Just 10 days after one Bank of America robbery and five days after a robbery at Mort’s Deli, the Palisades village was jarred Monday morning by yet another crime. The Citibank located at 15215 Sunset was robbed at approximately 10:10 a.m. when a man entered the bank posing as a customer. The suspect was described as a white male with blonde hair, blue eyes and a mustache, 5’7′, 170 lbs., 30 to 40 years old, wearing a blue Hawaiian shirt and khaki pants. According to the LAPD police report, he approached a teller, displayed a handgun and demanded money. The suspect then fled on foot towards Sunset. Three patrol units and a helicopter responded to the call with the first unit arriving on scene within one minute of the call being dispatched. The robbery is being investigated by the LAPD-Robbery Homicide Bank section. About 30 minutes later, the Bank of America branch at 15314 Sunset received a suspicious phone call that led employees to conduct their own evacuation. The neighboring businesses’Affinity Bank, Sotheby’s, Tivoli, Quiznos and Starbucks’were then all ordered evacuated by LAPD. ‘An area search was conducted by the bank personnel and LAPD officers,’ said Senior Lead Officer Chris Ragsdale. ‘It was later determined there were no suspicious packages.’ An investigation is being conducted by the LAPD-Criminal Conspiracy Division. ‘The suspects in these bank robberies are all serial robbers,’ Ragsdale told the Palisadian-Post Tuesday. ‘In other words, they are not targeting the Palisades. They’re targeting banks across the region.’ Ragsdale added that the suspect who robbed Bank of America on Saturday, March 19, has been identified and is a fugitive. He was connected to other crimes in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Ventura. ‘There’s speculation about why these bank robberies are occurring,’ Ragsdale said, explaining that ‘Banks on the westside have less bank security and are typically carrying much more cash in drawers.’ He pointed out that after Wells Fargo on Swarthmore was robbed repeatedly in 2003, it finally put up what are called ‘bandit barriers’ (bulletproof glass fronts on teller windows) at the suggestion of LAPD. Since then the bank has not had one robbery. ‘We’re looking at how to make the banks more secure from this type of crime,’ Ragsdale said.
Robert Duane Karl, 85; Navy Veteran and Involved Citizen
On his 61st wedding anniversary and a few short weeks after turning 85, Robert Duane Karl, a 39-year resident of Pacific Palisades, passed away at his home after a long and valiant battle with a brain tumor. Robert was born at home on March 18, 1920 on a farm near Aberdeen, South Dakota, one of five children of Arthur and Emma Karl. His German grandparents had homesteaded when Dakota was still a territory. Robert grew up with love for his parents and good times with his sisters, Dorothy and Eleanor, and brothers, Lincoln and Wilfred. In Aberdeen, Robert attended Central High School and, while attending Northern Normal and Industrial School, developed a keen desire to attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. By passing a rigorous entrance examination, he obtained an Academy appointment in 1939 and graduated as a naval ensign in 1942. His first naval assignment was to Notre Dame as a ‘V-7’ instructor, after which he attended several Fleet schools, including Fire Control in Anacostia, Maryland. While there, he met the love of his life, Alice Morris Elmore. It was love at first sight! Simultaneously, he was assigned to the commissioning crew of the USS Sigsbee at the Brooklyn, N.Y. shipyard. He maintained contact with Alice by frequent trips on the Pennsylvania Railroad. As a member of fire control on the Sigsbee, Robert supervised loading of ammunition at Buzzard’s Bay, Maine, followed by training at Casco Bay and ‘shakedown’ at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Returning to Brooklyn, his marital discussions with Alice became more serious but were interrupted by the Sigsbee’s deployment to the Pacific Theater. The Sigsbee’s first contact with the Japanese came during a raid on Marcus Island, a low, isolated island in the northwest Pacific. This was followed by a ‘screen action’ at Wake Island, fire assistance at the invasion of Tarawa, pre-invasion bombardment of Kwajalein and fire support at Kavieng, New Ireland. When the Sigsbee returned to Hawaii for replenishment, Robert applied to become a naval aviator. Enroute to flight school in Dallas, Texas, he detoured to Washington, D.C., where he seized the opportunity to ‘tie the knot’ with Alice on April 5, 1944. His marriage endured but his flight training was short-lived owing to an overabundance of aviation candidates, and he was transferred to another destroyer, the USS Sproston. As Fire Control Officer, Robert participated in many naval actions, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf, fire support of landings in the Philippines and bombardment in support of the occupation of Okinawa. At Subic Bay, in the Philippines, Robert learned that his brother Lincoln was tragically killed when an American submarine accidentally torpedoed a Japanese ship carrying American prisoners of war. While under way to Eniwetok, Caroline Islands, the Sproston came under attack by enemy submarines. Lt. Robert Karl, manning a 5′ gun battery, sank a midget submarine that was preparing to launch a torpedo at the Sproston. Following Japan’s surrender, Robert became commanding officer of the USS Sproston as it entered the reserve fleet. His post-war assignments included MIT, where he earned a master’s degree in naval engineering in 1949; Portsmouth Shipyard, where he gained experience with the construction of new ships; SURFPAC in Honolulu, where he was responsible for the repair of major combatant ships bound for Korea; Newport News, Virginia, where, as a design superintendent, he was a leader in the construction of two nuclear-powered carriers, the Forrestal and the Ranger; and, finally, to the Bureau of Ships in Washington until 1964. In his 25 years of naval service, Robert’s decorations included American Defense, Asiatic-Pacific (7 stars), Philippine Liberation Ribbon (2 stars), and National Defense Medal. Upon retirement, the Karls settled in Pacific Palisades in 1966 and became members of the Parish of Saint Matthew. Robert then commenced a 21-year career with the International Marine Oil and Development Company, supervising the construction of ship-to-shore oil delivery systems in Mexico, China, Singapore, Austria, New Zealand, Nigeria and Tanzania. He retired as a vice president in 1985. In retirement, Robert enjoyed hunting for elk, deer and pheasant with his brother, Willie, in South Dakota and fishing trips to British Columbia and Alaska. Occasionally, he would deep-sea fish off Santa Monica Bay. Robert, a gracious and loving person, believed in ‘giving something back’ to the community in which one lives. He was president of the Will Rogers Cooperative Association, president of the Masonic Service Bureau; active in American Legion Palisades Post 283; three times Master of Riviera Masonic Lodge 780; and a member of Al Malaikah Shrine, the Los Angeles Valley of the Scottish Rite and the Bay Cities Shrine Club. In addition to his cherished wife, Alice, Robert is survived by son Robert, Jr., of Bellevue, Washington; daughters Betty of Davis, California, and Krys of Ramstein, Germany; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sisters Dorothy and Eleanor; and brother Wilfred. A service celebrating Robert’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, at Gates, Kingsley, 1925 Arizona St. in Santa Monica. Afterwards, a reception will be held at the Masonic Center, 926 Santa Monica Blvd. Donations in his memory may be made to a favorite charity. And now, this young sailor, weary from battle yet steadfast in duty to family and nation and the responsibilities of his long and demanding life, this gentle brother of the Greatest Generation, has found his way home. Robert has ‘stowed his oars.’
Young Palisadians
”Six Calvary Christian middle schoolers attended the Junior National Young Leaders Conference April 2-7 in Washington, D.C. They are sixth graders KRISTI ENGLEKIRK and TAYLOR HANKEN and seventh graders KENDRA KIRSONIS, TOMMY KNAPP, NICHOLAS ROGERS and ERIKA MARTIN. ”With the theme ‘The Legacy of American Leadership,’ the conference introduced 200 middle school students from across the country to the tradition of leadership throughout American history, while helping them develop their own leadership skills. Students met with elected officials and key Congressional staff members on Capitol Hill, and visited historic national landmarks, including Colonial Williamsburg. ”Students also studied the impact of leadership throughout critical periods of American history including the Civil War and Reconstruction, World War II, the Great Depression and the Civil Rights movement. ”’The aim of the conference is to inspire students to recognize their own leadership skills, measure their skills against those of current and former leaders and return home with newfound confidence in their ability to exercise positive influence within their communities,’ said Mike Lasday, executive director of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council. ‘Young people are not only welcome in Washington, D.C., they actually keep this city and our country running.’ o o o ”Two Palisadian freshmen, CATHERINE GOLDBERG and LISA STECKMEST, were named to the dean’s list at Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut. o o o ”KATHRYN SHAPIRO was named to the dean’s list at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, for the fall 2004 semester. o o o ”MASON S. COLE, son of Christopher Cole, was named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.
Women’s Spiritual Retreat April 23
”Women of all denominations are invited to attend a spiritual retreat at the Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church, 15821 Sunset Blvd., from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 23. The day’s theme will be ‘Healing the Purpose of Our Lives.’ This day retreat will explore ways in which individuals can discover their own unique gifts and will, through lectures, small group and meditation sessions, inspire members of the group to uncover their own purpose in life. ”The Reverend Emily Berman D’Andrea, the Associate Pastor for Spiritual Growth and Mission at the Lewinsville Presbyterian Church in McLean, Virginia, leads this fifth annual women’s retreat in the Palisades. ” ‘The ideas we will explore begin with and are centered on the Biblical foundation from Jeremiah: that God knew us even before we were born and that God has created each one of us as a unique child with specific gifts to share with the world,’ commented Rev. D’Andrea. ”The daylong program will feature music, refreshments and a gourmet luncheon that will provide time for friendship and fellowship with women from all areas in the community. ” ”Registration is $35 and women can register the morning of the event or in advance by calling 454-0366, or e-mailing spiritual.spa@verizon.net.
Palisadian Chuck Hendrix Displays His Art at Library
Paintings by Charles E. (Chuck) Hendrix will be on display in the Palisades Branch Library Community Room from April 11 through 29. His watercolors, oils and acrylics reveal his lifelong love of nature, his passion for painting, and an innate ability to correlate color and object to produce realistic landscapes, portraits and still-lifes. A retired engineer, Hendrix has been painting for about 25 years. Although primarily self-taught, he has studied with artists Merlin Dow, Tom Fong, Joyce Wheeler and Ruth San Pietro under the Adult Education Program at Santa Monica Emeritus College. Early in his engineering career he worked as a design draftsman. While drafting is not art, he feels it provided him with insight into how solid objects and their relationship to each other can be depicted on a two-dimensional surface. Hendrix received an Honorable Mention in the 1985 Design Competition for the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Sacramento and has exhibited at the Great Dames Gallery in Ojai. His work has also appeared in juried shows in Santa Monica, Glendale, Santa Cruz and in Lexington, Kentucky. He is an associate member of the National Watercolor Society and a member of the Pacific Palisades Art Association. A reception will be held April 16, 2 to 4 p.m., at the library.
Painted Ladies Emerge
Shortly after the last rainstorm on March 22, they started appearing. One or two at a time at first, then three or four, then five or six… and before long, there were far too many to count. They are butterflies’mostly black, brown, and orange with some white spots on their wings and undersides of gray with white and red markings. And it is more than just coincidence that they were spotted all over Pacific Palisades last week. In fact, it was only natural. ‘I started seeing them on March 26 while driving to Northridge, then I saw them sporadically around town,’ said Ellen Marguiles, a Palisadian for almost 10 years. ‘Again while walking down Monument, on my way to the post office, I saw a few and then more and then there were hundreds! It was quite an amazing sight. Going home down Sunset, I was glad I wasn’t driving that fast, because the butterflies were flying into my car, but thankfully bounced gently off the hood.’ Weiping Xie, collections manager in the Entomology Department at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, experienced a similar phenomenon on his way to Death Valley that same weekend. Asked by the Palisadian-Post to comment on increased butterfly sightings throughout the Southland, Xie could not help but chuckle as he told his story: ‘I was driving along and all of a sudden they started hitting my windshield by the hundreds,’ he recalled. ‘It’s impossible to say how many there are but I think you could safely guess it’s in the millions. It’s also impossible to predict how long this current dispersal will last.’ The species of butterfly Marguiles and Xie encountered is called the painted lady (Vanessa cardui), also known as the ‘cosmopolitan butterfly’ because it is one of the most common butterflies in the world, living on every continent except Antarctica. And although ’emigrations’ of this type are not uncommon, those of this magnitude are’occuring only twice every decade’typically in the aftermath of heavy rains like the kind which drenched most of Southern California this winter. The record amount of rain and lush growth of wildflowers makes this mass butterfly emigration significantly greater than the last, which took place in 2001. ‘In wet years, the food supply in a given region will multiply, so when there are more flowers in bloom, butterflies are programmed to reproduce more,’ said local author Mathew Tekulsky, who published ‘The Butterfly Garden’ in 1985. ‘Naturally, when the species undergoes a massive population explosion, it has to expand to find more food supply.’ Tekulsky photographed the butterflies near his home in Sullivan Canyon last Thursday. ‘They came in groups at a time and this went on for hours,’ Tekulsky observed. ‘I watched them hovering in a lantana patch on Queensferry Road, just before the entrance to the nature trail. They were there all day long’from sunrise to sundown.’ Like most other butterflies, painted ladies live only a few weeks and thus go through several generations as they make their yearly flight north from Mexico. Traveling at speeds up to 20 miles per hour, they can cover up to 100 miles a day. Over the past several weeks, swarms of the butterflies have been reported from San Diego to Monterey. ‘You couldn’t miss them here for awhile’one day in particular they were just streaming in from everywhere,’ said Palisades garden designer Stephanie Blanc, who encountered the winged insects flitting around her garden. ‘But one thing I noticed was that the only flowers they landed on were California lilacs.’ According to Julian Donahue, curator of lepidoptera for 23 years at the County Natural History Museum before retiring in 1993, the painted lady actually feeds on a wide variety of plants. Unlike the migration of the monarch, which flies south to Mexico every fall and returns northeast every spring, the duration and volume of painted lady emigrations is hard to predict. Though the current emigration will likely continue for several weeks as the painted ladies make their way up to Oregon and possibly as far as Canada, it is unknown whether the butterflies will appear in large numbers again here as they did a week ago. ‘Their numbers can vary from day to day, hour to hour,’ Donahue said. While at Anza Borrego State Park in the Sonoran Desert recently, Marquez Knolls resident Margaret Huffman noticed millions of caterpillars’a clear sign of what was to come. ‘I figured when I got back home, the butterflies would be all over the place and they were,’ said Huffman, former president of the Los Angeles Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association and author of ‘Wild Heart of Los Angeles,’ a book about the Santa Monica Mountains. ‘But so far this week I haven’t seen anything. That’s just the way these things go.’ Adult painted ladies have a two to two-and-a-half-inch wingspan and sip sweet thistle and clover nectar. They can mate about a week after emerging. Nectar preferences of the species include thistle, dandelion, ironweed, daisy, zinnia, gayfeather and dahlia. Blanc recommended several sources for learning more about butterfly culture in the region, including Fred Heath’s book, ‘An Introduction to Southern California Butterflies.’ She also cited a poster called ‘Butterflies of Greater Los Angeles’ made by Rudi Mattoni, who is credited with rediscovering the El Segundo Blue Butterfly. For all who understand and appreciate the rarity of emigrations this size, the sight of thousands upon thousands of butterflies swarming about their favorite flowers is nothing short of breathtaking. ‘It’s wonderful to be able to stand there and just watch thousands of butterflies fly by all around you,’ Tekulsky said. ‘It’s a magical feeling. It really is.’ And only Mother Nature knows when he might get to experience it again.
Pekar Wins Dudley Cup
Palisadian Chase Pekar and his new doubles partner, Jackson Issacs of Brentwood (who currently attends the Advantage tennis academy in Orange County) dropped only one game in six sets on their way to winning the Boys 14s doubles division of the 89th Dudley Cup Junior Open March 26 at Reed Park in Santa Monica. Pekar and Isaacs beat two teams from Oregon before defeating Palisadian Reid Morelli and his partner, Brendan Kutler of Los Angeles, in the finals. Morelli also advanced to the quarterfinals in the Boys 14s singles while Pekar finished runner-up in the Boys 16s division, ousting Palisades High’s No. 1 player, Adam Deloje, in the semifinals, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1. In the Boys 10s, locals Toshio Nagura and Hagen Smith each advanced to the third round while fellow Palisadian Brandon Michaels reached the finals of the back draw. In the Boys 12s, local player Brian Alle lost a three-set final to Skyler Davis of Malibu. Spencer Pekar, Chase’s younger brother, lost in the round of 16 in singles and lost in the semifinals in doubles with partner Blake Anthony. Palisadian Ryan Page advanced to the quarterfinals of the singles back draw. In the Boys 16s doubles draw, local player Jay Sobel and his partner, Jamie Loos of Los Angeles, reached the finals. In the Girls 10s singles, Samantha Sharpe and Jenevieve Norris each advanced to the semifinals while fellow Palisadian Perri Zaret made the semifinals of the back draw. In the 14s, Genna Rochlin lost to fellow Palisadian Kelly Ryan in the quarterfinals and teamed with fellow Palisadian Rose Schlaff to reach the semifinals in doubles. Ryan lost in the singles final while Kathryn Cullen advanced to the semifinals in singles and Schlaff advanced to the quarterfinals. Palisadian Dalya Perelman lost in the finals of the Girls 18s singles event.
Robert F. Klein, 88; Devoted to Family and the Palisades
Former longtime Pacific Palisades resident Robert Francis Klein died on February 28 at Saint John’s Health Center at the age of 88. He was visiting family here when he suddenly passed away from the complications of a ruptured abdominal aneurysm. Born to Harry Klein and Francis Shea on our nation’s first Flag Day, June 14, 1916, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rob was raised in Wilmette, Illinois. He had a love affair with Pacific Palisades that began after arriving in California in 1940 with a childhood friend from Chicago. Rob began a career with McDonnell Douglas that spanned 38 years, until he retired at the age of 62 in 1978. Rob met his wife of 60 years, Barbara, a Los Angeles native, at Douglas in 1942. While residing in West Los Angeles, they purchased a vacant Palisades lot at 660 Bienveneda Avenue in the spring of 1948 for the lofty sum of $2,300. They borrowed $8,500 from Prudential Insurance for the construction of their home. Barbara says that at the time of their purchase, there was not much of anything along Sunset as you headed west from the village except for a lone real estate office. At that time, upper Bienveneda and the St. Matthew’s Parish property were avocado groves and a turkey ranch. The Kleins called 660 Bienveneda home from February of 1949 until they sold their home in 1981 to move north to Turlock, in the Central Valley, to be closer to their three daughters and grandchildren. They made frequent return visits to the Palisades to see family and friends. Rob is survived by his wife Barbara and his four children: daughters Caryl Dennis Ray Brewer, Diane Lee Ford Parker and Joanie Klein Griggs, all of Turlock; a son, Robert O. Klein of the Palisades; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. At a recent family gathering, Rob recounted for the family (as he was fond of doing) the many wonderful attributes that attracted him to the Palisades and that he enjoyed while living here: the beautiful Santa Monica mountains where he loved to hike, the blue Pacific Ocean that was the perfect venue for bodysurfing and beach volleyball, the community of Pacific Palisades with its quaint village, and residents that seemed to possess a dedication to community service and enhancing the quality of life for young and old alike. Rob was an early member of the Palisades Men’s Club (where Village School is now located) and was one of the early coaches of the Palisades Boys Baseball Association at the Recreation Center. At that time, it was the only organized youth sports activity in the Palisades. Rob and Barbara were also one of the founding families of Corpus Christi Parish in 1950. Rob’s life was celebrated by family and friends at a memorial Mass at Corpus Christi Church on March 3. He was remembered for his devotion to his family, his love of the Palisades and its environs, and his strong sense of his Irish heritage. On February 26, while on an extended visit here prior to surgery, Rob went with family members to the Palisades High School gym to watch Caitlin and Michaela Keefe, twin 7-year-old great-granddaughters, practice their basketball. ‘He insisted we take a four-generation photo with his son, grandson and great-grandson, who all live in the Palisades,’ said daughter-in-law JoAnn Klein. ‘I’m so grateful we did.’
Robert F. Klein, 88; Devoted to Family and the Palisades
Former longtime Pacific Palisades resident Robert Francis Klein died on February 28 at Saint John’s Health Center at the age of 88. He was visiting family here when he suddenly passed away from the complications of a ruptured abdominal aneurysm. Born to Harry Klein and Francis Shea on our nation’s first Flag Day, June 14, 1916, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rob was raised in Wilmette, Illinois. He had a love affair with Pacific Palisades that began after arriving in California in 1940 with a childhood friend from Chicago. Rob began a career with McDonnell Douglas that spanned 38 years, until he retired at the age of 62 in 1978. Rob met his wife of 60 years, Barbara, a Los Angeles native, at Douglas in 1942. While residing in West Los Angeles, they purchased a vacant Palisades lot at 660 Bienveneda Avenue in the spring of 1948 for the lofty sum of $2,300. They borrowed $8,500 from Prudential Insurance for the construction of their home. Barbara says that at the time of their purchase, there was not much of anything along Sunset as you headed west from the village except for a lone real estate office. At that time, upper Bienveneda and the St. Matthew’s Parish property were avocado groves and a turkey ranch. The Kleins called 660 Bienveneda home from February of 1949 until they sold their home in 1981 to move north to Turlock, in the Central Valley, to be closer to their three daughters and grandchildren. They made frequent return visits to the Palisades to see family and friends. Rob is survived by his wife Barbara and his four children: daughters Caryl Dennis Ray Brewer, Diane Lee Ford Parker and Joanie Klein Griggs, all of Turlock; a son, Robert O. Klein of the Palisades; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. At a recent family gathering, Rob recounted for the family (as he was fond of doing) the many wonderful attributes that attracted him to the Palisades and that he enjoyed while living here: the beautiful Santa Monica mountains where he loved to hike, the blue Pacific Ocean that was the perfect venue for bodysurfing and beach volleyball, the community of Pacific Palisades with its quaint village, and residents that seemed to possess a dedication to community service and enhancing the quality of life for young and old alike. Rob was an early member of the Palisades Men’s Club (where Village School is now located) and was one of the early coaches of the Palisades Boys Baseball Association at the Recreation Center. At that time, it was the only organized youth sports activity in the Palisades. Rob and Barbara were also one of the founding families of Corpus Christi Parish in 1950. Rob’s life was celebrated by family and friends at a memorial Mass at Corpus Christi Church on March 3. He was remembered for his devotion to his family, his love of the Palisades and its environs, and his strong sense of his Irish heritage. On February 26, while on an extended visit here prior to surgery, Rob went with family members to the Palisades High School gym to watch Caitlin and Michaela Keefe, twin 7-year-old great-granddaughters, practice their basketball. ‘He insisted we take a four-generation photo with his son, grandson and great-grandson, who all live in the Palisades,’ said daughter-in-law JoAnn Klein. ‘I’m so grateful we did.’
PaliHi Girls Track Beats Westchester
Palisades High’s girls varsity track and field team beat Westchester, 85-25, last Friday at Stadium by the Sea in the Dolphins’ first home meet of the season. Palisades won every event except the 200 meter dash and the shot put. ‘We had some good performances and I was pleased with how we competed,’ Pali coach Ron Brumel said. Kristabel Doebel-Hickock won the two-mile race and followed that by running a 5:28 mile and anchoring the distance medley the following day at the San Pedro Easter Relays. Michelle Mahanian won the long jump in 14-8, her best distance yet. The Dolphins’ boys varsity tied the Comets, 57-57, with an impressive showing in the field events. Junior Julian Harris ran the 110 high hurdles in 17.6 and finished second in the 300 hurdles. Sophomore Matt Strangeway ran the 400 meters in 56.3 seconds and Jonathan Smith-Wesson placed second in the high jump, clearing 5-6. Palisades swept the top two places in the 400 meters and won the high jump, long jump and triple jump events. The Dolphins travel to Hamilton for a Western League meet Friday at 2:30 p.m.
