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CLASSIFIED ADS FROM THE DECEMBER 15, 2005 ISSUE OF THE PALISADIAN-POST

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FURNISHED 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

UNFURNISHED 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 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) 309-7714 NEWLY REMODELED 2 bdrm, 2 ba. Large fenced rear yard. 2 block walk to town. No pets. N/S. $6,500/mo. Contact (310) 230-2622 PACIFIC PALISADES BLUFFS! 2+2. $4,295/mo. 610 Muskingum Ave. Mary Beth Woods, Coldwell Banker, (310) 571-1358

UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS 2c

CHARMING PALI DUPLEX. 2 bed+1 bath. Large private yard. Stove, fridge, microwave, W/D, d/w, Jacuzzi tub. Walk to village. 853 Haverford Ave. Alarm. $2,800/mo. obo. (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.

ROOMS FOR RENT 3

BACHELOR UNIT AVAILABLE. Private entrance, great neighborhood, kitchenette, new paint, new carpet. Close to beach. $1,100/mo. Call Janet, (310) 230-0230 ROOM WITH A private bath. Marquez area. Close to schools and buses. One person, no pets, private garden entrance. No kitchen. $800/mo. Call Lisa, (310) 266-0279

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) 230-6866

WANTED 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) 430-5768 FEMALE EUROPEAN with mid-size dog seeks room/guest-house. Works locally since 6 years. Is willing to assist with errands. Please call (310) 980-4939

OFFICE, 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.com

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES 5

I’M THE CEO of my life. Are You? Executive Pay Without Executive Stress! (800) 841-8702 FreedomMyWay.com LEARN TO MAKE your annual income a monthly income. Home based. Be your own boss. Have time, freedom. CALL NOW: (800) 431-1981

LOST & FOUND 6a

MISSING CAT: Black & white longhaired male, Sylvester. Needs medication. $1,000 reward. Any information appreciated. Call (310) 454-3448

BOOKKEEPING/ACCOUNTING 7b

BOOKKEEPER BY THE DAY. Need help with getting your books in order? Help is near! Call Joannie, (310) 486-1055

COMPUTER 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

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 References

NANNIES/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) 614-5065 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)

HOUSEKEEPERS 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 HOUSEKEEPING, REFERENCES, EXPERIENCE 18 years. Own transportation. Speaks English. Available 4 or 5 days. Call Aida, (323) 735-7603 anytime. HOUSEKEEPER 20 years experience. References. Available M-F. Cleaning, laundry. Call Maria, (213) 487-6691 EXPERIENCED HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE 2 days. Own transportation. References. 20 years experience. Reliable. Will do errands. Understands English. Call (323) 778-0032 MY WONDERFUL HOUSEKEEPER is indeed available. Tuesday, Thursday. Joyce, (310) 454-1905

ELDER 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.

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 MR B’S GARDENING & IRRIGATION. Honest, reliable and knowledgeable. Make your gardening dreams come true. Local experience. Call (310) 633-3173

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

MASSAGE THERAPY 12b

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

MISCELLANEOUS 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) 459-9000

PERSONAL 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) 430-5927

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. 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) 459-0500

TUTORS 15e

INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION. EXPERIENCED TUTOR 20+ YEARS. Children & adults, 20+ yrs teaching/tutoring exper. MATH, GRAMMAR, WRITING & STUDY SKILLS. Formerly special ed teacher. Call (310) 313-2530. SCIENCE & MATH TUTOR, All levels (elementary to college). Ph.D., MIT graduate, 30 years experience. Ed Kanegsberg, (310) 459-3614 MS. SCIENCE TUTOR. Ph.D., Experienced, Palisades resident. Tutor All Ages In Your Home. Marie, (310) 888-7145 EXPERIENCED SPANISH TUTOR. All 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 CLEARLY MATH TUTORING. Specializing in math! Elementary thru college level. Test prep, algebra, trig, geom, calculus. Fun, caring, creative, individualized tutoring. Math anxiety. Call Jamie, (310) 459-4722 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

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 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.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 PALISADES CONSTRUCTION SERVICES. KEVIN B. NUNNELEY. (310) 454-5029. Local References Avail. Lic. #375858

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

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 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) 393-5686

PAINTING, 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

PLUMBING 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) 678-6634

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

RAINGUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS 16t

GUTTER: Clean-out no more “overflow”, replace dented, rusty, leaky sections, or install new gutter. Call Owen Cruickshank, (310) 459-5485

WROUGHT 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) 700-9681

MISCELLANEOUS 16y

RENE’S WOOD REFINISHING. Kitchen & bath cabinets, wall units and antiques. License #00020808280001-8. Call (310) 397-9631

HELP 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: Super office assistant 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. 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) 454-1349 FULL TIME take charge housekeeper for two adults. Pacific Palisades. Drive. California license, insurance. Errands, simple cooking, cleaning organized. (310) 459-3091, leave message, telephone, time to call. Call after 8 p.m. BABYSITTER PRE-SCHOOL TEACHER 10 years experience and references. Own transportation. Available 4 days a week. Adriana, (310) 895-1500 PART-TIME NANNY/personal assistant wanted in afternoons during the week on a consistent basis in Pacific Palisades. 20-30 hours, 3-4 days a week. Salary flexible. Looking for loving, enthusiastic person to participate in activities with 6 & 4 yr old, including homework, play dates and enforcing manners. Must be able to be both structured and creative. Duties will include household organization. English speaking and drive. (213) 617-5480, Polly PALISADES PROFESSIONAL FIRM needs an experienced bookkeeper, proficient in Peachtree or Quickbooks and Excel. Experience in income tax input a plus. Responsibilities include bank account reconciliation, payroll tax returns, accounts payable, accounts receivable, tax data input, etc. Should have good organizational skills, be a team player, and be detail oriented. Benefits include good salary, health insurance, 401k Plan and Flex-Time. Please fax resume to (310) 313-0242 PALISADES PROFESSIONAL FIRM seeks full time receptionist/Director of First Impressions. Must be detail oriented; prior Accounts Receivable experience helpful; some seasonal overtime. Good salary plus health insurance; 401k; and flex-time. Please fax your resume to (310) 313-0242

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

2000 DODGE RAM 1500 pick-up, 4 wheel drive, V8, loaded. Camper shell, grill guard. 65K, 14K obo. (310) 924-9558 MOTORCYCLE: HARLEY DAVIDSON 2000 Dynaglide, black, lots of chrome. Showroom condition. $10,500. Call Jeff, (310) 454-3253

FURNITURE 18c

OFFICE FURNITURE FOR SALE. Conference table and 6 chairs. 42″x 84″ secretary desk and chair, two sofas, bookcase, pictures. Call (310) 454-1388

GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 18d

LAST-MINUTE XMAS SHOP. Stocking stuffers. Great decorations! Knick-knacks! Plus beaut silk chaise longue/shabby chic vanity/upholstered chairs/low foot tables/contemp bow front dressers/ glass table tops/folding chairs/clothes/more! 15301 DePauw (at Lombard). FRI.-SAT., Dec. 16-17; 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

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) 691-9893

MISCELLANEOUS 18g

JEWELRY TRUNK SHOW at Whispers by the jewelry therapist on Saturday December 17, 2005 for that last minute Christmas and Chanukah gift. 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) 383-0998

WANTED TO BUY 19

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

Marvin Braude: A Man of Integrity, Vision, and Dogged Determination

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Former City Councilman Marvin Braude attended the Palisades Democratic Club meeting in August 2004.
Former City Councilman Marvin Braude attended the Palisades Democratic Club meeting in August 2004.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

Saving the Santa Monica Mountains would have been enough, or stopping oil drilling on the coast, or eliminating smoking in public places. Any one of these would have been enough. But Marvin Braude did them all, as friends and colleagues attested at his memorial Monday at University Synagogue in Brentwood. Dignitaries offering their respects included the mayor and members of the City Council, city attorney, chief of police, a state senator, a county supervisor, former colleagues, constituents, and his two daughters and their families. The diminutive man who faced down giants in his 32-year career representing the 11th City Council District passed away on December 7, nine months after his wife Marjorie. He was 85. Praised for his farsightedness and dogged persistence, Braude enjoyed repeated re-election victories, before term limits, which afforded him years to pursue ideas that were way ahead of his time. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa chose to describe Braude’s legacy in the context of the Jewish belief in tikkun olam, repairing the world. “We all have responsibility to repair the world through social action,” Villaraigosa said. “Few leave a greater legacy to this than Marvin Braude.” An unlikely politician, Braude had already started several businesses and sold his data systems company to Xerox by the time he decided to run against incumbent councilman Karl Rundberg in 1965. The issue was the threat to extend the proposed Beverly Hills Freeway across the San Diego Freeway, with a bridge across Mandeville Canyon. He and his wife Marjorie, who had moved to California and settled in Brentwood in 1952, were avid cyclists and hikers in the Santa Monica Mountains. Braude devoted much of his career to protecting these areas from exploitation and was a major force behind the creation of the National Recreation Area. Certainly for Palisadians, Braude’s 20-year effort to stop Occidental Petroleum from drilling oil along the local beaches remains a precious legacy. His colleague on city council for 19-1/2 years Zev Yaroslavsky cited their collaboration to control real estate development and to stop coastal oil drilling in the city as “the most fulfilling experiences of my own public service career. “Our successful battle in 1988 to stop an insidious oil drilling scheme….would have been impossible without his longstanding and often lonely crusade.” In his commitment to the environment, Braude eschewed the internal combustine engine, electing to ride his bike in the Palisades’ annual Fourth of July parade, and commuting downtown in his EV electric car. Indeed, Braude was unflappingly independent. His daughter Ann, who was 9 years old when her father entered politics, conveyed his philosophy. “Daddy was convinced that given research and access to the best information available, he could determine what was right.” Senator Sheila Kuehl commended Braude for leading by example. “His calm, methodical approach to laying the groundwork, coupled with building support, was his way of getting it done.” Despite the protracted battles and frequent defeats, Braude seldom gave up. His 20-year effort to ban cigarette smoking from public offices began in 1973 when he took on the tobacco industry and ended with the citywide ban on smoking in the early 1990s. For Braude there was no time like the present. “This was his primary lesson,” said Charlie Britton, who served as his deputy from 1965 to 1982. “People tend to wait until the weather will get better or until the birds begin to sing, but Braude believed that you start. He was that intuitive political entrepreneur who was willing to make an investment in things and build support.” Braude was also a champion of citizen participation, recalled his colleague Terry Cooper, a professor of public policy and development at USC, where Braude was a “distinguished practitioner in residence” after he retired from city government in 1997. Cooper, who was an organizer for the United Methodist Church in the Pico-Union area of Los Angeles, recalled a telling city council meeting he attended in the 1960s. “Speakers from the area, which is made up of mostly by poor Latinos, Asians and gangs, and slum housing, appeared before the council to testify. While the council in those days tended to brush these people off, Braude protested. ‘No, give them more time. They need to be heard.’ “In 1996, when a resolution was first introduced to form city neighborhood councils, there were seven signatures, and Braude’s was at the top of the list,” Cooper added. “‘I want to see this system allow more time for people to be heard,’ Braude said.” Neighborhood councils were adopted in charter reform in 1999. Braude considered his city his backyard; he was always at home in the city of Los Angeles,”Ann said, adding that her mother and sister got his attention on the weekends, while his colleagues and staff shared him weekdays. “I often wonder how his staff put up with him,” she quipped. Certainly his longtime deputy Cindy Miscikowski, who succeeded him in the 11th District, knew him well. “Marvin was not the typical, back-slapping politician,” she said. “He walked a unique course. Known for being sartorially challenged, she said he distinguished himself with his wardrobe selections’often hopelessly matched jackets and pants’and abstemiousness. “When he invited you to lunch, it was often to share his brown bag lunch in his office: granola, powdered milk, topped off with a cup of Postum. “He was proud of his family and eager to praise Liza’s paintings or Ann’s books, and Marjorie’s accomplishments in developing a domestic violence task force.” The couple met and fell in love while attending University of Chicago. Marvin was studying political science and economics, while Marjorie was in the middle of her medical training. They honeymooned in Yosemite, which sparked their love of California and its natural beauty. Marjorie, practiced psychiatry in Brentwood, sponsored a conference on domestic violence in 1994 and led the Los Angeles Domestic Violence Task Force. In the last few months before his death, Braude somewhat diminished in health, enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, baby Benjamin Braude Adler, who was named after Marvin’s father, and Emma, who soon learned her place in the family. “You are Emma and I am grandpa Marvin,” he would repeat and repeat. With no models nor mentors himself, Marvin Braude was a mentor to many, and in his memory is the source of many lessons.

Post Office Goes ‘Back to Basics’

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“You’ve Got Mail!” is the familiar greeting that alerts America Online users to their latest e-mail delivery. Many have come to rely on that message, or at least look forward to seeing the raised flag on the iconic mailbox, yet another sign of a letter in the inbox. The same is true when it comes to “old-fashioned” mail delivery, except that it’s a little more personal. We depend on and, oftentimes, look forward to seeing the familiar face of our regular mail carrier who greets us with a neat pile of letters or tucks them into the box or slot and waves from the sidewalk. The regularity, the routine, the reliability is something we count on. Except that lately, in Pacific Palisades, things have been a little “off.” Residents have called and written letters to the Palisadian-Post, complaining about late, inconsistent delivery, and delayed or waylaid mail. On Tuesday, Sheryl Gardiner, officer in charge at the Palisades Post Office, and Postal Service spokesman Larry Dozier sat down to discuss these issues with the Post. Gardiner, who has worked in the postal service for 29 years, is on special assignment here until postmaster Joe Harris returns or another postmaster is assigned. “I’ve come in to identify the issues that are resulting in the service concerns that have been brought to my attention,” said Gardiner, who started here on October 12. “So whether I’m going to be here to troubleshoot and address and fix [the problems], or be here beyond that point has not been specified. So we just treat it as if I’m here to stay.” Gardiner came from the Wagner Branch in Los Angeles, and had previously served as officer in charge at the Gardena post office, at the Palos Verdes post office, and worked in Beverly Hills and Lakewood before that. “Sheryl has a knack for fixing problems. She’s a troubleshooter,” Dozier said. “We’re concerned about this office and the community. We’re trying to get the best person to get a hand on it and then handle it.” Palisades customers began contacting Gardiner with concerns during her first week on the job, which she said has helped her identify some of the factors resulting in these delivery problems. However, she emphasized that the issues did not arise overnight and will require some time to fix. “There’s been a change in staffing and personnel,” Gardiner said, referring specifically to the retirement during the last two years of two supervisors and the postmaster prior to Harris. “Some of the basic expectations either have not been effectively communicated or they’ve been lost in the transition. So, what I’ve been trying to do is train, develop, educate and reinforce the basic expectations that are going to result in service that the community used to receive a few years back.” She cited these internal concerns’the loss of focus on basic postal service rules and guidelines, and lack of communication among managers, supervisors, carriers and customers’as the primary factors affecting the Palisades service. Other factors include absentees, or employees who are absent because of illness or injury and whose routes have to be covered by their co-workers. Gardiner has approximately 45 mail carriers to deliver 28 routes in the Palisades. When an employee falls ill, Gardiner said, “the regular carriers will deliver their [own] areas’and they’re normally done by 4 p.m.’but because one of their co-workers is absent, they need to fill in and deliver an [extra] hour or two, which is exactly what results in the great majority of late delivery.” Gardiner has hired three new carriers in the last two months to address the late-hour delivery. However, because these new employees don’t receive their uniforms right away and are dressed in civilian clothing, customers have had trouble identifying them as mail carriers, especially after dark. “There are steps we can take to resolve that,” Gardiner said. “We can provide them with a particular piece of the uniform’a hat or shirt. They must be wearing their identification badge so customers can identify them.” In some cases, Gardiner said, if a mail carrier is unable to deliver mail because of restrictions relating to, for example, an injury, “we provide work for them in another area where they can assist and serve customers.” A carrier might work temporarily as a greeter at the postal store on Sunset. Those delivering mail are scheduled to leave the carrier annex on La Cruz beginning at 10:30 a.m., with others to follow at 11 a.m. and noon. “[The departure time of carriers] really depends on the composition of their delivery route and the volume of mail that that particular route received,” Gardiner said. “We have transportation that arrives throughout the morning, continually bringing us the mail so that we can continually process and sort it, preparing it for delivery.” A minimum of four trucks arrives each morning from the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center at Florence and Central, just south of Downtown. Gardiner said that the postal service adjusted the arrival times following the closure of the Marina Processing and Distribution Center in mid-July, so that the Palisades office would still receive its mail at the same time. “It’s rare that we receive the mail extremely late,” said Gardiner, who has worked in other offices affected by the closure of the Marina del Rey location and has not noticed a change in service. Dozier agreed that the fact that all Palisades mail now goes through the Los Angeles center is “not a reason why you run into late mail deliveries here.” He said that the postal service consolidated operations into the large L.A. center “to cut down on transportation, equipment and employee costs.” Some of the machinery and employees were transferred to the L.A. center, which “is large enough to handle Los Angeles in addition to everything that the Marina was handling.” Gardiner said that her last first-class mail is scheduled to arrive in the Palisades at approximately 8:30 a.m., so “the ideal is for our carriers to be coming into work at 8/8:30 and be back [from their routes] by 4:30/5 p.m.” She added that last Friday, the carriers returned to the office at 6:10 p.m., which is an improvement compared to past weeks (some Post readers say they have often received mail after 8 p.m.). “I’m seeing a turnaround and I’m optimistic,” Gardiner said. “I see employees who are committed to improving things and getting back to the way it was. I see improvements in different areas as I’m addressing the concerns with the customers. I think [the improvements] will be more visible and more obvious, probably after the holidays when the volume has dissipated.” Dozier, who has worked in the postal service for 35 years, agreed. “Sheryl has been given this assignment right in the middle of our busiest time of year, so some of the changes she has implemented’perhaps you won’t see them until the end of January because of this extreme mail volume.” Gardiner added, “I do want to apologize to any customers I haven’t gotten to yet.” She suggested that customers call her at 454-3475 or write to her at the post office, 15243 La Cruz.

PaliHi Board Approves Fundraising Drive for All-Weather Football Field and Track

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This computerized rendering, based on a photograph taken by Palisadian-Post staff photographer Rich Schmitt, shows the completed Stadium by the Sea with Field Turf and an all-weather track.
This computerized rendering, based on a photograph taken by Palisadian-Post staff photographer Rich Schmitt, shows the completed Stadium by the Sea with Field Turf and an all-weather track.

The Palisades Charter High School Board of Directors voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve fundraising for a project that could transform the Stadium by the Sea along Temescal Canyon. The proposed project will consist of (1) replacing the existing natural grass playing field with a soft and durable Field Turf synthetic grass and (2) replacing the current dirt running track with a rubberized all-weather surface. Organizers estimate the project will cost $1.3 million and construction could ideally begin after graduation next June and be completed in time for the start of the football season in September. “Palisades is a great high school with a bright future and it deserves to have a quality field and track,” said project co-leader Jim Bailey, a local commercial real estate agent whose daughter, Laura, was the Pali soccer team’s goalie for three years before she graduated in 2004. Chosen by more and more high schools, colleges and professional stadiums, Field Turf is a new generation of Astroturf that is far softer than previous materials and produces fewer injuries than natural grass fields. “Not only are these types of fields better for the players but they actually make financial sense,” added Bob Jeffers, the other project co-leader, who won a Community Sparkplug Award in 2004 for his leadership of a PRIDE landscaping project. “Schools all over the country are putting these fields in” (including Calvary Christian School in the Highlands). Because the current stadium field is used by various school sports (football in the fall, soccer in the winter, track and field and softball in the spring), as well as outside entities, the grass must be replaced every year. “Instead of the field becoming bare and muddy and being closed for reseeding all summer, the synthetic field will look and feel perfect no matter how much abuse it takes,” Bailey said. “Pali’s sister school, Granada Hills Charter High, just completed this exact project and we’re planning on bringing over their entire construction team to do our field.” Bailey and Jeffers made an hour-long presentation at the Board’s previous meeting November 29 in the school library. Larry Foster of Bellinger Foster Steinmetz, an outdoor landscaping firm, attended that meeting and gave a short presentation on Field Turf technology. If all goes well with the project’s fundraising, PaliHi will rent out the new field by the hour to local sports organizations such as AYSO, Pop Warner football, soccer and lacrosse club teams and even summer camps, to help recover the cost of the project over time. The field will be marked with permanent lines for a variety of sports. In addition, an all-weather track would allow to school to host invitational track meets, bringing in additional revenue. Also present two weeks ago to endorse the proposed project was Chris Davis, director of athletics at Granada Hills, who showed a five-minute DVD and called synthetic grass “a practical, logical improvement, not a luxury item.” He said his school’s field has become a source of pride for the Highlanders and that students are more enthusiastic about P.E. One concern the Board had was that the new field surface might be damaged by the annual Fourth of July fireworks, but Jeffers said he researched the issue and learned that the field could be safely tarped for such occasions. Board members then inquired about the costs for water and maintenance at Stadium by the Sea, which currently run between $35,000 and $50,000 a year. A synthetic field, Jeffers pointed out, would eliminate about 85 percent of those expenses. PaliHi principal Dr. Gloria Martinez, the administration, and the athletic department “are all solidly behind the effort,” Jeffers told the Palisadian-Post. “Generous individuals have already stepped forward to help us launch this project and we’ll be reaching out to the community over the next few months to raise the necessary funds.” Bailey said the school is even open to the possibility of naming rights to the new stadium. Those interested in donating to the project should contact either Bailey (phone: 468-7700, ext. 391 or e-mail: bailey@westmac.com), or Bob Jeffers (phone: 230-8914 or e-mail: forcopy@aol.com.).

Music Plus Math = Emily’s World

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By KAREN LEIGH Palisadian-Post Contributor Don’t tell Emily Morgan and her fellow musicians to “go back to the orchestra pit.” Because when Harvard University’s Gilbert and Sullivan Players perform the opera legends, great masterworks, well, there is no pit. “We play in front of the stage,” says Morgan, 19, a violinist who served as orchestra manager for a recent production of “Princess Ida,” and it’s like we’re in a supporting role. Really, shows need music!” And she’s happy to provide. A lifelong Palisadian, Morgan has been playing her instrument since second grade. Now a junior mathematics major at Harvard University, she is one of its more versatile students’numbers whiz, classical and operatic violinist, and co-chair of “Vericon,” the Harvard-Radcliffe Science-Fiction Association’s annual convention. “It’s a fun place to be,” she says of the school’s Boston campus. “The people at Harvard are really interesting…everyone’s just very excited about what they’re doing.” Morgan included. At age seven, when she accidentally discovered the violin during a weekly music class at Palisades Elementary School, it was love at first note. Today, “I like listening to different instruments, but I have more appreciation for the violin because I’ve been playing for so long!” During high school at Harvard-Westlake, she joined the orchestra for drama department musicals such as “Gypsy” and “Into the Woods” and pulled double duty as a singer in the school’s bel canto choir. Still, “I was more attached to violin.” That passion followed Morgan to Harvard, where she became involved with two top on-campus music groups. With the Mozart Society Orchestra, she and 30 other students perform traditional classical concerts. “It’s intricate, it’s complex.” And it’s a commitment’two practices per week, four recitals per year, not counting Morgan’s freshman-year duties as the group’s art director. Her other gig, The Gilbert and Sullivan Orchestra, provides accompaniment for operas mounted by the renowned Harvard-Radcliffe Gilbert and Sullivan Players. Favorites thus far include “Gondoliers,” “Iolanthe,” and the venerable “Pirates of Penzance.” “I like the fact that this is a stable orchestra. We’re established, and we play all the time,” Morgan says. “The composers aren’t bad, either. The music we play is light-hearted and playful…. I like it!” When she’s not strumming, the multitalented collegian can be found on, yes, treasure hunts. A member of Harvard’s Science-Fiction Association'”an umbrella organization for people involved with anything sci-fi, such as books and games”‘she assists in creating its popular Puzzle-Hunt. “Basically, we send students on a treasure hunt. Except instead of finding clues, they’re solving word and logic puzzles to reach the ultimate goal.” She also co-chairs the annual on-campus Vericon convention, at which attendees browse sci-fi wares, watch foreign animation, and attend author panels. This year, Morgan wrangled famed scribe George R.R. Martin as the event’s guest of honor. To keep afloat, Vericon relies on club dues. And it’s become a community event, with several Harvard Square businesses making donations. “Simply a great social experience,” Morgan adds. “And yeah, I do read my fair share of sci-fi novels!” When she’s not studying, that is. “Always interested in computer science,” Morgan was a founding member of Harvard-Westlake’s prize-winning Robotics team, which designed and constructed simple robots. At Harvard, the mathematics major has thrived in courses such as topology (“kinda like geometry”) and advanced logic and problem solving. “I’m planning on attending graduate school,” Morgan says. “I’m interested in studying the overlap between math and comp-sci.” Between classes, the humble, friendly student decompresses with an unlikely collegiate activity’bridge. “It’s fun,” she protests. “I love, love gaming.” Supporting these myriad interests are mother Ginny, an archaeologist, father Greg, who works for a charitable foundation, and younger brother Peter, a junior at New Roads School. It was Ginny, in fact, who bought Emily her first violin, “a really cheap one I got way back in elementary school, which is safely stored for posterity in the family’s Via de la Paz-area home. “I have a better one now,” her daughter jokes. It’s a good thing, too, because tunes will always be important to this mathematician. “My favorite thing about music is it’s beautiful to hear,” Emily says quietly. “It’s exciting to make beautiful music.” (Editor’s note: The author, Karen Leigh, formerly known as Karen Wilson, is a former Palisadian-Post intern who offers her editorial expertise on her school vacations.)

Author Cornelia Funke Talks Dragons at Seven Arrows

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Cornelia Funke created the fantasy world of “Dragon Rider” for Seven Arrows students last Friday, bringing with her a menagerie of characters as she read from her book at the morning assembly. Perched on a stool in the courtyard, she morphed into the wise female rat, affecting a high-pitched raspy voice to warn the brave young dragon Firedrake that his home is soon to be destroyed by humans. The silver dragon responded with curiosity and innocence, and the grumpy brownie shot back with a sarcastic tone. Like the author, Funke’s characters are animated and perceptive. They know that “humans never have everything they want” and that big animals don’t always listen to smaller animals, which can cause problems. These messages reach audiences young and old. A German native who has been compared to J.K. Rowling, Funke breathed fire into her adventurous narrative, which follows Firedrake as he embarks on a journey to the Rim of Heaven. Among the characters who accompany the young dragon is an orphaned boy called Ben, named for Funke’s son, who is a fifth grader at Seven Arrows. Funke chose to read from “Dragon Rider,” published in 2004, because she and Ben agreed that it did not require any prior explanation. Full of delicious details, the novel invites readers to explore a magical world where curious and witty characters fiddle with their whiskers, wrinkle their sharp noses and pick pieces of moss out from between their teeth, all while discussing the power of human nature. “It was my dog that inspired me first,” Funke said in response to a student’s question about the origin of the book. “He looked like a dragon.” Another student wanted to know if writing is hard for her. “Writing books for me is the easiest thing on earth,” she said, adding that if she’s not writing, she gets “grumpy.” Funke started her craft when she was 28, and said that as a young child, she was not necessarily encouraged to be a writer. “In Germany, teachers are not very good at that,” she said. “When I was in fifth grade, [a teacher] said that I wrote rather unusual things and not what I was asked to write. I always wrote too long.” She became a social worker and worked with underprivileged children, which she calls “one of the most important experiences.” However, she realized that the gift she had for writing and painting “just wanted to get through,” so she began working as an illustrator for children’s books. Funke was disappointed with the way some children’s stories were told, and admits, “I was often really bored. Authors often underestimate children; they’re frightened to tell the truth about anything serious.” She also thought some authors used language that was too simple, when “children are [actually] very open to sound and language.” As a child, Funke had read and been inspired by “The Neverending Story” and “The Chronicles of Narnia.” One of her favorite books is T.H. White’s “The Once and Future King.” She’s read the “Harry Potter” books to her own children, and believes that reading to kids in general is important for their growth. Now, Funke creates most of the illustrations that accompany her own novels, but tries to focus more on the scenery and setting of the world she describes, as opposed to the actual characters, which she prefers to leave to children’s imaginations. One student wanted to know if she has a plan before sitting down to write a novel, and she admitted, “I didn’t when I started, and then you end up in the jungle in the middle [of the book].” Now, she plans for half a year, organizing her chapters, before she writes the first sentence. “Sometimes my characters decide to go somewhere different and then I have to change it [the plan],” she said. “Sometimes I get stuck. It’s like you’re in a labyrinth and you have to find your way out. I believe the story has one way out.” A helpful technique she uses is reading the story out loud. She also completes about four or five rewrites before the novel is finished. “Do you like your book?” asked one student after Funke finished reading from “Dragon Rider.” “If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t give it to my publisher,” said Funke, who has written more than 40 books and is published in 28 different languages. She writes in German, and corrects the English translation to make sure it’s as close to the original as it can be. Having her work translated into a foreign language’especially one like Chinese, which she doesn’t understand’makes her a little nervous. “Sometimes the book arrives and it’s slightly thicker or thinner.” Funke surprised the Seven Arrows audience when she said it usually takes her six to eight weeks to write a book, but she clarified that a major novel like “Dragon Rider,” requires a year or two. Her personal favorites are the two completed books in her trilogy, “Inkheart” and “Inkspell,” in which she has created a land of a book within a book and certain readers have the power to bring characters out of books and send them back. “I think my writing is best in those,” said Funke, who is currently working on the third book. Two of her novels have been made into movies in Europe, and a third, “Inkheart,” was recently adapted into a screenplay by New York playwright David Lindsay-Abaire (“Kimberly Akimbo”), and begins filming this summer. The film is being produced by Mark Ordesky, who did “Lord of the Rings.” “I’ll be on the set with my kids,” said Funke, who also has a daughter, Anna, who attends The Archer School for Girls. Her reading and talk at Seven Arrows concluded a week-long Literary Festival at the school. Funke spoke during the weekly Kuyam ceremony (Kuyam is a Native American word for meeting), which brings together students, administrators, teachers, parents and other family members. Last week’s ritual included a special musical presentation on Sweden’s St. Lucia (“festival of lights”) celebration and music from the school’s parent band, which includes music teacher Todd Washington. The students sang along to the Seven Arrows anthem as well as “Lean on Me” and U2’s “Pride.”

More Than 100 Magical Flutes

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Flute maker Stephen DeRuby was chosen by the Lakota Sioux to learn the art of flute making and crafted this bear flute that Kostelas plays to teacher Dina Aish's Palisades Elementary fourth grade class. This is Kostelas' core group of flutes that she uses for personal musical vision quests, workshops and concerts. She has more than 100 different flutes from all parts of the world.
Flute maker Stephen DeRuby was chosen by the Lakota Sioux to learn the art of flute making and crafted this bear flute that Kostelas plays to teacher Dina Aish’s Palisades Elementary fourth grade class. This is Kostelas’ core group of flutes that she uses for personal musical vision quests, workshops and concerts. She has more than 100 different flutes from all parts of the world.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

When Maria Kostelas was 11 and talking with friends about what they wanted to be when they grew up, she remembers saying, “I want to play my flute and help people.” Looking back at the pieces of her life that have led to renown for her CD’s and workshops, the puzzle of her life is starting to make sense. Growing up in the San Fernando Valley, Kostelas was given the choice of an instrument to play by her father Andy Kostelas, a L.A. Philharmonic and studio musician who played the flute, saxophone and clarinet. She chose flute. She attended high school in Chatsworth before attending Cal State Northridge on scholarship. Not only did she continue to work on her music, but also earned a degree in social work. While a student, she had an opportunity to work in a master class with Jean Pierre Rampal. When she was 19, the World Gift Store in Dana Point was going out of business and Kostelas saw a very small hand-carved South American flute. She thought it might be fun to buy, and at the price of 49 cents she couldn’t go wrong. The flute had a beautiful sound and it started her collection of more than 100 indigenous flutes. After graduation, she worked with families and children in trouble through a nonprofit organization and at night she pursued the flute. During that time, she played in a master class with James Galloway. Kostelas attended a workshop with R. Carlos Nakai, who is famous for his Native American flute recordings. “I had a fantasy that I’d be backstage and he’d let me play his flutes.” Her fantasy came true when it happened exactly as she imagined. It pointed her in the direction of playing flutes of the world. The silver flute is in the key of C. That is not true of the flutes in her collection. They are all tuned in a different key depending on the length and width of the flute and the finger hole placement. One of her favorite flutes was carved by Hawk Little John, a Cherokee medicine man. The flute has a very deep, healing sound. After collecting indigenous flutes and learning to play them, Kostelas began to offer lectures on them. She developed her talks into workshops, where the participants could play the flutes. “I felt it was important to give access to music and letting people know they could make music without having to put all the hours of practice in that I did.” Through the Los Angeles Philharmonic, she taught flute workshops for parents and children. Maria was selected as a California artist-in-residence from 2000-2003. She was invited to private events and was asked to be one of the four musicians who played at the L.A. Convention Center for the Holiday Gift Show. Her location at the show was perfectly situated because the sounds of the flute echoed down the hallways, and people would seek her out trying to find out what the sound was and where it was coming from. One woman was opening a spa and thought the sounds were meditative and asked her to play. It was there she met Olivia Newton-John and became involved with Newton-John’s Foundation, the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition. At private parties, she started composing songs for guests on the spot. This led to “Honored Guest Musical Solo,” where Kostelas will “paint” a musical portrait of the guest or a couple and then record it. She says it’s intuitive, that the guest recognizes him or herself in the composition. Most of the songs are three to five minutes long. “It’s a way to offer a blessing of honoring a person,” she said. “The custom actually goes back to the Native Americans who honored animals and persons by playing for them.” Her CD’s are also used as healing tools. Her cousin, Janet, was injured in a car accident sustaining such severe injuries that she was declared dead. Janet fought her way back to life, but remained in a coma. The nurses played Kostelas’ music to her. During that time her cousin appeared to Kostelas in her dreams and pointed her in a direction with her flute that included healing. Her cousin eventually regained consciousness. “It’s beyond performance,” Kostelas recalled. “It’s turning in and assessing what people need on an emotional, spiritual and physical level. It’s putting myself in that place to offer that service.” Five months before Hurricane Katrina struck Louisana, Kostelas was to perform in a concert at the Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge that Barbara Harris, the editorial managing director of “Shape” magazine, had organized. After the hurricane, the program was still going forward, but Kostelas wanted to make sure the nurses who spent all their time caring for others were taken care of as well. She asked Dina Aish, a fourth grade teacher at Palisades Elementary, if her students could make CD covers and write letters to the nurses in the hospital. The children were thrilled to oblige. Even more thrilling for Kostelas was the nurses’ response. Many started crying when they read the letters and chose a CD cover to go with the CD’s of healing that Kostelas had recorded and donated. “The nurses had been so busy after the storm,” she said, “they hadn’t had time emotionally to deal with the tragedy.” Starting December 19 for three weeks, Kostelas is doing a vision quest concert, “Say Goodbye to the Old, Say Hello to the New,” on the Internet with well-known doctor Susan Lark, who specializes in women’s health issues. It’s another area of healing that she would like to bring through her music and flutes. “Vision quest music are concerts of illumination where people can see answers,” she said. “It opens their hearts and empowers them to do it themselves.” Vision quest concerts last about an hour, and an individual participating doesn’t have to be a guru or even know how to meditate. Kostelas helps people prepare mentally by giving them a list of questions to think about before the concert. As she uses her different flutes for different songs, she helps guide individuals to utilize their own powers. “I believe every individual has soul gifts,” she said. “Through vision quest concerts people can access these gifts.” She will be holding a vision quest concert on January 5 at the Aldersgate Retreat Center on Haverford. Contact: 393-1211.

AYSO Teams Celebrate Championships

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While the U-8 girls were playing across town, boys and girls AYSO teams in the U-10 and U-12 age groups concluded their playoffs last weekend at various locations, including the VA Hospital, Brentwood Middle School, Paul Revere and Palisades High. U-10 Boys The Nitros won the championship at the Veteran’s Administration Field with a 5-1 victory over Club Real L.A. last Sunday. Conquering a pool of 26 teams and 260 players, the Nitros, coached by Tony Ramsey and Charlie Headrick, now advance to the Area P competition January 14-15, where they will compete with the best teams from surrounding AYSO regions. Nancy Gillette and Debbie Held congratulated each player and handed out gold medals. Jamie Stewart netted a hat trick and Bryant Falconello added two goals in Sunday’s final game. Goalie Preston Clifford made five point-blank saves in the second half to preserve a 2-1 victory in Saturday’s semifinal game. Stewart scored the tying goal and Marcus Wieshofer tallied the winner in the fourth quarter. U-10 Girls The Wildfires completed an improbable tournament run with a 1-0 victory over the Burgundy Bears in the championship game Sundat at the VA Field. Josephine Washburn scored the only goal in the second half. Seeded 15th, the Wildfire captured the title with four consecutive shutouts behind a strong defense anchored by Emily Segal and keepers Hannah Klubeck, Stefania Ruibal and Ariana Blut. The offense was provided by Laila Touran and Macaulay Porter with assists from Alexis Wright. Suhauna Hussain and Grace Weinstein provided strong defense to help the playoff run. Coached by Elliot Blut and Xaypani Baccam, the Wildfires will represent Region 69 in tournament play in January. U-12 Boys Silver Black Attack, after finishing the regular season in first place, also took first in the postseason tournament. Attack beat the Headless Chickens 3-0 in the championship game Saturday at Paul Revere Middle School. Sawyer Pascoe scored on a corner kick five minutes into the game for Attack. The defense of Patrick King-Templeton, Peter St. John, Harry Wilson, John Herzfeld, Stefan Mudlo and goalie Henry Elkus kept the Chickens on the defensive. Just before half, Dorfman scored the second goal. Pascoe tallied the final goal off of an assist by Jared Hanson. In the semifinals against the Purple People Eaters, Attack scored three overtime goals to advance. Dorfman scored off of an assist from Pascoe but the Eaters answered with two goals to lead 2-1. Will St. John tied the game in the final minute to force overtime. Pascoe scored the first overtime goal with an assist from Dorfman. U-12 Girls Michael Fernhoff’s Big Blue Wrecking Crew won the division championship by winning all three of its playoff games in overtime. After defeating the H20 the week before, Big Blue beat the Cavemen in the semifinal and Orange Crush in the final after each game ended 0-0 in regulation. “The play was amazing,” Fernhoff said. “Each game was so close that any of the teams could have won. I am so proud of the effort of my girls. Each and every one of them made this successful season possible.”

Live Ball Tennis Event Has Palisades Rocking

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The Palisades Tennis Center hosted a Player Appreciation Day from noon to 3 p.m. this Sunday. Over 200 people flocked to the facility to watch the first-ever Live Ball Tournament, a fast-paced, pro-fed, tennis workout bringing together competition, teamwork and fitness. The tennis was fast a furious as four seperate adult divisions with approximately 20 teams per division battled for the honor of top gun for the day. The tennis was jumping and the music, by Scott Norris of Coastline DJ’s was pumping. Scott Norris, the d.j. ,has two children, Monica and Freddie who play at the Palisades Tennis Center. He was generous with his time on Sunday and made the day great by playing a mix of hip hop, rock n’ roll classicsand top 40’s pop. All players and guests were treated to complimentary lunch and beverages as well as tons of prizes raffled off by Carrie Cimino and Jamey Wilson of Head/Penn Racquet Sports. Other sponsors included Wilson Racquet Sports and The Palisadian Post. The Palisadian-Post was the titles sponsor of this event and has made a generous effort to help support various junior and adult tennis events at the Palisades Tennis Center over the years. Each twosome played two heats, with the top eight teams in each division advancing to the semifinals. The finals consisted of the top four teams from each division. When the courts were finally cleared, it was Ross Loel and Walker Kehrer winning the Open division, Michael Light teaming with David Haskell to win the 4.5-5.0 division, Danielle Greene partnering with Steve Avdul to win the 3.5-4.0 division and Mark Oliver pairing with Kevin Chan to take the title in the 2.5-3.0 division.

Dolphins “Double Up” City Semis

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Left-right: Lotte Kiepe and Mary Logan congratulate Pali teammates Lauren Pugatch and Yasmir Navas for winning Monday's All-City doubles semifinal.
Left-right: Lotte Kiepe and Mary Logan congratulate Pali teammates Lauren Pugatch and Yasmir Navas for winning Monday’s All-City doubles semifinal.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

Yasmir Navas and her partner Lauren Pugatch tried to approach Monday’s All-City semifinal like any other match. The only problem was, when they looked across the net they saw Lotte Kiepe and Mary Logan, teammates they hit with every day in practice. Still, one of Palisades High’s two remaining doubles teams had to advance to Wednesday’s Individual final and in the end it was Navas and Pugatch defeating their fellow Dolphins, 6-0, 7-6 (7-1) at Balboa Sports Center in Encino. After the final point, the four players met at the net for the customary handshake and an exchange of hugs. “It was fun to play them, I only wish it was in the finals,” said Navas, a senior enjoying her last week of high school tennis. “It was like practicing because we play them all the time.” Pugatch, a junior who also plays varsity soccer, said the familiarity with their opponents helped her and Navas get off to a fast start. “We knew their tendencies, what kind of shots they like to hit. Our main thing really was to just go out and play and have fun with it.” Kiepe and Logan, both seniors, were disappointed for themselves but happy for their teammates. “We knew going in that one of us would lose,” Kiepe said. “They deserved to win and I couldn’t be happier for them. I think they have a good shot at winning [the final].” Following a sluggish start, Kiepe and Logan stepped up their game in the second set to force a tiebreaker. “We got together after that first set and said ‘It’s not over til it’s over,'” Logan said. “We fought our hardest. I just wish Yasmir and Lauren were on the opposite side of the draw because that way Pali would be first no matter what.” According to Navas, a change in strategy paid off in the tiebreaker. “In the second set, Lotte started hitting these amazing balls at us,” she said. “So in the tiebreaker we just tried to be consistent and go for balls at the net when we had the chance.” PaliHi coach Bud Kling is accustomed to seeing his players face each other in the Individual tournament and for such matches he takes a “hands off” approach. “I might talk to one of them about their individual game or their technique on a certain shot, but as far as strategy I’ve learned to leave them alone and let them play,” said Kling, who coached the Dolphins to their 18th team championship November 18. “It’s not as if they don’t know who they’re playing.” The respect and love the players felt for each other was evident in the sportsmanship they all displayed throughout the match. Of course, Navas and Pugatch had faced a similar situation in the previous round when they vanquished teammates Audrey Ashraf and Sarah Yankelevitz. “The best thing about playing your teammates is that you don’t have to worry about getting cheated,” Navas joked. “Especially today, since I’m driving us all home. They can walk if they hook us on line calls!” While Pali’s doubles teams were doing battle, two other Dolphins were locked in a struggle of their own on the very next court in one of the singles semifinals. Sophomore Katy Nikolova and senior Krista Slocum waged a baseline duel for nearly two and a half hours before Nikolova prevailed, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2. Slocum, who played the third set with a painful blister on her right hand, had never won a set against her younger teammate before Monday. “I tried to play my game in the first set but it didn’t work so I tried to switch things up,” Slocum said. “Towards the middle it hit me that this might be my last match [in high school] so that made me play even harder.” Seeded sixth in the 64-player draw, Slocum was awarded third place when Axelle Klincke of North Hollywood announced she would default Wednesday’s consolation match. Nikolova, a native of Sofia, Bulgaria, played at Burbank last fall. She transferred to Pali around the midpoint of the season and went undefeated at No. 1 singles. When Slocum steered a backhand inches wide on match point to end the last of many exhausting rallies, Nikolova could breathe a sigh of relief at last. “Krista played the match of her life,” Nikolova said. “She made it really tough on me. I had to hit a lot of balls and mentally I started getting off my game a bit. She’s my friend and she played great, that’s all I can say.” Seeded No. 2, Nikolova played top-seeded Desiree Stone of North Hollywood in the singles final on Wednesday while Navas and Pugatch, also seeded No. 2, met top-seeded Julia D’Yachenko and Roxanne Plata of Granada Hills for the doubles title. Kiepe and Logan played Carson seniors Sheila Pacleb and Tish Sutphin for third place in doubles. Yesterday’s results will appear in next week’s issue.

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