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Golden Couples of Pacific Palisades

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1946: Millie and Joey Baker

Millie and Joey Baker will celebrate their 59th wedding anniversary on October 21, 2005. Both were living on the West side of Los Angeles before they met. Millie Lubin and her mother Lena had moved from Memphis, Tennessee, when Millie was still in high school. Joey grew up in Pasadena, but had spent his summers in Venice, California, with an aunt. He went into the Navy and was stationed in San Diego. They met through B’nai B’rith youth organizations. She was president of the Santa Monica women’s chapter, he the men’s. It wasn’t love at first sight. “I wasn’t impressed,” Millie says. “He had on a monkey suit (a navy uniform) and I was wearing a leather jacket.” “I took a look at her in that jacket,” Joey says. “And wondered, ‘Where’s your motorcycle?'” As fate would have it, she didn’t have a car, so whenever the organization needed representatives at other chapters, he would give her a ride. As they got to know each other, things changed. Millie says, “When you open a box and go farther down you see a lot of good.” Millie invited Joey to her brother’s wedding in Lexington, Kentucky, so that he could meet her family. Airplane travel wasn’t the norm then, so Joey was set to drive her mom, his mom, her sister and a nephew to the wedding. He called Millie, who was already in Memphis and asked if she’d marry him. Millie handed the phone to her brother Dr. Milton Lubin and he told Joey that Millie would marry him. “The next thing I knew I was engaged,” Millie says. By the time the car arrived in Memphis, Joey’s and Millie’s wedding was all arranged. They would be married in Louisville on Monday, since all the relatives were already together for her brother’s Sunday wedding in Lexington. Millie admits she didn’t know Joey too well before they were married. Her brother asked, “Did he go to college?” She answered, “I don’t know.” Her sister asked, “Are you getting a ring?” She said truthfully, “I don’t know.” “When we were married, her uncles were taking bets,” says Joey. “They said it wouldn’t last a year.” Millie did get a ring. When Joey left the service, he had $2,000 and spent half of it on the ring. Even today Millie enthusiastically says, “It’s magnificent!” The 19 year-old Millie Lubin and the just 25-year-old Joey Baker were married on October 21, 1946. They took the other thousand dollars he had saved and went on a six-week driving honeymoon, visiting relatives and seeing sights like the Grand Canyon and Carlsbad Caverns. “When we got back,” Joey says, “we were broke.” Joey got some money from the GI Bill and bought a little property in Venice. It had two small houses on it. He had his office in the front of the house, and they lived in rooms in the back, including a bedroom, living room, kitchen and bath. He rented out a house in the back for $25 a month. On their little back porch, they kept their icebox, until Joey’s mother bought them a refrigerator. Joey, who had taken his realtor exam two weeks before he left the service, became so successful in real estate, he was known as the “The Broker of Venice.” They have three children. Norm worked as a lifeguard before he was thrown from a three-wheeler and became paralyzed on one side. Through grit and determination, he didn’t allow it to interfere with life. He also works in real estate. A daughter Jan is a professor at the Rhode Island School of Design, and another son Don is one of the largest commercial developers of real estate in Tucson. They have two grandchildren. The Bakers are reflective as they talk about how their marriage has thrived. Millie says, “It’s not that it wasn’t bumpy sometimes, but if you love each other you marry for good or bad.” “Just try,” Joey says. “Tell your wife ‘I love you’ and ‘Yes, dear’ and you’ll make it through.” Their children planned a 50th wedding anniversary celebration for them, including an exact replica of their original wedding cake. Joey was resplendent in a tux, with a red vest and red cummerbund. Millie surprised everyone when she came down the aisle in a long white wedding dress, the dress she didn’t have in 1946. “I went to Santa Monica and had the best time buying it,” she says. “All the young girls trying on gowns got a kick out of it; so did the rabbi when he saw me.” Joey thoughtfully says, “I guess we’ll celebrate when we get to our 60th.” Millie says, “We’ll make it.” “I’m still in love with her,” Joey says. Millie asks, “Good or bad?” “Good,” he replies. “I’d never met someone I’d rather be with.” Millie adds, “After you’ve lived a long time you start to realize the important things’being healthy, being together, sharing things. What are the main things? Life, family, friends, keeping a good name.”

Alyce Raymond, 79; Businesswoman, Volunteer

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Alyce Catherine Raymond, an active resident of Pacific Palisades since 1967, passed away on July 29 from complications related to colon cancer. She was 79. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Alyce was the youngest of four children. Her parents were among the founders of Our Lady of Czestochowa Catholic Church there. Alyce attended Lincoln High School, where she was student body treasurer. After graduation, she studied at Barbizon College and became a catalog and runway model for some of New York City’s leading fashion houses. She later worked as a buyer for Jonathan Logan, specializing in coats. In 1950, Alyce married Joseph Raymond, a student at Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia. During his studies, she trained as a healthcare professional at Hahneman University Hospital. With her husband, she established and ran his first general practice in Scotch Plains, NJ, a role she would continue to play through their marriage. In 1959, Alyce and Joseph spent six months traveling in Europe by car. The trip changed her life and thereafter she traveled widely’and always with her family’to the Caribbean, Africa, Europe and Asia. Alyce had her first child, Anthea, at age 33, in 1959. Soon after came Toby (in 1960), Zachary (in 1961), Briony (in 1962), Melissa (in 1964) and Joshua (in 1965). The couple moved to Los Angeles in 1959 for Joseph’s pathology residency at UCLA and lived in the Westwood and Mar Vista areas during this time. The family returned to New Jersey briefly, but came back to Southern California permanently in September 1967 to live on Kagawa Street in the Palisades. They later moved to Pampas Ricas in the Huntington Palisades and finally to the Riviera. In 1975, Alyce helped her husband establish a family medical practice in the Palisades, which she managed until the mid-1990s, when Joseph retired. Joseph was honored as Pacific Palisades Citizen of the Year in 1977. But it was Alyce, her husband always said, who made this possible, as well as his career as a practitioner of family medicine and associate dean at the UCLA Medical School. Alyce was a strong advocate for higher education, and encouraged all her children to study at the graduate level, which they did, accumulating 10 graduate degrees among the six of them. In her later years, Alyce was active in the Westside Committee of the L.A. Philharmonic Association, the UCLA Medical Faculty Wives, and the UCLA Medical Center Women’s Auxiliary, serving as an officer for each group. She also continued to own and manage commercial property in Pacific Palisades and Yucca. In September 2004, Alyce, Joseph and four of their children spent two weeks in the Abruzzi region of Italy. Alyce’s children take pride in the fact that their mother passed away on the day a 10th planet was discovered in our solar system. Joseph also noted the coincidence of the ground-breaking cabaret singer Hildegard’s death. In addition to her husband of 55, Alyce is survived by six children, two grandchildren, and two sons-in-law as well as the many people she touched in her roles as mother, homemaker, community leader, and local businesswoman. Funeral services will be held today at 10 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church, with a reception to follow at the family’s Palisades home at 1:30 p.m. A scholarship fund has been created through UCLA Medical School. Please make checks to UC Regents/Alyce Raymond Scholarship and mail to 15332 Antioch St. (#536), Pacific Palisades, CA 90272.

CLASSIFIED ADS FROM THE AUGUST 4, 2005 ISSUE OF THE PALISADIAN-POST

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HOMES FOR SALE 1

SPECTACULAR OCEAN/mtn views from newly remodeled 2 bd+2 ba mobile HOME (18 Bali). This double-wide home (1,200 sq. ft) located in desirable Tahitian Terrace offers the beach seeking buyer a very private oasis across from the beach. Over 55 community resort living at its finest. Offered at $469,000. SC Realty, Franklin, (310) 592-6696 or (818) 346-6601 This PALISADES HIGHLANDS TOWNHOME feels like a home with an open floorplan, with granite counter tops, stainless-steel appliances, A/C, 2-car garage, pool/spa & tennis. $950,000. Broker/owner. (310) 459-7653 TOPANGA HOUSE for SALE. 3 miles fr. ocean. Investors/good rentals. 2 lots, land to expand. 3 stories, 2 bed/2bath. Open house, Sat/Sun, 2-6pm. $929,000. Call (310) 263-1944 or (626) 643-7556

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 HIGHLANDS BEAUTY. Former MODEL home. Partially furn. 3,200 sq ft. 5 bedrooms+4 baths. Ocean & mountain views. 2 fireplaces. Summit Club, pool, tennis. Avail 8/7/05. $7,100/mo. Call (800) 638-4354 LARGE 3 BED+2 BA CONDO. Highlands. Partially furn. 2-car garage. Ocean & mountain views. 2 fireplaces. Very serene environment. Avail 8/7/05. $3,300/mo. Call (800) 638-4354 RESORT LIVING in the HIGHLANDS. Gorgeous, bright, remodeled 2,000 sf. 3 bed, 2 bath+den. Private backyard. Community pool, tennis court. $4,950/mo. Call Alisa, (310) 990-8515 CHARMING, TRADITIONAL HOME in the Riviera with ocean & city views. 3 bedrooms+3.5 baths+ maid’s room & bath. Gracious formal living & dining rooms, plus den. Very large private backyard with pool. Avail now. $7,000/mo. Lisa, (310) 459-7163 or (310) 570-0518 MARQUEZ KNOLLS. 4 BED+3.5 baths. Dining and family rooms, breakfast bar, office, pool, 2-car garage. Gardener & poolman incl. $4,750/mo. Call (310) 454-0067 LUSH PRIVATE YARD. Charming 3+2+office home. Great room with fireplace & vaulted ceilings. New country kitchen & designer baths. 2-car garage. W/D. $4,750/mo. 16413 Akron. Call (310) 502-3665 2 BEDROOM + 1 BATH. Walk to Village. $3,200/mo. Call (310) 454-5519 CANYON-VIEW HOME. 2 bed. + 1.75 bath. Private backyard. Beamed ceilings, freshly painted, new tile, all appliances. Attached 2-car garage. Pets OK. 1 yr. lease. $3,400/mo. Avail. 8/1. (310) 230-9479 CHARMING must see HOME IN MARQUEZ. Private garden courtyard entrance. 2 bed/3bath + den. Hardwood flrs, appl., backyard, street parking, fireplace. Gardener incl. $3,950/mo. (310) 454-3253 $4,500/mo. MARINA del Rey PENINSULA. 2 bedroom + loft, 2 bath, high ceilings, 2 fireplaces, 2-car enclosed garage. Steps to beach. W/D hookup. Wet bar, 2-unit bldg. Avail. early Sept. (310) 821-2953 SERENITY in TOPANGA. Surrounded by oaks, wrap-around deck, 2 bed/2bath beautiful wood/glass home. Huge family-media room or master-suite. New stainless-steel appls., new carpets, wood flrs, W/D. $3,200/mo. (310) 455-9616

FURNISHED APARTMENTS 2b

OCEAN VIEW CONDO. 1 bedroom + 1 bath. Remodeled kitchen, great view, nicely furnished, incl utilities. Edgewater Towers. $2,950/mo. Agent, (310) 255-3458

UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS 2c

CARMEL in THE PALISADES. 2 bedroom, beautiful lot. Walk to village. $3,495/mo. Agent. Call Nancy, (310) 230-7305 PALISADES STUDIO, large kitchen with dinette, stove, refrigerator, walk-in closet, covered parking, laundry, Non-smoker, No pets, one year lease, quiet and clean. $995/mo. (310) 477-6767 LARGE 2 BED+2 BATH. New carpet, w/d, dishwasher, balcony, walk-in closet & patio. Fireplace, Jacuzzi. Village close. Controlled-access bldg. Available now. Call (310) 230-4110 EDGEWATER TOWERS CONDO for lease. Large 2 BD. + 2 BA. ground-floor adj. to pool. Gated, fireplace, tennis/gym, hiking trail, walk to beach. $3,100/mo. incl. utils. Diedra (310) 450-3889 or (310) 238-0104 GORGEOUS OCEAN VU on private drive. 2 bed + 2 bath, fireplace, huge patio, totally updated. Great closet space & pool. $2,900/mo. Avail. 9/1. (310) 459-6369

ROOMS FOR RENT 3

FURNISHED BEDROOM, plus den. Private entrance & bathroom. $700/month. Call (310) 454-1159 ATTRACTIVE, PRIVATE ROOM and bath available in Huntington Palisades home. References req. Mature woman preferred. Rent negotiable. Phone or fax (310) 459-0351

RENTALS TO SHARE 3a

FABULOUS FURNISHED OFFICE to share at PCH & Sunset. Ocean views. 2 private offices (holds 2-3 people). Conference room, reception & common areas. Call (310) 230-6866 SPECTACULAR OCEAN VUS. $1,350/mo. Master-suite, double bath/dressing rooms, large closets, pool, hiking, more. Call Sal (310) 837-1777.

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 NICE, local PALISADIAN FAMILY of 4 looking for 3 bedroom SFH to lease for 2 yrs, preferably in Palisades or Malibu. We are local business owners. Ideally $3,800 to $4,200/month, starting 9/1/05. Please call (310) 717-2985 LOCAL Palisades COUPLE of 15 yrs just sold home. LOOKING for at least 2 bedrooms + 1.5 baths for 1 yr or longer lease on quiet street in Palisades, SM or Brentwood. We have 832 and 813 FICO scores. Looking to spend $3,800 to $4,300/mo. Will consider more. Any potential landlord is welcome to see the immaculate condition with which we’ve maintained our home. (310) 570-3839

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

PERSONALS 6b

SEMPER FI; HONORABLE Combat Purple Heart disabled US Marine that seeks volunteers and donations from individuals & groups to help other vets. Call Ray Nasser (310) 454-7432

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

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

Our LONG-TIME NANNY will be avail Monday thru Friday, 9-5 beginning in Sept ’05. She’s a rare gem. She’s energetic, fluent in English, dependable, has her own car & is loving (treats our son like her own). Xlnt refs. Call Julie, (323) 350-0017 P/T NANNY/HOUSEKEEPER available Tuesdays & Fridays. I have a car and good references. Call Estella, (323) 493-1584 PROFESSIONAL BABY NURSE is available for night shifts, to help families with newborns. Contact Ms. Dennis, (310) 226-7097

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 2 days per week, Mondays and Wednesdays. I have a car, local references and good experience. Please call Carol, (323) 299-1797 F/T HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTER or driver available. Monday through Friday. Speaks good English, drives own car & has references. Please call Leonor, (323) 660-9985 or (323) 632-7036 F/T HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE Mon-Fri. Has her own car, good references and speaks English. Call Imelda or Carolina, (323) 752-7589 or (323) 758-1902 APT. CLEANING, BABYSITTING or companion for elderly. Errands, appt’s, shopping, etc. Competitive rates. Avail. Fri, Sat. and Sunday. Reliable, honest, excellent refs, own transportation. Pls. call Julie (213) 300-8805 GOOD HOUSEKEEPER AVAIL. every other week on Wednesday & Thurs. Excellent references, experience, transportation. Pls. call Zoila or Francesca (323) 296-1387

ELDER CARE/COMPANIONS 10a

WOMAN NEEDED to HELP a partially handicapped lady with her daily exercises & housework, 5 days per week for a FAMILY of TWO. Prefer you to live-in. Must be able to drive OUR car. No children or pets. Malibu area. Salary is open. Call (310) 457-3393 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 F/T CAREGIVER/BABYSITTER avail. Good refs, reliable and loving care. Speaks English & Spanish. Own transp. Avail. now. Please call Judy (310) 806-1463 or (310) 673-9144

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 ERIC LANDSCAPING & GARDEN MAINTENANCE. We’ll make your garden dreams come true. Over 15 yrs local experience. References. Call Eric at (310) 396-8218 GARCIA GARDENING SERVICES. Landscaping, maintenance, planting, sprinkler systems and clean-ups. Call Efren, (818) 881-8523, or cell, (310) 733-7414

BRUSHCLEARING 11a

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

MASSAGE THERAPY 12b

AWARD-WINNING MASSAGE by Natalie. www.massagebynatalie.faithweb.com. Ask about free massage offer. Call (310) 993-8899

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

PRESSURE WASHING. Driveways, patios, walk-ways, garages, dirt, oil, rust, paint and moss removal. Concrete, brick, natural stone. Clear and colored-stain sealers. Craig, (310) 459-9000 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

COOKING/GOURMET 14a

SHEILA’S KITCHEN — Personal CHEF, catering at your home. Call (310) 270-6761 or (818) 728-0801

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. SPECIALTY PET CARE. Birds, Reptiles, Aquatic, Exotic. We specialize in animal environments, cages, ponds, water features, R/O. water filtration, dog runs/doors, dog walking/adventures, pet access., pet travel local/interstate, help with CITIES. Insured. (310) 230-7960 DOG WALKER AVAILABLE. Experienced dog/pet owner who loves animals. Pls. call Colin (323) 462-4428

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 FITNESS FOR WOMEN. ZIMMERMAN FITNESS FOR WOMEN specializes in weight loss and body shaping. Our private studio near the village offers professional & individual services, using the finest equipment and products. This specific one-on-one training is safe, natural, efficient and exclusively for women. Appointment only. Local references. Call us for a free consultation: (310) 573-9000. www.zfit.com

SCHOOLS, INSTRUCTION 15d

SWIM LESSONS. Local instructor w/ over 14 years experience. Red-Cross Certified. Children, Mommy & Me and adults. Private and semi-private lessons at your home. Call Brian, (310) 505-9231

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 INNOVATIVE TUTORING. Math, Reading, Creative Writing. Including reluctant readers and learning differences. Experienced Public School Teacher and Tutor. Grades 1-5. Joanie, (310) 204-0935 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 PROFICIENT AP PHYSICS/Math Tutor. Ranked #1 UCLA Physics, Ph.D. + top 10 TA list. Long experience in making hard science easy. Ivailo, (310) 980-8173 SCIENCE & MATH TEACHER for hire. 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

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

CARPENTRY 16a

COMPLETE FINISH CARPENTRY – Architectural Specs, Custom Design – Decorative: Doors, Molding, Mantels, Paneling, Columns, Stair Balusters & Railing, etc. – For new Construction & Remodeling – Superior craftsmanship, utmost care for details. Lic. #772783. (310) 287-1141

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

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 – 1 (877) 360-6470 Toll-Free. 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

REGIONAL DRIVERS NEEDED. Team drivers & trainers. Trainers receive 1st day approval. Receive full benefits, great pay and home time. Call today! Werner Enterprises. (800) 346-2818, ext. 561 WANTED: REGISTERED DENTAL assistant. Fast-paced Brentwood dental office. Experience preferred; Salary based on experience. FAX resume to (310) 826-6369 Live-out HOUSEKEEPER/BABYSITTER WANTED. Tue & Thur only. Good with kids, must drive car, do light cooking & speak English. Refs and experience required. Call Mary, (310) 387-7722 P/T BOOKKEEPER NEEDED for local office. Quicken and Excel experience is required. Approx. 15-20 hrs per week. E-mail resume to: postjobs101@yahoo.com 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 P/T SALES REPRESENTATIVE wanted. Commission-based. Must drive to sell women’s & children’s clothing. Great opportunity to earn extra cash. Students & seniors welcome. Call Brian (310) 230-1087 P/T ADMIN. ASST. Sta. Monica Elem. School. Strong clerical & communication skills req. Microsoft Office, Excel, FileMaker pro. Be detail oriented & team-player. Email resume: carolina@psone.org SEEKING Full-Time HOUSEKEEPER. Monday thru Friday. Must have experience, speak English and have local references. Will pay top dollar!! Please call (310) 454-3659 TELEMARKETING. APPOINTMENT SETTER for Financial Services Co. All leads supplied, no cold calling. Work from home. Call Len (310) 459-8242 P/T ADMINISTRATOR NEEDED. Database mgt., coordinate meetings, compose correspondence, develop PR materials. Required: Excellent writing, interpersonal, organizational skills. Proficient in Word/Excel/Outlook. (310) 459-2328, ext. 255 P/T FILE CLERK/SECRETARY wanted for local office. Approx. 15-20 hrs. per week. Fax resumes (310) 459-1978 or Email to info@festaent.com

SITUATIONS WANTED 17a

PERSONAL ASST/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

CASH FOR YOUR CARS. Foreign or Domestic, not running, old cars OK. Missing pink slip/paperwork, no problem! Top Dollar for Classic Cars. Free towing. We come to you. Honest professional buyer. Local refs. Any questions, please call (310) 995-5898 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

FURNITURE 18c

REDECORATING KID’S ROOM sale. Antique white full-size bed + mattress, matching night table, doll-carriages, beanie baby shelves, calico-critters w/ 2 houses & furniture. Please call (310) 633-0230

GARAGE, ESTATE SALES 18d

PALISADES YARD SALE. 1032 Kagawa St. SAT. 8/6, 9-2pm. Changing table, 30-60 lb child’s carseat, toys, stuffed animals, books, hse. hold items, older kid’s clothes. No Early Birds.

MISCELLANEOUS 18g

1920s CHALLEN & SONS, London Baby Grand. Ebony & ivory keys. Needs work, original owner. Leaving country, must sell! Best offer. (310) 454-2612 CYMBIDIUM/ORCHID SALE. Reducing inventory with sharply discounted $$. Bulk rates avail. Varieties from 1960 forward. SAT. 8/6, 1-4pm. 516 Frontera Drive or call (310) 454-7337 for appt. VIKING PROFESSIONAL GAS range. Current top-of-the-line model (VGRC485-6QDWH) lists new for over $6500. Asking $4250. White finish, 48″ wide, 6-burners, 12″ wide char-grill, double ovens. Used, but in excellent condition. Perfect for high-end remodel or gourmet kitchen. (310) 207-0085

WANTED TO BUY 19

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

Villa de Leon: An Architectural Gem

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Villa de Leon, the first house built in Castellammare, photographed last September from PCH. The palatial estate went on the market Monday for $14,995,000.
Villa de Leon, the first house built in Castellammare, photographed last September from PCH. The palatial estate went on the market Monday for $14,995,000.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer

Wednesday was a busy day for Prudential John Aaroe realtor Randy Freeman. He started showing the historic Villa de Leon, a landmark estate on the bluffs of Castellammare, which went on the market Monday for $14,995,000, currently the highest listing in Pacific Palisades. Villa de Leon was designed in 1926 by renowned architect Kenneth MacDonald (Flood mansion in San Francisco) and took entrepreneur and wool magnet Leon Kauffman more than five years to build. It was featured in the 1928 issue of Architectural Digest and remains the most visible landmark along the Palisades-Malibu coastline, often mistaken for its tucked-away neighbor, the J. Paul Getty Villa. “This is one of the jewels of the Palisades and it just could never be duplicated today,” Freeman said of the Italianate mansion, listed as 12,000-plus sq. ft. with more than 35 rooms, including nine bedrooms and 11 bathrooms. Considered one of Southern California’s finest examples of old-world craftsmanship, Villa de Leon features hand-carved beams, molded corbels, pediments, hand-painted frescoes, double-vaulted arches, coffered ceilings and sculpted iron railings. “All the bathrooms still feature original tile and several rooms have actual gold grouting,” said Freeman, who has already received 20 to 25 inquiries about the listing and had four official showings and one preview on Tuesday. “People were absolutely blown away by the living room and quality of the workmanship.” Depending on the interest of individual clients, each showing requires about 45 minutes to an hour “just to walk the house and effectively see it.” Villa de Leon has three levels of living space, including a main salon with three handmade crystal chandeliers, a library, a circular formal dining room overlooking the ocean, a marble entrance hall with a sculpted circular staircase and a large attic. A private driveway leads to a seven-car garage and a car wash, or spinning pipes that you can attach a hose to, according to Freeman. A gated entrance leads up a grand staircase to sweeping terraces with unobstructed ocean and coastline views to the west, and courtyard areas with commanding mountain views to the east. “The type of detail, quality and craftsmanship belongs to an era gone by,” said Freeman, who first communicated with the property owners four or five years ago, and was selected from a group of interested real estate agents to represent the property. “I’ve been working towards this,” said Freeman, who’s been with Prudential for five years but has worked in real estate in the Palisades since 1990. He guessed that his expertise in the Palisades bluffs and hillside properties was probably what got him the listing. The property has changed hands several times over the last 50 years, and eight individuals currently share ownership of the palatial estate, which is occupied. “The owners of the property have lovingly restored as much as they could over the years,” Freeman said. “It’s an ongoing project. There have been some landslide issues over the years, but there are plenty of geological and structural reports available about the property.” Asked how long he thinks Villa de Leon will be on the market, Freeman said, “It’s so difficult to tell. It’s one of a kind. It will take someone who appreciates not only the historical [element] but the type [of house]’it’s not your normal Mediterranean type of home, it’s more like a museum than a home. It’s a piece of art.” Showings are by appointment only. For more information or to view photographs of Villa de Leon, visit www.portomarinaway.com/download. Call Randy Freeman at 230-3719.

Summer Splash Is a Sunday Hit at Y Pool

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Improvising pool noodles into mini-boats, 6-year-old Grace Ramsey (left) and twins Kathryn Clark and Lindsey Clark, 6, float on their crafts. Photo: Gayle Goodrich
Improvising pool noodles into mini-boats, 6-year-old Grace Ramsey (left) and twins Kathryn Clark and Lindsey Clark, 6, float on their crafts. Photo: Gayle Goodrich

Community members from the Palisades, Malibu, and Topanga spent a postcard-perfect evening at the YMCA pool in Temescal Canyon on Sunday. This was the fifth week of Summer Splash, a popular family-friendly program sponsored by the Palisades Rotary Club. Gabe Soufo from the Palisades-Malibu Y greeted people by the gate and passed out parking passes. “It’s been successful,” he said. “It’s so successful, the upper lot is full and people have to park in the lot below.” Every week, Splash is centered on a theme of a different country. Last Sunday, children who could guess the capital of Australia and its population received a prize of a boomerang, sunglasses, stickers or peel-on tattoos. “Crowds have been great,” said Y volunteer Lance Bregel, “and it’s getting more crowded every week.” There were so many families enjoying the balmy weather that at one time the pool was completely packed. Many of the families, like Paul and Lisa Loptman and their four children, attend every weekend that they’re in town. Cindy Freedland, holding a rolled up magazine, has been coming for three years. “I always bring a magazine along to read in case there’s no one to talk to, but there’s always someone.” “My favorite thing has been seeing how my kids have gotten taller each year by watching them stand in the shallow end,” Freedland said. “The first year my daughter’s head was barely visible above the water line, and my son, who was three, couldn’t touch at all.” Looking over, her daughter was swimming with friends and her son, now six, was bobbing along in the shallow end, with his head barely peeking over. Claudia Ross was sitting in the sun, arms around her children, 10-year-old Molly and four-year-old Gabriel. “This is the first Splash for us this summer, but it’s really fun.” Picky Stull, the Y’s aquatics director, organized two children’s activities: a cannonball contest and a pi’ata. Children were divided up into two groups according to age and size. In the cannonball contest, the swimmers had fun trying to splash the lifeguard who was judging the contest. All contestants received a blowfish squirter. The rules for the pi’ata were established up front. “I want to play this game next year, so we need to keep it safe,” Stull said. “Do not cross this line until it’s your turn.” One contestant at a time was blindfolded and spun around. Many of the children were so muddled, they missed the papier mach’ whale entirely. Admission to Summer Splash is free, and runs from 5-7 p.m. Participants can bring a picnic dinner, or buy tacos, rice, beans, cheeseburgers, and spinach pie from Fiesta Feast for a modest cost. The series will end August 28.

YMCA, Bob Ellis Offer Surf Camp August 9-12

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The Palisades-Malibu YMCA, in collaboration with PTA Northshore Surf Shop of Topanga, will be holding a Hawaiian-style surf camp from August 9 to August 12. The program is for beginners between the age of 9 and 15 who enjoy ocean swimming. ”Instructors will teach participants the basics of surfing and will show them the “Ohana” style of surfing. Participants will have individualized one-on-one surf instruction, and will learn fun sand games and lessons about Hawaii’s surf tradition. ”Bob Ellis, a native of Pacific Palisades and an expert in “Ohana”-style surfing, is director of the surf camp program. He owns the PTA Northshore Surf Shop in Topanga and in Haleiwa, Hawaii. Many of the surf instructors for the camp will be here from his shop in Hawaii. ”The Surf Camp program, at selected local beaches, will run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. daily. The cost is $200, and includes professional instruction, surf-board use, surf camp t-shirt, and use of wet-suit if needed. Enrollment is limited, and financial aid is available to those who qualify. Contact: Ray Cruz at 454-5591.

Agassi Wins at UCLA

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Andre Agassi, who had been sidelined by an inflamed sciatic nerve for two months, pounded his way to the Mercedes-Benz Cup title at UCLA on Sunday. Agassi, 35, gained the 60th title of his career by defeating Gilles Muller of Luxembourg, 6-4, 7-5 in 1 hour 28 minutes. Although the field was weakened by injury withdrawals, Agassi lost only two games on his serve all tournament and showed that if he remains healthy, he can contend once again for the U.S. Open championship in September.

Orangutan Odyssey

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Like human babies, newborn orangutans are totally dependent on their mothers in Borneo and Sumatra.
Like human babies, newborn orangutans are totally dependent on their mothers in Borneo and Sumatra.

If anyone can be considered an expert in her chosen field, it is Dr. Birut’ Galdikas. One of the world’s most renowned primatologists, she has dedicated the last 34 years of her life to the research and protection of orangutans in Indonesia. And in June, Galdikas visited students at The Odyssey School in Malibu to present a slide show and talk about her lifelong work with one of man’s closest relatives. Galdikas earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and zoology and later her master’s degree in anthropology at UCLA. While still a graduate student, she attended a lecture by Dr. Louis Leakey, a Kenyan paleontologist, who, along with the National Geographic Society, assisted her in establishing a research lab to conduct field studies. Several years earlier, Leakey had provided similar opportunities to first Jane Goodall and then Dian Fossey, both of whom became famous for their work with great apes in Africa’Goodall with chimpanzees and Fossey with mountain gorillas. ‘Jane is a remarkable person,’ Galdikas said. ‘I’ve known her since before I went into the field. She really blazed the path for Dian and myself.’ Wild orangutans live only on the Indonesian islands of Borneo and Sumatra. Galdikas established a camp on Borneo and today the Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine Facility she started in Central Kalimantan is still going strong. To date, it has returned over 300 orangutans to the wild. ‘I was only 25 when I arrived in Borneo in 1971 and feminism was a big issue,’ Galdikas recalled. ‘But I made up my mind that I was just going to focus on the orangutans and not deal with the feminist issues. I was able to play both sides of the street. And, fortunately, Indonesia is a very tolerant place.’ Galdikas began her work from a thatch-roofed hut in one of the world’s last wild places, Tanjung Puting Reserve. There were no telephones, no roads, there was no electricity, television or mail service. The land was being logged and laws protecting wildlife were not enforced. The rhinoceros had been hunted to extinction in the area and orangutans were commonly kept as pets, even by government officials. Before Galdikas began her research, very little was known about orangutans from a scientific standpoint. But through years of day-to-day observation, she gradually developed an understanding of the orangutans’ social behavior. For instance, it took 20 years of research to determine that females do not become sexually mature until the age of 15 and will typically reproduce only once every 8 to 10 years, the longest birth interval of any mammal. ‘Orangutan’ is Malay for ‘person of the forest.’ Their red hair and geographic location are not all that distinguish orangutans from the other great apes. For while gorillas and chimpanzees travel in groups, orangutans live the majority of their lives in isolation. One example Dr. Galdikas cited was an experiment she conducted in Borneo to determine the frequency of interaction among wild orangutans. ‘Males and females live separate lives,’ she told her attentive audience of fifth through eighth-graders. ‘After mating, a mother and her offspring probably won’t meet another orangutan for a long time. I once followed a mom for 31 days and she encountered only two subadult males.’ The largest arboreal animals in the world, orangutans spend 99 percent of their time in trees. Their diet consists primarily of fruit but they also eat leaves, flowers, bark and insects such as termites and larvae. In fact, seed dispersing activities are vital to maintaining the ecosystem in which they live. ‘They spread seeds through their feces and by spitting out the seeds of the fruits they eat, which will then germinate and maintain diversity in the rain forest,’ Galdikas said. ‘So concern for orangutans indicates concern for the planet.’ Though Indonesia and Malaysia have banned the export of orangutans and made it illegal to keep them as pets, animal dealers continue to smuggle babies off the islands and sell them to zoos or circuses. Tragically, for every baby orangutan that arrives at its destination in this way, five or six others die in the process of being captured or transported. So a population which once numbered in the millions and ranged as far north as China when Borneo and Sumatra were connected to the mainland of Southeast Asia, has been reduced to merely tens of thousands. An even bigger problem is that the tropical rain forests in which orangutans live are being destroyed by agriculture and mechanized logging. At the current rate, their entire habitat will be gone by 2081. ‘Unless tropical forests are saved, a third of the earth’s plant and animal life could vanish in our lifetime,’ Galdikas said. ‘Sadly, the orangutans have become refugees in their own land.’ Along with Dr. Gary Shapiro, the first person to successfully teach sign language to free-ranging, ex-captive orangutans, Dr. Galdikas established Orangutan Foundation International in 1986. OFI has five primary functions: stopping illegal logging, using sustainable economic alternatives for communities surrounding critical orangutan habitat, assuring sustained funding for long-term on-site research vital for effective conservation efforts, creating a national campaign to instill pride in orangutans and their environment, and releasing ex-captive orangutans into suitable, protected habitat. ‘I’m against zoos but I realize we are stuck with them,’ Galdikas said. ‘So I think they can serve a purpose as far as education goes. Actually, my love for orangutans started when I grew up watching them at the Toronto Zoo. Something about the curiosity in their eyes… I was drawn to them.’ In 1996, Galdikas published her autobiography, ‘Reflections of Eden,’ which she said she needed five years and ‘about 50 drafts’ to write. Another book, ‘Orangutan Odyssey,’ featuring the photographs of famous wildlife photographer Karl Ammann, was published three years later and became the genesis of her latest book, ‘Great Ape Odyssey,’ released in May. ‘We received such a positive response to the first one [‘Orangutan Odyssey’] and I knew Karl had lots of wonderful photos of all the great apes. I’m hoping we can produce a third volume that will include all of the primates in the near future.’ When she’s not in Indonesia, Galdikas teaches at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, checks in at OFI headquarters in Los Angeles (4201 Wilshire Boulevard), or visits her three children, one of whom, 20-year-old daughter, Jane, graduated from Palisades High and now attends Santa Monica College. But Birut’s true passion is saving the elusive primates that have provided a lifetime’s worth of fascination and wonder. As long as orangutans remain endangered, her job is far from done. ‘On the front lines of conservation there are no timeouts, no short cuts, and few final victories,’ she said. ‘The future of the orangutan lies with us.’ To make a donation to Orangutan Foundation International, visit the Web site: www.orangutan.org.

Palisadians Resume Production of Grief Video After Emotional Setback

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Susan Whitmore’s idea to create a video for grieving parents came to her like a crack of light illuminating a dark path. In the depths of her own grief, she would bring meaning to the tragedy of her daughter’s death and begin the healing process by helping others like her. Encouraged by friends and family, Susan and her husband, Wendell, gathered a group of grief specialists, spiritual advisors and parents who had lost a child, for a weekend of filming in their Pacific Palisades home in July 2003. The Palisadian-Post featured a story on the event. ‘We relived intimacy and pain,’ remembers one mother, Palisadian Anne Roberts, who, with her husband, Wayne Neiman, spoke about losing their 6-year-old son, Mitchell. ‘It took us a while to recover from that weekend.’ In the months that followed, the parents anxiously anticipated the final product, which was being edited by a volunteer who had helped direct the project and was also a friend of the departed Erika Whitmore Godwin, Susan’s 32-year-old daughter. The video never came to fruition. Instead, the Whitmores and many of the video participants had to jointly sue the volunteer in order to get the approximately 75 hours of footage returned. The plaintiffs argued that the volunteer ‘aspired to create a documentary’ instead of the proposed one-hour video and, according to the complaint, they were ‘threatened with having their personal grief exploited for personal, commercial gain.’ The plaintiffs included former L.A. mayor Richard Riordan, who lost two of his five children; Marc Klaas, whose daughter Polly was murdered more than a decade ago; Jack Canfield, ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ creator; and actress Naomi Watts, who met and developed a close relationship with Susan Whitmore while she was researching for her role as a grieving mother in ’21 Grams.’ All had appeared in the taping for the video. ‘It was like having something precious hijacked and held for ransom,’ said Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben of Kehillat Israel, a longtime friend of the Whitmores and another plaintiff in the case. Reuben was also one of the grief counselors interviewed for the video, part of which was shot at Kehillat. ‘Emotionally, it was a huge setback,’ Wendell Whitmore said. ‘Susan was not only dealing with the grief of losing Erika but the project that she was doing in Erika’s honor. It was salt in the wound.’ After almost a year in court, the footage was returned to the plaintiffs, who held a celebration July 9 to thank the devoted lawyers of Liner Yankelevitz Sunshine & Regenstreif for handling the case pro bono. Susan presented attorneys Steven Turnbull and Credence Sol with the Peace of Heart Award for their ‘generosity of spirit and unwavering support, giving hope to parents throughout the world.’ In an emotional speech, Turnbull told the parents, doctors and grief counselors (many of whom he’d never met), ‘I feel like I know a lot of you because I know something about your personal histories…You’re the real heroes.’ He added that ‘as lawyers, we so seldom get to do something that’s so meaningful.’ Turnbull told the Palisadian-Post that ‘it was the kind of case I would go to sleep thinking about and wake up thinking about.’ Ultimately, the plaintiffs did have to give the volunteer some money and video credit, but they regained control of the project, which is currently being edited. ‘I feel satisfied that the foundation can move on with the video,’ Turnbull said. Many of the parents present at the ‘thank you’ dinner expressed gratitude for the lawyers’ work and relief that the tapes had been returned. ‘I was very nervous that I was going to see myself on national television,’ said Jennifer Woolf, whose son, Zack, died of a rare liver and kidney disease at age 11 months. ‘I don’t want to make a Hollywood creation out of my grief.’ Woolf and her husband, Graham, said that being interviewed for the video was hard for them because it was so personal and close to the heart. ‘I never knew that it was going to set me back to square one,’ Jennifer said about the experience. ‘It had been three years [since Zack died] and it still felt like it was yesterday.’ They are confident that the video, ‘Portraits of Grief: Badges of Courage,’ will help people who don’t have access to or won’t go to a support group. This was Susan Whitmore’s original intention, that ‘in the comfort, safety and privacy of their own homes, parents could watch this timeless piece of hope.’ ‘Susan is so compassionate about her vision, that’s going to help a lot of people,’ said Dr. Roger Dafter, a psychologist who specializes in grief therapy. He explained that when people who have lost a child talk about it with other parents who have experienced the same loss, it resonates with those parents. Susan knows this from her own experience. She said when Erika died of a rare sinus cancer in May 2002, the pain made it almost unbearable to live. ‘It was all I could do to just breathe. I was longing for someone I could just talk to, someone who had gone down the path of grief ahead of me.’ Less than two weeks later, she was sitting in the Michel International beauty salon on Swarthmore when Anne Roberts walked by, saw the look on Susan’s face and went in to introduce herself. ‘I knew the look of grief,’ Roberts explained. ‘It’s like a club we belong to that no parent has ever wanted to join.’ Susan was disappointed in the lack of comprehensive, easy-to-access resources available to grieving parents and, in an effort to turn her own grief into healing, started The Erika Whitmore Godwin Foundation and its compassionate Web site, griefHaven, in the fall of 2002. The site (www.griefHaven.org) provides a place where parents can honor their children and access links to support groups and organizations, books, music and poetry. ‘You want your child to be kept alive in memory,’ said Roberts, whose son’s picture is on the Web site. ‘When I help other people, it’s a legacy to my son.’ Dr. Judith Ford, who was Erika’s palliative care doctor at UCLA, said she often guides grieving families to the Web site because she knows that Susan is a huge resource. ‘I’m just so truly proud of what she’s doing.’ Rev. James Putney, an oncology chaplain at UCLA who also worked intimately with the Whitmores, said that in spite of the emotional setback with the video footage, he believes it will be an even stronger, more challenging project now. Susan agrees. During a follow-up interview in her home, she said, ‘As I’ve grown in my grief process in the last two years, the vision is still there but it has taken on a different bent for me because I’m at a point where I’m actually having fun sometimes’I can see a glimmer of light.’ The people who talked about their own experiences losing a child and those experts who appear in the video gave her hope. She sees the goal of the video as threefold: (1) to give parents who have lost a child the knowledge that they’re not alone, that their feelings and thoughts have been felt by others and it will get better with time; (2) to educate the public at large on what parents who lose a child go through and what they can do to help these parents survive loss; and (3) to be used as an educational tool for medical staff in hospitals. ‘What goes with the loss of a child is your meaning and purpose in life,’ Susan said. ‘It’s really about hope. When your child dies, you’re hopeless. You never get over it, but you will go on.’ ‘Portraits of Grief: Badges of Courage’ is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. Contact The Erika Whitmore Godwin Foundation at 459-1789.

Methodists Welcome New Pastor

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The Rev. Karin Ellis began her appointment as pastor of Community United Methodist Church on July 1. She succeeds Rev. Nancy Wilson, who served here for four years and left to pursue advanced studies in Christian Spirituality at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. ‘I look forward to becoming acquainted with the community and the church members,’ said Rev. Ellis, who was previously senior pastor at Toluca Lake United Methodist Church. She is eager to work with the people in order to reinforce the church’s historic role in this community, as well as make sure that ‘everyone who walks through the doors of the Methodist Church at 801 Via de la Paz experiences the welcoming love of God!’ Pastor Karin, as she prefers to be called, grew up in Mission Viejo, and was active in the local Methodist Church music and youth programs. After completing two years at Saddleback Community College, she transferred to Nebraska Wesleyan University and graduated with a degree in music in 1994. She then moved to Boston and received her master of divinity degree from Boston University School of Theology in 1997. Her first appointment was to Northridge United Methodist Church in the San Fernando Valley, where she served for four years as associate pastor in charge of children, family ministries and evangelism. In 2001, Pastor Karin accepted the Toluca Lake appointment. While there she met her husband, Steven Ellis, a video engineer for a television production company in Burbank. They were married in February 2003. When she is not at the church, you may find Pastor Karin at home reading, gardening, working on her crochet projects, walking with her husband and their dogs, Hershey and Sequoia, or even scuba diving off the coast. She and Steven are also happily anticipating the arrival of their first child, a little girl, in early September.

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