SM Star May 2012 - Santa Monica Star

Volume XII Number 5
Where Local People Are Celebrities
May 2012
Popular Red Tie Affair Raises Funds For
Santa Monica Chapter American Red Cross
Ray Cooper, a former Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) detective, poses with
his son, Blake, right, a Jaycee honoree and SMPD officer and his wife, center.
Nurses model period uniforms at the Red Cross Red Tie Affair held last month. Below,
left, Wendy Jacobs, the new CEO of the Santa Monica Chapter. More on Page 10.
Jaycees Past President, Bill Crookston,
left, sits with Judy Neveau, who won the
Janet Walther Outstanding Supporter
Award, and Alan Glick, former Jaycee.
From Me
To You...
By DianeMargolin
Mother’s Day is
the most popular
day in restaurants.
If you haven’t tried
Bru’s Wiffle, a waffle “joint,” as owner Bru describes it,
you may want to
check it out.
Everything is freshly made. Brunch,
breakfast, and lunch are served, with
sweet and savory waffles a highlight.
Bru’s is at 2408 Wilshire Blvd. Call
310-453-2787 for hours and
delicious details.
Another fun place to sit and people
watch is the lounge in the Fairmont
Miramar Hotel. You can sit outside
by the waterfall, if it is warm. The
chef has updated the menu to include
some of the items that are served at
FIG, the hotel’s main restaurant.
Portions are tempting and generous.
The Burrata Flatbread was a treat,
(Continued on Page 11)
Santa Monica Jaycees Host 83rd
Annual Awards and Installation Dinner
For Mother’s Day we asked moms and
grandmothers to pose for photos. (See
Page 6.) Above, three generations,
Ann Greenspun, her daughter, Kara
Rosenthal, and, almost ready to
make his appearance, Kara’s son.
Last month the Santa Monica Jaycees, a group of young professionals,
presented their Outstanding Young
Professional Awards at their annual
installation dinner. Honorees were
police officer Blake Cooper, fireman
Matt Norris, teacher Jayme Wold,
and law enforcement officer Jennifer
Estrada. Outstanding Community
Organization Award went to the Boys
& Girls Clubs of Santa Monica.
(More photos on Page 6.)
SMPD Officers came to salute Officer
Blake Cooper, named Outstanding
Young Police Officer.
Robert Baxter received the Bob Gabriel
Alumni Award from Bob’s daughter,
Susan Gabriel Potter.
Congratulations to Buca di Beppo Students of the
Month From The Santa Monica Police Activities League
Do You Recognize This
Neighborhood Celebrity?
(Answer on Page 11)
Take A Look Inside
Community Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Community Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Food For Thought . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Get Caught Reading. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Paws and Claws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Reflections From The East. . . . . . . . 4
Westside Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Students from the Police Activities League (PAL) were honored last month because of
outstanding service to the Santa Monica organization. From left, Karen Humphrey, PAL
supervisor; Cynthia Gonzalez, Naje Cyprian, Erica Atkins, and Maya Ruddock. Far
right, Cella Waissmann, Buca’s Assistant General Manager.
Page 2
www.thesantamonicastar.com
The Santa Monica Star
Food For Thought
Remembering My Dear Friend Ida
A few weeks ago,
a dear friend of my
family passed away
at the ripe young age
of 101. Up until the
last week of her life,
she lived alone, only
having help come in
a couple of times a
week. She was a
vibrant, competent
person who generally saw the good
side of things. In addition to her wonderful spirit and attitude, she followed
a terrific diet–one that most people
would call “clean.”
So what were her secret ingredients?
Well, she shunned processed foods.
Never was there a cereal box, a cracker
box or a candy bar in the house. There
were never canned soups, canned
beans, or canned tomatoes. Frozen
foods? No way. Meat, poultry, and
fish? Never.
Instead, there were always potatoes,
beets, turnips, okra, mushrooms,
whole grains, dried beans, dried fruit,
whole fruit, and fresh vegetables.
Brown rice and potatoes were her staples. For breakfast, she would enjoy a
baked potato smothered with avocado,
tomatoes and loads of garlic. (She
always felt one could not get enough
garlic. Sometimes, however, being in
close range to her was a bit tough.)
For lunch, she enjoyed delicious
homemade soups with every vegetable
she could get her hands on. Dinner
Adopt A Pet
was a stew, a casserole or chili, often
times smothering a baked sweet potato. Dessert would be a small piece of
dark chocolate or often times, just
some fruit.
She also used spices more frequently
than most Americans. Spices provide
us with many different antioxidants
and phytochemicals. Unfortunately, in
this country we do not consume
enough of them. She loved oregano
(a wound healer), turmeric (antiinflammatory, antioxidant, anti-carcinogen, anti-microbial), cloves (powerful cancer fighter), cinnamon (good
for blood sugar regulation) and cumin
(aids with digestion and also has cancer fighting properties).
Many people who knew Ida wanted
to emulate her. After all, it is important
to have life in your years, rather than
the other way around. I think her spirit
lives on in those who knew her, but for
those who did not, her diet is one to
live by. Here is a recipe from the
Cancer Project’s Web site that was
one of her favorites:
Sweet Potato/Lentil Stew
1 medium onion, diced
2 small tomatoes, diced
1 tsp. minced fresh ginger
1 1/2 tsps. turmeric
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. ground coriander
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. cayenne
Fine sea salt (optional)
2-3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled
and cut into 3/4” cubes
7 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 cup brown or red lentils
Directions:
Heat two tablespoons of the broth
over medium heat in a large, deep pot.
Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, for two minutes or until the
onion starts to soften. Stir in the tomatoes and ginger, and cook for three
minutes. Stir in the turmeric, cumin,
coriander, cinnamon, cayenne, and a
(Continued on Page 11)
Chef Neno Mladenovic from Dan Tana’s Hollywood restaurant spent time teaching
Boys & Girls Club members how to cook healthy food.
Photo by Tish Murry
Chef Shares Healthy Cooking Tips
With Boys & Girls Club Members
During this year’s recent Spring
break, 200 Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa
Monica members and their families
enjoyed a special treat. Head Chef
Neno Mladenovic from the historic
Hollywood restaurant, Dan Tana’s,
spent two hours with the youngsters,
teaching them basic cooking techniques and healthy habits.
Club members were given an opportunity to try out new cooking methods
and learn about healthful and delicious
food preparation. Among other things,
the lesson included a talk on food handling, hygiene, and how to make the
perfect marinara sauce with meatballs.
The afternoon was complete when
the members enjoyed a delectable
meal of pasta, bread and salad–and
a lot of laughs.
This event was part of the Club’s
Healthy Habits program, which seeks
to teach members a healthier lifestyle
including diet and exercise. A longtime
Club supporter, Chef Neno was eager
to utilize the Club’s recently refurbished kitchen and new vegetable
garden in order to teach the youngsters how fresh ingredients and
healthy meal preparation processes
can lead to better health.
Improving The Classic Grilled Cheese Sandwich
A classic grilled cheese sandwich is
one of the iconic foods of childhood.
And, while plenty of people still enjoy
a basic grilled cheese, many are looking for ways to take their favorite
sandwich from the kiddie table to the
grownup table.
Experimenting with new ingredients
can also dress up everybody’s favorite
sandwich. Create your own signature
sandwich with additions such as fresh
or sun dried tomatoes; bacon or prosciutto; avocado; fresh herbs such as
sage, basil, oregano or cilantro; pickles;
roasted red peppers; caramelized
onions; flavored cheese slices such
as Southwest Pepperjack, Smoked
Cheddar or Applewood Bacon;
cheddar; apple or pear slices; Dijon
or honey mustard; or smoked or
mesquite turkey.
You can also change things up with
different breads. Try pumpernickel,
rye, seven-grain, sourdough or English
muffin bread.
(Continued on Page 10)
Get Caught Reading!
Suggestions For Mother’s Day Reading
“Marshall"is a big, tall, glorious 80 lb.
adult German Shepherd mix. He loves to
play and has a friendly, sweet personality.
If you are interested in adopting Marshall,
please call Stacy at 310-295-8510.
The Santa Monica Star
1112 Montana Ave. #525
Santa Monica, CA 90403
©2012
310-393-2707
Web site: www.thesantamonicastar.com
Email: [email protected]
Editor and Publisher:
Diane Margolin
Editorial Assistant: Kathe Beltran
Advertising Sales: Diane Margolin
Contributing Writers: Kate Oakland,
Lisa de Vincent, Dr. Frank Lavac,
Qin Stubis, Kate Nightingall, and
Eddy Sill. Special thanks to Aimee
Handal, Steven Freedberg, and
Becky Meija.
May is a time to celebrate our mothers, and a time for our mothers to treat
themselves well. As a librarian who
firmly believes that reading is a form
of positive therapy, I suggest a few
titles for moms who want to enjoy
a little time for themselves with a
good book.
If the motherhood topic is what
you’re looking for, a great book is former Parenting magazine editor Ann
Pleshette Murphy’s, The 7 Stages of
Motherhood: Making the Most of Your
Life as a Mom. In the book, which has a
breezy, magazine article-oriented style,
the author tracks the evolution mothers go through from the birth of their
children, to schooling, to the empty
nest and beyond.
Those moms looking for a moment
to rest and relax might enjoy Thich
Nhat Hanh’s The Blooming of a Lotus:
Guided Meditation for Achieving the
Miracle of Mindfulness. A companion
volume to the same author’s The
Miracle of Mindfulness, the Lotus book
offers readers a series of guided exercises to help them relax, become more
in touch with their bodies and selves,
and cultivate compassion in their
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everyday lives.
If biographies are your cup of tea,
former beauty queen, pop star, and
now Emmy-nominated actress Vanessa
Williams, has teamed up with her own
mother, Helen Williams, to write You
Have No Idea: A Famous Daughter, Her
No-Nonsense Mother, and How They
Survived Pageants, Hollywood, Love, Loss
(And Each Other). It’s a bit of a long
title, but the book promises to be a fun
back-and-forth between two women
who’ve journeyed through motherhood together.
Finally, for those boys and men out
there who fret over having too close a
relationship with their mothers, there’s
Kate Stone Lombardi’s The Mama’s
Boy Myth. Lombardi’s book celebrates
the bonds between mothers and sons
and posits that boys who have close
relationships with their mothers end
up becoming stronger men as they
enter adulthood.
To find these titles and more, visit
your local Santa Monica Public Library
in person or online at www.smpl.org.
Robert Graves
Public Services Librarian
Santa Monica Public Library
www.thesantamonicastar.com
May 2012
Page 3
Community Service In Santa Monica
Soroptimists Score!
By Donna Bartch
John Pacheco,
the newly-retired
director from the
Santa Monica Red
Cross, was a recent
presenter at the L.A.
West–Santa Monica
Soroptimist Club. Members and guests
feasted on a Mexican meal prior to his
talk. John is a national trainer in disaster preparedness and CPR.
He received the Tiffany Award for
Excellence in Management and now
has his own consulting company.
John discussed the signs of sudden cardiac arrest, helping an individual who
is having an arrest, and recent changes
in using CPR. He suggested the use of
a difibrillator, along with additional
care for the patient.
Local resident Betty Storm is a new
member to our club. Welcome! Our
annual “Day at the Races” will be at
Hollywood Park, Sunday, June 3. The
festivities begin at 11 a.m. and continue
until the last race is over. Guests will
enjoy valet parking, the program, a
fantastic buffet, lessons on handicapping from a pro, as well as a raffle and
a picture with the winning horse and
jockey. A race is named for our SI L.A.
West–Santa Monica club. Contact
Donna below for tickets.
Soroptimists meet the first and third
Wednesdays of each month at 6 p.m.
at the Masonic Hall on Santa Monica
Blvd. The first Wednesday is a business meeting, and the third, a program
meeting. Call Donna for reservations
and membership information at 310474-8346. Check us out at our Web site
www.soroptimistlawestsantamonica.
org., or on Facebook.
Moving Ahead With The Santa Monica Bay Woman's Club
By Phyllis Morrison
The Reader’s Group
from the Santa Monica
Library presented a
very entertaining
reading of Raymond
Chandler’s Lady In The
Lake to a full house last
month. Refreshments topped off a
delightful evening. On St. Patrick’s
Day, the Club hosted the Da Camera
Society for the second time. This year’s
concert featured some old-time music.
Bruce Molsky, fiddler extraordinaire,
and Ale Moller, playing the mandola,
traced the Nordic roots of American
music. Several tunes had more than a
little “Dueling Banjos.” The Society
thoughtfully provided some appetizers, including Swedish meatballs.
The “Pass the Dish” meeting at
Becky Upchurch’s home last month
was so popular that Becky had the
meeting again. It is a wonderful
chance for women who work during
the day to meet and exchange ideas
with other members. On Monday, May
14, the Club will hold a silent auction.
Proceeds will benefit the Scholarship
Fund. We welcomed new members
Tanya Sandberg, Harriet Schultz and
Rachel Sene to our group.
The Artist’s League is back! Weekly
meetings on Tuesdays from 10 a.m.to
1 p.m. will resume. We are delighted
to announce that through funds
raised by the League, the SMBWC will
make a $2500 contribution to School
on Wheels to support their ongoing
art programs for homeless youth.
Our Club hosted the monthly meeting of the Marina District of Women’s
Clubs and, after a tasty brunch, the
reports of all the Clubs were presented.
It is amazing to hear of the many projects that these Clubs undertake. For
instance, the program to raise 100 pairs
(Continuted on Page 11)
Walk For Warriors A Family-Friendly 5K Walkathon
Honor A Warrior In Your Family!
New Directions, Inc., a nonprofit agency that
assists homeless veterans, and the West Los Angeles
Chamber of Commerce invite you to join them at the
VA campus on Memorial Day, May 28, 2012
Fun, Prizes, and More! • 8:00 a.m. 5K Run • 9 a.m. 5K Walk
For event or sponsorship information
contact Molly at 310.441.2900
VCA Wilshire Animal Hospital
2421 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica
310-828-4587
Are you as active as you would like to be?
Are you limited by pain or restriction?
Don't accept it! Give us a call today.
Dr. Brendan Murray • 310-998-5800
Institute for Spine & Sports Care • Santa Monica
Visiting the Griffith Park Observatory are from left, the wife and daughter of District
Group Study Exchange (GSE) Chair Jatinder Singh; India Team Leader, Gnan; Santa
Monica Rotarian, Monika White; Uma; Chitra; Guna; and Ganesh.
Rolling With The Santa Monica Rotary Club
By Suzan Albritton and
Monika White
For many years, the Santa Monica
Rotary Club has participated in a
Group Study Exchange (GSE) with a
Rotary Club from another part of the
world. The team comes to the United
States for a month, and four different
Rotary clubs host the group for a week
each. This year we hosted a group
from Rotary International District
3230 from Chennai, India.
During their stay in Santa Monica,
the incoming team from India experienced lifestyles and family culture
through home-stays with Rotarians
and their families. The group consisted
of team leader, Gnanaprakasam
“Gnan” Gnanavelan, apartment
builder; Chitra Priya Rajalingam,
professional motorcycle racer
and events/media coordinator;
Umamaheswari "Uma" Thirupath,
professor, management studies;
Gunasekaran "Guna" Muniachetty,
senior newspaper special correspondent; and Ganesh Velayutham, graphic
design-management business.
Each day, team members and their
hosts gathered at Rotarian Jim Reidy’s
home for coffee before being picked up
for the day’s activities. Hosts returned
their guests in the evening, giving
everyone a chance to mingle and talk
about the events of the day.
The goal was to provide the incoming team with an exciting, memorable
and meaningful vocational and cultural experience centered in Santa Monica.
(Continued on Page 5)
Roars From The Santa Monica Lions
By J. Kingsley Fife
We recently held
our annual elections
and the results were
unanimous. Lion
Carol Emmitt was reelected President for
a second term. First
Vice President–Linda Levee; Second
Vice President–Pam Andrews; Treasurer–Susan DeRemer; and Secretary–
Mary Chiu. Two offices unique to us
Lions are Tail Twister (collects the
fines)–Manuela Selles, and Lion Tamer
(the official greeter who leads the Lion
roars)–Arnie Levee.
Our installation dinner for new officers will be in mid-June, just before
the Lions International Convention,
which is in Busan (Pusan), Korea.
Our Club representatives to the convention this year are V.P. Linda and
Arnie Levee. The convention should be
a very interesting one. Busan is known
to be an extremely fascinating city on
the Southern coast of Korea.
The Keynote Speaker is Dr. Margaret
Chan, Director-General of the World
Health Organization (WHO). Our
international conventions have a long
tradition of featuring prominent, relevant keynote speakers.
Last year we had Condolezza Rice.
It would be important to note that in
1925, our keynote speaker was the legendary Helen Keller, who challenged
us to "Become knights of the blind in
the crusade against darkness." Thus
began the Lions primary goal of helping visually-impaired people around
the world.
Our new webmaster, Lion Susan
DeRemer, has redesigned our Web
site, santamonicaCA.lionwap.org/and
through her efforts, we've also joined
Facebook. Please visit our site and see
us there. If you desire further information, please contact me at 310-454-2960.
Page 4
www.thesantamonicastar.com
The Santa Monica Star
Discovering The Joys of International Travel
Story and photos by Eddy Sill
There is nothing quite as exciting as
taking an international trip. It is one
of life’s most enlightening experiences.
Excitement was our feeling as my wife
and I embarked last month on a one
week journey to Dublin, Ireland and
Paris, France.
Don't let anyone tell you that a trip
to Europe is not worth it unless it lasts
at least two to three weeks. If you plan
your trip correctly, you can get more
done in a week in Europe than one
can imagine. Pack light, and plan
thoroughly.
We began our trip on a United flight
from LAX on a Wednesday morning,
and flew to Newark, NJ. After a two
hour layover, we boarded another
United flight for a five-and-a-half hour
trip to Dublin. We arrived in Dublin at
7 a.m., which is a rather tough time to
check into a hotel.
Brooks Hotel
However, we took the AirCoach bus
into Dublin (an interesting half-hour
ride through the suburbs to the city
centre), to Dublin's Trinity College.
We planned in advance, with Google
maps, how to walk the last few blocks
to the Brooks Hotel on Drury Street.
We were at least two hours ahead of
check-in time, but the staff allowed us
An Irish breakfast consists of eggs,
sausage, black pudding, and salmon.
to immediately get into our room.
One can't say enough about the
Brooks Hotel. It is a wonderful place
to stay in the middle of Dublin. It is
spotlessly clean, with beautifully
designed rooms. Hotel rooms in
Europe are very small, but this hotel
has rooms that are larger than most,
and extremely comfortable.
St. Stephen’s Green, one of
Dublin’s large parks
After napping for a couple of hours,
we were ready to check out this lovely
city by early afternoon. We walked
through the old streets of Dublin to
nearby Grafton Street (Dublin's largest
shopping area), and made our way to
one of the city’s oldest pubs called The
Staggs Head. This wonderful pub
(Continued on Page 5)
Reflections From The East
Will Health Education Make Healthier Kids?
By Qin Sun Stubis
Children these
days receive a lot of
education on physical and mental
health, especially
during their middle
and high school
years. In fact, I often see more required
courses on health-related topics than
those on the arts or foreign languages.
Subjects range from the food pyramid
to understanding the body, family
planning to peer pressure, or teen
smoking to drug abuse prevention.
Nevertheless, they are designed to
support one strong purpose: To help
our kids understand their physical
development and warn them of potential hazards in life. We want them to
grow to be strong and confident.
If adequate health education can
serve as a sort of inoculation against
bad habits, it seems that our kids
should become robust teenagers, well
on their way to successful adulthoods.
And, having been taught how to avoid
unhealthy practices and say “no” to
alluring but harmful addictions, they
should be smarter about their lives and
develop fewer teen-related problems
than we did when we were their age.
Take me as an example. While growing up in Shanghai, China, I was given
very little health-related information,
so little that I once believed children
could be “planted” and “grown” in
large rocks. Many boys around me
watched their fathers chain-smoke and
couldn’t wait to grow up to try their
first puff. Food was often scarce and
a thin child was considered “sickly,”
while a fat child was often praised as
cute and healthy.
When my children entered their
teens a few years back, I was pleased
that their schools were teaching them
everything vital to their physical and
mental development, including those
“awkward” topics that I didn’t want to
explain myself. At the same time, I also
couldn’t help but notice that in spite
of all this health education, many
teenagers still chose to do what
teenagers normally do–be rebellious
and indulgent, tempting themselves
with the very “forbidden fruit” they
were warned about. As a result, teen
pregnancy, obesity, smoking, drinking,
drug abuse, and gang violence are
still widespread.
For one reason or another, many of
our youngsters fail to see the relevance
of the health education they receive to
their own lives. Smoking, for instance,
is regarded as “cool” and socially necessary by many teens, though health
(Continued on Page 5)
May 2012
Page 5
www.thesantamonicastar.com
Reflections
From The East
(Continued from Page 4)
classes have taught them otherwise.
While living in Great Neck, New York,
I often observed clusters of high school
seniors gathered outside the school
gates, smoking and socializing during
their recess time. It may be puzzling to
many. Is our health curriculum that
ineffective?
To understand a teen’s mind, we
need to go back a few decades and relive the time when we were teens. We
need to look into the very nature of
puberty, to understand what our children are going through, and how they
test the limits of their minds and bodies. Teenagers are rebellious by nature.
They don’t consider themselves children anymore, always on the receiving
end and listening to orders all the time.
Teens are often overconfident, daredevils armored with invincibility. What
they love most is to tempt fate without
thinking about consequences. Telling
them that something is not good for
them will not stop them from trying it.
It should also be noted that health
education can’t just consist of classes in
school. The home is often where teens
learn real-life lessons. Role-modeling
and open communications within the
family are essential to affect our children’s behaviors. Help them understand your own life and show them
how you make important decisions. If
you’re a smoker, for instance, you may
want your children to get involved in
your quitting, providing a precious
real-life example on how to be courageous and fight an addiction.
We don’t want to become disappointed and disgruntled parents who are
always unhappy about everything our
kids do. In the end, it will cost our kids
their happy memories of growing up
and our relationship with them.
Always remember, understanding
our children is just as important–if not
more so–as educating them.
You can always reach me
at [email protected].
Discovering The Joys
Temple Bar
with its original, old Irish decor, and
bartenders with a great sense of
humor, used to be frequented by the
writer, James Joyce. We proceeded to
enjoy our first Guinness in the city
where it is brewed.
In Ireland, it takes three minutes for
a Guinness to be poured, and a few
more minutes for it to sit before serving. Just imagine the creamy, hoppy
taste of this famous beer.
In the evening we set out on foot
(everything is very close in Dublin) to
the historic Temple Bar area. At the
actual Temple Bar, we listened to live
Irish music, while dining on trout and
salmon, a turkey and ham sandwich
plate, and all the extras such as capers,
(Continued from Page 4)
tomatoes, and a fresh Irish salad. We
got our first taste of a real Irish Coffee,
complete with a clover etched into the
top cream with chocolate sprinkles.
The Temple Bar area has restaurants
and shops that maintain the original
cobblestone streets of Dublin. One
never walks more than a few feet
before you hear the sound of live,
authentic Irish music. Dublin is truly
the home of some magnificent musicians that are excellent guitar, banjo,
and mandolin players.
On Friday morning, we strolled to
O'Neills Pub for a real Irish breakfast
that included eggs, sausage, black pudding (which is actually blood sausage),
tomatoes, and hot Irish tea. From there,
we were off on another long walk
through the streets of this proud city
that included a stroll by Dublin Castle,
Christ Church, and our destination of
the Guinness Brewery and Storehouse.
The Guinness tour is a must-see
event, as it takes you through the life
of Arthur Guinness. In 1752, Guinness's godfather bequeathed him £100
in his will. Guinness invested the
money, and in 1755 had a brewery at
Lexilip, just 17km from Dublin.
In 1759, Guinness went to the city
to set up his own business. He took
a 9,000-year lease on the four-acre
brewery at St. James's Gate from Sir
Mark Rainsford for an annual rent of
£45. The tour concludes on the seventh
floor of the Gravity Bar that gives a
360 degree view of the city of Dublin,
and includes a free Guinness for all
participating on the tour. More memories next month....
Rolling With The Santa
Monica Rotary Club
(Continued from Page 3)
Santa Monica Rotary Club members
with similar vocations were matched
to the GSE team so they could be
exposed to their profession and/or
passion here.
The team also enjoyed the many
unique features of Santa Monica, such
as The Santa Monica Pier, Muscle
Beach, the Third Street Promenade,
and the Santa Monica History
Museum. Delivering Meals on Wheels
gave them insight into the lives of
homebound residents. They also visited the Santa Monica Airport Museum
of Flying, where the designer of the
exhibit, a Rotarian, personally escorted
the group through the exhibit and
the museum.
The incoming team members spoke
excellent English, and we were able to
learn about them, their families, their
work, and some of the traditions and
cultural norms in their part of India.
The Team Leader also told us about
the activities of his Rotary Club. The
visitors greatly appreciated our hospitality and activities, and they told us
repeatedly that their week in Santa
Monica far exceeded anything they
had anticipated.
Kathe Beltran
Subscribe To
The Santa Monica Star
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The Santa Monica Star
1112 Montana Ave. #525
Santa Monica, CA 90403
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May/12
Page 6
The Santa Monica Star
www.thesantamonicastar.com
Saluting Stylish Mothers On Mother’s Day
Santa Monica Jaycees
Host 83rd Annual Awards
(Continued from Page 1)
Jaycees member Cynthia Bomaster, left,
with Carrie Spencer, past President
of the club, and now Vice-President of
membership for the California Jaycees.
In honor of Mother’s Day, we asked some local moms
and grandmothers to meet at Three Bags Full, a
sweater store on Montana Ave., to try on a variety
of hand-crafted sweaters.
From left, Jane Wall, Kathe Beltran and Carolyn
McWilliams, Ann Greenspun and “Tish “Tisherman,
and right, Kathe and Jane.
Retiring SMPD Chief Tim Jackman Says Farewell to Local Friends
Robert Almada, Eric Jorgensborg, and
Retiring SMPD Chief, Tim Jackman, at
a March dinner in his honor.
Msgr. Lloyd Torgerson, Spyros, SMFD
Chief Scott and Maria Ferguson came to
wish Tim well in his new ventures.
Retiring SMPD Chief Tim Jackman with
Dick Lawrence at Tim’s Dinner.
Photos by Iao Katagiri
SMFD staff came to support Matt
Norris, far right, as the Outstanding
Young Fireman.
Also at the Jaycees dinner were, from left,
Susan Gabriel Potter, City Manager Rod
Gould, Eddie and Evelyn Guerboian.
May 2012
www.thesantamonicastar.com
Page 7
Jacqueline Seabrooks Returns To Lead Santa Monica Police Department
Former Inglewood Police Chief
Jacqueline Seabrooks has been tapped
to lead the Santa Monica Police
Department (SMPD). Seabrooks, a
25-year veteran of the SMPD, and
Inglewood chief for the past four and
one-half years, was chosen after a three
month, nationwide search. Pending
finalizing the hiring process, she will
take charge of the Santa Monica Police
Department this month.
With extensive experience in both
field operations and administration,
Seabrooks has covered the spectrum
of public safety posts from traffic safety to tactical commander, and information technology to department collaboration with community partners. She
has a strong track record in leadership,
fiscal management, and skill training
initiatives.
Chief Seabrooks has deep ties to the
community and members of the organization, and will be very active and
highly engaged with both. Her integrity, leadership, and judgment have been
validated consistently over her nearly
30 years in law enforcement.
Welcome back!
Page 8
www.thesantamonicastar.com
Ask The
Style Expert
Dear Style Expert:
Q: I’m planning to get my mom an
extra special gift this Mother’s Day.
What do you suggest?
--Hillary
A: A great way to treat your mom to
something special, and to also help the
greater good, is with a “gift that gives
back.” Luckily for you, it’s easier than
ever this Mother’s Day at Bloomingdale’s! We’re thrilled to support the
Joyful Heart Foundation, a charity
founded by celebrity mom Mariska
Hargitay, by offering a variety of musthave gifts that give back to this wonderful organization.
In case you’re not familiar with it,
the mission of the Joyful Heart
Foundation is to heal, educate and
empower survivors of sexual assault,
domestic violence, and child abuse,
and to shed light into the darkness
that surrounds these issues.
One gift that mom is sure to love is
the crystal and resin necklace by Aqua,
available exclusively at Bloomingdale’s
and bloomingdales.com. It comes in
coral, turquoise, and light pink. The
necklace retails for $80, and $8 from
the sale of each necklace goes to the
Joyful Heart Foundation during the
month of May, 2012.
If mom is a lover of “jeans and a
tee,” spoil her with a tee from Michael
Stars. The tee retails for $54, with 10%
of the sale of any Michael Stars tee
going to the cause during the month
of May, both in-store, and at bloomingdales.com. One of these fabulous gifts
for mom will show how much you
care, not only on her special day, but
it will also make her proud that she
raised a son/daughter who likes to
give back to charity!
Boomers and Beyond: What’s New in Exciting Products and Services
What if there was a place where we
could go for help and ideas to solve
the problems that come up as we get
older? The Boomers and Beyond
Action Expo was created by WISE &
Healthy Aging, with the support of the
City of Santa Monica, as a showcase
for services and products that have
evolved to help Boomers–and their
friends and children. Best of all, it is
free to attendees.
The Expo will be held during Older
Americans Month on Wednesday, May
23 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. The idea for the Boomers and
City of Santa Monica
Launches Mobile
Edition of SMGov.net
The City of Santa Monica has
launched a mobile-friendly version of
its Web site designed for users on-thego. Smartphones and other mobile
devices can access the website through
the same URL as the city homepage at
www.smgov.net. Mobile users will
automatically be routed to the mobile
site at smgov.net.
The new mobile site makes the
city’s online services more accessible
to a growing percentage of users who
surf the Internet on mobile devices.
Real-time parking and beach maps
and Big Blue Bus route information
are designed to help users get around
town. Users will also find the latest
city news and events, a directory
of city services and facilities, and
links to the city’s many social
media channels.
The mobile edition of smgov.net is
the city’s latest offering for mobile
devices. Mobile users can also download the GO SMGov Customer Service
mobile app, available from iTunes or
the Android market. To download the
GO app, customers can visit the new
mobile site or go to smgov.net/go
for the links.
Anne Keating, Bloomingdale’s Senior Vice
President of Public Relations, Special
Events and Corporate Philanthropy
Aqua Necklace
in turquoise, pink
and coral - $80
The Santa Monica Star
Michael Stars
Tees - $54
Rotary Club of Santa Monica
Service Above Self
Rotarians follow The Four-Way Test
from Rotary International of the things we think, say or do
First - Is it the TRUTH?
Second - Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Third - Will it build GOOD WILL and
BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Fourth - Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
For more information, visit our Web site at
www.RotaryClubof SantaMonica.org
Sponsored by Quigley and Miron, CPAs
Beyond Action Expo sprang from the
need for a repository for information
that could be tapped for referrals.
According to Director of Communications, Barbara Fier from the nonprofit WISE & Healthy Aging, “We
respond to calls and people coming
in asking for help every day at our
offices. This Expo shows people what
is available and can help them find
resources and take action before their
issues become critical.”
Participants in the Expo include area
nonprofits, government agencies and
companies that focus on supporting
older adults. These include health,
legal, financial, and a variety of other
areas. Someone who is uncertain about
the need for financial planning can
talk to experts about how to resolve
their problems and find solutions.
Those with legal concerns will find
experienced lawyers who can provide
appropriate guidance.
Health, exercise, and nutrition are
areas where research has shown how
specific practices can improve physical
and mental strength, balance and wellbeing. Expo attendees can find information on how to maintain or improve
their quality of life as they get older,
find resources for staying active, and
how to support their independence.
Last year the nation’s 78 million
baby boomers began turning 65. At
the Boomers and Beyond Action Expo,
they and their families can find the
information and resources to give
them peace of mind.
The Boomers and Beyond Expo
will be held on Wednesday, May 23
from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Santa
Monica Civic Auditorium. Register to
attend the free Expo now by calling
310-394-9871.
Finding Resources For
Special Needs Youngsters
By Steven P. Beltran
This is the first of three articles dealing with special needs resources, from
new-born to adulthood. In this section
we begin with newborn through preschool age.
For parents who suspect their child
may have special needs, there are a
myriad of questions. The first one is,
“Where to start?” New parents will
have likely been given suggestions and
reassurances from their doctor, nurses,
and friends, and truly, parents need to
wait in many cases to see what developmental limitations their new baby
may demonstrate. But, it is never too
early to start with intervention efforts.
The best and easiest place to start
is with your local Regional Center.
Regional Centers are 21 state-wide
non-profit private corporations which
provide free diagnosis services for people with developmental disabilities
throughout California. Santa Monica
residents are served by the Westside
Regional Center, located in Culver
City. You may call 310-258-4000 and
ask for Intake and Assessments. They
will guide you through the process of
diagnosis and can refer you to the
many services available in our area.
You may also contact the Autism
Society, 562-804-5556, at autismla.org;
the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute
310-794- 7172, or ask your pediatrician
for a referral to a pediatric neurologist.
Steven P. Beltran is a special needs
and probate attorney in Beverly Hills.
He may be contacted at 323-935-5795.
Or email: [email protected],
or www.stevenpbeltranlaw.com.
May 2012
Community Calendar
By Lisa de Vincent
• Saturday, May 5 - Time to Play Reclaim your inner playfulness and
imagination in a safe environment
with Sharon Madden. 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Virginia Ave. Park, 2200 Virginia Ave.,
To pre-enroll, call 310-452-1439.
• Saturday, May 5 - Preschool Fun
Festival - Have fun and learn all about
preschool, community agencies, health
resources, building a garden and so
much more. Children will be able to
partake in singing, dancing, face-painting, and health screenings. 10 a.m.1 p.m. 734 Pine St. and Lincoln.
310-399-5865.
• Monday, May 7 through Sunday,
May 13 - Celebrate Children’s Book
Week at the Santa Monica Public
Library - 601 Santa Monica Blvd.
For details, 310-458-8620.
• Wednesday, May 9 - RAnswers - Dr.
Orrin Troum, MD Rheumatologist will
discuss the signs and symptoms of RA
(Rheumatoid Arthritis) and some of
the challenges of living with the disease. 12:30-1:30 p.m. S.M. Family
YMCA, 1332 6th St. 310-393-2721. Free.
• Thursday, May 10 - Sing-along with
pianist Shirley Bianco. 12:15-1 p.m.
SM Family YMCA. 310-393-2721.
• Thursday, May 10 - Shoulder and
Knee Injuries - UCLA orthopedic surgeon Frank Petrigliano, M.D., will discuss common knee and shoulder conditions in the adult athlete, preventative care, physical therapy, and medical
management when returning to sport
and physical activity. 6:30-8 p.m. Santa
Monica Family YMCA.
• Saturdays and Sundays, May 12
through May 27 - How I Became A
Pirate - These aren’t your average
pirates. There’s the meanest pirate on
the seven seas–actually, a sensitive guy
who likes ballet and is a member of
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www.thesantamonicastar.com
Mensa. 11 a.m. Morgan-Wixson
Theatre, 2627 Pico Blvd. at 27th St.
310-828-7519.
• Saturday, May 12 - Printed Stories
For Mother’s Day - A Craftlab
Workshop - Join artist Leslie K. Gray
to make cards and stories for your
mother. Leslie will share her book, The
Pink Dress, which tells the story of her
mother’s teenage years, and then teach
you how to make stamps and printed
images that show how special your
mother is to you. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Craft
and Folk Art Museum, 5814 Wilshire
Blvd. 323-937-4230. [email protected].
• Sunday, May 13 - Happy
Mother’s Day.
• Tuesday, May 15 - The Merits - Join
the Santa Monica Emeritus College
group as they sing a variety of songs
from the Great American Songbook,
showtunes, rhythm and blues, and
more. Directed by William Bryant.
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. YMCA.
• Wednesday, May 16 - The
SilverSneakers® Fitness Program is
an innovative health, exercise, and
wellness program helping older adults
live healthy, active lifestyles.
11 a.m.-noon. YMCA.
• Wednesday, May 16 - Sleep Well
Tonight - If you are having problems
falling asleep or staying asleep
throughout the night, this is the
workshop for you. You will learn
about sleep patterns, what is causing
insomnia, and how to train your mind
to sleep better so you can get up
Deadline for the
Community Calendar
is the 10th of the
month before
the event.
feeling refreshed. Certified Hypnotherapist, Michal Caspi. 12:30-2 p.m.
YMCA. 310-393-2721.
• Thursday, May 17 - Fall Prevention 12:30-1:30 p.m. YMCA.
• Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May
19 - Global Motion World Dance
Company presents Olakino, a world
dance performance company composed of SMC students. 7:30 p.m.
The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St.
310-434-3467.
• Saturday, May 19 - 21st Annual
Santa Monica Festival - Featuring an
eclectic mix of live music and dance,
food, workshops, local artists, community resources and more. 11 a.m.6 p.m. Clover Park, 2600 Ocean
Park Blvd.
• Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May
20 - California Strawberry Festival 250+ arts and crafts exhibits, celebrity
chef demonstrations, incredible food,
and yummy delicacies like strawberry
pizza, deep-fried strawberries, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and even
strawberry beer. 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Strawberry Meadows of College Park,
3250 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard.
888-288-9242.
•Friday, May 25 - An Opera Sampler,
7:30 p.m. Corpus Christi Church,
Pacific Palisades. Contact Savi
Labensart at 818-943-3150.
• Monday, May 28 - Memorial Day Honor those who have given their
lives for our country. 8 a.m.-7 p.m. L.A.
National Cemetery, 950 S. Sepulveda
Blvd. 310-268-4675 or 4494.
Please send photos of dads
and granddads with their
children for our June issue.
Email to
[email protected].
Update On Santa
Monica Schools
By Sandra Lyon
With our sucessful Stairway to the
Stars event just
over (held in
March), and last
month’s column
featuring two of
our talented musical directors,
b (Choral Director
Jeffe Huls and Director of Instrumental
Music at John Adams Middle School,
Angela Woo), it seems appropriate to
keep the theme on music this month,
and to highlight one of our extraordinary students: Niall Ferguson.
You might have heard about Niall.
He’s been featured recently in the L.A.
Times, NBC News, and our local Santa
Monica papers, to name a few. His
claim to fame? Niall was given a spot
as one of 110 cellists who performed at
the inaugural Piatigorsky International
Cello Festival, held in March. The festival, a 10-day affair, was designed to
honor Gregor Piatigorsky, one of the
world’s great cellists and a music
teacher at USC from 1949 until he
died in 1976.
The festival had an international
focus and included cellists from all
continents, except Antarctica. It took
three years to plan the event, which
was a collaborative effort between
the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra,
The USC Thornton School of Music,
and the Colburn School.
Niall also was chosen via an unusual
audition method: a YouTube video.
About 30 students applied via YouTube
and 22, including Niall, were selected.
As the culminating event of the festi(Continued on Page 11)
.
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www.thesantamonicastar.com
Popular Red Tie Affair Raises Fund (Continued from Page 1)
Hannah Hartnell, left, dress designer and
Santa Monica Red Cross Board member,
with Marcia Caldirola of the Santa
Monica Red Cross.
Santa Monica Red Cross Board members
Paul Hynek and Ann Greenspun met at
the 2012 Red Tie Affair.
Above, Dr. and Mrs. Bernie Harris. Dr.
Harris is on the Santa Monica Red Cross
Board of Directors.
SMPD Canine Officer Bobby Villegas
walks the red carpet with his partner
Nero, who is wearing a red scarf.
Red Cross Board member, Karen "Doc"
Halligan with Kinky, the cat. Karen
is also Director of Veterinary Services
at the Society for Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals Los Angeles (SPCA).
The Santa Monica Chapter of the
American Red Cross hosts an eagerly
anticipated annual Red Tie Affair.
Last month awards were presented
to Jamie Lee Curtis, Denis Leary, JR
Martinez, and Dr. Timothy Miller.
Gail McGovern, CEO of the National
American Red Cross came to the event.
Close to 500 people attended the dinner, which was held at the Fairmont
Miramar Hotel.
All photos are by Bill Bauer, Santa
Monica Red Cross.
YWCA Girls View Screening and Then Discuss Film, Miss Representation
Following its premiere at the 2011
Sundance Film Festival, the documentary feature film Miss Representation (a
Girls’ Club Entertainment production)
is being widely screened at schools,
universities, corporations, government
institutions, community organizations,
and film festivals. This Spring, a community screening took place at the
YWCA Santa Monica /Westside to a
standing room only auditorium.
Improving The Classic
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
(Continued from Page 2)
To find more deliciously cheesy
recipes you can feel good about
sharing with your family, visit
www.FriendsofElsie.com.
--Family Features
Hosted by Veronica Castro Sabbaghi,
Director of Youth Development at the
YWCA, the audience was comprised of
middle and high school girls from the
YWCA’s Girl Central program, their
mothers, and members of the local
community. Girl Central is an individualized program for middle and high
school girls, providing them with the
skills and tools to help them grow
into strong, confident, and welladjusted teenagers.
A trio of relevant community organizations whose combined message
revolves around the empowerment of
women sponsored the screening.
These entities are the YWCA Santa
Monica /Westside, Broad Topics Radio
and TV, and The Commission on the
Status of Women.
Written and directed by Jennifer
Siebel Newsom, Miss Representation
exposes how mainstream media contributes to the under-representation
of women in positions of power and
influence in America. The film challenges the media's limited and often
disparaging portrayals of women
and girls, which make it difficult for
women to achieve leadership positions, and for the average woman to
feel powerful herself.
Jeffrey L. Condon
Condon & Condon
Attorney and Author of
“The Best Estate Planning Book in America”
--The Wall Street Journal
• Wills and Living Trusts • Probate/Trust Administration
• Trust/Probate Litigation • Conservatorships-Estate Tax Planning
310-393-0701
[email protected]
www.condonandcondon.net
Miss Representation includes stories
from teenage girls and provocative
interviews with politicians, journalists,
entertainers, activists, and academicians such as Condoleezza Rice, Lisa
Ling, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric,
Rachel Maddow, Rosario Dawson,
Jackson Katz, Jean Kilbourne, and
Gloria Steinem. The film offers startling facts and statistics that will leave
audiences surprised and armed
with a new perspective.
In a society where media is the most
persuasive force shaping cultural
norms, the collective message that our
young women and men overwhelmingly receive is that a woman’s value
and power lie in her youth, beauty,
and sexuality--and not in her capacity
as a leader. While women have made
strides in leadership over the past few
decades, the U.S. is 90th in the world.
In terms of women in national legislatures, women hold only 3% of clout
positions in mainstream media, and
65% of women and girls have an
eating disorder.
Immediately following the screening, there was a panel discussion led
by Laura Nickerson, creator and host
of Broad Topics Radio and TV, directed
at seven young women from the
YWCA’s Girls Central program. “The
(Continued on Page 12)
The Santa Monica Star
Paws and Claws
Dr. Frank Lavac
By Frank Lavac
MS, DVM, ABVP-Avian
VCA Wilshire Animal Hospital
Q: My cat is hyperthyroid (Elevated
thyroid) and is loosing weight
quickly. What are my options
for treatment?
A: Hyperthyroidism is a common elderly cat disease. A complete blood
panel and urine test should be performed prior to any treatment.
Additionally, a chest X-ray and blood
pressure will help get a complete profile of the health status of your pet.
Elderly cats may also have impaired
kidney function. Treating hyperthyroidism requires close attention to
kidney function, both before and
during treatment.
Common treatments include surgery,
radioactive iodine (RI) or an oral medicine, methimazole. Surgery is rarely
performed currently because the other
treatment options are much safer.
RI may scare off some clients but is
often the most effective and easiest
long term treatment. With RI, there
are several treatment centers in
Southern California that will treat the
cat and release him usually in three
to five days. No further treatment
is required.
Oral medication using methimazole
is less expensive in the short term but
usually requires a pill twice daily for
the cat's lifetime. Sometimes this frequent medicating can set up an adversarial relationship between the cat and
the owner. Some cats can also be treated with a specially compounded form
of the oral medication. This is applied
to the inside of the ear to enhance the
drugs absorption through the skin.
Happy May Birthday To
Evelyn Winkler, Elaine Greene,
Donn Umber, Theodore Bikel,
David Beckham, Tom Bergeron,
George Clooney, and
Candice Bergen
May 2012
www.thesantamonicastar.com
Welcome To The Westside Directory
New to the Westside? Need some
help in finding a merchant who will
understand your particular needs?
Here are some business owners who
take pride in their work, and who
look forward to meeting you. --D.M.
• Children’s Programs
Boys & Girls Club
of Santa Monica
leagues, specialized classes, and
ongoing instruction.
• Home Appliances
Carlson’s
1342 Fifth St., Santa Monica
Santa Monica Brakes
Serving Westside residents since 1937.
Offering the best customer service
around.
310-394-2076
The Club offers a variety of programs
for children, 7 to 18-years-old, in the
arts, athletics, education, leadership
development and career preparation,
social recreation, and technology.
Programs offered include drop-in
activities, special group clubs, sports
• Kitchen and
Laundry Appliances
Barrett’s Appliances
2723 Lincoln Blvd., S.M.
310-392-4108
Wide range of choices from Viking to
Frigidaire. Only dealer on Westside to
have appliance servicemen on staff for
The Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club
(Continued from Page 3)
Answer to
Neighborhood
Celebrity
(Continued from Page 1)
• Mechanic
310-393-0131
1238 Lincoln Blvd., S.M.
310-393-9629
customers. Knowledgeable sales staff
will work with you to find an appliance
that fits your needs, budget and
lifestyle.
Page 11
911 Santa Monica Blvd., S.M.
Owner George is a magician when it
comes to diagnosing car problems.
• Printing
One-Stop Print Shop
2717 Wilshire Blvd., S.M.
310-453-7559
Since 1977, they have specialized in
one/two-color offset printing, photo
and digital copying, social announcements, holiday cards, stationery
ensembles and business packages.
Now, you can also order personalized
gifts, awards, and decor, such as
mousepads, paperweights, name
badges, travel mugs, bag tags,
and more. Call for details.
The Santa Monica Star
Shares Memories
Richard Bloom is our Santa Monica mayor
who has a rich history in public service.
Currently he is a candidate for the
California State Assembly.
From Me To You (Continued from Page 1)
Having a bit of dinner at Santa Monica Place were Woman’s Club members, from left,
Rachel Broome, Edith Schidel, Haidy McHugh, Phyllis Morrison, and Puck Leeser.
of socks for foster children took in
double that amount. An art competition for school children closed the
meeting. It is amazing, again, to see
the talent these young people have.
Save the Date: June 28, at 7 p.m. Our
Santa Monica Bay History committee
will continue our local history programs with a lecture entitled “Birds of
Ballona Creek.” Local photographer
and journalist, Bill Beebe, will present
his prints of La Ballona. Beebe was
head photographer for the Santa
Monica Outlook and is famous for his
Life magazine photos. We will also
have a speaker from the Friends of
Ballona Wetlands.
We welcome back our President
Darlene Bahr, who was on a welldeserved vacation!
Update On Santa
Monica Schools
(Continued from Page 9)
Remembering My
Dear Friend Ida
(Continued from Page 2)
small pinch of salt, if using. Cook and
stir for two minutes, then taste for seasonings. Try to use only enough salt to
heighten the flavors.
Add the sweet potatoes, broth, and
lentils. Stir well, and bring to a boil
over high heat. When the mixture
comes to a boil, reduce the heat, cover,
and simmer for 40 minutes, or until the
lentils and sweet potatoes are soft.
Kate Oakland, MS
Health & Nutrition Consultant
http://www.pcrm.org/
www.cancerproject.org
val, Niall and his fellow cellists had the
honor of performing at the celebrated
Walt Disney Concert Hall. Niall was
also selected this year as a member of
the 2012 All State Orchestra. He was
joined there by other Samohi musicians who were chosen for the honor:
Bass–Rocco Campagna, Tess Coutts
and Yekun Ding; Cello–Niall Ferguson
and Joseph Riskhik; Trumpet–Eli
Brown; Violin–Aaron Tsai and
Erin Wells; Violin II–Harry Rayner;
Viola–Silvana Ferrain, Sydney
Howard, and Caitlin Smith.
Congrats to Niall and all of our
wonderful SMMUSD musicians!
Sandra Lyon is the Superintendent
of the Santa Monica-Malibu
School District
as were the fish tacos. The very large
juicy American burger with the best
French fries, was enough for two.
Desserts are always divine at the
hotel. The apple pie, which was a mini
round pie filled with tasty apples and
covered with a thick crumbly crust,
was also wonderful. The homemade
vanilla ice cream served with the pie
was the perfect accompaniment. Other
desserts include chocolate pudding
and sugar dusted donuts. Yummy!
There are so many local stores to visit
when shopping for a gift for mom.
Paula’s Pure Sense is at 729 Montana,
#2, is one to go to especially because
of Paula. She custom blends oils and
soaps for bath and body. One of my
favorites is soap in the shape of a frosted cupcake. If you tell her what you
want, she will work within your budget. She gift wraps and has beautiful
baskets on display. She is pleasant,
friendly, and very eager to be sure you
are happy with your selection.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Page 12
YWCA Girls View Screening And Then Discuss Film
young women delivered a powerful
message of shared struggles, and suggested means to mend them for future
generations of young women. I was
equally devastated and hopeful for
them, and was proud to have given
The Santa Monica Star
www.thesantamonicastar.com
them an opportunity to have their very
relevant voices heard,” says Laura.
Veronica Castro Sabbaghi added,
“We wanted to help women of all ages
filter through the conflicting messages
they receive in the media about the
(Continued from Page 10)
way they look, how pretty they are,
what they should eat, and how they
should behave. This is especially
important for young girls to learn
because getting caught up in the things
they see on TV and magazines can lead
to a girl being vulnerable on the Internet and in daily life. This evening was
a true media reality check.”