Palisades High’s varsity football team may have lost last Friday night’s nonleague game against Santa Monica, but it learned something in the process: Raymond Elie is not your traditional pocket passer. Sure he can throw all right standing still, but against the Vikings he proved to be far more effective on the run. The Dolphins’ junior left-hander completed 13 of 23 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns and his performance not only earned respect from teammates, it also convinced head coach Leo Castro to change Pali’s offensive gameplan. “In the first two quarters we weren’t moving the ball at all,” Castro said. “It was three-and-out every series and it was starting to look like the first game [against Sylmar]. So I finally decided to just open things up, run a two-minute spread offense and have some fun. I only wish we’d gone to it sooner.” With time winding down in the first half and Palisades trailing 14-0, Elie used his uncanny scrambling ability to engineer a seven-play, 73-yard drive, ending with a four-yard pass to wide receiver Ryan Henry for the Dolphins’ first touchdown of the season. Mitchell Schwartz was a stone wall on the offensive line, never once allowing his defender to slip by him. Baker had three receptions for 58 yards, Henry had three catches for 44 yards and Henry Argueta caught three passes for 36 yards. Robert Gillett rushed for 22 yards and intercepted a pass by Vikings’ quarterback Ryan Katz. Behind the running of Louis Adeyemi and E.J. Woods, Santa Monica (2-0) carried a 24-7 lead into the fourth quarter. Though it was able to move the ball consistently in the second half, Pali was its own worst enemy, losing a fumble at the Vikings’ two-yard line. Finally, with a minute left in the game, Elie found Deonte Baker in the corner of the end zone for another score. “We respect them and the athletes they have,” said SaMo head coach Michael Burnett, whose team plays Venice next. “We dominated them physically with our running game, but their quarterback caused us some problems. He’s a good player and we couldn’t contain him.” Santa Monica improved to 12-6-2 in an intersectional rivalry that began in 1979. If there is a soft part of the schedule for Palisades (0-2), it might be the next three weeks, starting with Friday’s nonleague game at South Gate. The frosh/soph game begins at 4, followed by the varsity at 7 p.m. Frosh/Soph Palisades hung tough with an older, bigger SaMo junior varsity team for three quarters until a 100-yard interception return on the first play of the fourth quarter propelled the visiting Vikings to a 20-0 victory. Dolphins quarterback Alan Ferguson completed 11 of 20 passes for 150 yards and Milton Strausberg caught six passes for 70 yards. Jerald Ingram added two catches for 17 yards. The game was delayed almost 30 minutes when Pali’s Lazarian Rankin broke his leg in a pileup and was taken by ambulance to Santa Monica UCLA hospital. Rankin will miss the rest of the season. “We doubled our yardage from the first game,” Pali head coach Calvin Parker said. “Mistakes are what beat us today. We’re 0-2 but we’re a tough 0-2 team. I say we’ll get a win Friday.”
Castro Resigns As PaliHi A.D.
Leo Castro submitted his letter of resignation as athletic director at Palisades High last Thursday morning, stating “the decision has not been easy for me or my family but I feel it is the appropriate one at this time.” Castro took over for outgoing A.D. Tina Tamura in the summer of 2003 and was hired as the head varsity football coach prior to the start of the 2004 season. The Dolphins went 1-9 in his first year and have lost the first two games this season. “There is much talk that I favor football over all of the other sports at Palisades,” Castro said. “But the truth is that I have not given enough time to coaching football and this has placed a greater burden on my [coaching] staff.” Castro claimed full responsibility for not finding a coach for the girls’ varsity volleyball team sooner (an off-campus coach was finally hired three days before the team’s first match), but said the school needs to establish a better and consistent procedure for hiring new coaches for its sports programs. Castro said he was not pressured to resign by anyone in the administration–it was strictly his decision. “An athletic director who does not have the support of the entire school and community should not continue in that position,” Castro said. “I will try to assist the next A.D. to insure that our athletes and teams are not penalized by improper documentation or lack of knowledge.” Castro said he expects to continue as Palisades’ head football coach as long as he can maintain the “high standards I have set for myself, my athletes and my fellow coaches.” Palisades’ Board of Directors, a panel consisting of teachers, parents, community members and students, met Tuesday night in the school library to decide whether or not to accept Castro’s resignation.
CLASSIFIED ADS FROM THE SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 ISSUE OF THE PALISADIAN-POST
HOMES FOR SALE 1
www. swarthmorehouse.com. ROMANTIC HIDEAWAY. 3 BEDROOMS+2 baths. Library, office, private gardens, professional recording studio in garage, large lot. Jewel box! Walk to the bluffs. $1,795,000. Call (310) 459-3738 BEAUTIFUL TUSCAN HOME in Ridgeview Gated Community. 6,900 sq ft living on 43,000 sq ft lot. Lush gardens, ocean and canyon views from most rooms. Hwd floors. Pool, spa, private retreat. 6 bedrooms, 7 baths, 8 fireplaces Huge potential. Must see to appreciate. $6,700,000. Call Ness Krief, agent, (310) 430-0667 OCEAN & MOUNTAIN views. Charming MOBILE HOME in Tahitian Terrace. 2 bed+2 baths. Remodeled kitchen, fireplace, 2-car parking. Over 55 community. Pets OK. Offered at $459K. SC Realty, Inc. Franklin, Agent. Call (818) 346-6601
UNFURNISHED HOMES 2a
VIEW OF QUEEN’S NECKLACE. 4 bedroom, 2 bath, family room. Remodeled kitchen, new carpet. 1 year lease. $5,750/mo. Call Dave, (310) 497-2403 NEW PALISADES 3 BEDROOMS+3 baths plus den built in 2004. Granite kitchen, stainless appliances, hardwood floors, 2 fireplaces. Limestone master bath with spa tub. Walk to village, wheelchair accessible. Available in Nov. $7,500/mo. Cynthia, agent, (310) 472-5396 CHARMING PALISADES HOME with fabulous ocean & mountain views. 3 bedrooms, plus separate office & 3 full baths. This home has a rock entrance with lush gardens, a large back patio with hot tub, hardwood & carpeted floors. Brand new stove-top, W/D and refrigerator. Please call Katie McCabe at (310) 339-9112 or Email katie@katiemccabe.com with any questions or to set up showings. Open Tues., Sept. 6th from 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. Offered at $4,850/month 3 BEDROOM+2 BATH PALISADES home. 2-car garage. F & B yard. Walk to village, beach & schools from this alphabet street location at 14750 Bestor. $5,400/mo., incl gardener. Call John Butler, owner, (310) 454-5800 SPANISH CONDO, 2 BED+2 BATH. Unfurnished. Gorgeous courtyard bldg. Heart of the village. Fireplace, balcony, garage, storage. Large bright kitchen. One year lease. No pets. $3,950/mo. Call Tom, (310) 948-9898 PALISADES 2 BED+1.5 BATHS. Fireplace, hardwood floors, appliances, yard. Near Via bluffs and village. No pets. N/S. Principals only. Avail now. $2,995/mo. Broker, (310) 454-0054
UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS 2c
CARMEL in THE PALISADES. 2 bedroom, beautiful lot. Walk to village. $3,495/mo. Agent. Call Nancy, (310) 230-7305 SUNSET in THE VILLAGE. Spacious 2 bed+2 bath. Newly renovated, walk-in closets, gated parking, security bldg, laundry. $2,400-$2,600/mo. 1 year lease. (310) 454-7743 STUDIO NEAR VILLAGE. Private patio, garage, W/D, utilities included. Walk to village. $950/mo. (310) 454-9894
ROOMS FOR RENT 3
LARGE ROOMS in SPACIOUS Palisades ocean view home from $1,400/mo. Club privileges, pool, tennis, etc. Call (800) 638-4354.
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 VISITING PROFESSOR LOOKING for guest-house or large studio to rent or lease. Dr. John, (310) 800-6464
OFFICE/STORE RENTALS 3c
BRENTWOOD law firm has a small ATTORNEY OFFICE and secretarial bay for lease. Receptionist, copier, fax available. Terms negot. For lawyers interested in doing contract work. Please call (310) 472-5763
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
SERIOUS ENTREPRENEURS. Learn to make your annual income a monthly income. Be your own boss. Home base. Have time freedom. (800) 230-6073. www.youdeserveprosperity.com Fast-growing CHILDREN’S ENRICHMENT CENTER for sale in the heart of the Village. Great business opportunity. For more information, call Arthur, (206) 780-3968 TRAVEL – MONEY – FREEDOM. $200,000 Year From Home. We Help You Advertise. We Take Your Calls. We Close Your Sales. $1,995 Start Up. (800) 704-7344 (9218sk) UPSCALE BRENTWOOD HAIR salon for sale. 9 operators, 11 chairs. 60K. Evenings, (310) 459-3527, and cell, (310) 600-9582
LOST & FOUND 6a
FOUND: RX READING GLASSES in light-brown plastic case on top of the U.S. Mail Box, outside the Palisadian-Post on Via de la Paz. To view them, come to the Palisadian-Post.
BOOKKEEPING/ACCOUNTING 7b
BOOKKEEPER. 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
ORGANIZING SERVICES 7h
Never seem to be enough time or enough you? Call I NEED ANOTHER ME! We offer temporary project coordinating & assistance, both business & personal, relocation management, jobs big & small, too numerous to say here. When asked, “What all do you do?” I say, “What is it you need done?” Call for a free consultation: (310) 459-0418 ERRAND GIRL & PERSONAL SHOPPER. Available Monday through Friday, 9 A.M.-5 P.M. After hours by appointment. Call Ms. Dennis, (310) 339-1749
MISCELLANEOUS 7j
MESSENGER SERVICE/AIR COURIERS. Santa Monica Express, Inc. Since 1984. Guaranteed On-Time! Trucking & Freight Forwarding. Air Courier Door-to-Door Anywhere in the USA. Direct, Non-Stop Service Anywhere in CA. Same-Day Court Filings. Fully Licensed, Bonded & Insured. 24 hours/day, 7 days per week. (310) 458-6000. www.SMEXPRESS.com. PALISADIAN OWNED & MANAGED
NANNIES/BABYSITTERS 8a
PROFESSIONAL BABY NURSE is available for night shifts, to help families with newborns. Contact Ms. Dennis, (310) 226-7097 GREAT PRE-SCREENED Nannies available. Let us help you with your nanny search. We are a dedicated, professional agency and we will find the right match for you. Whether you are looking for full-time or p/time, L/I or L/O help, we can help you. Call Sunshine Nannies at (310) 614-5065 or (310) 801-8309 FILIPINO LADY LOOKING for nanny position. Over 18 yrs. experience from new-borns on. Speaks good English and has great references. I prefer no driving. Please call Emily, (310) 467-6426. Thanks. CHILDCARE FOR 2 GIRLS age 9 & 12 needed. Must have a safe car and good driving record. Must be college student or grad who likes kids. Must swim well & be willing to take CPR. Refs req. Hrs: M, W, F, 3:30-5:30 p.m. and T/Ths. 1:30-5:30 p.m. $225/wk. Call Patty, (310) 454-9931 BACK to SCHOOL NANNY (f/t or p/t). 24-hour weekend childcare. Also, housesitter and dogsitter. Reliable. Call Beverly, (310) 699-6983 TOTALLY KID’S ENRICHMENT Center now offers all-day care for children, 2 through 5 years old. Limited space. Call (310) 573-7073 BABY-SITTER OR HOUSEKEEPER available. Mon-Fri. Full-time. Live-in or live-out. Has own transportation. Local refs. Call Grecia, (323) 582-5875 NANNY NEEDED for 11-month-old adorable baby boy. We are looking for an energetic & loving person w/ experience caring for toddlers who speaks English. Full-time; good refs, Westside. Call (310) 459-8740
HOUSEKEEPERS 9a
“PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.” We make your home our business. Star sparkling cleaning services. In the community over 15 years. The best in housekeeping for the best price. Good references. Call Bertha, (323) 754-6873 & cell (213) 393-1419 P/T HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE. I am moving to Santa Barbara and my housekeeper is staying local. She is an immaculate, professional, honest, loyal, mature woman who takes pride in her work. Please no snobs. Has other Palisades clients. Please call me for details. (310) 230-7863 DO you NEED HELP with everyday chores? I can walk dogs, cook, after-school housesitter, weekends. Over 20 years experience. I have refs. Call Ruth, (310) 429-2459 or (818) 757-3976 HOUSECLEANING AVAILABLE 2 DAYS each week. Mondays & Wednesdays. I furnish my own cleaning supplies. References available. Call Alicia, (310) 367-3214 HOUSECLEANING SERVICE. 15 years experience, local refs. Paola Reyes, Juan Flores. Please call (310) 419-0479 LIVE-OUT HOUSEKEEPER available Mon, Thus, Fri. and Sat. Has own transportation and local references. Light English. Please call Oralia, (323) 228-7788 P/T HOUSEKEEPER for great family. Errands, cooking, lite housekeeping. Sun. (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) or Mon. (11 a.m.-7 p.m.). Must have experience, car, insurance. Call (310) 459-4833 I’M OFFERING MY SERVICES for cleaning houses and/or baby-sitting. I have good references, drive and speak English. Call Veronica, (323) 960-0349 DO YOU need a HOUSEKEEPER? I am a responsible, honest person with over 5 years experience of cleaning houses & apts. I also have references. Call Elvia, (310) 430-1540, or home, (310) 559-6426, to make apt. EXPERIENCED HOUSEKEEPER AVAIL full-time. Mon-Fri. I have good references, own transportation & speak English. Call anytime, (323) 299-1491 or cell (213) 215-7035
ELDER CARE/COMPANIONS 10a
CAREGIVERS/COMPANIONS: Live-in or out, minimum 2 years experience and 3 work-related references required. Driving preferred. CNA’s/CHHA’s welcome. Bondable. (323) 692-3692 ELDERLY-CARE COMPANION. Live-in 24/7. Capable of light housekeeping, meal preparation and driving. Refs are available. Cell # (323) 404-5043 or E-mail: preciosazgarcia@yahoo.com
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
BRUSHCLEARING 11a
Just Paid a Lot for Brush Clearance? Time to bring in “great grazing goats!” (310) 573-0124
MOVING & HAULING 11b
HONEST MAN SERVICES. 14″ van & dollies. Small jobs to 2 bedrooms. Hauls it all. California/Nevada. Over 12 years. Westside experience. (310) 285-8688
WINDOW WASHING 13h
NO STREAK WINDOW cleaning service. Fast and friendly. Quality service you can count on. Free estimates. Lic. #122194-49. Please call (323) 632-7207
MISCELLANEOUS 13i
REFRIDG-A-CARE. Pull out vacuum dust from behind & under refrigerator. Runs more efficiently, cooler, less energy consumption. Less wear & tear on your refrigeration cooling system. Owen Cruickshank, (310) 459-5485 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
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.
FITNESS INSTRUCTION 15a
NORDIC WALKING. Nordic Walking burns up to 46% more calories than regular walking and is excellent for weight loss. Perfect for all ages. Makes a great gift and get the 1st instructional DVD in the U.S. for only $29.50! Personal Training walking classes and Nordic walking poles avail. Check at www.nordicwalkingonline.com or call (310) 573-9000
SCHOOLS, INSTRUCTION 15d
CHILD’S PIANO TREASURE House in Santa Monica. Since 1980! Piano, harpsichord lessons. Beginners or advanced. Call (310) 453-1064. Children, adults. Your home or my studio. SAXOPHONE LESSONS. IMPROVISATION, MUSIC THEORY by professional. Please call (310) 230-0559
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 SPANISH TUTOR. All grade levels, conversational & all ages. Local refs, flexible hours. Please call Noelle at (310) 273-3593 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 THE WRITING COACH: Summertime Application Prep Intensives for next year’s graduating high school/middle school students. Private school application essays. College application essays. SAT/ISEE ESSAYS. 5 individual sessions (flexible scheduling/ your home). Extensive experience, success stories, acceptances. MA, Johns Hopkins; former LA private school teacher and Hopkins CTY instructor; writer/ consultant. Outstanding Palisades/Malibu references. (310) 528-6437 SCIENCE & MATH-Get A Head Start! B.S. Biochemistry, SUNY Stony Brook, M.A. Columbia University, Teacher’s College. Certified New York (Westchester) public school teacher, now teaching in LA! Prefer students 7th grade to college. I live in Brentwood, but prefer to tutor at your home. Practice tests available! SAT II subject test coaching! Academic progress monitoring & notebook organization! Alex Van Name, (310) 442-1093 (hm) or (914) 837-0569 (cell) 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 LA TUTORING. Private tutors specializing in all subjects and all grade levels, AP assessments, SAT, college placement. We come to you. Contact for a free consultation: (310) 663-2441 or go to www.latutoring.com CHEMISTRY & MATH GURU. Recent college graduate with tons of energy and enthusiasm. He will help students conquer fears to excel. Call Edward, (310) 991-3783 STANFORD-EDUCATED TUTOR. Physics and Calculus (incl. AP), Precalc, Geometry, Algebra, SAT (all sections). Engineering degree. Experience making abstract concepts tangible. Young (-ish) and personable. In-home convenience. References. Chris, (323) 309-6687 SPANISH TEACHER CERTIFIED. 15 years experience. Conversational & writing skills, all levels. Local refs. Pali. resident. Affordable rates. Call Marietta, (310) 459-8180
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 DAN’S MASONRY & REPAIR. Brick, block, stone and concrete. In area for 30 yrs. Big or small-We do it all. (Not lic.). Call Danny, (310) 261-0536 EMR – MASONRY & CONCRETE – (310) 456-0534 – Specializing in Fine Masonry work – Custom Stone, Concrete & Brickwork – Hand-built Fireplaces/tilework – Local References/20 years Experience – CA. State Lic.#451844/Bonded & Insured – Call Eric, cell: (310) 486-1103
CONSTRUCTION 16d
PARADISE CONSTRUCTION Building Contractor – All Trades – Lic. #808600. Call (310) 383-1659 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 HOWESWORKS, General Contractor. Improve – Build – Install – Repair. Professional Reliable Service. Happiness Guaranteed. Lic. #858904. Daniel Howe, (310) 877-5577
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. All Phases and General Repairs. 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 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 WILSON HARDWOOD FLOORS. Complete installation, refinish and re-coat. Fully insured. License #380380. Ask for Kevin Wilson, (310) 478-7988
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 PETERPAN – Quality Home Repair -Serving Entire Westside. (Not lic.) Ask for Peter, (310) 663-3633 THE HANDY GUY. Any job, big or small. Over 15 years experience. Free estimates. Lic. #B-858574. Call (310) 216-9034
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 MASTERPIECE PAINTING & DECOR – Stenciling/Faux/Plaster effects – License #543487 MFA ’84 – Bill Lundby, (310) 459-7362 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
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
REMODELING 16u
KANAN CONSTRUCTION – References. BONDED – INSURED – St. Lic. #554451 – DANIEL J. KANAN, CONTRACTOR, (310) 451-3540 / (800) 585-4-DAN LABOR OF LOVE HOME REPAIR & REMODEL. Kitchens, bathrooms, cabinetry, tile, doors, windows, decks, etc. Work guar. Ken Bass, General Contractor. Lic. #B767950. (310) 455-0803 BASIX DESIGNS & REMODELING, INC. WE DO IT ALL – Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling Specialist – Room Additions – Interior/Exterior Paint – Windows/Doors – Custom Carpentry – Plumbing – Electrical – Call For Free Estimate – Toll Free: (877) 422-2749 – Lic. #769443
HELP WANTED 17
R.E. INVESTMENT Partner sought for arch developments. Custom residences, proj by proj., local & dev. of vacation homes. Princ only. (No brokers, lenders, etc.) $1.0 MM, 2 yrs. Active participation, financial qualifying docs req’d. Great R.o.I. (25%+). Call (310) 454-0685, lv msg LOCAL DRYCLEANERS looking for counterperson. No experience OK. We’ll train you. Part or full-time available. Please call (310) 454-7244 LIVE-OUT NANNY/housekeeper wanted. Mon. through Fri., 1:00-8:00 p.m. Must drive, be great with kids & speak English. Must have experience, local references. Call (310) 387-7722 MEDICAL ASSISTANT NEEDED for Santa Monica solo family practice. All front and back office duties for full-time position. Fax resume and salary requirements to (310) 593-4316 P/T OFFICE ADMIN SRVS. Work from home with flexible hours. Professional firm seeks organized, conscientious and technology proficient individual to process mail (scan & upload to the Internet), file mail, organize electronic faxes and send out about 150 pieces of mail, organize electronic faxes and send out about 150 pieces of mail per month. Must have sufficient space to accommodate small filing cabinet. Ideal for mom with kids in school. Call Peter, (310) 230-1486 BRENTWOOD Law Firm has an immed. opening for TWO P/T RECEPTIONISTS, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or 1-5:30 p.m. Great opportunity for students! Studying is OK when phones are quiet! $10/hr. Please fax resume to (310) 471-1043 or Email to DBResumes@aol.com ADMIN/PR. Really great position in Pacific Palisades. Will train, develop and reward. Excellent typing skills a plus. Call (310) 454-0317 P/T ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT needed. Flexible hours. Computer literate. $10/hr. Call (310) 459-0765 PART-TIME ASSISTANCE needed in needlepoint store. Needlepoint knowledge is required. Call (310) 451-3393 or fax (310) 451-1396 DRIVERS: HOME NIGHTLY! No Harbor/Rail. Paid Weekly. $500 Sign-On Bonus. CDL-A w/ Hazmat, 2 years experience. Raphael, (310) 613-3078 P/T FRONT OFFICE in local dermatology office. Excellent people skills. Experience helpful, but we will train qualified person. Trustworthy & dependable. Excellent local references. Fax resume to (310) 454-5027 P/T TUTOR WANTED A.M.’s in Pacific Palisades office. 9th grade student. Call Tasha, (310) 774-7177 PART-TIME NANNY wanted. Mon-Fri., 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., to take care of a 2.5 year-old boy in Santa Monica. Light housekeeping. Mandarin or English speaking. Must drive. Call Rachel, (310) 383-5988 CURVES. If you are energetic, self-motivated, have personality & love to work with people, fax resume (310) 459-1223. 3 shifts avail. M-F 6:45 A.M. to 1:45 P.M.; 3:15 P.M. to 8:15 P.M. & Sats. 7:45 A.M. to 12:45 P.M. SEEKING F/T HOUSEKEEPER for Brentwood home. Tues-Sat. or Mon-Fri. (50 hrs. wk) Live in/out. General housekeeping duties plus cooking. Must speak English, be reliable, have good refs. and like children & pets. Please call Kitty, (310) 889-9117 PERSONAL ASSIST./CHILDCARE for single Brentwood mom. Seeking enthusiastic, reliable person to help with organization, errands & kids. 2-3 days/wk. $16/hour. Must have own car. Patty, (310) 440-9295
SITUATIONS WANTED 17a
PERSONAL ASSISTANT/NOTARY Public avail. Let me help you run your life more smoothly. I’m proficient in bookkeeping, clerical duties, event coordination, mailing/research. Honest, reliable, discrete, local. Excellent refs. Patti, (310) 720-8004
AUTOS 18b
1969 CORVETTE C-3 COUPE. 350 C.i.d. 480+ HP new, fully-rebuilt, by Phil Cocuzza ($15K). New interior, new suspension, tires, rims, sweet. Loaded, great car. Blk/blk, orig. paint, total 39K miles. $35K Firm. Call (310) 454-0685 CASH FOR YOUR CARS. Foreign or domestic. Running or not. We come to you. We handle all paperwork. Friendly, professional buyer. Please call (310) 995-5898 1997 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. 100K miles. New brakes, new tires, new battery. $5,000 obo. Call (310) 457-3393 WANTED: AUTO LEASE to take over from someone living in the Palisades area. Please call (310) 454-1839.
FURNITURE 18c
FURNITURE 4 SALE. French traditional dining room table w/6 newly re-upholstered chairs, plus 2 leaves. Home office desk with attached computer station. 2 filing cabinets and 2 book shelves. For info. call (310) 230-3340 SIGNED STICKLEY BROS. (quaint furn co.) Oak settee, original naugahide cushion, item #3375 in Stickley catalog. $2,500. Can E-mail pics. Call (310) 573-4287 BOYS BEDROOM FURNITURE. Two twin-beds, dresser and nightstand. Adorable blue and white wood. Bought for $2,000. Will sell for $450. Call (310) 459-2429
GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 18d
ALISADES GARAGE SALE. SAT. Sept. 17, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 1023 Embury. Doll carriage, toys, kid’s clothes, pictures, furniture, books. Also, Lexington kid’s bedroom set, antique white full-size bed with mattress. 2 FAMILY SALE. Furniture & great stuff in good condition. Rustic-red kingsize bed, great blue child’s bed from Imagine That, file cabs., BBQ, TV and more! 943 Iliff. SAT. 9/17, 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. PALISADES ESTATE SALE. FRI-SUN, 9/16-9/18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours firm. 17410 Revello Dr. Sunset to Los Liones, first left. Tramonto curves up to first left Revello. Park below, because parking is very limited. English antiques, sideboard, round gateleg table, coffers, lowboy, bed, residential furn, china, crystal, sterling flatware, jewelry, clothing, accessories, kitchen items, plants, etc., etc.
MISCELLANEOUS 18g
CLOTHES FOR A CAUSE. Are you looking to help victims of Katrina? Are you in need of a few new things in your wardrobe? Put your shopping dollars to work! Benefit Trunk Show, SAT. 9/17 thru TUES. 9/27, in Brentwood near 26th & San Vicente. 50% of the proceeds to be donated. (NEW clients only.) For more info: stylesister58@aol or (310) 454-2237
WANTED TO BUY 19
WANTED: Old tube guitar amplifiers, ’50s, ’60s, etc. Tommy, (310) 306-7746 – profeti2001@yahoo.com
Forbath Field Goal Beats Birmingham
Palisadian Kai Forbath booted two field goals in a span of 22 seconds at the end of the first half to give the Sherman Oaks Notre Dame High varsity football team the boost it needed en route to a 27-22 intersectional victory over City Section champion Birmingham last Friday night in Van Nuys. With the Southern Section Division III champion Knights trailing 9-7, Forbath kicked a 42-yarder to give Notre Dame its first lead. Then, he added a career-best 57-yard field goal to propel the Knights to their 23rd consecutive win, besting his previous best of 52 yards set last year. Forbath, who lives in the Highlands, also made all three of his extra-point attempts, making him 76-for 76 over the last two seasons. Forbath, who has committed to UCLA, made 19 of 21 field goal attempts on his way to breaking the state single season record for points by a kicker with 130. His efforts earned him numerous honors as a junior last year, including first-team All-CIF, first-team All-State, Los Angeles Times First Team and EA Sports First Team.
Pali Tennis Takes Second in Fresno
Looking for strong competition to open the season, Palisades High girls tennis coach Bud Kling took members of his varsity team north to Fresno last weekend to participate in the Wawona Peachtree Central California Championships, one of the largest high school tournaments in the country, with over 80 teams from Northern and Southern California. The Dolphins finished tied for second in Division IV. Playing singles were Catherine Cullen, Lotte Kiepe, Andrea Walton and Krista Slocum, while senior co-captains Sarah Jurick and Brittany O’Neil, Mary Logan, Yasmir Navas and Audrey Ashraf rotated from singles to doubles. “This was the strongest tournament they’ve ever had up there,” Kling said. “We played one team with four ranked juniors and their No. 4 girl was as good as our No. 1 girl. We had some tough losses but we had some good wins, too. The team really played well and came together.” Among Pali’s formidable opponents were Northern California powers San Jose Archbishop Mitty, San Francisco St. Ignatius and Sacramento Granite Bay. Pali finished in a three-way tie with Robert Louis Stevenson of Pebble Beach and Stockdale, the top-rated team in Bakersfield, for second place in their division. “Considering we didn’t have our full team I was pleased with the results,” Kling said. “We learned a lot about where we need to improve. The girls got to play some incredible tennis against excellent competition.” The Dolphins begin nonleague play with intersectional matches at Marymount on Tuesday and at Santa Monica next Thursday.
Pali Girls Volleyball Finally Nets Coach
After three months of waiting and hoping, the Palisades High girls volleyball team finally has a coach. His name is Matt Shubin, who played for three years at UCLA before joining a professional team in Greece. He was hired last Friday and didn’t meet all of his players until he arrived on campus 15 minutes before the Dolphins’ season opener Monday afternoon. The lingering question, however, is why it took so long to find a replacement for former coach and athletic trainer Cheri Stuart, who informed school administrators at the end of the spring semester that she would not be back. Looking for answers, parents of several players met with PaliHi Principal Gloria Martinez and Charlotte Atlas (vice principal in charge of athletics) before Monday’s match to express their concern for a program that has undergone six head coaching changes in the last six years. “When Cheri told us she was leaving I faxed and mailed letters to every school in the district stating that we had a coaching vacancy,” Atlas said. “So we have been looking. We interviewed several candidates. One said she couldn’t do it, one took another job and the other wasn’t qualified.” Upon learning that Palisades was still in need of a coach, local club coach and beach volleyball legend Gene Selznick volunteered to help several weeks ago, as he did in 2003 when the Dolphins won their last City Section title. However, he was not hired. PaliHi athletic director Leo Castro was asked to attend Monday’s meeting but refused to go. “I wanted Gene [Selznick]. He was my first choice,” Castro said. “Unfortunately, I can only make a recommendation. There has to be approval from the administration and Gene told me that Charlotte [Atlas] didn’t want him. My feeling is that we have the best teachers, why shouldn’t we have the best coaches?” Neither Atlas nor Martinez would comment as to why Selznick was not hired. Former coach Dave Suarez, who stepped down after leading the Dolphins to three straight City titles from 1997-99, is still a teacher on campus and ran summer tryouts with his brother, Mike, the girls’ golf coach. Unsure whether or not Shubin would show up for Monday’s opener, Suarez drilled the team and served as the coach of record for the match. “I was one of the first people they asked and I immediately told them I wasn’t interested in coming back [to coach],” Suarez said. “But as it got later in the summer and they still had no coach, I agreed to work with the girls until they found somebody.” Several parents said they provided the school with leads but none were pursued in a timely manner. Finally, Shubin, who was coaching for Sinjin Smith’s volleyball camp at Will Rogers State Beach, was referred to administrators by Jeanne Goldsmith, whose daughter Laura is a freshman on varsity. Asked about Shubin’s future status, Atlas admitted he would probably go back to Europe in the spring. “We got really lucky that Matt was available,” she said. “We’re still looking for somebody long-term.” Atlas was successful in getting a teacher of record, Holly Korbonski, so the sport counts as an official class and the players will receive a letter grade. “It’s been super frustrating,” PaliHi sophomore middle blocker Alex Lunder said. “Gene [Selznick] was my club coach and he was willing to coach us except that there was a problem between he and Ms. Atlas. A lot of names were submitted but I feel like the school wasn’t doing it’s part to find us a coach. It’s not our job to find a coach, it’s theirs. It’s almost like our sport doesn’t matter, like they care about football and nothing else.” Palisades won Monday’s match in three straight games over Valley Alternative and Shubin was pleased with what he saw. “I see a lot of talent out there but also a lot that the girls can improve on. It should be a fun season and I’m looking forward to it.” Assisting Shubin and coaching the junior varsity squad will be Julie Ruff, formerly a middle blocker at Kent State. Ruff has five years of experience coaching at the junior high and high school levels.
Sylmar Stymies Pali Offense
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
If football games were played in a courtroom rather than on a gridiron, it’s safe to say the Palisades High varsity team did not make a persuasive opening statement. In the weeks leading up to last Friday night’s season opener, Dolphin players insisted they were better prepared than the squad that lost a school-record nine games last year. Rather than provide answers, however, Pali’s 47-0 loss to Sylmar at Stadium by the Sea raised more questions about where the program is headed. It was Pali’s eighth consecutive loss dating back to last season and many of the deficiencies evident in 2004 resurfaced Friday. Most obvious was the offensive line’s inability to protect the quarterback. Starting his first varsity game, Raymond Elie was sacked five times and rarely was able to complete a five-step drop without defenders in his face. He completed two of nine throws for 17 yards with one interception and rushed for seven yards in 10 attempts. Walking to the locker room after the game, Elie was noticeably frustrated. “They didn’t do anything we weren’t expecting,” he said. “Our line just has to block better.” PaliHi head coach Leo Castro, who dropped to 0-2 in season openers, attributed Pali’s protection problems to inexperience. “Three of our young men (on the offensive line) had never played a down of varsity football. We’re a young team and we’ll learn from our mistakes. We obviously have to look at the film and make some personnel adjustments.” Not only are the Dolphins young but they suited up just 28 players, making them thin at every position. “Against a good team like this, going both ways can tire you out by the fourth quarter,” Castro said. “We have a number of guys playing ironman football.” Although Sylmar is likely the toughest opponent Pali will face this season, Castro said his team must continue to improve week by week to have a chance at a winning record. “You don’t write off the season after one game, but clearly we got beat up front. The strength of any good team has to be the line–that’s the foundation of your house. If it’s good you can weather the storm. If it’s bad the roof will cave in. It all starts there.” “Offensive” might be the best word to describe Pali’s offense, which totaled a meager 40 yards. The Dolphins went three-and-out seven times. They did not gain a first down in the second half and managed only three all game. Sylmar, meanwhile, racked up 17 first downs and controlled the ball for all but four of the last 24 minutes. The final score might have been more lopsided had Sylmar coach London Woodfin not ordered his players off the field instead of running a play with 19 seconds left on first-and-goal inside Pali’s one-yard line. The one positive Castro took from the game is that Sylmar is not on next year’s schedule. “Look, they are one of the top teams in the City,” Castro said. “That’s what we told our kids. We lost but you can’t get so down that it affects your performance the next game.” A bright spot for Pali was the all-around play of senior receiver/cornerback Ryan Henry. He returned a kickoff 58 yards, made a 13-yard reception (Pali’s longest play from scrimmage) and intercepted two passes–the second on a hail mary to end the first half. “I’m very disappointed we weren’t able to put points on the board,” Castro said. “We wanted the kids to experience that feeling of scoring a touchdown. You never want to put up a goose egg.” C.J. Gable, reputed to be one of the best tailbacks in the City Section, had a quietly efficient night. His longest run was a 26-yard score that gave Sylmar a 28-0 lead in the second quarter, though he still wound up with 153 yards and three touchdowns in 20 carries. “It didn’t feel like I gained that much yardage, to be honest,” he said afterwards. “For some reason I was a step slow hitting the holes. We did okay for a first game but we can do a whole lot better than this. I know I can.” Castro was impressed with Gable: “He was as good as advertised. He didn’t bust a long one but he sure made us miss a lot and that’s what a good back does.” Palisades has four more games before its Western League opener against Venice, which beat Carson decisively Friday night. In fact, the other four teams in Pali’s league–Westchester, Fairfax, University and Hamilton, also won. As for the Dolphins’ resiliency, the jury is still out. “I’m not all that concerned about morale,” Castro said. “The attitude of this team is much better. Last year, before every game it was like a funeral. But there’s no quit in these kids. They’re just young, that’s all. They have a lot of pride and I think they’re going to bounce back strong.” Frosh/Soph Sylmar turned three first-half fumbles by Palisades into 21 points en route to a 28-8 victory at Stadium by the Sea. Brandon Quarles scored the Dolphins’ only touchdown on a five-yard run in the third quarter to cap a 10-play, 73-yard drive. Jerald Ingram caught two passes for 60 yards and also caught a two-point conversion pass from quarterback Alan Ferguson. Safety Milton Strausberg led the defense with 10 solo tackles and linebacker Miles Nelson added six. “In the first half we just weren’t executing,” Pali head coach Calvin Parker said. “That was the best team we’re going to play all year and yet we outscored them 8-7 in the second half.”
Yaroslavsky Taps Krisiloff to Serve as Senior Deputy
Flora Krisiloff, community activist, chairwoman of the Brentwood Community Council, and recent candidate for Council District 11, will join County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky’s office as senior field deputy starting September 23. In her new position, Krisiloff will serve the southwest portion of Yaroslavsky’s district covering Venice, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, West L. A., Bel-Air, Westwood, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Hollywood. “Initially, I will be downtown and driving around a lot in outreach to constituents,” Krisiloff told the Palisadian-Post. “Later, we hope to open up a small office on the Westside.” Over the years, she and Yaroslavsky have worked on various issues, including the protracted discussions and controversy over the development at the Veteran Administration property. “Zev and I had a conversation and one thing led to another,” Krisiloff said, adding “there’s a really good fit there. I admire him tremendously and his office, which is so professional.” As chairwoman of the City’s district planning commission before resigning to run for office last year, Krisiloff became well acquainted with land-use issues throughout much of the same area that she will be serving for the county. Apart from her position with the supervisor’s office, Krisiloff is a member of the Federal Advisory Committee, appointed by the VA in her capacity of being a community leader. This group was established to review the VA’s plans for the almost 400-acre property and given the authority to offer options to the federal recommendations, although nonbinding. A strong believer in the need for an overall master plan for the highly prized property in the center of the Westside, Krisiloff was successful in her battle to scuttle the 2001 plan that proposed more than 7 million square feet of commercial and medical-related development and threatened to eliminate the congressional protection of open space. The options VA contractor PriceWaterhouseCoopers have developed based on their first overall review conducted from May 6, 2005 were supposed to have been posted on the Web site (www.va.gov/cares.), but as of press time, the report had not appeared. Supervisor Yaroslavsky and a few others, including Krisiloff, received a 23-page summary. After a cursory review of the summary report, Krisiloff told the Post that she was concerned that the plan recommended some commercial development and that designated open space might be threatened. “The option for parcel A, north of Wilshire Boulevard, would include community education, mixed-use residential and recreation. “It looks to me that some of that lies within the Cranston Act’s 109 protected acres. Besides the Cranston Act, former VA Secretary Anthony Principi came out and promised us that there would be no commercial development. Mixed-use has a commercial component. “This is a national process,” Krisiloff continued. “This is not the only VA that is going through the second round of planning and public meetings. But, what they have given us is a business plan, which is not the same as a 25- to 50-year master plan. This is the only VA in the country that must develop a master plan. It is the only way, for once and for all, to approach the land-use plan on a master scale.” The Local Advisory Panel (LAP) for the VA West L.A. study site will hold the next public meeting on Thursday, September 22. The meeting will begin at noon at the Veterans Affairs Wadsworth Theater located on the campus of the West Los Angeles Healthcare Center. The public comment period is from 4 to 7 p.m. Following the public comment period, the LAP will deliberate from 7 to 9 p.m. and provide recommendations to VA Secretary R. James “Jim” Nicholson on options developed for the West L.A. site.
FBI Nabs Busy Bank Robber
The “Fanny Pack Bandit,” Peter Soren Walsky, 45, was arrested in Brentwood on September 3. Walsky has confessed to 10 robberies since November 13, including seven in L.A., one in Manhattan Beach and two in Santa Monica. According to LAPD Senior Lead Officer Chris Ragsdale, he has been tied to three robberies in the Palisades. According the FBI affidavit, at appoximately 12:10 at the Bank of America, at 11911 San Vicente Boulevard, Walsky, 6’2″ tall, white male, weighing 140 pounds, wearing a grey shirt with tight grey shorts,and a blue and white baseball cap, approached a teller and handed him a note that read, “Give me your money. No tracking devices. No ink pack. You have 15 seconds.” Walsky then said, “I’m serious.” The teller did as instructed removing $1,256 from his drawer, including pre-recorded bait bills, and placed them on the counter. Walsky took the money and the demand note and put them both into a blue vinyl bag and exited the bank. As he walked east down San Vicente past Souplantation, his luck ran out. Two off-duty FBI agents just happened to be having lunch. They noticed a man carrying what appeared to be a bank deposit money bag emanating red smoke. The agents exited the restaurant and discovered that the smoke appeared to be pepper spray. They concluded a dye pack had been activated and the bank located next to the restaurant had just been robbed. The agents identified themselves and commanded the man to stop. When he began to run, a foot pursuit ensued. After a brief struggle, the subject was taken into custody.
Benton Stays; Intima Moves;
Bob Benton has signed a long-term lease to keep his sporting goods store on Swarthmore. ‘ la Tarte restaurant (next to Mort’s Deli) is up for sale. And Karen Richardson will move her Intima lingerie store from Antioch to an empty storefront on Swarthmore (see Intima story, page 7). These are the latest developments on the 1000 block of Swarthmore, a half-block stretch that has been in turmoil since March, when merchants learned that they faced major rent hikes by Palisades Partners, a multi-family trust that owns 18 of the 22 retail and commercial properties on the street. These rent increases would bring the monthly going rate from about $2.50 a sq.ft. to above $4. While the merchants would no longer have to live with month-to-month leases, they would still have to commit to 3- to 5-year leases. “We decided about five or six months ago to stay, but I’ve had to kind of keep it to myself until we completed our lease negotiations,” Benton said in an interview Wednesday morning. In fact, he was already paying his higher rent for months before receiving a signed new lease last Friday. “It hurt to pay the new rent, but I had to be out there buying merchandise for this fall and for next spring,” Benton said. “I couldn’t afford to be held captive to lease negotiations.” Did Benton gain anything in the protracted negotiations involving an attorney who has been representing about a half-dozen of the Swarthmore merchants? “No, there wasn’t one concession made,” Benton replied, smiling despite the obvious challenge he now faces to increase his store’s revenue in the face of much higher overhead. “But I’m looking at this as a new situation with my landlord. I really do believe you have to have a positive landlord-tenant relationship. So I have to make the new lease work. “I’m going to tweak our business to make it as lean and mean as possible, and we’ll be receptive to carrying new products,” Benton continued. “But I’m also counting on people staying in town to do their shopping. I received incredible emotional support from the community this spring’all those letters to the editor. I hope that now translates into business support.” Meanwhile, ‘ la Tarte owners Bert and Bonnie Yellen had been quietly shopping their popular French restaurant for several weeks until deciding to post a “for sale” announcement on craigslist.org last Friday. The ad said: “Great French bistro/bakery with super large kitchen…2,400 sq. ft. Looks like you walked into Provence.” When interviewed Tuesday evening, Bert said he wanted to “make it clear that we’re not selling because of any rent increase. We have a good relationship with the landlord and they’ve offered to help us find somebody to buy the place. Basically, we’re tired, after nearly 10 years building the business, and Bonnie [‘ la Tarte’s renowned pastry chef] is still recovering from an automobile accident a year ago.” He said that Bonnie, 52, was rear-ended by a Ford Explorer traveling 40 mph, and she subsequently has had two operations on her neck vertebrae and one on her elbow, while continuing to undergo physical therapy. “She kept going into the kitchen at 5:30 a.m., six days a week, to prepare the day’s pastries,” Bert said, “but she had trouble lifting trays and doing her work. She’s extremely hands-on in the kitchen, but she realized she couldn’t keep doing it herself’it was too stressful, too painful, too exhausting’so we tried to find a new assistant. When that didn’t work out this summer, we said ‘Let’s stop while we’re still successful.’ You don’t make a fortune at this business anyway, so when the fun starts to go, it’s time to move on.” On the phone, with Bonnie in the background, Bert emphasized that “we’re not going to sell to somebody who wants to turn our place into a sushi bar or a Tai restaurant. We want a continuity’the same type of restaurant, the same quality. And we won’t sell to somebody who has never been in the restaurant business. It wouldn’t be ethical; they’d lose their money.” After selling their restaurant, the Yellens said they plan to build “a million-dollar house for $250,000” on a piece of property they own along the Gulf of California near La Paz. “Bonnie is going to build her own professional kitchen and maybe write a cookbook, and I hope to buy a sailboat,” Bert said. “Perhaps perhaps one day we’ll also open up a little pastry shop where people from the Palisades can catch up on their ‘ la Tarte favorites.”
