Assemblymember Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills), who has participated in the Palisades Fourth of July parade for the past three years, said she would not miss riding in this Sunday’s event. ‘It’s always so great,’ Pavley said. ‘My husband Andy will walk with our dog Cammy, who is one of the Patriotic Pups, and I will be sitting in one of the cars.’ Pavley, who is up for re-election in November, has had a hectic six months in Sacramento, which saw Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger take office and Pavley introduce a bill to allow hybrid vehicles (which she drives) to use diamond lanes on the state’s freeways (AB-2628). In recent weeks she has been grappling, as have all legislators, with the state budget, which will not be signed by today’s July 1st constitutional deadline. ‘It’s in the hands of the ‘Big Five’,’ said Pavley, referring to the four legislative leaders (Senate President Pro Tem John Burton, Senate Minority Leader Dick Ackerman, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and Assembly Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy) who have been meeting with the Governor daily to try to reach an agreement. While most of the $103 billion state budget ‘has already been agreed upon,’ Pavley said several contentious issues are still being negotiated, as she outlined in her June newsletter to constituents. Indian gaming is one. ‘The budget assumes that the Governor has finalized his negotiations with five tribes to obtain a share of their revenue for the state,’ Pavley said. ‘A portion of any such negotiated share would go to transportation and road improvement projects.’ Higher education is another issue of concern to Pavley, a former teacher. ‘Democratic legislators and the leadership team are actively supporting efforts to restore cuts made to higher education that would reduce enrollment, including qualified students accepted to CSU and UC schools who will otherwise be sent to community colleges instead; restoring outreach efforts; and reducing the amount of proposed tuition increases for community colleges.’ Pavley, who served as mayor in Agoura Hills for four years, is also concerned about how the budget will affect local government. ‘The deal that the Governor made with local government representatives, swapping and deferring revenues historically belonging to cities and counties, is still subject to debate in the legislature. Many small rural cities will go bankrupt from the proposed loss of revenues for two years which the Governor is calling their ‘contribution’ to the state deficit.’ Regarding tax increases, Pavley said that ‘although neither the Governor nor the Republicans will put taxes on the table, many Democratic legislators would support a 1 percent personal income tax increase for people who make in excess of $500,000 a year. This single action could avoid cuts to K-12 education, colleges and transportation. It could also reduce the ongoing borrowing and deferrals into our future that concern everyone.’ California is one of only three states in the country that requires a two-thirds vote of the legislature to pass a budget, ‘which means that a small minority of legislators can force, and have in the past, forced a budget standoff or concessions that may not be in the long-term best interest of our 35 million Californians,’ said Pavley, who did not envision that happening this year. In fact, this is the first summer since she took office (fall 2000) that she is able to take some time off because the ‘budget is in better shape than it has ever been at this point.’ Asked about her relationship with the Governor, Pavley said that she had her first semi-private meeting with him a month ago, along with a couple of other legislators, and was pleased to see that she and Schwarzenegger ‘agree on air and water quality issues. He is also a co-sponsor of my hybrid bill and has publicly supported my efforts regarding vehicle emissions. ‘ Diesel exhaust is a major source of our dirty air, and contributes to respiratory-related ailments such as asthma.’ In the meeting Pavley said the Governor took her by surprise when he asked her: ‘What is the one thing you want?’ ‘I told him I wanted many things. He said I should pick one.’ She said she’d have to think about it and get back to him. Pavley, who continues to champion education, transportation and the environment, plans to start campaigning at the end of August. She is running against Santa Monica resident Heather Peters, for whom the Palisades Republican Club held a fundraiser in June.

‘Decompress, that’s the plan,’ says retiring Palisades High School Principal Linda Hosford, who in the last three years shepherded the school through its transition from being a charter school to becoming fiscally independent. ‘I want to take care of all the things I should have been doing for the last three years, my health, my house,’ she told the Palisadian-Post the day after graduation. The 40-year Los Angeles Unified School District veteran was hired as assistant principal in August 1990 and assumed the principal’s job in July 2001, after Don Savarese retired. After successfully guiding PaliHi through the arduous and contentious path to fiscal independence during the 2002-2003 school year, Hosford still maintains that the highlight of her career was ‘that day, May 13, when we finally had the vote to become fiscally independent from LAUSD. I don’t think it could get any better than that.’ However, Hosford admits it was a short celebration because there were still so many uncertainties. ‘We had to literally organize our own business by July 1. A lot had to be put in place and required a lot of work. It was frightening to some people,’ she said, referring to transition issues involving retirement benefits and salaries. But throughout the process, Hosford was most proud of ‘remaining student focused, no matter if other stakeholders might have thought it should not have been my top priority. In the end there is no way to please everybody all the time.’ While she recused herself from the process to select her successor, Hosford made some recommendations concerning the scope of the job of running what has essentially become a business with 2,560 students and a $16.8 million operating budget. ‘My advice was to divide this position into an academic principal and an executive director, who would be more involved with the business and political side of what needs to be done, especially with the charter renewal next year,’ Hosford said. The search committee, under the direction of Jack Sutton and other stakeholders’staff, parents and administrators’paper-screened a number of candidates for the principal’s position. Four candidates, all Los Angeles residents, were selected for individual interviews with the committee, which took place last week. The board of governors is still weighing the question of dividing the job. Six weeks ago, the board selected Greg Wood as chief business officer in charge of the preparation and monitoring of the school’s budget. A former Ex-Ed (Excellent Education Development) consultant, Wood is an expert in helping charter schools transition from a school into a ‘school district,’ with the budget, taxes, insurance and payrolls to manage. Hosford, who handled the academic and financial duties as executive director of the school, applauded the board’s choice of Wood. ‘He’s very sound with his judgment and creative in advising the board.’ Although Hosford will be away from the Palisades, she plans to stay quite connected. ‘I bid on a two-year subscription to the Palisadian-Post at our Casino Night so I’ll stay up with all the news.’

When Steve Guttenberg accepted another two-year term as honorary mayor of Pacific Palisades last Thursday night, he made one thing clear: ‘I will not be riding in the Fourth of July parade this year. Nor will I will walking in it. I will be landing in my 747 on Sunset. Okay?’ Guttenberg’s quip at the Chamber of Commerce installation dinner was one of the lighter moments of a mixed evening that included a moment of silence for Ronald Reagan, a children’s piano concert, and a Marilyn Monroe lookalike who introduced Guttenberg from the stage. After receiving congratulations from Viet Tran, the West L.A. aide for Mayor Jim Hahn, Jenny Toder from Assemblywoman Fran Pavley’s office, and Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski’s field deputy Monique Ford (who commended the Highlands resident for his efforts to slow down traffic on Palisades Drive), Guttenberg proceeded to deprecate himself before an audience 200 at the Riviera Country Club. ‘Have you seen what this man has done in the last two years? If failure is the stepping stone to success then we are well on our way!’ Guttenberg then gave 10 reasons why he should not be honorary mayor, starting with ‘I can’t read,’ and ending by admitting that he doesn’t even really know where he is most of the time. He suggested that perhaps Whoopi Goldberg, who lives in the Riviera, might be a better choice, but did declare that he wanted ‘a dedicated parking space in this town. Everyone knows how impossible the parking has become.’ He also let out that he buys his dresses ‘at Elyse Walker’s.’ On a more serious note, Guttenberg said that he never dreamed he would be blessed with such a wonderful life and ‘being in this very room with all you good people. I am a good son, brother, friend and community member and am really happy I have landed in this place.’ His parents, his sister and his niece’all from Long Island’were in the audience. David Williams, the owner of Mogan’s Cafe in the Highlands, ascended to the Chamber presidency in January when then-president Jim Stoltzfus, owner of Mail Boxes, Etc., surprised the community by announcing his move to Arizona with his new bride. Williams, who first served as president in 1998-1999, dedicated his presidency to his friend and mentor, the late Mort Farberow. ‘Mort was in line to serve as our next president,’ Williams explained. ‘But upon his passing I decided that the only way I could give back was to dedicate this year to him. He was my best friend, and as good a friend as you can ever hope to have in business. I thank Mort and I thank you. It is truly a privilege to serve as your president.’ Between musical selections by eight children pianists and a violinist from the Aesthetic Music Center in the Highlands, Palisades Rotary Club president Perry Akins presented the club’s annual Beautification Award to the Palisades Branch Library, in recognition of the opening of the new building in 2003. The award was accepted by Gina Vincent, president of the Friends of the Library. The annual Best New Business Award was presented by architect Rich Wilken to Scott Wagenseller, CEO and founder of Palisades Patrol. Chamber executive director Arnie Wishnick presented the second annual Mort Farberow Businessperson Award to Bob Sharka, founder of the monthly Palisades Film Festival who is also spearheading the Chamber’s new ‘Movies Under the Stars’ series at the Palisades Recreation Center later this summer. Wishnick introduced Sharka as ‘a dreamer,’ and said that besides fulfilling the three basic criteria for the award”the three C’s that Mort held dear: community, Chamber and children”Sharka added a fourth one: ‘Cinema.’ Wishnick noted that besides all that Sharka did for the community, which includes coaching baseball and being a math tutor, ‘he also does have a day job.’ Sharka recounted how Mort ‘had a rough exterior at times. I said hello to him for three or four years and I barely ever got a response. Then one day he said: ‘Hey Bob, can you give me a hand?’ I didn’t think he even knew my name. I was so pleased,’ Sharka said to applause. The Chamber’s 2004-2005 executive committee will include David Williams; president-elect Sandy Eddy; vice-presidents Mazi Aghalarpour, Sandy Derby, Brad Lusk and Roy Robbins; and past president and advisor Roberta Donohue. The directors are Antonia Balfour, Brook Dougherty, Bobbie Farberow, Terri Festa, Phil Kamins, Sam Lagana, Jennifer Lowe, Denise Martinez, Damon Raskin, Laura Tan Raskin and Elyse Walker.

By BILL BRUNS and LAURA WITSENHAUSEN Following 8-3 approval by the Community Council last Thursday evening, Movies Under the Stars is set to debut on Saturday, July 24 at the Palisades Recreation Center, pending receipt of a permit from the L.A. Department of Recreation and Parks. The free program, presented by the Chamber of Commerce and Friends of Film, will continue at dusk on the next three Saturdays (July 31, August 7 and 14). An outdoor projector will be set up on the grass playing fields and a half-dozen or so speakers will be strategically placed around the audience in order to minimize any potential impact on neighbors. The organizers hope to run ‘Grease’ on opening night, projected onto an 18-by-24-foot inflatable screen. Beforehand, the American Legion will sell hot dogs, soda and water, and people can also bring their own picnic baskets. Every effort will be made to have everyone begin leaving the park (quietly!) by 10:30 p.m. ‘We are continuing our efforts to keep everyone happy in this family-oriented screening series,’ said Friends of Film’s Bob Sharka. To that end, the committee will be working with sound engineer Bill Blanke, who has worked for 18 years with the Palisades Fourth of July parade committee. Blanke will check that the decibel sound level of a test movie is within the allowable and desired range before the first event. He will also conduct sound tests the night of the first screening. Security will be provided by Palisades Patrol, and Chrysalis Street Works has been contracted to clean the site afterwards. While the Movies Under the Stars committee may initially rent some of its equipment, it still needs tax-deductible donations to help underwrite various costs. Donations can be sent to Friends of Film, c/o the Palisades Chamber of Commerce, 15330 Antioch St., Pacific Palisades, CA 90272. At last week’s Community Council meeting, Alma Real resident Valerie Clifford and Hampden Place resident Steve Henning said the film series was ‘a great idea’but in the wrong location.’ They argued that it was unfair to have their homes subjected to unwarranted noise and commotion on a Saturday night. But after an hour of discussion, including a spirited defense of the series by committee spokesman John Wirth, the council approved a motion supporting the pilot program with the proviso that the sponsoring organizations ‘make a continuing good faith effort to evaluate and reevaluate the impact of the programs upon the surrounding community and minimize such impacts, including noise, parking, security, clean-up and traffic management.’

The Runners, the Parade, the Barbecues & the Fireworks

Starting at 8:15 a.m., when nearly 3,000 runners take off in the Will Rogers 5/10K races and ending about 9:20 p.m., when the final salvo of fireworks explodes above the high school, Pacific Palisades will once again offer an enviable Fourth of July celebration this Sunday. This issue of the Palisadian-Post contains our traditional 32-page program (and eight-page wrap) previewing the parade, which begins at 2 p.m. following the arrival of Carey Peck’s skydiving team on Sunset at Swarthmore. Also, our sports section provides details about last-minute registration for 5/10K runners as well as the Kids’ Fun Run and the YMCA Youth Triathlon. In addition to other July 4-related stories on page 3, here’s more information: ”Sunset will be closed off to through traffic beginning about 1:30 p.m., at which time drivers can detour easily via Albright (taking Hartzell or Via de la Paz north off Sunset). Free shuttle buses are available adjacent to the parking lots at Palisades High and the Presbyterian Church (located at El Medio just north of Sunset). ”Participants in the PATRIOTIC PUPS brigade are encouraged to call Marilyn Haaker (454-6430) to sign up. Dogs must be comfortable in the company of horses, people and other dogs, and be completely under control. The group will gather beforehand under the trees at Palisades Elementary and will set out early in the parade, close behind the troupe of young baton twirlers known as the Palisades Stars. ”Former Palisades FIRST BABIES OF THE YEAR or their parents are encouraged to contact Tiffany Hu Epstein at 459-3869 to ride in the parade and celebrate the 50th anniversary of this contest. Palisadian Jim Buerge is donating two convertibles (and drivers) from his Buerge Ford dealership in Santa Monica, and seven First Babies have signed up thus far. ”Spectators of all ages are strongly encouraged not to spray Silly String or its equivalent along the parade route. The novelty product spooks dogs, horses and young children, while making a hard-to-remove mess on streets and sidewalks. This year, for the first time, Silly String will not be sold at any local store on Sunday and will not be carried by vendors. ”Under the banner of Kids Helping Kids, Santa Monica High students Denise Rider, Jaryn Kile, Lauren Kucik, Ruby Claire Letenoux and Lindsey Emerson will be selling homemade cookies during the parade. Their booth will be set up on Sunset, between the Mobil station and U.S. Bank. All proceeds will go to Share Our Strength, an organization dedicated to feeding hungry children in the U.S.