In what might have been the most charged Community Council meeting in years, Joe Edmiston forcefully defended his decision to use two automated stop-sign cameras in Temescal Gateway Park. A group of Palisades residents are critical of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, which began giving out tickets to stop-sign violators in Temescal and its parks at Franklin Canyon and Topanga Canyon in July. Those Palisadians accuse fellow resident Edmiston, the executive officer of the MRCA, of inflating the public safety risk in the quiet, tree-lined canyon, and violating state law to justify raising park revenue through $100-per-ticket violations. Edmiston shot back at those critics last Thursday night, repeatedly emphasizing that the decision was based solely on safety. “I?m not going to be the one that they come up to at Gelson?s after kids get mowed down going to the pool,” Edmiston said, speaking to the Community Council. “You know that if there?s an accident there, this council is going to call me here to explain. This is all about safety.” On more than one occasion during the council?s meeting, Edmiston encouraged skeptical residents, like longtime critic Jack Allen, to sue the state?s joint-powers authority. “Sue us, Jack!” Edmiston yelled. “Sue us. Maybe the court will settle this clearly. This body doesn?t have adjudicatory authority. It?s not a court. I invite people to sue us!” Allen, the former city attorney for Beverly Hills, has become the fiercest critic of Edmiston?s plan. He has dedicated hours researching the legal rationale for MRCA?s cameras, and has even spent 10 hours with a radar gun counting park traffic and stop-sign violations. His conclusion? The MRCA has snubbed California law. As previously reported, the state?s Vehicle Code authorizes automated traffic enforcement at stop signals, not stop signs. That omission prohibits the MRCA from using cameras to issue tickets, according to Allen. “This isn?t a safety issue, and any argument based on that is meritless!” Allen said during a presentation he made to the council. “It?s a rotten way to treat people who visit the canyon. There are countless cases that say you can?t do this. I?ve done more research since the last time, and I?m more convinced now than ever.” Edmiston pointed to a loophole in the code that gives the MRCA the right to bypass the Vehicle Code. “It?s true that this isn?t done according to the Vehicle Code?and for a good reason!” Edmiston replied. “That is an internal road or driveway, not a state roadway. Your driveway is not subject to the Vehicle Code! Because this isn?t a public road, we?re held to a different standard.” Allen and other members asked Edmiston if this interpretation of the law was vetted by the state attorney general, who represents state agencies. “We have gotten advice from the attorney general, not an opinion, which can take sometimes a couple of years,” Edmiston said. “We?ve received the informal advice from the Land Law section [of the attorney general].” Edmiston added that the MRCA?s plan was reviewed by its two law firms. He also said that a certified traffic engineer studied the traffic flow there and recommended that the cameras would reduce liability. But few council members were convinced. “There?s stop signs throughout the city and as far as I know there aren?t stop-sign cameras,” said Harry Sondheim, a retired county prosecutor. “The city would be liable for all of them if your logic is carried [out].” Said Mike Streyer: “The question is: Why don?t we have these cameras everywhere?” “Why is this a legal issue?” Edmiston asked the Council. “Why is this not a moral issue?to stop at a stop sign?” “The answer is that in the United States we expect our law enforcement to uphold the law,” replied Richard G. Cohen, who chaired the Council?s meeting. In the first three months of operation, the MRCA has ticketed more motorists in Temescal than in Franklin or Topanga Canyons. According to the most recent data from the MRCA provided to the Palisadian-Post, in an average day18 motorists received tickets?on average, that?s six more motorists than at its other parks. Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc., the Australian company that owns and operates the cameras, receives 20 percent of the revenue collected from those tickets. Because the MRCA is not following the Vehicle Code, the tickets are not part of a motorist?s record and insurance companies are not notified. “You?re not doing the public any favors,” Allen said to Edmiston. “If this is about safety, then these violators should go into the court system, and it should be reported to insurance companies.” At the request of council members and the Palisadian-Post, Edmiston said he would provide copies of the legal justification from MRCA?s lawyers and the official traffic study that were not considered confidential information by “attorney-client privilege.” As of press time, neither the council nor the Post has received either of these documents. But community leaders are not likely to take no for an answer. “We are entitled to see any traffic engineering studies demonstrating the necessity of photo enforcement in the park,” wrote Cohen, vice-chair of the council. “Furthermore, the introduction of this previously unseen enforcement technology in our community, apparently in violation of California Vehicle Code pre-emption, should be fully explained and legally justified.”
A Dramatic Shift to the Westside
The Santa Monica Performing Arts Center will provide Westsiders with a new venue, conveniently located close to home, allowing for stress-free enjoyment of the arts.
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
As traffic grows more and more appalling on this side of town, as well as all over the city, Westsiders have spent increasingly more leisure time close to home, preferring to patronize local establishments; and not necessarily because of some kind of neighborhood or community pride, but because even the mere thought of venturing east of the 405 is enough to trigger a migraine. As a result, many local residents have sacrificed a great deal of what Los Angeles has to offer, especially when it comes to the arts. What good is a Tony Award-winning play at the Ahmanson or Pantages, or a performance by the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Walt Disney Concert Hall if those on the Westside miss half of it while they battle through the nightmare that is evening rush hour in L.A.? Even performances in Westwood have become difficult to attend. Still, Palisadians and Westsiders should not have to surrender their desires to be entertained, but where can they go? Beginning sometime in 2008 (the official opening date is yet to be released), locals will be able to enjoy acts by national, international and local artists in a variety of performance genres at The Stage at the new Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center. Dubbed The Madison Project, the new center broke ground in January of 2005 under the artistic direction of Palisadian Dale Franzen, a former professional opera singer, and will be completed this year. In the meantime, though, patrons of the arts can enjoy performances at the Center’s Second Space, which opened in October 2007 with the ‘Under the Radar’ series which was presented free of charge in the small, but very accommodating space located within the Performing Arts Center. ‘We’ve really built a real state-of-the-art theater,’ Franzen said, ‘The only one of its kind in this area. ‘I raised my children here and we didn’t have a performing arts place. If I wanted to see something locally, I didn’t have that option. I felt, as a community member, that this was a big hole.’ The new $45-million theater will feature 504 seats: 2,025-square-foot rehearsal room; four dressing rooms (three ensemble and one star); full fly house, single purchase counterweight rigging; ample wing space (26 ft., stage right, 20 ft. stage left); variable proscenium (42-to-46 ft. width, 24 ft. high); hydrolicized orchestra pit lift; fully trappable stage floor; live broadcasting capabilities for video truck positioned in the loading dock and; state-of-the-art sound system, art performance lighting and screening capabilities. ‘The Westside of Los Angeles has never had anything of its kind,’ said Dustin Hoffman, chairman of the Artistic Advisory Board and alumnus of SMC. ‘What makes it unique is that it’s a stage for dance, opera and musicals. It’s also an intimate theater and it looks great.’ Hoffman, who lives just 10 minutes from Performing Arts Center was an early champion for the theater. ‘He took his first acting class at SMC and has been involved since the beginning. He gave money, raised money and has been an incredible advocate,’ Franzen said. ‘We’re hoping he’ll find wonderful projects to do here. This will be his sandbox and we’re eternally grateful and wouldn’t be here without him.’ Franzen was also involved from the beginning. The transition from opera singer to artistic director of a multi-million dollar theater seems difficult, but was quite natural for Franzen, who spent her entire life surrounded by the arts. ‘I was given an extraordinary opportunity that few are given. It’s incredibly different and incredibly hard, but it’s like a dream in a way,’ she said. The new theater is based primarily on her vision of an intimate, versatile and professional space on L.A.’s Westside. Franzen, a self-proclaimed ‘Hollywood brat’ grew up in a beautiful old neighborhood in Los Feliz where Cecil B. DeMille and many silent movie actors had lived. Her father, Selig J. Seligman, ran ABC during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and despite her show business background and upbringing in Hollywood, she lived what she called a ‘very low key’ life, even walking herself to school everyday. She began singing when she was just three years old, and by the time she was seven, had appeared on her first television show. At age five, she began attending the opera. Years later, when she was given the opportunity to study opera at USC, she moved back to Los Angeles from Canada, where she was attending school, and began her opera studies. Her professional opera career spanned over 20 years, and proved integral to her success in the Madison Project. ‘I know how to sing for my supper,’ she said. While fundraising for the Project, one prospective donor said to her, ‘We understand you’re an opera singer; sing something,’ Franzen, without hesitation, let loose with her lyric soprano, and the donor quickly wrote her a check for $50,000. Franzen moved to Pacific Palisades from Topanga in 2005 when ground was broken on the Performing Arts Center and she wanted to decrease the length of her commute. Her husband Don is an entertainment attorney, who is currently involved in a land use case in Castellemarre. The couple has three children, Ben, a professional musician, Alexandra, a writer and Olivia, who attends PaliHi. The Franzens live in the Las Pulgas neighborhood. ‘It was a really easy transition. I like being in a community where can walk around the little town,’ she said. ‘The Palisades still has a low-key charm to it, no movie theater, no mall. You always run into people you know and it’s just so beautiful.’ Franzen will confirm the opening date of The Stage in February, when she reveals the first season, which will be comprised of 25 events. ‘I’m trying to put together a balanced season, peppered with local and lesser-known artists,’ she said. ‘I see this theater as a place where young artists can get their first start. They might go on to Disney Hall or Royce Hall, but they can start here. ‘At the end of the day,’ Franzen said, ‘this incredible facility will be here. And that feels good.’ The Stage and Second Space at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center are located at Santa Monica Boulevard and 11th Street in Santa Monica, just a short drive from Pacific Palisades. For updates visit: www.thestagesm.com.
Passing Along the Gift of Giving
It’s been almost 30 years since Jay Schroeder threw a pass at Palisades High and he has achieved much success in his life since then. Yet he still looks back fondly on his days with the Dolphins and how they shaped his future. Schroeder is perhaps most famous for his 11-year NFL career from 1984-94, which included a Super Bowl victory with the Washington Redskins in 1988. On Super Bowl Sunday, however, the former Palisadian will make his mark in an even more significant way by participating in the third annual “Run for Mobility” to support the Free Wheelchair Mission, an Irvine-based charity. “I’m excited about the opportunity to celebrate Super Bowl Sunday in such a healthy and rewarding way,” Schroeder says. “Once I heard about the great work the Free Wheelchair Mission does, I knew it was a cause I wanted to support. I encourage all runners to fundraise and all of my former neighbors, classmates and fans in Southern California to sign up or sponsor a runner.” In addition to running in the event in Huntington Beach, Schroeder will also be the keynote speaker for the fundraising dinner at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort on February 2, the eve of Super Bowl XLII. Sure, reaching the Super Bowl is every football player’s dream. Schroeder’s first taste of fame, though, came on Friday nights at Stadium by the Sea, where he set the school single-season record (since broken) for most yards passing (1,257). The two-sport star (he was also a catcher on the baseball team) won the Post Cup Award as Palisades’ outstanding senior athlete in 1979. One Dolphins teammate in particular stands out in Schroeder’s mind–Academy Award-winning actor Forrest Whitaker. “He was our left tackle,” Schroeder remembers. Now 46, Schroeder recalls that when he played for Palisades the Dolphins were primarily a running team under co-coaches Dick North and Merritt Stanfield. “I only threw the ball 10 or 11 times a game,” he says. “I remember we lost to Granada Hills [and John Elway] twice in the playoffs.” Schroeder’s family moved to Pacific Palisades (near the village) in time for Jay to attend sixth-grade at Paul Revere. He played baseball at Palisades High at the same time future major league all-star Darryl Strawberry was at Crenshaw. After two years at UCLA, Schroeder played in the Toronto Blue Jays’ minor league system before being drafted in the third round of the 1984 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins. Schroeder was called into action his freshman year after starting quarterback Joe Theismann suffered a career-ending leg injury. As a starter the following year, Schroeder led Washington to the NFC title game and made the Pro Bowl, throwing for a franchise-record 4,109 yards. He separated his shoulder in the first game of the 1987 season and was replaced by Doug Williams, who led the Redskins to victory over Denver in Super Bowl XXII. “We were hard to beat that year,” Schroeder says. “That was sweet. I got my revenge on Elway.” The next season, Schroeder was traded to the Los Angeles Raiders. He led the Raiders to the AFC Championship game in 1990 and played another two seasons for the silver and black before finishing his career with one-year stints in Cincinnati and Arizona. Schroeder says he was lucky to have had such a lengthy NFL career. “If you can last as long as I did, you’re pretty fortunate,” he admits. “I enjoyed every last minute of it. I have no regrets!” Schroeder visits the Palisades a few times each year (his brother’s wife works at Festa insurance on Sunset) but much of his time in retirement is spent giving back to the community in St. George, Utah, where he moved three and a half years ago from San Diego. He and his wife Debbie have three kids—Brian (22), Christopher (20) and Katelyn (9). Asked what current player he enjoys watching most Schroeder cites New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. “What’s he’s doing this season is amazing,” Schroeder says. “He makes playing quarterback look so easy but believe me, it’s not that easy.” Schroeder is an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Utah and serves as the offensive coordinator for Snow Canyon High. His main focus right now, though, is reaching his goal of raising $5,700–equaling the cost of one wheelchair for each of the 114 touchdown passes Schroeder threw in his NFL career. To support Schroeder’s “Touchdown Team” by making a donation, visit www.RunforMobility.org.
Theater Review: ‘Twentieth Century’ Loses Steam
Having seen the 1934 ‘Twentieth Century’ with John Barrymore and Carole Lombard and the 1978 Broadway musical ‘On the Twentieth Century,’ both based on the original play written by Charles Millholland, I was eager to see Theatre Palisades’ production. The plot revolves around Oscar Jaffe (Donald Heath), who discovers actress Lily Garland (AnnaLisa Erickson) and makes her a star by putting her in his Broadway productions. They became a romantic item but, alas, their big egos interfere sending Garland to Hollywood, where she becomes even more successful. Jaffe stays in New York, and starts producing flop after flop, including his most recent ‘Joan of Arc.’ His financial situation is dire and the only way he can stop his downhill slide is to sign Garland for his next production. Jaffe intends to accomplish that in the 16 hours it takes for the Twentieth Century Unlimited train to get from Chicago to New York. Garland, who now has a boyfriend as well as an ‘Oscar,’ has no intention of signing with him. Screwball comedies don’t have the luxury of slowly unfolding events, characters and action like dramas. The pacing has to be tight and fast. The first act of the Palisades’ production was slow and at times tedious, which is a shame because Erickson plays the diva to a tee. She is the epitome of a spoiled star who is used to getting exactly what she wants. Her counterpart Heath, with a strange, slightly crazed look in his eyes, was equally believable as the egotist who drove her off and now wants her back. Susannah Myrvold, who has a minor role as the girlfriend of a married doctor, has that interesting on-stage charisma that causes your eyes to focus on her, even when she’s not in the center of the action. Another actor who deserves mention is Brett Erickson, who plays Garland’s agent. He has a nice presence and with stronger directing could’ve had more fun with the role. Sherry Coon, who in addition to designing costumes also directed the show, is to be commended for her choice of costumes, especially Garland’s and Myrvold’s. They were stylish and evoked an earlier time. The set is problematic; it looks like two hotel rooms and a lobby, rather than giving theatergoers the feel of a train. Since it is a period piece, the set should also take theatergoers back to the 1930s. When the action is focused in one room, actors in the lobby pretend to talk to each other, which becomes annoying. Perhaps focusing the lights strictly on one part of the set and darkening the other would take care of that irritating problem. Some of the staging was extremely clumsy; two different situations come to mind. In both cases, in different rooms and at different times, the staging seemed to be exactly the same. In the first case, the doctor and girlfriend started making out on a chaise lounge causing one to fall off. That same scenario seemed to be repeated with Gantry and her agent George Smith (Brett Erickson). I found myself drawn to the awkward positioning and the adjusting of costumes, rather than listening to dialogue. Stronger direction would’ve helped actors fine-tune their timing, which in comedies is everything. Waiting that beat between set-up and delivery is essential, and there were many jokes that went by the audience because of rushed delivery. In a community filled with ‘Hollywood’ people, I’m surprised that more of the truly talented and artistic people who live here don’t become involved on some level with Theatre Palisades. The play runs through February 16, Pierson Playhouse at 941 Temescal Canyon Blvd., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. For tickets call (310) 454-1970 or visit www.theatrepalisades.org.
Chuck Arnoldi in Wood on display at Pepperdine
The Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art is exhibiting ‘Charles Arnoldi: Wood’ through March 30 at Pepperdine, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway. Featuring over 25 large-scale works in wood from the 1970s and 1980s, the exhibition is the first major museum survey devoted to this seminal Los Angeles artist.??”Charles Arnoldi rose to prominence during the 1970s and 1980s, a period that corresponds to the growth of Los Angeles as a major center for contemporary art,” says Michael Zakian, director of the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art. “His works in wood from the period–especially the Stick and Chainsaw paintings–helped define the L.A. style.’ Born in 1946 to a blue-collar family in Dayton, Arnoldi came to California soon after high school. After a short stint in construction, he studied briefly at the Art Center School of Design and then the Chouinard Art Institute before winning the Los Angeles County Museum of Art New Talent Award in 1969. Originally a painter, he began to experiment in the early 1970s with wood. At first he lashed together thin strips of wood to create open lattice structures. After Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, he created a series of “logjams”–dense and aggressive accumulations of branches that emulate nature’s cataclysmic power. He embarked on another new direction in the early 1980s when he began using a chainsaw to cut, carve, and “draw” into large sheets of plywood. These Chainsaw Paintings have lines that are ripped, torn, and appear intensely expressive. A Family Art Day is set for Saturday, January 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.??The Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art is open Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and one hour prior to performances through intermission. There is free admission. Contact: (310) 506-4851; visit http://www.pepperdine.edu/arts/museum?.?
Palisades Ninjas Party On
First, the Palisades-based Ninjas U14 girls AYSO soccer team learned to have fun. Then, it learned to bond together. Finally, the tight-knit teenagers won the Region 69 regular season with a perfect 11-0 record and posted back-to-back shutouts in the playoffs. Last weekend, the Ninjas continued to have fun and win, sweeping the AYSO Area 1-P League Championships which featured the eight division winners from across Los Angeles. The Ninjas won all three games by 1-0 scores, making them unscored upon in five playoff games. The defense, anchored by goalie Madeline Allnat, consisted of defenders Ashley Klotz, Rebecca Asoulin, Nicole Hirschhorn, Ashli Moreno, and injured Madeline Brody and Caitlin Drake, now head cheerleader. The three shutouts were supported by tenacious midfielders Adelaide Seaman, Katherine Brody, Kara Duncan and Sydney Wasserman. Forwards Sahar Bardi and Katie van Daalen each scored, ably assisted by Ashley Klotz and Jamie Greenberg. Coach Matthew Allnatt, who was assisted by Randy van Daalen, will next pilot the Ninjas in March at the regional playoffs in Riverside.
Palisades Hoops Fall to Fairfax
Photo by Rich Schmitt, Staff Photographer
The Palisades High gym was filled to capacity and playoff intensity was in the air Friday night when the Dolphins’ boys basketball team took on defending state champion Fairfax in a Western League showdown. Seeming to sense the magnitude of the matchup, players on both teams gave it their all and in the end Fairfax prevailed, 57-53, dealing the Dolphins their first league defeat of the season. The Lions (12-2 overall, 2-0 in league) jumped out to a quick 9-0 lead in the first quarter and seemed poised to decide the issue quickly. Palisades, however, began to cut into its deficit and outscored Fairfax, 18-8, in the second quarter to take a 27-26 lead at halftime. “We knew they have a lot of size and we knew we had to play good defense all game,” Palisades senior guard Aaron Hawk Harris said. ‘At halftime, Coach said ‘You guys know what to do, you’ve been here before.”’ Led by 6′ 10″ junior center Renardo Sidney Fairfax started to work the ball inside. The Lions outscored Palisades 17-10 in the third quarter and entered the fourth quarter with a six-point lead. The margin grew to 10 points with five minutes left but once again the Dolphins refused to fold. Palisades whittled away most of Fairfax’s lead but couldn’t tie the game up, mainly because the Dolphins went five crucial possessions without a bucket down the stretch. “Our defensive effort was pretty good,” PaliHi Coach James Paleno said. “Holding a high-powered team like that to 57 points, I was happy with that.” What ultimately led to the Dolphins’ demise was their field goal shooting: 16 of 50. Had it made a few more, Palisades likely would’ve pulled off the upset. “We just didn’t execute enough on offense,” Paleno said. “We felt like we had a great chance. That was a winnable game.” Josh Gilmore scored 18 points, Hawk-Harris had 13 and Irvin Kintaudi added nine for the Dolphins. Sidney led Fairfax with 21 points and Chris Solomon added 14. “I could care less how much I score as long as the scoreboard says we won at the end of the game,” Hawk-Harris said. “They are a good team but we played them tough.” Palisades bounced back from Friday’s loss with a 59-49 win at Venice on Monday. Once again, the Dolphins started slow before recovering to take a 30-26 lead into halftime. Palisades maintained its four-point advantage in the third quarter but could not put the pesky Gondoliers away until the final three minutes. Senior forward Irvin Kintaudi led the Dolphins with 20 points, Hawk-Harris had 11 and Aaron Fitts and Shipley each finished with eight. Paleno called it an “ugly win” but added “an ugly win is better than a pretty loss.” Ugly or not, the victory improved Palisades to 18-3 overall and 2-1 in league. “Hey, Venice is a scrappy team,” Paleno said. “They always play us tough so I’m not surprised at the score.” Both teams had trouble keeping their footing on the slippery floor in the Gondos’ gym, leading to a sloppily played game by each squad. Venice (11-9, 2-2) pulled within three points with three and a half minutes to go but Palisades responded with a 6-1 run. Andre Winn and Jordan Borucki each had 10 points to lead Venice, which suffered its fourth straight loss to the Dolphins dating back to the second round of the City Invitational playoffs in 2005-06. Shipley, averaging 7.3 points, 5.8 assists and 4.7 steals per game, let out a sigh of relief afterwards, happy that Palisades won but perhaps feeling it was “too close for comfort.” Lessons can be learned from each and every game and Hawk-Harris, who leads the Dolphins with 15.7 points and 9.2 rebounds, admitted the Venice game was no exception. “I think what we learned here is that we have to stay disciplined at all times,” he said. “When you have a team down you have to put them away. We’re still a little tired from Friday but that’s no excuse. We let them hang around way too long but we came through at the end and that’s what matters.” Palisades hosted University on Wednesday (result undetermined at press time) and travels to Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies on Friday (tip-off at 7 p.m.).
Calvert Medals at Senior Internationals
Palisadian Lee Calvert participated in the Jerry Toms U.S. Senior International Badminton Championships last week in Miami Lakes, Florida, and, as always, she didn’t return empty-handed. Calvert won the 80 mixed division with Dick Witte of St. Louis and also took the gold in the 75+ division, where she was the defending champion. ‘It was an excellent tournament with great matches from several countries,’ Calvert said. ‘Now I’m back to training for the next event–especially in singles. I want to play down whenever.’
Goldstein Leads USA at Maccabis
After starring this summer in the U.S. Maccabi Games held in Baltimore, local Palisadian Jonathan Goldstein was invited to play Basketball on the USA National team competing in the 11th Pan American Maccabi games in Buenos Aires. The Games are held every other year in South America. At age14, Goldstein was the youngest player ever to start on the 16 and under USA team. Goldstein’s team members included: Travis Warech (New Jersey), John Kalin (New Jersey), Ben Resner (New York), Zach Libresco (New York), Kevin Baker (Massachusetts), Holden Collick (New York), Luke Silverman-Lloyd (California), Robert Fink (Pennsylvania), Lorenzo Cohen (California), Zak Elfenbein (Florida), and Matt Goldman (New York). Team USA went 5-0 to win the gold medal, beating Canada 63-51 in the finals. To reach to the finals, Team USA had to face two Argentina teams, Venezuela, and Columbia. USA Coach Brian Schiff is now 29-0 with the 16-and-under national team. Team USA was selected in the summer after various tryouts held around the country. A mini-camp was conducted in late September in Philadelphia so the players could get to know each other. In November, the team was sent a playbook to study the offensive and defensive plays. On December 19 the team met again for a training camp before departing for Argentina. In addition to practicing, Team USA met Brandon Lang, a former Palisadian and caddie at Riviera Country Club who inspired the movie ‘Two for the Money,’ and Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Andy Reed. The team toured the Eagles’ practice facility and watched from the fourth row of the Wachovia Center as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Philadelphia 76’ers. Adding to their ‘Philadelphia’ experience, these 12 medal-seeking basketball players devoured Philly cheese steaks. Following an 11-hour flight from New York, Team USA arrived in Argentina. Athletes from around the world were escorted through the city of Buenos Aires by ground and air police patrols. A total of 500 USA athletes participating in 31 different sports took over the Sheraton hotel. Team USA’s Basketball games were held at CENARD–the same gym in which NBA superstar Manu Ginobili grew up playing basketball. Goldstein is eligible to play again in July 2009 when the 18th Maccabiah games are held in Israel.
Volleyball Clinics Begin Monday
Volleyball legends Gene Selznick, Sinjin Smith and Dane Selznick are joining forces this month to offer youth in Pacific Palisades their vast knowledge of the game. Players ages 7-18 will receive instruction, develop their basic skill sets and work on taking their game to the next level. The clinics will offer players the opportunity to gain valuable experience through skills designed to enhance their game at any age, with coaches who know how to improve each individual’s game. Clinics will be held at Palihi starting Monday, January 21, at the following times: Monday from 7-9 p.m.; Tuesday from 6-8 p.m.; Thursday from 6-8 p.m.; Saturday from 12-3 p.m.; and Sunday from 1-3 p.m. Cost is $200 for five classes and players can pick which days and dates they would like to attend. To sign up, email info@sinjinvolleyball.com, or call 310-913-0108.
