/mo. (310) 454-0840 or (310) 600-3603 THE ATRIUM BUILDING, 860 Via De La Paz. Two offices available for rent. Short & long term leases. High internet access. On-site management. Valet parking. Call (310) 454-1208 for information.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.comBUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES 5
I’M THE CEO of my life. Are You? Executive Pay Without Executive Stress! (800) 841-8702 FreedomMyWay.com EXECUTIVE LEVEL PAY without executive level stress. www.betterdreams.netLOST & FOUND 6a
MISSING CAT: Black & white longhaired male, Sylvester. Needs medication. $1,000 reward. Any information appreciated. Call (310) 454-3448 FOUND: GAP infant purple hat with ear flaps. 6-12 mos. Name in hat: Brigi Lloyd. Call Palisadian-Post, (310) 454-1321 FOUND: SET OF KEYS on Via de la Paz. Call Palisadian-Post to identify. (310) 454-1321 FOUND: NAVY BLUE fleece sweatshirt with hood for child (10 yrs?) on Via de la Paz. Call Palisadian-Post, (310) 454-1321MISCELLANEOUS 6c
LOOKING FOR A HOME. Gorgeous 18 mo.(?) black long haired, neutered male cat with big green saucer eyes. House trained. Loves outdoors. Call Chris, (310) 963-4780 (cell)BOOKKEEPING/ACCOUNTING 7b
BOOKKEEPER BY THE DAY. Need help with getting your books in order? Help is near! Call Joannie, (310) 486-1055COMPUTER SERVICES 7c
COMPUTER SUPPORT – Home – Business – Desktop & Network Support – Low Rates – One Or One Hundred PCs, We Can Help. WWW.FRANKELCONSULTING.COM. Providing Solutions for 18 Years – (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 QUICKBOOKS-GET ORGANIZED. Set-up, data entry, reporting, tax preparation. Palisades resident. Doris, (310) 913-2753FINANCIAL SERVICES 7e
BECOME DEBT FREE within 9-18 months without filing bankruptcy. (866) 556-1494. Free information.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 – Furniture – Antiques – Collectibles – Junque – Reliable professionals Local ReferencesNANNIES/BABYSITTERS 8a
AFTER SCHOOL NANNY for 10 & 12 yr old boys to help with homework and drive to activities. M-F 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. College degree preferred. Call Lisa, (213) 680-7939. LIVE/IN NANNY for twin infants. Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. Light housekeeping. Call Lisa, (213) 680-7939 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) 801-8309 or (310) 614-5065HOUSEKEEPERS 9a
EXPERIENCED HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE two days. Own transportation. Will do errands, reliable local references. Seven years experience in nice home. Call Delmy, (323) 363-9492 HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTER. References, available Monday thru Friday, light English, full time. Please call Angeles, (213) 413-5512, (213) 249-1165 HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE Thursday, Saturday, Sunday. References, lots of experience, own transportation. Contact Carol, (323) 299-1797 CLEANING BY DAY. Experience and references, own transportation. Call Erika, (213) 385-7922 CLEANING SERVICES. Homes & apartments. Specialize in dusting, vacuuming, laundry and other additional cleaning services needed. References upon request. Ask for Florina Cruz, cell phone (310) 597-9326 or (310) 473-5105 HOUSEKEEPING, REFERENCES, EXPERIENCE 18 years. Own transportation. Speaks English. Available 4 or 5 days. Call Aida, (323) 735-7603 anytime. HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTER. Good references. Experience 20 years. Have car. Good driving record. Live out. CPR for children. Available Mon.-Fri. Call Araceli, H (323) 771-8717, or C (323) 919-4911ELDER CARE/COMPANIONS 10a
HOUSEKEEPING/CHILD & Elderly CARE. Experienced, CPR & first aid certified with medical backgrounds. Live-in or live-out. Fluent English. References avail. Call (888) 897-5888 CAREGIVERS/COMPANIONS: Live in/out. Minimum 2 years experience. Three work related references required. Driving preferred. CNA’S / CHHA’S welcomed. Bondable. Call (323) 692-3692. LICENSED CAREGIVER for elderly. Experienced, references. Live out. Available everyday. (310) 677-7963. Call evenings.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 FULL SERVICE YARD & sprinkler systems. 15 years of experience. References available. Call Javier anytime, cell: (310) 634-5059 or pager: (310) 495-0533 C. DARREN BUTLER, horticulturist, arborist, landscape manager, designer & troubleshooter. Expert maintenance; tree care, trimming & removal; lawn care; water systems; much more. Are laborer gardeners damaging your landscape, ignoring instructions or just not meeting your needs? Perplexed by plant/ tree/lawn/sprinkler problems? Suspect you’re overwatering? Want to grow organic vegetables, modify your landscape or add color? My extensive background includes TV appearances as expert landscaper/horticulturist. (818) 271-0963 MR B’S GARDENING & IRRIGATION. Honest, reliable and knowledgeable. Make your gardening dreams come true. Local experience. Call (310) 633-3173MOVING & HAULING 11b
HONEST MAN SERVICES. 14″ van & dollies. Small jobs to 2 bedrooms. Hauls it all. California/Nevada. Over 12 years. Westside experience. (310) 285-8688HEALING ARTS 12
NEED A PERSONAL TRAINER for your life? Marion Mayer, Life coach, RN, MS specializes in holistic approach to women’s issues, i.e. health, self-care, work life-balance, and stress management. Call for free sample phone session. Pacific Palisades resident 16 years. (310) 573-0400MASSAGE THERAPY 12b
AWARD WINNING MASSAGE by Natalie. Deep tissue specialist. Call (310) 993-8899. www.massagebynatalie.faithweb.comMISCELLANEOUS 13i
PRESSURE WASHING. Driveways, patios, walk-ways, garages, dirt, oil, rust, paint and moss removal. Concrete, brick, natural stone. Clear and colored-stain sealer. Craig, (310) 459-9000PERSONAL SERVICES 14f
PERSONAL ASSISTANT AVAILABLE 2 or 3 times a week. Healthy provincial cooking, errands, shopping. Excellent references. Please call (310) 477-7079, C (310) 430-5927PET 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. Play groups. Does your dog need manners? Call (310) 454-0058 for a happy dog.SCHOOLS, INSTRUCTION 15d
VIOLIN INSTRUCTION. Expert friendly guidance at all levels by highly qualified teacher. Home or studio. Teaching in Palisades 20 years. Laurence Homolka, (310) 459-0500TUTORS 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 assessing 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 MULTI-SUBJECT CREDENTIALED TUTOR. Elementary, middle & high school subjects. ELL. Local references. Palisades resident. Marit, (310) 454-8520 PROFESSIONAL CHESS COACH. 20 years experience, all levels, all ages. Call Zoran, (310) 670-6693 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) 459-4722CABINET 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.comCONCRETE, MASONRY 16c
MASONRY & CONCRETE CONTRACTOR. 36 YEARS IN PACIFIC PALISADES. Custom masonry & concrete, stamped, driveways, pool, 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.comCONSTRUCTION 16d
CASTLE CONSTRUCTION. New homes, remodeling, additions, fine finish carpentry. Serving the Westside for 20 yrs. Lic. #649995. Call James, (310) 450-6237 PALISADES CONSTRUCTION SERVICES. KEVIN B. NUNNELEY. (310) 454-5029. Local References Avail. Lic. #375858ELECTRICAL 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) 317-8286FENCES 16j
THE FENCE MAN. 14 years quality workmanship. Wood fences – Decks – Gates – Chainlink & overhang. Lic. #663238, bonded. (818) 706-1996FLOOR 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) 308-4988HANDYMAN 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 HAVING PROBLEMS not getting your calls returned? Call our handyman services and we will call you back ASAP. (310) 454-3838. Not lic.HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING 16o
SANTA MONICA HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING. INSTALLATION: New and old service and repairs. Lic. #324942 (310) 393-5686PAINTING, PAPERHANGING 16q
PAUL HORST – Interior & Exterior – PAINTING – 51 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 MASTERPIECE PAINTING & DECOR. Stenciling/Faxu/Plaster effects. License #543487 MFA ’84. Bill Lundby, (310) 459-7362 QUALITY PAINTING. Interior/exterior, drywall, stucco. Pressure wash. Reasonable prices. Good prep work. Full clean up. References. Free estimates. Lic. #743089. Call Horst, (310) 589-5711PLUMBING 16s
ROBERT RAMOS, Plumbing Contractor – Copper repipes – Remodels – New Construction – Service & Repair – Water Heaters – Licensed – Bonded – Insured – St. lic. #605556 – Cell, (310) 704-5353 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) 678-6634REMODELING 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 TOP LINE QUALITY craftmanship. Doors, windows, skylights, kitchens, bath, etc. Local references. Not licensed. (310) 428-3822RAINGUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS 16t
GUTTER: Clean-out no more “overflow”, replace dented, rusty, leaky sections, or install new gutter. Call Owen Cruickshank, (310) 459-5485WROUGHT IRON 16x
IRONWORKS. Lic. #811785. Bonded, insured. 20 yrs exper. Ornamental, structural ironworks. Residential/ commercial. Specializing in artistic ironworks. Excellent service, excellent prices. Call (800) 700-9681MISCELLANEOUS 16y
RENE’S WOOD REFINISHING. Kitchen & bath cabinets, wall units and antiques. License #00020808280001-8. Call (310) 397-9631HELP WANTED 17
DRIVERS: 150 K PER TEAMS! Excellent benefits and home time. Regional & Team Opportunities at WERNER ENTERPRISES, (800) 346-2818 Ext. 123 WANTED: NANNY. F/T Mon.-Fri., in Santa Monica area. Newborn experience. Good English, car preferred. January start date. Contact Michelle, (310) 899-1172 ADMIN/PR: Really great position in Pacific Palisades. Will train, develop and reward. Excellent typing skills a plus. Call (310) 454-0317 DENTAL ORTHODONTIC ASSISTANT: Exclusive office in Pacific Palisades. Exceptional opportunity. Call (310) 454-0317 REAL ESTATE OFFICE: Administrator needed. Make sure office runs smoothly. Place real estate ads, ordering supplies, organizing open houses. Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Proficient w/ Microsoft Word & Excel. Must be internet savvy. Organized, reliable, fast-paced w/ multiple demands, good communication skills. Valid driver’s license. Proof of insurance. Fun dynamic team. You’ll be working w/ one of the top agents. Fax resume to (310) 573-4335 or e-mail to garvinm @laestatehomes.com. Salary $11-13/hr. D.O.E. WANTED PART TIME. Office manager for small Palisades office. Flexible hours. Bookkeeping skills a plus. Call (310) 454-1862 LOOKING FOR OFFICE MANAGER. Full time for a new clinic. Medical experience preferred. Computer experience. Please fax resume, (310) 454-5049 NANNY. HIGH-ENERGY, young, activities-oriented nanny needed for 2 1/2 year old girl. Mon.-Fri. Noon to 6 p.m. Must have car. Must speak Spanish and English. (310) 454-1349SITUATIONS WANTED 17a
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT LOOKING for babysitting, errands and tutoring opportunities. Lives in the Palisades. Has car. References upon request. Please call Kaitlyn, (310) 573-1401 (h), (310) 904-8828 (c)ART 18a
LASSEN ARTPRINT of two happy dolphins. #36/100. Framed 38″ x 50″. Hand signed. Valued $7,500, asking $3,500. For info call or e-mail Tracy, (310) 459-8907, Tracy.landau@verizon.net.AUTOS 18b
2004 MERCEDES ML 350. 28K miles, black, sunroof, INSP PKGE, NAV, DVD, RN BDS, leather. $32,300 OBO. (310) 230-2501 1998 CADILLAC SEVILLE SLS 59,000 miles. Immaculate show room condition. All service records. $9,500. (310) 459-4950FURNITURE 18c
FOR SALE: 2 side chairs, $25 each. Coffee table, 48″ x 48,” $100. Chaise longue, $100. 2 silver Bombay chests, $25 each. Call (310) 573-2128 OFFICE FURNITURE: Alex Stuart oak desk, executive chair, leather sofa, 2-drawer file cabinet, bookshelf, secretary chair, 2 conference chairs with arms. Contact R. Neuhoff, day (310) 826-8803, eve (310) 454-1240 ARMOIRE, MAHOGANY with satin wood inlay in Bellflower pattern. Circa 1915. Approx 72″ x 82″. $2,450. (310) 454-4372GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 18d
ESTATE & DESIGNER REMODEL SALE. Oriental rugs. Custom and antique furniture. Designer fabrics. Estate jewelry. TV & computer items. Waterford crystal and much more. Sat., Dec. 10th 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. NO EARLYBIRDS please. 716 El Medio Ave. YARD SALE Brand new computer monitor (unopened in box), housewares, home furnishings, clothes, knick-knacks, jewelry. Sat. Dec 10th 9 a.m.-noon. 1007 Embury St. END-OF-YEAR “Clear out”. Dig and browse! Bargains! Lots of stuff. Toys/clothes/knick-knacks/books/cds/etc. 953 Glenhaven (Sunset/Bienveneda/ Akron/Merivale) FRI.-SAT., Dec. 9-10; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. MULTI-FAMILY GARAGE sale. In alley behind 428 Via de la Paz. Sat. Dec. 10th, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Shop here for holiday gifts. Something for everyone.PETS, LIVESTOCK 18e
CHI-POO PUPPIES, GORGEOUS! 3 Females, 1/2 toy poodle, 1/2 chihuahua. So cute! You must see. $450 each. Have first shots. Contact: H (310) 454-0053, C (310) 691-9893 CHIHUAHUA PUPPIES. So tiny, so adorable. Teacup size. Perfect puppies. $1,200 each. Have first shots. Contact: H (310) 454-0053, C (310) 691-9893MISCELLANEOUS 18g
JEWELRY TRUNK SHOW at Whispers by the jewelry therapist on Saturday December 17, 2005 for that last minute Christmas and Chanukah gift. CHARITY GARAGE SALE:. Furniture, toys, electronics. Saturday, December 10th, 8 a.m.-noon. 1150 Lachman Lane, Pacific Palisades. All proceeds to charity. SMALL BALDWIN ORGAN. $400 obo. Buyer to pay moving costs of $300. (310) 454-5713 BABY CHANGING TABLE. Thea Segal, 5 drawers on gliders, changing pad, caddy. Blue and pink knobs. $500. Phil & Ted’s double stroller, $150. Call Michelle, (310) 383-0998WANTED TO BUY 19
WANTED: Old tube guitar amplifiers, ’50s, ’60s, etc. Tommy, (310) 306-7746 – profeti2001@yahoo.comRealtor Debby Harrington Makes History as President of Optimists
By EVELYN BARGE Palisadian-Post Intern As the Pacific Palisades Optimist Club prepares to observe its 50th anniversary in April 2006, the organization is also celebrating another landmark event in its history: the election of the club’s first woman president. Debby Harrington, a lifelong Palisades resident and daughter of Celeste and John Harrington of Harrington’s Camera Corner, was elected president of the club in October. “It was sort of a process of elimination,” Harrington said of her election. “I think they were looking forward to having a woman as president, just something different.” Out of 59 members, Harrington is one of five women who are actively involved in the club. Given the club’s preponderance of men, Harrington said a few of them were reluctant to elect a woman president, but that any initial uncertainties have been smoothed over. “The guys are just incredible with their support,” she said. “It’s been wonderful.” As president, Harrington said she has several plans on her agenda to help strengthen membership and the club’s 30 committees. “My main focus is to get new members,” she said. “Right now, we’re a good, solid group, but we can improve.” To achieve this goal, Harrington said she will divide the club into four groups that will compete to recruit the most members. “The winning team will be rewarded by the team that comes in last,” she said. “My goal is to increase our membership to 84 by the end of the fiscal year,” next October 1. She also wants to support the club’s individual committees, which oversee all aspects of the club and its charity events. An Optimist Club member for six years, Harrington said she joined after being recruited by her friend Don Scott, a former club president. Currently an agent at A.M. Realty on Sunset, she has been selling real estate in the Palisades and Westside for nearly 20 years. She attended Palisades High and spent much of her childhood helping her parents run the camera store. “I joined because my roots are here,” she said. “I wanted to help the club and help the youth. I decided to focus on the Optimist Club, so I could be more effective in the group.” Chartered in 1956, the Pacific Palisades Optimist Club is one of more than 3,200 autonomous Optimist Clubs in communities worldwide. Among the Palisades club’s service activities is fundraising for the Optimist Youth Home near downtown Los Angeles, which houses up to 100 boys between the ages of 12 and 18. Therapists, social workers, youth-care counselors and educators work with each boy and his family in individualized treatment plans. The group also contributes money and labor to the Optimist Scholarship Fund and the Fourth of July Will Rogers 5K/10K Run, among other philanthropic activities. Harrington said she has enjoyed seeing the Optimist Club’s efforts pay off in the local community. “It really makes you think of others, instead of yourself,” she said. “It has changed my life.” She will be club president for one year, before Conrad Solum moves into the elected position. “It will probably take that long for me to just figure it all out,” Harrington joked. Until then, she said she hopes the club, which still has some of its original founding members, will grow and prosper. “I’ve never really been so involved in the community as I am now, and it feels really good.” The Palisades Optimist Club meets on Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m. in the Oak Room at Mort’s Deli.
Scouts Raise Special Flag at Village Green
By GREG FROST, Special to the Palisadian-Post On Veterans Day this year, Boy Scouts from Troop 223 in Pacific Palisades and members of American Legion Post 283 dedicated and raised a new American flag over the Village Green in honor of all the veterans who have served our country. The Scouts then presented the old flag to members of Post 283, who disposed of it in a proper fashion. The flag raised has a special significance. This summer, 39 scouts and dads of Troop 223 attended the Danish National Jamboree in Denmark as part of their annual High Adventure trip. Twenty members of that group had toured Europe prior to the Jamboree. As part of that tour, they visited the beaches at Normandy where World War II’s D-Day invasion took place. They also toured the American Cemetery at Normandy where those who lost their lives during the invasion are interred. At the American Cemetery, the scouts, some of whom are members of Squadron 283 (Sons of the American Legion) laid two wreaths on the memorial, one for Troop 223 and one for Legion Post 283, in honor and memory of those who fought to free Europe from Nazi tyranny. The Palisades American Legion had provided the scouts with an American flag to take to the cemetery. They displayed the flag over various parts of the cemetery, including at a promontory overlooking the D-Day beaches. This seemed to mean a great deal to people visiting the cemetery, including a group of British tourists, who asked to photograph the Boy Scouts with the flag. The scouts thought it would be an honor to present that flag to all of the members of Post 283, especially those who served in Europe, and did so in a ceremony at the Legion Hall on October 19. Legion members, in turn, felt it would be appropriate to fly this flag over the Village Green, given its significance. There, it will fly in memory and honor of all the veterans who have served our country. The scouts who took the flag to the American Cemetery in Normandy were Ryan Ashley, Jeremy Byler, Charlie Caldwell, Michael D’Elia, Kevin Frost, Dalton and Tim Gerlach, David Henney Jr., Cameron Lancey, Erick Mack, Alex Ouligian, James Peterson, Stephen Shigamatsu, Tyler Skoro, Michael Soneff and Colin Trewhitt, as well as dads David Henney, George Soneff, Doug Trewhitt and Greg Frost. Scouts taking part in the November 11 ceremony at the Village Green were Alex Frost, Cameron Lancey, Graham Gallaher, Brian Curran, Brian Cheung, Austin Haldeman, Tyler Caldwell, Charlie Caldwell, Ander Sanborn, Grant Stromberg and Thomas Ouligian.
PaliHi Creates Facilities Group to Tackle Plant Improvements
At its November 29 meeting, the Palisades Charter High School board of directors formally established a Facilities Planning Task Force to assist and advise the board by providing comprehensive and coordinated planning for the future of the school’s physical plant. “Our work ahead is both exciting and daunting,” said task force chairman Rick Mills in an e-mail to his initial members. “We can do a lot to make Palisades High even better, both in the short-term and over the long-term.” Mills told the Palisadian-Post earlier in the month that “many ideas for the campus have already been brought up, but have never been considered in a comprehensive fashion. These include physical improvements which would reduce average class size, a quality theater/auditorium, modernized classrooms and offices, new and improved sports facilities, and an on-campus pool.” Task force members include representatives from the administration, faculty, student body, LAUSD and the community. Faculty members include Bud Kling, tennis coach and PaliHi board member; Monica Iannessa, the arts; Simon Santana, study center; and Maggie Nance, language teacher and swim coach. Community members include Rick Mills, realtor; Roberta Donohue, Palisadian-Post publisher; Jim Suhr, PaliHi board member; T. Scott MacGillivray, architect; James Bailey, associate VP at Coldwell Banker-Westmac; and Marilyn Haese, public relations professional. Student include seniors Katie Linahon and Griffin Pepper. The objectives of the task force have been set down by the board to be specific and focused. These include, first, that the members learn LAUSD rules and procedures related to the physical plant so they understand both the legal and bureaucratic constraints. “Our first tasks will also include developing a needs assessment survey, getting much more detailed information from LAUSD on various projects in their pipeline, and assembling information on our existing campus,” said Mills, who is also chairman of the Palisades Design Review Board and married to PaliHi English teacher Ruth Mills. Their two children, Jeanette and Josh, are Pali graduates. Mills said that his group will offer suggestions on both needed improvements and desired improvements and prepare a long-term plan and identify short-term improvements. Funds are already earmarked by LAUSD to rebuild the floor and surrounding walkways at Mercer Hall, and there may be a way for the school to supplement LAUSD’s funds to make Mercer a more usable facility, Mills added. “Reducing average class size is a key objective,” said the board of directors’ directive. The next step will be to lay the groundwork for paying for the future facilities. For the remainder of the fiscal year, the board authorized the task force to use up to $5,000 to meet its objectives, subject to the approval of chief business officer Greg Wood, principal Gloria Martinez or the new executive director (who has not yet been hired). “We have people with expertise in various important areas, and it would be great for people to dive in with what they know,” Mills said. “I see myself more as a ‘planning nudge’ rather than an expert on any one thing. I like to coordinate, build consensus, facilitate and see results.” Mills said he planned to have a meeting before winter break starts on December 16, “so we can be working on some things over the holidays.”
Santa Is in Good Early-Season Form
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
By MARILYN CRAWFORD Special to the Palisadian-Post Although the evening was cool and damp, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus were visited by more than 300 children last Friday night during their early-season visit to Pacific Palisades. After arriving on Swarthmore Avenue at 5:15 p.m. on Fire Truck 69, the cheerful North Polers were escorted by Chamber Elves into Mort’s Oak Room. The room had been transformed into a magical, twinkling room with six beautiful fir trees, strands of lights, Santa’s sled, balloons and a large smiling snowman. Children lined up with their parents in tow to visit the Clauses, who were sitting upon their bright red sled. While Santa listened, Mrs. Santa gave each child a gift, compliments of the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce. Honorary Mayor Steve Guttenberg stopped by to visit. Mr. and Miss Palisades, elves and volunteers helped with the Santa line to insure every child had an opportunity to speak with the Jolly One. Although it drizzled off and on throughout the festivities, the town’s Oom PaPa band was undeterrred. They arrived, set up outside and began playing holiday music for all to enjoy. Free hot chocolate from Mort’s Deli was served by elves, and Amy the Face Painter delighted the children with her unique designs. All in all it was a grand evening; friends met friends and made new ones. If one parent forgot to bring a camera, someone else stepped up to take the picture of their child with Santa. Great moments of friendship and camaraderie was what this event was all about. Happy Holidays, everyone!
David Carr Debunks ‘The Da Vinci Code’ In a Hip New Documentary
By EVELYN BARGE Palisadian-Post Intern When Palisadian producer David Carr read “The Da Vinci Code” by author Dan Brown two years ago, he said he was initially taken in by some of the book’s factual claims. “The way the book reads is pretty compelling, and it seems as if it’s all true,” Carr said of the New York Times bestseller about a murder mystery wrapped in religious conspiracy theories. The meticulously researched book even includes a fact page, which states that all the documents, rituals, organizations, artwork and architecture cited in the novel exist. Since its publication in 2003, “The Da Vinci Code” has fascinated millions of readers, from those who believe the book is more than a work of fiction to those who harshly criticize the novel’s assertions about topics such as secret religious societies and the Holy Grail. “The Da Vinci Code” has also inspired dozens of documentaries that attempt to either support or debunk the legends found in Brown’s novel. When Carr and his production company, Beantown Productions, were approached by The Learning Channel to pitch their idea for a special program on “The Da Vinci Code,” he said they decided to take a fresh approach to a well-worn topic. “We gave them a little taste of what we were going to do,” Carr said. “During one portion of the pitch, we took the image of Da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’ painting and lifted some of the images out and zoomed around in the painting. It brought the painting to life.” Several companies pitched their proposals for the special to TLC, and Beantown was hired to produce the project. “There have been a few different specials on ‘The Da Vinci Code’ that have that A&E-Biography pace,” Carr said. “Our show isn’t like that at all.” Carr, who co-directed and co-produced the program with his Beantown partner David Comtois, said they wanted to produce an hour-long special with a younger, hipper spin than other “Da Vinci” documentaries. “It’s not your father’s ‘Da Vinci Code’ show,” Carr said. “It’s really fast, and the information still comes through. We try to make it more visually stimulating and more accessible to a wider, younger audience.” Titled “Da Vinci Declassified,” the documentary takes an oftentimes comedic look at Brown’s assertions about the Priory of Sion, a secret religious society in “The Da Vinci Code” that protects the secret of the Holy Grail. On its second page, the book states the Priory of Sion was founded in 1099 and that it is a real organization. “We wanted to see if it was true, so we went to the real locations and investigated,” Carr said. “We actually found that it is not true.” In the process of probing and debunking “Da Vinci” legends, the production team traveled around Europe in spring 2005, visiting the real locations mentioned in the book and filming segments of the documentary at each site. “Traveling Europe was the most fun part,” Carr said. “It was really fascinating, because wherever we went, there were tons and tons of other visitors touring the places in the book.” During their travels, the team visited Rosslyn Chapel in the village of Roslin, Scotland. According to the book, the chapel once contained the Holy Grail, which was supposedly buried beneath the Star of David, which is engraved on the chapel floor. Tour guides at the chapel told Carr that they have been receiving close to 25,000 visitors a year since the release of “The Da Vinci Code.” Carr said the production team’s visit to the Louvre in Paris was also a testament to the popularity of “The Da Vinci Code.” “There were 500 people there, jumping on each other’s shoulders to take pictures of the ‘Mona Lisa,'” he said of Da Vinci’s famous portrait that figures prominently in the solution to the murder mystery in Brown’s book. “This was three whole years after the book was published.” “It’s really been a tourist phenomenon,” Carr added. “People in Paris have been inundated with groups of tourists looking for ‘Da Vinci Code’ sites. We investigated that a little, too, and went with some tourist groups and interviewed some of those people.” In addition to tourist interviews, “Da Vinci Declassified” uses interviews with historians, art specialists, scientists and mathematicians in its quest to discredit some of the myths and legends surrounding “The Da Vinci Code.” Carr and his team also interviewed the authors of source books used by Brown to compile his novel, such as “Holy Blood, Holy Grail.” The 1983 bestseller popularized a legend that claims Jesus survived the crucifixion, had children with his wife Mary Magdalene and established a bloodline of holy kings. “We wanted to separate the truth from the myth,” Carr said. With so much information to convey in the hour-long program, Carr said Beantown’s style of production was well suited for the task. “There’s a lot packed into an hour, and there’s a lot of story to tell,” he said. “That’s one reason why it’s so fast-paced.” The program’s dynamic style is also the signature style of Beantown Productions, which was founded by Carr and Comtois in 1992. “Our style of documentary is faster, more graphics-driven and more music-driven,” he said. “That’s our brand of production.” The company began by producing television promos for big-name shows such as “The Simpsons” and “Cops.” They started producing documentaries seven years ago. Carr graduated in 1986 from Boston University, where he met Comtois, his Beantown partner and co-founder. A Palisades resident for 10 years with his wife Carol and their two children, Stephen and Jacqueline, Carr said he hopes Beantown’s latest documentary will inspire viewers to question their assumptions about “The Da Vinci Code.” “Just like we did, the book asks some hard questions,” he said. “It’s good for people to go out and find this stuff out for themselves.”
1955: Theresa and John Loef
Golden Couples of Pacific Palisades
Theresa and John Loef were married 50 years on November 12. Their first meeting in October 1954 was far from romantic. Terry was a New York-based flight attendant for American on transfer to California for three months. The airline gave the flight attendants guest passes to the Del Mar Club beach club on Pico. Terry and her girlfriends entered the club. “I saw a sea of men approaching us and I saw two guys sitting in the corner of the bar,” Terry recalls. “We headed straight over to the two guys because it seemed safer.” John’s friend instantly got up and offered his seat, but John stayed put. “Anyone can have this seat after 7:30,” John said. Terry remembers thinking, “That isn’t too gallant.” Today, John explains that for a dollar you could drink anything you wanted for an hour and a half, which is why he made the comment in jest that he wasn’t vacating his chair until the time was up. Terry must have left an impression on him, though, because he kept calling her after that night. “But I didn’t go out with him,” she said. John grew up in Maitowoc, Wisconsin, and received a degree in mechanical engineering. He went into the Navy and was at Pearl Harbor after the bombing to help with submarine repairs. During the Korean War he was called back into service to help with regular ship repair. He’s 10 years older than Terry and was a confirmed bachelor when they met. Terry’s roommate invited John and a friend to dinner. The men originally said no because they were going skiing, but when the ski rack fell off the car they went to dinner instead. Terry already had a date for dinner and Rose Bowl tickets for the following day. By the end of the evening, it seemed that she was spending more time with John than with her date. “From that time on we just seemed to blend,” Terry says. Another problem cropped up: How do you get a confirmed bachelor to pop the question? In April, Terry’s sister from Brockton, Massachusetts, was visiting and Terry had to work. While she was flying, John entertained her sister, taking her all over the city. When she got ready to leave, Terry expressed her doubt about whether John really liked her. Her sister said, “He loves you. He wouldn’t drag a sister all over the place if he didn’t.” Her sister suggested, “Just tell him you’re transferring back to New York.” In July, Terry and John were at a party at the Malibu Colony. There was a full moon as they went for a long walk on the beach. Terry took her sister’s advice and told John she was returning to New York. “Would you come back?” he asked. “I can’t answer that,” she said. At the end of July at another party, John’s brother was visiting and asked him, “If you marry her, would I have to go to Brockton?” “I’m not getting married,” John said. Terry came out and he started talking with her. A moment later she pushed the screen doors open at the house and ran in shouting, “I’m getting married.” “In two hours I went from telling my brother I wasn’t getting married to getting engaged,” John said. They were married November 12, 1955 in St. Casimir in Los Angeles and had their reception at the old Santa Ynez Inn in Pacific Palisades. “A beautiful place, a lovely dining room,” John recalls. “Now people hop in bed right away, live together, have a big wedding and then get a divorce,” Terry says. “I don’t get it.” “We took our vows seriously, for better or worse,” John says. They eventually bought a house on Kagawa for $23,000, then sold it for $40,000. The realtor told them that houses on the Alphabet streets would never be worth more than that, so they moved to the Huntington in 1966, where they’ve lived for the past 39 years. John worked at Douglas Aircraft for 23 years and retired at 56. He then worked for Hughes for an additional 11 years before retiring for good. They had three children’Lisa, Peter and Martin’within three years, and a fourth child, Michael, came six years later. John always insisted that once a month the two of them had time alone. They would go away for the weekend. “It helps bond you and keeps you together,” Terry said. The relationship wasn’t always smooth. “It was World War III at times,” Terry admits. How did they get through those times? “She would be so angry she wouldn’t talk,” John says. “I usually talked first.” “In a relationship you sometimes have to go more than 50-50,” Terry says. “Sometimes it’s 90 percent you have to go. He’s done more 90 than I have.” “It’s because you’re so feisty,” John says. “You have to keep working and working,” Terry says. “A marriage isn’t stagnant.” The two have traveled to all six continents and 70 countries. Once while they were in the Italian Alps, they packed a lunch and went for a hike. They discovered a deserted villa and picnicked on the balcony, where they had a spectacular view. “I always wonder about that place,” Terry said. “The tiles were intact, but the beautiful lampposts had been broken by vandals.” In addition to traveling, they participate in Elderhostel programs, which take them hot air ballooning in New Mexico, painting and canoeing in the Appalachians and wine tasting in Napa. In Maine they took a week-long cooking class and then a week of learning how to use power tools. Their 50th anniversary was a four-week celebration. Their children surprised them with a party at the Casa del Mar, where they first met. “I told them I didn’t want anything,” Terry said. “And then you started complaining because it looked like they weren’t going to do anything,” John said with a smile. After that party they traveled to Massachusetts, where Terry’s relatives gave them three parties in one day and then they departed on a two-week Caribbean cruise. While on board they planned to renew their vows, like they had done for their 20th and 40th anniversaries, but the priest missed boarding the ship. The Loefs did it themselves on the ship’in the moonlight, on the balcony, overlooking the ocean. “Every morning, he clips out the ‘Love is. . .’ from the newspaper and puts it by my plate,” Terry said. “I could have searched the whole world and never found someone who would love me as he does.”
Perloff to Discuss Her Roots in Vienna and Her Life in America
Dr. Marjorie Perloff, a Palisadian and scholar in residence at USC, will be discussing her book “The Vienna Paradox,” a memoir of her childhood in Vienna and her family’s escape to the U.S. after the rise of Nazism, on Saturday, December 10 at 10:30 a.m. at the Palisades Branch Library, 861 Alma Real. The enduring paradox concerns the two Viennas of the 1930s. One was a place of great beauty, art and sophistication, decorated with the old imperial grandeur of the Hapsburgs. The other was a fetid city, of bedbug-ridden shelters that bred a virulent type of violence and desperation that served as a laboratory for hateful ideas of a young Adolf Hitler. Social, cultural and political issues arose as a result of this paradox, many of which can still be seen today. Perloff was born into the Jewish haute bourgeoisie of that imperial city. Her world was one of strong intellectual and artistic traditions with Goethe as the literary hero and Kant as philosophical patron saint; of intelligent, educated parents; of musical gatherings and elegant parties; of celebrations of Christmas and Easter, rather than Hanukkah and Passover. A day after the Anschluss, on March 12, 1938, when Hitler marched unopposed to cheers into an Austria bedecked with flags of the Third Reich, six-year-old Perloff, her older brother, her parents and a few other close relatives left Vienna for Rome. Once in America, her family settled in a small house in Riverdale, New York, far removed from the grand apartment in Vienna. Perloff’s personal life reflects her desire to become as American as possible, even changing her name to Marjorie from her given name Gabriele, graduating from Columbia, marrying a medical student, raising a family, and pursuing a teaching and writing career. In “The Vienna Paradox,” she concentrates on a view of academics, art and literature, rather than on the details of her own life. Her enthusiasm, her refusal to take herself seriously, her wit and good humor and wide-ranging knowledge of art, literature, politics and human nature, make “The Vienna Paradox” enjoyable. After a long academic career spent at the University of Maryland, USC and Stanford, Perloff is currently a scholar in residence at USC. In her critical work, she has focused on poetics, with books on Yeats, Robert Lowell, Frank O’Hara and another half-dozen titles dedicated to avant garde poetry. Everyone is invited to the event in the Library meeting room. The program is sponsored by the Pacific Palisades Library Association, which will be serving morning refreshments. Contact: 459-2754.
