Palisades News December 25, 2020

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December 25 – January 29, 2021 Volume 17, Issue 43

Pacific Palisades Year in Review

Palisades gets new honorary mayor, longtime community leader passes away and more.

See pages 2-7

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December 25 – January 29, 2021

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January 16, 2020

Pali’s Bud Kling Named California Boys Tennis Coach of the Year

Longtime tennis coach honored

By Chad Winthrop

Palisades High School tennis coach Bud Kling has been selected as the 2018-2019 California Boys Tennis Coach of the Year, the latest honor for the state’s winningest high school tennis coach ever.

The honor, bestowed to Kling by the National Federal of State High School Coaches Association, was based upon coaching performance in the 2018-2019 school year, lifetime community involvement, school involvement and philosophy of coaching. In a letter sent to Kling, it was mentioned that the longtime coach was specifically nominated by the California Interscholastic Federation as the “most deserving recipient of the honor”.

Kling, who is the winningest high school tennis coach in California history, led both the boys and girls teams to league titles this past season.

A UCLA graduate, Kling began his Pali tennis journey as the assistant coach to Bud

Ware in 1977 before taking over the head coach role in 1979. Since then Kling, who is Pali’s longest-tenured coach, has gone on to do one thing: lead teams to victory, possessing a .903 winning percentage over the decades.

Over the years, Kling. who was inducted into the CIF-LA Hall of Fame in 2017, has coached both the boys and girls tennis teams at Pali High. He led the girls for all but one season between 1984-2007 before stepping down only to return in 2015 to coach the girls to five straight section titles. Over 40 seasons, Kling has coached the boys to 37 league titles and 27 City titles.

Photo: Lesly Hall

Palisades High School tennis coach Bud Kling.

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January 21, 2020

Arnie Wishnick Way Now Official

City official designate segment of Antioch Street

By Sam Catanzaro

A Pacific Palisades community hero who passed away last year has been honored by city leaders with the official unveiling of Arnie Wishnick Way. “Arnie was a pillar of the Pacific Palisades community prior to his death last year, and his memory remains an inspiration for so many. Community members remember Arnie for his gregarious personality and positive attitude,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember Mike Bonin. “The new Arnie Wishnick Way runs right in front of the chamber of office, where Arnie worked so hard for the community for so many years, always with a smile.”

A segment of Antioch Street from Via De La Paz to Swarthmore Avenue is now “Arnie Wishnick Way” after an official designation ceremony last week.

Born in Chicago in 1942, Wishnick moved to Pacific Palisades after college and quickly became an involved community member. Wishnick served as executive director for the Pacific Palisades Chamber

of Commerce, from 1993-2018, when he stepped down a year before he passed away. He also devoted time to the Palisades community through various organizations, including the Optimist Club of Pacific Palisades, Palisades Teen Contest, Palisades Americanism Parade Association, and many other community events and committees.

“Arnie Wishnick was a giant in Pacific Palisades, deserving of recognition. It is appropriate that the City of Los Angeles rename [a] stretch of street in Pacific Palisades in his honor,” reads the LA City Council motion that led to the street’s name change.

Photo: Councilmember Mike Bonin

City officials and community leaders at the unveiling of Arnie Wishnick Way.

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December 25 – January 29, 2021

February 7, 2020

Remembering George Wolfberg, a Civic Leader for the Ages Pacific Palisades Community Council Chair Emeritus passes away

By Sam Catanzaro George Wolfberg, Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC) Chair Emeritus and an individual who dedicated a lifetime to public service, passed away Wednesday at the age of 81 after a long illness at his home in Santa Monica Canyon.

“It is a tremendous loss to his family, to Pacific Palisades and to all of Los Angeles,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember Mike Bonin. “As a civic leader, an environmentalist, an athlete, and as patriarch to a wonderful family, George’s accomplishments are legion and his legacy immense.”

George Sander Wolfberg, born April 22, 1938, was born and lived his entire life in Los Angeles. He was a high school competitive athlete at Los Angeles High and received a

B.S. in Political Science from the University of California Los Angeles and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Southern California.

Wolfberg’s entire career was dedicated to the City of Los Angeles. His first job for the City was as a City public pool lifeguard during high school and college. At his retirement, he was the Chief Administrative Analyst (the highest non-appointed position) in the City Administrative Office. He was well known by decades of mayors and city council members.

“In City Hall, George was a rock of integrity and a font of knowledge which I and others who cared about our city always relied upon,” said Joel Wachs, a college roommate of Wolfberg’s and a longtime City Councilmember.

Wolfberg considered one of his career highlights to be oversight of Los Angeles’ successful divestment from South Africa under apartheid, for which Nelson Mandela came to Los Angeles to specifically thank the City.

Other significant accomplishments include preparing the City of Los Angeles’ bid to win the 1984 Olympics, contributing hundreds of volunteer hours to make that event a success and securing many infrastructure upgrades in the City in preparation. In addition, he created

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women’s Olympic cycling event by writing it into the City’s bid that the City would present it as an exhibition sport.

In 1992 Wolfberg was appointed by the City as commissioner of the Watts Friendship Sports League following the 1992 riots, the first youth sports league sponsored by the City.

An example of his forward-thinking is the fact that he noticed children showing up to play sports who had not had breakfast that day and possibly not eaten dinner the night before. He created a program to serve free breakfast to all of the participants before sports started on the weekends.

After retiring, City officials requested him on the City Charter Commission, creating the new Charter adopted in 2000. The new Charter enacted the creation of a citywide system of Neighborhood Councils with the goal of promoting public participation in City governance and the decision-making process to create a government more responsive to local needs. Wolfberg served on the boards of both the PPCC (16 years) and the Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association (20 years).

He led the communities where he lived with improvements in infrastructure and guiding land use issues, preserving public parklands, creating new systems to support those living

George Wolfberg.

Photo: PPCC

without homes and improvements in safety and sustainability. He served on the Potrero Canyon Community Advisory Committee and advocated for greater public access including a bridge over PCH to link the bike path to the

George Wolfberg, see page 6

December 25 – January 29, 2021

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July 11, 2020

Palisades Country Club Receives Multimillion-Dollar PPP Loan While Collecting Full Dues $2.5 to $5 million Paycheck Protection Program loan goes to Riviera Country Club

By Sam Catanzaro An elite Pacific Palisades country club– who counts among its celebrity members the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury–received a multimillion-dollar small business loan from the federal government while allegedly laying off employees and still collecting full dues from its members despite being closed due to COVID-19.

On Monday, July, 6 the Trump Administration released data showing all recipients of loans through the $669-billion Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Riviera Country Club, located at 250 Capri Drive in Pacific Palisades, is the only country club in the City of Los Angeles to receive a PPP loan. According to records, Riviera’s loan was between $2.5 to $5 million. In addition, records show Bel-Air Bay Club, also in Pacific Palisades but considered a beach club, received a loan of the same range while collecting dues, according to a source.

Multiple sources have confirmed that U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin is among Riviera Country Club’s current members along with Larry David–who raised over $150,000 for caddies–Jack Nicholson, Adam Sandler and Luke Wilson. Former members include Walt Disney, Dean Martin and Howard Hughes Despite applying for and accepting the loan, during its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Riviera Country Club collected full dues from its members as confirmed by three members of the club who wish to remain

anonymous fearing retaliation from the club.

According to one of these members, these dues range from $400 to $1,100 a month. In addition, a member says that after the club was shut down every member was charged an activity fee.

“It is shocking to get your members to pay full dues and you still need to apply for a loan and you know you are charging this bogus activity fee that was just another line item for them to receive,” a member said. “The second they told us ‘we are looking at protecting our employees and not laying them off so therefore we [members] have to pay full dues’. I knew that was just an excuse. I knew that the second we came back we are going to see employees gone.

The fact that they accessed this PPP loan is of no surprise to me. The fact that they were able to get it is a bigger surprise to me.”

According to a member, most Riviera Country Club members were under the impression that the club would not be applying for a PPP loan, saying multiple employees verbally stated that the club would not be getting a loan. In addition, a member told Palisades News that at the beginning of April some members received an email saying that they were paying full dues in order to keep employees on the payroll. A member, however, says that this does not seem to be the case.

“It’s the principle that is the problem,” the member said. “I care about the fact that they are charging us full dues and this activity fee and they are promising they are not going to lay off our employees and we get back and half the employees I don’t see anymore. So where are those guys?”

When asked what they hope the club’s response should be, members say that the club should prove that they actually needed it for the reasons the PPP was created, which was primarily for employees so they don’t lose their

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December 25 – January 29, 2021

October 2, 2020

Serving Area since 1996 Locally Owned Business

Eugene Levy Named as Honorary Mayor of Pacific Palisades

Levy takes over rrole from Billy and Janice Crystal

By Toi Creel

Eugene Levy has been named the honorary mayor of Pacific Palisades as confirmed by Chairwoman Sarah Knauer and President & CEO Bob Benton on Monday September 21.

Levy will take over for Co-Honorary Mayors Billy and Janice Crystal when he’s not in Canada. He currently does have a residence in the Alphabet Streets.

The Crystals were co-honorary mayors for more than two years starting back in January 2018.

Even after receiving the title of honorary Pali mayor, Levy also took home some major wins at the Emmys. On Sunday September 20, the award-winning actor took home two Awards for “Schitt’s Creek”, a show he created with his son.

He won in the categories of Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

When accepting the award, Levy told the audience “As a dad, getting to work on camera for six years with both my kids, Daniel and

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George Wolfberg, from page 4 park for pedestrians and cyclists.

“George was the epitome of responsible leadership and dedicated service to his beloved Santa Monica Canyon and the entire Palisades community,” PPCC said. “George established good relationships with elected officials, managers and workers in many jurisdictions and agencies. They seemed to welcome his calls, requests and inputs on behalf of our community. Often, a call from George would generate quick results.”

In their remembrance of Wolfberg, the PPCC noted one of the hallmarks of his leadership style was an ability to make everyone feel that they could speak and would be heard. When he received the Citizen of the Year award, George characteristically remarked: “The roulette wheel stopped on my number . . . I just happened to be lucky, it could have been probably half the people in this room.” One of his guiding principles was summed up in his favorite quote: “You can quit when you die.

Never, ever give up.”

Wolfberg advocated to the City for years on the bad health grades at Will Rodgers State Beach and finally got a bad sewage pipe replaced and got the city to reroute

Eugene Levy.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Sarah … such a joy, love you both and could not be prouder.”

As far as what duties Levy will have to fulfill, he can follow in the steps of the Crystals. They made appearances and attended several events including the September 2018 Palisades Village grand opening, the Pacific Palisades Spelling Bee as well as several holiday gatherings and special events.

Levy will serve as honorary mayor for two years and will join a list of large names like Bob Saget and Sugar Ray Leonard.

The honorary mayor title has been a tradition in the Palisades community since 1951 when Virginia Bruce served as the first honorary mayor. sewage from the beach directly to the sewage treatment plant.

“I am deeply indebted to him for his leadership and his service — and for the manner in which he led and served. From project after project, issue after issue, George led and served with fierce determination, great warmth, big goals, and a smart and specific vision to achieve those goals. He has been friend, mentor and inspiration to more people than we can count,” Bonin said.

He was a driving force in AYSO Region 69, serving in various positions including Registrar and Board Member for 45 years. He became a nationally ranked referee who was still refereeing soccer games for teenagers at the time of his 80th birthday.

In addition, Wolfberg worked with Santa Monica Canyon and Rustic Canyon residents to restore the historic Uplifters Ranch Eucalyptus grove and hand-watered new trees there to nurture them for many years.

“George’s vast knowledge, un-flagging enthusiasm, optimism, tenacity, humility, guidance and friendship will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of working with and knowing him,” PPCC said.

George is survived by his wife Diane, his children and his many extended family members.

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December 25 – January 29, 2021

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August 21, 2020

Pali High Mourns Death of Shane Thomas: Soccer Player and ‘Beautiful Soul’ 17-year-old Shane Thomas passes away while practicing soccer

By Sam Catanzaro Palisades Charter High School mourned this week the death of 17-year-old Shane Thomas, a member of the Dolphin soccer team, who passed away likely due to heat while practicing in triple-digit temperatures.

Thomas– an All-City soccer player set to be the Dolphins’ captain next season–was training last Saturday at a park in Chino Hills with FC Golden State, a club soccer team.

According to Thomas’ sister Cheyenne, he left the field to take equipment to the coach’s car. When Thomas did not return, teammates began searching for him before finding him unresponsive.

“He was found after practice away from the field and we are all devastated here at the club,” said Jimmy Nordberg, executive director of FC Golden State, in an email to Patch. “We are truly saddened by his loss and our thoughts and prayers are with his family,” According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff Coroners office, Thomas was discovered collapsed at 12:15 p.m. He died at 1:13 p.m. after being transported to Valley View Medical Center.

“I started crying, I didn’t want to believe it.

I know he was training, doing what he loves best. He was really excited for this season,” Pali High soccer coach Marvin Lemus told the

Riviera, from page 5 jobs and for businesses to be able to continue once they reopen.

“I am not sitting here being the judge or jury here, they just need to follow whatever the requirements of the PPP loan are. If they qualify for it, then they qualify for it, but they need to prove financials. The problem with a private club is they get to do everything in a black box.

Nobody knows what they are doing,” a member said.

Palisades News has reached out to Riviera Country Club multiple times with questions and for comment but has not received a response at the time of publishing. Bel-Air Bay Club has also not responded to a request for comment.

Members acknowledged that while closed the club had to maintain the grass on the golf course, Riviera likely had little overhead from the tennis side.

“The tennis courts have literally no maintenance. Every few years they have to resurface them. So when they closed for the pandemic, they literally removed the water

Shane Thomas.

Photo: GoFundMe

Los Angeles Times.

The Coroner says Thomas’ death was likely heat-related but a final determination won’t be known until the autopsy is completed. At noon last Saturday, temperatures in the area reached 111 degrees, Patch reported.

Following Thomas’ death, a memorial was set up in front of Pali High in his honor.

“I will miss you so much. You always made me smile when I was down. I will accomplish many things for you. You always motivated me to do my best. I will forever love you,” reads a note written on a poster at the memorial.

A GoFundMe was created this week to help Thomas’ family raise money to cover funeral costs.

“A young 17 years old boy who was doing what he loved [soccer] before his passing.

Shane was determined, hardworking, graceful smart and all-around a beautiful soul. He touched the lives of so many and it’s our turn to give back to his family in their time of need,” GoFund me to cover the cost of [the] funeral,” reads the GoFundMe. fountains off the courts so they didn’t I think have electricity running,” a member said. “So from the tennis side, even though their revenue may have gone down and they are paying employees’ salaries, they did not have additional overhead to cover either.”

While Riviera was the only country club in Los Angeles to receive a loan, several other golf and tennis clubs outside the city in Southern California were approved for PPP loans. With the exception of La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, Toscana Country Club and Claremont Tennis Club, none of the other clubs received loans more than $1,000,000. Other loan recipients, as detailed in the chart below, include Palm Springs Tennis Club, Glendale’s Chevy Chase Country Club and San Diego Tennis and Racquet Club.

Riviera Country Club and Mnuchin have both made local headlines in recent months. In May, Riviera was shut down by the Los Angeles City Attorney for opening in violation of stay at home orders. Also in May Mnuchin made headlines when Brentwood School–where Mnuchin’s children allegedly attend–received and then returned a PPP loan.

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