Peninsula People Nov 2017

November 2017 • Peninsula 3

6 Peninsula • November 2017

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Saturday 

November 4 th 

at 10:00 am 

R e s e r v e Yo u r S e a t s

61st Annual 

Neighborhood Church 

Yule Parlor 

Tea by the Sea 

The 61st Annual Neighborhood Church Yule Parlor Tea 

by the Sea will once again open the holiday 

season on: 

Friday, December 1 and Saturday December 2, 

10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

Neighborhood Church is located on the bluffs of Malaga 

Cove at 415 Paseo del Mar, Palos Verdes Estates. We will 

begin the celebration by viewing the original treasured hand 

painted ceilings and walls of the Mediterranean architectural 

estate and art work of the historic Haggerty home built in 

1927. The home was purchased and converted to the Neighborhood 

Church in 1952. 

High Tea will be served with live holiday music. 

Event is enhanced with three delightful shops. Vintage 

with antiques and memorabilia for sale, Bake Shop with 

homemade pastries and candies wrapped for gift giving 

through the holidays, and the Yule Shop with homemade 

arts and crafts made by loving hands. 

Checks are to be made out to Women's Fellowship for $25. 

Mail to: Neighborhood Church, 415 Paseo Del Mar, Palos 

Verdes Estates, C.A. 90274. $30 day of event. 

Your ticket will be held for pick up at the door. Proceeds 

distributed to local charities. 

PENINSULA 

Volume XXII, Issue 4 

November 2017 

P A L O S V E R D E S P E N I N S U L A M O N T H L Y 

ON THE COVER 

Photo by David Fairchild 

Pianist, composer and 

conductor David Benoit will 

conduct his “Journey of the 

Endeavour” at the California 

Science Center, where the space 

shuttle Endeavour resides. 

PROFILES 

22 Ed Foundation foundation 

by David Mendez Two-term Ed Foundation President Roma 

Mistry helped restructure the organization to serve future 

generations.. 

28 Benoit looks up 

by Bondo Wyszpolski Over the past five decades, David 

Benoit has cast a wide net in the musical world as a performer, 

composer, conductor and KJazz DJ. Now he’s focusing on work 

that is less ephemeral and more enduring. 

38 A life of passing passions 

by Maneesha Prakash For most of his 22 years, Marco 

Vignale has suffered from a progressively debilitating gene 

mutation, a condition so rare that it is known to be shared by 

just one other person in the United States. It hasn’t stopped 

him from living a full life. 

48 Schoeben’s students 

by Robb Fulcher By the end of the school year one fifth of 

the Palos Verdes School District’s 11,500 students will visit 

campus therapists through a new program created by therapist 

and entrepreneur Liz Schoeben. 

58 Born to serve 

by Robb Fulcher Faith driven volunteer Jackie Crowley has 

been helping the less fortunate for nearly five decades. Now 

she will be the focus of attention when the Palos Verdes Peninsula 

Chamber of Commerce recognizes her as the 2017 Citizen 

of the Year. 

76 Sea Change at Chez Melange 

by Richard Foss Chez Melange chef Robert Bell and partner 

Michael Franks abandon their restaurant’s name and menu in 

order to continue their tradition of culinary adventures. 

HIGHLIGHTS 

10 60th Annual Portuguese Bend Horse Show 

14 Act II Shop ‘til you drop 

18 Torrance Police Foundation on the Hill 

34 PTN Halloween Ball at The Depot 

44 Friends of the Library at Villa Narcissa 

52 Palos Verdes Concours takes to the air 

DEPARTMENTS 

60 Peninsula calendar 

74 Around and about 

78 South Bay Dining Guide 

85 Home services 

STAFF 

EDITOR 

Mark McDermott 

PUBLISHER 

Stephanie Cartozian 

PUBLISHER EMERITUS 

Mary Jane Schoenheider 

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER 

Richard Budman 

DISPLAY SALES 

Tamar Gillotti, 

Amy Berg 

CLASSIFIEDS 

Teri Marin 

ADVERTISING 

DIRECTOR 

Richard Budman 

ADVERTISING 

COORDINATOR 

Teri Marin 

GRAPHIC DESIGNER 

Tim Teebken 

FRONT DESK 

Judy Rae 

DIRECTOR OF 

DIGITAL MEDIA 

Daniel Sofer (Hermosawave.net) 

CONTACT 

MAILING ADDRESS 

P.O. Box 745 

Hermosa Beach, CA 

90254-0745 

PHONE 

(310) 372-4611 

FAX 

(424) 212-6780 

WEBSITE 

www.easyreadernews.com 

EDITORIAL 

PenPeople@ 

easyreadernews.com 

ADVERTISING 

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displayads@ 

easyreadernews.com 

Please see the Classified Ad 

Section for info. 

FICTITIOUS NAME 

STATEMENTS (DBA’S) 

can be filed at the 

office during regular 

business hours. 

(310) 372-4611 

Peninsula is a supplemental 

publication of Easy Reader, 2200 

Pacific Cst. Hwy. #101, PO Box 427, 

Hermosa Beach, CA. 90254-0427. 

SUBSCRIPTIONS 

Yearly domestic mail subscriptions 

to Peninsula are $80, foreign $100 

payable in advance. The entire 

contents of Peninsula are copyrighted 

2017 by Peninsula People, 

Inc. 


S P O T L I G H T O N T H E H I L L 

Portuguese Bend Horse Show 

Raises funds for Children 

Peninsula Committee Children’s Hospital held their main fundraiser 

on September 8 -- 10 at Ernie Howlett Park in Rolling Hills Estates. 

This was the 60th year of the Portuguese Bend National Horse Show 

benefiting Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). This year’s proceeds 

will provide support for the CHLA Associates Endowed Chair for 

the Chief of the Children’s Orthopaedic Center, as well as The Associates 

Endowment for Liver and Intestinal Research. The theme for this 

year’s horse show was “Stirrup Hope – the Story of our Lives.” In addition 

to the three day horse show, the weekend featured a children’s carnival, 

food booths, a boutique, a Saturday Night BBQ dinner and special 

events, varying from miniature therapy horses to the Long Beach 

Mounted Police. 

1. Joe Leimbach, Jeff MacLean, Darren 

Del Conte and Scott Stuckman. 

2. Megan Moore, Diane Moore, Lisa 

Noski and Andrea Sala. 

3. Doug and Gwynne Shaw. 

4. Kathy and Kirk Johnson, Marnie 

and Dan Gruen, Holly and Jeff Gardner. 

5. Jay and Valerie Crawford. 

6. Doug Van Riper, Steve Mitchell, 

Jan Van Riper and Karen Mitchell. 

7. Larry Clark, Noelle Giuliano and 

PHOTOS BY FLORA FAIRCHILD 

Anne Clark. 

8. Michael, Diana and Lizzy Grannis. 

9. Long Beach Mounted Police 

10. Dave Rowe, Dave Farrell, Carole 

Rowe and Anne Farrell. 

11. Lisa Van Nortwick, Shari Moore 

and Jenny Litchfield. 

12. Jim Witte, John Whitcombe, 

Craig Knickerbocker, Flora Fairchild 

and David Wendorff. 

13. Charlie Stuckman. 

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ACT II Supports Theatre 

Holiday Fundraising Boutique 

ACT II was founded in September of 1984 as a support organization 

for the Palos Verdes Performing Arts. This year their “Shop till you 

Drop” lunch included gourmet food stations and a boutique featuring 

clothing, purses and jewelry. The women of ACT II have raised over 

$450,000 through their annual Variety Show and Spring Fashion Show. 

The members meet monthly from September through June to plan the 

shows and to enjoy numerous theatre-related programs. “It used to be 

us knocking on all these production and musical artists’ doors asking 

them to come perform here. Now they are calling us,” Julie Moe- 

Reynolds said. This year the boutique was in the Harlyne J. Norris Pavilion 

and presented dozens of purveyors, including The Pottery Barn, to 

help ring in the holidays. 

1. Halloween Boutique. 

PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE CARTOZIAN 

2. Julie Moe-Reynolds, Pam Barrett- 

Hill, Jim Hill and Abby Douglass. 

3. De De Hicks, Deena Gribben and 

Meredith Grenier. 

4. Judy Dinh and Georgia Ellingson. 

5. Arline Grotz, Nancy Budde, Donna 

Day, Adrienne Ang, Pam Barrett-Hill, 

Joyce Kochanowski and Mary Graff. 

6. Maryann Ayres, Donna Day and 

Carolyn Harrington. 

7. Pam Barrett-Hill and Lorraine 

Kasse. 

8. Melinda Grotz. 

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Palos Verdes Community 

Supports Torrance Police Foundation 

Ann and David Buxton opened up their Palos Verdes Tuscan style estate 

to host a fundraiser for the Torrance Police Foundation. The 

organization’s mission statement is to “stand behind those who wear 

the badge” by appealing to the community to support public safety projects. 

The grants issued by the Torrance Police Foundation (TPF) to the 

police department fund projects that typically are not covered by the 

police department budget. Among the guests were Torrance Mayor Pat 

Furey and members of the police department. A drone demonstration 

was presented by Torrance Police Office Matthew Slawson. To learn 

more visit www.TorrancePoliceFoundation.org. 

1. Hosts Ann and David Buxton. 

2. Marylyn and Chuck Klaus. 

3. Officer Matthew Slawson, Jerry 

and Gabriela Rocha. 

4. Board member and founder Jack 

Messerlian and Mayor Pat Furey. 

5. Donna and Councilmember Geoff 

Rizzo. 

6. Councilmember Mike Griffiths and 

Cecilia Geronimo. 

7. Board chair Hank Parker and 

Captain Jon Megeff. 


8. Elisabeth Swardstrom and Emmett 

Miller. 

9. Officer Matthew Slawson demonstrates 

the drone donated by the 

Torrance Police Foundation. 

10. Diamond Level Sponsor Tim 

Rogers and Mayor Pat Furey. 

11. Diamond Level Sponsor Tim 

Rogers with Kristen Matsuda and 

former Police Chief Mark Matsuda. 

12. Captain Jon Megeff and Board 

Member and Platinum Level Sponsor 

David Buxton. 

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Ed 

foundation 

Roma Mistry put the 

Peninsula Education Foundation 

on a solid footing 

during her two term 

presidency 

by David Mendez 

Despite her two-term presidency of the Peninsula Education Foundation’s 

Board of Trustees, Roma Mistry doesn’t think what she’s 

done merits much consideration, compared to the community of 

volunteers that she lives among 

“I’ve lived on the hill for 22 years…people seem to be involved in so 

many wonderful organizations, giving back to the community,” Mistry said. 

“I don’t think what I’ve done is anything unique beyond what other people 

have given back.” 

But during her two years as PEF’s President, Mistry saw two consecutive 

executive directors move on in quick succession, and helped stabilize the 

foundation to continue its mission of supporting the Palos Verdes Peninsula 

Unified School District. 

“We have a great community, principals and teachers who care, and volunteers 

who come together to keep our schools successful,” Mistry said. 

“We’re ensuring our kids have the tools they need to be successful.” 

The former child welfare attorney for Los Angeles County has lived on 

the hill with her husband Sameer since 1995. The two met when they were 

working on their postgraduate studies; Roma was at Pepperdine Law 

School, while Sameer was studying medicine at USC. 

They first moved to the South Bay after they were married, when he accepted 

a residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, and lived in Redondo 

Beach. 

“We would drive around, and I had never heard of PV before,” Mistry 

said. “I remember thinking it would be awesome if we could live there, 

and as a young couple, the timing was right — we saved and bought a 

house before we had kids.” 

The two, she recalls, were the youngest on their block when they moved 

in. Roma was 27, Sameer was 30. They fell in love with their new neighborhood. 

“We were young, no kids, working hard, and we knew we wanted to live 

there, where the schools were great,” Mistry said. 

Former two-term Education Foundation president Roma Mistry. 

Photo by David Fairchild 


Their son Dilan was born four years later; their daughter Shefali three 

years after him. 

When their children were ready to go to school, their parents decided to 

send them to public school, rather than take advantage of any nearby private 

options. 

“It’s about being part of your local community; I went to LA Unified 

schools,” Mistry said. “I think public schools have a lot to offer, especially 

in the community we’re in. It’s a no brainer.” 

Mistry started her support for the Peninsula Education Foundation as a 

donor. She was still practicing law at the time, while volunteering at her 

child’s school. 

“Eventually, I became aware of the funding issues, and how our schools 

are funded,” Mistry said. 

In terms of per-pupil funding, the Palos Verdes Peninsula School District 

is among the lowest-funded school districts in the state. The bulk of its 

budget comes from the state’s Local Control Funding Formula. As of the 

2015-16 school year, PVPUSD receives $7,579 per student. By comparison, 

the statewide average for all unified school districts is $8,954 per student. 

“When we started donating, my kids were really young; I don’t think I 

fully grasped the scope of disproportionality in funding for schools,” Mistry 

said. “From that point, I started paying more attention to what PEF was 

funding, and it grew from there.” 

Music programs nationwide have become expendable in many situations 

as belts have tightened for schools. However, PEF has named funding music 

programs among its top priorities. 

“That caught my eye; my son participated in music in elementary school 

and got his first taste of playing an instrument,” Mistry said. “It was a selfesteem 

boost for him and it spurred an interest going forward and continuing 

his musical education. That was a big selling point for me.” 

As she continued looking into PEF, Mistry appreciated that its board of 

trustees was a cross-section of the community. Its members ranged from 

volunteers to professionals, and parents at each level of schooling and across 

the peninsula community. 

“It offered a vantage point from being an elementary school parent to 

what lies ahead, and what we have to look forward to; plus, it gave a look 

at what the Ed Foundation does beyond elementary school,” Mistry said. 

Mistry joined the PEF Board of Trustees in 2011, shortly after she stepped 

away from her legal career. In 2014, she was elected board president. 

Mistry is reticent about giving herself much credit, instead deferring to 

the Board of Trustees, as well as PEF Executive Director Christine Byrne, 

and the organization’s staff and volunteers. 

“[Byrne] goes in and is there every day…the PEF office staff is the hardest 

working group I’ve worked with. They’re a well-oiled machine, making 

sure things run smoothly, contacting companies and seeking partnerships,” 

Mistry said. “The buck stops with them.” 

Mistry’s challenge, she said, was beyond strictly fundraising. Under her 

leadership, PEF underwent a review of its bylaws, wrote a strategic plan, 

and put in place a new employee handbook. 

“Those things don’t sound sexy or important, but they’re important for 

governance,” Mistry said. “For an organization to be successful, it has to be 

guided.” 

Of course, PEF continued its fundraising endeavors. In 2015 and 2016, 

the organization donated $6.76 million to PVPUSD, with the bulk of contributions 

coming from PV families. Donors will be thanked and honored 

at the organization’s upcoming Food and Wine Fest on Nov. 16. That night, 

winners of the Chuck Miller Teacher Grant will be honored. Teacher 

awardees will receive up to $1,500 to bolster their classroom budgets. 

Last year Mistry left the board in the hands of co-presidents Matthew 

Rener and Michelle Fullerton, though she’s still volunteering. Her son recently 

graduated from Palos Verdes High School, and is on to Chapman 

University, while her daughter is in her second year at Peninsula High. 

“It’s nice to be in a position where my family and I have been able to 

benefit from the groundwork that’s been laid for us,” Mistry said. “I love 

when people’s kids have graduated, and that we’re ensuring the success 

and longevity of the schools and local community...PEF supports students 

from the moment they start in kindergarten, and it’s there at every level. 

We’ve been able to make sure that continues so that future generations can 

benefit, too.” PEN 


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Rising above his 

musical horizon 

David Benoit takes a poolside break at his Palos Verdes Estates home. Photo by David Fairchild. 

On the launching pad with David Benoit 

by Bondo Wyszpolski 

Jazz artist David Benoit and the California Science Center are rarely mentioned 

in the same sentence, but that’s beginning to happen more often 

these days thanks to the space shuttle Endeavour. So far, so strange, so 

let’s explain. 

On Sunday, November 5, the Manhattan Beach native and Palos Verdes 

Estate resident will conduct the Asia America Youth Symphony in the 

Samuel Oschin Pavilion, at the Science Center in Exposition Park, where 

the Endeavour is on view. The orchestra will tantalize the audience with 

the theme from “Star Wars” and soon thereafter fill the hall with Benoit’s 

spirited “Journey of the Endeavour.” 

The composition is largely ebullient and celebratory and just over fiveand-a-half 

minutes in length. Benoit premiered in 2013 at the James Armstrong 

Theatre in Torrance. At that concert, footage of the shuttle was 

projected behind the orchestra, a former astronaut was one hand to lend 

gravity to the occasion, and among the people sitting in the audience was 

an executive from the California Science Center. 

“She said we must do this at the Endeavour,” Benoit says from the kitchen 

table at his home in Palos Verdes Estates. “So we talked about it for a couple 

of years and finally they pulled the trigger and said, ‘We’re going to do it,’ 

so here it is.” 

After the piece is performed, the audience will turn their heads and marvel 

at the long-distance voyager itself, imposing and radiant. 

Benoit explains how the “Journey of the Endeavour” came about. 

“I try once a year to do an artist residency in Villa Montalvo (in Saratoga, 

near San Jose), where I can take a couple of weeks and write something 

fresh. The idea is not to write anything commercial. I was looking for some 

inspiration and I saw this video of the Endeavour when it went through the 

streets of L.A.” Because of its size, its route from LAX to Exposition Park 

had to be carefully choreographed, reminiscent of LACMA’s plan for “Levitated 

Mass.” 

The 184-foot long Endeavour was named after Captain Cook’s HMS Endeavour. 

“I saw it almost like a ballet,” Benoit continues. “I saw it as an orchestral 

piece. 

“I edited the video so that you see it take off and then you see it land.” 

The mood shifts as it wends its way across Manchester Avenue, north along 

Crenshaw Boulevard, and east again on Martin Luther King Boulevard. 

“And then finally, when it finds its home in the garage I kind of slowed the 

music down. It was a little sad in a way, a little remorseful, but it was like, 

well, that journey’s over, here’s the new one, and now he’s in the museum.” 

Known for now, known for later 

In 1982, the late Timothy Purpus wrote a cover feature for Easy Reader 

about David Benoit as he was first achieving success as a professional jazz 

musician. In the 35 years since, Benoit has released over two dozen albums, 

including four this year. Foremost, perhaps, is his “Music of Montalvo” CD, 

a crowd-funded effort recorded with the West European Symphony Orchestra 

that highlights “Bikeride” (with the All-American Boys Choir) and “Napa 

Crossroads Overture,” a catchy number co-written with David Pack, (formerly 

of Ambrosia). The centerpiece of the CD belongs to the Endeavour. 

The other new releases include the commercially-tilted “So Nice,” with 

Marc Antoine; an all-solo piano CD called “The Steinway Sessions,” and a 

holiday record with Dave Koz (“That’s more his CD, but I did the orchestral 

arrangements and conducted, and played piano on it, too.”). 

That would be a bumper crop year for any artist, on top of which Benoit 

is a morning DJ for radio station 88.1 KJazz. It’s a weekday show, 8 a.m. to 

12 noon, but because of traveling and other commitments Benoit is often 

able to record several upcoming programs at a time. He’s also hosting a Saturday 

show from 10 to noon, this one focused on piano players. He has a 

free hand with Saturday’s selections, but not so much with those aired dur- 


ing the week. 

Perhaps you’re thinking, hey, 

that’s great, Benoit’s really on a roll 

and he must be a happy camper. 

Well, yes and no. 

In some circles, Benoit is regarded 

as a purveyor of smooth jazz 

(or “easy listening”), a label he abhors. 

“You get typecast,” he admits. 

“Okay, everybody knows me for 

writing the pretty melodies.” And, 

yes, they are pretty, and often 

charming. 

Clearly, there’s an audience for it; 

Benoit might be living under the 

freeway if there weren’t. But 

“smooth jazz” isn’t the only thing he 

hopes to be remembered for, and 

that’s one reason why “Journey of 

the Endeavour” is a vital piece. He 

would like to find other projects 

that take him out of his comfort 

zone and, like the shuttle itself, into 

new frontiers. 

“I’m always looking for new 

things to write about,” he says. “Part 

of the problem, well, the good and 

the bad news, is it’s been an unusually 

busy year for me commercially, 

which is good. The ‘bad’ thing is 

that when you have a year like that 

there’s so little time to do the other,” 

meaning of course the non-commercial. 

“I need to get back to that 

creative space. 

“That’s what’s important as an 

artist. We have our stuff to do to 

earn money and keep the bills paid, 

but the ‘Journey of the Endeavour’ 

is an example of something that has 

no connections with making 

money, it’s just, hey, here’s some 

art; art’s important.” He points to 

“Kobe,” written years ago in response 

to the earthquake that damaged 

the city of the same name, and 

to the fairly recent “Bikeride,” as 

more complex works that needed 

time to be thought out and developed. 

Benoit was 29 when Timothy 

Purpus interviewed him, and he’s 

64 now. That’s still young, or young 

enough, for a strong second-half 

showing. Sure, Schubert and 

Mozart died when they were just 

kids, but Verdi, Sibelius, and 

Richard Strauss all lived productively 

deep into their 80s. As Saul 

Bellow once told Herbert Gold, 

“Don’t count any writer out while 

he’s still alive.” Sometimes one’s 

greatest adversary isn’t old age so 

much as it’s the unwillingness to 

risk failure. 

At the moment, Benoit’s legacy is 

in his jazz compositions, the soundtrack 

to “The Peanuts Movie,” and 

so on, but will this work endure? 

With the exception of a few tunes 

(“Kei’s Song,” “Freedom at Midnight,” 

“Drive Time,” etc.) will he 

be remembered and played a generation 

or two hence? Nobody 

knows for sure, and one can’t even 

guess whether his earlier classical 

pieces will survive, but chances 

could be greater that posterity 

awaits him in the field of classical 

or rather orchestral music. If he 

persists in this genre... 

He may not have cut his teeth at 

a prestigious music academy, but 

Benoit has the tools and the knowhow. 

He’s been the music director 

and chief conductor of the Asia 

America Youth Symphony for a 

dozen years, and has played or conducted 

in numerous venues, including 

Disney Hall where he led a 

performance of Beethoven’s “Ninth 

Symphony.” 

In short, Benoit says, referring 

back to “Kobe” and “Journey of the 

Endeavour,” “Something I want to 

do more and more [are works] like 

these, expressing myself in a way 

where I’m not encumbered by commercial 

restrictions.” 

Pushing at old boundaries 

And thus the question, can he 

transcend that by which he’s been 

primarily known? Danny Elfman, 

who tumbled into the new wave 

music scene with Oingo Boingo, 

has become a world-class composer 

of soundtracks. Others, from Paul 

McCartney to Joe Jackson, have 

made the leap into writing symphonic 

music, and Benoit himself 

mentions Frank Zappa, whose 

records like “Hot Rats” and 

“Weasels Ripped My Flesh” belie 

the fact that he was an accomplished 

composer on a much 

grander scale. 

“People in the symphony world 

and classical world are discovering 

Frank Zappa,” Benoit says. “He was 

a serious composer. But he’s been 

dead now, how many years (almost 

25), and people are just starting to 

figure it out.” 

Benoit wonders aloud if he’s running 

out of time, and in a sense we 

all are, and especially those of us 

who harbor unrealized artistic ambitions. 

“One of my dreams would be to 

take a year off,” Benoit says, “which 

I’ve never done, and it’s been pretty 

much just doing gigs since I was 18. 

And all of a sudden I’m 64 years 

old, and still doing gigs.” It isn’t that 

he doesn’t enjoy performing, it’s 

just that a lengthy retreat, a sabbatical, 

or what have you, would be a 

rejuvenating balm and, need it be 

said, could possibly give him the 


eathing room required for a 

larger-scaled work, one on which, 

who knows, he might even stake 

his reputation. 

Looking ahead to potential opportunities 

is important, he says, 

“and continuing to be really creative, 

because I feel like I’m doing 

some of my best work now as I’ve 

gotten older and a little smarter 

about things. When you’re young 

you think you know it all, then you 

realize the adage ‘the more you 

know the more you realize you 

don’t know.’ Yup, that’s true,” and 

he laughs. 

In the meantime, Benoit has his 

work cut out for him locally. This 

includes a dinner concert on Sunday, 

Nov. 12, at the Palos Verdes 

Golf Club. Proceeds from the 

event, with tickets at $125, benefit 

the Asia America Symphony Association. 

“I’ll do a few of my signature 

tunes,” he says. “We’ll probably do 

a couple things that people know 

me for. I want it to be a fun, loose 

event where maybe we’ll jam on 

an Eddie Harris tune and then Herbie 

Hancock, and maybe (throw in) 

a few cover tunes. Everyone’s 

gonna get a chance to stretch out 

and jam a little bit.” In addition to 

David Benoit introduces Manhattan Beach resident and Space Shuttle Endeavour 

Astronaut Dr. Garrett Reisman at the premiere of "Journey of the Endeavour" 

at the James Armstrong Theatre in Torrance in 2013. Benoit conducted the Asia 

American Youth Orchestra wearing an Endeavour flight suit. Photo by Kevin Cody 

Benoit on piano, the lineup is likely 

to consist of guitarist Pat Kelley, 

drummers Clayton Cameron and 

Brad Harner, bassist Ken Wild, and 

saxophonist Michael Paulo. “Plus 

I’ll have a couple of my young 

members from the orchestra performing 

so they’ll have a chance to 

be featured as well,” the latter musicians 

being 14-year-old Vinnie 

Aguas on drums and 17-year-old 

Colton Russell on bass. 

As for the Asia America Youth 

Symphony, the 2018 season has yet 

to be announced, but one of the 

highlights (if not the highlight, for 

those involved) takes place in June 

when 30 members of the orchestra 

will travel to Seoul, South Korea, to 

perform. This is actually a reciprocal 

concert: in February of this year 

some 30 South Korean musicians 

came to the States and were guests 

of the Asia America Symphony. 

On this side of the Pacific, however, 

the AAYS will host its alumni 

concert, on April 20: “We’ve had 

the orchestra for 15 years now,” 

Benoit says. “In those years we’ve 

had a lot of students who have 

gone on to be very successful in 

music, so we’re asking them to 

come back.” In other words, if you 

or someone you know performed 

with the group during those years, 

dust off your oboe or viola and get 

ready for the big reunion. 

For the moment, though, all eyes 

are glued to the space shuttle and 

David Benoit’s “Journey of the Endeavour” 

concert, which is also the 

fall fundraiser of the Los Angeles 

Philharmonic’s Peninsula Committee 

(our local LA Phil Affiliates). 

The performance takes place from 

7 to 10 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 5, in 

the Samuel Oschin Pavilion at the 

California Science Center, 700 Exposition 

Park Drive, Los Angeles. 

Tickets, $150. Hors d’oeuvres, 

desserts, fine wine and coffee to be 

served. For information and tickets, 

go to pclaphil.org. PEN 


Seeing the Space Shuttle Endeavour transported from Los Angeles International Airport to the California Science Center in 2012 inspired David Benoit to write 

“Journey of the Endeavour.” Photo by John Post 


550 Silver Spur Rd. Suite 240, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90275


Eat, drink and be scary! 

PTN Halloween Ball 

The Pediatric Therapy Network hosted their 22nd Spooktacular Halloween Ball 

to benefit the children with developmental and medical issues. Junior ambassador 

Daniel Lowe, 12, told attendees about the challenges he’s learned to overcome 

through PTN. One of the highlights he says of being involved with PTN was 

meeting Lakers coach Luke Walton, and learning to address large crowds. The 

RamFunkshus rocked the huge, tented event next to Chef Michael Shafer’s Depot 

restaurant. One of the auction highlights was a dinner prepared by Chef Shafer 

at the raffle winner’s home. Other auction items included a luxury suite for 12 

people at the Staples Center to watch the Clippers or Kings and 2 VIP Forum 

passes to see Jay-Z along with a limousine ride to and from the Forum. According 

to PTN, one in six children born in the U.S. has a developmental disability. For 

more information visit pediatrictherapynetwork.org 

1. Chef Michael Shafer. 

2. Charlene Nishimura and Sylvia 

Luna. 

3. Daniel, Tom and Melody Lowe 

and Stacey and Ryan Harris. 

4. Cher and Bret Carroll. 


5. Paul and Lydia Ho, Jan and 

David Lim. 

6. Craig and Mary Rose Kalem, 

Lynn and Vincent Macnguyen. 

7. Armando and Isabel 

Fernandez. 

8. Wayne and Nori Dempsey. 

9. Amanda Wynn and Andy 

Stockton. 

10. Tim and Andrea Thompson 

and Paige Asawa. 

1 

2 3 4 

5 6 

7 

8 9 

10 


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family room with fireplace and a conveniently laid out kitchen with newer appliances. The interior is accented in wood paneling, 

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Marco’s 

music 

Marco Vignale and Emily Jordan on their way to the Peninsula High prom in 2013. Photos courtesy of the family 

A rare gene mutation takes away a young man’s physical abilities, but not his passions 

by Maneesha Prakash 

On October 27, 2016, my son Marco was admitted to Torrance Memorial 

Intensive Care Unit, complaining of shortness of breath, and 

extreme stomach pain. We assumed this was another inflammatory 

episode of his chronic condition that would be resolved with bed rest and 

proper nutrition in a few days, at most. Marco did not return home, or see 

the world beyond the walls of a hospital, for over three months. 

Marco suffers from a very rare, rapidly progressing, life-threatening type 

of Muscular Dystrophy known as BAG3 MFM6 myopathy. This condition 

is caused by a spontaneous mutation in a single gene – parents and family 

do not carry it. No treatment exists. All known subjects with the disease 

have died in their teens or twenties. 

Marco, now 22, is confined to a wheelchair and needs a breathing machine. 

Alexander Zah, a 14-year old Massachusetts boy, is the only other 

person in the U.S. known to have the same unlucky strike mutation. Both 

boys have lived with no treatment, no hope, and the knowledge that their 

condition is so rare that there is little incentive for medical research to be 

conducted on their behalf. 

We moved to Rancho Palos Verdes in 2003 when Marco was 8 years old, 

with his two older sisters. He attended Soleado Elementary School and was 

your average All-American Boy, with an average dislike of math, and an 

above average love of soccer. He spent most of his free time kicking a soccer 

ball against the garage door of his Longhill Drive home. As soon as he was 

old enough he began playing AYSO soccer. 

He was the slowest player on the field, which was not a surprise. When 

Marco was a toddler he had a difficult time sitting on the floor or crossing 

his legs. He would fall off playground swingsets because he didn’t grip the 

ropes tightly enough. Neurological tests showed that Marco was missing 

some key nerve reflexes, but doctors were at a loss as to why. Nevertheless, 

Marco enjoyed playing AYSO, which is open to all kids, regardless of ability. 

In 2006, his team, the Strikers, won the championship cup, which sent him 

to a heaven of happiness. 

Marco continued playing soccer at Ridgecrest Middle School, but with 

more and more difficulty. P.E. required running around the field, which 

was excruciatingly difficult. The UCLA Pediatric Neurology Clinic conducted 

multiple tests, but could not diagnose the problem. He attended 

summer soccer camps, and though he could not run much, he was praised 

by his coaches for his technique. He hoped to try out for the Peninsula High 

soccer team. But by the end of the summer of 2008, he was forced to accept 

the reality that he could not keep up with the physical requirements of the 

game. Instead, he became a living encyclopedia of FIFA and soccer World 

Cups, dating back to 1930. He hoped to become a game commentator, until 

he discovered those jobs go exclusively to former players. 

He looked for another passion and found music. After trying drums and 

guitars, he settled on bass guitar. He joined a jazz band through the Harbor 

College outreach partnership. The group played at El Camino over the holiday 

season. He immersed himself in music theory and composition. Music 

filled his head and his home. 

But, as with soccer, Marco’s body could not keep up with the physical 

demands of his new passion. As his disease progressed he began to lose coordination 

in his extremities. His fingers, once deft at pressing chords, lost 

their strength, making it difficult to learn new and challenging pieces. After 

advancing within just a few years from novice to accomplished bassist, he 

had to move on, once again. 

Marco transferred to Rancho del Mar in 2011, which offers individualized 

instruction to Peninsula students. A shorter work day and a different approach 

to learning helped him tremendously. He became an A student 

(though still not in math). He drove a car with hand controls. But a diagnosis 

still eluded the UCLA neurologists. 

In 2012, Marco transferred back to Peninsula High and began dating a 

beautiful young woman named Emily. By then, his health had declined to 

the point that he could no longer walk, and was confined to a wheelchair. 

Marco cont. on page 40 


Marco’s first passion was soccer. 

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He went with Emily to the 2013 prom in his wheelchair. 

Finally, in early 2012, the UCLA team reached a diagnosis. Marco tested positive 

for the recently discovered and usually fatal mutation known as BAG3 MFM6 

myopathy. Our family was on the verge of despair. 

Then, out of the blue, I received calls from two individuals who gave us hope. 

The first was from Dr. Monte Willis, of the University of North Carolina. He 

was doing basic research on a heart condition known as cardiomyopathy, which 

results from a gene mutation similar to the mutation responsible for Marco’s condition. 

The second call was from Laura Zah, of Massachusetts, mother of 14-year-old 

Alexander. She had seen a slide presentation about Marco that I had posted on 

YouTube. 

Our families began talking to medical researchers, among them, an expert in 

gene therapy from Harvard University who is studying genetic mutations. We are 

now in negotiations to help commence a research project on their mutation. 

There are no government funds for research on such a rare disease, and no 

pharmaceutical company will invest in the necessary research for a disease with 

so few sufferers. 

To raise money to fund research, our families have established the non profit 

Alexander’s Way Research Fund at Alexandersway.org and a GoFundMe campaign 

at GoFundMe.com/genecure. 

Last month marks one year since Marco’s urgent admittance to Torrance Memorial 

Hospital. Since then, his condition has stabilized and he is living his life to 

the fullest. Soccer matches are on the sports channels and he has begun to compose 

digital music, which does not require the muscular dexterity required of conventional 

composing. Emily, has been by his side throughout his ordeal. 

Since the beginning of the human race, rare and deadly genetic diseases have 

left children like Marco and Alexander without hope. Now, for the first time in 

human history, we are developing the technical tools that in a not too distant future 

may eradicate these diseases from the face of the Earth. It is our duty to do 

all we can to save Marco, Alexander, and future generations of children. PEN 

Marco Vignale and friends on his 22nd birthday. Photos courtesy of the 

family 


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Roaring ‘20s Elegance 

Friends of the Library 

Intermittent lightning lit up the fall sky on September 10, but there was 

no raining on this fete hosted by the Villa Narcissa and Friends of the 

Library. This was an enchanted evening with costumed Roaring Twenties 

attire amidst a backdrop of Palos Verdes glamour and steeped in rich history. 

The Vanderlip family was present including Narcissa and her sister, 

Katrina Vanderlip who flew in from New York and auctioned off one of 

her original watercolors of the Villa Narcissa to benefit the Friends of 

the Library. More than 200 guests donated close to $50,000 to support library 

programs and services. Notable sponsors included Continental Development 

Corporation, the Jacqueline Glass Family, Malaga Bank and 

Premier Bank of Palos Verdes. 


1. Loretta Patterson and Brian Cole. 

2. Bob and Sharron Parke, Pam 

Barrett-Hill and Jim Hill and Cathie 

DeFrees. 

3. J.D. Dickinson and Pamela 

Marton-Dickinson. 

4. Russell and Viola Iungerich. 

5. The venue at Villa Narcissa. 

6. Patricia Tierney, Evalyn Prather and 

Cindy Miller. 

7. Special Thank You for the 

Sponsors. 

8. Brij and Donna Punj and Mike 

Randall. 

9. The Kaleidoscope Trio serenaded. 

10. Mark Johnson, Donald Pooler 

and Jim Munroe. 

11. David and Judy Adishian. 

12. Lee and Bob Boyles. 

13. Kay Magee, Sondra Behrens, 

Dana Graham and Lianne LaReine. 

14. De De Hicks. 

15. Virginia Butler and Les Fishman. 

16. Narcissa Vanderlip. 

17. Katrina Vanderlip auctioning off 

her original watercolor of the Villa 

Narcissa. 

1 

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10 

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Student safety valve 

Student safety valve 

Linsey Gotanda Ed.D, Emiko Chapman M.Ed., Liz Schoeben MFTi, Nancy De La Rosa MFT. Photos by Brad Jacobson (CivicCouch.com) 

Liz Schoeben’s therapists help school students deal with increasing pressures 

by Robb Fulcher 

Liz Schoeben is using a rare combination of 

therapeutic and entrepreneurial acumen to 

help students on the Peninsula avoid, or 

overcome, the increasing pressures of school life. 

Through her nonprofit organization CASSY 

(Counseling and Support Services for Youth) 

Southern California, Schoeben is making trained 

therapists available to Palos Verdes Peninsula 

school students. She established a similar program 

in Northern California. 

Through the year, one in five of the district’s 

11,500 students will visit a CASSY therapist, and 

the bulk of the student body will receive classroom 

presentations from CASSY. 

Schoeben said the school partnership is a welcome 

reality in a nation where 80 percent of 

young people with mental health concerns are 

not getting help. 

Business beginnings 

Schoeben began her professional career with 

Wells Fargo, selling services to small businesses, 

when she discovered that she “loved hearing people’s 

stories.” She began tutoring kids in difficult 

straits – kids who might have a father behind 

bars and an overworked mother. 

In her late 20s, she left Wells Fargo and returned 

to school for a master’s degree in marriage, 

family and child therapy. Then, for the next 

dozen years she worked as a school-based therapist 

in Northern California. 

A systematized approach 

Along the way, she realized that she could 

make a greater difference for a greater number 

of kids by forming an agency to direct counseling 

efforts in the schools. 

She and colleague Liz Llamas co-founded 

CASSY Bay Area in 2009. They hired trained 

therapists, marking an immediate upgrade from 

school-based systems that use graduate students 

who are unpaid and less trained. 

CASSY became a thriving concern, thanks to 

Schoeben’s gifts as a counselor, coupled with her 

flair as an entrepreneur who can conceive, develop 

and administer a nonprofit organization. 

“People usually have one brain or the other,” 

she said. “It’s hard to find a therapist who wants 

to run an agency.” 

Schoeben worked to build CASSY from the 

ground up, reading a “For Dummies” book about 

starting a nonprofit. 

She said her husband Rob Schoeben, then a 

marketing vice president at Apple, provided expertise 

and connections that helped CASSY start 

its life with a professional website and logo design, 

pro bono legal help, and a “polished look” 

right out of the gate. 

In six years CASSY grew into a $3 million-ayear 

operation, serving more than 40 schools. Its 

success with students was confirmed with stateof-the-industry 

metrics. Last year, Schoeben left 

to seek a new horizon. 

“I’m an entrepreneur,” she said. “At that point 

it was a really well run agency.” 

To the Hill 

Schoeben was speaking on a panel at a mental 

health symposium in Sacramento when she met 

officials from the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified 

School District. 

“They wanted me to do CASSY down here,” 

she said. 

Her experience up north spared her some 

growing pains with the new CASSY. In the Bay 

Area, she juggled the administrative and clinical 

functions, and worked in the schools. 

“That was way too much. I learned I can’t do 

everything.” 

This time, Schoeben hired a part-time clinical 


director to manage the counselors, and partnered with The Giving Back 

Fund, a nationwide organization that takes care of accounting, payroll taxes 

and other similar functions for nonprofits. And once again, Schoeben’s 

husband helped out. 

“All this allowed us to start up the agency in less than a month,” she said. 

Student issues 

In the high schools, a CASSY counselor occupies an office in the administration 

building, and is seen as “just another support” for the students. 

“What we’ve found over the years is that [other students] have no problem 

with it. It’s like, ‘Oh, you’re seeing her too, cool!’ They’re referring 

their friends,” Schoeben said. 

“There’s a lot of social work kind of stuff,” she said. “It’s not a long, yearafter-year, 

lie-on-the-couch-and-talk kind of thing. We help them function 

happily in school.” 

Crisis intervention and treatment is also an important part of the work. 

“A crisis is in the eye of the student,” said Schoeben. For instance, a student 

might say, “I broke up with my boyfriend, and he’s in my second period 

class,” prompting the counselor to talk the student through the 

situation, sort out her concerns, and return to functioning comfortably in 

the classroom. 

“This could also be a kid, or another student or staff member, saying he 

plans to kill himself, and he has the means, and he has a plan, and he’s 

getting ready to carry it out,” Schoeben said. 

In such a case, an eminently suicidal student might be hospitalized for 

evaluation, with the cooperation of parents, and stabilized before returning 

home. Then CASSY counselors help the student transition back to school. 

CASSY counselors also help students cope if death strikes a student or 

teacher, and help with issues of drug and alcohol abuse, or inappropriate 

sexual behavior. They refer students for more intensive therapy for issues 

such as eating disorders or suicidal planning. 

Nationally, one in eight young people is clinically depressed, 26 percent 

of high school girls have been victimized by physical or sexual abuse, including 

date rape. A host of other issues, less serious and less chronic, still 

can interfere with a student’s happy adjustment to their environment. 

Although crisis counseling is sometimes needed for younger children, 

much of the work with them is done in classroom presentations on social 

skills and friend-making. 

“We’re exposing almost every student to some level of emotional learning,” 

Schoeben said. 

Universal forces 

Data collected on the issues raised by students show a universality of 

experience, from affluent school districts to economically disadvantaged 

ones, such as the East Palo Alto schools served by CASSY Bay Area. 

“Every high school has the same issues – anxiety and depression symptoms, 

communication with parents, the stress and anxiety of wanting to 

get everything done, wanting to please everyone.” 

Schoeben said the pitfalls facing kids have not changed fundamentally 

since she attended high school in the ‘80s, but some things have changed, 

such as the ubiquity of texting and social media. 

“We don’t turn off as well now,” she said. “We used to hang up the phone 

and go to sleep, or if my sister was on the phone, I couldn’t talk to my 

friend, and I’d just go to bed. Now they can text all night, and are exposed 

to the drama, and it’s hard to get a break. It doesn’t go away.” 

On social media kids – and adults – have difficulty interpreting the tone 

of online comments, and can be tempted into too-impulsive online communication. 

“Their brains are still growing, until they’re about 25, and so they’re 

more impulsive, it’s harder to slow down and make good decisions.” 

Money matters 

The school district covers 80 percent of CASSY’s funding, and Schoeben, 

the former business banking salesperson, must fundraise the rest, which 

totals about $45,000. 

CASSY’s effectiveness is measured through feedback from kids, parents 

and school staff, and by the Children’s Global Assessment Scale, commonly 

called C-GAS, which evaluates the level of functioning, and severity 

of mental illness, in children and adolescents. 

CASSY Southern California’s first round of evaluative data will be com- 

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piled at the end of the school year. 

“We assume it will parallel 

[CASSY Bay Area], where 90 percent 

of the students we see get better, 

based on the C-GAS scale,” 

Schoeben said. 

The school district had been 

seeking ways to better address students’ 

social and emotional needs 

for a couple of years, said Kimberly 

Fricker, assistant superintendent 

for educational services. 

Conversations with students and 

parent groups had underscored the 

need to help high school kids cope 

with the pressures of complex academic 

schedules and the increasingly 

competitive effort to get into 

desirable colleges and universities, 

she said. 

The district hopes that addressing 

the social and emotional needs 

of younger students will help give 

them the resiliency they can call 

upon later, to handle the greater 

stresses that high school can bring. 

“I’m very excited and enthusiastic 

about this partnership with 

CASSY,” Fricker said. 

Looking ahead, Schoeben wants 

to expand CASSY. 

“It’s important to have the district 

buy-in. We would like to grow 

district by district.” Growing 

Liz Schoeben MFT, founder and executive director of CASSY, Southern California. 

would help costs low and allow for 

better employee training, Schoeben 

said. 

Funding can be secured for counseling 

in financially disadvantaged 

school districts through grants, and 

through Title IX of the federal civil 

rights law. 

“East Palo Alto is a very underserved 

community. Ninety percent 

of students get free and reducedcost 

lunch. But sometimes these districts 

are easier to fund. It’s hard to 

write a grant for a community that 

has a lot of wealth,” Schoeben said. 

In her limited spare time, 

Schoeben relaxes by kickboxing, 

and she volunteers four hours a 

week with crisistextline.org, a free, 

24-hour crisis counseling text line. 

Rob works as a consultant for startups 

and fledgling businesses. The 

Schoebens live in Manhattan Beach, 

and have three sons, ages 19, 21 and 

23, all born the same week in June. 

For more information visit Cassysocal.org. 

PEN 

50 Peninsula People • November 2017

The historic D-Day Doll Douglas C-53 Skytrooper that dropped paratroopers into combat during WWII. Photos by Tony LaBruno 

by Randy Angel 

The 24th edition of the Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance had a different 

look this year. Instead of a Peninsula golf course, the venue 

was Zamperini Airfield in Torrance, at the Robinson Helicopter Company’s 

facility. The new venue enabled the concours to include historic 

aircraft alongside the dozens of vintage automobiles. The theme was “Elegance 

and Speed,” a reflection of this year’s marquee cars, Packard and 

Porsche. 

Other cars fitting the “speed” theme were South Bay icon Vic Edelbrock 

Sr.’s 1932 Ford, his record-winning V8-60 Sprint Car, a 1964 Ford Fairlane 

427 “Thunderbolt” drag racer, one of only 100 ever produced, and David 

G. Adishian’s 1961 Chrysler 300, one of the first muscle cars. The car was 

known as the “Banker’s Hotrod” because of its luxury interior and 396 

horsepower cross ram Wedge V-8. 

Another highlight of the show was the Italian-built Pagani, exhibited by 

Christopher Pagani. The Pagani is the world’s most expensive production 

car. 

The historic aircraft included a Douglas C-53 Skytrooper and a North 

American P-51 Mustang D. During the Normandy invasion, the Douglas 

C-53 dropped members of the 101st Airborne, behind enemy lines before 

the first wave of soldiers hit the beach. 

The masters of ceremonies were Dave Kunz and Ed Justice, Jr. Kunz has 

been the Eyewitness News Automotive Specialist at ABC7 since 2001. Justice 

comes from a family of automobile enthusiasts and has been heard on 

radio programs Road & Track, Car and Driver and Motor Trend, in addition 

to appearing on MSNBC. 

Concours Chairman Ray Johnson said the new venue proved to be pop- 

Superformance President Lance Stander. 

The Torrance Tiger Squadron. 


Al Cellier, of Palos Verdes, with his 1962 red Corvette. Ed and Mort Bauchman, of Rancho Palos Verdes, with their 1964 Porsche 356 C. 

Stearman 1942 aircraft N2S3 owned by Frank Mauro of Torrance. 

ular. 

“We have received very positive feedback from the exhibitors, sponsors, 

and attendees,” Johnson said. “Robinson Helicopter, the Airport Commission 

and the City of Torrance were very supportive of the show and helped 

make the new venue a success and we would like to hold the show there 

again next year.” 

Rolling Hills residents Tom and Carrie Lieb, who have participated in the 

event for many years, were two-time winners for the second time. They 

took first place in the Hot Rods, Golden Era (1930-1960) class with their 

1929 Ford Roadster and in the Brass/Antiques through 1924 category with 

a 1923 Wills St. Claire Roadster. The Wills St. Claire won the Vintage Class 

at Pebble Beach in 2001. 

“It feels great to get a double win,” Tom Lieb said. “The ‘29 roadster was 

prepared by my grandson Connor. He spent about 20 hours detailing the 

car. I bought the car in 1959 but sold the engine for college tuition in 1961. 

Mark Guggenheim, of Palos Verdes, with his 1958 Porsche 

Speedster. 

I put it back together in late 2009 and took it and the Wills to the Grand 

National Roadster show in 2010 and won best roadster. I drive both cars 

regularly which is a lot of fun.” 

Darren Moore, of Rancho Palos Verdes, took two second-places with his 

1922 Stutz Bearcat (Brass/Antiques through 1924) and his 1932 Packard 

Twin Six 905 Coupe Roadster (Open Classic Packard, 1925-1948). He was 

also presented the Chairman’s Award for his P51D Mustang Airplane. 

Moore has seven cars and six airplanes in his collection but it was the 

first time he has exhibited his cars. 

“I’m not a car show person, but since the Concours was presented at Torrance 

Airport where my collection is, I couldn’t refuse” Moore said. “I have 

displayed and flown my aircraft at airshows before, but I no longer participate 

in those events. I haven’t acquired the vehicles as an investment, only 

because I like them.” 

Moore purchased the P51D Mustang in 2011 after completing a training 

Robert Knee, of Los Angeles, with his 1928 Mercedes-Benz 630K Murphy 

Town Car. 

Lianne Graham, of Palos Verdes, with her 1932 Chrysler Imperial CH Convertible 

Sedan. 


The scene at The Louis Zamperini Airfield venue. 

The $2.4 million Italian Pagani. 

Darren Moore( left), is presented the 

Chairman’s Award by Ray Johnson 

for his P51D Mustang airplane. 

Photo courtesy of PV Concours d’Elegance 

Christopher Pagani whose father manufactures the Pagani automobile. Photo by 

Stephanie Cartozian 

course in the aircraft with Stallion 51, the only school in the country that 

offers this course. 

“Soon after I completed the course, a man down in Florida had just completed 

a six year restoration of his Mustang and decided to sell it,” Moore 

added. “I flew it home a few weeks later. I tell everyone that I’m just the 

“Caretaker” of it. It’s American history and I’ll pass it on to someone who 

loves it just as much as I do.” 

Peninsula residents placed first and second in the Post-War European Elegance 

through 1976 class. Jay and Bonnie McDonald, of Palos Verdes Estates, 

took top honors with their 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL while Hiram 

Bond and Paul Marcelino, of Rancho Palos Verdes, were runner-up with a 

1963 Rolls-Royce CT100. 

Tom and Shannon Hartman, of Rancho Palos Verdes, placed second in 

the Open American Classics, 1925-1948 class with their 1932 Lincoln 

Model 248 K LeBaron Convertible Roadster 

Local third-place finishers included John Marian, of Rancho Palos Verdes, 

with a 1965 Porsche 911 (Porsche 900, 1965-1990) and Palos Verdes Estates’ 

George Johnson with a 1929 Packard 626 5-Passenger Sedan (Closed Classic 

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Aaron and Valerie Weiss, of San Marino, won Best of Show with their 1936 

Mercedes-Benz 290 Cabriolet A. Photo courtesy of PV Concours d’Elegance 

David G. Adishian with his 1961 Chrysler 300, one of the first muscle cars. 

Only 1,281 were made. The car was known as the “Banker’s Hotrod” because 

of its luxury interior and 396 horsepower cross ram Wedge V-8. Photo by Jake 

Caumeran 

Packard, 1925-1948) 

The Eric P. Allen Memorial award for Most Elegant was presented to 

Earl Rubenstein, of El Segundo for his 1935 Packard 1204, Dual Cowl 

Phaeton. 

Best of Show honors went to Aaron and Valerie Weiss, of San Marino, 

for their 1936 Mercedes-Benz 290 Cabriolet A. 

Proceeds from the Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance benefit the Boys 

and Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor and a new charity, the Western 

Museum of Flight. PEN 

The award winning P51D Mustang was purchased in 2011 by Darren Moore 

of Rancho Palos Verdes. Photo courtesy of PV Concours d’Elegance 

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Service first 

Citizen of the Year 

Jackie Crowley 

finds happiness in 

making others happy 

by Robb Fulcher 

Jackie Crowley has been giving of herself for more decades 

than she will reveal, visiting kids recovering from surgery 

in an orthopedic hospital, lugging supply-filled backpacks 

to disadvantaged schools, and sitting on the boards of Palos 

Verdes Performing Arts and the Peninsula Symphony Association. 

If you ask her why, she might have to think for a moment. 

Service has become second nature, to the extent that she sometimes 

must remind herself to turn her attention to her other career, 

real estate. Still, her answer is clear and simple: her work 

is animated by faith and gratitude. 

In recognition of her volunteer spirit, Crowley has been 

named Citizen of the Year by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber 

of Commerce, which will officially bestow the honor at an 

annual dinner Nov. 1. 

Service in faith 

In an interview, Crowley spoke of her church, Rolling Hills 

Covenant, and its mission to “lead people to Christ.” She believes 

that in addition to that Christian mission, people are 

given individualized missions to be useful to each other. 

“It probably sounds corny, but the good Lord has been very 

good to me. Life has been very good to me,” she said. 

Of course, she volunteers at the church too, taking care of 

“leapers,” kids 18 to 24 months old, in the nursery, once a 

month during the 9:30 service. 

“We have peepers, creepers and leapers. I have the leapers,” 

she said. 

The morning of the interview, she had been on hand for the 

“Shop ‘Til You Drop” fundraiser, with food and retail vendors, 

to support Palos Verdes Performing Arts, which brings highly 

regarded stage, musical and ballet performances to the Norris 

Theatre, and oversees a student Conservatory and a multi-use 

pavilion. 

The next day would see her in San Diego where, in her role 

as a state director for the California Association of Realtors, she 

would help ride herd on one of the association’s three yearly 

conferences. 

Much of her current volunteer work involves structure and 

organization. On the Performing Arts board, for instance, she 

helps make decisions about which theater productions should 

be brought in, with a bottom-line focus that they must be affordable. 

The board also oversees a variety of uses of the Harlyne 

J. Norris Pavilion, and keeps track of Performing Arts 

support groups such as Bravo!, Chorusliners, and Act II, which 

put on “Shop ‘Til You Drop.” 

Jackie Crowley in front of a wall lined with local service awards. Photo by Tony LaBruno 

Crowley also solicits advertising for a program book that sits on the laps of Norris 

Theatre patrons. 

Depression child 

Crowley was born during the Great Depression, in a hospital along Lake Erie. She 

used to call her birthplace Cleveland, until she found out that, technically, she was 

born in the eastern suburb of Euclid. 

“I was sort of surprised,” she said. “I had always said Cleveland, Ohio.” 

In the rough and tumble of a desperate economy, her father worked for Ford Motor 


Co. until that job went away. He operated his own auto dealership for a 

time. Then he caught on with the government, in a job that called for frequent 

relocations. The family lived in West Virginia, North Carolina, 

Louisiana, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Ohio, with mom timing the 

moves to take place between the school years. 

“My mother was smart enough to have us move in the summertime,” 

Crowley said. 

Crowley’s father had fond recollections of California, where he was located 

while he was in the service, so the family came out west. Crowley 

attended Inglewood High School, where she served as editor-in-chief of 

the yearbook. 

“In those days you were raised to grow up, get an education, get married 

and raise a family,” she said. “That was expected of a young lady, so that’s 

the way it went.” 

Crowley has two children, Steven Lee Pinkney and Susan Leann Mc- 

Crae. 

“I’d have to say life has been very, very good to me,” Crowley said. 

By the time she and her family moved to the Peninsula, she was selling 

homes. In 1972 she opened Rancho Verdes Realty, at Palos Verdes Drive 

North and Crenshaw Boulevard. She signed on with RE/MAX in 1982 and 

has been with the agency ever since, as a real estate broker and vice president 

for estate properties. 

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Toothbrushes and teddy bears 

Her extensive volunteer service began in the early 1970s, when she went 

into the orthopedic hospital in Los Angeles, performing duties including 

working in the gift shop and visiting children in the recovery room following 

surgery. 

“We could go into the recovery room and then see the parents. It gives 

them a wonderful feeling, that communication, to know that somebody 

saw their loved one. It was wonderful.” 

Crowley did that recovery room work for about 20 years, “as long as they 

had that job.” 

Also among Crowley’s volunteering favorites is the Affinity Group, 

which she has chaired for five years, for the Volunteer Center South Bay. 

The centerpiece of the effort is Operation Teddy Bear, which prepares and 

delivers backpacks stuffed with supplies like books, crayons and toothbrushes 

– topped off with a teddy bear – to school kids in underprivileged 

areas. 

“We’re known as the teddy bear support group,” she said. 

Several hundreds of the backpacks have been delivered to date. 

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Established 1947 

Celebrating 

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Service in work 

Crowley sees her real estate career as another form of service, with the 

benefit of a paycheck. 

“I love selling real estate. You help people make one of the biggest decisions 

they make in life…It’s a very important step,” she said. 

“Some people I’ve sold houses to, they’re still in the same house 50 years 

later,” Crowley said. 

“I’ve been in real estate for over 50 years – I wouldn’t want to say how 

many more,” she added with a laugh. 

Crowley lives in Rancho Palos Verdes, and fills her limited spare time 

with physical activity including bowling, golf, swimming and ballroom 

dance classes. 

“I love to dance,” she said. “When you’re dancing, you don’t know that 

you’re exercising, but you’re exercising.” 

To be happy, she must be of service. 

“I belong to Rotary Club of Palos Verdes Sunset, and the Rotary motto is 

also my life motto: ‘Service Above Self,’” Crowley said. “Happiness for me 

is anything I can do that makes someone else happy.” 

“I don’t want people to think I’m a Pollyanna, but I definitely see the 

glass as half full. I can’t see it half empty.” 

Jackie Crowley will be honored as the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber 

of Commerce 2017 Citizen of the Year at the chamber’s annual gala 5:30 

p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 1 at Terranea Resort. In addition, Walk With Sally 

will be named Nonprofit Organization of the Year, and Vistas For Children 

will be named Community Service Organization of the Year. Tickets are 

$150. For information see palosverdeschamber.com or call 310-377-8111. 

PEN 

714 S. Weymouth Avenue 

San Pedro, CA 90732 

Not affiliated with Rolex USA 



eventcalendar 

CALENDAR OF COMMUNITY EVENTS 

Compiled by Teri Marin 

You can email your event to our address: penpeople@easyreadernews.com 

All submissions must be sent by the 10th of each month prior to event taking place. 

Ongoing 

Native Plant Nursery Volunteer Days 

n Nurture seedlings and help shrubs grow for habitat restoration projects. 

RSVP 48 hours in advance. Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. - noon. Sign up at 

pvplc.volunteerhub.com 

Rapid Response Team 

n Work alongside Conservancy staff protecting wildlife habitat by closing 

unauthorized trails. Task include trail maintenance, building fences and installing 

signage. Work at various locations around the Preserve. Directions to 

sites emailed upon sign up. No experience needed. 15 and up. Visit volunteerhub.com 

Nature on the Big Screen 

n Birders take note! The PVP Land Conservancy is compiling photos for 

slideshow showcasing your bird photographs for November 19 to be shown 

on the “big screen” at the Warner Grand Theatre. If you have bird photos 

that you would like to be included, please email up to 3 images to: 

photo@pvplc.org. Please make sure they are in large format, at least 240 dpi 

and 1920 x 1200 pixels. Include your name, location of the photo and 

species of bird, if known. 

n Are you a student who loves filming videos? You too can be featured on 

the big screen. Please send a 1- 2 minute video about what you love about 

nature, how nature impacts your life or what nature taught you. Send your 

.mov or .mp4 file tophoto@pvplc.org. Include your name and year in school. 

Sunday, October 29 

Water music 

n Season opener of the Peninsula Symphony. Pre-concert lecture by Maestro 

Berkson (members only) at 6:15 p.m., concert begins at 7 p.m. The doors 

open at 6 p.m. Concert opens with Felix Mendelssohn’s Calm Sea and Prosperous 

Voyage, Opus 27. Aleksandr Glazunov’s majestic Das Meer (The 

Sea), Opus 28, follows. After intermission, the concert hall is transformed to 

a fairy tale lake in Anatole Liadov’s The Enchanted Lake, Opus 62. The concert 

ends with Leonard Bernstein’s haunting On the Waterfront. Concert and 

parking are free. Redondo Union High School Auditorium, 631 Vincent Street 


Together, let us … 

Pray for all who carry burdens. 

Worship the Christ whose love 

overcomes the darkness. 

Light candles of peace, courage, love, 

hope, faith, remembrance and 

thanksgiving. 

The Service 

of Reflection 

and Thanksgiving 

Wednesday 

November 15, 2017 

7:00 pm (new time) 

The Sanctuary 

St. Peter’s by the Sea 

6410 Palos Verdes Drive South 

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 

StPetersPres.org 

Sponsored by the Stephen Ministry, 

Deacons and Caring Ministries 

DAVID FAIRCHILD PHOTOGRAPHY 

Sunday, Nov. 5 

Musical Endeavour 

n “Journey of the Endeavour,” by 

Grammy nominated Peninsula composer 

David Benoit, will be performed 

at the Peninsula Committee 

Los Angeles Philharmonic (PCLAP) 

fall fundraiser at the California Science 

Center Samuel Oschin Pavilion. 

Benoit will conduct the Asia 

America Youth Symphony. “Journey 

of the Endeavour” will be accompanied 

by NASA footage of the space 

shuttle’s journey to its permanent 

home in Los Angeles. 7-10 p.m. 

$150 at pclaphil.org. 700 Exposition 

Park Dr., Los Angeles. 

Jacob Miller and the 

Bridge City Crooners 

n The Palos Verdes Performing 

Arts’ Cabaret Jazz series opens with 

one of the finest roots-oriented vineventcalendar 

in Redondo Beach (PCH at Diamond). For further information, please call the 

Symphony Office at 310-544-0320, e-mail music.pensym@verizon.net, or 

visit Pensym.org. 

Friday, November 3 

Full Moon Hike 

n Sponsored by the PVP Land Conservancy. Explore nocturnal sights with an 

expert naturalist under a full moon at the George F Canyon Nature Preserve, 

27305 Palos Verdes Dr. E., Rolling Hills. Must be age 9 and up. $12 per person. 

RSVP required at www.pvplc.org, Events & Activities. 

A show of Ponies 

n With classic touches of Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles, The Show Ponies 

deliver a sassy blend of indie-folk, bluegrass, old-time country and American 

roots-rock. 8 p.m. $20 to $42, available at www.grandannex.org or (310) 

833-4813 Mon-Fri 9 to 5. The Grand Annex, 434 W 6th St., San Pedro. 

Saturday, November 4 

Outdoor Volunteer Day 

n At Native Plant Nursery, 9 a.m. – noon. Nurture seedlings and grow shrubs 

for habitat restoration projects all around the Peninsula. Reservations required 

by Wednesday, November 1. Sign up at www.pvplc.volunteerhub.com. 

Family hike 

n First Saturday Family Hike at George F Canyon. 9 a.m. Bring your family 

and join a naturalist guide to discover habitat, wildlife and more on an easy 

hike up the canyon with amazing views of the city. Free. All ages welcome. 

27305 Palos Verdes Dr. E., Rolling Hills. For more information, contact (310) 

547-0862 or RSVP at: www.pvplc.org, Events & Activities. 

Fortunate Son 

n Fortunate Son delivers the spirit 

and grit of Creedence Clearwater 

Revival and John Fogerty. 8 p.m. 

$20 to $42, available at www.grandannex.org 

or (310) 833-4813 

Mon-Fri 9 to 5. The Grand Annex, 

434 W 6th St., San Pedro. 

"Its Like You’re There All Over Again" 

310-316-5547 WWW.DAVIDFAIRCHILDSTUDIO.COM 


tage-style jazz bands on the West Coast. Jacob Miller and the Bridge City 

Crooners have taken the hot jazz of the ‘20s and ‘30s and combined it with 

country blues, western swing, and ragtime to create an irresistible sound. 7:30 

p.m. Tickets are $80, which includes reserved table seating, gourmet supper, 

no-host bar, dance floor, and two music sets. Harlyne J. Norris Pavilion, 501 

Indian Peak Road in Rolling Hills Estates. For more information, or tickets, call 

(310) 544-0403 or go to palosverdesperformingarts.com. 

Thursday, November 9 

Personalized (genomic) medicine 

n Modern genetic technology now allows the complete sequencing of an individual’s 

entire “genome”, all 3 billion DNA base pairs. In this presentation, 

learn about current and future applications of genomics in improving the diagnosis, 

the prognosis and therapy, and even prevention of disease, the concept 

of personalized medicine. Noon to 1:30 p.m. Lunch provided. 

Attendance is limited to Friends, members and one-time guests. LA BioMed 

1st Floor Conference Room, 1124 W. Carson St., Torrance. To become a 

member, sign up at labiomed.org/friends or contact the Development Office 

at (310) 222-4240 or development@labiomed.org. 


Outlandish Raya 

n Shimmering blues soul vocalist most recognized as the voice of the opening 

credits of the Outlander series and for the shimmering vocals featured throughout 

the sci-fi hit Battlestar Galactica. 8 p.m. $20 to $42, available at 

www.grandannex.org or (310) 833-4813 Mon-Fri 9 to 5. The Grand Annex, 

434 W 6th St., San Pedro. 


Holiday Boutique & Food Court 

n Little Sisters of the Poor Auditorium, 2100 S. Western Ave., San Pedro, 

8:30 a.m - 5 p.m. Grand Raffle tickets $5 each, (310) 548-0625. 

Guided walk 

n Celebrate Veteran’s Day viewing a former gun emplacement and learn 

about the military history of the area from the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land 

Conservancy. 9 a.m. Don’t miss the Nature Education Center with activities 

for the whole family. This is a moderate 

walk. Free and open to the 

public. White Point Nature Preserve, 

1600 W. Paseo Del Mar, San 

Pedro. For more information, contact 

(310) 541-7613 ext. 201 or sign up 

at www.pvplc.org/_events/Nature- 

WalkRSVP.asp. 


n Help beautify the native demonstration 

garden and surrounding 

habitat. 9 a.m. – noon. Sign up at 

www.pvplc.volunteerhub.com. 

White Point Nature Preserve,1600 

W. Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro. 

Stories, songs and more 

n Share the joy of storytelling with 

your children and introduce them to 

the beauty of the natural surroundings. 

Your family will enjoy spending 

time with retired Children’s Librarian 

Carla Sedlacek for stories and activities 

featuring nature themes, exciting 

eventcalendar 

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props and songs. 10 a.m. Free. RSVP at: 

www.pvplc.org. White Point Nature Preserve,1600 

W. Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro. 

The Company Men 

n Featuring stellar performers from Broadway and 

national touring companies of “Hairspray,” “The 

Lion King,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Camelot,” 

The Company Men uniquely interweave Top 40 hits 

with re-imagined classics by blending songs by 

artists including Sam Smith, The Four Tops, Michael 

Jackson, Katy Perry, Adele, The Temptations, Billy 

Joel, Prince, Meghan Trainor, Bruno Mars, Michael 

Bublé and more. 8 p.m. Tickets $70-$75; $10 discount 

for youths. To purchase tickets, call the box 

office at (310) 544-0403 or go to palosverdesperformingarts.com. 

The Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris 

Center Drive in Rolling Hills Estates. 

Sunday, November 12 

TMMC “Light Up a Life” 

n Torrance Memorial Hospice will host its annual 

“Light Up a Life” tree lighting ceremony and 

fundraiser 4 to 6 p.m. at Torrance Memorial Medical 

Center’s Hoffman Health Conference Center. 

Hosted in honor of National Hospice and Palliative 

Care Month, the event provides the community an 

opportunity to celebrate and honor a loved one’s 

life. The evening will include a reading of names, 

performances by the Los Cancioneros Master 

eventcalendar 

Chorale and the Palos Verdes Peninsula High 

School Symphonic Orchestra. Individuals can illuminate 

a light on the holiday tree by making a donation 

of any amount. All contributions support the 

hospital’s Hospice and Bereavement Programs and 

assist those who cannot afford care. For information 

or to RSVP, call 310-517-4694 or visit www.TorranceMemorial.org/Hospice. 

Second Sundays At Two 

n Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Principal Cellist 

Andrew Shulman and renowned Italian pianist and 

Colburn Conservatory faculty Fabio Bidini perform. 

2 p.m. sharp! Free admission, donations appreciated. 

Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, 26438 

Crenshaw Blvd., Rolling Hills Estates. 

www.RHUMC.org. 

Chamber Orchestra, Waarts and all 

n Chamber Orchestra of the South Bay, the resident 

classical orchestra of the Palos Verdes Performing 

Arts Center, continues its 2017-18 season with 

featured soloist, award-winning violinist and Curtison-Tour 

artist Stephen Waarts. Under the direction 

of Frances Steiner, the program will open with 

Gluck's Overture to Orfeo et Euridice followed by 

Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 2 in g minor, Op. 

63 featuring Mr. Waarts. Following intermission 

Mozart's wonderful Symphony No. 41 in C Major, 

KV 551 "Jupiter". There will be a Preview Talk by 

Stephen Richards starting at 6:45 p.m. Concert begins 

at 

7:30. Single 

tickets 

are $63 (inc 

l u d e s 

PVPA facility 

fee) and 

will be 

available 

through the 

Norris Theatre 

Box 

O f f i c e , Violinist Stephen Waarts. 

(310) 544- 

0403, ext. 

221 or online at 

www.palosverdesperformingarts.com. Further information 

on COSB and its future concerts can be 

found by visiting www.mycosb.org. Norris Theatre, 

27570 Norris Center Dr., Rolling Hills Estates. 

Monday, November 13 

‘Jester’s Mom’ talk 

n Barbara Saltzman, president of the nonprofit 

Jester & Pharley Phund, will talk about “Why The 

Jester Jingles” at Lunada Bay Elementary School auditorium, 

520 Paseo Lunado, Palos Verdes Estates, 

at 6:30 p.m. Free to local residents. Lunada Bay 

Cub Scout Pack 276 is partnering with the Phund 


Prompt Professional Discreet 

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to bring smiles to children with cancer during the 

holiday season. For every copy of “The Jester” sold 

by Lunada Bay Cub Scouts, The Phund will donate 

another to a hospitalized child. For information, 

please contact The Jester & Pharley Phund at 310- 

544-4733 or email thejester13@cox.net. 

Wednesday, November 15 

Service of reflection and thanks 

n Take a moment for reflection as the holiday season 

begins anew. Light candles of peace, courage, 

love, hope, faith, remembrance and thanksgiving. 

7 p.m. The Sanctuary St. Peter’s by the Sea, 6410 

Palos Verdes Dr. S., Rancho Palos Verdes. 

Wild birding unlimited 

n Explore the birds making a home in the restored 

habitat at the beautiful White Point Nature Preserve. 

8:30 a.m. Binoculars supplied for beginners. Free. 

All ages welcome. 1600 W. Paseo del Mar, San 

Pedro. RSVP at: www.pvplc.org, Events & Activities. 


An Affair to Remember 

n Special Children’s League, luncheon and holiday 

boutique, 10 a.m - 2 p.m. Palos Verdes Golf 

Club, 3301 Via Campesina, Palos Verdes Estates. 

Tickets Kristina Mermelstein, kmermel@cox.net. 


Running funning 

n Palos Verdes Half Marathon, 5K and 10K races. 

7 a.m. Pelican Cove Park, 31300 Palos Verdes Dr. 

S., Rancho Palos Verdes. www.laceuprunningseries.com. 


n Help restore this unique canyon habitat home 

to many threatened and endangered wildlife 

species. 9 a.m. – noon. Alta Vicente Reserve, 

30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes. 

Sign up at http://pvplc.volunteerhub.com. 

Art2Go2 premiers 

n Art enthusiasts and the general community welcome 

the second annual Art2Go event, a dynamic 

concept for enjoying and buying art. Every wall of 

Destination:Art will be filled with over 300 original 

paintings of all styles and media created by the 22 

studio and gallery artists, as well as the 60 associate 

artists. Framers with special prices frames will 

be on site. 3-7 p.m. Destination:Art Studios & 

Gallery, 1815 W. 213th Street, Torrance. 310-742- 

3192. 

El Rayo-X 

n Master guitarist and string player, David Lindley 

pioneered the infusion of Americana and roots-rock 

with world music then went on to work with some 

eventcalendar 

of the biggest names in ‘60s and ‘70s rock, including 

Jackson Browne, Warren Zevon, Linda Ronstadt, 

David Crosby, Bruce Springsteen and many 

more. 8 p.m. $20 to $42, available at www.grandannex.org 

or (310) 833-4813 Mon-Fri 9 to 5. 

Grand Annex, 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro. 


Kids Club 

n Families can dig their way into the past with 

South Coast Botanic Garden’s Kids Club. Learn 

about the Garden’s transformation from an underwater 

wonder, to an open pit mine, to a trash 

dump, and into a beautiful botanic garden. Hunt 

for marine fossils in a simulated dig pit, build your 

own landfill model, get dirty with soil testing, and 

start your own flower seedling. 1 - 4 p.m. Free with 

membership or general garden admission. RSVP 

highly encouraged. 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos 

Verdes Peninsula. Southcoastboatnicgarden.org. 

Beauty of Nature Series 

n This is the final film of the PVP Land Conservancy’s 

series with a documentary, The Central Park 

Effect, that transports the viewer to the dazzling, hidden 

world of America’s most famous city park. 4:30 

p.m. Tickets $10 online at pvplc.org. Youth 18 and 

under free. Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th St., 

San Pedro. 


eventcalendar 

Wednesday, November 22 

Birding with Wild Birds Unlimited 

n Explore the birds in nesting season making a home in the George F 

Canyon. 8:30 a.m. The program is free and all ages welcome. Presented by 

the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy 27305 Palos Verdes Drive East, 

Rolling Hills Estates. RSVP at: www.pvplc.org, Events & Activities. 


Guided Nature Walk 

n Visit White Point Nature Preserve and attend a naturalist-guided hike. Enjoy 

coastal views and learn more about the plants, animals, restoration area and 

more! 9 a.m. Meet at the information kiosk between parking lot and Nature 

Center. White Point Nature Preserve, 1600 W. Paseo del Mar, San Pedro. 

For more information call (310) 541-7613 or RSVP at: www.pvplc.org, Events 

& Activities. 

Native Plant Sale 

n Plants sold on first-come, first-serve basis. Noon-2 p.m. White Point Nature 

Preserve, 1600 W. Paseo del Mar, San Pedro. For more information call (310) 

541-7613. 


Starbright Holiday Boutique & Music 

n A festive benefit to support the Asia America Symphony Association & 

Guild, Youth Symphony education programs and concerts will be held at a 

magnificent oceanfront home from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Youth musicians and 

professional artists perform. Music director David Benoit, renowned pianist. 

Unique vendors include inspiring author Deborah Paul, Renko Original Fashions, 

Nozomi (jewelry created from Japan’s tsunami) and more. Reservations 

(a must) for lunch. Contact AASA (310) 377-8977 or Marlene Okada (310) 

594-6510 for more information. 

Monday, November 27 

ACT II auditions 

n Act II, a support group for Palos Verdes Performing Arts, is looking for talented 

performers to sing in the upcoming annual variety show to be held 

March 9-10, 2018. Auditions for “Broadway to Hollywood” will be held at 

the Harlyne J. Norris Pavilion, and appointments for both solos and groups 

are being taken for times between 5:30 to 10 p.m. Participants should choose 

music from a popular Broadway or Hollywood songs to tie in with this year’s 

theme. Accompanist will be available. All proceeds benefit PVPA. For more 

information or to make an appointment, call co-producer Arline Grotz at (310) 

377-7746. Norris Pavilion, 501 Indian Peak Road in Rolling Hills Estates. 

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Tuesday, November 28 

TMMC Holiday Festival 

n Torrance Memorial Medical Center hosts its annual 

Holiday Festival fundraiser, through Dec. 3. 

More than 36 themed, decorated trees, live entertainment, 

the South Bay’s largest holiday boutique, 

opportunity drawing, children's activities and food 

court; $5 general admission. General Public Hours: 

today: 1:30-3:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 29, 

Thursday, Nov. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m. 

– 9 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Senior 

Days: (free for seniors and those with limited mobility) 

Wednesday, Nov. 29 and Thursday, Nov. 30, 

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Community Service Group 

Night: ($2 admission to nonprofit and community 

service group members) Thursday, Nov. 30, 4 to 9 

p.m. In the white tent at Skypark and Medical Center 

drives, Torrance. (310) 517- 4606 or www.TorranceMemorial.org/holidayfestival 

for more 

information. 

Friday, December 1 

Yule Parlor 

n Welcome the holiday season with the Neighborhood 

Church’s annual event featuring the formal delectable 

Yule Tea by the Sea, accompanied by the 

popular shops of vintage antiques and memorabilia, 

bake shop with homemade pastries and candies 

wrapped for gift giving, and the Yule crafts and 

homemade arts created by loving hands. View the 

treasured hand painted ceilings and walls of the 

Mediterranean architecture, and treasured art work 

of the Church. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. 

$25 each guest for one day; $30 if purchased 

the day of event. Send your check to: Yule Parlor 

Neighborhood Church, 415 Paseo del Mar, Palos 

Verdes Estates. Ticket will be held for pick up at the 

door. 

Nutcracker sweets 

n Start your holiday season with the annual production 

of “The Nutcracker”, presented by Peninsula 

School of Performing Arts. A beautiful blend of 

professionals, pre-professionals, adults and young 

dancers come together to delight audiences of all 

ages with this rich rendition of the classical ballet. 

World renowned performer Alexander Kalinin, as 

Herr Drosselmeier, weaves an enchanted story 

through the dreams of a young girl, Clara, and her 

Nutcracker. Her travels take her to the Battle of the 

Nutcracker and the Mouse King then to the Land of 

Snow, and on to the Kingdom of the Sweets, where 

Clara is greeted by the ever so beautiful Sugar Plum 

Fairy and her court. Music by Tchaikovsky and choreography 

by Tita Boulger, Vera Ninkovic, Marina 

eventcalendar 

Kalinina and Alexander Kalinin. A treat for the entire 

family. Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m & 7 

p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $35 for 

adults and $25 for Children 17 and under. For tickets 

contact the Norris Theater Box Office at 310- 

544-0403. palosverdesperformingarts.com. 

Saturday, December 2 

Victorian Christmas celebration 

n The Banning Museum will kick off the holiday 

season with its annual Victorian Christmas Weekend 

Celebration. The Museum grounds are transformed 

into a Christmas Festival featuring Victorian 

period entertainment, walk-thru tours of the decorated 

Banning Mansion, blacksmith demonstrations, 

refreshments, family holiday crafts, a bake sale, 

local food vendors, handmade crafts by area artisans, 

and jolly ol’ St. Nick himself will pose for photos 

with the little ones in an historic carriage. One 

of the highlights of the festivities is a horse-drawn 

trolley ride to the Drum Barracks Civil War Museum 

in Wilmington. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and 

Sunday. Banning Museum, 401 East “M” Street, 

Wilmington. For more details contact Friends of 

Banning Museum at (310) 548-2005 or www.thebanningmuseum.org. 

PEN 


Clint Wilson, Teresa Klinkner, Kent Burton, Brad N. Baker, Christine Daniels, Albro Lundy, Evan Koch 

Baker, Burton & Lundy, P.C. 

Giant-killing law firm still growing after all these years 

Baker, Burton & Lundy, the local law firm with a nationwide 

reputation and billions of dollars won for its clients, 

continues to expand both its practice and its physical 

presence in the heart of Hermosa. 

The giant-killing firm has won more than $4 billion in verdicts 

and settlements, and the attorneys have argued twice before 

the U.S. Supreme Court and won an affirmative verdict from 

the California Supreme Court. 

Never content to stand still, BBL has been growing its 

probate and employment law divisions, while energetically 

maintaining its core practices that include business, real estate, 

personal injury, elder abuse and estate planning. 

To house the expanding practice, the 41-year-old firm is making 

its third expansion along Hermosa’s iconic Pier Avenue, 

adding new offices and a “lifeguard tower-esque” roof deck 

to its storefront. 

Partner Brad N. Baker, who heads up estate planning, 

probate, trust administration and trust litigation for the firm, 

works to bring peace of mind to clients by putting their affairs 

in order which allows clients to protect and care for their loved 

ones who truly appreciate Brad’s attention to detail and forethought 

dedicated to a comprehensive Estate Plan. 

In addition to his legal work, Baker serves as vice chair of the 

nonprofit Healthcare and Elder Law Programs Corporation 

(H.E.L.P.), which provides information, education and 

counseling on elder care, law, finances and consumer 

protection. 

BBL Partner Kent Burton heads up real estate and business 

transaction law, while partner Albro Lundy heads the firm’s 

litigation efforts. 

BBL is recognized far beyond Hermosa’s cozy confines for 

high-profile wins, including a multibillion-dollar settlement for 

California consumers in a complex, multi-state case 

concerning natural gas prices and the energy crisis of 2000 and 

2001. 

BBL also has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to 

battle cases that protected people maimed in preventable 

accidents or exploited by those in positions of power, with no 

profit to the firm. 

The firm’s associates include: 

Trial lawyer Evan Koch, who for three years running has been 

named one of Super Lawyers’ “Rising Stars,” placing him 

among the top 2.5 % of Southern California attorneys under 

age 40; 

Real estate and business transactions attorney Teresa 

Klinkner, who has earned the highest Martindale-Hubbell 

rating from her peers; 

Business and real estate transactions attorney Clint Wilson, 

praised by colleagues and clients for his competitive zeal and 

his ability to harness the fine details of cases that others might 

overlook; 

Estate planning attorney Christine Daniels who is bilingual 

(Spanish) and is known for embracing the challenge of 

creating individualized estate plans for clients; 

Steven J. Dawson, a labor and employment law and 

litigation attorney, with nearly three decades of experience 

representing corporations and public agencies in matters including 

labor, employment, construction and property 

disputes. 

BAKER, BURTON & LUNDY | 515 Pier Avenue, Hermosa Beach | (310) 376-9893 | info@bakerburtonlundy.com 

SPONSORED CONTENT 


around&about 

Silver Spur Garden Club honors Red Onion 

Author children’s book 

Inspired by Misty Copeland 

n Peninsula resident Debra Paul has published 

her first children’s book. The title, “The 

Ballad of Baby Rain,” is a nickname for 

local ballerina Misty Copeland, whom Paul 

wrote about when she was a newspaper 

reporter. The story tells in rhyme the story of 

a woodsman in medieval times, who 

chances upon a young ballerina in the 

countryside. With the handsome woodsman 

as her manager, Baby Rain travels the 

world performing for kings and queens. 

“The Ballad of Baby Rain” is available at 

orders@Xlibris.com or by emailing the author 

at DeborahPaul16@cox.net. 

Red Onion owner Jeff Earle with members of the Silver Spur Garden Club (left to right) Yu-Hsin Kreitzman, Joan 

Friedman, Diane Camarata, Pat Fitzpatrick, Elizabeth Burns, Philo Chhabria, Maureen McGowan, Faye 

Strumpf, and Pauletta Bryson. Photo provided by Lorraine Kasse 

n The Silver Spur Garden Club recently awarded its Commercial Landscape Award to the Red Onion Restaurant the 

for its drought resistant gardens. Third generation owner Jeff Earl said the restaurant’s recipes trace back to his greatgrandmother 

Catalina Castillo, who was born in Sonora, Mexico, and his great-grandfather, Guillermo Spiva, who 

was a blacksmith in Tombstone, Arizona. Catalina operated a café that cooked meals for local miners. 

Schlichter & Shonack, LLP 

DECORATED ATTORNEY JAMIE KEETON PROTECTS SOUTH BAY 

RESIDENTS FROM LEGAL BLINDSIDES 

When legal difficulties threaten the livelihood and security 

of affluent South Bay residents, they can turn to decorated 

attorney Jamie Keeton, who has saved clients 

millions of dollars, and won more than $13 million in judgements 

and settlements. 

When such troubles strike, “Jamie is the go-to person,” law 

partner Kurt Schlichter said, pointing to her recognition by the 

Super Lawyers rating service four years running. “She’s the 

lawyer you want to nail down before the other guy does.” 

The attorneys at Schlichter & Shonack, LLP, aggressively represent 

clients from individuals to Fortune 500 companies, up and 

down the state and federal court systems. All the while, they remain 

dedicated to giving their clients individual attention, and 

keeping their costs low. 

Keeton says the legal troubles that blindside affluent people 

can come from unexpected sources such as neighbors, ex-business 

partners, ex-spouses or domestic employees. 

She represents plaintiffs and defendants in personal injury and 

general civil litigation, handling cases from assault and battery 

at high-profile Orange County nightclubs to multimillion dollar 

real estate litigation, 

including construction 

defect cases. 

Keeton handles all 

phases of trials and 

mediations, and is 

backed by seven 

other accomplished 

lawyers in a powerhouse 

firm that is serendipitously local. 

“We’re not a big Century City firm, or a big downtown firm. 

You won’t have to wait an hour and a half to meet with us for 

five minutes,” she said. 

“We’ll hold your hand at 10 o’clock at night because you’re 

in litigation, and it’s scary. Everything you’ve worked for could 

be at risk,” Keeton said. “Big corporations rely on us, but you can 

get us on the phone at night.” 

“You’ll have our cell phone numbers, and you’ll run into us at 

Trader Joe’s,” Schlichter said. 

SPONSORED CONTENT 

Schlichter & Shonack, LLP | 2381 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 326 | El Segundo | 310-643-0111 | firm@sandsattorneys.com 


Assistance League hosts back to school shopping 

Art2Go second annual art sale 

around&about 

Dana School students and volunteers who participated in the the Assistance 

League back to school shopping program (left to right) Andrew 

Lozano, Edward Ruiz, Griselda Salgado, Valeria Belanzo, Romeshia 

Banks, Destiny Alari, Daniela Alari and Helen Sandoval. Photo by Sharon 

Cole 

n The Assistance League San Pedro-South Bay hosted their shopping program 

for middle school students identified as being in financial need. Participating middle 

schools included Rudecinda Sepulveda Dodson in Rancho Palos Verdes and 

Richard Dana Middle School in San Pedro. Over 300 students had an opportunity 

to spend $100 on school apparel. The Assistance League is a national nonprofit 

organization. To learn more about the Assistance League San Pedro-South Bay 

contact Michele at (310) 832-8355, ext. 221. 

Tony Sr. celebrates 90th birthday 

n Tony Arminio Sr. recently celebrated his 90th birthday with a large family 

gathering at the Palos Verdes Golf Club. Family traveled from all over the United 

States and as far away as Japan to wish him well. Arminio has been a Palos 

Verdes Estates resident since 1969 when he moved here with his wife Anita and 

their six children, all of whom attended Palos Verdes High School. Tony enjoyed 

a 50 year career in executive sales management for Electrolux. He is an Emeritus 

Trustee of the Providence Little Company of Mary Foundation Board and a member 

of both the Palos Verdes Golf Club and the Palos Verdes Breakfast Club, where 

he is well known for his mentorship and storytelling skills. 

Clouds, an original oil on canvas by Jean Comings of Rancho Palos 

Verdes will be exhibited at the Art2Go sale. 

n Art enthusiasts and the general community are welcome to attend the second 

annual Art2Go event. Doors open at 3 p.m. Saturday, November 18 at Destination 

Art Studios and Gallery, 1815 W. 213rd Street in Torrance. Over 300 original 

paintings will be exhibited, in all styles and media created by 22 studio and 

gallery artists, as well as 60 associate artists. Art2Go endeavors to increase 

awareness of art as essential to the flourishing of the human spirit. Destination Art 

is a non-profit art studio and gallery cooperative in Downtown Torrance dedicated 

to public education in fine art. 

Scary garden party at Orchard Supply Hardware 

Stephanie Sanders and Chris Tabellario show ways to scare off garden 

pests. Photo by Stephanie Cartozian 

Tony Arminio is surrounded by his family members (left to right, back row) 

Mark Arminio, Tony Arminio Jr., Rosanne Farnum, Anita O’Hara, Maria 

Arminio and (front row) Caroline Somers. 

n Palos Verdes’ new Orchard Supply Hardware store presented “Fright Weekend” 

on October 13-15 for the little ghouls on the peninsula. Among the many 

activities were “Frank’s Friends Craft,” where kids learned to make a spider from 

a terracotta pot and then add spindly legs and googly eyes. Pumpkin carving 

demos and spooky scavenger hunts were led by store staff. PEN 


From Our Family to Yours… 

Family Owned and Operated… 

Over 60 Years of the 

Largest Finest Seafood 

Selection on the West Coast 

Live Crab, Lobster, Shellfish, Urchin - Fresh Fish - Poké - Ceviche 

Smoked Fish - Cajun Shrimp - Oyster Bar with over 20 Varieties - Craft Beer on Tap 

Steamed - Grilled - Fried 

Dine in at our Casual Outdoor Ocean-View Patio or Take Out 

EXPERIENCE THE FLAVORS OF FRESH SEAFOOD! 

100-130 International Boardwalk Redondo Beach 

www.qualityseafood.net (310) 374-2382 


Sea Change 

for THE better 

Sea Change co-owners Michael and Lisa Franks with chef Reilly Quillan. Photo by Brad Jacobson (CivicCouch.com) 

Chez Melange stays ahead of the curve with a new name and a new focus 

by Richard Foss 

There was a time when restaurants fit into 

categories, serving only the French, German, 

Mexican, Italian, American coffee 

shop, or whatever else was their specialty. California 

cuisine blew up that expectation, creating 

eclectic cuisine as its own category. Suddenly you 

had to scan the menu carefully and weigh unanticipated 

flavor combinations in your head. The 

small plate revolution followed closely, so that 

not only the flavors but the whole rhythm of the 

meal was freeform. It was exciting to some people, 

intimidating to others, and confusing to most 

until we got the hang of it. 

The first establishment in the South Bay to 

wholeheartedly embrace this culinary revolution 

was Chez Melange, and owners Michael Franks 

and Robert Bell kept things edgy for decades. 

After they moved to their current location, the 

front room of the restaurant became Bouzy, a gastropub 

with a more stable menu, but in the main 

dining room culinary exploration reigned. A few 

items were perennials, but all else was as variable 

as the seasons and the whims of chef Robert Bell. 

It was therefore a surprise when this most daring 

of restaurants announced that the main dining 

room would have a new name and a new 

focus. It is now Sea Change, and most of the 

menu is based on things that lived underwater. 

It’s a smart move. While many restaurants offer 

eclectic cuisine there isn’t another restaurant in 

this nightlife-intensive neighborhood that specializes 

in seafood. 

The interior of Sea Change has been freshened, 

the room transformed from a dark and clubby 

cave to a brighter and altogether more appealing 

space. It’s amazing how a simple repainting and 

new upholstery changed the feel of the place, 

which is now much more welcoming. 

The new menu is recognizably a product of the 

same aesthetic that created Chez Melange, with 

multicultural and whimsical elements. You can 

get kung pao lobster and Thai-style curried 

Hawaiian ono, but also Southern shrimp and grits 

or a hangtown fry, an oyster and bacon omelet 

invented during the Gold Rush. On our first visit 

our party included a pescaphobe eater who focused 

on the short list of Chez Melange classics 

and was reassured to find there were things she 

could eat as well. 

We asked our server to suggest starters and 

were served Boston clam chowder, an avocado 

stuffed with shrimp, clam and corn fritters, a 

“Japanese” salad that included seaweed, Persian 

cucumber, and pine nuts, and a starter of grilled 

octopus. Though we hadn’t planned it that way, 

it was a tasting of seafood fads of over 200 years. 


Chowder was popular in Colonial days, fritters in the 1880s, shrimp stuffed 

avocados were big in the 1920s, Japanese-American salads hit in the ‘70s, 

and grilled octopus went big at the end of the ‘90s. Had we wanted to chart 

the development of the American palate with regard to seafood, we could 

hardly have done better. 

Boston is noted for chowder that includes salt pork and has a light broth 

that includes cream and butter. They also add a bit more pepper and herbs 

than other regions, and this one hit that mark on all counts. The clams 

were tender, the flavors integrated so that no one stood out from the others. 

The clam and corn fritters here have a more Southern flair – think hush 

puppies with some chopped clam mixed in and a creole remoulade sauce 

on the side. 

Avocados stuffed with shrimp are a delight that has mysteriously gone 

out of fashion. The flavor balance is simple, two things that are rich and 

luscious with a little housemade French dressing to add interest. 

The octopus derives from a different tradition, where brighter and more 

complex Spanish and Mediterranean French flavors play together. Grilled 

octopus tentacle tastes the same about everywhere, smoky mild seafood 

with a distinctive slightly chewy texture, but the right accompaniments 

can enhance the enjoyment. The mix of butter beans and celery stewed 

with potato and black garlic and accompanying dabs of black olive pesto 

provided a succession of clean, simple flavors to pair with the grilled tentacle. 

The little plate with a lot of flavors was a reminder of why tapas 

caught on and octopus went from bait to entrée. 

The salad was close to the standard Japanese mix of lettuce, seaweed, 

and scallion with ginger miso dressing, but with a few extra touches. The 

pine nuts and crumbled nori added a bit of umami and texture, and the 

slightly peppery cress was an interesting substitute for the radish that 

would usually fill that niche. 

For mains we got petrale sole with couscous, kung pao lobster, chicken 

schnitzel, and steak frites. The schnitzel and steak proved that the people 

in this kitchen didn’t forget anything about cooking meat when the focus 

changed to fish. Our non-seafood eater and her husband tore through both 

so fast that I barely managed to steal a few bites. The schnitzel came with 

a blueberry-port sauce that I recommend be served on the side – it’s good 

but sweet for some palates. As fine as that butter-fried schnitzel is, the 

gruyere cheese and rye bread pudding outshines it – it was invented here 

but encapsulates Northern European flavors. 

The sole was sautéed with what was described as a falafel crust, which 

made me expect a thick chickpea batter with fish inside. That wasn’t quite 

what was going on, because the point was to show how the Middle Eastern 

seasonings that are usually used in falafel go with seafood. It works, too – 

– the delicate fish was heavily dusted with cumin, coriander, parsley, and 

other flavors I couldn’t quite identify. A dollop of yogurt over the fish and 

mild, fragrant couscous underneath made it a satisfying meal. 

The one item that didn’t quite work for me was the kung pao lobster, 

and it wasn’t for the usual reason. The red chili heat and bell pepper often 

overwhelm everything else, but were muted in this version. That left the 

soy, sesame, and other mild elements in the forefront, and though those 

are perfectly good flavors they aren’t what I associate with kung pao. 

The wine list here has always had many selections that go well with 

seafood, and we asked our server to select some for us to sample. Our 

server offered tastes of a Vermentino and a Quady Rhone-style blend from 

Oregon, while the carnivores in our midst shared a Paoletti Piccolo Napa 

blends in the Bordeaux style. The cocktails are on point too. If you enjoy 

a good Manhattan you should try the “Summer in the Hamptons,” a variation 

that uses a spicy rye and lavender bitters to deliver complex herbal 

and floral notes. 

That cocktail was the only after-dinner item we had despite some tempting 

options because we had binged on the starters. There weren’t any 

seafood items on the dessert list, and the seafood was what I had come to 

try. On departure, our impression was unanimously favorable. Sea Change 

is delivering a revitalized experience in a more dynamic space. They’re 

serving a little of everything and a lot of seafood. It’s a good next chapter 

for the people who wrote the book on modern dining in our area. 

Sea Change at Chez Melange is at 1611 S. Catalina in Redondo. Open 

daily 4 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., Sunday brunch 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Valet parking weekends, 

lot, or street. Full bar, corkage $15, some vegetarian/vegan items. Reservations 

recommended. (310) 540-1222. ChezMelange.com. PEN 

The Landmark 

Pictured above Michel Medawar restores the historical 

tower clock at Malaga Cove School back to its original 

working condition. By hand, he repairs the damaged 

numbers, hands and the mechanism retaining its 

authenticity. 

Your clock has a complex mechanism of inter-working 

parts designed to keep time accurately, and it is your job to 

keep this timeless treasure healthy for the next generation. 

Your clock reminds you of its presence every time you 

wind it and if its accuracy is not what it used to be, or its 

chimes are not as strong rhythmic, or maybe it just stops. 

That means it’s talking to you and telling you that its 

endless life is in jeopardy. 

It is imperative to maintain and service your clock 

regularly. Oil gets old and dry forcing the train of gears to 

work twice as hard to accomplish their goal. This results in 

damage that drastically shortens the life of a fine timepiece. 

Michel Medawar has been extending the lives of 

timepieces for over fifty years as his father did fifty years before. 

He is the inventor of the first talking clock in the 

world. He is a graduate from Patek Philippe in Geneva, 

Switzerland, The Theod Wagner clock Co. in Wiesbaden, 

Germany, and the Howard Miller Clock Co. in Zeeland, 

Michigan. Call him so that he may come to your home and 

offer you a free estimate for servicing your clock. Or bring 

your wall or mantel clock to our store to see our showroom 

and receive the same complementary diagnosis. 

We are located at 810C Silver Spur Rd., in Rolling Hills Estates, Ca. 

90274. Or call us at (310) 544-0052 

Open 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Tuesday - Saturday 

810C Silver Spur Road • Rolling Hills Estates • CA 90274 

Call 310.544.0052 



S O U T H B AY 

DININGGUIDE 

1 

EL SEGUNDO 

Deluca Trattoria 

225 Richmond St. 

(310) 640-7600 

delucapasta.com 

2 

HERMOSA BEACH 

Hennessey’s 

8 Pier Avenue 

(310) 372-5759 

hennesseystavern.com 

3 

MANHATTAN BEACH 

Hennessey’s 

313 Manhattan Beach Blvd. 

(310) 546-4813 

hennesseystavern.com 

1 

2 

4 

RANCHO PALOS VERDES 

Poke Me 

31234 Palos Verdes Dr. #A, 

(424) 327-2172 

Pokeme.net 

5 

3 4 

Best of The Beach 2017 Winner 

Best Eclectic, American Contemporary 

Daily Breeze “2015 South Bay’s Favorite” 

American Restaurant & Bar 

“ Best New Restaurant”- Richard Foss of Easy Reader 

Favorite Soul Food of 2015- Daily Breeze( yeah, we were surprised 

too) 

5 

REDONDO BEACH 

Baleen Kitchen 

The Portofino Inn 

260 Portofino Way 

(310) 372-1202 

Hotelportofino.com 

Hey! We like to party, especially with YOU! Call us for your next 

Occasion. We’ve got a Banquet Room perfect for any celebration 

Call 310-378-8119 for details 



DININGGUIDE 

6 

REDONDO BEACH 

Barney’s Beanery 

100 Fisherman’s Wharf 

(424) 275-4820 

barneysbeanery.com 

9 

Quality Seafood 

130 International Boardwalk 

(310) 374-2382 

Qualityseafood.net 

7 

8 

Hennessey’s 

1712 S. Catalina Avenue 

(310) 540-8443 

Hennesseystavern.com 

HT Grill 

1701 S. Catalina Avenue 

(310) 791-4849 

htgrill.com 

10 

11 

Riviera Mexican Grill 

1615 S. Pacific Coast Hwy. 

(310) 540-2501 

facebook.com/RivMex/ 

Ws China Bistro 

1410 S. Pacific Coast Hwy. 

(310) 792-1600 

wschinabistro.com 

6 

7 

8 9 

10 

11 


12 

13 


DININGGUIDE 

ROLLING HILLS ESTATES 

Plates - An American Bistro 

550 Deep Valley Dr. #145 

(310) 541-9500 

platesrgi.com 

TORRANCE 

Alpine Village Restaurant 

833 West Torrance Blvd. 


310-323-3954 

alpinevillagecenter.com 

14 

15 

Hey 19 Public House 

4525 Calle Mayor 

(310) 378-8119 

Hey19publichouse.com 

Truxton’s American Bistro 

24530 Hawthorne Blvd. 

(310) 373-8790 

truxtonsamericanbistro.com 

12 

13 

14 

Barney’s Beanery 

Here at Barney’s we've got our full newspaper-sized menu available as well as 40 beers 

on draft. Daily and weekend specials and a great Happy Hour Mon - Fri, 4pm to 7pm. 

ALL DAY Happy Hour on Monday! We offer free wifi and always have the TV's tuned 

to numerous sporting events, in case you want to settle in for a long lunch or dinner. 

Either way, we are here for you so come on in and enjoy! 

100 Fisherman’s Wharf, Suite H, on the Redondo Beach Pier. 

(424) 275-4820 www.barneysbeanery.com 

15 


Welcome to the Riviera Mexican Grill 

Just the place for people who think life's a little bit better splashed with salsa. When you pull up a chair 

here, we want you to know that our food will always be fresh and good. This is the one place where the sun 

shines and the surf's up every day of the year! So, eat drink and be mello, amigos, you're in the Riviera! 

Mon.-Thurs.11:00am - 9:00pm, Fri.and Sat.11:00am - 10:00p.m. Sun.10:00am - 9:00pm 

1615 S. Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach (310)540-2501 


German traditional cuisine, 

contemporary American fare, 

award-winning artisanal sausages, 

20 taps of European & craft beers. 

Happy Hour 

Live Entertainment 

Weinerschnitzel 

Pan-fried Pork Cutlet 

ALPINEVILLAGECENTER.COM 

The Alpine Village Restaurant 

833 West Torrance Blvd. 


310-323-3954 

Closed Monday & Tuesday 


ickedler.com 

4032 VIA PICAPOSTE PALOS VERDES ESTATES, CA 90274 

$1,799,000 

4008 VIA NIVEL PALOS VERDES ESTATES, CA 90274 

$1,829,000 

3602 GREVE DRIVE RANCHO PALOS VERDES CA 90275 

$1,399,000 

85 LAUREL DRIVE RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA 90275 

$5,249,000 

RICK EDLER 

RICK@VISTASIR.COM 

310.872.4333 

CALBRE#01113145 

KITTY EDLER 

KITTY@VISTASIR.COM 

310.283.8790 

CALBRE#00800837

Classifieds 424-269-2830 

ELECTRICAL 

MUSIC LESSONS 

POOLS & SPAS 

FOR SALE 

Prime for VRBO, Home + Office or Retirement in the city of 

Mount Shasta, California. 3 Bedroom, 2 bath, 2,482 sq. ft. on 1/4 

acre. Renovations in 2003 included electrical, drywall, plumbing, 

flooring, windows, roofing and heating. Garden includes fruit trees, 

raised vegetable and flower beds, an arbor for outdoor dining. 

Asking $294,000 

Please contact 

Sandra Haugen 

at Elite Real Estate Group 

(530) 859-2907 • dnshaugen@hotmail.com 

Classifieds 424-269-2830 

LYNCH 

ELECTRIC & 

General 

Building 

Contractors 

• Residential 

Troubleshooting 

• Remodel Specialist 

Scott K. Lynch 

P.V. Native 

Licensed & Insured 

Cell 

310-930-9421 

Office & Fax 

310-325-1292 

www.LynchElectric.us 

Lic 701001 

FLOORING 

Vocal Technician 

Piano Teacher 

Vocalist 

Jeannine McDaniel 

Rancho Palos Verdes 

20 year experience 

All Ages 

310-544-0879 

310-292-6341 

Jeannine_mcdaniel2001@yahoo.com 

PLASTERING 

Patch Master 

Plastering 

Patch Plastering 

Interior • Exterior 

• Venetian Plastering 

• Ceiling Removal 

• Drywall Work 

• Acoustic 

Ceiling Removal 

• Water & Fire Restoration 

310-370-5589 

Lic. # 687076 • C35-B1 

POOLS • SPAS 

HARDSCAPES 

New Construction 

& Remodeling 

Excellent References 

Horusicky Construction 

310-544-9384 

www.Horusicky.com 

Credit cards accepted 

Lic #309844, Bonded, Insured 

ROOFING 

QUIXTAR 

Concrete & Masonry 

Residential & Commercial 

310-534-9970 

G 

CONCRETE 

Lic. #935981 C8 C29 

classifieds 

424-269-2830 

D 

Remodeling 

Design 

Kitchens 

Bathrooms 

Room Additions 

New Construction 

Reserve 

your space in the 

next 

CONSTRUCTION 

Pub Date: Nov 18 

Deadline: 

Nov 3 

Call direct 

s 

(424) 

269-2830 

Charles Clarke 

Local Owner/General Contractor 

Ph: (310) 791-4150 

Cell: (310) 293-9796 

Fax (310) 791-0452 

“Since 1990” Lic. No. 810499 

CONSTRUCTION 

Call us to Discuss the 

ENDLESS POSSIBILITES 

Extreme 

Hillside Specialist 

Foundation Repair Experts 

Grading & Drainage 

Retaining Walls, 

Fences & Decks 

310-212-1234 

www.LambConBuilds.com 

Lic. #906371 

GARAGE DOORS 

HANDYMAN 

Handyman 

Services… 

Fix It Right the 

First Time 

We like small jobs 

/ Free estimates 

What we do… 

Plumbing, 

Electrical, Drywall, 

Painting & more. 

Valente Marin 

310-748-8249 

Unlic. 

PLUMBING 

Thank You South Bay for 

50 Years of Patronage! 

Residential • Commercial • Industrial 

Plumbing 24/7 • Heating 

Air Conditioning 

pfplumbing.net 

800-354-2705 • 310-831-0737 

PLUMBING 

MATTUCCI 

PLUMBING • HEATING • COOLING 

DEPENDABLE • PROFESSIONAL • AFFORDABLE 

FULL SERVICE PLUMBING • COPPER REPIPES 

SEWER VIDEO INSPECTION • HEATING 

DRAIN & SEWER SERVICE • COOLING 

TRENCHLESS SEWER REPLACEMENT 

Tile Reroof and 

repair specialist 

310-847-7663 

Family owned 

business since 1978 

Lic 831351 

ON CALL 

24 HOURS 

7 DAYS 

FREE ESTIMATES 

310.543.2001 

CALIFORNIA 

Lic. #770059 

C-36 C-20 A 

2013

Peninsula People Nov 2017

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