Captain Kilowatt

When you do something considered dangerous for a living, people tend to give you odd names to describe their point of view. Keith Kent would be one of those examples. He is a lightning photographer.

The term Storm Chaser has been used for photographers interested in tornados and even hurricanes because of the fascinating images that nature serves up under these adverse conditions. Their labours are prized by hundreds of publications not just because the pictures are intriguing but because they are unrepeatable. One also does not get the chance to really look long and hard at such disasters to learn or even emotionally digest the occurrences - much better to see the thing printed on paper than be at its mercy…

Lightning is a little different. It too is fleeting and dangerous. The difference is knowledge and predictability. There is not predictable pattern to tornados or hurricanes. But lightning has the 1001, 1002 going for it. Under the right conditions and armed with information one can somewhat predict when lightning will strike; sadly, however, not where. For the lightning photographer it takes intuition.

Keith has a few techniques up his sleeve that help him get amazing shots of lightning. He will set up multiple cameras on tripods and set the shutters to various speeds. He sometimes used a metronome to help him keep timing accurate while he either opens or closes a shutter. Occasionally several strikes will be caught in a single image. Sometimes a beautiful strike will be captures by only one camera and it will be too far to the side to be effective for Keith’s agents. But that is the nature of the job.

The other main problem of the lightning photographer is the actual storm. They are not daily, weekly or even monthly occurrences. The best are in parts of the country that have few, poop or no roads to access. Mr. Kent’s favourite area for breathtaking strikes is Tucson, Arizona. There three mountainous regions focus warm air into a central column often creating thunderheads – the birthplace of lightning. When a bolt manifests the distance between ground and cloud it makes for a superior visual impact. It can be referred to as Tall Sky.

And sky is what Keith likes best. He is a pilot. His favourite sport is Ultralight flight. He has made several of these craft himself, redesigning existing designs to fit his needs. He often mounts a video camera onboard so he can share the experience with others. His website (www.thinkultralight.com) is being redesigned so he can spread the excitement of Ultralight flight.

And if that wasn’t satisfying enough he has over 1000 parachute jumps… but that’s another story.

BuzzNet Tags: Valmonte Living Magazine ~ July Issue,lightning photographer,Ultralights,thinkultralight,Captain Kilowatt,Niki Chanel

Destination Women

It takes a village… and two women to create a special place where women join together to help each other! The village is "Hillside Village", at the intersection of Via Valmonte and Hawthorne Blvd. in Torrance. The two women are June Grossberg, owner of Concepts in Yarn & Needlepoint and Loretta Pierce, CEO & President of Master Design Clothing. The place is Destination Women boutique, a charming store with a whimsical theme filled with new, ever-changing treasurers that will delight every woman.

This shop is special in that the merchandise is mainly provided by women, sold by women (volunteers) and financially supports women through charities. The one-of-a-kind accessories and fashionable outfits are deeply discounted, yet of superior quality. Designer clothing, like Gever Originals of LA, hobnobs with paintings, antiques, furniture, hand-made dolls, gorgeous hand knitted sweaters and an ever changing array of creative gifts and keepsakes. The environment, whimsical and bright, the people friendly and approachable make for an easy and validating experience. One can go to peruse… or seek advice.

But the real difference here is the painless fund-raising for women’s issues. A percentage of all purchases are donated to a charity of the customer's choice. A growing list of approved charities is presented at the time of purchase, such as the YWCA of the Harbor and South Bay, H.E.L.P. (Healthcare and Elder Law Programs and Counseling), the Salvation Army of Torrance and Susan G. Komen-Breast Cancer Foundation, to name a few. Volunteers earn a modest commission, thereby helping to employ women with limited time available to work. The customer pays less, the sales force earns a percentage and choice charities and their recipients all benefit, too - it’s a win-win-win!

The boutique goes further than a discount store, sponsoring "events" like Mary Frances Handbag trunk shows, crocheted wire jewelry demonstrations by Mary Austin and the upcoming display of the extensive, nationally famed Annalee Doll collection. The store also sponsors make-up demonstrations showing how to wear makeup as an accessory, consultations and demonstrations on Mastering Color. Stacy Gross-Eldredge CPCP, takes appointments, educates and demonstrates Permanent Cosmetics techniques and tattoo removal. Many more interesting and exciting events are scheduled.

Another unique aspect of Destination Women is that June and Loretta are both entrepreneurial designers; they bring with them extensive business experience and know-how to assist and support other women in their quest for success. Master Design Clothing, Loretta's company, is considered to be the authority in dressing women in business for over 27 years. She provides high-profile fashion to business-women, helping to improve their status in the professional world. “Dressing with success in mind is a business strategy".

June, who has tremendous flair with style and color says, "You can't get away from people judging you by the way you dress." Both women stress how important it is for women to make a "personal style" statement!

The new website, www.destinationwomen.com is becoming another pillar of the organization. There, one can learn more about the charities acknowledged by the boutique and, as the site evolves, new and exciting interactivity will be added. Of special note: a survey designed to find out what causes cancer by delving into the personal habits of women who have experienced it first hand. This is extremely important as it goes further than faulting heredity or exposures to dangerous materials; it will collect personal information (possibly like sleeping habits, exposure to plants and animals, cosmetics) giving researchers more information to work with in an effort to find a cure. This is truly women helping women!

Destination Women is a consciousness-raising spot to meet other women, share stories and be a part of their successes. Come visit this fabulous find and see how women are benefited on all levels, helping other women in the process!

The shop is located at 24576 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, Ca. 90505, in the Hillside Village Center at the intersection of Via Valmonte and Hawthorne. You may call Master Design for more information. To volunteer, please call 310.375.6361.

See you there!

BuzzNet Tags: Valmonte Living Magazine ~ July Issue,Destination Women,Concepts in Yarn & Needlepoint,Master Design Clothing,Gever Originals of LA,Annalee Dolls,Stacy Gross-Eldredge,Niki Chanel

Sacred Stone : Crystals and Collectibles

Ahhh… Gustav Schindler and Anne Sherwood have created a place of calm reflection and nurturing peace where you can find just the right gift for a loved one – or yourself.

When entering the Sacred Stone Gallery in the Hollywood Riviera, one feels immediately at home - but this isn’t home; this is a magical cave of gargantuan crystals, faceted touchstones and welcoming smiles.

The consummate Californian is the child who purchases his first surf board at age seven. A Torrance native, young Mr. Schindler was just such a lad, eager to live life to the fullest, and always first in line for excitement.

Drafted into the army at the age of 19, Gustav saw Vietnam as a whole new world filled with marvels and the unusual. It offered him new horizons and personal growth which he took to heart, both business-wise and spiritually. Seeking adventure, he volunteered for Riverboat Patrol duty knowing it was one of the more dangerous jobs during the war. For most of us, the mention of war-torn Saigon still arouses dark memories, yet for others it provided opportunity. During his tour, Gustav noticed that items from the United States were in great demand among the Asian allies, while the reverse was true for him; religious carvings and curios fascinated Gustav. Vietnam had exposed him to exotic, eastern artifacts and started in him a passion for collecting and trading.

Upon his return to the States, Gustav attended UCLA then went to work for McDonald Douglas as an exotic metals specialist. He continued his studies of Persian rugs, cloisonné, and American Indian artifacts, all the while adding to his personal collection. During the ‘70s, while living in Kauai, Gustav spent time at a Sufi healing camp studying their traditions and way of life. This is where he first became acquainted with the use of crystals as healing tools, giving his passion for collecting even more impetus.

When the aerospace corporation folded in the 1990s, Gustav used the lay-off as a chance to start his own healing practice in Palos Verdes Estates at the Malaga Cove Plaza. Working seven days a week, Gustav’s efforts quickly brought success, though his passion for collecting never waned despite the heavy demand for his time. Soon he realized he was outgrowing his 3000 square foot home. He simply had too many relics and too little space in which to store them.

About this time, Gustav met Anne Sherwood, a fellow crystal l over. She had escaped the harsh winters of upstate New York, trading them for Californian sunsets and hoping to find like-minded souls in Los Angeles. Among her many talents, she had minored in Geology in college and managed a retail store. Small wonder that Anne’s mineral knowledge and Gustav’s ever expanding collection struck a harmonious bargain and the two decided to open the Sacred Stone Gallery in 2002. Gustav would have the freedom to travel and meet with traders and private customers, while Anne would have the opportunity to create the sanctuary she had always dreamed of during those icy New York winters.

The first item to be moved into the store was a one ton Shivalingam - a naturally occurring, smooth, elliptical shaped rock from the Narmer River in central India where it is considered to be a sacred stone, giving the store its name. Though it is for sale, it’s not going anywhere fast. “When you weigh 2000 pounds, you get to be where you want” grins Anne. This rock is a gigantic version of the sacred stones seen in the Indiana Jones movie, ‘Temple of Doom’. She shows me a few of the many pocket-sized treasures of amber, tektites of meteoric glass, labradorite, garnet, one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry and imported statuary that can be found here. “But the customers are the best part,” she beams. “Our clientele is an interesting lot bringing with them knowledge, experience and appreciation for what we offer. Visitors often stop by just to breathe in a bit of tranquility and beauty and leave feeling better. We love to share that with others.”

Store hours are 10am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, and noon-6pm on Saturday & Sunday.

Located at 1832 South Elena Avenue, Redondo Beach, the store’s website is sacredstonegallery.com and the phone number is 310.378.8866.

Go have a complimentary cup of tea and see for yourself. You’ll be glad you did.

BuzzNet Tags: Valmonte Living Magazine ~ June Issue,crystals,statuary,Gustav Schindler,Niki Chanel

The Ceramicist

Mica, the Pearl Cockatiel, comments while Lyn-Rae and Jim Ashley tell me about their three children: the architect, the pilot and the graphic designer. Lyn-Rae had been explaining that painting had become difficult with little ones at home. These early circumstances of her artistic pursuits were initially what led her to ceramics.

Through a series of classes and meetings with other artists in Torrance and Palos Verdes Lyn-Rae started throwing clay on the potter’s wheel. She sampled different clays and even made her own coloured porcelain by kneading oxide powders into it. Ever trying new things she found she liked the results of burnishing pieces with a smooth stone or stick (or even a ‘Sharpie’, in a pinch!) This is done when the piece is not quite – but almost – dry; a state potter’s have nick-named “black hard”.

All clay must be fired if it is to last but there are many ways to ‘cook’ it. Through experimentation Lyn-Rae has come up with an ingenious method of achieving colored tones on top of the muted shine using… seaweed!

After the piece is dried, rubbed and wrapped in seaweed it is placed in a clay box called a “sagger” and that, in turn, goes into the kiln. Before the clay gets to full “vitrification” (the hardest the clay will get without melting) Lyn-Rae turns off the heat - somewhere between 1600 & 1800º F and lets it ‘simmer’ for most of a day in her home kiln. The final step is to wax the outside of the piece, giving the delicate firing effects more contrast and completing the smoothing process. “One never knows what beauty will be revealed when the kiln is opened.”

The Ashley’s home is generously decorated with these useful and elegant artifacts, some looking a bit like Wedgwood, some reminiscent of Japanese Raku, all of them with a touch of mystery. They blend well with Javanese keepsakes from their travels in Indonesia. Jim, a flight test engineer, was sent there for extended visits to help with aircraft certification flight testing standardization and Lyn-Rae went with him. They both fell in love with the culture, the art and the food. “Even the little things are aesthetically beautiful there, from the extra care given to them.” Even the spiritual ideas of Java are intriguing; apparently, people in that part of the world believe that evil spirits only travel in straight lines so they place a narrow blockage in doorways that can be stepped around but will keep out these offending entities.

Lyn-Rae and her husband also enjoy sailing and make it out twice a week with friends, weather permitting. For thirty-seven years, the Ashley’s have lived on Navajo Place, a single lane road where homes look out over Los Angeles… orange textures by day, twinkling lights through the eucalyptus trees at night – an enviable lifestyle, indeed. Mica, the cockatiel, agrees… from his perch he thinks he can almost see the airport.

BuzzNet Tags: Valmonte Living Magazine ~ June 2010 Issue,Palos Verdes Art Center,Niki Chanel

Meet Rita Bayer

Rita Bayer has been a resident of Valmonte since 1956. She and her husband Al started out on Paseo del Campo, the road along the north-eastern side of the golf course. In 1961 the couple moved to la Selva Place with their children, Kathy and Chris. La Selva Place is a crescent drive midway down Via la Selva with a quaint little park in its midst.

But don’t judge this book by her cover – Rita Bayer is a powerhouse!

Wife and mother, Rita became the first woman ever elected to the Palos Verdes Golf Club Board of Directors. Even though, at the time, it was a ‘Men’s Club’ and terms of office ran for three years, she was asked to stay on for a fourth!

The art community is another subject near and dear to her heart. The Palos Verdes Community Arts Association was founded in 1931 and located in the Malaga Cove Plaza, upstairs, near the drive-thru arch. Interest and enthusiasm were nurtured until it was necessary to relocate. The name was changed to the PV Art Center when it moved to 5504 Crestridge Rd, Rancho Palos Verdes (310.541.2479) in 1974. Rita became president of the Art Center in 1991. Support continues to feed the Art Center (corner of Crenshaw and Crestridge) that today is bursting at the seams.

To accommodate the community and artists of Palos Verdes and the South Bay, The Artists’ Studio, located in the Art Center building on Crestridge and The Art Center Gallery in The Village, which is on Silver Spur at 627 Silver Spur Road in Rolling Hills Estates (310-265-2592) is open to the public and various art forms are for sale: paintings, woodwork, glass, jewelry and much more - more information can be found on the website: http://www.artists-studio-pvac.com . Success like this doesn’t just happen – people make it happen and Rita is one of these people.

Al and Rita were originally from the east coast when Al was contacted by Hughes Aircraft to come to California as an experimental test pilot. His work was concentrated in helicopters. The thinking was that someday everybody would have a helicopter in their garage, but rather than more affordable, they became more expensive… and larger. That didn’t stop Al from picking Rita up in his private helicopter at the PV golf course and taking her to dinner in Beverly Hills.

Flying was the joy of her life. She’s been in gliders, hot air balloons, helicopters, single and twin engine aircraft and she even ‘hitched’ a ride with Bob Hoover to Palm Springs! Rita often had the luck to be in the company of the elite. About John F. Kennedy, for example; she says, “He always made you feel like you were the most important person there.”

As you might imagine, Al and Rita traveled the world: London, Paris, Denmark, Norway, Bangkok, Taiwan, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong… yet were still happy to come home to La Selva Place.

With such an illustrious life I asked her if she regretted anything. Without hesitation, she replies, “I never jumped out of an airplane!”

BuzzNet Tags: Valmonte Living Magazine ~ April 2010 issue,Palos Verdes golf Club,PV tower,Rita Bayer,PV Art Center,Niki Chanel

Peninsula Sotheby’s International Realty

Interested in the real estate market? Why not inquiry at Sotheby’s? The president of the Palos Verdes Peninsula branch of Sotheby’s International is co-owned by Rick Edler – a Valmontian. We caught up with him and his busy schedule to ask a few questions of our own.

Valmonte Magazine : Where do you see the real estate market headed in our area this year?

Rick Edler : Valmonte should be steady and balanced in 2010, with 2011 and 2012 being banner years, though we need more ‘move-up’ buyers; 83% of the sales in 2009 were distress sales and these don’t create new buyers. We will probably see less of this in 2010. Currently, 53% of our buyers are involved with these distress sales. and it will likely continue to improve, assuming banks continue to lend.

Valmonte Magazine : How do you view home ownership?.

Rick Edler : First and foremost as shelter and for the enjoyment of its surroundings. Second, as an investment with 2010 being the largest High School Graduating class, we are still a decade away from new home buyers.

Valmonte Magazine : What do people love so much about Valmonte?

Rick Edler : Quick off the hills, tree’s, young families and the character of the neighborhood. These are all reasons Valmonte also has a high rate of families changing homes within the neighborhood.

Rick Edler has lived in Palos Verdes much of his life, graduating from PV High. He did Undergraduate work at USC in his double major - Entrepreneurship and International Marketing. He started in real estate with his mother, Kitty, at ReMax. Together they built the business until it became the Edler Group in the late 90’s. Moving forward, Rick went to Shorewood Real Estate to try his hand at his own business. Eventually he approached Sotheby’s and they elected to give him Peninsula Sotheby’s boutique. He is now the president and CEO of Sotheby’s Manhattan, Redondo, South Bay and PV and oversees all operations of the business. His sixteen years of real estate experience secured him the honor of Realtor of the Year for 2009 by Realtor Magazine. Rick is on the board of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Board of Realtors, Silverdes, L.L.C. (a real estate development firm), Merryweather Properties, Inc. (a real estate investment firm), the Bank of Palos Verdes and the Neighborhood Church board of trustees and is director of MSMLS, Inc. (Multi-Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc.).

Married with four kids; Gracie (8), Charlotte (7), Mark (4 and named after Rick’s brother) and Sofie (4) Rick has a very full life!

Offices are located at 608 Silver Spur Road, Suite 250 in Rolling Hills Estates, Ca. 90274. The phone number there is 310.541.8271.

BuzzNet Tags: Valmonte Living Magazine ~ April 2010 issue,Palos Verdes Peninsula,Southern California Sotheby's,Rick Edler,Niki Chanel

Teenagers on Ice

On the 7th of March, 2010 the Ice Chalet Skating Rink in the Rolling Hills Estates, Promenade on the Peninsula mall generously hosted a night of free skating to Valmonte residents from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Many brave souls with no previous experience gave it the college try and got better each lap around the Arena. Those that have spent childhood years in colder climates got reacquainted with gliding on ice and enjoyed the cool comradery.

However, there were an elite few who put us all in our place with their grace and expertise. Laney Diggs, 17, and Stephanie Valasek, aged 14, are two such Ice Angels.

These young athletes skate two to three hours a day, seven days a week and more time is added when they have an upcoming event. Working so hard on their skating does not leave time for much else so they have given up activities like Girl Scouts and Cotillion.

This sport can also be costly. There are traveling expenses; this April Stephanie is very excited to be competing in Toulouse, France with the Los Angeles Ice Theater. Costumes that must allow for ease of movement and present a smooth appearance are pricey and they need at least two costumes per year. The material that delivers this combination is a knit fabric and damages easily. The special, over-the-boot tights that cover the entire skate can run after a single performance. “Gloves, too - it’s up to a pair a week!” explains Christie, Stephanie’s mom. The costumes are designed by their various designers and choreographers who have the task of melding the design with the music. The girls compete with several musical genres - “In the Mood” by Glenn Miller, the overture of a 1960’s movie, “Irma la Douce” and “Les Mis”.

Laney began skating at age 5. She is 17 and a senior at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. She now trains in Harbor city, but trained in El Segundo alongside Evan Lysacek, who won a gold medal in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. At the time I spoke to her she was 15^th in the nation in the senior solo category with USFSA, the United States Figure Skating Association. She currently skates for the All Year FSC, Figure Skating Club. In 2010 at the US Championships, Laney became the Senior Bronze Ladies medalist in the Pacific Coast Sectional Figure Skating competitions. She says that experience is her life’s “defining moment”. Her favorite city that she has skated in is Vancouver, Canada and when she’s not skating, she likes to cook, read, watch basketball with her family, and has Olympic aspirations.

Stephanie, 14, started skating when she was three. Like all kids she went on to include many extra curricular pursuits to her calendar but the love of skating grew by leaps and bounds – literally! She has outgrown the Rolling Hills Estates Ice Rink because it is not long enough for some of her jumps. She now skates at five different rinks from Burbank to Harbor City. Stephanie helps teach the Learn to Skate classes every Saturday to give back to the rink where her career began.

Christie Valasek knows how hard these kids work at their sport and realized there was no High School Varsity letter available to them. After presenting their case to the school athletic director, it was agreed – skaters would get their due recognition as they certainly deserve the letter. For the first time in PVPHS’s history, on April 17^th, 2010 at the Rolling Hills Community Covenant Community Center at 735 Silver Spur in Rolling Hills a banquet will be held to present Varsity letters to these accomplished kids. Tickets are $20.00 which includes dinner. Call Christie Valasek at 310.722.0605 for more information and ticket sales.

See what can happen from a little fun in your neighborhood?! And to think – I had never been inside the Rolling Hills Estates Ice Chalet before - all the while kids have been building a future there. It’s a friendly and well maintained rink where one can go watch local teams play hockey or just practice standing up… on blades.

“Thank you so much for doing this!” I heard as I was leaving. Yes – thank you!

BuzzNet Tags: Valmonte Living Magazine ~ May Issue 2010,Ice Chalet Skating Rink,Rolling Hills Estates,Promenade at the Peninsula,Figure Sakting Club,Valesek,Diggs,FSC,Los Angeles Ice Theatre,Niki Chanel