Tait Johnson, 13, embraces the family’s giant pet pumpkin in the El Medio bluffs neighborhood. Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
Pumpkin carving is a large but thrilling task for the Johnson family, whose giant homegrown pumpkin this year weighs 660 pounds. Their El Medio bluffs neighbors will finally be able to put a face to the enormous squash come Halloween, when it will be on display in the Johnsons’ front yard. Craig Johnson became interested in growing monster pumpkins more than 10 years ago and challenged himself to grow bigger ones each year. This year’s king of the patch is “tied with last year’s,” Johnson told the Palisadian-Post yesterday. “It was a great seed, a very strong pumpkin, but it slowed down a bit early.” At its peak, the pumpkin was gaining about 20 to 25 pounds a day, until its growth rate slowed down around the first week of September. “We were on vacation,” said Johnson, who suggested that lack of fertilizer during that time might be one reason why the pumpkin failed to reach its full potential, which he said could have been about 700 pounds. Johnson purchases his seeds on an Internet site for Howard Dill Enterprises in Canada, and uses only organic fertilizer. “This year, I was more aggressive,” he said. “I increased the amount [of fertilizer] and the frequency of application. I didn’t put as much fertilizer on the leaves, so I didn’t have any leaf stress this year.” Leaf stress, Johnson explains, occurs when growers spray the leaves generously with fertilizer, which causes them to become brittle. Johnson weighs his pumpkin using what’s called the “over the top” method, which he explains as “three measurements that put you within a couple pounds [of the pumpkin’s actual weight].” He measures the pumpkin from side to side and front to back, as well as the circumference; the total number of inches is then applied to a chart that translates to pounds. On either Saturday or Sunday, Johnson will move his pumpkin into the front yard, using a pumpkin-lifting tarp made by the Amish. Moving the pumpkin requires the help of five or six guys. “I’m a pumpkin artist,” said Johnson, who will begin sculpting his creation on Sunday, using tools purchased at a modeling store that sells art equipment. “I really don’t start focusing on [the design] until a day or two before.” The carving and sculpting process takes about a day. A trick to preserving the pumpkin for three or four days, Johnson says, is spraying cheap hairspray over the surface of the carved pumpkin. “It’s fun for the neighborhood, mostly the younger kids,” said Johnson, whose children, Beck, Teal and Tait, are ages 18, 16 and 13. The three of them will have their own 100- to 200-pound pumpkins to carve. Craig and his wife, Kelly, also donated a 400-pound pumpkin to be auctioned off at Calvary Christian School, and they delivered the pumpkin to the Yeh family in the Marquez area about a week ago.
U-10 Boys A strong Blue Crush kept the ball deep in CPK territory for almost the entire game allowing the Crush to come away with a 2-0 win. Nico DeCardinis scored the first Crush goal in the first quarter off of an assist from Max Bennett. Then John Copses scored off of a pass from Elliott Baumoll for the final goal. Charlie Wyman played made numerous saves in goal for CPK. U-12 Boys Striker Jack Ramsey and co-captain Matthew Wade scored two goals to lead Bulldogs FC to 4-1 victory over Blue united. Ramsey scored both goals in the first half, assisted by co-captain Chase Pion and defender Jack Jordan. After Evan Meister scored off of an assist by Brett Elder to pull Blue United within a goal, Wade scored off of an assist by Henry Levinson in the third quarter to give the Bulldogs a 3-1 lead. Mathew Wilson’s pass set up Wade’s second goal. Bulldog goalies Jordan Bostick and Justin Kuyper were helped by defenders Austin Gelber, Eeman Khorramian and Jack Wyman.
Paul Revere’s eighth-grade all-star flag football team finished undefeated at the LAUSD Interscholastic tournament at Marina Del Rey Middle School last week, winning all four games it played. Coached by Ray Marsden and led by quarterback Julian Taylor, Revere advances to a higher division tournament this weekend at the same site. Revere has never won a higher division tourney. The Roughriders’ girls volleyball and tennis teams have begun their fall seasons against local private schools. The girls volleyball teams started off haky, losing to Crossroads and St. Martin of Tours. The junior varsity won its first game during a home rematch with St. Martin. Revere will host its first volleyball tournament Sunday, November 19. If you have questions or are interested in entering a team, call Stacey Foxson at 451-5789, ext. 385. Revere’s tennis team got off to a great start with a 6-2 win over Crossroads, winning four out of six singles sets and both doubles sets. Samantha Kogan won 4-0 at No. 1 singles; Elizabeth Silvers lost 4-3 at No. 2; Vanja Serbedzija lost 4-1 at No. 3; Malina Loeher won 4-2 at No. 4 singles; Dasha Suharev won 4-0 at No. 5 singles and Alana Hunter won 4-1 at No. 6. Kogan and Silvers paired to win 4-1 at No. 1 doubles and Serbedzija and Loeher won 4-1 at No. 2. Revere’s cross country team will begin its competitive season today. Revere will host a two-mile course using the field and rolling hills around the perimeter of campus. Special thanks to the team sponsors: Benton’s Sports Shop, Bizzy Blondes, Ralphs (Venice Beach) and Surf Mania.
Wildcats Pull Away in Second Half to Beat Palisades, 36-19
One of the Palisades High football team’s most humiliating losses last season came at the hands of University, which drubbed the Dolphins 52-14 at Stadium by the Sea. So Pali wanted nothing better than to return the favor on the Wildcats’ home field and put an end to University’s undefeated record. Instead, a game the Dolphins needed to win to stay in the Western League playoff hunt got away from them in the second half as the host Wildcats outscored Palisades 28-13 in the second half to post a 36-19 victory and remain in first place. Despite having been routed by defending league champion Venice the week before, Palisades (3-4, 0-2) arrived at Wildcat Stadium expecting to win its second road game of the season. Instead, the Dolphins remained winless in league and must win two of their final three games to avoid a fifth straight losing season. With Robert Gillett injured on the bench and Marquise Coleman and Ryan Henry unable to run the ball (they combined for just eight yards in eight carries), Pali quarterback Raymond Elie was forced to pass on almost every play. He finished 10 of 36 for 210 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Elie also scored Pali’s final touchdown on a one-yard sneak with 4:26 remaining. University (7-0, 2-0) missed an early chance to score after intercepting a pass by Elie deep in Dolphin territory. The Widcats were stopped on downs, but late in the first quarter Uni defensive back Jason Robinson intercepted Elie at the Dolphins’ 40-yard line and returned it to the 16. Five plays later, Aaron Grims scored from 18 yards out and Douglas Nelson caught Robinson’s two-point conversion pass to give Uni an 8-0 lead. Palisades responded just before halftime when Elie rolled out and found receiver Ryan Henry in the corner of the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown that pulled the Dolphins within two points. But the ensuing two-point conversion pass was batted down before it could reach tight end Deonte Baker and Pali trailed 8-6 at halftime. Daryl Butcher returned the second half kickoff 48 yards to Palisades’ 44-yard line and it took the Wildcats only five plays to increase their lead to 14-6 on Robinson’s five-yard run. After Paliw as stopped on downs, Uni took possession at its iwn 38-yard line and again drove downfield to score, this time on Robinson’s six-yard run. Early in the fourth quarter, Henry caught a second 17-yard touchdown pass from Elie, Esteban Moreno kicked the extra point, and it appeared the Dolphins were back in the game trailing only 20-13. However, Uni seized control for good when it got the ball back. Driving 51 yards in five plays, the Wildcats scored on a one-yard plunge by Anthony Ederson and Butcher ran for the two-point conversion to build Uni’s lead back to 28-13. Palisades responded with its best drive of the game, marching 77 yards in nine plays and scoring on Elie’s keeper that closed the gap to 28-19. Elie was tackled a yard short of the goal line on the two-point conversion attempt. Although the Dolphins recovered an onside kick attempt, it was ruled they recovered before the ball had traveled the necessary 10 yards and the Wildcats were awarded possession at midfield. Uni put the game away five plays later, scoring on a 25-yard pass from Robinson to Butcher. Cedric Hayes ran in the two-point conversion to provide the final margin with 1:54 left in the game. Not only did Palisades lose but its next opponent, Hamilton, beat Westchester and enters Friday night’s game at Stadium by the Sea with confidence. Palisades’ frosh/soph team also lost, 20-6.
Guy Hayes, a resident of Pacific Palisades for many years, died on October 13. He was 80. The son of Guy and Helen Hayes, he was born on July 21, 1925, and was raised in Beverly Hills, where he attended Beverly Hills High (class of ’43). He graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in history, and was affiliated with Phi Kappa Psi. Hayes proudly served his country in World War II for three years as chief petty officer on the USS Birmingham, a light cruiser in the Pacific Theater. He saw dramatic action in several major battles, including Iwo Jima and the battle of Leyte Gulf. A mortgage banker for 30 years, he also taught real estate finance at UCLA. His family and friends will miss his humor, generosity, loyalty and kindness. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara Hullet Hayes; his sons Stephen Hullet Hayes (wife Rhea) of Santa Barbara and Gregg Hunter Hayes (wife Robin) of Phoenix; and grandchildren Andy, Matthew, Tyler and Kelly.
Despite Change of Venue, Palisades-Malibu YMCA Swimmers Excel in Commerce
From left to right: 13 and 14 year-olds Alexandra Edel, Kimberly Tartavull, Lizzie Ebert and Adelaide Seaman, who scored numerous points to help Paly secure a second place finish. Photo: Karen Kornreich
Palisades-Malibu YMCA swimmers took second in their 35th annual meet held last weekend at the Commerce Natatorium. Cresenta-Cananda Y took first and San Pedro Pennisula Y took third. The meet was moved from the Y Pool at the Temescal Canyon location because Bette Williams, Executive Director of the Southern California YMCA Swim League deemed the facility unsafe and inadequate for the meet. The late change of venue left less time for entries to be received which resulted in 550 swimmers compared to 670 the previous year. Paly was represented by 82 athletes ranging in age from six to 16. For many it was their first meet. “It went extemely well,” said Meet Director Gillian Edel. “We had great volunteers, it was a little disappointing we couldn’t have it at our pool.” Two years ago in a dispute with the Y leadership, the head coach left taking all of his older swimmers, leaving the Paly team with mostly 12 and under swimmers. For the past two years under the constant leadership of Kameron Kennedy and Eric Butler, those swimmers are aging up, providing depth in the 13- and 14-year-old category, something that was missing last year. There were enough boys to have a relay team. Daniel Fujinaka, James Schetter, Jimmy De Mayo and Ben Lewenstein took second in the 200 Freestyle and Fujinaka, De Mayo, Lewenstein and Slava Yanov took third in the 200 Medley Relay. “For the first meet of the season, the influx of new swimmers did really well,” Coach Kennedy said. “Schetter in his first meet got an A time in the 50 Freestyle with a time of 26.88, which is excellent.” All the new talent coming in with our verterans stepping up, helped give us the second place finish,” Kennedy continued. “One more year of building and we will be the top team in the Y league.” Individually, Lewenstein took third in the 100 Freestyle, Fujinaka took second in the 500 Free with an AA time of 5:23.92, third in the100 Fly, and fourth in the 200 Free and 50 Free, Three relay teams of girls in the 13 and over relay category gathered 88 points taking second, third and eighth. Alexandra Edel, Kimberly and Jennifer Tartavull, Shelby Pascoe, Jessica Schem, Allison Merz, Haley Lemoine, Samantha Rosenbaum and Ana Silka joined the Y team as seven- and eight-year-olds. Now 13 and 14, they provide numerous points for the team in every event. They’ve been joined by several new swimmers Becca Ebert, Melina Vanos and Hayley Hirsch. Edel took two fourths, and three fifths, Lemoine took fourth in the 500 Free and Pascoe took third. Schem took fourth in the 200 Backstroke. Jennifer Tartavull took first in the 100 Breaststroke and second in the 200 Breast. “The meet didn’t have the same feel,” Alexandra Edel said. “It wasn’t as fun because it wasn’t at our home.” “Since it was at Commerce where we usually have Y champs,” Lemoine added. “It seemed more serious. It just wasn’t the same.” The sole 15 year-old male, Nick Kaufman swam in two events taking seventh in both. In that same age group Erica Drennan, had an excellent meet capturing first in four events: the 200 Individual Medley (2:30.39), the 100 Back (1:07.61) and the 500 Free (5:55.11). She also took second in the 50 Free, third in the 200 Backstroke, fourth in the 100 Butterfly. Hannah Haberfield took third in the 100 Free and the 200 I.M. Elizabeth Ebert took fourth in the 100 Back. The younger swimmers continue to be a mainstay of the team. “A lot of surprises and some great swims,” Coach Butler said. “We’re a young, strong team with a lot to prove. The kids showed it today: they are a class act.” Capturing second in the 200 Free Relay in the ten and unders were Nicholas Edel, Kent Sheridan, William Kim and Mac Abe. The 200 A Medley team of Edel, Nicolas Green, Alexander Landau, and Tristan Marsh took second. The B team of Michael Lukasiak, Sheridan, Kim and Abe took fourth. Edel took third in three events: the 50 Free, 50 Breast, and the 200 Free with AA times. He also got an AA time in his fourth place finish in the 100 Free. Ten and under girls Courtney Carswell, Sydney Cheong, Jayme Rossie and Kate Heck took fourth in the 200 Free relay as well as in the medley relay of Carswell, Cheong, Mardell Ramirez and Heck. In the seven- and eight-year group a new swimmer for Paly, Mardell Ramirez took first in the 50 free and 50 back with A times of (35.41) and (19.75). Nina Mortenson took fourth in the 25 Free. Kenneth Kim took third in the 25 back. Kenny Saab took fourth in the 25 Fly. Alec Wilimovsky had an outstanding meet swimming six events and placing no lower than fifth. He took second in the 25 Back, third in the 25 Free, fourth in the 100 I.M. and 50 Free and fifth in 25 Breast and 25 Fly. In the six and under Hunter Loncar took first in four events: the 25 Free (21.31), 25 Back (26.11), 25 Fly (27.71) and 50 Free (58.50). He swam to third in the 25 Breast, racking up 96 points for Paly. Jay Mortenson took a fourth in the 25 Free. On the girls side Caroline Carswell placed second in the 25 Fly and fourth in the 25 Breast and 50 Free. Catherine Wang continued her domination of her age group in the Y league by swimming to first in four events with double AA times: 50 Breast (36.90), 50 Fly (31.59), 100 Fly (1:08.23) and 100 Free (1:02.36). She took second in three events 200 I.M. (2:32.72), 50 Back (34.92) and 100 Breast (1:20.80). Wang scored 144 points for Paly in individual events. She also swam in the 200 Medley team with Sabrina Giglio, Lila Lewenstein and Mara Silka which also took a first. The 200 Free team with Wang, Olivia Kirkpatrick, Adelaide Seaman and Lowenstein took second. Stephen Anthony took second in the 200 Breast. Jordan Wilimovsky took fourth in the 200 Free. The next Y meet of the season will be the CCY meet in November.
George J. Schiner, a former resident of Pacific Palisades, died on October 14 in Gig Harbor, Washington. He was 71. Born in Los Angeles, he was a 1955 graduate of UCLA (Go Bruins!). He worked as a Registered Civil Engineer in Southern California. He resided in the Palisades Highlands (and helped engineer the housing development) before he retired and moved to Gig Harbor in 1990. He is survived by his wife, Judy Schiner; his daughter, Shelly Gillmann of Issaquah, WA; his son, Russell Schiner of Valencia; three stepchildren, Forrest Bell of Castaic, Kathy Anderson of Gig Harbor and Brian Bell of Gig Harbor; and nine grandchildren. George was admired by many and loved by all who knew him. He will be missed. In lieu of flowers, donations to a favorite charity, or Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH, which is a food bank, would be appreciated (P.O. Box 154, Gig Harbor, WA 98335). Cremation will take place at George’s request. A private celebration of his life will be held aboard his yacht, the Billy G.
John (‘Jack’) Martin Hiss, Jr., an esteemed physician who specialized in nuclear medicine from 1966 until his retirement in 1987, died on October 3 in Mandalay Shores, California, where he had resided for the past 15 years. He was 83, and died peacefully at home with family and friends at his side. Born in Columbus, Ohio, on October 1, 1922, Jack moved to California with his family in 1931. Following his pre-med training at the UCLA School of Medicine, he was awarded his M.D. at Hahnemann Medical School in Philadelphia. He completed his internship at the University of Chicago before beginning his residency in internal medicine at San Joaquin General Hospital. Widely respected for his devotion to his profession, Jack also served as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Tokyo during the American occupation in 1948. From 1974 until 1987, he was chief of the nuclear medicine department at Santa Monica Hospital. Jack loved jazz and classical music. Nothing brought him more joy than the Big Band sounds of the Buddy Rich Orchestra or the Jeff Hamilton Trio; and nothing brought tears to his eyes like the music of Brahms, Beethoven and Mozart. He will be remembered by those who knew and loved him for his heroic efforts to continue attending concerts, even when his physical disabilities due to Parkinson’s disease would seemingly have precluded him from doing so. He will be missed by those who were moved by his undying and infectious passion for composers and performers alike. In addition to his medical career, Jack played drums and other percussion instruments. He was a member of the Magic Castle, the Doctors Symphony, and had his own small jazz band. He also loved to travel the world. Jack is survived by his sisters, Marian McCulla and Jane Bourland; four children, Valerie Hiss of Pacific Palisades, John of Palo Alto, Deborah Hiss of Seattle and Paul of Reno; and four grandchildren, Hailey, Dominique, Hannah and Eli. A celebration of his life will be held for family and friends in late October. Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Resource Organization: 74-090 El Paseo, Suite 102, Palm Desert, CA 92260-4135. Telephone: (877) 775-4111.
Stanislav Segert, emeritus professor of the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures at UCLA and a 36-year resident of Pacific Palisades, died at Kaiser Permanente Hospital on September 30 of complications following surgery for a head injury sustained in a fall at his home. He was 84. Born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, on May 4, 1921 to Anton’n and Marie (Zvolsk’) Segert, he earned his doctorate at Charles University in Prague in 1947. His Czech publications included a book on the Dead Sea Scrolls and several translations of biblical poetry into Czech in cooperation with later Nobel Prize-winner Jaroslav Seifert and other Czech poets. Segert taught biblical Hebrew and other languages of the ancient Middle East at UCLA from 1969 until his retirement in 1991. Among his scholarly works were grammars of Ugaritic, Phoenician, and ancient Aramaic and hundreds of articles and reviews. He was a pioneer in the use of computers to analyze ancient languages and the Bible. He held visiting appointments at the University of Chicago and Johns Hopkins University before coming to UCLA. He later taught at the University of Beersheba, Israel and the University of Muenster, Germany during sabbaticals. His research and scholarly conferences led him to travel widely in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. After his retirement, Segert continued to publish. Several of his biblical translations were re-published in the Czech Republic in recent years, and he received an award from Charles University for his scholarly accomplishments. Although in the past two years his health prevented him from venturing far, Segert’s favorite activities were walking and hiking in the Palisades and in the Santa Monica Mountains and listening to classical music. He was devoted to his family and to his students, and respected both by his students and his colleagues. He will be missed. Survivors include his wife, Jarmila (Aba) Segert, to whom he had been married for 48 years; his sister, Jaroslava, of Prague; daughter Eva (husband Mark) of Morgantown, West Virginia; son Jan (wife Ines) of Columbia, Missouri; and grandchildren Naomi, Simon, Nathan, Julian and Eliana. At his request, funeral services will be private.
U-10 Boys Taylor Mensik scored on a breakaway in the final minute to give the Bloody Knights a 1-0 victory over CPK last Saturday morning. Max Keller, Scott Wade, Jason Wittbrodt and Charlie Wyman of CPK matched the strong play of Knights Paul O’Neil and Ethan Green. U-12 Boys Chase Pion scored off an assist from Jack Ramsey with less than one minute remaining to lift Bulldogs FC to a 1-1 tie with Team America. Bulldogs’ goalie Jordan Bostick and defenders Jack Jordan, Jack Wyman, Justin Kuyper, Garrett Ross, Eeman Khorramian and Matt Wilson held Team America scoreless in the second half. It was the fourth tie in six games for the Bulldogs (0-2-4). Team America took a 1-0 lead late in the first half on a goal from Willie Gansa, assisted by Jack Wada. Beau McGinley and John Ioccapino played strong for Team America (2-2-2). U-14 Boys FC Barcelona defeated Chocolate Thunder, 3-2, last Saturday at the VA Hospital field. Barcelona midfielder Kevin Noori headed in a corner kick from Amir Abuchaei to tie the game 1-1 just before halftime. Max Gillette gave Barcelona a short-lived 2-1 lead, scoring off an assist by Mark Vonderweidt early in the third quarter. The Thunder tallied the tying goal late in the quarter. Barcelona Goalie Casey Jordan kept his team even in the final quarter until Max Webster scored the game-winner off of a pass from Nicky Keech with three minutes remaining. Barcelona improved to 2-2-2.
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